"No good decision was ever made in a swivel chair."
~ General George S. PattonJust South of Fort Worth, Texas, there is a small community named Joshua.
In Joshua, there is a ministry to women and great, mighty things happen among them from the hand of God using the women who have been called to this location.
The areas in which this ministry sets is rural; it is a sleepy area of outlying farms and homes. In fact, one might mistake Crazy 8 ministry's location as just another house along a semi-busy road. Once inside, the mistake is easily corrected.
It is within the Crazy 8 where one finds a striking difference with the rest of the world around
While broad, from what I observed and learned of this ministry, nothing could be truer of their work; seeking to bring women out of situations that reek of death, judgment and pain into a life that is once again worth living.
In finding what was needed in their area, these women have come together to minister to those needs, provide counseling, living quarters for some (at times including children) and giving them the hope that is found in Christ alone.
True to the Gospel initiative of ministering to 'the least of these,' Crazy 8 Ministries have trod a path which few seek to walk in their Christian journey.
And while they may not ever have a mega-church backing them, and they will certainly not reach every women in need of their services; those whom they do reach and do touch, it will change their life and aid in bringing them in the presence of a Savior who will change their hearts.
The same day I met my friend in Joshua to see what their ministry involved, I returned to downtown Fort Worth to meet other friends and colleagues. That night, we were outside our hotel and I witnessed a young man engaging in what was once called, 'Street Preaching.'
As people passed, He loudly proclaimed the Gospel - clear and concise - speaking truth without fear.
I watched for several minutes, few passing paid any attention to what this man was saying; although I'm certain many heard his words. Most likely, he had received a positive response in the past from this type of ministering - else he would not continue.
Yet, that was not the case on this night.
Aside from the negative looks and comments under the breath of those passing, there was little response at all.
The question must now be asked, 'Which one of these are more effectively communicating the faith of true Christianity?'
Which of the two would you, where you live and breathe today, which one are you more likely to respond in faith?
To rightly communicate the faith of Christ, we must be faithful to Jesus' way of communicating faith. This is not done by compulsion or forced assent to Truth, but rather, by presenting it as the true, factual answer that God has given to man; demonstrating such through our words and actions in life.
We must love God with all our hearts and love one another as we love ourselves; glorifying God in all we do and working or performing each task as if we were doing the activity for God Himself.
As time goes forward, my friend knows regardless of how many women and their families are touched by her ministry that there will always be another person in a 'sick situation.' Our world is fallen and the fallenness of the world damages people and lives.
And though we cannot stop the world around us, we can give a shining alternative that strikes at the very corrupt nature of the surrounding culture.
Some may say that is a Christian acted like 'this,' whatever 'this' might be, then they would believe and embrace the faith. The examples are as long as listings in an old telephone book; if believers weren't self-righteous, condescending, etc. Then that person will say that they would have never lost faith.
May I submit that the truth is that the individual's faith was misplaced to begin with; if faith is truly in Christ, then it cannot be lost.
But if our faith is in a ministry, a person or an organization - it can certainly be lost as we are fallen.
Yet, in observing those who have rejected the faith and ignored stunning examples like Crazy 8 as they become God's hands in the world, I wonder whether some are so fragile and dependent on others that their deep matters of faith actually belong to another than being rooted in their own hearts.
The truth is that some Christians, in times past, were sawn in two because they would not recant their personal faith in Christ; today, on average there are 26 Christians killed for their faith each day in the world - but for many, a bad attitude is enough to abandon the Body.
In the New Testament, believers were considered 'great in the faith' for two reasons: they believed on the Lord AND they acted on their faith.
If we held more to this simple standard, rather than attempting to become great by the world's standards of 'bigger and better,' we would have more men and women becoming great in the Lord and great in the faith than we've ever seen in our lifetime.
Truthfully, if we held to the above standard as they did in the New Testament, I believe in less than a generation we could win the world for Christ.
Maybe that is why I was so impressed at my friend's servanthood in Joshua, Texas; I could see a simple outworking of the Gospel through what she and her colleagues were doing - simply, quietly, honorably serving God and man in the love of Christ.
Faith and Faithfulness - these are the two words we are to be known for in life; not because it shows how good we are but because it honors God Himself.
Like the great Church Father Athanasius, in our service to the Lord we may find ourselves, 'contra mundum,' against the world.
Yet, having the faith and being faithful oftentimes requires that we go against the world, contrary to society and standing against the culture.
While this may be difficult, the rewards are wonderful; in this life and the next.
Of the great Biblical patriarch Enoch, Scripture simply says, 'he pleased God.'
At the end of life, what more could anyone every want? What is there that could be greater?
Nothing.
Until next time, like my friend, win one for the good guys.
