dennis j adams

Well, we had the first earthquake for 2007. It was 9 mile north of San Jose about 15 miles from our home here in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

5.6 on the Richter Scale with 4 after shocks. My thoughts are that I am glad I serve the God who can shake certain sections of the earth at different times.

People are always concerned about the “big one” here in the west (California to be specific). Earthquakes are definitely something to be deeply concerned about, especially when you have been through one that has destroyed homes, bridges and taken lives. I am referring to the one in 1989 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Earthquakes demand respect and oh man, do we respect them out here! I believe that God is just shaking the earth to say…”Trust me, don’t try to build bridges that I cannot shake, just trust me and your future is safe with me.” Earthquakes, Tornadoes, Hurricanes, Tsunami’s and Volcanic eruptions, floods and fires all have a message: Get right with God and know that He is the Lord. I am not one that believes that God destroys a city like New Orleans because of it sin, if that is true, then He forgot a few places out west! What I am saying boldly in this typed blog is that God is whom you need to know when these kind of troubles come knocking, bounding and disrupting your life.

Just call upon Him and He will answer.

Peace (no pun intended)

Dennis

Here I am on the street and in a deep conversation about Theology. I have read and studied so many Theology and Doctrinal books I actually dislike immensely even getting twenty feet around a dogmatic, non-relational, verbally exasperating, boring conversation about God! Wow, that is really an attention getter! Really, seriously, I cannot stand that verbiage. Why, the whole time you are discussing God and His precepts and meanings of life, you miss your purpose of talking to someone who really wants to know one thing; Can God love me?

Well today was one of those days: This young guy walks by and I see him out of the corner of my eye. Then he doubles back and says, “Can I interrupt you for a moment.” I smiled and said ; Go ahead, what is it?” He states: “Pastor I gave my heart to the Lord this week, I do not want this drug life anymore, I do not want sex outside of marriage, I do not want to say the “f” word anymore. I felt something warm touch me when I prayed.” He ask questions and I gave answers, I ask him to run around with me in the streets this evening. We had coffee, and smiled and talked of the goodness of salvation.

Oops, that is right I was in a Theological conversation going nowhere and this young man came by and well I just kept walking with him and left the theological guy to figure God out on his own. I could never figure God out, I just believe He is really cool and has a plan for those who are seeking to be delivered.

Take your life for instance, what is God’s plan for you and how is he using you?

P eace

Dennis

Prayer will get you there.

Peace

Dennis

This picture depicts an amazing story of getting close to the people who need help. The picture states a very offensive statement on the homeless mans t-shirt. So if you are offended, I do not apologize. This is real life in the real world of winning the lost. (Click picture to enlarge)

I ran into this man on the streets of Santa Cruz as I was doing the “Monday Coffee Walk” focus on Pacific Ave. I looked at him for a long time and wondered how am I going to approach this guy. Simply, I just approached him and ask “Do you know what that t-shirt is saying and representing?” (You see Santa Cruz is so liberal and godless, that I was ready for a debate). He looked at me and said “Yes, and I feel real bad about it Pastor Dennis.” Several of the people I serve were standing near by, as we continued in the conversation. He continued: ” I did not have any clothes to wear. Everything was taken from me so I went to a dumpster and found some clothes. These pants I have on are a size 48′ waist and I only have a 34′ waist and the shoes well they are way to small!” The shirt was all that was in the dumpster.” My heart began to cry out inside. “All day long I felt bad, but I was needing something to wear, I did not want to be cold tonight.” I ask him if I could buy him some clothes and would he give me the t-shirt. Before he could respond a homeless friend of mine who just got out of San Quentin prison and is dying of cancer said “I have a t-shirt in my backpack and he can have it, it is clean and fairly new.” He took it out and gave it to the man, who in turn, took of the offensive shirt and handed it to me. He put on the new t-shirt and look deep into my eyes and said ” I feel so good right now, I was so ashamed of wearing that. Thank you Pastor Dennis, for being here and helping me.”

I had to share this with everyone. He did not have anything so he wore something, knowing it was wrong but he did not want to be cold. How often do people look from a distance or passing by see a person and judge him. There is story, he was ashamed and needed help! Man, I am moved by this, are you?

Peace

Dennis

Today, I had the great pleasure spending time with my granddaughter. We spent time going out to the store and getting some lunch. As I was on the way into town with her, I realized that this was the first time we spent together as grand to grand. Sierra Rose is just 20 months old. She has just returned from Cleveland, TN with mom and dad. So we went the store together to get bread and to eat at Foster’s Freeze. She had fries, an old fashion cheeseburger, chocolate shake and a small ice cream cone. I had what she did not finish. We had so much fun. Obviously this will be memory for me that will never pass. Today, granddad had his day!

Peace

Dennis

Each week I journey down to the streets of Santa Cruz and love people. People that no one else seems to care about. At least that is what it seems to me. I am not an Elijah and I am not hiding in a cave. I just want to say that people are hurting and they need care. How should I explain this: Well, this week-end during church a guy was really wigging out. I just loved him and hugged on him (yes, he was dirty and whatever, so what, he was needing love). I sat him down and gave him food. A person came up to me and stated that that guy gets thrown out of every place he goes, but you just loved him. I thought, well, that is what the Lord told me to do.

I know that I put my life on the line everyday here in Santa Cruz. I mean I have murderers, thieves, prostitutes, homosexuals and drug dealers who attend church and they call me pastor. I love it! The purpose is to bring the light to them. Smile, show some kindness, after all isn’t that what Christians should do? My goal is not to harm but to help. Jesus does care, He will deliver and He will save all those that will come to Him! My steps are to lead them to Him.

You see I get confused sometimes: When I see people loving from a safe distance. Caring only for one day a year. Giving the least they have to people who need the most. Standing in the light and hoping darkness will come to them. Looking to be popular not faithful.

When I walk into the darkness I walk in with Him!

My prayers are that everyone will take time this week and find someone who is desolate, poor, hurting, dying, wretched, in pain, and walk up to them and hug them. Just tell them that Jesus loves them and so do you. Spend lunch with them. Listen to them and never ever forget to pray for them.

Peace

Dennis

Prayer is the essence of pure communion with God. It is worship and meditation coupled together! Prayer is personal yet corporate. If a person does not pray there is not much one can do against the wiles of the enemy. A preacher, teacher, prophet, evangelist, missionary, apostle or one that is part of the Body of Christ should not do anything till they have prayed. Prayer moves the Hand of God!

“If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. ” (2 Chronicles 7:14, AMP)

Prayer should be embraced by every person who believes in the miraculous undertaking of the heavens to communicate one’s desires and praise to Him, the Creator of men.

How often in my spirit I cry:

“I desire therefore that in every place men should pray, without anger or quarreling or resentment or doubt [in their minds], lifting up holy hands. ” (1 Timothy 2:8, AMP)

Once I heard a man say, ‘Why pray, God gave us intelligence.’ I agree, he gave us intelligence! He also gave us the opportunity to use that intelligence. He gave us the awesome grace to seek Him. I pray because I love to talk to God. I love to request of Him to bless the poor and help the needy. I trust that people do not pray because they do not want to talk to Him who knows all things. God is really the author of prayer and He is the answer to all your prayers. Why pray? It is really something to call on Him anywhere, anytime and know that you are being listened to. When to pray? Here are some suggestions

1. In the morning with your morning beverage.
2. On the way to the office (in the car, it is way safer than text messaging).
3. In the afternoon (before or after your lunch).
4. While you are jogging or exercising.
5. In the evening with your family.
6. In the middle of the night (it is really quiet then)
7. While waiting for an appointment.

Prayer is necessary for your spiritual growth. It puts you on Holy ground! Oh, people who pray are not really popular with hypocrites. The devil will come at you with all his forces to stop you, but so what! Jesus is standing there with you covering you with His peace, blood, and mercy.

Peace

Dennis

Our spiritual heroes are the men and women that have walked the path before us and some gave their lives for the cause of Christ.  They may still be alive and mentoring you and I.  They served with dignity and grace.  When in trouble they called upon a Holy God and listened to what He would say.  They taught us how to pray, fast and wait upon the Lord.  They will smile when we do the right thing and the forgiveness in their eyes when we failed.  They never gave up on us nor will they.  You know them differently from anyone else.  Because they have made a difference in your life and many others.  Do you remember calling them and asking for prayer, and they prayed.  You and I have never been impractical to them.  Why? They know how to say the right thing to take our impracticalities and make them practical in a complex situation.  How can we applaud them.  Do what Paul did:  Share Christ, be fervent, stand up for what you believe, walk in the shadow of Christ Jesus.  Most of all pray for them and if they have gone on to be with Him; thank God for the moments they spent mentoring you.

Peace

Dennis

Have you ever had a mirror moment? You know, that moment when you look into the mirror (in the morning or sometime in the a day) and you just have a moment. A moment when everything stops, and you ask yourself, just who are you? How do you answer that question? There is no one around, just you, and bam, you have that moment. Do you answer or do you turn away and keep walking? I do not know who I am really, so it’s a bit weird for me! I do know that I am breathing and there is hope for a great future. I do my best to turn that “mirror moment” into a God moment! Then I can answer, I am a servant of the Most High God! He has a plan for me (and you). He has promised:

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. (AMP)

For that “mirror moment” of time I have turned it around and I can now turn from the mirror and begin to mirror His promises to the world.

Peace

Dennis

I am glad I read the Word of God (the B-I-B-L-E). Often when I watch those TV Evangelists ( and I know some of them personally) I get really frustrated. Lately during these telethons great preaching has been accomplished. But……. then here it comes…… you cannot receive the word they gave you till you give them some financial renumeration. UGH! Why are these people lying? If I was not so nurtured (I did not say perfect or perfected) I would be freaked out at God! I am sick of the manipulation of these people asking for funds. Don’t misunderstand me, I know the importance of an offering for a work that is being done for His kingdom. However, Jesus never said He would sell a blessing! I remember some churches that I have visited and also preached crusades (revival: old fashion term) at that they would have prayer lines with dollar amounts attached. Did not Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our (His) faith state that the fisrt shall be last and the last shall be first? Did He not refer to the worker who started at an early hour and the one who made it just for a few minutes of the work day, did they not get the same wage? STOP! It is not about how fancy or how big! It is about loving people who need a Savior. I am not saying that fancy and big is not good, I am saying stop lying!!!!! Just do what Jesus did and does through those who trust Him: Go around blessing people, He will take care of the funding! There are no superstars, just Jesus! He is all we need. He does not lie.

We just gave a church to a personality here in California. It was a political manipulation! He fired all the great people that had served there for years! How do we expect a generation of young, hungry (spiritually speaking) personalities to buy into this. It not emotionalism, it is relation-ism. They see it, and if they don’t we should tell them. Did you ever see the movie, “The Body Snatchers”? Well, two things: There was manipulation of “the body” and when one was not right everyone would point it out. I think we should begin to point out this perverted political manipulation of the Word and start pointing people to Jesus. What do you say?

Peace

Dennis