This has been a long week for me since I had a class at Denver Seminary (my last hopefully) that was designed to assist 40 some Doctoral of Ministry students who are laboring (struggling?) to finish their final project and thesis. It was helpful but intense—especially that drive through rush hour traffic to south Denver. My hat is off to all of you daily commuters.
I’m still riding high, though, off last weekend and the joy of seeing 35 people baptized (counting all four services)! I believe that 25 were planning to be baptized and 10 made the decision on the spot as the Holy Spirit brought conviction. One of my friends was baptized who was an agnostic Jew when he first came with his wife to Grace Place a number of years ago—convinced that Jesus was not who Christians say he is. It was such a joy to see he and his wife came forward spontaneously and to hear him say, “I’m fully convinced!” Every one, young and old, has a story. We rejoice together in the miracles of conversion!
Last night was a dynamite service at the Berthoud campus. National financial advisor and Christian, Dave Ramsey, talked live to millions of Americans about how to choose hope in a time of economic recession. Although there were a few technical glitches—at the broadcast site and at our site, almost as though someone didn’t want this message of hope to get out—the encouraging message and practical tips came through loud and clear. There are follow up materials on Dave’s website, including a summary of the final and powerful three point challenge: 1) Get up and take action; 2) Stop listening to loser talk; 3) Start giving. Check it out: www.townhallforhope.com
At all three worship gatherings this Sunday Dave Ramsey will be speaking a follow-up message (video-cast) filled with practical, doable, scriptural wisdom on getting out and staying out of debt. This message is prepared especially for the church. It is filled with solution-oriented wisdom, presented with Dave’s characteristic humor and straight-forward no bull style. Next week we will return to our Acts series, And So It Begins…, but this was great timing to take a pause and get some godly wisdom, practical counsel, and much needed encouragement at this time when many have sunk into fear and discouragement.