by David Docusen | November 17, 2014 | Uncategorized
**Luke 11:1 – Once Jesus was in a certain place praying.
As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said,
“Lord, teach us to pray…”
I have decided to make a detour in my scheduled preaching calendar this week at Center City Church. For the past week, I’ve been fascinated by this request that one of the unnamed disciples made of Jesus: “Lord, teach us to pray…”
This is a topic that is probably assumed more than it is taught in our current church culture. Just like this disciple asked of Jesus, I believe that there are many people that long to talk to God, but for a variety of reasons, never seem to fully engage in conversation with the creator of their souls.
I DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START.
I remember seeing my wife, Dara, at an event in 1999 at her church in Concord, NC. I thought she was absolutely beautiful, but I was intimidated to even begin the conversation. I didn’t have a good opening line to spark compelling interaction with her, so I didn’t say anything at all. That turned out to be my loss, because it was another year before we saw each other again and I missed out on chatting with the most intriguing woman in the world.
I think, for similar reasons, many people do not even engage God in conversation because they feel like there are some sort of unspoken or unwritten rules (or spoken and written rules they they have yet to encounter) that would give them appropriate conversation starters with the creator of the universe. There are no such rules, but God does give us a great conversation starter in Luke 11:1-4:
Jesus said, “This is how you should pray:“Father, may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
Give us each day the food we need,
and forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation.”
I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY.
I will never forget meeting Hulk Hogan and Brutus the Barber Beefcake when I was six years old. They were World Wrestling Federation megastars in 1985 and I was completely in awe. Their action figures were probably packed in my carry on bag that day. I had to say something to them, but what? I finally got up enough courage to speak and out came, “Are you Hulk Hogan?” He looked straight into my terrified soul and simply said, “Yes.” All of my childhood dreams were confirmed at gate 8C as we awaited our shared flight to Detroit, MI.
I had no clue what to do next, so I looked down into my hands and proceeded to say, “Do you want my Snickers bar?” It was a huge offer from a six year old. Mr. Hulk laughed politely and said, “I’m trying to watch my figure.” Of COURSE he was trying to watch his figure! He’s a superstar that rips his shirt off and exposes his bulging muscles as a part of his profession. Even as a six year old, I felt so silly. He proceeded to sign my boarding pass (which I kept on my mirror at home for many years) and I was thrilled. I spent the next two and a half hours on that flight quietly staring at my hero that was seated two rows behind me on the plane.
God does not care if you come to him with silly requests or ill-prepared conversation starters. He just wants to talk to you. He longs to hear your voice. And he longs for you to grow more and more comfortable in conversation with him.
WHAT DO WE DO WITH THE SILENCE?
I knew that I had a keeper when Dara and I spent an entire meal without talking. You read that right. It was one of our first dates at the Cheesecake Factory in Orlando, FL and we had a delicious meal in front of us that evening. We both are huge fans of great food, and that evening we laughed as we chatted before and after the meal. But during the meal, we both just appreciated the delectable entrees prepared for us. The best part was that both of us were totally comfortable in the silence. I knew I had found someone I could spend my life with because I didn’t feel pressure to always talk.
Many times, the things that we want to bring to the conversation are focused on things that we can address. Things that we can see, feel or hear that have caught our attention. When we are comfortable with God in silence, we allow him to bring things to our attention. Many times this leads to a time of repentance for areas in our life that need to be addressed. Other times he will bring up people or situations that we would normally be too busy or cluttered to think of ourselves.
I am excited to dig into this topic a bit more on Sunday at Center City Church. I am praying that God will spark passion in our hearts to communicate with the creator of our souls with comfort and regularity.
by David Docusen | October 11, 2014 | Uncategorized
I used to think of my relationship with God in terms of a compass. I always wanted to find “true north” in my relationship with Jesus. That is an acceptable metaphor, I’m sure, but I have re-calibrated my journey this week.
Dr. Steven Fettke is one of the most respected professors in the school of Pentecostal theology. He has given over 35 years to teaching the truths found in Scripture. This week, I have had the great privilege of sitting under his teaching again as a part of the Masters of Arts in Ministerial Leadership program I am pursuing through my alma mater, Southeastern University. He introduced the discipline of purgation to our class this week. This lesson has been nothing short of perspective-altering.
If you’re anything like me, it is incredibly difficult to concentrate on the still, small voice of the Lord (as described in 1 Kings 19) when there is so much flying through your head. The discipline of purgation allows these thoughts to go through your mind, but as if they are traveling on a river. The thoughts will arise, but they will continue to carry on down the river as you practice this discipline.
Simply defined, purgation is the discipline of allowing the Lord
to purge your mind of every distraction.
Another word to replace such a lofty work like purgation
would simply be the word, centering.
Centering is the process of sitting before the Lord in utter and complete silence for a period of time before you ever pray or read. This allows your heart, mind and spirit to settle down. Dr. Fettke stated, “Many times, we want to bring our agenda to the Lord, but centering allows us to lay down our agenda and receive what the Lord’s agenda is for us that day.” He continued, “We need to realize that, many times, our agenda can be an idol in our lives because God is wanting to do something completely different in us that we would have not expected.”
I have taken the last five days and practiced this discipline in the morning and the evening. I started really slow, with my first experience only lasting two minutes (at the most). Honestly, it was uncomfortable. My mind was racing, but I continued to view my thoughts as if they were on a river, passing through and continuing on down the river. The next day, I spent more time in silence.
Today, my fifth day, I completely broke. I found myself in utter and complete shambles as the names of family and friends in our community and around the world started to come to my remembrance. Tears flowed as I realized that I was not alone in my time of silence, but an entire community was with me as I brought all of them with me to the feet of Jesus in prayer. I moved on from that time of silence and prayed for quite a while. The Lord had brought HIS agenda to me.
Would you try this practice for a few days? Start small. Start simple.
Maybe even just sixty seconds. No bringing your prayers to the Lord.
Just sit in utter and complete silence and allow
the Lord to bring his agenda to your day.
I used to think that I was continuing to find true north. Now, my daily journey is simply to find my center.
by David Docusen | August 26, 2014 | Uncategorized
Met a new friend, Steven Chaparro. Interesting to hear his take on our journey, filled with ups and downs, to see Ebenezers Coffeehouse come to Uptown Charlotte.
by David Docusen | April 15, 2014 | Uncategorized
It’s amazing what is found in the Docusen home during our annual Spring cleaning. That was what Monday of our Spring Break week consisted of today. Moving all the furniture, sweeping, mopping, dusting and creating piles of stuff to give away to friends and Salvation Army. Having four kids ages 10, 9, 7 & 5 always make days like today rather interesting and, sure enough, we found some real gems.
The winner, by far, of most disgusting was the who-knows-how-old Kid Clif Bar that we found in the boys’ bedroom. Our youngest son, Ben, has a habit of “finishing” his breakfast by sneaking off and hiding his food. This particular breakfast bar was next to the vent on the floor under the dresser, melted and stubbornly gripping the 80+ year old wood floors. Our gag reflexes were seriously tested today.
I’m finding more and more that I have gag reflexes to things other than Ben’s hidden breakfast bars. It has to do with a lack of a genuine spirit. And I can feel it all the time…especially in the church. I long for our community at Center City Church to be genuine, honest and raw. Many times, that’s not the prettiest place to be. But it is real. And that’s the way I want to live my life. When I feel like we’re just putting on a show or worried about appearances in our church family, it’s like I’ve just stumbled upon a 4 month old Kid Clif Bar melted to my wood floor.
I just think that if we are going to truly say that we’ve committed our heart to Jesus, we should act like it when no one is looking. We should act like it when lots of people are looking. We should pursue him as much in quiet drives to work, walking through the city or teaching life lessons to our kids. Live with genuine expression of life, even if that is viewed as “too raw” by others. To be frank, I am not living for the approval of imperfect men and women, I’m living for the approval of God. He sees the motive of my heart, all of my imperfection and He chooses to love me just as I am. And He loves you that way, too.
I’m not perfect. And neither are you. I get frustrated and have to apologize to my wife and kids regularly.
I disappoint my friends and have to ask for grace. The most consistent thing about me many times
is simply my inconsistency. But I’m learning to be comfortable with myself and all the flaws
that come along with being David Docusen. And Jesus is ok with me, too.
If I am struggling, I need to be able to acknowledge that I am struggling. If I am full of doubt, I long for a community of friends that can deal with those doubts and navigate them with me. If I am about to take a huge step of faith, I want to hear a huge chorus of friends and family cheering me on, no matter how crazy it seems (and no matter the outcome).
We’re all in this together. We won’t agree on everything. But it is way more enjoyable if we just live genuinely. Take off the armor. Put your guard down. Sure, you’re going to take a few more arrows and collect a few more bruises. But you will also be truly living, not hiding behind a carefully crafted image of perfection that is impossible to sustain. Learn to be ok with being honest with yourself and others. That’s when you truly come alive and the beauty of a genuine relationship with Jesus makes sense.
Jesus didn’t come to save your public appearance, he came to redeem and heal your broken heart.
This is what Jesus had to say to the religious, pompous leaders of his time that hid behind their carefully crafted public image.
**Matthew 23:25-26 – “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites!
For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and
self-indulgence! You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish,
and then the outside will become clean, too.
Let’s choose to not be like these guys. Be genuine. Be raw. Be honest. Be you.
by David Docusen | March 18, 2014 | Uncategorized
Just over a year ago, two dear friends returned home from a beautiful, traumatic and effective season on the mission field. They spent multiple years in a country in North Africa sharing the love of Christ. Their community was full of amazingly gracious and wonderful people. But it also included people that were extremely hostile to anyone that would dare introduce another religion different from theirs. They laid their lives on the line to share the love of Christ.
In a story that could be adapted into a movie, they were forcefully removed from the country and the community that they desperately loved because of political tensions. This couple showed up in Charlotte hurting, broken and asking questions that no one on this side of heaven could ever answer. “Why?” seemed to be the starting point of every tear-filled conversation. They had lost their sense of home, calling and stability.
The past year has been full of healing. It has been full of community surrounding this couple and showing unconditional grace and love. It has included their engagement and marriage. It has included incredible spiritual growth. And it has included a new calling.
Today is one of the toughest, most beautiful days that I can remember in the history of my ministry. We will say goodbye yet again to this couple that we love. We have walked with them. Prayed with them. Cried with them. We have watched a new home and calling come alive in their heart. Tears fill my eyes today as I have seen this couple say goodbye to friends that mean more than words could ever express. Tears fill my eyes as Dara and I prepare to drive them to the airport, hug their necks and pray one final prayer from their pastor’s heart – their friend’s heart. We deeply love and believe in them. And we will miss them terribly.
These are not tears of sadness. They are tears of incredible joy. It turns out that saying goodbye to someone you love for an extended period of time includes a wide range of emotion that could never be properly expressed. There is a sense of loss, knowing that the random drop-ins on a Wednesday afternoon will not be happening. But that is accompanied by an overwhelming sense of joy. These two are truly alive. They are living out their God-given calling without fear or reservation. God called them to bring the life and love of Christ to a country that has less than 1% of its population that has experienced the freedom of relationship with Jesus.
They are leaving the ones that they love for the sake of The One (Jesus) that they love the most.
There will be tears. There will be laughter. There will be intense moments of prayer. There will be battles to be fought. There will be battles to be won. All of this for the glory of The One that is worthy of every part of our lives.
__________ and __________, you inspire me to love Jesus more. You inspire me to be a better husband, father, shepherd, teacher and friend. Thank you for your influence in my life. It’s time to go. And through our prayers, your community goes with you. Live well. Love well. Lead well. Be strong and courageous. You are loved. You are so very loved.
**Matthew 28:18-20 – Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has
been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have
commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
