A MOVIE IN THE MAKING
April 1, 2010
A couple of weeks ago my staff and I were invited to a private showing of a yet to be released movie which has a strong Christian theme. The man who invited us is a very colorful personality who attends our church and just got saved about a year ago. He is helping to fund the production of this movie, and coincidently the movie parallels his own life very closely. Although the movie is a little rough around the edges, it has great potential.
We were asked for input on what changes we would make, and our input was well received. A few days ago I also had the privilege of meeting the lead actor in this film when he flew from L.A. I was impressed with his humility and genuineness, breaking the Hollywood stereo type. He, the producer, and I all sat down and talked about the important changes. The next day the writer/director flew in, and they all talked about implementing many of these and other changes right away. I am really excited and thank God for this unique opportunity.
Stay tuned. I believe this movie, called “I Am”, could really have a powerful impact on our culture. This film was shot primarily in Colorado by a Colorado based film company. In fact one of the camera men is on our worship team and helps us with our videos.
Unfortunately in the 1960’s most Christians packed up and left Hollywood, removing most Godly influence. The sad results have been obvious as our culture has been negatively impacted. However, the good news is that Christians are getting more involved in certain media especially the film industry. Lance Wallnau, who will be ministering at The Rock, April 29 – May 2, talks about the importance of believers moving back in to positions of prominence in our society. He talks about the importance of occupying the Seven Mountains of influence in our culture. Media and Arts is one of these important mountains.
Please pray that “I am” will have a powerful impact on our culture for God’s glory.
Love you,
Pastor JR
THE DISAPPEARING VOICE
January 28, 2010
As I was saying “good bye” to people in the foyer after the last service Sunday, my voice said “good bye.” I tried to speak Sunday night at Pursue, but it was ugly. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – still “no voice.” I whispered my way through staff meeting on Tuesday (which according to my worship leader whispering is the worst thing you can do because it strains the voice even more). WOW, I really admire Helen Keller. She couldn’t speak, hear or see and look at all she accomplished!
Thursday, I met with some of the staff for sermon preparation and to go over the weekend services. Still no voice. Some staff members panicked, crying for a “Plan B.” Thus, our youth pastor waited, ready in the wings.
I assured them that I would be okay by Saturday night in time to preach then and both services Sunday morning. I really did feel totally confident, and sensed God had told me not to worry, that I would be fine. Also, the Lord took me back to the spring of my final year at Princeton Theological Seminary. The biggest weekend of my ministry was coming up. Spring is the time when seminarians are about to leave school and follow their call. Thus, two pulpit committees were coming to hear me from two churches that were considering me as a candidate for the pastor of their church. This was big. One committee was coming to the 9:00 AM service and another to the 11:00 AM service. I was the youth pastor at a fairly large Presbyterian Church.
There was one problem: early in the week I had gotten a horrible cold. By Thursday I had absolutely no voice for the most important weekend of my ministry life. Should I cancel? I can’t. What if my voice is not back on Sunday? I decided to pray fervently and listen as carefully as possible. I felt the Lord say that if I did not talk until I got up to preach on Sunday I would be fine.
By Saturday I still had no voice, but it was too late to turn back. As I drove to the church Sunday morning, I wanted to check my voice, but felt the Lord clearly warn me not to, but to trust Him. As I got up to preach, I was nervous. What if nothing comes out? I saw the pulpit committee with their pad and pens poised. I opened my mouth. The first few words were rough, but then my voice got stronger.
I made it through the first service. Would it hold up under the strain of the second service? I prayed for God’s help. And help He did. Seeing the second pulpit committee my nervousness began to leave as the words flowed out, now even stronger. Yea God! I got through it. I don’t remember what I preached. I am sure it wasn’t great, but I was so happy that I could speak. Ironically, both churches extended an invitation to me, although I chose to go somewhere else. Overall it had been a great lesson in listening and trusting. Also, I no longer took for granted the ability to speak. I was extremely grateful.
So as this weekend approached, I had great peace (most of the time). God came through and I was able to speak Saturday night and both services Sunday. Once again I was and am very grateful.
Thank you Jesus!
Pastor JR
God’s Heart Exposed
January 9, 2010
There are some stories that really inspire us….Here’s one that made me cry.
Tony Compolo tells of a trip to Hawaii. When you travel from the east coast to Honolulu, your biological clock runs wild for a day or so, and the first night there, Compolo was both hungry and awake at 3:00 a.m. He went off to find an open restaurant, but the only thing open was a greasy spoon diner run by a guy named Harry. So he sat down to eat a donut.
As he was beginning to eat, a group of prostitutes entered the diner and sat at the counter, trapping Compolo among them. One of the prostitutes mentioned to her friend that the next day was her birthday. Her friend said cynically, “Why are you telling me? Do you want a party and cake; is that what you want?” The first prostitute, names Agnes, said, “Why do you have to be so nasty? I was just telling you. No, I don’t expect a cake and a party; I’ve never had a birthday cake in my life!” There was something about this woman that touched Compolo. After they left, he asked Harry if these girls came in every night. When he found out that they did, Compolo and Harry decided to give Agnes a party. Harry did the cake, Compolo did the decorations and Harry’s wife got the word out.
The next morning at 3:15 there were crepe-paper decorations, a huge birthday cake and about thirty prostitutes and street people in the diner. When Agnes walked in, everybody yelled “Surprise” and they sang happy birthday. Agnes almost collapsed, and she began to cry uncontrollably. She was at her very first birthday party, and the party was for her! She didn’t even want to cut the cake; she took it back to her apartment so she could look at it for a couple of days.
After Agnes left to take her cake home, something just prompted Compolo to say, “What do you say; let’s have a prayer for Agnes.” It just seemed like the thing to do at the time. After the prayer, Harry said, “Hey, you didn’t tell us you were a preacher. What kind of church do you belong to anyway?” In one of those flashes of inspiration where you say exactly the right thing at the right time, Compolo answered, “I belong to a church that throws parties for prostitutes at 3:30 in the morning!” But it was Harry who told the punch line to this story; he said, “No you don’t. There are no churches like that. If there was, I’d join. I’d want to be a part of a church like that!” You know, who wouldn’t?
Something to think about…………
Love,
Pastor J.R.
A DIVINE CONNECTION
October 5, 2009
It’s Monday morning, September 21, 2009 at 5:30 AM….Yvonne and I arrive at Sky Ridge Hospital. Today at 7:30 AM I will get a new hip….dislocated at birth, years of football, wrestling and rugby and tack on long distance running. Dr. Loucks later tells me that my right hip was totally destroyed. I had put if off as long as possible. A few prayer warriors pray for me, the doctor, and the nurses as they wheel me away. My trust is in the Lord!
The surgery is successful I’m told through a drug haze. My nurses and attendants are great. I see a nurse named Joyce from our church. My nurses are “angels” who take great care of me. They do an excellent job of helping me in my pain. I can feel the multitudes of prayers from all of you. I’m doing well.
I get to know another nurse, Leslie, who has grown up in a legalistic, judgmental church. She soaks up how much God loves her as we talk. She is a very caring person and such a blessing! Lucy had a love for Jesus growing up in a Christian family, but has left her first love temporarily. She is a lot of fun and bends over backwards to help me. I can see Jesus working His way back into her heart. Sarah is very caring and we talk about Jesus and her new husband of only a month! The Lord prompts me to give each of them a Jared Anderson C.D. since he was in concert at The Rock the night before my surgery. They love the C.D. and each one tells me how it ministers to them.
Then Sarah drops a bomb shell! “Do you know Stan and Patty Silverman?” “Do I know them? Are you kidding?” Stan was a best friend when I lived in Pacific Grove, California. I’ll never forget how he got saved, I tell her. Stan and Harvey Berman, both Jewish and growing up together in New York City, we’re at the kitchen table in my home. It’s 1974 and I’ve been a Christian for only a few months and Harvey for only a few weeks. Harvey and I start talking about Jesus and “He” shows up. I mean “He” comes right into the kitchen at 127 Lawton Avenue. His presence lights up the room. As we keep talking suddenly Stan interrupts “How can I know this Jesus?” Overwhelmed by His presence Stan invites Jesus into his heart. (I didn’t even know the Jewish terminology: Yeshua Hamashiach). A few years later his girlfriend who soon became his wife, Patty gives her heart to Jesus – WOW!
Sarah says “they are my parents!” I’m blown away! I remember Sarah and her older sister when they were little at their home in Evergreen, CO. We’ve lost touch, but I’m reconnecting on the phone. What a divine connection! God is so good!
There is nothing like an encounter with Jesus. Two thousand years ago Saul of Tarsus, the Jewish superstar and persecutor of Christians, had an encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. The result was the “Apostle Paul” who has impacted all of our lives through the word of God. No wonder that before every service several people are in the prayer rooms behind the stage at The Rock crying out for His presence and for people to be impacted by Jesus! Isn’t is wonderful He’s still encountering people today?
Thanks for your continued prayer. I love you,
Pastor J.R.
P.S. I’ll be back soon – I miss you!
THE LOST ART OF COMMUNICATION
September 10, 2009
It seems ironic to me that in our fast paced, high tech world we are losing the ability to communicate at a deep level. It seems we are living out the prophetic work of David when he wrote: “Many will rush here and there, and knowledge (information) will increase.” (Dan 12:4 b)
Actually the quantity and speed of communication has never been higher. From email, to twitter, to texting, we have the ability more than ever to communicate quickly and efficiently. We are often inundated daily with all kinds of communiqués. Our cell phones have become body appendages making us accessible day or night. We seem busier than ever, yet I wonder if quantity and speed of communication has not replaced quality?
This past Labor Day weekend after preaching the weekend services, we met friends from the church for a mini getaway at the Inverness Hotel. The guys played nine holes of golf and then met our wives at a restaurant to watch the C.U. – C.S.U. football game. As the only C.U. fan in the group I endured a long night of abuse. (I like C.S.U. but our son and 4-1/2 years of tuition went to C.U., so I’m more committed than ever!) After dinner we went back to the hotel and prayed for each other. It was a fun day (except for the game).
The next day we worked out early, had a leisurely breakfast, and then just hung out at the pool for a few hours with no agenda. Something interesting happened… In a relaxed environment with people we know well, our hearts began to open to each other. We went from sharing concerns for the nation, to concerns for our kids, to concerns for each other. We shared deep from the recesses of our hearts, not just surface banter.
As Yvonne and I drove home the deep, relaxed connection continued. That evening we grabbed a bite to eat with the wonderful couple who had taken care of our three “hoodlums” (our dogs). The communication continued. Later that night Yvonne and I reflected on what a fulfilling time we’d had. The art of communication is more than sending information through email or texting or even talking on the phone. I remember learning in speech class that true communication is 80% body language. When we as believers, communicate from the depth of our hearts there is a fulfillment and satisfaction that God intended. That’s what real community is all about.
So what are the culprits that keep us from this communication with others and our Heavenly Father? “My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to hear and slow to speak” (Jn 1:19). In our fast paced world being busy and accomplishing tasks often overrides the value of communication with each other and God at a deep level. Let’s slow down, smell the roses, and listen to each other’s hearts and our Father’s. It will restore this lost art as well as peace!
Love you,
Pastor JR
OUCH – I’M BEING SQUEEZED!
August 13, 2009
Presently many people are being squeezed by difficult circumstances. It’s pretty obvious that it’s mostly economic. I know of people who have been out of work for over a year and have been trying to find work, but it’s not all financial.
Last night I talked with a long time friend whose wife of many years decided to file for divorce. It caught him totally by surprise. Ouch! He was handling it pretty well but was definitely being squeezed.
What happens when you’re squeezed? If you squeeze a lemon, you get lemon juice; an orange, orange juice – “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Mt 12:34
I remember an incident years ago when I was pastoring in the mountains of Colorado. I was driving home from our Christian school. My six year old son (Mike), and I were in the front and this lady and her young son were in the back. It was snowing and icy. All of a sudden, going around a curve, I lost control and we headed toward a ditch. She yelled “Oh Sh _t!” and then quickly added “praise the Lord, He’s with us.” I was able to pull out and not go into the ditch but it was a “squeezing” moment.
This lady had only been saved for about six months and I chuckled to myself. God was moving in her life!
What happens when you are squeezed? More importantly than a four letter word is what is in your heart? When you are put down, criticized, or slandered do you retaliate? I don’t know about you but often my first reaction is that I want to get even and then get forgiven later. That’s not a good response, but it reveals to me the condition of my heart.
Rom 12:17-21 NLT
17Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 19Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, "I will take revenge; I will pay them back,"says the Lord.20Instead, "If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink, and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you."21Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
God is working in all of us. Let’s walk close to Jesus 24/7. Let’s get the word in our heart. David said: Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. Ps 119:11 NKJV
The next time crisis comes and that four letter word slips out you’ll hear:I will not be afraid of evil tidings; My heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Ps 112:7 NKJV
As we stay close to Him, the next time you’re squeezed there’s a chance Jesus will come out. Let lift each other up in prayer and support each other during the “squeezing times”! We’re all in this together.
Love,
Pastor JR
HOMETOWN HERO OR PROPHET WITHOUT HONOR?
This weekend I ventured back to Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania. This was the place where General George Washington led his tired, tattered army across the Delaware River with a surprise attack on the British and Hessians (German mercenaries), on Christmas morning. This was a successful maneuver that turned out to be the turning point of the Revolutionary War… but enough on the history lesson; this was where I grew up and spent my first 22 years.
I was invited to preach at the church which was originally just across from my house growing up. Of course then it was very small and very dead. In fact after feeling close to God and attending Confirmation class (in 6th grade) with high hopes, I turned my back on Christianity from that class on. I remember the pastor asking me, along with my other classmates, at the end of a tedious eight weeks…”Are you going to join the church?” Everyone else said “yes”. When he got to me, I said “no”. He said “why not”? I said “I don’t know, but I’m not joining.”
As I look back I believe my spirit was crushed unintentionally by not telling me how I could know God and Jesus and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Now this church “The Crossing” had moved and was not only much bigger but more importantly very alive! If they had only been like this when I was 11 or 12 years old I wouldn’t have gone through so much darkness. I had met the pastor, Scott McDermott at a Randy Clark “Voice of the Apostles” meeting. What a great person and caring pastor. We really hit it off, sharing the same theological bent. He invited me to come back there and preach.
I have to admit driving there from the airport was a trip. I took time to drive all around the neighborhood before ending up at my youngest brother’s home. Flashbacks overwhelmed me. Good feelings and strange ones rose up in my stomach. I remembered riding bikes with my friends through “the park”, getting into trouble. Also parking by the river with my first real girlfriend, exchanging passionate kisses.
I was surprisingly a little nervous when I began to preach. I wove my testimony around my text which was Romans 8:14:
14 for as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. (NKJ)
Some people from my past came to me after service, but how would they, and my brothers respond (my middle brother had flown down from Massachusetts)? Would I be a “hometown hero, or a prophet without honor?”
Thank God things went better than I expected. Some old friends were touched by the message and let me know. Both my brothers expressed how deeply touched they were. My brother’s friend gave his life to the Lord, along with several other people. But most exciting of all my was my brother’s 11 year old son!
The next day the five of us (my brothers, my sister-in-law, their 11 year old son and me), all traveled to the Jersey shore. We reminisced the whole way down and back. We prayed for each other before we dropped off my middle brother at the Philadelphia airport that night. Then we drove by the river just across from where we grew up and had a delicious dinner at a favorite place. Wow, what a great weekend, I’ll never forget it! I don’t know if I was a hometown hero – but I was deeply honored, and it actually changed my perception of how I grew up. What great brothers and what a beautiful place to grow up. Fond memories still flood my soul!
Honored by the opportunity to go back,
Pastor J.R.
HELP LORD, I’M GOING TOO FAST!
Thu, Jun 18, 2009 4:50 PM
Years ago before I knew Jesus I was living in a commune in California in the Santa Cruz Mountains. I needed to go into town to get some supplies, so I borrowed Dean and Kate’s car. It was an old blue Ford. The road to town was narrow, winding and steep. I noticed on the first turn the brakes didn’t work. Each turn was faster and faster. I hit the brake peddle frantically to no avail. Faster and Faster. I pictured myself flying high through the locked cattle gate at the end of the road, dying in the process.
But miraculously the brakes started to grab. They finally held, and my life was spared! Sometimes I feel like my life is like that car flying down the mountain. (By the way, Dean and Kate said they meant to tell me to pump the brakes before driving off!)
Often it seems my internal engine pushes me faster and faster. Responsibilities seem to mount, and instead of being guided, I feel driven. It is easy to do in our culture of “performance and accomplishment. My Dad taught me well, and I see the same drive in my son. So what do I do Lord? Jesus gave us great instructions:
Matthew 11:28-30:
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." NKJV
If I’m yoked with Jesus, then I won’t go too fast, take on too heavy a load, and enjoy life a lot more. There are times when I know I need to slow down and smell the roses, but often they are flying by so fast, I am can hardly see them, let alone smell them.
Right now I’m praying and fasting at 9100 ft. It makes me realize how much I’ve had the peddle to the metal. Praying and fasting slows me down. It helps me to reconnect with God. When I play with my grandchildren, it also slows me down. When I sit with my wife, Yvonne, on our deck, sipping a glass of wine, I slow down and enjoy the evening much more. Ironically, time to be with the Lord, not only slows me down but ultimately accomplish more of what He’s called me to.
Romans 8:14 says:
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. NKJV
“Lord, never let me forget I’m your beloved son. Slow me down so that I might be led instead of driven. Lord, help me to enjoy beautiful Colorado sunsets, laughing with friends, walking the dogs, preaching the Word, praying for the sick, and playing with the grandchildren!”
Grateful for life…
Pastor JR |
