Not your mother's prayer....

Raw, unrefined, honest and a punch in the gut.

"Dear God, whom I hate with all my being precisely because you hate and threaten me with hell, I hate this punishment perhaps even more than I hate you. Or, maybe I should say that I love my comfort even more than I hate you. For that reason I am asking a favor of you. I want you to make me love you, whom I hate even when I ask this and even more because I have to ask this. I am being frank with you because I know it is no use to be otherwise. You know even better than I how much I hate you and that I love only myself. It is no use for me to pretend to be sincere. I most certainly do not love you and do not want to love you. I hate the thought of loving you but that is what I'm asking because I love myself. If you can answer this 'prayer' I guess the gift of gratitude will come with it and then I will be able to do what I would not think of doing now—thank you for making me love you whom I hate. Amen."


(What one theologian thinks Jonathan Edwards would have counseled a seeker to actually pray based on his own ideas.)

The Church

I stole this video off Aaron's blog. Watch it, then think...





...about what a beautiful picture this is of how the church should be. A bunch of different individuals making their own noise brought together by God and united in Christ to make wonderful music!

Our New Home

The City in Brief

Founded: 1858 (incorporated, 1861)

Head Official: Mayor John W. Hickenlooper (D) (since 2003)

City Population
1980: 493,000
1990: 467,610
2000: 554,636
2003 estimate: 557,748

Percent change, 1990–2000: 18.6%

U.S. rank in 1980: 24th
U.S. rank in 1990: 26th
U.S. rank in 2000: 31st

Metropolitan Area Population (PMSA)
1980: 1,429,000
1990: 1,622,980
2000: 2,109,282

Percent change, 1990–2000: 29.9%
U.S. rank in 1980: 21st (PMSA)
U.S. rank in 1990: 22nd (MSA)
U.S. rank in 2000: 19th (MSA)

Area: 153 square miles (2000)

Elevation: 5,332 feet above sea level

Average Annual Temperature: 50.0° F

Average Annual Precipitation: 15.81 inches

Major Economic Sectors: Communications, utilities, transportation

Unemployment Rate: 5.6% (January 2005)(I think this one has changed!!!)

Per Capita Income: $24,101 (1999)

2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 32,132

Major Colleges and Universities:
University of Denver
Metropolitan State University
University of Colorado at Denver

Daily Newspapers:
The Denver Post
Rocky Mountain News

33 East Weaver Place

More coming soon.

Knowing What They Think

I have come to believe there are two times in one's life when they can honestly know what others think of them. The first is when people find out you have died. Either they will break down in tears or say, "Good I am glad that bastard is dead!" The second is when you leave a job. Either people will say nothing or they will morn your leaving. Here are some comments I heard when I told people I was quitting to be the Teaching Pastor at The Next Level Church in Denver Colorado.

"No, no, no! It took me 14 years to find a boss I liked and now you are leaving."

"The Team will be crushed."

"I don't believe! Nope, I still don't believe it."

"I going to cry."

"You were the last good one around here."

"Good for you! I am glad you are getting out of this place."

"Well, we all knew it was coming. You were either going to go back to church work or
teach somewhere."

"You are the best leader here."

"We are going to miss you."

"But, you are the only one I talk to around here."

"Now who is going to buy us snacks?"

It did not matter who I told or whether or not they went to church or even like Christians, everyone was excited for me and happy to know I was doing what I love.

This makes me believe I was a good person to work with and for.