Tim's Topics: Working Both Sides of the Tracks

Tim's Topics: Working Both Sides of the Tracks: Romans 3:23   ESV For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. This morning I had an opportunity to sit for about fiftee...

Working Both Sides of the Tracks

Romans 3:23 ESV

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

This morning I had an opportunity to sit for about fifteen minutes as I waited for a train to go by. And as I sat there, I noticed a car on the other side of the tracks waiting as well. I wondered about the person waiting on the other side, where were they going and what were they thinking about as they waited?

As I sat in my truck and waited I went to God in prayer and reflection and thought about what he would have me say today. The Holy Spirit came over me and said, speak against division today, and emphasize unity. As I contemplated this thought, I pictured recent events that have brought disharmony to the world, and I also pictured how we as Christ’s people forget so quickly who we represent when we speak.

Fellow pastors and people of faith, when we take only one side of an issue we forget the hearts and souls of those on the other side of the issue. Recently I have witnessed on social media colleagues and followers of Christ come out on the side of Black Lives Matter or on the side of Law Enforcement.

This morning I have even witnessed colleagues revel in the downfall of a popular conservative minister as he steps out of the public eye to handle issues with alcohol and how it has affected his marriage and his ministry. 

Beloved, as people of the Cross, we cannot live on one side of the tracks while others suffer on the other side. Likewise we cannot abandon those that we disagree with.

Have you sided recently with those that protest or have you sided with those being protested? 

We must remember the scripture in the fact that all have fallen short of the glory of God. Am I pro protester or am I pro law enforcement? I am pro God, I am pro Jesus Christ, and I and pro Holy Spirit.

This day I claim the position of unity rather than division, I claim love over hate, I claim peace over violence and I claim heaven over hell. When we sit on our side of the tracks without thinking of those on the other side, we become divided. When we become divided the Devil revels, the Devil laughs, the Devil joys at the disunity of those that claim to be followers of God.

My friends just as Christ has made room at the table for all, we as His people must also make room in our lives for all people, just not those that we side with. This is not a Conservative or Liberal position it is the position of one who believes that we should love others as Christ loves us, as Christ loves the church.

Next time you are stuck waiting for a train, ask yourselves about the person waiting on the other side of the tracks, and ask yourself that they are as much in need of the love and grace of Jesus Christ as you are? 
Please, think before you speak and take time to listen for the Holy Spirit’s word for your life.

I finish my blog with the prayer that the people prayed at my Ordination as a Shepherd of Christ. Please read the bold underlined words and pray about them today.

We confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God and proclaim him Lord and Savior of the world.

In Christ’s name and by his grace, we accept our mission of witness and service to all people.

We rejoice in God, Maker of heaven and earth, and in the covenant of love which binds us to God and one another.

Through baptism into Christ we enter into newness of life and are made one with the whole people of God.

In the communion of the Holy Spirit we are joined together in discipleship and in obedience to Christ. 

At the table of the Lord we celebrate with thanksgiving the saving acts and presence of Christ. 

Within the universal Church we receive the gift of ministry and the light of Scripture. 

In the bonds of Christian faith we yield ourselves to God, that we may serve the One who’s Kingdom has no end. Blessing, Glory and Honor be to God forever. Amen. 

This is the day that the Lord has made.

Pastor Tim.

Tim's Topics: Independence Day Choices

Tim's Topics: Independence Day Choices: Galatians 5:13   ESV For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, ...

Independence Day Choices

Galatians 5:13 ESV

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

As we celebrate this 4^th of July, what we in the United States call Independence day, let us come together as a free people to accomplish great things. 

When we search God’s Holy Word in the Bible, we see no references to our Fourth of July. What we do see are many references to independence and freedom, for those that call themselves followers of Christ.

What does freedom and independence mean for those that call themselves people of faith, people of the cross, and people of the resurrection? We live in a country in which freedom was paid for with the price of many that were willing to sacrifice their lives as to defend our freedom. Likewise we follow a Savior that was willing to be arrested for us, beaten for us and murdered on a cross for us. Yes, this sacrifice was Christ’s way of atoning for our sins as to restore us back into right relationship with God our Heavenly Father.

As we celebrate this Independence Day, as we watch or march in parades, as we have BBQ’s and family gatherings, let us take a moment to think of the many earthly sacrifices given for our freedom. Likewise, let us take a moment to think of and be thankful for the heavenly sacrifice that has given us eternal freedom.

With this freedom comes our opportunities to make choices, poor choices or wise choices. My prayer is that you will continue to seek Holy Spirit guidance this 4^th of July and always, and that your choices are ones that build up the Kingdom of God, rather than promote the Kingdom of Darkness.

How will you spend your 4^th of July? The choice is yours, the freedom is yours, and the independence is yours, because of men and women that have gone on before us, and because of a man in his thirties that chose to hang on a cross for our eternal independence, eternal freedom, and our eternal souls.

This Fourth of July choose wisely, you are free to choose.

Matthew 25:35: 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.

This is the 4^th of July that the Lord has made. Choose to rejoice and be glad in it.

Pastor Tim.

Tim's Topics: Being A Rainbow In Someone Else's Cloud

Tim's Topics: Being A Rainbow In Someone Else's Cloud: In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. ...

Being A Rainbow In Someone Else's Cloud

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 

As I sit in my office today, it is raining heavily outside. As the local Police Chaplain, I have the police frequency going on the scanner in my office. As I sit and work in the office, I am hearing our local law enforcement professionals responding to auto accidents that have been caused by the heavy rain storm.

I often think about those such as our emergency professionals that often respond to people’s darkest moments, whether it be a fender bender traffic accident or a situation in which injury or loss of life have occurred. 

Today while on the computer I saw beautiful words that had been written and spoken by:

Dr. Maya Angelou. 

Dr. Angelou shares a 19^th Century African American song that states 

“when it looks like the sun is never going to shine again, God put a 

rainbow in the clouds.” 

From this song came her beautiful words. “Be A Rainbow in Someone Else’s Cloud”.

She goes on to state that she has had so many rainbows in her clouds, and that wherever she goes and whatever she does she brings those who have been kind to her, with her. These rainbows of course come with her and appear in her heart, her mind and her soul.

Dr. Maya Angelou’s words spoke of such wisdom, power, and grace. Her words so powerful that they still speak today. She asked the people: “Have you been a rainbow in someone’s cloud?" Her call is for all of us that share this earth together to be a blessing to one, or a blessing to many, but be a blessing.

The text from Matthew 5:16 refers to the light of God that shines within us as to let others see God. Whether it be in their darkest moments or brightest moments. When we shine the light of God, it is bright enough to break through the light of day, just as it is bright enough to shine His light on the darkest night.

Being a rainbow in someone else’s cloud is truly when the brilliance of our Heavenly Father is truly seen. When we are there for others, they can see all the beautiful colors of God’s rainbow as well as the beautiful light that shines. This is called love, because whenever one sees a rainbow they can testify that the storm is over.

My prayer for you today is that you be in the same spirit as those that go out to be God’s rainbow’s in others clouds. Whatever Nationality, Sexuality, Economic Level, Friend or Foe, be the rainbow that God’s desires of us and that others so truly need in this world.

Attached to this blog post is the YouTube Link to Dr. Angelou’s video on being a rainbow in someone’s cloud.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nYXFletWH4

This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us Rejoice and Be Rainbows in it.

Pastor Tim.

Tim's Topics: Standing Up For Will and Ben! Being Advocates Is O...

Tim's Topics: Standing Up For Will and Ben! Being Advocates Is O...: 1 John 3:16English Standard Version (ESV) 16  By this we know love that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our liv...