Her Name Is Emery

Her name is Emery, and I can't wait to meet her, but I'll get to that in a second.

First, I wanted to write about Shirley. She’s my mother—and the mother of my other three brothers. That’s right. Four boys. She was the only woman in a house full of men, but make no mistake…she was (and still is) a formidable woman to deal with. I will admit, she was not a perfect mother, but she was perfect for us. Raising four snotty, burping, farting, cantankerous boys into four (semi) functional, burping, farting men is no easy task, yet she seemed to do it with joy…and honor…and (yes) maybe even some pleasure—on a few of the days, at least. And while I know my mom will cry when she reads this, she will always hold that special place in my heart (and in my brother’s hearts too) that only a mom can hold...and her laugh…her beautiful, infectious, full-bodied laugh…is still one of the sweetest sounds I’ve ever heard on earth.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom.  

Secondly, I wanted to write about Amy, my wife, and the mother of our two kids, Ben and Katie. I got to be there for both of their births—a front row seat. I stood there next to the hospital bed like an idiot as Amy passed a proverbial “bowling ball through a straw”. My only participation—aside from the obvious one 9 months earlier—was holding Amy’s hand and squishing her head into the pillow. It was the only thing that felt good to her during childbirth. Amy was (and still is) the loving, softer, nurturing side of our parental duo. I call it being “good cop” to my “bad cop”. She calls it being a mom. And while I know Amy will cry when she reads this, she is not a perfect mom, but she loves both our kids (and their spouses) with an immeasurable passion that always puts me to wonder.    

Happy Mother’s Day, Amy.  

And then there’s Ali, my daughter-in-law—the wife of my son Ben. Ali walked into our living room in Texas 7 years ago and life has never been the same since. This pretty, little waif-of-a-girl not only captured Ben’s heart…she captured all of our hearts…and their wedding day will always be one of the happiest days of my life. Fast forward to a Broncos game shortly before Christmas when Ali stepped in front of the TV set holding her 3 month old nephew Jonah. Ali told the family that Jonah had an announcement to make. None of us caught it at first, but Jonah was wearing a homemade t-shirt that read: “Big Cousin”.

Pregnancy becomes Ali. It’s been so fun watching her grow—this tiny little woman with the ever-expanding belly—growing into a mother. And even though she’s concerned that her baby bump gets in the way of her dental hygienist duties by colliding with patients’ heads, she’s got nothing to worry about. No one could ever be bothered by her. I mean, she’s so cute she makes your cheeks hurt!

And while she might cry when she reads this (I mean, she IS pregnant!), it is SO obvious that Ali is going to be a great mom. She already has a passion and a love for this baby that also puts me to wonder. God has been preparing Ali for this her whole life. She won’t do it perfectly (no one ever has or ever will), but she will be perfect for this little girl…her daughter…my granddaughter.

Happy Mother’s Day, Ali.

Her name is Emery and I can’t wait to meet her. She’s almost here, only 7 more weeks until I can hold her. I’ve seen her (sort of) as she’s moved silently across Ali’s tummy—doing somersaults in preparation for her delivery. The 3D ultrasound last week has only increased my anticipation (See Below).  

I look at that ultrasound image of Emery and can’t help but think about what David wrote in Psalms:

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:13-17)

And in this broken, fallen world, where it seems like evil is prevailing, I find hope in knowing that whatever is in store for Emery (the good AND the bad) has already passed through the hands of God. All the kisses and hugs...all the coughs and colds...all her sleepless nights and all her birthdays...all her friendships and fights...and sleepovers and skinned knees…and broken hearts and broken bones…in all of these...God is already there.

I pray that He will etch this truth on Ben and Ali’s hearts—and on my heart too.

—Dan   

Sin

Following Jim Burgen's message this past weekend (“Full of It” – April 6/7, 2013), our good buddy Trent Culver wrote the following blog to share. Very thought provoking...and convicting.

—Dan

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are two things common to all people: All have sinned—all fall short of the glory of God and God has placed eternity in the hearts of men.

Our world is broken. Satan opposes God and all that He loves. As a result, satan opposes humanity. He calls our attention to the things of this world. Materialism, power, distorted sexuality, substance abuse and un-numbered other distractions all fight for the love of God. Pride is our coping mechanism. At our core, we know that we are flawed and finite. Pride covers up and numbs us to our sin and sense of eternity.

In pride we deny God's truth and in doing so, we deny God.

As Christians, we live in the light. We are strangers in this world. As such, we should expect opposition from it. When done right, Christianity's roots are grace and truth. Humanity's adversary hates both. He is a destructive liar bent on preserving the chaos, confusion and disorder of this world. His lies are so effective that many people accept them as truth. As a result, many of the lies are written into our cultural fabric. When general acceptance of these lies is combined with human pride and insecurity, intolerance is born. The results are polarizing. As a result, people desperately in need of both grace and truth are duped to believe that they need neither.

The level of opposition that Christianity receives from the mainstream provides evidence of two truths: Satan has powerful influence in this world and Jesus Christ is truth. I know of no other belief system that is opposed by the world in the way that Christianity is.

To preserve worldly chaos and humanity's detachment from the divine, satan strives to keep those lost in darkness. Satan's tactic with the believer is similar. With us, he also exploits our insecurity and fills us with pride. In observing the sin of this world, our error is to target the sin and sinner and forget about our enemy who is the real source of the problem. 

The pride and self righteousness of Christians and Christian religion has done immeasurable damage to the cause of Christ. As believers, we have to be different. Because we know Christ and have received His spirit it is up to us to greet the cold intolerance and opposition of this world with grace and love. If we are to be like Christ, we have to be willing to "turn the other cheek", to be spat upon by the world and love the spitter just the same.

As Christians, we will be opposed by this world.

—Trent

A Holy Moment

So, I am what you’d call a “processor”. Meaning: It takes me awhile to process through major events and situations in my life. I’m GREAT at quickly processing everyone else’s stuff…but slow on the uptake when it comes to my own life. Case in point: my recent trip in February to South Sudan with the Flatirons missions team. Even though I’ve been back home for over a month now…I’m still working through what I experienced over there…especially my “Holy Moment”.

I’ll get to that in a second.  

The entire trip to Africa was amazing. It was amazingly far away. It was amazingly exotic and beautiful. And it was an amazingly difficult trip…emphasis on “difficult”! Our team of eleven (9 men and 2 women) also got along amazingly! We got to know each other in ways we never foresaw or expected. I guess that’s what happens when ALL semblance of privacy gets chucked out the window and you experience some stuff with friends that you’ve never experienced with your own wife! I mean, Amy and I have been married for almost 32 years, but I’ve never “dropped a deuce” side-by-side with her…like I had to with my buddy Andy Wineman!

No. That was NOT my Holy Moment.   

No…the real revelation from the trip was this: The Bible simply came alive to me! It was almost immediate. Watching the sheep, goats and cattle—led by the village shepherd boys—roaming in…through…and around us made it obvious that the culture and living conditions of Maper are much more like EVERYTHING we read in the Bible than ANYTHING we can ever experience here in 21^st Century America.

It was easy for me to envision the story of Jacob...who worked 7 years for Laban as a shepherd....payment for the chance to wed Rachel (Genesis 29). Then, after being tricked (and given Laban’s other daughter Leah) Jacob then worked another 7 years as a shepherd for Laban. And listening to Jim Burgen teach through Jesus’ Three Lost Parables (The Parable of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Son—Luke 15), I could see each and every one of those parables being lived out in this tiny African village.

But the culmination of all this came at the end of our stay in South Sudan. As a symbol of gratitude and generosity, the leaders in Maper gifted our team with a lamb to take home. Needless to say, we couldn’t really take it back to the States, but we did throw it in the back of the van on Saturday and drove it the 2 ½ hours back to Rumbek—where it became Sunday night dinner.

And this was my Holy Moment. I had the privilege of slaughtering the lamb.

Slaughtering the Lamb in Rumbek, South Sudan

I know how weird, creepy and harsh that may sound, but it doesn’t make it any less true. I was asked if I would do the honor of slaughtering the lamb for dinner…and I agreed to do it. And at that moment…that Holy Moment…when I somberly took the knife to do what I’d been asked to do…all of scripture came flooding over me.

The blood sacrifice is such an integral part of the Bible, and the centerpiece of all we believe, culminating in the blood sacrifice of Jesus—the Lamb of God (John1:36). And as I slaughtered this lamb…this gift…this sacrifice…I was overwhelmed by the sacrificial imagery God has given us in the Bible…and I was filled with gratitude for what Jesus has done for us…through His body and His blood. It was a Holy Moment.

Now, I know we can’t all experience what I got to experience in South Sudan, but one thing I do know for sure: All of us, as believers in Jesus, will one day all get together in Heaven to thank Him face-to-face for what He’s done. For His grace… His mercy…and His sacrifice…paid for with His blood.

And I know I will be joined by my friends in Maper...and it will be the greatest of Holy Moments.

—Dan

Small Is Better

Whether we like it or not, small groups really are the best answer to building a strong community here at Flatirons—and making this place seem just a wee bit smaller. I heard someone say years ago that Christianity is an “eyeball to eyeball” religion; meaning that it’s relational…that through Jesus we live in relationship with God, and in relationship with others.

That being said, small groups probably aren’t everyone’s first choice. Am I right? I mean, let’s face it…small groups can be awkward…periodically intrusive…and, yes, maybe even a little threatening. I’m only being honest here. Walking in…sitting down with a group of strangers…and opening up about your life with Jesus can be just a little unsettling.

But that’s exactly what I did last week. I dropped in on one of our (many) men’s small groups we have meeting every week for The Trail. After sitting down, I realized I only knew 2 of the 8 guys who were meeting there, so I felt a bit like an outsider at first. It wasn’t long before the group’s conversation found its way to Jim Burgen’s message from the weekend before (www.flatironschurch.com/messages: Seeing Is Believing. Or Is It? March 2-3, 2013). The guys specifically got to the topic of faith.    

And here’s why I love the small group format: these guys all sat around this conference table that night and shared their struggles, their victories, and their questions of faith. It was real. It was honest. And it was inspiring. C.S. Lewis was fond of saying, “We read to know we’re not alone.” I’d like to amend that for this and say, “We meet in small groups to know we’re not alone.” I know I wasn’t the only one around that table who felt LESS alone because I was spending time and listening to some other guys walking through the same stuff I am. And where, in a place like Flatirons, are you going to have a better chance to connect with some other guys who are walking through the same stuff you are? That’s why we have The Trail small groups…and Flatirons On Tap…and the numerous groups posted up on FlatironsList.

So, if you’re looking to connect and build some relationships around here, I can only say one thing: “Small is better.” And when was the last time you heard that?!

--Dan

Redemption

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

--Dan

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“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

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    

“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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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?