Chris Maxwell's Newsletter

Another Day Along the Way
Sunday, February 25, 2007

Another day,
I'm learning much these days. Reading books, writing curriculum, interviewing people - it all brings information to me. Working with college students improves my own education; it is like taking classes into the world of reality - they are wise and fun and rich with enthusiasm.

I'm also learning much by visiting various churches. No longer the pastor of a local congregation, I see a wide array of styles; I hear an assortment of songs; I learn from a diversity of sermons. Modern or ancient, joyful or calm, friendly or snobbish. Variety in some ways. Predictable in others.

Today I spoke in a church where caring people worshiped God, prayed, and listened to my words. And, I admit, I loved the people at that place.

Now, typing words on a computer in a hotel room, I offer a wish. A "what if." A dream. A prayer. I wish the hate among Christ's body would turn into love. I wish the disgust - though often initially motivated by sincere desires to improve our faith's effectiveness - could be transformed into acceptance.

It would be nice if today's followers of Christ lived in harmony. Rather than the complaining or performing, the pretending or escaping, the search for good-old-days or addiction to brand-new-ways, what if today's believers lived like a family? What if our churches were like dens, or to fit the image with a deeper true meaning, what if we viewed them as living rooms? Rooms where life lives, places where people listen and learn, events where harmony relates to more than music. I think it would be nice. In many places like the one I experienced today, it is very nice.

Think about your own life as I sit here typing and thinking of mine. What are our views, our opinions, our complaints? Are we too good to join into a room with others who are also trying to find the way of living their beliefs?

Rather than debating style or doctrine or tradition or trends, I present a request. I pray we enter the spiritual family of diverse experiences and enjoy the unity of a yearning to live a Christ-like life. Together.

Along the way,
Chris Maxwell

Powerful Statement: Everyone knows that by itself, a stiff neck is not fatal. But attempt to drive a car, play with your children, or work in your garden, and you'll know how this disability seriously hinders your movements. Allow that to happen too often in your church or ministry, and it won’t be able to move either - except backward.
(How to Treat a Staff Infection, Craig & Carolyn Williford)

Check out Faith Cafe as a way to experience Christ-like life together:
www.faithcafe.com

Another Day Along the Way
Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Another day,

We often crave a return to good old days. More often and more real, are our longings for true, fresh, alive wells of living water. Though we think former forms are preferable, what works best is new life of ancient tradition.

Here is a news story from Sara Ray in "Columns," the Emmanuel College newspaper. Read the report and see what you crave to come alive in your true self. And pray, for the river to flow.

Along the way,
Chris Maxwell



Springs are flowing again

Last October, one of the EC maintenance men made a surprising discovery at the Pavilion. A natural spring has begun flowing out of an old city well, much like mineral springs for which the City of Franklin Springs earned its name. The water from this spring has been steadily flowing for the past four months, and a second spring has been bubbling up as well.

"It really is kind of a miracle that the water started flowing again," observes Franklin Springs City Councilman Charles Powell.

"Getting the water flowing again will be a huge thing for our area. This is tremendous for city pride," he explains.

Although many students do not realize it, Franklin Springs used to be known for more than Emmanuel College. About 100 years ago, the land now owned by EC was once occupied by a resort. Locals and tourists came to the area for vacations and therapeutic visits to the mineral springs flowing out of the natural wells, which were shaded by a wooded pavilion. When the resort closed down shortly before World War I, the original hotel remained and became what is now the eastern portion of Jackson Hall.

According to research by Franklin Springs resident Beth Kidd, the natural springs continued to flow and be enjoyed by EC students and local residents until the 1950s. It was during that time the city diverted the water from springs, causing them to cease flowing, as they developed a new city-wide water system.

Although the springs have been dry since that time, the original pavilion remained as a monument to the glory days of the springs. During the 1990s, Franklin Springs Mayor Brian James, who was then EC Director of Alumni Affairs, headed an effort to rebuild the pavilion and restore the area. Part of the landscaping project included a fountain and stream flowing into a small pool reminiscent of the springs.

The water for the fountain was supplied by a new well. Now, however, Mayor James is excited that the fountain may soon be powered by a real spring.

"It's a monumental thing because this place was completely dry seven or eight years ago to the point that you couldn't find water down here anywhere. For it to becoming out of the ground now is amazing," Mayor James says.

EC plans to partner with the City in order to get the water flow under control before any serious damage is done to the pavilion area.

"It all started out really slow, but I would say that in the last two or three weeks the water has begun to flow at a much faster pace. At first it was not really a big deal to us, but all of a sudden it has become what you see now," Director of Campus Operations Ron McCullar says as he motions toward the soggy ground and rapidly growing mud hole around the pavilion.

"For the time being, students need to use some common sense and not come down here and wade around in it. We are working with the city to resolve the issue and take advantage of the water coming out of the old city wells by diverting it back into the stream that is part of the pavilion's original design. Hopefully, we can get that work started in the next several days as soon as we determine what needs to be done. It shouldn't take more than a couple of weeks to complete the repairs," McCullar adds.

For many involved with the community and the campus, the rejuvenation of the springs symbolizes a great deal about life.

"Many associated with the springs see a real connection between the physical water supplied for the weary traveler and the spiritual implications of a small spot in Georgia where students, community residents and visitors can sense the presence of a Savior who supplies a life with living water which will never run dry," Kidd writes.

No matter what you make of it, the Franklin Springs are flowing again, and it looks like they are here to stay.

http://www.emmanuelcollege.edu/Special/Columns/default.asp

Another Day Along the Way
Sunday, February 4, 2007

Another day,
Before my busy weekend and during my wonderful week, I saw what I wanted to see. Before a Super Bowl Sunday and during my super beginning of a new month, I saw snow.

Waking at 3:30 can be fun. Sometimes. For me, this time, it was. Waking at 3:30 last Thursday was fun.

February started the way I doubted it would. February started the way I dreamed it would.

Looking through windows, I noticed white drops falling from the sky. Various sizes, shapes, and speeds, the snow glanced back - were they smiling at this forty-six year-old man who loved what he saw?

I watched a while, afraid if I returned to sleep I would have no more falling friends, no proof, no snow. But, each time I woke, I heard the rhythm of winter as snow and ice and rain took turns. Street lights placed the precipitation on a stage for my view. An outside light - surprised to be turned on at such a time - revealed a reality show I've missed seeing for a long time. Various sizes and speeds, drops of snow put on a show.

My mind hit rewind. The early years of growing up in this area, of seeing snow fall, of watching it cover houses and yards, of tossing cold white balls in fun, of watching and listening and enjoying. The many years of living in Florida, of sons, of sun, of sunscreen, of storms, of friends, of one snow in two decades. The touch of snow in New York City, in Philadelphia.

My mind returned to that moment. I decided to enjoy the rare, cold, fun event. Snow. I sat inside and watched. I ran outside and walked, welcoming the falls of snow falling on me.

Walking and sliding back home from my winter venture, I thought of life. Our waiting and desiring. Our enjoying. Our response to the arrival of what we hoped to see.

What about us? How long have we waited? How did we respond? Are we enjoying life's snow? Do we stay inside and watch life's events, or do we slide on the icy streets and smile? Do we quickly forget our fun? Or, are we still waiting for a few flurries?

Think. Answer. Evaluate. Reach conclusions and seek improvement, movement, change. Look through windows. Watch and notice. Put on a coat and a cap - walk outside. Slide while smiling.

And live. Today, whether your team wins or loses. Today, whatever the weather or forecast, whatever your pain or your peace, live.

Let us wake and watch. Let us walk. Let us return to this moment and live.

Along the way,
Chris Maxwell

Prayer Surrendered: Give us the faith to know that You are in control.
(Jean McGehee Davison, CONNECTIONS OF HOPE)
http://www.jeandavisonconnections.com/