Dear Worshipers,
Last week I talked about running. I would like to slow things down this week and talk about walking. Not your regular “keep your heart rate where it is and simply move around a little bit” kind of walking but “get that heart racing as you plead with heaven for God to move things around a lot” kind of walking.
Tomorrow night we are going to be having a Prayer Walk at church. You have heard us speaking about it these last few weeks and may have felt unmoved by our presentations. I am willing to admit this because after several appeals regarding the Night(s) of Worship, only a small number of people were moved to join us for those events.
I wanted to take a few moments and implore you to come tomorrow night, or at least find some time in the next week to come to the church and pray. Why? Because I am confident you will be blessed if you do.
What do I base this confidence on? Experience AND the Word of God. Whenever I have taken time out to seek God, asking Him to show Himself in a particular situation or circumstance, He has never failed to respond to that seeking. I have found myself understanding Him better as I have searched and watched. I am confident you will have a similar experience if you decide to come and seek Him with all your heart with the others who will be present.
But my experience is only one and truly the lesser source for my confidence. The greater is the Word of God. One of the key verses that comes to mind is Jeremiah 29:13. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” As we are faithful to seek Him, He is faithful to allow Himself to be found. The marvel of this entire transaction is that he is initiator, the one who give s us the desire to seek in the first place. If you are feeling an urge to seek Him with us tomorrow, please come. You will be blessed. Take my word for it. But not my word only...
Pastor Scott Praxl about Prayer Walk
So there you have it. Come out and seek the Lord with us! Hope to see you tomorrow evening.
Jesus, we want to walk one step behind you. That will certainly involve praying. Tomorrow night is a chance to do that on the move with You and Your people. Capture our hearts and turn them to You.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Running Toward the Goal
Dear Worshipers,
I am not much of a runner. The comment of my Senior Pastor in Florida resonated with me when he said that since finishing his service as a Marine he doesn’t run unless someone is chasing him. I like being active, but running as a singular pursuit never interested me. I struggled to see the point until recently.
I have been inspired by my wife to be a better steward of my body. She started faithfully working out last fall, and after seeing her resolve and results I started in June. I still do not enjoy running, but I have begun to experience the benefit of a good cardio workout. My favorite is the elliptical machine.
This morning I was not able to get to the gym and really wanted to get in my cardio so I went running in my neighborhood. I did that a few weeks ago when getting to the gym was not possible and pushed myself a little too hard. Did I mention I am not much of a runner? I was a little more careful today, all the way through the last push, so it was a little easier.
That last section was the toughest. I was finishing up my time and was pushing through, but was struggling to overcome the temptation of my flesh to stop. I set my eyes on a street sign about 250 yards ahead and resolved to run to it. Immediately the Holy Spirit brought a verse to mind. “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead”. [Phil. 3:13b] I was straining indeed. I was trying to forget what was behind.
That scripture just came alive to me in that moment. Later when I had some time to reflect on this I realized how important it is to keep our eyes on this singular pursuit. Paul says just before these words, “One thing I do:” I know many of you well enough to know you do more than one thing. But we all understand what Paul is saying. This pursuit overshadows and envelopes all others.
And what pursuit is that? Pressing on toward to the goal to win the prize. What prize? The prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Now that’s a prize! But it is also a goal.
Do you live with that prize ever before you? Does the acquiring of that prize overshadow and envelope all other pursuits? Do you have lesser goals that are motivating you toward that greater one? What are you “pressing on toward”? Carefully consider your answers to these questions. They guide your daily living.
Jesus, we want press on toward becoming like You. One step at a time, one step behind You. Show the way and we will follow. We come to You. We run to You. Jesus, You are our life.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
I am not much of a runner. The comment of my Senior Pastor in Florida resonated with me when he said that since finishing his service as a Marine he doesn’t run unless someone is chasing him. I like being active, but running as a singular pursuit never interested me. I struggled to see the point until recently.
I have been inspired by my wife to be a better steward of my body. She started faithfully working out last fall, and after seeing her resolve and results I started in June. I still do not enjoy running, but I have begun to experience the benefit of a good cardio workout. My favorite is the elliptical machine.
This morning I was not able to get to the gym and really wanted to get in my cardio so I went running in my neighborhood. I did that a few weeks ago when getting to the gym was not possible and pushed myself a little too hard. Did I mention I am not much of a runner? I was a little more careful today, all the way through the last push, so it was a little easier.
That last section was the toughest. I was finishing up my time and was pushing through, but was struggling to overcome the temptation of my flesh to stop. I set my eyes on a street sign about 250 yards ahead and resolved to run to it. Immediately the Holy Spirit brought a verse to mind. “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead”. [Phil. 3:13b] I was straining indeed. I was trying to forget what was behind.
That scripture just came alive to me in that moment. Later when I had some time to reflect on this I realized how important it is to keep our eyes on this singular pursuit. Paul says just before these words, “One thing I do:” I know many of you well enough to know you do more than one thing. But we all understand what Paul is saying. This pursuit overshadows and envelopes all others.
And what pursuit is that? Pressing on toward to the goal to win the prize. What prize? The prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Now that’s a prize! But it is also a goal.
Do you live with that prize ever before you? Does the acquiring of that prize overshadow and envelope all other pursuits? Do you have lesser goals that are motivating you toward that greater one? What are you “pressing on toward”? Carefully consider your answers to these questions. They guide your daily living.
Jesus, we want press on toward becoming like You. One step at a time, one step behind You. Show the way and we will follow. We come to You. We run to You. Jesus, You are our life.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Night(s) of Worship
Dear Worshipers,
Last year we had one because we were offering one format in our services. This year we are offering two. They will reflect the different nature of those two formats. I am excited to see how God will use this as we continue to prepare our hearts for the journey the Holy Spirit is taking us on this fall as we follow one step behind Jesus. Pursuing God’s Heart is the title of the series which will offer us a look into the life of David. I am excited about that and these Nights of Worship which will provide some of the repertoire for our singing through it.
As we look forward to these two evenings, I want to ask you to do a few things as I did last year about this time:
1. Pray - This should always be our first work. Pray for me as I finalize plans. Pray for the teams 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 “pursue God’s heart”.
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 along the path 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 in our midst.
My invitation to you…please pray and come and bring for/on/with one or both of these nights…for these special events. I believe you will be blessed. Believe with me.
Jesus, we want to worship You with our entire lives. We also want to gather on thess special night to be encouraged in this pursuit even as You reveal Your glory and enable our response. Holy Spirit help us pursue God’s heart as we walk one step behind Jesus and so honor the Father.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Last year we had one because we were offering one format in our services. This year we are offering two. They will reflect the different nature of those two formats. I am excited to see how God will use this as we continue to prepare our hearts for the journey the Holy Spirit is taking us on this fall as we follow one step behind Jesus. Pursuing God’s Heart is the title of the series which will offer us a look into the life of David. I am excited about that and these Nights of Worship which will provide some of the repertoire for our singing through it.
As we look forward to these two evenings, I want to ask you to do a few things as I did last year about this time:
1. Pray - This should always be our first work. Pray for me as I finalize plans. Pray for the teams 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 “pursue God’s heart”.
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 along the path 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 in our midst.
My invitation to you…please pray and come and bring for/on/with one or both of these nights…for these special events. I believe you will be blessed. Believe with me.
Jesus, we want to worship You with our entire lives. We also want to gather on thess special night to be encouraged in this pursuit even as You reveal Your glory and enable our response. Holy Spirit help us pursue God’s heart as we walk one step behind Jesus and so honor the Father.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
This Is Heaven
Dear Worshipers,
My family had the opportunity during our recent vacation to spend with our families in West Virginia, where both Sarah and I were born and raised. What a great time we had relaxing, reflecting and reconnecting. I must say there is some truth to the line from the song, “Almost Heaven, West Virginia”. But there was an even more precious mention of Heaven during our time there that I offered me an opportunity to reflect.
Me and the older three boys were visiting Audra State Park one afternoon, enjoying swimming in the waters of the Middle Fork River and the views from the Alum Cave Trail. As often happens with little ones, the five-year old was getting REALLY tired and simply could not walk anymore. [You should know that Josiah was born with club feet and still suffers some of the remnants of that condition, though to the untrained eye there is no noticeable evidence of it. Walking long distances is even more difficult because of this, not to mention he has to take two steps for every one of mine.] He just could not go on any longer, and I finally gave in to his pleading.
Keep in mind, he is five so not a little tike anymore. The prospect of carrying him very far would not be an easy task. It was only a few hundred yards to the car by the time his surrender came so I figured I could probably make it. It was when I conceded to the pain that I heard those dear words.
“This is Heaven.” I had scooped him up in my arms and had only been carrying him about 15 feet when he said them. They melted my heart, even as I agreed with him that this was heaven. With our two-year old Aiden often around, I now rarely carry Josiah, so this was unusually pleasant. He beamed up at me a smile I will not soon forget, along with giving me a moment to cherish for the rest of my life.
What startled me as I reflected on this later was how often we fail to admit our weakness and plead with our Father for some help. I wish I could convey to you how quickly his countenance changed as soon as his little feet sensed the relief. Sure, it was not actually Heaven, but it had to be a little taste of it, not only for him but for me as well. I thought of this verse, which was so dear to me last year during my illness.
Sure we want to walk one step behind Jesus, but sometimes it would be better if we just let him carry us. We will be blessed in the laying down of the burden. And He will be blessed in the carrying.
Jesus, forgive us for too often trying to carry the load. Give us a taste of Heaven as we turn it over to You.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
My family had the opportunity during our recent vacation to spend with our families in West Virginia, where both Sarah and I were born and raised. What a great time we had relaxing, reflecting and reconnecting. I must say there is some truth to the line from the song, “Almost Heaven, West Virginia”. But there was an even more precious mention of Heaven during our time there that I offered me an opportunity to reflect.
Me and the older three boys were visiting Audra State Park one afternoon, enjoying swimming in the waters of the Middle Fork River and the views from the Alum Cave Trail. As often happens with little ones, the five-year old was getting REALLY tired and simply could not walk anymore. [You should know that Josiah was born with club feet and still suffers some of the remnants of that condition, though to the untrained eye there is no noticeable evidence of it. Walking long distances is even more difficult because of this, not to mention he has to take two steps for every one of mine.] He just could not go on any longer, and I finally gave in to his pleading.
Keep in mind, he is five so not a little tike anymore. The prospect of carrying him very far would not be an easy task. It was only a few hundred yards to the car by the time his surrender came so I figured I could probably make it. It was when I conceded to the pain that I heard those dear words.
“This is Heaven.” I had scooped him up in my arms and had only been carrying him about 15 feet when he said them. They melted my heart, even as I agreed with him that this was heaven. With our two-year old Aiden often around, I now rarely carry Josiah, so this was unusually pleasant. He beamed up at me a smile I will not soon forget, along with giving me a moment to cherish for the rest of my life.
What startled me as I reflected on this later was how often we fail to admit our weakness and plead with our Father for some help. I wish I could convey to you how quickly his countenance changed as soon as his little feet sensed the relief. Sure, it was not actually Heaven, but it had to be a little taste of it, not only for him but for me as well. I thought of this verse, which was so dear to me last year during my illness.
Isaiah 46:4
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Sure we want to walk one step behind Jesus, but sometimes it would be better if we just let him carry us. We will be blessed in the laying down of the burden. And He will be blessed in the carrying.
Jesus, forgive us for too often trying to carry the load. Give us a taste of Heaven as we turn it over to You.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
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