"An Overflowing Life!"

I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to know what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. Philippians 1:9-10

The other day, one of my children challenged me to memorize the entire book of 1 John this summer. We were on a one-on-one and they said that they were motivated to memorize the book and asked if I would join them. I paused - looking for a good excuse. I started by saying that I had tried to memorize it 35 years ago and failed - I did end up memorizing a synopsis of the book though. I thought about the busyness of my life, all my challenges and my memory challenges (I could hide my own Easter eggs and have funfinding them!) then I said, “Yes.” I said yes because (if you are a dad) it is tough to say no to a daughter who gives you that “daddy look.” And I said yes because I knew that this was a moment - one that I needed to seize to be fully alive.

My kids have learned that overflowing-faith comes when a Christian understands that growth comes not from listening to the radio preachers or television evangelists or even the pastor of a local church.Overflowing faith is when you learn how to dive into the Word yourself, have a no-excuse prayer life and a seize-the-moment fellowship life.

Oh, how I long that you defy the shallow faith epidemic of our generation. That your theology (understanding of God) goes beyond pop-faith and the latest trend. That you learn to dive deep into the word, walk unceasingly with a conversation with your Lord and Savior and that you put that faith into practice in the adventure of your life! Do you know your spiritual gift? Have you discovered the adventure of serving others? Do you know about the law of God’s economy - that he has given you everything in the first place and the last thing you want to do in tough times is to break your partnership with him?

My grandson, Elijah, is living with us a for a couple weeks. I bid on a bunch of cars at last week’s auction and lost, but some gracious person gave the cars to my son-in-law to give to me so that I could give them to Elijah. I have never seen him enjoy a present so much (he sleeps with these cars). He alternately hordes and shares his cars. The other day I asked him if I could play with one of his green cars (a really cool, old ford pickup truck). He said, “No, No GP” and went into the mode of hording his cars. I thought, “Hey – those cars are a miracle. How can you think you own them and not want to share?” But then I thought, “Isn’t that exactly the situation of the non-overflowing life?” When I was pondering whether I really want to invest all the time to memorize 1 John with my child, I realized that even being asked such a question is a miracle!So I challenge myself (and you) to live our life, not from a faithless model of scarcity, but a faithful model of overflowing - it really makes sense!

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

"Another Historic Event for Washington Cathedral!"

Every great and beautiful dream has some point where a giant stands in its way! And every such challenge prompts a champion to step out and take on that Giant, for the glory of God and the blessing of humanity.

I want to personally invite you to what might be the most important night in the history of WashingtonCathedral. We as a church face a challenge and we’re praying for a miraculous night. When I spoke with the Board of Directors about the importance of this night, they all looked at me as if to say, “Haven’t you had enough tough challenges for one life time.” I said, “I know, but this is the sometimes arduous life of a pioneer, and I am a happy pioneer trying to build the Greatest Caring Network that the world has ever seen. The next generation might have it easier, but this is the path that God has put us on.”

We had a celebratory grand opening for our wonderful new building. We also conducted a moving dedication ceremony. However, a couple of leaders of our church pointed out, we have run from one challenge to another without really taking an evening to thank all the people who in so many ways made it possible for Washington Cathedral to get this far. To me this is a mission of utmost importance.

We have been so blessed by so many great champions who have worked, given, prayed, hung in there with us--and I will spend the rest of eternity thanking God for them. But I also want the church to recognize those stalwarts in person.

So we are going to have a special Comedy Night like we have never had at Washington Cathedral. Every good and bad comedy act from Washington Cathedral will be there to help us laugh and enjoy the joy of our fellowship. I was on the gong show many years ago and I plan to give my unknown pastor comedy act, Rich Skinner and Steve Sibley are better than the Smothers Brothers and they have developed a reputation as “The Boys”. Doug Sutten is the funniest CPA ever to graduate from Kennewick High School (that is in my humble opinion). We will have comedy acts by kids, old people like Rey Diaz who will be trying out his brand of humor (is he really the funniest in his family?) The drama team, teenagers, kids getting ready for camp. It will be a night of fun and hilarity.

Our Washington Cathedral Chefs are preparing a delicious Italian Meal. The food for this meal will cost about $10 per person and a donation basket will be available if you’d like to help us offset that cost. It will be a fun and inspiring evening you will never forget as we say “thank you” for being a part of a miracle. We will outline the ten year plan for Washington Cathedral and the meta church design to become the Great Caring Network that God has called us to be. Please join us and bring a friend. Lets pack the place out! Wouldn’t it be fun if the place became a packed out-house--or should I say, a packed-out house. (Brings back memories of how many you can squeeze into a VW Beetle.)

Don’t miss this historic night! – It will become a milestone memory.

This night of comedy and food will be Friday, June 4, at 7 pm in the ReCreation Center. Call and let us know you are coming (or you can sign up on our website).

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

Uncertain Certainty

Uncertain Certainty was the theme for today’s devotion and it has certainly been that. None of us knows what can

happen moment to moment, but if my certainty lies in God, then I need not fear it, but look to it as a life of surprise.

Looking back over my life there have been many surprises. Things not going according to my plans, detours and redirections, but it has made for a colorful life and not one I would have traded. Because of all those ‘happenings’ that went into getting me to this point in my life, I have a perspective from this vantage point I would not want to miss. I hope I have learned to extend grace because it was extended to me, and hope I don’t stand in place of judging another because I never know what I might do if those same circumstances were presented to me. There is the idea that one can never know another ‘until he’s walked a mile in his shoes’ and this bears truth to that.

There is only one certainty in my life and that is that God loves me and has fashioned a plan unique to me. All I need do is allow Him to reveal it to me by being obedient to Him. I know what it feels like to be disobedient, impatient and intent on doing my own thing, due to my thinking He’s not moving fast enough; and I hope not to repeat that…There is peace in this certainty of God. It is to become as a child trusting and eager; living in the moment not anticipating the future with dread or fear; but in eagerness looking forward to the next playtime.

Observe a child at play. They are totally living in the moment. Not worrying about if mom will have food enough for dinner or if she has clothes to wear. They just trust it will happen. Was this what Jesus was talking about in Matthew 6:25-34 this simplicity of trust? Life will happen and there isn’t much we can do about that. But to lean on and depend upon our Heavenly Father during life’s happenings, this something we can do something about.

Lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways acknowledge God
and He will make your way straight” Proverbs 3:56

Seek first God's kingdom and what God wants.
Then all your other needs will be met as well.
So don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have its own worries.
Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:33-34

from a grateful member of Washington Cathedral

"Seeking God!"

“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and prayand seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven andwill forgive their sins and restore their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:13-15

“The poor will eat and be satisfied. All who seek the Lord will praise him.Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy.” Psalm 22:25-27

“The humble will see their God at work and be glad.Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged.” Psalm 69:31-33

As I was reading the bible it occurred to me that in our own lives, we seek to spend time with people and when they make time for us we are blessed and happy. How much more does the Father feel when I make time to spend with Him. There is a difference to spending time and making time. I can find that I spend time with someone out ofnecessity and it fits in with the schedule and those can be blessed times too.

But, isn’t there a subtle difference when it is “sought” time to be spent with someone. We do it in dating, when we want to be with our loved one, we make time for them sometime adjusting the schedule of our lives to accommodate; just think how pleased our Father would be if we extended the same consideration to Him.

God is always ready and waiting for us to make that move toward Him; to have the quiet one-on-one in a devotion or reading with undivided attention and no distractions. I have found this to be the best time of my day and I come away with blessings and promises to get me through my day, until the next time…

Fiona Monaghan

An Ancient Kind of Gathering...

Spirit Falls Circle, formerly known as “Sunday 5,” is a Sunday evening service which began two years ago this past Easter in the Spirit Falls sanctuary.

It’s a gathering of believers, literally sitting in a circle, whose desire has been and continues to beto emulate as closely as possible the essence of the early church…

“They devoted themselves to… teaching, and to the fellowship, and to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42.

Spirit Falls Circle is an open congregation of people who come… to worship God in unadorned song and the spoken word… to remember Jesus’ sacrifice and triumph over death as we come together to the communiontable in quietness and reverence… to draw sustenance from Scripture… where questions, doubts and insights are encouraged and the sharing is rich... to pray, offering our gifts of adoration and gratitude to God, and to intercede for each other… to encourage one another, as our faith is cultivated and we see God’s hand at work in our lives in often miraculous ways…

Spirit Falls Circle is a living thing, flexible and vibrant… and all are welcome. It’s a space in whichone can give and receive… or sit in silence and simply “be”… experience peace and rest. It can be ameaningful way to end the past week and begin the new one, buoyed up for the fusion of joy andchallenge in our life journey. Our numbers have at times swelled and at times ebbed, but God hascontinued to bless us, meet needs and draw us closer to Him. He is most definitely “on the move,”and we have all felt nourished and cared for.

As we draw the hour to a close we leave one another with this blessing… “Go in peace, for by the goodness of God you have been born and by the providence of God you have been kept all this day and all through your lives and by the love of God you are redeemed.”

~ Doug and Lori Wheeler ~

“Please be patient . . . God’s not finished with me yet!”

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:3-6)

I love to remind people about this statement - Please be patient . . . God’s not finished with me yet! In fact, it almost makes me laugh to think of it. All these people think they have you and I figured out. They have their list of criticisms and disappointments, and behind our backs they share with delight our failings and mistakes. Then God goes and works a miracle in our lives and we grow!

Isn’t that just like God? Just when everyone thinks they have the picture figured out, he changes the picture. After they memorize the facts for the test―God changes the test. And some people think that God doesn’t laugh!

I plan to change a lot this spring, not to mention this year, and don’t even try and figure out what I will be like in the next five years. My friends, my kids, my church, my community are all going to be shocked at how God works through my life; and I will be laughing and thinking, “God is just so cool!”

If you feel like your boss, teacher, coach, parent, child, or spouse is frustrated with some of your humanness- - - leave them a note saying, “Please be patient - God’s not finished with me yet!” Then, let God change you. Delight in astounding people with the grace of Jesus Christ working powerfully in your life!

What is it that you have to do to change and grow that would make people just say, “No way!!!” Quit smoking? Lose weight? Be on time? Develop study habits? Become more outgoing? Try harder? Worry less? Apologize? Listen to advice? Smile more? Go ahead! Crack a smile and knock all your critics on their rear-ends to the glory of God! (Well, don’t physically knock them on their rear-ends, it’s just a metaphor for the shock they will feel.) You know what I mean- - - go out and let God shock people through your growth!

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

"11: Indispensible Relationships You Can’t Be Without!"

“To journey without being changed is to be a nomad. To change without journeying is to be a chameleon. To journey and be transformed by the journey is to be a pilgrim.” Mark Nep, The Exquisite Risk

Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and taught the crowds that were coming to him. As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed him. (Mark 2:13-14)

I have been reading a great book by Dr. Leonard Sweet. Dr. Sweet is a brilliant person, author and professor who has a one-of-a-kind character. He lives in the San Juan Islands at an amazing place that is well suited to the imagination of awell known author. If you see someone up there who looks like Colonel Custer than that is probably Leonard Sweet. His book is entitled, 11: Indispensible Relationships You Can’t Be Without. Mark Batterson said of this book, “This book will not only help you cross the finish line strong, it will also help you bring others with you.” The book looks at Biblicalrelationships that are needed to help a person to be healthy in their faith and it has inspired my series to look at healthy Christianity by looking at the friendships that Jesus chose. I can’t wait to dive into this series with you. I believe we will be a much stronger church because of it. Here is an outline of Dr. Sweet’s book (which will be different from my sermon series), but you can get the excitement of the study of scripture by his summary statements.

Who’s Your Nathan?: You Need an Editor
Who’s Your Jonathan?: You need a True Friend
Who’s Your Jethro?: You Need a Butt-Kicker
Who’s Your Timothy?: You Need a Protégé
Who’s Your Barnabas?: You Need an Encourager
Who’s Your Peter/Paul?: You Need a Yoda
Who’s Your Deborah?: You Need a Back-Coverer
Who’s Your Zacchaeus?: You Need a Reject
Who’s Your Rhoda?: You Need a “Little One”
Who Are Your VIPs?: You Need a Lydia and Lazarus, Rich and Poor
Where’s Your Jerusalem?: You Need a Place
The Invisible 12th: You Need the Paraclete

I think you can see how this would cause sparks in a fresh study of the friendships of Christ! If we improve in this area not only will we experience a greater sense of peace and wholeness in our lives, but we will put down roots that our families and friends with enjoy also. Read the book if you like, it will be different from the series, but together – let’s get ready for a great ride the next few weeks!

You need others to get where you are going and the ride is a lot more fun when you are not alone. . .

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White