Dear Worshippers,
This has always been one of my favorite commands in Scripture. What Pastor Myron preached on Sunday solidified its place for me even more so! Did you catch how many times that command appears? I think God wanted us to hear it!
Countless times over my years of ministry I have said something like, “If we could simply grasp and live out one truth it would revolutionize our impact on the world around us.” That is certainly true of this simple statement.
The AdventureTruth was stated like this: His courage is mine. What an encouragement! Maybe you need to be reminded of that today. Maybe you need to remind someone else.
The song I sang at the end of the service captured this encouragement very well. [Praise You in This Storm by Casting Crowns, video follows short commercial, “Wait for it”] Particularly powerful to me was that little line, “I barely hear you whisper through the rain, ‘I’m with you”’. Jesus is saying to each of us He is with us. Let us take courage from that for whatever we face. Let us find His certainty in the midst of our uncertainty.
That’s what I did as we prepared for the launch of this new format. Believing that Jesus was asking us to step out of the boat and come to him, we resolved to follow him, no matter the sacrifice. The services Sunday were a blessing to me and I hope to you as well. I found myself thinking about Jesus, rather than music. I want to keep going there. Will you go with me?
In this adventure that is the life of faith in Jesus, we should learn very early on that we must keep our eyes on Jesus, looking to the place where He is calling us to go. When we get our eyes off Him, when we become distracted by anything else, we begin to sink. Like my 8 year old son Isaac wrote as Pastor Myron preached, “We sink in our fear.”
Jesus, help us fix our eyes on You and draw from You the courage we need to face the storms of this life. There is no uncertainty we can not endure when we feel your fingernails clasped around our forearm. We reach out to You in the certainty that you will grab a hold of us and never let go. Thank you Lord.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Love Increasing and Overflowing
Dear Worshippers,
I am really excited about this Sunday and I hope you are too. It truly marks the beginning of a significant chapter in the history of our church. The willingness of the folks in our worship ministry to love and serve the church through our increase of labor is a huge part of this being a transition that will be beneficial to the church.
And there will be an increase in our labors, a song or two more each week and extra material for the choir will not be easy. I hope you are ready for this and are preparing yourself to take on the work. Your attitude will be critical as you approach your part of that work. I want to encourage you to be praying about your attitude that your continued involvement in this ministry would flow out of a heart of love for the Lord and His Bride.
I want to encourage you to pray for the church through this transition as well. The enemy would like nothing more than to continue to make our services a source of frustration and confusion for as many worshippers as possible. We must pray that he will not have his way in that…
I was so encouraged by the Scripture that Pastor Myron shared on Sunday. I Thessalonians 3:12, “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.” There are three directions that love is flowing in this verse and I think it is important to catch this as we move forward together.
First is the last one mentioned, “as ours [love] does for you”. We must have a love for the Bride. As leaders, those called to stand before God’s church and lead them, we must first example that love to the church. How are you doing in that? Is your first thought, when you stop to think about North-Mar, loving?
Next is the “for each other”. We must love each other. That’s how the world will know we belong to Christ. We are getting better at this all the time as we allow the Spirit to influence our every word, thought and deed. When you think of your brothers and sisters in the Lord, are your first thoughts loving?
Finally comes the “everyone else”. And this is the part that got me most excited Sunday. Sure, we are supposed to love the Lord and His Bride that is what is motivating this transition. Sure, we are supposed to love each other, that is what has spurred us to take on this additional labor, love for our brothers and sisters. But how does the “everyone else” factor in to Sunday morning?
Our Sunday morning experience should be a great, collective example of what we are doing all week long individually. Loving God, His people, and “everyone else”. The everyone else is a huge part of the Great Commission and if we will embrace it we will have a greater impact on the world around us.
Please pray with me that our love would increase and overflow, a demonstration of the fruit of the Spirit in us.
Jesus, make our love increase and overflow to each other and to everyone else. Make North-Mar a place marked by Your love, for Your glory and the good of everyone who comes into contact with Your church.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
I am really excited about this Sunday and I hope you are too. It truly marks the beginning of a significant chapter in the history of our church. The willingness of the folks in our worship ministry to love and serve the church through our increase of labor is a huge part of this being a transition that will be beneficial to the church.
And there will be an increase in our labors, a song or two more each week and extra material for the choir will not be easy. I hope you are ready for this and are preparing yourself to take on the work. Your attitude will be critical as you approach your part of that work. I want to encourage you to be praying about your attitude that your continued involvement in this ministry would flow out of a heart of love for the Lord and His Bride.
I want to encourage you to pray for the church through this transition as well. The enemy would like nothing more than to continue to make our services a source of frustration and confusion for as many worshippers as possible. We must pray that he will not have his way in that…
I was so encouraged by the Scripture that Pastor Myron shared on Sunday. I Thessalonians 3:12, “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.” There are three directions that love is flowing in this verse and I think it is important to catch this as we move forward together.
First is the last one mentioned, “as ours [love] does for you”. We must have a love for the Bride. As leaders, those called to stand before God’s church and lead them, we must first example that love to the church. How are you doing in that? Is your first thought, when you stop to think about North-Mar, loving?
Next is the “for each other”. We must love each other. That’s how the world will know we belong to Christ. We are getting better at this all the time as we allow the Spirit to influence our every word, thought and deed. When you think of your brothers and sisters in the Lord, are your first thoughts loving?
Finally comes the “everyone else”. And this is the part that got me most excited Sunday. Sure, we are supposed to love the Lord and His Bride that is what is motivating this transition. Sure, we are supposed to love each other, that is what has spurred us to take on this additional labor, love for our brothers and sisters. But how does the “everyone else” factor in to Sunday morning?
Our Sunday morning experience should be a great, collective example of what we are doing all week long individually. Loving God, His people, and “everyone else”. The everyone else is a huge part of the Great Commission and if we will embrace it we will have a greater impact on the world around us.
Please pray with me that our love would increase and overflow, a demonstration of the fruit of the Spirit in us.
Jesus, make our love increase and overflow to each other and to everyone else. Make North-Mar a place marked by Your love, for Your glory and the good of everyone who comes into contact with Your church.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Prayer: Our First Work
Dear Worshippers,
I so appreciated Pastor Praxl’s message Sunday on this Core Value of the Alliance and our church. If you were not present you can hear it here. [You can also view the powerpoint and follow along on the outline, both posted online.]
I was very encouraged by his perspective on prayer, and practicing it together in the service was a great opportunity for private/corporate worship. As I was praying about my Tunings today, the Lord brought this three-fold prayer back to mind: others, self, God’s will, and reminded me that this is what must be my first work when it comes to planning, preparing, and producing our services each weekend. I want to offer my perspective on this as another example of how to get yourself to a place where you do not worry about anything, because you are praying about everything.
Pray for others: Some are excited about what God is doing in the music of our services. I pray God will give them patience as we continue to seek the Lord. Others are struggling with the changes in the sound of our services. I pray God will give us wisdom as we seek to discern how best to help them engage in worship.
Pray for yourself: I have a longing for freedom to follow hard after God. I need to temper this with sensitivity to the particular make-up of North-Mar Church. I want to demonstrate the gentleness God has recently shown me as I lead this diverse group of people.
Pray for God's will: God desires to soak His church. He wants us to leave talking about Him, not the music. He wants our hearts to be surrendered to Him. What that looks like is coming into clearer view with each passing day.
I want to encourage you to pray with me. I have no interest in tickling people’s ears, but I do want to serve them using music that gives them opportunity to express their praise to God. With the wide-range of backgrounds and ages in our services, this is no easy task. You can quickly see why prayer must be the first work. I appreciate your labors with me in this regard probably more so than any other.
Let’s make prayer our first response, not our last resort.
Jesus, teach us to pray before we do anything else. Teach us to pray while we do it. Teach us to when we are finished. We can only accomplish anything if we are connected to you.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
I so appreciated Pastor Praxl’s message Sunday on this Core Value of the Alliance and our church. If you were not present you can hear it here. [You can also view the powerpoint and follow along on the outline, both posted online.]
I was very encouraged by his perspective on prayer, and practicing it together in the service was a great opportunity for private/corporate worship. As I was praying about my Tunings today, the Lord brought this three-fold prayer back to mind: others, self, God’s will, and reminded me that this is what must be my first work when it comes to planning, preparing, and producing our services each weekend. I want to offer my perspective on this as another example of how to get yourself to a place where you do not worry about anything, because you are praying about everything.
Pray for others: Some are excited about what God is doing in the music of our services. I pray God will give them patience as we continue to seek the Lord. Others are struggling with the changes in the sound of our services. I pray God will give us wisdom as we seek to discern how best to help them engage in worship.
Pray for yourself: I have a longing for freedom to follow hard after God. I need to temper this with sensitivity to the particular make-up of North-Mar Church. I want to demonstrate the gentleness God has recently shown me as I lead this diverse group of people.
Pray for God's will: God desires to soak His church. He wants us to leave talking about Him, not the music. He wants our hearts to be surrendered to Him. What that looks like is coming into clearer view with each passing day.
I want to encourage you to pray with me. I have no interest in tickling people’s ears, but I do want to serve them using music that gives them opportunity to express their praise to God. With the wide-range of backgrounds and ages in our services, this is no easy task. You can quickly see why prayer must be the first work. I appreciate your labors with me in this regard probably more so than any other.
Let’s make prayer our first response, not our last resort.
Jesus, teach us to pray before we do anything else. Teach us to pray while we do it. Teach us to when we are finished. We can only accomplish anything if we are connected to you.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
His Compassion Compels Me
Dear Worshippers,
Compassion - a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.
Compels - to force or drive, esp. to a course of action
This spring I began to learn some lessons about gentleness. I am not going to pretend that I have learned them well, or that I have finished learning them. I am a work in progress.
When I think about compassion, it’s kind of difficult for me to get beyond the other common word contained within it: passion. Passion - any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling. I feel like I am a passionate person. Maybe it is the artist in me but often my emotions are just below the surface and it does not take much for them to boil up within me to the point of overflow, driving me at times to a course of action. I am thankful for this, because I believe it the way God made me.
However, as He is remaking me I realize my need for compassion. I feel strongly about the things I feel strongly about, if you know what I mean. I want to feel strongly about the things God feels strongly about. Primarily by this I mean the misfortunes of those around me, particularly there spiritual misfortune, but certainly not limited to that.
As I think about being compelled, I would have to admit that more often that not it is my passions that compel me more than my compassion. I want this to change. I want to I want my reactions and responses to be characterized by compassion.
I know that this will require a fairly radical shift in the way I think. I know this will not be easy. I know that it will be an adventure. I know Jesus will help me.
So how about you? Is your pole baited with a worm as you go out fishing every day? Is your tongue filled the words of God, or with your words? Are you fishing, or are you just stirring the water with an empty hook? What changes will you have to allow Jesus to make to make you a better fisher of men?
For me, it’s gentle compassion. For you, it might be boldness. For others, willingness. Whatever it is, let Jesus do it in you and may His compassion compel you.
Jesus, I want your compassion to be what compels me. Make be passionate about the things You are passionate about, then fill my tongue with your words because there are some people in my life that need to hear.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Compassion - a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.
Compels - to force or drive, esp. to a course of action
This spring I began to learn some lessons about gentleness. I am not going to pretend that I have learned them well, or that I have finished learning them. I am a work in progress.
When I think about compassion, it’s kind of difficult for me to get beyond the other common word contained within it: passion. Passion - any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling. I feel like I am a passionate person. Maybe it is the artist in me but often my emotions are just below the surface and it does not take much for them to boil up within me to the point of overflow, driving me at times to a course of action. I am thankful for this, because I believe it the way God made me.
However, as He is remaking me I realize my need for compassion. I feel strongly about the things I feel strongly about, if you know what I mean. I want to feel strongly about the things God feels strongly about. Primarily by this I mean the misfortunes of those around me, particularly there spiritual misfortune, but certainly not limited to that.
As I think about being compelled, I would have to admit that more often that not it is my passions that compel me more than my compassion. I want this to change. I want to I want my reactions and responses to be characterized by compassion.
I know that this will require a fairly radical shift in the way I think. I know this will not be easy. I know that it will be an adventure. I know Jesus will help me.
So how about you? Is your pole baited with a worm as you go out fishing every day? Is your tongue filled the words of God, or with your words? Are you fishing, or are you just stirring the water with an empty hook? What changes will you have to allow Jesus to make to make you a better fisher of men?
For me, it’s gentle compassion. For you, it might be boldness. For others, willingness. Whatever it is, let Jesus do it in you and may His compassion compel you.
Jesus, I want your compassion to be what compels me. Make be passionate about the things You are passionate about, then fill my tongue with your words because there are some people in my life that need to hear.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
His Grace Gets Me Going
Dear Worshippers,
We were focused on God’s grace Sunday, but I want to encourage you to linger with me there a little longer. I think we become so familiar with the grace of God that it looses some of its’ amazing-ness. When something is amazing it is said to “cause great surprise or sudden wonder”. Is that what happens to you when you stop and consider God’s unmerited favor in your life? I have to confess that it is not always the case with me. But it wasn’t always that way.
How I resonate with our second AdventureTruth! His grace gets me going. This is indeed a journey. When I first realized that Jesus was and had been walking the dusty road with me I was amazed. Over time that amazement has ebbed and flowed in and out of my experience. I want to stay amazed. Like I was the hour I first believed.
That’s a quote from a song we sang Sunday, Amazing Grace. [lyrics] “How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.” I affirm what Pastor Myron declared, “It starts my relationship with Him.” God’s grace got me going on this journey with Jesus. When I remember that night in March of 1992 when I made the decision to accept His grace with tears flowing down my cheeks, I am amazed all over again. There was at least one young man who made the decision to accept God’s grace at the close of this past Sunday morning. Hallelujah!
You need to pray for him that “It sustains [him] on the adventure” as it has sustained you. Look back over the course of your walk with our Lord. Time and time again it was only grace that kept you going. It makes me think of another line from that song, Through many dangers, toils and snares/I have already come./'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,/And grace will lead me home! Grace sustains me.
But it is not just for me. Since “there is a surplus so let’s share it”. Though one line or stanza of the song speaks of this explicitly, the entire song is a testimony to this reality. I might add a stanza for us as we travel with grace on our minds this week, “Since there’s a surplus of the grace my Lord’s made known to me, along the journey that’s He’s planned I’ll share it liberally”.
Be expectant and prayerful. The Lord may present an opportunity for you to share it this week. Be courageous and do it. Even if the person doesn’t seem to hear it, be mindful that there could be someone under a desk…or around the corner…or even in the next room who does.
Jesus, Your grace is enough. It is amazing. Help me share it as I live the adventure You have planned out for me.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
We were focused on God’s grace Sunday, but I want to encourage you to linger with me there a little longer. I think we become so familiar with the grace of God that it looses some of its’ amazing-ness. When something is amazing it is said to “cause great surprise or sudden wonder”. Is that what happens to you when you stop and consider God’s unmerited favor in your life? I have to confess that it is not always the case with me. But it wasn’t always that way.
How I resonate with our second AdventureTruth! His grace gets me going. This is indeed a journey. When I first realized that Jesus was and had been walking the dusty road with me I was amazed. Over time that amazement has ebbed and flowed in and out of my experience. I want to stay amazed. Like I was the hour I first believed.
That’s a quote from a song we sang Sunday, Amazing Grace. [lyrics] “How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.” I affirm what Pastor Myron declared, “It starts my relationship with Him.” God’s grace got me going on this journey with Jesus. When I remember that night in March of 1992 when I made the decision to accept His grace with tears flowing down my cheeks, I am amazed all over again. There was at least one young man who made the decision to accept God’s grace at the close of this past Sunday morning. Hallelujah!
You need to pray for him that “It sustains [him] on the adventure” as it has sustained you. Look back over the course of your walk with our Lord. Time and time again it was only grace that kept you going. It makes me think of another line from that song, Through many dangers, toils and snares/I have already come./'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,/And grace will lead me home! Grace sustains me.
But it is not just for me. Since “there is a surplus so let’s share it”. Though one line or stanza of the song speaks of this explicitly, the entire song is a testimony to this reality. I might add a stanza for us as we travel with grace on our minds this week, “Since there’s a surplus of the grace my Lord’s made known to me, along the journey that’s He’s planned I’ll share it liberally”.
Be expectant and prayerful. The Lord may present an opportunity for you to share it this week. Be courageous and do it. Even if the person doesn’t seem to hear it, be mindful that there could be someone under a desk…or around the corner…or even in the next room who does.
Jesus, Your grace is enough. It is amazing. Help me share it as I live the adventure You have planned out for me.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
And So It Begins…
Dear Worshippers,
What an exciting weekend at North-Mar! God’s hand is truly on us. To deny you would have to have your eyes closed and your ears covered. As we lift up Jesus in humility and brokenness, He is drawing us to Himself, into the great adventure that is the life of faith in Jesus.
How about our first AdventureTruth? Seeking Him is my starting place. That’s truly where it all begins. Living the adventure is not a complicated thing. We are to blame for making it complicated. We must seek the Lord.
What do I want? Remember the boat in the driveway. Consider asking that question like this. What is it that I think about when I thinking about nothing else? What does you mind trail off toward in its “idle” moments? Careful, that thing can quickly become an “idol” that replaces your desire for God.
If that is out of whack the next questions are more confusing than reassuring. Who is going to lead? Well, Jesus of course, but really. How is this supposed to happen? I will blaze the trail right behind Jesus. He’s the one on the white horse up front right? See what I mean. It can become confusing, but that’s not what Jesus wants to have happen.
In the foyer during the first service someone asked me how the opening portion of the service and gone. The illustration that came to my mind was of a group of people being invited to get into a raft for a whitewater ride. They have their life vests and helmets on and they are standing at the end of the water.
Some are ready to get in, and from the looks of them they must have just finished their last ride because they are soaked. Some are not sure they want to take the risk. Some are concerned about what it will mean if they get drenched or worse yet, if they get knocked out of the raft.
Then out walks the guide for the journey, Jesus. The fears of some immediately dissipate. Others are still not sure. Jesus has been their guide before, but it is their first time on the whitewater and though they trust Him, they are not certain what to expect. He has been their keeper as well, and they really want to go wherever He leads, because they long to believe the unknown with Him is glorious.
Get ready for the ride of your life.
Jesus, You are our Guide and Keeper. Whatever we face, You will be there in the midst of it. Expose our idols and fears. Become all we want, as surely as you are already all we need. Help us to be aware of Your nearness, and Your amazing grace.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
What an exciting weekend at North-Mar! God’s hand is truly on us. To deny you would have to have your eyes closed and your ears covered. As we lift up Jesus in humility and brokenness, He is drawing us to Himself, into the great adventure that is the life of faith in Jesus.
How about our first AdventureTruth? Seeking Him is my starting place. That’s truly where it all begins. Living the adventure is not a complicated thing. We are to blame for making it complicated. We must seek the Lord.
What do I want? Remember the boat in the driveway. Consider asking that question like this. What is it that I think about when I thinking about nothing else? What does you mind trail off toward in its “idle” moments? Careful, that thing can quickly become an “idol” that replaces your desire for God.
If that is out of whack the next questions are more confusing than reassuring. Who is going to lead? Well, Jesus of course, but really. How is this supposed to happen? I will blaze the trail right behind Jesus. He’s the one on the white horse up front right? See what I mean. It can become confusing, but that’s not what Jesus wants to have happen.
In the foyer during the first service someone asked me how the opening portion of the service and gone. The illustration that came to my mind was of a group of people being invited to get into a raft for a whitewater ride. They have their life vests and helmets on and they are standing at the end of the water.
Some are ready to get in, and from the looks of them they must have just finished their last ride because they are soaked. Some are not sure they want to take the risk. Some are concerned about what it will mean if they get drenched or worse yet, if they get knocked out of the raft.
Then out walks the guide for the journey, Jesus. The fears of some immediately dissipate. Others are still not sure. Jesus has been their guide before, but it is their first time on the whitewater and though they trust Him, they are not certain what to expect. He has been their keeper as well, and they really want to go wherever He leads, because they long to believe the unknown with Him is glorious.
Get ready for the ride of your life.
Jesus, You are our Guide and Keeper. Whatever we face, You will be there in the midst of it. Expose our idols and fears. Become all we want, as surely as you are already all we need. Help us to be aware of Your nearness, and Your amazing grace.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Friday, September 11, 2009
Live the Adventure
Dear Worshippers,
We begin the next leg of our journey together this Sunday as we commence a new sermon series, Live the Adventure. In addition to your Bible, we will be providing a number of other tools to help you, including the CD from our Night of Worship, a magnet to keep this theme before you, some online tools, as well as an optional book The Unexpected Adventure. Be ready to grab your “Adventure Kit” when you are at church Sunday.
Beyond the kit, I want to encourage you to be praying as we labor together to enter in to the adventure of faith Jesus has for us individually and collectively. This is a very exciting season for our church and I hope you are finding your place in all that. How I long to experience the kind of Spirit dependence that the early church demonstrates.
I have been reading in Acts lately. If you want to read about adventure this is a great place to start. Through those early days of the Church, the Spirit’s hand is so evident. Then I read these words.
That is my prayer for us in this next season. That the Lord would give us peace. That He would build us up as we walk with a right perspective on who He is. That the Holy Spirit would pour courage into us, and that we would INCREASE IN NUMBERS. Oh, that the Lord would add to us those who are being saved!
You have a part to play in that. God has your name written in these next chapters of faith-filled adventure. “Saddle up your horses”, as one song writer put it, “we’ve got a trail to blaze.” Won’t you join as in the wild blue yonder of God’s amazing grace? Let’s follow Jesus into the glorious unknown, unexpected adventure. There’s no life quite like it.
Jesus, we want to live the adventure of life in You. Help us to put aside the things that would keep us from entering into it. Become all that we want, as surely as You already are all that we have ever needed.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
We begin the next leg of our journey together this Sunday as we commence a new sermon series, Live the Adventure. In addition to your Bible, we will be providing a number of other tools to help you, including the CD from our Night of Worship, a magnet to keep this theme before you, some online tools, as well as an optional book The Unexpected Adventure. Be ready to grab your “Adventure Kit” when you are at church Sunday.
Beyond the kit, I want to encourage you to be praying as we labor together to enter in to the adventure of faith Jesus has for us individually and collectively. This is a very exciting season for our church and I hope you are finding your place in all that. How I long to experience the kind of Spirit dependence that the early church demonstrates.
I have been reading in Acts lately. If you want to read about adventure this is a great place to start. Through those early days of the Church, the Spirit’s hand is so evident. Then I read these words.
So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace, being built up and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, and it increased in numbers. (Acts 9:32, HCSB)
That is my prayer for us in this next season. That the Lord would give us peace. That He would build us up as we walk with a right perspective on who He is. That the Holy Spirit would pour courage into us, and that we would INCREASE IN NUMBERS. Oh, that the Lord would add to us those who are being saved!
You have a part to play in that. God has your name written in these next chapters of faith-filled adventure. “Saddle up your horses”, as one song writer put it, “we’ve got a trail to blaze.” Won’t you join as in the wild blue yonder of God’s amazing grace? Let’s follow Jesus into the glorious unknown, unexpected adventure. There’s no life quite like it.
Jesus, we want to live the adventure of life in You. Help us to put aside the things that would keep us from entering into it. Become all that we want, as surely as You already are all that we have ever needed.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
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