Food and Friendship

Terri Hanson works with us at the church and she cracks me up on a daily basis --- sometimes she means to and other times she doesn't know she is! She is a joy to have around the office and she has a huge heart.


I sent Terri an email Monday night to let her know that we made a last-minute, quick trip to help out our friends and I wouldn't be back in town until late Tuesday. When we got home that night, there was a cooler on the front porch filled with some amazing food. And get this --- there was enough food for two families --- ours and our friends. I'm talking grilled chicken, twice-baked potatoes, broccoli with garlic and butter, and biscuits. (Is your mouth watering reading this?)


So, I delivered the food to our friends and they were amazed. We stuck ours in the fridge because it was late and actually ate it tonight for dinner. It was SO GOOD!


But above the tastiness of the food was the heart of one believer ministering to others. That's what we're supposed to be doing! Thanks, Terri, for being such a great friend to our family and a great example of one who serves and is making a difference in the lives of others. You are the best!

There's No Place Like Home

Praise the Lord --- we are home and our friends had HUGE answers to all the prayers today. They are home as well and the stories of how God has worked over these weeks are wonderful to hear. It has been an incredible trial for them and it's not over yet. But God is working, teaching, loving, and showing incredible grace to them as HE DOES TO US ALL. I'm so thankful for His faithfulness.

Thanks for praying for people most of you don't even know. I ask you to continue to pray for them as God works all of this out for their good, just as He promises He will (Romans 8:28). Yvonne and I are privileged to be their friends and are thankful to know people who truly pray.

On the Road Today

Hitting the road again today to be with our friends you prayed for a couple of weeks ago. The test and trial has continued for them over these weeks. Please pray that today will bring to a close the nightmare portion of this drama. We know God is faithful and able and is working all of this together for their good.

I pray that you have a wonderful Monday back to work and back to your routine. Yesterday was a great day at Capstone. I enjoyed meeting a couple who visited because of my column in the newspaper a month or so ago. And, I'm still stuffed from all the Thanksgiving food. It was worth it though!

Thanks and Giving

This morning, Capstoners prepared and gave away 200 lunches at a community center in downtown Anderson. This event takes place every Saturday at two different locations in town. We don't do it every weekend - many churches are involved. It's a community initiative we've participated in for the past three years or so. And it's one I really love.

Today was really special for many reasons:

• It's thanksgiving weekend. What a great time to share and give thanks by giving away.
• We had a big crowd of folks come out to help. We need 10-12 to get the work done. We had about 30 show up. Capstoners are AMAZING and have a HUGE heart to serve. That's what 2008 is going to be about.
• We gave away 57 coats. We did a one-day coat drive last Sunday. I asked folks in the morning service to bring coats to our evening iShare Celebration Service. We had a great response but I didn't know who we were going to give them to. I just knew God planted the idea in my mind! So on Tuesday, it dawned on me that it was our Saturday to do the lunches and that's where we should give the coats out. This morning's cold weather was the perfect morning for a coat giveaway. After watching some of the people come in without coats or in lightweight jackets, I realized why the Lord put the coat giveaway idea in my mind. He is awesome! We were able to clothe some truly needy people for the winter. Praise the Lord!
• There's incredible joy in serving. One of the ladies who helped called me this afternoon to tell me how good it was to be there and give out the coats. She said how great it was to see people get something that they really needed. And they needed those coats!
• I personally enjoyed seeing a man put on my Woolrich coat I've had since college. He was so proud to walk out in the cold with it on. Once again, I realized how truly blessed I am.

The Bible makes a promise that I saw come true today: "The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25 (NLT) We were blessed to give today and I give thanks to God for the privilege and for the refreshing.

Thankfulness - Part Two

• The people I work with at Capstone. They're awesome.
• People who are sensitive to the Holy Spirit and His leadership in their lives.
• People who take the time to encourage others. I want to be more like them.
• God's Word and the comfort it brings.
• Cooking. I can't wait to do a lot of it this weekend.
• My mom and her teaching me to cook when I was a kid.
• Our home. It's really comfortable and I enjoy being there.
• The Food Network. I'm a foodie, okay?
• My sister. It's great to have her as a true friend now that we're all grown up.
• Good memories and the ability to remember.
• The freedom we have here in the U.S. After going to Cuba three times over the past year, I know what I'm talking about.
• Trusting that God has a plan even when I can't see it.
• Great neighbors like Michael and Becky.
• The fact that I WILL NOT BE SHOPPING on Friday.

Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Thankfulness - Part One

To lead up to my most favorite holiday of them all, I'm going to post a random list of the many things I'm thankful for --- in no particular order, of course. Some today. More to come tomorrow.

• Knowing Jesus Christ as Savior and the hope and peace He brings even in the most troubling times.
• Family and the joy of spending time with them - my wife, daughter, parents, sister, Yvonne's family - they're all included.
• Health. After having pneumonia this time two years ago, I don't take it for granted.
• Capstone and the amazing people who are a part of this journey.
• Good food (such as tonight's spaghetti for dinner. I love me some pasta!)
• Great coffee. Seattle's Best Blend in the mornings and Books-a-Million's Southern Pecan on some afternoons.
• Teenagers - I love hanging out with my daughter and her friends, Nick, and all of Capstone's students. They are amazing!
• Mama's Thanksgiving dressing. I can't wait to have it this weekend!!!
• The ability to walk. There was a time that was a huge challenge in my life.
• Friends. Some have been around a long time. Some new. All amazing.

What's on your list? More of mine tomorrow.

Sunday Night Randomness

• It's been a while since one of these!
• Today at Capstone was a GREAT day. I love worshiping and partying with our church family. WOW - Capstoners know how to do it!
• Jeremy Horn was our special guest worship leader this morning and tonight at the iShare Celebration. What a voice and what a heart for true worship. Check out his website and listen to his music. You'll be hearing more of him in the years ahead.
• Big crowd this morning and tonight. That's always encouraging!
• My friend still needs your prayers. HE IS WALKING THROUGH A VALLEY --- key word being "through." Please keep praying for him and his family. I'm praying he'll be home before Thanksgiving. Please pray with me.
• I love Thanksgiving week. It is my most favorite holiday of the year. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
• I can't believe it's already Thanksgiving and that all the TV commercials are Christmas. Where did 2007 go?
• I'm feeling God has some amazing stuff in store for Capstone in 2008.
• The church's offering has been down the last few weeks. I've been wondering if gas prices, Christmas, and the economy has anything to do with it? If you're reading this from another church, have your offerings been down?
• No worries - we know who owns it all and has it all to bless us with!
• I love seeing new people connect themselves to the church without being asked.
• Did I tell you that Jeremy Horn is amazing and you should check out his music?
• I pray you discover God's truest blessings in your life this week. Gloria a Dios!

Life's Lyrics

If I was a songwriter, this is one I would have written. I don't know who the writer is, but the song was recorded by FFH probably about ten years ago. It's powerful.
________________________________________

I can't find the words to pray, I'm a little down today
Can You help me, can You hold me?
I feel a million miles away, And I don't know what to say
Can You hear me anyway?
What I need is for You to reach out Your hand
You have taught me no matter what You'd understand

Lord move in the way, that I've never seen before
Cause there's a mountain in the way and a lock on the door
I'm drifting away, waves are crashing on the shore
So Lord move, or move me.

I've looked every where to find a simple peace of mind
But, I can't find nothing on my own
So I gotta leave myself behind, take up this cross of mine
Give away everything I hold onto

Lord I know the only way is through this
But Lord, I know I need You to help me do this

Lord move in the way, that I've never seen before
Cause there's a mountain in the way and a lock on the door
I'm drifting away, waves are crashing on the shore
So Lord move, or move me.

Out of this place of complacency
To a place of fellowship with Thee
'Cause I am weak, but Lord, You are so strong
And You know it's been way too long
It's been way too long

Lord move in the way, that I've never seen before
Cause there's a mountain in the way and a lock on the door
I'm drifting away, waves are crashing on the shore

So Lord move, or move me.

On Way Home --- Thanks

Thanks to everyone who prayed for my friend. The Lord was obviously at work in the courtroom today. While everything did not get taken care of in the way we had hoped, today was definitely progress in the right direction. The judge ruled in a positive way and he was under no obligation to do so. That was God at work and I give Him the glory.

My friend will continue to walk this path of testing and trial for a little while longer. Please pray earnestly for him and his family. Above all else, they need to experience the very real presence of God and His peace during these days.

Thank you for praying. I know the Lord is hearing and He is working.

We're in Jacksonville tonight and should be back in Anderson early afternoon on Wednesday. Thanks for praying for travel safety as well.

I'm in South Florida

After a ten hour drive today, it's now 9:00 pm on Monday night and I am in South Florida. I am here because a dear friend of mine is appearing before a judge tomorrow. If you read this anytime between now and about noon on Tuesday, will you please stop and pray for him and his family? Pray for the Lord to intervene and for the judge to have mercy and for the Holy Spirit to rule over the courtroom. Pray for everyone involved to fully trust in the Lord and wait on His perfect plan.

With man this is impossible. But not with God --- all things are possible with God.

More Cuba Pics

The team at the Rio de San Juan in Pinar del Rio, Cuba

The ocean is amazing.

The worshipers at Basilia and Isaac's church.

Maybe I'll start chopping garlic Cuban style.

She was really happy with the new glasses our team gave her.

The kids love having their pics made with our team.

Bobby dancing Cuban-style. Dale was loving it!

A store sign showing support of their leaders.

Our house church congregation. Sweet folks.

Watch out for the cows in the road!

The sky was amazing as we took off from Atlanta. That's the moon over the clouds.

David and me posing beside one of Cuba's better looking cars.

Miriam Chapman and my sister. Miriam claims to be our Cuban sister. We agreed.

Enjoying the morning snack of bread and juice.

What's inside of my chupa-chupa?

First Newspaper Column

Here's my first column for the Anderson Independent-Mail's Faith and Values section. It ran on October 27 while I was in Cuba. Thought you might like to read it.
_______________________________________________

I don’t go to church anymore.

That may sound shocking coming from a pastor writing a column in the “Faith and Values” section of the local newspaper. But it’s true.

I stopped going over the past year. It wasn’t a decision that I suddenly made one Sunday morning. It wasn’t a conclusion that I came to easily. My not going to church has been a result of a gradual shift in priorities and a gradual change in attitude towards one of the oldest institutions in our society.

Believe me: I know all the reasons why I should go to church. I grew up going. I know people expect me to go because it’s just what people do here in the South. I know that some churches spend large amounts of money and time and energy to make church exciting and relevant so that I will want to go.

But I stopped going to church because I began to learn something that profoundly changed my view of church: I was never supposed to go in the first place. You read that right: I was never supposed to GO to church in the first place.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, I am supposed to BE the church. I am to be the church no matter where I go, what day of the week it is, or who I may encounter along the way. Being the church has nothing to do with actually going to a place that we call “the church.”

It’s really all about being what Jesus told me to be: a person who loves God and loves people.

In Matthew 22 of The Bible, Jesus was having a discussion with an expert in the Jewish Law. This expert asked Jesus to answer a question that the scholars of the day frequently debated: “Which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus gave an answer that is both incredibly challenging and life-changing. He said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV)

Jesus said to love God and love people. That is how I am to be the church. Jesus did not say that the greatest commandment is to go to church so that I may fulfill my religious duty. He did not say to go to church because everyone else is going or because that is what is expected of me. Jesus said that the work of His followers is to love God and love people.

I’ve stopped going to church because I now understand that I am the church. As a Christ-follower, my mission is not confined to a building for an hour on Sunday morning. It is about caring for the lonely man at the coffee shop and feeding the hungry man on the street. It’s about helping the stranger whose car has broken down and praying with a friend who just lost his job. It’s about worshiping God in the stillness of the early morning and recognizing His hand at work throughout my day. It’s about teaching His ways through the life that I live and the words that I speak. It’s about loving Jesus and loving His people. That is my mission and that is the mission of the church because I am the church.

So where will I be Sunday morning? I will be the church with other Christ-followers who gather to worship, fellowship, study God’s Word, pray, and encourage each other. I will not go there out of obligation or duty just because it is Sunday or because the place is called a church. Remember: I don’t go to church anymore.

I will go there because I am the church. And when I leave, my mission of being the church, of loving God and loving people, will go with me wherever I go.

Jerry Chapman is the pastor of Capstone Community Church in Anderson, South Carolina. Contact him via email at jerry@capstonechurch.com.

Capstone's Mission: Cuba

We spent seven amazing days on mission in Cuba October 26 through November 2, 2007. Here are a few of the more than 500 pics I made. (Sorry these first ones aren't any larger. I didn't figure out what I was doing until a few pictures in. You may click on any picture to enlarge.)

My new most favorite swimming place in all the world. Rio de San Juan in Pinar del Rio, Cuba.

Yes, it's a dog who lives on the roof.

An amazing sunrise on the beach.

Leonel (one of our translators) at the door of his new church building.

Inside Leonel's new church building. It seats about 12.

My sister and me. It was great having her there.

A boy's bookbag. See the cross? That was the kids' craft.

Me and Christian, one of our interpreter's sons. The pic was made by accident --- I think it's really cool.

Pastor Eduardo and me. Two 41-year-old pastors in very different countries but with much in common.

The team.

Cuban Pastor Isaac and me. Notice the shirt he was wearing when we got to his church.

This guy is a cook at the Commodore Hotel in Havana. When he found out how much I enjoy cooking, he presented me with one of his chef's hats. What a thrill for me!

Thanks for praying for our trip!

Heavy

I woke up this morning with a heavy heart.

A great friend of mine is walking through a serious trial. Today is the beginning of week four and when it will end is still unknown. My heart has literally ached for him over these weeks. As a pastor, I am privileged to walk through all kinds of trials with people. Each situation can be trying but this one has been especially hard because of my personal relationship with him and his family.

I preached a couple of weeks ago on the subject of carrying each other's loads. God is allowing me to live that out and I'm trying to help him and his family carry this load. It's really heavy some days.

The Lord directed me to Psalm 91 this morning. This psalm is one of those that's been incredibly meaningful to me at many times over the past few years. Maybe you need to be reminded today as I do. Here are some select verses:

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'

Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." vs. 1-4

"For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;

they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone." vs. 11-12

"'Because he loves me,' says the Lord, 'I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

He will call up on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him,

With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation." vs. 14-16

Please pray for my friend today. Pray that his trial passes quickly and that he will see and know that the Lord is working in a real way in his life through these circumstances.

And if you have the same need in your life today, spend some time in Psalm 91 and let the Word of God reassure you of who you are and His amazing plans and protection in your life. Gloria a Dios!

Cleaning Out the Garage

One of the greatest challenges of coming home from a place like Cuba is re-adjusting to the lifestyle and pace of life here in America. Don't get me wrong: the freedom and blessings of living in the US is wonderful. But it's also really hard to step back into our overwhelmingly materialistic lifestyle.

It is just that, you know. We are consumed with things here at home. Today is my day off and I really need to spend the afternoon cleaning out and organizing my garage. Why? Because over the past year, we have piled things in there that we no longer need or want. Things like clothes and games and decorative items and tools and furniture. Most of the stuff is still good and someone could use it. But for some reason not to us. I guess it's because somewhere along the way we got tired of what we had and replaced those things with new things. We can very easily do that here in America.

I was standing in my closet this morning trying to pick out a shirt to put on. You know, one of the probably 50 that are hanging there. Sounds like a lot doesn't it? But between short and long sleeves, that's probably a low number. It's not that I'm a big shopper --- they've just piled up over time. I probably saw most of them on sale and bought because it was a good deal. And it probably was --- relatively speaking.

But when is enough enough?

To be honest, I look around at what we have and compared to the people of Cuba whom I so dearly love, my family and I live like royalty. I would be embarrassed for my Cuban friends to come into our home. We're not rich compared to a lot of the people in Anderson. But we are so incredibly rich compared to the vast majority of our world.

Yvonne's car broke down while I was gone. $888 to repair it. Paying for that will be a stretch for us but we will do it. But let me give you some perspective. $888 is about FIVE YEARS of wages for the average Cuban. Yes, I said FIVE YEARS and that figure is accurate. The average wage is around $15 a month.

I spent more than that at Cracker Barrel on Saturday.

There are days that I just want to sell everything I own, move into a small place with a small payment, and use every penny I get to help someone else. I know our economy here is different. I know we need cars to get around and clothes on our backs and I know that we can honor God with the riches that He gives us and be the good stewards He calls us to be.

But how can we free ourselves from the mire of materialism that most of us are drowning in?

I'll let you know what I come up with after I finish cleaning out my garage.

We're Home

We are back from another great trip to Cuba. I have much to share and will do so in the next few days. I'm worn out today and have to now get ready to preach at Capstone tomorrow.

Thanks for praying. Please check back in the next few days.

Gloria a Dios!