dennis j adams

How often do great works tender the heart of your spirit? Jesus made an incredible and yet most challenging statement when He addressed His disciples on the subject of “spiritual” activity. After He had finished His work here on earth, in other words, His presence would now be with the Father. The Holy Spirit would come and bless the Church with knowledge and power that “man” had never known before.  Jesus portrayed the Father in every aspect of relational activity, from prayer to worship. Embracing a full invitation for humanity to see God as He is. He brought the will of His Father to the earth. Even in the great prayer: “The Lord’s Prayer” the word are spoken ‘Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.’(Luke 11)

When Jesus breathed on the disciples and they received the Holy Spirit,(John 20:22) - this was actually the first encounter they had with a Person of the Holy Spirit: A new dimension of relationship and confidence. This was the introduction and preparation for the soon coming birthing of the Church! (Acts 2:1-4). Soon they would receive a new and fresh anointing that would not only change thier lives but those that would come in contact with them (Acts 2:38-39)!

Works, it seems, have always been defined by men in thier pride and selfishness to obtain applause and popularity. That is why men do works only and not apply faith along with them. The real reason that Paul and James debated the activity of the Holy Spirit separated from works and faith. Both necessary for the outcome of spiritual activity to be in a greater form than what men thought they could accomplish. The word greater can have mixed responses when you try to compare the one scripture that states: Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. (John 21:25 ESV) The actuality and probability of this cannot be denied: Jesus touched the world with the “Hand of God”.  He proclaimed God’s heart to mankind and proved that He is who He is with no room for error. His dynamics were supernatural and embraced the heart of the Father at all times. (John 17) The challenge that humanity has when it severs its relationship with the natural to embrace the supernatural is this: to have a balance and temperance which glorifies God as He works through humanity. This has been the struggle since the day Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 1). The question still resounds throughout conversations amongst Theologians and scholars demanding an answer about these great works!

The answer is simple and yet complex in its approach to whom the glory belongs. The example found in John 4 as Jesus addressed the Samaritan women as the well brings conclusive evidence to the complexities of doing great works. His statement to her: Jesus declared, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”(John 4:21-24 ESV) Bringing the conclusiveness to the point that God desires to receive and give to those that will worship Him from a true heart. His manner of relationship is always built on man’s separation from carnality and self-centeredness and complete surrender to His love and grace.

Her response was yet not brought to Him immediately but to the town she lived in: Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, ”Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him. (John 4:28-30 ESV) The depth of her statement proclaims the truth and essence of moving in the power of a new dimension of “spiritual activity”. The “great works” that we can do can only be accomplished by moving men “toward” Christ that he Himself can assist humanity in the reconciliation that they desire deeply to have with God. “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” (John 4:42 ESV) Do you see the greater works in your life?

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

What really lasts in this world?  How many things have you owned that replaced the one before it?  How often do you tire of something and wish for something else?  There is so much to include in these thoughts of change and more change.  Thank God that His Word never changes and it endures the ‘sands of time.’ Jesus stated that heaven and earth would pass away but the Word of God would stand forever (Matthew 24:35).  There is not one thing ever upon this earth that has lasted.  Everything has a beginning and an end.  The door opens and it close, the sun rises and it sets.  You can set your watch on change but you cannot set your watch on the Word of God.  It never changes – it is the same yesterday, tomorrow and forevermore (Hebrews 13:8).  Stability is a good thing and the Church needs to learn how to be able to trust in the unseen as much a she trusts in the seen.  As the Word goes forth into the hearts of man there is a reaction that happens from that heart.  This reaction comes in the purest form and that being – “love.”  Love one another takes having the ‘enduring Word of God’ in our hearts.  Life is not as long as some believe.  Life is short and too some to short.  What we do here in this life should bring supernatural results.  Living day by day and not expressing love or any other fruit of the Spirit can cause one to harvest only natural results.  This life has been compared to as a vapor that comes in and goes out (James 4:14).  We must do the best with what we are allotted.  The life that we lead has been touched and seeded with incorruptibility (1 Peter 1:23).   Not on of own because we are corruptible but the nature of God has changed our nature and we have been birthed into a new family. This ‘family’ is given a future that neither moth, nor neither rust, nor thief can destroy.  We are ‘born again’ into the love of the Father and that love is portrayed through all those that are called by His Name.  The command is ‘Love one another even as I have loved you’ (John 15:12).

Scriptures to reference:

O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you. (Psalm 84:12 NLT)

I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? (Psalm 56:11 NLT)

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people. (Psalm 118:8 NLT)

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God

Great day in the neighborhood! Potter’s Hand Ministry Center celebrated it’s seven year anniversary today! It was awesome. My son Mikey has returned from Scotland. He had been there for about five years.  He worked there as a chef in many popular restaurants and was trained by the best top chef in Edinburgh.  So, Mikey made all the food for the day. The people ate culinary at its best.  There were about 300 hundred in attendance.  I spoke on the goodness of God and His commitment to stay with us through good and teh bad. Most of the folks that attend P.H.M.C. are on the bad side!  Anyway, just wanted to share how cool it was today and thank all of you for your prayers and support throughout these past seven years.

I ended my message by committing to another seven years to the most beautiful people I am honored to pastor now, the homeless and disenfranchised of Santa Cruz, CA. Of course, I also want to include the awesome staff that has worked with Kathy and me throughout these wonderful years.  I feel like I can do another twenty one years so seven was not so bad of a commitment.

Acts of Love Foundation, Inc. has engaged thousands of people with the message of Christ.  We have helped hundreds return back to their roots. We have served approximately 72,800 meals and shared 145,000 cookies which has all been donated from people who have believed in what we do for the poor.

It is a wonderful journey we are on and there is so much more to do!  Thank you and again a great big thank you to all for your unselfish donations of prayer and support.

Best

Dennis

March 1, 2008 Kathy and I start a new journey for the Lord in the Santa Cruz/Monterey Area. This is a venture that will take deep commitment and developed sight into the calling of the Lord. I will share more in the next day or so. This is a great time for Potter’s Hand Ministry Center (The Center of Hope) and also for Acts of Love Foundation, Inc.

Peace

Dennis

Just a quick blog! My mother-in-law has had a major stroke.  I am in Maryland. Please pray for her. Her name is Theda Pagan.  She had so much to do with all of us coming to the Lord 30+ years ago.  She has chosen to not receive any food or water and wants to go on.  Please pray for Kathy, myself and her brother John.  This is really devastating to the family.  We trust God and Theda is a really strong Christian women.  She ministered to a generation of hippies and brought many to know Jesus.  She was also a pioneer in the “homeless” outreach in the Pentecostal movement in Florida and California.

Peace

Dennis

It is about 10:00 pm here in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The storm is over for the most part! My property is a mess! I just had the internet come up for the first time since early Friday morning. No, I have not been lazy in my blogging or running out of things to to blog! I am a blogger. Huge branches off the Redwoods fell on the house (about eight of them). My daughter and grand baby built a makeshift fort in the living room, the safest place in the house from trees and hid there till I got home from the ministry service I was doing. Anyway, I bought a Stihl chain saw and have to go and cut branches, some are twenty to thirty feet long that fell! I am going to have a “man” moment when I start that baby up! Oh yeah, baby! So many homes are still out of electricity in Santa Cruz County. No internet, no phones in some locations (except cell phones)! Some cell phone towers were actually highly effected so there was not cell service either in some areas (mine to be frank, at least with AT&T, the Verizon account still worked!) We did our church today, outside of course, had great amount of dry clothes, shoes, sleeping bags, blankets and such that we gave to the poor and homeless. The Lord held back the rain for us during church which was great, to say the least. I do not like to count numbers so let me say that it was really huge with people in need.

I drove all over the the county to collect the aforementioned items during the storm with 60-70 mile an hour winds. The waves were about 25 feet and the police would not let anyone come close to the beach. Most of the roads to the mountains were closed so I had to go a roundabout way to even get home! Thanks to all that gave the dry items to the poor and homeless.

I will begin to blog in the morning on what I learned during the storm.

Peace

Dennis

I thought I would post this picture of Sierra Rose’ first Christmas Picture with Santa Claus.  This is the first Christmas that she will remember!  You have to love that expression on her face.  I think the Santa’s expression is also impressionable!

Peace

Dennis

Thought some of you all would like this simple but informative post

Click links and enjoy

Legendary day at Mavericks

West Side Santa Cruz swell hits

Peace

Dennis

For those who are concerned, I have been in Windows “hell”! As many of you know, I am a really “techie” guru type guy! Well about three days, unannounced even to myself, I fell deep into Windows “hell”!!!! I just came back from there! Not a pretty place to be. Thank God, for the talents He gave me in computing or I wold still be there and may have never made it back! However, I won, but I am bruised and totally frustrated with Microsoft! My announcement is clearly this! Windows has lost my respect and my friendship! I know that Mr. Gates is sad about this. Does Mr. Gates even know who I am?

I have a mini mac that is loaned to me, an old G4 one, with a Microsoft USB keyboard! My neighbor, who is Apple engineer, loaned me this till I get my own Macbook.

Anything is better than the “hell” I just visited!

I am going to load Leopard on it tonight! Yes, I know all about Apple hardware and software, just in case you are wondering! I will blog later and let you know how it is going! Check back soon, because I am back and Windows is out the door! Is that you knocking Mr Jobs? Please come in and lets be friends!

I also have been dealing with Verizon, on cell phones! Another story at another time. Is that my iPhone ringing? ( I wish)! I hope Santa brings me one of those!

Peace

Dennis

P.S. Sorry, for the nonspiritual, but really fleshly blog!

Well, this is a classic post. As you know, I am not to “classic” posting type guy! What is classic anyway?

But I am a thankful person for what God has done for me in my life and yours. Tomorrow we will celebrate the founding of our country and all the blessings that we have in our lives. We will also eat till we cannot eat anymore! I am sure that overeating is not good for us but…..it is Thanksgiving you know!

Instead of telling you several things what I am thankful for, which there is a lot, I would like to challenge you to remember some things.

1. Remember this country and the soldiers that are fighting and that have given their lives for her.
2. Remember to pray for this Nation’s deliverance from immorality, gross impurities and mystic worship in our churches.
3. Remember to thank God for opportunities given that had you name stamped on them.
4. Remember Jesus came for all mankind, even those that seem to not care.
5. Remember to embark on the trail of daily prayer.
6. Remember to read the Word at your Thanksgiving get together.
7. Remember to embrace those you love and tell them how much you appreciate them.
8. Remember to relax, God can make it a day or two without you!
9. Remember life is good even when it gets tough.
10. Remember God does love you!
11. Remember to hug your spouse and kids, they look forward to it!
12. Remember “Prayer moves the Hand of God”

Well, there is just a few. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Peace

Dennis