Chance at a new life

Recently I have been reflecting on how I came to be a Christian and what that means. I chose to remind myself frequently of my past because I want to remember what Jesus has done for me, not just in the "spiritual" sense, but literally. I don't dwell on the past, as that would not allow me to move forward. But remembering who I was before I met Jesus, before I gave up my stupid ways, reminds me who I am living for. If you are a Christian, do you think about this? It's important because without our past we would have no witness or example at all as to why the heck we would put all our faith into this unseen person, Jesus.

It has taken several years (a decade in fact) to get to the point that I am at today. I lay my life at the feet of Jesus for him to take me and mold me into the man HE wants me to be. I was once heavily into alcohol and loved the party scene. Going to clubs, hanging out in the most obscene places. That was my life in my teens into my early 20s. Although I accepted Jesus and the fact that I believed he was and is truly God at age 19, I struggled to live out my new faith. After years of living as I did before I knew Christ, I realized one day that something needed to change. I was not going down the road I wanted to, struggling with my marriage, my job, everything. So with my wife, we decided to make a real change. The year was 1998. We started attending church regularly and eventually found a "home" church that we would go to every week for the following 8 years.

Fast forward to today, two mission trips to India later, a leader of an international surfing ministry, ministry partner with several evangelists, going to an incredible mission-minded, spirit-led, praying church, and working for a Christian college. Not to MY glory, but to God alone. I am willing. I am ready. To live is Christ, to die is gain - dying to myself (Phil. 1:21).

Want to know more about who Jesus REALLY is? Not what you see on TV. Not what you typically know of at church. The REAL Jesus. He IS real and he has changed my life. I have seen him work in amazing ways. The things I have seen are not explainable in human terms, only spiritual. I'd love to talk to you about your walk in life and experiences. Give me a call or email: 503-320-4814 / corey@ckwells.com.

Encourage someone today

"'Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.'"
-Proverbs 12:25

The nineteenth-century writer Walt Whitman struggled for years to get anyone interested in his poetry. During his discouragement he received a life-changing note from an admirer of his work. The note read, 'Dear Sir, I am not blind to the worth of the wonderful gift of Leaves of Grass [one of Whitman's recent writings]. I find it the most extraordinary piece of wit and wisdom that America has yet contributed. I greet you at the beginning of a great career.' It was signed by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Whitman enjoyed a long career and is now considered one of the giants of American literature. But when times were tough he needed encouragement to keep going. And he's not alone. When we're on the brink of failure, the right word at the right time can keep us in the game. When we're too tired or discouraged to keep going, an act of compassion can give us new strength. Encouragement is one of the central themes of the Bible:

• 'Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad' (Proverbs 12:25).
  
• 'Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees' (Isaiah 35:3).
  
• 'For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you'' (Isaiah 41:13).
  

Encouragement doesn't deny the problem; it enables us to overcome it. It doesn't validate stubbornness or stupidity; it simply corrects and guides us in the right path. It doesn't leave us alone to carry the burden; it lets us know that God is present to help and strengthen us. So today, encourage somebody!

I pray you are encouraged by this...