Sunday morning retuning: We have been given an assignment. The Holy Spirit it our teach. The kingdom is our classroom. What will be learn?
We were reminded Sunday, from the parable of the talents [Matthew 25:14-30], of our responsibility to use what the Lord has entrusted to our care for Him. Seems like an obvious and reasonable mandate. God has given us everything we have, so we should use it to complete His command, not only to cater to our comforts.
The elders have been praying for some time about the way this assignment would unfold in the life of our church as this experiment takes place. 50 people with 50 $100 bills. What might God do as more than just those 50 and their families talk to God about being a steward of this gift? Before I left the sanctuary Sunday I had heard a few stories of what God had done already. This is going to be quite and adventure.
I felt compelled last week to take the song that we have sung for baptisms and reorient it to this season. I feel very strongly that some people are going to be changed by this, never the same again. I want to ask you to join me praying for all those folks.
But that’s not all. I am praying for myself in this season, and I want to encourage you to do the same. You see, I do not think I have a comprehensive understanding of this stewardship thing. Actually, I know I do not. And I am equally confident you don not either. How can I be so sure, you ask? Because this side of glory, none of us arrive.
This part of the journey for us as a church is go deepen this understanding. The exciting thing is that this is not just an intellectual exercise, but instead and experiential one. May the Lord use it in our individual lives and the life of our church to take us to a new place in our understanding of not just stewardship, but the kingdom as well. Lord, be glorified.
Jesus, help us to see the things you have given as managers not owners. This changes everything. We want Your kingdom to come and Your will to be done.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Shine
Sunday morning retuning: Pretty simple challenge Sunday. Right from the words of Jesus. Why is it so difficult for us to obey it?
As our international worker was finishing the sermon Sunday this song popped into my head. I did a quick search on Rhapsody hoping to download it and play it at the end of the service but I ran out of time. I could only remember the chorus:
Later when I had some time I tracked this down. The song is “Shine” by the Newsboys. Here is a youtube link to them performing this live in Houston last year I think. And here are the words for the verses. They will make you think a bit. I had to think to understand a few of them, and still trying to understand a few more.
That chorus is based on Matthew 5:14-16. If you are being challenged to shine, read and meditate on that. It will be beneficial to you I am sure.
I am tempted to say more. But I will resist that temptation, for I think you have heard enough for a Tuesday afternoon.
Jesus, You are the Light of the world (John 8:12). And you have made us the light to the world. (Matthew 5:14) Help us to shine.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
As our international worker was finishing the sermon Sunday this song popped into my head. I did a quick search on Rhapsody hoping to download it and play it at the end of the service but I ran out of time. I could only remember the chorus:
Shine
Make 'em wonder what you've got
Make 'em wish that they were not
On the outside looking bored
Shine
Let it shine before all men
Let'em see good works, and then
Let 'em glorify the Lord
Later when I had some time I tracked this down. The song is “Shine” by the Newsboys. Here is a youtube link to them performing this live in Houston last year I think. And here are the words for the verses. They will make you think a bit. I had to think to understand a few of them, and still trying to understand a few more.
Dull as dirt
You can't assert the kind of light
That might persuade
A strict dictator to retire
Fire the army
Teach the poor origami
The truth is in
The proof is when
You hear your heart stop asking,
"What's my motivation?"
And try as you may, there isn't a way
To explain the kind of change
That would make an Eskimo renounce fur
That would make a vegetarian barbecue hamster
Unless you can trace this about-face
To a certain sign... (Chorus)
Out of the shaker and onto the plate
It isn't Karma
It sure ain't fate
That would make a Deadhead sell his van
That would make a schizophrenic turn in his crayons
Oprah freaks
And science seeks a rationale
That shall excuse
This strange behavior
When you let it shine
You will inspire
The kind of entire turnaround
That would make a bouncer take ballet
(even bouncers who aren't happy)
But out of the glare
With nowhere to turn
You ain't gonna learn it on "What's My Line?" (Chorus)
That chorus is based on Matthew 5:14-16. If you are being challenged to shine, read and meditate on that. It will be beneficial to you I am sure.
I am tempted to say more. But I will resist that temptation, for I think you have heard enough for a Tuesday afternoon.
Jesus, You are the Light of the world (John 8:12). And you have made us the light to the world. (Matthew 5:14) Help us to shine.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Jesus Is My Life
Sunday morning retuning: The message of hope Sunday was so clear. Maybe you have not yet decided to plunge in. I encourage you to do so now. The water is more than fine.
So we have begun to sing a song from the fall recording project titled, “All I Have Is Christ”. I have been looking forward to using it in our worship gatherings because the text of it is so solid. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with it, I have included a link here so you can hear it. [This is a version with an animation of obvious missonal flair, very appropriate to lead us to Sunday and our Missions Impact Weekend.]
While the verses are theologically rich, and some might say complex, the chorus is just the opposite with regard to complexity that is. It simply says, “Hallelujah! All I have is Christ. Hallelujah! Jesus is my life”. Notice is does not say, “Bummer, all I have is Christ,” as if that were some kind of disappointment. On the contrary, it is a joyful exclamation, one that it does our souls well to ponder.
That being said it is the last line that Jesus is bringing to life for me these days. “Jesus is my life.” On the one side, many a weary soul has uttered these words in desperation yet with rest and peace. There have been times when I have lipped those words, and others when I have shouted them. But what Jesus is showing me in these days while we are learning to sing and live this song is another layer. One that I would never have claimed to have figured out, but that I honestly felt I knew a little better than He is revealing to me.
You see, I am selfish. I want what I want and I want it now. Let me rephrase that more accurately. I know what I want to do, and I do not want to bother with distractions. Before you conclude that I am the worst pastor ever, hear me out.
I have realized through a number of circumstances over the last couple of weeks since we have begun to sing this wonderful song that Jesus is my life. I know, I may not be helping my case but follow my thinking. I have know for sometime and really agree with Paul when he wrote to the Galatians that, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” [2:20] But what has been happening over the last couple weeks is God has been giving me little opportunities to demonstrate that.
For example, instead of doing what I was planning on doing, God has given me opportunities to serve others in simple ways. He has also given me opportunities to show value to others, thinking more highly of them than myself. For me, this requires dying. Sometimes I do well, others not so well. That other line from the song suddenly becomes so clear, the one about living so all might see, “the strength to follow [His] commands could never come from me.
Jesus is my life. No arguments from me on that. and yet there are times when a battle for my life, my way, my will, rages within me. But I praise the Lord He is helping me see it so that I can overcome it in His strength. Jesus is my life. Hallelujah!
Jesus, You are my life. Help me to die a thousand deaths so that I can experience moreso every day that blazing and glorious reality. “And let my song forever be my only boast is You.”
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
So we have begun to sing a song from the fall recording project titled, “All I Have Is Christ”. I have been looking forward to using it in our worship gatherings because the text of it is so solid. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with it, I have included a link here so you can hear it. [This is a version with an animation of obvious missonal flair, very appropriate to lead us to Sunday and our Missions Impact Weekend.]
While the verses are theologically rich, and some might say complex, the chorus is just the opposite with regard to complexity that is. It simply says, “Hallelujah! All I have is Christ. Hallelujah! Jesus is my life”. Notice is does not say, “Bummer, all I have is Christ,” as if that were some kind of disappointment. On the contrary, it is a joyful exclamation, one that it does our souls well to ponder.
That being said it is the last line that Jesus is bringing to life for me these days. “Jesus is my life.” On the one side, many a weary soul has uttered these words in desperation yet with rest and peace. There have been times when I have lipped those words, and others when I have shouted them. But what Jesus is showing me in these days while we are learning to sing and live this song is another layer. One that I would never have claimed to have figured out, but that I honestly felt I knew a little better than He is revealing to me.
You see, I am selfish. I want what I want and I want it now. Let me rephrase that more accurately. I know what I want to do, and I do not want to bother with distractions. Before you conclude that I am the worst pastor ever, hear me out.
I have realized through a number of circumstances over the last couple of weeks since we have begun to sing this wonderful song that Jesus is my life. I know, I may not be helping my case but follow my thinking. I have know for sometime and really agree with Paul when he wrote to the Galatians that, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” [2:20] But what has been happening over the last couple weeks is God has been giving me little opportunities to demonstrate that.
For example, instead of doing what I was planning on doing, God has given me opportunities to serve others in simple ways. He has also given me opportunities to show value to others, thinking more highly of them than myself. For me, this requires dying. Sometimes I do well, others not so well. That other line from the song suddenly becomes so clear, the one about living so all might see, “the strength to follow [His] commands could never come from me.
Jesus is my life. No arguments from me on that. and yet there are times when a battle for my life, my way, my will, rages within me. But I praise the Lord He is helping me see it so that I can overcome it in His strength. Jesus is my life. Hallelujah!
Jesus, You are my life. Help me to die a thousand deaths so that I can experience moreso every day that blazing and glorious reality. “And let my song forever be my only boast is You.”
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Withdrawing
Sunday morning retuning: Tomorrow is the big day. Are you making plans? How will you respond to the challenge/encouragement?
Present tense of “withdrew.” Present and future activity for North-Mar Church. That is, if we will take up the challenge issued Sunday.
That’s an unusual word. It is the word that captured my eye last week as I prepared for the service. It captured it again on Sunday. “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” [Luke 5:16, emphasis mine]
I am so thankful that the Father did not put parameters on that for us. I am so grateful that Jesus did not include a timeline on this. I am so appreciative that the Spirit guides us into what withdrawing looks like for us, even as we follow one step behind Jesus. And if we are going to follow a step behind, it sounds like we are going to need to withdraw. Don’t you agree?
Last week in my Tunings I closed with a quick encouragement that God is unfolding plans for each of us who have responded to His call and returned to Him. In his letter to the exiles in Babylon, Jeremiah used these words to encourage the exiles that God would unfold His plan for them as well. The very next phrase is encouraging to all who have ever had the inclination, under the Holy Spirit’s influence, to, well, withdraw.
That is what He is talking about. The prophet said it this way. “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” [Jeremiah 29:12-13] I want to implore You to take God at His word.
Call on Him. Come to Him. Pray to Him. Why? Because He has promised to listen to you. The God of the universe, the Lord of the Ages, listening to you, to me. WOW! I believe it. But that’s not all. We will find God, see Him active and present in our lives, recognize Him, when we seek with all our hearts.
I confess I do not know exactly what that means, but I do not think that is the important part. I think it is simply important that we seek the best way we know how. And now we know that includes withdrawing. So let’s do it, and prepare to find God in the process. How exciting! Won’t you join me?
Jesus, show me how to withdraw. Help me know what that looks like for me tomorrow. Thank You for Your grace in my life that leads me along day by day. Help me to fix my eyes on You as I withdraw…
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Present tense of “withdrew.” Present and future activity for North-Mar Church. That is, if we will take up the challenge issued Sunday.
That’s an unusual word. It is the word that captured my eye last week as I prepared for the service. It captured it again on Sunday. “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” [Luke 5:16, emphasis mine]
I am so thankful that the Father did not put parameters on that for us. I am so grateful that Jesus did not include a timeline on this. I am so appreciative that the Spirit guides us into what withdrawing looks like for us, even as we follow one step behind Jesus. And if we are going to follow a step behind, it sounds like we are going to need to withdraw. Don’t you agree?
Last week in my Tunings I closed with a quick encouragement that God is unfolding plans for each of us who have responded to His call and returned to Him. In his letter to the exiles in Babylon, Jeremiah used these words to encourage the exiles that God would unfold His plan for them as well. The very next phrase is encouraging to all who have ever had the inclination, under the Holy Spirit’s influence, to, well, withdraw.
That is what He is talking about. The prophet said it this way. “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” [Jeremiah 29:12-13] I want to implore You to take God at His word.
Call on Him. Come to Him. Pray to Him. Why? Because He has promised to listen to you. The God of the universe, the Lord of the Ages, listening to you, to me. WOW! I believe it. But that’s not all. We will find God, see Him active and present in our lives, recognize Him, when we seek with all our hearts.
I confess I do not know exactly what that means, but I do not think that is the important part. I think it is simply important that we seek the best way we know how. And now we know that includes withdrawing. So let’s do it, and prepare to find God in the process. How exciting! Won’t you join me?
Jesus, show me how to withdraw. Help me know what that looks like for me tomorrow. Thank You for Your grace in my life that leads me along day by day. Help me to fix my eyes on You as I withdraw…
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Beginning…Again
I am not typically one of those people who makes New Year’s resolutions. And that’s not because I dislike change. One of the interesting aspects of my personality is that I not only embrace change, I actually seek it out to some extent. For example, those of you who know me best know that I would rather try every restaurant in town before making a return visit to any one restaurant in particular.
That being said, I still find that there are some things that I have wanted to change for some time, but honestly have just not found the inspiration required to make the change. I set goals and accomplish some projects that are important because of the relative sense of urgency attached to them. Others that may be equally important, or maybe even more so, lack that same sense of urgency.
So if I am not going to make a resolution, but there are things that I would like to see change, what should I do? I have decided to take them to Jesus and ask Him for the inspiration and resolve to make those changes. The turn of the year seems as good a time to do that as any, so I think I will begin…again.
There are a couple of things for me that immediately come to mind that I would like to change. No one is going to make those changes for me. I need to make some decisions and modify some behaviors if I want to bring them about, but I know I can not do it on my own. I have prayed before at this time of year something like, “Jesus, make me more like you this year, so that when I turn the corner into next year I can look back and see how much I have changed.” In some seasons I have succeeded in that, but more often that I care to admit I have not. I need His help to see change begin…again.
So what are those areas in your life that you would like to see change? That you know Jesus would like to help you change? Not sure? Allow me encourage you to take a few minutes in the next couple days and ask Him. You may be surprised at what He says! Even if you are not surprised, rest assured He has your best interests in mind, for He knows the plans He has for you. [Jeremiah 29:11]
Take some time, and begin…again.
Jesus, I want to be more like You. Help me to begin that process again as this New Year begins. May it result in my becoming more like You over the next 12 months.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
That being said, I still find that there are some things that I have wanted to change for some time, but honestly have just not found the inspiration required to make the change. I set goals and accomplish some projects that are important because of the relative sense of urgency attached to them. Others that may be equally important, or maybe even more so, lack that same sense of urgency.
So if I am not going to make a resolution, but there are things that I would like to see change, what should I do? I have decided to take them to Jesus and ask Him for the inspiration and resolve to make those changes. The turn of the year seems as good a time to do that as any, so I think I will begin…again.
There are a couple of things for me that immediately come to mind that I would like to change. No one is going to make those changes for me. I need to make some decisions and modify some behaviors if I want to bring them about, but I know I can not do it on my own. I have prayed before at this time of year something like, “Jesus, make me more like you this year, so that when I turn the corner into next year I can look back and see how much I have changed.” In some seasons I have succeeded in that, but more often that I care to admit I have not. I need His help to see change begin…again.
So what are those areas in your life that you would like to see change? That you know Jesus would like to help you change? Not sure? Allow me encourage you to take a few minutes in the next couple days and ask Him. You may be surprised at what He says! Even if you are not surprised, rest assured He has your best interests in mind, for He knows the plans He has for you. [Jeremiah 29:11]
Take some time, and begin…again.
Jesus, I want to be more like You. Help me to begin that process again as this New Year begins. May it result in my becoming more like You over the next 12 months.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
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