Chris Maxwell's Newsletter

Another Day Along the Way
Friday, April 20, 2007

Another day,
So much changes in a year. So much can change in a moment.

A year ago, I had recently announced to our congregation about accepting the position as Campus Pastor and Director of Spiritual Life at Emmanuel College. Their feelings, my feelings, our feelings: I remember the responses, the questions, the discussions. A year has now rushed by. Though God fills us with surprises, this change has gone well.

I told a friend about time with college students, events where Christ is honored, writing for Faith Cafe, and seeking to mentor future world-changers. The college students are exciting, honest, hoping to see change, and - like all of us - imperfect humans in a fallen world. The privilege of having time with them warms my heart. The honor of being a friend to those who will guide Christ's body into the future thrills me.

So much changes in a year. So much can change in a moment.

By making a decision, change came. That is how our lives are. We make decisions. Correct ones. Incorrect ones. We fail if we base decisions on inaccurate assumptions, previous mistakes, the control of others, self-doubt, or by failing to seek God's will and the counsel of those who know us best. We succeed if we search for God's plan with pure motives, and walk into the land of obedience as He guides our steps.

How are you doing with that? How are you and God doing with communicating? What decisions are you facing that will shape the future in better, or worse, directions? What are you going to do?

Next April, how will your life compare to today? Think about it. Pray about it. And do something about it. Do not leave yourself, or this world, alone.

So much can change in this moment that will change so much in years to come.

Along the way,
Chris Maxwell

Prayer Spoken: "Abba, thank you for showing me that I don't have to be a slave to my passions and least of all my drive for instant gratification. Please forgive my idolatry, and help me to cast this idol far away from me, even as you continue to show me how the 'microwave mentality' shows up in other areas of my life."
(American Idols: The Worship of the American Dream, Bob Hostetler)

Another Walk through a Wilderness Experience
Monday, April 02, 2007

Another day,
Have you've ever walked thru one of life's wilderness experiences in your Christian journey? Perhaps you wished you could pick up a book or call a friend and find reassurance that you can make it to the other side of the forest. How about finding both answers in one source? Let me tell you about a book written with such honesty and transparency that you feel the author is connecting with you as a close and trusted friend---sharing his most intimate struggles and relating them to your own. Changing My Mind is a powerful account of one man's struggle with an illness that would impact his entire life and the lives of every person close to him. It's also a story of hope, encouragement and victory.

Here is what I recall when I first heard of Chris' illness:

Deb's call roused me from my newlywed slumber. "Did I wake you?" "No," I stretched. "Just returning your call about the book you asked about." "Oh," I yawned.

"We have it and you can borrow it." She continued. "Okay, whenever is fine." I yawned further. Then, her tone changed. "You heard about Chris, right?" "No, what about Chris?" My yawning ceased, my posture changed. "He's in the hospital. They don't know what is wrong." She said. My brain alerted my body to rise. My Pastor's wife now had my full attention. A casual call had turned into a day changer.

Most of the phone call is a blur. But, two phrases remain: "He can't remember" and "they won't allow visitors."

I couldn't even imagine what Debbie must be going through. I clutched my husband Bill's hand.

My thoughts raced. Can't remember? Can't remember. Can't remember what? What he had for breakfast? Where he went on vacation? The man that never used sermon notes. The man who knew every name and number of those in his congregation now knew nothing? Then, my worst fears surfaced. What if he can't remember who I am? What if he can't remember conversations we've shared? What if, this pastor, friend, brother I never had, who just three months ago walked me down the aisle and gave me away to my groom, didn't have a clue I existed. My heart sank.

I had to know. But, I couldn't go. No visitors. No visitors? Was he that unstable? I had to know. So, I went. Not that day, but later. I took a chance. Maybe no one would be there and I could see for myself. I saw familiar faces. But not his. Our Associate Pastor and his wife stood in the hallway. They gave me an update. It was nothing new. I knew nothing. Chris knew less.

A week later the phone rang. When I heard his voice on the other end, I put my hand over the receiver. I whispered to Bill, "It's Chris." He told me he wasn't supposed to make calls but he was making them. His rebellion told me that at least a portion of his personality was in tact!

The conversation was short but it seemed long as I waited. I waited for a sign. I waited for a phrase. I waited for something; anything that would tell me that Chris remembered Mary. And then I smiled. I can't recall what he said. But, I knew that he knew me. The wait was over.

That was eleven years ago. The disease of encephalitis changed my friend. Some say for the better. Some aren't so sure. One thing is for sure. He is changed. God changed Chris Maxwell. And God is using the "new" Chris Maxwell like never before. He's bold, yet meek. He's confident, though not of himself any longer. He is confident in God alone.

"The calendar called it March 1996. My body chose a different march, a lonely march, a march rushing me into unfamiliar territory. The journey of encephalitis crushed me." -Chris Maxwell, in Changing My Mind: A Journey of Disability and Joy

We've all been crushed haven't we? May you take comfort in knowing that we serve a God who is painfully familiar with suffering. "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" (Hebrews 4:15-16 NIV).

To help you understand that truth as it relates to your own struggles, and to give you an opportunity to help others accept the love of God during their suffering, why not buy a copy, or two copies, or three copies of Changing My Mind? Maybe you've never read the book. Now is the time. Order it through Amazon.com or call Life Springs at 1-800-541-1376.

Most of us can think of people who need the honest encouragement Chris brings in Changing My Mind. Why not bless those people with a copy of this inspiring book? As a unique incentive and "thank-you" for those ordering two or more books, we'd like to send you a portion of Chris' story that didn't make it to print.

Thank you and may God richly bless your life as you bless those you encounter who would benefit from hearing this story of hope, encouragement and victory.

Sincerely,
Friend and writer, Mary DeMent

p.s. Please send me confirmation of your order of two or more copies and I will personally email you the "bonus" portion of Changing My Mind. maryment@bellsouth.net

Along the way,
Mary DeMent