28th August, 2008
Crafty But Caught
Imagine for a moment if the world we live in did not know of God and did not care to know Him! Actually, it would be safe to say that the world be a real mess! The thought of this brings shivers up my spine and clearly makes me want to worship Him who is known as God, Creator, Master and Savior.
Now that we have set that as a foundation, it seems really important to mention that the enemy of the souls of mankind, has been crafty in his doings! Absolutely in all that he seemingly does in the natural has its place in the supernatural or spiritual realm. Terms that bring us to reckoning with some of the emotion we feel when we witness the damage that has bruised the lives of those we love. Have you ever come to reason with why after prayer, you may sense the pressure or oppression of spiritual ridicule? The craftiness of the enemy is employed to condemn and destroy the prayers that you have offered up for others.
Never think for one moment that he is successful in his craftiness! He is caught in the gaze of a Holy God who watches over you day and night. He never slumbers nor sleeps! (Psalm 121). He keeps you from harms way and lights your path with His Word. The Lord also keeps us from the craftiness of the enemy by hedging us in and delivering us out of all our troubles. Even when the enemy comes in like a might rushing water, the Lord raises up a standard (a wall) that cannot be penetrated.
God has prepared for us His own armor to wear and continue in life with. The area of that armor that speaks loudly and clearly is the “Shield of Faith”. This article of protective wear stops the fiery darts of the enemies lies. Faith is soaked with the Word of God. So every dart that hits, is dowsed in the Word and put out!
He may be crafty but he is caught in the trap that is set through promised deliverance, righteous living and committed prayer!
Best
Dennis
Posted at 10:28 pm | Comment (0)
25th August, 2008
Some Folks: Get A Grip!
You know what? I have spent literally thousands of hours on computer. Yep, that is right learning and programing, designing, and surfing. In last few years with all the blogging and bandwidth sharing through email and such, I can only say that some people need to get a grip! With the latest OMG stuff about if women should be ordained and how the COG is going to get through this last assembly without back-pedaling is absolutely ludicrous!
Some of these bloggers and email’s have finally got there soapbox and should I add a mic “on the GA floor” and guess what you should have been more courageous then. Your words of old “traditional” hoopla isn’t being held up anymore. You type like you are an aristocrat with long fingernails. Just tapping away on keys because you think you have something that will float in this 21st Century! Give it up! Heaven and earth are rejoicing in the formal outbreak of a radical generation who will not put up with the “false food” of bureaucracy that has choked the COG for years. If there is a dry taste in your mouth with some “crunchy” sensations that is just the dust you getting as you are being left behind to find that your salt has lost its savor.
I have read some blogs lately and I thought out loud: Why are these good, honest, and truly radical people reacting to some of the “literary chunk” that is being type and sent out on important bandwidth? Keep positive and don’t be getting into foolish disputes. Let those who live by the law get saved by the law! That is not possible! So let those who live by love get saved by love! Now that is possible, because God is love!
The “shift” spiritually is begun and there is no words nor mumblings that one can write or orate that will change what God has set forth before the foundations of the earth.
It is so interesting to draw from the history of the Internet and see how far we have come. Again, the bandwidth slows down with the “carnal” but thought to be ’spiritual” weight of words that are but a ripple in a vast ocean of real truth.
I will keep watching and reading, shaking my head, wondering from what planet these people come from!
Best
Dennis
Posted at 8:27 pm | Comments (3)
18th August, 2008
Wood, Clay, Gold, Silver
Vessels in the house of God! What they are made of and what they hold. Interesting, when you think about the intense statement here in the Word of God:
2 Timothy 2:20-21 (ESV)
20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.
21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
The question beams out of the text and rips into the heart: Which one are you?
Best
Dennis
All scripture used in this blog post are from The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
Posted at 8:28 pm | Comment (0)
1st August, 2008
Moving Into Your Inheritance
There is so much to say about Kingdom blessings and inheritance. The fact of the matter is this: We have an inheritance that is stored up in heaven for us. Faith is the “hinge” that keeps us moving into that inheritance. Living by the Word of God and moving forward into what God has promised you can only be the “hinge pin” tha holds the promise before you. Being restored into the incorruptible and becoming brand “new” is really exciting stuff. Here is a “key” for you to open the door for your days ahead to be blessed: Pray, believe, trust, and acknowledge only what is the Word and not the negative resourcefulness of the enemy. Listen deep in your spirit for the direction of the Lord and move into your inheritance with joy and your heart full of glory.
Best
Dennis
Posted at 8:26 pm | Comment (1)
29th July, 2008
Caring For The Hurting
For several years my heart has been focused on the care for the outcasts of society. I asked my self why I do this and come to the same conclusion each time: This is where Jesus found me, as an outcast. The Church never found me nor did it care too but He did. Today as I serve poor, intolerable people in the streets of Santa Cruz, CA I see myself before Christ and I also see them after Christ. It really is not an easy ministry when you get cussed out and threatened, but the ministry Jesus had was not easy either!
I was cleaning out the “new” church that I am “fixing” from years of church abuse and I saw a book about to be thrown away. The name of the book is: The Caring Church by Dr. Oliver McMahan. I stopped the person from throwing it into the trash and suggested that they read the book! What I really believe everyone reading this blog should realize that it was almost prophetic what happened. (I know, how can something be almost prophetic?) Here is a book written by a a man who has detailed the position the Church should be in on the subject of “Care” yet it was being thrown away in the trash. It seems to me that the Church has often thrown away what really needs to be attended to.
As I was gardening today I realized just how important the matter of caring is. There are so many hurting people in church today!
I look at churches that are really alive in worship and active in the Word and I see a caring church. When I see churches with people who refuse to worship and pray I see a church that is uncared for and not really caring for the hurting. They are inward, confused, and very dysfunctional.
Kathy and I have come to some really important decisions in our ministry: One of those is we do not want to tolerate dead churches anymore. We want to be around life and worship. We are headed into that with the new church we are serving right now. The church we have in Santa Cruz is already there and it continues to be a rockin’ ministry for Jesus. Everyone that visits and sees what God is doing in Santa Cruz, states this: “AWESOME!”
I really believe that God is AWESOME and He is really COOL in everything that He does! Try caring for the hurting and see just how COOL God can be!
Best
Dennis
Posted at 1:58 pm | Comment (0)
15th May, 2008
Casting Pearls
When seeking to help another, one must exercise care to do what would be appreciated and beneficial. Mentoring is just what is being related to here. Casting the pearls or the “holy”things of God, sacred if you must, should not be cast out to those that cannot and will not understand them.
“Do not give that which is holy (the sacred thing) to the dogs, and do not throw your pearls before hogs, lest they trample upon them with their feet and turn and tear you in pieces. ” (Matthew 7:6, AMP)
Mentoring was never intended to just throw out knowledge that has been learned from God into the atmosphere where it can be trampled under foot. The process of mentoring is for the growth of individuals that tend to generation to generation. If someone cannot value what you have to teach, then do not give them the depth nor the riches of mentoring. They will use the teaching to manifest their own selfish interests and in turn could very well mentor someone deceitfully. Of course, we must teach and preach the Word in all areas that are open to us but be careful not to just throw out such depth that the unholy or carnally minded can use the precious promises of the Word to their own advantage.
Mentor those who wish to learn and apply what they have learned into the lives of others. In turn they also will pour into others and so on. The Word of the Lord is what brings change to the lives of the hearers. But if the ears are clogged with jealousies and doubt then what has been sown will fall on stony ground.
Best
Dennis
All Scriptures used in this blog post are from The amplified Bible, containing the amplified Old Testament and the amplified New Testament. 1987. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
Posted at 10:23 pm | Comment (0)
19th March, 2008
Change - Do We Really Want it?
I have read thousands of pages, gone to more seminars than I would like to admit and listened to some of the most popular preachers and teachers in world speak on the subject: Church Growth. I have even had a private meeting with David Yonggi Cho! I absolutely know that we need change in the Church for this postmodern era that we live in. When one studies the history of the Church it is easy to see that change came about right at the time when it was most needed. This is one of those times! Yes, one of those “God wants this done now times!” (my quote not anyone else’s.)
Some want to defend her at the present state. Some want to just leave her and try to adjust to the secular world (good luck!). Some desire to dialogue about what can be done. Dialogue is a good thing. There is power in words and words can bring change. I know that some of you reading this blog may feel that you cannot trust who you may be in dialogue with. There is a serious problem in the Church when trust is an issue. That is a true gauge or measure, if you will, to point to the fact that change is necessary. We do not need clichés to keep this boat floating and we do not need weighty statements of promise with no action either.
At this point we need dialogue and that dialogue to be prayerful and sincere. With the exit strategy going on in America I really get grrrish, (I like that better than bullish or bearish), about sticking up for what was! What was is not working so let us move into what is or at least what will. Yes, we need change and we need it now.
I wonder if men and women who have decision making privileges really know what their strengths are. Being voted into a position does not tell me that you know who you are or what you may be able to do! What it tells me is that you can really politic well. What makes me want to follow a leader in Church growth is when that leader lives in the present, reaches back to pull from history, values, so when he sees into the future he knows where he is leading us! Go over to missionalcog.com and view the Engage21 videos. Read the comments and get involved! We are in a period of our Church that certainly needs attention and plausible change.
My Heart To Yours
Dennis
Posted at 10:41 pm | Comments (4)
16th March, 2008
Sunday - Two Chruches
This Sunday was the excellent for everyone involved. We started at the new work on the Central Coast. Really was cool! We only had 40 people this morning but it went really well. The reason was obvious the Lord ministered to our hearts. The “normal” music team was gone so I imported my Santa Cruz ministry music team to play at Central Coast church. David Chavarria, our music dude from Santa Cruz blew it up! I think the Central Coast church was surprised at this, but hey, I know that I wasn’t. David always brings the crew into worship as it should be. I guess that the Central Coast music team should hang out more with David! I spoke on “Who Do You Say That I Am” referring to Matthew 16:13-28. The challenge was out there, identify with Christ to find out who you really are!
From there we drove back to the Santa Cruz church where 250 people were waiting for us to play music and teach the Word. At that outside church David again blew it up and I spoke on the “Entrance Into The City”. The challenge: either you praise Him or the rocks will. We spent about two and half hours ministering to the people and was joined by a group of young, on fire, let’s get outside the walls college students from San Jose, CA who helped us serve the food and love of Christ.
It was a great day to say the least. Thank God for His anointing and personal directives to help those in need.
My Heart To Yours
Dennis
Posted at 9:35 pm | Comments (3)
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 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)