Well, last week this time we were dealing with “another” snow storm. Snow tends to make a child’s life easier, but an adult’s life just seems to be made more complicated. Well, anyway I came into the office with some added deadlines, sat down, wrote my blog, pushed a button, and ………it went somewhere, but I have no idea where. I tried to find it, but that’s an exercise in futility for me. I didn’t have the time at the time to rewrite it all, so I just jumped back into meeting those deadlines. In case you haven’t figured it out, this is my true, but somewhat lame excuse for no blog last week.

So, here I am a week later, alone in the office because of yet another snow storm! When I’m done, I’ll try not to hit the same button as last week! The snow IS beautiful and I truly praise the Lord it has been coming in the middle of the week, rather than on the weekends. Most years it seems like it ONLY snows on weekends. There have been many wonderful answers to prayer this past week. People have personally shared with me the privilege God gave them to lead someone to Christ. Others have gotten great news on a medical crisis in their life. In my own life God has specifically answered my pleas for specific answers to significant questions that need answers that I wouldn’t otherwise have. Needing the answers reminds me of my utter weakness, which is true, healthy, but most unpleasant. Getting the answers reminds me of His great love. It says He heard. It says He cares. It says He noticed. There is an ongoing humiliation and exaltation that we are called to continually experience as He patiently and persistently teaches us that…

2 Corinthians 12:9
^“ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

So, the last two Sunday mornings have dealt with “What does the Bible say about race and racism?” and “homosexuality and gay marriage.” This next Sunday we will be answering the question “What does the Bible say about environmentalism?” …which, is in fact much more than you might think. Anyway, I do hope to see you this coming Lord’s day.

In Him,

P. Tim

So, here’s a first. I want to post the introduction to Sunday morning’s message. We are in the middle of a series with the theme “What is truth?” Specifically we have been dealing with “What does the Bible say about __________?” We have studied what the Bible says about truth itself, about origins, about beginning of life and end of life issues, and about eternal destinies. This Sunday, because of the national holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we are going to address the question, “What does the Bible say about race and racism?” So, here’s the introduction.

What do you think about Dr. Martin Luther King?

Many think that he was one of the greatest, if not the greatest, American hero-leaders. A man of great character, passion, conviction, and courage, whose life and influence changed a nation, even the world, as he led the battle to fight against racial discrimination and violence against racial minorities. He is venerated and in extreme cases virtually worshipped.

Others think he was a polarizing, plagiarizing, philandering, pawn of the communist party and other extreme leftist political powers. A man whose accomplishments are greatly exaggerated as were the problems he fought to correct.

So pastor, what do you think?

1. I know that the racial prejudice, the injustice, and the violence he spoke and fought against were real, and still are in various places and expressions in our country and in our world.
   

    

2. I don’t and can’t know his true heart, character, or all that motivated him, but I know that God chose to use him, as He does with all national and world leaders, for His purposes. In this case, it was to call us a nation, and each of us as individuals to address a real and present sin in our hearts and lives, the sin of racism.
   

    

3. I know that the most important thing for us to consider is not what “they” think or even what “he” thought, but what God has said on this important subject. That must be our focus, our passion.
   

So, come and join us this Sunday morning as we open God’s Word to see what HE has to say! See you Sunday, Lord willing.

In Him,

P. Tim

Well, are you still exhausted from the Christmas and New Year’s Season? Personally, while it was quite a bit “fuller” than had hoped or planned, I am strangely refreshed. Our family time over the holidays was really great, although it was tempered by the approaching departure of Stephanie, Frank, and the kids. I am truly delighted for them and for the church in the Chicago area….for me…welllllll…not so delighted. It’s the inevitable downside of love. It has been one my life and ministry’s greatest pleasures to work so long, so closely, and so effectively with both Stephanie and Frank. It has been one my life’s greatest joys to watch them raise their children to know, love, serve, and obey Christ. Obviously, I will still get the joy of seeing it, but nearly so often…I get to see it now almost every day. I’m really going to miss that. For the first time in our life, Marilyn and I will have more grandchildren living far away, rather than close by. I don’t like it, but it’s a good thing. It’s a God thing. It’s a spiritually healthy thing.

This coming Sunday morning I will be laying out are renewed vision for the year and talking a bit about how we will adjust as a church to the Taylor’s departure. I hope to see you there. Please pray for us as a church. Please pray for the Taylors as they go. While you’re at it, you could pray for a couple of thrilled, yet heartbroken grandparents.

In Him,

P. Tim