America The Beautiful

I was walking up to the Belmar public library when I saw a white 15 passenger van – one of those big people movers. One of the things I love about America is public libraries. Free computer usage with internet access? Check. Books, periodicals, helpful staff all – free! A wealth of information open to all. That is a beautiful perk. I’m glad my taxes go for public libraries.

Anyway, while ambling by the said white van I saw mentally disabled adults milling around. One was in a wheelchair. Another in an excited, innocent voice said, “I’ll help with the doors”. A third young man in a striped winter beanie and a Broncos coat paced back and forth like a tiger on the prowl. A few were talking loudly together while others were absorbed in their own mysterious internal world. They were on a field trip to the public library with some sort of organization that works for the benefit of disabled Americans. I saw all this in a glance and thought; “this is what I love about America”. Caring for the least of these – freedom to learn and enjoy life. “An crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea”.

Now I’m not saying we are superior to other nations although that may at times be true. I’m saying we are blessed. The vast majority of countries don’t have clean, safe, orderly, free, or any other type of public library system. Around the globe are countries with good souls looking out for mentally challenged folks but they are woefully under resourced and they don’t go out for fun, educational field trips. By way of comparison, orphanages in Russia, Ethiopia, and India, I know for a fact, are overwhelmed by the need and under funded for the task. I’ve even been through a handful of them.

I agree our nation has problems and we have much work to do to be a nation of continued nobility, hope, and compassion – a beacon for the world. But, don’t we have a myriad of reasons to be thankful? My experience is the people working at the public library enjoy their work and take pride in giving an important service to the community. The people I have met who serve disabled adults are clearly in the category of the best of the best – humble, sincere, well trained, kind, professional care givers.

There is a cacophony  of complaining about America going on. I don’t advocate a pollyanna denial of our shortcomings – that’s not a pathway to greatness. Rather I believe while we diligently, quietly work for improvement in our nation we should also humbly, consistently thank the Lord for the many ways He has “shed His grace on thee”. On the verge of Thanksgiving which was instituted by President Lincoln in 1863, four months after the Battle of Gettysburg in which 60,000 Americans laid down their lives for freedom, I encourage you to sincerely thank God for America the beautiful. “America, America, may God thy gold refine, till all success be nobleness, and every gain divine.” (America The Beautiful, 1910, Katherine Bates and Samuel Ward) God bless America. May we humbly give thanks.

Jesus and Sewage?

Coleen and I attend, when not at other The River Conference Churches, Tha Myx. Tha Myx is in the poorest section of Denver. We usually sit next to Nathan and Yasmine, a homeless couple who live in a park. While it seems pure to me to be part of a faith community made up predominately of urban poor overall as a culture we usually see the homeless as “throw away” people. The sad fact is many of them are there due to either a family of origin meltdown or a personal addiction / illness that caught them in an undertow they can’t escape. Such is the case with our friends Nathan and Yasmine. They are so used to being condemned and rejected that when I asked Nathan, “can we help get Yasmine to a hospital?” his automatic response was “we don’t do drugs”. Non-sequitar, pal.

This week at Tha Myx I shared good news for those who are dirty, rejected, and marginalized due to either other people’s junk piled in their life or their own failures. I shared Zechariah 3 with them. It was written 500+ years before Christ and is a prophetic vision of a heavenly courtroom scene. Satan is the prosecuting attorney. Joshua, the High Priest, is the defendent. The text says he is clothed in “filthy garments”. Merrill Unger tells us it is literally “excrement covered clothes” Joshua is wearing. This represents the people’s filthy, stinking, unclean, gross, decaying, disease ridden sin.

But the Lord acquits Joshua and clothes him in beautiful, clean garments. The High Priestly turban with the gold plate inscribed “holiness unto the Lord” is placed on his head symbolic the Lord has transformed him and restored him to a life “set aside” for important, dignified purpose. Then in verse eight is the kicker where the Lord says, “they are symbolic of things to come”. Joshua is a Hebrew name that means “God saves”. In Greek it is the name Jesus. Joshua was symbolic of our great High Priest Jesus who, please pardon my blunt message, took our “crap” to the cross so that we could be clothed in beautiful robes of righteousness and become a “holy people, a royal priesthood, a people called out of darkness into God’s marvelous light”. In Christ Nathan and Yasmine aren’t human refuse but dearly loved children of God. The good news is so are you and me, my friend.

Spiritual GPS

Joe is homeless. Joe and I attend the same urban church in the Sun Valley neighborhood in Denver. Sun Valley is the poorest community in Denver. Last week around midnight Rayce, our worship leader, had an impression he believed was from the Lord to go to the 7-11 near our church. So he went with his teenage son, feeling kinda weird as he wondered why he was there. Then he heard a familiar voice behind him – it was Joe. Joe was hanging out at 7-11 in the middle of the night hoping and praying someone would buy him some food. He hadn’t eaten in 4 days. Rayce’s obedience to a still, small leading in his soul was the answer to Joe’s prayers. Joe ate that night thanks to Rayce being guided by the Lord.

That’s an example of what I call living with spiritual GPS. A Global Positioning System (GPS) is a navigational tool which can keep track of where you have been, where you are, and give directions to where you are going. GPS is connected to 24 satellites orbiting the earth twice every 24 hours at an average speed of 7000 miles per hour, 12,000 miles above the earth, energized by solar power. When a GPS connects with 3 satellites it can give you a 2D position – your  latitude and longitude. Sending and receiving signals from 4 satellites can pin your location down in 3D with altitude added. An average GPS unit today is accurate to within 20 yards, anywhere on the planet. You’ve got to admit – that is very cool.

Spiritual GPS is a way of saying a follower of Christ can tap into God’s communication network for guidance. In Acts 8:26-40 Christianity spreads to another continent, Africa, due to Philip receiving communication from an angel and the Holy Spirit. How does this work? From my study I don’t see the Bible being concerned with informing us how an angel can talk to us, the “how” isn’t the point, the “what” and “why” are important. What happened was Philip’s receptivity to communication from the Lord. Why it happened was to save an Ethiopian eunuch who was searching for God and would change the history of Africa. I’ve been to Ethiopia and the Christian tradition there is very strongly rooted in Acts 8 – they take great pride in their spiritual heritage.

God is the living God. Part of being alive is the ability and desire to communicate. He spoke the universe into being. He spoke to people of faith in the Old Testament, New Testament, and church history. He continues to speak today with real time guidance to those who believe and are receptive. Do you know who developed the GPS technology and satellite system? The U.S. Department of Defense. Why? To guide soldiers, to win wars, and to save lives. Friends, evil is constantly attacking. Evil especially loves to attack the weak, the helpless, and the young. Evil would enjoy nothing more than to see Joe starve alone in an alley in Denver in physical and mental anguish under the impression God didn’t hear his prayers. But a follower of Jesus has access to a spiritual GPS system, receiving guidance from angels, the Holy Spirit, and from other people, if their mind and heart is attentive to seeking and finding the Lord. Joe prayed, Rayce was receptive, and God answered a homeless man’s prayer through part of the living Body of Christ which literally circles the globe. Rayce’s spiritual GPS put him within +/-20 yards of Joe at 7-11. Will you fire up your spiritual GPS today? Dare to sincerely pray each morning; “speak, Lord, your servant is listening”.

Shop Apnea

I think I’ve discovered a new disease. First of all you must have a “y” chromosome to have this affliction. But I’m getting ahead of myself. The other day I went into a “baby’s r us” store behind my wife and instantly felt tired. Then I spotted the Daddy section which had two overstuffed couches and it hit me – I suffer, along with other men, from shop apnea. I’m running on all cylinders until I go into a store and “wham”, before I even see the juniors section, I’m lethargic, my legs feel sluggish, the sun disappears behind ominous clouds, pure white doves plummet from the sky without aid from a 20 gauge, and I desperately need a siesta – pronto. Men, can I get a witness? So, ladies, cut us some slack, we suffer from a medical condition verified by nation wide chain stores placing couches or chairs not for you but for guys. Have you ever seen a woman in a store sitting on a couch with her head back and saliva pooling at the corner of her mouth? But you have seen grown men grow weepy as they find the only two chairs on the second floor of Sears in the corner behind children’s and housewares, plop down like finding an oasis in a desert land, give thanks to the good Lord above for His gracious provision, and nod to the poor lost puppy sitting next to him with 4 bags for his lady resting obediently on his numb legs. I rest my case – S.A. is scientifically proven. 3 billion guys can’t all be wrong – OK they can be but not this time!

Ladies, please don’t take it personally – it isn’t about you. Just as a diabetic has to control their insulin level by monitoring their diet we must manage our shop apnea by regulating what stores we should enter. By the way, the symptoms don’t show up in a Home Depot, Cabelas, Honda dealership, or Apple Store for some mysterious reason. My wife thinks this is only whining but I hold out hope that like the discovery of germs was once ridiculed wives everywhere will, some bright Saturday morning, realize “poor, baby, you are truly sick – stay home and watch football”. Keep the faith, brothers, a better day will dawn! Until then take her to Nordstroms Rack, they have great chairs and lower prices!

The Man of the House

A week ago I led a memorial service for a courageous 29 year old woman, Tessa, who gave birth last October and eleven days later found out she had stage four breast cancer. I walked into the building and heard, “Pastor Dennis!” It was 12 year old Austin and his family; his Mom, his little sister, and his baby sister who I dedicated to the Lord last May – she has Down’s Syndrome. He walked up to me next to his Mom with his sister’s oxygen canister over his shoulder. He never left his Mom’s side. He was gladly helping his Mom meet his baby sister’s special needs – being the man of the house. They were at the service because Austin’s Mom is Tessa’s cousin.

I first met Austin around 2 years ago when I was asked to break the news to him that his Dad had died under tragic circumstance. That was tough. I’ll never forget how Austin, when he heard the news, quietly put his head on the table and began to sob. After Tessa’s memorial service Austin’s family came up to me. I put an arm around Austin, he wrapped his arms around me, buried his head in my side, and began to cry. I stroked his hair, talked to him, held him, and let him release a bit of the pressure he has experienced. Right then he wasn’t the only one who felt like crying!

I have a special place in my heart for Austin. I’m so proud of him for loving his sisters and helping his Mom as the “man of the house”. Please pray for Austin and his family. Also, consider asking the Lord to bring an Austin into your life. Someone who is facing daunting adversity who needs encouragement and love. Last night we had Jarrod, my daughter’s favorite youth pastor, over for dinner and Austin came up. Jarrod, like me, really has a soft spot in his heart for Austin. We talked about the honor to be a surrogate Father to the Fatherless. I highly recommend it to you. It will break your heart but it will put it back together with love. This is for you, Austin, the man of the house.

As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God | Matthew Parris – Times Online

As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God | Matthew Parris – Times Online

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Oscar Mayer Syndrome

Remember the Oscar Mayer wiener theme song? “I wish I were an Oscar Mayer wiener. That is what I truly want to be.” Dallas Willard, Philosophy Professor at the University of Southern California, humorously posited; “think of what it would mean to be a weenie”. One’s substance made from mashed up unidentifiable meat “by-products”? A cheap, easily discarded, and guilty pleasure for others fleeting appetites? No identity, no backbone, just a weenie. Cook in 5 minutes, eat in 30 seconds. 

According to the Oscar Mayer marketers there was a huge upside to being a weenie; “…for if I was an Oscar Mayer weiner, everyone would be in love with me”. Ah, whether you agree with those nefarious marketers value system equating children with weenies you have to give them props for understanding the deepest need of the human soul – to be loved. But Dallas Willard points out a major problem; “if you are willing to be a weenie to be loved, what else would you be willing to do?” (p.9 Divine Conspiracy)

Have you been exposed to the latest reality shows on, for instance, MTV or BET? I’ve seen bits and pieces and it seems to me they film people acting like weenies so someone will, hopefully, love them. And, like weenies, they get bitten, consumed, and thrown away. I coin this the “Oscar Mayer Syndrome”. A ground up, cheap, slickly packaged, unhealthy commodity whose whole purpose is to bring a moment of pleasure to someone else – that’s a weenie’s purpose. God help us if that is a human being’s purpose. It seems to me that American culture increasingly buys into the concept that you have to be a weenie to be loved. That explains the plethora of “male enhancement” ads. It explains not standing up for what is right even if it is culturally unpopular because only weenies are loved. Did Oscar Mayer get it right or is there a better way? 

“I pray that Christ will live in your hearts by faith and that your life will be strong in love and built on love.” (Eph. 3:17, NCV)

Finishing Well

    Yesterday was my last Sunday after 14 years as Lead Pastor of Light & Life. I’m so thankful it was a meaningful, spiritual experience. I really can’t think how it could have been better. For example, we had planned on baptizing 5 adults and then two young men independently came up to the front, without a change of clothes or towel, and asked to be baptized. The sanctuary was jam packed and the people responsive to the Lord and to me. The love quotient red lined my emotional tach. The staff were so considerate and supportive. God’s Spirit was moving in hearts. Then I had the opportunity to preach at our Spanish service followed by dinner with Pastor David Gramajo which was a fun end to a long, special day. 

   I’m so grateful to the Lord for a sense of finishing well. Sad to say, like most people, I must admit I haven’t always finished well in relationships or responsibilities.  There are few feelings as miserable as that experience. In this case I passionately desired to finish well at Light & Life – it was my constant prayer and the focus of my energy. 

   What are the factors in finishing well? One is giving a strong effort to make further contribution before transitioning. Another is to have the “gulp” conversations as a final attempt for needed reconciliation. Not carrying any negativity in one’s heart from the past is definitely part of finishing well. Taking time to connect with people to listen, to express love, to encourage hearts is huge as an exit is made. Giving others opportunity to express their heart, work through their grief, or give appreciation is also an aspect of a healthy completion. Availability to assist one’s successor and/or team so they can be successful is definitely a gracious way to transition. Leaving a blessing behind is also vital to finishing well – giving hope to people who are working through the stress of change.

     I sincerely thank the Lord for 14 good years at Light & Life. Equally I praise Him for blessing me with a healthy finish. It feels terrific. I pray you will also finish well when the time comes for a transition in your life.  I believe finishing well is a major part of true success in life.

The River

Friends,

     Beginning June 1st I will be leading The River conference – a network of Free Methodist Churches in Colorado and Texas committed to touching millions of lives worldwide in Jesus name. Picture Jesus’ hand reaching out with 5 touches; spiritual touch of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and planting churches, an educational touch starting and supporting schools among the majority world people groups, a medical touch, an ecological touch via clean water and reforestation (www.edenprojects.org), and a business development touch via micro loans and the like. We are committed to multiplying churches that have a passion for being the hands of Jesus among the 1.1 billion “poorest of the poor” worldwide. Check back in for regular updates. I’d also like to hear from you about The River. God bless, Dennis

Stepping out of the Boat

It snowed here in Lakewood, CO yesterday – hard. Awoke to 12 plus inches of perfect whiteness. After 60 days without precipitation we needed the moisture. But God’s timing seems to be lacking. In 9 days the biggest outreach in the history of our church is happening – outside. And snow in the forecast for next week. We’ve only advertised like crazy, canceled services, have thousands of dollars in deposits out there, that’s all. Yeah, we can’t see the point of no return any more it is way over the horizon behind us.

The critics sit back and say “whose bright idea is it to have a spring carnival in Colorado?”. That bright idea is mine. Management says; “if its wet financially the carnival is going to be a disaster and the church will lose tens of thousands of dollars they can’t afford to lose. Who made this decision?”. Uh, that would be me.

Do I like leading the church into uncertain, risky circumstance? I can’t say I do. But I’m glad this decision was made even if it is an abject failure. Come again? By faith I believe the Lord planted this idea in my head and in obedience I stepped out of the boat, like Peter, to walk on water. Remember Peter saw Jesus walking on water and he thought, “righteous – that looks fun” (my translation) and said, “dude, can I, like, walk on the wet stuff wid chu?” or something like that. Jesus said, “of course” and Peter was walking on water during a storm. Then the scriptures report that Peter noticed the wind and the waves and began to panic and sink. I love that story. The point is simple; Jesus likes faith and if we keep our eyes on Jesus we can walk on water but if we begin to focus on circumstance and potential danger we begin to sink. Faith – buoyancy; worry – drop like an anvil.

Lord, help us to keep faith alive and well in our lives. By your grace may we embrace the risk inherent in taking steps of faith. We purpose to keep our eyes on Jesus. And, by the way, thanks for the snow it’s beautiful.