Pastor Chuck Pelham

Vote Vertical!

Pastor Chuck — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 08:00:53 +0000

I was doing my devotions this morning and read this post from James White. I copied it…so that you can read it as well. I have to admit I was so enraged in my spirit at the depravity of this Presidential Campaign to entice young girls to voting as losing your virginity. As a father of a young college age daughter who is being solicited for her vote for this current administration who has crossed another moral line by claiming sex (losing your virginity) outside the boundaries of marriage is ok and acceptable is shameful and embarrassing that one would even hold such and office in our land. I say it again…VOTE VERTICAL!!

Here is the link for the original post.

-Chuck Pelham
www.twitter.com/chuckpelham

The Virgin Vote

By James Emory White

The Obama campaign placed an ad on its website titled “Lena Dunham: Your First Time.” Dunham is the creator of HBO’s hit series “Girls”. Talking directly to the camera, she likens voting for Barack Obama to losing your virginity. [Editor’s note: Link to video under “Sources” at end of blog.]

“Your first time shouldn’t be with just anybody.”

“You want to do it with a great guy.”

“It should be with a guy with beautiful (suggestive pause)…someone who really cares about and understands women.”

“Also, it’s super uncool to be out and about, and someone says ‘Did you vote,’ and you say, ‘Uh, no, I wasn’t ready.” (Dunham then gives a critical smirk to such a response).

“My first time voting was amazing. It was this line in the sand. Before I was a girl, now I was a woman. I went to the polling station, I pulled back the curtain, I voted for Barack Obama.”

So let’s add this up.

An ad designed to get out the female youth vote for the presidential campaign intentionally uses losing one’s virginity, clearly outside of marriage and while in college, as an analogy to voting for the first time.

Just as losing your virginity before marriage is special, so is your first vote.

Who you sleep with the first time should be a great guy, so should the person you vote for the first time.

Just as you shouldn’t pass on an opportunity to lose your virginity to an able-bodied candidate, you shouldn’t pass on voting for an able-bodied candidate.

And, of course, when you lose your virginity, it will be amazing. It will transform you from a girl into a woman. So will voting for Obama.

This isn’t about politics. It’s not trying to make you vote for one person over another.

It’s bigger than that.

It’s about moral outrage.

I was, and still am, stunned.

Stunned that this was intentionally produced.

Stunned that it was put on a campaign website.

Stunned at the sexual ignorance and moral decadence.

Stunned that it was approved by Obama’s campaign, a candidate who is the father of two young girls.

Stunned that there isn’t more outrage and indignation.

I know, it’s a post-Christian, increasingly amoral world. You don’t need to remind me. Which means I shouldn’t be stunned. But when a new line is once again crossed, and once again without blushing, it still wreaks havoc with my spirit.

Quite frankly, I hope it always does.

So if no one else will say it, I will:

Mr. President, you should be ashamed of your campaign. You should remove this ad from your campaign website at once, publicly denounce it, and tell the country you’re sorry it was ever made.

You’re a better man than this.

You’re a better father to your daughters than this.

And we are a better country than this.

James Emery White

Sources

Video: “Lena Dunham: Your First Time,” watch online.

“US election: Barack Obama campaign advert compares voting to losing virginity,” The Telegraph, October 26, 2012, read online.

“Critics blast Obama campaign for new ad that likens voting for Barack Obama to a young woman losing her virginity,” Fox News, October 26, 2012, read online.

Building from the INSIDE OUT!

Pastor Chuck — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 18:29:56 +0000

“Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place” (Ps 51:6).

History tells us that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the author of the Sherlock Holmes popular mystery series once played a practical joke on 12 respected and well-known men he knew. He sent out 12 telegrams with the same message on each: “Flee at once. All is discovered.” Within 24 hours, they had all left the country!

Well, it’s obvious that these men had something to hide or cover. Their actions revealed their character and they fled. This kind of lifestyle not only robs us of our potential but it robs future generations of potential as well…it creates a legacy that you don’t want to leave behind. Check out some of these examples… Around 1923, the most powerful men of the day ruled the world of money:

– Charles Schwab, president of the largest steel company in America.

– Samuel Insull, president of the largest utility company.

– Howard Hopson, president of the largest gas company.

– Richard Whitney, president of the New York Stock Exchange.

– Albert Fall, Secretary of Interior in President Harding’s cabinet.

– Jesse Livermore, the great “bear” on Wall Street.

– Ivan Krueger, head of the world’s greatest monopoly.

– Leon Fraser, president of the Bank of International Settlements.

These men were “movers and shakers,” in their day. They had it all…money, power and influence. But within 25 years of having it all things begin to unravel and their life was spinning out of control.

– Charles Schwab, left behind an insolvent estate with debts and obligations totaling $1.7 million.

– Samuel Insull, died of a heart attack in a Paris subway station with 20 cents in his pocket.

– Howard Hopson, died in a sanitarium

– Richard Whitney had just been released from Sing-Sing prison.

– Albert Fall died at home, broke.

– Jesse Livermore committed suicide a week after Thanksgiving in 1940.

– Ivan Krueger committed suicide.

– Leon Fraser committed suicide.

Something was lost in the process of their gain and in their life. I say it was the result of their inner man. Truth is always established first in the inner man and in that place is where the integrity battles are won or lost. I trust today that you will make a lifestyle of living by integrity. You can’t separate what you do from who you are. Whatever is on the inside eventually is revealed on the outside.
Chuck Pelham

Sources: Paul J. Meyer, My Work Is My Ministry, Paul J. Meyer Resources, Os Hillman, devotions, volume 2

Choosing a Candidate

Pastor Chuck — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 18:08:02 +0000

As a Pastor I am often approached by candidates during the election year who would like me to help endorse their agenda or campaign and many times rely on my level of influence to further their hope of being elected.

A while back I came across some helpful hints that I have used ever since and would like to pass them along to you. Here’s how I process my decision on voting and what I look for in political candidates running for any office. Here are a few things to consider:

Don’t select a candidate by party affiliation, for all parties have both good and corrupt individuals within the organization.
Don’t select a candidate by their appearance, popularity, or money.
Don’t select a candidate by what they say or promise they will do, for this is often meaningless when they get into office.
Don’t select a candidate just because you know them, or some friend knows them.
Don’t select a candidate because of their intellect or the most experience in politics.
Don’t select a candidate because they say they are Christian…most profess this during election year.

The best candidate to choose is the committed, qualified, God-fearing Christian who is seeking office not to further their own interests, but to please God and to serve their community, state, or nation justly and honestly.

In many cases, the electorate may not have the choice of a qualified, born again Christian candidate! What do you look for then? First, we have to inquire more about the candidate & learn their qualifications: Does the person have an affiliation with a church or Christian organization? But, more importantly, what is their character like? Behind the scenes is just as important as in the spotlight. Are they a person of Godly standards, principles and have Godly morals? Are they seeking to serve the electorate as a statesman? Finally, are they honest? Are they humble? Are they willing to stand up for what is right even though it may cost them the election?

When you have a comparison of the qualifications of the candidate, pray and ask God to give you wisdom about the matter, particularly if two or more candidates seem to be equal in their qualifications. Once you feel sure of the answer in your heart, promote and endorse the person of God’s choice and then be sure to vote.

I also understand that many times the choice seems impossible to make; neither candidate is a good choice. What do we do in such a case? Ask yourself: Which person would the devil want more in this office? Upon determining that, vote for the other candidate, the lesser evil of the two.

Lastly remember, by praying and fasting with God’s people for our nation, we present a channel through which God can work.

Chuck Pelham

Sources

John G. Talcott, Jr., Former President of Intercessors for America.

31 Days of Prayer and Fasting

Pastor Chuck — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 17:50:26 +0000

Matt 6:17-18 “But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

If there’s ever been a time for fasting to the Lord, it’s now. The economy is on a downhill slope, government is on a socialist bent, laws protecting life and conscience are being tossed out the window, self-reliance is being undermined, the family is under siege, and the decadence of society doesn’t look like it’s going to abate any time soon.

Undoubtably, there are needs in your own life, family, our church and community. There are many variables to why and how we can fast. Reasons can include repentance, intercession, mourning, revelation, deliverance, physical healing, preparation for a major endeavor, seeking of guidance. It can be done on a national level, local level, congregational level and personal level.

Elmer Towns in his book, Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough said, “The discipline of fasting has fallen into such widespread disuse that people do not know its power.”

Arthur Wallis in his book, God’s Chosen Fast says, “…it is not a major biblical doctrine, a foundation stone of the faith, or a panacea for every spiritual ill…when exercised with a pure heart and right motive, fasting may provide us with a key to unlock doors where others have failed.”

When we fast and set aside that act to minister to God, honor and glorify Him, we place ourselves in the best possible position to hear and to discern not only the voice of God but the way of God. We turn our attention away from the cry of our appetite which can drown out the voice of God. Man fell in the garden because of a physical hunger that led to a spiritual condition.

We live in a nation of great abundance and comfort. This has the potential to dull our commitment to seek the Lord with all of our hearts. Our appetites can demand our attention and lead us to put off things God wants us to do. We have to be willing to say “no” to our appetites so we can be more sensitive to God’s leading and more fervent in our prayers.

Will you join me this month in a time of prayer and fasting for our families, region and nation? Together let’s seek the wisdom and the intervention of God for impact and breakthrough.

Chuck Pelham

Sources:

Michael Miller, 2009 article in Samaritan Ministries International
Elmer Towns, Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough
Arthur Wallis, God’s Chosen Fast
Ray King, article in Samaritan Ministries International

Unpopular Parenting

Pastor Chuck — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 14:03:19 +0000

I was reading an excerpt from James White on “Under-protective Parent” and wrote down a few observations that I thought would be a good guide as it relates to parenting today’s culture.

Basically there are three keys to parenting in a society that’s’ “ALWAYS ON”…
1. Being Informed
2. Be Involved
3. Be In Charge

If not careful these things can get watered down or even lost between theory and practice. Many times parents feel that the number one goal of parenting is for their child to like them. It’s not!! The goal is to lovingly and consistently parent them. Liking has little to do with it. The truth is that there is much that goes with loving parenting that they will most certainly not agree with or even like.

Here are ten rules every parent should have with their kids regarding our media crazed society. See if you think popularity will come with any of them:

1. Limit their phone minutes, texts, and online hours. Don’t let it take over their life.

2. Don’t ever let them see a movie you haven’t reviewed thoroughly on the front-end, regardless of its rating.

3. Don’t let them sleep with their cell phone under their pillow or by their bed. The phone should be turned off at bedtime.

4. Have times of the day they have to turn their phone off and times when texting isn’t allowed – such as family vacations or family outings.

5. Don’t allow cell phones at the dinner table.

6. Tell your kids not to share their passwords with their friends, not even their best friends.

7. Keep all computer use in a public area.

8. Don’t allow TV’s in their room.

9. Don’t let them be on Face book unless they friend you as a parent.

10. Don’t let them join any social media prior to the stated age.

Many times the most important truths can be stated the most simply: parenting isn’t meant to be a popularity contest. It’s meant to be a child-rearing one. Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Our job as parents is to TRAIN not be POPULAR!

Sources
“The Under-protective Parent,” James White

Charismatic Traits (Acts 2)

Pastor Chuck — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 13:33:43 +0000

Acts 2 becomes a pivotal point in the New Testament for us to observe. It describes how 120 people had gathered together in that upper room in Jerusalem and became the charter members of the New Testament Church.

Further into the chapter these 120 people explode into more than 3,000 members. The bible describes to us how when the Holy Spirit falls in Acts 2:1-4, those visiting Jerusalem begin to wonder how these disciples of Jesus could speak so many languages as they were hearing their own language coming from them (Acts 2:5-13).

The bible says some were amazed and perplexed saying “what does this mean?” While others began to mock them and declared them to be drunk (Acts 2:12-13). But we read where Peter took his stand with the 11 and begins to speak concerning the situation and within only a few short minutes has captivated the crowds with his words. The question is…How? Remind you this same Peter only a few weeks earlier ran and denied even knowing Him but on this day (outpouring) he takes his stand with his God given ability (charisma) and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, Peter captures and motivates 3,000 people to follow Jesus Christ.

Most tend to think that charisma as something mystical, undefinable. They think that it comes as birth or even not at all but that’s not true. Charisma is the ability to draw people to you or your cause. Some naturally posses more of it…like other character traits, however it can be learned and developed. Here are a few things that made Peter so charismatic and were able to capture the attention of so many:

Confidence: This same guy that ran and denied now stands with confidence as he begins to speak to a crowd that’s mocking what they see.

Conviction: He spoke from his heart. He knew what he was saying and where he wanted to lead the people in his communication.

Connection: His message was not about himself but on others. He was connecting to the audience to the point the audience was asking “what must we do?”

Compassion: He was drawn to the people he was connecting with. They felt motivated and ready to act.

To attract others we need to build the following things in our life:

Love life: Celebrate; enjoy the journey and put aside complaining. Everyday is valuable and everyday is filled with purpose.

Put a “10” on everyone’s forehead: Expect the best of people, value them and treat them well.

Find a way to give people hope: Hope is the indispensable quality of life that we can’t live without. Everybody needs it!

Give yourself away: Stay vulnerable and authentic, share your heart, love, wisdom and resources.

Stay Passionate: When Peter stood up to preach no doubt they saw his passion. His passion made up for his lack of natural gifts and education. Passion draws passion!

Chuck Pelham

Sources;

John Maxwell, Thoughts on Leadership

Jack Hayford, Spirit Filled life bible

Charisma vs. Control (I Kings 19-22)

Pastor Chuck — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 19:31:26 +0000

Charisma has been defined as a magnetic personal attraction that draws others to the leader, making them feel better about themselves. Effective leaders do well to develop some level of Charisma.

The Greek word for Charisma means “gift.” Everyone posses a degree of charisma. The role of leadership is to give it away to others; good charismatic people are others-centered. They always have the interest of others at heart. In these chapters we find King Ahab and Queen Jezebel who failed to demonstrate charisma for the good of the people. Here are a few things to ponder.

1. They set out to selfishly build their own kingdoms (1 Kings 22:8)
2. They used people in order to get ahead; anyone was expendable. (1 kings 19:2)
3. The worried about image and lived under false pretenses. (1 Kings 21:8-13)
4. They got angry when they didn’t get their way. (1 Kings 21:4)
5. They pretended to be someone they were not. (1 Kings 21:25-27)
6. They abused the authority they had been given, (1 Kings 21:18-19)

Instead of using and developing charisma to lead people effectively they allowed their position to control people and to use them. To build charisma, you have to have the good of others in mind. Leaders who think about others and their concerns before thinking of themselves develop charisma quickly.

How would you rate your own charisma? Are other people naturally attracted to you? Are you well liked? Listed are hindrances to charisma…see if you posses any of these?

1. Pride: Nobody wants to follow a leader who thinks they are better than anyone else…arrogant leaders lose the respect of others.
2. Insecurity: If you are uncomfortable with yourself, others will be, too. Only secure leaders can provide a secure atmosphere.
3. Moodiness: If people never know what to expect from you, they stop expecting anything. Eventually, they won’t even approach you.
4. Selfishness: People can tell if you are using them merely to reach your own goal. No healthy person stays for long in such an unhealthy environment.
5. Perfectionism: People respect the desire for excellence, but loathe unrealistic expectations. No one wants to feel the program is more important then they are.
6. Cynicism: People don’t want to be rained on by someone who sees a cloud around every silver lining. Negative leaders repulse healthy followers.

When our heart is for the good of others we lead, demonstrate and model healthy leadership which is attractive. I want to encourage you today to lead with charisma not control and provide for others the “gift” of leadership that rallies people to a cause that’s greater than any one person. Blessings

Chuck Pelham
Sources;
John Maxwell, Thoughts on Leadership
Jack Hayford, Spirit Filled life bible

Leaders Know What To Value (Micah 1:1-10)

Pastor Chuck — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 07:06:52 +0000

In these few versus the prophet Micah is crying out against Samaria and Jerusalem for the impending punishment that the people were to endure. Because of his assignment from the Lord he delivers to them what God is about to do through His judgments. Then in versus 8-10 Micah shows the heart of a true leader when he begins to Mourn for the people he loves.

The more a leader matures, the more value and commitment they have on people. At the end of the day when all is said and done, leadership in not about strategy, marketing, organization, efficiency, or high quality products, it’s about people. Micah shows us his love for people by demonstrating when they hurt he hurt…even though they were wrong. The value he placed on people teaches us the following…

a. People are the churches most appreciable asset.
b. People skills are a leader’s most important asset.
c. If you are good with people, you can lead in a variety of contexts.
d. You can have people skills and not be a good leader, but you cannot be a good leader without people skills.

Great leaders not only have a connection with people but they genuinely care about and value people.

Chuck Pelham

Sources;
John Maxwell, Thoughts on Leadership
Jack Hayford, Spirit Filled life bible

Conquest and Character

Pastor Chuck — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:30:03 +0000

Throughout Israel’s early history God had made covenants of blessing with them but they were always conditional. Blatant disobedience would mean that the pleasurable aspects of blessing would be replaced by punishment. The fulfillment of the promise could always skip a few generations of disobedient Israelites.

We find here in this portion of scripture that Jerusalem remembers all her pleasant things that she once possessed. God had given His people so many possessions and for centuries they had enjoyed the conquest of the promise land. But now here they are in our text and have lost everything because they had sinned gravely and had become vile.

Great Conquests must be supported by Great Character. Whatever gains we make we can lose in a flash, unless we simultaneously develop character to support those gains. We all have watched over the years many leaders fall morally…in the church and in secular society. Mainly, because their charisma (gifts) exceeded their character (moral infrastructure)…their gift grew bigger than them.

It has been said, “nothing is so hard to gain, and so easy to lose, as a good reputation.” In fact the bible teaches us in Proverbs 22:1 “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches…” fame and popularity is fleeting. What is a lifetime and what we should give ourselves to is the constructing of our character. Only then we keep the gains of conquest that God provides.

Most people see the talents and gifts but equally important is the solid character and integrity.

Most recognize the product but equally important is the process that develops along the way.

Most recognize excellence in performance but equally important is the excellence in discipline.

Most recognize external appearances but equally important is the internal stability and obedience.

Character is what happens daily not in a day. It’s never enough to just enter the land and have conquest but its God will for us to occupy what we conquer.

Chuck Pelham

Sources:

Maxwell J, Thoughts on Leadership

Hayford J. W., “Spirit Filled Life Bible”

Integrity Check

Pastor Chuck — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 07:00:37 +0000

Job 6 & 7

All of Job’s friends had their theory about Job’s troubles, but he simply asked them to check his life out and to point out any place where he lacked integrity. Job felt so certain of the blamelessness of his own heart that he invited his peers to scrutinized him. This takes a strong leader with strong character and a strong sense of security to do this.

I like the way C. S. Lewis said about this kind of quality, he said it was “Leaders with Chests.” Lewis likened the properly ordered soul to the human body; the head (reason) must rule the belly (sensual appetites) through the chest (character and spirit).

The CHEST is the indispensable liaison between REASON and the APPETITES. I call it the INTEGRITY CHECK. Without a strong “chest” people would succumb to excuses, relativism, and compromise, Lewis went on to say that people with no character or integrity are (people) “men without chests”.

Job was able to invite his peers to check him out because he possessed the following;

–          Strong Security: He was emotionally secure enough to take criticism.

–          Clear Conscience: He kept a clear and sensitive conscience regarding sin.

–          Pure Motives: He refused to entertain self-indulgent motives.

–          Solid Character: He was committed to doing the right thing at any cost.

I encourage us today to be men and women who can lead with Integrity!

Chuck Pelham

Sources:

John Maxwell, Thoughts on Leadership

C.S. Lewis, quote