29th April, 2008
What If? Can The?
Right now, as you read this, I am in a “What If” moment. You could also say it is a “Can The” moment. What if there were no denominations? What if the Church of God was not a centralized form of government? What if we could exist without all the “stuff” that denominations persist on pushing on all its members. What if we had leaders that led and were not wealthy land owners? What if we really were building the Kingdom of God instead holding on to land too say we have a church in that town. What if we were able to see that “dead” and “broken” churches may not come back to where they “were”? Can the people survive without an attachment to the denomination? Can the leaders come to the conclusion that we are really frustrated with being addressed as though we do not get it? Can the pastors throughout America continue in ministry outside the Church of God? Can the leaders really turn the “pyramid” paradigm upside down? Can the General Assembly make a difference in the local church anymore?
What if I decided to just turn in my membership and just pastor? Can the people I lead understand my decision?
This is quite a post and I realize it! When I look at what is reaching to me in the need of the poor and the disenfranchised and I see that my hand is empty…I wonder if I should just move on and seek help in another area? I do agree to a degree with Jonathan Stones’ blog The Futurist referring to “the church that just won’t die”. We need to come to the conclusion that change does not mean that we have really changed!
My Heart To Yours
Dennis
Posted at 10:54 pm | Comment (1)
22nd February, 2008
Substandard Procedures And Excuses
When I read the Book of Judges thoughts enter into my spirit that cause me to stop and reflect. Reflect on the moments we live, day by day. The pursuance of God’s presence in a world that rejects Him. Seeking to find Him in some geographical location where some dynamic happened that is unexplainable to man. Searching for a Word from God in a prophets conjecture of natures “normal” way cleansing. Asking for direction from those who really cannot say where He is!
Gideon’s question to the Angle of Lord strikes my hear with a blow sent from a cannon at ten paces.
And Gideon said to him, O sir, if the Lord is with us, why is all this befallen us? And where are all His wondrous works of which our fathers told us… (Judges 6:13a AMP)
I really believe that this question is relevant in today’s American church. You can turn on the television and get all the answers from all the superstars and send them all the money! Come on now, are really that far away from the altars of God? Has our prayer life suffered a drastic loss? Has God’s presence been so unfamiliar that we will quest to accept “holy-woods” depth of the perception of God?
Gideon, he knew something was missing. He was hiding in the winepress beating wheat! This was an abnormal procedure, you make wine in the winepress and you beat wheat in the barn! Our problem is that we want to be blinded to the procedural events that lead to false prophetic words and call that spectacular and even “godly”. Gideon knew that what was missing was the presence of God’s power! He was not afraid to ask the question: If God is with us, where are His miracles? Oh, they are down at so and so’ church, He used to be here but now He is there. YUK! God declares that we are His children and we need to move out against all odds and He will deliver the enemy at our feet! Stop, stop, stop looking where He is not to be found and move out in the direction of ministry He has purposed for you! To many people have placed Him where He is not! Know that your the temple of the Holy Spirit and you have been purchased by the Blood of Jesus of Nazareth! God’s investment in you is a wondrous work. Before Gideon did anything He questioned the validity of the Angel’s declaration! The Lord responded by accepting the offering and Gideon responded by tearing down that which kept the power of God from doing wondrous works in the land. Peculiar, no, not really. Just the right procedure to make room for your miracle.
Peace
Dennis
All scriptures used in this blog article are The Amplified Bible, containing the Amplified Old Testament and the Amplified New Testament. 1987. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
Posted at 12:07 am | Comment (1)
30th January, 2008
That Associated Peace
Watching, praying, reading the Word all with great hope for the life of a loved individual. Last night I stayed up late and prayed and read with my mother-in-law. Looking at her face and deep into her eyes, searching for a sign or some form of communication. None! There is a peace which I am grateful to witness and thankful to be chosen by God to be part of a well fought journey. Paul when writing to the Church in the Book of Philippians speaks of a peace, which now has even a deeper meaning to me.
And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 AMP)
No fear, just peace, peace that the world does not understand, and quite honestly, I certainly am learning each day, to understand. Theda, my mother-in-law, has chosen to trust Him at the crossing. C. H. Spurgeon once wrote: Christians do not fear death, they fear the crossing! Oh, the crossing! Again, to be part of a saint’s life at this moment brings me to an understanding of the trust and absolute peace that we must have in our relationship with the Lord.
Peace
Dennis
All scriptures used in this blog article are The Amplified Bible, containing the Amplified Old Testament and the Amplified New Testament. 1987. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
Posted at 12:14 pm | Comment (1)
3rd October, 2007
Questions
Here are some questions that I would like to ask.
- Why don’t we love each other more?
- Why does church politics rule over compassion?
- Who wrote the new rule book entitled “Well In My Church”?
- Why do people overlook poorer people?
- What does racism have to do with love?
- Who invented the helicopter dance?
- Since when is war the answer?
I can tell you that may people have pondered over some of these questions.
Peace
Dennis
Posted at 7:36 pm | Comment (0)
3rd October, 2007
Where Are You Today Father?
I wept today. Just thinking about Him and all that He does. Why did He choose me to do this work of compassion? I am so dark inside. So much turmoil that churns deep within my soul. Yet, I weep over the simplicity of His love for my complex soul.
I must never look anywhere else but to His Grace, Mercy and Calvary!
The outcasts and downtrodden love me, but it is He I want them to love. I would not be here if He would not have called me to care for the poor. They are dirty, but I see them a s clean. They call me “dad” or “pastor Dennis,”; which I deserve no such honor. I hope that when I die I can continue to show them His love and the way into the kingdom of His Glory.
Where is He right now? I am distant from Him. Faith states in my heart that He is near. He shed His blood that all may be delivered from sin.
Peace
Dennis
Posted at 2:04 am | Comment (0)