I loved Denver right from the start. It had been another one of my goals...to move to a large city...I had always loved big cities. I loved Kansas City and Chicago, two places my parents and I had gone on vacation. I love the energy of bigger cities.I was still referring to being a Yogi as my 'religion of choice' when I first moved here...which was extremely naive of me, I know. I will never forget the time I filled out an application to work at what was then called Colorado General Hospital. During the70's the application forms usually asked you to specify your religion affiliation...and I boldly wrote _Yogi._ I've never forgotten the look on the Personell lady's face when she said "Yogi?" in a somewhat incredulous voice. I just smiled and nodded. I know now how ridiculous that answer was....but!--it served an in-the-meantime-purpose for me. I did NOT want to be identified with 'regular religion.'
We didn't go to church anywhere.... much to Lori and Mike's relief, since they never kinew what kind of ridiculous adventure I would involve them in next. Something we laughed at for years was their 'speaking in tongues' when they tried to talk me into doing something they wanted to do...This was left over remnants from the Catholic Charismatic adventure. They would get down on the floor, Muslim style, --hands and head up...then bow low to the floor and chatter away in some silly made up language...trying their best not to burst out laughing...although sometimes they did... We laughed about that for years.
The most life-changing event that happened to me shortly after our arrival in Denver was a magnificent dream that I had... I still vividly remember the dream. I dreamt that the kids and I, aboard in my yellow Pinto, were driving down Alameda...going West...when I came upon this extremely strange looking church. It looked like a big white spider. A large round bldg with white pillared arms extending outward and downward to the ground.
I walked into the church...it was empty...I looked around. No one was there. I walked into the sanctuary part of the church and much to my surprise, this round area had no pews. Not one.
It did have, however, a huge swing hanging from the beautiful round dome... The ropes of the swing--which was a one-seater swing--were covered with lovely, colorful flowers. The light in the sanctuary was beautiful... very glowing and penetrating. I hopped onto the swing and tried swinging... What struck me so odd is everytime I would try to make it 'go' and 'go faster' ...it would get all out of control...it was only when I Let Go...that it sailed back and forth smoothly. That would not really mean anything significant to me for a few years.
Even though I didn't turn around, I knew that a man...somewhat indistinguishable, who wore a gray suit, had walked up behind me. His presence felt safe and comfortable to me. I stopped swinging when he started to talk. "You are not quite ready yet to receive and understand what you are looking for...but what you are looking for, you will soon find."
He then just disappeared...I have never 'seen' anyone that looked like him or what I imagined he may have looked like.
I floated back and forth on the swing a few more times...knowing that when I tried to control the swinging, it would create a really erratic movement...but, when I just went with the natural rhythm, the flow of it...it was beautiful and effortless. That was one outstanding dream!
I woke up very excited...I hopped out of bed, and called to Mike and Lori...."Get up! We're going to church!".... they both just moaned and groaned and tried hiding under the covers....but I finally convinced them that they just HAD to do this!... and of course, they played along.
I had no idea where I was going...except that I knew I had to drive west on Alameda Avenue from the Broadway intersection. I had never driven west on that particular street before...but I just knew I had to go In Search Of ...
We drove for quite awhile...I was determined to keep going!--if it meant I'd end up on the west coast! ...and Lo and Behold!...there it was!! A strange structure just like I had seen in my incredible dream...The big white spider church with the white 'arms' extending from the top to the ground surrounded the round inner structure. We parked the yellow Pinto and in we went. There were people! Many of them. Everyone seemed nice and friendly and the energy felt good... We were ushered into the auditorium. The music was great...both as sung by the congregation as wello as some fellow and his wife who sang as he accompanied the son on his guitar... Seemed very secular...not very religious at all.
The sermon was mind blowing. The famous Dr. Fred delivered the sermon. He had beautiful white hair...and a phenomenal sense of humor. I had never EVER heard such a 'sermon' before ... it was more like a motivational talk. No threats of hell or damnation or doom or gloom.
What I found after the service, in the section where books were sold, would prove to be much more important to me that what I experienced during the service. I picked up a book that lay on the sales table. "Seth Speaks" ... It really appealed to me. Not sure why....although flipping through the pages I read a few lines about incarnation. That intrigued me. I bought the book.
That is how I became acquainted with who would be the greatest teacher I've ever had. Good ol' Seth... That was SUCH a bright spot in my journey. A very beautiful one. That was probably the most life-changing day I'd ever experienced...
