Dear Worshipers,
Pastor Myron has said this phrase many times lately. I know that I am privileged to spend a good amount of time with him each week so I hear them more than some of you but I know he has been saying them on Sunday mornings as well. They are a significant part of the picture he has in his mind of what God wants North-Mar to look like, and every time he speaks them that picture becomes clearer to me and you.
So what about that picture that is emerging in your mind? Do you see the back side of the Good Shepherd? Do you see the sun beating down on His head, glistening in the sweat on His brow as He turns back to you? Do you see Him gently motioning to you to continue to follow? Do you feel the wind in your face as you press on?
We have been given an assignment this week and I want to encourage you to do it. It was on the back of the sermon notes in the bulletin. In case you failed to pick one up before you left the church here it is, “Take some time this week to root out any legalistic thinking that may be a part of your past.” There were a couple of other encouragements to believe the truth about Jesus, and that God can work in you by His Spirit so you can really follow Jesus, but I want to encourage you to do the first one.
Will you spend some time talking with the Lord about how you view the role of the Holy Spirit in your life? Will you ask Him to reveal and wrong thinking that has clouded your experience of Him? Will you ask Him to show you if there is anything in your mind in particular or your life in general that would impair your yielding entirely to Him?
Though I would want you to come every Sunday with this expectation, I want to encourage you to come expecting to meet God in a life-changing way Sunday as we conclude this two-part series on the Holy Spirit. God has been meeting us in an unusual way recently. I trust you have been sensing that. My call for you to join me in praying for His fire to fall on us is a part of seeing that unfold.
Our desire is to be like Jesus, and a dependency on the Holy Spirit is critical to being like Him. We want to follow one step behind Him, looking to Him for direction and guidance at every turn in the road. Let’s prepare to press into that shared purpose as we gather Sunday. I look forward to seeing you there.
Jesus, set us on fire. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we may follow one step behind you. Let Your flame burn to glorify Your name.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Set Us On Fire
Dear Worshipers,
A week ago Sunday we celebrated what God did at North-Mar church in 2009. For me, as I reflected on my inaugural year of ministry here it is overshadowed by these three words “Soak Your Church”. This is exactly what God did as we saw 180 people baptized in May and June. It was a remarkable moving of God.
We sang a song during that season tilted “I Will Never Be the Same Again”. In it were these words. “Fall like fire…burn away the chaff…let a flame burn to glorify Your name”. I think those words were still on my mind as I headed into our weekly time of praying as a pastoral staff.
Pastor Myron was challenging us to pray courageously, being willing to ask God for things that will bring glory to only His name as he does them. We were praying for people to be set free from addictions, for lives to be healed, and marriages transformed. As we prayed, I felt God impressing upon me to ask Him to set us on fire, that we would be filled with the Holy Spirit. I prayed and have continued praying and know what to ask you to join me.
When you think about North-Mar, when you are driving here, or away from here, anytime the Lord brings this place to mind I am asking you to join me in this simple prayer: Set Us On Fire. That God would give us an all-consuming passion for the renown of His matchless name here in our community and to the ends of the earth. Will you join me?
As certainly as 2009 was the year God chose to Soak His Church, may 2010 be the year he chose to Set Us On Fire. Nothing fancy here, just desperation for God to do what only He can do so that when He does it He receives all that glory. That’s the kind of place he wants North-Mar to be. That’s the kind of people He wants us to be. How gracious!
Jesus, set us on fire. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit burn away the chaff of uselessness in our lives and our church. Let Your flame burn to glorify Your name.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
A week ago Sunday we celebrated what God did at North-Mar church in 2009. For me, as I reflected on my inaugural year of ministry here it is overshadowed by these three words “Soak Your Church”. This is exactly what God did as we saw 180 people baptized in May and June. It was a remarkable moving of God.
We sang a song during that season tilted “I Will Never Be the Same Again”. In it were these words. “Fall like fire…burn away the chaff…let a flame burn to glorify Your name”. I think those words were still on my mind as I headed into our weekly time of praying as a pastoral staff.
Pastor Myron was challenging us to pray courageously, being willing to ask God for things that will bring glory to only His name as he does them. We were praying for people to be set free from addictions, for lives to be healed, and marriages transformed. As we prayed, I felt God impressing upon me to ask Him to set us on fire, that we would be filled with the Holy Spirit. I prayed and have continued praying and know what to ask you to join me.
When you think about North-Mar, when you are driving here, or away from here, anytime the Lord brings this place to mind I am asking you to join me in this simple prayer: Set Us On Fire. That God would give us an all-consuming passion for the renown of His matchless name here in our community and to the ends of the earth. Will you join me?
As certainly as 2009 was the year God chose to Soak His Church, may 2010 be the year he chose to Set Us On Fire. Nothing fancy here, just desperation for God to do what only He can do so that when He does it He receives all that glory. That’s the kind of place he wants North-Mar to be. That’s the kind of people He wants us to be. How gracious!
Jesus, set us on fire. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit burn away the chaff of uselessness in our lives and our church. Let Your flame burn to glorify Your name.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Knowing and Obeying God’s Word
Dear Worshipers,
Has this ever happened to you? You hear a message about ________ [you supply words]. A few days later you read a book that talks about ________ as a key element for spiritual growth. Someone sends you an email about ________. You find yourself thinking, “OK Lord, I get the picture.”
That has been my experience these last few days with this core value, knowing and obeying God’s word. I want to share the text from the email I received.
We all want to be obedient to God’s word, written and spoken. Ask Him with me for the grace and courage to be obedient to His voice.
Jesus, I want to be obedient to Your voice. Fill me with Your Spirit that I may have the grace and courage to listen and obey, radically and immediately.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Has this ever happened to you? You hear a message about ________ [you supply words]. A few days later you read a book that talks about ________ as a key element for spiritual growth. Someone sends you an email about ________. You find yourself thinking, “OK Lord, I get the picture.”
That has been my experience these last few days with this core value, knowing and obeying God’s word. I want to share the text from the email I received.
Strange Instructions
"And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands" (2 John 6).
A distinguished Indian evangelist named Sadhu Chellappa was on a mission trip to a village north of Madras, when in the middle of the night he suddenly sensed God speaking to him: "Leave this house quickly and run away!"
Not exactly a convenient thing to do. But Chellappa was accustomed to accepting even strange instructions from the Lord without debate, so he dressed quickly and ran into the darkness.
After a while, he was in open country. As he passed beneath a large tree, he felt God tell him, "Stay here and start to preach!" Now, even for an experienced evangelist, this was puzzling--because there was no one to be seen. Why did God want him to preach to an empty field in the middle of the night? But he stopped under the tree and began to preach the gospel.
Finally, he reached the point at which he called on his unseen listeners to give their lives to Jesus. He was surprised to hear a voice from the top of the tree and see a man climb down, crying. The man tearfully gave his life to Jesus. When Chellappa asked why he was in a tree out in the middle of nowhere, the man admitted, "I came out here to hang myself.."
How is your obedience quotient? God calls us to be obedient to that small voice inside that can direct us to sometimes do strange things. Jesus was obedient in ALL things. "For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous" (Rom 5:19). God can do exceedingly great things through one man or woman who is willing to be obedient to God's voice.
We all want to be obedient to God’s word, written and spoken. Ask Him with me for the grace and courage to be obedient to His voice.
Jesus, I want to be obedient to Your voice. Fill me with Your Spirit that I may have the grace and courage to listen and obey, radically and immediately.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Highest Purposes
Dear Worshipers,
Last week I wrote encouraging you to set some goals. I gave you a biblical example of the overarching goal that encompasses each of our lives, Christ-likeness. I want to give you another Scripture to consider today as you prayerfully place some goals before you to guide your living.
In a book we are reading as a staff, there is a section titled “Radical, Immediate Obedience”. I know, when I read that I was a little hesitant to flip the page, but wanting to be conscientious I did. The author wrote about the need to guard against comfortable disobedience, rationalizing our unwillingness to fully obey by doing a little less than God has called us to do. He spoke of the need for repentance when we fail to obey, citing Saul and David as bad and good examples respectively. Then came the section that really hit me, and here is where it ties in to our lives and worship.
His highest purposes! Wow. That jumped off the page at me. I consulted several other translations and no others read like this. Most had wording like, “every good work” or something to that effect. [Keep in mind TLB is a paraphrase.] Still, I think there is something profitable to be mined from this.
Certainly, all of the work that God has called us to is noble and honorable. But there are many things that we could set our hearts and minds on that are less than God has called us to do that might be regarded by many as worthy of causes to spend our lives pursuing. These lesser purposes can consume us and become a good reason for not doing the higher things God has actually called us to do.
Though these lesser/higher purposes may be different for you and me let me give you an example. I am confident that part of God’s higher purposes for me is the ministry I exercise on Sunday morning, leading God’s people in worship. I could be involved in a lesser role in the same activity, but that would not be my pursuing God’s highest purposes in my life.
The question I want to pose to you is this. Are you fully invested in God’s highest purposes, or have a myriad of lesser purposes diluted your focus and rendered you ineffective? Consider this question before our Lord and commit to become a dish of pure gold.
Jesus, I want to be engaged in Your highest purposes. Reveal to me if I have rationalized by behavior and soothed my conviction with good works. I am fully dependent on Your leading me and using me.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Last week I wrote encouraging you to set some goals. I gave you a biblical example of the overarching goal that encompasses each of our lives, Christ-likeness. I want to give you another Scripture to consider today as you prayerfully place some goals before you to guide your living.
In a book we are reading as a staff, there is a section titled “Radical, Immediate Obedience”. I know, when I read that I was a little hesitant to flip the page, but wanting to be conscientious I did. The author wrote about the need to guard against comfortable disobedience, rationalizing our unwillingness to fully obey by doing a little less than God has called us to do. He spoke of the need for repentance when we fail to obey, citing Saul and David as bad and good examples respectively. Then came the section that really hit me, and here is where it ties in to our lives and worship.
If you stay away from sin, you will be like one of those dishes made of purest gold-the very best in the house-so that Christ Himself can use you for His highest purposes. [2 Timothy 2:21, The Living Bible]
His highest purposes! Wow. That jumped off the page at me. I consulted several other translations and no others read like this. Most had wording like, “every good work” or something to that effect. [Keep in mind TLB is a paraphrase.] Still, I think there is something profitable to be mined from this.
Certainly, all of the work that God has called us to is noble and honorable. But there are many things that we could set our hearts and minds on that are less than God has called us to do that might be regarded by many as worthy of causes to spend our lives pursuing. These lesser purposes can consume us and become a good reason for not doing the higher things God has actually called us to do.
Though these lesser/higher purposes may be different for you and me let me give you an example. I am confident that part of God’s higher purposes for me is the ministry I exercise on Sunday morning, leading God’s people in worship. I could be involved in a lesser role in the same activity, but that would not be my pursuing God’s highest purposes in my life.
The question I want to pose to you is this. Are you fully invested in God’s highest purposes, or have a myriad of lesser purposes diluted your focus and rendered you ineffective? Consider this question before our Lord and commit to become a dish of pure gold.
Jesus, I want to be engaged in Your highest purposes. Reveal to me if I have rationalized by behavior and soothed my conviction with good works. I am fully dependent on Your leading me and using me.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Goals
Dear Worshipers,
I read an article a couple of weeks ago, right after the turn of the year that talked about coming up with some goals, both personally and pastorally…
I saw a note that Sarah had written with regard to a goal she has set for herself that challenged and motivated me…
I am feeling led to prayerfully consider writing down some things I hope to accomplish with God’s help in 2010…
And I want you to join me.
Setting and striving for goals is a very biblical concept. Sure, management and self-help books will speak of the necessity of writing down realistic and measurable goals, but they did not invent this idea. God did. This is how Paul put his goal setting.
What powerful word! Forgetting what is behind…straining toward what is ahead…pressing on toward the goal to win the prize. That’s the best goal anyone could have, but there are also lesser goals that are very important, some of them being steps in reaching that ultimate one.
I want to encourage you to pray and write down at least one goal. Maybe it is something short-term, in the next month, or by summer, or by the end of the year. Be realistic. “I will loose 98 pounds this in 2010”, would not be a good example. Make it measureable. “I will grow closer to Jesus”, another bad example.
Take some time this week to ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to set at least one goal. Write it down and put it where you will see it regularly. Tell somebody about and ask them pray for you that you will be able to press on toward reaching it. Make a plan to take steps to see it fulfilled. Give glory to God when it is.
Jesus, help me set a goal that will help me press on. I want to be more like You, and that means taking steps toward to the goal that you have called me heavenward to attain. Fill me with Your Spirit as I do.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
I read an article a couple of weeks ago, right after the turn of the year that talked about coming up with some goals, both personally and pastorally…
I saw a note that Sarah had written with regard to a goal she has set for herself that challenged and motivated me…
I am feeling led to prayerfully consider writing down some things I hope to accomplish with God’s help in 2010…
And I want you to join me.
Setting and striving for goals is a very biblical concept. Sure, management and self-help books will speak of the necessity of writing down realistic and measurable goals, but they did not invent this idea. God did. This is how Paul put his goal setting.
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. [Philippians 3:12-14, NIV]
What powerful word! Forgetting what is behind…straining toward what is ahead…pressing on toward the goal to win the prize. That’s the best goal anyone could have, but there are also lesser goals that are very important, some of them being steps in reaching that ultimate one.
I want to encourage you to pray and write down at least one goal. Maybe it is something short-term, in the next month, or by summer, or by the end of the year. Be realistic. “I will loose 98 pounds this in 2010”, would not be a good example. Make it measureable. “I will grow closer to Jesus”, another bad example.
Take some time this week to ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to set at least one goal. Write it down and put it where you will see it regularly. Tell somebody about and ask them pray for you that you will be able to press on toward reaching it. Make a plan to take steps to see it fulfilled. Give glory to God when it is.
Jesus, help me set a goal that will help me press on. I want to be more like You, and that means taking steps toward to the goal that you have called me heavenward to attain. Fill me with Your Spirit as I do.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Worship and Suffering
Dear Worshipers,
To follow up on my thoughts about a generous life from last week I want to borrow the words of a new friend to help you think about worship in a broader sense.
Jesus, help me understand how stepping into pain can be a powerful act of worship. Lead me with regard to Haiti, and the arenas in my life where I must experience pain first-hand. Give me Your heart of love, the most generous.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
To follow up on my thoughts about a generous life from last week I want to borrow the words of a new friend to help you think about worship in a broader sense.
True Worship Steps Into Pain
From Dan On Haiti
Tonight, my heart is half a world away, with friends who are aggressively working to respond to the crisis in Haiti. I don't know all those friends by name; I do know that I am
thankful for their feet going in my stead, ambling through airports and stepping into rubble.
It is ours to remember, that in a time like this in the world, when poverty stricken nations find trouble upon trouble mounting toward them, that we who bear the Hope of the
world enter into their pain - like the God Who we follow.
If Jesus' life evidences anything to us about true worship, it is that the God unseen enters into, walks into, even runs into, the pain of those who are "other." He spends Him-
self on behalf of those He loves. This is His way.
We who live far from Haiti in these moments must allow ourselves to bear pain with them, as part of our human family, and as another reason for the great wealth and gifts we possess in our parts of the world. Strength finds its reason and purpose in covering another's weakness. This is His Design.
They are our family, no matter each one's faith perspective.
We do not all need to be in Haiti. We must trust that those who must go, will go. But is not enough to shake our heads and share moments of awe and sorrow. We must make the
request of God that He reveal to us our part to play, no matter how simple it may be.
I encourage you, as an act of living worship as your read this, to ask what your part is to play. Then, simply respond.
We each have a portion in one another's story. We are connected with Haiti's turmoil in ways we may only sense when the lights are out and we are considering the world in which we find ourselves.
In this case of pain that reaches our eyes and ears, we are invited by God to weep and mourn with them over what is all of our great loss. If it were directly my own, I would wan them to ask what their part was to play in coming to my loved one's support.
True worship, in the face of great suffering, asks for an invitation into the pain that God and the sufferers carry. Simply ask, then simply respond. It is enough.
In this journey of willingness, we find real prayers rising, authentic acts of physical and spiritual generosity, and the ability to partner with God in the ways in which He is inviting us.
It is a privilege to worship with you, in our generation, and to lead others into the kind of worship encounters that compel us into the very Heart of Love, and into the very Heart of Suffering.
We, as followers of Jesus, choose both.
In prayer with you for Haiti,
Dan
Dan Wilt, M.Min.
Learning Community Director
WorshipTraining.com
Jesus, help me understand how stepping into pain can be a powerful act of worship. Lead me with regard to Haiti, and the arenas in my life where I must experience pain first-hand. Give me Your heart of love, the most generous.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
A Generous Life
Dear Worshipers,
I hope you are looking forward to what God is going to do in us as a church and in you individually as we consider His truth over these next several weeks. I want to encourage you to pick up the devotional booklet and go through it, either with your family a friend or with Jesus alone. I know as a family we are going to consider how God would want to love us along in this continuum of living a generous life.
This is an area where I am aware I need to grow. I might be tempted at times to use this as an excuse even though I should know better but giving is not one of my primary love languages. Actually, it may very well be the lowest. For this reason I know this is an area where I need to grow in grace. Though I endeavor to be a faithful and dutiful tither, the above and beyond is not something I excel at. I say this to my shame. But God is at work in me, and I trust will be faithful to complete that work.
Maybe for you giving of your resources is not an issue. Maybe you struggle giving in some other arena, whether it is time or talent. Maybe it is relationally or emotionally. There are a lot of ways we can give and I trust that this season will be a very fruitful one for you if you will spend some time reflecting on the scriptures in the devotional book and what Pastor Myron brings to us on Sunday mornings.
We are going to be memorizing some scripture together over these next few weeks and I would encourage you to do the same. We are starting with Psalm 24.1, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” As you are reading and reflecting on those scriptures take some time to allow the Spirit to write them on you heart. As you do, trust Him to work those truths out in your life. He will amaze you.
Reflect on the words of the song we will be singing through this season and consider if it is your expression of worship. “I Will Offer Up My Life” by Matt Redman.
Jesus, make my life a generous life. One that reflects your heart to those around me. Change me to be like you.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
I hope you are looking forward to what God is going to do in us as a church and in you individually as we consider His truth over these next several weeks. I want to encourage you to pick up the devotional booklet and go through it, either with your family a friend or with Jesus alone. I know as a family we are going to consider how God would want to love us along in this continuum of living a generous life.
This is an area where I am aware I need to grow. I might be tempted at times to use this as an excuse even though I should know better but giving is not one of my primary love languages. Actually, it may very well be the lowest. For this reason I know this is an area where I need to grow in grace. Though I endeavor to be a faithful and dutiful tither, the above and beyond is not something I excel at. I say this to my shame. But God is at work in me, and I trust will be faithful to complete that work.
Maybe for you giving of your resources is not an issue. Maybe you struggle giving in some other arena, whether it is time or talent. Maybe it is relationally or emotionally. There are a lot of ways we can give and I trust that this season will be a very fruitful one for you if you will spend some time reflecting on the scriptures in the devotional book and what Pastor Myron brings to us on Sunday mornings.
We are going to be memorizing some scripture together over these next few weeks and I would encourage you to do the same. We are starting with Psalm 24.1, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” As you are reading and reflecting on those scriptures take some time to allow the Spirit to write them on you heart. As you do, trust Him to work those truths out in your life. He will amaze you.
Reflect on the words of the song we will be singing through this season and consider if it is your expression of worship. “I Will Offer Up My Life” by Matt Redman.
I will offer up my life
In spirit and truth,
Pouring out the oil of love
As my worship to You
In surrender I must give my every part;
Lord, receive the sacrifice
Of a broken heart
CHORUS:
Jesus, what can I give, what can I bring
To so faithful a friend, to so loving a King?
Savior, what can be said, what can be sung
As a praise of Your name
For the things You have done?
Oh my words could not tell, not even in part
Of the debt of love that is owed
By this thankful heart
You deserve my every breath
For You've paid the great cost;
Giving up Your life to death,
Even death on a cross
You took all my shame away,
There defeated my sin
Opened up the gates of heaven
And have beckoned me in
Jesus, make my life a generous life. One that reflects your heart to those around me. Change me to be like you.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
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
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
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
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
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
I am really excited about this Sunday and I hope you are too. It truly marks the beginning of a significant chapter in the history of our church. The willingness of the folks in our worship ministry to love and serve the church through our increase of labor is a huge part of this being a transition that will be beneficial to the church.
And there will be an increase in our labors, a song or two more each week and extra material for the choir will not be easy. I hope you are ready for this and are preparing yourself to take on the work. Your attitude will be critical as you approach your part of that work. I want to encourage you to be praying about your attitude that your continued involvement in this ministry would flow out of a heart of love for the Lord and His Bride.
I want to encourage you to pray for the church through this transition as well. The enemy would like nothing more than to continue to make our services a source of frustration and confusion for as many worshippers as possible. We must pray that he will not have his way in that…
I was so encouraged by the Scripture that Pastor Myron shared on Sunday. I Thessalonians 3:12, “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.” There are three directions that love is flowing in this verse and I think it is important to catch this as we move forward together.
First is the last one mentioned, “as ours [love] does for you”. We must have a love for the Bride. As leaders, those called to stand before God’s church and lead them, we must first example that love to the church. How are you doing in that? Is your first thought, when you stop to think about North-Mar, loving?
Next is the “for each other”. We must love each other. That’s how the world will know we belong to Christ. We are getting better at this all the time as we allow the Spirit to influence our every word, thought and deed. When you think of your brothers and sisters in the Lord, are your first thoughts loving?
Finally comes the “everyone else”. And this is the part that got me most excited Sunday. Sure, we are supposed to love the Lord and His Bride that is what is motivating this transition. Sure, we are supposed to love each other, that is what has spurred us to take on this additional labor, love for our brothers and sisters. But how does the “everyone else” factor in to Sunday morning?
Our Sunday morning experience should be a great, collective example of what we are doing all week long individually. Loving God, His people, and “everyone else”. The everyone else is a huge part of the Great Commission and if we will embrace it we will have a greater impact on the world around us.
Please pray with me that our love would increase and overflow, a demonstration of the fruit of the Spirit in us.
Jesus, make our love increase and overflow to each other and to everyone else. Make North-Mar a place marked by Your love, for Your glory and the good of everyone who comes into contact with Your church.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Prayer: Our First Work
Dear Worshippers,
I so appreciated Pastor Praxl’s message Sunday on this Core Value of the Alliance and our church. If you were not present you can hear it here. [You can also view the powerpoint and follow along on the outline, both posted online.]
I was very encouraged by his perspective on prayer, and practicing it together in the service was a great opportunity for private/corporate worship. As I was praying about my Tunings today, the Lord brought this three-fold prayer back to mind: others, self, God’s will, and reminded me that this is what must be my first work when it comes to planning, preparing, and producing our services each weekend. I want to offer my perspective on this as another example of how to get yourself to a place where you do not worry about anything, because you are praying about everything.
Pray for others: Some are excited about what God is doing in the music of our services. I pray God will give them patience as we continue to seek the Lord. Others are struggling with the changes in the sound of our services. I pray God will give us wisdom as we seek to discern how best to help them engage in worship.
Pray for yourself: I have a longing for freedom to follow hard after God. I need to temper this with sensitivity to the particular make-up of North-Mar Church. I want to demonstrate the gentleness God has recently shown me as I lead this diverse group of people.
Pray for God's will: God desires to soak His church. He wants us to leave talking about Him, not the music. He wants our hearts to be surrendered to Him. What that looks like is coming into clearer view with each passing day.
I want to encourage you to pray with me. I have no interest in tickling people’s ears, but I do want to serve them using music that gives them opportunity to express their praise to God. With the wide-range of backgrounds and ages in our services, this is no easy task. You can quickly see why prayer must be the first work. I appreciate your labors with me in this regard probably more so than any other.
Let’s make prayer our first response, not our last resort.
Jesus, teach us to pray before we do anything else. Teach us to pray while we do it. Teach us to when we are finished. We can only accomplish anything if we are connected to you.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
I so appreciated Pastor Praxl’s message Sunday on this Core Value of the Alliance and our church. If you were not present you can hear it here. [You can also view the powerpoint and follow along on the outline, both posted online.]
I was very encouraged by his perspective on prayer, and practicing it together in the service was a great opportunity for private/corporate worship. As I was praying about my Tunings today, the Lord brought this three-fold prayer back to mind: others, self, God’s will, and reminded me that this is what must be my first work when it comes to planning, preparing, and producing our services each weekend. I want to offer my perspective on this as another example of how to get yourself to a place where you do not worry about anything, because you are praying about everything.
Pray for others: Some are excited about what God is doing in the music of our services. I pray God will give them patience as we continue to seek the Lord. Others are struggling with the changes in the sound of our services. I pray God will give us wisdom as we seek to discern how best to help them engage in worship.
Pray for yourself: I have a longing for freedom to follow hard after God. I need to temper this with sensitivity to the particular make-up of North-Mar Church. I want to demonstrate the gentleness God has recently shown me as I lead this diverse group of people.
Pray for God's will: God desires to soak His church. He wants us to leave talking about Him, not the music. He wants our hearts to be surrendered to Him. What that looks like is coming into clearer view with each passing day.
I want to encourage you to pray with me. I have no interest in tickling people’s ears, but I do want to serve them using music that gives them opportunity to express their praise to God. With the wide-range of backgrounds and ages in our services, this is no easy task. You can quickly see why prayer must be the first work. I appreciate your labors with me in this regard probably more so than any other.
Let’s make prayer our first response, not our last resort.
Jesus, teach us to pray before we do anything else. Teach us to pray while we do it. Teach us to when we are finished. We can only accomplish anything if we are connected to you.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
His Compassion Compels Me
Dear Worshippers,
Compassion - a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.
Compels - to force or drive, esp. to a course of action
This spring I began to learn some lessons about gentleness. I am not going to pretend that I have learned them well, or that I have finished learning them. I am a work in progress.
When I think about compassion, it’s kind of difficult for me to get beyond the other common word contained within it: passion. Passion - any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling. I feel like I am a passionate person. Maybe it is the artist in me but often my emotions are just below the surface and it does not take much for them to boil up within me to the point of overflow, driving me at times to a course of action. I am thankful for this, because I believe it the way God made me.
However, as He is remaking me I realize my need for compassion. I feel strongly about the things I feel strongly about, if you know what I mean. I want to feel strongly about the things God feels strongly about. Primarily by this I mean the misfortunes of those around me, particularly there spiritual misfortune, but certainly not limited to that.
As I think about being compelled, I would have to admit that more often that not it is my passions that compel me more than my compassion. I want this to change. I want to I want my reactions and responses to be characterized by compassion.
I know that this will require a fairly radical shift in the way I think. I know this will not be easy. I know that it will be an adventure. I know Jesus will help me.
So how about you? Is your pole baited with a worm as you go out fishing every day? Is your tongue filled the words of God, or with your words? Are you fishing, or are you just stirring the water with an empty hook? What changes will you have to allow Jesus to make to make you a better fisher of men?
For me, it’s gentle compassion. For you, it might be boldness. For others, willingness. Whatever it is, let Jesus do it in you and may His compassion compel you.
Jesus, I want your compassion to be what compels me. Make be passionate about the things You are passionate about, then fill my tongue with your words because there are some people in my life that need to hear.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Compassion - a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.
Compels - to force or drive, esp. to a course of action
This spring I began to learn some lessons about gentleness. I am not going to pretend that I have learned them well, or that I have finished learning them. I am a work in progress.
When I think about compassion, it’s kind of difficult for me to get beyond the other common word contained within it: passion. Passion - any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling. I feel like I am a passionate person. Maybe it is the artist in me but often my emotions are just below the surface and it does not take much for them to boil up within me to the point of overflow, driving me at times to a course of action. I am thankful for this, because I believe it the way God made me.
However, as He is remaking me I realize my need for compassion. I feel strongly about the things I feel strongly about, if you know what I mean. I want to feel strongly about the things God feels strongly about. Primarily by this I mean the misfortunes of those around me, particularly there spiritual misfortune, but certainly not limited to that.
As I think about being compelled, I would have to admit that more often that not it is my passions that compel me more than my compassion. I want this to change. I want to I want my reactions and responses to be characterized by compassion.
I know that this will require a fairly radical shift in the way I think. I know this will not be easy. I know that it will be an adventure. I know Jesus will help me.
So how about you? Is your pole baited with a worm as you go out fishing every day? Is your tongue filled the words of God, or with your words? Are you fishing, or are you just stirring the water with an empty hook? What changes will you have to allow Jesus to make to make you a better fisher of men?
For me, it’s gentle compassion. For you, it might be boldness. For others, willingness. Whatever it is, let Jesus do it in you and may His compassion compel you.
Jesus, I want your compassion to be what compels me. Make be passionate about the things You are passionate about, then fill my tongue with your words because there are some people in my life that need to hear.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
His Grace Gets Me Going
Dear Worshippers,
We were focused on God’s grace Sunday, but I want to encourage you to linger with me there a little longer. I think we become so familiar with the grace of God that it looses some of its’ amazing-ness. When something is amazing it is said to “cause great surprise or sudden wonder”. Is that what happens to you when you stop and consider God’s unmerited favor in your life? I have to confess that it is not always the case with me. But it wasn’t always that way.
How I resonate with our second AdventureTruth! His grace gets me going. This is indeed a journey. When I first realized that Jesus was and had been walking the dusty road with me I was amazed. Over time that amazement has ebbed and flowed in and out of my experience. I want to stay amazed. Like I was the hour I first believed.
That’s a quote from a song we sang Sunday, Amazing Grace. [lyrics] “How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.” I affirm what Pastor Myron declared, “It starts my relationship with Him.” God’s grace got me going on this journey with Jesus. When I remember that night in March of 1992 when I made the decision to accept His grace with tears flowing down my cheeks, I am amazed all over again. There was at least one young man who made the decision to accept God’s grace at the close of this past Sunday morning. Hallelujah!
You need to pray for him that “It sustains [him] on the adventure” as it has sustained you. Look back over the course of your walk with our Lord. Time and time again it was only grace that kept you going. It makes me think of another line from that song, Through many dangers, toils and snares/I have already come./'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,/And grace will lead me home! Grace sustains me.
But it is not just for me. Since “there is a surplus so let’s share it”. Though one line or stanza of the song speaks of this explicitly, the entire song is a testimony to this reality. I might add a stanza for us as we travel with grace on our minds this week, “Since there’s a surplus of the grace my Lord’s made known to me, along the journey that’s He’s planned I’ll share it liberally”.
Be expectant and prayerful. The Lord may present an opportunity for you to share it this week. Be courageous and do it. Even if the person doesn’t seem to hear it, be mindful that there could be someone under a desk…or around the corner…or even in the next room who does.
Jesus, Your grace is enough. It is amazing. Help me share it as I live the adventure You have planned out for me.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
We were focused on God’s grace Sunday, but I want to encourage you to linger with me there a little longer. I think we become so familiar with the grace of God that it looses some of its’ amazing-ness. When something is amazing it is said to “cause great surprise or sudden wonder”. Is that what happens to you when you stop and consider God’s unmerited favor in your life? I have to confess that it is not always the case with me. But it wasn’t always that way.
How I resonate with our second AdventureTruth! His grace gets me going. This is indeed a journey. When I first realized that Jesus was and had been walking the dusty road with me I was amazed. Over time that amazement has ebbed and flowed in and out of my experience. I want to stay amazed. Like I was the hour I first believed.
That’s a quote from a song we sang Sunday, Amazing Grace. [lyrics] “How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.” I affirm what Pastor Myron declared, “It starts my relationship with Him.” God’s grace got me going on this journey with Jesus. When I remember that night in March of 1992 when I made the decision to accept His grace with tears flowing down my cheeks, I am amazed all over again. There was at least one young man who made the decision to accept God’s grace at the close of this past Sunday morning. Hallelujah!
You need to pray for him that “It sustains [him] on the adventure” as it has sustained you. Look back over the course of your walk with our Lord. Time and time again it was only grace that kept you going. It makes me think of another line from that song, Through many dangers, toils and snares/I have already come./'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,/And grace will lead me home! Grace sustains me.
But it is not just for me. Since “there is a surplus so let’s share it”. Though one line or stanza of the song speaks of this explicitly, the entire song is a testimony to this reality. I might add a stanza for us as we travel with grace on our minds this week, “Since there’s a surplus of the grace my Lord’s made known to me, along the journey that’s He’s planned I’ll share it liberally”.
Be expectant and prayerful. The Lord may present an opportunity for you to share it this week. Be courageous and do it. Even if the person doesn’t seem to hear it, be mindful that there could be someone under a desk…or around the corner…or even in the next room who does.
Jesus, Your grace is enough. It is amazing. Help me share it as I live the adventure You have planned out for me.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
And So It Begins…
Dear Worshippers,
What an exciting weekend at North-Mar! God’s hand is truly on us. To deny you would have to have your eyes closed and your ears covered. As we lift up Jesus in humility and brokenness, He is drawing us to Himself, into the great adventure that is the life of faith in Jesus.
How about our first AdventureTruth? Seeking Him is my starting place. That’s truly where it all begins. Living the adventure is not a complicated thing. We are to blame for making it complicated. We must seek the Lord.
What do I want? Remember the boat in the driveway. Consider asking that question like this. What is it that I think about when I thinking about nothing else? What does you mind trail off toward in its “idle” moments? Careful, that thing can quickly become an “idol” that replaces your desire for God.
If that is out of whack the next questions are more confusing than reassuring. Who is going to lead? Well, Jesus of course, but really. How is this supposed to happen? I will blaze the trail right behind Jesus. He’s the one on the white horse up front right? See what I mean. It can become confusing, but that’s not what Jesus wants to have happen.
In the foyer during the first service someone asked me how the opening portion of the service and gone. The illustration that came to my mind was of a group of people being invited to get into a raft for a whitewater ride. They have their life vests and helmets on and they are standing at the end of the water.
Some are ready to get in, and from the looks of them they must have just finished their last ride because they are soaked. Some are not sure they want to take the risk. Some are concerned about what it will mean if they get drenched or worse yet, if they get knocked out of the raft.
Then out walks the guide for the journey, Jesus. The fears of some immediately dissipate. Others are still not sure. Jesus has been their guide before, but it is their first time on the whitewater and though they trust Him, they are not certain what to expect. He has been their keeper as well, and they really want to go wherever He leads, because they long to believe the unknown with Him is glorious.
Get ready for the ride of your life.
Jesus, You are our Guide and Keeper. Whatever we face, You will be there in the midst of it. Expose our idols and fears. Become all we want, as surely as you are already all we need. Help us to be aware of Your nearness, and Your amazing grace.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
What an exciting weekend at North-Mar! God’s hand is truly on us. To deny you would have to have your eyes closed and your ears covered. As we lift up Jesus in humility and brokenness, He is drawing us to Himself, into the great adventure that is the life of faith in Jesus.
How about our first AdventureTruth? Seeking Him is my starting place. That’s truly where it all begins. Living the adventure is not a complicated thing. We are to blame for making it complicated. We must seek the Lord.
What do I want? Remember the boat in the driveway. Consider asking that question like this. What is it that I think about when I thinking about nothing else? What does you mind trail off toward in its “idle” moments? Careful, that thing can quickly become an “idol” that replaces your desire for God.
If that is out of whack the next questions are more confusing than reassuring. Who is going to lead? Well, Jesus of course, but really. How is this supposed to happen? I will blaze the trail right behind Jesus. He’s the one on the white horse up front right? See what I mean. It can become confusing, but that’s not what Jesus wants to have happen.
In the foyer during the first service someone asked me how the opening portion of the service and gone. The illustration that came to my mind was of a group of people being invited to get into a raft for a whitewater ride. They have their life vests and helmets on and they are standing at the end of the water.
Some are ready to get in, and from the looks of them they must have just finished their last ride because they are soaked. Some are not sure they want to take the risk. Some are concerned about what it will mean if they get drenched or worse yet, if they get knocked out of the raft.
Then out walks the guide for the journey, Jesus. The fears of some immediately dissipate. Others are still not sure. Jesus has been their guide before, but it is their first time on the whitewater and though they trust Him, they are not certain what to expect. He has been their keeper as well, and they really want to go wherever He leads, because they long to believe the unknown with Him is glorious.
Get ready for the ride of your life.
Jesus, You are our Guide and Keeper. Whatever we face, You will be there in the midst of it. Expose our idols and fears. Become all we want, as surely as you are already all we need. Help us to be aware of Your nearness, and Your amazing grace.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Friday, September 11, 2009
Live the Adventure
Dear Worshippers,
We begin the next leg of our journey together this Sunday as we commence a new sermon series, Live the Adventure. In addition to your Bible, we will be providing a number of other tools to help you, including the CD from our Night of Worship, a magnet to keep this theme before you, some online tools, as well as an optional book The Unexpected Adventure. Be ready to grab your “Adventure Kit” when you are at church Sunday.
Beyond the kit, I want to encourage you to be praying as we labor together to enter in to the adventure of faith Jesus has for us individually and collectively. This is a very exciting season for our church and I hope you are finding your place in all that. How I long to experience the kind of Spirit dependence that the early church demonstrates.
I have been reading in Acts lately. If you want to read about adventure this is a great place to start. Through those early days of the Church, the Spirit’s hand is so evident. Then I read these words.
That is my prayer for us in this next season. That the Lord would give us peace. That He would build us up as we walk with a right perspective on who He is. That the Holy Spirit would pour courage into us, and that we would INCREASE IN NUMBERS. Oh, that the Lord would add to us those who are being saved!
You have a part to play in that. God has your name written in these next chapters of faith-filled adventure. “Saddle up your horses”, as one song writer put it, “we’ve got a trail to blaze.” Won’t you join as in the wild blue yonder of God’s amazing grace? Let’s follow Jesus into the glorious unknown, unexpected adventure. There’s no life quite like it.
Jesus, we want to live the adventure of life in You. Help us to put aside the things that would keep us from entering into it. Become all that we want, as surely as You already are all that we have ever needed.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
We begin the next leg of our journey together this Sunday as we commence a new sermon series, Live the Adventure. In addition to your Bible, we will be providing a number of other tools to help you, including the CD from our Night of Worship, a magnet to keep this theme before you, some online tools, as well as an optional book The Unexpected Adventure. Be ready to grab your “Adventure Kit” when you are at church Sunday.
Beyond the kit, I want to encourage you to be praying as we labor together to enter in to the adventure of faith Jesus has for us individually and collectively. This is a very exciting season for our church and I hope you are finding your place in all that. How I long to experience the kind of Spirit dependence that the early church demonstrates.
I have been reading in Acts lately. If you want to read about adventure this is a great place to start. Through those early days of the Church, the Spirit’s hand is so evident. Then I read these words.
So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace, being built up and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, and it increased in numbers. (Acts 9:32, HCSB)
That is my prayer for us in this next season. That the Lord would give us peace. That He would build us up as we walk with a right perspective on who He is. That the Holy Spirit would pour courage into us, and that we would INCREASE IN NUMBERS. Oh, that the Lord would add to us those who are being saved!
You have a part to play in that. God has your name written in these next chapters of faith-filled adventure. “Saddle up your horses”, as one song writer put it, “we’ve got a trail to blaze.” Won’t you join as in the wild blue yonder of God’s amazing grace? Let’s follow Jesus into the glorious unknown, unexpected adventure. There’s no life quite like it.
Jesus, we want to live the adventure of life in You. Help us to put aside the things that would keep us from entering into it. Become all that we want, as surely as You already are all that we have ever needed.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
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
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
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.
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
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
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