Category Archives: Thoughts and Ideas

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September 17, 2011

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Thoughts and Ideas

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Bringing Hope and Unconditional Love to the Hurting

I read an author’s account on how the end times would play out. Typically I find most of these authors to be out of touch with reality. However, in this case I took pause. I wasn’t able to find one thing that was not plausible. In fact, there were several things that were as clear as could be.

Now, before you think I’m about to share the author’s words, I’m not. Focusing on the future or speculating on when Christ will return is not important to our every day lives. Yes, I know that some of you will disagree with me on this point, as you want to know as much as possible so you don’t miss the rapture. I get that.

However, we must not lose sight of why the end times exist. It was put in place by God to draw every last loved one to himself. It is the greatest story of a father’s love than any I’ve ever read or seen played out within my lifetime. The story is packed with grace, mercy, and an unconditional love that is so profound that few can resist it. Although some try to deny its existence.

Last month, I celebrated my 40th year as a Christian. Those of you who are avid bible readers can appreciate the 40 years of preparation for the mission God has called me to. It is a mission to help others understand God’s incredible love for them and to help introduce each person to him. It is my hope that each person would learn of his unconditional love for us and embrace it.

Unfortunately, some are unwilling to embrace his love when faced with extreme poverty and financial pressures like our country has never seen before. According to recently released statistics, one out of every six people in the United States is living in poverty – And, this is the “greatest” nation on earth.

Having been unemployed for 11 months and finding myself standing in food lines to receive half the amount of food I needed, brought a perspective to me that I would never have gained otherwise. I know what it is like to be hungry and find only starches and sugars available for my consumption.

But instead of wondering if God really exists, as many question during hard times, I found myself enjoying his company. I got to see his love directly, rather than through a group of people trying to help pick up my slack. I was able to see his love as unconditional when I was in my worst predicament. He gave me hope and brought me through each day.

May I tell you that he is a God of plenty? He was sufficient for me during those terrible days. I learned, albeit the hard way, that he is my provider, not my job.

During these hard times, I’d encourage you to get to know the same God who helped me through my hard times. If you are struggling financially, call out to him and see what he will do…

Help me, LORD my God; save me according to your unfailing love.

Psalm 109:26

It’s time for me to step up to another level of bringing hope to the hurting. I desire to introduce those who don’t yet know Christ to who he really is. I want to demonstrate his love, hope and faith through film, television and the Internet. It is time. After 40 years of preparation, I can’t wait to see how God unfolds his next steps for my life.

Copyright © 2011 By CJ Powers
Photo© marylooo – Fotolia.com
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September 14, 2011

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Thoughts and Ideas

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Relevant to Who?

My younger daughter and I were recently talking about the interview she shot with George Barna for a new film by Wanderlust Productions (Finger of God). Barna is the leading religion statistics expert in our nation and his new book Futurecast tracks changes in religion from 1991 to 2011.

When looking at the Evangelical Christian information, all statistics or lines of data are trending downward except for two: 1. More people claim they have accepted Jesus as their savior and expect to go to heaven; and, 2. More people say they haven’t been to church in the last six months.

According to the stats I read, churches are quickly becoming irrelevant. I talked with one pastor from Missouri (in the bible belt) to get his take on the matter and he said, “Well, CJ, we can’t get anyone under the age of forty to stay for more than one visit because we have become irrelevant.” When I asked him why he doesn’t change things he responded, “I’m sorry to say it, but the older ladies who fund our church like everything the exact same way we do it, which is a turn off to the next generation.”

Our conversation continued as the pastor shed tears about the lost folks around town not being drawn to God because the church is no longer reaching the lost, but rather satisfying the older ladies who hate change. He told me straight out, “This church will eventually die and close down after enough of our older ladies go home to meet the Lord.”

I know of a couple of small Christian television networks that have also become irrelevant to their markets. They are both struggling to survive and will be closing their doors in the not too distant future, as their donors die off. There are several radio stations that continue to play their golden oldies and numerous ministries still doing what worked back when their leaders were kids, rather than changing with the societal tides.

The news isn’t all bad, as some churches are reaching out to the next generation with relevant information, processes, and relationship opportunities. My older daughter’s last church, before she moved, was on the cutting edge of outreach programs. They were doing things that only someone like Jesus might do – Dining with sinners or sponsoring healthy secular events.

The day and age of large churches growing larger because someone invited another person to a program is waning. Today, church growth is built from service projects, relationship building activities and affinity events. Unfortunately, I know few churches that have shifted to match these recent societal changes. It’s no longer about the cool large church and bringing people in, but rather about the people and bringing them good news.

“Unsaved” people have watched us during every short-term mission project that I’ve been on. They have always been amazed at the crazy Americans who gave up their vacation time and paid to come overseas to build church additions or man clinics. They watched us work 12-hour days and then reach out to neighborhoods with food and other helpful programs. But, when all was said and done, I saw those same people enter the church that Sunday morning to find out what made us different. They wanted to understand the unique love that we operated from.

People are going to believe anything they want until someone demonstrates in front of them the sincerity of God’s love, who he is, and how he wants us to live.

The programs or the architecture doesn’t draw them. Nor do the affirming words preached from the platform. It is only the love shared with each other that attracts those watching from a distance. The type of love that allows me to hug the guy I used to despise. It is the type of love that doesn’t end when our affinities or desires change. It is the steadfast love that is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Unconditional love that never ends always draws people, especially when they realize that same love is not judgmental. It is the one thing that is always relevant. So, it begs the question… Why aren’t the churches packed? With all their programs, did those attending regularly forget to love one another?

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:35

Copyright © 2011 By CJ Powers
Photo © Sangoiri – Fotolia.com
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September 12, 2011

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Filmmaking, Thoughts and Ideas

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Shooting International Commercial Spot

This morning I’m shooting an international commercial spot for Capgemini, but rather than directing, I’m actually in the spot. Over the past dozen years my life took me away from production long enough to learn about the Fortune 100 world and how to manage big business. I’m currently responsible for a $200MM spend at Kraft Foods Global with the focus on Sales Services.

The position was a natural fit since I entered the Fortune 100 world in sales. In the tech industry, I quickly learned how to develop relationships and build the partnerships needed to sell and close over $2B in large network and technical manufacturing deals. Not only did I learn about sales, but my travels took me to 25 countries where I had the opportunity to live among the locals and learn about their culture first hand.

While these experiences might sound like incredible business opportunities, I found it more useful in my maturing process – Realizing how insignificant I was compared to everything else going on in the world. It gave me a unique perspective about life and balance that I may not have gained from typical self-help sources.

So, today I’m being filmed as the expert in International Sales Services. While my experience fits that bill, I find myself more focused on the shooting process. Im curious about what techniques and style the international director will use to capture the moment. I’m wondering if I can keep focused on my topic and leave the filmmaking to others. I’m wondering if I will come across as the expert, or if my creativity will well up due to the shooting process that I dearly love and appreciate.

They say the worst patients are doctors and I can’t help but wonder if I’ll be like a “doctor” of the film world. Hopefully I’ll keep my business hat on and leave the shooting to the experts. Although, having won several international awards for directing, I can’t help but wonder what caliber of director will be producing the spot. Hmm, there I go again. I better focus on sales and leave the creativity to others.