"...being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you
will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ..."
Philippians 1:6
Our Twelve Step Spiritual Journey
STEP TWO – “We Begin To Exercise Faith”
“For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Philippians 2:13
We continue our twelve step spiritual journey by taking our second step during this month of February, namely, that “WE HAVE COME TO BELIEVE THAT A POWER GREATER THAN OURSELVES COULD RESTORE US TO SANITY.” After step one in January, we were left empty and that’s when God came into our lives. Now with step two, we use the faith that God gives us and we begin to exercise this faith. We do this by reflecting on God, our Higher Power, and the fact that God has always accomplished the impossible with his people.
God wants us to replace our “sanity,” or our behavior, with God’s “sanity.” In other words, we now move from believing we control our lives and that this is a sane way of living. But in step two, God is telling us that it is truly sane to release our personal control, to surrender our lives totally to Him. God needs no help from us. He only needs us to repent and believe in him. This means we are willing to say, “Lord, I’ve sinned. I’m willing to give up my sins. I’m willing to change my way of living. And then, by faith, we relinquish our control over to Almighty God. Before, we felt it was sane to fix ourselves. But now God wants us to trust Him for our recovery. Before, we felt we knew the way to go in life. But now, God wants us to rely on Him for guidance.
Believing in and surrendering to God, our Higher Power, does not exempt us from pain and suffering. But it does give us someone with which to share it. We choose to feel better about ourselves in step two, not because of our words and deeds or even anyone else’s, but only because of God. Let us all continue to praise God and to first rely on Him.
See you in church, because of the Christ,
Rev. Chuck
COMING IN MARCH: STEP THREE – “We Come To A Place Of Decision, Not Action”
“For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Philippians 2:13
We continue our twelve step spiritual journey by taking our second step during this month of February, namely, that “WE HAVE COME TO BELIEVE THAT A POWER GREATER THAN OURSELVES COULD RESTORE US TO SANITY.” After step one in January, we were left empty and that’s when God came into our lives. Now with step two, we use the faith that God gives us and we begin to exercise this faith. We do this by reflecting on God, our Higher Power, and the fact that God has always accomplished the impossible with his people.
God wants us to replace our “sanity,” or our behavior, with God’s “sanity.” In other words, we now move from believing we control our lives and that this is a sane way of living. But in step two, God is telling us that it is truly sane to release our personal control, to surrender our lives totally to Him. God needs no help from us. He only needs us to repent and believe in him. This means we are willing to say, “Lord, I’ve sinned. I’m willing to give up my sins. I’m willing to change my way of living. And then, by faith, we relinquish our control over to Almighty God. Before, we felt it was sane to fix ourselves. But now God wants us to trust Him for our recovery. Before, we felt we knew the way to go in life. But now, God wants us to rely on Him for guidance.
Believing in and surrendering to God, our Higher Power, does not exempt us from pain and suffering. But it does give us someone with which to share it. We choose to feel better about ourselves in step two, not because of our words and deeds or even anyone else’s, but only because of God. Let us all continue to praise God and to first rely on Him.
See you in church, because of the Christ,
Rev. Chuck
COMING IN MARCH: STEP THREE – “We Come To A Place Of Decision, Not Action”
STEP ONE – “Our acknowledgement of powerlessness”
“I know nothing good lives in me, that is, my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” Romans 7:18
Does the above passage sound like you? I know it sounds like me. If we are truly honest with God, our neighbor and ourselves, it does sound like all of us. For God alone is the source of our power and life, not ourselves. Solomon said, “He who trusts himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe” (Proverbs 28:26). This is why daily contact with God is so crucial to our well-being.
Beginning this month and for each month of this new year, I will focus on a spiritual program that I have come to employ in my own life. January is the best place to begin. And we begin with the realization that we are sinful, empty and found wanting. But the good news of the gospel is: this is where we meet God. This is the first step on our road to recovery and redemption.
Think for a moment: what aspect of your life is the most repulsive to God? With me, I admit I am powerless over my temper. I know I have used my weakness to destroy rather than harness this energy for good. This is a constant confession and control of mine. It’s like the Apostle Paul who said, “The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know” (1st Corinthians 8:2).
This January, let’s begin the journey of faith and true spiritual healing by together taking this first step of confessing and admitting to God that we are powerless over the effects of our separation from God. Let us together admit that our lives are unmanageable without Christ. And let us look with hope to each month of 2012 as the building blocks to a better life in the power and love of God.
See you in church, because of the Christ,
Rev. Chuck
“I know nothing good lives in me, that is, my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” Romans 7:18
Does the above passage sound like you? I know it sounds like me. If we are truly honest with God, our neighbor and ourselves, it does sound like all of us. For God alone is the source of our power and life, not ourselves. Solomon said, “He who trusts himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe” (Proverbs 28:26). This is why daily contact with God is so crucial to our well-being.
Beginning this month and for each month of this new year, I will focus on a spiritual program that I have come to employ in my own life. January is the best place to begin. And we begin with the realization that we are sinful, empty and found wanting. But the good news of the gospel is: this is where we meet God. This is the first step on our road to recovery and redemption.
Think for a moment: what aspect of your life is the most repulsive to God? With me, I admit I am powerless over my temper. I know I have used my weakness to destroy rather than harness this energy for good. This is a constant confession and control of mine. It’s like the Apostle Paul who said, “The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know” (1st Corinthians 8:2).
This January, let’s begin the journey of faith and true spiritual healing by together taking this first step of confessing and admitting to God that we are powerless over the effects of our separation from God. Let us together admit that our lives are unmanageable without Christ. And let us look with hope to each month of 2012 as the building blocks to a better life in the power and love of God.
See you in church, because of the Christ,
Rev. Chuck
It is my pleasure and privilege to be your pastor. I feel like we are a part of a real life scene from my favorite movie that climaxes like this: Once they are alone, Renault (played by Claude Raines) suggests to Rick (played by Humphrey Bogart) that they join together. They walk off into the fog with one of the most memorable exit lines in movie history, "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship" (Casablanca 1942). I look forward to our "beautiful friendships" as we begin our ministry together. Like the Apostle, we know as God calls us to be His, through a relationship with His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, He also calls us into a community of faith, where we serve and love and grow and can relate together. Just as the Apostle thanked his congregation in Philippi for their help in his hour of need, just so, our congregation's central theme should be the same: Only in Christ are real unity and joy possible.
So, let's begin our relationship as pastor and congregation with this enthusiasm for our faith, family, and fellowship together. Below is what you can expect from me as I serve you in Ebensburg. And, another Apostle has written, "I have many things to write to you and I did not wish to do so with paper and ink (or the internet!); but this is my goal: to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full." - 2 John 12. My office and home and heart are always open to you. My ministry is a reflection of my pastoral office. Here is my pledge to you in the reference of the Pastor's Study:
"The Pastor's study is a symbol of the calling of the Christian minister to be the shepherd of a flock of God's people.
- Here sermons are prepared to feed the congregation on God's Holy Word.
- Here the work of the church is planned so that the congregation may grow in grace and bear fruit in fellowship, teaching, and witnessing.
- Here, you will always find a friend and counselor in time of need.
Your pastor will not be surprised at your sins, nor judge you in them, but will always invite you to share in the wisdom and love of God, the knowledge of forgiveness of sins, and the saving grace of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord. YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME."
See you in church, because of the Christ,
Rev. Chuck
So, let's begin our relationship as pastor and congregation with this enthusiasm for our faith, family, and fellowship together. Below is what you can expect from me as I serve you in Ebensburg. And, another Apostle has written, "I have many things to write to you and I did not wish to do so with paper and ink (or the internet!); but this is my goal: to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full." - 2 John 12. My office and home and heart are always open to you. My ministry is a reflection of my pastoral office. Here is my pledge to you in the reference of the Pastor's Study:
"The Pastor's study is a symbol of the calling of the Christian minister to be the shepherd of a flock of God's people.
- Here sermons are prepared to feed the congregation on God's Holy Word.
- Here the work of the church is planned so that the congregation may grow in grace and bear fruit in fellowship, teaching, and witnessing.
- Here, you will always find a friend and counselor in time of need.
Your pastor will not be surprised at your sins, nor judge you in them, but will always invite you to share in the wisdom and love of God, the knowledge of forgiveness of sins, and the saving grace of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord. YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME."
See you in church, because of the Christ,
Rev. Chuck
Biography
Reverend Chuck was born 1957 in Louisville, Kentucky. He graduated from Eastern Mennonite College in Harrisonburg, Virginia with a BA degree in Bible and Philosophy. He holds a Masters of Divinity Degree from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Reverend Chuck was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1984 and has served churches in Kentucky, Virginia and Pennsylvania. He is also a certified EMT with the Southern Alleghenies EMS Council of Pennsylvania. Reverend Chuck enjoys reading mystery and science fiction stories, watching vintage movies and classic TV programs, listening to a variety of music, eating at White Castle, and playing the guitar.
Reverend Chuck married Nancy Elizabeth Brown in 1979. Nancy was born and raised on a farm outside of Staunton, Virginia. She graduated from King College in Bristol, Tennessee with a BA degree in elementary education. Nancy has taught Kindergarten and third grades while in Virginia and has substitute taught while in Pennsylvania. She, alongside her husband, is very active in the church. They have two sons, Philip, aged twenty-six, living in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Michael, aged twenty-five, living in Duncansville, Pennsylvania. Nancy enjoys international coffee, being with her family, quiet nights at home, and good friends.
Reverend Chuck married Nancy Elizabeth Brown in 1979. Nancy was born and raised on a farm outside of Staunton, Virginia. She graduated from King College in Bristol, Tennessee with a BA degree in elementary education. Nancy has taught Kindergarten and third grades while in Virginia and has substitute taught while in Pennsylvania. She, alongside her husband, is very active in the church. They have two sons, Philip, aged twenty-six, living in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Michael, aged twenty-five, living in Duncansville, Pennsylvania. Nancy enjoys international coffee, being with her family, quiet nights at home, and good friends.
Contact
Rev. Chuck's office hours are Monday - Friday, 10:00 am until 12:00 noon, and he can be reached during those hours at his office in the Education Building, or by office telephone (814)472-7156. Rev. Chuck and Nancy's home phone number is (814)419-8079. Please feel free to contact him with any special needs you may have.