Danny J. Lorentzen

Lifeworks #10

2012-01-24T18:08:00.000-08:00

"A soft answer turns away wrath!" Wow! There you have a very practical concept from "the Source" that is a great starting point for any relationship going through struggles. It has to do with your response to the verbal attack of another. It's the same principle as "Turn the other cheek."

The person who doesn't enter into the verbal or physical attack is actually resisting the spirit behind the attack. I understand that this is easier said than done, I also understand that our physical body and mind is weak when placed in these types of circumstances. Which is why our relationship to "the Source" is so critical.

Some other words from "the Source" instruct us to come boldly before the throne of grace to find mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. In these words, "the Source" is trying to teach us that help is available and on the way if we will just recognize our need and make the call.

He is no respecter of persons. He loves all of us the same and extends His amazing grace to all who recognize their poverty of spirit. This grace covers every area of life, relationships included. Our part is quite simple. Just believe. Like R. Kelly used to sing, "I believe I can fly." or Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey sang, "There can be miracles, when you believe."

These are certainly true phrases. "the Source" responds to faith in all individuals, He has designed us for encounters with His grace and power which we access by faith. So imagine, all this grace and power is available for you to tap into so you can learn to extend "a soft answer that turns away wrath" and begin the healing process in your relationships. Believe and then ask! You will not be disappointed. Someone loves you beyond your ability to comprehend. Keep reading!

Life Works #9

2012-01-18T12:11:00.000-08:00

Now where did we leave off? Relationships. What "the Source" has to teach about relationships to those who are willing to listen. Now, we have already discovered from the source that the root of all relationship struggles are born from the desires that rage within us.

Not that all desires are bad, but obviously some desires can be bad, or at least can cause great trouble and stress in relationships. So based on what "the Source" is telling us we need to give some serious attention to recognizing, confronting, and reconfiguring the desires that are working within us. If we don't do so, we can be assured of a life of relational conflict.

I will say this with absolute positivity having been in relationship with the same amazing woman for over 30 years. The majority of the battles or conflicts we have had during this time have been rooted in her desiring one thing and me desiring another. So it became her desire and her will over and against my desire and my will.

That's a great thing if you both desire and will the same thing. In fact, I believe that's where "the Source" would like to teach you to live if your willing. However, if you are both desiring and willing something different get ready for a lifetime of relational misery or what some might dare to say as "Hell on Earth."

I know that many people in relationships feel as though this is where they are living. It's also often those same people who are unwilling to listen to what "the Source" has to say about them and their relationships. They want help, they just want it on their terms. Which is precisely the problem. Their terms, their desires, their wishes, their wants, their needs.

There is a place for all the things they want and desire, in fact when you learn to do it the way "the Source" desires, your desires are met and fulfilled more than you ever imagined. At least that's how it has worked in my experience. The reason it works is like I said before, "the Source" knows better than I do what will work.

In one of His early writings, "the Source" warned a young man about the desires that were battling within him, that they were unchecked, ready to pounce, and take control of his life, but that he must control the desire, that he must become the desires master rather than the desire becoming his.

Now we are getting somewhere. Because all of us who are honest with ourselves know that we have some desires that are not good or beneficial to us outside of maybe a very short lived pleasure. Those desires seem to have a mind of their own and want to own us.

I won't go into where those desires are coming from according to "the Source," but I will instead stay focused on the fact that those desires want mastery over our lives and "the Source" says we must master them instead. Master those desires and you are on your way to mastering every relationship you have.

Here's the good news! Not only does "the Source" want you to master those desires that can hurt or harm you or others. He wants to help you do so. All he needs for you to do is recognize when those desires are wrong, find and agree with the right desires, and then ask for some help in living out the right desire. He then will assist you in mastering the wrong and living the right.

Someone might be thinking, how come you never say who "the Source" is? I know 'the Source" and I know "the Source's" name. But right now that really doesn't matter and some of you have already figured it out. What matters is that you know "the Source" is trying to help you and that you are loved very much. Your relationships are about to change for the good. Keep reading!

Life Works #8

2012-01-15T20:25:00.000-08:00

Relationships, relationships, relationships. Sometimes it seems as though you can't live with them and most of us certainly don't want to live without them. Most of hunger for meaningful and fulfilling relationships. However, in fulfilling our desires for meaningful relationships we find out the whole relationship thing can get quite complicated.

In real life we find that relationships between husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, friends and acquaintances, employees and employers all seem to have struggles and challenges that seem overwhelming and sometimes impossible. So even though all of us want fulfilling and meaningful relationships, as the old saying goes, "its easier said than done."

So where do we go? "The Source!" We go to the one who has the words of life that make "Life Work" in the area of relationships. Yes my friend, "the Source" not only created relationships but also understands how relationships work the best. Not some relationships, but all relationships. So, if you find yourself at the reading of this blog in struggling relationships maybe its time to see what "the Source" has to say about it and not just listen, but put into practice what "the Source" has to say.

Let me give you one quick example of what "the Source" has to say about relationships and then I will elaborate more in my next blog. Here is a quote,

"What causes fights and quarrels among you, don't they come from your desires that battle within you?"

So here we have "the Source" revealing to anyone who will listen the root cause of all fighting and quarreling. Fighting and quarreling is birthed out of the desires battling within us. A further observation of these desires will cause all of us to see that not only are these desires there, they also cause us to want our own way.

So if fights and quarrels are born from the desires that battle within us then the solution is to either control or eliminate those desires. The problem with many of our relationships then is not only external, or the other guy, but the problem is often born in us.

Takes some time before our next blog and think about the desires that battle within you that have caused you to be more than hard to get along with in one of more of your relationships. What do you observe in you? Will talk about the other person later.

Life Works #7

2012-01-13T13:49:00.000-08:00

We have been talking about words that make "Life Work" that stream to us from "The Source" of life. My general thinking has been that "The Source"of life probably knows better about how his creation should function and thrive in life better than those whom "the Source" has created.

I have also spoken of how "the Source" communicates the ultimate truth that makes "Life Work" through words. Sometimes those words come as warnings! For instance, if we ignore or reject the words that make "Life Work" we do so to our own harm. Not because "the Source" wants to see harm come to our lives; He is much to good for that; but because "The Source" wants whats best for us and when we ignore His words He knows the results will not be as we think.

The words He speaks are ultimate truth, they are pure Spirit, and the possess Divine Life. Here are some of those words,

"They rejected my words of advice and paid no attention when I corrected them. Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes. But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm."

Voices are speaking to us all the time, but one voice, "the Source" is always speaking to us for our good. He understands that left to ourselves without His influence we often choose our way, but the wrong way, because we have a propensity toward that which can hurt us.

Think about it, when you make a wrong decision and violate your conscience, "The Source" is speaking to your heart through words to lead you away from wrong decisions and bring healing to your wounded conscience. Again, he is trying to lead you away from a condemned heart and the fruit of choosing your own way.

He desires that you live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm. Do you hear him? Are you listening? Do you understand that you are loved beyond your ability to comprehend? Do you understand that you are not alone in this world and there is someone that understands and knows better than you and that someone wants to help?

Lately I have been confronted by many problems people are going through in the area of relationships. Very negative things in many ways. That's the bad news. The good news is that "the Source" has much to say in the area of relationships.

He has the answers that make "Life Work" in the area of relationships just like he has the answers in matters of conscience.

So we are going to begin a journey into relationship advice from "the Source" in my next blog. I hope you come along. In the end I believe your relationships will be stronger, more healthy, and more influential than ever before. Be back soon! Be blessed!

Life Works #6

2012-01-09T15:46:00.000-08:00

Words that make "Life Work" in the area of conscience! Are you ready to know freedom from condemnation in a way you have never known it? Are you ready to say goodbye to that foreboding sense of judgment and condemnation forever? Because that is one of the many blessings "The Source" wants to bring to your life.

The words that He speaks are spirit and they are life and the words that He declares to all who will listen are not words of condemnation but of forgiveness and restoration. He did not come into the world to condemn the world. He came into a world that already was experiencing a sense of condemnation in all of creation.

Instead he came to proclaim good news of grace, mercy, and peace that would culminate in total forgiveness for all who would believe and receive his offer. I call it "The Flow of Heaven."

This blessing from "The Source" is for all who will believe in what "The Source" is offering. Everyone qualifies that will believe. It is not based on what we have done, because Lord knows we have all messed up in this world.

The blessings from "The Source" are based on what He has done on our behalf. The word from the source is this, "There is therefore no condemnation to those who believe." Did you here that? No condemnation for those who believe in what "The Source" has done on their behalf.

Our part is to believe it. Believing the words of "The Source" activates the power of His forgiveness in our lives and delivers us from the power of condemnation. This is the path to making "Life Work" in the area of conscience. I hope you start receiving that forgiveness today.

Keep reading. More words that make "Life Work" coming soon. Be blessed.

LIfe Works #5

2012-01-05T18:43:00.000-08:00

As I told you in - Life Works #3 - Believing in the source and putting his words into practice is the beginning of life transformation. It is truly the key to making "Life Work" for all who will listen. So let's take this simple truth that is flowing from the source of ultimate truth and start to apply the teachings of the source to our real life situations.

The real life situation I want to focus on tonight is what I will call conviction, guilt, or condemnation. The lingering effect of all three seems to be a foreboding since of judgement. Suffice it to say, I have yet to meet anyone in this life who has not had to deal with this issue in some way, shape, or form.

I have no doubt in my mind that if you have lived in this world at least 8 to 12 years then you have had to deal with the conviction, guilt, or condemnation that bombards your conscience when you start to understand that sometimes you make wrong decisions. Sometimes you fail. Sometimes you just flat out mess up. It's not so much that you want too, its just that you do and something inside of you lets you know it.

The end result is that foreboding sense of judgement. Sometimes that sense of judgement is so intense we feel like there is no way of escape. So we develop coping mechanism's that don't really remove the sense of judgement but at least numb it enough so that we can function from day to day. Many of us learn to make excuses for those things we have done by blaming others for our behavior, others turn to excessive alcohol or drug use, others allow our lives to be consumed with extreme business to drown out the nagging condemnation.

Multitudes of people deal with this particular issue and massive amounts of these people deal with this issue incorrectly and never experience the true freedom from condemnation that "the Source" wants them to experience. Obviously because he is the source of life and the words that bring life, he knows us better than we know ourselves and he understands that there is only one way to be free from this foreboding sense of condemnation.

To bring us to this freedom "the Source" is going to use words, words that are spirit and life. So, tomorrow I will be bringing these words from "the Source" that make "Life Work" in the area of conscience. "Life Works" best when our conscience is clear. Get ready to receive.

Life Works #4

2012-01-04T20:33:00.000-08:00

I ended my last post with the intent of getting into some specific area's where words from the source of life can make "Life Work." But before I get into these specifics let me turn your attention to your sense of adventure. I want to talk to the explorer that resides within you. I'm talking to that hidden Indiana Jones that is hiding in the depths of your gray matter. I want to challenge you to go on the adventure of a life time and beyond. The adventure of discovering the source of life and the depths of who he is, what he knows, and what adventures are hidden within discovering him.

After all, isn't that the challenge "The Source" has laid before all mankind by making the following statement. "You will find me when you seek for me with all your heart" or "Draw near to the Source and the Source will draw near to you." So, the Source has declared we can find him, that he is willing to make himself known to us, so what are we waiting for? Where is our sense of adventure? Where is the Indiana Jones within you now?

Are we afraid of such an adventure? Are we afraid that we might just find out that He is, and that He is everything He has told us He is from the beginning? So why not? Why not respond to the challenge of the Source and go on an expedition searching out the Source until we find all He has to reveal. I dare you! I double dare you! Let's go on a mission to find the Source, hear from the Source, know the Source, and encounter the Source.

I know that once you find Him you are setting yourself up to see your "Life Work" like never before. The Source can communicate to you through words that will cause your life to work in areas you never thought possible. If you take the deepest, darkest, most challenging area of your life and expose it to the truth that comes from the Source and you are on your way to having your life transformed.

If your deepest, darkest, most challenging area of life is a lack of self control, the Source has the answer, the words of truth, that can lead you to self control. After all, didn't the source say, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." That statement in and of itself tells us the root of most of our problems in life. If there is an area of life where we are not free, we are probably believing words that are lying to us. Words not coming from the Source.

The Source wants to give us words that make "Life Work" not that make life miserable. The Source has the wisdom we need for this to happen in every area. Again, if you lack self control over your tongue, meaning you say the wrong things, or don't know when to shut up, the Source has truth to communicate to you through words that will set you free. That will bring your tongue under control.

I think your starting to get the picture so I will stop for now and pick up in my next blog with some more specific's. I will end tonight by letting you know that no matter who you are "The Source" has your best interest at heart and wants to make your "Life Work" better than you ever thought possible. Talk at you soon!

Life Works #3

2012-01-03T19:26:00.001-08:00

As I've been saying "Life Works" when we respond correctly to the right words. Words from the source of life itself. So what it boils down to in very practical terms is number one, do you know the source, and number two, are you willing to listen to the words of the source and put them into practice. Because that is the key to making "Life Work."

Hearing the words of the source and putting them into practice. It's really that simple. That being the case we need to keep in mind what the one who professed to come from the source said about his words. "The words that I speak to you are spirit and they are life." He also said, "Whoever hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like wise man who built his house on a rock. When the storms came and the winds blew and beat against that house it would not fall because it was built upon a rock" The comparison he used to make his point was this, "The man who refuses to hear the words that I speak is not wise and is like a man who has built his house on the sand, when the storms came and the winds blew this man's house did not stand."

I don't know about you but this seems pretty simple to me. Why would you want to build your life on the sand when you can build your life on the rock? Why would anyone want to ignore such a great opportunity offered them from the source of life? Why would anyone want to reject the source and the words from the source that make "Life Work?"

Remember, it all boils down to making a decision to believe in the source of the words that give life and put those words into practice. If you can wrap your mind around that somewhat, from here I would like to focus on specific subjects and situations in our lives that these words from the source of life can make our "Life Work." I hope to start this tomorrow. Be blessed and keep reading. The end result will be life transformation for you and for me.

Life Works #2

2012-01-02T14:59:00.000-08:00

In keeping with my original thoughts on words that make "Life Work" I want to spend some time talking about the source of words that make "Life Work." Remember, my motivation ultimately is that your life works the way it was meant to work.

That being said, I have learned from my own experience that there are many peoples lives that are simply not working the way they should be. My assessment of the situation is that life cannot work without a connection to the source of life. The source of life is also the source of words and the ideas and understandings that are formulated by those words that ultimately lead us to truth or what I will call ultimate reality.

There is a book that's been in the world for several thousand years that says, "In the beginning was the word." For now, I'm not going to mention the book; you may already know which book I'm talking about. What I do want to call your attention to is the rest of the sentence.

"In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word was God." I can't think of any better place to find out how "Life Works" than the from the very source of life itself. "Life Works" when your connected to the word that was with God and the word that was God. This word that was from the beginning, even before the beginning is ultimate reality. This alive and living word is the source of all life, meaning, existence, and how life works best.

What I gather from all this is that the source of life, who understands how life works better than any of us who are just benefactors of the source of life, communicates to us how "life works" through words. The source of life, who was there at the beginning of time, speaks life to us and how to live life, through words.

The Sources words make "life work." Words that come from any other source don't work, or at least don't work as well as the words that flow from the source of life. Now, again let me close by proposing a question. If there is a source out there speaking to us through words that will make "life work" for us. Don't you want to know that source?

Life Works #1

2012-01-01T13:37:00.000-08:00

This is my attempt at starting a journey in the realm of words. Not just any words, but words that make "Life Work." Obviously in our day and age we are receiving words from a multitude of different directions. We are barraged daily by words on television, words on the radio, words on the computer, words on Facebook, words on twitter, and words on someone's blog. Words are everywhere around us and are communicating a message to us constantly. But my conclusion from having been exposed to many words for many years is this. Not all words are the same. All words can be used ultimately to communicate information. But not all words make "Life Work."

It's the words that make "Life Work" that I am most interested in. If you really examine where your at in life and where your going in life in relation to words, you will find that the words you have heard, believed, and acted upon have had a huge influence on where you are at in your life right now. Your response to those words has either made your life work or not work so well and my intention is to see your life work to its full potential.

Which brings me back to my original point. Some words make "Life Work" and some words don't. So, my purpose in writing is to present to you and anyone else who will listen words that make life work the way it was meant to work. So if your life is not working, get on board and stay on board and at the end of our journey you may find that your life has been transformed before your very eyes.

For now, I cannot say how long our journey will last, all I can say is that I will do my best to present to you words that will make your "Life Work." What you do with those words will be up to you. I will tell you that after 52 years of life, the words that I will share with you have worked for me and continue to do so. We will begin looking at words that make "Life Work"soon by starting at the source of all words. More on that in our next blog.

Are You Thriving in Life?

2011-04-13T14:54:00.000-07:00

I recently heard the testimony of a young woman born to wealth! She had this to say to those who envy her position, and she said it with the deepest humility.

"Money only makes you happy if the only needs you have are material needs!"

Her statement was so true. You can be thriving financially yet empty and destitute in so many other ways. In fact that is the case for so many in this world. On the outside they look like they are thriving. Good looks, attractive spouse, healthy children, great neighborhood, in fact much of the best things money can buy. In fact there is nothing wrong with any of that!

But you can look like you have it all and still not be thriving in some area of your life. That area may be a secret addiction, a failing marriage, overwhelming debt, fierce anxiety, and unrelenting worry.

Which is why it's so nice to know Jesus said these words, "I have come that you might have life, and that more abundantly." Jesus wants every man, woman, boy and girl to thrive in every area of life. He came to make it possible.

So why if were not thriving somewhere would we reject his promise and his help? Why would we allow our unbelief and limited thinking to rob us of such amazing potential. Why would we chose not to thrive if he is offering the opportunity?

He made another promise. "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!" The door to thriving is humbly calling on his name. "Whoever!" That's all inclusive! He is leaving no one out of this opportunity.

Whoever wants to thrive in life just needs to believe and call on his name. Wherever you are not thriving matters to him. Are you full of anger and resentment that's destroying relationships? Call on his name and thrive. Are you battling addictions that seem impossible to overcome? Call on his name and thrive. Does your marriage seem to far gone to heal? Call on his name and thrive.

Don't waste another second, minute or hour believing there is no help for you and things will always be the same. Receive the grace and help his life and death have so richly provided and call on his name to thrive.

You will not be disappointed.

PS: If these blogs are being helpful please let me know by becoming a follower! I am praying for everyone who reads these blogs to experience his presence and to thrive in every area of life.

The Culture of Heaven

2011-03-14T19:11:00.000-07:00

John 10:10 The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but I have come that they might have life and that more abundantly.

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING

That's my opinion of the promise Jesus stated in the text up above. He came so we could thrive in every area of life. He confirmed through his ministry that he was the source of our thriving. Every where Jesus went people or circumstances thrived.

If people were hungry, provision flowed in abundance. If they were spiritually thirsty they could drink from a well that would never run dry. If they were sick, their bodies were healed completely. Truly Jesus was and is the giver of abundant life.

THE REASON

Jesus carried with him the culture of Heaven. Everything in God's Kingdom or the Kingdom of Heaven is thriving and full of life. Nothing happens there contrary to the will of God, and Jesus carried with him the very life and power of the Father's Kingdom.

This is the same Jesus that the bible declares is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He came that we might thrive in every area of life. The path to that thriving is repentance. Repentance is a call to align ourselves with the Kingdom of Heaven.

"Repent, for the Kingdom is at hand or made available." We can walk in the abundance of life Jesus promised through aligning ourselves with the culture of God's Kingdom. Then we will begin to thrive in every area of life.

Which is the reason Jesus told us to "Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto us." Again, when were in alignment with the Kingdom we thrive in life and our Father is glorified.

Truly the Lord wants his blessings to be upon us!

Put Your Praise On

2011-02-01T13:20:00.000-08:00

Recently during a time of devotion in my One Year Bible reading which I highly recommend, I encountered this scripture in Psalm 8:1-2.

"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger."

After reading these verses my thoughts were flooded with the following:

1. God has ordained praise through his children because of his enemies and there enemies. His purpose was to defeat the enemy through their praise and to establish a place of shelter and safety the enemy cannot enter into. Praise creates that place.

2. Praise upon our lips silences the foe and the avenger by moving us into a place the enemy is not aloud into. God will not share his courts with an enemy. Satan has no place in God's Kingdom, he has been cast out. God's Kingdom is where ever God's presence manifest.

3. We enter his gates with thanksgiving, his courts with praise, where God inhabits the praises of his people. Our praise is to be both spoken and sang. When this happens God fills that house of praise and the enemy is defeated.

So what are you waiting for, "Put your praise on!" The enemy has been defeated! God will fight for you through your praise. You will win.

Be Blessed

Pastor Danny J. Lorentzen

The Enemy Exposed!

2011-01-02T12:26:00.000-08:00

Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any three in the garden'?"

Every year at Rock Church we promote the reading of the "One Year Bible." Our motive is to have our people fill their hearts with a thorough understanding of the word of God. From Genesis to Revelation we want our people to know the "Wisdom of the Righteous!"

We want the hearts of our people filled with the truth so they have a solid foundation to work from when confronting the lies and deceptions that are rampant within our culture. After all, lies and deception are what Satan has been using since the beginning of time to trip up men and women as they walk through this journey called life.

The truth of God's word when rightly divided and correctly understood, exposes those lies. The truth of God's word exposes the enemy, and gives us a clear voice to follow in the midst of all the chaos that surrounds us. The truth of God's word is our greatest safe guard against deception.

But we must not only know it, we must believe it and allow it to be the final authority in our lives. Had Adam and Eve done so, the world would not be in the mess that we are in today. Think about it!

Now get busy learning the truth and applying it to your life and circumstances.

You are Loved!

Merry Christmas

2010-12-19T21:02:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to everyone who takes the time to read this blog. I pray that the eyes of your understanding be opened this Christmas season so you can see clearly how much Jesus loves and cares for you.

You were the "Joy Set Before Him!" when he left heaven, came to earth, took on human flesh, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, and gave his life for our sins.

All this and much more for the joy set before him. That joy was your salvation and mine. That is what causes him joy and that is what will bring him joy for all of eternity.

You are his joy! Merry Christmas.

The Quest for Self Justification

2010-12-08T13:25:00.000-08:00

The bible says, "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." If I understand that right it means "All", every person, every man, woman, boy, and girl, President, Preacher, Prophet, or Parishioner. No one who has ever been born, except the sinless lamb of God Jesus Christ, has lived a life without sin.

We are all guilty of sin. So what is it about our nature that when someone accuses us of something, be it false or true, we go into self justification mode? Why do we feel the need to justify ourselves?

I believe this need for self justification opens the door for Satan to beat us up, rob us of our faith, hope, and love, and place us back under the jurisdiction of the law. When we are trying to self justify, we are using some standard in our consciousness to measure our righteousness. That is an attempt at righteousness and justification by works.

We are not justified and made righteous by works as believers. We are justified and made righteous by trusting in the sin crushing death of Jesus Christ. This is the promise God the Father has made to all who believe.

This is grace. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he has saved us! The devil can defeat us easily if we try to justify ourselves. If we believe God's promise and submit ourselves to God's plan of justification through faith in Jesus Christ, we defeat the devil.

It's a matter of trusting in God's promise or your works. I choose to trust in God's promise. So get behind me Satan, for it is written, "I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ."

Be Blessed!

Mixing law and grace!

2010-12-06T12:40:00.000-08:00

Mixing law and grace, now there's an interesting concept that happens far to often in the world of Christianity. We are saved by grace through faith and from that moment on many churches start heaping a bunch of rules and regulations upon people that virtually nullify the grace of Christ that saved us in the first place.

Recently me and my wife of 28 years were discussing how many people we had seen leave the church and walk away from Christ for one reason and one reason alone. Law was being mixed with grace. We noticed the churches that were losing people by the droves were extremely legalistic and loaded down with rules and regulations that had nothing to do with the grace of Jesus Christ. These heavy burdens that Christ came to deliver us from by redeeming us from the law, were being placed back upon people by the very institution that should be leading them to freedom.

In reality they were and are just man's feeble attempts at self righteousness through human efforts in the form of religious do's and don'ts. Yet the scripture makes it clear, "By the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." (Galatians 3:11.)

God's law can't justify you, man's law can't justify you, church law's can't justify you. In fact every attempt at self justification places you under the curse of the law that nullifies the grace of God in your life. "Those who are trying to be justified by the works of the law are under a curse." (Galatians 3:10.)

When you mix law and grace you nullify grace and cause judgement to come into your life rather than the free favors and unmerited goodness of God. I don't know about you but no more mixed spiritual drinks for me. I'm living where the grace rivers flow, hope you'll come along.

You Be the Change!

2010-12-04T07:40:00.000-08:00

Not to long ago a dear friend of mine set a five gallon water bottle on my desk to introduce a new concept for raising money. We have been heavily involved in some work in Kenya; building churches, digging wells, supporting orphan's, and developing a pre-school, and of course all of this takes financial resources.

Wrapped around the five gallon water bottle was some amazing artwork and pictures of our children in Kenya with a catch phrase stamped above their heads. "You Be the Change!" The idea was two fold, people make a difference and bring change into the lives of others, and your spare change can go into the bottle to start the process.

I have been thinking about that phrase ever since that meeting. "You Be the Change!" Its almost as though I have become super conscious that we are the one's that God is calling to make a difference in peoples lives. I know that is true, but this is different. It's more like it's urgent.

We have to "Be the Change!" now. So many people needing Christ, so many people needing to encounter His love, so many people ready to respond to a loving savior, one missing link.

You and me. God does nothing apart from his people. Change can come into peoples lives, God wants to bring it, but it will not happen without our cooperation, motivation, and participation.

We are called to be co-laborers with God according to the scriptures. In other words God is working in the world, but he is working through us. So let's be willing to be the change!

Sowing Generously

2010-12-02T07:08:00.000-08:00

I recently encountered a situation that broke my heart and captured my attention. Some people I know who were once passionate about God now seemed indifferent at best. They still believed, but they were no longer moved by the word of God or motivated to obey the clear teachings of the Jesus Christ. It made me take a hard look at myself.

The challenge it brought before my heart was this, I don't ever want to be at a place with God where His word or the needs of people no longer move me to action. Perhaps this is what the Apostle John was talking about in Revelations 2:4 when he exhorted the Ephesian church that they had lost their first love. They were cold, immovable, unresponsive!

After all, God is love, and what I understand about the love of God is that it has to act when it sees the object of its affection in trouble or in need. That's why John also writes in one of his letters, "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?" (1 John 3:17).

It seems as though many of us have either grown cold in our love or we have come up with some justifiable excuse as to why we should not help our brothers or sisters when they are in legitimate need. What's even worse is when we have the power to act, have plenty of resources stored up for ourselves, and still turn a deaf ear to the needs of others.

Those of us who have plenty have forgotten that God doesn't provide plenty for us to just hoard or spend on ourselves. 2 Corinthians 8:14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need....

What's amazing about this whole thing is the Lord promises to reward those generously who sow into the lives of others. Paul said it this way, "Whoever sows generously will reap generously..." (2 Corinthians 9:6.)

What's even more amazing is that our generous sowing results in people coming to God, believing in God, and praising God. (2 Corinthians 9:12-14.)

So when was the last time your heart was moved with the love of Christ to respond to a need of someone else's that resulted in their praising the Lord because of your obedience? When was the last time you sowed generously into the life of someone else with no strings attached?

So what are you waiting for? The love of Christ compels you. Be compelled.

Desire Spiritual Gifts

2010-12-01T20:50:00.000-08:00

Isn't it amazing that the fastest growing churches in the world for the last hundred years have been predominately charismatic. That means they believe in the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and the manifestation of the "Pneumatika Charismata" Spiritual Gifts of Grace.

These gifts are for today according to Acts 2:38-39, we are not to be ignorant of them according to 1 Corinthians 12:1, and they have been given for the common good of the church. 1 Corinthians 12:7.

They have been given to the church to confirm the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and his spiritual power that operates on the earth. Acts 1:4-8, Paul the Apostle told us to desire spiritual gifts, so what are we waiting for? Lets drink from the well He has promised will never run dry.

Don't you dare give in to the false teaching that says these gifts and there power died with the Apostles. There is no scriptural basis for such teaching and it is robbing the church of the power and influence that the Lord originally intended for his people.

He will fill all who desire to be filled. How hungry are you?

The Promised Holy Spirit

2009-11-24T21:41:00.000-08:00

I must say that living in a world that is cloaked in deception and false teaching that I'm thankful for the promise of Jesus Christ. He said that the Father would send the Holy Spirit to bring power, to be a comforter, to be counselor, to be a teacher and to be a guide. He said that the Holy Spirit would take from what is God's and make it known to us, that's called revelation. He also said the Holy Spirit would lead us into all truth.

The Holy Spirit of truth has been poured out and made available to every generation according to Acts 2:38-39.

So here is an interesting thought. If we have the bible, which is the inspired word of God and most certainly the truth. Then why do we need the Holy Spirit? If we have the word of truth why do we need the Spirit of truth? That's a good question and one I believe the Lord wants to answer.

Is it possible that you can have the truth and not properly perceive the truth or not recognize it as the truth? I'm totally convinced that what I just said is the truth, which is one of the reasons the Spirit of truth was given. It is also one of the reasons the Apostle Paul prayed for young believers to receive the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so they could no Christ better.

The Holy Spirit is the one that makes the word come alive in our hearts. He is the one that takes information and turns it into revelation. Which is precisely what happened to Peter when he declared Jesus the Christ the son of the living God.

Jesus said, "Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you Peter, but my Father in heaven. How did the Father reveal it? Through the Holy Spirit giving revelation. Peter had information of who Jesus proclaimed to be, but the Holy Spirit opened his understanding so there was no more doubt.

And just as the Holy Spirit opened Peters understanding about Jesus being the Savior, he can also open our understanding about other things that God has given us information about. Such as his provision, his love, his gifts, his power to heal, etc.

He has been doing it this way for several thousand years, I don't anticipate Him changing his mode of operation anytime soon, so the best thing we can do is get in agreement with him and let him know that what ever he has for us we want it, especially the marvelous gift of the Holy Spirit.

God's Financial System

2008-12-01T13:55:00.001-08:00

Destroy poverty then release abundance. That's how I would define the effects of God's Financial System. If we are willing to learn how to operate God's Financial System poverty will be destroyed and abundance released into our lives.

Before we go on any further let me first define poverty. John Louis Muratori in his book, Rich Church Poor Church does an awesome job of defining poverty from God's perspective.

"Poverty is not the state of not having. Rather, 'Poverty,' is the fear of not getting, which causes you to hold on tightly to what you have. Poverty is not a 'state of being,' it is a 'state of mind."

God's answer to a 'Poverty State of Mind,' can be seen all over in His word.

"One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." Prov. 11:24-25.

It is only by our response to God's word to be generous and willing to share that the spirit of poverty can be broken over our lives. The times we live in demand such a response, because the natural tendency when economies are weak, markets are unstable, and jobs are uncertain is to give way to the spirit of poverty.

The spirit of poverty is known by the presence he manifests, FEAR. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. So break out and break free and behold Gods miraculous hand of provision in your life.

Find out the Widows secret in 1 Kings 17:8-9 and God will be glorified in your life and circumstances and poverty will be broken forever in you life.

Be Blessed

Pastor Danny J. Lorentzen

Systems!

2008-10-28T11:26:00.000-07:00

Albert Einstein said, " The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again even though it doesn't work." Most of us can relate to that! We have all tried doing things the same way expecting different results. Those things we have tried doing we can call our systems. Everyone has a system for how they do things.

We have systems for making money and handling money, we have systems for how we do relationships, we have systems for how we learn, systems for how we worship, and systems for how we work.

That being the case we have to ask ourselves two questions. 1. Do my systems work? 2. If not, why haven't I changed my systems so they do work?

In reality, thats what following Christ is all about. Jesus came to show us that our systems are broken, they don't work, so we should follow his systems. If we do so we will be blessed on earth and in heaven.

For every system you have working in your life that is failing, Jesus has a replacement that will succeed. He calls those systems The Kingdom of God. Which is God's way of doing and being right. If you work God's systems in your life they will produce positive results 30, 60, 100 fold.

So check out your systems, abandon the ones that are contrary to his, and prepare for a blessing.

Love Ya

Pastor Dan

Financial Peace

2008-10-13T20:31:00.001-07:00

I am really excited to recommend and encourage anyone and everyone to sit through Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University, Its practical, timely, and biblically based. Whoever hears these words and does them is building his house and family on a rock.

The bible says, "Get wisdom and get understanding." Dave has it, God has blessed him with it, and the system will work if you work the system. So to all my blogger friends, Get Ur Done!

Be Blessed

For The Glory of God!

2008-10-07T09:23:00.001-07:00

That's why you were created, to live for the glory of God. Have you considered that lately? How different would your life be if you really lived to glorify God? What would the day be like? Would you wake up with a sense of purpose? What would work be like? Would you work with a little more joy in your heart, a spring in your step, a smile on your face knowing its all for God?

If how you treat others glorifies God or takes away from God's glory would you change a few things? If your generosity glorifies God would you be more generous? Why am I saying all this?

Because the Apostle Paul said, "Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God!" If your looking for a reason to give life meaning I just handed you the greatest one of all. Use your life, your gifts, your abilities, your mind, your voice, your time, your talent, your treasure, use it all for God's glory and you will never go wrong.

One more question, ARE YOU LIVING FOR HIS GLORY OR YOUR OWN?

Blessings

Pleasing God

2008-10-01T14:07:00.000-07:00

Hey Bloggers,

A desire to please God seems to be what many people lack in their lives today. What an empty way to live. If all I ever have to be concerned about is pleasing me then my life will be pretty shallow at best. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, Whatever you do, to it all to the glory of God. That doesn't sound like were supposed to live only for us.

It sounds like were supposed to live only for Him. Pleasing Him, there's a concept. That requires faith, obedience, and change. Hebrews 11:6 says, "Without faith it is impossible to please God, for anyone that would come to God must believe that He exists and is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

So believe, diligently seek, and get ready for God's rewards, they are already on the way for the ones that please Him.

Be Blessed

The Devil in Discouragement!

2008-09-29T09:47:00.001-07:00

Hey Bloggers,

One of the most precious people in my life is going through discouragement. It makes my heart ache because I have been there so many times before. Everything you have believed for, hoped for, worked for and dreamed for seems as though it will never come to pass. After a while your mind starts to think, what's the use, why try, does it really matter all that much or does it only matter to me?

I've discovered in my own life that the Devil is in discouragement. It is the complete opposite of faith and trust. It is also one primary way he turns us back from our voyage to acquire God's Richest Treasures. It's in times of discouragement you have to draw from something greater than yourself because our flesh is prone to grow weary.

When those voices are tearing you down there is a word that will lift you up. Just think for a moment about the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control. These things are not produced in your heart by being discouraged.

Wisdom that comes from God is first of all pure, peace loving, full of mercy and good fruit. There is no good fruit produced from discouragement, so tell that devil to get out of your mind because you are on the verge of capturing God's Greatest Treasures.

You Are Loved.

Help

2008-09-27T14:50:00.000-07:00

Hey Bloggers,

Being the rookie that I am at this blogging thing, how do I get my blog to more people? How do I promote it or advertise it? Someone give me some ideas. 4730Rock.blogspot.com I think.

Blessings

Love Me Tender

2008-09-25T10:38:00.000-07:00

Hey Bloggers, God has blessed us with a beautiful day in the midwest and me and the wife are off to the annual marriage retreat. The theme this year is "Love me Tender!" Pray with me that the 18 couples attending will fall deeper in love, walk more as one, and learn to treat each other with tenderness.

If those three things are accomplished in each couple it will be an awesome retreat. Our scriptures for the weekend will be Ephesians 4: 29-32. God is pro successful marriage so I know he will be with us as we endeavor to honor him and strengthen marriages.

Be Blessed

The Prepared Place #2

2008-09-24T06:18:00.000-07:00

Jesus said, "I do nothing except what I see my Father doing!" The Father was taking from what was his and making it known to the Son. When the Son saw it and knew it was the Father's will he could move toward it with confidence knowing it would happen just as the Father had shown him.

God is obviously preparing for us a place in eternity, the Spirit gives us his witness and glimpses of what that will be like. But God also has to reveal to us his purposes on the earth. What he has prepared for us here.

He prepared for Israel a promised land, he showed them what that land was like, said it was theirs and then commanded them to go and possess it. I believe he is doing the same with us. God sees the Rock Church of our future, where it is, what it is, how it will become. "He calls things that are not as though they were!" It's not to be patterned after our ideals, but his.

We have to ask, seek, and knock and as we do God will unfold the plan, he will show us what his Rock Church looks like. His Spirit will reveal this prepared place that is now just a God thought. Jesus said, "I will build MY CHURCH and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

Father, in Jesus name, Show us the place as you desire it to be. Amen

The Prepared Place

2008-09-21T20:37:00.000-07:00

My attention has been on the words of Apostle Paul lately in 1 Corinthians 2:9-10. The phrase that really knocks my socks off is "what God has prepared for those who love him." That implies that God has been busy working, getting something ready, something he has in mind for those who love him.

If you'll hang with me it gets even better. The next phrase is, "But God has revealed it to us by his Spirit." Revealed what? What does the Holy Spirit want to reveal to us? What God has prepared for those who love him.

Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would take from what is his and make it known to us. He would take from what God has for us and show it to us. Why does God want to show us what he has for us? Tell me what you think and then I'll tell you what I think.

Blessings

Hurricane Stealth #3

2008-09-19T09:40:00.000-07:00

Hey bloggers, if your not sure what this Hurricane Stealth thing is all about let me explain. Our American Military has a bomber they use for secretive missions called a Stealth Bomber. It is virtually undetectable by radar and can sneak in and do its damage before the enemy knows what even hit them.

God has given us as believers our own stealth capability. The Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit prays through us he only prays according to Gods will, the devil can't understand these prayers because they are uttered in words that only God himself can understand.

Pray that God would give you the language of the Holy Spirit and don't be fearful of spiritual gifts. The benefits are eternal and unmeasurable. 1 Cor 12:1 says God does not want us ignorant of spiritual gifts. So get busy getting knowledge about these wonderful gifts of grace.

Remember, the Holy Spirit always and only prays according to Gods will, when we pray Gods will God hears us, when we know God has heard us, we know we have what we asked for. 1 John 5:14-15. So get to praying.

Blessings.

Pastor Dan

Areopagus Concert

2008-09-18T18:32:00.000-07:00

Hey Bloggers, Areopagus is making history with a concert tonight featuring Thao Nguyen and The Get Down Stay Down with The Lonelyhearts. This is what the coffee shop is all about. Connecting with the community. If you have nothing going on its happening until 10:00pm

Another Hurrican Stealth adventure is in the making so keep your spiritual light on and pray in the Holy Spirit

Blessings

Pastor Dan

2008-09-17T13:47:00.000-07:00

Hey Bloggers,

Were winding down the Antioch School training here in Ames Iowa. It has been very enlightening and refreshing. Should be on the road by 8pm. Please pray with me about the future launching of Antioch School.

Hurricane Stealth is still stirring and this school will be part of the storm. Start studying Acts 1:8 and 2:1-4. It has a lot to do with where we are heading in the spiritual arena.

Blessings

Pastor Dan

Antioch School

2008-09-16T20:55:00.000-07:00

I am 18 hours into the training for Rock Church's new bible school. Very intense but exciting. I have no doubt that God is getting us ready to prepare a generation of redefined believers for his work in the world.

If your faith is on fire, you have a heart to serve God, and your ready to prepare for a life of service to Jesus Christ, get ready. God wants to unleash a model for ministry that will plunder hell to populate heaven. I pray it begins with whoever has the courage to read this blog.

Blessings

Hurricane Stealth #2

2008-09-12T12:35:00.000-07:00

Hey bloggers, for those of you who are on a spiritual quest to know God better I would begin by searching the scriptures regarding the Holy Spirit. We know he has been poured out and given to the church, but are we tapped into the potential His presence brings into our lives? Do we want to be?

Did you know the Holy Spirit knows the deep things of God? Did you know that God reveals things to us through the Holy Spirit? Did you know that the Holy Spirit always prays according to the will of God? Did you know that every prayer prayed according to God's will has to be answered?

Answer this next question and you will be well on your way to a life filled with answered prayer. How do you pray in the Holy Spirit? Answer this question and you will be well on your way to being connected to Hurricane Stealth.

Blessings

Hurricane Stealth

2008-09-11T16:16:00.000-07:00

We've been hearing a lot about hurricanes lately in the natural. I believe God is unleashing one of his own in the spiritual realm. What's causing this hurricane to brew is spiritual conflict. When the enemy comes in like a flood, God has promised to raise up a standard against him.

You may not see this hurricane because its coming in stealth. Many of you have been in such battles you have not known what to pray for or how to pray. Stay tuned to this blog because God is about to show you.

blessings

Dan