Cultivating and Awareness of Christ’s Presence

Sunday morning retuning: How great it was to celebrate what God did through a number of “serve our world” opportunities this summer!  Some of those stories were so compelling; I cannot imagine how anyone could have left unstirred.  They answered the question I now what to pose to you with regard to serving our world…”What is God saying to you?”

I am so excited.  For nearly the last year I have been praying and seeking God’s leading with regard to the songs that will be on our upcoming North-Mar worship CD, “Show Us Your Glory.”  Tomorrow and Thursday nights our two new bands will be in the sanctuary recording the tracks that will make up this project, including three that have been written for us, our very own loving…growing…serving songs.  I encourage you to come out and be a part of the experience, but even if you cannot make it, PLEASE PRAY!

What am I asking you to pray?  Simply this, “Show Us Your Glory.”  We have been praying that in a variety of ways throughout this entire year and I believe we are seeing glimpses of it, but even more so that a flood is coming.

Just so you know, the intent of this project is to cultivate a heightened sense of Christ’s presence in our lives and our Engage services.  It is really not about the music, though I am excited about that.  It is really not about our two new bands, though I am excited about them.  It is really not even about the individual songs, though I am excited about them.  It is about the glory of God being revealed in our midst.

What does that mean?  I believe Christ is always with us. [Matthew 28:19-20] I further believe that when two or three followers of Christ get together He is with them in a different way.  [Matthew 18:20]  Why else would He distinguish this from His constant presence with us?  If indeed it is different, then we should long for that presence more and more.

We are doing this project to cultivate a sense of Christ’s presence with us both when we are gathered, and when we are not.  That is the intent of this project, but that is our worship ministry.  What about you?  What are you doing in your personal life that is cultivating a sense of Christ’s presence?  If you don’t have a ready reply, I want to encourage you to engage in something soon that will serve your journey with Jesus in this way.  Next week I will unpack something I do in my personal life for that very purpose.

Jesus, use this recording process to help our worship ministry cultivate a heightened sense of Your presence.  You are always with us, but we do not always live or speak like You are present.  Forgive us and draw us and our church family closer through these labors.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Is Your Heart Open?

Sunday morning retuning: Divorce is something you need to deal with if you are going to talk about God’s Glorious Gift of Marriage.  Pastor Myron addressed this from Scripture with grace and truth.  Everyone of us knows someone who has been effected by this epidemic.  His words were a balm to the weary soul.

These last couple of weeks I have been asking if your eyes and ears are open.  Do you see God at work around you?  Do you hear God’s voice speaking to you?  Theses are important questions, but there is yet a more important one, one upon which hinges the possibility of the first two making a difference at all.  That question…“Is your heart open?”

I ask it fully aware of the fact that we live in a world where every one of us experiences hurt.  Each of those hurts can cause a closing of our hearts, a turning inward away from the source of those hurts.  The real danger is a closing of our hearts to God when we blame Him for some of the pain others have inflicted on us, and even some we have brought on ourselves.  That pain makes loving risky.

I have been working on a “Loving Jesus” song for some time.  These last few months I have been collaborating with Thomas Solich as it has taken its final shape.  Today I had the pleasure of recording this piano ballad with him at his studio in Boardman with our sound engineer Todd Maki.  What a blessing to work with this talented servants!

This morning as I prepared to meet with them, I was moved to the point of tears as I worked through this line "I love You Jesus.  The way you meet us/in both sad and happy days/fills our lives with endless praise/I love You, Jesus."  [I can hardly wait to share this with you.]  He may not always meet us with the answer we want, when we want it, but He always there loving us.  Of this we can be certain.

And that is good because there is plenty of uncertainty in our lives, as each of you is well aware. And this uncertainty, not knowing if your love will be returned makes loving is a risk in every situation, except when you respond to the love of God with love for Him.  It’s not risky, except for the fact that it will ultimately cost you everything you hold dear that you might gain other things of unfathomable and inestimable value.  But I guess that is really not much of a risk after all, if it were not for the risky world we live in and how it makes the return of God’s love seem risky, even though it is not.

All that to say, take a moment right now as you read this and make certain your heart is open to the love of God, and open to returning love to Him.  If you really want to walk a step behind Jesus, you must have an open heart.

Jesus, soften our hard hearts.  We long for more of Your love but too often keep You at a distance with so as not to risk being hurt again.  Open us up to receive Your love and echo it into others lives.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Are You Ears Open?

Sunday morning retuning: I am thankful that we have a church led by people who are not afraid to speak truth about difficult things.  Pornography is an epidemic and I will not soon forget its toxic repercussions thanks to Pastor Scott's yellow hazard suit and the surgical mask I carried home with me.  Was God speaking to you Sunday? 

And by this weeks question I do not mean, "do you hear sounds?"  I am asking if you hear what is being said to you and responding to it.  Are you applying what you hear and allowing it to change you?  Last weeks I asked if you have your eyes open, and this week I am asking about your ears.  Here is why I am asking this.

I recently heard the newly elected president of the U.S. C&MA, John Stumbo, make this statement.  "Our God is aspeaking God.  We need to be a listening people." If you would like to hear more from him, I encourage you to listen to his first devotional delivered to the National Office staff.

Now before you say, "Duh!  Of course we need to be a listening people" please ask yourself these two questions.  First, when was the last time you really stopped to listen to God?  Second, what did he say?  If you find yourself struggling to answer the second question, it may be because there is some issue with your answer to the first.

You see, I believe we have a speaking God.  Even though I am not a good listener and I fail to obey more often than I care to admit, I know some things that God is saying to me in this season, and I am straining to do what He is telling me.  I appreciate your prayers as I make those efforts.  I will admit that I am excited about those things, but that there is mingled together with that excitement uncertainty and fear which probably stems from my lack of confidence that I have actually heard those things from God.

You know that feeling I am talking about, don't you?  It is probably like the feeling my four year old had just before he took this bite out of the butter the other day.  His self-talk probably went something like,  "Boy I really like butter.  And after all I do not remember Dad telling me not to take a bite out of the stick of butter.  Besides he gives me butter most days anyway.  He probably won't mind.  I hope he doesn't.  I will just take a small bite."  [Do you see the bite marks?]

Though this is more of a negative example, more of what you may have heard not to do, the things I hear from God, and I imagine you do or will too or generally more of things to do.  Will you spend a few minutes listening today, either about what God said Sunday or something else?  Then respond and demonstrate you really were listening to our speaking God.

Jesus, give us ears to hear what You are saying to me.  In the every day and every way I want to know You will.  I want to hear Your voice.  In Jesus name. Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Are Your Eyes Open?

Sunday morning retuning: God showed us His glory Sunday as we remembered the sacrifice of His Son on our behalf.  He wants to show Himself to you today.  Are you eyes open to see Him?

I was walking through my backyard yesterday picking up some fallen branches, some of which had fallen in some tall grass.  As I stepped to pick up one limb I narrowly avoiding walking into a fairly large spiderweb that had escaped my gaze.  I was especially glad that I missed it when I realized there was a pretty funky looking spider with a huge pyramid shaped backside right at face level.  I pulled out my camera to snap a photo of the wonder that almost I almost missed, and almost wore.  Can you see him against the tree bark?

I reflected on that a bit after capturing the photo and wondered how many other things of wonder and beauty I had either missed already today, or at least failed to see them for what they truly were.  I pondered how often God puts something right in front of me, sometimes I even walk right into it, and still fail to grasp the true essence of the experience. I walked back toward the house, and through the rest of my day with a little different perspective.

Toward evening I was out back again putting some things away when the lightning bugs began to glow.  I almost let that moment pass but instead ran into the house to get Aiden, our five year old.  I wish I could have captured the look on his face as he saw his first one glow, then watched as I caught and held one.

Can you remember the first time you held one?  The wonder of that moment is palpable.  Such a simple, small thing, yet what a neat demonstration of God's creative work.  And also how fleeting. Blink and it's gone.  The lightning bug and the moment.

I asked at the top if your eyes are open to see God around you.  I ask again.  But before you answer with a quip of the tongue, ponder for a moment and consider how you have seen His hand today.  If you have not, then I wonder what revelations may have escaped your gaze.  Pray with me for eyes to see the glory of the Uncreated One in our daily lives…and on Sunday morning!

Jesus, give us eyes to see You at work around us.  In the simple and the complex, the small and the large things.  We want to see Your glory.  In Jesus name. Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Work in Progress

Sunday morning retuning: Conviction and compassion were declared boldly this past Sunday from our pulpit.  Addressing the very real social issue of homosexuality is not an easy thing to do well, but God's Word speaks with clarity and kindness on this issue.  Interesting that the Pope had some things to say about this issue the next day as well.  We need to speak about it, and be careful to ever do so with compassion and conviction.

I have spent quite a few hours this spring developing a very fruitful relationship with an aging friend.  The acquaintance has needed some TLC to keep moving along productively and I have felt compelled to offer it.  A sweet intimacy has grown over time, which has given me a real tenderness toward every broken part that needs attention.  In short, my old Toro Wheel Horse and I have become very close.

I have spent time repairing several components of this machine this spring, starting with the deck that was so rusted there were large holes in it that made it dangerous to use.  I had to replace the belt that drove the blades because it broke that fall.  From there I had to repair the pulley system that drives the blades.  The gas tank leaks so I always run it until it is dry.  Most recently, the mulcher cover broke and I had to figure out a simple fix for that.  It still does a good job mowing my lawn, so I do not even want to think about investing in another machine just yet.

When I finished mowing yesterday and lifted it up on its back wheels to clean the deck, I realized that my fix for the pulley mechanism and fallen apart leaving the pulley loose above the deck.  That will need repaired before next week.  This mower is absolutely a work in progress.

As I reflected on that, it occurred to me that I am too.  The mower gave me a good picture of my fruitfulness to Christ.  Effective, yet ever needing a little attention, care, and even repair.  Jesus is like the ever patient tractor owner who still sees productivity emerging with a little help.  The verse that cmd to mind was "He who began a good work in you carry it on to completion.."  Philippians 1:6

I know what my next repair on my lawn mower will be.  I am also aware of some areas the Jesus is working on my life.  How about you? Do you know where you are broken, or cracked, or leaking?  Where you could use a little TLC for the purposes of being even more productive?  If you can not identify any, please take a minute and ask the Holy Spirit to show you.  Then ask Jesus to do His thing.

help.

Jesus, I know You are not done with me.  Please keep working on me and using me until the day I see you face to face.  In Jesus name. Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Growing…Together

Sunday morning retuning: We heard some great challenges a few Sundays ago as four of our Elders answered the question, “What is God up to at NMC?”  We stopped after each and asked the Holy Spirit to help us receive and apply those challenges.  Have you acted yet on anything He said?  If not, do it today!

A few Sunday evenings ago I stopped by a friends house for few minutes. As we chatted outside we meandered through their yard where they have several different beds filled with different flowers.  I snapped a few pictures of several different examples as I was in awe of God’s handiwork on display.

As we talked my boys discovered their mulberry and raspberry bushes and feasted their tummies as I had feasted my eyes.  You can almost taste them now can’t you?  Oh they were delicious.

  

That got me thinking about the passage we had heard from one of the Elders Sunday, John 15:5.   Jesus said He is the vine and we are the branches.  If we remain in Him we will bear much fruit.  Apart from Him we can do nothing.  So I want to echo that question again to you today.  Are you abiding in the vine?  Are you vitally connected to Jesus?  Then you will be bearing fruit. 

Do not misunderstand me.  This does not mean that weeds will not grow as well and have to be dealt with in time.  This does not mean that other pests will not come in and try to devour your fruit.  It simply means you will bear fruit.  Do not make it any more complicated than that.

A few weeks ago began preparing for our fall recording.  This year it will include three of our own songs, one for each of our loving Jesus, growing together, and serving our world emphases.  I collaborated with Thomas Solich on the piano ballad “loving” song and can hardly wait to sing it to Jesus with you.  We worked on the “serving” song, and I think God is going to produce fruit through it. Julia Ciferno is writing our the “growing” song and I think it is going to be a great one that will allow us to express this collective desire.  Please be praying as we finalize and record these songs soon.

God is at work in our midst, teaching and growing us.  Let’s embrace His work in our lives individually and corporately.  See you Sunday!

Jesus, we want to grow to be more like You everyday.  Keep us in Your word so that we can be transformed daily by Your work through it in us.  In Jesus name. Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

NOTES

·      A Taste of Sunday – As you are getting ready to worship on Sunday, consider Who it is all about Jesus at the Center of It All!

Receiving Your Crown

Sunday morning retuning: Have you been “bothering” your Father the last couple days?  You can’t really do that remember? [Luke 11:5-13]  Go to Him with bold, daring and persistent prayers.  He loves to answer.

I like to think about eternity and heaven.  God has put a longing for more that our eyes can see and our minds can imagine.  [Ecclesiastes 3:11] I have often said, and I think the Bible bears it out, that every good this in this age is but a shadow of something better in the one to come.  I had one of these tastes of heaven happen to a friend of mine over the weekend and it reminded me of that conviction I hold.

I am proud to say that I know personally Miss Ohio 2013, Heather Wells.  Not only that but Heather has used at North-Mar the very talent that she exhibited at the Miss Ohio pageant.  Here is a little taste of it, self-choreographed to Alabaster Box, by Gospel recording artist Cece Winans.

Another friend relayed to me an interview they saw where Heather was explaining why she chose this song.  Though I was not able to locate that, I am certain it was similar to why she has used that talent at North-Mar, to bring glory to Jesus, and so she does.  She is outspoken about her faith and a song like this at this moment communicates that beautifully.

It was neat to watch this clip of her crowning on Saturday evening.  She has worked long and hard to prepare for this moment and her mom and grandmother have prayed for her and supported her all along the way, but you can hardly be ready when the moment finally comes and this incredible honor is bestowed upon you, deserving or not.  Did you see her point to the skies and say “Thank You”?  That was precious.  Heather enjoy this remarkable achievement and God bless you as you prepare for the Miss America pageant!

But what does this have to do with my heart being tuned to give God praise?  I am glad you asked.  For those of us who are trusting in Jesus, we have a crown in store for us.  Did you know that?  Paul says so in 2 Timothy 4:8, my second favorite book. Unlike the lost list of things Heather had to do to prepare for her crown, did you see the only requirement Paul mentions for those who will receive this crown?  Longing for His appearing.  Sounds easy right?  But it requires a singular focus which is sometimes very difficult to maintain.

Cultivate a longing for His appearing and the age it will usher in…and look forward to receiving your crown!

Jesus, help us to long for you, and the day when we will receive our crown because we did so.  We love you and can hardly wait for that day to come.  Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy