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

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

Being Grounded: in Scripture

Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:3-5

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’s 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 when 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 actually drive away those who 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 than creating 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 of 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 find relationships bending or even breaking under the weight of the expectations we place on them in our discomfort with another’s suffering. We can then end up even more alone―walled up within our disappointments or sadness.

When we treat people the way Jesus did, bridges are built and windows are opened; and we enjoy the relationship 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 the life-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 holy endeavor.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

The Secret: A Perpetual Inner Fire

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

Do you have deep feelings of insecurity that are hidden carefully in your life? Or do you feel that you alone are plagued with a weakness of some kind? I have good news for you- - - you’re not alone! These are feelings that many, many people wrestle with. Sometimes it’s hidden behind the cocky blustering of a person who seems egocentric, but in fact is covering up for feelings of being unloved or unaccepted. Other times feelings of inferiority are manifest by someone who instead - pulls back and trims their sails- - - they don’t want to expose their heart out of fear of being hurt. Surprisingly this shy person is feeling the same deep personal feelings as the blustering extrovert- - - “Who am I?” And- - - “If people ‘really’ knew me would they love and accept me?”

Geneticists tell us that the whole human family, from every race, can be traced back to a single mother whom they reluctantly call Eve. Their point is- - - we are all cut out of the same mold. So the good news I have for you is that you are not alone in your deepest darkest feelings. We have many of the same fears, temptations and creative ideas as a person sitting in prison or a person receiving a Nobel Prize for being a genius in some field. Because according to the Scriptures (and to science) we are all cut out of the same mold! How many of you have had a great idea that you never acted on only to find out later that someone else had the same idea and seized the opportunity?

When I was a youth pastor, many years ago, I enjoyed helping teenagers who were wrestling with an inferiority complex. When I saw a young person that felt like they had nothing to offer- - - I just loved getting to know them and making a lifelong friend. This was the process I used:

• I prayed for them every day thanking God for their life until I was just bursting with enthusiasm for their God-given potential.
• I used every opportunity to let them know how much I cared for them and encouraged them to wholeheartedly pursue God’s plan for their life. This included writing letters to them, talking to them on the phone, using them in sermons as an illustration of the good things God was doing, and being present at their special events (games, concerts, skateboarding competitions, etc.).
• I tried to make friends with their friends and influence them with the excitement that God gave me for their life. That meant their parents, brothers and sisters, and friends at school.
• I tried to seize every opportunity of challenge to be there for them- - - when they received a bad report card or made a mistake. Wow! This was my God-inspired moment to let them know all that I had been praying for them about.

I had such enthusiasm for this because most of the time growing up I myself was an arrogant jerk as I remember it (my mom says otherwise, but she doesn’t know everything I did during my teenage years. I’m trying to break it to her slowly.) I found Christ in a new, fresh way at seventeen- - - and something really happened. I had a “Scrooge” experience. I realized that I still had time to turn around all that I had done wrong if I would only let God work through my life. I envisioned people really excited about Philippians 4:13 so they could quote Paul, but mean it for themselves.

Well, that was a long time ago but I truly loved the job of being a youth pastor. It’s really the job that we all have as followers of Christ- - - to be so excited about what God is doing in our lives that it overflows and we pray for it to happen in the lives of others. Let’s do that this week!

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

Say "Yes" to God

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Corinthians 1:20-22 (NIV)

Yes!!! There are so many people who are fearful of the year 2012- - - television and movies are full of doomsday scenarios. They tell us that the sale of guns and ammunition is at an all-time high, about the difficult economy and our world’s need for a Christian revival all can make people fearful in almost every aspect of their lives. Many people think they have to do it all on their own- - - make their marriage work, raise their children, manage economic storms, withstand anxiety- - - all by themselves. When in reality, we simply need to say “yes” to Jesus Christ. In fact, he is the divine “yes” or “amen” to our lives. Yes to living our lives under his purposes. Yes, to managing our finances his way. Yes, to rebuilding our relationships on scriptural principles. Yes, God Yes!!!

I am sharing a series on how to find the gift that God has given you and how to use it in cooperation with an army of positive Christians called the church. In every hardship, setback and tragedy is a gift from God that is branded into your life and you will be a miserable self-absorbed person unless you learn about teamwork and how to say “yes” to God with your gift. Have you ever seen a self-absorbed person who is really happy? Have you ever met a person walking under the Spirit’s leadership whose life is full of abundant generosity and is miserable? It is time to say “yes” to God in so many areas of our lives. I dare you to come to church for four weeks straight- - - not hit and miss- - - and see if God does not radically bless and change your life! There will be pastors waiting after every service to answer your questions about how to discover your spiritual gifts and how you can use them as a team with the army of positive people called Washington Cathedral. We literally cannot have too many gifted people. Everyone’s leadership skills are needed (if we can work together), and the strength, roots and impact of our lives can expand exponentially if we really begin to say “yes” to God. Yes God- - - use me, hurts and all. Make me a blessing. Let me be a part of the team. Yes God, we will move forward and not waste a minute of 2012 in fear, bitterness and regret.

I can see that we have been getting ready for this moment at Washington Cathedral for 27 years. How long have you been waiting to say “yes” to God?

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

Words of Encouragement: An Investment Worth Making!

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31)

I recently received a facebook message from someone who was in my youth group as a young man. I was so encouraged and uplifted by his words I decided to share them with you:

Dear Tim,

35 plus years ago you ministered through football (and many other avenues of activities) to a young boy who did not understand this world. After many times in jail and years of drug and alcohol addictions, your words of encouragement (and I am sure many prayers) have finally found a home in this man’s heart.

I have looked for you many times and tonight God placed your face on facebook. My heartfelt thanks to you and Jackie for believing enough in us young boys to spend time (and lots of energy) on us. This man is very thankful and grateful to you! I am a Pastor now for about ten years. I have worked with youth and adults and Counseled for over 5 years at Teen Challenge.
I currently have been pastoring and working with Native Americans here on the Standing Rock Reservation, North Dakota, for the past 2 1/2 years. Tim, thank you, may God richly bless you as you continue to serve Him. I have never forgotten your investment.

Phil Wolverton

You never know how God will use your heartfelt prayers and words of encouragement. I pray that you are an encouragement to your family and friends and that you receive God’s encouragement for your own life.

Happy New Year!

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

A Christmas Thank You

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

Merry Christmas! I pray that you are experiencing the beauty of this Christmas Season! What wonderful things are happening this year!! Our Santa Conspiracy was a wonderful time of spreading the joy of Christmas with those in the community that need it most. Each year I experience incredible joy when we come together as a church family and reach out to the community with no expectation of return!

I want to give a special thank you to the entire church body who donated over 2,000 bears; and the 300 Santa’s, Mrs. Clause’s, Elves and helpers who participated in the Santa Conspiracy this year!













We received this touching letter of thanks from the UW Medical Center. It was so inspiring I wanted to share it with you all:

Dear Kind People at Washington Cathedral,

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Reverend Tim White, Dan Edwards, Mary Loeser and Marcia McLaughlin for visiting our oncology patients this past Sunday. Amazingly we covered tall three oncology units and even made it to in-patient rehab and antepartum. Wow! What a feat! And thank you to Diane Lutterloh for making arrangements and working with me on the details.

Christmas is a difficult time to be in the hospital. It’s amazing what a visit from Santa can do to lift spirits, no matter what tradition you follow! The bears are very special - and who doesn’t need a cuddly bear to help them feel better?! Thank you to all the members of your congregation who donated and collected them.

I think Santa brings out the child in all of us, and I saw patients’ and staff members’ faces light up as Santa entered units and rooms, bringing the spirit of the holidays and brightening a gray afternoon. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and all the time and effort that went into making this happen.

May you all enjoy a blessed and happy Christmas season.

Gratefully,

Irene Hopkins
Program Coordinator, Volunteer Services
UW Medical Center

I pray that you have a very Merry Christmas and I hope to see you at one of our Christmas Services:

Christmas Bursts Into Beauty: Friday 12/23 @ 7pm and Saturday 12/24 @ 6pm & 8pm (Live nativity, ballet dancer and dancing cherubs, beautiful harp music, Christmas carols, live Christmas animal petting zoo, cookies and cider, and Frosty & Rudolph will greet you at the door!)

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service: Saturday 12/24 @ 11:30pm (Pastor Linda will be giving a special Christmas Eve message).

And one service on Christmas Day: Sunday 12/25 @ 11am (Pastor Becca McCary will be sharing a Christmas message to inspire you). Call the church office to reserve your complimentary tickets today 425.869.5433.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White