Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Production Week 2009

Dear Worshipers,

That is the term I use for this busy week leading up to a major production. If you combine the time each person will sacrifice at rehearsal this week it will literally be in the hundreds of hours. Think of what you could do if someone gave you a few hundred hours to work on something. Think of what you could produce if you had 300 hours of concentrated effort to put into a project. Anyone could accomplish something of worth in that amount of time, if focused on a profitable outcome, right? Not without the Lord.

We are focusing on producing this week. Oh, certainly we are talking about the Christmas musical, but I am talking about much more. I am talking about the greatest product of the week which is not what the Lord will do through us but what He wants to do in us. We want to work on all these details so that we can communicate the wonderful message of Jesus clearly and convincingly, but even then, apart from Him it is all for naught. So let us pray for what we desire for Him to do in others, but ponder what He is doing is us.

Remember Jesus’ words in John 15:5b “If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Apart from the Lord we can do nothing. A lot of talent, a lot of time, a lot of nothing apart from Him. I do not want to waste this week or it’s efforts, so I commit right now in the midst of everything I have to do and delegate to hold to the instruction in the first part of this verse.

Remaining. That is not so easy to do. I hit the snooze button a few too many times this morning and did not have the time to spend with the Lord that I desire. Remaining is hard to do without time. This is a busy week, but if I do not find the time to remain in Jesus’ how can I hope to bear the fruit He desires. The same is true for you.

I know that I have many of you out at rehearsal several times this production week, but without some time spent with Jesus’ you too will be hard pressed to produce what He desires. And what it is that He desires to produce in you? If you take a few minutes to consider this I think I know He will show you. You remember the list: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Patience is my focus this week. What is yours?

Of course, we are trusting God to do something miraculous through us this Sunday afternoon and evening. I trust Him for His revelation of Himself to all of us, and that some will respond by turning to Him for the first time, understanding the greatness of our God, and their need of the Savior whose name is Jesus. But I also trust Him to do something in us-in me, in you. I am honestly probably more excited about that because I know that the greatest blessing of this musical is for those who are producing it, because the Lord is using that process to produce something in us we probably were not thinking about when we signed on.

Merry Christmas and Happy Producing!

Jesus, produce in me the fruit that will please Your name. I love You and bless You even as I rest and remain in You. I can do nothing apart from You. Have Your way in me.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

God’s Hand

Dear Worshippers,

I am already beginning to see the signs that God has His hand on us in this upcoming endeavor of the Christmas drama and musical. A few indications:

• All 800 invitations are gone. If one of every four evokes a response that could easily fill the sanctuary once. Praise the Lord!
• As were concluding our work of recruiting orchestra members, an oboe player who has played in the past called to ask if we still needed her. She mentioned what a blessing the musical has been in years past and hoped she could still be involved. We said yes. She mentioned that her daughter has played flute here and shared her blessing. And yes, the only other part I was really hoping to cover was Flute 2. Thank You, Lord.
• A Choir member emailed me and mentioned that she had slow pitch with a family member when she invited them to the musical. They responded with interest which was a miracle itself. Coming would be an even greater one. Is God still in the miracle business?
• When our narrator had to back out a couple of weeks ago, God already had waiting in the wings a young woman who has done radio voice-overs who has a flair for the dramatic. She is 90-95% memorized as of Sunday.
• From lights to set, from drama to media, from to choir to orchestra, from invitations to response cards everything is coming together very nicely, thanks be to God!

We need to be diligent in prayer these next 12 days. God is going to reveal Himself through this work. People are going to respond. Eternity will be different for some. The Enemy of our souls does not like that one bit.

Pray for God’s enabling through these final days of prep. Pray for health for everyone involved, and please do not forget me. Pray for those who are inviting and being invited that the Lord would be in those connections softening and drawing hearts to Himself. I am so excited. Thanks for taking part in this, even if only in praying with us.

Jesus, we can see Your hand in the details of the musical. Help us remain steadfast in prayer through the completion of this work that we may be blessed to look back and identify Your fingerprints all over this endeavor. We need you Lord. Have Your way in us.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

It’s Beginning to Sound a Lot Like Christmas

Dear Worshippers,

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is next week? I begin making preparations for Christmas productions in August or September, but every year it seems to come at me faster and faster. Does anyone else ever experience anything like that?

The fact that it’s beginning to sound and look like Christmas fills our hearts with a flood of emotions: excitement over the celebration of the birth of our Lord, mingled in with expectations, obligations, and over commitments. Underneath or behind all that is the real meaning of Christmas. The meaning that causes us to rejoice. It’s a lovely time, but also a hectic time.

The reality is that 3 weeks from Sunday our Christmas production will occur. Only a little over 3 weeks remain for you to invite someone to attend. They will hear the story of Christ’s birth woven together with a contemporary parallel that will bring the mystery of the Incarnation down to an accessible level. It’s a ready made “slow pitch.”

We have even written and provided the invitations for you. The only thing left for you to do is invite. But many people will not even do that. Why? Fear or rejection. Fear of the unknown. Fear.

Don’t be afraid! There is likely someone in your life that is desperate to hear that Jesus is not just the name of that baby in the manger, but also the name that holds the answers to the deepest longings in their souls. Don’t keep that powerful truth to yourself.

Take an invitation and write a simple note inside. For example, “This is an annual event in our church when we remember what all the fuss is really about this time of year. Will you take an hour out of your schedule to come with me [us] and enjoy some while thinking about that? I would be honored if you would join us for this. I’ll even pick you up! Let me know.”

Obviously, you should personalize your note, but you get the idea. Make it a personal invitation. Reach out with the love of Christ to those people maybe only you can reach. You will not be sorry.

Jesus, we know You are the reason for the this upcoming celebration, but many do not. Give us the courage to reach out to them with Your love so they too will realize there is no name like Yours.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Fear Not

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 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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Night of Worship

Dear Worshippers,

This is exciting. I have had this concept in my mind and on my heart for some time and am excited about the opportunity to finally do it. At the same time, I am also seriously wondering how many people will turn out. It's the Saturday evening of Labor Day weekend, but easily was the best choice as we head into a full season of ministry.

As we look forward to Saturday evening, I want to ask you to do a few things:
1. Pray - This should always be our first work. Pray for me as I finalize plans. Pray for the team as we prepare to lead. Pray that folks will come out. Pray that God will show Himself to us. Pray that we will respond. Pray the recording would bless those who come AND those who can not over the course of the next few months as we “live the adventure”.

2. Come - I sincerely believe you will be blessed by the things God is placing before us. This hour will give us the chance to meditate on the season that is just before us as a church. It will give you a front row seat on the action as we sing and pray. It will also give us a chance to hear from Pastor Myron as he prepares to lead us through the next few months on the adventure Jesus has for His church which gathers at North-Mar.

3. Bring - Contact someone you know in church and invite them to join you. Maybe you want to have dinner together beforehand, or plan on coffee or ice cream afterwards. Make it a night of worship, not singing and praying, but connecting with God and others, responding corporately to the revelation of our Lord.
This night will give me a more extended opportunity to encourage our people in their worship.

Though I am not planning on an extended teaching time, the sheer focus of the night will give me the opportunity to share a little more of my heart and mind with regard to worship. I am pumped about that because I am pumped about the glory of God is our midst.

My invitation to you…please pray and come and bring Saturday night…for this special event. I am believing you will be blessed. Believe with me.

Jesus, we want to worship You with our entire lives. We also want to gather on this special night to be encouraged in this pursuit even as You reveal Your glory and enable our response. Holy Spirit help us to live the adventure of walking with Christ and so honor the Father.

In Christ,
Pastor Timothy

Friday, August 28, 2009

Recording

Dear Worshippers,

Next week we will record two unusual events in our sanctuary. The first a “studio” choir for a project for a sound engineer who has attended North-Mar for the last year or so, and the second a “LIVE” worship event featuring a number of songs that we will sing throughout the upcoming fall series. I hope many of you will plan to attend both.

When I think about making a recording of the music we are making the mind of the trained musician in me begins to have second thoughts. I hear things in our weekly worship team rehearsal recordings I am trying to address. I hear them on the recordings of Sunday morning as well. But I also hear something else.

I hear a group of people that are using their musical talent to make an investment in the kingdom of God. I hear people who are pouring out their hearts to God. I hear people who are willing to stand before the King, not because what they are doing is perfect, but for His activity in making them so.

“…he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” Hebrews 10:14b God is at work in us. We are all involved in a breath-taking process. A process by which God is making us holy. Clearly seeing ourselves and our God is a crucial part of this process. Even though it can be painful, it is always fruitful.

I look at the opportunity next week as a way for us to place a marker of where we are right now. Musically. Spiritually. Relationally. We can marvel at what God is doing in each of us, and all of us. As we continue in this process, on this adventure, we will able to look back and praise the Lord for His activity in our lives as He continues that holiness production.

Like taking notes that you will keep in your “Message Minder”, these recordings will be a way of noting where we are. Though hearing it may be uncomfortable for those of us that are listening with ears to make improvements and adjustments, it will be profitable. Again I hope that you will consider joining us for both, not o0nly for the experience each opportunity will be in the moment, but what it will give us to look back on and give praise to God again for His activity among us

Jesus, we want to make Your name great. Magnify who You are as we lift our hearts and our voices to You. Help us to see you clearly and see ourselves clearly as we journey on with You.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Following

Dear Worshippers,

A few weeks ago I encouraged you to think about leading. I closed by reminding you that even leaders follow, and who they follow determines how their journey will progress. As I think about leading our Worship Ministry at North-Mar into a new, uncharted season I am thinking much about following.

In the midst of that thinking, across the horizon floated the following story from Methodist missionary and theologian E. Stanley Jones.

He told of a missionary who lost his way in an African jungle. He could find no landmarks and the trail vanished. Eventually, stumbling on a small hut, he asked the native living there if he could lead him out of the jungle. The native happily agreed and rising to his feet, walked directly into the bush. The missionary followed on his heels. For more than an hour they hacked their way through a dense wall of vines and grasses. The missionary became worried: “Are you sure this is the way? I don’t see a path.” The African chuckled and said over his shoulder, “Bwana, in this place there is no path. I am the path.” (Bwana is a form of respectful address in some parts of Africa.)


This story was very reassuring to me because as I am formulating plans for the fall I keep going back to Jesus for clear direction in every decision, from song selection and personnel training to equipment purchases and scheduling. Each time I am essentially asking Jesus, “Are you sure this is the way? I don’t see a path.” He has faithfully said to me, in not so many words, “In this place there is no path. I am the path.”

We all know that Jesus has declared Himself to be “the way and the truth and the life.” (John 14.6) This is not a foreign concept to us. All the same, we tend to complicate our following with any number of excuses or questions.

North-Mar is in uncharted territory. We are entering a new season on ministry on the heels of baptizing over 180 people in a period of seven weeks. God is leading us through things we have never experienced before now.

Our worship ministry is a microcosm of the church. This is a new era. You can hear it, see it and feel it. I find myself near the front of it searching for the path. Jesus is reassuring me that He is the Path.

Come along with me on this adventure and let us discover His path, rather Him, together.

Jesus, help us to follow well, ever keeping our eyes on You for You are the Path. When other tour guides would beckon to us to lead us astray, help us to fix our gaze on You. We will follow You!


In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Leading

Dear Worshippers,

Last night I mowed my lawn for the second time this summer. Before you spend too many brain cells trying to figure out why that is let me give praise to the Lord for all of the men who have come over and helped during my recovery so that I would not be burdened with that physical exertion. I praise God for each of them, and a church family so willing to help.

After the other time I mowed my oldest son Samuel asked if he could help. You must now that I see the four boys that I will have to feed over the next 17 years and then some as a tremendous workforce, in time of course. This is one of the most strenuous things Samuel had ever asked to help with, and I was more than happy to have the help.

Any of you that have worked with young people know the blessing and the challenges of doing so. The blessing is in their eagerness to help and the boundless enthusiasm they bring to learning and trying something new. The challenge is in sometimes keeping them focused after the newness has worn off and the enthusiasm has waned. Samuel was a trooper mowing for probably over an hour with no complaints. I was so proud of him.

It occurred to me as we worked that he needed leadership and training. I told him several things about mower safety and we began. Some things that I had totally forgotten about mowing came back as I saw him struggle with a few things. Starting the mower was hard for him until I told him to slowly pull the cord until it was tight then give it a strong, quick jerk. Mowing in a line was difficult until I trained him to keep one wheel just inside the already mowed section. Pushing the mower was difficult until we lowered the handle to make it more manageable.
I realized through this experience what I already knew on some: leading others can be demanding, but it is far more rewarding.

So I ask you the question: Who are you leading? Some of you are leading family members. Others of you are leading employees or maybe even peers. I would venture to say that every one of you at some point in your week is leading someone, whether you realize it or not. At the very least, you are leading yourself, and self-leadership may actually be the most demanding kind of leadership by far.

Whomever you happen to be leading, can you say to them like Paul said to the Corinthians, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ”? [I Corinthians 11.1] For as certainly as we are all leaders, we are followers as well. Who you follow determines how well you will lead, regardless of the parameters.

Jesus, help us to lead well, starting with ourselves, and going outward from there from the most formal to the most casual of encounters. Help us to do this by first following You well. Thanks for such a great example.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Weeding

Dear Worshippers,

I was reminded a couple of weeks ago that the best time to do weeding is shortly after a rainstorm. This is of course because the soil is loose and the weeds come up a little easier. It is a little messier process though due to the fact that the soil has been transformed into mud. Muddy or not, weeding is an essential activity if you want the plants to grow and thrive. Anyone who has ever tried to grow anything knows this reality.

I was thinking of this a few weeks ago and the Lord reminded me that weeding is an essential activity in our spiritual lives as well. The weeds of sin and slothfulness can quickly come in and choke of the growth of your spiritual life. The Parable of the Sower comes to mind. [Matthew 13:1-22] Instead of weeds, this parable says thorns, but the idea of the plants being choked out remains the same.

As I was weeding the first thought that came to mind was how hard it was. This is toilsome work. This is dirty work. You do not always get the entire root, knowing full well you will see that weed again. This is true with spiritual weeding as well. It is not easy. Sometimes you know you did not get the entire root. Sometimes you think you did only to learn later that some still remained.

I thought also of how necessary this work is, and that it would have been better tended to long before. If neglected, plants will suffer and can even be entirely choked out. A similar thought is true of your spiritual life. If you neglect the necessary weeding there your spirit will suffer and maybe even worse.

I finally thought that I wish I had done this right after the rain. With the ground soaked it would have been much easier to deal with the weeds. But that timing was not convenient for me so I had to do my weeding when the ground was pretty dry.

Our church has recently been “soaked”. I hope you got caught up in that. I do not think it is too late to take advantage of that recent shower. Ask the Holy Spirit if there is any weeding that needs to be done in you, and willingly submit even if it gets toilsome and dirty. The labor will not be in vain.

Be encouraged with these words.

Sow for yourselves righteousness,
reap the fruit of unfailing love,
and break up your unplowed ground;
for it is time to seek the LORD,
until he comes
and showers righteousness on you. [Hosea 10:12]

Spirit, continue to soak Your church.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Synchronized

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, 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

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Courting Collisions

Dear Worshippers,

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 North-Mar Church. Impacting the world. The second part of our purpose statement eludes to who does the impacting; Great Commission Disciples, although we know that it is really God at work in us. For although the collisions may be mostly unintentional, their impact is entirely intentional.

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

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

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,
Flow like mighty waters, again and again.
Sweep away the darkness, burn away the chaff,
And let a flame burn to glorify Your name.

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?

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.
There are higher heights, there are deeper seas,
Whatever you need to do, Lord do in me.
The Glory of God fills my life,
And I will never be the same again.

“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.

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

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Never Be the Same Again, Verse One

Dear Worshippers,

It was such a joy to lead in worship on Sunday. Before God and His people is where I am supposed to be, and I am so thankful to be on a path that is bringing me back to that place. Thank you for your prayers for me as I have run the race God ordained for me in this season.

I mentioned last week that we would be looking closely at the words to the song I Will Never Be (the Same Again) here while we sing it over the next few weeks at church. It is a new song so it is helpful to think about what it is saying as we consider the change and the Source of the change it embraces. Here are the words to the first verse.

I will never be the same again,
I can never return, I've closed the door.
I will walk the path, I'll run the race
And I will never be the same again.

One of the first things that strikes me about these words is that they are such a powerful declaration. NEVER! The poet author could just have easily said, “I have been changed”, a statement of intellectual ascent for certain with virtually the same meaning. Instead the first line is a statement of will. This embraces a transformation that is permanent. While certainly true of the moment of salvation, the same can be said of other points in the journey of faith, particularly the process of sanctification. We will delve into this as we walk through this text together.

The next line, made up of two powerful word pictures, flows from and fleshes out the first statement. I cannot go back to being/living/thinking as I did. Why? I have closed the door locked it and thrown away the key is really what the author is saying. How many believers leave doors open to old habits and addictions? They would benefit by finding ways to demonstrate “I can not, will not, go back.” But is this new place a sedentary one? Rather, do we keep from going back by essentially nailing our shoes to the floor? NO!

On the contrary, the third line, which offers two more wonderful word pictures, gives movement to this commitment. Even as you read them, and sing them, you get a growing sense of urgency, walking then running. You also get a clear sense that this is not only a new standing or position, but that the one making this commitment has embarked on a journey. And of course, it is easier to keep from going back when you are heading in the opposite direction from where you came.

In the Alliance, there are a few key words when it comes to sanctification. One set is positionalexperiential. The other is crisis and process. These two sets are connected in that they both speak to the same reality. There is a moment when we God changes our position or standing in Him, that initial moment of faith, “the hour I first believed” as the hymn writer said. [Amazing Grace] We then enter a process of becoming more like Christ and at some time subsequent to our conversion we all come to a crisis, a point where the Spirit reveals to us there is more and we yield to His work in the continued experience of sanctification. The second verse portrays this well so we will pick this up next week. This is a very simplified version but it gives us a place to start. and

The final line of this first verse flows out of the third line. The author has used different language to strengthen the initial statement but ultimately comes back to it. The repetition in and of itself is a very powerful literary tool and is especially effective here as a culmination of the previous illustrations. If those being baptized demonstrate this kind of commitment their lives will surely change. If we all continue to do the same, there’s no telling what the Lord will do!

Let’s sing it, but more importantly, let’s live it. By Gods’ grace and for His glory. I will never be the same again.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Never Be the Same Again

Dear Worshippers,

I can think of almost 30 thirty people who will never be the same again, having just been baptized this past Sunday. I am also confident that the same could be said for the 90 and more who will be baptized over the next four weeks. Pastor Myron is calling what God has decided to do in the month of May “Soak the Church”, but you need to understand that as much as a declaration it is also a prayer.

We are going to baptize over 15% of our average weekly attendance this month. People young and old, some who have just recently given their lives to Jesus and others who have walked with Him f
or years. But this soaking that we are praying for is not limited to having people pass through the baptismal waters, and I am hope you realized that on Sunday.

The song I introduced [I Will Never Be (the Same Again)] could certainly be my theme song as I come out of this trial the Lord has carried me and my family through recently. If you have been reading my Tunings you can see the correlation. Here are the words of this great song.

I will never be the same again,
I can never return, I've closed the door.
I will walk apart, I'll run the race
And I will never be the same again.

Fall like fire, soak like rain,
Flow like mighty waters, again and again.
Sweep away the darkness, burn away the chaff,
And let a flame burn to glorify Your name.

There are higher heights, there are deeper seas,
Whatever you need to do, Lord do in me.
The Glory of God fills my life,
And I will never be the same again.


Over the next few weeks we will take some time here to unpack and ponder what these words mean while at church we will sing the song.

I struggled with the title of this entry because of this double meaning this concept has for me right now. Certainly, “I will” never be the same again, but also “they will” never be the same again either, those being baptized that is. But even as I write I remember Pastor Myron’s words from Sunday, as these wet people rub off on us, we are going to get wet too. Maybe not literally as much as spiritually. So a third meaning comes as certainly “we will” never be the same again after this unprecedented month in the history of North Mar Church.

Did you realize you have a part to play in that transformation? I said it Sunday, you do not have to go through a life-altering illness, or be baptized this month to say “I want You to change me, Lord”. Don’t you want to be more like Jesus? Don’t you want to know the joy, confidence and peace that was evidenced by those friends in the tank on Sunday? As we learn and sing this song this month, may it become more than a song.

May it become the prayerful anthem of our church. I have included the words here so that you can pray this with me. Prayer always precedes revival. We are becoming a praying church. We don’t want to be the same. We want You to have Your way in us Holy Spirit. SOAK YOUR CHURCH!

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Perspective: From My Hammock

Dear Worshippers,

On Saturday a small band of servants descended on our house. Knowing that I am not well enough to care for all the life that spring unfolds, they had come to help with a number of things outside. May God bless you, our wonderful North Martian friends.

Their work inspired me to get my hammock out. It took my a while to secure the two straps around two trees, but eventually, somewhat exhausted, I was able to recline in the peaceful support of my Mayan hammock, last years Father’s Day present from my boys. It is a great place to pray and ponder, and that’s a big part of why I have longed to get it hung.

Looking up through the trees, I thought of all the Lord has brought me through in this last season. Last Friday was four weeks since what Pastor Myron has called “Black Friday”, the day of my second (emergency) procedure. I continue to learn how serious my condition was, teetering on the edge of life. I praise the Lord for carrying me through and preserving my life. I thank each of you for your prayers.

As I was reflecting on all the Lord is saying to me and how He is changing me I stared through the branches above me. On first glance, they looked dead. No obvious signs of life on the limbs high over my head. But as I began to look more closely, I saw signs of life. Little buds here and there. Some already starting to open. Where there was the appearance of death, life was bursting forth.

I think that is how I looked those first hours and maybe even days following that Friday. It gave me an incredible new perspective on death and life, and the power of our Lord. Perspective is very helpful thing.

Perspective has been defined as “The ability to perceive things in their actual interrelations or comparative importance”. In other words, perspective helps you to see things clearly, as they actually are. This is helpful because we all bring preconceived notions of how things interrelate, assigning importance based on our point of view. But only when we attain the perspective of our Lord do we begin to see things as they truly are.

And so I ask you to join me in this change of perspective. What perspective do you have if you look through your life, as I looked through the tree? Do things look mostly dead? I hope not. Are there signs of life? There should be!

Seek God’s perspective on your life. You may not have a hammock to recline in but there is somewhere you can go to quiet yourself before Him. Ask Him today to show you something that He wants to change.

He who began a good work in you wants to complete it. [Phil. 1:6] I am confident of this, just as Paul was. What change does that require in this season? Will you allow God to do a new thing in you in these days?

He is changing me and let me say it is wonderful and painful. He is also at work in our church changing lives and wants to work in each of us to birth the kind of new life that will help us better declare the grace and peace only available in Him. I know you want to be a part of that. Join me, won’t you?

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Name Change – Of Sorts

Dear Worshippers,

Last week I challenged us all to consider if we are going through the motions or if God’s all-consuming passion is living inside of us.
This sickness has caused me to think about such things. Though I am still trying to process and discern what God is saying to me through all this, one thing for certain, God is changing me. And I do not want to go back to living as I did before this experience. I would like your help to remind me of this change.

In the hospital they kept calling me Timothy. For those of you who did not know, that is my first name, with my middle name being Scott. For some reason, as I grew up my parents decided to call me by my middle name rather that my first and I just went with that through the rest of my life. I think it is time for that to change.

There is tremendous Biblical precedent for this of course. You remember Jacob’s encounter with God by the Jabbok River where he wrestled with Him “until [He] blessed” Jacob. You will recall that God changed Jacob by first touching his hip and then changing His name to Israel “because you have struggled with God”. [Genesis 32:22-28] There was great purpose in this name change, Jacob meaning “he deceives”. It signaled a much more significant, deeper change. Jacob was never the same after that encounter.

Again, I want that to be true of me because of the way the Lord has met me in this life-altering episode. As I laid there in my hospital bed and the nurses kept calling me Timothy, it occurred to me that maybe it was time to start being known by that name. I have always understood Timothy to mean “servant of God” and have wanted on more than one occasion to be known by that name. I learned during some research last week that a more common meaning is “to honor God, to fear God”. When I read that, it confirmed the change to me, with the timing being now.

I then got to thinking of the meaning of my names together. Scott means “traveler” or “wanderer”. When I put this with Timothy, basically my name means that I honor God as I wander. That sounds like a lifestyle of worship to me, the very calling that God has placed on my life. Amazing!

All that to say, I would like you to begin to call me by my first given name, Timothy. I know it may seem strange at first, having to adjust from Pastor Scott to Pastor Timothy, but it will feel more natural over time to both you and me. I may not always answer at first since it will take some getting used to for me as well, but I feel strongly about this change. It will help me, and you, remember this significant trial that God has brought me through, and maybe even help to highlight the changes He is producing in me as I learn how to better honor and fear His matchless name. Thank you for your help in this.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy