Dan Cooper's Blog

In 1989, my friend, John Smith, was stuck at the DFW Airport.  What do you do when you are stuck at a big metropolitan airport for three hours?  Well, John went to the airport chapel.  There he found a small, plain room with fourteen Bibles, straight chairs, and a stained glass window.  There was a guest register there, too; and John began reading the entries.

Beside one name were these words: “Today is my birthday…and I am stranded here alone.”  Then, it continued, “God, help me to get home—and help them to want me.” Home should be a place where we are wanted.  Home should be where they celebrate your birthday.

I celebrated my 59th birthday on Wednesday; and it struck me that three of our church family members will see no more earthly birthdays.  Between January and March of this year, we lost these dear friends: Tanya McBride (Jan. 1), Harry DuBrink (Jan. 8) and Sue Schneider (Mar. 21). I miss them, in the here and now!

But on the other side of death’s door, there was an angelic host waiting to greet them;  and the angels sang the celestial version of “Happy Birthday.”  With great rejoicing the angels sang, “Welcome home!  Today is your birthday!” They went on and sang more, “We’ve been waiting for you!  This is where you belong.”

“There’s a home prepared, just over in the glory-land!” the song says.  You will be loved.  You will be welcomed. And they will celebrate your birthday there!

Dan the Preacherman

In the last two months we have advertized and promoted a Junior High Retreat, a Senior High Retreat, a Ladies Retreat, and a Men’s Retreat!  What’s the thing with all these retreats? Those are a lot of busy week-ends!

I know of one church that refuses to call such a gathering a “Retreat” and chooses instead to call such week-end “get-aways” an “Advance.”  Their notion is that they don’t want to “retreat” from anything, but they want to “advance” the kingdom. I am not getting wrapped up in the verbiage!

The whole idea of these Retreats/Advances is to get us away from the normal routine.  Get off to a new location, get a fresh perspective, change your routine, and take some extra time for God and people.  Jesus did this very thing…He retreated!  He withdrew! (John 6:15). Our retreats are times for growing closer to God, for spiritual nurturing, and for building deeper relationships.  Now that sounds great!

Our up-coming Camp Manatawny Men’s Retreat is May 21st and 22nd.
I’d love for us to take about 20 guys.  Remember that our young men under 18 go for free if they register by May 10th.  Also, they can golf for free during the golf outing, starting Friday morning at 9:00 AM.  See the inside of the bulletin, pickup a Men’s Retreat flyer or see me for more details. 

Let’s Retreat, 
Dan

Our youngest daughter, Rachel, is searching the market to purchase her first house.  And, of course, Dad is helping her.  This is the first time I’ve looked at houses in the last 25 years.  And it’s confusing!  In case you didn’t realize it, the Sunday Real Estate section is coded!  Ron Walters helped me understand the codes below.

If the ad says “quaint,” it really means “old, real old.”
If the ad says “contemporary design,” it means “a converted garage.”
If the ad says “completely remodeled,” it means “since the flood.”
If the ad says “energy efficient,” it means “built near a nuclear power plant.”
If the ad says “near wildlife habitat,” it means “there’s a fire hydrant at the street corner.”
If the ad says “conveniently located,” it means “built on a freeway interchange.”
If the ad says “you’ll love it,” it means “you probably won’t.”
If the ad says “must see to believe,” then it means “must see to believe.”  “Caveat emptor”—“Let the buyer beware.”

Thankfully, the gospel was not written in code.  Jesus, our perfect model, plainly demonstrated God’s message for us through the way He lived.  In stark contrast to the other religious leaders of His day, He took the mystery out of God’s love.

Sunday after Sunday, Steve and I try to take the mystery out of the Bible and make it crystal clear.  I’ll be doing that very thing this coming Sunday.  My sermon title this coming Sunday is “Friend, I Have to Tell you: You and I Have Something in Common.”

Bring A Friend and an Open Heart, 
Dan

(Note: Excerpts from this article lifted from a letter written by Ron Walters).

Shock! That is the word that best describes my initial feelings about Sue’s sudden passing.  How can it be?  She had plans for her life: a trip to Russia, another trip with us to France.  The future was positive, hopeful, and filled with dreams.

Sobering! That is the word that best describes my current sentiment.  She was younger than I.  She had no real warning.  It was so sudden, and her life was snatched from us.  The same thing could happen to me!  Without warning, at the blink of an eye, in a split-second, my life on this earth could be taken.  Neither you nor I have the promise of tomorrow.  That is a sobering fact.  How then should we live? What will I do the day before I die? Will I live for self?  Or will I, like Sue, visit a sick person in the hospital (Illeane) and will I attend the play of one of our teen-agers (Aubrey) the day before I die?

Secure! That is the word that best describes my hope for Sue’s future.  While I grieve over this loss for Jay and Bethany, I feel great security about Sue’s eternal destiny.  She has gone home to be with the Lord.  She just got there a bit faster than expected.  Resurrection is a sure thing.  We celebrate that fact every spring.  She lived right, she was faithful to the end, and she is in paradise at this moment.  That is security.
Thank you, Sue, for a life well-lived.  To God be the glory.  Your love-filled, Christ-centered life made your funeral a celebration. 

Dan the Preacherman

When the book of Joshua begins, Moses had just died.  The people of Israel had concluded their forty years of wilderness wandering and were about to cross the Jordan River.  Joshua had assumed leadership of the fledging Israelite nation, and God was giving Joshua advice.  Joshua needed it; the Israelites weren’t exactly an easy bunch to lead.
Many things have changed since those days. The Israelites didn’t have cars, telephones, newspapers, TV’s, computers, the internet or cell phones.  But some things never change!  Like us, they didn’t have an over-abundance of good leaders.  Men like Joshua and Moses were rare. Three thousand years later, good leaders are still hard to find. 

This five-step leadership plan from God is lifted directly from Joshua 1:
1. Be Strong
2. Be Courageous
3. Be Careful
4. Do Not Tremble
5. Persevere

God needs leaders in this church like the list above: men and women who are strong, courageous, careful and persevering. 

Former Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, said, “The most important quality of a leader is courage….Most action must be taken when a leader cannot see his way clearly to the end.  What is needed is a curious combination of egomania and humility.  If he is too much impressed with the size of the challenge, he does nothing.  If he is too little impressed, he gets into trouble.” 
I am thankful for the good leaders in Pitman!

Dan the Preacherman

Ty Cobb played twenty-two seasons for the Detroit Tigers, establishing over ninety records. He won twelve batting titles, nine in a row. He still holds the record for the highest lifetime batting average of any player in the history of baseball—366.  Some say he was the greatest to ever play.  He received more votes placing him in the Hall of Fame than any player in the history of the game.

He was a great baseball player, no doubt; but what is equally agreed upon is that he was one of the most disliked people to ever played the game. Maybe even despised!  He once climbed into the stands and physically beat up a heckler. The heckler was handicapped, having lost one hand and three fingers on his other hand in an accident. Teammates tried to stop him, only to hear Cobb say, “I don’t care if he has no feet.”

On another occasion, he got into a fight with an elevator operator.  When another man tried to intervene, Cobb pulled a knife and stabbed him. 

When Cobb died, not one former teammate attended his funeral; and only three players from any team attended. He was perhaps the greatest baseball player to have ever played, but not one teammate from twenty-two years of playing came to pay respects.  Cobb is reported to have said on his death bed:  “I only wish I’d made more friends.”

Ty Cobb should have developed a better definition of greatness and an understanding of the importance of friendship. The Bible says, “Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble” (Prov. 17:17).

Prayer:  Dear God, help me to remember that being a true friend is more important that entering baseball’s Hall of Fame.  In Jesus Name, Amen. 
Dan the Preacherman

I know of no other church that hosts four weekly men’s prayer times.  There may be others, and I hope there are; but I don’t know of them.  Do you? 

This past week, our Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday prayer times, generated 25 man-hours of prayer to the heavenly throne.  Black and white, rich and poor, white collar and blue collar, tall and short, young and not-so-young men came together for one purpose!  Prayer.

What happens during these prayer times is supernatural. God is in the room with us.  Hearts are touched, sins are confessed, burdens are shared, the sick are healed, the lonely are lifted up and the future is changed.  Real men express their sensitive side!  Amazing stuff happens!

God is growing our church and keeping us unified because we are depending on Him, and not on ourselves.  We are humbling ourselves before Him. And…The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with (James 5:16 CEV) He promises that when we pray fervently, it makes a big difference.  Brother, will you find a time to join us in prayer one day this week?

Dan the Praying Preacherman

In a healthy church, the love that flows through God’s children is deeper, richer, faster and more authentic than that which is found anywhere else in the world!  There is a common goal among believers, a common sacrifice, common values, common habits and common traditions.  We connect more than on Sunday mornings, once a week.  We relish day by day fellowship.

Agape love motivates disciples to sacrifice their egos in service to each other.  So, if I don’t always get to sing the songs I like, I’ll not gripe and complain.  If everyone else doesn’t dress up (or dress down) like I do on Sunday mornings, I’ll not judge them.  If someone hurts me, I will forgive them and “get over it.”  Even though the world does not grasp this kind love, growing churches are filled with Christians who work to have “all things in common” (Acts 2:42-47).  In fact, we are part of a fellowship that connects us, even with total strangers, as we celebrate our oneness in Christ.

Building Christ’s Church in 2010 Requires:
# 6 A Spirit of Harmony
# 7 Every Member Being A Minister
# 8 Practicing AGAPE Fellowship
-Dan the Preacherman

Do you feel special? I am hand-picked by God…and so are you!  We were chosen by God.  We are priests, citizens in His holy nation, and we belong to Him (1 Pet. 2:5, 9).  Since we are His specially chosen ones, He has specific things for us to do.  Together, we are to complete works of service (Eph. 4:11-12).  There is no distinction between clergy and laity. He saved us so that we can save and serve others.  Isn’t that cool?  We not only get to partner with God, we also get to partner with each other.

Few things are more exciting than watching dozens (or hundreds) of God’s hand-picked people working together to complete a task!  Conversely, few things are more frustrating than being burdened by the major part of a work load of a church family.  You know the feeling?

Nothing helps you grow as a Christian like service.  Teach a class, serve the homeless, prepare a Wednesday night meal, sing at a nursing home, go on a mission trip, visit a hospital, open your home to someone new, work at camp, or lead a LIFE Group.  You and I are hand-picked by God to minister together! 
-Dan the Preacherman

God hates those who sow discord among believers (Prov. 6:19)!  Jesus’ longest prayer emphatically demonstrates His concern for our unity (John 17).  Jesus went so far as to declare that our love and harmony is the distinguishing mark of His church.  When God’s spirit fell upon the fledgling church in Century One they were all together in one place, at one time, with one accord!

What threatens harmony?
  -False teaching threatens harmony
  -A legalistic spirit threatens harmony
  -A cutting, caustic, critical spirit threatens harmony
  -An uncontrolled ego threatens harmony

The evil one is determined to steal, kill and destroy.  Jesus prayed for His church to be united, loving and harmonious. 

Guiding principle number six in Building God’s Church in 2010 requires A Spirit of Harmony. I don’t always get my own way, and neither do you.  We get to defer to one another!         
-Dan the Preacherman

Many churches today are not growing because their efforts are characterized a shallow, stained-glass, padded pew, “business as usual” faithlessness. 

Growing churches are characterized by bold, daring, even risk-taking faith.  Growing churches say to this mountain, “move from here to there,” and it moves.  They say to their members, we need $1,000, 000 to complete this project, and $1,000,000 appears.  They say, we need another staff person to accomplish all that God is calling us to do; and somehow, some way—after fervent prayer—the right person appears at the right time, along with the just the right amount of funds to support.

Simply stated…<u>Building God’s Church in 2010 Requires</u>:
1) A Bold Proclamation of truth, the Bible!
2) Vibrant Worship, in spirit and in truth!
3) Unselfish, servant-hearted leaders!
4) Excellence—-God deserves our very best!
5) Radical Faith—-Daring, risk-taking trust in Him!

Growing Churches Demonstrate Radical Faithfulness,
Dan the Preacherman

Many churches today are not growing because their efforts are characterized by mediocrity!  God deserves our very best.  He wants our first, not our leftovers! Unfortunately we tend to take the first and give him what’s left.  “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through him” (Col. 3:17).

Hallmark urges us to send their cards when “Only the very best will do!”  That’s the way it is with God, He deserves our very best!  Churches that are growing pursue excellence.  They may not hit it every time, but there is a conscious pursuit of excellence.  The lost deserve the best we have to offer.  God deserves our best.

Simply stated…<u>Building God’s Church in 2010 Requires</u>:
1) A Bold Proclamation of truth, the Bible!
2) Vibrant Worship, in spirit and in truth!
3) Unselfish, servant-hearted leaders!
4) Excellence—-God deserves our very best!

I cannot offer that which costs me nothing,
Dan the Preacherman

Gimmicks, programs, big buildings and creative ideas do not build great churches. Humble, Christ-centered leaders do!
Christ-centered leaders make tough, sometimes unpopular, decisions. They inconvenience themselves.  They do what is best for the flock,; not what is best for their own interest!  They pause a building program when the economy tanks!  They cancel church when a huge snow storm hits!  They “anoint with oil,” when the sick saint calls.  They spend countless hours in meetings and prayer as they oversee the flock. 

Why are so many churches floundering today?  Simply stated: Floundering churches do not have leaders who unselfishly devoted themselves to pastoring the flock.  That is a strong accusation, but it is true!

Simply stated…Building God’s Church in 2010 Requires:
1) A Bold Proclamation of truth, the Bible!
2) Vibrant Worship, in spirit and in truth!
3) Unselfish, servant-hearted leaders!

By God’s Grace…
A Builder,
Dan the Preacherman

Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Lk. 6:45).  What flows out of your mouth?  God’s church, when it is functioning as it ought, leads disciples to vibrant worship and praise.  Jesus also said, “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).

Just as central as truth being taught to build up God’s church (that was # 1, last week); is the fact that our Holy God is to be worshipped.  He is to be adored with all of our heart, soul mind and strength.  Our lips are to honor Him.  I love singing the old traditional songs and the new praise songs.  I love our congregational prayers, too!  What a thrill to unite in one mind and one heart as a brother publicly leads us to the Creator of the universe!  And gathering around the Lord’s table is yet one more time to link hearts together.  We join as ONE when we commune with each other and with Him around the Lord’s Table.  We share the bread and drink the cup as ONE!  Our giving is one more unmistakable form of worship. My cheerful giving says, I trust the Almighty God not the almighty dollar. 
A Vibrant Worshipper,
Dan

It takes more than money to build God’s church!  Words cannot describe my ecstasy over passing the million dollar mark in our giving last Sunday.  Money is great and what a huge testimony to our faithfulness!  However, money by itself , will not build God’s church.  Believe it or not, collecting the money to build God’s church may be one of the easy parts.  What else do we need?

It is mandatory that God’s church emphasize truth!  His church powerfully, creatively, and lovingly presents His truth and applies it to people’s lives.  For that reason I am challenging all our members to read through your entire Bible in 2010.  I have aggressively encouraged the church to join me every five years in this journey.  I led that cover to cover reading at this church in 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, and now I am challenging us to make the exciting journey through the Bible in 2010.  You can do it!  It will be good for you, and it will help build a rock solid foundation for your faith.  Use a Bible that you can underline and make notes in.  Use your existing Bible or you may want to try a new translation.  Get a Bible and read, Genesis-Revelation. 
Truth Matters,
Dan