Chuck Colson - The Passing of a Giant

I knew this day would come but I just didn't expect it to get here so soon.  Saturday afternoon my friend and mentor Chuck Colson entered into his eternal reward.  When I heard the news that Chuck had finally passed away I was immediately flooded with memories and emotions that it has taken me some time to sort them all out.

I remember the first time I heard about Chuck Colson. I was in high school and learning about the Watergate scandal.  My teacher urged us all to read Born Again, Chuck's biography.  It was an incredible read about the power of the Gospel and how it affected one man's life.

A few years later I entered the Christian radio field and was reintroduced to Chuck through his Breakpoint commentaries and his ministry, Prison Fellowship.  Those commentaries began to stir within me an urge to learn more about my faith and how it affects every area of my life.  With that new passion I began reading all that Chuck recommended and most of what he wrote.

After a number of years and life going on the Holy Spirit began to stir my soul again to dig deeper into my Christian faith.  I attended a National Religious Broadcasters and was introduced to some representatives of Prison Fellowship who heard my desire to learn more.  The shared with me about Chuck's program The Centurions and how those that go through this year long study will grow deeper in their walk and understanding of their faith.

During my year in The Centurions program my relationship with Chuck grew from a man that admired to a man that I called friend.  Chuck challenged me to grow deeper and to never stop learning.  That's what he left for me - an insatiable desire to know the Truth and to share that Truth with as many as I can.

There were a couple of special moments in our friendship that meant so much to me.  The first was during a Centurion residency where Chuck and I and few others had dinner together.  Chuck and I had a small debate on the issue of case law.  To this day I don't know why I debated the issue with him.  But I think he had a deeper respect for me because I was able to share my opinion and stood by my convictions (by the way - I never debated him again!).

The second moment was an email I received from him after an apologetics conference we both attended.  I was there to interview a number of the speakers and tried to get Chuck for an interview.  The interview didn't happen.  I was a little disappointed but understood.  A few days later I received an email from Chuck personally apologizing that we didn't get together.  He said that if he had known that it was me he would have stayed a little longer.  After that Chuck was always available to be on my show when I needed him.

Another moment was something that my wife Kathy pointed out to me.  We were invited to a Prison Fellowship dinner in Atlanta and I was able to introduce Kathy to the man that, after my dad and grandfather, had made a profound impact on my life.  Once the introductions were made and we sat back down Kathy said that when she watched Chuck come to us I was the only person in the crowd that he hugged!  Can you imagine that! Nixon's hatchet man embraced me!  I will never forget that night.

The final moment came during the Doing the Right Thing tour.  Chuck and the tour stopped in Atlanta and I was able to bring my son, Jon-Michael, to the day long event.  I didn't know if Jon-Michael was going to get anything out of the event or if he would understand the issues being discussed.  After the event a few of us were able to join Chuck for lunch, and during the luncheon Chuck made a brief presentation and asked us questions.  Jon-Michael responded very intelligently about the topics that meant something to him.  Needless to say I was quite proud of him.  Chuck later commented to me how proud he was for job I was doing with my son.  I can't tell you what that meant to me.

While others will remember a giant in the evangelical Church and a man that worked in social justice before social justice was popular - I will remember a man who constantly challenged me and called me friend.

Doing the Right Thing

What do you think would happen to the Church - indeed to America - if 5 million people simply did the right thing? I believe the Church and the country could be changed... perhaps radically! -- Chuck Colson


Introducing Doing the Right Thing, an eight week exploration of ethics.  Each week Chuck Colson and John Stonestreet will cover topics dealing with ethics in everyday life as well as government, business, education, family and much more.  Contributors like Ben Stein and Joni Eareckson Tada will join Chuck and John for these insightful and timely half-hours that will help believers "do the right thing" in every context.


Week 1 - Doing the Right Thing: Why does it matter? What does ethics mean to you? To listen - click here

Week 2 - The Crisis of Ethics: What's Gone Wrong? When is it okay to lie? To listen - click here


Week 3 -Absolute Truth: Can We Both Be Right? How do you know what's right? To listen - click here


Week 4 - Everyday Ethics: Can I Walk the Talk? What should be the church's role in teaching ethics? To listen - click here


Week 5 - The Issue of Life: What is a Human Being? When does human life begin? To listen - click here


Week 6 - Ethics in the Workplace: Is it an Oxymoron? What's the best story you've told to get a day off work? To listen - click here

Week 7 - Ethics in Public Life: Is it possible? On a scale of 1 to 10 - How much do you trust your elected officials? To listen - click here

Week 8 - Doing the Right Thing: Where Does it Start? If you could one thing to change the world, what would you do? To listen - click here


 

Doing the Right Thing

Our culture is undergoing an ethical and moral breakdown of seismic proportions, and the implications reverberate through our families, workplaces, communities and all of society. How did we get into this mess, and how and where do we begin to examine ethical and character issues in order to once again begin to live virtuous lives? How can we, as a society, do what’s right even in the face of powerful temptations and incentives to do what’s wrong?

I had the opportunity to speak with Chuck Colson about a new small group study on ethics entitled, Doing the Right Thing.  Chuck has been on a nationwide tour teaching groups about the need for the return to biblical ethics.  To listen to the interview please click here or scroll down.

The tour stops in Atlanta and you can join Chuck Colson, Ken Boa, Gerard Long, Jenny Noyes, Scott Rae, John Stonestreet and others in a live exploration of the crisis of ethics, and the steps we must take in our homes, churches, schools and society to rebuild an ethical culture and virtuous society. It will take place on Friday June 24, 8am - Noon at The 755 Club at Turner Field in Atlanta. Cost is $25 (pastors and students free). To register, visit www.alphausa.org/ethics.

This tour previews a six-part curriculum produced by the Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview, “Doing the Right Thing: A Six-Part Exploration of Ethics.” This DVD-based series and the live tour events explore topics such as How did we get into this mess?; Is there truth, a moral law we can all know?; If we know what is right, can we do it?; What does it mean to be human?; Ethics in public life; and Ethics in the marketplace.

Event participants will preview extended clips from the video series, hear presentations from leading experts on the topics, and have the opportunity to pre-order the DVD series at a special advance rate in order to begin with others conversations on ethics, morality, virtue, character, truth and issues of right and wrong.  To learn more about the curriculum please click here.

Co-sponsors for the event include BreakPoint / Chuck Colson Center for ChristianWorldview, Alpha USA and Reflections Ministries.

Two Minute Warning - China Envy

Because of China’s rising economic status, some Americans are starting to envy them. Chuck Colson explains that such envy is misplaced, because even China acknowledges that it needs what made the West successful: Christianity. Watch Two Minute Warning and find out more.

Saving Leonardo

I recently talked with author and speaker Nancy Pearcey about her newest book, Saving Leonardo: A Call to Resist the Secular Assault on Mind, Morals and Meaning. Nancy has co-authored How Now Shall We Live with Chuck Colson and authored a follow up, Total Truth. She is currently a fellow at the Discovery Institute and editor-at-large for The Pearcey Report. To listen to the interview please click here or scroll down.

Praise for Saving Leonardo:

"A feast for the mind and for the eye. Nancy Pearcey not only is a trustworthy guide for a nuanced discussion on the relationship between culture and the gospel, but she is a gifted teacher as well . . . Saving Leonardo is a rare, precious gift to the churches and universities alike."

— Makoto Fujimura Artist and author of Refractions: A Journey of Faith, Art, and Culture

"Nancy Pearcey helps a new generation of evangelicals to understand the worldview challenges we now face and to develop an intelligent and articulate Christian understanding . . . Saving Leonardo should be put in the hands of all those who should always be ready to give an answer--and that means all of us."

— R. Albert Mohler, Jr. President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Infertility and Assisted Reproduction

Nearly every couple struggling with the physical and emotional challenges of infertility will consider assisted reproduction. Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) options can be emotionally, physically and financially draining.

Americans use invitro fertilization (IVF) at a rate of 236 per 100,000 - totaling more than 70,000 nationwide. How ethical are such treatments? What key issues should couples wrestle with before using any type of assisted procreation? Which options should Christian couples consider.

Dr. Joy Riley, Executive Director of the Tennessee Center for Bioethics and Culture, has co-authored a book that tackles these many other issues regarding ART. Chuck Colson, host of Breakpoint, says of Outside the Womb: Moral Guidance for Assisted Reproduction, "A thorough, thoughtful look at the complexities of assisted reproduction." I had the chance to talk with Dr. Riley about her new book on The Morning Show - to listen click here or scroll down.

Dancing With Max

Along with impending motherhood came the dreams of an ideal suburban New England family - a Volvo in the driveway and a perfect, healthy child who would learn to grow up with all the advantages of a "normal" family. Well, that was the dream of Emily Colson, but God had something different in mind for her.

Her "healthy" baby boy was diagnosed with autism, a disorder the affects 1 in 110 births. Along with an autistic son, Emily also endured a divorce and years of battles to get the help her son, Max, needed.

Dancing with Max is a beautiful story of how God used Max in not only Emily's life but the lives he came into contact. Especially the life of his grandfather, Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship. Listen to my interview with Emily by clicking here or scrolling down.

The story of Max and Emily is one that will encourage and inspire you. It touched my heart and I hope that it does the same for you. To learn more about autism please check out the Autism Society website.


Here's a video preview of the book with Emily and Chuck


Here's a Two Minute Warning with Chuck Colson about the book and eugenics

The Centurion Program

Learn more about the Centurion Program and Apply today!

Pray and Act for the Spiritual Life of America

You've heard me on the air comment my support of the Manhattan Declaration and you've read my blog article. My question to you now is have you signed the document? Have you joined the hundreds of thousands of people - normal everyday people just like you and me - and added your name? The last time I looked at the numbers there are over 470,000 names supporting the Declaration, which I am a part of. I ask you to read the document here and then add your name.

Last night I had the opportunity to be a part of a conference call that included Centurions from across the country and their pastors. Chuck Colson and Jim Garlow lead the evening encouraging us to pray and fast for 40 days regarding the spiritual direction of our country and, in particular, for over 1 million names associated with the Manhattan Declaration. I was encouraged to hear of the movements acorss the country and how Evangelicals, Catholics and Orthodox believers have joined together to promote this important document.

If you would like to join us for 40 days of prayer and fasting I encourage you to visit the Pray and Act site and learn about what is going on across the country and how you can play a part in the 40 days of prayer and fasting which begins September 20.

A Special Message from Chuck Colson

Go to Manhattan Declaration website to learn more about the declaration and to place your signature

Our Core Freedoms Are Eroding Away

This past weekend we celebrated the 234th birthday of this great nation. As my family and watched fireworks I was reminded about the freedoms that we hold to and those freedoms are what make our country to unique.

However, you need to know about what may be one of the gravest, most insidious threats to religious freedom I've ever seen. What may be an attempt, at the very highest levels of government, to RE-DEFINE the very meaning of religious freedom, from "free exercise" to merely private worship.

In a speech at Georgetown Univeristy, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton commented on a new direction in government policy that puts our religious liberties are in peril. Please, click on the link below to see Chuck Colson's "Two Minute Warning" video commentary to see exactly what I'm talking about. Study carefully the play on words; words matter. I urge you: Watch this video, share it with friends. Write a letter to the editor of your newspaper - point out what is going on. It's time to expose this outrageous and dangerous assault on religious freedom. We cannot be asleep at our posts while we still have the freedom to speak out



To learn more about the Manhattan Declaration please click here

The Manhattan Declaration

I had the chance to speak with Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship, host of the radio program Breakpoint and founder of The Colson Center for Christian Worldview, on The Morning Show. Recently, he and a number of Christian leaders developed what is called The Manhattan Declaration. The Declaration was born out growing concern regarding the efforts to marginalize the Christian voice in the public square, to redefine marriage and to move away from the biblical view of the sanctity of life.

To listen to my conversation with Chuck Colson scroll down or click here.

To read The Manhattan Declaration click here.

Join me along with over 446,000 other signatories of the Declaration by clicking here.

Visit The Manhattan Declaration's website where you can find ways to support the movement and to share the Declaration with your friends and family.