dennis j adams

There is so much to be thankful for even in a depressed economy!

1. Thankful for the Lord, who is my Savior
2. Thankful for my family
3. Thankful for my ministry
4. Thankful for America
5. Thankful for hope
6. Thankful for my home
7. Thankful for prayer
8. Thankful for friends
9. Thankful that the Holy Spirit walks with me
10. Thankful for even the small things
11. Thankful for the big things
12. Thankful for the anointing
13. Thankful for love
14. Thankful for faith
15. Thankful for everything

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thess. 5:16-18 ESV

It is just really cool to be thankful than remorseful and regretful

Best

Dennis

All scripture in this blog is from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

Waking up on Thanksgiving day is always a wonderful experience. The wonderful aromas in the air. The thought of relaxing and spending quality and meaningful time with family and friends. Actually, slipping out of “sleep” world into the “let’s eat” world and celebration anxiety sets in. Becoming excited about this day sounds a bit ho-hum but Thanksgiving is really a favorite holiday.

All the different side dishes that surround the main dish, which in most cases is turkey, are awesome to the eye and pallet. As the day continues to unfold and the aromas become even more intense there is the sound of the parades on TV and the scuffle for the TV remote. Who will get to watch football or the movie that will entertain for the next few hours? That is probably why so many have two or even three TV’s in the house. What should never happen is the fatal argument that causes tension which in turn removes that peace that is part of Thanksgiving.

Then of course there is that phenomenal moment when the turkey is carved, the side dishes are ready but the stomach is already packed full with appetizers. The mind declares to the stomach “you have room for more” so the mouth opens and the tongue experiences new flavors that have been hinted by the aroma in the air. The eye travels to the counter top and there sits the one part of the meal that is worth waiting for: the dessert. Where is that going to fit? Maybe a cup of espresso or some light coffee will help the digestion of all this food. Then the dessert will massage the tongue with sweetness and deep, rich, flavors.

One more part of the day must make up for the rest… the absolute and fully embraced “nap”. That moment when all is full, the mind, stomach, and even the ability to comprehend. The nap that brings it all to a halt. Only realizing that when the nap is over it is time to have that cold turkey sandwich and the apple cider just in case the body has not appropriated enough calories to last for a life time.

Yes, the wonders and pleasures of Thanksgiving day. Has one part been missing? Yes, it is, acknowledging the members of the Thanksgiving Team, which is not the chef or another person who may have made food. The team, The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, deserve all the thanksgiving and more. Patiently waiting for the praise from the lips of those who desire to give gratitude to them for giving life and hope to all.

Take time on Thanksgiving to lift up your hearts and hands to the team who continues to bring the provision of life to all.

Best

Dennis

Prayer is truly the greatest skill we have in the midst of patience. Waiting on the Lord can really stretch your patience and your faith immensely. Lately, it seems that I have been doing a bunch of waiting, yes waiting! Some big decisions have to be made in our ministries. So tonight I seem to be looking really deeply and emotionally at the scripture found in Isaiah 40:31:

…but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (ESV)

This scripture is life and soul right now! The important aspect of all this is that prayer becomes worship and worship inhabits God. I am quite sure the answer will be what God wants for the next shift spiritually in the anointing He has given us. We love to serve Him in the radical and cutting edge ministries that touch souls across this community.

How wonderful to seek Him and wait upon Him.

Best

Dennis

All scripture in this blog is from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers

Bringing change is not always as easy as the initial concept appears to be. Change normally involves more than yourself! If you are a very social person change will impact the people that you socialize with. Often times those that are closest to you have become comfortable with the circumstances that you desire to change.  Becoming a change advocate can cause some intense moments in your life. Moments that will need to be reckoned with so change can come about. How does one change the way a room looks? Simply, by moving furniture around and/or paining it a different color. Pretty simple concepts/changes there can bring discomfort to those who again, are comfortable with the surrounding as they were.

However, when you change the personality, yours or help someone else change theirs, there is definitely moments of real implications of necessity. Necessity to the point of questioning is this really necessary? Emotionally and mentally there are times of necessary change in ones personality that will bring a favorable social imprint to those affected by the change. Realizing here, that what is being blogged is not necessarily distinctive in category but general in application, does imply basics for change.

When Jesus came to the earth as a servant He came changed from being “Spirit” (John 4:24) and the Word (John 1:1) to the “suffering redeemer” (Isa. 52:13-53:12). He was changed into the form of a servant (Phil. 2:5-8). This change that He accomplished brought the necessary change that mankind needed. Furthermore, mankind brought the initial change by surrendering to the temptation of the enemy in the beginning of existence referred to in Genesis 3:1-19. This opportune time in man’s history brought the reconciliation needed for man to have a connected relationship to the Father in heaven.

As prayer and the study of God’s Word appropriately designates the continuing aspects of change in this world and also to individuals “need” for change, it is important, that one embraces change offered through God’ love. The directive that Jesus gave in both Mathew 28:18-20 and also in Acts 1:7-8 was to be proactive and to become a change advocate.  As in any instant of offering change or bringing absolute change there must be fist a change to each individual. That is why there was a waiting for the “gift” that would be the (catalyst) anointing to bring the necessary tools to those given that directive found in Acts 1:4-5 and Acts Acts 2:1-4.

Each individual must have a firm grasp on the the word “repentance”. The word meaning to have a total change of mind. Simply put, if you are heading north you must turn completely around to head south. That is what the necessity of becoming an advocate of change determines in each individual. Are you willing to change to bring change? I so appreciate the change Jesus brought to myself and to this world. Accepting change may be difficult but more often than not, change is necessary to bring the results that individuals are looking for to better their lives.

Don’t look to change your community all at once but look to bring change one individual at a time. Of course, starting with you first!

Best

Dennis

Freedom came at a cost, not a thought or a cheap thrill, but a real cost! Our freedom in America is not what I am referring to, even though, that is really awesome. The reference to freedom is that which we have by the adoption into the family of God. I wonder often, actually, if many of the “church” family have taken it for granted. Freedom to worship, pray, congregate, socialize, and to be like the deer that pants after the water brook. That freedom did not come to us with some deteriorated price tag or “blue” light special.

This freedom took Jesus, to make his way through a womb into a cursed world. To suffer and be humiliated at the hands of sinners! To actually care enough for us to die and then to come forth alive for evermore. We have a spiritual freedom that gives us authority over our circumstances and treacherous situations. We can choose to be victorious or live in defeat. Why live in defeat when He has shared His victory with us?

Christ Jesus, simply yet profoundly has enabled us to walk in authority over sin. Why did He do this? The reason is not complicated but wonderfully pure in essence, mixed with the principle of justice. We love Him because He first loved us. God is not hard to love! He has loosened the subjugation and is now a shield about us. He not only protects us, he lifts oppression off of us. During crucial moments in your life you can always count the cost of freedom. He never leaves us nor forsakes us! He causes us to triumph in all things.

Purposeful living is God’s plan for your life. It is hard to live when you are bound in your soul and the heart is heavy with sin. However, His Word has set, all who will just believe, free from this darkness of the soul. The world is so full of people that do not even realize the freedom that is available in Christ.

Go beyond your borders of influence and reach outside the box and tell the story of freedom to the spiritually impaired and heavy hearted. They have defined life as such an essence that has no hope, to all intents and purposes, tomorrow does not exist. Those that have the freedom of Christ’s love and are not limited to religious philosophies that imprison the heart, they can live freely in this world. The impressionable maxim to all that is written is this: Your actions declare how free you are. If you know the truth then you are free.

Bring the truth to the forefront of your life and let all the hope that you have overflow into the lives of those subjected to life as one who has no future and hope.

Get simple and stay simple in your freedom. Understand your relationship with Christ and procure that which will cause you to share the truth of hope.

Share Christ to everyone and to everyone share Christ!

Best

Dennis

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17 ESV

It is early Sunday morning and I just feel like I need to blog! Do you ever feel segregated, separated, alone and out of contact with people? This is a common feature with many in the Church world and also in the Secular realm. Loneliness can cause insecurity and deep depression along with a lack of faith.  For the Churches sakes I pray that many will connect with thier fellow laborers in the Kingdom and do radical things like pray, study the Word and just socialize morally and ethically.  For those that read this blog that entertain the thought of Christianity but have that 1 John 2:15-17 attitude you need to connect with “real” people that will bring change to your static connectivity.  Another way to put this is you need to recharge your relations with purity and depth of respect, one for the other.

What does the church have to offer? The light of Christ and the love of God along with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit! If that is not an over flow of abundance I do not know what would be! This nation along with its politics and agendas is really needing change and looking for it everywhere. Where do you think that “change” could be found? In the application and action of the Christian. That Christian, who is living to shine the light of Christ into lives who our engulfed with darkness, fear, and confusion.  What an outstanding and nobel prospect, to bring change by applying God’s love and mercy wrapped in grace to a nation who is at wits end on how to get back to safe shores. 

The Christian can be connected to both worlds (systems of life). As a result can continue to be totally surrendered to the one system of life that invites God into confusion, depression, fear and loneliness. Shining the productivity of the light of Christ into “darkness” will penetrate deeply and scatter confusion, defuse fear, turn depression into joy and loneliness into a gathering of friends. 

This is not a “new” concept it is the concept that is woven throughout the Word of God! The platform for “connectivity” is humility! Surrendering the inner pride of our nature and humbling ourselves to do the will of God. Trusting Him to accomplish what we cannot and bringing Him to the forefront of our desires. Staying connected is not a humble human thing it is a Spirit led and Spirit driven response to a desire to restore and repair relations. 

The Internet, the www or URL world makes it really easy to stay connected but we need more of the “eye” to “eye” connection. The “heart” to “heart” connection that will bring a smile and a magnificent joyful response to the human soul. 

Have you connected with your neighbors, your family, your church, your community where you live? Ask the Lord this week to give you a “connection” experience.  I am assured you will always be thankful for staying connected.

Best

Dennis

All scripture in this blog is from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

What a generation today! It is all about me…. At least that what they think.  It not at all about “me” (the generation of today) it will always be about Him.  The message of “care” and “concern” for others must be imploded into the hearts of today’s gen! As we have entered into a new “shift” spiritually, all must b prepared for the opportunity to care for the confused and discontented.  Money seems to be a rare “holding” for some.  Employment is not looking good for many who have looked to the “author” of corporation support. However, the Lord has not forsaken His people nor will He.  It is time to surrender to His will in ministry and servant relation to the community where one is living.  Being selfish and self-centered is so opposite of what a Christian should be. 

Moving to where God is and moving away from where He is not is what the answer is to exciting ministry opportunities. What the Lord is doing now is so cool and dynamic to the gathering in of the harvest. Harvesting is does not happen by looking at you own needs but to looking to the needs of the hurting and lost. A farmer does not get up and say “Toady I am going to do nothing. I am just going to be concerned about myself and what others are going to do for me.” No, he get up and is concerned about the harvest and what it will take to gather it in. We all hope to see the coming of the Lord in His Majesty, but we must be about the work of His Kingdom.

Look at your heart and give whatever may seem to be selfish to His will and move into the greatness of servant-hood. Ask yourself: What can I do for someone today that is out side the circle of my influence?

Best

Dennis

Are you along for the ride? When you think about all that is going on and the buzz-word “missional” which is spoken everywhere. I think that if this keeps up, we may be able to order “missional” on a restaurant menu! I have a just few thoughts about all this.

1. I hope that this does not become a “fan” wagon for the Church of God.
2. That balance will be kept between attractional and missional church concepts and applications.
3. That everyone will properly define the word missional and nt make up there own definition.
4. Those that are trying to make the change to a missional church will not become critical and overly diplomatic.
5. That leaders in the local churches will be able to define what “missional” is not before they try to define what it is.
6. Churches should partner in this venture of wining souls and reach out and bringing action to what Christ proclaimed in the Great Commission.
7. Do not put mega-churches or mini-churches in a box of defined performance and entertainment evangelism. Understand that Christ desires for us to not reach out and grab-in but to reach out and disciple others to do the same.

More to come….

Best

Dennis

As I pondered about life and the Church in America today I came to some deep areas in my heart. These areas began to engulf me with spiritual realities the deeply moved me. The word “performance” shouted out in the silence of my heart! I began to grasp spiritually what this meant!

The Church in America has been acting, literally performing instead of worshiping! Actually making sure that the services were planned well, and the right singers would be on the platform.  The pastor/teacher would orate the Word properly, memorizing the message so it was perfect before it was spoken.  Everyone dressing so nicely with the best of clothes. Performing as though there would one day be a Church Emmy show. Witnessing all this with the Christian television shows asking for millions and looking smug and putting only the “best” Christian “superstars” to perform. I really began to be deeply stirred even more as I realized that I and others had been drawn into this atmosphere of Christian “performing arts” thinking we were pleasing God.

I do not believe we or I, if you will, was pleasing anyone but the flesh.  As I witness so much self-centered attitudes try to promote themselves and their leadership today, I also realize that God desires us to be promoting Him and nothing more.  Living out purpose and destiny not fleshly desires to be noticed and lifted up by men.

Also, not to sound to radical, I felt the Lord give me a real freedom from the status quo, the care to be noticed and accepted. The status quo can really be a magnet to the flesh and a manipulative performance to embrace the heart with falsehood.

I really believe God desires unity in His family! Unity meaning that His children look to Him for planned purpose and destiny! Trusting only in Him and His Word of love and grace. There is freedom when you just obey God and love people. I have never really been a unity guy, I always thought that it was sort of “trendy”, however, I was wrong. Performance issues make you think and even pray in a way that you miss the target.

My prayer now is centered on Him not “I” and trusting in Him not anyone else. The Father desires to set His Church free from performance issues so she can fulfill the truth of purpose. Thank God, that Jesus never performed but lived out who He was on this earth. Never trying to please men, but only His Father.

Best

Dennis