Centennial Covenant Church: Reflections

Fan Into Flame

noreply@blogger.com (Centennial Covenant Church) — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 19:36:00 +0000

Our church family is thinking a lot these days about a line from an elderly Paul to his young friend Timothy: "fan into the flame the gift of God" (2 Timothy 1:6). For all the "light, heat and energy" we desire for our lives... for all our efforts to "fan" any embers of life into such flame for greater life... what exactly is the "fire"?

Don't miss this: it's not us. It's not our plans of what we'll do. It's not our hyped-up inspiration to get us doing it. It's not the resources we collect to do it with. It's not "this little light of mine."

The fire is God. Nothing less. And as the Giver of all gifts, nothing more.

The fire is the One who spoke blazing light into the dark void of pre-creation. The fire is the One who raised his Son out of the cold night of death into an explosion of new life. The fire is the One who pours out his Spirit to share this light and energy and life, indwelling all who will receive him and let him be free to burn.

In the words of the old Canadian folk-rocker Bruce Cockburn, here's my prayer for myself, my family and friends, and for the community called Centennial Covenant:

O Love that fires the sun keep us burning.

With you in the Fire of Holy Love,

Steve Thulson

Jesus' Questions

noreply@blogger.com (Centennial Covenant Church) — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 19:02:00 +0000

Children's Pastor Darlene Thulson

I was struck, again, today by Jesus’ questions and what his purposes are when he raises them. In John 6 Jesus asks Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” It’s the next statement that’s telling:

“He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.”

How many times do I fail the test and think Jesus is asking me to come up with the solution for a problem on my own? …when all along he just wants me to realize he is the only one who can solve this and bring peace. My worried prayers (praying to the problem and not to the Problem Solver) can be as ridiculous as my anxiety and worry during last Sunday’s playoff game.

My fretting did nothing to help the Broncos win. My fretting will do nothing to bring peace to a friend or family member. But I do believe my faithful interceding in the Spirit’s power can make a difference.

So once again, I need to acknowledge the Provider of Living Water and Bread and offer myself into his plan for this broken world. Remind me of David’s inspired words, Lord:

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
…do not fret – it leads only to evil.” Psalm 37:7-8

Short and Sweet, Hopefully Thought Provoking

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Durbin) — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 17:02:00 +0000

Pastor of Youth and Young Adults
Karl Helvig

I have been doing a lot of running lately. Turns out that I love running.

Here is what I have noticed. Because I run so much, I am really in tune with my physical energy level.

I almost always know when I have

lots of energy

I almost always know when I have

almost no energy.

Somethings give energy, some drain it, certain people and activities and events fill me up with others wear me out. I find myself in tune with the full spectrum of my physical self. High, middle, low: all of it.

There is, however, a contrast that is particularly striking.

I seem to have almost no awareness of my emotional energy level.

I know when I am emotionally full (energized, strong, healthy) and I know when I am emotionally depleted.

But it is hard discerning that huge middle ground of emotional health.

Am I getting filled? Am I approaching depletion? When do I need to stop and say, "I must take some time for rest and refreshment"?

What about you? Are you the same? Different?

How well are you in tune with your emotional energy level? Or your spiritual energy level? What fills and depletes you? What are your signals and triggers?

I pray that we might be come people who are more and more in tune with our own hearts and lives.

Grace and Peace,

Karl

A Prayer for the New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Durbin) — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 16:19:00 +0000

Senior Pastor Steve Thulson

We thank you, Father,

…that our stories are not over,

and that you are not done;

…that you have an abundance of gifts,

and plenty of time to give them all;

…that you waste nothing,

can redeem anything,

and will fulfill everything.

May your kingdom come and will be done

on earth – and in our lives – even as in heaven.

In the name and presence of your reigning Son,
Amen

With Us

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Durbin) — Tue, 24 Dec 2013 20:45:00 +0000

Darlene Thulson, Children's Pastor

Last week my three year old grandson, Drew, wanted to watch a short “Chip and Dale” on my tablet. As we sat on the couch together, I found the Centennial Covenant’s Children’s Christmas program on YouTube that we had posted. Drew and I decided to watch that first. What a gift from God that turned out to be!

Since I was “directing” from the floor on the Sunday we presented our program, I didn’t see what was going on by the stable. But the video captured the whole thing. While the kids were coming and going on the stage, acting out the Christmas story, there was one “sheep” – and his “shepherd” – standing by the manger, riveted on “baby Jesus.”

It was at that moment that the Holy Spirit reminded me that the most important thing during this season of doing things for Jesus is to be with Jesus.

He is inviting me to just be with Him,
to look into His eyes filled with love for me.

Words from an old song came to mind,

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face.

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.

These last 10 days have been a snapshot of life in our broken world.

In the very middle of Advent, a time of celebrating the coming of Emmanuel, a very disturbed young man walks into his school and shoots an innocent girl sitting in a hallway. The impact of that 80 seconds of destruction has been deeply felt in our church family. With seven students and two faculty (one of them being my son-in-law) from our church being at Arapahoe High School, we have felt the grief, anger and sadness in a huge way.

Yet, the darkness of that act cannot negate the fact
that Emmanuel is with us.

As more and more stories come out from that day, it is obvious that Emmanuel was in that school, alongside the students and faculty. Emmanuel was with each of us as we prayed and waited and helped as we could. Emmanuel will bring redemption in ways we cannot see now.

May each of us take time to look into His face day by day, minute by minute. Even Now!

Mission

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Durbin) — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 16:13:00 +0000


Karl Helvig: Youth and Young Adults

Mission impossible. Mission accomplished. Mission: Put a pony tail in my daughter's hair and convince her to leave it there (which, for a dad like me sometimes feels like mission impossible!).

This past Saturday the students of Studio72 talked and learned about God's mission.

More importantly, we sought to JOIN in his mission and steer our lives to BE missional.

Every day on mission.

It strikes me that Advent and the whole Christmas season is really quite timely for a conversation about mission. Sometimes we can be easily tempted to believe that Christmas is about all sorts of things that it really isn't about: shopping, tinsel, reindeer with red noses, ugly sweaters, egg nog, movies with heart warming themes and lots of fires in fireplaces. None of those things are bad (I plan to include many of them somewhere during my Christmas season), but they are most certainly not the center of what Christmas is about.

Rather, thousands of years ago God made a promise to a guy named Abram and said he would bless the whole world through him and his kids. Some time went by and God made another promise to save and redeem his people (which, is actually part of the first promise to bless others through his people). Then, all sorts of God-followers spent lots of time talking about how this would happen and when this would happen and who the Messiah would be (Messiah being the anointed one of God who would accomplish the thousands of years old mission that God set in motion with a guy from a place called Ur... [feel free to peruse Genesis 11-25 for more on the guy from Ur, also called Abram, also called Abraham]). So, God has been on a mission for about as long as anyone can tell and that mission is simple, He wants to bless the world.

Christmas is the season when we remember one of the
central, major, history-altering moments in God's mission.

God decided to move his mission forward by coming to earth.

That is what Christmas is about.

God moved his mission forward by coming to earth. God included Abram in his mission, Abram lived on earth. After Jesus grew up and was crucified and resurrected he told his followers he would leave his Holy Spirit with us here on earth.

God's mission gets moved forward by people on earth.

This Christmas season: be invigorated as you continue to join in God's mission; be reminded of the miracle of God's coming to earth to accomplish his mission with us; be encouraged by the friends and family and tinsel and ugly sweaters that ideally remind us of the reason we celebrate so thoroughly every year.

How are you joining that mission this Christmas?

Merry Missional Christmas!

Unhealthy Appetites

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Durbin) — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 22:49:00 +0000

Jon Hardin

I’ve been thinking about unhealthy eating. A recent doctor’s exam revealed that my cholesterol is creeping upward and came with the warning: “You’ve got to pay more attention to what you eat.” Well, that’s what I’ve been trying to do these past few days, and it’s made me realize something: this next month can be one of the year’s most unhealthy sandwiches—the weeks “sandwiched” between Thanksgiving and Christmas. For many this will be like a high-calorie sandwich—stuffed with over-eating, over-spending, and over-absorption with self and family.

In the last week Lynda and I have been vividly reminded how, while we are eating our way toward Christmas, many people remain spiritually famished during this season’s celebrations. We recently spent the evening with Muslim friends from the Middle East, and a few days later we had a meal with another person from a similar part of the world. It made me realize that while I am tempted to turn inward during the holiday season, there are people like these—in fact billions more—who share these non-Christian worldviews and who (whether they realize it or not) are starving for the very thing we are supposed to be celebrating during this season: the Gift of God that deserves all our thanks.

So yes, the doctor was correct; I need to watch my diet. But not just my consumption of high-cholesterol food and needless stuff. Even more, I need to fast from my own spiritual carelessness I’m reminded of Jesus’ statement regarding his own appetite, when his disciples were preoccupied with getting lunch, in John 4. On that occasion Jesus said, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work” (John 4:34). Now that’s a healthy appetite! May God grant us hunger to do his will and kingdom work throughout the “sandwich weeks” of Advent.

Accomplishing Within the Accomplished

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Durbin) — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 16:10:00 +0000

Senior Pastor, Steve Thulson

I’ve been thinking a lot these days (and preaching) about “running at the pace of grace.” Like most people I know, my days get full and move fast. It makes a difference for the good when I remember and embrace this: the reality of God and his grace. I love the prayer of Isaiah (26:12 NIV):

Lord, you establish peace for us;

all that we have accomplished

you have done for us.

Peace has been established. Our risen Lord’s finished work on the cross reconciles us to the Father, promises that one day all will be well, and allows his Spirit to indwell our hearts and spread a peace for the living of our days.

The farmer-philosopher Wendell Berry has composed a series of Sabbath Poems. Here’s one that echoes the paradox of Isaiah’s prayer on seeing all our accomplishments within God’s. Read it slowly. As you do, think of your hard work. And then place it into an even greater work and so a growing rest.

Whatever is foreseen in joy

Must be lived out from day to day.

Vision held open in the dark

By our ten thousand days of work.

Harvest will fill the barn; for that

The hand must ache, the face must sweat.

And yet no leaf or grain is filled

By work of ours; the field is tilled

And left to grace. That we may reap,

Great work is done while we’re asleep.

When we work well, a Sabbath mood

Rests on our day, and finds it good.

(Wendell Berry, in A Timbered Choir, “Sabbath Poem, 1979, X”)

Hot Tub Evangelism

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Durbin) — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 17:52:00 +0000

Pastor of Care and Finance, Ron Mol

You never know the opportunities God may send your way on any given day - even when you leave the beautiful state of Colorado!

Last week I had the privilege of taking my wife and son on a vacation. We left late on Friday and drove only to North Platte, Nebraska, where we found a Fairfield Inn to lodge for the night.

Before retiring, Scott and I opted
for a visit to the hot tub.

When we got to the whirlpool, we found it was already occupied by a gentleman.While starting a conversation with him would fit my nature, I was also keenly aware that this would likely embarrass my teenage son, so I showed great restraint and remained silent. Our predecessor in the hot tub did not have a teenager with him, however, so he was not inclined to restrain himself! “Where did you guys start your day today?” he asked. “Well, we got a late start from Denver on our way to Chicago, how about you?” I had taken the bait.

The stranger told us his name, and that he was returning to his home south of Denver from Chicago. I told him we lived in Highlands Ranch.

He asked if I knew where the corner of Broadway and Mineral was.

At this point I thought God might be prompting me to talk about our church a little bit, so I told him I was a pastor and my church was right at that location. He started asking me about our church and told me he was currently looking for one (about this time, Scott had had enough of the heat). The stranger and I shared some of the details of our respective spiritual journeys, and he told me he would like to visit our church sometime.

So, if you meet a new face at church in the near future,
you may want to ask how he heard about our church! And always be looking for an opportunity to share the good news with those you meet.

The Gift of Time

noreply@blogger.com (Centennial Covenant Church) — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 15:06:00 +0000

“How about if I take the boys out this morning,

and give you some time to do whatever you'd like?”

So went Heather’s question to me regarding the upcoming Saturday morning. What a wonderful gift she was offering to me as a busy dad, husband, worker, etc – the gift of some time to do whatever.

Time is an important commodity in our culture. As Michael LeBoeuf, American business guru quipped, “Waste your money and you’re only out of money, but waste your time and you’ve lost a part of your life.” So when Heather asked me that question, it was a no-brainer. Why would I not gratefully receive such a gift from her?

The question I then face is “How would I ‘spend’ that Saturday morning gift,

that commodity that was now in my piggy bank?

Time is a commodity only because of our limitations as part of God’s creation. We can try to manage it and make the most of it, but ultimately, we are prisoners bound by and within time. We can do nothing to make it stop, slow it down, manipulate it. Time moves ahead minute-by-minute and we are helplessly carried along in it’s current.

While we are very aware of our limitations regarding time,

we must remember that God is not.

Time is the very thing that he created so his redemptive purposes can be carried out. As time rolls along, he actively presents us with opportunities to be transformed into a clearer and cleaner reflection of his image.

So back to my question of how I would spend a half-day of time that is given to me. What would bring me the most joy and recharge my batteries? I have several ideas running through my head that I get pretty excited about.

How would you spend such a gift?

When given a block of time like this, we shouldn't feel guilty about doing something we really enjoy, whether creative, productive, or simply taking a nap. God loves seeing us soak up such moments!

But wouldn’t it be a great idea to check in with God and ask him what would be best?

After all he knows each of us intimately. A quick prayer might be, “God, you know me, all my needs and wants. Here’s what I think I should do, but what do you think is the best way for me to use this gift of time?” And why not bring that kind of question to him everyday? This seems to be what the psalmist expressed in Psalm 90:12,

“Teach us to number our days, that we might gain a heart of wisdom.”

We may see time as a limitation, but we can also see it as the means by which God carries out his plan. To that end, it is a gift from God. Recording artist, Charlie Peacock, captured this idea well in the first stanza of his song “The Secret of Time”:

Time is a gift of love and grace;

Without time, there’d be no time to change,

Time to be healed, humbled, and broken,

Time to hear the words of love spoken.

Click here to listen to this song.

Remember

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Durbin) — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 20:30:00 +0000

Pastor of Youth & Young Adults, Karl Helvig

REMEMBER:

Last Sunday we talked about remembering.

We REMEMBER what God has done

so we can TESTIFY to his work.

We REMEMBER the past

so we can ENVISION the future.

If you were there, thanks for joining us! I hope you have found a place to testify (to share your story with others) about God's work in your life.

But today I want to talk about a different kind of memory. While some memories are sources of strength and encouragement and testimony, other memories are wounds. Other memories do not strengthen, but drain. We all have memories that are like weights on our shoulders.

What are some of your memories that weigh you down?

More importantly,

what do we do with these painful memories? What do we do with our wounds from the past?

I have one simple suggestion that I truly pray is strength and blessing to you.

Let God heal them.

I was talking to a friend just the other day and he shared something that has been rolling around my mind since our conversation. He shared about how God has been healing some of his memories.

God was healing his memories. Really? Is that something God does?

He went on to describe something that was as beautiful as it was simple. He said that a number of memories from his past had been coming over and over to his mind. He shared about serious wounds from his past. He shared about some experiences that still hurt today. Then he said he has been inviting Jesus into those moments.

He invited Jesus into his memories.

Hearing that, I realized some of my habits surrounding painful memories: I ignore them, I let them hurt, I forget them, I hide them, I pretend they don't hurt that bad, I tell myself I can just deal with them, I tell myself it's just the past.... the list goes on.

I do a lot of things with my painful memories, but I don't often invite Jesus into them. I especially don't invite him into the most painful memories. Those are the ones I most regularly ignore or conceal.

I try to invite Jesus into my days, I try to follow him with my life, but I don't invite him into memories. And let me get specific here. I think there is healing to be found in letting those memories come fresh into our minds (not rejecting them or pushing them away or minimizing them but vividly re-experiencing them) and then specifically asking Jesus to be THERE, to enter into THAT PLACE. There is even a longChristian tradition for allowing ourselves to IMAGINE Jesus himself walking into the scenes in our minds. This is not just fantasizing or manipulating our minds. It's taking seriously the promise of Jesus to be with us always. We can pray, "Jesus, be with me in this memory. Be present with me both now and then." Then let your mind see Jesus physically present in the scene in your memory.

Is there a wound from your past that still hurts: it comes back, it repeats itself, it hasn't gone away for years? If so, consider inviting Jesus into that memory.

I will not guarantee that an exercise like this will immediately erase all pain or scaring from the past. But I do believe that we serve a healing God who desires us to bring more of ourselves to more of him. Join me in bringing your memories to Jesus.

Let us be a people who walk with Jesus in EVERYTHING WE REMEMBER so hopefully we can walk with him into EVERYTHING WE PRESENTLY LIVE.

Grace and Peace,

Karl

Learning to Come

noreply@blogger.com (Centennial Covenant Church) — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 20:48:00 +0000

Yesterday afternoon, I actually had some alone time to work on uploading pictures to my Shutterfly account so I could work on a memory book. As it takes some time for photos to be moved, I had the brilliant idea of working on a watercolor painting I’d started last spring, but never finished. So here I was moving from the computer on the deck, enjoying a warm afternoon before the storm hit, to go downstairs to where I paint. Back and forth, back and forth. And then it hit me. Why am I making such a project of something that should bring joy and rest?

I took time with the photos, then thanked God for great times with my husband and extended family and the way we saw God at work in us. After taking time to choose and upload the best photos (quite a project with a son, son-in-law and other extended family members who are great photographers!), I let it be for a while.

Then I spent time finishing a painting from an anniversary trip. As I took time to work on it, God brought to my quieted mind memories, not only of a great time with Steve, but also reminding me that it was on that trip that we got a phone call from my Mom that my Dad’s health was failing. The beauty of the sunset I was painting was a reminder of God’s faithfulness and presence with us in the really good times and also the really challenging and difficult times.

Isn’t that our life stories? Wonderful and hard, precious and desperate, quiet and crazy? Yet in all of it comes Jesus’ voice: “Come to me; come to me.” As we spend time this fall as a church family considering the focus of “Running at the Pace of Grace,” let’s ask hard questions of ourselves:

- Where do we needlessly impose stress on our lives?

- Where can we take the necessary tasks before us and bring them to the Father as prayers?

- How do we take Jesus’ statement seriously, “Learn from Me?

Thankfully Jesus does not expect us to do this alone. His fulfilled promise to send a Comforter and Guide in the person of the Holy Spirit enables us to keep on learning and growing in Him.

Serve

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Durbin) — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 19:04:00 +0000

Pastor of Youth and Young Adults, Karl Helvig

"James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ."

Servant.

I'm not sure that's a term that people eagerly take upon themselves. In the first century (when James was writing to this scattering of churches) it could be a profoundly degrading categorization. If you were a servant (slave is probably a better translation), then you were simply an item on an inventory. You were a possession, you belonged to the master of the house.

You would be listed along with the cattle and sheep and pots and furniture.

Slaves were not people, they were property.

So, why does James take that names for himself?

James was a leader in the early church. He was one of the chief leaders in the church in Jerusalem (which, if you hadn't heard, is a rather significant city for Jews and Christians). James was a person whose opinion was sought after and whose decisions mattered.

But James, a pillar of the church, willingly identified himself as a servant, a slave.

Here is the thing about slaves, their job is simple. It can all be boiled down to just one thing: do the masters will. If you are a slave, there shouldn't be much confusion about your role. Your role is to do what the master tells you to do.

James tells us that his desire is to only do the will of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

How does that sit with you? Are we willing to see ourselves as servants, even slaves, of our good and gracious God?

Are we willing to only do the things that God desires for us to do?

First century masters could be harsh at times, the term slave is a loaded term and can bring up all sorts of negative connotations. But, Christ is the most gracious and benevolent Lord this world has ever seen. Doing his will, while it may be challenging at times, it ultimately a good, even joyful endeavor. It is always a blessing to be a servant of Christ.

So, what is the will of God for you today? Will you listen for his voice? Will you follow his leading? When you do, you might find easy paths or difficult paths to walk, but they will always be good paths. They will always be paths worth walking; paths you look back and find yourself blessed for having traveled them.

Slowing Down to Run Well

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Durbin) — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 16:49:00 +0000

Senior Pastor Steve Thulson

I once heard a Chinese proverb:

When you walk, walk.
When you sit, sit.
Whatever you do, do not wobble.

I suppose it means to do what you do clearly, intently and fully: whether it’s diving into work or pulling back into play.

I have a way of “wobbling.” My multitasking can end up fragmenting me more than fulfilling some focused purpose. My breaks can land me in escapes like TV that barely cover-up a restless stewing about the tasks that didn’t get done. There’s neither fruitful labor nor peaceful rest. I could blame our driven, busy and hurried culture; except that culture is in me as much as I in it.

Yet all the more, I am in Christ. And he is in me.

I hear the still but strong voice of Jesus say “Come to me and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:29). He gives a deep rest even as we also take up his “yoke” of actively working with him, and take up our “crosses” of sharing in his suffering that’s redemptive. He leads us into work and rest that’s not “wobbling.” As we hear the Apostle Paul say: “Whatever you do… do it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” (Colossians 3:17). That’s a way of saying “Do all you do in the presence of Jesus – with him, not just for him, much less apart from him.

Part of our church family’s focus this Fall and beyond is slowing down to run well. That’s not about being slow because you don’t run well – even if that’s the literal case for some us now! It’s growing into a freedom to let God run the universe and find peace in the place you get within that – no more, no less. It’s finding a pace – sometimes moving fast, sometimes being absolutely still – that’s “in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). In the words of Eugene Peterson paraphrasing Jesus, it’s learning “the unforced rhythms of grace” (Matthew 11:30 in The Message).

By his grace, that’s the “run” Jesus has me on. How about you?

Joy In Anything?

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Durbin) — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 16:18:00 +0000

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2 (NIV)

Two weeks ago Pastor Steve's sermon,"Between Plan A...and Unplanned Z" (click here to listen) brought us to think about all that was going on when Paul and Silas visited Philippi.(Acts 16) All of their plans A,B,and C were disrupted by unplanned X,Y,Z, which became God's plans. The sharing at the end of worship was remarkable - example after example was given of God redeeming our failed plans (with the pain and frustration those failed plans caused) to bring good and glory to Himself.

I have been there many times: times where hopes and dreams did not play out as I planned. Yet, I experienced God's faithfulness as a love gift from the Father to bring hope. Jeremiah 29:11 came to life over and over again as I let go of my plans and embraced what God was doing. I could see God's plan for me was not to harm me but to bring me "hope and a future."

But now back to where I started. James 1:2 says to consider it pure joy whenever I face trials - when every failed plan A,B or C occurs. That's hard. I can say I love God, and I do. I can say I trust God, and I do. But to consider it pure joy, PURE JOY, to walk through the confusion and hardship as a result of the trials and failed plans? James goes on to give the outcomes . Trials lead to faith tested. Faith tested leads to perseverance. Perseverance leads to my becoming mature and complete, not lacking anything. In other words, it leads me to become more and more like Jesus. When put that way, I can consider it pure joy when I come face to face with any trial.

Do your work in me, Lord; in us all.

“Mary!”

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Durbin) — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 21:51:00 +0000

Pastor of Worship and Staff, David Dillon

As a seasoned substitute teacher my wife Heather has learned, within five minutes of entering a new classroom, which students' names she needs to know. See, there is power in knowing a person’s name, which is easily observed when a disruptive student hears their name and now knows their cover has been blown and anonymity is no more!

Of course there is a positive side to this too. Knowing a person’s name is honoring to them and often the first step toward a relationship. Hearing your name lovingly spoken by a spouse or parent allows you to rest in the familiar and comfortable place of I belong and I am valued.

In John 20 a broken-hearted Mary unexpectedly hears her name called out by the risen Jesus. Confusion, joy, wonder, and amazement must have simultaneously bombarded her thoughts. Hadn’t she seen him dead on the cross? But now, just as real and palpable as the stone that no longer covers his tomb, she hears, “Mary!” Oswald Chambers notes that she immediately recognized a personal history with the one who spoke. Everything he had done and said to her suddenly became even more true.

Can you recall times when your heart’s ear has heard Jesus call your name? What was that like? What about now - do you hear Him lovingly speak it?

Sometimes, like Mary, I think he speaks our name after a time of silence to surprise us and remind us that we do have a history with Him. During those silent times we can have a well-founded hope of that coming surprise. Other times we may wonder if there is just too much earwax in the way of really hearing him and we doubt his unique love for us. Then there are those times when we experience an ongoing intimate connection with him. In God’s economy, all of these seasons can be used by him to deepen our love for Him.

No matter where you find yourself on the continuum, Scripture assures us of his love for each of us. As the perfect Father, there is nothing that he desires more than to be intimately involved in each of his children’s lives. Isaiah 49:15 puts it like this: “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!”

Because he knows you by name.

Today

noreply@blogger.com (Centennial Covenant Church) — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 15:34:00 +0000

Senior Pastor, Steve Thulson

Our church family just lost a gift from God. His name was Bob Jepsen. On July 22, he succumbed to cancer, diagnosed just a few weeks before his death at the age of eighty. About nine years ago, Bob became one of our very first deaf attenders. He rarely missed a Sunday. Complementing his strong rugged physique – with big mustache and sideburns – was his childlike innocence, even “sweetness.” We’ll miss him.

Bob’s daughter Renee says he never tired of telling her and everyone else to remember this:

“Today is the first day of the rest of your life.”

We’ve all heard that line. Maybe so many times, you might even yawn or roll your eyes. And yet it’s undeniably true. And more than a thin greeting card cliché, it can carry a weighty reminder with a hope-giving invitation.

Bob Jepsen

Think about “today.” Yet one more revolution of the earth: 86,400 seconds – each a flicker of “present” that’s simply the rush of an unlived future into an irretrievable past. Yet that elusive sense of “now” can be seen not merely as a flicker of ticks on the clock, but as a flow of life. The river of “now” can be seen as an ongoing gift from God whose great love and unfailing compassions “are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:23). Each fleeting moment holds his infinite Presence and his ability to use our pasts and direct our futures for his glory, others’ good and our own joy.

A man who seemed to have wasted his life was slowly dying in excruciating pain by inhumane execution. His “today” was the worst of all his days. Next to him, dying, was Jesus who turned and spoke. What was said totally redefined and redirected the man’s present: “Today, you will be with me in Paradise.”

“Today… with me.”

Today is probably not dying day for you. It probably does not seem a whole lot different from a thousand other days. Yet it’s a “first.” It’s “new.” If you’ll trust and welcome the risen Jesus, this is a day filled with him.

Family Reunion?

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Durbin) — Thu, 18 Jul 2013 15:10:00 +0000

What is the first thing you think of when you hear "family reunion?"

Excitement to see family you have not seen in years?
Hope that there will be enough down time to actually talk and share a bit of your life's recent journey?
Misgivings at being with individuals where there has been hurt or a broken relationships?
Dread at the idea of getting into your swimsuit?

Even with many mixed feelings at play, I hope there are anticipations of what God will do during such unique, set apart times. Let me share a personal example.

Forty-three "Thulsons" just came away from an amazing three days together. While some individuals are struggling with health issues, lack of good jobs, and other issues as the result of living in a broken world, we loved being together. I do not take for granted the foundation laid by my husband's parents, Roy and Lorraine, for the strength of faith and love in our extended family.

As all of us shared Communion on Sunday morning, packed into our family room, I had a glimpse of the ultimate "family reunion" with our Abba, Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Imagine sharing stories of our life's journeys here, and how often -- just when it seemed as if God had given up on us -- it became evident that he was present. Imagine being held close to the heart of Jesus -- one unified family giving praise and honor to the Lamb, to our heavenly Father and to the Holy Spirit. That's a family reunion worth waiting for!

Adventure 2013: Into the Unknown

noreply@blogger.com (Centennial Covenant Church) — Tue, 09 Jul 2013 19:57:00 +0000

Karl Helvig, Pastor to Youth and Young Adults

Hiking, climbing, backpacking, camping, cabins, sleeping bags, tents, ropes, community, teamwork, campfires, worship, testimonies. These are just a few of the words that simmer in my mind when I think of a week at camp.

I love going to camp. God has a way of moving powerfully during these times apart.

In the past 15 years I have worked with over 600 students during more than 80 weeks of camp experience: backpacking trips, canoe trips, weeks at camp, weekend retreats. Bearing that decade and a half in mind, I can confidently say that God moved in particularly powerful ways during our week together on “Adventure 2013: Into the Unknown.”

The entire week was full of honesty, teamwork, prayer, scripture and Jesus. It was beautiful.

In a lot of ways, the entire week gained momentum as our experiences built upon one another. The team building on Monday prepared us for a 14er hike on Wednesday and everything helped cultivate the powerful times of worship and sharing testimonies around the campfire each night. The trip was coming to a close when we arrived back at church on Friday night, ready for a final group of students to share their testimonies. After a final late night time with God, a group of students began to pray together. What proceeded from there was a four hour time of prayer and seeking God. While I was present, the prayer time was student initiated and student led. We encountered God in a powerful way that night and I believe it was because, as a group, we had been drawing close to him and to one another throughout the week. These four hours also stood out in a couple unique ways. During the prayer time, we experienced a period of praying specifically against some dark spiritual powers working in the life of one student in particular. This time ended with many of us in the group feeling a clear sense of peace and freedom in our spirits. Following that, the group continued seeking God and then experienced what we believe to be a time when God spoke to our group in specific ways.

It’s hard to put into words exactly what happened, but we know that our eyes were opened to the spiritual realities around us and we know that we leaned into Jesus through prayer in a powerful and unforgettable way.

Experiences like this can be tricky. They are both encouraging and confusing, yet we have seen a lot of fruit. We enjoyed a 2-hour time with about 75 parents, students, and church leaders debriefing and processing some of these extraordinary experiences. Students are eager to pray for one another and dig into God's word. We are fully rejoicing in the ways God has been and continues to be at work. However, we also know that we live in a fallen world and the reality of God's presence is much greater and more pervasive than any single experience we ever have. There is no single experience that can fully and perfectly capture the work of God in us and through us. So, we pray that God continues to clarify and confirm what he began that Friday night.

Our sermon series at church for the past weeks has been on BREAKTHROUGHS. Even if an experience like this leaves us with as many questions as it does answers, we still pray that God would be creating breakthroughs in the lives of the students of Studio72. May this be just the beginning of a work of God’s Spirit, breaking into our lives and into the life of our church.

Grace and Peace,

Karl

Eyes Wide-Open

noreply@blogger.com (Centennial Covenant Church) — Tue, 25 Jun 2013 23:16:00 +0000

Pastor of Worship and Staff, David Dillon

We are very blessed to have many photographers at Centennial with an eye for capturing beauty. One Saturday morning a couple of weeks ago, eight of them did a morning outing in downtown Denver seeking to capture “Urban Life” with their cameras.

As a place to gather our creative work and let others enjoy it, we created a Flickr group called “Centennial Covenant Photographers” that you can view here http://www.flickr.com/groups/2214230@N20/pool/ Go ahead and look – there’s some beautiful work from that morning from people you probably know!

Our plan is to continue with these outings on a monthly basis through the summer. We have tentatively planned our next outing for Sunday, July 7 shooting downtown at sunset. If you have a love for photography we would welcome you coming along or joining our Flickr group. Just let me know of your interest.

Let’s watch and see where God takes us as our eyes are wide-open to the world around us!


David Brown

Cassie Britain


David Dillon


Brian Hatak

Steve Johnson

How to Avoid God?

noreply@blogger.com (Centennial Covenant Church) — Fri, 31 May 2013 15:32:00 +0000

Senior Pastor, Steve Thulson

Writing 50 or so years ago, British author C.S. Lewis wrote an essay called "The Seeing Eye" -- a response to atheist Soviet Cosmonauts who said they had not seen God in space. He compared that to assuming you might meet William Shakespeare by reading Hamlet.

Lewis also talked about "avoiding God." It's "extremely easy," he's said. "Avoid silence, avoid solitude, avoid any train of thought that leads off the beaten track. Concentrate on money, sex, status, health and (above all) on your own grievances. Keep the radio on. Live in a crowd. Use plenty of sedation. If you must read books, select them very careful. But you’d be safer to stick to the papers."

It's even easier in our time, isn't it? We're bombarded with information, voices, media, and noise that flood their way into any potential silence and solitude.

Yet God himself does not get crowded out. He's more than "there." And he's ready to welcome our open hearts to fill them with his grace and truth.

This summer, why not stop avoiding God and step into his loving search for you? Go on some walks with him. Let what you see reflect his glory. Let what's on your mind be channeled into a conversation. Open a Bible and listen. Get with a friend and ask about any God-sightings.

"My times are in your hands" (Psalm 31:15). What about this time for you?

Summer Witness

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Durbin) — Thu, 30 May 2013 17:31:00 +0000

I am hiking the Twin Sisters Trail. After a long series of switchbacks, nestled in a pine forest with NO view at all, I break out at the top. What lies before me is spectacular Longs Peak only a short distance away.

I am sitting in a family room with a dying friend. Everyone knows all too well that this may be the last conversation we will have this side of the resurrection.

I am sitting on the living room floor, surrounded by a chaotic tangle of toys and puzzle pieces. Suddenly I am tackled by a chattering, somewhat wobbly one year old and we fall down together in a joyous heap.

I am driving with my nine year old grandson discussing various wars he has become aware of and quite interested in. On his own, he suddenly refers to Gideon’s battle with the Midianites and how God fought for the Israelites and gave them a supernatural victory.

I have just witnessed an amazing sunset on the drive to visit a disabled friend who has not seen a sunset in years. Her apartment has no western exposure and she only gets out to go to the doctor during the day. I sit with her and prayerfully listen as she describes hours of relentless pain and feeling let down by the Medicare system.

I sit on the shore of Lake Galilee with my best friend and a life partner (same person) taking communion.

What do all the above have in common?

Jesus, himself, is present. Not only is he present, but engaged and drawing me to himself to know him as the author of creation, beauty and love; and the companion and comforter during dark nights on my life’s journey.

This summer, remember the “with-ness” of Jesus wherever you are!

Sawdust: An Aroma Holy and Pleasing

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Durbin) — Tue, 28 May 2013 21:32:00 +0000

“When I make sawdust I feel His pleasure.”

So would have gone the famous quote by Olympic Gold Medalist Eric Liddell, had he been a woodworker. He wasn’t though; his passion was running, and God met him and he met God through that simple act.

I am not much of a runner, but I do have a lot of passions, and I understand Liddell’s sentiment of communing with God as I engage those passions. Lately, woodworking has had my attention, and specifically, building my first guitar. This project began on April 30 last year. After a long winter hiatus, where my garage/workshop was too cold to be functional, I am nearing completion.

Not only do I hope that this instrument will be a tool for worshiping, but also there have been moments of worship even during its creation. Especially the distinct and pungent smell of walnut being cut by my band saw, or the sheen that I start to see in a highly polished ebony fretboard—these cause me to praise the God who gifted us with senses.

I can’t help but think too about God’s passion for extravagant beauty in worship. Sometime read Exodus 31:1-11. Here you see God giving his Holy Spirit to artists and artisans for the purpose of beautifying the Israelites’ place of worship. I believe this was a beauty not only for the Israelites to enjoy as they worshipped God, but also a beauty that God enjoyed. Art is a communal gift. By the way, this was one of the first recorded instances of God filling someone with his Spirit. Think about the significance of God giving that kind of attention to art and artists!
So as I stand in a carpet of sawdust in my workshop, I stand in a great line of worshiping artists with a passion for beauty and a passion for God. What about you? What are you passionate about? Can you see those passions as an opportunity for worship?

Community

noreply@blogger.com (Centennial Covenant Church) — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:16:00 +0000

The first Thursday of every month, I get together with a group of pastors from Covenant Churches on the front range. Arvada, Longmont, Ft. Collins - we come from all over. All of us are in some way part of the student ministries at our churches. Every time I walk away thinking, "I love meeting with these people. There is something encouraging about conversation with people walking the same journey as you."

Who are the people like that in your life? Who are the people that you meet with and walk away feeling refreshed?

I am convinced more and more that we NEED these people in our lives. Without honest, challenging, uplifting conversation with trusted friends it is so easy for life to become heavy.

How would you describe the rhythm of your life right now? Light? Heavy?

If your answer is, "light." Awesome! I challenge you to find someone to share that with. Let the blessings you receive in life become a blessing to others. Let the good things you experience become a testimony of God's grace present.

If your answer is, "heavy." Maybe it's not so awesome, but I challenge you also to find someone to share that with. And I don't mean the vague, veiled, "pray for me," kind of sharing that can make us feel like we have done just enough. Yes, it's appropriate that we don't share every detail of every struggle with every person we meet. However, there needs to be at least one place, at least one person where we can let down every wall and be brutally honest.

Do you have a person in your life with whom you are brutally honest? Who is the person that allows you to drop every wall and barrier?

My prayer right now for my life, and for each member of our community, is that we would seek, find, and celebrate these very relationships in our midst.

Do you have these places of honesty and trust? Celebrate! Let them know how much they mean to you.

Do you need a place like this? Pray for God's guidance. Then, with discernment, lean into a relationship that you think could go deeper. Take the next step of trust. Confess the struggle you have bottled up inside; admit the fear that weakens your knees.

The body of Christ is a place to find healing, strengthening, transformational relationships. We have the very presence of God in our midst, and that is something to celebrate.

Heavy seasons aren't necessarily joy filled, but they definitely ARE seasons God wants to work in and work through. Let us be a community of people God works in and works through as we share both the heavy and the light of our lives together.

Thank you Christ, for your presence among us. Amen.

Financial Peace

noreply@blogger.com (Centennial Covenant Church) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 18:41:00 +0000

Sixty-five individuals just finished a 9 week course called Financial Peace University. It was awesome.

Here are some of the highlights straight from the mouths of our participants.

- "I just saved $1,000 for the first time in my life."

- "Having an emergency fund in place gives me peace."

- "My spouse and I are now communicating regularly about finances, it's wonderful."

- "I did my taxes on my own!"

- "I paid off $2,500 in debt!"

- "My husband and I now have a shared language about money. Now we can have money conversations instead of money fights."

- "I cut up ALL of my credit cards. I will NEVER go into debt again."

During our course, we learned the "Seven Baby Steps" of financial peace:

1) Save a $1,000 emergency fund (do this fast, do this now, have a garage sale this weekend!)

2) List all of your debts, smallest to largest. Pay minimum payments on every debt and then ATTACK the smallest debt with every other dollar you can find. Once you pay off that smallest debt, roll your payment over to the next smallest. This is called the debt snowball.

3) Save 3-6 months worth of expenses. This is a complete emergency fund.

4) Put 15% of your income toward retirement in a 401K, IRA, Roth IRA or other tax-favored accounts.

5) Start saving and investing for your kids college education.

6) Pay off your mortgage early.

7) GIVE LIKE NO ONE ELSE.

During our time together, we regularly looked at one another and said, "I have never really talked to anyone about this before." Conversations about handling money God's way can be so freeing when they lead to new behaviors, greater purpose and clearer vision about how to handle the resources God has given us.

At the end of the day, it's not about getting out of debt, it's not about saving more for yourself, it's not about giving more to the church. Rather,

It's about becoming more and more like God. God is the ultimate giver and he wants you to experience the joy of becoming like him.

If you weren't able to make it to the course, but are interested in learning more, go here. Also, let us know if you would be interested in going through Financial Peace University and we can point you toward other courses in our area or even consider offering the course again here at Centennial Covenant Church.

Between this course, our Sunday morning connecting hour class on Jesus and finances, and the High School curriculum "Generation Change" more than 90 people have been learning about and growing into lives of handling money God's way.

Praise the Lord that he is moving in this way in our community.

Centennial Covenant Church: Reflections

Fan Into Flame

Jesus' Questions

“He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.”

My fretting did nothing to help the Broncos win. My fretting will do nothing to bring peace to a friend or family member. But I do believe my faithful interceding in the Spirit’s power can make a difference.

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;…do not fret – it leads only to evil.” Psalm 37:7-8

Short and Sweet, Hopefully Thought Provoking

A Prayer for the New Year

With Us

He is inviting me to just be with Him, to look into His eyes filled with love for me.

These last 10 days have been a snapshot of life in our broken world.

Yet, the darkness of that act cannot negate the fact that Emmanuel is with us.

Mission

More importantly, we sought to JOIN in his mission and steer our lives to BE missional.

Every day on mission.

Christmas is the season when we remember one of the central, major, history-altering moments in God's mission.

God decided to move his mission forward by coming to earth.

That is what Christmas is about.

God's mission gets moved forward by people on earth.

How are you joining that mission this Christmas?

Merry Missional Christmas!

Unhealthy Appetites

Accomplishing Within the Accomplished

Hot Tub Evangelism

Before retiring, Scott and I opted for a visit to the hot tub.

He asked if I knew where the corner of Broadway and Mineral was.

So, if you meet a new face at church in the near future, you may want to ask how he heard about our church! And always be looking for an opportunity to share the good news with those you meet.

The Gift of Time

Remember

Learning to Come

Serve

Slowing Down to Run Well

Joy In Anything?

“Mary!”

Today

Family Reunion?

Adventure 2013: Into the Unknown

Eyes Wide-Open

How to Avoid God?

Summer Witness

Sawdust: An Aroma Holy and Pleasing

Community

Financial Peace

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
…do not fret – it leads only to evil.” Psalm 37:7-8

He is inviting me to just be with Him,
to look into His eyes filled with love for me.

Yet, the darkness of that act cannot negate the fact
that Emmanuel is with us.

Christmas is the season when we remember one of the
central, major, history-altering moments in God's mission.

Before retiring, Scott and I opted
for a visit to the hot tub.

So, if you meet a new face at church in the near future,
you may want to ask how he heard about our church! And always be looking for an opportunity to share the good news with those you meet.