Get A LIFE!!!

Running in the Snow

2009-01-07T20:41:00.007-07:00

I am in Grand Rapids, MI today for the Life International Ministry Board Meeting and I just went for a run in the snow. I am staying at a wonderful large cabin called the Wingshadow out in the middle of the woods, so it was a real rural run (river, trails, etc.). It has been a couple of years, but I do have considerable experience running in very cold weather, snow, and ice.

As I trudged my way through, I began to think about my goal in running, the obstacles to achieving it, and the steps I had taken to prepare to overcome those obstacles. My goals for this run were two-fold; to get cardio-vascular exercise contributing to my fitness (while avoiding a broken leg and hypothermia) and to have an awesome time in God's presence among His creation. The obstacles were the very cold temperature, snow and ice on the roads, and actual snow falling in my face. Another obstacle was that I am out in the woods in Western Michigan and could easily get lost.

Fortunately, I considered these obstacles ahead of time. I packed my high tech cold weather running clothes, so I could handle the cold. I also brought my GPS watch so if I became disoriented and was lost I could simply hit the "return to start" button and follow it back to the cabin. The other thing I did was make sure I ran every day for the five days before I left. This way, even if the worst happened and we were snowed in, I would be in good enough shape to pick up when I returned home.

Just before I ran, I put on a couple of layers and went outside to test the temperature. I also put my watch outside to make sure it could receive a GPS signal. Unfortunately, the fact that it is an old watch and a very grey sky meant no signal. So, one of my backup safety systems was not available. I grabbed my GPS enabled Blackberry. "Yes" - I love new technology. So, I marked my present location as a favorite and tossed the Blackberry in my sweatsuit pocket. It wasn't a bad idea to have a phone along as another back up.

On the run I was especially careful to pay attention to landmarks. When I had to make turns, I noted the time on my watch, so I could figure the approximate time to turn on the way back. I paid very close attention to the road surface. Some spots had snow covered ice; others had pretty deep snow. Some stretches had a nice clean road surface. I ran hard when I could safely. I slowed down considerably when I wasn't sure of the ground beneath me. It was much better to move forward slowly then to end up lying on the side of the road wondering if I would be rescued before hypothermia would set in.

All this effort and planning I put into achieving this simple goal made me think about our spiritual journey with Christ. Hebrews 12:1,2 tells us:

"...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

There are two applications here that speak to me. First is the race that we run. Do we do everything possible to put ourselves in a position to overcome our obstacles (weight and sin)? Consider all the things I did to set myself up to succeed with my running goal. What might some of the practical applications of this be to our spiritual life if our goals are to overcome sin and grow spiritually in Christ?

How can we "set ourselves up to succeed" in these goals? Are there some places or people we should stay away from? Are there some practices we should discontinue? Are there some spiritual disciplines we should build into our lives, so we can be strengthened and overcome? Do we sometimes get discouraged by how slowly we seem to be moving forward and how difficult the obstacles appear? Remember, the important thing is not how fast we are moving, but that we are moving (even if we are trudging along like we are in 2 feet of snow) in the right direction.

The second application is the example given by Jesus. His goal was to "sit down at the right hand of the throne of God". He had many obstacles in His way. Yet, He endured them all, including the cross. The next time we begin to whine about how hard it is to live for Christ and overcome sin, let us consider verse 4 of this chapter:

"you have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin."

By the way, the run was awesome and I did not get lost or break anything!!!

My Senses Redeemed!!!

2008-06-08T21:09:00.005-07:00

I was discussing Galatians 5:19-23 the other day with some friends. We were contrasting the works of the flesh in verses 19 - 21 and the fruit of the Spirit in verses 22 and 23. One of my friends commented that the works of the flesh are rooted in our five senses and our emotions. He said that our senses are corrupted by the sin of this world and if the fruit of the Spirit is to be evident in our life, we must walk in the Spirit.

While I totally agree with my friend about this, that is not what this post is about. I began to think about our "corrupted" senses. It seems to me that if "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, by becoming a curse for us," Galatians 3:13 then He has also redeemed our senses from the curse of corruption. So, we can live with our senses redeemed by Him and use them to give Him glory.

A couple of weekends ago my beloved wife, Roxana, and I went to Flagstaff to cellebrate our 27th anniversary. When we pulled in to the Bed & Breakfast and exited the car, I felt (touch) the beautiful coolness in the air and I smelled (smell) the wonderful aroma of pine. I immediately gave glory to God for the gift of this beautiful place and His creation. The next morning I went for a run. Even as my chest hurt a bit from the altitude, I was amazed at the incredible beauty I saw (sight) and the sounds (hearing) of wild animals. My heart cried out again in glory to God! Finally, upon my return from the run, our B&B hostess had prepared a wonderful breakfast, which I fully enjoyed (taste). Praise the Lord! Wow, all 5 senses fully exploding with glorious praise to Him in one weekend.

Sometimes we might tend to beat up on our physical senses as the cause of our sinning. Our destiny as believers is not to deny our senses of any pleasure. God created those senses and a beautiful world to take in with them. He wants us to use our senses for the purpose He created them. He has redeemed them to be a vehicle for us to bring Him greater glory.

So, whether you are enjoying a great meal, listening to a beautiful symphony, enjoying the loving touch of the love of your life, or anything else that stimulates these sense the way God intended - do it with redeemed senses - and let your heart cry out in glory to God!

What Has God Done?

2008-02-24T21:26:00.008-07:00

Do you ever spend time meditating on what God has done in your life? I have spent time lately doing just that, and I have become even more overwhelmed than ever before by the magnitude of it all. Let’s consider it together.

First, let’s look at what God did and how we were transformed. First of all, consider our condition. We “were dead in the trespasses and sins”. Ephesians 2:1-3

Often, I have heard people give testimonies that they were headed down a path of destruction; that they were headed for death / destruction. Christ saved them from where they were headed and put them on a path of life. I understand that the person saying this means to give God the glory for rescuing them, and their heart is right. I may have even said something like this myself. However, it is not technically accurate. You see we were not headed down a path of destruction – we were already dead. He didn’t rescue us from the path headed toward destruction. He took that which was dead (us) and made it alive!!!

We were in the same condition as Lazarus when he lay in the tomb. He had been dead three days. His body was stinking. He wasn’t laying there thinking to himself: “man I hope Jesus shows up soon, because I could sure use a bath and some deodorant.” He was DEAD and rotting! His physical condition was the same as was our spiritual condition. God miraculously changed that for him physically and for us spiritually.

He did it by the same sovereign power He used to create us and all of creation. In the creation process, He took something that did not exist and made something, created it. In the salvation process, He took something that was dead (us) and made something, created it to be alive.

Genesis chapter 1 tells us the state of being for the universe was non-existent. There was nothing there. Then, He created the heavens and the earth. But the earth was without form and dark, so He spoke and all of that changed.

The creating power that He used to create us in His likeness and then give us dominion over all the other living creatures is the power He used to “make us” alive. He created us spiritually just like He created us physically.

It is the same power that created the universe, the same power that designed heaven, and the same power that raised Christ from the dead!

And He is not done yet. This same power continues to work in us too. He did not simply use it to bring us to salvation. He continues to work that power in us. It is the same power that makes Him able to do “far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20

It is an incredibly awesome thing that He has done and continues to do in us! Now let’s look at why He did it. First of all, His character is one of mercy. He desires that His character be known and that His Name be glorified. Romans 15:9 1 Peter 1:3-5

The second reason is because He loves us. This is a complete mystery and it is totally about God’s character and because He literally is love. It has absolutely nothing to do with our being lovely. Consider:

Romans 5:8 "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. "

Notice the present tense here. He shows His love. It is a continually thing. He continually demonstrates His love for us. It didn’t just happen once. It continues to be an ongoing demonstration of His love.

His love is fixed on us. We cannot shake it. Nothing can separate us from it!

Romans 8:37-39. One of the characteristics of His love is its permanence. How many times did God forgive the Israelites, His chosen people? They kept turning their back on Him and rebelling; yet whenever they saw how miserable they were without Him and made a slight move in His direction, there He was to forgive and restore. That is how determined His love is for us.
What kind of love is it? It is the kind of love that calls us His children. 1 John 3:1-3. Wow, He literarily made us part of His family. I think we often brush by this, because we have heard it so many times for so long. Think about it for a moment. He called us His children – and so we became His children. His calling it so is what made it so. Not because we are so desirable (please) nor have something in us that He wanted us for His family. We weren’t a draft pick that He saw our talent and potential and so decided to take us in the first or second round. No, it is all about Him who “called us children of God: and so we are”.

So, what difference does it make? If we can grasp what He did for us and believe that He has and continues to empower us with the same power that He used to create the universe and the same power that makes Him able to do absolutely anything, there must be some consequence.

In Ephesians chapter 2, where the Apostle Paul tells us that we are saved by grace, which is a gift of God, He then tells us what our purpose is. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” He did it for us to fulfill His great purpose; “for good works” and "that we should walk in them." Notice here that it does not say that we should do them, but rather that we should walk in them. The good works are not something we do; they are part of a lifestyle. They are part of why we were created.

I believe there is nothing more fulfilling in life than knowing that we are here for a purpose and that we are living that destiny laid out for us. Let’s take hold of what He did and why He did it; and go fulfill the purpose for which He did it.

Back to India!

2007-11-17T15:43:00.000-07:00

For those of you who do not know, I am headed back to India on Monday, November 26th. Phil Duncan and I will join my friend and ministry partner, Sindhu Pani in Calcutta. We will travel from there to Agatalla, Tripura, which is about a 90 minute flight east from Calcutta. The plan is to do several village camps throughout that region. These will be opportunities to teach and train the people in the villages. They will bring several villages at a time together each day. We will travel to a different area each day. We will, most likely, do evangelistic meetings in the evenings. This will be a great opportunity for these precious baby Christians to invite their neighbors to hear the Gospel, right there in an neighboring village.

After a few days in Agatalla, we will fly back to Calcutta and board a train for a 12+ hour ride to the Orissa region. There we will conduct a three day leadership training conference. We expect 200 to 300 local pastor and leaders to join us for the conference. The core teaching revolves around evangelism, discipleship, and leadership. We are excited that we will also have the opportunity to share about a Biblical view of the sanctity of human life.

Many of these leaders are fairly recent converts. They are full of enthusiasm and desire, but sorely lack training and resources. They embrace us as dear Christian brothers and eagerly await the training we bring.

One thing we have a large need for is prayer partners. I would very much like to know that we have several people who are committed to pray for at least 5 minutes each day while we are gone. If you are willing to be a prayer partner for those 14 days, please respond and let me know. I will share specific needs with you and I will try to keep you posted every few days (whenever I can find an internet café) throughout the trip.

A secondary need is for financial partners. It cost about $20 for us to put up and feed each pastor for three days. We are taking care of all of our own travel and personal expenses and the Lord has blessed us with quite a bit for the conference as well. However, Sindhu can only invite as many as we can provide for. So, if you feel lead to help by supporting a few pastors or a whole bunch, that would be welcome. Please let me know what your intensions are, so I can pass the info on to Sindhu. You can send a check to me, or give it to me made out to Global Training Network. That is the charitable organization we are working with. GTN will send you a receipt.

Part of Their Heritage --- My Life

2007-08-30T12:41:00.000-07:00

"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to each others. " 2 Timothy 2:1,2

When I first met Steve and Patti Antin I was a college student at the University of Rhode Island (URI). I had just come to know Christ a few weeks earlier. That was about 31 years ago. I had an opportunity to reconnect with them for lunch today in Peabody, MA (that's pronounced Peebdy for you non-New Englanders). It was a very rich blessing to have a couple of hours with them.

So, like I said, I was a brand new baby Christian. They were Pastors of a little church not far from the URI campus. For the next year and a half I was their spiritual child. I progressed pretty rapidly from baby to teenager to young adult during that time. And we spent a ton of time together.

They taught me in several ways, what it meant to be a man of God. I was with them as they struggled through some very difficult times financially. Their faith in God through these times was an anchor to me. They had two small children and had almost no income. They never seemed to question that God would take care of them. And, of course, He did.

I got to see them dealing with each other and with their children under these trying circumstances. I learned, first hand, what it meant to be a husband and a dad, and to love others unconditionally. I saw them give of what they had to needy people in the community, when they didn't know from where tomorrow's meals would come. I was certainly not surprised to learn that their sons grew up to be good solid men of God, serving in differant capacities, but just like Dad.

I learned to do ministry right along side them. I joke sometimes that I did everything from scrubbing bathroom floors in the church on Saturday to preaching the sermon on Sunday morning. That really was the truth; and more often than not Steve did that as well. They gave me ministry opportunities that were absolutely amazing. I was a Christian for such a short time, but Steve recognized my gift and calling. He often invited me to preach in the church and he and I would go over the message beforehand to make sure it was all sound. After a while, he had me filling in for him, and even sent me off to other churches to cover for some of his friends who were Pastors. We also did street evangelism, Royal Rangers, etc. It was challenging to be stretched beyond my previous experience, while I always felt safe because he was there to back me up.

He taught me the Word in a very powerful way. First, I could see him and Patti living it. Then, we did many one on one Bible studies, as well as the small group studies through the church. I know that my love for God's Word and my commitment to it were born and became rooted during that time.

They seemed very encouraged to hear about the fruit God has born in my life. It is always great to hear that someone we invest in goes on and bears fruit for the Kingdom. One day, I believe, we will be shown the impact our lives have had on others. We will know about the people who are even touched by the people we touched. That will be a very special day indeed, if you have invested your life in the lives of others.

If you have not made a habit of investing in the lives of others in a way that makes a real difference, let me challenge and encourage you to do so. If you have, I will encourage you to continue. It is one of the most direct ways we can live a life of abundance. I am sure glad this special couple did it in my life.

By What Measure?

2007-07-03T20:57:00.000-07:00

Have you ever imagined winning a big lottery, or finding out you inherited a gob of money from a rich unknown uncle?

Let's suppose you won and were lucky enough to get $1 million - how would you feel about that? You could certainly increase your personal financial security. If you tithed on it, you could bless quite a few people with that. But, what would be the limits to what you could do?

Now, suppose it was actually $10 million. You could really do some good with that - and you could probably buy a pretty nice home. Maybe even a vacation home. There are still limits on it, though. You probably wouldn't have enough to say, cure a disease or something like that.

OK, so as long as we are dreaming, let's dream big. Let's make it $100 million. Wow! That's a lot of money! Now you probably could help cure a disease, feed a small country or something like that. But, if you asked some of the wealthiest people in the world they would probably tell you that there are limits to what you could do with even $100 million.

Consider the wealth of some of these wealthiest people. They are able to do some pretty amazing things for themselves, their families and for the world. People like Bill Gates or Tiger Woods can own their own islands and ships the size of a cruise ship. They can fund research projects to end diseases and programs to educate entire nations of children. But, in spite of this incredible wealth, there are still some limits to what they can do.

Now consider a couple of Scripture passages:

"that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be
strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, " Ephesians 3:16
"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. " Philippians 4:19

God wants us to be "strengthened with might through His Spirit in the
inner man" and He wants us to have that strengthening in a measure that is "according to the riches of His glory". In other words there is no limit to how much of Him He will give us in order to strengthen us.

He wants us also to have confidence that there is no limit on how He will supply all our needs. He wants us to dream big dreams of what we will do for Him. He wants us to have big visions of reaching our world for Him. He does not want us to limit these dreams by anything short of His supply.

“Member”ship

2007-06-12T21:48:00.000-07:00

"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole
body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God
arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. "

Are you a member of the Body of Christ? I’ve been thinking lately about how our understanding of this is affected by our present cultural definition of the term “member”.

We are called members if we join a club. It might be a social club, a philanthropic club, or even a country club. To some degree, we share an identity with the other members, because we have some common goals and / or values. But, we continue to carry our own separate and distinct identity. Our “member”ship will only last as long as that separate and distinct identity continues to be compatible with that of the group. In other words, for as long as the club serves and reinforces that separate and distinct identity. Is this what the God means when He calls us members of the Body?

We can also be members of a team. This is a little less of a separate and distinct function. The team can be far more successful if all of its members work together and contribute to the team. When one member is hurting, other members can step up and compensate. Again, though, we have a separate and distinct identity. When the team no longer meets our needs, we will find a new team.

I think we are all aware that the Biblical concept is very different. It is presented in comparison to the human body. The term used by the Apostle Paul in this passage is the Greek word “melos”. It literally means: “limb; a member of the human body.” Jesus used this same word when He talked about a part of our body perishing to save the whole from hell (Matthew 5:29). Paul used it in his letter to the Romans in regard to not presenting the members of our body to sin (Romans 6:13) as well as our being members in one body (Romans 12:4,5). In Ephesians, he says we are members of one another (Ephesians 4:25).

It is also used by Paul to tell the Colossians to consider the members of their earthly body as dead to immorality (Colossians 3:5). James uses it to describe the tongue as a small part of the body that is among our members (James 3:5,6). Again, he uses it in his conclusion on quarrels and conflicts to say that the source is their “pleasures that wage war in your members”.

So, what happens when part of our physical body (a member) is really hurting? Sure, other parts may step up and compensate for it, but they also feel and share the pain right along with the hurting part.

"The eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you, nor again the head to the feet; I have no need of you. On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together."

There is a very strong interconnectedness among our
body parts. Look at your hand for a moment. Can you tell the exact spot where your finger stops and your hand begins; how about where your hand stops and your arm begins? Don’t they kind of meld together as if they were one? The members of our body also have a strong commitment to each other. The finger doesn’t just decide one day that its needs are not being met by this body and go attach itself to another body. It takes some pretty serious conditions for part of the body to be removed. And, it is usually
not a decision made by the body-part to be removed.
Our physical body does not have All-Stars and role players quite like a team. Sure, there are some parts that are critical to sustain life, but even they cannot function without other parts. What good is my heart without arteries and veins? If my lungs are healthy, but my liver shuts down – what good are the healthy lungs? To be fully healthy and functional, all of the parts must serve their unique role and work together for the good of the body.

So, clearly the Biblical concept of “member”ship is one of being an interconnected part of a body.

Maybe we should start to hold body part classes instead of membership classes in church!

2007-04-01T22:06:00.000-07:00

A Matter of Trust

Well, for about 6 years now, Lauren and I have been talking about how we are going to go sky diving together when she turns 18. (Actually, Dennae was always part of that but for some reason she has been distracted lately). I have to admit, in the back of my mind I kind of hoped she had forgotten, but she did not. Not long after school started Lauren started to remind me of our plan.

When she was home from college for the Christmas holidays she mentioned it again, and I knew she meant it. We weren't able to make arrangements prior to her return to Boston, so I was off the hook until Spring Break. But, I promised her I'd make the arrangements and we would go when she came home. It seemed like a long time away, so I made the arrangements and just sort of filed it away in my brain.

Over the next couple of months, as I thought of it from time to time, I would vascilate from being excited to being really nervous. All I knew was my 19 year old daughter wanted to go on an adventure and she wanted to do it with me. There would be no way I would miss out on that! So, I kept mustering up my courage and looked forward to sharing the experience with Lauren.

Then the fatefull day arrived. It was hard to sleep the night before. It is really hard to describe exactly what I was feeling: Yeah, honestly, a little nervous, also really excited, but also very honored that this young lady would want to share this experience with her Dad. I tried to keep my mind off of what we were planning to do as we drove down to Casa Grande Airport that morning. It was almost like a dream the whole time.

When it came time to go and I was paired up with my instructor, Paul, I felt really at peace. This guy has done this thousands of times. He really enjoys himself. He is not going to let anything happen. As we climbed to altitude in the little plane, I was fully enjoying the experience. I had this indescribable peace in trusting that Paul was going to do this right. After all, his life was on the line along with mine.

The peace lasted right up to the moment when Lauren scooted over to start her jump. Then, I looked at her hanging out of the plane and I thought: Oh my gosh, my baby is jumping out of an airplane!

I reached over to squeze her leg before she jumped, and before my hand got there she was gone. Then, we started to get in postion for my turn. The peace and trust returned. It is very hard to describe how I felt. It was a total dependence like I have not felt before. I was glad I didn't have to remember much other than "arch your back". It was all in Paul's hands.

I have been thinking a lot about that the past couple of weeks. Here was a guy I didn't even know a couple of hours earlier. He was a falable human being. He didn't really care much about me. He did five or six jumps the day before; five or six that day; and the same number the next. Yet, I developed, a level of trust and confidence in him and a feeling of dependence that I have not experienced with anyone before.

So, I have a Father, God, who loves me infinitely and unconditionally. He cares about me to the point where all the hairs of my head are numbered [ a bit easier for Him than it was when I was younger :) ]. He is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omnicient. He created me and knew me in my mothers whomb. He knows how many days I will spend on this Earth. So, do I truly trust Him, the way I trusted Paul, my dive master? I mean do I REALLY trust Him? When I go through a trial, do I "count it all joy", because I know He is in control and is working it for my good? Seriously?

Trust in the Lord always, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5,6

2006-10-27T23:06:00.000-07:00

God Loves Starbucks!

I am a real quality time guy. One of my favorite activities is just going to Starbucks with someone I like to be with and hanging out. Sure, the coffee is great and the atmosphere is fantastic. But, what it really is about is the person I am sharing time with. (It doesn't get any better than Starbucks in Providence in the winter with Dennae).

Sometimes we talk about serious issues in our lives, sometimes we solve the world's problems, sometimes we plot our next adventure, and sometimes we just talk about silly stuff.

So, if you are like me and like that too, I have a question for you. When was the last time you took God to Starbucks? I mean really, have you ever just gone there alone for the specific purpose of hanging with Him and talking to Him? If you haven't, I highly recommend it. If you are not a Starbucks fan, you can do this anywhere. You could hike to the top of a mountain (or a big hill if you live in Phoenix). You could go sit in a park. You could stay at home (NO TELEVISION). The point is to have some serious hang time with your Heavenly Father.

I think a lot of times we are so used to being busy and being around people that we do not like to be alone. But, if we are hanging with Him, we certainly are not alone. Rather than deciding to spend time with Him as a last resort, because we are lonely, why not do it on purpose? Why not take the initiative to block off some time and just hang with Him. Take Him with you, have Him sit in the seat across from you and just hang out with Him. I believe that He really does love Starbucks, and you won't even have to spring for a double decaf non-fat latte for Him. :)

2006-08-26T21:04:00.000-07:00

Reflections of an Empty Nester

For the past few weeks our home has been filled with boxes. There have been boxes in the hallways, in the rooms and in the garage. Most of the rooms have looked like they were turned upside down. That is because within just a few days of each other Dennae has purchased a condo and moved out and we have dropped Lauren off at Gordon College near Boston, Massachusetts. So, tomorrow we will fly home to an empty house.

It isn’t like we have not had plenty of time to prepare for this. We have known Dennae would move out one way or the other this year. She was gone overseas for four months in Africa and Europe and has now graduated from college. We have raised her to be an independent young woman and we are very proud of her. Lauren has been leaning toward going out of state to college for several years. She decided on Gordon College around the first of the year. We knew this day was coming. We are also very proud of her and excited by the opportunity she is pursuing in her new life. We encouraged her to have the courage to make a decision like this. We are truly blessed to have two daughters who love their God and their family. We are confident that the world will be different because of the lives of these two very special young ladies.

As we sat on the bank overlooking the pond at Gordon and prayed with Lauren this afternoon, many emotions rushed to the surface of my mind. For some time, all I could do was sob. They were emotions of joy for what lies ahead of her and excitement over what she will experience and what she will become. There were emotions of relief and satisfaction that we had completed our mission of raising her in fear and admonition of the Lord. There were emotions of intense love for this young lady who calls me Daddy. There was a sense of loss that she no longer will look solely to me as her protector; and a sense of total trust in the Lord that He will be. There was a strong sense of sadness in knowing how much I will miss this sweet person who has truly become one of my best friends. Yet, there was also a sense of joy over how our relationship will now grow to a deeper level as she has less of a need for me, but still chooses to be my friend.

The college orientation staff chose a theme for the class of 2010 of Digging Deep and used Ephesians chapter 3 as its scripture. Besides this, my prayer for Lauren is that she will experience a scripture that she and I memorized together about a year ago. That is Colossians 2:6,7

"as you have received Christ Jesus, so walk in Him being rooted and built up and established in the faith as you have been taught, abounding in it in thanksgiving. "

There is also a sense of what is next for Roxana and me. We have had as our primary calling for the past twenty-two years the raising of these two special people. Every decision we made, whether about our work, our recreation, or our ministry had been made in the light of that responsibility. Now we stand at the edge of a great gulf. We can truly say to God: “Lord we are available to you, send us where you will to do whatever you will”. We have always had that attitude, but have also known that He would not contradict our primary ministry calling. So, we have been children’s directors, and youth leaders, and we have made our home available to young adults and children to match the ages and callings of our children. All of this we have done with great joy and much blessing. There has never been a doubt that it was what we were called to do. But, it was also always a secondary concern to our most important calling.

I am excited to see how God will use us over the next several years. I am also excited to see how He will help us grow together in our marriage, now that we don’t have the children as a common thread to our relationship anymore. Sure they are still our girls and we will have grandchildren before too long (at least I hope so). But, that is not the primary focus of our lives any more.

Please pray for Roxana and me, that this will be a time of growth for us. I am confident that we will grow spiritually as individuals. But, I also want to see us grow together as a couple spiritually, emotionally and mentally. Life is good, because God is good!

2006-02-04T22:04:00.000-07:00

Oh My Gosh, She's in Africa!!!

A while back I did a post called "What Weighs Me Down". One of the things I talked about was the mixed feelings I had about the possibility of Dennae going to Africa. Well, time has flown bye and she is actually there. It is having an amazing impact on her life and she is having a huge impact there. I am so excited for her and proud of her.

Oh My Gosh, She's in Mexico!!!

Meanwhile, my niece, who is more like a daughter to me has headed to Guadalajara, Mexico for an extended missions and education program. She really has a heart for these people and is already learning Spanish quickly. She called me the other night and rattled off a whole bunch of Spanish. Of course, I have no idea what she was saying. Allie is an awesome young lady. I am so proud of her and the choices she is making in her life.

Oh My Gosh, I'm Going to India!!!

Now for my part; in just a few short weeks I am headed to India. I will be working with a small team training local Pastors and Leaders. These are precious people, many of whom have only known Christ for a few short years themselves. They are in great need of materials and practical training in discipleship and evangelism. I am totally stoked about it!!!

So, at the end of this month, our little Rogers family will have members in four countries on three continents. We definitely covet your prayers for protection, provision, and for blessing on the people we humbly go to serve.

2006-01-17T22:14:00.000-07:00

OK, I'm Back
Life has been crazy busy and excuse, excuse, excuse .... so that is why I have not blogged in forever. The real truth is that may of my favorite blogging buddies have been quite inactive as well (you know who you are), so the incentive hasn't been there to go on and check them out. So, I'm back.
Here is a very simple example of the "abundant life". Roxana, Lauren and I went to RI to spend a few days with Dennae before she headed out to Africa for five months. We were just hanging out at Chris and Brent's home late one night (after mid-night) and having fun remembering old times and fun we've had as a family, when Roxana tried to remember how to do the Three Stoges Alphabet. She got all mixed up as usual with it, so I proceeded to try to teach the family how to do it.

Roxana tried really hard, but it was a real challenge!

I took my responsibilities as a teacher very seriously.

Dennae really applied herself to getting it just right!

And Lauren ... actually gets it!!!

The point of all of this is that we had an awesome time just being together. Good clean fun, with the people we love is a big part of the "life and life more abundantly" John 10:10

2005-08-20T23:36:00.000-07:00

God's A Fire Hydrant!

Have you ever seen a fire hydrant when it is going full force? What an amazing amount of power! I was thinking about that this morning as I passed by one on my daily run.

God wants to be a fire hydrant in our lives! His desire is to cause us to experience "rivers of living water coming from our innermost being". He wants us to have abundant, fruitfull lives. He wants to make us "more than conquerers in Christ, Jesus"! He wants us to abide in Him and allow His Word to abide in us! He wants us to be a fire hose hooked up to Him!

Why do we so often come to God with a garden hose or a little bitty drinking straw? We begin to plug in to Him and receive from Him and then take the attitude:"OK, God, that's enough". He wants to keep pouring in to us full force. We often want just enough of Him to get through the present trial, or overcome some circumstance, or feel a little blessed. God says to us: "where are you going, I'm just getting started with you?"

Father, God, help me to come to you as a fire hose! Don't let me be content with just a little bit of You! Let your river flow into me that I may overflow into the lives of others!

2005-07-19T18:57:00.000-07:00

A Life Well "Spent"

We had a fair amount of discussion on a few blogs a while back about the idea of how we "spend" our lives. It started out, I think, with a post by Brent on his blog about our epitaph and what would be said about us after we are gone. This has made me think about a good friend of mine who has "spent" his life well and continues to do so. His name is Wayne Shuart.

I have had the privilege of knowing Wayne for more that 10 years. He has been a businessman in Phoenix most of his life. He is 69 years old. He is about the most genuine, loving, enthusiastic Christian I have ever known. He was recently featured in the Christian Network Team's national newsletter under the title: "Restructuring Work Days to 'Influence Influencers'" You see Wayne has spent most of his life sharing his faith in Christ and leading other men in discipleship(brand new believers and untrained older ones).

More often than not, over the years, when I have visited his office I have been introduced, not to a business associate working with him on a deal, but to a new believer that Wayne lead to Christ and is now leading in discipleship. Hardly a day goes by in which Wayne doesn't have some story of how he turned an ordinary human encounter into an opportunity to introduce someone to his Lord and Savior.

It has been my privilege to have Wayne as a personal mentor over the past year or so. He has challenged me to find new opportunities to convert my business time into ministry time, to convert conversation about things in business into discussions involving sharing my Christian testimony and offering the gift of salvation through faith in Christ. As a financial advisor, it has become quite easy for me to move from talking about someone's financial plan to asking them if they have taken care of their "eternal plan".

Wayne has recognized that, at 69, his time on earth is becoming shorter (although there are literally hundreds who pray that it is not so). He wants to be as effective as he can be for the kingdom in his remaining years. So, he has changed his focus to training those who would be willing to duplicate what he has been doing for many years. I am very thankful to be one of those he is investing his time in.

And the impact of his life has not been limited locally. Over the years, Wayne has participated in more than 10 short term international missions trips, including Russia, Poland, Mexico and India. In September 2004 he trained 2,500 key Indian leaders in personal evangelism and discipling in 16 conferences in nine cities.

Wayne has a plaque he displays in his office that sums up his attitude. It reads:

"Only one life will soon be past, Only what is done for Christ will last".

That is what Wayne wants on his grave stone. As Paul writes in Philippians 1:21, "for to me to live is Christ and to die is gain". If you get to meet Wayne in this life, your life will be richer for it. If not, you will have to find him in heaven and hang out with him for a few years or so. I know I will!

2005-07-13T20:57:00.000-07:00

He's Off and RUNNING!
On Monday night Christian came to visit one last time. He hit the road Tuesday morning on the first step of what promises to be an amazing journey. He is headed back to New Hampshire for a few months to save up for a trip of several months to Tanzania.
Christian came into our lives about seven months ago. It has been my priveledge to get to know him and have some small part in encouraging him to pursue his dreams. It was hard to see him go, but incredibly exciting to watch him answer God's call.
We are proud of Christian for not taking the easy way out. He had an opportunity for a very good job here in Phoenix. He also had the option of returning to New Hampshire and settling into an ordinary life there. But God has something a bit differant in store for him for the next few months or more. And Christian decided that he was going to chose something that will give him a better chance of having a meaningful and abundant life.
I remember one time we were doing a little exercise with our group of young adults. We asked them to list out things that they thought were their passions in life. Christian wrote out a pretty long list, and then he said: "the only thing is that they don't really have anything in common." I looked at his list and began picking out a few of them. I said, "you're right, Christian, there is nothing there that could fit togther. I mean how could adventure, missions, travel, flying, and archetecture possibly have anything in common. He looked at me with a big smile and said: "Dennis, you got me again!"
I don't know what this decision will ultimately lead to in Christian's life. But I am confident of this: he will not be the same man this time next year that he is today. I also am confident that "God, who has begun a good work in him, will complete it."
Watch for more reports about Christian and how he is really "getting a life" in the months ahead!

2005-06-24T10:56:00.000-07:00

What weighs me down?

I was talking to Dennae today about doing things outside our comfort zone. She was saying how the more we push to do things outside our comfort zones, the harder it is to find new things that are outside. That is because we actually get comfortable with the actual fact that we are outside "the zone". I think that is a good thing because we are more likely to venture out and go for something. I also challenged her to begin praying for God to challenge her to something that is outside her zone.
As I have transitioned my focus of ministry from Crisis Pregnancy Centers leadership (way outside my comfort zone a couple of years ago - way inside it now) to doing something that isn't quite defined with "young adults", I have certainly thought I am stretching. As I look at it now, it is only stretching because the "success" of it is not clearly defined, nor the steps to make it successful. I am totally in my "zone" reaching out to this age group.
So, what have I done that is outside my "zone". The answer to that was quite obvious. I have enthusiastically encouraged my 21 year old daughter to run for what God is calling her to do. She is not only my daughter, but one of my best friends in the whole world. As I occassionally struggle with the pull of the flesh (or more likely the soul) to think about how much I miss her and am tempted to be hurt that she is choosing to be away from me. As I resist the temptation to be angry, bitter, resentful, or to build a wall of protection around my heart and be cold toward her, I have to take those thoughts captive. I reach for what is truely love and embrace her decision, even though they are painful to my flesh.
I love you, Dennae, more than you will ever know. My heart aches at our seperation. And, I cheer for you as you embrace what God moves you to do. I will continue to hope that His direction will bring our paths close together throughout our lives. If not, I will continue to remember how short life is on this earth compared to eternity. And I will look forward to the first hundred years or so in heaven, as we tell each other great stories of how God showed up in our lives in mighty ways. YOU GO GIRL!!!

2005-06-22T07:49:00.000-07:00

Testimony or Excuse?

Have you ever read stories of the lives of great men and women? One thing I have noticed they all seem to have in common is that they overcame something big in their lives. For some, it was an abusive childhood. For others, it was abject poverty. Some were orphans in a setting that was far from normal family life.
We all probably have something in our life that we can point to and say:"this is why I have not been all I could have been." We give ourselves an excuse to fail (or not try something that we consider risky).
The way I see it, we have a choice. Those things in our lives can be an excuse, or they can be our testimony. The decision we have to make, and it is a decision, is this: Will I hide under my past and circumstances and use them as an excuse or will I stand on top of them and testify to the greatness of God as He has transformed me to what He created me to be?

Check this out for transformation:

“And you He made alive, who were dead (separated / cut off) in trespasses and sins in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh, and on the minds, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love, with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)." Ephesians 2:1-5

But you don’t understand: I tried to pour my life into people and love them, but they have taken advantage of me and hurt me. BUT GOD!
I was abused as a child and it is hard for me to trust people. I understand; BUT GOD!
We all have “stuff”. The difference is what we do with it.

2005-06-15T16:55:00.000-07:00

Don't Just Settle ... Get a LIFE!!!

In the Gospel of John Chapter 10 verse 10, Jesus said:

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to
destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

In other words, He promises us life (eternal) and something more than life. This blog is dedicated to encouraging and challenging believers to live the kind of life that they were indended to live. Let's not settle for an ordinary life, but rather let's go for a LIFE!!!!

What do you think God might be calling you to do? What challenges do you face (real ones and imagined ones)? Share your experiences when you stepped way out of your comfort zone and did something because you knew it was supposed to be done.