Dear Worshippers,
I have been working for a while today trying to synchronize a couple of electronic devices. This simply means to go through a process to make certain the same information is in both places and every time they connect both sources are updated with any changes since the last time they connected. It is a more complicated version of “Synchronize your watches”, but the same principle is in play. This is also the process used when you update an iPod or mp3 player.
It occurred to me that this is a great picture of our relationship with God, especially the music player side of it. When we connect with God we want to make sure we have the same information [TRUTH] that He has. This is why we read His Word, pray, and meditate. We want to always be in sync with Him.
The main difference is that He never changes. We change and must be brought back in line with Him. Nothing we do ever changes Him. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:9)
The music player analogy is closer to this picture because none of the information from the player ever changes the computer. Even though settings might change that are resident to the player the computer never changes. The player is dependent on the computer to give it any information it needs to function.
Ideally, all the information on the computer that should be on the PDA or player automatically goes to the other device every time they connect. Issues can develop which derail this process, but the computer will diligently notify of any problems and try to correct them. The player is mostly oblivious to these developments.
That leads me to the question, “Are you synchronized?” Is all the information the Father wants to get on you being received? Are you connecting with Him regularly? Are there issues that have developed that He is trying to point out to you?
One other part of this is that with most devices, when they are being synchronized they are simultaneously being recharged. Their on-board power source is resupplied. Are you feeling depleted, run down, empty? Maybe you simply need to reconnect to your Source to strengthen your power level. It’s a simple thing. Get connected today! You will not be able to function per the Designers’ specifications until you do. I am praying for you.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Greater Things…
Dear Worshippers,
“Greater things have yet to come. Greater things are still to be done here in this city.” That’s pretty encouraging considering all that has happened over the last 40 years or so. Steel mills closing, and the slow decline which followed…now the uncertainty of GM and its subsidiaries. God is not finished here, and those opening statements are based on His word.
Jesus said, “I tell you the truth” which is actually kind of humorous, being the Son of God and all, but He was obviously very serious about this. He continued, “anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” I have faith, but I must admit that whenever I have read this passage it really makes me stop and consider carefully what Jesus is saying.
When Jesus says “greater things than these”, do you know what He is referring to? The miracles that proved He was one with the Father. Those are the things He said people with faith would do greater. He was referencing miracles. What is a miracle?
Wikipedia says, “A miracle is a perceptible interruption of the laws of nature, such that can be attempted to be explained by divine intervention. Merriam-Webster says a miracle is “an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs.” Those are insufficient to me. My friend John Grundy in a conversation last week defined a miracle as “God restoring something [i.e. a situation or person] to the condition it would have been in had the Fall never occurred.” I like that. That’s what Jesus has said we would do, and has called us to do.
Seeing things restored to the untainted condition they were intended to possess before the Fall. That is a miracle. A blind person seeing. A lame person walking. A dead man living. Greater things have yet to come…
How can someone as ordinary as me be involved in something so extraordinary? I still struggle with this thought. It is overwhelming. But I believe Jesus. Do you? Are you trusting Him to do things through you that when they occur God gets all the glory? Are you trusting Him to use you in miraculous ways? Are you living the same way day after day, or are you believing that God wants to do something through you that will require you to change?
God is changing me, causing me to long for more of Him in every area of my life. I want more of Him in my marriage, in my family, in our ministry, in our church, in our city. I am believing you do to. Pray with me to that end.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
“Greater things have yet to come. Greater things are still to be done here in this city.” That’s pretty encouraging considering all that has happened over the last 40 years or so. Steel mills closing, and the slow decline which followed…now the uncertainty of GM and its subsidiaries. God is not finished here, and those opening statements are based on His word.
Jesus said, “I tell you the truth” which is actually kind of humorous, being the Son of God and all, but He was obviously very serious about this. He continued, “anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” I have faith, but I must admit that whenever I have read this passage it really makes me stop and consider carefully what Jesus is saying.
When Jesus says “greater things than these”, do you know what He is referring to? The miracles that proved He was one with the Father. Those are the things He said people with faith would do greater. He was referencing miracles. What is a miracle?
Wikipedia says, “A miracle is a perceptible interruption of the laws of nature, such that can be attempted to be explained by divine intervention. Merriam-Webster says a miracle is “an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs.” Those are insufficient to me. My friend John Grundy in a conversation last week defined a miracle as “God restoring something [i.e. a situation or person] to the condition it would have been in had the Fall never occurred.” I like that. That’s what Jesus has said we would do, and has called us to do.
Seeing things restored to the untainted condition they were intended to possess before the Fall. That is a miracle. A blind person seeing. A lame person walking. A dead man living. Greater things have yet to come…
How can someone as ordinary as me be involved in something so extraordinary? I still struggle with this thought. It is overwhelming. But I believe Jesus. Do you? Are you trusting Him to do things through you that when they occur God gets all the glory? Are you trusting Him to use you in miraculous ways? Are you living the same way day after day, or are you believing that God wants to do something through you that will require you to change?
God is changing me, causing me to long for more of Him in every area of my life. I want more of Him in my marriage, in my family, in our ministry, in our church, in our city. I am believing you do to. Pray with me to that end.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Courting Collisions
I like Pastor Ed more every time I hear him. As I was praying last week about what the Lord would do next, I wondered how He would use our brothers’ words to challenge us. Not if, but how. And indeed He did.
So we have been challenged to keep our eyes open for sovereign encounters, collisions ordained by God to provide opportunities for an impact on the people around us. I wonder what kind of such opportunities God has already provided for us. Not if, but what kind.
You see, I have begun to expect that God is going to do something in the people who call North-Mar home. I have become so accustomed to such activity that I would be surprised to not hear of God at work in us. But we must continue to be quick to give Him the glory when we see Him at work.
Remember the question, “What are you asking God to do, so that when He does it He alone gets the glory?” I am asking God to continue to move in our church. That will mean that we need to stay open to His activity in our lives.
Even if it means running headlong into some situation for which I might not feel adequately prepared, where I may even fear making a fool of myself or being rejected? Yes, yes. Absolutely yes! Collisions are not calculated endeavors. I have this illustration of automobiles colliding. Generally unintentional. Yet, though unintentional there is no doubt an impact upon all involved.
By definition, a collision is when two or more things come together with solid or direct impact. That is exactly what God has called us to be about at
If you follow the logic here, it means that we are unintentionally intentional. I know it seems like a paradox, but only to the extent that we are driving the car, or conducting the train, if you will. You see we are really just along for the ride. Jesus is in control. He is the intention behind our apparent unintention. We are not truly unintentional, though at times it may appear that way. We are simply surrendered to the reign of One who is sovereignly orchestrating the affairs of this world to bring them to their ordained conclusion.
Church, Daddy is driving this car. It has been an exciting ride lately. Not always the path we would have chosen if given the opportunity, but none of us can navigate like He can. So if you find yourself in some collisions this week, let me know. I love hearing how God is moving. Holy Spirit, get us ready to make the impact you desire when the collisions occur.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
And the Soaking Continues...
Dear Worshippers,
So as the water in the baptistery settles to a stillness, I wonder if a similar stillness will settle over us. The Lord has been stirring us up over the last several months and I am so thankful for that. I asked a question on Sunday, and I want to ask it again of you now. Do you want to see this soaking come to an end? I imagine the answer is no, but what are we willing to let God do to continue to position ourselves in that place.
There are other ways to get soaked you know. Some of you have shed a few tears as you have watched and listened to what was taking place in the baptismal tank. I know I certainly have. One day I remember looking down and seeing my shirt with all these dark spots on it from the tears I had shed. Are we will to allow God to continue to bring the tears that flow from humility and brokenness?
Ultimately the soaking that we truly desire is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is recorded in Scripture what that looked like, as the disciples turned the known world upside-down. I kind of wish I could tell you what that looks like for a church to experience that in an ongoing way, but I do not think I have ever experienced that first-hand, that is for any prolonged period. Though I have seen God at work, the churches I have served, and most of the ones I know of, have unfortunately not continued to ask the Holy Spirit to soak them. And that included me.
We want the might and the power of the Holy Spirit, but we are often are unwilling to truly surrender to His purposes in us. We want to use the Spirit more than be used by Him. I do not want to live and lead that way any more.
So I come to another question…How are you praying? Now that the tsunami of baptisms has washed over us, are you continuing to pray, “Spirit, soak the church”? I am. And as I am praying, I am also trusting that the soaking will continue, first in me and then through me. I want to encourage you to pray with me.
As you do, please do not think about it like you will persuade God if you pray long and hard enough, staying constantly on your knees. The posture God is most concerned about is one of the heart. If we will allow our disposition toward Him to remain humble, He will have His way in us. We can stay “wet”. I believe that is how God wants us to live. I am coming to understand that in a new way these days. How about you?
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
So as the water in the baptistery settles to a stillness, I wonder if a similar stillness will settle over us. The Lord has been stirring us up over the last several months and I am so thankful for that. I asked a question on Sunday, and I want to ask it again of you now. Do you want to see this soaking come to an end? I imagine the answer is no, but what are we willing to let God do to continue to position ourselves in that place.
There are other ways to get soaked you know. Some of you have shed a few tears as you have watched and listened to what was taking place in the baptismal tank. I know I certainly have. One day I remember looking down and seeing my shirt with all these dark spots on it from the tears I had shed. Are we will to allow God to continue to bring the tears that flow from humility and brokenness?
Ultimately the soaking that we truly desire is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is recorded in Scripture what that looked like, as the disciples turned the known world upside-down. I kind of wish I could tell you what that looks like for a church to experience that in an ongoing way, but I do not think I have ever experienced that first-hand, that is for any prolonged period. Though I have seen God at work, the churches I have served, and most of the ones I know of, have unfortunately not continued to ask the Holy Spirit to soak them. And that included me.
We want the might and the power of the Holy Spirit, but we are often are unwilling to truly surrender to His purposes in us. We want to use the Spirit more than be used by Him. I do not want to live and lead that way any more.
So I come to another question…How are you praying? Now that the tsunami of baptisms has washed over us, are you continuing to pray, “Spirit, soak the church”? I am. And as I am praying, I am also trusting that the soaking will continue, first in me and then through me. I want to encourage you to pray with me.
As you do, please do not think about it like you will persuade God if you pray long and hard enough, staying constantly on your knees. The posture God is most concerned about is one of the heart. If we will allow our disposition toward Him to remain humble, He will have His way in us. We can stay “wet”. I believe that is how God wants us to live. I am coming to understand that in a new way these days. How about you?
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
What’s Going on Here?
Dear Worshippers,
That’s the question that four of our Elders addressed on Sunday. It was a wonderful opportunity to listen to each of them. To have the opportunity to consider their perspective on what they see God doing in our midst. But most of all to hear their hearts.
The collective answer I came away from the service with was, “God is at work!” From each of them we heard evidence of this. In the church life. In our services. In the staff and elders. God is at work. What an exciting time in the history of North-Mar.
I met a lady Sunday who told me she just started attending North-Mar. She shared that she was really enjoying our fellowship. I told her that she had come at just the right time. Of course I could say the same thing to myself, having arrived very recently. It has been an eventful four months, but as Jim Benich said Sunday, we are just at the beginning of it.
What is happening at North-Mar is much more about God than us. I was reminded of Jesus words in John 5:19, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” We are following Jesus’ example as we join the Father in what He is doing right here, right now.
What I want to encourage you to consider as we continue on this journey together is “What is God doing around you?” It is one thing to marvel at what God is doing at church, to come expecting to see Him at work; it is an entirely different thing to marvel at what God is doing in you, to live expecting to see Him at work. They can be the same expectancy, but can also be something different.
I am on that same path. Just this morning I dealt with one of our sons in a way that was not gentle. I immediately felt conviction from the Holy Spirit. It was as though the Holy Spirit was saying to me, “Do you really want to be gentle?” Though I was tempted to justify my anger, Sarah quickly called me on it, and even though I struggled initially in my response I knew what I had to do. I went back to my son a few minutes later and asked for his forgiveness for not dealing with him gently. He forgave me. I was humbled and broken. It was painful and wonderful. I am changing. God is at work.
The Father is always at work around you. Will you open your eyes to see, and then your heart to embrace the work He wants to do? To paraphrase Jim Benich again, please say yes more often that you say no.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
That’s the question that four of our Elders addressed on Sunday. It was a wonderful opportunity to listen to each of them. To have the opportunity to consider their perspective on what they see God doing in our midst. But most of all to hear their hearts.
The collective answer I came away from the service with was, “God is at work!” From each of them we heard evidence of this. In the church life. In our services. In the staff and elders. God is at work. What an exciting time in the history of North-Mar.
I met a lady Sunday who told me she just started attending North-Mar. She shared that she was really enjoying our fellowship. I told her that she had come at just the right time. Of course I could say the same thing to myself, having arrived very recently. It has been an eventful four months, but as Jim Benich said Sunday, we are just at the beginning of it.
What is happening at North-Mar is much more about God than us. I was reminded of Jesus words in John 5:19, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” We are following Jesus’ example as we join the Father in what He is doing right here, right now.
What I want to encourage you to consider as we continue on this journey together is “What is God doing around you?” It is one thing to marvel at what God is doing at church, to come expecting to see Him at work; it is an entirely different thing to marvel at what God is doing in you, to live expecting to see Him at work. They can be the same expectancy, but can also be something different.
I am on that same path. Just this morning I dealt with one of our sons in a way that was not gentle. I immediately felt conviction from the Holy Spirit. It was as though the Holy Spirit was saying to me, “Do you really want to be gentle?” Though I was tempted to justify my anger, Sarah quickly called me on it, and even though I struggled initially in my response I knew what I had to do. I went back to my son a few minutes later and asked for his forgiveness for not dealing with him gently. He forgave me. I was humbled and broken. It was painful and wonderful. I am changing. God is at work.
The Father is always at work around you. Will you open your eyes to see, and then your heart to embrace the work He wants to do? To paraphrase Jim Benich again, please say yes more often that you say no.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Never Be the Same Again, Chorus
Dear Worshippers,
After three weeks of singing this I feel like we are really able to lend our full voices to our corporate praise and prayer which this song so powerfully enables. [I Will Never Be (the Same Again)] I hope to be leading again in a couple weeks and for the me the only sad part about that is not getting to stand beside my lovely wife Sarah or my dear friend Pastor Myron as we pour out our hearts to the Lord. That is part of the sacrifice of my call, and I am alright with that.
I have been moved to tears a few times over these past weeks as I have sung and heard others sing this song. The section that is the greatest blessing to sing and hear sung is the chorus. What an incredible prayer to pray!
Fall like fire, soak like rain,I think these words are pretty straightforward but let me give some perspective to them. The metaphors or simile of fire and water to represent the work of the Holy Spirit are beautifully mingled here. But do we really understand the significance of what we are asking for as we sing/pray them?
Flow like mighty waters, again and again.
Sweep away the darkness, burn away the chaff,
And let a flame burn to glorify Your name.
Water is difficult to control, especially flood level. I have witnessed the power of a small flood before, so this metaphor is not lost on me. This idea of the Holy Spirit soaking our church first came in the idea of getting so many people wet through baptism. It also has significance for the tears of humble joy that are becoming a common occurrence in our gatherings. But I am hoping it will also be evident in an outpouring or baptism of the Holy Spirit that will cause us to long for even more of Him.
Fire is even more difficult to control, especially fire from heaven, just ask Elijah. This was his prayer. God show how powerful You are by coming and consuming us. John Wesley said “Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come for miles to watch you burn.” I have often thought of this quote and wondered about the self-centeredness of it so I did a search.
My first thought of enthusiasm is a strong of excitement or fervor. But the first definition offered by Merriam-Webster is actually “belief in special revelations of the Holy Spirit”. I am not certain what they mean by special revelations, but as it turns out enthusiasm comes from the Greek word enthousiasmos, entheos inspired, from en- + theos god. If Wesley had this definition in mind, and I would like to think he did, the enthusiasm of which he spoke was one that would come from God. May translation, “Catch on fire with God and people will watch how you live closely. This is not so much about attracting attention to ourselves as to His work in us. I want to live like that. Don’t you? Look at that last line that you’ve been singing.
This idea of sweeping away darkness and burning away chaff are an important part of that. Darkness runs from light. When you open the door to a closet light floods into the closet, the darkness does come out. As God brings the light of His presence to us darkness is swept away. Chaff is an analogy for the seed covering and other debris separated from grain during threshing, basically worthless material. Burn away anything useless to Your purposes that is a part of my life.
This is a powerful prayer. Easy to sing. Not so easy to live. But as we allow the Holy Spirit to fill us, it becomes easier. Light does not have to fight to push the darkness back, the darkness flees. Fire does not have to work hard to burn away chaff, it is quickly consumed. I pray that Spirit will do that kind of work in me and you as He prepares us for what is ahead.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Never Be the Same Again, Verse Two
Dear Worshippers,
As God continues to tell His story through me, I am overwhelmed at the response. When I reflect on all that God has done in me through this illness I am amazed. What is truly humbling though is how God is using it in the lives of others. To God alone be the glory!
I have had numerous people tell me that they find themselves singing our “Soak the Church” theme song [I Will Never Be (the Same Again)] at various times through the week. This includes a couple of little boys whose parents told me they sing it all the time! As a parent of young children, I know what that can be like. But what a blessing to know our church is affirming the powerful truths the song contains through the week. Music is a wonderful tool for worship AND discipleship, how gracious of our God to give it to us for His glory and our good.
Next week we will consider the incredible prayer of the chorus, but this week we take a closer look at Verse 2.
It’s one thing to acknowledge this, but an entirely different thing to pursue it. This next line may be the most transformative, challenging one in the entire song. It is for me right now. To give the Lord permission to do whatever He needs to do to change you until you are more like Him is something many believers never really do. If you ready to see God answer prayer pray this one. Trust me.
I thought about changing the next line to flow from the previous. It would have read “until the Glory of God fills me life.” Do you see how that flows? Do whatever you need to do until…then the Lord rebuked me. I do not have to wait for the Glory of God to fill my life. Though there is more of the Christ-life to experience, there is no more inheritance to be imparted. The Eternal One sees us having received it already, though we do not always live out that reality. We are seated with Christ in the heavenly realms. [Ephesians 2:6] For every believer, the Glory of God fills our lives. Amen! May it be so Lord.
The last line then flows logically from the third. Because the Glory of God fills my life I WILL never be the same again. This is not something we are hoping for, it is a transaction that has already been completed. This song is such a powerful affirmation of what Christ has already done in us to change our standing before Almighty God through His redemptive work. And yet the chorus points to the simple fact that there is more work for the Holy Spirit to do in us. Though Christ’s work in redemption finished, the Spirit’s work in sanctification is not.
We will consider His work in us and our desire for it next week.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
As God continues to tell His story through me, I am overwhelmed at the response. When I reflect on all that God has done in me through this illness I am amazed. What is truly humbling though is how God is using it in the lives of others. To God alone be the glory!
I have had numerous people tell me that they find themselves singing our “Soak the Church” theme song [I Will Never Be (the Same Again)] at various times through the week. This includes a couple of little boys whose parents told me they sing it all the time! As a parent of young children, I know what that can be like. But what a blessing to know our church is affirming the powerful truths the song contains through the week. Music is a wonderful tool for worship AND discipleship, how gracious of our God to give it to us for His glory and our good.
Next week we will consider the incredible prayer of the chorus, but this week we take a closer look at Verse 2.
There are higher heights, there are deeper seas,“Higher heights, deeper seas”? What? I am so thankful that the Lord gave us poetry as a tool to communicate truth. Things can be said in this form that require a little thinking to grasp the meaning. What I believe the writer is saying is simply, there is more to You, Lord than I have yet perceived thus far. More in every direction. Truths that are as yet too lofty for me: Your thoughts are higher than my thoughts. [Isaiah 55:9] There is more to Your ways than I have yet to discern: Your ways are deep. [Psalm 42:7] Thank You, Lord.
Whatever you need to do, Lord do in me.
The Glory of God fills my life,
And I will never be the same again.
It’s one thing to acknowledge this, but an entirely different thing to pursue it. This next line may be the most transformative, challenging one in the entire song. It is for me right now. To give the Lord permission to do whatever He needs to do to change you until you are more like Him is something many believers never really do. If you ready to see God answer prayer pray this one. Trust me.
I thought about changing the next line to flow from the previous. It would have read “until the Glory of God fills me life.” Do you see how that flows? Do whatever you need to do until…then the Lord rebuked me. I do not have to wait for the Glory of God to fill my life. Though there is more of the Christ-life to experience, there is no more inheritance to be imparted. The Eternal One sees us having received it already, though we do not always live out that reality. We are seated with Christ in the heavenly realms. [Ephesians 2:6] For every believer, the Glory of God fills our lives. Amen! May it be so Lord.
The last line then flows logically from the third. Because the Glory of God fills my life I WILL never be the same again. This is not something we are hoping for, it is a transaction that has already been completed. This song is such a powerful affirmation of what Christ has already done in us to change our standing before Almighty God through His redemptive work. And yet the chorus points to the simple fact that there is more work for the Holy Spirit to do in us. Though Christ’s work in redemption finished, the Spirit’s work in sanctification is not.
We will consider His work in us and our desire for it next week.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
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