Out of the cave, into His Marvelous Light: Making a decision to transition

SDG · #1 10-26-2007, 10:10 AM

1 Samuel 22:1 KJV

David therefore departed thence,
and escaped to the cave Adullam:
and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it,
they went down thither to him.

And every one that was in distress,
and every one that was in debt,
and every one that was discontented,
gathered themselves unto him;
and he became a captain over them:
and there were with him about four hundred men.

After essentially a 2 year hiatus that has been marked by personal loss and life-altering circumstances, I have decided to make an important decision to step out of the cave I've been hiding in.

David found a cave to hide because he felt he needed to. David's situation drove him to a place of solitude and reflection.

He had lost his home, his wife, his job in the Palace, his counselor and adviser, his closest and only true friend, Jonathan because he had fled from King Saul, who was seeking to kill him.

He even had lost his self respect.

Yet, the cave was a turning point in his life.

My cave has served it's purpose ... I have been able to get to a place where I have been compelled to rely entirely on God. It has been a place of prayer and seeking God's face. God has also sent my family and friends to join me during this dark hour. He has also sent others I never imagined to meet ... all of them to help and encourage me.

I've been asking God for some answers as to what is the next stage for my life, especially in prayer in the last few weeks. He has impressed upon me that he wants me to come out because he's not done with me.

Certainly, there's a frustration many of us have felt, as David did too, to having a king's anointing, dripping w/ oil yet not seeing his promises fully fulfilled in our lives. I too have felt it.

We are all called to minister within the Body. He has placed in us talents and giftings as to further His purposes and His Kingdom. One of the frustrating things a child of God can do is bury these talents and giftings knowing that we will be held accountable for what the Master has entrusted to us.

With this ... said .... I will be assuming a pastorship of new Spanish work at Gloryland Church, under Senior Pastor Steve Barley. He has also asked me to assist at the church, when needed.

Please ... understand I know who he is and yes, even his history. My parents were under his pastorship in the Bronx for almost 2 years. I intend to also continue helping out w/ the Spanish work at Church of Champions, under Paster Joe Rios.

Lastly, God has confirmed to me that this decision is within His perfect will. We have a common history, doctrinal viewpoint, and vision to reach the lost.

Also, please try to leave any negativity at the door ... as not to mar this thread. I ask for your prayers and advice. We'll be starting from ground zero.

The task at hand will be my priority.

Who turned on the lights????

Be blessed,
Dan

COOPER · #2 10-26-2007, 10:13 AM

Nahum · #3 10-26-2007, 10:19 AM

Godspeed, Daniel!

I will be praying for you, Dana, and Aaron.

I look forward to hearing good reports. Please know that you can share the good, and bad, with me. I'll love you no matter how successful or unsuccessful you are. I am truly thankful you are "coming out," and even more thankful it's from a cave - and NOT a closet.

ELA

#4 10-26-2007, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

1 Samuel 22:1 KJV

David therefore departed thence,
and escaped to the cave Adullam:
and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it,
they went down thither to him.

And every one that was in distress,
and every one that was in debt,
and every one that was discontented,
gathered themselves unto him;
and he became a captain over them:
and there were with him about four hundred men.

After essentially a 2 year hiatus that has been marked by personal loss and life-altering circumstances, I have decided to make an important decision to step out of the cave I've been hiding in.

David found a cave to hide because he felt he needed to. David's situation drove him to a place of solitude and reflection.

He had lost his home, his wife, his job in the Palace, his counselor and adviser, his closest and only true friend, Jonathan because he had fled from King Saul, who was seeking to kill him.

He even had lost his self respect.

Yet, the cave was a turning point in his life.

My cave has served it's purpose ... I have been able to get to a place where I have been compelled to rely entirely on God. It has been a place of prayer and seeking God's face. God has also sent my family and friends to join me during this dark hour. He has also sent others I never imagined to meet ... all of them to help and encourage me.

I've been asking God for some answers as to what is the next stage for my life, especially in prayer in the last few weeks. He has impressed upon me that he wants me to come out because he's not done with me.

Certainly, there's a frustration many of us have felt, as David did too, to having a king's anointing, dripping w/ oil yet not seeing his promises fully fulfilled in our lives. I too have felt it.

We are all called to minister within the Body. He has placed in us talents and giftings as to further His purposes and His Kingdom. One of the frustrating things a child of God can do is bury these talents and giftings knowing that we will be held accountable for what the Master has entrusted to us.

With this ... said .... I will be assuming a pastorship of new Spanish work at Gloryland Church, under Senior Pastor Steve Barley. He has also asked me to assist at the church, when needed.

Please ... understand I know who he is and yes, even his history. My parents were under his pastorship in the Bronx for almost 2 years. I intend to also continue helping out w/ the Spanish work at Church of Champions, under Paster Joe Rios.

Lastly, God has confirmed to me that this decision is within His perfect will. We have a common history, doctrinal viewpoint, and vision to reach the lost.

Also, please try to leave any negativity at the door ... as not to mar this thread. I ask for your prayers and advice. We'll be starting for ground zero.

The task at hand will be my priority.

Who turned on the lights????

Be blessed,
Dan

Dan,

I am very thankful that you have found the place and opportunity to minister the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. The servant life is not always easy but it is always good. May God Bless you!

When you talk to Bro. Barley, please tell him I said hello and would love to hear from him. I think you are aware that I worked with him and lived with his family when he started the UPCI work in Guatemala.

I have always found Bro. Barley to be a man of great passion for the lost. He also isn't a half bad preacher!

You have to be careful, unless something has changed, he is a 3 stepper and strong on W&S!

SDG · #5 10-26-2007, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philjones

You have to be careful, unless something has changed, he is a 3 stepper and strong on W&S!

Thanks, Phil. He has changed.

SDG · #6 10-26-2007, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Godspeed, Daniel!

I will be praying for you, Dana, and Aaron.

I look forward to hearing good reports. Please know that you can share the good, and bad, with me. I'll love you no matter how successful or unsuccessful you are. I am truly thankful you are "coming out," and even more thankful it's from a cave - and NOT a closet.

ELA

I appreciate our friendship. Thanks for being a true one.

#7 10-26-2007, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

Thanks, Phil. He has changed.

Dan,

You do know that was intended to be a joke. I have spoken to Bro. Barley a couple times in recent years and I am very aware of his positions. You would never know it to hear him preach, however. He still brings it just like the old days on Baptism and Holy Ghost! He did some good work in Cuba in the last 5 years or so. Quite a guy.

As you know, he was quite the ball player in his youth and continued to be so up into his 40s. He used to get "picked up" to play in some of the semi-pro softball games in Guatemala as I recall.

SDG · #8 10-26-2007, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philjones

Dan,

You do know that was intended to be a joke. I have spoken to Bro. Barley a couple times in recent years and I am very aware of his positions. You would never know it to hear him preach, however. He still brings it just like the old days on Baptism and Holy Ghost! He did some good work in Cuba in the last 5 years or so. Quite a guy.

As you know, he was quite the ball player in his youth and continued to be so up into his 40s. He used to get "picked up" to play in some of the semi-pro softball games in Guatemala as I recall.

He taught old time Baptism of the HG on Wed. nite!!!! He is very proud of the work he's done in Cuba ... and shared that w/ me over dinner.

SDG · #9 10-26-2007, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COOPER

Coop,

You'll be glad to know that at least for now you're off ignore. Also, to add to your ecstasy ... we'll be teaching ESL classes .... as to serve the community and attract people to the church.

mizpeh · #10 10-26-2007, 11:04 AM

Great news, Dan! You have alot to offer everyone you come in contact with.

Does this mean you won't be hanging around here as much?