Bleak Midwinter

Sunday morning retuning:  As we continue to walk through our “The Gifts of Christmas” series Pastor Myron Daum challenged us to be different that the man in the video by allowing grace to characterize how people see us.  It was a challenging and inspiring reminder of our need to do so.  Have you accepted the gift of grace yourself?  Are you compelled to keep the gift of grace ever before you? If you are not sure, maybe you can find some inspiration here.

I have often been fond of saying that we celebrate Christmas at the perfect time of year, when the lights are the longest.  The long dark only serves to accentuate the coming of the light that we commemorate and this most blessed of seasons. That's probably why the title of an article I saw last week really resonated with me.

I saw an article that listed Youngstown among the bleakest places to live on earth.  The Vindy confirms it.  We had that feeling when we moved into the Mahoning Valley six years ago. A sense of hopelessness seemed to blanket the entire region. That has been confirmed living here, listening to people talk and observing the average countenance of people who call this valley home.

Now before you begin to think that this is some strange way of putting down this place, let me make the connection. This place is bleak, with the closing of the steel mills and the impact that had on the local economy, the population exodus and ultimately the demeanor of many who live here, but I have a different perspective.  Like the world Jesus entered, this place could use some hope, and there is a glimmer of it even in the articles above, but much more so in Him.

It was a humble place Jesus came to be born, and this tells me he's still looking for similar places to enter.  So what will our response be? Will we mirror the hopelessness of many of our neighbors, or will we shine with the radiant beauty of Christ in the midst of otherwise bleak surroundings?

When I think of the word bleak, there was always one song that comes to mind. It is a great old, traditional Christmas Carol, "in the bleak midwinter".  Here is the text and a video of one of my favorite versions of it. Notice the response in the last stanza and consider your own. Merry Christmas!

Jesus, use us to bring hope into bleak circumstances. We dare not try to do it in our own strength.  We look to You and ask for Your power.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Gifts

Sunday morning retuning:  Pastor Myron Daum continued to walk us through Luke, every trying to encourage us to stay one step behind Jesus.  He challenged us to deal humbly with God’s word.  Have you done that at all since Sunday? Are you committed to getting into it so it can get into you? If you are not sure, maybe you can find some inspiration here.

Who doesn’t like receiving gifts?  I mean really.  When someone has a beautifully wrapped present and says, "This is for you", who doesn't get excited?  Probably most of what you're thinking about his material and that's understandable. But what about the immaterial, eternal gifts that God gives us in the season were about to celebrate?

Next Sunday signals the beginning of another Christmas season with the first Sunday of Advent. Over those five Sundays we will ponder together the gifts that God has given us through his son, Jesus Christ, Emmanuel.  We will think of Jesus, grace, adoption, reconciliation, and expectancy, each of them gifts of immeasurable value, all expressions of God's great love for us.

The series is called “The Gift of Christmas”. We are putting together a postcard and some other resources for you to be able to share these precious gifts with the people in your lives over this next season. Who will you offer them to?

It makes me think of Romans 6:23.  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. “ I am confident there are people in your life who do not know this.  This is the Gospel.  Good news.  Even if you feel unequipped to share it with them, will you please invite them to come and hear it at church over these five Sundays?  I do not want you to feel guilty, but I hope you do feel some conviction!  We must tell them, and what better time and way than through this amazing season.

Let me tell you a story to drive this point home.  Many of you know that Julia leaves for Jordan in January.  Julia, Jordan, January.  She has been such a blessing to our worship ministries I felt inclined to bless her as she goes to be a blessing elsewhere.  She had mentioned a desire to purchase a guitar to take with her.  Perfect!  We purchased this for her from our Music Fund last week.  YAY!

Here’s the point.  I wish you could have seen her face when we opened the box.  It is a beautiful guitar she will play beautifully to reveal the beauty of our God.  She was so excited!  And yet that pales in comparison to how excited the people you invite will be when they receive the gifts Jesus offers them.  Will you offer the gifts of Christmas to someone this season that you might usher in a whole host of blessings they currently do not even realize are theirs for the taking? I know I will.

Jesus, overwhelm my heart again today with the extravagance of your gifts to me, and compel me to share them with others. In Jesus name.  Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Reflect

Reflect

Sunday morning retuning:  Pastor Myron Daum continued to walk us through Luke, every trying to encourage us to stay one step behind Jesus.  He told us to reflect on our resurrection.  Have you done that at all since Sunday.  How will you reflect on this life-altering reality ? If you are not sure, maybe you can find some inspiration it here or below.

I’m curious.  When you think of reflecting, what is your default setting?  

Do you immediately look inward, or outward?

Do you look down or up?

Neither is inherently flawed, though there probably is a better choice.  It is important to see ourselves clearly, but we can easily get caught up staring at our belly buttons.  The first Scripture that comes to mind for me is, Psalm 121:1-2, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains-where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth”.  No surprise coming from this mountain boy who has walked my share of valleys.

Here is my challenge today.  You could take four more minutes to read my thoughts as you might normally do, or you could spend them reflecting on your resurrection.  Get some Scripture before your eyes and do the latter.  The link at the top takes you to sermon notes that can guide you, or you could read I Corinthians 15, the most developed place in Scripture regarding Christ’s resurrection and the implications on those who follow Him.  

Take some time to reflect on that today.  Please.

Jesus, open my heart to the power of Your resurrection again today.  It is the foundation of my hope. In Jesus name.  Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Inspired

Sunday morning retuning:  Pastor Scott Praxl took us to Luke 20:19-26.  We looked ito Jesus spiritual response to a temporal question.  He elevated the discussion with His words “likeness and inscription”.  We are made in God’s likeness, but we must choose to be inscribed with His name.  What’s your next step? If you are not sure, maybe you will discover it here.

Over the weekend I, along with 12 other members of our worship bands, had the opportunity to attend a worship workshop in Akron offered by Paul Baloche called leadworship.  Paul Baloche is the author of such songs as "Above All" and "Hosanna (Praise is Rising)”.  It was a great time of learning, and simply just being together.

I challenged everyone and prayed for them hoping that each would be able to walk away with one thing that would have an impact on their service to our Lord in worship.  Right from the opening session, it became clear that the Lord had something for each of us. For me, though much of the information was not new, it was good to be reminded of it, and to laugh along the way.

The opening session of worship and teaching with Paul was encouraging, especially being lead in worship using a song that's become very familiar to us at North-Mar, "The Same Love".  Making the trip would've been worthwhile for just that session, but the Lord had much more in store for each of us as we had to break out sessions with excellent clinicians.

None of our drummers were able to attend. This, coupled with the fact that we are poised to make a transition to using an acoustic kit in our worship services, caused me to be inclined to attend the drum master class. Little did I know that our instructor would be Carl Albrecht.  I am immediately recognized his name as a drummer on numerous worship recordings I have benefited from over the years.  Not all performers can teach well though. Not so with Carl I would quickly see. I knew that I would learn a lot in those sessions, but I walked away more than simply informed.

The first thing that struck me about Carl was his humility. Even though a professional drummer for over 30 years, he quickly admitted his need to continue to grow, learn, and adapt.  He spent time working through a number of practice rudiments, breaking down drunk grooves, talking about tuning and clicks and preparation, amidst a myriad of other things.  Spending the morning and afternoon sessions with him left me, in a word, inspired. I went up at the end and told him as much.

I am not sure if it was because it was mostly new, or simply because I was in the presence of someone who is world-class in his discipline,but those moments spent in those master classes changed me.  They reminded me of a need to think creatively and be disciplined to work that creativity out. I am thankful to God for that experience.

It leaves me with a few questions for you.  How are you being inspired? Can you remember the last time you had an experience that left you aspiring to be something different than you were before it? What are you doing to act on that?

I want to encourage you to take the next step.  Get inspired and act on it.  Do something! If you're looking for resources there are a bunch of them online, but we also have some at our disposal to grow in your worship leadership.  If you're not sure where to look, please do not hesitate to ask.

Jesus, inspire me again today as in the hour I first asked You to inscribe Your name on my heart.  My Your love, creativity, grace and Presence be ever seen in me.  And help me to enjoy the journey, even as I long for my destination. In Jesus name.  Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Savior AND Lord

Sunday morning retuning:  Pastor Myron Daum took us to Luke 20 where we saw clearly the struggle of accepting Christ’s authority for those to whom He preached.  It is not easier for us.  What’s your next step as you think about confessing Christ as your authority? If you are not sure, maybe you will discover it here.

As Pastor Myron preached Sunday asking if we were willing to make Jesus our personal authority, I was struck by two words.  Savior and Lord.  Let’s be honest, the first one is much easier to swallow.  If we look honestly at ourselves, most people would admit at the very least that they need some help dealing with the mess they have made of their lives, but asking for someone to come in and run things is another matter.

I've been asking myself the last couple of days, "Am I willing to let Jesus be my authority?"  For those of us who say were following Jesus, this is such a crucial question to continue to ask ourselves. Why? Because it's so easy to drift.  The natural course of life pulls us to make decisions on our own, which leads us away from asking Jesus for His guidance.  I must remain diligent at acknowledging His authority.  

I have been thinking about it in terms of Jesus being my boss.  Of course, He is the most gracious boss ever, but He has a task for me to do.  He has a grand plan of redemption that is unfolding through my life and yours.  Am I willing to bring all of my energy and resources to bear on this singular ask that overshadows and informs all others?

As I was reflecting on this just this morning the Lord reminded me of Matthew 28:18-20. You know this to be the Great Commission, but the Lord reminded me that it starts with His acknowledging that “all authority on earth and in heaven has been given to [Him]”.  The task He has given carries with it the authority to accomplish it.

As we think about loving, growing and serving-our words for completing the Great Commission-let's remember under whose authority we are and by whose authority we labor.  As I watch the leaves fall from the trees even now I'm reminded that they fall, each one of them, by the authority of Jesus Christ. There is nothing that escapes His dominion.  He cares about, is in, and ultimately controls every detail, holding it all together as it says in Colossians 1. It is imperative that we keep this reality a constant in all of our actions, thoughts and words.  As I think about my life, I need to remember every day that He is in charge, so it would serve me well to ask Him what He wants me to do.  But what I do is not the only thing through which I must acknowledge His authority.  What I say is important as well.

Romans 10:9-10 reminds us that we must confess that “Jesus is Lord”.  And I believe this goes further than just saying those words, though it certainly includes that.  My speech must declare this singular truth consistently.  I am not in control, Jesus is.  Out of the mouth the heart speaks, Luke 6:45, so it really begins with my choosing to acknowledge Him as Lord in my heart.  Are you acknowledging Jesus as your authority?

Jesus, help me to acknowledge Your authority in my heart, my words, and my deeds.  It is not always easy, and sometimes I forget, but I want to.  Help me please.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

What Has You Tangled Up?

Sunday morning retuning:  Pastor Myron Daum reminded us of the need we have to worship Jesus with integrity.  What’s your next step as you think about integrating honoring Christ with your entire life? If you are not sure, maybe you will discover it here.

We got a new puppy a few weeks ago. She is adorable. That's not just my opinion, but the opinion of frankly every person who is laid eyes on her.  She came from the Animal Welfare League and was one of a litter of five strays that shared the name Eclipse at the shelter. She was Eclipse D, but her name has since become Luna.  She is bright and mysterious. Can't you see it?

It has been an interesting journey for us as a family incorporating this new member over the last several weeks. There are distinct challenges that come with having a puppy in the house. Many of you know exactly what I'm talking about.

Obedience training has been a fascinating journey with this little one, in a sense a microcosm of what we have done with the boys on a grand scale over the last 15 years.  Several things stand out to me. She has a mind of her own. She has little interest and obeying unless there is an immediate reward.  She wants to know her place in the pack. She's very affectionate. She sometimes has a great deal of trouble staying focused.  

At this point it occurs to me that she's exhibiting characteristics which can often be used to describe me. And my journey is not unique. I share these common maladies with my friends of the human race, as well as those of the canine world.these things are true not only of us, but of those we read about in Scripture.

I was reminded of this recently after relocating Luna’s stake in our backyard.  I apparently put it a little too close to a couple of obstacles which she summarily tangled herself around in short order.  I went out and helped her free herself.

One of the boys asked me why she couldn't figure out how to untangle herself, a question I was wondering myself.  I replied to him that she didn't have the perspective required to see the easy solution out of her problem.  He put it in his own words by saying she wasn't tall enough to see where to go. Reminds me of the verse, “My thoughts are not your thoughts nor are my ways your ways.”  God can see things much better than we can.

A short time later, I looked out the back window to again see that she had tangled herself around a small torchiere post.  I quickly came out and freed her, after making her pose for this picture of course. It was such a great illustration of the trouble we get ourselves into sometimes.

Now before you think of her tether in terms of sin exclusively, may I gently propose that we can tangle ourselves up in good things as well as bad ones? When can get bound up trying to be holy until we are just as trapped in legalism, having simply traded one tether for another.  So be careful as you answer the question of the day, “Why has you tangled up?”

If you are in Christ, know you are free.  Galatians 5:1 puts it very plainly.  “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”  If you are feeling like little Luna, there is something you can do about it.  Trust Christ, the One who has purchased your freedom, as ask the Holy Spirit to help you walk in it to the glory of the Father.  What better way to have integrity in your worship/life than to walk in freedom!?!

Only minutes after the previous encounter  I looked out again to see that she had not only tangled herself around the same post, but had gone so far in her attempts to free herself that she pulled it out of the ground.  I did not include a picture of this, because I want you instead to imagine the freedom Christ has made available to you.  Christian, you can not set yourself free.  Trust Christ today and walk in that which He provides.

Jesus, thank You for setting us free by taking our sin on Yourself.  “This is amazing grace, this is unfailing love, that You would take my place, bearing my cross, laying down your life THAT I COULD BE SET FREE!  Jesus I sing for all that You’ve done….for me”.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Perspective: The Cross

Sunday morning retuning:  Pastor Paul Armitage challenged us Sunday to not let the rocks cry out in our place.  We did a good job responding to that immediately following his message, but I wonder if we've continued to be as successful in the days since? Jesus, help us live lives of worship.

I spent some time one day last week developing my upward gaze.  I took a photo to capture the moment and even tweeted about it.  That feed automatically goes to my Facebook account, and one of my friends there quickly commented, “We need to constantly work on this!”  Ah, the technology!  

As I thought and prayed, I pondered how true that is.  We need to constantly work on this.  Pastor Paul’s message Sunday reiterated this in my mind.  “The rescued always need to remember the Rescuer.”  Indeed, we need to. But do we? I think it requires some work on our part to maintain a perspective that ever keeps the Rescuer, and his unparalleled work, ever before our eyes.  It is this perspective that empowers our praise, encourages our souls, and keeps us humble before the One who is worthy of all our praise and adoration and affection.

As I sat there last week, listening and reading and praying, the Lord spoke some things to me about my life and the ministry we share.  I looked across the sanctuary and saw, as if for the first time, the cross in each of the six exterior windows of our sanctuary.  We must keep Jesus and HIs finished work on the cross ever before us in some way.  It must guide our praise, and inform our living.  As I thought and prayed, it occurred to me that we may be inclined to see the cross and everything behind it like this.  The cross is clear, but everything behind it is not, for whatever reason.  I think we may be prone to this kind of perspective, where we fix our eyes on Jesus [Hebrews 12:2], and everything else becomes unclear.  I do not think this is the perspective Jesus wants us to have.

Rather, I think Jesus wants us to see the cross clearly, always keeping it ever in our gaze, yet at the same time keeping in focus everything behind it.  How else can we serve our world effectively, starting with those closest to us and working out to the ends of the earth? How can we grow together to be more like him, if we do not keep an accurate picture of Him and His work ever before us?   How can we love Jesus through lives of worship, prayer and humble obedience if we can see the cross clearly but are disoriented to the world around us?  Simply, we can not.  And this will require some work.  But we can find solace in the fact that the Holy Spirit will help us.  He will illumine our hearts to the reality of Christ, while keeping us focused on the cross and its’ implications on our lives and the world in which we live.

So how is your perspective today?  Can you see the cross clearly? Can you see the world beyond across clearly? If either is out of focus, take some time right now to adjust your perspective.

Jesus, help us maintain a focus on your cross and the world around us.  This may not be easy, but we are determined to do it with Your help Holy Spirit.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Enter and Bless

Sunday morning retuning:  This retuning goes beyond Sunday morning.  Because the President of the C&MA was with us for several different sessions, I am expanding this retuning to the entire weekend.  From a Saturday night Q&A, through the message on Sunday morning and concluding with a powerful testimony making sense of his physical suffering, Rev. John Stumbo stimulated our souls and invigorated our faith, all the while calling us deeper.  I hope you were able to join us for one of those.  

When I consider a time like this weekend, rich in spiritual insight and teaching, I generally try to watch for nuggets of truth the Lord might use to make me more like Him.  That is actually what I called the note I made over the course of the weekend, “Stumbo nuggets”.  I was listening for what God would speak through our leader, my brother, to help me on my way. 

Enter and bless.  That is the one I want to refashion for you today.  In talking about how God worked through our sister church in Salem, Oregon while he pastored there, John shared that they cultivated and operated from this position, enter and bless.  They looked for opportunities to go into places with the intent of being a blessing,

Now that can take a million different forms, but it is truly a great way to think about how to live our your faith, and walk as Jesus walked.  It also connected with two other thoughts I will share but not elaborate on here.  You heard this one Sunday morning, “When God’s people get it right, the world wins.”  And akin to it, we need to find opportunities where “people of faith” (us) can partner with “people of goodwill” (them). As we continue to seek ways to serve our world, all of these are new phrases or twists on old ones that put our efforts in a slightly different light.  

So where in Scripture do we see this idea of enter and bless?  Clearly it is in play in Matthew 10:12.  Jesus was instructing His disciples how they should act as they went out to declare the news of the Kingdom.  Granted they were instructed at this point to go to “the lost sheep of Israel”, but later that commission would broaden.  The intent here was to look for a place that would welcome the blessing the disciple was bringing.  To use Stumbo’s words, as we look for a place to “get it right”, we need to look for a place that is ready to experience the blessing, a “win”.

So I simply want to ask you, do you enter with eyes wide open looking for the opportunity to bless and be a blessing?  Notice I did not mention where you are entering.  That was intentional because we need to be looking to bless everywhere we go.  It is a way of life, and it is not always profound.

A simple example.  After being escorted to a table for lunch yesterday I simply told the hostess, “Thank you.  This is my favorite table.”  You should have seen here light up.  It occurred to me in that moment that I need to be looking for places and ways that I can be a blessing.  Will you join me?

Jesus, help us to be a blessing everywhere we go.  Sometimes it will be a simple act of kindness, but other times maybe so much more.  The key, may the Spirit guide us.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Christ-Centered Acts 1:8 Family

Sunday morning retuning:  So are you putting your minas to good use?  If you were present with us Sunday you heard some compelling reasons to do so.  To hear those reasons, and tap into other resources click here.  Jesus gave everything He had to us, we should offer nothing less in return.  “All that I am I place into Your loving hands, and I am Yours…”  Rooftops, Jesus Culture, see below.

One of the problems with large organizations is that they can easily lose sight of the compelling vision of a better future that instigated their beginning in the first place.  Denominations are no different.  The leadership of Christian and Missionary Alliance has been trying to remind us of those beginnings and call us forward into what God had in mind for our part of the Kingdom work.  This weekend will be for North-Mar Church an opportunity to embrace this call again.

Our President, John Stumbo, will be with us sharing this passion in a variety of settings.  I am sure that many of you are aware he will be with us Sunday morning and you are looking forward to those moments, or at least intrigued with curiosity regarding the new leader of our movement.  I want to strongly urge you to join us for one or both of the other two sessions, Saturday night at 6:30 pm where he will share about the Alliance family, and/or Sunday evening at 5 pm when he will answer the question “Why Does God Allow Human Suffering?” having been very well-acquainted with it himself.

I am imploring you to come because I have been listening to his monthly video blogs over these first 14 months his presidency.  I have routinely found myself not only challenged by his words, but greatly encouraged.  He has the heart of a shepherd and you will find yourself at each encounter desiring to enjoy the goodness of Jesus more and more, all the while helping others to do the same.

In his series of blogs he laid out a case for the Alliance thinking of ourselves as a “Christ-centered Acts 1:8 family”.  [Intrigued, watch that video blog here.] I love that.  It is clear, concise and compelling.  It captures who we are, and points us to what we want to become.  I am confident each session this weekend will leave you feeling the same way, so I want to encourage you again, come to more than Sunday this weekend.  I implore you.  You will be glad you did.

Jesus, make us into the people You want us to be individually, so we can be the people You want us to be collectively.  We will be satisfied with nothing less.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

The President’s Coming!

Sunday morning retuning:  So are you asking Jesus to open the eyes of your heart today?  Do not be like the disciples who refused to see, but instead like the blind man who did as Christ responded to his plea!  What is your plea?  Where/how do you need to see Jesus?  Ask Him to show Himself to you in that circumstance today!

“We do not need smaller problems.  We need a bigger view of God.”  President of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, Rev. John Stumbo.

This was a line tucked into a powerful message from our President in his monthly video blog for September.  He raised our awareness to the magnitude of the problems our world is facing, and asked us about unique challenges in our lives.  He took us to Jeremiah to examine how God spoke to the prophet to encourage Him in his struggle.  It was a powerful word for licensed Alliance workers, but which I truly will resonate with anyone connected to an Alliance work.  If you are interested, you can view the video here.

I share this with you for a few reasons.  It will give you a glimpse into this man’s heart who will be our guest the first weekend of October.  If you have not yet considered reading one of his books for sale at church, it might encourage you to do so.  

It also helped to pull together a number of themes that have been swirling in my mind for the last week, primarily discipleship and calling.  Now before you dismiss the latter to those who are called to vocational ministry, let me define the first as it was described at the annual conference of the Central District last week.  Here are two to consider:  a disciple is a follower of Christ who displays the character and priorities of Christ, and disciple-making is the process of walking with another in their Christ-like formation in character and priorities.

I assume the former resonates with you, and I pray the latter will as well.  I believe you want to follow one step behind Jesus, and that means displaying the character and priorities of Jesus, though that is not easy.  If you are willing to embrace that, then there is a logical next step.  You could sum up Jesus priorities in a number of ways, but let’s think in terms of Great Commandment [Matthew 22:37-40]  and Great Commission [Matthew 28:19-20] as we have dubbed them.  Love God and love others is a simplification of the first, and make disciples, the latter.  This is the calling of every Christ follower.

I was challenged by these definitions.  I want to be a disciple, but that implies that I will be making other disciples.  What does that look like?  It means simply helping others follow Jesus, even while I am still learning to do the same.  There are some ahead of me who I am following, and others behind who are looking to me.  It also, means I am even leading myself well.  I want to be making disciples, who are making disciples, so let’s encourage each other in this pursuit by answering a couple questions.

Who are you following?  I hope you answer Jesus, but who is in your life who you look to to help you walk through the process of becoming more like Jesus.  If you can not name someone, I want to encourage you to do so soon.  On the other hand, who is following you.  Who have you come alongside and said essentially, follow me as I follow Christ?  If you can not answer that one either, I want to encourage you again. Identify someone and do it.

I know we are all busy, but I want to encourage you to be more like Jesus tomorrow than today, and I really believe this is a part of how we partner with the Holy Spirit to make that happen.  If you are overwhelmed by this call, then watch John’s video above and be encouraged.  

Jesus, you have called us not only to be disciples, but to make them!  This is a huge responsibility, but whom You call, you equip. Fill us with Your Spirit, and use us for your glory.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy