"Another of God's Surprises!"

Elijah the prophet walked up to the altar and prayed, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, prove today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant. Prove that I have done this at your command. O Lord, answer me! Answer me so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God and that you have brought them back to yourself.” 1 Kings 18:36b

I could not sleep. We were leaving at 6am to drop Ben and Becca at SeaTac to fly to New Jersey. The McCary family was going to meet early at our house for prayer. So at 4am I woke up, sat by the stove, and had a cup of sleepy time tea. Up the stairs came my youngest daughter dressed for school. She said, something like this, “Do I look ready to go to Princeton?” To me she looked just like she did the first day of preschool. We always took “first day of school” pictures of our kids on our back deck. Time goes so fast.

Becca never set a goal to go to Princeton or to win a scholarship - it was just one of those miracles that happened for her and Ben from the very throne of God. Nobody guessed that they would get married after growing up in the same church. It was just another surprise by a God who loves to surprise us. What a joy to pick your daughter’s husband and their family. (Well, we didn't pick- - - but we delighted in the pick!) We never dreamed that a Presbyterian church would hire both of them and the Senior Pastor would pick them up at the airport and have them spend the first night at their house. It was just yet another of God's surprises. Jackie and Becca cried when they hugged and Ben and I made a hug look really clumsy, but when I hugged my baby girl―well she was still my baby girl. People often tell me they are afraid of their kids growing up. I tell them it goes fast and it’s sad to leave each stage, but it just keeps getting better- - -another of God's surprises!

Can you image how surprised everyone was when fire dropped from heaven after Elijah’s prayer? It must have made even Elijah tremble!

Here is my devotion for you today, “Why not trust God - walk with him - stick your neck out for him and put your life in a place to be surprised by his mighty love?” To me it is like having a fish line in the water waiting for a bite. You never know what God is going to do! So- - - apply for the new job, launch the new business, love your kids - God's way! Build your life on your hopes and wait on the Lord.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

"God is at Work!"

WOW God has been working hard! Hi, Pastor Tim... I’m not sure if you remember me... my name is (anonymous). I had a baby girl August 31, 2003 you dedicated her to Jesus and I was baptized the same day. I sat in the front right of the sanctuary all the time. I was married to a Hispanic man and I moved to Mexico with him shortly after the baby was born. We are now divorced. I married again - to a Christian man - July 18th 2009. He is a police officer in Myrtle Point Oregon. He leads worship at church. We just had a baby (that's number two for me). I've been up all night finding songs for worship and out of the blue thought of all the amazing people I was so blessed to have met when I attended Washington Cathedral. I was amazed at the blessing your community has now. I remember when the pool was just the dream and now it's God's work at hand!

What I learned there at Washington Cathedral carried me through my ugly divorce and abuse. My child and I fled Mexico to start over here in Oregon with my family. We almost died down there. I will always love my ex-husband, however his drinking became severe enough that we were locked in a bedroom and he would put food through the door for us to eat. He told me that I would never see my family again! I wish I was more open to you or the leaders there at Washington Cathedral. The abuse started while I was pregnant. I was seeing a pastor there for counsel, however I wasn't honest. Due to my pride I couldn't tell anyone what was happening behind closed doors at home. I have gone through a lot, but the memories, the compassion, and the worship at Washington Cathedral kept my head up.

I want to make a trip and visit some of my friends. (Name removed) has really given her life to the Lord. I brought her with me to church before I left for Mexico and she continued for a while then relocated to a different church and city. Her husband has also given his life to Jesus.

I hope to see you and Jackie sometime this year for a Sunday.

Anonymous
(Printed with author’s permission)

"God is Always Faithful!”

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God―this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is―his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”

Romans 12:1-2

Every time I attend a camp at Washington Cathedral, whether winter or summer, I find that God is always faithful to reveal Himself. This year’s Junior High camp was no exception! Even as a leader I left feeling overwhelmed by His mercy and provision. Perhaps the most inspiring way I saw God working was through the very lives of the young men and women who attended; barriers were broken, love for God rekindled, and most importantly, they found Jesus in the midst of it all. To me, one of the most rewarding and humbling experiences at camp was the opportunity to pray with one of the girls her vow to remain pure until marriage. It’s experiences like these that make being a youth leader so wonderful; to know that even in a culture filled with negative influences, a young girl would be able to rise above it and declare Jesus as Lord of her life.

Also awe-inspiring, was witnessing my fellow leaders pouring their lives into loving the kids at camp. These leaders included Paul Cook, Dan Koster, Kelsey Robinson, Ken Hunt, Carla Prosch, Tara Roth, and Andy and Paula Erman. Even upon first glance, it’s clear that every individual has a special gift ordained specifically by God to reach the heart of a young man or woman that would have otherwise been left untouched. Yet among all of the spiritual gifts each leader has been blessed with, they all have one in common: the ability to show the unrelenting, all-surpassing love of Christ.

God continues to work wonders in Washington Cathedral’s student ministries, and I am blessed to be walking alongside these individuals through life’s struggles and triumphs.

In Christ,

Gigi Bresolin

Back To The Future!

“Many people would define the ‘good life’ as one that’s free of pain, hardship and heartache. But I’ve learned that adversity is actually an opportunity. It’s a gift, though it may not look like it in the moment. The difficulties life throws at you can be a doorway to something better―something you hadn’t even dreamed was possible.”
Drew Brees, MVP of the 2010 Super Bowl

All things work together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purposes.

Romans 8:28

I guess it took 55 years for me to learn that life is best lived as an adventure - and this summer is an adventure! It’s a roller coaster adventure for the world, national and local economies. But, when faced with adversity, I love to see true grit in people. I met with a number of people last week who are going through tough times financially and I left not only determined to pray for them, but to make our church a better “inspiration station.” – It’s my goal that every week our church will send people out stronger than they were before they walked through the doors. But, not content with the immediate, Washington Cathedral is planning an uplifting breakthrough strategy for this coming fall.

This is the most exciting time of my life. Excitement always brings change and that’s usually unsettling. As a first step, because finances are a challenge, we are going to discontinue mailing the radiance (at least until fall). This will represent a sizable savings to the church. **So if you would like to continue to receive this weekly inspiration via e-mail, please make sure we have a current e-mail address for you. We will also be discontinuing the big weekly bulletin for the rest of the summer. You will still get a smaller version with a sermon handout, communication card and giving envelope; but it won’t be “chock full.” So in order to keep up on all the great summer and early fall activities available to you, you can pick up an events flyer from the information tables, carefully read the PowerPoint ads showing on the screens before each worship service, and regularly check out our website www.wacathedral.org. This again represents a solid savings to the church for the month of August which is the toughest month of the year for us financially.

You may have noticed that each one of our congregational worship services is becoming more and more of a family. Each service is unique and focused on creating lifelong friendships. This is a part of our long-term strategy you will be hearing more about. We are appointing Congregational Pastors for each congregation and Deacons to help with making each congregation feel more and more like family. Of course you can attend whenever is most convenient for you, but if you plug into one congregation on a regular basis you will find great opportunities for a deeper walk and deeper friendships. I will still be doing my share of preaching, but the focus is “back to the future.” Going back to the loving family that we started out as and moving away from a church which puts on a massive number of worship services. Each worship service or “congregational family” is developing a team of committed people to help us make this happen. In fact, next summer we are planning family camps for each congregation in our church and we will return a church on fire with the closeness that Christ wants us to have.

These are exciting times for this church which dreams of being a great caring network. Your friendship, support, and patience will be deeply appreciated.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

"Let Justice Splash!"

About a year ago I read an article in a Christian magazine written by Charles Webb, Ph.D. He is the president of Spring Arbor University, a Christian University in Spring Arbor, Michigan. This sentence caught my eye and has resonated with me since that time: “Justice is a distinguishing mark of anauthentic follower of God.” He went on to say “It’s incarnational living that allows [nonbelievers] to see Jesus through the compassionate eyes of justice.” Of course, he was referencing Isaiah 58 and 59. Matthew 19:19 says it more succinctly: Justice is loving your neighbor as yourself, as Christcommands.

We are out to build the greatest caring network the world has ever seen which means that, asfollowers of Jesus, we live our lives right out in the open for everyone to see. Hopefully, as thatfollower, I’m displaying my love for Jesus through the acts of justice I demonstrate daily. If you’ve ever struggled with how that actually looks in real life, here are some possibilities I have explored and found rewarding:

· Commenting to a clerk something personal about them – their nice smile, their courteous manner, or their efficient way of doing business.

· Speaking a word of friendliness to someone while waiting in line.

· Smiling in a friendly way to everyone you pass on the street.

· Offering to help a neighbor in some constructive way.

· Letting the car in the merge lane go ahead of you.

We all have lives to live and places to go. I think it makes the going easier if I spread a littlecompassion and kindness along the way. Another way we’ve expressed it at Washington Cathedral is to “Splash a little joy around!”

By: Sally Jo Holmes

"Some Good News!"

Last week we went door-to-door to over 1,200 homes telling people about the Randy & Rod Halvorson ReCreation Center which is open to the community. People couldn’t believe that we have a pool that is open to the public. Before we got back to the church, young families were stopping by to use it and we were getting calls asking more about this meta church that is bringing different kinds of churches togetherunder the love of God. In 26 years of going door-to-door, I have never seen such aresponse. Sure, I was sore each evening (but I need the exercise) and I am so blessed to know that we are filling the church up with new friends and unlimited possibilities.

Last Tuesday I came out of Pastor Linda’s office with a huge smile on my face. She told me that we now have over 1,000 people who are card-carrying members and 60% of those are not even attenders of Washington Cathedral! Plus, we are running the pool at a slight profit rather than a deficit! She noted that it’s because of all the volunteer work being done! Operating at a profit helps support the other ministries of the church. When I walked out into the waiting room I ran into a good friend of mine―a friend that has stuck by my side through the entire adventure of building this church. I blurted out, “I just found out that we are already running the pool at a profit.” He smiled as big as I did. He said, “That makes me so happy. I thought this pool might become a money pit for the church.” We both just enjoyed the fact that God knew what He was doing when he built this building and we are amazed that thisoutrageous blessing/idea is working. Paul put it this way, “All things work together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

God is releasing His favor on Washington Cathedral and it is a joy just to be a part of it.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

"The Great Commission!"

This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostleand sent out to preach his Good News. Romans 1:1

As you know, I love the book of Romans. I have been preaching on it in my latest sermon series, “Attacking the World with Arms Wide Open!” It represents Paul’s theological treatise- - - in other words, it is his definitive story. Many of the themes are picked up in other books, but this is the long walk where he really pours his heart out to the listener. I love to hear people’s life story- - - what makes them do what they do and what has made them the person that they are today. I love to watch people open up when they feel that they have an ally in someone whose grace comes from Jesus Christ- - - someone who is reluctant to be judgmental and quick to offer friendship and prayers.

You would be surprised at how many enemies become friends when you hear their life story.

I am not saying that everyone has a good excuse for the weaknesses they exhibit, but it sure helps a lot when you come alongside and look at the world from their perspective. I like my dad's saying, “Walk a mile in your enemies moccasins and if he is still your enemy you are one mile away and he is barefoot because you have his shoes.”

It is hard for some people to understand the gracious community that we are trying to build here at Washington Cathedral. We think the best way for us to legitimately fulfill the Great Commission is to be non-manipulative. Churches like ours reach out because that is what Jesus told us to do in the Great Commission (Matthew 28). Churches reach out because we refuse to cut the words of Jesusout of the Bible. In the stories of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son he teaches us that we are supposed to be “salt and light” in a world that desperately needs it! On July 8, 2010, the Seattle Times ran an article which said that people are twice as likely to be killed by themselves than to be murdered. Let’s face it- - - Jesus was right! People need help, someone who cares, a community that can be gracious and that is what God has called us to do as a great caring network! This is not an addition to the Gospel message, it is at the heart of every book of the Bible and every word that Jesus spoke. To miss this point is to miss being a Christ-follower- - - and we are not willing to entertain that for one moment. So folks, let reach out! Lets make friendships! Let’s listen to people’s stories and find ways to be a means of God's grace in this world!!

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White