No Answers, Only an Exit Strategy.

Revelation 21:4 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁴ He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

When pastoring another church, our Church Adult Bible Study began to study the Story of Heaven by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee. The first chapter of this study begins with understanding our exit strategy.  As we enter this day, many of us are thinking about the year 2020 and the loss of life that has occurred in it. 

This year, many pastors such as myself are trying to bring comfort to horrific situations in which the reasoning for the events are unknown to us. My words in this blog are not trying to explain these situations in anyway, because I have no such explanation.

What I do bring this morning is the fact that whatever happens in this world, God has given each and everyone of us an exit strategy and His name is Jesus Christ. All of us will face death, whether it is in old age, disease, accident, or at the hands of violence.

Do you have an exit strategy? Have you made that commitment to Jesus Christ? Do you know him personally? Do you walk with Him and do you know heaven as your eternal home?

Today I ask that we all reach out in prayer for all those who have died this year, whatever the cause. Let us pray in the hope that they had an exit strategy that surrounded the saving grace of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Today I ask that if you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, that you seek him out this very moment and secure your own exit strategy.

Prayer of Salvation

"Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey you, and to do your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."

Beloved, I have no answers to why violence and sickness occurs, but I do have hope in the promise that whenever we die, those that know Christ have an exit strategy that no violence or sickness can ever take away from us.

In the sure and present hope of the Resurrection. Pastor Tim.

Look to the Light, Look to the Helpers!

John 9:1-41 ESV

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Unless we live in a hole somewhere, none of us have missed the horrific events of the Pittsburgh Synagogue shooting. Since this tragedy, many people, many pastors have been trying to cast some sort of sense on a senseless situation.

• We have had people asking, where was God?
• We have had people casting blame on the victims because of who they voted for, or even because of the world’s sinful nature.

In today’s text from the ninth chapter of John, we see the disciples doing the same thing in regards to the blind man. Did the blind man’s parents sin, or did the blind man have the guilt of sin upon him. Here we see Christ in the role of Rabbi which is Hebrew for Teacher, and Jesus the teacher uses the vision of the blind man as a teaching event.

Beloved, there is evil in the world and work and presence of God must be shown and was shown in the presence of those that helped, those that worked for good and not evil. God was present in the emergency responders, God was present in those that assisted the wounded and dying, and God was present in the people that used their bodies as shields to protect others.

How was God displayed at this tragedy? It was displayed in the acts of the people (The Body of Christ) that sacrificed their own well being for others, often strangers.  Beloved our job and our call on earth is to be Christ like and to shine his light in the darkest of places.

Even in the dark area of the shooting area, the light of Christ could be seen and the love of God could be witnessed in the actions of his people. Jesus died on the cross and sacrificed his life for ours, for the many, for all.

Yes, there is evil in the world and Christ has already achieved the victory over evil. As people of the victory, as carriers of the Light of Christ, our mission is to be witnesses of Christ’s love and sacrifice. Our light must shine, even in the darkest, evilest, and scariest places.

Evil happened, it was nobody’s fault except the shooters, but victory and presence did occur in the presence of those that gave their lives for others, and those that saved the lives of others. Try not to cast blame on this tragedy, and don’t even try to justify evil.  Be the shining light and example of Christ that has already claimed the victory over evil.

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." To this day, especially in times of "disaster," I remember my mother's words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world. Fred Rogers: Children’s Television Host and Presbyterian Minister.

In Christ

Pastor Tim.

The Faith Hunt

The Value of Wisdom

2 My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, ² making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; ³ yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, ⁴ if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, ⁵ then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. ⁶ For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; ⁷ he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, ⁸ guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints. ⁹ Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path;
¹⁰ for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; ¹¹ discretion will watch over you,  understanding will guard you, ¹² delivering you from the way of evil,  from men of perverted speech, ¹³ who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, ¹⁴ who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil, ¹⁵ men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways. ¹⁶ So you will be delivered from the forbidden^[a] woman, from the adulteress^[b] with her smooth words, ¹⁷ who forsakes the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God; ¹⁸ for her house sinks down to death, and her paths to the departed;^{[c] 19} none who go to her come back, nor do they regain the paths of life. ²⁰ So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. ²¹ For the upright will inhabit the land, and those with integrity will remain in it, ²² but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the treacherous will be rooted out of it.

This week at our church we begin the sermon series title “The Faith Hunt”, and we approach it from the perspective of Proverbs 2. Proverbs 2 is the perfect platform for us as many seek guidance from God on how to act in regards to football players kneeling, saber rattling between the United States and North Korea, and the worlds severe weather and geological events.

Beloved, just as we begin a new study as to learn about God’s direction for our lives, so go the words from Proverbs 2 that are here to teach those that are willing to be taught. Yes, how do we address the things of the world that are distressing us, how to we approach those life changing decisions that we need to make?

• ·         Wisdom and Knowledge are the key to our discernment.

Just as Solomon has taken God’s law as to live in faith and obedience, we are called to seek out God’s wisdom when making decisions, and making earthly choices. Seeking out God’s wisdom is crucial in navigating the issues and discussions on this earth.

James 1:19 tells us: Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.

My friends as you go forward in this troublesome world love God, live for God and obey His words for your lives righteously.

See you at the sermon series and bible studies in October, as we all continue on the “Faith Hunt”.

This is the day that the Lord has made.

Pastor Tim.

Take a Private Jet to Heaven?

You Can't Take a Private Jet to Heaven!

As a Minister of Word and Sacrament, I must be the first to admit that I like to be comfortable and I like my family to like nice things. As I sit in my home office on a hill in Northern Kentucky, I realize that I have it better than some ministers, and maybe not as well as other ministers.

¹⁹"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not Matthew 6:19-21

Beloved, what treasures do we seek on earth and what treasurers of the world do we think we can’t live without? The key thought and meaning of today’s text from Matthew 6: 19-21 is that the things that we cherish of this world cannot and will not insure our eternal salvation.  One of my jokes is that some preachers need Ten Million Dollar Private Jets and I am just looking for gas money to a neighboring town.  

Beloved, the only thing that can fly us to heaven is a life that is lived for Jesus Christ. The blood of Christ shed on the cross is the only thing that promises those who believe an eternity in heaven. As much as we would like, our jet planes, fast cars and huge bank accounts cannot ever pay our way into heaven.

Worldly-mindedness is a common and fatal symptom of hypocrisy, for by no sin can Satan have a surer and faster hold of the soul, under the cloak of a profession of religion. (Henry n.d.)

Beloved, Christ has paid for our tickets to heaven, while blessing many of us with lives of comfort and wonderful earthly possessions. The question that I will ask of all of us this morning is:

• Is your wealth growing your pockets or is it growing God’s Kingdom?
• Have you invested in the ministries of your church, have you helped when others were not financially able to do so?

 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me. Matthew 25:35

My friends, I ask that you stray away from the prosperity gospel preachers who tell you that God wants us all wealthy and living our best life now. Remember, God has already given us everything that we will ever need for an eternity, He gave us His Son’s life!

This is the day that The Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it.

Pastor Tim.

Works Cited

Henry, Matthew. n.d. biblehub.com. Accessed August 30, 2017. http://biblehub.com/commentaries/mhc/matthew/6.htm.

In Case of Emergency Break and See Your Pastor

Colossians 3:12 ESV

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

Often ministers or whatever your tradition calls them are the last to hear the good news. I often think that each family has on their wall a box that says “In case of emergency break glass and seek out your pastor”!

How many of us think that your pastor wants to hear your joys and celebrations as well as your hurts and sorrows? Sometimes shepherds of religious flocks can only see the joy of their congregants in social media posts and photos.

In his letter to the Colossians the Apostle Paul is writing them as an instructional guide as well as writing words of encouragement. Paul is telling the Colossians about what it means to be part of the Body of Christ, and what it means to be community.

When we become part of a faith community it is much more than a faith based group, it is actually becoming part of Christ’s body in which all are called to a change in lifestyle. Likewise your pastor is much more than someone to share confession with or seeking a conversion experience.

Beloved, your pastor wants to share with you all the situations of your life. As much as they are here for you when you are in pain, they are here to share God’s blessings and joy with you when your life is going well, and blessings are abundant.

My friends, God is present with us at all times in our lives. Romans 12: 14-16 tells us:

14 Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but enjoy the company of the lowly. Do not be conceited.

Being with people in all phases, situations, moods, and changes in their lives not only speaks to our witness as follows of Christ, it speaks to God’s forgiveness lived out in the lives of his created peoples.  Likewise, seek out your pastors, and priests in all the moments of your life. Let them not only see the sorrow and needs in your life, let them see the joy that living your life for God has brought to you and your family.

Understand that God is our joy and this joy has been revealed through His Son Jesus Christ.  Your pastor weeps when you weep, but also joys when you joy. Just don’t use your pastor by breaking the emergency biblical glass when all goes horribly wrong. Your shepherd is here for you to share the good news. They are here to share with you that God joys when you joy and wants to celebrate with you in happiness as well. 

The love of Christ and a good pastor are made for joyful and happy situations as well.

This is the day that the Lord has made.

Pastor Tim.

The Message: Enjoy His Majesty!

The Message: Enjoy His Majesty! 

And beware lest you raise your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, you be drawn away and bow down to them and serve them, things that the Lord your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven. Deuteronomy 4:19 ESV

As I sit at my desk this morning, we are one week from the total solar eclipse. as I write this morning, many people have reserved prime locations and obtained special glasses as to observe this event. Upon googling about the eclipse I was able to read several articles that asked if the eclipse was a sign of the end times, or if God was sending us a message through the eclipse event?

Many people have attempted to search scripture as to see if the eclipse has any significant information for us? This morning I approach this topic from two different points. 

The First Point: The bible does not send us secret messages, but rather speaks plainly and clearly.  

Mark 13:32 tells us plain enough that there is no way to determine God’s return, only God knows. 

"But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  

Beloved, the Father wants us to truly understand that He is in charge and that we are to live every moment of our lives as if it was time for Christ to return. We were created by a plain speaking God that speaks for all to understand. I believe that this is why Christ spoke in parables, stories that even the common people could understand. God will not hide the return of Christ through an eclipse, when Christ returns there will be no hiding, no guessing, we will truly know.

So what can we glean from the upcoming solar eclipse? As I reviewed scripture this morning I came upon the text from Deuteronomy 4:19.

And beware lest you raise your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, you be drawn away and bow down to them and serve them, things that the Lord your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven. 

The Second Point:

We are to view safely the wonder of God’s majesty and power to create and to make things beautiful for His people to observe as to see the true power of God.  During the eclipse let us take time away from earthly idols as to worship God and His ability to create miraculous events.

As this eclipse can only be seen in certain geographic areas we see in the text where it states: 

The Lord your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven.

God have given Jesus Christ for everyone, and he cannot be hidden, Jesus must be shared. So as you witness the solar eclipse and share your eclipse experience with others, remember that we are also to share the experience and relationship that Jesus Christ has placed on our lives and in our hearts.

So next Monday enjoy the eclipse with the correct glasses, and be in awe of God’s majesty while understanding that when Christ returns He will not hide behind an eclipse.  

And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 24:31

This is the day that the Lord has made.

Pastor Tim. 

Going Against the Grain In Jesus Name.

Going Against the Grain.

Luke 6:1-11English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath

6 On a Sabbath, while he was going through the grain fields, his disciples plucked and ate some heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands. ² But some of the Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?” ³ And Jesus answered them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: ⁴ how he entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those with him?” ⁵ And he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”

A Man with a Withered Hand

⁶ On another Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was withered. ⁷ And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might find a reason to accuse him. ⁸ But he knew their thoughts, and he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come and stand here.” And he rose and stood there. ⁹ And Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?” ¹⁰ And after looking around at them all he said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored.¹¹ But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.

As I write this I have reviewed an article on social media that has raised my blood pressure as well as my interest in responding to the post. In a recent post a colleague in ministry posted that spend time on Pastoral Care and tending to one’s flock are actually doing themselves as well as  the congregation a disservice.

To fully speak of the post, the pastor was stating that if a congregation wanted to grow over Two-Hundred people in membership, a pastor could not truly care for all and feel adequate about their pastoral care ministry.

In the text from Luke, we see people telling Jesus what he could not do because it was the Sabbath. Jesus in this text truly speaks to the fact of what “going against the grain” is about.  Jesus is telling us that caring for, healing, and feeding of others can never be against the Law of God, even if it is against the law of man.

Maybe this post against pastoral care has me angered because it was a class that I received an “A” on in seminary, or maybe it is because I pride my ministry on taking care of my flock. Whether it is home visits, hospital visits, work visits, or the occasional phone call. I have even been known to drop off ice cream after a church member has surgery, or going through a dark moment in their lives.

Mark 16:15 states: And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 

What the writer of this post neglects to state is that scripture states to go out and proclaim the good news, it does not state to go out and fill pews. Often pastors who condemn good pastoral care are often lacking in that area, so it is an area that they often proclaim has little or no value.

Beloved, we share the Gospel of Christ in which Jesus was all about Pastoral Care and tending to His Father’s sheep. The sheep that Jesus speaks about are not just within the walls of a congregation. When one is called to ministry we must realize that the world that God created is our flock, so we should always be prepared to care for more than two-hundred souls. 

If God calls pastors to love and care for others, He also calls all of His children to care for one another (not just pastors).

Never be afraid to go against the grain for God in the care of others. He Truly Loves That!

Pastor Tim.