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Chop Sticks, Little Blue Birds & Running Shoes

I was asked today “what are you giving up for Lent?” I understand what they meant, but must clearly say, I do not give up things for “Lent” - I give up things for God. I want to Know Him and Make Him Known. And, I’m striving to do a few unique things over the next 40 days leading up to Easter, that will allow me to focus on the Lord’s purpose for me and those He’s called me to lead.

Please understand, I’m not calling my decisions a “fast” - this term is interpreted differently by people of faith (some believe it must be only food, others believe it can be TV, social media, etc…) - ultimately, fasting is a personal commitment between you & God. I fast regularly. I need it. It makes me more focused, faithful and fervent. And, I will fast, as directed, throughout this season.

But, in today’s blog, I’m talking about ‘giving up a few things’ during this season that don’t automatically fall into the category of fasting (simply said, I won’t/can’t necessarily pray in their place as you would with fasting). Here’s what I’m changing

  • Chop Sticks - for 40 days I’m going to do my best to NOT use silverware but instead use chop sticks. There are a few reason for this: 1) I want to focus on the large majority of the world who use chop sticks: Asia. I’m praying for missionaries, underground churches and bold believers in this HUGE part of the world. I’m praying for Geoff and Andrea Bassett preparing to go to China.
    2) I also want to THINK about everything I put into my mouth. Chop Sticks will slow down ‘meals’ and cause me to look, consider and decide what I put into God’s Temple and why. Plus it’s hard to eat pizza, open a candy bar or lift a hamburger with two little sticks! ;)
  • Little Blue Birds - I’m limiting my participation in social media to Twitter and Instagram. There’s lots of other forms demanding my time & attention but, for at least 40 days, I won’t be on Facebook, LinkIn, Pinterest, etc. Now, there will be updates from me that show up on these sources via Twitter, Instagram or Tumblr (this blog) but I won’t be on those sites. Please don’t message me there. The reason I’m doing this is to, again, be more deliberate & focused with my time. More REAL LIFE conversations and more READING God’s Word and other books.
  • Running Shoes - yeah, yeah, yeah… I’ve got to get back to running, elliptical and working out on a regular basis. So, for the next 40 days I’m wearing running shoes every day - you can then ask me ‘how’s it going?’ and I’ll be accountable to myself and anyone who looks puzzled at my choice of footwear. Oh boy… 

So, yeah, there’s a look right into my heart. I’m SO imperfect in SO many ways. That’s not a cry for sympathy but a mandate for change. Christ has reminded me that I can & should be better. Improvements in these three little areas (above) will cause dramatic improvements in my personal life and, hopefully, in the ministries that I love & lead.

By the way, there’s some AMAZING THINGS that our church will do in these 40 days. That’s for another blog…

39 days to go, Chilly

Tags: Fasting Lent Easter Twitter
February 22, 2012
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Season of the Cross

Tomorrow some Christians will be seen with a grey cross of ashes applied to their foreheads - this symbolic act begins a forty day period during which they remember their sinfulness, repent, ask God’s forgiveness, and recognize that God’s forgiveness comes at an infinite price — the death of Christ on the cross on our behalf. This 40 day period is called: Lent. Most pentecostal denominations & fellowships do not practice this ritual. Yet, I cannot help but find a personal challenge in these events.  Seems like in most of our modern churches we spend more time preparing for some extravagant (and cheesy) musical production, complete with 12 men wearing fake beards and bathrobes, then we do truly meditating on what Easter truly means. 

So, on “Ash Wednesday” let’s examine our hearts. I think you’ll discover - like me - that you are a sinner in need of a savior, and your salvation comes at the sacrifice of God’s Son: “So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that great, perfect sanctuary in heaven, not made by human hands and not part of this created world. 12 Once for all time he took blood into that Most Holy Place, but not the blood of goats and calves. He took his own blood, and with it he secured our salvation forever”  (Heb. 9:11-12).

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Tags: Lent Ash Wednesday Easter Cross Jesus Christ
February 21, 2012
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"If the cause of Christ takes hold of your life, those around you will not be able to ignore it."

— cc

Tags: Jesus Christ cause
February 18, 2012
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The not-so-glamorous side of camp speaking … (wish the picture was scratch & sniff)! But, lives changed is worth ANY inconvenience! (Taken with Instagram at Center Lake Bible Camp)

Tags: camp retreat speaker
February 17, 2012
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What about Now?

Have you ever noticed how stressed-out and uptight people get talking about “what’s next”?  Or how discouraged they seem to get when looking back on their past?  I think we tend to get all bogged down with hopelessness because we give way too much consideration to the past and to the future instead of really living our destiny in THE NOW!

Jesus said: And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t He more surely care for you? You have so little faith! 31 ”So don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. 32 Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, 33 and He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. 34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:30-34

LIVE today and leave everything else to God! Cool?!  Better get going…

ALIVE RIGHT NOWchilly

What’s the biggest distraction in your life & how
can you stay focused on today? (Answer Below) 


Tags: past future now
February 15, 2012
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My name is Chilly Chilton
and I'm a God-oholic.

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