Dear Friend of Abiding Above,

I ran across this the other day and simply wanted to share it with anyone who stumbles onto my blog some day.  This is what I have been seeing in my own life for many years now.  This is what it will take to make a difference.  Simply begin by one-to-one discipleship and watch the rest unfold.

The Way Up, Is Down

A man decided that he would change the world.
But, he wasn’t successful.
So he decided to change the country.
But, he wasn’t successful.
So he decided to change his community.
But, he wasn’t successful.
So he decided to change his street.
But, be wasn’t successful.
So he decided to change his family.
But, he wasn’t successful.
So he decided to change himself.
AND HE WAS SUCCESSFUL.
AND HIS FAMILY CHANGED AND THEY AFFECTED THEIR STREET.
AND THE PEOPLE ON THE STREET AFFECTED THEIR COMMUNITY.
AND THE PEOPLE OF THE COMMUNITY AFFECTED THEIR COUNTRY.
AND THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTRY AFFECTED THE WORLD.

Dear Friend,

What a wonderful time we had during this years Men’s Retreat, at my friend Terry Brimhall’s, lakehouse on the Tennessee River.  It was a time of relaxation, very informal, plenty of good food, and unhurried spiritual conversation.  It was real.  We started the mornings off with back to back sessions that answered the question most Christians are experiencing these days, “I must know something I don’t know.”  We looked into the normal Christian life for a person.  When we are born again and the different seasons we go through in becoming more like Christ.  We could easily see how similar our Christian experience really is.

We also had time for a pontoon boat ride to look at the waterfall, sailing boats, other lake homes, and the beautiful fall colors.  I closed the retreat with a challenge for us to make up our minds as men, to be a man, who has his heart set on being a part of fulfilling our Lord’s Great Commission.  Jesus said in Matthew 28:18-20 – “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

My friend Larry Browning and I, shared our own story about One-to-One Discipling that we started more than 2 years ago.  As we encourage each other to, “each one, reach one”, the men we have discipled are discipling others and the circle of influence now reaches above 50.  If you are interested in being discipled, or in becoming someone who disciples others, please contact us at:http://www.abidingabove.org/index.php

If you would like a set of the recorded sessions of the conference you may write to: calsip@abidingabove.org

Abiding above,

Chris
Colossians 3:1-3

Dear Friend of Abiding Above Ministries,

Thank you for praying for me, and helping me get to New Jersey to preach for a week at America’s Keswick.  Your prayers are answered and I thought you might want a sample of the responses we have received by email.  Many people came forward at decision time.  Not to turn over a new leaf or pull themselves up by their boot straps.  No, they came forward with this in mind, “It is no longer, I, but Christ!”

Dear Rev. Hodges,

“Thank you for blessing us so much at Keswick.  We had a wonderful, wonderful time.  We are still “abiding above.”  Much love and thank you for helping us to choose to walk in the Spirit.   Take care, love you much.  Thank you for being a great, great blessing in our lives.”

Dear Rev. Hodges,


I just wanted to send a thank you for your message that I received at America’s Keswick last week.  I enjoyed your sessions daily and the messages rang true to my heart.  I was there alone and away from my husband and kids.  On the last day of my visit, my family came with me to the evening session.  I ended up picking up your “Encouraging Marriage” CD and the CD on “Self, Our Own Worst Enemy.”  I began the Marriage CD today and I look forward to learning and applying it to my life.  
 
I have been praying and praying for God to help me with my marriage and my family, and He answered my prayers with these CD’s that I can learn and get started at living the life and marriage our Father intended for me.  I will also pray for your ministry and I pray many more wife’s like me, who desperately love the Lord, will be able to receive these messages.  Thank you again to for coming to Keswick and delivering such a much needed message.  My entire family thanks you.”

Our Pastor,

“We have arrived home and miss waking up to your messages @ Keswick!  We are thankful that we can hear you on your web site!  Dave has written a song inspired through the Holy Spirit through your teachings. It has already blessed us, hope that it blesses you.”

Thank you for helping me my friend.  To God be the glory!

Abiding above,

Chris
Colossians 3:1-3

I have just returned from Fort Smith, Ark., where I preached Sunday morning and evening at First Baptist Lavaca to kick off their “Neighbors and Nations Conference.” The pastor, Tony Buchanan and his wife were wonderful hosts.  I was very impressed with the detail that went into planning this event.  Pastor Tony had asked me to emphasize the Believers Identity in Christ and also the importance of One-to-One Discipleship.  This I did with two messages, my personal spiritual testimony and How To Have Personal Revival from Ephesians 2:1-10.  We saw many come forward to pray at the altar and go back to their seats.  We saw others make specific decisions in their relationship with Christ.  It was a wonderful Sunday.  You might want to go to their web site to watch this conference by video.  This may take a few days before they will appear but I know you will be blessed.  www.firstlavaca.com <http://www.firstlavaca.com>

Thanks again for praying,

Chris
Colossians 3:1-3

This picture was taken by our good friend Brad Jolly.  The location is Cameron Park, one of our favorite places to take long walks in the beauty of God’s creation.  The Apostle Paul said in Romans 1:20 - “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead ….”

As we look around us we must know there is a God.  This past Wednesday evening, my daughter Maclaren and I were driving to an engagement where I was to speak on the Doctrine of the Scriptures. There was one point I was thinking about as we drove that had to do with the way God revealed Himself to man in creation. I asked Maclaren to look at the beautiful sunset and the clouds that were all aglow. Then I asked her if she knew anyone that could put those things in the sky and keep them from falling down.  She said,“only God could do that.” So, I asked her if God put the sun and clouds that we were looking at in the sky. She said. “I never think about it, but it has to be God.” We drove along quietly and I watched her from the rear view mirror looking at the beautiful sunset, and I believe, thinking about her creator.  Let’s be sure to practice slowing down, and beholding the glory of the Lord in creation.

We have all had a Merry Christmas and I know we look forward to a Happy New Year. I was reminded this Christmas of our trip to Russia to adopt our daughter Maclaren. Kellie and I had waited a long 20 months for her and many times we wondered if it was really God’s will.  It became an emotional battle because of the waiting and the expense of the process. God taught us many things during those long and sometimes bleak months. One thing He taught us is to wait on Him no matter what. When the timing is right you will experience His liberty in the matter. God says in His Word, “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Corinthians 3:17

My friend, you may be waiting on something today that is causing you emotional stress.  Wait on God, don’t run ahead of Him. As Oswald Chambers used to say, “Turn and do the duty that lies nearest.”

That day finally arrived where we saw our baby girl for the first time. They brought her to us from a room filled with babies in old wooden baby beds. She was only 10 months old. She saw us and reached for us. It was God’s will and it was God’s perfect timing. Little did we know while we were waiting she had not been conceived yet. While we continued to wait God was watching over her as she was carried about in her mother’s womb. Waiting still, we did not know her mother’s battle in a decision to abort her or continue with a normal pregnancy. In the fullness of time, God sent forth a little girl we named Maclaren who is just right for us.

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”    Philippians 4:19

Here is a great truth that I pray God will fix in your heart and mind for the rest of your life.  The truth is this, “God alone, and what God provides for me is all that I need.” We must learn to be content in all circumstances in this life.  When this truth is not known, we have a wrong belief that we need something other than God, and what God provides for us.  How can I experience this great truth?  Right now, in your mind, I want you to picture a circle, and let this circle represent God.  When you became a child of God, He placed you in Christ.  Picture yourself in Christ.  Name one thing God needs.  He needs nothing.  You are in Him, and all that He has is yours.  My friend, I want to encourage you today to begin to think this way.  This is the roadmap for you to live life on its highest plane.

I have decided to follow Jesus; no turning back, no turning back.

Though I may wonder, I still will follow

The world behind me, the cross before me

Though none go with me, still I will follow

Will you decide now to follow Jesus? No turning back, no turning back?

I believe men everywhere feel this deep inside. “I must do something. God is calling me to do something. Churches are in decline, our nation is in decline, I must do something!”

My answer to that, He is! But, you will need to draw a line in the sand with this mindset: Though None Go With Me, Still I will follow.

Ponder these words of Jesus, “Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:25-27

Notice, He said anyone. He was speaking to a crowd who loved Him, but He knew he only had a few that would be a genuine disciple.

Will you step out from the religious crowd and be His disciple? Will you choose to be His disciple, though none go with you?