A Great Blog

January Newsletter Available

2012-02-04T13:43:00.000-08:00

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Open Hands, Helping 20s

2012-01-29T14:03:00.001-08:00

Ultimately, we’re building young adults who know how . . .

to be on mission with Jesus and want to be - the mission and ministry of reconciliation given to each of us according to 2 Cor. 5:18

to own their personal spiritual development by spending time in God’s Word and in prayer.

to thrive and grow in community with other believers.

They Long For Development

2012-01-28T10:15:00.000-08:00

I commend my twenty-something friends. They want to share a faith that’s vibrant. If theirs isn’t working for them then they won’t give it away. They want to anchor their lives and have solid answers to foundational questions. And, like most of us, they really do desire to have an intimate walk with their Creator and Savior.

The Places We Go

2011-11-26T19:15:00.000-08:00

We long for what Eden represents. We were made for it. In fact, we currently live in an environment for which we (our hearts) were not designed. It's not home!

This reality haunts us and we'll go just about anywhere to find life, to feel at home.

Listen in to my recent message "The Places We Go".

Living Letters

2011-10-28T08:07:00.000-07:00

What are we doing, really? Co-‐authoring living stories!

In one breath I’d tell you, “We’re discipling 20s in Denver to live their God-‐given potential.” But, that seems so . . . formal. True, but still formal. In another, I’d tell the story of young adults whose lives are being transformed by Jesus’ gospel, and His community. Better yet, I’d invite you to Denver to stay in our guest room and meet the one’s whose lives you’re co-‐authoring through your partnership in prayer and finance.

“You (they) are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men.” - 2 Corinthians 3:2 NASB

They’d tell you their own stories and probably expect you to share yours. They’re living letters being read by many in Denver. Theirs is a certain kind of letter, marked by love, risk, community, and fruit-‐bearing. They’re deep in our hearts and we in theirs. And, we’ve got the privilege of coaching them to walk with Jesus right where they are.

Steamboat Springs YA Leader Retreat

2011-09-27T15:38:00.000-07:00

6 staff and 10 young adults made a 3 hour trek to Steamboat Springs for a weekend retreat with hopes of connecting at the heart level and solidifying direction for 2012. We began the weekend Friday evening with the challenge to “give our lives in exchange for others’ lives” spreading the “viral, sneezeable message that Jesus is Lord.” Saturday morning our veteran staff led us in listening prayer. We each asked God two questions, “What do you think of me?” and “What do you have for us this weekend?” After sharing intimately with tears around the first question, we moved into some powerful, united planning. We drove out of town praising the Lord for clear direction and a group of young adults committed to the vision of giving their lives away together in 2012.

Transformed Lives

2011-08-31T22:34:00.000-07:00

"Kristen" Forgives and Finds Healing

Summer 2011 . . . Soft Launch

2011-08-31T05:19:00.000-07:00

Building Momentum Into The Fall

Establishing Our Prayer Team

2011-08-31T05:18:00.000-07:00

Calling On A Few Faithful Intercessors

Sanctuary Men

2011-08-01T09:23:00.000-07:00

Men of Sanctuary Christian Fellowship,

I had an amazing weekend with you at Jefferson Lake. Sure, I took the easy road by sleeping at the cabin, but the soft bed, warm air, and hot shower were incredible! Sleeping at close to 11,000 feet made it a little interesting for me, though.

I thought it would be good for you to know as a church and as a group of men that you made me feel a part of you right from the start. You were authentic, vulnerable and inclusive. You reflected Jesus' words, "They will know you are my disciples because of your love for one another." I also took notice of your spiritual hunger, maturity, repentance, and passion to make a difference. Thanks for teaching me!

In closing, I encourage you to take Jeremiah 6:16 to heart on your 21 day journey:

This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!'" (NLT)

I am committed to pray for you (us) over the next 21 days. Please let me know how it goes.

Thanks for the pics - Greg - http://tinyurl.com/3qeuatl

A Surrendered Life?

2011-07-27T08:30:00.000-07:00

"A Surrendered Life?" is the title and theme of an upcoming men's retreat that I'm facilitating for Sanctuary Christian Fellowship. We'll be camping at close to 10,000 feet - Jefferson Lake.

I'm excited to be with a new group of guys and to equip the local church. We'll be diving into understanding our strength, embracing our sorrow and pain, and using our voice to encourage others. I wish facilitating were that cut and dry, but my hope is that each man will walk away inspired to act in one of several areas:

Regularly engaging in the spiritual practices . . . The Word, prayer, solitude, service
Accepting God's invite to meet Him in their pain or vice
Rejecting passivity by engaging people in their context . . . showing up and speaking up regardless of their fear and brokenness
Anchoring in Jesus as their source of strength, healing, and voice

Lord, lead us as men this weekend!

Intimate: A Generation Marked By Loneliness

2011-07-20T09:26:00.000-07:00

A young adult church in central Denver surveyed their congregation recently. The number one dilemma was loneliness.

As I interact with young adults in their 20's and 30's all across the country, loneliness (among a few other things) is the common mark.

You are a marked generation. I believe that God is calling you into deep intimacy through loneliness. The loneliness highlights your intense longings and compels you to search. Nothing satisfies the longings of your lonely heart like the Living God!

Sure, there are unending substitutes. But, NOTHING sustains. Jesus words to the woman at the well in John 4:10-14 echo this truth.

Are you lonely? Take heart and be encouraged, an intimate God is inviting you to a "place" and depth of relationship for which you've longed! Don't be afraid. He will meet you in your loneliness and you will find the intimacy for which your were created.

Ask . . . Rest

2011-07-14T09:07:00.000-07:00

This is what the Lord says: 'Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.' But you said, 'We will not walk in it.'

- Jeremiah 6:16

I find myself regularly at crossroads, several times a day actually. Sometimes it as simple as "should I put that twinkie in my mouth" or "should I speak that sarcastic remark" to living in complete unbelief about God's provision or acting Godless in my interaction with my wife and children.

A friend introduced me to this scripture and it has been life giving. God continues to meet me at the crossroads. He points me down the life-giving path in the moment. Honestly, I don't always take His road, but when I do, I find the rest that my soul longs for. His yoke (His interpretation of the way life should be) and burden are easy and light just as He said. I have a thousand "good" reasons in that moment (and after) why I don't choose His path, the good way. My reasons never satisfy, though. They aren't life-giving long-term.

Standing at a crossroad?   You will today, so

Pause & Look!
Ask & Wait!
Listen & Act

You will act. You will choose a path.

Choose His and find rest for your soul!

Mental Marathons

2011-06-17T09:06:00.001-07:00

Our dear friend and ally, Hannah Umphress shares this. Fitting for a first post:

I run marathons
Mentally
Straining across unfamiliar terrain
Hoping I can make it
At break neck speed
Up the slopes of pain
Down the hills of recovery
Past the healing finish line
Where I can stop
And breathe
Quench my thirst even
Finally.
It never occurred to me
I could laugh freely with Love
And walk
In the unforced rhythm of grace
And enjoy this journey a whole lot more.

-Hannah Umphress