Chuck Sackett

a holy contradiction…

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

“Dead people live here.” I was struck as I read that line. It came in the context of discussing the Cross–a sign of death.  Yet, people wear them…around their necks, in their ears, tatooed into their skins.  If the wearers are authentic–the line is true.  “Dead people live here.”

That’s discipleship. Living life in the shadow of and under the influence of the cross of Christ. We are dead to self and to the world–at least, ideally (See Galatians 2:20). What matters now is living like we’re dead. What an incredible difference it makes when matters isn’t my comfort or my success, instead it’s what pleases God and impacts people.

I keep hoping the ideal becomes real.  I keep hoping that the longer I linger in this life, the more dead I become so I can be even more alive than ever.

warmth…inside and out…

Friday, October 21st, 2011

Generosity is a hard idea to grasp, unless you’re wrapped in it on a cold night.  And that’s what’s going to happen to lots of people due to your graciousness.  We have a pile of coats that represent your desire for people to be warm.  What I hope is that they feel warm on both the outside and the inside.  I hope they realize that this gesture of kindness is an indication of how much we simply value people.

I realize that not everyone will feel the warmth of our gifts.  Oh, their hands and heads may be warm…they may keep a coat wrapped around them against the wind…but they may not fully get the warmth we’re hoping they feel–loved and cared for.  But we’ll pray they do.

What I also hope is that you are warmed.  Even while the recipients are warmed on the outside, I hope you are warmed on the inside. I trust you will find a deep sense of satisfaction and joy that you’ve been enabled to help. I’m confident God’s heart is warmed.

fruit…the product of partnership

Monday, October 17th, 2011

Your response to the series, The 9, has been encouraging.  And since several of you have asked, here’s the list of definitions.  They are a work in progress. I seem to define and redine each week. So, at the end, I’ll put up a more permanent set.  Hopefully, they won’t change very much.

I marvel at what God is up to and how He partners with us in this process. I’m indebted to N.T. Wright for pushing that part of the thinking process.  John R. W. Stott has also contributed greatly to my thinking about the “uncompromising rejection” and “unconditional surrender” that has shaped each sermon.

Blessings as you continue to partner with God to cultivate these qualities in your life.

Definitions of Fruit

don’t have church at home…

Friday, September 30th, 2011

…at least not in Kazakhstan.  And don’t try to be a church without receiving official recognition from the official department of religion in the Kazak governmental system.  5 Baptist churches were raided last month. Huge fines (10 months salary) were exacted on any who were arrested.  Some for meeting in homes, some for having a religious festival, some for meeting in public buildings.

‘Mereke Myrzabekova of Zhezkazgan’s Internal Policy Department told Forum 18 they would not have been raided had they been watching football or drinking vodka together “because that’s not religion”.’ Just think how many Americans would have to be arrested if “watching football” was illegal!!

You can enjoy sports and you can drink…but you can’t worship. At least, not without permission.  While I realize that our freedom is sometimes our greatest nemesis…it is also an incredible blessing.  We are free to stay home…that’s true.  We are free to believe we don’t need God…no one can stop us.  We are free to be irreligious or non-religious…it’s our right.  But we are also free to gather and worship and read our Bibles. We are free to talk about Jesus.  We are free to invited friends to worship with us.

Thank God for our freedom…pray we don’t abuse it.  Pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world…pray they are faithful

the squeaky wheel…

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011

I guess if you whine loud enough and in the right place you finally get things done.  Not the best method, but I’ll accept it this week.

I have to admit, I felt better after my public complaint about Comcast. And even better when I heard many, many responses from the audience and in the foyer.  Then, last night, I discovered that the “boss” of the tech crew was in church.  Oops!  Last night I had a scheduled appointment and Dave the tech guy was doing a great job. Then we hit a snag.  He called his boss and I learned that it was Mike.  Oh boy…

Before the night was over I had 3 tech guys in my house and problems solved.  Hope I learned something from all that. It would be a shame for me to waste God’s efforts at teaching me patience…

surely there’s no connection

Friday, September 16th, 2011

I’m preaching on the 4th fruit of the Spirit next week–patience.  Tuesday Gail found a leak in a pipe in the basement.  Yesterday I spent the entire day trying to repair it.  This morning I finally got a different leak fixed (created in the process of fixing the other) only to discover we have no pressure in our hot water faucet in the kitchen.  You don’t suppose there’s a connection?

I did not pray for patience.  I did not ask God to provide me with illustrations for the sermon.  I really just wanted to fix the first simple leak.  But, rest assured–the story will show up on September 25th.

community at its best…

Thursday, September 1st, 2011

I observed an amazing display of community today…from an unexpected source.  I had the privilege of doing Scottie Harre’s funeral this afternoon. The expected small crowd grew to nearly standing room only, many of whom were from Transitions (the physically and mentally challenged community). They grieved as you might expect.

But what I didn’t expect were the displays of affection and warmth at the casket.  As they quietly passed by at the end there were pats on the hands, kisses blown, good-bye’s mouthed silently, and smiles of appreciation. It was amazing to see this very special group sharing in their community of affection. Amazing…simply amazing.

There was also the expected display of community.  When I arrived at the hospital emergency room, there was family and soon close friends.  And at the funeral home…such a display of concern from among friends at the visitation..and again at the funeral.  Then, for a late afternoon meal, the love and attention of friends fixing a meal and serving.  What a tribute to what it means to live in community.

What a blessing to be part of such a sharing, loving, kind community of folks.  And both communities are communities because of what they share in common. What a tragedy that some folks live without that. They are missing so much.

Resources

Friday, August 26th, 2011

http://library.nu/.

Check out this link.  It provides access to some great books in pdf form.  You’ll love the resource.

Creation Care Resources

Friday, August 26th, 2011

I’m making a list of resources for those interested in pursuing the idea of “Creation Care” further. I have not read these and can not vouch for any of them. If you have a critique of them, please post it for the benefit of the rest of us. If you have other suggestions, please post those–with as much explanation of their perspective as would be helpful.

Wright, Christopher, “Mission and God’s Earth” in The Mission of God (I’ve read this and it’s outstanding)
Wright, Christopher, Old Testament Ethics for the People of God
Elsdon, Ron, Green House Theology: Biblical Perspectives on Caring for Creation
Nash, James, Loving Nature: Ecological Integrity and Christian Responsibility
Bridger, Francis, “Ecology and Eschatology: A Neglected Dimension,” Tyndale Bulletin 41
Schaefer, Francis, Pollution and the Death of Man: The Christian View of Ecology
Guinness, Os, The Dust of Death
Brown, Edward R., Our Father’s World (Mobilizing the Church to Care for Creation)

http://post-apocalyptictheology.blogspot.com/search/label/Schaeffer
http://www.surfinthespirit.com/environment/stewards-of-earths-resources.html

Dreher, Rod, Crunchy Cons
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5256754

http://www.foodincmovie.com/about-the-issues.php

www.arocha.com
www.earth911.com

These are resources I’ve had suggested to me or I have looked at briefly. I look forward to your responses with more suggestions for us to think about when it comes to creation care.

i wonder why?

Wednesday, August 17th, 2011

I confessed a troublesome truth to my class yesterday.  I’m choosing to reveal it to you, too. Maybe you can help me with it. I’ve been trying to analyze it to see if I can figure out why it’s true.  So far, no solutions.

When I’m here (Eastern/Central Europe) I have this deep yearning to know whether or not every person I see is a Christian.  It’s like I want to stop every person on the street and ask them about their faith. I know they can’t understand me…or me them…but for some reason, I just feel I have to know.  Is it because they’ve endured so much? Is it because the west has intruded so blatantly? Can it be simply that they can’t answer me?

Okay, so that’s half the issue.  The problem is, I don’t feel that way at home. Oh, I want to know to…but I don’t have that constant state of near anxiety. I’m driven to find out. It’s a question that sometimes haunts me but often is simply silent. And I wonder why. Is it because I could understand them?  Is it because I could talk to them?  Is it because faith is so common?  Do I just take it for granted by life is pretty normal when I’m home and total in upheaval when I’m here.

I want to want to be driven to know. I want to feel compelled to ask everyone, somehow, if they know Jesus. Maybe that’s why God allows me to be here…to remind me of that deep longing.