Thank You Daddy

This week, in anticipation of Father's Day, I want to make an encore presentation of a blog I posted last year on Father's Day. The original blog can be found at http://themenofhonor.blogspot.com/2015/06/blog-post.html

It reads:

I have some very fond memories with my dad. He was a fun-loving dad who always threw caution to the wind. It got him in trouble many times, but it also gave his children a sense of adventure and daring that proved to be very helpful for us when we found ourselves called in to the ministry.

My dad saw my love for sports and took me to my first baseball game. The St. Louis Cardinals were playing the Montreal Expos and Jose Cardenal hit a two run double in the seventh inning that gave them a 4-2 victory. I couldn’t believe I was actually there, in a 50,000 seat stadium, looking at the high tech scoreboard, the massive crowd, and experiencing all the sounds I always heard when I listened to games on the radio. I had become a devoted fan; and dad gave me a chance to experience the real thing; to actually see my heroes live and in person. I have cherished that memory all of my life. 

There were many other games in the years that followed. I especially loved the day I sat between my dad and his dad and watched Bob Gibson, my all time favorite Cardinal baseball player, pitch on Labor Day. I actually realized I was experiencing something very special that would never happen again; three generations, sitting together, enjoying our favorite sport.

Those were the times that established something in my heart that I have tried to give my children. There are once-in-a-life-time opportunities that come your way, and I tried to stay prepared for those moments with my sons. Then there are some things you cannot wait for, because some memories you simply have to make.

Through the years, I hope my children have had special moments that they can recall with the same kind of fondness and deep impacting love that I feel when I think back on special moments with my dad.

My dad didn’t always put his arms around my shoulder, or say 'I love you' in those moments. He wasn’t that kind of man. He gave us nicknames and he always told us he was proud of us. When I was struggling in arithmetic, he started calling me 'math major' and it built my confidence to try harder and I found success. I became a straight-A student in math.

My dad is not perfect. He had his issues with his children from time to time, like any father. I was sort of a middle child. He married my mom, who already had a precious little girl, and they had three sons before I came along. One son died while my mom was pregnant with me. Then they had two more children after me. 

There were many times when life was very hard. It was downright harsh and cruel for him. I was angry with him a few times, mainly because I had no idea what it took to be the head of the household. I learned from his mistakes, as well as his resiliency. And maybe that’s the greatest thing my dad gave us; resiliency.

Just like my dad’s journey, as a husband and father, life has been hard, sometimes harsh and downright cruel for me, but I learned from my dad how to get up and go to work every day, no matter how you feel. When I lost jobs, opportunities, homes, friends, and loved ones, I knew how to get up and keep going. Dad demonstrated to us that you should never give up, even after a failure. You never stop, no matter how you feel.

So in honor of my dad and ultimately, God, my heavenly Father, I wrote a song many years ago that expresses thanks. I gave it an informal title: Thank You Daddy.

I just want to share that song with you this week. 

The original recording can be heard HERE.

The lyrics are:

There’s so much I take for granted, Like the rising of the sun
Every time I see the morning, Never thankful for the dawn

Like a father who’s always there, With the same things every day
So consistent and expected, Sometimes I forget to say

(Chorus)
Thank you daddy
For the blue that’s in the sky
Thank you daddy
For the light that’s in Your eye
Thank you daddy
For the life beat I’ve been handed
I get so busy
I'm taking you for granted

There’s so much you’re always doing, You watch my life and keep me safe
Sometimes you throw in extras, Giving me a little bit more grace

You take the time to listen, When all I bring are complaints
You carry me on your shoulders, And you sing to me in the rain

I can always recall the discipline you gave
All the nights you spent with me, And the path that you have paved

You’ll give more love tomorrow than all my yesterdays
So please forgive me daddy, I never take the time to say 

Thank you, thank you
For every single day

Thank you, thank you
For every breath I take

Thank you, thank you 
You made us sons and daughters

Thank you, thank you
Because you are our Father

Thank you

© Green, Christopher 2001


For the least of these, 

Dr. Christopher G. Green

What is a Christian?

...And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.   ---Acts 11:26b

As most of you know, we are ministering on the front lines in Harrisburg as community life coaches. God has been using this aspect of our ministry to provide practical tools for people who are trying to rebuild their lives in the midst of great devastation. Part of that recovery process involves referring them to mental health professionals who can help them to work through the pain of the past, while we are helping them begin making plans for the future.

As we have coached our clients, worked with professionals, consulted with heterosexual couples, and had impromptu conversations with a gay couple, we have been astounded by a very negative theme that has been at the core of nearly every encounter; and that has been people's understanding of what it means to be a Christian.

Before I go any further, I need to ask you to intentionally lay aside all feelings of offense and don't get defensive about what I'm about to tell you. This is more of an informal survey and an observation, but it is extremely important if we are going to be serious about reaching people today.

From what people have expressed to us, these are their definitions of the word Christian, at least according to what they all have experienced first-hand, primarily from family members, co-workers, classmates and various professionals.

Christian: Someone who abuses you physically, sexually, mentally and emotionally, and then stands in a pulpit and preaches about love.

Christian: Someone who hates Blacks, Latinos and Asians, and then preaches about love on Sunday morning.

Christian: Someone who is vindictive, cruel, unloving, and vengeful, but they attend their church every week, participating in its many activities and events.

Christian: A religious group who slaughtered the natives of this land, brought in slaves, and use big business and politics to continue to promote their way of life.

Christian: Dominating, imperialistic people who have an agenda to force everyone into their way of thinking and living.

Christian: Evangelical, right wing, conservative, Tea Party, racist, KKK, Bible quoting, hypocrites.

Christian: African American pastors who impregnate young girls in their churches, force them to get abortions, manipulate people to give money, and do nothing but grandstand in the public to draw attention to themselves.

Christian: Gullible congregants who continue to follow and support corrupt church leaders and will defend those leaders, no matter what. 

Christian: African American congregants who live out nothing that they profess. They are often the worst employees, and the most unreliable business people.

Christian: Someone who buries all of the family secrets with religious talk. They never talk about their own dirt and never explain themselves. They never answer real questions and shun anyone who is not perfect like they pretend to be.

Christian: Fake people, phony people, liars, and hypocrites.

This is just a small sampling of the type of descriptions that have invaded our conversations. Ever since God led us to the front lines of Harrisburg, we have been brought face to face with where people REALLY are in their thinking and beliefs. 

We realize there are some people who are just looking for excuses to live any way they choose, but these descriptions came up in the midst of conversations about past trauma, NOT religious debates or complaints about the Church. After many of our coaching sessions and private conversations, we could only sigh and say, "No wonder people don't come to our churches anymore."

We even found opposition to our Life Coaching because of this misconception. One young lady cancelled several appointments with us because her abusive, religious mother has the same title of Life Coach within the church she attends. So this young woman thought our coaching was going to be like her mother's coaching.  When this came out in our session we told her, "Life Coaching is not about dictating to people and doing things to try to run another person's life." She was so relieved to find out that we were not like her religious, mean, unloving, and hypocritical mother.

The challenge is quite daunting as we work past decades and centuries of a type of Christianity that was never of God. But people don't know that, so we are out there showing who Jesus (Yeshua) Christ really is. 

The other challenge is that many Christians want to defened the Church by dismissing the actual trauma that has been caused by Christians. But you cannot defend the Church by denying what people have gone through, no more than you can defend America by denying slavery and racism. Yes, one can defend their cause, but denying reality is not the way to do it.

We encourage you to take on the challenge with a different strategy. Instead of merely proclaiming that you're a genuine Christian and you're "standing up" for the true Church, just show the wounded the true love of Jesus Christ. Humble yourself and acknowledge what has happened and the pain that has been caused. It can be as simple as saying, "Yes, you're right. That never should have happened. I'm so sorry that happened to you." 

Please don't take the defensive road and say, "But we're not all like that." That is the same defense that ruffles those of us who have endured police harrassment through traffic stops. We're always told that they're not all like that. We already know that they're not all like that. But it doesn't take all policemen to profile us and pull us over in baseless traffic stops. It only takes ONE. So again, don't get defensive. Just be humble.

Personally, in my own understanding, I try to make a distinction between the Church as a religous institution, versus the Church, the people who have the living God indwelling them. When asked, I find myself telling people that I follow The Way, which is what this original move of God was called before Believers were given the name, Christians in the city of Antioch. 

"But this I confess to you, that according to THE WAY, which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets." ----Acts 24:14

I find this description disarms prejudices and biases, and makes people a little bit more curious.

During the last century, the word Christian has developed a very different meaning. Therefore what people understand about the Church is skewed as well. In this century, in the understanding of many (if not most people), a Christian has very little to do with Christ. I used to get very upset with that conflicting reality, but now, I no longer fight it. We don't have time to waste, trying to change everyone's personal definition of what it means to be a Christian or what is the Church. 

However, we can work and live to change their understanding of Christ Himself. We're on the front lines of this battle, and that's what we are doing with greater success every day.

For the least of these, 

Coach Chris Green 

Life Coaches Honored for Innovative Service to Humanity

Chris and Carol Green were publicly confirmed and acknowledged for receiving Honorary Doctorate Degrees in Christian Leadership (Chris) and Humanities (Carol), which were officially conferred upon them back on February 1, 2016, by the chief chancellor of the United Graduate College and Seminary International (UGCSI).

This public acknowledgment took place during a special evening of honor by iChange Nations™ who hosted their latest Golden Rule Award Ceremony on April 23rd at the United States Capitol Hill, Washington DC in the Washington Court Hotel.

iChange Nations™ recognizes Distinguished Leaders and those who are already part of their International Alumni who are effectively changing their community and nations through their efforts.

This is a recognized Ministry Degree that was conferred in acknowledgment of 11+ years of successfully implementing a new urban church model that produced an effective, family-impacting ministry in south central Pennsylvania. This innovative urban ministry model facilitates personal and relational healing. This new model provided the necessary training and preparation that helped attendees, students and seekers become effective community ready-responders who rescue hearts and homes.

"Exactly one year prior, April 25, 2015, Chris' job with the state of Pennsylvania came to an end," explains Carol Green. "This brought us face to face with the next step in God's plan and purpose for sending us and our family to south central Pennsylvania."

Afterwards they began working on a Master Certification for Life Coaching and expanding their work beyond the walls of the local church. Their practicum work, for earning their certification, included 60 hours of coaching individuals, but they immediately went well beyond that by taking their coaching into an unemployment center and a women's shelter. This led to opened doors for them to speak in other churches and organizations, including their home city of St. Louis, MO.

They started a non-profit, Fruitful Life Network, Inc, back in 2004, but they revived it to encompass their life coaching work.

Now plans are on the table to launch a focused leadership initiative that will train others in life coaching and equip them to go into and help various established community outreaches that are already working in the urban community.

"We are honored by this acknowledgement and we appreciate the kind words that are spoken about us," says the now publicly confirmed, Honorary Drs. Chris and Carol Green, "It is another key that we have been given to unlock doors that had been previously closed to us. Now we can go further in our mission to transform the lives of people from devastation to destiny."


World Peace Ambassador, Dr. Clyde Rivers calls Chris and Carol Green leading skilled experts in rebuilding, restoring and renewing hearts and homes. The Green are certified master life coaches who founded the Fruitful Life Network, Inc. an innovative community care and coaching outreach. 

***

Community Life Coaches Offer Hope to the City's Unemployed

Pennsylvania, USA ----Community Life Coaches Chris and Carol Green, returned to the Pennsylvania CareerLink's Job Club during the Christmas holiday season to again uplift, encourage and empower the unemployed in the urban community of Harrisburg, PA.

"We went back in December and that workshop was incredibly awesome!" said Coach Chris Green. "At one point our dignity-restoring workshop was going so well that someone actually said 'amen' during the presentation."

The presentation literally captured the group. Every example, anecdote, story, and word of advice seemed to hit home in every heart. Since the workshop took place just before Christmas, at the beginning, it was a very melancholy group with lots of heaviness hanging in the atmosphere, but by the end, people were talking and engaging.

"There is definitely something special happening with this community outreach," explains Coach Carol Green, "We believe we have been given an open door to restore dignity, give wisdom and heal hurting people, desperately trying to find jobs."

This was the Green's fourth successful monthly workshop. The class was at maximum capacity, having seen its numbers growing monthly. 

"How awesome is that?" added Coach Chris Green, "We're just trying to do our part to lift up and encourage people who are in a very tough season of unemployment."

World Peace Ambassador, Dr. Clyde Rivers calls Chris and Carol Green leading skilled experts in rebuilding, restoring and renewing hearts and homes. The Green are certified master life coaches who founded the Fruitful Life Network, Inc. an innovative community care and coaching outreach. They are international columnist/writers with the award winning team of Dr. Clyde Rivers and iChange Nations Social Media News™. 

***

Renewed to Rebuild

The more we teach and talk about the spiritual battle over our families, the more we realize that God has placed us behind enemy lines like a covert special force unit of the military. He has placed us in one of the fiercest battles in our nation today. It’s a battle for the hearts and homes of America.

We want to start the year 2016 by talking to you about the internal battles we face within our families.

As you know, we’ve been following the story of Nehemiah and the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls. After the reconstruction began, several enemies conspired together to attack them. Immediately after receiving the threats from Sanballat, Tobia, the Ammonites, the Arabs and the Ashdodites, the Israelites took a quick inventory to assess their ability to keep working under this threat of attack.

Here is the report that was brought to Nehemiah:

Then (the people of) Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is failing, and there is so much rubbish that we are not able to build the wall.” And our adversaries said, “They will neither know nor see anything, till we come into their midst and kill them and cause the work to cease.” So it was, when the Jews who dwelt near them came, that they told us ten times, “From whatever place you turn, they will be upon us.” Nehemiah 4: 10-12

The FIRST problem: The strength of the laborers was failing. In similar ways, our strength is failing. Many husbands, wives, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, and grandparents have just grown tired of trying to build the family any longer.

Have you ever said, ‘I’m tired of trying in this marriage’ or ‘I’m tired of trying in this relationship’? Many times, it’s not that you’re not willing to work at it. It’s just that it never seems to get anywhere when you try. That’s what the people were hinting at when they said, “There is so much rubbish that we are not able to build the wall.”

The SECOND problem: It’s one thing to rebuild a marriage, a relationship, or anything you’re trying to reconstruct in your life, but there’s another level of discouragement when all you have to work with is rubbish. The rubbish, in Jerusalem, was the burned out stones and almost worthless material that was left behind from the devastation the city had suffered years earlier.

It’s the same for many of us today. God wants us to rebuild the wall of our city (our families and households), but all we have to build with is the leftover shattered, battered, burned up stones, bricks and timber from years of family heartache and heart break.

The burned out stones look like this: The unreasonable demands, the bullying, the lies, the deception, the dishonesty, the disrespect, the nagging, the insensitivity, the carelessness, the discontent, the unmet expectations, the silent nights (that were not holy nights), the fierce arguments, the horrible fights – and we mean the physical, fist-flying stuff, too; the four letter explicative, the feelings that had no words, and the words that had no feelings.

The burned out stones represent our broken dreams, our failures, our shame, and our secrets. They are the ashes of our grief; the only thing left after our sorrow. They are the heaviness we carry around inside of us in our perpetual state of mourning.

Question: How can you repair the walls for your family when the only material that you have is rubbish and burned out, brittle, crumbling stones?

Answer: God says in His Word: Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:30-31 (NKJV)

This Hebrew word for WAIT means: to look for, hope, expect, look eagerly for, or to linger. One word picture is to be like a waiter or waitress: To stand and wait for the order, request, words, and direction. The person who stands like a servant and eagerly lingers, with hope and expectation, for the order, word, and directions from the Lord, will renew their strength.

Renew means to go through, grow up, change, to go on from where you are now. This means your strength is going to carry you through this time. It’s going to grow up. It’s going to go on from where it is right now.

We did a quick study about the bald eagle and learned something special about part of its life span. In their five-year development to adulthood, bald eagles go through one of the most varied plumage changes of any North American bird. During its first four weeks of life, an eaglet’s fluffy white down changes to a gray wooly down. At about five weeks, brown and black feathers begin to grow. It becomes fully feathered at 10 weeks of age. In its first year, the mostly dark-colored bald eagle can often be mistaken as a golden eagle. However, the bald eagle progressively changes until it reaches adult plumage at five years. Its dark eyes lighten throughout its first four years of life until it becomes yellow. They are constantly renewing as they get older.

If you and I wait upon the Lord; live expecting God’s word, live receiving God’s word, live obeying God’s word, we are renewed as we grow in His Word like the eagle is renewed as it grows to maturity. God can renew the material within us as we seek to rebuild our families. We won't have to build with burned-out stones. We can build with spiritual, mental, emotional, and relational material that has been renewed. We can build with strength that has been renewed.

We cannot rebuild our families and households until we get renewed in our hearts. So let’s remain consistent and persistent in our pursuit of God. Wait on Him daily. He will give you the strength to rebuild, in spite of the rubbish and in spite of the threats of the enemy.

It has been our honor to serve you these many years with these weekly words of inspiration and encouragement for your hearts and homes. May you have a blessed New Year!


We are overcomers, under orders,

Chris and Carol Green