Friday, February 24, 2012

Courage: Born Through Adversity

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous.
Be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13

Most people don’t realize it, but the Bible has a lot to say about courage. For some reason, in our society today, courage has become a trait no longer highly prized as it was in our parents’ generation. Our society is enthralled with stories about those whose success came by accident and we’re thrilled when we hear that they hardly even tried―an overnight success! We like the get-rich-quick stories- - - “I bought a lottery ticket and become a millionaire overnight”- - - no work necessary. We love the idea of someone discovering us! Maybe that’s why movie stars and pop-music stars are the new heroes of our society.

But I praise the people of courage who are all around us: the single parent, the businessperson daring to conduct business God’s way in a dog-eat-dog world, the hero struggling to overcome a chronic or even life-threatening illness, the person with an impossible dream! People flock to successes, but some of us live in admiration of the people who fight the odds, holding on the impossible dream. Courage cannot be born without the cradle of adversity. If you feel like a failure or that everything is going wrong, let me salute you for your courage! I admire the writer who has never published, the policeman/fireman and their families who live with the constant threat of danger, the idealistic school teacher who continues to give everything day in and day out to each child they’re given; the TLC facilitator who ministers to and nurtures people’s souls; the person who sticks with their dream even when the results are not encouraging.

And I am not the only one who notices! There are children watching and learning- - - there are cynical people watching and wondering- - - and God is watching and applauding from heaven!

Life is a drama―a real adventure classic!
If we just appreciate it!

Lord Jesus, I pray for the people of courage! Give them this moment to hear your applause of heaven, Amen.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

Friday, February 17, 2012

An Exciting Adventure: Humility

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:3-4

The issue of self-esteem and humility is a tough one to work out. So many people are desperately in need of confidence to face the difficulties and challenges they face. Yet others become so proud that they are offensive to others with their disregard for the thoughts and feelings of those around them. I have wrestled with this issue throughout my ministry. As I think back to some of the people I have mentored in the past- - - lack of humility has been a big issue. Some grow and get so spiritual that they are not only un-teachable, but they isolate themselves with their superior attitude.

This is not to say that I have not wrestled with this issue myself- - - I think God is trying to help me grow in this area. The phrase “Consider others better than yourself”, can be a touchy statement in Scripture. We, as a church, have always had as our guideline “Love your neighbor as yourself.” In other words treat others as you would like to be treated. I think the choice of words is important. It doesn’t say that others are better than you―that could be fundamentally damaging for someone to constantly be focusing on how everyone is better than they are. Instead, it’s a basic introduction to politeness. When I think of this phrase, I remember times of being invited over to peoples’ homes and being treated with amazing civility. In fact, they were living out Philippians 2:3-4. I believe that humility is not about eroding your personal respect as a God created human being, but about treating others with more respect because of your love for Jesus Christ. And it doesn’t mean you have to buy everything everyone is selling because some of it may not be honest, ethical or practical. Sometimes you have to make a firm stand and do it in a loving way. It is just something that we all have a lot to learn more about.

What I am sure of is that those who have begun the way of humility described in Philippians have opened the door to very exciting adventure- - - a life-honoring leadership style and a second world of communication and relationships that were not available before. Let’s join together for this new adventure as we apply this biblical principle to our lives.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Worship: A Mountaintop Experience


“Then Moses led the people out of a camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.”
“The Lord descended to the top of Mt Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up.”

Boeing didn’t invent mid-air refueling- - - and God did not design us to fly on empty hearts! Neither did God design us to be puppets or perpetual motion machines. Actually we are more like “seven day clocks” because we need fresh energy at least every seven days in order to love, and laugh, and be fully alive!

Worship is a lot of things- - - like praise, fellowship, etc, but it’s nothing unless you meet with God in a special mountaintop experience.

Sure God is everywhere, but it was His plan to have a special place to meet with us. Jesus said “My house shall be called a house of prayer”, so we build sanctuaries- - - places of special prayer where we can listen and experience the very real presence of God.

At least one day out of seven I need to “go up on the mountain” then I am ready to take life head on in whatever valley He has assigned for me.

Make regular worship one of the highest priorities of your life!

Dr. Dale Caleb White

Friday, February 3, 2012

What is the Greatest Day of Your Life?

“The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-13

There is nothing more exciting than a great team that appreciates its different gifts and welds them together into a greater “whole” than the parts would be. The Super Bowl is always an example of a team sport. But it’s nothing compared to a church that loves the old and young, the rich and poor, brown and white, democrats and republicans. It is for this reason that I love the books of Corinthians. I never get enough of them. The Apostle Paul tries to bring unity to a divided and underachieving church by teaching the importance of discovering and engaging your gifts- - - and appreciating those with different gifts who might feel like they were born on another planet. But together - when working with Christ at the head - watch out world!

1 Corinthians 12 is the primary chapter in all of Scripture for discovering and engaging your giftedness. When people don't discover and engage their giftedness they tend to fall into discouragement, sin, division, and isolation. Your sense of security and excitement for life all depend on not only discovering your gift, but knowing how to use it in a church. You will be blessed financially, relationally and every other way when that happens- - - and you will be a
blessing! I am kicking off a new series entitled “Christianity after Religion”. Christianity doesn't work when it’s just a show on Sunday. That might feel like “religion”, but it’s so much more. It’s
becoming fully alive every day of your life!

Let me ask you, what is the greatest day of your life? Now let me tell you- - - Today! If you find and engage your divine giftedness the greatest adventure of your life awaits you. I have asked my dad, Dr. Dale White, to begin the series this Sunday. It’s his 80th birthday. He has given 59 years in active ministry and I want our church to be able to celebrate that. I was thinking- - - what could be the best gift I could give my dad on his 80th birthday? And I immediately knew the answer- - - ask him to preach! It will be a gift to all of us as well and maybe a moment that we will all never forget. Don't miss the weekend - February 11th & 12th - as we witness a church that loves and is loved- - - a church that celebrates our differences and is blessed because of it! Remember- - - the 12th chapter of 1 Corinthians is followed by the 13 chapter “The Love Chapter”. Do you want to heighten your love and joy of life? Then discover not only your gift and the gifts of those around you, but let Jesus be at the center and lead us in this adventure in love.

Remember- - - what is the greatest day of your life?

Your friend for the rest of my life,
Pastor Tim
White