I published my first Kindle work

 My Life  Comments Off
Apr 282011
 
Charlie Wear

I published my first Kindle edition this week. I was inspired by doing some Matthew 25 work in Santa Maria a couple of Sundays ago. We were feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and providing shelter for those who otherwise would not have had a roof over their heads. I wrote about that experience and then compiled the rest of what I have written over the last 10 years or so about reaching out and being the “church in service.”

The name of the book is No One Turns Down the Blessing [simple church planting] by Charlie Wear. You can find it in the Kindle Store by searching “Charlie Wear.” I hope you enjoy reading it!

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 Posted by at 3:08 am

Early morning at the Lancaster Denny’s

 Following Jesus  Comments Off
Apr 282011
 
charlie3

I have an important appearance in family law court this morning. Lancaster, CA is about 95 miles from my home in Rancho Belago, CA (the 92555 zip code of Moreno Valley, CA near Riverside). In the morning it seems to take about two hours to get here. At 2 a.m. it’s only about an hour and 20 minutes.

I know that is not an explanation for leaving the house at 2 a.m. for an appearance at 8.30 a.m. Let’s just say that I have a hard time sleeping in the early morning hours these days. It helps my writing rhythm but hurts my mid and late afternoons. A daily nap is required, for sure.

There is a child’s welfare at stake this morning. Protection is the watchword. It’s my job today. I know I can’t do it on my own. I need the empowerment beyond my own strength. And so I am praying, with understanding and in the Spirit. I have already begun to experience the presence of God. It’s no Benny Hinn meeting but it’s real and in my workplace. Today I will be an advocate for a mom and a little girl. I’m glad the Boss is on my side in this one.

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 Posted by at 2:58 am

Negative Experiences…

 My Life  Comments Off
Apr 242011
 
Photo on 2011-04-14 at 05.46

“We have Paul’s testimony that as he grew in grace, he learned that negative circumstances could be a call to trust his Creator. Likewise, negative circumstances could be a call to us to depend more fully upon God’s resources rather than our efforts, a call to know him better, and a call to the awareness that He is still in charge.”
— Henry, from When the Going Gets Tough… p. 24

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 Posted by at 7:07 am  Tagged with: , ,

No one turns down the blessing…

 Growing Up, My Life, Real Life  1 Response »
Apr 212011
 
Charlie Wear

Last Sunday I got to feed Jesus. A bunch of my co-workers were having a party at my friend’s warehouse. We were BBQing Tri-Tip. We were eating chips and salsa. We were making sandwiches, beans and we had a little cole slaw. Someone got some cookies. We were getting ready to feed Jesus and we were having a lot of fun together.

One of the couples are the assistant managers at a senior low-income mobile home park. They told us that Jesus lived there. We thought, let’s take some tri-tip sandwiches and cookies and go there and feed Jesus. There wasn’t an elaborate plan and we didn’t have a big team. Just four of us. I hadn’t ever done this in quite this way but I was pretty excited.

As we got to the park our assistant manager guides went to their home. They have been warned that they could get in trouble if they feed Jesus. They did have this advice. Start with space 155, they need what you have.

And so we were walking down the street almost to its end. I was asking the Holy Spirit, “How do we do this?” The reply: Go to the first door and knock. From years of sales training I had learned that when you are a stranger knocking on the front door, it is important to step way back after you knock. Don’t knock in a timid way. Give the door a good rap! And so I did. “Hello,” I said, “Anybody home?” No answer. And so I knocked again. My team waited patiently near the front of the mobile home, and then there he was: Jesus in the form of Yvonne.

“Hi, Yvonne, my name is Charlie and the Boss sent me with a gift for you.” She had a smile on her face and looked at my quizzically. “The boss?” she replied. The Team answered for me, “God sent us.” “I have the best tri-tip sandwich in the Central Coast, prepared by the famous chef, Roberto Ostini, how many sandwiches would you like?” “We have four people here.” Okay, here you go, and here are some cookies.

So far, this was going pretty well, I thought. And then a flash of inspiration: “May I bless you?” I took her hand and prayed: “In the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, I bless you. May the peace of God be on this house in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” A big smile was on Yvonne’s face and so we moved to the next house.

House after house person after person we gave away BBQ sandwiches and cookies and the blessings. We were invited into a home to pray for a woman who had surgery on her back a couple of days before. I prayed for her healing. Tears filled her eyes. She said thank you. Blessing upon blessing was given. Smile after smile as we fed Jesus.

It came to me then. If we only had a minister we could come back next week and invite people to join us for a sandwich. We could read from the Boss’ manual, maybe our co-worker Paul’s first letter to Corinth, chapter 13. The one about love. We could share some bread and remember what Jesus did for us in his life and on the cross.

When we left, we left the blessing. We had spread the love of Christ with tri-tip. I was happy.

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 Posted by at 4:01 am  Tagged with: ,

Perfect timing…

 My Life  Comments Off
Apr 182011
 
Charlie Wear
Charlie Wear

Getting Going!

For over a year now I have been experiencing a sense of urgency about ministering to people who are far from God. In the last week, however, I think God has been trying to cause me to get a different sense of his timing in all things.

A lot of people are concerned about “when” things are going to happen. When will we do this or that? When will the new business start? When will you call me? When will you be home?

I have also heard statements like: You are late; you always are gone longer than you say; and you are going too fast.

There is a well-known chapter in Ecclesiastes which talks about timing. Apparently, according to the writer of that book, there is a “time” for everything. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not trying to go all hippy-dippy on you. But can you ever really get someplace too early? or too late, for that matter? Did Jesus come too early? Did he die too young? Is he coming back too late? We say things like: His time was up. His life was cut short. I have too many things to do and too little time.

The last couple of days for me have been full of fun, activity and promise. It has also been a lot of work! Of course, there have been rewards. People have been blessed, including me. Isn’t it time to think about doing it all again? Yes, it is. No, it isn’t. Well it is or it isn’t. Really?

We have the choice, don’t we. The choice to act, or to restrain ourselves. Last night, I felt God saying, restrain yourself, I have the situation well in hand. All I can say to that? Yes, Lord.

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 Posted by at 4:48 am  Tagged with: ,

When the going get tough…

 My Life  Comments Off
Apr 172011
 
Charlie Wear
Charlie Wear

Getting Going!

I was very blessed to have Kagelo Henry Rakwena cross my path in the last few months. Readers who have followed my blog and read the posts that have been repeated on Facebook and Twitter will know that I have been in the midst of an emotional and existential crisis since December of last year.

Part of my process of healing was a brief stint in therapy with Henry. Our time was brief because, at least it seemed to me, God was in a hurry to move me on to the next step in my journey.

My crisis was prompted when I got in touch with the deep well of rage in my should surrounding events in my childhood. My mother was mentally ill and made multiple attempts at suicide. This experience left me stunted and scarred with an ability to deal appropriately with several very important aspects of life. I hadn’t realized the depth of my difficulty until last Mother’s day when a friend and I began to speak about our mothers.

We were on our way to Mother’s day brunch, abut 15 minutes away from the restaurant. The women were in another car and my friend and I were talking. I was surprised to feel the depth of the pain in my soul that a brief discussion of my mother was plumbing. I told my friend, “We are going to have to change the subject, I don’t have time to deal with this right now.

And so it was a night in early December that I awoke in the middle of the night and felt the nudge of God saying, “It’s time.”

As the days moved on it began to be difficult to cope with acts of daily living. Sleep was a near impossibility. This is what brought me to Henry. After a few weeks and about 8 sessions our time was drawing to an end and Henry gave me a copy of the book he’s written, “When the going gets tough, only the tough gets going.”

Quoting from page 43 of his book, Henry says:
God’s purposes are never delayed, hurried, stopped or jeopardized by the plots of our enemies. Tough He may permit some negative events in our lives, He is still in control; His purposes for our lives will still come to pass, and He will prevail in bringing us up over whatever the enemy uses to bring us down. His word is true, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). God will therefore, use the negatives and positives, the good and the bad that might come our way, as platforms on which to display his glory.

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 Posted by at 4:39 am

I cried last night…

 Following Jesus, Growing Up, My Life, Real Life  1 Response »
Apr 142011
 
Photo on 2011-04-14 at 05.46

I cried last night. A close and dear friend and mentor of mine was recently diagnosed with colon cancer. The picture of health, my friend was scheduled right away for surgery. That was about two weeks ago, and he came through the surgery and is recovering according to plan. However, the report is not a good one, Stage 4 colon cancer.

My medical professional wife looked up the explanation on the internet and as she read, I cried. My friend said, “I am finished with my profession. Now it’s time to focus on my family, my children.” I have reached that stage of life where my friends are stricken with disease and I can’t help thinking, that could be me. So I cried, for my friend and for myself. The ability to cry is a blessing. It cleanses the eyes and washes the soul.

A couple of months ago when I heard that another friend had passed away in the night an involuntary sob escaped, but I wasn’t well enough to cry.

My friend is assured in his faith in God, as I am. He is at peace with that part of his life. And so, I am praying. For my friend, that his spiritual self will increase as his flesh battles the disease. And I pray that he will have many more years to pursue the ministry that God has given him, to help others. He’s done it for years in his profession, I pray he can do it for many more years as his vocation.

And I pray for my wife’s parents. Her mom with a diagnosis of cancer while her husband (my wife’s dad) is recovering from open heart surgery. My wife is praying that her dad would recover from the surgery and have some quality of life, at least for a little while.

And so I cry, even as I write these words. So much hurting and loss. We fear death, yet we face death. Better to love life and face death unafraid with the sure knowledge that to be with the Lord is a surpassing blessing. A few years ago I played Tim McGraw’s great anthem, “Live Like You Were Dying” on a seemingly endless loop. This is a truth we will all face sooner and later, we are all dying. Recent movies, like Matt Damon’s Hereafter and Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson’s Bucket List focus a spotlight on the basic human need to understand where we fit and where we are headed from here.

I have friends who have died and lived to tell of it, and others who have raised people from the dead. With the easter season upon us, we have to know, there is no resurrection without death. The apostle Paul said: “I die daily.” I think he was saying, I’m dying a little ever day so that Christ can live a little more in me each day. And so I cry, but through the sorrow and the hurt, the joy is just around the corner. Because of Jesus’ death I have the hope of a resurrected life and the promise of an eternal kind of life starting right now. That is good news, even if heard between the sobs.

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 Posted by at 4:28 am

It’s been a great couple of days…

 Following Jesus, My Life  Comments Off
Apr 092011
 
Charlie Wear

It’s been a wild ride the last couple of days in Central Coast California. There have been tough moments. It is hard to “speak the truth in love.” Sometimes the truth hurts. Clarifying vision differences and relationships can be difficult. However, my experience has shown me that clear communication, while difficult, is always better in the long run. The hurt is momentary.

On the other hand, there have been moments when the wind and whisper of the Spirit have been so evident that it has been overwhelming, but in a comforting and beautiful way. Walking and living in the freedom of the Spirit is scary and fun! I recommend it to all :)

 

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 Posted by at 2:55 am  Tagged with: ,

Central Coast

 My Life  Comments Off
Apr 072011
 
earlymorninglobby

I wish I had more time to spend on this trip to the Central Coast of California. In three days I have been able to help start three churches and make four ministers “legal.” That’s what I call it when my 501c3 organization ordains a minister :) . At a friend’s birthday party last night I got to meet two more who “need permission” to be and do all that God has called them to be and do!

I am calling what I am doing “simple” church planting, so simple you can’t believe it’s legal! Already some sayings are developing: “Money is no object;” “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is FUN;” “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, it’s a Party!;” “That was easy!;” and so on!
I also got the great privilege of “doin’ the stuff:” Healing, delivering, prophesying, preaching, blessingl worshiping, and just all around having a great time. We made plans to stay up here during the summer, maybe even this year!

At the same time passion is burning for the 5000 souls the Lord wants to harvest in Rancho Belago! Yesterday the Lord gave me a name for “The Ranch” as we have been calling it since 1998: “End of the Road Ranch.” This name is full of meaning that will be unpacked in the days, months, and years to come.

The Lord is good! And He is Worthy to be praised!

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 Posted by at 4:45 am  Tagged with: , ,

Early morning in the Central Coast

 Following Jesus  Comments Off
Apr 072011
 
Photo on 2011-03-25 at 07.34

It’s a little past 5 a.m. in Arroyo Grande, CA. I’m sitting in the Starbucks, drinking my favorite espresso drink and eating a bagel. The family is still sleeping at a nearby motel. I’m really looking forward to the next couple of days. I’m actually full of anticipation about what is going to unfold as I meet up with ministry partners and adventure in this area.
Today we are pulling a permit for an event a local minister is doing on April 16. It’s not normal church, but it is a lot of fun. My good friend Steve Sjogren likes to say: “Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is…FUN.” It’s about time to let the FUN begin!

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 Posted by at 4:18 am
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