Wednesday, February 2, 2011
This past two weeks I have had the opportunity to connect with other pastors from about the state and around the country in two different meetings. I have come way a few takeaways.
1. God is doing something amazing at Timberlake. The growth and health of the church is much more a testament to the people who are part of this ministry than those of us who lead.
2. We need to pray for other churches. While God is doing amazing things in some churches, many pastors and congregations struggle.
3. We need to keep our core DNA of Saying Yes to Jesus and Taking Our Next Right Step. I have heard the stories of those who get off course and the struggle that it brings.
We serve and awesome God who is at work in many different ways in many different places.
This is the time of year to resolve to do things differently. It may be tighter fitting jeans, higher credit card balances or just social pressure, but most of us vow to make some changes. I am not sure what it is about the turn of the calendar, but I believe it is a good thing.
When it comes to a New Years resolutions, there usually come in one of two categories, more (or start) something of less of (or stop) something. Mine are no different. Here are some of mine.
1. More time in prayer. I a pretty good bible reader, but this is an area where I could spend more time.
2. Less worrying. I am a chronic worrier. I come from a long line of distinguished worriers, I even justify it by citing books like Only the Paranoid Survive by Andy Groove. Still, as I strategize, I want to leave room for God’s hand and provision.
3. More Honey Do Projects. Ok, I just committed publically to this one. In the last two and a half years, we have had some amazing things and some phenomenal growth at Timberlake Church. This year, I need to re direct some more time to home.
4. Less Caffeine. (OK I am serious). I am not giving up coffee, but going to stop earlier in the day.
5. More Faith. I have seen God heal broken bodies, broken hearts and give freedom through his amazing grace. I am in awe every time and I do not want that to change. Still, I will move forward in faith and expectation as I believe that God’s grace will reign supreme in 2011 and that God will do, “…immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. “ Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
My hope is that you had a great Christmas. I know that we did as a family, (just got back from 3 days atLeavenworth) and as a church.
I want to give a shout out to all those who served and sacrificed to help bring the Hope of Christ on Christmas eve at Timberlake. We had about 50 commiments to Christ, and over 3500 people in services on our Redmond campus. It was great to see people connect with God in a meaningful way as we celebrated what God has done for us through His son Jesus Christ.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
This year we are going to have four identical Christmas Eve Services, inlcuding one on Christmas Eve (eve) Dec. 23rd.
Christmas Eve Services are at:
Dec. 23rd 5:00 p.m.
Dec. 24th 3:00, 5:00 and 7:00 pm.
Kids Programs through fifth grade will be available at all services.
Monday, November 15, 2010
What I am always excited to see is people responding to God. (Hey, I am excited when I get my act together and respond to God :).
In the last few weeks the number of people at Timberlake who have stepped up to accept Christ, serve, give, be baptized and respond to God in dozens of other ways has been truly amazing. It is awesome to be at a church were were not only growing broader in our reach, but deeper in our commitment to Christ. Way to Go!
Last weekend Rocked at Timberlake! We had a ton of folks show up (our second biggest attendance ever) and got to witness some amazing stories of life change. It was awesome to see a bunch of people get baptized during the weekend services and to hear some of the stories. I am looking forward to our next two weeks in our message series No Perfect People Allowed and to all that God is going to do.
I am writing this as I come back from the National Outreach Convention in San Diego. I made some great connects, learned some new things, but mostly felt energized about what God is already doing at Timberlake. Not only that, we are better poised than ever for an amazing future.
Sometimes in the day to day it is easy to forget that a place where Buddhists, Baptists, Muslims and Atheists connect with Jesus Christ is a pretty rare thing. A place where marriages are healed, where kids grow passionate in their faith and where ordinary people meet are used by God extraordinary ways. It is a story about God, not us, and one that needs to be shared. To better help you share that story we are going to start putting our video testimonies up on our website and Facebook. This can be a tool to help your friends be encouraged that no matter where they are at, no matter what they have done that God will meet them if they are open.
I feel honored to serve God with you as we take our Next Right Step together.
We are starting a New Series starting next weekend at Timberlake Church called, No Perfect People Allowed. Whether it’s surface appearances, dumb mistakes or deeply guarded secrets, we’re all short of the ideal. Even though we all know that, we often seem to expect perfection of ourselves and others. Join us starting October 30/31 at Timberlake Church for a series that has one simple rule that applies to everyone: No Perfect People Allowed.
Tonight I went to a Skyline High School Football game, (we go pretty much every Friday night). My daughters hang out with friends and we watch the game and connect with people we know. At about every quarter we all check in with each others. It is a great time for my wife and I to re-connect and for our kids to be independant as they are still close to mom and dad.
These times as a family are some of greatest joys of my life. When I use to hear people say things like I just wrote, I use to think, “Wow, they are old.” Now I understand they were wise. God gives us many blessings in our lives, but these special family rituals, (in our case fooball games), are among the best.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
This weeken, at Timberlake we are going to have a 411 meeting after our Saturday Night Service. The service is at 5:30 p.m. the meeting will be at about 7:00 p.m. This will be a time of information, inspiration and celebration of what God is doing. I hope to see you there, we have some exciting news in regards to our, “Next Right Step” as a church.
