I know you're busy ...
and the fact that you've chosen to read this little blog is an honor. As for the words I write, its really more about what it produces in my own heart than a belief that I have something to say. However, if in the process it encourages you, that makes it even better. In the end, I hope we all "find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might —out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise." Peace.
In 1987, I was honored to be with Pastor Wendell Smith at Bible Temple in Portland, Oregon for the School of Youth Ministry. That week changed my life and set me on a course of serving God in my own generation. One of the most significant times of prayer that week included a prophetic word through Wendell over me and the ministry at Covenant Church of Mobile, where at the time I was the Youth Pastor. He spoke of God giving us a bag to carry … a bag of embers, each with the power to burn brightly and ignite into flame. I’ll never forget the context of that prophetic message … “God wants you to spread these embers among young people wherever you go. He wants you keep emptying the bag and find that it will never be empty. And as you obey Him in spreading the embers, they will catch like wildfire, touching a new generation and causing them to burn with passion for His Kingdom.”
As I look back on that week, I realize just how much God set into motion for me, my family, those I was privileged to serve with and countless young adults. A little youth camp in Mississippi was started, and later one in Texas; two dynamic, ongoing church youth ministries; several young people who are now planting and leading churches; others who are on the mission field; thousands who are loving Jesus, raising Godly families and serving their own generation; the encouragement to Jamie Johnson and the international ministry designed to raise up young leaders, Boy with a Ball … and that’s just the beginning.
On December 19, 2010, Wendell died of cancer, but he didn’t die defeated. http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/news/29813-pastor-wendell-smith-dies- He died a victorious warrior of Christ, having ministered to tens of thousands, raising up youth leaders all over the globe, and in 1992 planting The City Church in Kirkland, Washington, which he continued to pastor until 2009, when his son Judah was set in as senior pastor. He will be missed by those he leaves behind, but his legacy of serving God, extending His Kingdom and raising up leaders will live on. Wendell was a man who also carried a bag of embers, and he was faithful to spread them far and wide, finding the bag never grew empty.
All of this reminds me that in the big scheme of things, institutions are not that significant to God, but people most definitely are. God loves to use men and women. He purposefully chooses to bring His promises into action in the lives of His chosen ones, and through their service cause many in this generation to be added to the ever increasing Kingdom. He used Wendell in a mighty way, not just in my life, but in the lives of so many. A favorite scriptures of his could be found in Acts 13:36, “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep.” It’s clear this can now be said of my friend Wendell.
Enjoy the great cloud of witnesses my friend. I’ll see you there soon.
-Chris Hyatt
“Oh what a great Saturday it was going to be.” There I sat all decked out in my Tide football regalia at a local breakfast joint – Whataburger. Of course, since I live in West Texas, most folks were looking at me with blank stares, as if to say “if it’s not burnt orange, it doesn‘t compute.” Didn’t matter – nothing could phase my reveling in a day of college football crowned with #2 Alabama 
playing on national television – even in Texas (who I might add is ranked #3). As for now, the plan was to sit here, enjoy my coffee and read the sports section from cover to cover just to whet my appetite.
I do love me some college football, even though I never had what it took to participate in anything beyond Pop Warner – and that was questionable. I knew at 9 years old and 47 lbs. (soaking wet), I probably wouldn’t be competing for the first squad. They could have told me what I often heard Charles Simpson say his coach told him… “Charles, you’re small – but your slow.” The one year I did play, my coach looked at me after placing all the other boys in positions of glory or at least chances of contribution, and just sighed. I’ll never forget him peering my direction, like he really wanted to skirt this decision altogether, but knowing that this was why they paid him the big bucks – to make these kind of really tough calls. “Well kid … uh … lets see … maybe you can … uh … well (glancing back and forth between the field and the water cooler) … why don’t you go play defensive tackle.”
“Huh? You’ve gotta be kidding me? Look at me man? My pads weigh more than I do. The smallest helmet we could find was still so big that when I turned to the left, the helmet remained stationary.” This was gonna be a really long season, not to mention a tortuous practice. Either coach was still suffering brain damage from his own football concussions or he’s some kind of sadist. But thats what I endured for the season – with one glorious moment of redemption when I recovered a fumble, which I later realized was a classic example of being in the right place at the right time.
None of that has caused me to lessen my love for football. Its a game that models teamwork, mental and physical preparation, exceptional discipline and sweet victory. I love a well coached team – the celebrations they used to allow in the end zone – the 99 yard kick off return – and the pounding of an offensive line to allow their RB to gain 246 yards (Mark Ingram of Alabama). But I also love the stories behind the game, like the exceptional skill of a Tim Teboe and the scriptures on his eye black – the inspiration of a Pat Tillman who left the NFL to enlist in the army and die for his country – the unwavering love Gene Stallings showed his son Johnny, who touched as many Alabama fans as the coach himself. Such stories expose qualities that really are worth cheering. They penetrate our self absorbed culture and show us that there’s something bigger and better than living for ourselves alone. They paint for us a picture of overcoming obstacles, fighting the good fight, and lessons learned in a gut wrenching loss.
It’s that kind of story that was about to flash on the screen and remind me that Christ is working in the mundane as much as the magnificent. My football fixation was interrupted by an awareness of David, a breakfast spot employee. I had noticed him before while he gladly performed any number of menial tasks. His cheery attitude didn’t seem to fade, whether he was mopping up milk or wiping down the tables. I even saw him a time or two at the cash register, though it meant a customer would have to slowly repeat his order and settle for minimal eye contact. David, you see, is what our society calls a “special needs” person. We all notice them, sometimes out of sympathy and sometimes out of impatience. In our politically correct day we’ve come up with terms that sound less harsh, but a person that has a lower I.Q. or lives with a disability is all too often a conundrum for our self-actualized rat race. I’m not sure what “limitations” David has – I’m not even sure they should be considered limitations – but a simple observation would quickly reveal that to accomplish activities most of us take for granted, he has to apply consider effort.
It was in that context that I heard Jesus in the voice of the man sitting next to me. As David was carefully delivering breakfast to the man’s table, I noticed the patron put down his cell phone, peer up from the table with what I would call a truly compassionate look, and say, “you’re a good man, David. You always do such a great job in serving us and I am so thankful for you.” I’m not sure all that he said registered with David though he was smiling pretty big. Its easy to talk about our need to slow down and smell the roses, think globally and act locally, serve our fellow man in some meaningful way. We probably hear that type of message in many different arenas – church, civic clubs, even an oval office address. But it was in this minor exchange that I was reminded how easy it is to speak a blessing, affect a change, love a person, and in the process reflect God’s glory.
As easy as it is for us to admire the larger than life figures, sports heroes, political leaders, and anyone else who gets a large public billing, its all the more meaningful to spend a few of those moments and see the people right there in the room with us. The opportunity is afforded us each and everyday. May we see with our “Father’s Eyes” and be a blessing to those who cross our paths.
“Jesus looked at him and loved him.” Mk. 10:21.
Last year, in a really deep spiritual moment, God told me to shut up.
Yeah, it hurt. And come to think of it, it doesn’t sound all that spiritual – or deep. Maybe I misunderstand. Maybe what He said (in hallowed tone) was “Be ye quiet my beloved son.”
Hmm???
No. I think I heard Him right the first time. He said, “shut up!”
For as long as I can remember, I’ve never had a problem talking. On the other hand, it’s never been easy to stay quiet. Watching cable news, I realize I’m not the only one. Can you imagine Keith Olbermann or Bill O’Reilly announcing that God told them to shut up? Now that’s change I can believe in. Anyway, this has been a “shut up and know that I am God” season for little ol’ Chris, and I hope its produced some qualities I was lacking. The Bible says that “even dunces who keep quiet are thought to be wise” (Prov 17:28). Others thinking you’re wise is a nice byproduct, but real wisdom is the goal – and silence before God, with a right spirit, can begin to produce it. King David said, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10). And believe you me, if you’re truly fearing the Lord, it’ll be easy to shut up.
I think I can begin opening my mouth again – maybe not as wide, for as long, to as many. I hope I’ll be more discerning, alert and careful. I pray the things I say will be true and honorable … upright and pure … excellent and worthy of praise. I also pray the way I live will be the same.
-Chris
Like so many others, I have been thoroughly impressed with the very real accomplishments of Olympic Swimmer Michael Phelps – now the all time Olympic Gold medal winner, and soon will probably surpass Mark Spitz’s record for the number of Gold medals in any one Olympic Games. His ability to focus; his athleticism; his overcoming the all-too-often debilitating label of ADHD; his arm span which is almost 4 inches greater than his height; his raw enthusiasm as his relay team beat the pompous French … man, there’s so much to say about this guy that is admirable and an indication of how hard work can help us all achieve great things.
But of all the things I’ve read and watched, this is the one phrase that has caught my attention like no other. In the August 15, 2008 USA Today Cover story, Alan Thompson, the head coach of Australia’s swim team was quoted as saying of Phelps, “I’m not sure I’ll see another one as good as he is in my lifetime.” I sat there as that quote ricocheted through my mind, and tears begin to well up in my eyes. My thinking was quickly diverted from Phelps to another man of whom I should say almost the same thing. It sideswiped me like so many random thoughts do these days – I’m going along in life, looking at the obvious and perfunctory, when all of a sudden, the vehicle carrying truth knocks me back into divine reality.
That man of which I speak is Jesus … and I’d have to say it like this … “I’m SURE I’ll NEVER see another one as GOOD as He is in my lifetime.” His goodness is untouchable – His love unfathomable – His interest in me and you remarkable.
Maybe we should all say it together – “I’m sure I’ll never see another one as GOOD as Jesus is in my lifetime.”
- Chris Hyatt
Backsliding – turning away – choosing to live in sin regardless of what you’ve known in the past … all too often, these are descriptions of those who have received God’s revelation, but aren’t living like it. When you consider the countless Bible stories of individuals and groups of people that fit in this category, it can offer both comfort and grief. I’ve found in my own experience of falling away from God, that such betrayal is hard to get past, at least in my own mind. The clichés that so many use, such as “God forgives you, just forgive yourself,” don’t cut it with me, not when I weigh how serious sin in God’s eye. It all adds up to a case of double jeopardy – first the sin itself, then the quagmire of guilt and shame it creates even after you’ve found forgiveness. It’s like Satan knows how to pummel you, both coming and going. Not that you can blame the devil for your bad choices, but he certainly will place temptation, confusion and fear in your path hoping that you will fail your Father. Then once he’s enticed you into the pit, he’s a master at accusing, condemning, and shaming you into staying there.
God defines sin as “missing the mark,” like you would when you aim at a target, yet miss it. The best place we can ever live in is perfect communion with God, but sin is the very thing that keeps us from that ideal home. It distracts us from the beautiful story God made us to live and grow in, separates us from God’s love and favor, and destroys the fellowship we were made to have with Him and His family. The prophet Isaiah said it like this, “We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost. We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way” (Isa 53:6, The Message). Sin is not only the little white lie, the selfish behavior, or habit we can’t seem to shake – it’s a terminal disease that we’re all born with, giving us no hope of Godly fellowship apart from what He does to remedy such sickness.
Now before you start wailing in despair, there’s some good news for all of us. As much as God hates sin, he loves those who are prone to it. One of my favorite movies is “Amazing Grace,” the story of William Wilberforce, who was a British politician, member of parliament, and leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade in the British Empire. The movie is titled after the famous hymn, which was written by Wilberforce’s childhood pastor and friend, John Newton. In the movie, one of the most gripping lines is uttered by Newton, who says, “Although my memory’s fading, I remember two things very clearly. I’m a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.” It reminds me what the Apostle Paul wrote, “But sin didn’t, and doesn’t, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace.” (Rom 5:20, The Message).
The truth is, when you come to realize that sin is serious, it can make you feel completely hopeless – that is until you see that God doesn’t mean for us to stay victim to sin or its repercussions. That’s what the Apostle Paul is saying when he writes to the Christians in Ephesus.
Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! (Eph 1:7, The Message)
I can’t comprehend the full measure of God’s compassion and mercy, His willingness to pay the penalty for my sin. I can’t fully understand a God who forgives my missing the mark, not only in my original act of repentance, but also when He exuberantly welcomes me back home after I’ve strayed. I can’t grasp the amazing grace Father shows this kid who stormed off from His big tent of protection, only to watch Him exchange my filth for His beauty, my rags for His royal robe, my grime for His holiness. I can’t come close to understanding any of these remarkable gifts, but I’m glad I don’t have to before I can receive their magnificent outcome in my heart.
“Comfort, oh comfort my people,”
says your God.
“Speak softly and tenderly to Jerusalem,
but also make it very clear
That she has served her sentence,
that her sin is taken care of—forgiven!
She’s been punished enough and more than enough,
and now it’s over and done with.” (Isa 40:1-2, The Message)
- Chris Hyatt
I was sharing with someone the other day some things I am working on in my life. She was intrigued to the point that I thought I would put them on the blog. I find new years resolutions to be a drag, and a lot of times setting goals for myself just place me in a depressed mood when I realize how far short I come in meeting them. However, just because we fail over and over, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to improve. In fact, my philosophy is that you never get somewhere unless you start towards the destination – and even if you don’t get to the right place, what you learn along the way is sometimes just as beneficial as achieving the original goal. My Dad always tells me “you can’t steer a car that’s parked … so put it in drive, and let God guide you as you’re moving.”
So, maybe these generic targets for improvement will speak to another and encourage him or her to put the car in drive and let God guide.
- I want to decrease, that Christ may increase.
- I want to live everyday as a man with nothing to hide and nothing to prove.
- I want to speak less, listen more, understand better, and learn always.
- I want to give more than I consume on myself.
- I want to apply myself in areas that contribute to others.
- I want to rid myself of all extraneous, non-purposed things.
- I want to help others find what God has made them to do.
“I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.” Phil. 3:12-14, The Message
- Chris Hyatt
“Walking along the beach of Lake Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers: Simon (later called Peter) and Andrew. They were fishing, throwing their nets into the lake. It was their regular work. Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” They didn’t ask questions, but simply dropped their nets and followed.” Matthew 4:18-20, The Message
When I was a young leader in the church, I prided myself on the notion that I could challenge the establishment with my ideas for reaching the emerging generation and addressing a secular society that wasn’t listening. The priority to do such is still with us, but I find so fewer answers in myself to meeting it. Whether we’re talking about jumping aboard the latest move of God, or changing our approach to reach the biggest crowd, or even trying to evangelize our own children … I must confess I don’t know a whole lot about any of it. It makes me thankful that God didn’t primarily call us to such. He called us first and foremost to Himself – to follow Him and out of this relationship the divine catalyst would be released to catch, inspire and teach a lost generation.
I’m glad God is patient with us when we expose ourselves to an inordinate amount of technique training, wave catching, and model chasing. He certainly knows my propensity to throw out too many babies with bath water, serve as a self proclaimed cutting edge example, and jump in the face of those slow to change. Thank you Father for your mercy.
For all the wisdom that can be found in trying new evangelistic approaches, it often pales in comparison to rock solid proof of a man who knows who he is, and where he stands. I sometimes go bass fishing with my father and I’ve watched over the years as the sport has become influenced by big money, tons of equipment and those who claim the latest full proof system. My dad told me about this tournament he was in where all of these fishermen, in their $75,000 bass boats, with hired guides, thousands of dollars worth of tackle, and as many fish tales as you could imagine, where all beaten by the most unlikely character. He didn’t have a boat, but rather a one man inner tube, in which he floated not more than a hundred yards from the dock all weekend long. His simple orientation won him the prize of most fish caught. I guess it doesn’t matter if we have the newest gadgets, procedures, or support – it matters if we go where the fish are biting.
Too often the church with its new fangled methods, are fishing for folks with very short attention spans, which at best, will lead to shallow demonstrations of faith and non-productive followers, and at worst, empty nets. The ones that are biting are the ones that nobody is fishing for.
- Chris Hyatt
Ever felt like you were in the desert? I’m learning it’s not such a bad place. I grew up in southeastern New Mexico, a place most folks would say is nothing short of a desert. However, the memories I have of that geography include the beauty of a sunset, the vivid blue sky on a brisk autumn morning, and the cloud formations that seem to tell a story if you’ll watch them long enough. All of these things in the desert can be very rewarding.
So often we think of our most challenging times in life as being dry, barren, and without a lot of the amenities – a desert. But I’m coming to realize that a spiritual desert isn’t all that bad, especially when you consider the company you’re keeping by living in one. Jesus spent 40 days and nights in the wilderness praying, fasting and proving His superior Lordship over His archenemy. If Jesus found the provision of His Father in the desert, it makes me want to find the same. I see the place where I am, both physically and spiritually as a desert – a proving ground, where my every need is met in the moment it counts the most by God Himself.
If you’re familiar with the story of the prophet Hosea you know that God instructed him to marry a prostitute and be a living example of how God would treat Israel, who had prostituted herself despite God’s favor and blessing. Hosea took Gomer as his wife and repeatedly brought her back into his love, though she continued to live like a whore. It was like a biblical version of Richard Gere and Julia Roberts in “Pretty Woman.” The most shocking reality of such a scandalous story is the redemptive work and AMAZING LOVE of one who is the lover of our souls. At one point in the story, God said he was going to take Israel back to Himself – “allure her, bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfort to her.” Some have assumed that such a “wilderness” is God’s form of punishment, but I don’t see it that way. Of course, discipline is always a part of our journey with God and when the harshness of correction hits, it’s never very pleasant. But the discipline isn’t an end in itself. God doesn’t send us to the desert to punish us – He sends us there to woo us back to His love and care. This desert is a place of renewal – where intimacy and passion are returned to our relationship, where God provides so keenly, where faith is increased and purpose is revealed.
So don’t despise the desert – its one of the best places to be. And while you’re there, check out the sunsets, the blue skies, and the way God feeds you … from His hand to your mouth.
-Chris Hyatt
Wow! I didn’t realize what I was getting myself into. I recently began to process some personal ideas and revelation and thought, “Maybe I should put them out there on the internet so the few others interested can know that God is doing something good in me.” A virtual testimony, if you will. One link led to another, led to an assortment of blogs, and a whole list of chatgroups, and websites, and RSS, and before I knew it, I’m thinking, “I need to quit before I even start.” Whoever said our schools aren’t teaching people how to read hasn’t seen my list of “must reads” from the wonderful world of webbing. Then again, reading 20 blogs doesn’t quite live up to the educational value of Macbeth or Moby Dick.
I guess it poses a new problem for the guy who’s trying to live a Christ-like life in today’s “post-modern, post-foundational, post-societal, post it on the web world.” It reminds me of something my friend Robert Grant used to say, “No horse is so dead that it can’t withstand one more beating.” Our mission to go into all the world hasn’t lessened – our understanding of what that means has. But as I sit here typing this latest entry, a couple of thoughts come to mind that might benefit the blogosphere.
First, just because it’s published on the web, doesn’t make it true, or for that matter, worthwhile. And even those things that are worthwhile may not be personally beneficial. There’s a moment when even if you got the facts, you can be so inundated with them, you’re useless. I’d rather offer one simple truth that’s been thoroughly worked into my life than to offer so many pearls of wisdom, that the moment I hold them up they slip through my fingers like granules of sand.
Second, what we often write/blog/chat/preach/promote, is more about what is being produced in our own heart and less about what it will do for another. Back when I used to give weekly sermons I was always a little irritated when I’d have a parishioner come and share a revelation he had with me, not realizing I had been speaking on that very topic for the past six months. “Well isn’t that special,” I’d think to myself. “Where have you been while I’ve been preaching at you dummy?” Revelation is easy to broadcast, but hard to transfer. As another friend used to say, “Revelation isn’t taught – it’s caught.” When the epiphany hits us, its life changing and no doubt we want to share it with everyone around, and to some extent we should share. However, we need to remember what process we went through to have such a life-changing moment. Chances are it will take something just as significant for the next guy. I’m not saying we shouldn’t share, preach, write, blog, witness, etc. I’m saying we should be led by the Holy Spirit when we do and recognize there is only one true teacher using many broadcast frequencies.
Lastly, just because someone else seems to be doing it, doesn’t get you off the hook. I’m often heard saying, you can find anything on the web. That’s true, but not everyone is looking. The best way for someone to find Christ, is still through the personal contact of another human being. Your only mission is to be obedient to God with the next person you meet! Don’t let the plethora of tools, services, sources and ministry aids discourage you from being the salt and light God made you to be.
-Chris Hyatt
