If you don’t already know, earlier this year God granted me the opportunity to adopt my lovely daughter Adriana. We weren’t sure how we would pay for it, but we knew God never starts anything he doesn’t plan to finish. So about a week ago I tweeted “Does anyone know of a way we could raise money for an adoption?” I got several great responses that my wife and I had planned to look into. The next day I got a call from a friend asking how much we needed. I told him and he responded, “Give me a couple of weeks and don’t worry about it”. So we didn’t. Within less than a week, God used my friends to make it happen. They came up with the money!
Words cannot describe the thanks we want to give to our friends who just gave us the money to proceed with the adoption. We just want to say thank you!!! It means more than you could ever imagine. I want to praise God for what he has done in your lives to make you want to share with us like that.
When I think of my friends it reminds me of this:
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved”. Acts 2:42-47
I know God will continue to use this amazing group of people for His Glory.
Doesn’t walking around naked sound like a great idea? What if we all walked around fully exposed for the world to see? Nothing hidden – no clothing to cover up what we don’t want each other to see. There wouldn’t be any control top anything or undergarments that make us look like there’s less of us. Things that pulled this up that down or over to the right. People would see us for who we really are.
At this point you might be laughing or thinking that I’ve decided to go pro-nudist. But, just think about it for a minute, what if we all really did walk around naked? People might be more apt to take care of themselves or at least they would be less likely to point out others flaws when theirs are so readily exposed. I know the last thing you want is for everyone to be able to see your flaws. Of course, I’m not really talking about physical nudity. I’m talking about exposing our hearts and minds that we so often hide from the world. We hide our imperfections, our scars, our struggles, and our battle wounds in order to make others think we are perfect or at least to make them think we have it all together. But, when we hide our imperfections the light of God can’t shine through us. God wants us to expose our imperfection to each other and share our struggles and the not so good things we have done. It is HIS grace and mercy that has saved us, not our attempts at trying to look perfect for others. By exposing our imperfections He is glorified and others see He Is Good because they can see the work that He is doing in us.
Share your thoughts what do you think should we all walk around naked…………….
I don’t think anyone ever told Chuck Dennie you just can’t come in and just start all willy nilly changing things around. He hasn’t even been on staff 90 days. Everyone knows that you’re supposed to just chill the first 90. Check things out; make sure you get past that 90 day mark. Then you make slow subtle changes, you don’t want to shake things up to much. You don’t want to get on anybodies radar in the wrong way.
Now whether or not all that might be true Chuck doesn’t live by mans Standards, he lives by Gods. Not one change Chuck has made benefits him or points to him; they all point to God. Whether it was him no longer standing in the middle of the stage or letting a 15 year old lead worship while he baptized his wife.(or any of the 5000 other changes he has made)
Chuck recognizes that God has called him to a place, to do Gods will not mans. That God is the final authority not man. God has blessed Chuck with many talents and abilities and he uses those to give our Great, Glorious and Holy God praise.
So I encourage you not to be like Chuck but to do what God has called you to do. To live by Holy God standards not mans.
Disclaimer: I know Chuck Dennie he is a co-worker, friend and truly an inspiration of a God centered life. And No not in anyway to I think Chuck Dennie should be fired
Chuck Dennie is the Worship Pastor @ Lifechurch.tv Northwest Oklahoma City campus.
Was that a little to harsh? Maybe I came on to strong. I’m not trying to offend anyone, but it seems lately that people pray like they don’t believe God is going to do anything. We serve an amazing Holy God who can do exceedingly above and beyond what we ask for. Eph 3:20.
It seems like I hear people all the time praying for speedy recoveries. The other day I found myself praying for a speedy recovery. Are you kidding me? There is no more speedy recovery than a complete healing. I can see the story where Jesus tells the leper he will be better in 2-3 weeks. Or hey Mr. Blind man, you can see now you just don’t have 20/20 but here are some contacts.
The POWER of prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16 We are to go to our Great God in confidence. Not like, “You know, God if you want…. I’d like it if you could… you know if you’re not too busy…”, if Elijah had prayed like that it would still be raining.
So here is my challenge to you myself included PRAY like you know our God is going to take care of it. Nothing is to big for Him nothing is to small. The Lord answered Abraham’s prayers them and he is still answering prayers now. So pray like it.
My son moved back to Oklahoma yesterday. I am so excited it has been 4 months since he moved to Virginia with his mom and stepdad (who is in the navy). He called me yesterday and said “dad guess what” I said “what” he said “I’m back in Oklahoma”. Words can not describe how I feel to have him where I can see him, hold him and do all those father son things I’ve missed doing with him so much. As a youth pastor I talk to students almost everyday and one thing I can always tell is those whose parents spend time with them and those who don’t. If you’re a parent I encourage you to spend time with you children. They miss you as much as you miss them. I know, I was not always the dad, God would have to be but I am growing and learning. See God has shown me thru my relationship with my son so much about my relationship with him. I pray God bless you and your family and that you continue to seek him and Grow.
Here in O-city (Oklahoma City) it’s a nice day outside the temp is just right, the wind has a nice breeze. My daughter is on spring break, my wife is taking her to Arbuckle Wilderness (one of those drive thru type zoo were the animals run wild as you drive thru). I’m about to leave for a mission trips with about 75 student and 20 leaders. GOD is so amazing. Yet it is not because of all the things that are going right but because he is God. So if I had woke up this morning and it was bad weather and my car wouldn’t start it’s still a beautiful day.
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
Husband to the beautiful @melissaparker, father to 2 amazing kids, Pastor, Fitness Professional, Leader Developer and saved by Grace. Who loves to have FUN! and chicken and waffles!
God never starts anything he doesn’t plan to finish. So about a week ago I tweeted “Does anyone know of a way we could raise money for an adoption?” I got several great responses that my wife and I had planned to look into. The next day I got a call from a friend asking how much we needed. I told him and he responded, “Give me a couple of weeks and don’t worry about it”. So we didn’t. Within less than a week, God used my friends to make it happen. They came up with the money!
I don’t think anyone ever told 
Husband to the beautiful @melissaparker, father to 2 amazing kids, Pastor, Fitness Professional, Leader Developer and saved by Grace. Who loves to have FUN! and chicken and waffles!
