Each time over the past few days that I sat down to do this blog, one or two lines in…the phone would ring, there would be a knock at my door, and my day immediately went in a different direction. God will do that from time to time. His modifications of our plans are rarely anticipated, they can “mess” with you a bit, but ultimately they display His superior wisdom and steadfast love. So, here I am today, giving it another shot.

A number of times this past week, God reminded me of this superior wisdom and steadfast love of His, frequently through sacred music. While driving and wrestling with the more challenging side of “the news” or modifications to my plans, a song would come up next on the CD that powerfully reminded me of His love and care. It was uncanny and encouraging. Then again on Sunday morning He did the same through songs we sang and of course through the special music sung by the ladies group along with Jackie and then Jon Bright. The transition in Jackie’s song from “I know the plans I have for you” into “Why should I be discouraged?” was particularly powerful in my life.

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV ¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11 KJV ¹¹ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jeremiah 29:11 NASB ¹¹ ‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV ¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11 NLT ¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

You know, no matter which translation you read…it’s all good news, great news! So good news is good news. I’m looking forward to this Lord’s Day as we observe the Lord’s Supper together, baptize believers, and welcome new members into our church family. We also start our winter Calvary Bible Institute weeks on Sunday evening, with a bit of a new twist. Rather that several classes, Pastor Troy has planned to have 2 series of lessons, one for all of the ladies and the other for the men, concentrating the application of scripture on our particular needs. It should be a great time. See you Sunday, the Lord willing.

In Him,

P. Tim

Once again, it’s been a bit too long since my last post. Late January into Early March is “conference season” in the church and seminary world. While there seems to be an endless supply, I typically attend very few each year. Sometimes I’m there to preach or teach, other times just to reconnect with friends and recharge my heart and mind. Last week I was at Heart Conference at Northland International University, actually to do all of those things.

On the longer than expected travel day, I had the chance to read an excellent book titled “Off Script” that chronicles a pastor personal struggle with God taking his life completely “off script” to deal with cancer. It is an excellent read. I had the opportunity to preach at the conference and best of all to reconnect with ministry friends, friends that God regularly uses in my life to challenge my heart and mind. Two passages that come to mind in this vein of thought are…

Proverbs 27:5-6
^“Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”

Proverbs 27:17
^“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”

So, who are the real friends in your life? We all need them. We all need to “be” them.

I’m looking forward to our study in Acts this Sunday. We will be studying chapter 15, in which the church and its leaders fight courageously both for the purity of the gospel and the unity of believers. It should be a very interesting and compelling study…unless of course I mess it up. Well, see you then, Lord willing.

In Him,

P. Tim