"For I Know The Plans I Have For You"

It is wrong to infer from prosperity that God is favorable toward us, and from suffering that God is angry. (Christianity Today – April 09)

Also seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper. Jeremiah 29:7

There is so much that we do not understand about life–especially when it becomes difficult. But even though God’s ways are a mystery to the best of us, the wrong lessons that we might learn can bear greater consequences than faithfully moving ahead even when we do not understand. Lessons such as; don’t love again, it’s not worth trying, God doesn’t seem to care, or people are not worth it. These false lessons bear obvious consequences that create for us a seemingly small world and eliminate the possibility of a courageous comeback or the joy of contentment even in tough times. Nothing will more effectively preserve us in a straight and undeviating course in this economy than a firm persuasion that all events are under God’s authority and that he is as merciful as he is mighty. This should lead us to gratitude in prosperity, patience in adversity, and a wonderful security respecting the future.

We are prone to blame God in adversity and praise ourselves in prosperity–we murmur against God if he does not grant us quiet nests. We imagine that adversity can only come from someplace other than God; it is as if evil becomes a second god in our world view. But from a Biblical paradigm we recognize that nothing happens even when it is terrible and comprehensible that can stop our God from working towards his wider purposes. Nothing can thwart God’s eventual gracious purposes towards us in Christ. Paul does not say that all things are good, but he does say that God works all things together for good for his people and thatnothing can separate us from the love of God. (Romans 8)

The Bible draws us a beautiful mosaic which demonstrates that God does care about our prosperity, and our suffering. He can be with us in both conditions working towards greater purposes. The story is a beautiful mosaic which includes Jeremiah 29, the book of Job and the suffering of Christ on the cross followed by the his victory on Easter. It is the handbook for new Christians living in the dump in Honduras and business leaders here in Washington whose prosperity or lack there of will impact manypeople for good or ill. It gives us a trust that truly does move mountains in each situation, but it is also our life-line to sanity and calm joy in spite of our difficulties.

The other night I was at University Hospital intensive care. Jackie and I had been there for hours and had brought a praise CD that Jackie had made for one of our life-long friends (with whom the doctors thought heaven was very close). We cried, we prayed and we laughed with the family. At 2am the nurse allowed us to have a worship service at the request of the patient (who in my eyes is one of the finest Christians I have ever met). We read from the scriptures, we anointed him with oil, we held his hand and prayed. And as his family slept this life-long friend said to me, “I don’t know how to pray?” I said to him, “You are in God’s hands. Right where we have both been so many times during the years of the adventure of raising our families and buildingWashington Cathedral.” He whispered to me, “I guess that is a good place to be” and a shining twinkle came to his eye.

The next morning the news from further tests was all good. A struggle was still ahead but God was obvious working just as he has throughout time. You and I need this kind of trust every time we face a challenge and every time we need to truly be thankful for the prosperity brought into our lives.

“God’s ways may be hidden but his gracious purposes are always right there for those who have eyes to see!!!”

“For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord “...plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Pastor Tim White

"A Life-Changing Love!"

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. Luke 19:5-6

The healthy love and compassion of Jesus Christ always amazes me. In so many of our encounters with the hurts of other human beings, it is easy to begin to think in terms of manipulation instead of healthy Christ-like love. We often try to help someone quickly process their grief, but the depth of their hurt or the uniqueness of their personality has its own timetable. We hastily want to cheer a child or discouraged friend. All the while, however, we may be acting less out of genuine Christ-like compassion and more out of our need to stand back from the discomfort we feel when we draw close to someone who is really struggling. This attitude may cause those we are trying to help put up defenses and they may drive away those who we are trying to help.

We may fall into the illusion that we own people, that we can use them, that we have a right to manage their feelings. By offering premature advice on how to cope, by prodding with our faith rather thancreating an atmosphere of trust and growth, we say much about our need for easy closure. When we barge in with such consolation, we may sometimes be making hurting souls into objects or projects.

In fact, a possessive approach to relationships creates many of our own disappointments; people rarely respond well to our efforts to manage their lives or orchestrate their response to their pains. We findrelationships bending or even breaking under the weight of the expectations we place on them and ourdiscomfort with another's suffering. We can then end up even more alone—walled up within ourdisappointments or sadness.

When we treat people the way Jesus did, bridges are built and windows are opened and we enjoy therelationship whether it is moving on our timetable or not. I am discovering that being grounded in the scripture, knowing that the Holy Spirit does the work and not me, gives me so much more patience, joy and discovery in my relationships with a variety of wonderful human beings.

For some reason, God has gifted our church for reaching out to a diversity of people to share thelife-changing love of Christ. Imagine if we continue to grow in relating to everyone in our lives with the wisdom and gentle strength of Jesus. I relish every moment God gives me to live and grow in this holyendeavor.

Pastor Tim White

“The Day I Skipped Church!”

I found out firsthand that Washington Cathedral is…
“The Greatest Caring Network in the World!”

It was Sunday morning, my daughter, son-in-law and 2 grandchildren had come over the mountain from Spokane. My 12 year-old granddaughter, Rachel, was receiving a Math Achievement Award at the UW that morning so I skipped church and attended the ceremony with my family.

When I arrived back home, there was a welcoming committee in my driveway consisting of some neighbors and two representatives from Washington Cathedral (one happened to be a police officer) and they were about ready to call 911 and break down my door. It seems that I was lost, but I didn’t know it!(If we had arrived five minutes later, we probably would have met a fire truck and aid car in my driveway with my door bashed in.)

Because I didn’t show up at church, and some of my friends were concerned, and a few phone calls didn’t locate me, a couple of investigators were sent to my house to check on me. My car was in the driveway with my cell phone in view and through my back glass door, the investigating committee saw my glasses on the table, so they figured that I must be inside and maybe in trouble—they became concerned.

The “Greatest Caring Network” is not just a motto, but caring for widows and orphans and people ingeneral is take seriously here at Washington Cathedral and I was the recipient of that caring spirit that Sunday morning (when I failed to check in properly). I had sent an e-mail to one of the pastors about my plans that day, but she hadn’t checked her e-mail. I think I flunked “Accountability 101” but I promise to check in next time I decide to skip church (but only for a good reason). I love my church family!

My neighbors, who don’t attend church, probably wondered why a church would check on one of its members so closely, but what a wonderful opportunity to tell them about my caring church and what a privilege it is to be a part of this great caring network. My own family doesn’t check on me that closely! My visiting family from Spokane got a good laugh out of it, but were very impressed with the special care and love given to their Mom/Grandma. They know I’m in good hands!

But… I didn’t anticipate my friends at church sending the police to my house to check on me when I didn’t show up at church that morning. It’s nice to be missed!

Pastor Marilyn Biggs

"One Sunday could color your whole year!!!"

Jackie and I would like wish you a wonderful springtime and personally invite you join us at one of our glorious Easter worship services at Washington Cathedral.

This church has a purpose to be a great force of encouragement in the community and a place ofincredible inspiration every week – that’s why we have eleven different worship services that take place each week.

You may have heard that the new ReCreation Center is now open to the community. A great “third space” that allows people of all backgrounds, philosophies and religions to gather; enjoying one another despite our differences while building life-long friendships. The new ReCreation Center has a beautiful gymnasium, a heated zero-entry indoor pool, a health center lead by psychiatrist, Dr. Ray Vath and an amazing library andcoffee shop which are open for hanging out. You might find an indoor soccer game, roller-skating, a yoga class, water aerobics, after school tutoring and any number of activities taking place here seven days a week.

On Good Friday, we will be featuring an incredible dramatic presentation of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. What an amazing story of God’s forgiveness for humanity, something that we all need. At Washington Cathedral we see this great act as God’s message that we ought to treat everyone, both Christians and those of other religions, with dignity. This act was a display of God’s love for all humanity, compelling all Christians to love and respect everyone, even those with whom we disagree. On Good Friday we have organized Easterparties for the children during the presentation so that their experience of church might be full of the joy that should come with any healthy faith.

On Easter Sunday at 11:00am in the ReCreation Center there will be a dramatic reenactment of the first Easter which will be an awesome presentation of the hope of eternal life through Easter. This will be just a part of the worship experience at Washington Cathedral with wonderful music, friendly people and a shortuplifting message that will be a blessing to you and your family. And of course if you would like to attend our Sunrise Service at 6:45am, Easter Breakfast from 7:15am to 1:00pm, or Sunday afternoon’s Easter Egg Hunt at 2:00 pm, you are more than welcome. Or maybe it works best for you to attend one of our other varieties of worship services (our website www.wacathedral.org will give you all the details and times).

Jackie and I hope to see you this Easter and we encourage you to invited neighbors, friends and family to join you for an Easter a service that you will truly find inspiring.

Your friends for the rest of our lives,

Tim & Jackie