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Comment by Christy Gabriel B on March 10, 2010 at 7:11pm

Thank you for sharing this with me. Jesus is revealing Himself to me too. Praise the Lord. Haleluja!!! God bless you twin. Christy Gabriel

Comment by Chris S Heinz on March 10, 2010 at 1:44pm

8: Revealing His Identity

"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting." (Acts 9.5)

Summary:
When my mother was pregnant with me, she didn’t know she was carrying twins. So it came as a surprise when, after I was born, the doctor exclaimed, “Mrs. Heinz, there’s another one up there!” As identical twins, Matt and I had a lot of fun together. We looked so similar that mom and dad color-coded us, like livestock, to tell us apart.

As we got older, we used our likeness to our advantage. We changed clothes to confuse people, which we thought was hilarious. Despite all the fun and games, we grew tired of being called the wrong name. I used to dream of standing on a table in the school cafeteria, and ripping open my shirt to reveal a big “C”. After that, no one would call me Matt. After that everyone would call me Chris.

In good stories, there is usually a moment of self-revelation. It’s often the turning point of the story, which is called the climax. This is when the main character asserts or demonstrates his true identity. Up to this point, his true self has been hidden, but he wants to be known, or the situation requires it, so he breaks out of his constraints. He removes his disguise, so to say, and the entire story shifts because of it. You see this in Gladiator, in Forrest Gump, and in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

Sometimes the purpose of a God encounter is for God to remove his mask, or break out of his constraints, or scrape the scales off, so we can see him as he is. Simply put, God is making himself known; he’s revealing his identity. And, like so many amazing stories, this moment is the turning point in the story; it’s the moment upon which the future hinges.

Sometimes God corrects our impression of him, like he did with Saul. Many of us have the wrong impression of God. We don’t relate to him as he is, but rather as we want him to be. We turn his glory into our game. At other times God’s very presence shifts us into a new story. One single self-revelation of Jesus changed Saul’s entire story. Listen to this—one single self-revelation of Jesus can change your entire story.

Though I loved growing up as a twin, the time came to shift my story, and Matt to shift his. We chose colleges 400 miles apart, where no one called us the wrong names. It made all the difference. (Good stories have a moment like this.)

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Reader Comment from Last Week:
"I was laughing so hard I couldn't read. I could just see you...and hear you saying, "Sorry about your shorts!" So glad you pursued her!! The truth you shared is what I needed tonight. Once again your writing has blessed my heart. Thanks."

Comment by Chris S Heinz on March 10, 2010 at 1:42pm

8: Revealing His Identity

"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting." (Acts 9.5)

Summary:
When my mother was pregnant with me, she didn’t know she was carrying twins. So it came as a surprise when, after I was born, the doctor exclaimed, “Mrs. Heinz, there’s another one up there!” As identical twins, Matt and I had a lot of fun together. We looked so similar that mom and dad color-coded us, like livestock, to tell us apart.

As we got older, we used our likeness to our advantage. We changed clothes to confuse people, which we thought was hilarious. Despite all the fun and games, we grew tired of being called the wrong name. I used to dream of standing on a table in the school cafeteria, and ripping open my shirt to reveal a big “C”. After that, no one would call me Matt. After that everyone would call me Chris.

In good stories, there is usually a moment of self-revelation. It’s often the turning point of the story, which is called the climax. This is when the main character asserts or demonstrates his true identity. Up to this point, his true self has been hidden, but he wants to be known, or the situation requires it, so he breaks out of his constraints. He removes his disguise, so to say, and the entire story shifts because of it. You see this in "Gladiator", in "Forrest Gump", and in "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader."

Sometimes the purpose of a God encounter is for God to remove his mask, or break out of his constraints, or scrape the scales off, so we can see him as he is. Simply put, God is making himself known; he’s revealing his identity. And, like so many amazing stories, this moment is the turning point in the story; it’s the moment upon which the future hinges.

Sometimes God corrects our impression of him, like he did with Saul. Many of us have the wrong impression of God. We don’t relate to him as he is, but rather as we want him to be. We turn his glory into our game. At other times God’s very presence shifts us into a new story. One single self-revelation of Jesus changed Saul’s entire story. Listen to this—one single self-revelation of Jesus can change your entire story.

Though I loved growing up as a twin, the time came to shift my story, and Matt to shift his. We chose colleges 400 miles apart, where no one called us the wrong names. It made all the difference. (Good stories have a moment like this.)

" target="_blank"">READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE

Reader Comment from Last Week:
"I was laughing so hard I couldn't read. I could just see you...and hear you saying, "Sorry about your shorts!" So glad you pursued her!! The truth you shared is what I needed tonight. Once again your writing has blessed my heart. Thanks."

Comment by Chris S Heinz on March 3, 2010 at 7:26pm

2010:7: Preparing for the Future

"So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go." (Exodus 3.20)

Summary:

When my wife married me, she knew what she was getting into because I laid it all out for her—I threw up on our first date. But none of this mattered because of what God said to me. This beautiful, poised, gutsy, young woman and me, this clumsy, little chunk chucker, actually complemented each other.

God told me what I needed to know after the first date. As a result I pursued the fairest maiden in the land. God told Jeremiah what would happen when he prophesied to the kings, priests, and people of Judah (they will fight against him). As a result Jeremiah knew what to expect, and he wasn’t shaken by the opposition (Jeremiah 1.17-19).

God also gives us what we need to have. Presently, what we have isn’t enough for what’s ahead, and so he equips us for the journey. This happens in great stories. In Lord of the Rings, Frodo receives an elfin knife with which to fight. In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Lucy receives fire-flower juice, which is a healing potion. So it is in the Kingdom of God. To the Twelve disciples, God gives “power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases.” (Luke 9.1). As a result they go around, “preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.” (Luke 9.6).

Not only does God tell us what we need to know, and give us what we need to have, but God also practices with us. He knows the next part of the story, and to prepare us for it, he acts out what will happen so we can be successful. Why do you think God came to Moses in a burning bush? Because he liked bushes? No, because God was preparing Moses for his mission; he was training him.

Just as God prepared Moses, he’s preparing you. Your mission might not be releasing slaves from labor, but it might be leading people to salvation. It might not be rescuing a baby from a murderous king, but it might be providing an orphan with a family. It might not be starting a worldwide movement, but it might be loving someone who’s hard to love. So listen, receive, and watch for God. He’s preparing you for the future.

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Reader Comment from Last Week:
"What a way to think about things! Never gave such depth of thought to the God encounters as you're suggesting and it makes total sense that we should pay more attention to not just the encounter, but everything around it. Thanks for this teaching Chris! This is one I need to print out and put into action!"

Comment by Chris S Heinz on February 18, 2010 at 6:00am

The Story Teller

“Remember the former things…I make known the end from the beginning....” (Isaiah 46.9-10)

Summary:

Our experiences have meaning because God is a story teller. You don’t have to read the Bible very long to discover that God loves stories. Isaiah 46.10 says that God knows the end from the beginning. Because of this, God builds the story right from the start. But we don’t see the complete story. God fastens together individual experiences to form a larger story.

When our family adopted Rex, God used extraordinary circumstances to tell a story of belonging. If you don’t pay attention to your experiences, you’ll miss your story. Don’t make the mistake of thinking your life is too ordinary for a good story. God is telling your story and a story by God is not to be missed.

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Comment by Chris S Heinz on February 15, 2010 at 8:01am

Dear Weekly Word Reader,

You might remember that in January 2009 we had raised all the money for Jacob's kidney transplant, and his doctors were trying to identify a donor. Unfortunately, a donor has not yet been found.

Jacob's monthly medical bills are $900 for dialysis and medicine. On top of that, he had to undergo two eye surgeries, which resulted from complications from his dialysis. And, twice he was warded in the intensive care unit because he was seriously ill. As a result of this prolonged process and medical expenses, all the money we raised is gone.

However, there's good news. Over the last year, the funds enabled Jacob to receive the necessary medical treatment to stay alive, and also continue the ministry that is serving so many people. Despite these medical setbacks, Jacob presses on. Widows are being fed, orphans cared for, workers trained in a practical trade, and the church is growing. On February 17 he is leading a conference for 250 pastors.

Jacob doesn't earn a salary, so he has no means to pay his expenses. He's forced to depend on individuals to give. He also cut down on some of his necessary medicines to reduce his monthly costs. I don't know how long he can go on like this.

I'm asking for three things:

First, please pray for Pastor Jacob. Pray for a suitable donor. Pray for his health and for perseverance. He told me he believes God has a plan and a purpose for everything that happens. He is encouraged and strong, and I think through our prayers, God will make him even stronger as he faces this trial.

Second, please consider giving toward his medical costs. As I said, his costs are $900 a month. I'm planning to wire money on March 1. One-time or monthly gifts would be awesome! All gifts are tax deductible. You can DONATE HERE or send a check to: Current3 Ministries, 1433 E Park Hills Ave, State College, PA 16803. If you'd like to give monthly, contact me and we can work it out.

Third, if would like to pass on a message to Pastor Jacob, USE THIS FORM.

[https://goodsteward.wufoo.com/forms/contact-chris-s-heinz/]

Thank you for your support. Pastor Jacob's story is not over yet...let's be part of it.

Blessings,

Chris S. Heinz

Comment by Chris S Heinz on February 10, 2010 at 10:12am

2010:4: Good Stewardship

“To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability.” (Matthew 25.15)

Summary:

I wondered why this extreme God experience happened to me. Didn’t God have more important things to do? Good stewardship is based on the premise that we’re faithful with what we’ve been given. Today’s emphasis on stewardship is based on the parable that Jesus told in Matthew 25. A friend told me that we’re stewards of our experiences. Could that be true? Does God expect me to be a good steward of my experiences and in this case, a good steward of this experience? If so, I needed to figure out the point of it—God wanted a good return.

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Comment by Greg Outlaw on February 3, 2010 at 6:19pm

Wow! Thanks for sharing that Chris! That is such an incredible story! I feel a little envious! I have never had a 3-day experience but I did have a similar time that lasted about an hour - just in my bedroom at home. It was a "throne-room" experience where I was literally in God's throne room... What came out of that experience was the mandate to "build a wall of truth on the Internet" which a few weeks later resulted in the start of AllAboutGOD.com in February 2002 with my friend Randall Niles. I look back at all He has done and just am in awe. Just in 2009 God blessed our network of websites to receive over 37.4 million visitors and 163,313 told us of their first time commitment to Jesus Christ! -- That's like a person every 2 1/2 minutes!! All that on a budget of $185k using just SEO, SMO and Video SEO! GOD TOTALLY & UNEQUIVOCALLY ROCKS!!

Thanks again for sharing! YOU ROCK CHRIS!

Blessings on you, your family and EnergyCAP!

Greg

Comment by Chris S Heinz on February 3, 2010 at 8:00am

2010:3: Three Days Gone

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13.8)

Summary:

For three days I trembled under the glory of God. Almost incapacitated, I had to be moved and carried around. I did my best to act normal, but most of the time I was overwhelmed by the presence of God. This was quite an inconvenience and disruption to civilized life. When it first happened I thought, “This doesn’t seem like something God would do.” But I couldn’t think of one legitimate reason this couldn’t be God. God doesn’t promise that life will be convenient, civilized or normal. However, he does promise himself. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. It’s us who have to change.

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Comment by Chris S Heinz on January 26, 2010 at 6:04pm

2010:2: Naked Glory

Then Moses said [to the LORD], “Now show me your glory.” And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence.” (Exodus 33.18-19)

I wasn’t used to this, you know. Sermons, yes. Church services, yes. Being hijacked by God, no. I grew up in an average-sized church in central Pennsylvania. It taught the Bible, held potlucks (our last name starts with H, so we always got stuck bringing a salad), and encouraged us to love one another.

At age eight, I believed Jesus was my Savior, and I was baptized in the small baptismal—kind of like a dunking booth—in the back of the church. It was then that I took the plunge. I publicly committed to follow Jesus. There was a lot I didn’t understand about God, but I knew what Jesus did for me, and I thought that was pretty terrific. He died for my mistakes and made me right with God. He was a guy I wanted to know, so that’s what I did—I started to get to know him.

I listened to the lessons in Sunday School, in between tales of our teacher’s travel adventures. She was a travel agent and was always going on exotic trips like Caribbean cruises and European tours. We had contests for memorizing Bible verses and answering spiritual questions, and the prizes were treasures from her vacations, corporately-branded consolation gifts from the trip sponsors. One year I won a pretty nice plastic cup with “Carnival Cruise Lines” written on the side.

As I got older, I joined the youth group, and we covered more serious matters like God’s thoughts on dating and serving those in need. We had awkward conversations about sex, but they started to shape my views. We went on mission trips to help folks in McMinnville, Tennessee and Benton Harbor, Michigan rebuild their homes. It felt exhilarating to help people I didn’t know, people who seemed so different than me—a white, middle class, Christian boy. I was convinced this is what Jesus would have done.

After I graduated from high school, I enrolled in a Christian college. I didn’t know what to major in, and so I did what seemed obvious at a Christian college—I majored in Religion. For the first time in my life, reading the Bible was mandatory, and my Bible reading hit an all-time low. It annoyed me to get Bible homework. I don’t know why it irked me—what did I expect my homework to be? Turning water into wine? Casting demons into swine?

I didn’t like people assigning the Bible to me. I didn’t like people telling me how to maintain my faith. As far as I was concerned, I was in control of my spiritual life. That’s why it was such a surprise when God came near in Argentina.

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