Charisa Stories

Tag: heaven

  • Five Friends in Heaven Continue to Impact My Life

    As I gain more miles on the life oldometer I reflect more and more about leaving a legacy. For many years I thought that meant having a successful career or maybe writing a bestselling book.

    In recent years I have been blessed with many friends who have shown me what it means to leave a legacy. The irony is that five of the men who continue to show me what it means to leave a lasting legacy are living in the eternal company of Jesus. They showed me that leaving a legacy is living your life in a way that shows the love and grace of Jesus.

    If I wrote the impact of each of these friends it would make this a very long read so I decided to share one thing from each that resonates in my heart consistently and powerfully.

    John Weber was a collegiate wrestler who also wrestled with the acclaimed Athletes in Action traveling team. He was most well known as the chaplain of the Dallas Cowboys before he died suddenly from a heart attack. The memory that I will always cherish about John is what happened every single time I saw him. John would smile his warm smile. Then he would take my hand with both of his hands, move right into my space, furrow his brow, look deeply into my eyes and ask, “how are you doing?”. The difference with John Weber was that he really meant that question. If you needed three hours to tell him what was going on he would never glance at his watch. That is why he believed God placed him on this earth. To tell people about Jesus and disciple those who knew Him. This quote from him lives in my heart.

    “God does not call us to be spectacular. He calls us to be faithful.”

    Brad Johnson was a pastor and friend who also died unexpectedly. Brad did not have a high profile ministry career in the pulpit or media. His ministry mirrored his role as an offensive lineman at the University of Nebraska. He was a vital contributor but not a star. Offensive lineman learn early in their careers that their efforts are the primary reason that quarterbacks and running backs make headlines. The backs get the glory while the linemen get dirtied and banged up. Offensive linemen are great teammates who don’t care about themselves. It is about the team being successful and moving toward the goal. That was Brad. He was always the one willing to do the work no one else wanted to do. He invested in others selflessly. He often made this statement about his goal in life.

    “I want to make much about Jesus and less about me.”

    A few years ago I made friends with Newton High School football coach W.T. Johnston. We decided to work together to produce a book about his faith story during incredible health challenges. I inbedded into his life for over a year and it was one of the most inspiring relationships I have ever experienced. W.T. showed his team (and me) how to live until you die. His incredible courage showed me that God’s presence in a dark season of your life allows you to be a light to others even as you move through that dark valley. W.T. got a chance to read the rough draft of his story (Between the White Lines) before he went to be with Jesus. His last words to me when I visited him at his home was the phrase he constantly repeated to keep focused on his faith.

    “Keep your eyes on the Cross.”

    Chris Taylor was a dear friend who served in the Wylie, Texas Police department. But Chris served way more than when he was on the job. He had a heart for serving others that made a huge impact on my heart. We often reference the verse from John 13:34 as a goal.

    So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. (NLT)

    Chris lived that command of Jesus by being there to help others without fanfare. He passed away from cancer but one of his sayings will stick with me until my time comes.

    “If I can help someone I don’t need to think or pray about it. I just do it.”

    Many of you know about my friend Jeff Denton who passed away from cancer earlier this year. Pastor Jeff’s journey demonstrated that you make a choice when life takes a tough turn. You can either quit or you can live fully in each moment for as long as you can. We witnessed Jeff showing up for church and church events when he clearly did not feel his best. But he showed up with joy in his heart and spirit. Jeff’s favorite scripture about God’s will is found in 1 Thessalonians. 

    Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:15-18, NLT)

    Jeff shared that verse with us. Then he lived it.

    Jeff made a comment one day while we discussed the challenge of living for Jesus in this difficult world. I honestly shared a not so good reaction I recently had to another person’s comments. His words resonate in my heart daily.

    “Reacting in the flesh is not necessarily sin. We are human. Staying there and not depending on the love and grace of God is sin.”

    I used to beat myself up over bad reactions. Now I remember that advice and give it to God.

    I think we will be surprised when we get to Heaven. The famous and noted religious leaders may have gotten their due here on this planet. I think we will find out it was humble and selfless servants like my friends mentioned above that God used to make His Kingdom grow the most.

    Want to leave a powerful legacy? Meditate on this verse.

    Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well. (Philippians 2:3-4, NET)

    I know that I have the Holy Spirit to give me strength and wisdom in my journey. I have God’s Word to grow my knowledge of Him. But it is also helpful to have people who live the love of Jesus in real time as you share life with them.

    When I feel guilty that something didn’t work as I had hoped I hear John Weber’s words.

    “God does not call us to be spectacular. He calls us to be faithful.”

    On days when I wonder if I am doing what I should be I remember Brad Johnson.

    “I want to make much about Jesus and less about me.”

    W.T. Johnston words help me when I grow despondent over the state of our world.

    “Keep your eyes on the Cross.”

    When I wonder if I should help someone when I have a chance Chris Taylor’s servant heart comes to mind.

    “If I can help someone I don’t need to think or pray about it. I just do it.”

    And when I feel guilt or shame about a bad thought or reaction the words of Pastor Jeff ring true.

    A reaction in the flesh is not necessary sin but staying there certainly can be.

    I look forward to reuniting with these five and many more family and friends someday. What a glorious hope to have in this challenging season we are enduring.

    (Note: If you want to read more about any or all of these friends click on their name)

  • The Anticipated Joy of Heavenly Reunions Excites my Heart

    Wayman Tisdale & Toby Keith

    I heard the news today that county music singer Toby Keith succumbed to stomach cancer at the too young age of 62. Toby Keith was a talented and imperfect man that had a huge heart for helping others. That is just about the best resume any of us could hope for. I wrote a blog about the things the church could learn from his song, “I Love This Bar”.

    But my favorite song from Toby Keith was written when his dear friend Wayman Tisdale passed away in May of 2009. Tisdale was one of the all-time great basketball players at Oklahoma University and had a distinguished NBA career. But his first loves were Jesus and music so he retired to pursue those. Toby Keith and Wayman became best friends along the way.

    Toby talked about his friend in an interview with newson6 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

    “Having a successful career, you meet a thousand celebrities and most of them don’t come as advertised. They kind of break your heart a lot,” Keith said. “Wayman didn’t know he was celebrity. He was one of the most special individuals that I ever met in my life. He changed the way that I view life.”

    Keith spent two days reeling from the death of his friend. And then he sat down and penned this amazing tribute titled “Cryin’ for Me (Wayman’s Song}”. I often play this song when someone dear to me dies and goes to be with Jesus. Toby’s lyrics are a perfect summary of how I feel when a Christian friend or family member goes home.

    So play it sweet in heaven
    Cause that’s right where you want to be
    I’m not cryin’ cause I feel so sorry for you
    I am cryin’ for me

    If we truly believe (and I do) that followers of Jesus are welcomed to heaven then the reality is we are crying for ourselves. We miss the person who has left us but we realize they are in a better place. Toby Keith recognized the impact of Wayman Tisdale went far beyond a great basketball and musical career.

    You showed me how I am supposed to live
    Now you showed me how to die

    When Wayman Tisdale was welcomed to heaven that was why he was no doubt greeted with the cherished words “well done, good and faithful servant”. His basketball and musical skills were amazing but his eternal impact was defined in the song lyrics above.

    The first thing I thought of this morning was the heavenly reunion of Toby Keith and Wayman Tisdale.

    So play your upsidedown, left handed
    Backward bass guitar
    I’ll see you on the other side superstar

    That just happened. Two incredible talents who realized music or sports was not their identity. Their identity and hope was in Jesus and the realization that we are temporary citizens on this earth.

    But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (Philippians 3:20, ESV)

    I have so many friends and family I look forward to seeing again someday. What an amazing hope that is to get us through the sorrow of earthly loss. “See you later” is the greatest comfort I can imagine.

  • Don’t Blink


    As I celebrated birthday number 70 last week a song fired up from Kenny Chesney. In the lyrics an interviewer asks a man celebrating his one hundred and second birthday about his secret to life. His response?

    Don’t blink

    He talks about how life seems to be a blink from childhood to reaching the century mark. I’m still a ways from the century mark though my shoulder feels that old this morning. It seems like just yesterday that I was playing sandlot baseball as a kid. Moments ago I was in high school being Attention Deficit before ADD was cool. Just yesterday I met the stunning Joni Banks and somehow talked her into dating me. Wasn’t it just weeks ago that three adorable baby boys came into our lives?

    Don’t blink.

    Married almost 47 years. Five decades of directing live TV sporting events. Seven grandchildren. Are you kidding me?

    I have had, if I may borrow the franchise of Frank Capra, a wonderful life. Through it all I feel blessed beyond comprehension. I believe that is because I found my reason for being here. Pastor and author Rick Warren summed it up nicely in a recent interview.

    People ask me, What is the purpose of life? And I respond, In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity. We were made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven. One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body – but not the end of me. I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillion of years in eternity. This is the warm-up act, the dress rehearsal. God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity. We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn’t going to make sense.

    Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you’re just coming out of one or you’re getting ready to go into another one. The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort. God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy. We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that’s not the goal of life: The goal is to grow in character, In Christ-likeness.

    If this is the warm-up act for my eternity gig on the main stage then all of this is merely preparation. Football players hate the two-a-day practices in the brutal heat. But they love the exhilaration of victory that the difficult preparation allows for later in the season. Sometimes the two-a-days of life seem cruel and without purpose. But my understanding of the God who made me and His purpose for me allows me to believe there is purpose and design. I don’t always see it. I love being happy and carefree. But if my purpose is preparation for my real gig then I need to live out of my new identity and trust God to mature me in Christ-likeness. Paul wrote this in the book of Colossians.

    Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. (Col 3, NLT)

    The lyrics quote the wide old man telling others how to finish strong.

    I was glued to my TV when it looked like he looked at me and said
    “Best start putting first things first.”
    Cause when your hourglass runs out of sand
    You can’t flip it over and start again
    Take every breath God gives you for what it’s worth

    The songwriter is correct. We have a pre-determined number of grains in the hourglass so I choose today to live in the moment in grace and freedom. Every breath is a gift even on the toughest days. Enjoy today. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is not promised.

    In no time at all on the eternity clock I will be with my Lord and Savior. I will be home. For my fellow sojourners I pray that you will trust that truth. You may face storms and deep valleys along the way. The secret to life? Trust a God who is trustworthy. And one more thing.

    Don’t blink. His blessings are all around you.

  • Savoring My Walk “Home” Celebration

    I recently recalled a comment one of my colleagues made during a meeting. I was joking about my age and remarked that I was no doubt well into the fourth quarter of my life. He said with a smile “you may be in sudden death overtime! I laughed and agreed. Later I thought about how accurate that exchange could be. One big change in my reaction to that possibility is I no longer dread the prospect of my time ending.


    One of my favorite authors, Randy Alcorn, gets right to the heart of the matter.

    “Many Christians dread the thought of leaving this world. Why? Because so many have stored up their treasures on earth, not in heaven. Each day brings us closer to death. If your treasures are on earth, that means each day brings you closer to losing your treasures.”

    I believe so many of my treasures are in heaven. My dad, my mom, my nephew Dean, and my beloved grandmother are among the many people who have gone ahead of me and whom I long to see there. My daughter, Katie, is waiting for me. So many dear friends have transitioned to eternal life with Jesus. What will that experience be like?

    It brought to mind a moment from my television directing career with the Texas Rangers that might offer a glimpse of my heavenly reunion someday. It was a sports director’s dream moment. The Rangers had many “walk-off” wins during my tenure, scoring the winning run in the last at bat at home. When a game is over, both teams walk off the field but with very different body languages.

    In this particular game against the Los Angeles Angels, the score was tied in the bottom of the ninth with two outs on the board. Rangers’ catcher Geovany Soto was at the plate. I was in a TV truck that had dozens of monitors filled with camera shots, graphics, and replay sources. I orchestrated the broadcast from my seat in front of a huge bank of camera monitors, communicating by headset to camera operators what to do next. I selected a shot from the monitors in front of me, and the technical director pushed a button that put it “on the air,” instantaneously sending it into your home.

    I scanned the monitors, focusing on Soto’s intense concentration. The Angels’ closer was trying to send a tie game into extra innings. The Ranger players were hanging on the dugout rail, hoping that Soto would come through. The count went full. Two outs. And then it happened. The ball was driven deep to left field. The Ranger players started to jump up and down as the ball headed toward the stands, then left the park. Pandemonium ensued inside the park.

    Ranger players Elvis Andrus, Adrian Beltre, and others leapt over the rail and sprinted toward home plate to greet the hero of the moment. Soto rounded third, flipped his helmet in the air with joy, and sprinted toward a throng of teammates encircling home plate. They were smiling and waiting anxiously for Soto to get “home” so they could celebrate. As he neared home plate, Soto made a gigantic leap and disappeared into the dogpile of teammates. What a picture. That is the drama of sports. Even the apostle Paul used sports as an analogy for spiritual things.

    I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 

    1 Corinthians 9:23-25

    I reflected on that passage and the thrilling finish of that Rangers-Angels game. As electrifying as it was, that victory is nothing compared to holding the eternal prize that will not fade away when I finish this earthly race. I began to imagine my heavenly homecoming and how it might resemble that “walk-off” moment. I saw myself rounding third and heading toward all of the loved ones who had gone ahead, the joy of their faces compelling me to run faster. I jumped into a dogpile of dear friends and family who had shared my journey. When I finally emerged from the ecstatic group, I saw Jesus. He hugged me warmly. I was safe at home. 




  • I’m Gonna Miss You My Friend

    I’m Gonna Miss You My Friend

    The title is from the chorus of a song by Toby Keith written after his friend Wayman Tisdale passed away. The lyrics hit my heart when I left the hospital after visiting my dear friend Chris Taylor. His time is near and it hurt so much to see his decline.

    But it was still a sweet time to tell my friend I love him. Over the years he has made me laugh so many times. We have shared heartaches. Wonderful memories that made me smile. Chris and I were dangerous together. You could count on the sarcasm train coming down the tracks full speed anytime we convened.

    But Chris is also an incredibly kind man who served others for many years as a Wylie, Texas Police officer and dedicated follower of Jesus. One of his sayings will stick with me until my time comes. Chris always said this about serving others.

    “If I can help someone I don’t need to think or pray about it. I just do it.”

    We can use love one another as a slogan too often without feet and hands. But Chris lived that philosophy of being there to help others without fanfare.

    One of the lyrics from Toby Keith’s song fits beautifully here.

    You showed me how I am supposed to live
    Now you showed me how to die

    That is one of the most powerful things I have seen over and over in the lives of dedicated followers of Jesus. They pass with confidence and peace in their next destination. Even through the pain and tears those flashes of his wonderful humor were present. The very real hope in that room was this promise from Jesus.

    “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
    (John 14, NLT)

    Soon my friend Chris will experience that glorious promise. Toby Keith says it perfectly in the chorus of his song “Crying For Me”.

    I’m going to miss that smile
    I’m going to miss you my friend
    Even though it hurts the way it ended up
    I’d do it all again

    My friend looked weak as I leaned over to give him a hug. I did not expect what I received. I got a bear hug that I would not have believed he was capable of giving. I will never forget that moment. When I left I said a very intentional thing that I believe with all of my heart.

    “See you later.”

    I completely trust that promise of eternity given to us by the finished work of Jesus.

    So I will miss my friend but once again I defer to Toby Keith.

    I’m not crying’ cause I feel so sorry for you
    I am crying’ for me

    I am crying for Chris’s beautiful family. For his dear friends and colleagues. For me. But I know on the scale of eternity my time is also very near. I cling to the promise of eternity today and I look forward to that reunion in heaven.

  • The Best Reunion Ever Is Already Booked!

    The Best Reunion Ever Is Already Booked!

    This past weekend I celebrated my 50th reunion with my Chillicothe Cavalier classmates in Southern Ohio. It was a remarkable time of laughing and reminiscing with, uhh, experienced friends.

    Time can be so perplexing. Sometimes my days strolling the long halls of that school feel like forever ago. At other times the memories seem like they happened yesterday.

    I had the sobering assignment of assembling a video to remember our classmates who passed away before this milestone reunion. As I edited the high school photos of over sixty souls I was deeply moved. There were some close relationships. Some I only knew in passing but were still familiar faces. One of the departed was my best friend in high school.

    How I wished we could have had our whole gang together but that is not how this journey works. We lost one classmate who planned to attend to Covid just days before our meeting.

    I loved that gathering of old friends this weekend but I have to admit that as I get older I am looking forward to another Reunion. A song by Carrie Underwood came to mind as I thought about the classmates who had passed before this milestone.

    This is our temporary home, it’s not where we belong
    Windows and rooms that we’re passing through
    This is just a stop on the way to where we’re going
    I’m not afraid because I know
    This is our temporary home

    I am merely a renter on this planet. I don’t really own a single thing that matters. When I am driving a rental car and hit a pothole my first reaction is always, “Oh well, it’s just a rent car.” That describes the attitude I am developing as I hit the potholes of life. I have lots of stuff here but that is all it is. Stuff. What really matters is my faith, my family and those relationships that make this trip worthwhile.

    Jesus talked about an amazing reunion that we can all look forward to. This reunion will make 50 years look like an eye blink. This reunion will be eternal and I have acquired my invitation to that event by simply trusting in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

    I love this life. I am not anxious to depart it but I am at peace that when that time comes the reward will be indescribable. It certainly looks like a great program is being planned.

    “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”  (John 14)

    To quote my friend Bart Millard of MercyMe I will get to worship my Lord in a way I can’t even imagine.

    And the sweetest sound these ears will get to hear
    The voices of the angels
    When I finally make it home

    When I finally make it home I have a daughter waiting there. I will get to thank my saintly grandmother for the difference she made in my life. My earthly Father awaits me there. My Mom is home in heaven. Joni and I have many dear friends who recently made the journey home. The list goes on and on.

    I have a few investments on this planet but I have unspeakable wealth and eternal investments there. We don’t think much about that in our culture do we? There is so much of the good life here that heaven can seem obscure and maybe not even an upgrade. But we are only temporary residents here. Enjoy every moment of this journey. Invest in relationships. But realize we were created with a desire to know our Creator and that this dwelling place is a short time rental.

    I am getting ready for the best Reunion EVER! It should be a blast!