Ruth and I, will be leaving this Thursday for the Dominican Republic and since baby Andrew was born in January we have yet to spend an evening away together. We are looking forward to spending a couple days away for some R & R. Without question, we will miss our little munchkin but before we hit the beach I wanted to share with you a post that like coffee has been brewing in me for some time.

Two of my friends, Ken Weikel and John Flatley in my hometown of Waldorf, MD both own and operate Chick-fil-a stores and both are BOOMING in business! But then again, I have yet to hear of one or see a store that the drive thru is not wrapped around the building like a boa around its prey. Most folks know the amazing story how Truett Cathy, a commited Christian started with a humble dream and watched it grow to astronomical heights. We all know that they “didn’t invent the chicken – just the chicken sandwhich.” At least that was a more honest statement than VP Al Gore saying he invented the internet.

“Chick-fil-a” has been heralded as “Christian Chicken.” The food is delicious, the service is priceless, their stores exude cleanliness and their mission is obvious: Honor God by serving quality food with a servant’s heart. Nearly 20 years ago my friend Ken who attends my home church and we met in Sunday School told us that he was starting a restaurant in our local mall. Some even thought he was “out to lunch” but man was that brother from another mother right. Ken knew what most of us didn’t that Chick-fil-a was going to be a household name even in my home state of Maryland. To Ken’s credit he overseas one of the top three stores on the East Coast and unless the Lord comes back they don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon! As my buddy, Evangelist Robbie Robison from TN says: “Keep kickin chicken!”

First of all they are successful on several fronts but here are a few “nuggets” in a nutshell. 1) CLOSED on SUNDAY’s. Their competition and customers mocked them at first but they knew their commitment to Christ was more important than critics, crowds or cash! They honored God and God has honored them. Ironically, it is a fact that Chick-fil-a consistently outsells the competition in six days while others are operating seven. One, they get more money and two, they get a day off! God is good like that.

2) COMMITTED to SERVICE: Notice how they respond: “My pleasure.” They grasped the Biblical truth that the greatest among you will be the servants. Plus, in order to get up is to go down and willing to serve. Ironically, their humility and hard work personally has now helped honor them professionally. Wow – applying God’s rules works!

3) CREATED in SIMPLICITY: They don’t serve pizza, lasagna, ribs, steak, sushi or spaghetti. They have stuck with one or two things and hammered it home. You don’t have to be everything to every body to attract anyone to your vision or values. They have built an empire around Christ and chicken but I must admit their seasonal added Peach milkshake is “off the hook.” Less is more and more will flock to you or your outreach if you are known consistently for one (maybe two things) not attempting to be a buffet hoping for a blessing.

4) COST is SATISFACTORY: What I mean by this is that their affordable prices enable almost all walks of life to enjoy their product. Plus, you get plenty of BANG for your buck! Everyone from Hollywood to Harvard to practically homeless can appreciate and afford their food. The beauty is regardless of who walks in the door they are taught to treat everyone the same (regardless of clout, class or cash). Something we all would do well to learn and implement in our lives.

In closing, I have never heard anyone else say this but by remaining closed on Sunday’s not only does it honor God but in sales terms it is called a “take away.” Folks want what they cannot have. Subconciously, all folks realize now that they are closed on Sundays and if you want their chicken you better get it today because they could be closed tomorrow. This is not manipulation but their motivation all along is to honor God and serve society.

This fits in with another powerful point. Over the years, I have learned long ago unless you put a value on you – others won’t value you! ATTN: Young ladies – be a woman with virtue and men will take you seriously. Sadly, too many guys will wait in line to seduce and sleep with you but very few will wait in line to walk the aisle with you if every guy and their brother has been with you. In high school, I lived for God, loved on others and waited for sex until marriage. Ironically, my senior year I was crowned PROM KING at a public school with 1,200 students. Honor God and He will honor you. Dare to be different and do what needs to be done (regardless of the initial cost).

Despite all the obvious, the CHICKEN is SUPER but more importantly, I cannot help but think that CHRIST is SATISFIED with the way this business has been run. They are not perfect but a magnificent model that all of us can learn from in dealing with others, serving society and a daily desire to honor God by the way we walk and talk. Christian or not they got killer chicken but even a better staff, standards and mission statement. For most (if not all) that work there don’t just view it as a job must a ministry to serve God and serve you!

It has been said that those that wait to the 11th hour to make things right with God often die at 10:45. Tomorrow is not guaranteed and the Bible reminds us with great urgency to not neglect so great a salvation. Jesus said: “Today, is the day of salvation.” Christ could come in the middle of the night and it would be too late to make things right in the morning. More than chicken we need to be ready to stand before Christ. Because you never know when that opportunity is gone forever!

It’s not Sunday – so get some of their food TODAY! But more importantly, taste and see that the Lord is good.