31st July, 2008
In The Twilight
In the twilight of your dreams revelation comes. Deep thoughts that can only be promoted from the heart and creativity of God. Wondrous moments of deep revelations that stir the inner most being of your own creativity. Often during these moments I just want to be released into the revelation and the goodness that I sense.
As the Lord continues to release the depth of His riches into the heart that is receptive He continues to be pleased with the response: Yes, Lord yes! Twilight is a momentary time in our hearts between activities and worldly responses. It is that sensational space of time that equips us to be able to hear God clearly and respond honestly to His presence.
At this moment. listen, envision, embrace and go forth with the fresh revelation from God. It is God speaking to you and revealing Himself to you! How awesome is that? Hunger, seek after, ask for this moment in the twilight of your dreams. He desires to bless you from His own creativity and resources.
It is when that twilight time embraces you that your heart and mind is clear and wide open to the spiritual presence of the One True God. Wait on the Lord and be renewed through His presence and take what He gives you and be alive in the twilight of your dreams.
Best
Dennis
Posted at 11:08 pm | Comment (0)
23rd June, 2008
A Very Spiritual Time
I have some thoughts that I would like to share in the next few weeks. The vein of thought relates to where we are as the Church today! Denominational death, the rise of the questionable techniques being used in evangelism today, the inference of the style of revival used today, the shrinkage of the faith from the Church or is it the shrinkage from denominational control and laws. Is there really freedom of worship in the Church today or is it orchestrated for the furtherance of individual ministries? The actual truth being spoken in the open or behind the doors of “planners” desiring to become “kings” and “queens” as the Church grows weary fighting amongst the “climbers” of political hoopla! We are in a very deep spiritual time or a time of great reckoning!
Best
Dennis
Posted at 9:55 pm | Comment (0)
12th March, 2008
The Church In An Emergent State
Prologue: I am really positive about the vocalized emergence of the Church from the institutionalized methodology and structure that is happening throughout the world.
Where does each of us belong in this structural change? I believe everyone has place in the emergence movement but will everyone take a place. Certainly not! Some just won’t receive that this is a God created and spoken emergence and others will just feel left out for various reasons. This I hope would not happen! However, the matter is at hand and the engine has started. The warmth of the keyboards is warming the internet air space in the blogosphere. How exciting is this? WOW, I am totally on board for the journey.
I do feel a bit strange though! Let me explain. I come from a Roman Catholic background and when I gave my heart to the Lord I went back to the Roman Catholic Church and felt as though I did not belong. Actually, the priests made me feel real uncomfortable. So I happen to meet some people who introduced me to the Pentecostal Experience. The rest is history.
Like so many others, I was saved from a very deep life of sin. Drugs, alcohol, gangs, etc., so my salvation was really radical and amazing. After 32 years of serving Him there have been times when I felt as though I should move on from this COG structure and method to something that I could relate to or that did not seem confusing or hypocritical. Let me also say that it did make me feel funny because I was not a southerner and I was a hippie. I have hung in there though and have had many days of confusion. Dazed and Confused as Led Zeppelin put it. Don’t get me wrong, I look at myself and wonder how I even have become a Christian! So, now I am 57 years old and have put four children through Lee University. Two of my four children have gone on to master’s degrees and one of them is a doctor at Stanford University Hospital. The other lives in Edinburgh, Scotland and pursuing his ministry there. The other two live hear in Santa Cruz with us and are helping with our ministry. I have been pastor of 3 very successful churches. Wrestling the whole time with traditions and success by numbers, almost like a Parker Brothers game.
Then a new thing started for us about 7 years ago. Bringing the love and compassion of Jesus Christ to the people that did not make it out of the 60’s and 70’s era. They are stuck in a cultural and characteristic time warp. I have “missional” church that has about 300 members. I now also pastor a church that has a membership roll that is not even close to who actually attends the church physically. This drives me absolutely to want to smoke pot. Everyone else does in Santa Cruz! There are great churches in Santa Cruz that are missional with the “norm” of society. So again, I get concerned about my place in all this. Here is an example: at one of the ministers meetings here in California we are presented with the “real” numbers of growth. My first reaction was “I have been lied to!” The statistics were like an obituary. The growth rate was so negative, we must entitle it “shrink rate.” There were only two ministers in their thirties and on in their twenties. We had only one active church in Los Angeles, CA.: OMG moment! I left there with real thoughts about quitting this denomination and just ministering independently. Now I am glad I did not leave. When I hear and see what is spoken and typed on the internet about an emergence I shout THERE IS HOPE FOR THE COG!
My intensity level is rising and I am already an intense pastor/evangelist/missionary. Maybe that is why God called me to Santa Cruz, the most liberal city in the U.S. I hope as many people get into this discussion at Missional COG Blog site. I am inviting all you radicals out there in cyberspace that have prayed for emergence to come out and discuss this with other blogsters who want change for the better.
Listen I grew up with the Hell’s Angels and my brother was the president in Cleveland, OH chapter. I still know a lot of these guys and I watched them almost become old and no young prospects. What they did was changed their method and approach. They had an emergence in outlaw motorcycle church. Yes, that is what they call their gatherings, “church”. Now they are the largest outlaw motorcycle club in the world and still growing. What I am saying is if something like that group can stop and see the problems and are willing to change how much more the Church of God? I hope that there is a great number of men and women who are at my age and older who will join in and help these young ministers move this church from the negative to the positive in spiritual and numerical growth outside of classical traditions and theological hoopla. Not for numbers sake but for the sake of shaking off these old skins and pouring wine into the new wine skins. What are your comments and thoughts?
Yes, I have more to say shortly….
My Heart To Your Heart
Dennis
Posted at 11:08 pm | Comment (0)
12th March, 2008
This Is Really The Identity Crisis Era
Toady, all I have going in in my mind and heart is this word “identity”. I am asking the Holy Spirit to help me understand just what is my part in all that is going on. I mean, I am so stirred about the era we live in and the opportunities that come to all of us that reach to the “now” generation. We have so much heritage that is “hanging out” there for discussion. I know that in the next few hours and days I am going to blog some deep feeling that I have about this “information” contact blog discussion that is rapidly and blatantly being discussed. There are great young men and women who have taken hold of some leadership discussions over the future of the our church. This is absolutely and incredibly COOL! In Santa Cruz, we like to use a word “stoked”, and that is exactly how I feel right now. I am more stirred up than ever before and if you know me that is quite a bunch of stirring. Let me know how you feel. I know that I am actually almost sleepless over the excitement of real dialogue that just may bring the end of institutionalism and bring us back to the “grassroots” movement of real and true religion. What are your thoughts? Comment if you will.
My Heart To Yours
Dennis
Posted at 4:05 pm | Comment (0)
12th March, 2008
Let Us Hear WhatThe Spirit is Saying
So much is being blogged and emailed recently about bring dynamic change short of a real explosive move to bring people together to discuss the future (Jon Stone’s Blog) and potential renewing of the mission of the Church of God. I am so enthused about what I am reading and discerning about this spiritual awakening of sorts. The missional churches (Missional CoG) and some those that our standardized in tradition but fed up are moving by the Spirit into a great arena of discussion to bring change. Suggestions are being made to bring a conference together for the purpose of revitalizing and rejuvenating the reason and purpose that the Church of God was designed. Not only the Church of God but “Church” as a whole! I just wanted to say that I am praying and being quiet before Him so that I can here what the Spirit is saying to all of us. I really sense that there is importance and timing involved in all this. I say to all the are part and soon to join in to this time of spiritual revolution: Let it flow and let us all listen to what God is saying. Please pray that the leaders of our denomination will speak, write, email and blog their thoughts so we can communicate and bring health to our movement.
My Heart To Yours
Dennis
Posted at 12:04 am | Comment (1)
5th March, 2008
The Distance Of A Memory
Time just seems to slip by even as we grasp at it like reaching into the wind. Dreams embrace our rest like the moss on the Oaks of California. Thoughts race through our minds swiftly as thought they have a better place to be and time is running out. Just to ponder over mental pictures and past activities causes one to embrace what hope has for the future. How distant is a memory? Could it be so far away that the very thought bring loneliness? Could it be so close that it is seemingly reachable by the physical touch? The mind is vast and can hold the world in its grasp. The designs of the great artists and architects of our present time and history all began as a thought or in essence, a dream which fostered a completed task that then became a memory. The distance of memory can be far away but brought close in proximately to the individuals ability to embrace hope. I personally enjoy what Paul stated:
“Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. ” (Ephesians 5:16, AMP)
Memories are the reward of our thoughts and actions. One should grasp each opportunity to create a memory that will bring joy and peace to the heart and soul. Procuring the positive aspects of life through a relationship with God as the center of all that you are. Asking of God to give you His thoughts for the future so that your memories of the past are wholesome and lively to your heart. Memories are not so far away that they are impossible to experience again. What makes them distant is your inabilities to embrace the wind.
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 8:59 pm | Comment (0)
4th March, 2008
Looking Into The Depth Of A Calling
Often, I sit and look into the depth of my calling. Deep into the thoughts of my mind, waiting for some new and fresh direction! Some adjustment that the Holy Spirit is doing that will sharpen my discernment or hone the obedience to His gifts that are active in my Spirit. Meditating on that power that dwells within my heart and motivates my soul to pray and too serve Him. Hungry for the essence of His presence to manifest in my being so that I can do more, so others would come to know His great love. These innermost depths that can only searched out by a true relationship with the Lord of all. Hoping that any new and dynamic statement that is breathed through His Being will will permeate my soul and bring an anointing that will pry loose the inner-man to obey and pray. This, my friend, is the essence of walking with the Master! Embracing every command as though it may be the last.
This I believe is what Paul was experiencing when He wrote:
“Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One), And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law’s demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith. [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]. ” (Philippians 3:8-11, AMP)
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 1:30 am | 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 November, 2007
Seeing Through The Eyes Of Tomorrow
As we wake everyday thoughts penetrate the depths of the atmosphere of our minds. Thoughts of yesterday’s results that may have effected lives of others or maybe just a simple thought of unique fantasy! The wonders of the depth of the human mind can be equated with a playground or a torrent storm. The new day has begun and a fresh start to accomplish the impossible or maybe even the improbable. From the opening thought of a wakeful mind to the closing thought of long but, hopefully, productive day we see through our minds eye! Like the blind person who cannot virtually see but can create the thought of sight, so must we be in our walk with God each day!
One person once said, “If I can just see it I can believe it!” One man responded and said, “If I can believe it, then I can see it.” A long silence fell and a small but courageous voice rose with the confidence of the a lion and stated, “If I can see it then it is to easy to accomplish, If I believe it, then I can have a chance to get it done! However, if I can look through His eyes, that are able to see tomorrow before it comes, I know that I will see it complete and finished.”
We must learn to look through His eyes, then we can trust the impossible, silence the voices of improbabilities and rejoice in the peace of real faith that comes from His own breath!
Each thought you have from wakefulness till the depths of sleep, let these thoughts look through His eyes and witness the tomorrow He promised for you!
Peace
Dennis
Posted at 10:32 pm | Comment (0)
4th October, 2007
I Am Feeling Heavy
Thought #1 Today I went to get a new suit - the salesman said I had grown. Did I feel fat or what?
Thought #2 I have a lot I would like to write but I cannot seem to organize it all today!
Thought #3 This feels good to me: An In-N-Out burger from their secret menu. You choose one: daviswiki.org/In-N-Out_Secret_Menu
Thought #4 I am so glad that I could never think that this is attractive. I saw this in a Yahoo feature today. YUK!
Thought #5 The Indians did their thing today. Beat the Yankees 12-3, oh yah baby! I am an avid Indians fan. Go Tribe, just two more wins and then the ALCS!
Posted at 11:24 pm | Comment (1)