“Join us as we learn the conversation of hope!”

They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” 

Exodus 14:11-12    

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.” 

Exodus 14:15-16   

When I read the Bible again I am so impressed at all the pressure put on those who are called to be leaders. The Israelites are constantly complaining. They are led miraculously out of slavery and then they complain that they wish they were back in slavery. They complain because their life still requires faith. And poor Moses, God shows him no pity. He has only one solution – in tough times turn to God!!!   

Recently there is a series of scientific studies on faith being discussed on National Public Radio. Last week’s was led by Barbara Bradley Hagerty and it is called “The God Chemical.”  She notes a study out of the University of Pennsylvania which studies people of various religions including Christians who pray at least two hours a day. They are referred to as “spiritual virtuosos.”  Not only does each of their brains show a distinct pattern of increased activity in the cerebral cortex (good prayer takes amazing concentration) but a darkening of activity in the parietal lobe (the area of the brain that is related to sensory information). A demonstration of decreased anxiety, a sense of purpose of the events taking place and as well as other interesting psychological and biological responses. One response was an increase in the immune system especially against flu virus. Dr. McDermott reported on NPR, “I think we are wired for the supernatural!” The neuroscientists pointed out that our brain placidity held forth the promise that ordinary people could learn to sculpt the brain through such prayer practices.   

Oh that more of us could be like Moses taking all our troubles to God and listening to him. He might tell us to hold out our staff and tell the people to move forward in faith as the waters parted. That is a wonderful picture of spiritual leadership and how it could relate to our lives, families, church, nation, and world today! I pray that Washington Cathedral becomes drawn to prayer as we read the dramatic words of scripture in the 90 days through the Bible.   

“Lord, how encouraging it is as I hear that someone is joining Washington Cathedral as we read all the way through the Bible. I thank you and praise you for that! Amen.”   

Your friend for the rest of my life, 

Pastor Tim White  

"Love One Another!"

Many will say that they are loyal friends,

but who can find one who is truly reliable?

Proverbs 20:6

Jackie and I were leaving town last Friday and I stopped by the Evergreen hospice to say goodbye to Nick Collins. He woke up and Nick, Marilyn, Holly and I laughed and remembered some wonderful stories. When it was time to go, instead of saying goodbye I said, “I love you Nick.” He replied with a smile, “Tell Jackie that we love you guys too.”

Twenty-three years ago, the Collins family was going through a challenging time and they decided to go to church. They looked in the phonebook for a church and we were not listed, but as they drove by Lake Washington High School they decided to give Washington Cathedral a try. It was not very long before each of them had given their heart to the Lord Jesus Christ and we had become life-long friends. They held a Tiny Little Church at their house and Jackie was the leader (so that makes me an official ex-member). Who knows how many potluck dinners weenjoyed together or how many laughs we shared when someone would visit the TLC for the first time and sit on their couch and when it broke they’d let out a swear-word and everyone laughed so hard that they couldn't stand up. Only God counted the times that Nick and Marilyn were the last to leave the church after helping us clean-up lateon a Sunday afternoon.

We raised our kids together and Becca called Marilyn's mom grandma. We sat in the stands together to watch Holly become one of the best soccer players ever to come out of this area. Melody excelled at everything she did and our whole church was very proud of her. For years Nick took care of the animals for Christmas in his yard. They would wake up on Christmas to the sounds of donkeys, cattle, horses and sheep all in residential Redmond. They taught Sunday school for years and years and I can’t tell you how many children grew up in our church and found their faith through their ministry. I attended one of their children’s TLC groups and they had me sit in as a leader of a small group. The discussion question was: What do you like about kid’s TLCs? One girl shared, “Well, my mom left me with a step-dad when I was born. My step-dad has left me with some of his family members. They really don’t like me and I don’t fit in at all so TLC is my family.” I don’t know how many Kids Camps Jackie and Nick and Marilyn weathered together and came back just completely exhausted. I am sure there were many times that they had theopportunity to just drift away when someone left the church that they were attached to or when we were going through a rough time. But I never, in all my life, heard any criticism from Nick and Marilyn.

When Nick went through his liver transplant, many years ago, I waited for hours with the family praying for Nick.I was so touched watching him kiss his family as he headed in for the surgery. Marilyn kept telling me I could go, but I couldn’t leave because I knew my heart would be there praying anyway. Recently, before Nick died, he toldeveryone thank you and how much he loved them. His eyes twinkled with joy and sincerity.

When I was 17 years old and God gave me the dream to build a great church for unchurched people that would be a great caring network. I asked for a sign. I felt like God told me that he would raise up “knights in shining armor” to stand by my side and fight alongside me until the death. I am never surprised by the flighty nature of most human beings, but I have been utterly amazed at those rare people like Nick and Marilyn Collins who would not give up on me and the dream. I would have given up a long time ago if it had not been for people like them. It is awkward today for one man to say to another a simple – I love you. But for so many of us who have staked our lives on the dream of Washington Cathedral (to build the greatest caring network the world has ever seen) there is nothing else that can be said. The Bible predicted it when it said, “This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another.” 1 John 3:11. And how Nick loved his family and his church. And in return we could not help but love him.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

"When Times Are Tough- - - Innovate!!!"

During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people. Genesis 14:15-16

As we read through the Bible we see some very strange stories, but there are always gems of inspiration—even when we don’t fully understand the story. Abram’s nephew, Lot, wascaptured by an army which was made up of the combined armies of four kings. Now Abram, was more of a wandering businessman (who was in the shepherding business)than a warrior. But his family was in dire straits , so he put together all his workers and household and had a total of only 318 men. Abram was thinking “outside the box” and used his faith and courage. He took his untrained forces, split them into two groups and attacked from the flanks at night with a surprise attack. The enemy had no way of knowing who they were up against and how many there were. Before anyone knew it, they got all thekidnapped relatives back safe and secure.

The other day I picked up the Kirkland paper to see an article written by a member of our church who sells real estate for a living. She was proposing a creative solution—collaborative pricing. I talked to people in our church who have experienced this firsthand and had sold for less than they thought they could get, but bought for less than they thought they should pay. And they were just beaming with joy and contentment. As I read the article, my heart was filled with encouragement at someone who's faith and courage is shining in a tough real estate time. Customers and the economy are both being blessed.Instead of moping she is innovating! Sounds like Genesis. Sounds like faith. Why don’t you and I try it this week!

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Tim White

"The Bible in 90 Days!"

Three basic questions may be asked of any text in the scriptures:
(1) What does it say? (2) What does it mean? (3) How does this impact me?

Teach me your decrees, O Lord; I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding and I will obeyyour instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart. Make me walk along the pathof your commands, for that is where my happiness is found. Psalm 119:33-35

90 Days to read all the way through the Bible. Twelve pages a day. Three months of sermons from the pulpit inall of Washington Cathedral’s 14 worship services - moving from a mountain-peak of scripture to a mountain-peak ofunprecedented spiritual growth. Saturday evenings from 5:30-6pm enjoy free-flowing conversation (no questions barred) with “The Bible Answer Dudes”, Dr. Dale White and Dr. Doug Wheeler. There will be a one day through the Bible survey by Dr. Marty Folsom and a study through the Bible deeper (Adult Sunday School Seminar) offered in two parts by some of the finest Bible teachers in the church. Hundreds of small groups will study through the Bible together as well as Sunday School Classes, Youth Group, Positive Christian Singles, etc. I expect there might be families in the church that will take a moment to read an inspirational verse just before they pray and eat their meal together. I just talked with a dad who is reading through the Bible with his son in the family Bible; and while driving his truck, he also listens to Eugene Peterson’s Message Bible on CD. Don’t miss out on the adventure of a lifetime at WashingtonCathedral. The whole church committed to reading all the way through the Bible in 90 days! It has to be a source of unity and blessing to the community and the whole world. I have this deep expectation that God is getting ready to do something really exciting in the life of each family that takes this challenge.

I received my life-verse from theologian and famous scholar, Dr. Carl F. H. Henry. He has had an immenseimpact on my life. This is what he said about the Bible. “The Bible remains the most extensively printed, widelytranslated, and frequently read book in the world. Its words have been treasured in the hearts of multitudes like none other. All who have received its gifts of wisdom and promises of new life and power were at first strangers to itsredemptive message, and many were hostile to its teaching and spiritual demands. In every generation its power to challenge persons of all races and lands has been demonstrated. Those who cherish the Book because it sustains future hope, brings meaning and power to the present, and correlates a misused past with God’s forgiving grace, would not long experience such inner rewards if Scripture were not known to them as authoritative, divinely revealed truth.”

Yes, you will encounter more questions than you ever thought possible! Yes, you will find nuggets of gold in verses that will become a part of your character and will help forge your future. And yes, the most valuable keepsake that you leave behind may be that marked up Bible that you spent 90 days in the adventure of a lifetime with. Mark it with your pen, your highlighter, your tears, your questions and your inspiration; and know that for over a hundred years, those who love and admire you will treasure it as a reminder of the adventure you are about to embark on.Recently, the President of the United State, Barak Obama, chose to lay his hand on the Bible of Abraham Lincoln when he took the oath of office to lead the most powerful nation in the world at one of the most pivotal moments in history. No one knows how your Bible will be used as an inspiration for generations to come.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

"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