It's The Small Things In A Small World That Matter

I tell junior high and high school students (even college and young adults for that matter) that it's a big ole world out there and not to settle for the norms of living in their bubbles. I mean it when I say it, there is SO much out there we can do with our lives that we often miss out on because we never leave home. However, the balance to that is the world is only big to us, to God, it's exceptionally small. I'm about to tell you about a small example of this that happened just recently. 

There are few things (by things I mean possessions or materials) I own that truly matter to me. I don't know why, but if I totaled my truck, lost my phone, or had a favorite gun stolen, I'd still sleep 8 hours that night. I do have a list of a few small items with huge meaning to me and my life. One of the most meaningful is my 101st Airborne Division Coin I was given in Afghanistan the day after I was injured. Since that day it has been 'on me' in some fashion; from Hawaii to Cuba, the ocean or the mountains, and even on my wedding day that coin has been with me. 

There are tons of reasons I carry this and love it so much. For starters, I have no pride about my military service personally, with the exception of pride for the fact I got to serve with the 101st Airborne Division in the bloodiest year of OEF. I served with 10 guys from (or attached to) my company that are no longer here and I take very seriously the fact it's now my job to live a life worthy of their sacrifice. It's also a reminder, that there are causes Bigger than you or me and the most fulfilling life is one found living for a transcendent cause. 

Well the other day, when I got home after being out all day, I realized my coin was gone. I checked all pockets again, both cars, and the house. Nothing. I told Danielle it was gone and that I guess it was time to say goodbye. There was no way we could retrace our steps and in 12 hours we were leaving for a 8 day trip. This was really it. 

As I was sitting on the porch that evening reading, Dani came out smiling from ear to ear and said "I have something for you to read." It was a Facebook message from the manager at Newks that said, "I have your coin, I know what that means to you, so it'll be on me until I see you again." I was amazed because earlier that day this same guy would not allow us to pay for our meal. After we gave the young lady at Newks our order, he walked up and said, "This one's on me, thank you for everything you do." Danielle and I spent that meal trying to figure out if he knew us from something in the news related to the Foundation, or if he could just tell by my appearance that I was a veteran. We said thanks on the way out as we left, not realizing I was leaving more than appreciation. 

That evening when I met Caleb, a Clinton resident that lives 10 minutes from Down Range, he informed me that he is a huge Tim Tebow fan and was at the fundraiser in April. He also told me he has brothers that have gone overseas and know what a unit coin means to a soldier. Before leaving, I gave him a coin he could keep, one that states, "Onward Christian Soldier" and made sure he knew how much I appreciated all he had done that day. 

That was almost a month ago and I cannot get past how crazy the events of that day were. No coincidence I know, but the bigger picture for me has nothing to do with a coin. Rather, it has everything to do with how in control God is of every detail of life. We acknowledge that He created the universe, but seem to forget He is still at work here on earth. Does He care about a Division Coin? Probably not, but He cares about me and uses my life and the things in it (a coin) to draw others close to Him. 

Today, I look at that coin a little different. It still reminds me of the heroes I knew that are no longer here and the obligation I have to love and live for them. But now, more than ever, I am reminded of how much God can work in small details of this life, if I'll stop getting in His way.

 

The Real Deal

I don't hold high expectations for many celebrities or athletes these days. It seems like every time you turn around one is getting arrested, divorced, or caught up in some scandal as a direct result of their status, not to mention, how they speak, act, or simply carry themselves. I know they're just people like me and you, but it seems like the moment the cameras start rolling, the rules stop applying. That right there is the reason I admire Tim Tebow and was stoked that he was coming to be our special guest at this past month's fundraiser. I admired him because no one has been ridiculed more and yet he has not only held fast to a life of taking the high road, but done it with a smile on his face. But how would he really be I thought? How's he going to act when it's not ESPN he's in front of, but just a simple guy from Mississippi trying prepare some youngster for this battlefield we call Life. 

I'm not a negative person by any means, but Tim Tebow absolutely blew me away from the first hand-shake. I cannot tell you enough about the genuineness, humility, love, and joy that just jumped out of his words the entire time I was around him. From the personal conversations to the meet and greet, there was not a single person he wasn't excited to see. But you would expect that part, at least hope someone would be happy to see fans that paid money to come see him. Where he went beyond himself in my book were two distinct places: the stage and to our mission. 

As we sat and talked backstage about the night, I wanted to make sure I knew any particular do's and don'ts he had, as well as the starter and finisher for the time on stage. With a Q&A format, we were going to bounce around all sorts of topics and really just go with the flow of the atmosphere. I wasn't ready for how sincere he treated the opportunity to speak in front of a few thousand people, knowing many there could use a word that could send them in the right direction. He wowed people with his humor about life as a college athlete in the south, but more importantly, he pierced hearts and minds with the sincerity of his words towards football being just a game. 

He summed up any and everything we need to know about him when he answered "How do you want people to remember you in 50 years as they tell their grandkids about you?" His reply was "Man I sure hope they don't use the word football." A humbling reminder from a giant in America's favorite sport that life is about more, in his words, "It's all about living to love God and love people." To see and hear the passion in his voice lets you know he was serious and sincere with those words. 

So that was one area, on stage, he let us all see into his life very personally. The second area he showed me he was the "real" deal was towards our mission. Tim changed up how the event was going to conclude and said he wanted to help deliver an ending that would 'jump start' some people's lives. Little did I know that this meant he was going to raise $50,000 dollars for us at the end of the program, $10,000 of which he committed to donating himself. I cannot tell you the amount of people that have come up to me since then and are still in Awe of that moment. It is something I firmly believe will be told by hundreds of people for a long time. Not for the money, but for the boldness of the act. 

But it doesn't stop there, I was told by his agent and executive director of the Tim Tebow Foundation that I really had an impact and motivated "Timmy" to do more. I thanked them, with some doubts to the truthfulness of their comments, but two weeks later I accepted them as fact when Tim invited us as his guests to an event in Monroe with the guys from Duck Dynasty.

Beyond the invitation and the first-class treatment, I saw Tim's genuiness towards The CJ Stewart Foundation when he introduced us to Jase & Missy Robertson as "The folks I was telling you about." Before I could say a word, Jase thanked me for my service and said it is awesome what you're doing now. Missy said, "Hey Danielle, it's nice to meet you." Taken back, I eventually processed this as Tim doing what he said he would do, not out of obligation, but out of sincere desire to help. 

I'm not sure if I'm more encouraged, humbled, or motivated through these last few weeks. I'm extremely encouraged in the fact that MEN I admire have boosted our spirits around the Foundation with some Godly encouragement. I'm humbled in the fact that a guy like Tim Tebow, with all of the opportunities in the world, has said he's on our team. But I think it's the motivation that I feel the most. Motivation, that with each and every experience and endeavor we have as a ministry, God is doing things beyond our imagination. This reminds me that I'm the weak link of this operation. That is something I needed to get my internal flame blazing, so that we are ready for whatever God has next and hopefully we can keep up with Him.

I got to ask Tim Tebow a lot of questions, and that experience changed my life in some ways, not because of hanging around him, or even what he said, but because I got to see his sincerity and genuiness for Life. The life that God gave him, he is using in mighty ways and I am 100% confident that he'd agree with me when I say to you, "God wants to do the same in your life- are you preparing for it or preventing it?"

Your Heart’s Treasure

Feb 14, 2014

Ah, Valentine’s Day!!  The mad dash to Wal-Mart to buy a card while fighting the other 50 guys who waited until the last minute, the frantic calls to restaurants to make a Valentine’s Day reservation ON Valentine’s Day, the realization we are going to eat somewhere food is ordered by the number, and sorting thru the dead flowers left at the bottom of the basket because I waited to late.

Sound familiar? I hope not because that disaster that will cost you more than you probably realize. That said I’m sure many have experienced something similar. After almost 31 years of marriage, I know exactly what Robin Stewart wants February 14 and also understand the order of importance:

5.​Dinner at a nice restaurant…nice enough that I have to change clothes before we go.

4.​A dozen red roses…in a vase not a plastic shopping bag (lady at Fresh Market is very helpful)

3.​A thoughtful card that appears to have been purchased several days ago instead of several minutes ago. (Helpful hintguys…make sure the descriptions in the card match the ladyreceiving the card!)

2.​When we sit for dinner, I put my phone away, ask “How was your day?” and then listen intently.

1.​Evidence the evening was carefully planned by her husband(for example: having reservations vs. showing up and being told there is a 45 minute wait)

The plan is more important than the event because Robin wants to know I love her too much to just show up and wing it. I TELL her she is special to me, but this is a wonderful opportunity to SHOW her. When a female receives a gift and says, “It’s the thought that counts” she means it. The thought is the demonstration of love in the relationship. Poor or no planning sends a signal that she isn’t very important.

The same is true with my relationship with God. How often we just show up at church, with an old bent card, no gift, no evidence of any investment on our part, and just say, “God, I need some help”?  Surely our relationship with our Father who loved us enough to send His only Son to die for our sins necessitates some thought and consideration?

God desires a relationship with me, yet I often treat Him as an afterthought. Instead of spending my first moment of the day in joyful appreciation I throw together a quick prayer sliding into bed at the end of the day (unless I am tired).  I spend money foolishly then explain to God I would give more for the work of the kingdom if He would just, “bless me with more”. Instead of treating my relationship with Him as the most important one to me, I treat it as something worth at best an hour on Sunday morning. I get so busy with stuff that I forget He told me if I would seek Him first He would take care of all the “stuff” (Matt 6:33).

How it must break God’s heart when I arrive without my gift of praise and instead am only holding my list of needs. How it must frustrate Him when I always seem to find something else to do with the gifts He gave me instead of using them for the kingdom.

Early in our relationship we celebrated a Valentine’s Day with very little planning. It would have been easy for Robin to crush me for it,but she loved me enough to give me another chance. God does the same thing for us. It’s never too late to improve our relationship with him. Here are some simple steps:

1-Make Him your 1st thought instead of an afterthought. – He sent His Son to die for us surely we can live for Him.

2-Spend time daily thanking Him for who He is before we ask for anything. Then study the Word and ponder it throughout the day as He shows us what He wants us to see.

3-Show the world how much we love Him by our actions. Talk is cheap. Matt 6:21 says, “Where your treasure is, your heart will also be”. When we treasure Him, we demonstrate it to the world with intentional purpose.  My friends know I love Robin because I demonstrate it. Do my actions demonstrate my love for Christ to those same people?

When Robin woke up this morning, I know she smiled because Feb 14 is always special. She knows she will get my best effort.  I hope when I knelt before God this morning, He also smiled knowing He was going to get my best.

Chuck 

Hebrews 12:1-2 

Faith Gained Through Faith Lost

This past Thursday around 1015, a doctor informed Danielle and I that our baby girl Faith no longer had a heart beat. After 3 months of preparing to be parents for the first time, and even finding out that she would be a baby girl, both of us were shocked to find out that Faith's heart had stopped beating almost 3 1/2 weeks ago. I can't describe the level of shock I felt because Danielle was through the "danger" time of having a miscarriage and I only thought a deformity could happen. In a matter of minutes, we began an appointment hoping she'd measure out ok, to leaving there with an appointment to deliver her that afternoon. 

The events of Thursday are remarkable in so many ways. For starters, I live by a code that includes the following: the state of your wife's emotional well-being is a direct reflection of the depth of your manhood. If you can love her like a man should, she can act like a woman is suppose to. Well, I won't ever consider myself to have "arrived" as a complete man, but I watched my wife handle news no woman should hear like a woman completely full of God's Grace. I know it was incredibly hard for her, but she immediately took the words "God has a purpose and plan for all things" and began to walk this journey with humility knowing I had her back.

A few weeks ago, we decided that this little girl would be named Faith. Danielle and I have both grown to new levels of maturity and understanding of God's Word and Will for our lives. We both experienced tragedy and tough times in 2010 with the loss of her father and my injury in Afghanistan. Faith during these two times both directly led to how we met and ultimately started our journey together. This journey has included many life changes and ultimate decisions involving the path we would walk. We both have ultimately decided in our own ways and together how we would serve God with our lives. These past few months have been some of the best of our lives. From getting married, honeymoon in Hawaii, summer nights on the lake, trip to Cuba, two pups, meeting a brand new group of friends in Clinton, and then finding out Dani was expecting: our life as a married couple has been a blessing and a testament to what His Love and Faith can do.

Then Thursday hit us, and honestly, what could have devastated our relationship, family, and belief system has done the exact opposite. First, I watched my wife voluntarily submit to a procedure that might have taken up to 24 hours to complete and had the potential of being very painful. Why? So she could deliver our little girl without damaging her two ounce body. We knew Faith was no longer with us, but we also knew Faith is our daughter and it is our responsibility to love and protect her. Now, in that room, I was in Danielle's corner no matter what procedure she chose, as I knew this was incredibly hard without my opinion on the matter. After she made that decision, I was by her side not knowing what would unfold. 

Immediately after getting the news, we notified our immediate family (Danielle's mom was with us) as well as our close friends for Prayer and support. For those of you unsure on the actual power of prayer, the twelve hours following that dreadful news could not have been any more peaceful than they were and could not have medically unfolded any smoother than we had hoped. I told you, Dani choosing to be induced to safely deliver Faith meant we could be waiting for up to 24 hours, and it only took a little over 5 hours for our little girl to arrive. 

The time Danielle and I got to spend with Faith is not only the turning point of this story, but for our lives. I have certain images in my head of key events in my life: driving the boat with my grandfather as a small boy, road trip with dad to West Point, my childhood dog Derail, Arlington National Cemetery, small Cuban kids I played with on a mission trip, my arm immediately after getting blown up, my wife walking down the aisle. These images will go with me in this world, but none will carry the weight of the remembering the time I held my daughter in my hand and prayed not for her lifeless body, but for her beautiful soul I will one day see. It was hard holding Faith, I can't deny, but not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Dani and I have talked, smiled, laughed, cried, and just sat and stared together as we thought about her. We have seen tangible growth in our lives from November 16th (day we found out Dani was expecting) to the time that doctor told us about Faith. It does not come close to the growth we have had since 1145 pm on February the 13th until now. 

Many have wondered how we are remaining true to our beliefs and faith in the sovereign God in such a time of despair. For us, it is just the time to cling to His promises. We know one thing from the unsatisfying thoughts and experiences of this world: We Were Made For Another One! And in that time, where there is no pain, sadness, and death, that's when we will not only meet our daughter Faith, but celebrate what her life, our lives, and hopefully yours were all about: Jesus Christ. 

You see, we have learned so much through our daughter's life about not only our existence here on earth, but our purpose: and that is to live and love for the Honor and Glory of God! Nothing more, nothing less! We've learned that Faith's life has pointed more people towards Christ and drawn even more, closer to His love and goodness than we could've ever hoped for in a child. Therefore, we are not sad, bitter, or even confused about the death of our daughter, because it's not about her, me, or Danielle. We are celebrating, because right now she is with Who everything is about and many are better today than they were just one week ago, including myself! So Thank You Faith, for teaching your mom and dad that Life is about perspective, and that we should always be looking up at the victory of God, instead of bowing our heads in defeat on earth. Which way is your head looking?

A "Survivor's" Weekend

I don't feel like a kid very often anymore, in that during the almost twenty-five years I've walked this earth, I've gained a lot of perspective on life. I strive to always act in a mature manner worthy of the situation, good or bad (the first is always easier). I have gotten the opportunity to be in the presence and stand shoulder to shoulder with some of the most famous people in the world. For me, I'm not usually moved by them because I know they are just people using their abilities and living their lives like you and me. However what does move me to reverence is hearing remarkable stories of people in extraordinary situations.

I was in DC in 2010, just shortly after getting hurt in Afghanistan when a good friend of mine gave me a book to pass the time. The title Lone Survivor didn't register with me, but he said "You'll Love It." I remember to this day laying down in my room at Walter Reed and reading the entire 388 pages of the book (took this Mississippi fella all day). What I read grabbed me and pulled me straight into the pages with the author Marcus Luttrell, as he experienced and overcame something most cannot fathom.

Lone Survivor is the account of a four-man Navy SEAL team that in 2005 was sent into the mountains of Northern Afghanistan to find a ruthless Taliban commander Ahmad Shah. The mission was compromised by some goat herders and the team was left to decide, kill them for being in the wrong place or cut them loose knowing Shah would be alerted immediately. This is a choice no warrior wants to make and they decided to cut the kids, man, and one-hundred goats free. 

On their way out, up the mountain, they discovered exactly how many men Shah commanded and how tactically capable they were. The account Luttrell gives of that battle, which resulted in the deaths of his three teammates, one of which resulted in a Congressional Medal of Honor, is one of the most remarkable things I've ever heard. The most incredible part is hearing what Luttrell had to endure all alone in the mountains of Afghanistan for days. Luttrell had gunshot wounds, RPG shrapnel, rock and tree fragments, a broken back, a broken leg, a tongue that was bitten in half, and falls so violent off the mountain it ripped his pants off and yet he crawled over seven miles evading his hunters. He didn't just endure and evade, he fought back killing more men on that mountain than smallpox. He was eventually rescued and now tells the story across the country.

I am still in awe when I think about what Marcus Luttrell has endured, did I mention he went back overseas after this to Iraq following his recovery. The man is truly of a different breed of warriors that defines what/how men should react when pushed to the limits in life, regardless of circumstances. I have seen him tell the story through YouTube videos at different events and last year when I heard that Mark Wallberg would play him in an upcoming film by Peter Berg, I was ecstatic. 

I had been preparing for the release on January 10, 2014 for a long time and made plans weeks before to go see the film twice on opening day. Then something really cool happened, Dad asked me three days before the movie release if I could fly out Monday the 13th with him to Palm Springs, California and hear Marcus Luttrell speak. Not only that, but I would get to meet him personally.

I got to spend about 20 minutes just talking with Marcus about life. He truly is a humble warrior that spent more time talking about his friends, family, and life on the ranch than his service career. We talked about the Foundation and our mission and hopes for Down Range.

Marcus laughed and nodded in agreement at how I described the camp being set up as a place to challenge this generation physically, mentally, and spiritually. He said he would love to come help "challenge" kids as they navigate military obstacles and accomplish team activities that force them to bond together. 

I was nervously anticipating the time I would spend with Marcus before I met him, kind of like a kid when he sees LeBron James (except LeBron sits out when he rolls his ankle). However, Marcus is a humbled hero that doesn't like reliving the worst week of his life, but does it with honor so that the world can know what his teammates did up on that mountain in 2005. 

I told him I wouldn't say anything awkward and dumb like he normally gets from people, but I did thank him for doing what he does. It not only reminds us of the great men serving in extremely hostile situations (he's buried 72 of his teammates since joining), but personally it makes my heart swell up with pride for this country and the blessed opportunity we have to live in it knowing that everyone doesn't take it for granted. 

After our time in the conference room, we heard Marcus speak to a group, much like the videoes on YouTube, but it was different this time. I knew the person up there, not just what he's been through, but a little about who he was inside and what a blessing it was. His talk about responsibility, commitment, and never quitting stands to benefit anyone and everyone. It's hard to have met him and not walk away differently. 

I am beyond encouraged and inspired through this one Survivor weekend. I was reminded that we all have a purpose and sometimes (most of the time) we don't get to pick it, but it is our job to always keep moving forward in life. In the words of Marcus Luttrell, "Make the decision, accept the outcome, and move on." I've made my decision and picked my fight that the CSF will spend its existence training the next generation how to be warriors for God. I want the boys we bring to Down Range to become men that understand their duty and responsibility in life and learn how to live it with integrity, honor, and faith knowing we all serve a sovereign God. 

My encouragement to you is simple and comes from our motto of being Battle Tested (John 16:33). Remember this, tough times don't last, but only tough people do. Whatever life has for you right now, rest in the fact that you can overcome anything with the God of everything. Even if that's being all alone, paralyzed from the waist down, and on a mountain in the worst area of one of the worst countries on the planet, you still can overcome!

Hang Tough,

CJ

Welcome

This is not a serious post. It is more of a trial run to see how things look. This will be The CJ Stewart Foundation's offical Blog. On here, we will post some new thoughts, stories, and experiences we have gone through as a Foundation Family. We are doing this purely to help any and every person that visits this site. We want to minister by any means we can, whenever we can! The first "real" post will be coming shortly!!

Thanks for your continued prayers and support of our mission!

As Always

Hang Tough,
CJ Stewart
John 16:33