14th March, 2008
Introducing Emergence To The New Work On The Central Coast
Tonight, I held a small Bible study at the new work I accepted on the Central Coast of the Monterey Bay. (Yes, I am now pasturing two churches!) Let me say that I am also doing the missional work in the streets of Santa Cruz with great results, almost revolutionary (he, he)
It was just the leadership. I spoke from Ephesians 4:1-12. The real cool thing about this study was I taught on being in unity and taking what we have (the love of Christ Jesus) to the outside so the outside (culture) that does not attend the structure of traditional Church of God can come to the inside (culture of the church worship center) and learn more of Christ so they can be nurtured to take it back to the outside. Make sense? It does to me. Sounds like this could start a revolution in this new church! I dropped a few words like emergence and future! I left out cyber-revolution at this point. I am pondering on bringing it on Sunday’s message though. I left them with the thought of why are there not any equippers around to equip those who need equipping? Hmm, maybe it because we have been stuck inside to long dragging the weightiness of structural tradition of institutionalism! The response was awesome. My next step is to reinforce that of maturity! Now how novel is that?
My Heart To Yours
Dennis
Posted at 12:51 am | Comments (3)
12th October, 2007
What I Wrestle Against
Do you ever feel like your struggling? I know I do more than I would like to admit. Sometimes I just want to give up and give in to the struggle. Sometimes I cannot even point to the subject of what I am struggling with or against.
Paul’s writings in Ephesians comes alive in my spirit:
“For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. ” (Ephesians 6:12, AMP)
These past few days I have been really struggling (wrestling) in my heart and mind. Someone once said..”That means something good is about to happen”. Well, I hope so because it has been a tough couple of days. The answer is knowing how to struggle by putting on the whole armor of God: Ephesians 6:13-18.
I realize that the people I minister to are demon possessed and worship false gods on a daily basis. I serve in a New Age capitol and metaphysical spiritual web of deception by the enemy. But I struggle (wrestle) on and through. So, like Paul, I may be able to speak the truth to the lost: so please pray for me!
“And [pray] also for me, that [freedom of] utterance may be given me, that I may open my mouth to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news (the Gospel), ” (Ephesians 6:19, AMP)
The Lord has given me a task, vision, desire, passion and mission to bring the Gospel to this dark city. That is why I fight so hard! I must remember that my weapons are spiritual:
“For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, ” (2 Corinthians 10:4, AMP)
I am struggling right now even as I type this journal. This is a tough one this time!
I must always remember that: prayer moves the Hand of God.
Peace
Dennis
Posted at 11:39 pm | Comment (1)