About
Spiritual Journey
Reflexion is a spiritual community that formed spontaneously around a shared desire to experience ongoing progress in our life in God. We do not have a “strategic plan” for the future, because God’s Spirit is in charge of the direction we are moving and the dimensions in which we are growing. We seek to remain sensitive to what the Spirit is doing in each present moment. It is important to us that we are traveling together.
The Scriptures
We expect the Scriptures to shape our understanding of Jesus Christ, give us a clear picture of his teaching, and connect our spirit to his Spirit, giving God a really good grip on our lives so he can turn us toward what he wants us to be doing in the world for his sake.
Contemplative Prayer
We listen to God in the Scriptures and also in the stillness and silence of contemplative prayer. We make time to set aside every other thought and feeling, to concentrate all our heart, mind, and spirit on God and the quiet whisper of his voice. We realize that the development of ongoing awareness of God’s presence is the project of a lifetime and that our progress is step by step. But the Spirit of God guides this process, so whether we grow rapidly or slowly depends on him and what he desires to accomplish in each of us.
Spiritual Community
We enjoy spending time together, sharing our experiences and what we have learned from God, without passing judgment on anyone, clubbing each other with Bible verses, or acting as if any of us have attained to sainthood. We are human. We present ourselves to God and each other as we are. God always meets us where we are and we move forward from there.
Why “Reflexion”
Reflexion has a number of different meanins for us, including the following:
- A reflex is an automatic response to any form of stimulation. We desire to develop spiritual reflexes so that we automatically respond to life’s events and God’s works with prayer and worship. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thes. 5:16-18).
- Reflection is a way of thinking about something that involves focused attention, awareness, and careful consideration. We want to bring this kind of meditative thought to the Scriptures, our walk with God, our inner life, and to God’s nearness in the present moment. Let my meditation be pleasing to Him; As for me, I shall be glad in the LORD (Ps. 104:34).
- Reflection also occurs when an image is preserved by light bouncing off a surface such as water or mirror. We seek to draw close to God in such a way that the love and goodness of Jesus Christ is visible in our words and actions. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:18).
Currently, we are meeting in a home on Sunday mornings in San Juan Capistrano, California. If you would like to join us, send an email to express-image@cox.net requesting directions and we will reply with the time, address and a map to our location.
when and where do you guys meet? Chuck, you spoke at the Arcadia Community Vineyard many years ago, and I have valued your honesty and transparency ever since. I had read on Brian McLaren’s website that you two have a friendship and you share similar approaches to being a Christian that I also am trying to live out in my own life, anyway, my wife and I would like to visit your gathering some day.
Hi Jeff,
Right now we meet in a community clubhouse in San Juan Capistrano, Sunday mornings at 9:30.
Send your email address to me a express-image@cox.net and I’ll email you a map to the location.
Also, if you know in advance when you might have a chance to visit, let me know and we can brunch together afterward.
chuck
Thanks again, Chuck. I really look forward to these words.
I am enjoying your sermons and talks thank you so much. You have encouraged me greatly and I am back studying, it is more alive than ever before. I am also with an older woman from CMC studying the book of John together and with a younger woman in the book of Romans. It is delicious.:) joyce
Is this really Chuck?
Greetings!!!
You probably don’t remember me, but I just stumbled into an old email from John, who did “Going Deeper”. John and I shared a moment of amazing coincidence one time (if you believe in coincidence, that is…) and when I found the old email it brought back a joyful memory, and I wanted to see how he was doing. When the link for Going Deeper didn’t work, I started poking around to see where it went (I don’t even know his last name) and discovered that I have missed a LOT after moving here to Chicago.
I read a few posts about some of the changes that have taken place over the years, and suddenly had the strongest urge to find YOU! I don’t really have anything to say except you made such a difference in my life even though you might not know it, and I hope you aren’t discouraged. I had rejected so much of my religious upbringing until our babysitter brought us to Capo Beach one Saturday night, before I even knew what was happening I found myself at a Men’s Retreat at some kind of “Springs” (can’t remember), and it was there that a man (elder?) named Eric (don’t know HIS last name, either) prayed with me and helped me open that door again and now I get goosebumps every time I even think about it.
I’m not sure any of that would have happened if it weren’t for the kind of community I found there, I was so lost. And I doubt I would have ever stepped into a churchy church-type church, ya know what I mean? So the difference is real and there is a reason for it.
Don’t worry what the “saved” people think about your way, think about the people like me who might find a way back through you, and you just keep on keepin’ on, my friend….
love,
Jack
.
olson.jack@gmail.com
http://www.frontdoor.biz/theolsons/Jack
Jack,
Thank you. This is very encouraging. I’m very happy that you found me, because it was exactly for the person that you were that I worked so hard to prevent CBC from becoming “churchy.”
It was John Hallowell who taught Going Deeper, and who now has his own church in San Juan Capistrano. You might be able to reach him through the church’s website http://www.zoechurch.com/.
The “Eric” who prayed with you was most likely Eric Peterson. He, too, still lives in the area, although I haven’t seen him in a very long time.
I deeply appreciate you hunting me down and leaving a message here.
Grace and peace,
chuck
Chuck,
You do not know me, we have spoken before but it was years ago when I attended CCCB. I was always fascinated with your insight into the old testament and how you were able to make it come alive in your messages. When I asked you what your inspiration was for this gift, you said “childrens books and the childrens Bible”, I love that!
I have for a few years now been yearning for a cassette (yes cassette) series you did long ago in conjunction with Maranatha music, about prayer. To be more clear it was an amazing interactive walk through of prayer that you led.
I have been interrested in getting another copy and possibly producing something now that would be very similar that would help faciltate a person’s prayers. Do you remember this? I had email Craig a few years ago and he did not know of it.
I wanted to say also that I am glad I found you and wanted you to know that you influenced my life for Christ. Thank you.
Darrell W.
Darrell, it’s good to hear from you.
The tape you are talking about, I recorded at the KWVE studion when it was in San Clemente. I gave it to Maranatha! Music for their consideration and they never returned it. They had some suggestions for me, but that’s as far as it went. Actually, what I had in mind at the time was a series of cassette tapes like that one, which I had entitled “Grow As You Go.” The idea was to provide people with snippets of discipleship while they were on the run.
I’m sure that I can find the original script for that particular tape on prayer. If you will send your email address to me at express-image@cox.net, I will send you the script. If you get the opportunity to produce it, I will gladly turn all rights over to you. It would be very satisfying to me to know that something finally came of that vision that would be of benefit to others.
By the way, one of the executives who worked for M!M back when I submitted my tape, loaned it to his teenage son, who later enthusiastically reported to his dad, “I didn’t even know I could pray for twenty minutes, but the time flew by!”
I was very pleased to hear that.
Chuck,
I was encouraged by your sharing and by the comments of other people. I would like to visit the fellowship where you attend. Is it possible that I could do so?
Yes, of course!
For the time being we meet in a home in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday nights at 6:30. Email me at express-image@cox.net and I will send you the address and a map.
I would be very interested in attending a Sat. meeting. Could you send me the address. I don’t have a car at the momnet but would like to see if there is a bus route I could take to get there. Chuck has been one of my favorite pastors since I was a kid, (34 now) and would love the opportunity to hear him and fellowship.
Thanks,
Sky
Sky,
Send me an email at express-image@cox.net and I will send you the address and a map. We meet for now on Saturday nights at 6:30. Also, let me know what direction you’ll be coming from and if someone else attends from that area, perhaps we can get you a ride there.
In the meantime, I’m looking forward to seeing you.
chuck
Good morning Chuck,
Like Jack’s email above I to come from a long time ago. It is truly wonderful to see your name and hear your teachings available again. I have from time to time googled your name to see if you have resurfaced. In 1998 you brought Jesus and his word into my life, changing my life forever. I have since moved to the east coast and have been trying to find a church I could call home. I still read the word daily, 4 chapters a day, as you taught. Now it will help being to here his word taught weekly and hearing your wonderful perspective on what it teachs.
Good Bless you and your Family
Larry
Hello Pastor Chuck Jr.,
I am a student at Hope International University. I am currently doing a research/exegetical paper on Romans 12:5-10, focusing on Paul’s “thorn in the flesh.” In my paper i am discussing depression and Christian suffering and the common “triumphialism” gospel in churches today. I am very interested in your opinion…or if you have any thoughts regarding this matter. I have read the article, “Father, Son, and Holy Rift,” and your words spoke to the issue that I am dealing with. You mentioned that you had struggled with depression and were encouraged to basically “not be sad,” and that Depression was a indication of a “flawed” faith. In your father’s book, “harvest” discussed that “the ideal of a biblical man who is strong and not vacillating or weak.” In the passage that i am studying, Paul speak about Christ’s “power being perfected in weakness.” How have you seen churches fail to see the value or redemptive value of suffering? How have you seen suffering and your view of suffering be a benefit to your faith and spiritual community?
Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated=) Thank you!
-Catherine
Hey Chuck,
Yes, it’s true…it’s Ralph! How are you? I think it’s been at least 10 years or so since I’ve seen you last and do hope all is well .
Thought I’d drop you a note to let you know I’ll be in Southern Cal. with my daughter, Jenna, in mid July. While weI’ll be spending time with family & friends, I will make an attempt to attend your fellowship, if I may & if you guys still get together. We’ll be there from Wednesday July 13 to Monday the 18th, so the 17th would be the date. If you can send location information that would be great.
Let me know, and I do hope it works out not only to see you but to experience the fellowship in SJC!
God bless,
Rlaph
Good to hear from you, Ralph.
Drop an email to express-image@cox.net and we’ll send you directions and time, etc.
It will be good to see you again.
chuck
Greetings!
Chuck I just want to send you out a word of encouragement. I am refreshed to see and hear that the Lord is calling people to come away and to get away from the city. I like that our Lord can still plant people in the wilderness to cry out, to pray and to hear from on high. There are so many voices crying out to God for answers, for deliverance. It seems even the Earth we stand upon, is moaning for relief. I have limited hearing and still I hear the cry’s of children being abused and people who are hungry and churches that turn a deaf ear to people who truly need their grace and acceptance. So, I know soon our Lord will come to put an end to our sufferings.
I pray for you and others that God has called to preach the good news of Gods true love for us.
Be strong in the power of his might, that you will withstand ALL the firey darts coming from our enemy the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood even though it seems like it. Keep your eyes on the prize. Keeping pressing forward.
I pray too that we enter not into temptation to think of ourselves higher than anyone, least we become exactly like those we condemn. I pray that our hearts are inflicted just enough to keep us humbly seeking our Lords way and not our way. I know that the flesh is weak but our spirits stay willing to serve our MIghty Mighty God. Amen. I pray that your Joy is real and complete in Christ our Lord.
Love,
Deirdre
(Harry Robinson’s sister FYI)
Wow, Deirdre, very inspiring and encouraging. Thank you!
It seems so easy to slip into a religious pattern in which we are either gracious with others and hard on ourselves or gracious with ourselves and hard on others. The beauty of God’s grace is that he distributes it equally among his children . . . and it’s infinite.
chuck
Chuck, I thoroughly enjoyed your two days on KWVE’s Pasotrs Perspective with your dad. I have a 4-5 mile loop I paddle around the bouy’s outside of Dana Point Harbor so I was able to enjoy the insights the Lord gave you while I played in the water. Your comment about “Paradise is being with Jesus” was my big take away. I never looked at it in the way you presented it. Lord Bless You as you serve the Lord. – Mark Meizner
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HI Cbuck,
good so “see” you again….we hope to be down your way this Spring, and we will try and catch up with you then. Lee and I are doing good here in Washington. We miss the California SUN however…very rainy and dreary today!
Thank you for your place in our lives. We have always been blessed by your heart and deep reverence for God.
Blessings,
Sue
Very interesting details you have noted, appreciate it for posting.
I’ve been unable to access the podcasts since Nov 27th – just wanting to check if its the website or something on my end? Thanks.
Ralph,
I’m pretty sure it’s something on our end. Our usual tech guy was out of town for the holidays. Also, we did not tape a podcast for New Year’s.
Hopefully we have it all worked out now?
chuck
Hi Chuck,
In 1995 I was just arrested on my second drug posession charge and was at my lowest point. I was released and living with my mom in Diamond Bar and my brother invited me to Capo Beach Calvary. Having nothing better to do, I went and the only thing I remember was that Jesus spoke to my heart through your transperancy and humbleness and Chris Folsom sang a song where the chorus was “Jesus in the morning Jesus in the night, Jesus wathching over me, everyghing is alright.” I would later see him at one of the men’s retreat and I shared the story and he said at worship that he would sing this song first and he did. Me and my now wife of 12 years went to CBC for many years on both Thursday and Saturday nights all the way from Chino Hills. We loved it and would talk all the way home about the message. People thought we were crazy for driving that far for Church, but we thought that people drove a lot farther for jobs they hate why not a Church we love. To make a long story short, we had children and the long drive was not as much fun, plus we wanted to have a Church family closer to home. It was hard, but we always knew that it wasn’t your goal to build a large mega Church but to make diciples through the Holy Spririt and affect people in our own community. In a way I had to separate from CBC to grow. ( I hope that make sense) Anyway, we have found a great Church home and are in service to our God in anyway he desires and I have also been sober and clean for 16 years. Thank you for giving me the base that has allowed me to grow and do things in Christ that I thought were impossible.
Dan Jesolva and Family.
Hey Dan,
You have no idea how good this makes me feel. I am deeply grateful that you took the time to tell me your story and it inspires and energizes me. Really, I don’t think I could have received better news today.
chuck