Thursday, September 30, 2021

Fruitful Living in Every Season

We think about the different seasons that we went through in our life, and how we had seasons of prosperity and seasons of leanness; and now we describe them like the natural four seasons. 

We have been through seasons of autumn, when the leaves were falling and then there were seasons of winter, when everything just seemed to be dead. There were seasons of spring when life was returning. And then the seasons of summer when it was hot and things were happening. 

After we go through a summer season, then fall (autumn) returns, and many of us start to think that we failed. We feel like we've done something wrong, and we're out of God's will, because the same trees (ideas) that were bearing fruit, and flourishing, now we're watching the leaves turn brown and yellow, and they're falling off. And we’re like, “God, what happened?" 

Many people struggle when it comes to understanding seasons, but the reality is that it is not always spring and summer time.  It may be difficult to precisely define the season that you’re in, but that’s okay.  As you are reading through this book, you will gain discernment for where you are, and the determination to keep moving forward in God's purpose for your life.

Chris and Carol Green offer wisdom from their 30-year personal and pastoral journey, providing hope, faith and insight on how to be fruitful in every season.

Get in the flow at https://www.amazon.com/dp/1514327066

 

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

The Honor Role: Heartfelt Words from One Concerned Father

"In our world today, we honor and display what should be covered in modesty, and we ignore, shame and cover what should be Honored," author Chris Green comments in his latest publication. "The Role of Men should be honored and encouraged, not covered or shamed."

However, it is covered and even despised due the influence of evil in the heart of mankind that has distorted and perverted what God ordained to be an honorable role in the family, community, and all of society.

For Chris, it all began when he wrote a letter to the mayor of the City of St. Louis, Missouri, USA, back in the 1990's, in protest of several special interest groups who were presenting political views and social movements that, he felt, were detrimental to his efforts as a husband of a loving woman, and a father of three African American boys. It was his small effort to cry out against the special interest groups that were, in his humble opinion, contributors to the destruction of the Black family and community.

In his third solo authorship project, The Honor Role, Green challenges men to restore honor to the role of husband and father. 

"My newest book may surprise you because it does not take you through an outline of topical chapters and studies," Green explains. "As we moved into the empty nest time of life and then became grandparents, we also transitioned to a responsibility to pass on our knowledge and experience to our sons. So this compilation is not only for men in general, but to three men, specifically. 

My wife and I have released this book because we believe God gave us strategies for both building and guarding our families. We are witnesses that those who have embraced these strategies, have experienced the fulfillment of God's promise to rebuild, restore and renew their hearts and homes."

This book is a very special collection of Green's most significant messages to men; published with the intent to fortify those who are genuinely striving for excellence during an era in which negative stereotypes, current abuse, and horrible history are constantly aired and rehearsed, and male bashing is popular, applauded and rewarded.

Order a copy for you or your son(s) at   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09GTNL8ZP

  

Saturday, September 11, 2021

Our Hearts Were Broken: 9/11 Anniversary Tribute

 


Our Hearts Were Broken

9/11 Anniversary Tribute (Written 9/11/2011)


Ten years ago today our hearts were broken.

In horror we watched, no word could be spoken.

Time stopped, Could this be really happening?

My eyes can’t believe what I’m seeing.


Did the news flash really say what I'm hearing?

Sirens and screams in the background searing.

I cannot imagine what people are feeling.

As loved ones perish while thousands are fleeing.


Overwhelmed with grief, sickened by sorrow.

It’ll just be a nightmare when I wake up tomorrow.

How could something so evil be unleashed on the world?

Snatching the innocence of every boy and girl.


We’ll never forget the moment the second plane flew in.

The exclamation of the commentator,

"O my God, It happened again!"

And panic begin to set in as we learned

The terror plot wasn’t done,

Another plane had crashed into the Pentagon.


We’ll never forget the thoughts as we watched events unfold.

Is this the fulfillment of Biblical prophecies, foretold?

Is it just the random deed of some religious maniac?

Is it the start of world war three, is our nation under attack?


We’ll never forget the moment

When those towers came crashing down.

Our hearts were crumbling with it,

Knowing lives were being snuffed out.


I wanted to scream, I wanted to cry,

But I could only kneel down.

I prayed to God, 

In whom peace and solace could be found.


God alone can avenge the taking of innocent lives.

For the first responders who left behind

Grieving children, husbands and wives.

For the mothers, fathers, sons and daughters

Who faded away with no warning;

For the brothers and sisters

Who did not see the next day’s dawning.


It’s taken me ten years,

To put words on these thoughts.

Ten years of processing feelings

Of profound sadness and loss.


I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fully express

What happened to us that day,

Except that I know we came to understand

The tears on God’s face!


For ions of time

He has watched mankind destroy one another.

He stepped in from the beginning

After one brother killed the other.


What religious view is so important

That so many lives need to be shattered?

What political agenda means so much

That nothing else matters?


America, America, 

God poured out His grace on Thee

As crying and wailing rang out 

From sea to shining sea.


Ten years ago our hearts were broken,

But I have to wonder somehow.

Where will we be within our hearts

Another ten years from now?


Chris Green, 9/11/2011



Chris Green wrote this song three days after the tragic events of 9/11. The lyrics are based upon the prophetic words of Jeremiah Chapter 5 (Will I not avenge myself on a nation such as this?). 


This song intends no disrespect to those who died and have suffered since that day.  However, it is a sobering message to people of Faith, that still resonates to this day.


This song is addressing the American Church and its responsibility to follow the life and mission of Jesus Christ in ministering to a nation in crisis.