Redemption

I've got another great blog post to share with you from our buddy Trent Culver. Hope you enjoy.

--Dan

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“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten." Joel 2: 25 25

A healthy rose bush has to be pruned. A healthy forest requires periodic burns. In order to thrive, life requires adversity. God, like a caring gardner uses adversity to shape and mold us. A forest fire is ugly, violent and destructive but vital to the prolonged health of the forest and the species that call it home. Death begets life. Similarly, our excesses are vetted in the fires of life. In the aftermath of destruction, God creates and God restores.

A forest fire causes seeds to germinate and returns nutrients to the soil. The new life born after the burn is far healthier. In the same way, our losses and pains provide the canvas on which God paints a masterpiece. In Christ a damaged marriage can be restored to a place of unknown beauty. In Christ, new value can be found in the midst of financial crisis. In Christ, previously conquered addictions give hope to the those still enslaved. Disease and death are the gateway to heaven. All of creation groans as in the pains of childbirth. This life, this world with all of its evil is a process towards an end, a re-birth.

It seems, our God builds and creates out of destruction. Our sun is a violent, unlivable and powerfully destructive place. However, at 93 million miles, its energy makes all life on earth possible.

The Bible is full of stories of redemption and restoration. Christ's birth, life, death and resurrection has given me new life and is the ultimate example of how our God functions.

Isn't the whole Bible a story of our redemption? Upon the fall of man, God could have hit reset, wiped the slate clean and started all over again. This however, is not God's way. Ever since the fall, God has been at the work of restoration. God is at work right now creating our eternal home.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4 

The Camel and the Eye of the Needle

So, I’ve heard about Trent Culver for awhile—especially about his knack for fly fishing and deep insights on life with Jesus…which he like to write down and share with his friends. Trent and I met over coffee a few weeks back and talked about life, fly fishing and his writing. It was good coffee... and great conversation. Trent’s a guy like any other guy who’s chasing after Jesus. He’s got all the struggles and ups and downs that we all go through…except he works out a lot of his stuff on paper…and we get to benefit. Trent’s been kind enough to share some of his thoughts with us.

It’s REALLY, REALLY good stuff. Enjoy!

—Dan

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“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, ‘Who then can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” Matthew 19:23-26

This verse is really scary if you stop reading too early. To gain perspective, we need to understand the context of the whole verse. This verse corresponds to the questions of a rich young man who wants to know how HE can gain access to heaven. Jesus tells His disciples, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Isn't that the whole essence of Christianity…God doing for us what we are unable to do for ourselves?

Thank God for this because we live in the most affluent society that this world has ever known. If it were otherwise, I'd be doomed to hell.

I'm rich. I've never known hunger. I've always had a roof over my head and a comfortable bed. I take these seemingly simple items for granted. The fact that I've never even questioned them is ridiculous when you consider the economic condition of humanity now—and throughout history. I don't consider things like proper healthcare, a solid retirement plan or braces and college education for my kids as luxuries. I consider them necessities. This considered…I fall into the top 1% of all the people that have ever lived on this planet. Thank you, Jesus, that despite my comfort in this life, you haven't denied me heaven. Forgive me for forgetting to acknowledge your abundant blessings.

Solomon, Nebuchadnezzar, David, Joseph, and Job. These were all rich and powerful men. Despite their human flaws, God used them in incredible ways. Wealth isn't wrong, Money is neutral; neither good nor evil. It can however be used by Satan in very damaging ways.

What is the biggest lie in money? It promises self sufficiency. We are led to believe that we don't need God. We become greedy and selfish. Wealth frequently brings out the ugly in people.

Without exception, all of the wealthy men of the bible wrestled with demons; pride being the biggest one. Here's what Nebuchadnezzar had to say after spending 7 years in the wilderness being humbled by God:

“’At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.’” Daniel 4:36-37

--Trent

Addicted To Rehab

My good friend Dave Garrison passed along the following blog to share with you guys. He's got some good thoughts to kick off the New Year. Enjoy!

—Dan

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Hi. My name is Dave and I’m an addict (In unison: “Hi, Dave”).

I’m addicted to rehab shows like those on HGTV and the DIY Network. You know, the home improvement shows where the host convinces some un-expecting homeowner to surrender their dwelling for a couple of days, and in return, the homeowner gets an outrageous transformation unlike anything they ever imagined. The best of these shows focus on the interior space of the home, knocking down walls, tearing out old drywall and fixtures—putting in amazing finishes throughout the space. Sure there are shows that deal with curb appeal, landscaping, and how to get better grass, but that’s a different twelve-step meeting altogether.

I will confess: I’ve spent hours transfixed in front of the TV mesmerized by these programs wishing my house could go from dump to divine in 30 minutes-to-an hour.

Jesus is a rehab addict too…at least I like to think of Him as one. He wants to transform us from the inside out. He asks us to surrender our hearts to Him; to allow ourselves to be transformed by the Holy Spirit. It makes complete sense to turn myself, my heart over to the Master Carpenter Jesus, but just like some of the folks on those shows, I say, “No thanks” or “I don’t need you”…or I try to direct the process—believing I know better than Jesus.

Healing from addiction takes time. Real transformation often takes LOTS of time. So it only makes sense to give Jesus some time (not that He needs it, but I do).

So here’s what I’ve learned about being a rehab addict:

Sitting on my butt watching home improvement show after home improvement show does nothing to improve the quality or value of my own home. Same thing is true with my spirit. Sitting on my butt doing nothing, does nothing to improve my spirit and...

Real transformation starts from within. If I keep improving from within, maybe others will start to see the difference on the outside.

So, I figured it’s time for me to take 30 minutes a day—skipping just one of my home improvement shows—and break open my Bible. The Bible is full of stories about transformation. Want to join me?

Who knows what we’ll get, if we just say “yes” to Christ Jesus—the Carpenter of the Heart?

Jesus In Kevlar

“Why don’t you join me one night for a ride along?” That was the question posed to me several weeks ago by a buddy of mine—a guy who happens to be an Arvada police officer. In an effort to keep him anonymous, let’s call my friend “David”.

Now, David has been a cop for over 5 years and has taken the nightshift (9PM to 6AM) for the past 3 years. And even though I had heard stories about ride alongs from the other guys here on staff, I really didn’t know what to expect when I showed up at the Arvada Police station at 8:45PM a couple of weeks ago. David met me in the lobby, suited up and ready to go. His Kevlar vest was evident under his standard-issue police uniform…causing me to wonder, “Do I need a Kevlar vest?”

David gave me a quick tour of the Arvada Police Station. He showed me the interrogation rooms (Cool), the holding cells (Cool) and the CSI Lab (Very cool!). Then we loaded up in his patrol car and hit the streets—but only after I signed a waiver relinquishing the City of Arvada of any responsibility, should something go south while I was doing my riding along (Again I wondered, “Am I going to need a Kevlar vest?”).

David and I rolled through the streets of Arvada under the heavy snow that was falling that night and by the time he dropped me back off at the station after 2AM…we had answered 5 different calls. It was an eye-opening experience for me. Not only did I get a peek into the life of a cop, I got to run headlong into the reality that (1) I am VERY naïve and (2) I am VERY sheltered (like most of us) from the very real and very dark world that exists in the wee hours of the night.

The thing that stood out to me the most about my ride along was this: Out of the 5 calls we responded to that Wednesday night, 3 of the 5 revolved around (a) alcohol and/or drugs (b) broken sexual relationships or (c) both. When David got the call about a “domestic disturbance” on the north side of town, we raced over and assisted a young woman and her mother standing in the cold. They were huddled around the daughter’s car because the rear window had been bashed out by the jealous ex-girlfriend of the daughter’s current boyfriend. At one point I thought I was going to need a scorecard to keep up with the relational mess that was being explained to us. In the end, it was as the old saying goes, “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned”…especially if the woman has a baby with the man who ditched her.

And this was just the beginning of the night.

As the evening wore on, we answered 2 other “domestic disturbance” calls—each one, sad and pitiful in its own way. The last domestic disturbance call we answered involved a fight at an apartment complex. There were multiple people involved, and one of the people involved fled the scene. By the time David and I arrived, 2 other Arvada police officers were handling the scene at the apartment, so David and I went on a hunt…in the snow…trying to track down the person who fled the scene. I have to admit…it was pretty cool! So cool that I forgot all about my possible need for a Kevlar vest. It was like something out of a movie. David and I followed the fresh footprints in the snow…which eventually led to an inebriated, shivering young man standing in the dark of the apartment complex playground.

I won’t go into all the sordid details other than to say that this young man had been involved in a sexual tryst…with two other people…and when confronted by the friend of one of the consenting adults…words were exchanged and a fight broke out. David asked me to stay in the patrol car while he and the other two cops questioned the young man. I have to say this: I have never heard the phrase “three way” used in such a short span of time. Once the young man owned up to his involvement in the “three way”…and after he explained his part in the fight that ensued…we were back on the snowy streets…headed back to the station.

I asked David on the way back, “How do you NOT become jaded and cynical about life?” His answer amazed and humbled me. David replied, “You know this: Everyone has the capability for evil or good, and even though I see a lot of evil, I think my role as a cop is to show Christ…to be Jesus to everyone I come into contact with…to show everyone…no matter what they’ve done…grace and mercy and respect.”

WOW! That hurt.

After I got home and climbed into bed at 3AM…I laid in the dark replaying everything we did on that ride along. But David’s words kept echoing in my head, convicting me. And I had to ask myself, “Are you doing the same? Are you showing grace and mercy and respect to everyone you come in contact with?” The cold, hard truth is this: No. No I don’t. I can be judgmental and dismissive and merciless. I have the tendency to overlook those in need and discount those who find themselves in tough spots—like the people we ran across during the ride along.

It was sobering.

I don’t know how David does it. Wait…no. That’s not true. David said it himself. It’s Jesus living in him, directing David’s thoughts and actions. What a great model for you and me…and what an asset for the City of Arvada. Jesus in a patrol car…wearing Kevlar and a smile…living out Micah 6:8:

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Thanks again, “David”. Be careful out there as you protect and serve.

—Dan      

A Hero On Facebook

I have to admit, I’m not a huge fan of Facebook. Facebook makes me feel guilty. Every day I wake up to a new onslaught of messages, quips and greetings from friends and family from all over the world. I can’t keep up! My real life is busy enough already and sometimes I feel like my cyberlife only threatens to clutter things up even more. The thing is though, the only way I ever find out some of the stuff that happens to the people in my life is through Facebook…which sort of hacks me off. And even though I really want to hate Facebook…I can’t. How can you hate something that’s (quite honestly) so helpful? Case in point: Charles Hardage III.

Now I’ve known Charlie Hardage and his family for over 20 years. We all attended the same church back in Texas, and Charlie’s dad and I served as elders together for a few years. I watched Charlie grow from an ornery, little elementary school kid into an ornery, not-so-little adult. Charlie and my son Ben were good buddies through their high school years, and after Charlie headed off to college, it was usually a fun time when he came home on break. He was always good for a laugh and overly eager to tease and cajole whoever came within his sights. After graduating from college, Charlie went to work for one of those big name hi-tech companies based in the Nashville area, but it didn’t stick. Charlie was one of those guys who were deeply affected by the events of 9-11. Much to everyone’s surprise, one day Charlie quit his white collar desk job and enlisted in the US Army (See Below).

This is where Facebook steps in.

A couple of days ago, I saw on Facebook that Charlie Hardage was shot on Friday, August 3, 2012 in Afghanistan. I don’t know all the details. All I know is that he was shot through the neck, the bullet exited out his shoulder…and he’s alive! I silently lifted a prayer of thanks to God as I sent off a quick text to Charlie’s father—letting him know how grateful my wife Amy and I were that Charlie was alive.

Now, I love Afghanistan and the people of Afghanistan. I had the privilege of co-leading a Flatirons men’s trip there back in April, and it left an indelible mark on my heart. What we saw and experienced in-and-around Kabul was nothing but warmth and openness. But needless to say, it’s still a very dangerous place…especially for our troops stationed out there. That sobering fact was only hammered home by today’s headlines; 3 US Troops were gunned down and killed in Afghanistan on Friday. And right now, there are 3 families dealing with the tragic news that their son, their brother, their husband or their friend was killed in action in a land so far away, and so foreign, that it almost doesn’t seem real. And I’m almost certain that these families are all asking, “Why?” The truth is, there are no good answers that will erase away those questions… and doubts…and pain. As followers of Jesus, we can only turn to Him and ask for peace, for wisdom, and for help in the middle of all those questions. Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

I know this to be true. I’ve seen this truth lived out in my life, and the lives of those I love. Still, I have a hard time working through this great truth. I’m sure I’m not the only one who wants to know why God does some things the way He does…and why He doesn’t always act the way I want Him to. Especially in times like these. I sit here at my desk thankfully rejoicing with my dear friends the Hardages because Charlie is alive…and I also sit here with a broken heart for the families of those 3 soldiers who didn’t get the good news that my friends the Hardages got. And over the next few days, weeks, months, and years theses families will have to “walk through the valley of the shadow of death” with the heavy cloud of “Why” bearing down on them.

No doubt about it…Charlie Hardage is a hero…and so are the 3 soldiers killed on Friday…and every other troop who has either died or put their life on hold to defend our freedom. Charlie has some serious injuries (including a couple of fractured vertebrae), but it looks like he’s going to fully recover and will soon be home where his wife and soon-to-be-born daughter await.

I hope you’ll join me in prayer for Charlie and for the healing hearts of the families who have lost loved ones in this on-going struggle. Let’s all pray that they will reach out and turn to the only One who can bring the healing and peace they need…and that they’ll lean on another great truth found in Psalm 34:18:

 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Amen to that.

—Dan    

The Desert Song

In light of the tragic events in Aurora last week, the age-old question of "Why Does God Allow Bad Things to Happen?" is being asked and pondered by almost all of us...which is why this guest blog by Kevin Vannorsdel is so welcomed. Kevin has wonderfully put into words some of what our hearts are aching to express. Thanks Kevin!

--Dan

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The Desert Song

So I’ve been listening to the Flatirons worship CD lately. Cut 10 is one of my favorites: The Desert Song. 

I’ve sung that song dozens of times I suppose but for some reason- I’ve missed some of the meaning in the lyrics. Wow! They are good. The first verse goes like this:

This is my prayer in the desert

And all that's within me feels dry

This is my prayer in my hunger and need

My God is the God who provides

At a recent Theology On Tap meeting we discussed the difficult topic of “God and Hard Times”. With the recent shooting in Aurora, the question is heavily on most of our minds I suppose…Why does God seem so distant sometimes… and how can we cope during these times of drought?

The first verse of the Desert Song and the topic in general make me think of Psalm 77. Check it out and see what you think.

The last verse of the song addresses just the opposite season and goes like this:

This is my prayer in the harvest

When favor and providence flow

I know I'm filled to be emptied again

The seed I've received I will sow

Wow! This one has some weighty content…Take a look at the last two lines.  Then have a look at 2 Corinthians 1:3-5—especially verse 4.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.”  

There is some important theology hinted at here with--regards to the role of suffering in a Christian’s life.  More prominently on my mind at the moment though is the joy that comes from being able to, in some sense, use the suffering or pain of a past experience to help someone else who is in a similar struggle now.  

Let’s actively be involved in other peoples lives, even during a harvest season, so that we can share some of the seeds we’ve received with others who are currently in the desert.   

I think that’s how God wants us to live.

-- Kevin

A FULL Life

Over the last year I’ve had a few people question—if not my sanity—the motives behind some of the things I’ve done (shark diving in Honduras, traveling to Afghanistan, chasing after a black bear on vacation and climbing Long’s Peak). I’ve even had a person or two (Okay. One. My wife) question whether I have a “death wish” or not. To put this on record (Amy, my dear) No. I DO NOT have a death wish. Really. I don’t. But I don’t fear death either. Not anymore, at least.

Now, I’m not going to sit here and “wax all religious” and say that the reason I don’t fear death is because “I have such and deep and profound relationship with God that His perfect love has driven out all fear.” That would be dishonest (at the most) and disingenuous (at the least). True. There IS an element of this that is due to my relationship with God, but I also think it’s a stage-in-life thing too. Not to get maudlin, but I’m 52 years old and I have much more life in the rearview mirror behind me than I have in the windshield before me. My kids are all grown. Raised and out of the house. And three weeks ago I had the privilege of walking my daughter Katie down the aisle to marry the love of her life…which leaves only one true, family landmark ahead for me: grandkids! And I can’t tell you how much I look forward to the day when I have a little Ben/Ali or a little Nick/Katie around to love and spoil…and I really do look forward to growing old and feeble with Amy, but if life teaches us anything—and the Bible backs it up— there are no guarantees, right?

Okay. So I climbed Long’s Peak over the weekend. I’m sure that’s why death has been at the forefront of my brain pan—and I got to climb it with two of my favorite people in the world, my son Ben and my best friend and dive buddy, Jim Burgen (See pic).

I won’t lie; climbing Long’s Peak was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I’m sure it’s because I’m such a wimp. Not only was the trek to the summit physically exhausting, the return trip...hobbling and bouncing off all those boulders...was excruciatingly brutal on almost every muscle and bone in my body. And IT TOOK FOREVER TO GET BACK! I will no longer refer to it as Long’s Peak anymore. From this day forward I will only refer to it as “Too Freakin’ Long’s Peak”! We started the climb at 2AM on Sunday morning and made it back to the truck after 7PM. For those of you who have tackled this behemoth, you know this to be true, there really are places where you can die along the way. Several, as a matter of fact!

Standing in line at the Kaiser clinic this morning really brought this all home to me though. I was in line because I need to get some vaccination shots for a trip I’m taking to the Sudan. I was in line, insurance card in hand, when I saw several cancer patients walking through the lobby. Mid-morning is obviously the time of day that chemotherapy patients have their treatments. I witnessed several people with their heads wrapped in that telltale cancer scarf with the baby-fine whisps of hair protruding underneath. My heart ached for them and I silently (and selfishly) thanked God for not allowing cancer into my world and (quite selfishly, again) asked Him to keep me from that fate. I may not be afraid to die, but I really don't want to go out that way. I would much rather fall off a cliff or get eaten by a bear.  

I'm not saying anything new here. Death comes for us all. No one gets out of this alive. But there’s no doubt about it, there’s a thrill in doing things that are life-threatening. I mean, I loved swimming with the reef sharks in Honduras last November—probably because they had the potential of eating me. And I loved seeing that black bear while vacationing with Amy 2 weeks ago in Estes Park…and I loved running after him…and I loved standing less than 100 yards away from him—even though he could have mauled my dog Peanut and I in a heartbeat. As I said to my wife Amy on the way to get my travel vaccinations today, “I would much rather die living…doing something crazy-dangerous…than to die dying.” But the only real choice I have in the matter is my “dash”, right? That little dash on my tombstone that will represent all that I’ve done between my birth date (March 4, 1960) and my death date (TBD). And I want my dash to have a little flash! Don’t you?

This was one of the driving forces behind our new ministry FULL: Active Outdoor Community. The whole idea of FULL came about over a couple of beers after one of our dives in Honduras—this idea that Jesus promises to give us a full life—a life filled with faith and hope, freedom…and maybe a little adventure. Jesus says in John 10:10, “The thief (the devil) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Part of that “full life” is sharing in it with others too. FULL: Active Outdoor Community is much more than just diving (DEEP), fly fishing (HOOKED), climbing 14ers (PEAK) and camping (GROUNDED). You can do all these by yourself, but doing these things with someone else—in community—is a much better way to do life. And we’re all about community here at Flatirons, right? As Creative Director Chris Coleman is fond of saying (tongue placed firmly in cheek), “Community is our middle name!”

So, are you looking for a little adventure? Looking to meet other folks at Flatirons?  Looking to give your “dash a little flash”. Then, check out FULL: Active Outdoor Community at: www.flatironschurch.com/full.  Heck! You can even join some other folks and climb Long's Peak too! And while you do that…I need to go ice down my ankles...again.

-- Dan