Charisa Stories

Author: Dave Burchett

  • Is It Even Possible To Always Be In Control?

    You see t-shirts and signs that proclaim that I am the master of my destiny. Slogans like these sounded really empowering.

    “If it is to be, it is up to me”

    “If you can dream it you can achieve it”

    I agree that having a good attitude and determination is important. But sometimes my life experience is more accurately described by the great boxer and philosopher Mike Tyson.

    “Everyone has a plan ’til they get punched in the mouth”

    Yep. Well said Mike. No matter how much I may plan my life I will face the inevitable “punches” in the mouth that life delivers. No amount of efforts to control my life will prevent illness. I do not have control over every relationship in my life. I cannot keep those I care about from making bad decisions. I cannot control unforeseeable circumstances that impact those I love. Just last week I had a couple of Mike Tyson moments.

    James warns about the folly of thinking that we are in control.

    Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil. (James 4:13-16, NLT)

    The one thing we can be sure of is that we have trials and heartaches in this journey. The question I must answer is how will I deal with the inevitable? I pondered the answer to that question in my book Stay: Lessons My Dogs Taught Me about Life, Loss, and Grace.

    One person responds to tragedy with deeper faith. Another turns from God in anger, perhaps never to return. What is the difference? Perhaps this parable that Jesus related in Matthew’s Gospel offers the biggest clue. When the storm hits, what matters most is the foundation that you have built your faith upon.

    Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.  (Matthew 7:24-27)

    I have dealt with loss by relying on both types of foundations. My early theology was built on the shifting sand of self-effort and discipline. When the storm came, my “house of faith” collapsed like a house of cards. When I began to build on a foundation of identity and trusting who God is, my house of faith weathered the storm without being destroyed. The storm battered me full force, but the house stood.

    What is that foundation made of? I would suggest that these are the foundation stones.

    God is all powerful.

    God is all knowing.

    God is love.

    God is holy.

    God is good.

    God is just.

    God is righteous.

    God is grace.

    God is sovereign.

    God is unchanging.

    God is joy.

    God is forgiving.

    God is truth.

    God is patient.

    If the Gospel message is true—and I believe it is—then God says to trust Him when we face trials. His ways are not our ways, and His timing is certainly not ours, but His love is real and faithful.

    Excerpt from Stay: Lessons My Dogs Taught Me about Life, Loss, and Grace

    Today I choose to stand on that foundation. I am not in control but I am confident in the One who is. To quote the old hymn that my dad loved so much.

    Many things about tomorrow
    I don’t seem to understand
    But I know Who holds tomorrow
    And I know Who holds my hand

    Order your copy of Stay: Lessons My Dogs Taught Me about Life, Loss, and Grace.

  • The Apostle Paul’s Marketing Plan in Athens, Greece

    Royal Academy of Arts

    I was reading the book of Acts this week when it hit me how much human nature has not changed in the last couple of thousand years. I know that genuine followers of Jesus want to communicate to our divided culture in a kinder and gentler way but still boldly confront non-believers with truth and love. After seeing Paul’s experience, I believe God is telling us in advance that the results will be mixed.

    Acts 17 documents the apostle Paul’s visit to Athens, a city that caused him great distress (the Greek word, roughly translated, means “ticked off”) because the city was full of idols. Yet, instead of arguing with or maligning the Jews and God-fearing Greeks, he reasoned with them and others who came to listen. In their minds Paul was introducing them to some strange ideas but he did it in a way that they wanted to know more. Verse 21 notes that residents of Athens spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.

    Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new. (Acts 17:21, NLT)

    Their pastime could be considered an ancient version of our social media scrolling and podcast sharing. I love what happens next. Paul met his audience where they were.

    “So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about.” (Acts17: 22-23 NLT)

    Brilliant! So the Apostle Paul downloaded an intellectual tease to cause the skeptics to pay attention. He pointed out a common interest and then offered the audience an upcoming revelation to keep them tuned in.

    Paul had debates with Stoic and Epicurean philosophers. What if Paul and the early believers had approached Athens with some of the strategies we use today? Several believers would march throughout the marketplace defiantly holding up placards:

    “If you think you are Stoic now, wait till the Lord returns!”

    “Hey, Epicureans…the party’s over for you!”

    What if Paul had stepped up and announced, “Repent, you pagan, godless sons of the devil, before you burn in a fiery hell.”

    For some reason I don’t think Paul would have had much of an audience, let alone success. When he finished speaking to the crowd in Athens, the Bible records the box score. It’s pretty much what you and I can expect when we sincerely and lovingly explain our faith. Some of them sneered. Those are the ones that we worry about too much. Some of them said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” That means you have at least planted a seed. And a few “believed.” That is my prayer, along with hearing that a few recommitted to the faith. Paul endured all that he did to present the Gospel message to those who wanted to hear more.

    The early church had no chance to “win” the culture war. Instead, they built a community of loving and serving believers that infiltrated the culture. It is important to have theological knowledge, but when you combine that with love and grace you can change the hearts and lives of your family, your neighbors, and your community.

    So, every believer is to build a foundation first on the solid rock of hearing Christ’s words and then putting those teachings into practice, with no excuses. We will make mistakes and fall short of expressing God’s grace. But when we fall short, we should take responsibility, repent, regroup, and reenter the fray to follow the commands of Jesus expressed in Matthew 22:37-40.

    ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.”

    But wait! There’s more!

    39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

    From that solid foundation we can build a healthier church, community, and culture. Paul didn’t have an easy journey at all. He suffered. He was beaten. Jailed. Mocked. But here was his desire to finish strong after an early life that he regretted.

    “But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.” (Acts 20:24, NLT)

    That is my prayer. We will have also mixed results but our goal is to glorify God and tell others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

    (A portion of this blog came from my book When Bad Christians Happen to Good People)

  • How Should We Deal With Today’s Chicken Little Fear?

    I remember reading Chicken Little when I was a child. The story tells that a young chick walking along was unexpectedly struck on the head by an acorn. With no further investigation Chicken Little came to the kind of well reasoned conclusion that floods our social media today.

    The sky is falling!

    Today Chicken Little would be an excellent politician or cable news anchor. Every time I violate my own personal mental health policy and scroll through social media comments I am plunged into despair. 

    I know is important to communicate information for our actions and safety. But the tone and sheer volume of fear mongering is depressing.

    When I survey social media I see overwhelming fear, anger, gloom, and apocalyptic doom. Again, I understand the need to be informed. But I am beginning to think that fear and hatred are the most consistent ingredients for too many sources.

    As a follower of Jesus how do I process this tsunami of doom? I need to remind myself of some fundamental truths that I hold true. I find myself doing this over and over because the noise from the culture can drown out the quiet voice of the Spirit of God. Here is a small dose of my faith vaccine for fear.

    These events are NOT a surprise to God. Violence, hatred, bigotry, and division are a product of a fallen world that will someday be redeemed. Jesus made it very clear that following Him is not a get out of grief card. 

    “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NLT)

    Yes, there will be troubles but He has overcome the world. What does that mean?

    It means even in my deepest fear and darkest hour I know that I am loved, adopted, redeemed, and I have the promise of eternity with God. I have hope to sustain me. I am not anxious to leave this world but I am also not afraid. I believe I have an eternal inheritance given as a free gift of grace awaiting me.

    I do my best to obey the laws the authorities lay out for me. I try to be a good neighbor and a responsible citizen. After doing all of those important things I stand on this conclusion drawn by David when he was afraid for his future. His lament sounds like he could have written it today.

    My heart is breaking
        as I remember how it used to be:
    I walked among the crowds of worshipers,
        leading a great procession to the house of God,
    singing for joy and giving thanks
        amid the sound of a great celebration!

    David was isolated. His days of joyful gatherings were just a memory as he hunkered down alone in fear. But he remembered the key to his joy and thankfulness. He remembered where he placed his hope.

    Why am I discouraged?
        Why is my heart so sad?
    I will put my hope in God!
        I will praise him again—
        my Savior and my God!

    In Psalm 73 the author laments how the wicked seem to prosper and he wonders if his efforts are in vain. Then he recognizes the problem is not the world but the bitterness in his own heart. He acknowledges that he may face troubles but his source of strength is eternal.

    My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
        but God remains the strength of my heart;
        he is mine forever. (Psalm 73:26, NLT)

    The next time the news or a social media influencer is causing your heart to be downcast remember the words of Paul to the church at Corinth.

    “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” 
    (2 Corinthians 4:17-18, NLT)

    Today I choose to focus my gaze on the source of hope and light. 

    Jesus.

  • My Go To Answer When My Faith Fades

    One of the songs that I default to when I am walking through dark valleys is from singer/composer Rich Mullins. The song is from his album called Songs and it is simply titled “Hold Me Jesus”. 

    Well, sometimes my life
    Just don’t make sense at all
    When the mountains look so big
    And my faith just seems so small

    Right now I am in a pretty good place in my life and journey with Jesus. But then I started thinking about the many friends and loved ones who could relate completely to those lyrics in their current situation. And I can certainly recall seasons of my life when those words accurately reflected the condition of my soul. I remember how I used to respond. I would deduce it was my fault and I would decide that I had to do something to bolster my faith. I had to read more verses or do a study or pray more or believe more. But the answer was far more simple and the chorus by Rich Mullins nails it.

    So hold me Jesus, ’cause I’m shaking like a leaf
    You have been King of my glory
    Won’t You be my Prince of Peace

    I need to quit flailing and trying so darn hard to be righteous. Hold me Jesus. Won’t you be my Prince of Peace? I have started praying a prayer that is simple and profound.

    “Jesus…thank you for loving me today.”

    He does. But I remember how I used to think that I had to “do stuff” for God to earn His favor and receive His love and peace. For those of us “doers” who absolutely must do something I have our assignment.

    Trust God.

    That’s it. I have made it so stinkin’ complicated and religious for so many years. When I exercise that simple act of faith I can move forward with confidence. When I trust God obedience comes out of gratitude and not teeth gritting compliance.

    Why did I fight His amazing grace and His unconditional love. Rich Mullins nails that too.

    Surrender don’t come natural to me
    I’d rather fight You for something
    I don’t really want
    Than to take what You give that I need
    And I’ve beat my head against so many walls
    Now I’m falling down, I’m falling on my knees

    That was me. Hanging on to the familiar malaise of self-effort instead of surrendering and accepting grace and freedom. Surrendering control is hard for our prideful flesh. Next time you are flailing and striving to please God why not try that little prayer of praise.

    “Jesus…thank you for loving me today.”

    The red letter words of Jesus in Matthew are beautiful and comforting.

    “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

    I love the version of this text in The Message.

    “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”  (Matthew 11:28-30, The Message)

    I am learning the unforced rhythm of grace. What a difference that makes during challenging seasons.

  • What Jesus Said We Need To Do Is Pretty Simple

    Jesus didn’t say figure out every theological jot and tittle. (Note to spiritual hall monitors: there is an important place for that discipline. No all caps comments please)

    Jesus didn’t say, “Go and clean up your act, and I will deem you a worthy follower.”

    He didn’t say, “Browbeat yourself and others into behaving better in order to earn the badge of righteousness.”

    Jesus didn’t say,  “Try harder, be more disciplined, and I will be pleased with you.”

    He simply said,
    “Follow me.”

    Not once. Pretty regularly.

    “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)

    Jesus told him, “Follow me.” (Matthew 8:22)[Jesus said,] “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
    (Matthew 16:24)

    [Jesus answered,] “Come, follow me.”  (Matthew 19:21)

    Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” (John 1:43)[Jesus replied,] “Whoever serves me must follow me.” (John 12:26)

    “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. (Matthew 9:9)

    In the immortal words of Forrest Gump, “I’m not a smart man.” But I have a keen sense of the obvious. Jesus is saying to follow Him. That takes childlike trust on my part. The rest of it we will figure out together as I follow Him in complete trust. I am, even if you are kind in your evaluations, a slow learner. I cannot believe how long it took me to even begin to understand God’s grace and how much freedom that gives me. But to begin to live out of that truth, I had to trust it.

    It starts by having no fear when Jesus asks me to follow Him. When He says, “Follow Me,” the response should be simple.

    “Let’s go.”

    Excerpted from Stay: Lessons My Dogs Taught Me about Life, Loss, and Grace

  • What Is The Most Important Identity?

    I love the message Paul wrote to the Ephesian church. Paul had spent over two years teaching and discipling the new believers in Ephesus. Not long after leaving he received reports that those new hearts had reverted to old habits. Things were a bit of a mess and the word came back that the old behaviors of rage, immorality, lying, stealing and gossip were resurfacing. Paul wrote a letter to address this sad turn of events. The amazing thing to me is that the first three chapters never address those sins. Paul even greets them as saints for crying out loud!

    “From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints [in Ephesus], the faithful in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 1:1 NET)

    If I was writing that letter it would have had an entirely different tone. Something more along these lines.

    What are you thinking?

    I am so disappointed in you.

    What is wrong with you?

    Do you know how much I sacrificed for you?

    But Paul doesn’t do that. Rather, in the first three chapters, he talks about identity. He reminds them who they are.

    Saints. Redeemed by Christ. Adopted children of God. Sealed in the Holy Spirit.

    This reminder to the church at Ephesus impacted my heart. For years I had a really difficult time trusting my identity and your actions tend to reflect who you believe you are. Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth talks about how our identity has changed.

    “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

    It took me a while to believe that because of Christ I have a new identity. That I am righteous because of Him and not because of trying to do more right “stuff.” I am a saint and there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. It is a liberating and joyous message. But there is a problem. Satan hates that message of hope and change. And so he aggressively goes about trying to “steal” my identity in Christ.

    We find it difficult to believe that we are changed because many times when we fail the old memories instantly cue up and start playing loudly:

    You always do that.

    I can’t believe you did that again.

    You will never change.

    What is wrong with you?

    All of those accusations that Satan (and others who are quite happy to help) hurls your way are no longer true about you. All of the guilt and shame and sin that used to define you are no longer true. That old life is gone. You are a new creation. New life has begun.

    Even though the Ephesians had messed up royally in how they were living out their faith Paul did not condemn them as he began his letter. He had to be heartbroken. But he showed his love by not lecturing but by reminding them who they were….adopted, redeemed, and sealed. Saints. He NEVER wrote a word about changing their behavior until chapter four!

    I have spent too many years being an Ephesians 4 to 6 Christian. I looked at behavior and judged that…often sinfully. I am becoming an Ephesians 1 to 3 Christian. Remembering and reminding myself and others who we are. Out of those truths behavior changes.

    Adopted. Redeemed. Sealed. Loved. A saint. Righteous. Accepted. Forgiven. A new creation.
    A child of God.

    No matter what difficulty or trial you might encounter this week I pray that you will take a moment and remember who you are. A saint. Adopted. Redeemed. Sealed.

    Live out of those amazing truths!

  • Worried? A little. Afraid? Not anymore.

    Watching the news is depressing and can be frightening. My first tendency is to react with fear about the future. But I can’t get around a couple of things that Jesus said about worry.

    “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today”(Matthew 6:34, NLT)

    That is a true statement! But Jesus was not saying that my concerns are not valid or even important. He was saying that worrying about the future misses the point of what really matters. Living in the moment in the power of the Holy Spirit.

    “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

    The key word is need. I long for wants but our Father promises only that my needs will be met. And over and over God tells us another thing.

    Do not be afraid.

    Over 80 times you find the phrase “do not be afraid” in the Bible. Perhaps the most relevant example is when Jesus was preparing His followers for His departure. His words are a comforting balm for us today.

    Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 12:27)

    I am concerned about the state of  the world, our country, and particularly our dysfunctional and divisive discourse. But I am not afraid. I stand with the author of Hebrews who wrote these words during some trying times.

    So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6, NLT)

    Indeed. One of my Dad’s favorite songs often comes to mind. The song is called “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow” and it was written in 1950 by a traveling preacher named Ara Stanphill. He wrote the song during a time of agony and doubt in his life. Stanphill’s wife battled addiction and left him for other men. You could imagine the gossip that followed him in that era. In the depths of his sadness he began to hum a tune and the next thing he knew he was singing a song. He sang about not knowing what was in the future but knowing that God was with him every step of the way. He rushed to his piano when he arrived at his office and jotted down the words.

    I don’t worry o’er the future,
    For I know what Jesus said.
    And today I’ll walk beside Him,
    For He knows what is ahead.

    Many things about tomorrow
    I don’t seem to understand
    But I know who holds tomorrow
    And I know who holds my hand.

    I believe those words. I don’t know what is going to happen. I am concerned but not afraid. I put my hope not in politics but in Jesus. I know who holds tomorrow and I know who holds my hand.