Author Archives: dennyowens

Monday Morning Musings …

Yesterday was an amazing day for weather, it was mid 50’s on November 23, for here that is amazing. Yesterday was a good day spiritually with some significant conversations and people committing to go deeper in their walk with Jesus Christ. Yesterday was a good day on a personal level as well, but let’s get to the musings so you can see for yourself.

-It was exciting, encouraging, and humbling to see and hear what God is doing in people’s lives in our church.

-It was great to see people making commitments to go deeper in their walk with Christ.

-It was great to hear people share what they are learning.

-Our children’s ministry continues to experience good things and the changes we made are attracting children and getting them, and some of their parents, to attend more often.

-We had no technical glitches yesterday!!!

-In just over 7 days my wife and I will be with our kids and grandkids who are serving in Africa!

-I used a little “Zombie theology” in the message yesterday. That was fun.

-People were very engaged yesterday, in every part of our worship. That makes for a great day.

-Our small group met last night and it was great to be together with them.

-Our attendance was just above our average for the year, that is good, but after the large number last week it felt much smaller. I love that our low Sundays are much larger than our average was a year ago. I especially love that some of the growth is pure evangelism growth.

-Only 2 days until our stateside kids and grandkids arrive at our house for a Thanksgiving celebration!

-I love that the people of our church do a great job of genuinely welcoming new people. Not a perfunctory “hi”, but a real, heartfelt greeting and welcome. Sure makes it easier to invite people to attend and know they will be treated well.

-My cold is so much better than it was last Sunday.

-I love getting questions from people about my messages, including things from a previous week. Shows me they are not only listening, but thinking and processing the message throughout the week.

-I am really excited to preach this coming Sunday. The whole service is going to be about God’s amazing grace. I wish I could get everyone here and preach it today.

-We have many people going through very difficult situations and we have several people who continue to come alongside those who are hurting to help, encourage and comfort.

Here’s hoping you have a week full of thanksgiving. Here’s hoping that if you get full of thanksgiving that you don’t get sick as a result. Here’s hoping you find someone to encourage today.

Dennis

Leave a comment

Monday Morning Musings …

Yesterday was a wonderfully difficult day. It was filled with some great high points and a few low ones. In many ways that is how most Sundays could be described when you are a pastor. Let me share with you how this one came about …

-We had some of the worst technical problems we have had since I have been here. (And that is saying a lot.) The front projector that shows announcements, words to the music and some of my sermon points went out as we began to sing our first song and we never got it working again. This was made even more painful by the fact that the first song was a new one being taught to our congregation.

-The new families that have visited recently have continued to attend and talk like they have chosen to become a part of our church. This is a real encouragement to me, and the congregation, as we have made some changes in our ministry to reach more families and have been praying to impact more families.

-In spite of the technical difficulties during worship there was a wonderful spirit during the entire service.

-I was sick yesterday. In fact I was sick all last week but felt the worst on Sunday. I have a nasty cold that is knocking me for a loop. If I don’t have a cough drop in my mouth or liquid in my throat I cough something terrible. That presents problems while attempting to teach or preach. Thankfully I didn’t have any full blown coughing fits while teaching my class or preaching. I am fearful that if I had everyone might have left.

-Our new approach to Children’s Church is working very well and has been a major factor in attracting a couple of our new families.

-Our small group did not meet last night because my wife and I didn’t want to expose them to our germ infested house since she is also not feeling well. I really missed meeting with them, but I would have been of little value as I was wiped out from the morning.

-We have so many wonderful servants in our church. Yesterday was another time that highlighted their dedication. As many of them were here early to make sure the change in weather with a significant drop in temperature and some light snow would not cause a problem. Week in and week out we have many people at church an hour or two early getting prepared for the morning ministries.

-I love watching our people welcome the newer families to our church. They are warm, genuine and go way beyond just shaking hands.

-The information class I taught the past few weeks to give people more insight into what we believe and the vision of our church has gone very well. It has increased in attendance each week and people have asked great questions.

-We had more in attendance for worship yesterday than we had on Easter Sunday. That is pretty cool for a cold November Sunday.

-I decided to make my sermon a two part message. I didn’t make that decision until about 3/4th of the way through it yesterday. I realized I wanted to go a little further and really lay out some practical steps for them. The message was on “The Key to Live Powerfully”.

-In 2 weeks and a few hours my wife and I will be with our son, daughter-in-law and 5 grandkids in Kenya. We haven’t been able to hug them for nearly a year and half. To say that we are excited about this would be a major understatement.

Here’s hoping this cold moves on. Here’s hoping that you are encouraged today. Here’s hoping that you recognize God’s presence in your life today.

Dennis

Leave a comment

Monday Morning Musings …

Yesterday was a very good day with some tremendous things for which to give praise. I really needed this day. Last week was a struggle for me. I had trouble focusing, had a lot irritating little things happen and still haven’t been able to replace our van that died (see the post from Sunday 11/2). Car shopping doesn’t usually leave me in a good mood and especially when it comes 1 year before I was planning to shop for a vehicle. The great news is that God is faithful and He reminded me of his faithfulness many times last week and especially yesterday. As for the musings ….

-We had a memorable Church 101 class with a couple of new people in attendance. I am impressed by how interested this group is in the church, what we believe and where we are going.

-The best part was seeing someone come back to Christ. That never gets old!

-People were engaged during the music part of worship. I love hearing the congregation sing praises.

-I sang a little of the Spice Girls (see previous post) as part of the sermon. Judge me if you feel the need. Can’t say I don’t keep it interesting and have people always wondering what might happen at church.

-The congregation was very engaged during the message, and that always makes it easier to preach.

-We had another brand new person in attendance.

-1 of the new families from last week returned.

-The attendance in worship was exactly the same as last week which was a good number.

-We had a Concert of Prayer last night. The attendance was more of a small group but the atmosphere was great and it was a very encouraging time of prayer. A few of those attending are already asking when we are doing this again.

-Had a very strange physical thing yesterday. I had felt fine all weekend and Sunday morning. Took a short nap in the afternoon and awoke to feeling lousy. Scratchy throat, cough, runny nose, etc … It just came on with no warning whatsoever. That was just weird.

-3 weeks from tomorrow my wife and I will see our son, daughter-in-law and 5 grandkids who are serving in Africa. We have not been able to squeeze them for 17 months. We are very excited.

-I heard a couple of great reports yesterday of how people are growing in their faith and how God is working in their witness. I really needed to hear those updates.

Here’s hoping you are reminded today that you are not alone, that you are loved and that God has a great plan for you.

Dennis

Leave a comment

What Do You Really, Really Want? …

This is the title of my message this morning. A year-long study by the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, UK revealed a list of the top 10 most recognizable/persistent songs and the Spice Girls “Wannabe” topped the list. “I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want. So I’ll tell you what you really, really want. I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want, so tell me what you want, what you really, really want …” I know, you couldn’t help but start singing as you read those lyrics. It’s okay, you can confess it.

What the Spice Girls wanted is different that the focus of my sermon. Jesus wanted to know what people really wanted. He didn’t assume, he asked. Whether it was of the invalid in John 5, or the blind man in Mark 10, he wanted to know what they wanted and if they really wanted to get well.

As I processed Jesus’ question to the invalid in John 5:6, “Do you want to get well?” I kept having those pesky lyrics ringing in my head “I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want”. But do I tell what I really, really want or do I just say what seems most obvious or accepted among my tribe?

When I answer the question of what I really want do I then just sit back and wait, or do I get up? Do I sit and wonder why things happen for other people and nothing seems to happen for me as I sit here and wait? While it is true that sometimes we don’t see the change we claim to desire because we are not patient enough, it is also true that we often miss out because we are waiting for it to be served to us when it is already within in reach if we will just get up. (Pretty sure my high school English teacher would have put a red mark here for a run on sentence.)

Jesus told the invalid, after he indicated that he wanted to get well, to “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk. At once the man was cured”.

So here is the question following the question this morning. What do you want so much that you will change, or are willing to be changed, in order for it to come true?

What do you really, really want? How will you answer and what will you do?

Warning: I apologize for putting the tune of “Wannabe” in your consciousness today. If you are caught humming or singing it today, you have my permission to blame me. Or, you could take the opportunity to ask that person what they really, really want?

Dennis

Leave a comment

Monday Morning Musings …

This is a day of celebration. Why? Because every day should be a day of celebration. Why? Because we have so much to celebrate. That was the theme of my sermon yesterday and it seemed that we really did begin to celebrate. This past week has been schizophrenic as far as circumstances in my life. I experienced some tremendous highs and some frustrating lows (see previous post for a couple of examples) but I decided to choose joy and thankfulness in all things. It has really made a difference and I think I am finally beginning to get this thing of celebrating life. So … as you might expect yesterday was a great day! Here are a few musings from this great day …

-The atmosphere and energy in our worship service was outstanding. People were engaged and really participating throughout the service.

-3 of my grandkids spent the weekend with us and therefore were in church with us and that definitely added to it being a great day.

-We had at least twice as many children as we have had on most Sundays and kids equal energy. The best part of that was that even those serving our children were excited after having some many more children. Isn’t that awesome?

-The music part of worship went very well and people were participating with volume. There were only a couple of small technical glitches in the service and that is really good for us.

-We had 2 new families in worship and a family who returned for the second time. These are all local families and have either been seeking to find a church home or have been unchurched.

-People were very engaged during the sermon and that always makes it easier to preach.

-Our small group was down in attendance but we had some great sharing as usual and the personal growth in some of the people is so encouraging.

-5 people came to my Church 101 class to find out more about our local church, our vision and our denomination. It is going to be a fun group.

-After having 3 grandkids, ages 7, 4 and 2 with us for the weekend and traveling 4 ½ hours to see our newest grandchild earlier in the week, my wife and I really enjoyed our Sunday afternoon naps. It was a good tired, but I was still tired.

-In just over 4 weeks we will get to be with our son, daughter-in-law and 5 grandkids who are serving as missionaries in Africa. Let the countdown begin.

-Our attendance was very good yesterday as you might expect with all the visitors. The attendance has been trending upward, but we preachers are sometimes not the most patient when it comes to reaching new people for Christ and experiencing growth in the church.

Here’s hoping that you choose joy today and seek to celebrate all that God is and all that he has for you.

Dennis

Leave a comment

What a Difference a Sound Makes …

There were 2 very significant events that could place last week. These events will be forever connected to each other and they were both marked by some special sounds. The events were that my 9th grandchild was born last Sunday night and my van died on Tuesday afternoon.

One of the best things about spending a little time with granddaughter, and her parents, was the sounds she made. She had the cutest sounds of breathing while she was sleeping in my arms. She sneezed and used her whole body to produce the sneeze. She even cried a little and it was beautiful. These sounds were awesome because they were all indications of life. Hearing them was a wonderful reminder of the fact that she is alive.

My van died on Tuesday. It died 1 mile from where my granddaughter lives. I was on my way to see, and hear, her for the first time and my van didn’t quite finish the trip. I turned a corner a mile from my destination and it happened. At the time I didn’t know what happened but the sounds my van was making changed. The engine started revving and it slowed down. The revving was because I still had my foot on the gas pedal but the transmission was no longer engaging. I realized that I was now coasting in my van and not powering forward. There was also the absence of a sound that had accompanied me the whole trip. That was the sound of the van moving through the air around it. In contrast to the beautiful sounds I was about to hear from my granddaughter these sounds were an indication of death. The death of my van.

The sounds with their contrasts had one thing in common, that was they both produced thankfulness for me. You probably have no difficulty figuring out why I was thankful for the sounds of my granddaughter, but you might be wondering how the sounds of my van dying produced thankfulness. Last Sunday I preached from I Thessalonians 5:16-18 which says “Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” When my van died my first word was “Nooooooooooo”. As I waited for my son-in-law to pick me up I began to become thankful. Why? I got to within a mile of my destination which was 262 miles of my 263 mile trip. It happened on a side street and not on the Interstate as I went around Chicago in bumper to bumper 4 lane traffic at 70 mph. This van cost me $2,500 3 years ago and had served me well. This happened to me and not to my wife. My van died, I didn’t. I began to have a fresh new understanding of thankfulness and joy and I have certainly been praying continually for another vehicle.

I am still thankful for my trip. Yes my van died, but I got to spend 26 hours with my new granddaughter, my daughter and my son-in-law. My van died, but we were able to borrow a vehicle to make it home and use for a little while during our search for another mode of transportation. My van died, but my family and my faith is alive and well.

The sounds of my granddaughter still resonate in my heart and mind. The sound of my van are fading. What a difference a sound makes.

Dennis

1 Comment

Monday Afternoon Musings …

Well I did it again, I went a whole week without posting anything on here. That will be different this week. One reason I know it will be different is that a new grandchild just made her appearance last night. There is no way that I won’t tweet about this event. Watch for it soon. Let’s get to musing.

-Yesterday was a very good day. Not just because my granddaughter was born. It was a good day in our church.

-The congregation was really into the music and sang very well yesterday. That always adds to the atmosphere in the building.

-We received 4 people into the membership of the church.

-We had a new couple in attendance and had a family return for a second time.

-The message yesterday was the final in a series on prayer. It was covering a lot of very practical “how to” parts of prayer. It seemed to be received well and people were engaged in the message.

-Attendance was good.

-We had a weiner roast and hayride on Saturday night. We had outstanding attendance and several new people attend. It was a very positive night of fellowship.

-Our small group did not meet last night. My wife and I received the call during lunch that our grandchild was on the way. So I drove my wife a couple of hours to meet our youngest daughter and they went on to be there for the birth. I will be joining them soon. As a result I could not get back in time for our group to meet. I always miss it when we are not able to meet.

-Our church has done an overwhelming job of showing their appreciation of my wife and myself during the month of October. It has been encouraging and very humbling.

-I continue to receive good reports from people about their increased focus on prayer.

Here’s hoping you are rejoicing today. Whether it is the birth of a grandchild, a great day of worship, or just the realization that you are loved, I hope you find a reason to rejoice.

Dennis

Leave a comment

Monday Morning/Afternoon Musings …

I am still enjoying all of the great things that took place yesterday and especially how God was powerfully evident in so many ways. It was a good one. I just noticed that I haven’t posted many times recently. I need to get back in a rhythm of writing. Back to the musings …

-There was a great spirit in our worship service yesterday. It was noticeable to anyone who was in attendance.

-The children of the church gave my wife and I posters they made for us. They were thanking us as a part of Pastor and spouse appreciation. I love stuff from the kids. They come up with the best stuff. They also presented us each with a sweatshirt from our local high school. I guess they got tired of seeing me show up with the wrong colors on at games.

-People were very engaged in the message and they really connected with the response I requested. They were each given a sheet of paper with a couple of statements on them. Then they were asked to respond to the statements with things they were going to do this week and things I could pray for that would enable them to act on what they are going to do this week. This was in response to the message. More than half of those who were in the service turned in a response.

-We had a good time of prayer as some came forward to the altar, even though that wasn’t even part of what I requested.

-Our attendance was better.

-Our District Superintendent was in the service and gave us some updates from our District. That was encouraging.

-We had an outstanding time with our small group last evening and we had a big group in attendance. I love being with them and hearing them share from their hearts.

-We had several technical glitches at many points in the service. Fortunately God is not limited by our technical successes or failures.

-I loved how people responded to those who came forward to prayer at the conclusion of the service. They lovingly surrounded them and encouraged them.

I have much to pray for this week from the responses of people in the service yesterday. I am very excited to hear reports of how God works in people’s lives this week. Here’s hoping you understand and embrace the truth that “God is always enough” as you move through this week.

Dennis

1 Comment

Monday Morning Musings …

Yesterday was a very difficult day but it had some great results. I am in the last 2 weeks of a series on “Changing Your World through Prayer” and the past couple of Sundays have been a real struggle for me. There are some great reports coming from a few of the people in my congregation of how they are really praying and praying more specifically. They are telling of new insights into prayer and a renewed focus on prayer. I wrote a daily devotional to go along with the message series and some people have been faithful in following the devotional. The struggle has been a real emotional battle for me, and my wife. It is not unexpected when we really get serious about changing the world to face some opposition, but the past couple of weeks have been very difficult. I have been doing this pastor thing for quite a while and I have experienced worse times, but this has definitely been a struggle. Don’t feel sorry for me, and I am not trying to passively/aggressively seek sympathy. I am just reporting what is going on behind the scenes and I hope it might encourage some others that they are not alone. With all of that being said, how about some musings from yesterday?

-It was great yesterday to see someone really surrender and allow God to start releasing them from things that have held them captive. After all, you were not meant to be a captive, you were created to be a conqueror.

-We only had 1 small technical glitch yesterday that I am aware of, that is a real win for us.

-My congregation continues to express their appreciation in some wonderful and encouraging ways. I am blessed.

-I love the care and concern that my congregation shows to those who are ill and how they are really seeking to reach out those who are absent for any reason. Letting them know they were missed and are loved.

-I love what I am learning, in fresh new ways, about the power and value of prayer.

-Attendance was very low again. There is an annual 2 weekend event in our area that evidently has contributed to these past 2 Sundays being so low. No matter the cause I am always concerned with a big change in attendance.

-I didn’t sense that the congregation was as engaged during the sermon as they have been during the rest of this series. Or maybe it was just my personal wrestling that made it seem this way.

-Our small group met last night for the first time in 3 weeks. It was so good to be with this group and share life together.

-I am looking forward to getting to do some pastoral visits this week.

-A few more things have come together for my wife and I’s plans to go see our kids in Kenya. I am not allowing myself to get too excited until the tickets are purchased. But I can feel the excitement beginning to build.

Here’s hoping you are reflecting on God’s grace and presence this morning.

Dennis

1 Comment

2 Special Wishes …

Today I have 2 special wishes. Well, it is the same wish but it is for 2 different people. The wish is Happy Birthday! Not just a happy birthday, but a blessed one as well. The wish goes out to 2 very special ladies in my life. The wish goes out to my wife and to my oldest grand-daughter. For my wife the number is not important, and no matter what the number is she just keeps getting better. For my grand-daughter it is number 10! I know she is proud of her number and I can’t believe she has left single digits behind forever.

These 2 ladies have many things in common. Obviously they share a birthday. They are also both passionate about their love for Jesus. They both have infectious laughs that make you smile. Their smiles show up significantly in their eyes. I love to watch their eyes. They both love others fiercely and have a way of encouraging others in special ways. They both love to give to others. They both are as cute as can be, that’s right I just called my wife cute, because she is cute. They both are beautiful on the outside and in spirit. They both contribute so much more to others than they realize.

I will be able to spend my wife’s day with her as we are at a retreat together. I will not be able to spend any time with my grand-daughter on, or near, her birthday for the second straight year. You see my grand-daughter, her parents and siblings are all being obedient to the call of Christ serving as missionaries in Kenya. I am so proud of her and the young woman of God that she is becoming.

Another thing they both have in common is that I have a hard time adequately expressing how much I love them.
My wife very obviously changed my life completely when she entered it. She has made me so much better and has helped me to follow Christ in a much more passionate way. She challenges me with her love of the Word and her desire to know it more and live it better. She is my greatest cheerleader and encourages me regularly. I cannot imagine my life without her.

My grand-daughter has changed my life as well, but in a much different way. Before her arrival I had 3 grandsons. I love them and they are awesome, but she was the first grand-daughter and that was a very special thing. I was now looking at different toys for Christmas, I was shopping in an unfamiliar section of the clothing store. I began to play different games when she was around and I began to look at boys her age with a very suspicious eye. She began a revolution in our family. I will soon have 9 grandchildren and the count will be 5 boys and 4 girls. The girls are catching up, and it all started with her.

So I take this time to wish a very special and blessed birthday to 2 very special ladies in my life.

Dennis

1 Comment