Thank You!

I wanted to take a moment and say thank you for those of you who have been praying for me over the last week. God has heard your prayers and answered them very specifically. My headaches have weakened and clarity is returning (at least as much as I had before). I know I can speak for my wife as well when I say that your cards, calls, visits and prayers carried us through the last week knowing that God was in control. We continue to focus on that truth knowing that our Lord will utilize this for good (Rom. 8:28).

Ambassadors for Christ

Windbreakers + Minnesota in February = Dumb

For many years I have heard my father tell me that Californian's were wimps when it came to weather. Of course in my ignorance I discounted his opinions as "east coast swagger". Tonight however I learned that my dad was right in his assessment (at least in my case). The irony in my newfound acceptance of my wimp ness of course runs deep - the theme of this year’s pastor’s conference is "Fathers and Sons".

Tonight, after a fantastic dinner with the rest of the team, Pastor Jon and I decided to "man-up" and walk from the restaurant to the convention center. Now, it was only a 7-8 blocks, and according to the digital sign on top of one of the skyscrapers here in Minneapolis, it was a balmy 17 degrees (that doesn't count wind-chill...more on that later). Armed with nothing but our Compass Bible Church windbreakers we set off on our adventure to the convention center.

The first block was easy...actually invigorating would be a better word. Pastor Jon and I scoffed at our weak willed teammates that chose the comforts of the downtown skywalk (an indoor sidewalk for wimps). Feeling very much like men, we marched onward towards the prize.

I am not sure if it was block 3 or 4, but we realized that we had no idea where the convention center actually was (perhaps the temperature froze the internal compass within our brains?). Being men neither of us asked anyone for directions...at least for another couple of blocks. That is when I realized that I couldn't feel my hands...no...strike that...that is when I realized my hands felt like they were burning as if being dipped in acid and ready to fall off my wrists. Of course, it was now time to ask for directions.

A nice young fellow, who was bundled up like the kid from the Christmas Story movie, told us that we were just a "few" blocks away and he pointed us in another direction towards Grant Street. I could feel the air freezing in my lungs at this point and it actually hurt to breathe. I didn't care about being a man anymore. I just wanted to get inside! Of course this was all just internal dialogue that I was having with myself, because there was no way I was saying anything to Pastor Jon about my lack of toughness...if he could take it, I could take it, that is what I kept telling myself.

As we turned on Grant Street the prize was in the distance and that is when I felt my ears burning as if I was being seared by a cattle brand. How could cold burn so much? I thought to myself.

Well, we finally made it to the convention center and as we entered (and were blasted by the well heated indoors) I noticed that a screen said it was 17 degrees outside, but that with the wind-chill it felt like 11 degrees. Now, I know for these parts, that isn't cold at all...but for a guy born and raised in Southern California (never more than 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean) I might as well been at the North Pole.

At the end of the evening session I was asked if I was going to use the skywalk to get back to the hotel and I said, "yes, do you think I am crazy? It's cold outside!"

Desiring God Conference 2008

I am currently sitting in my hotel room in Minneapolis and I am all alone. My roommate was supposed to be Jess Williams (Men's Ministry Director at Compass Bible Church) but he is currently in a hotel room in Chicago. Jess, along with the rest of our pastoral staff were supposed to change plans in Chicago and then head to the Twin Cities - however God had a different plan. There were over 500 flights canceled today in and out of Chicago and our team got stranded.

Pastor Mike and I took another flight that was non-stop and though we have hit some really cold weather and snow we have had no traveling issues.

Tonight, Pastor Mike and I attended a session where D.A. Carson spoke to about 1500 pastors in the Minneapolis Convention Center. His message was mostly focused on who God is as Father, who Jesus is as Son and who we are as sons of the Father. Carson, who is a highly respected theologian, was surprisingly a dynamic speaker as well (they usually don't go hand and hand in my experience).

I am looking forward to the arrival of the rest of the team tomorrow morning and I am praying that God grants us a time of fellowship, learning and rest with each other.

Many Thanks: Cards Are Most Welcome

I have never really been someone who is "in" to giving or receiving cards. Maybe that says a little something about me, I don't know. But I never understood how spending $5.00 on a piece of cardboard was important. Why not just tell someone how you feel about them? But, in the last couple of years I think I have become much more sentimental.

Every morning when I come into the office I open up my mail folder to retrieve what was deposited the day before. Well, for those of you who don't know, pastors get some really strange mail. Book offers, conferences in Iowa, sermon helps, church management, etc., etc. Basically we get a lot of junk mail.

But every so often we get something that is in a light purple, or yellow Hallmark envelope and I have to be honest and tell you that I now get excited when I see those envelopes. Not giddy, but happy. Because I know that God has touched someone through our ministry here at Compass.

I officiated a funeral yesterday and the family gave me a card that I would like to share with you. I want to do this go honor God and to share with you what He is doing here at Compass. The card reads:

Pastor Dale

Thank you so much for presiding over my dad's funeral. We've only been at Compass since August and we were a bit apprehensive to ask a pastor to officiate at the funeral, but you and Pastor Pete have helped us to feel so comfortable and to really feel ask if this has been our church home for a long time.

We've been so blessed to have found Compass Church and already feel we have learned more about God's word these past few months than in past years. Thanks again.

What an affirmation that God is working here at Compass! I love these cards.