tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83936141575928403342024-03-05T06:30:39.160-05:00En Route! (on the way)Thoughts while on life's journey with ChristPastor Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086943384709820348noreply@blogger.comBlogger262125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393614157592840334.post-35443308038819105082012-02-17T11:34:00.000-05:002012-02-17T11:34:17.180-05:00Necessary Endings<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am currently reading the book </span><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Necessary-Endings-Employees-Businesses-Relationships/dp/0061777129/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329496263&sr=8-1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> in conjunction with a number of colleagues. It is proving to be a very good read on both a personal and professional level.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The author does a great job in getting the reader to recognize that there are beginnings and endings in many facets of our lives. This really isn't a new concept to us as we speak often of "new and old" things and the reality of "life and death". But, at the end of the day, most of us don't life to focus on the "ending" part of things even though we can all honestly look back and be glad for seasons which have come to an end.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For example; I am grateful my University days came to an end. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed my University days immensely and will always carry great memories of those days as it was there I met my wife and attained my passion to serve Christ within His church. But, I was glad when my days as a student came to an end so that I could launch out into life. It was a necessary ending.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am currently thinking long and hard on this overall topic as I am guessing there are still some personal and professional "endings" that may need to take place within my heart, mind and life in order to move on to God's best for my life. I am concerned that there may be some needed endings impeding what may be God's next adventure. What about you? Are there any necessary endings you need to consider?</span>Pastor Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086943384709820348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393614157592840334.post-67101477221958465922012-02-09T14:08:00.000-05:002012-02-09T14:08:11.220-05:00One Year Ago Today... Africa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQz5SUGQ7dVF4SOnFVDmKDwk2k8PyYsps-grTFCcYb8BemZRWP7jjOQlo1y3USt3Q0lbfEQ8WYsM-_Pmi7KjdMSk6dyeuyopZ5QcwuWtl21m0TdVsq2KphOcUg7y8qwb2lBT6H37Hp6-M/s1600/Africa2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQz5SUGQ7dVF4SOnFVDmKDwk2k8PyYsps-grTFCcYb8BemZRWP7jjOQlo1y3USt3Q0lbfEQ8WYsM-_Pmi7KjdMSk6dyeuyopZ5QcwuWtl21m0TdVsq2KphOcUg7y8qwb2lBT6H37Hp6-M/s320/Africa2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a year ago right around this time that our plane was touching down in the Central African Republic. It was truly an experience of a lifetime that will never be forgotten. Here are a few of the lessons that still ring true within my heart even today.</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Never underestimate what God is able to do through those who are open and willing to respond to Him!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The fellowship we enjoy in Christ transcends all culturally boundaries.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pure religion is to care for the widows and orphans of this world. I believe this pleases the heart of our father.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lord I believe... Help my unbelief as this experience stretched my faith.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love my wife and children as it was tough being apart from them. Being a world apart left me releasing them into the Lord's loving care which isn't easy for this husband/father to do.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The joy of the Lord seems to be found in the simple things of life!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The hope of life eternal found in Christ alone is what gets so many believers around the world through another day when surrounded with so much death.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can't open my fridge or take a hot shower without thinking and giving thanks for all we have.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everyone needs to experience a short term mission trip to another part of the world where there is such need to awaken us to how selfish we are in North America and how much is yet to be done for the sake of Christ our Lord.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I will forever remember the people I met and their stories of faith and trust in God.</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That about does it for now... so many things going through my mind today as I reflect upon this trip.</span>Pastor Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086943384709820348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393614157592840334.post-76112142393648273792012-01-24T11:42:00.000-05:002012-01-24T11:42:08.242-05:00A Rookie Cold Weather Mistake<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has been nearly a month since my last post as Christmas has come and gone and we are well into the New Year. Part of my New Year here in Ottawa has been adapting to cold winters once again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last week I made a cold weather rookie mistake. My family and I were heading over to the Scotiabank place to watch my son's basketball coach who plays for the Carleton Ravens take on the Gee Gee’s (by the way… just found out what a Gee Gee was) It was a cold night with wind chills around -28 degrees Celsius, but I figured it would be a quick run from the car to the arena and that dressing somewhat lightly would be appropriate. I was wrong!!!</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shortly after we got into the arena, I found myself shaking somewhat uncontrollably as the cold had penetrated to the deepest core. I sat there chilled to the bone for the whole night and let me just say that the walk back to the car did nothing but bring on the cold shakes once again. This had only happened to me once before when I did not dress appropriately for a PSU – U of M November football game.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I thought about this in a spiritual context, I could not help but think of how casual we get with our spiritual lives as well. The journey from hot to lukewarm to cold isn’t as far as we think. It only takes one causal approach to sin for the heart to grow cold and penetrate to the deepest parts of our heart if we aren’t careful. God has called us to dress spiritually as defined in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%203:12-17&version=NIV">Colossians 3:12-17</a> in order for us to stay spiritually hot. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a spiritually cold world, what are you doing to stay spiritually hot?</span>Pastor Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086943384709820348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393614157592840334.post-53677703736381642142011-12-22T15:45:00.000-05:002011-12-22T15:45:32.496-05:00One Gift to Go...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is hard to believe that another Christmas Day will soon be upon us. As the day quickly approaches so to do all of the final preparations that go into it all. To be honest, I haven't had much to do with the Auld family preparations as they fall mostly to my wife. In fact, as the day quickly approaches I find myself somewhat weary as the bucket of ministry has been poured out on so many fronts and yet there is one final gift that must be sought out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My need to pursue this gift was birthed out of a question posed by a ministry colleague earlier this week when he challenged us to consider what we were giving Jesus this year for Christmas. At first glance, this many seem like a silly question or one that deserves a pat answer and yet it is a question that has me really thinking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What do you give the King of Kings? What do you give the God who loves you so much He willingly took on flesh and entered fallen humanity in order to rescue us from our sin? What do you give a Saviour who has given everything for you? These are not easy questions that warrant easy answers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So... I still have one gift to go. I am still not sure what I am going to give Jesus but it is proving to be a very soul searching exercise that I want to take quite seriously heading into 2012. I trust that all who read this will also consider what they will be giving Jesus this year as you finish up your shopping lists heading into Christmas.</span>Pastor Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086943384709820348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393614157592840334.post-76613823375671127232011-12-16T09:17:00.000-05:002011-12-16T09:17:01.817-05:00Reflect and ProjectAs the year 2011 comes to a close, I am preparing to fulfill an annual heart and mental exercise I like to do at the end of each calendar year. As with most people, I try to grab a few days of vacation/rest and travel to visit with family. This usually provides me with a few hours of drive time whereby I can usually take some time to think.<br />
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Part of this exercise relates to my need to reflect. I never want to close out a year without reflecting upon the following three things. First, I want to remind myself of God's faithfulness throughout the year. I need to pause and think through how God has showed up in love and grace throughout all of the events of year 2011. Secondly, I need to honestly reflect upon where I am at spiritually, emotionally and physically as the year closes. How am I feeling in each of these areas? What has been tested in each of these areas? An honest awareness of where you are at personally in all three is important. Finally, I need to honestly reflect upon where I am at relationally. How are the most important relationships in my life going? What tested those relationships throughout the year? What growth and great things took place in those relationships throughout the year? Again, an honest awareness of where I am at in my key relationships is important.<br />
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But I also am convinced I can't live in the past reflecting. I must also spend some time projecting and asking the Lord to help me set some concrete goals to pursue for the year in each of the areas mentioned above. I never want to grow stagnant in my life and will constantly look to the Lord for His leading in how to keep growing and becoming all that He would have me become while I have life to do so.<br />
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So, I am looking forward to some time out of the office to prayerfully reflect and project as 2011 comes to a close and 2012 launches.Pastor Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086943384709820348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393614157592840334.post-52293232164612247662011-12-01T11:04:00.000-05:002011-12-01T11:04:15.525-05:00Breaking out of the Squash BoxI am heading out this afternoon to play a bit of squash with a friend of mine. I haven't played much squash or racquetball in life, but, I do enjoy getting out and trying new sports. One of the unique features about these two sports is the court upon which you play. You basically go and lock yourself into a concrete box with only one small door as the way out and then smack a hard rubber ball off the walls.<br />
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As I thought about this, I could not help but equate it to the lives so many find themselves living in. I even find myself fighting this temptation to view life as this box we are are forced into whereby you spend your days trying to keep the ball of life moving as it bounces out of control on the walls that surround you. There are days when you just want to break out of the box you find yourself in and yet there often appears to be no way out as the ball keeps begging to be hit. I also believe that many of us naturally return to the box as we at least feel safe and somewhat in control when in it even if we don't like it.<br />
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I really don't think the Lord has called us to live lives like this. We have been set free in Christ and I believe we have been called to be agile and ready to move as He moves within our lives. So often the daily requirements of surviving and being successful within the North American culture create and force us into the box of life whereby we stop dreaming big for God. It is here that our faith can begin to shrivel.<br />
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I guess my question to self daily is simple, "What am I doing to make sure I never stop dreaming big in Christ and for Christ so that I can move with Christ?" I don't want my remaining years on this planet to be defined as trapped in the box of daily grind but rather alive, free and moving in faith with my Saviour.Pastor Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086943384709820348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393614157592840334.post-77491981099543386682011-11-22T19:15:00.000-05:002011-11-22T19:15:29.285-05:00What do I need this Christmas?<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over the weekend, I was speaking with my mom and we were talking Christmas gifts. At one point we found ourselves going around and around trying to figure out what to buy certain individuals in the family who in reality don’t really need anything. We have so much and are so blessed and yet every year the commercials and our own greedy longings make us believe we need more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This carries over into our spiritual lives as well. How often do we approach our God and complain like He hasn’t given us everything we need to successfully navigate life here on earth with Him and for Him. Isn’t it amazing how often we live out our lives as Christ followers with a poor man’s attitude rather than the spiritually rich people we are. Paul states it so clearly to the believers in Ephesus where he writes </span><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3)</em></span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So as we head into the Christmas season, let’s not act like we don’t have much. We have all that we need in Christ Jesus our Lord. Let’s live like that’s true in our lives no matter what you find under the tree this Christmas. Maybe the answer to the original question above is that we give one another spiritual reality checks this year by spending some time celebrating God’s goodness to us.</span>Pastor Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086943384709820348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393614157592840334.post-46266909081271234252011-11-11T18:04:00.000-05:002011-11-11T18:04:11.912-05:00Crossing the Bridge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17wy5pip5hbBjN5r4s5tLWLSBaXGo6pjVRk23Bx9ISUk2vqZVdtnbvzA6vCLHPxiGnV5koYPqwSv-BpcVmSnLAU6MCTifhL50JG3frWyRaa9udNFa4ZFzCMWLXmMDotcwUA4VjIDBXAw/s1600/Wakefield+Photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17wy5pip5hbBjN5r4s5tLWLSBaXGo6pjVRk23Bx9ISUk2vqZVdtnbvzA6vCLHPxiGnV5koYPqwSv-BpcVmSnLAU6MCTifhL50JG3frWyRaa9udNFa4ZFzCMWLXmMDotcwUA4VjIDBXAw/s320/Wakefield+Photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Recently my wife and I joined another couple and traveled to the quaint little town of Wakefield, Quebec. It was an absolutely beautiful Fall day and we came across this recently renovated covered bridge. As we enjoyed a leisurely stroll across the river through this covered bridge a number of thoughts crossed my mind as it relates to my journey with God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First, there was a need for me to cross over to a holy God and I recognized long ago it was impossible for me to do on my own. There was a need for someone to provide a "bridge" over to God on my behalf because of my sin. That "bridge" is of course Jesus Christ who came and made the way for sinful human beings to cross over to the Father. Jesus paid for my sin upon the cross and I just need to cross the bridge of redemptive work found in Christ by faith. Praise the Lord there was a point in my life where I responded and took that step of faith towards Christ, our bridge to enter into a personal relationship with a holy God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Secondly, it required some real pioneers to build the bridge over that river. In life, God will call us as both individuals and church families to take some big steps and cross some pretty big rivers in life to get to the next God sized adventure on the other side. It will always take some courageous pioneers willing to take that first step and start building the bridge over the challenges of life by God's grace. We do so in order for others to one day follow and benefit from what has been created. May God give me and other leaders the courage to take such steps.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thirdly, may we all be willing as Christ followers to cross over to the other side where the adventure of God awaits us. There is no need for a bridge to help us cross if we are unwilling to walk across it. Sometimes in life it seems much easier to just sit down on one side of the river of life and enjoy the scenery when God is really calling us to stand up, cross the river and experience whatever He has for us on the other side.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is there a river God is calling you to cross today? If so, by faith and with confidence in Christ the master bridge builder, take some steps to experience whatever adventure God is calling you to on the other side of the river.</span>Pastor Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086943384709820348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393614157592840334.post-89676442331133983432011-10-26T18:26:00.000-04:002011-10-26T18:26:05.143-04:00Pastor's Wives<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Recently, a few articles have come across my desk dealing with the pressures a pastor's wife often lives under and the unfortunate outcomes of these real life stories. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I was going through my studies in preparation to become a pastor, many wise individuals passed along great insights on how to protect ourselves from moral failings as men within a ministry. They spoke often of how women would look to their pastor's and see things in them that they did not see in their husbands thus demanding the need to place protections around ourselves in order to remain faithful to our marriage vows.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, these articles seem to point to a new trend where more and more men are hitting on pastor's wives. As the divorce rate continues to climb and more and more middle aged people find themselves single again, the number of men looking for a "new wife" is on the increase and the pastor's wife is not immune to this reality. In fact, many would view the pastor's wife as a vulnerable person because many pastor's are not giving their wives the love and attention they truly deserve. The ministry has often become the pastor's mistress leaving his wife looking for someone to care and walk alongside of them through all of the pressure's of being a pastor's wife.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I continue to ponder these readings, I am struck with at least two thoughts. The first revolves around my need to continue making my wife a priority far above my ministry responsibilities. She needs to know on very real and tangible levels that I am married to her and not the church. Secondly, we must be fully aware of the pressures and temptations that so many pastor's wives live under. So many face what feels like unrealistic expectations and the need and desire to "just escape" can sometimes lead to poor decisions that ruin marriages.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These are sobering realities facing even those who sit in leadership within ministries and all couples must continue to fight the good fight and make marriage a priority. Here are a couple of great resources that I've come across to help with this; Couples = </span><a href="http://www.loveandrespect.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">www.loveandrespect.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and Pastor's wives = </span><a href="http://www.leadingandlovingit.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">www.leadingandlovingit.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span>Pastor Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086943384709820348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393614157592840334.post-43965077554333776222011-10-07T17:36:00.000-04:002011-10-07T17:36:05.548-04:00Sweet Fellowship and Thanksgiving<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is Friday afternoon and I am preparing to head into my first Canadian Thanksgiving in nearly six years and I have a few thoughts running through my head. So here we go...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First, last Sunday night I preached on Philippians 1:1-11 and focused in on the sweet fellowship we enjoy and must guard as saints in Christ Jesus if we partner together in the work of the Gospel. As we head into thanksgiving I continue to ask the Lord to give me a love for the church as He loves the church. We need to be incredibly thankful for who we are together in Christ and cherish the sweet fellowship we enjoy in Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Secondly, I've been thinking a lot this week about my brothers and sisters in the Central African Republic. As I set up my new office this week, I came across many pictures and memories from that trip that got me reflecting on the things I witnessed and experienced while over there. I am so thankful for what we enjoy here in North America and must guard my heart against grumbling. From the material blessings to the spiritual ones, there is so much to give thanks for and keeping this eternal perspective in mind is necessary in order to avoid the spiral downwards into not being satisfied with what we have been blessed with.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thirdly, I am so thankful for my family. In a world with so much brokenness within family units, I give thanks for a marriage and family that seeks to firmly plant ourselves upon the principles and truth of God's Word. It doesn't make everything perfect, but with that foundation we believe we will experience the blessing of a strong family unit which is to be cherished, guarded and celebrated with a thankful heart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally, as I reflect upon the above three thoughts they all have a few things in common. They reflect our need for others and our need to build those relationships upon who we are in Christ. May we give thanks for the sweet fellowship we enjoy in our relationships as we strive to keep Christ central.</span>Pastor Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086943384709820348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393614157592840334.post-92077276805636786422011-09-30T10:45:00.000-04:002011-09-30T10:45:40.465-04:00God is Able<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love music! Music has always stirred deep emotions within me as it is something I could not live without. To be honest, I'm not that musically inclined and so I am thankful for those who share with the world the gift of music.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This week, I purchased the latest Hillsong recording entitled "God is Able". I've always enjoyed the music of Hillsong and have found this latest recording an incredible encouragement and motivator. Please know that I don't state this lightly as I understand the emotional power found in music that can lead us down paths that stray from the truth of God's word. I state this because my favourite song off of the recording is rooted in a truth from Scripture (it has a good beat as well). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The song is entitled "God is Able" and speaks powerfully to the greatness and might of our God. I must confess that sometimes I get lost in the details and pressures of life and forget this truth. There are times in both my personal life and ministry life that I lose sight of God's goodness and in His ability to do more than I could humanly dream or imagine and I stop asking and dreaming big dreams in Him and for Him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So... I have determined this week to be very intentional about dreaming God sized dreams on a weekly basis. As I reflect on both the personal side of my life and the ministry side of my life (which are very much intertwined) I am going to be sure to always have one or two God sized dreams rattling around in my heart and prayer life so as to never lose sight of the greatness and power of God. HE is ABLE!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So what is your God sized dream? Have you stopped dreaming God sized dreams? What are you trusting Him for that only He can do?</span><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! (Ephesians 3:20-21)</span></em></strong>Pastor Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086943384709820348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393614157592840334.post-15631079503856324812011-09-23T09:05:00.000-04:002011-09-23T09:05:15.667-04:00Approaching a Throne with Confidence<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tomorrow evening, I have the privilege of speaking to the International Fellowship at the </span><a href="http://www.metbiblechurch.ca/index.php?q=blog/visitors"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">MET Bible Church</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> in Ottawa, ON. When they approached me to speak, they asked that I consider following their theme of "God's grace and mercy." As I thought on this, I could not help but feel a bit overwhelmed in that this theme runs richly throughout the entirety of Scripture. But, yesterday I found clarity and determined to speak briefly from </span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%204:14-16&version=NIV"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hebrews 4:14-16</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. What a beautiful passage of Scripture that speaks powerfully to we who are in Christ and the privilege we have to daily live as recipients of His grace and mercy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Few quick thoughts from this passage...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First, we can approach the very throne of King Jesus with confidence. This is highly contradictory to the invitations extended by most earthly kings. Yet, for those who have trusted Jesus (our heavenly King) to save us from our sin, we have this incredible invitation to approach His throne with confidence because we are a part of the family of God and have redeemed by the blood of Jesus our High Priest. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Secondly, as we approach the throne we find a King/High Priest who is sympathetic. As humans, we all long to have people understand and feel our hurts and heartaches with us. The Bible teaches us that we find a sympathetic High Priest who understands completely the sometimes painful and hard journey we all face on earth. How good it is to know there is one who understands the deepest feelings and longings of our heart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally, it is good to know that as we approach this throne with confidence we find not only one who understands, but one who has the power to help us in our times of need. This throne we approach is one of grace, mercy and power. What a wonderful combination!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, when I think about God's grace and mercy my mind often goes to this Hebrews passage as the very throne of God is a throne of grace where daily I can go with confidence as one of His followers to receive what is needed to navigate this life in Him and for Him.</span>Pastor Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086943384709820348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393614157592840334.post-68057952311367603112011-09-16T16:42:00.000-04:002011-09-16T16:42:01.151-04:00Margin<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been thinking quite a bit this week about "margins". For those who know me, I absolutely love "to do" lists as they keep me on track and organized and allow me to accomplish much. At the end of every week, I take about 15 mins to reflect on the week gone by and prepare my calendar and to do lists for the upcoming week. With each of these items, the concept of "margin" can clearly be seen in the print out themselves. Allow me to explain...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I look at my calendar for any given week, well over half of it will be booked up with regularly scheduled meetings and appointments. But on most weeks, you will also find two to three large blocks of time that are reserved for me. I usually call them "study times" or as one of my past administrative assistants fondly called it "Tim time." Now I understand that there is an incredible temptation to fill that time with an appointment or feel as though you need to justify what that "spare" time is really being used for. Yet, without some of those moments in my weekly calendar, I would be taking work home with me every night as there are some things that just need to get done on a weekly basis. I've also always wanted to keep an open door policy with my team and so there must be margin in my calendar to accommodate that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I look at my "to do" list, I am committed to keeping it to one sheet weekly. I am also committed to leaving plenty of space by having somewhat large margins and white space on the print out. I've learned to do this as I know that things will arise next week that I did not see coming which will need to be added to the to do list. If I fill the sheet with all kinds of unrealistic goals and leave no room for the "write ins" then I have lost margin and will soon burn out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To be honest, I am still growing in this as I have a real tendency to over commit if I am not careful and yet God continues to teach me how to utilize simple practices to help me "redeem the time".</span><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Be very careful, then how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:16-17) </span></em></strong>Pastor Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086943384709820348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393614157592840334.post-69186162425426003292011-09-09T12:20:00.000-04:002011-09-09T12:20:06.490-04:00O Canada, Consumed and the Faithfulness of God<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has been a few weeks that will not soon be forgotten! We all have the moments/seasons of life that permanently etch themselves into our hearts and minds and this will be one of them for me. To summarize, we lived through an earthquake, hurricane, final Sunday at one church, a move, customs, new home, first Sunday at another church, first day of school, first day of work, first staff meeting at new church and that was week number one. With that being said, I am home in Canada and enjoying my daily Tim Horton's.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, I can also say that I am enjoying the faithfulness of God as well. A few blog posts ago I spoke of my need to be a man/husband/father that walks by faith into the seasons of life whereby the only thing you know for certain is God's leading. Having sought to do that, I now wanted to take time to reflect upon God's faithfulness even when my faith grew weak.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jeremiah writes; <em><strong>"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." </strong></em>(Lamentations 3:22-23)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I thought about the hectic pace of life over the past few weeks, I could not help but think of all the times I felt somewhat "consumed" by the pressures, emotions and fatigue of life as mere mortals. It is so easy for all of us to find ourselves consumed by the temporal things/feelings/situations of life. Yet, as Christ followers (those in Christ) we have the privilege of living in the presence of God without being consumed by His holiness. Instead we find His faithful compassion which allows us daily to avoid being consumed by the everyday situations of life that can bring us to places of fear, hopelessness and even bitterness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you LORD for your faithful compassion which is new every morning no matter what our day entails!</span>Pastor Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086943384709820348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393614157592840334.post-28492785743076332942011-08-25T16:02:00.000-04:002011-08-25T16:02:54.344-04:00Thank You and Still Blogging<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As the time for my departure from Grace soon arrives, I wanted to take a moment to publicly give thanks. Although the days have not always been easy, there is so much in life to give thanks for daily that one would be remiss to not see and express gratitude.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">First, a great big thank you to our Heavenly Father. He was (and is) faithful on the days full of laughter and smiles and He was (and is) faithful on the days when my faith was weak. I could not imagine doing life without a personal relationship with Almighty God through the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Secondly, a great big thank you to the team I got to serve with day in and day out. You will not soon be forgotten and as the apostle Paul wrote "I give thanks upon my every remembrance of you." I will miss you and give thanks for the many lessons we learned together and the many lessons you taught me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Thirdly, a great big thank you to the Grace Church family. It is not always easy to shepherd a flock and it is not always possible to be in agreement at all times with everyone. Yet, the privilege of getting to serve the Lord Jesus as a shepherd to His people is something I will never take for granted and will always give thanks for. So thank you Grace Church for letting me be one of your pastor's.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Finally, a great big thank you to my wife and children. The life of being a pastor's wife and PK is not always an easy one. What we as shepherds do day in and day out follows us always and this impacts a family. Please know that I would not have made it all these years as a pastor without the love and support of a loving, encouraging and gracious life partner. You are a blessing to me family!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Also, many from Grace have asked if I will keep on blogging and the answer is yes. I am still "En Route" in this life and until the Lord calls me home I will seek to express myself through thoughts on this blog. So many thanks for reading and may many of you continue to be encouraged through reading my thoughts on life as a Christ follower!</span>Pastor Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086943384709820348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393614157592840334.post-65993467716322000342011-08-18T11:29:00.001-04:002011-08-18T11:30:48.635-04:00Transitions and Faith<strong><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"And without faith it is impossible to please God..." (Hebrews 11:6)</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going." (Hebrews 11:8)</span></em></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is well known that my family and I are in the process of a large transition to Ottawa, ON. We are very excited about this transition in that we truly believe within our hearts that we have been called by God to go to this place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, there have been days whereby we have felt the pressure of such a change as there are many unknowns yet to be answered which can lead to stress (especially in those of us who like every single duck in a row). In light of the pressures, I have found myself continually returning to Hebrews 11 and 12 to remind myself that this journey is not one of "every duck being neatly in a row" but rather an incredible journey of faith whereby I am left with no choice but to trust God to provide and work things out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am encouraged by the story of Abraham as he walked and lived an incredible journey of faith. I am also encouraged that he was considered a man of faith even though he too had his moments of doubt whereby God had to grow Him. Life is not always easy and transitions can and will stretch us. But, when we walk in the will and promises of God, you realize afresh and anew that there is no other way to walk but the walk of faith.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am still striving to get all of my ducks in a row for this transition as I do believe we have to do our part with the minds and bodies God has given us but I continue to ask God to help me walk by faith in the things I can't control for this I know pleases Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, whatever transition you may find yourself in today, walk in His will by faith for this will please our Heavenly Father and grow you immensely.</span>Pastor Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086943384709820348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393614157592840334.post-17002561446100587172011-07-27T12:20:00.000-04:002011-07-27T12:20:41.080-04:00Lessons from my Rafting Experience!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While on vacation, my family and I tried out a new experience together. We went whitewater rafting as a family and had an absolute blast. While on our adventure, there were a few lessons that crossed my mind that apply to my journey with Christ.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first lesson had to do with the river itself. While on our journey the river had many different twists, turns and levels of rapids. There were portions of absolute calm where the kids hopped out of the raft and gently floated down the river and other portions where we hit level four rapids and the kids (and I) held on for dear life. It just reminded me of what life is really like. We would love for it to always be calm and yet there are all sorts of seasons that God allows us to live through. <em>"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The second lesson had to do with our river guide. I could not imagine going down that river without him. As we approached some of the rapids, his ability to give us instruction and navigate our boat kept us safely afloat and on course. Just as I could not imagine going down that river without our guide, I could not imagine going through life without Christ Jesus as my Shepherd. He is there to lead, protect, teach and walk with me through every season (twist/turn) of life. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2010:1-18&version=NIV">(John 10:1-18)</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The final lesson had to do with our need on the raft to listen and act upon our guides instruction. As we got aboard and prepared to head down river, our guide gave us three simple instructions. Our only task was to listen for and then act upon his instruction to us. Failure to do so could lead to trouble on the river. How true for us as we live out our lives for Jesus. He simply asks us to trust Him, listen to Him and then act in obedience upon His instruction to us. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%202:1-6&version=NIV">(1 John 2:1-6)</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How wonderful to live out our lives in the Lord Jesus Christ as our ultimate guide in life no matter what part of the river journey we find ourselves currently on! </span>Pastor Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086943384709820348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393614157592840334.post-18536699902009893642011-07-08T14:28:00.001-04:002011-07-08T14:30:13.360-04:00Rest, Rekindle, Recalibration, Recreation<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The other day I was speaking with a friend and we both commented on how we feel like the summer is half over. We've just celebrated the fourth and now we start gearing up towards the Fall. But, somewhere in there are a whole lot of vacations planned by families including my own.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I think about another family vacation and time away from the office, I always make sure to think through the primary purposes of getting away. I've touched on some of these before, but thought these four were worth sharing as I contemplate them for my life.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">REST</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I continue to learn that my need for physical, emotional and spiritual rest is necessary. One can only live off of adrenaline for so long without crashing. Sleep is necessary and the chance to sleep in for a few mornings will be wonderful. Emotional and spiritual rest is also necessary. It is far too easy to get caught up in just going through the motions and time is needed to just stop and think about where one is at emotionally and spiritually. God rested on the 7th day of creation not because He was tired but because He was establishing a pattern for us as His created to follow. Rest is necessary.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">REKINDLE</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I believe immensely in the importance of families stepping out of the ordinary patterns and systems of life to enjoy time together and rekindle relationships. As the family unit erodes within our current culture, there is something special about getting away from the routines of life to just enjoy one another over hours in a car, playing games or experiencing new things together. Time away from the office with my family gives my an opportunity to focus the most important relationships of my life.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RECALIBRATE</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By taking the time to rest and remove myself from the normal business of life allows me the time needed to recalibrate spiritually. I try on a regular basis to pause long enough to make sure I am still on track for the Lord. Time away where I am feeling rested gives me the opportunity to set goals for myself that are not being tainted through a mindset of weariness or pressure that can lead to unhealthy or unrealistic personal expectations. We all need to pause long enough to recalibrate spiritually once in a while.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RECREATION</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am also a firm believer that families need to find time to intentionally step away from the routines of life to just have some fun. Please know that I don't buy into the current culture that believes you can only enjoy yourself if you spend lots of money. Time away allows families to spend time trying many news things as well as doing the things they love to do. Whether it involves spending money for a new experience or just laughing together in the car while Dad sings to the radio (its true... I do it and can still bring my wife and kids to tears from laughing so hard), families must learn to have fun and just enjoy being together. God did not create us to never laugh or enjoy life. In Him we have such freedom and joy with every day being viewed as a gift from Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So there you go... some of my thoughts in the season of vacations.</span>Pastor Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086943384709820348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393614157592840334.post-44950271231743451962011-06-29T10:44:00.000-04:002011-06-29T10:44:39.080-04:00Not for Self<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I recently received my quarterly copy of </span><a href="http://magazine.pbu.edu/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PBU Today</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> from </span><a href="http://pbu.edu/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Philadelphia Biblical University</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. The focus of this current publication revolved around the graduating class of 2011 and the call for them to leave the University and make a difference in this world for God's Glory.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The president, </span><a href="http://pbu.edu/blogs/president/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dr. Todd Williams</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, wrote an article entitled "Not for Self" as noted in my title above that tied so well into all that has been going through my head as of late. Here are a few thoughts from the article that have struck a nerve and are worth chewing on I believe;</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em><strong>"A vision of the true God leads to a belief that His purposes and glory are the things for which we live and work."</strong></em> I would guess that most Christ followers would nod their heads in agreement with this statement, but what if the rubber were to hit the road and we all had to start evaluating our lives one piece at a time in light of that statement. Do we live in the house we live in for the glory of God or would something smaller work just as well in order to give away more for His glory? Do we work to build more into our retirement plans so we can someday cease to work and just enjoy life or do we work to build more into our retirement plans so I can spend the last 20 years of my life on the mission field for His glory? To truly evaluate our lives based upon the above mentioned statement may have both our lives and our churches looking quite different if we truly believed it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><em>"The idols of self worship, self gratification and self service must be torn down and destroyed. They have no place in the Christian life." </em></strong> There is not much need to say anything here other than OUCH! We may not set up wooden or golden idols in our backyards that look like a bull but we have bought hook, line and sinker into the worship of self above the one true and living God here in America and fail to acknowledge it is a form of idolatry. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few weeks ago in a previous blog post, I quoted the following Scriptures which speaks powerfully to the above statements; <em>"Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and <strong>exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man</strong> and birds and animals and reptiles." (Romans 1:22-23).</em> The troubling part about this verse in light of today's blog post is that we don't even bother worshipping images of mortal man. We have moved right to worship of mortal man, namely self. Sobering and yet I have to believe God will honor those who seek to honor Him. So let us live for His Glory and not for self. Counter cultural... YES, but that's OK in light of eternity.</span>Pastor Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086943384709820348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393614157592840334.post-31663220644571037642011-06-22T14:21:00.000-04:002011-06-22T14:21:16.637-04:00Blessing and Purpose: A Disconnect?<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I mentioned in my previous blog post, I am currently reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1596449381/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=1601422210&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0KNDS8DDS4B3WBY4GK3V">Radical by David Platt</a>. As I work my way through this book, I find myself continuing to digest my February experience in the <a href="http://www.ph-c.com/">Central African Republic</a> in order to somehow connect the realities of what I saw with my daily life on a radically different continent. One concept that came out of the book that is helping revolves around the belief that there is an honest disconnect here in North American between God's blessing (as we define it) and His divine purpose for our lives.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For those of us who have seen and experienced (even if for a very short time) the poverty so many within our world live in, we cannot help but wrestle with the question "Why did God bless me and allow me to live in North America?" We have fresh water, food to eat, the American dream to pursue etc... For many of us, we spend a lifetime grappling with this concept because you never go to your refrigerator or step into a hot shower without some tinge of guilt when you think about how the rest of the world lives.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the flip side, we spend millions within our culture seeking to explore our purpose in life. Whether we do so with a spiritual perspective or not, so many daily wrestle with why they exist and long for life to have some sort of meaning. This is as true in the church as it is anywhere else. People who fill the pews speak often of trying to find meaning and purpose in their current level of education, promotion at work or the latest vacation home purchased for retirement 30 years down the road. And yet, they grapple as well because this stuff just doesn't lend itself to the longings of our hearts that cry out for divine purpose.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is it possible that we need to make a connection point with these two concepts? Is it possible that the simple answer is this; God has blessed us in North America so that we can connect, merge and mesh it together with God's ultimate purposes for our lives. Is it possible that you have received a fine education to use it somewhere else in the world for God? Is it possible that God has blessed you financially so that you can have your one home and spend the rest on helping others place some sort of shelter around them? Is it possible that you have been gifted in an area (finances, medicine, handyman, music, teaching, leading, administrating etc...) for the purpose of not only earning a living here in North America but rather to be used somewhere else in the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If we are all about bringing glory to God (which I'm not sure we are in the American church), we must connect the dots between God's blessing and His divine purpose for our lives. Life is too short and too many people still need to experience the tangible love of Christ around this globe for us to have a disconnect in this area. Something worth chewing on I believe...</span>Pastor Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086943384709820348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393614157592840334.post-28007247016001772892011-06-15T09:47:00.001-04:002011-06-15T09:49:02.085-04:00A Heart of Compassion?<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over the next few weeks, I have a feeling God is going to continue working within my heart in respects to reaching out to the helpless victims of our world in the name of Jesus Christ. I have been praying lately that God continue to show me how best to lead a church/ministry leaders in ministries of compassion that will set the captives free.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is what transpired yesterday alone that makes me think this...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was doing some reading in a </span><a href="http://www.lbc.edu/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">College magazine</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and came across Proverbs 21:13 that states; <em>"If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered."</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have begun reading "</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Radical-Taking-Faith-American-Dream/dp/1596449381/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1308145418&sr=1-1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Radical</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">" by David Platt which will no doubt challenge my thinking on what it is to radically abandon ourselves to the person, heart and ministry of Jesus Christ. There is little doubt that Jesus spoke often of the need to care for the poor and I am guessing He really meant it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I went with my children to renew their passports last evening and we got looking at mine with the markings from my trip to the </span><a href="http://www.ph-c.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Central African Republic</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. That trip has shaped me for the rest of my journey here on earth and I am hopeful that I will always feel challenged to keep the lessons learned there at the forefront of my mind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally, we received our </span><a href="http://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/default.htm?referer=120024GooglePaidName&gclid=CLfl9M2FuKkCFch_5QodEzzM-w"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Compassion magazine</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> in the mail yesterday that was dedicated to showing how that ministry is making a difference in the lives of preganant HIV positive women who until recently have been losing their newborn infants/children at a rapid pace when it ought not be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All that in one day... Surely the Lord is trying to get my attention on this matter. The more I think about it, the more I continue to believe that if we as the church are truly going to claim that God has raised us up to be the "Hope of the World" then we better take that call seriously. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope the church will continue to wrestle with finding the balance in both proclaiming the Gospel and showing the realities of it through compassion type ministry.</span>Pastor Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086943384709820348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393614157592840334.post-86666945739612427362011-06-08T10:14:00.000-04:002011-06-08T10:14:24.339-04:00Trials that do not end...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been thinking recently about how I respond to trials that don't seem like they will ever end. I believe part of our human response that helps us cope is to believe within our hearts that the various trials we face all have a shelf life. But, some are called to live with something hard for their entire lives and we need in our humanness to know what to do with that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This has come to bear as of late as I have been thinking often of my experiences in the Central African Republic and listening to others talk about their mission experiences in some of the poorest places on earth. Many of these people will spend the remainder of their lives on earth living through some of the hardest things any human being will face. I've also been thinking about Paul who pleaded with God to take away his perpetual "thorn in the flesh" that literally "tormented" (beat him up daily). This seemed to be something that was with him for a lifetime.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I think on these things, I am becoming more and more convinced that we must determine early in our journey with God to find our hope securely in Him. So often our hope is rooted in a belief that the trial will end or that there is some magic bullet to fix it all when in reality God is calling us to find our hope and purpose in Him and Him alone. It really comes down to a simple decision. Do I really believe that the ultimate purpose of my life is to bring glory to God which is often done through how I trust and reflect Him back to the world through my response to trials. Paul sets a good example for us and gives us the truth to hold on to in </span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%2012:7-10&version=NIV"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 Corinthians 12:7-10 </span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Until we acknowledge that our spiritual sufficiency is in Christ alone, our hope lies in the empty desires that no trial will last too long before we can feel good again. I believe it is very important that all of us determine early in life how we will respond to trials that may never end this side of glory. A book that has helped me process this is called "</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/When-Life-Hard-James-MacDonald/dp/080245870X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1307542151&sr=8-1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When Life is Hard</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">" by </span><a href="http://www.jamesmacdonald.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">James MacDonald</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span>Pastor Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086943384709820348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393614157592840334.post-45724967189568651212011-06-01T14:41:00.000-04:002011-06-01T14:41:23.964-04:00Exchanging the Glory of the Immortal God<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have recently been working slowly through the book of Romans as I am desirous to remind myself of all that believers have in Christ Jesus. I am also desirous to continue growing in my understanding of what it is to live life moment by moment under the control of the Holy Spirit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I approached this endeavor a few weeks back, I was tempted to glance through Chapter 1 as I reduced it to the chapter that is written to all of the people outside of Christ who will experience His wrath. As I began to do this, I was reminded that before being in Christ, I too was an object of God's wrath as Paul notes in Ephesians 2:3. So, with that in mind, I slowed down and began to work my way through the first chapter willing to see what God wanted to teach me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then it hit... Romans 1:23 where Paul is talking about those who knew of God, but willingly chose to move away from Him. I was convicted with the thought that I am tempted daily to move away from God even as one of His children. In fact, 1:23 states that many chose the path of foolishness and exchanged the glory and life that comes through a relationship with an immortal God for something else which only and always leads to destruction. As I read that, I became convinced that there are times where it seems much more enticing to "exchange the glory of our immortal God" for something of this earth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isn't it funny how rich we are in Christ and yet so often settle for the cheap substitutes of this world. So, before you and I as Christ followers judge those who blatantly reject the glory and majesty of our immortal God, let us pause and think about those things of the world we readily pursue and in essence exchange the glory of the immortal God for them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">May the Lord help all of us live and walk in His power and promises as anything else is a cheap substitute!</span>Pastor Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086943384709820348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393614157592840334.post-50015529787770038032011-05-23T12:24:00.000-04:002011-05-23T12:24:07.948-04:00Cause Oriented vs. Christ Oriented<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been thinking quite a bit lately on whether or not I am (and the church is) more cause oriented than Christ oriented. There is little doubt in my mind that we live in a culture that is very much cause oriented. Through social media, the potential of rallying people behind the latest cause, program or product can be almost immediate. It would also seem that people are quick to jump on one of these bandwagons because there is an unwritten expectation that the commitment will make me feel good and won't last long which then allows us to move on to the next cause, program or product. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This may work to a certain extent in respects to getting things accomplished, but do we really want to be a people whose lives are defined by the latest cause we've attached ourselves to. Is it possible that it is far easier to be cause oriented rather than building upon the foundation as Christ followers by being Christ oriented in all that we do. I sometimes think that in both my personal life and in the life of the church, we find ourselves spinning our wheels because we have given ourselves over to the tyranny of the urgent and bounce from one cause, program or product to the next because we've moved away from a centralized focus upon Christ.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Imagine what each of us as individuals/church families could accomplish for God if everything we do is rooted in who we are in Christ. A proper understanding of this will only come if we are daily spending time fixed upon (gazing intently) unto the Author and Perfector of our faith and listening to Him. I would think that the natural outflow of a person/church that is Christ oriented would accomplish all that God has called us to accomplish. I really believe churches would be much more productive for the Lord if we spent more time helping one another better understand Jesus and our lives in Him instead of seeking to rally people to the latest cause.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Still much to chew on in respects to theses thoughts and the practical implications of them for the church...</span>Pastor Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086943384709820348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8393614157592840334.post-70512330311448271642011-05-15T20:49:00.000-04:002011-05-15T20:49:53.699-04:00Selfish, Shallow and Starving<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This past week I heard a great statement that has given me pause. It went something like this; "The problem with many ineffective churches is that we have <strong>selfish shepherds</strong> which leads to <strong>shallow services</strong> with the end result being <strong>starving sheep</strong>."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is little doubt that we live in a culture that places self first with a huge desire to be comfortable and happy which unfortunatly leads to people seeking to fill the God sized void in their lives with everything and anything other than God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As a pastor, I will be the first to admit that there are incredible pressures upon us. There is the pressure of knowing we will one day be held accountable by God's holy standard on how we fulfilled our calling. But, there is often the unspoken pressure of not only pleasing God but also the sheep and this can be exhausting and not always possible. This at times can lead to selfishness, discouragement or other forms of coping for shepherds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, the end result can be unhealthy churches because both the shepherd and the sheep settle for second best (shallow services) because it is just easier and feels better. If we are not careful, we then begin to measure success by worldy standards. Or, success is measured and talked about with what I like to call "psuedo spiritual speak" that sounds godly but is really just masking what is going on in the hearts of all involved.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once we've reached this point, we have starving sheep who don't know how to feed themselves with the Word of God and they spend their days with their mouths open whining and crying to be fed. I would suggest this is one of the reasons church hopping is so prevelant in the American church. Is it possible that we have reduced attending church as just another means to filling our happy, feel good quotient? Is it possible that people just want to be entertained and fed what they want to be fed and will continue moving from church to church like they are choosing a restaurant rather than a body of believers to belong and work alongside.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As you can see, the above statement has me thinking and these are nothing more than a few initial thoughts related to it. There are so many more rambling around in my head and yet the heart of the matter is truly this, shepherds must have the heart to serve and live out their lives like the Chief Shepherd. In fact, the Chief Shepherd is soon coming and prayerfully He will find all those who claim to be a disciple of His possessing a heart like His. </span>Pastor Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086943384709820348noreply@blogger.com4