Take the Son

I love stories. This one is worth reading.

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art. When war broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son. About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art. The young man held out his package. "I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this." The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. "Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift." The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected. The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. "We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?" There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room shouted. "We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one." But the auctioneer persisted. "Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?" Another voice shouted angrily. "We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!" But still the auctioneer continued. "The son! The son! Who'll take the son?" Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. "I'll give $10 for the painting." Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. "We have $10, who will bid $20?" "Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters." "$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?" The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!" A man sitting on the second row shouted. "Now let's get on with the collection!" The auctioneer laid down his gavel. "I'm sorry, the auction is over." "What about the paintings?" "I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned here today. And whoever buys that one painting will inherit the entire estate, including all the other paintings. The man who takes the son gets everything!"

Amazing

This past Monday, I saw something that reminded me that God is amazing.

My wife and I showed up at our church cafe' to help serve a prime rib meal to a group of single mom's who where living in a woman's shelter. Two business guys and their wives who attend our church felt Jesus leading them to hold a monthly meal for these dear ladies and their children. This event is truly a God thing. I'm so proud of these families who have gone out of their way to provide an exquisite meal for these dear people who are experiencing great difficulty.

When we arrived at the church, the cafe' was abuzz with activity. A meal was being prepared for about 30 to 40 people. The prime rib smelled awesome. I asked how we could help. Jake Huff, one of the guys who leads this meal told me that he wanted us to go out and sit down and just chat with these women. That sounded simple.

At first, I walked around not knowing how to engage in conversation. I felt like an idiot. Finally, I sat down with four women and began to ask them questions. The conversation was forced and uncomfortable at first but then things began to loosen up. One young woman explained to me that she had to be assisted into the building because she had a condition that required chemo-therapy. In the process of receiving chemo, her hip sockets had degenerated and she was now facing a double hip replacement at the age of twenty. I asked, "Can we pray for you?" She said, "No". She realized I was startled by her response and then said, "Well, at least not here."

As we continued our conversation, the love of God began to fall on me. She told me that the day before, a friend of hers had spoken to her and said, "God's going to get you!" She explained to me that she was terrified of what that meant. She indicated that she probably deserved everything that was happening in her life. Without thinking, I stood up and said, "I know what that means." I reached out to her, drew her head to my chest and held her. She is younger than my own children and I felt deep compassion for her. I could feel her weeping. I explained to her that God loved her deeply and was not angry with her.

After they had finished eating, I asked her again, "Can we pray for you?" This time it was a very quick "Yes". I asked a friend to help her to a soft chair. She was barely able to walk as she hobbled to a little corner of the cafe'. She had left her crutches at the woman's shelter. She need so much help.

Once she was seated, a group of people from our church surrounded her and asked if they could place their hands on her. (I am so proud of my church) She agreed and we began to pray. We prayed for what seemed like about five minutes, calling on our God to show His mercy and power. I asked, "Is there anything happening?" She said, "I don't know." I assured her that it OK and we wanted her to be honest with us. We continued to pray and after another few minutes I asked her again, "Are you experiencing anything?" She moved her left leg and suddenly tears began to stream down her face. She was not making a sound but it was as if her eyes had sprung a leak. I have never seen so many tears. She said, "It feels better." Our faith was now strengthened.

We took another few minutes and prayed, asking God to demonstrate his love and mercy, commanding the body to come in line with His will. Again, we stopped and I said, "How's it going?" Before she could answer, someone in the group said, "Maybe you should stand up." She winced expecting great pain and then rose to her feet as easily as a normal twenty year old. Her first words were, "Oh my gosh!" She raised up on her tip toes and again said, "Oh my gosh!" More tears as she lifted each of her knees as if marching....."Oh my gosh!" Suddenly, I heard myself whisper to myself, "Oh my gosh!" She walked around the cafe' with a big smile. Her friends were visibly stirred by what had happened.

I have seen God heal before but this was dramatic. God's love had penetrated a broken, fearful heart and brought the gift of healing to his young woman. That night, two things happened to me. First, I fell in love with my God all over again. Second, I am re-enlisting in the mission to equip an army of fully devoted disciples of Jesus who extend God's Kingdom by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Hydroplane

I had an unusual experience yesterday morning. I had gotten up early so I could drive in to our church to join some friends at a prayer meeting. I was running late. Before leaving, I had a few things to do. My morning regiment includes feeding our three border collies, three horses and our one barn cat. I rushed through the chores. I had to gather all the things I needed for the day. I had to fix a cup of coffee for my trip into town. As I gathered my stack of stuff, I realized I didn't have my wallet. I searched and searched and became frustrated. Finally I had to wake up my wife because she knows where everything is located in our house. I praise God for this wonderful gift He has given her. She told me my wallet was on our dryer where I had left it the night before. I finally got in my car and headed into town.

A few inches of snow had fallen that night and the road was a little slick and slushy. But I was focused on getting to the prayer meeting and I was determined to get there on time. I was hustling as usual.

I had driven for four minutes when suddenly, my car began to hydroplane. The back end of my car began to slide around to the front. I steered into the slide like they teach you in Driver's Ed but nothing would correct this situation. My brakes didn't work. I could not steer the car. I was out of control. I slid down the pavement backwards for what felt like a mile or two. (It was probably 50 feet) Then I could feel the car slide across the center line and toward the ditch on the opposite side of the road. I am now watching the forward progress of my car through my rear view mirror. As my car began to move toward the ditch, just another fifty feet down the road I spotted a light pole coming toward me. I'm going, "Oh crap...Jesus help me".

By the time I reached the light pole, I was going about five miles per hour but I struck the light pole with my rear passenger side door. My car spun around at impact and I ended up in a shallow ditch with coffee spilled all over my clothes. I sat there for a moment, coffee dripping off my eye brow trying to figure out what had happened and then it occurred to me. "Dan, you've got to slow down. You've got to take time to live. This pace is not healthy."

I write to my dear friends who are reading this blog. I want to encourage you. Slow down. Give yourself the gift of time to read and pray more in the quietness of the solitary moments of your life. Take time to listen to God's voice. Leave more time to "be still and know that I am God". Make time to watch your kids grow up. enjoy your spouse and your closest friends. Coffee is not meant to drip from your eye brows but to be shared with friends in loving conversation. Don't hydroplane through live. Life is so precious.

A Community of Hope for a Despairing World

A few years ago, the National Director of the Vineyard Churches, Bert Wagoner passionately called for the Vineyard to become "A community of hope for a despairing world." That phase has stuck in my heart. Yesterday, some friends of mine and I were talking about hope. What does it mean to be a "community of hope"?

Reggie Hovenga, one of the pastors of our church related a teaching his Small Group had done on what it would take to become a healthy, enabling and loving body of believers. The first aspect that was discussed in becoming an authentic community of faith was honesty. We live in a very disguised and hidden culture riddled with deception. We are often times afraid to be honest for fear of the judgment we might incur. It is hard to find people who will really be honest about their feelings, thoughts and behaviors. But without honesty, authentic and trusting relationships cannot be formed. Even in our relationship with God, honesty is so necessary. Dishonesty in our relationship with God can only lead to dead, cold religion. Honesty with God leads to fervent and effective prayer and a peace filled walk with God.

Second, Reggie talked about obedience. As a Christian community, obedience is mandatory. How can we announce Jesus as King unless we are willing to be wholeheartedly obedient to His word and will? A true Christian community assists it's members in maintaining an obedient posture before God. The Holy Spirit has been given to us who believe to empower us to live obedient lives.

Reggie then spoke of patience. That in order for us to be able to grow in our relationship with God, we must learn to be patient with each other and patient with ourselves. We are all in process. No one has hit the pinnacle of the Christian life. As God is patient with us, we must learn to be patient with Him in waiting for the fulfillment of His promises. I'm grateful that patience is listed as one of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 6.

Finally, Reggie talked about being a people filled with expectation. We are to filled with an expectation of God redeeming each and every situation in life and bringing them into harmony with His will. We are to live filled with an expectation of His great and wonderful promises coming to fruition. We are called to live our lives with an expectation of the powerful presence of the Spirit to move among us and radically transform our lives, an expectation of good rather than bad.

Honesty, obedience, patience and expectation. These seem to be core components of what launchs a people into becoming a "community of hope for a despairing world".

A Prediction from Rev. Franklin Graham

I was struck by this article. In the 40 years I have walked with the Lord, I have watched this post-Christian era develop. I believe we are entering a marvelously powerful and challenging time for the church. Please read the following article.


The Rev. Franklin Graham says just mentioning the name Jesus Christ in the public square is increasingly frowned upon and warns: "The spirit of anti-Christ is everywhere."

The Samaritan’s Purse founder and son of beloved evangelist Dr. Billy Graham voiced his dismay at the rapid secularization of society during a Tuesday chapel service at John Brown University, a private Christian university based in Siloam Springs, Ark.

Graham, who was banned from a Pentagon national day of Prayer event last year for expressing his opinions about Islam, told students: “Even in our government today, you can't pray to Jesus in many public meetings. You can pray to God or a god. You can mention Buddha or the name of Muhammad -- but you can't pray to Jesus Christ.”

The president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association criticized the recent memorial service for the Tucson shooting victims.

Unlike the memorials held after the Oklahoma City bombing and 9/11, he said, the Tucson program did not include an official prayer or mention of God. Graham noted gratefully, however, that President Barack Obama did quote scripture from the biblical book of Job.

The one religious dedication on the program came from a member of the Pascua Yaqui tribe, who delivered a peroration that among other things called out to “"Father Sky, where we get our masculine energy" and "Mother Earth, where we get our feminine energy.”

Earlier this week, Graham penned an op-ed in the Washington Times saying it was “a shame” that the University of Arizona had failed to put God anywhere on its program.

“How sad,” the Graham op-ed stated. “Father Sky and Mother Earth can do nothing to comfort Capt. Mark Kelly, who had been at the bedside of his wife, Rep. Giffords, wondering if she'd ever leave her bed. Or Mary Stoddard, who was only alive because her husband sacrificed his life by shielding her with his body. Or the family, classmates, teammates and friends of little Christina, whose life was snuffed out before she could play another season of Little League.”

Graham told the university students what was missing from the memorial: “There was no call for God to put His loving arms around those who were hurting,” said Graham. "Why did they leave him out? They scoff at the name of Jesus Christ."

Graham predicted the persecution of Christians will get worse in coming years, and he encouraged students to use the new media and the Internet to spread the gospel.

Dan's summation:
The church of Jesus Christ was birthed in an environment similar to the one we live in today and revival burned for centuries. If there was ever a time for God's people to rise up in a deep devotion to King Jesus, it is now. Prayer must become not just a simple Christian discipline but a necessity in our lives.

A Disciple: What do they do?

As we enter a new year, I renew my heart the the mission God gave our family 22 years ago when we moved to the Cedar Valley from New Mexico to plant this church. Our stated mission was to equip and army of a 1,000 fully devoted disciples of Jesus Christ who would extend the Kingdom of God.

What is a fully devoted disciple of Jesus. I suppose you could define a disciple in many ways but here's the way we have learned to define the activity of a disciple.

As a follower of Jesus we want to:

1. Grow in our ability to enthusiastically and sincerely worship our God.

2. Reach out to those who are poor in spirit with compassion.

3. Learn to do the ministry of Jesus with a hands on approach.

4. Graciously study and then obey the Word of God.

5. Come to enjoy the blessing of loving carefrontational community.

6. In all that we do, we do it with a humble servant heart.

These are the six primary practices that we are determined to promote in the Jesus followers who are part of the Heartland Vineyard Church.

Join us this year in growing as a fully devoted disciple and experiencing the joy of extending the Kingdom, that is, the rule and reign of God upon the earth.

It's coming! 1/1/11

I like the way God designed time. We have new beginnings regularly. Every morning, we have the beginning of a new day. Every Sunday, we have the beginning of a new week. We are getting ready to celebrate another new beginning, the beginning of a new year. And new beginnings allow us to adjust our ways into greater harmony with God and the people around us.

If you abbreviate the numbers of the year that is before us, the beginning of this year is 1/1/11. That's got a real ring to it. And so may I encourage all my friends to take on four new life advancements, one for each number one in our new year. Take some time and think and pray about four adjustments you can make to your life that will enrich your life and the lives of others.

Now these advancements might be something you want to give up. I want to give up about 25 pounds this year. I want to believe that my desire is not vain but for simple reasons of health and strength. If your advancement is something to give up, tell as many people as you possibly can. Take out an add in the news paper if you can afford it and announce what you're giving up. This will add some accountability to what you want to accomplish.

There are "givin' up goals" and then there are "goin' up goals". Goin' up goals are things like reading a few more books this year, setting up a date night with your spouse, spending some quality time with your kids, learning a new skill or giving Jesus more time in devotion. For those kinds of advancements, the goin' up kind, pick out a few very close and trusted friends and invite them to ask you periodically through the year how you are doing with that goal.

May I suggest a "goin' up goal". Go to www.gatewaybible.com and sign up for a daily reading of the Bible. This simple system will allow you to read your Bible in one year. I am surprised by how many Christians have never read the Bible from cover to cover. It is a wonderful experience. Once you go to their website and sign up, Gateway Bible will send you free of charge an email with the reading of the day. You can select from a number of different approaches but typically, you will read from the Old Testament, the Psalms and the New Testament. If you are married, my wife and I have found it is a wonderful way to start the day together. The reading will take about 30 minutes and by December 31, 2011, you will have the blessing and satisfaction of having read your Bible from cover to cover.

I am praying God's great love to fall each and every day on your life as you seek to advance your life and the lives of others into a closer and closer relationship with the Author of life.