Issue link: http://denverseminary.uberflip.com/i/736680
ENGAGE 23 In my lifetime, I have preached to a lot of people. Now, I can't remember everybody who gave me a hearing, but there are some I'll never forget. Skye, for example—a seven-year-old when I first met her—is among those unforgettables. When I preached the Bible, she took notes. When I was finished, she would often slip me a piece of paper commenting on what I'd said. She was seven, mind you! "Dear Pastor Mac," one note read. "You were a very funny man this morning. I like your stories. I like to hear you preach. Love, Skye." That note remains on my desk 11 years later. I should mention that Skye was followed in line that morning by a 97-year-old man who embraced me and whispered, "Pastor Mac, God's Spirit used your sermon this morning to touch my soul … deep, very deep." A 90-year range in sermonic connection isn't bad. This spring Skye graduated from high school. Among her achievements: valedictorian of her class, varsity athlete, member of the debate team, star in the school play, extraordinary musician. Now she moves on to one of America's outstanding universities to study engineering. Occasionally I remind Skye that, some day, I expect an invitation to the ceremony when she is awarded the Nobel Prize in the sciences. It's not likely that Skye will ever sit in a Denver Seminary classroom. Not her calling. But I can imagine her in worship some day, taking notes on the sermon of a Denver Seminary graduate (man or woman) who teaches the Bible and challenges her to what Dr. Mark Young calls "a life of purpose, compassion, commitment, and certainty." Maybe she'll write an encouraging note to that pastor—just like she used to write to me. We dream about things like that at Denver Seminary. BENEDICTION Gordon MacDonald, DD CHANCELLOR The reason the Son of God came, according to John, is to defeat the devil and all his influence and to redeem us from his tyranny. Dr. Keith Wells God was not ashamed to enter our broken space and make camp with us. … God is fully present to us because Jesus moved completely into the darkness of the human situation (and my situation and your situation). Dr. Don Payne As we grow in our interdependence, we will better discern the truths of Scripture so that we may live boldly and act wisely according to the faith we are given. Laura Flanders, MA We need to wrestle with what it looks like to hold fast to biblical truths, without compromise or apology, while being open to new and creative ways of presenting the gospel with compassion in order to speak relevantly to the heart and the brokenness of this culture. Dr. Elisabeth Nesbit Sbanotto WORD FOR WORD