From the Pulpit to the Fryer: Introduction

It’s been almost ten months since I stepped away from fulltime ministry as a Southern Baptist pastor of more than thirty years. The following articles, beginning with this one as a way of introduction, is intended to encourage and challenge all of us who accepted and pursued that “calling” from God whether it be recent, many years ago, or maybe you are at the very beginning of your journey in ministry.  In any case, my focus is to honor God by sharing how He has stirred in my life a deeper sense of “calling” to ministry that goes beyond and reaches farther than the modern day pulpit. Calm down, and take a deep breath!  I am not saying there is no power or effectiveness in today’s pulpit ministry.  There are many spirit led preachers who faithfully proclaim God’s word from the pulpit every Sunday.  The preaching ministry brings the message of salvation to the masses every week. I, too, still preach from a pulpit every Sunday as a bi-vocational pastor.  Remember, I am writing to share with you how God has moved in my life to transition from where I was to where I am now.

In March, 2014 I began a new career in the food industry. I became a brand new 52 year old employee of Zaxby’s.  When I began there, I was terribly overweight and out of shape.  Needless to say, my first few months there were very painful.  But I just knew in my heart that was where God placed me.  I still remember the day I learned how to cook chicken fingers, and the franchise owner called me the “poultry preacher.”  We still get a few laughs when the title finds its way into conversation today. 

Through the years there have been powerful, life changing testimonies by those in ministry who have come from “the world” to the “pulpit.”  Those wonderful preachers who have had a past of sin that would make a sailor blush and now proclaim the Word of God from the pulpits of great churches.  However, God has moved me from the pulpit to the fryer!  How strange!  Did God fire me?  Absolutely not! I believe He promoted me to a time of renewal and much needed change in me and my family.  His tool for change for this “burned out,” “washed up,” “heart broken,” “out of shape,” “dying preacher”? Zaxby’s! 

Stay tuned for my next articles as I share those nuggets of wisdom in my training as I have moved “FROM THE PULPIT TO THE FRYER!”

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME,

Charlie W.

CHEESE!!!

There's an old story about a man who inherited a million dollars.  However, the lawyers had to hire private investigators to find the man who had disappeared many years before only to discover he was homeless and living on the street.  When they found him to give him the good news, he refused to believe it and did not accept the inheritance.

This is my last installment of the "Who Moved My Cheese" blogs.  I end it by discussing the "Cheese" itself.  As I said in an earlier post, "cheese" is different for everyone, but everyone is searching for it. (That which makes them happy and fulfilled).

I have been on a journey for over six months now and have gone through a gamete of emotions from anger to joy and from  fear to peace!  I'm healthier now with much needed weight loss.  The "maze" was very difficult to navigate and through it all, I rediscovered the "cheese."  The fact is it never moved or was taken by anyone. It was me!!  I moved and lost sight of that which brings me much happiness and joy.  I was like the man in the story, I became destitute and homeless and refused the inheritance that has always been mine and lost my joy because I lost my way.

My friends, that which brings me true joy and happiness and peace is JESUS!  Oh, don't get me wrong, I never lost my salvation or even my calling to preach the gospel.  I just allowed the world and people to dictate to me who or what I should be.  I tried to please everyone, and took it to heart when someone disapproved.  It was a long and slow journey to get to that point of no joy, but by the grace and mercy of God, through hard work (physical labor), and being humbled and most importantly waiting on the Lord, He has truly strengthened me.  My "cheese," is not working at Zaxby's, nor is it the church I attend.  My cheese is a strengthened relationship with Jesus, who is the Christ, the Son of the Living God!!

Soon, I will begin a new series of blogs titled, "From the Pulpit to the Fryer." It promises to be a good series!!

Have a great day,

CW

The Maze!!

It's been quite awhile since I have posted on here.  I have been utilizing Spencer Johnson's, Who Moved My Cheese, as a spring board for my blogs and what has been going on in the world of me.  Well, suffice it to say, I have been in "The Maze" looking for new "cheese."  It truly has been an "amazing" experience. (No pun intended, well maybe a little).  The maze to say the least has been extremely difficult to navigate.  There are rules and regulations that were not there the last time I ventured out as a young man.  Many of the paths have been boarded up, and some even have disappeared completely.  In the past several weeks I have cried many tears in frustration and fear.  All of this because of looking for "new cheese."  (I will discuss "the cheese" in my next blog) For now, however, here are some lessons concerning the maze itself:

1.  Any direction you may take effects others (family, friends, colleagues, etc...)  Life is not a "lone ranger" journey.  There will always be others who depend on you, and care about you.  Going down the wrong path to find "the ALMIGHTY cheese" is selfish and self-seeking and not always healthy.

2.  Expect signs in the maze that will deter you from selfish pursuits.  Eg. "You're too old," "You're too young," "You're over-qualified, etc...

3.  Life is hard and can be cold - But know there is also joy and real happiness.

4.  Never ever compromise your convictions for a piece of "cheese."

Well, my list could go on.  Suffice it to say it is an adventure and attitude is everything.  The most important thing I have been reminded of again and again.  DO NOT LOSE FAITH IN GOD!!  No matter how bad it may get, no matter how much I wanted to give up and sit down, God has been and is today the source of my strength and life.  YES, God is also in the "maze."

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.  Psalm 119:105

Have a great day!  Happy Easter!

CW

"Yes, there is NEW CHEESE to be found"

Spencer Johnson, MD, Who Moved My Cheese, says "Imagining myself eating new cheese even before I find it, leads me to it."  A good friend of mine once told me that the best way to catch fish is to go fishing.  I know, I know...it sounds shallow, but there is truth in the statement.

Many times it is just easier to give up than to go through the trouble.  I think the biggest tragedy is to live out our lives unfulfilled.

The secret is this and it's no secret at all.  Jesus said, "I am the way..." (John 14:6).  My discovery as of late is this one fact...The "Cheese" (that which makes me fulfilled and happy) is not new or different.  It's the same, JESUS. Jesus never moved or disappeared.  It was me who allowed myself to take my eyes off "The Way."  I do not have to imagine myself eating "new cheese" even before I find it.  I have found Him.  And more importantly, Jesus has found me.

I now feast at the banquet table of the Lord everyday!  My "job" or "career" does not define me.  It is the fact there is a personal relationship, and I am getting stronger every single day.

Trust in the Lord always,

Have a great day,

CW

FREEDOM

The bible teaches us not to worry!  Worry can in fact slow us down.  I have preached many sermons on the subject.  The thing about preachers (unfortunately, most will not admit it) is fear is and continues to be a plague of unlimited proportions.  And it is easy not to practice what you preach, and it is especially true of the subject of worry.
Personally, worry has been a major problem for me and still is at times.  The fear of people not liking me has been a driving force for many years.  It's no wonder I have crashed on occasion.  The bible is very clear we are not to be "men" pleasers, but to please God in all we do.  God is teaching me much during my "sabbatical" and I certainly do feel blessed.  I am spending much more time with God and am so thankful for this time in my life.

Those of you who know me know I am a big sci-fi nut.  (Some would say I'm a big nerd).  I'm reminded of the Star Wars movies at this point.  Yoda said this: Fear is the path to the dark side.  Fear leads to anger.  Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.

Spencer Johnson, M.D., Who Moved My Cheese? says "When you move beyond your fear you feel free."

So I adhere to the following promises from God's Word.  If God is for me, who can be against me? (Romans 8:31) and The Lord is for me.  I will not fear: What can man do to me? (Psalm 118:6)

Guess what?  I am feeling more and more free every single day!!  How awesome is that for living life? God is working a marvelous work.  You just wait and see!!

Have a great day!!

CW

New Direction to Find "Cheese"

You have heard the statement and I have made it too, "Change for the sake of change is never a good idea."  Guess what?  I don't believe that anymore.  There are times, I believe, change for the sake of change may be good for the soul. 

Not too many years ago there was a movie about making "bucket lists."  Wow!  Just about everyone was making their list of things they wanted to do before they "kicked the bucket."  It was a popular trend for a few years after the release of the movie.  However, I never made one at the time.  I surmise that many who did were unfulfilled in their lives and found strength to accomplish things they have always dreamed of doing.  In some ways I guess it's selfish, but I don't think it is completely.  As I said earlier, I believe change can be good for the soul.  Henry Blackaby, in his book Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God, says, you cannot go with God and stay where you are.  It means more than just physically - it means there must be a transformation or as Paul states, renewing of the mind.

I have found my running shoes and fixing to head down those paths in the maze.  Oh, I know I will not be by myself.  God is leading me to fulfillment and joy.

On my mark, get set......I'll keep you informed...

Have a great day,

CW

"Smell the Cheese Often"

"Smell the cheese often so you know when it's getting old."  I had always thought of myself as innovative and open to knew and "cutting edge" ideas.  Wow, when did I get old? Not in years, but ideas and methodology.  I never saw it coming because my "cheese" was gradually shrinking and getting old and one day it was gone.  What was left was the smell of "moldy," "old," and "rotting" "cheese." 

Sometimes in life many of us, myself included, become comfortable with the status quo and accept things the way they are and always have been.  I took my eyes off that which has always brought me joy and everything changed when I looked again.  I should have saw the signs a long time ago.  Oh, I'm not beating myself up over this change, I am looking for my running shoes to get back out into the maze of life and begin searching for that which will bring me joy and I can make a difference.  Mazes are filled with many dead ends, but there are those pathways that go forever.  I'm glad I have Christ in my life because God's word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Ps. 119:105. 

2013 was a year of change - 2014 will be a year of discovery. 

Have a great day,

CW