Is it Murder?

During this Christmas of 2008, there is a lingering thought that is in my mind and I can’t shake it. The Answer to Death. Plain and simple, Christ’s birth. What does it say of us as followers of Christ, when we do not put feet to the prayers that we speak to God on behalf of the precious that do not know him yet. If you have not watched the video on Pastor Jeff Hickman’s blog this week, I would encourage you to do so now.

My Son, Matthew shared this quote with me from Spurgeon:

“If you want to murder a man, you need not stab him: rather just starve him. If you want to destroy a man you need not teach him to drink or swear; just keep back the gospel from him. Be in his company and never say a word for Christ. When you should speak be sinfully silent…Don’t you think that to deny a cup of cold water to a man and let him die of thirst is murder. To deny the gospel, to have no word to say for Jesus- is this not soul-murder?

Romans 10:14-17 (The Message)
“But how can people call for help if they don't know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven't heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it? That's why Scripture exclaims, a sight to take your breath away! Grand processions of people, telling all the good things of God!”

Game time is over. Its time to answer the questions in Romans Chapter 10

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

8 Reasons for Christmas

"The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8; cf. Hebrews 2:14-15)

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." (Mark 2:17)

“The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luke 19:10)

“The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45)

“For God so loved the world that whoever believes on him shall not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved." (John 3:16)

“God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him." (1 John 4:9; cf. John 10:10)

“The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." (1 Timothy 1:15)

"Christ became a servant…to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy." (Romans 15:7-8; cf. John 12:27).

from "DesiringGod.com"

Gather, Grow, and Go
Pastor Tim

Bonhoeffer

I’m reading a small book this month called Life Together, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Who is Dietrich Bonhoeffer?

Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran pastor, theologian, participant in the German Resistance movement against Nazism.

In 1939, Bonhoeffer joined a secret group of high-ranking military officers in the Abwehr (Military intelligence Office), who planned to end the National Socialist regime by killing Hitler. Bonhoeffer was arrested in April 1943 after money used to help Jews escape to Switzerland was traced to him. He was charged with conspiracy and imprisoned in Berlin for a year and a half.

Following the failure of the July 20 Plot on Hitler's life in 1944, Bonhoeffer's connections with the conspirators were discovered. He was again arrested and was imprisoned in a procession of prisons and concentration camps, ending at Flossenbürg.

Bonhoeffer was executed by hanging in Flossenbürg at dawn on April 9, 1945, just three weeks before the Soviet capture of Berlin and a month before the capitulation of Nazi Germany. Like other executions associated with the July 20 Plot, the execution was brutal. Bonhoeffer was stripped of his clothing, tortured and ridiculed by the guards, and led naked into the execution yard. A lack of sufficient gallows to hang the plotters caused Hitler and Nazi propagandist Josef Goebbels to use meathooks from slaughterhouses to slowly hoist the victim by a noose formed of piano wire. Asphyxiation is thought to have taken half an hour.

In the book “Life Together” Bonhoeffer writes:
It is not simply to be taken for granted that the Christian has the privilege of living among other Christians. Jesus Christ lived in the midst of His enemies. At the end all His disciples deserted Him. On the cross He was utterly alone, surrounded by evildoers and mockers. For this cause He had come to, bring peace to the enemies of God.

So the Christian, too, belongs not in seclusion of a cloistered life but in the thick of the foes. There is His commission, His work. The Kingdom is to be in the midst of your enemies. And he who will not suffer this does not want to be of the Kingdom of Christ; he wants to be among friends, to sit among roses and lilies.

2 Corinthians 5:20
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Coffee Time

I know, its been a while since you have heard from me. No excuses, but it truly has been a very busy few weeks for me.

Ever since my Army days, I look forward to having my daily coffee. Not just the coffee, but it also means a time to slow down and reflect. The past 2 weeks I have had reflecting moments. First one. I’m now hosting our second LifeGroup of the week on Thursday nights. One of the things we do is to share about ourselves to get to know each other. That activity always causes me to reflect on the family life that I had as a child, the experiences that God has brought me through, and my wife. I love to hear her reflect as she shares our early years of marriage with others.

Second one. In preparing for a ministry conference, I had to “look back on the timeline of my life” and list the experiences that made me who I am today. That was a big list. It caused me to look a both Positive and Negative experiences with family, church and work. As I pause with my coffee, I can truly say that I am thankful for all of those Life Mile Markers.

I challenge you to take pen and paper and “timeline” your life, and thank a Holy God for making you who you are today. I will not be easy, because you would be including some uncomfortable times. God will for us is not to be comfortable, but to be moldable. The questions today are:

Who do I have the passion for, to share the Love of God with?

How will I use my experiences to reach the precious?

How can I make a difference in the institutional mindset of “church” to be church?

First century Christians did not call themselves Christian, they called themselves Christ followers, because that was what they were doing. They were identified as Christian, by others, that saw their walk as a follower.

John 20:30-31
30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

One Year Later

One Year Later

Its hard to believe that one year ago this month a merge between to different congregations happened. Much fear was expressed as to what LifeSong Lyman would look like when it was all done. Of the new changes that were experienced was the idea of LifeGroups. I have to admit, some fear entered into my heart because I just wasn’t sure that I could communicate clearly, what I knew as to what God was doing in my heart in terms of growing relationships and learning God’s word, verses something that we all have been use to… Sunday School.

In October of 2007 we began training LifeGroup leaders in our home. During those amazing 6 weeks, God conquered our fears as we trained, practiced, and prayed. January 2008 God started 5 LifeGroups. Today God has to be given the Glory and Praise, because of His guidance, LifeGroups have grown from 5 groups in January to 12 in October 2008. I expect to see even more in 2009.

It has been difficult thing for me personally, to move people out of their current group in order to start new groups, but with the explosive growth that we are experiencing at LifeSong, it is simply necessary. I am beginning the process for the next Host (leader) training as we continue to move forward. More Hosts and Host Homes are needed.

Please know my heart; my passion is not to simply multiply groups, but help create an environment where three relationships can thrive. The 3 relationships that I speak of, is with God, Christ followers, and the ones that don’t have a relationship with God yet. In order for Iron to Sharpen Iron, there has to be more than just a few rubbings. Personal & Spiritual growth will take place in LifeGroups the longer the group stays active. Current groups will end at the end of the school year.

Thank you LifeSong family for your Love, Support, and Prayers. I am truly blessed to be with you!
Pastor Tim

We have room for you if are not currently in a LifeGroup. See List

Who - Where - Day
Matthew Christopher - LifeSong Church (SINGLES) - Sunday night

Troy & Brandi Cole - Reidville - Sunday night

Jon & Kim Adam Adam - Duncan - Wednesday night

Brian Christopher - Lyman/Inman - Wednesday night

A Note About Communication

Text messaging is one of the simplest and most useful means of mobile communication. No one can doubt the popularity of text messaging, but is it really communication when there is no voice, and no body language?

Is texting addictive? I don’t know, but do you ever have feelings of anger or tension when you are separated from your texting tool? Do you long for a better texting phone? Do you need an extra set of hands when you thumb through you cell phone bill?

Top 10 list of texting guidelines.
1. Common courtesy still rules. Contrary to popular belief, composing a text message while you're in a face-to-face conversation with someone is just about as rude as taking a homeless person’s biscuit. It says to people around you that they are less important to talk to than the person being texted.

2. Remember that texting is informal. Texting shouldn't be used for formal invitations. The casualness of texting diminishes the strength and meaning of the message.

3. Don't get upset if you don't get a reply. If it's immediate, make a voice call. If you can't get through and your text message is ignored, there's probably a good reason. If you live at the Lyda house, you don’t have “texting” anyway.

4. Be aware of your tone. It is extremely difficult to discern tone in text messages, just as in e-mail. What seems to you to be a completely innocent message may be grossly misinterpreted by the recipient, causing certain discomfort if not irreparable harm.

5. Don't text while you're driving. You won't know what hit you - or what you hit.

6. Leave the slang to the kids. Don't expect people you know to be hip to the lingo of the “texting” streets. And don't expect to win points with your kids by trying to be cool, either.

7. I’m tired of looking at the tops of people’s heads. I sometimes misinterpret a bowed head for someone praying, and I tend to get a little “gnashing of the teeth” attitude, when … well you know.

8. Before you hit the send button, ask yourself “am I gossiping?” I have this feeling in my stomach that more gossip and less glorifying is being texted, but hey that’s just me.

9. Remember that your phone does have an off button. There are very, very few things in the world that absolutely cannot wait.

10. In short, when we think of relationships, don’t settle for Twinkies when you can have Pecan Pie. If you don’t know what that means, come see me.

In His Love
Pastor Tim

Adjustments

Nothing can change us more than the Application of scripture. No matter how much we hear the word of God through preaching often times it fails to bear fruit. Why? Scripture was not applied.

James 1:22-24
22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

Wouldn’t you be just a little concerned with someone that got up in the morning, looked in the mirror, and walked away without making adjustments? That is exactly what happens when we encounter scripture and walk away without making changes in our lives.

A person, who looks in the mirror and makes no changes, does not understand the purpose of the mirror. The person that routinely listens to God’s word but fails to apply it, will experience self deception and no growth toward Christ.

As a Christ follower you should be making adjustments every time you are encountering God’s word. Wouldn’t be great to look back in the past 12 months and identify distinct areas of your life in which you have changed based on what has been reflected back to you from God’ word? This is another reason you hear me say so much about LifeGroups. LifeGroups are designed for Application.

See you at LifeGroup!

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Sanctification / Justification

Sanctification
Theologian Wayne Grudem defines Sanctification this way:
Sanctification is a progressive work of God and man that makes us more and more free from sin and more like Christ in our actual lives.

I believe that LifeGroups are an ideal environment for this process to take place. Not all small groups have sanctification in mind as a goal. In fact sometimes small groups can do more harm than good if the group is more of a social time and not focused on it intended purpose which is to fellowship in God’s love, study His word and apply it to our lives, then hold each other up in prayer. “to strengthen each others hand in God”. LifeGroups meet for a purpose, which is sanctification.

Justification
Is an instantaneous legal act of God in which he thinks of our sins as forgiven and Christ’s righteousness as belonging to us, and declares us to be righteous in His sight.

Justification refers to a Christian’s position before God. The moment you were born again, God justified you.

Sanctification refers to our practice before God. It is the ongoing process of battling sin and becoming more like Jesus.

Question:
If someone in your group pointed out what he/she thought was sin in your life, how would you respond?

1. Become offended and internalize it
2. Become offended and express it
3. Dissolve into tears
4. Point out sins in their lives
5. Thank him/he for care and concern

Read Romans 5:1-2
Meditate and be thankful

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

The past few weeks, I have been visiting our LifeGroups during the fellowship time and to share with the groups the direction that we are going. The one thing that seems to be very common with all of our groups is, everyone that comes through the door seems excited about being there. Fellowship is happening.

I feel very strong about this issue of fellowship within our groups. Genuine Fellowship has a way of squashing the “Me Church” mentality, and focuses more on the other person that God has placed in our lives. You are most likely tired of hearing me say this, but I see small groups as a priority for every Christian, and every church. Why? Scripture constantly underscores the centrality of relationships and fellowship.

J.I. Packer says:
“We should not think of our fellowship with other Christians as a spiritual luxury, an optional addition to the exercises of private devotions. Fellowship is one of the great words of the New Testament: it denotes something that is vital to a Christians spiritual health, and central to the Churches true life… The church will flourish and Christians will be strong only when there is fellowship”.

My prayer and goal is to have a place for everyone in LifeGroups. We are not there yet. We still need more homes to meet in and more people to Host the group for bible study.

Further Study:
How ought Christians to relate to one another in order to experience fellowship?
See 1 John 1:7

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Who’s in your wallet?

If you are in one of our LifeGroups, you have been or will be given a card to carry in your wallet. It is called the 3-1-6 card. It is a tool for you to use to pray for 3 people 1 time a day, for 6 days. Your group has also been given a list of businesses located in Lyman, which needs your prayers. You can select a business and add it to your card. Prayer for those who don’t know Him yet, as well as those who know, but have no relationship with the father, is extremely important. Don’t leave your card in your wallet…show it to the Father.

A few weeks ago Pastor Jeff shared in his sermon about giving God your firsts. Here is the list:

Give God the first day of every week.
Give God the first part of everyday.
Give God the first portion of your income.
Give God FIRST consideration of every decision.

Acts 4:29-31
29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

NKJV

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Are you experiencing everything you should be?

Communism falls. In Romania there were many orphans who were warehoused in huge orphanages. They were understaffed and were only able to provide for the physical needs of the babies, such as food, and shelter. The babies were very hardly ever picked up and were never cuddled or played with at all. This neglect led to a condition called "failure to thrive syndrome". Whether they were several months old or even years old they still looked and acted like newborn babies. What they were missing was a family, even a surrogate family that would encourage growth through consistent contact.

Christians can have that same "failure to thrive syndrome" in our spiritual lives. Have you seen this Syndrome in any of your family or friends, which you believe to be Christian? I am of the opinion that if Christians that join a church, and don’t get connected in a smaller body of believers, will eventually leave that church and go into isolation.

Once in isolation it is very difficult to convince someone to come out of that lifestyle. Why? It’s a safe place where there is no effort needed for relationships. No one can hurt you therefore you don’t have to worry about forgiving others. If that sounds a little selfish, that’s because it is. Since Jesus defined forgiveness with His life, shouldn’t that thrust us toward relationships with others?

This is why Paul teaches that it is so important to be adopted into a fully functioning body of believers, a small group for instance.

In Ephesians 4:14, Paul says "Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth."

Praise!
There is a very special person in my life that I met in 2003 at my second job - BMW. He is a husband, father, and grandfather. He is also a person that others seem to be drawn to. Why? He is a person of Love. Plain and simple “Love”. He and I have and many conversations concerning Faith, God, and what in means to be a Christ follower. Two weeks ago I had an opportunity to share or answer a few of his questions concerning being a disciple of Christ and having eternal life in heaven. That day, he became more than a special person… he is my brother in Christ!

Praise #2, that weekend, he shared with his wife his good news. They attended church that Sunday, and you guessed it, she became a Christ follower as well. It’s funny how our love and Christ’s love seems to be contagious.

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Below is a preview of Breaking the Missional Code by Ed Stetzer

Across North America many churches are experiencing explosive growth because they are learning to connect with their communities. Pastors and churches are breaking the cultural codes of their communities. People are responding to biblical faithful and culturally relevant outreach.
Breaking the code means discovering the principles that work in every context, selecting the tools most relevant for your context, and then learning to apply them in a missionally effective manner.
There is not just one white, young, cultural code to be broken. Every culture needs to be exegeted [de-coded] for the gospel.
Breaking the code is a missionary’s work, and it should be seen [even in North America] as a missional process. A commitment to the integrity and authority of the Scripture, combined with a passion for reaching people to whom you are called, requires a commitment to prayerfully create a plan and strategy to reach your community.
Code-breaking churches must be indigenous in their context, and indigenous churches look different from culture to culture.


Attendance for August

1st Sunday 242
2nd Sunday 276
3rd Sunday 285
4th Sunday 297
5th Sunday 242

Average is 268

Gather Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Promises

This past Sunday, Jeff preached on "Covenant" then we eyewitnessed Jon & Karen Ives make a covenant at the end of the service as they became husband and wife. Promises. How many have I made, and how many have I broken?

I was reminded this morning by someone about God's promises. Today was I day that I needed to remember:.

Isaiah 44:22 I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free."

Philippians 4:19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 55:22 Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

Matthew 28:20 And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Jeremiah 29:13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

John 14:18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans-I will come to you.

Psalm 32:8 The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. will advise you and watch over you.

John 6:40 For it is my Father's will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day."

Psalm 37:39 The Lord rescues the godly; he is their fortress in times of trouble.

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."

2 Samuel 22:31 God's way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.

James 1:5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking

I could go on with scripture. This is not a complete list that is recorded in God's word.

Ask your self this question that I have asked myself the past weeks:
Have I been remembering Satans lies or God's promises. Why has it been easier to see the faults of men and not the promises of God. Is it because we see what we are looking for?


Gather, Grow, & Go


Pastor Tim

Study

When Matt & Andrew were younger, I helped coach their Soccer & Baseball teams. One of the things that always stood out to me is that parents would drop their kids off for practice, but never invested in practicing with their kids at home.

The result was that the child couldn’t perform on game day to the parents’ expectation, and the parent(s) would get ripped out of the frame because “we” haven’t taught the child to shoot from the 3 point line.

What about bible study? I would guess that not many of us have been taught very specifically how to study the bible. I want to share a few tips with you in this blog update

Reading Old Testament
Read the complete Old Testament at least once a year. As you read, note in the margins any truths that you want to remember, and write down separately anything that you don’t immediately understand. Questions that you can not find answers to, become starting points for more in-depth study, using commentaries and other reference tools.

Reading New Testament
Read one book at a time repeatedly for 30 days or more. This will help you to retain what is in the New Testament and not always have to depend on the concordance to find things. Try this with 1 John. Write on index cards the major theme of each chapter, and use those as you re read. This will help you develop a visual perception of the book in your mind.

One of the things that has me so hyped up about our Life Groups, is the new bible study curriculum from http://www.lifebiblestudy.com/ . I hope that if you are not part of a Life Group, you will contact me, and I will get you into a group. We still have space available for you!

Pastors Blogs
Lastly, I want to refer you to (Dying Church) Pastor Jeff’s & (Missional Church) Pastor Brian’s blog for this week, just incase you don’t go to them on a regular basis. http://www.jeffhickman.blogspot.com/ / http://www.briangeorge.blogspot.com/

1 John 2:5-6
But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Scripture

Scripture

How has scripture affected your life today? Do you view scripture as a historical note, or do you see it as the very word of God? Is reading the bible part of the things that you “check off” your to do list? Is it even on your list? As teachers taught in the temples of Christ time here on earth, it is said that children were taught the sweetness of the Torah (the first writings of the Old Testament), by placing honey on the scroll, and the children would take their finger and dip the honey from the scroll, place it to their lips and say “His Word is sweet like honey”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 says:
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(NKJV)

Profitable for Teaching (what is right)

Profitable for Reproof (what is wrong)

Profitable for Correction (how to get right)

Profitable for Training in righteousness(how to live right)

Scripture has the potential to make us adequate, equipped FOR EVERY GOOD WORK.

Scripture is complete and is all that we need to have a right relationship with God. We don’t need a vision. We don’t need a new revelation or a voice from heaven.

Daniel Webster (1782-1852) emphasized the importance of THE TRUTH: "If truth be not diffused, error will be. If God and His Word are not known and received, the devil and his works will gain the ascendancy. If the evangelical volume does not reach every hamlet, the pages of a corrupt and licentious literature will. If the power of the gospel is not felt throughout the length and breadth of the land...corruption and darkness will reign."

I have witnessed some good, well intentioned Christ Followers make some pretty bone head decisions in their lives, and the one thing that seems to come to the surface each time, is when God’s word is absent in a persons life, Satan is pretty quick to replace that void with a “Holy” looking substitute, that when consumed, damages that person and their witness.

Last Question:
So, why are we listing to Oprah & Dr. Phil for answers to Truth and Life?

2 Timothy 3:16-17
Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.
The Message

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Doing Life Together

Wow!
GroupLink this past Sunday was amazing. I want to thank everyone evolved in setting up the sign up areas, but more importantly I know that many of you had soaked the whole event in Prayer. The response reconfirmed to me that God is again moving people to Himself, and maturity and commitment is happing. By saying that you want to be in a Life Group, you are saying “YES!, I want to strengthen your hand in God, and I need you to strengthen my hand in God”. Not all share that ordination from God as truth, but God’s word is clear. The question that we must ask ourselves is “who’s hand can we strengthen in God today?”

I want to encourage the 124 (adults = 78% adult membership) of you that set aside your fears and took the first step in sharing life with others, in order to Grow toward a right relationship with Him. The next 2 weeks Satan will plant crazy thoughts in your mind that you must deal with, like “why did I sign up for a Life Group?” Make No Agreements with Satan, and don’t get robbed of a major blessing in your life, by NOT doing life with others.

1 Samual 23:15-16
15 So David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. And David was in the Wilderness of Ziph in a forest. 16 Then Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God.

Gather, Grow, and Go
Pastor Tim

Holy Discontent

Its great being back home, in the USA, in the greatest town in the world. Lyman. Now having a week of allowing my mind to process what Lynn and I experienced in Scotland, I would like to share some thoughts with you.

The Scots are some of the most wonderful people that I have met. They are people that I loved sharing life with. They are also a people that need Christ. In terms of hearing the gospel, they are not part of the 10/40 window (see definition at bottom), but a people that live in a country where some of the most important events took place in terms of the expansion of Christianity throughout the world, but less than 5% of the population have a personal relationship with Christ.

Why?
In general the church has become irrelevant. Just like the States, the church has focused on gardens, choir robes, stained glass, and not people. The result is you have a people group that lives in a country where the gospel is in print, access to it is possible, but people are lost and are just doing time. Their degree of lostness carries the same weight as the 10/40 window.

Holy Discontent Definition
Being so broken hearted about something, which causes you to do something to make a difference. Discontent without “Holy” means you turn and walk away, or you get it out of your eye.

Ever been discontent with family? Did you resolve that this is just the way it is, or did you seek to make a difference in your own family? Have you ever been discontent with church? In my past, I have been part of “big” church and church government, and that prepared me more to be a Senator than a Christ Follower. It brought me to a place that a decision HAD to be made. Get it out of my eye, or go and make a difference. Getting me to the place of my Holy Discontent was painful and I lost friends & community along the way. But had it not been for those experiences, I would be just “doing time”.

I told Jeff Hickman a few days ago that LifeSong for me is what it looks like when a group of people say “No More”. No more going on mission trips, but living a missional life. No more superficial relationships with people, but living in each others lives through Life Groups. No more of doing the things that the church has always done (internally focused programs) and call it outreach or evangelism. I want my church, my family, to get close to the “hurt and pain” of this world and engage in kingdom work. That my friend, is true Contentment. We will be most content, when we are giving or lives away.

I have a burden in my heart for the Scots and I am in prayer for them. I will continue to listen and pray for any opportunity that the Lord may present to me and LifeSong to make a difference in the land of Wallace.

John 10:16
I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
Jesus

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

The 10/40 window is simply a term used to describe a region of the world within 10 and 40 degrees latitude from Western Africa to Eastern Asia. If you were to draw it on a map, the top would go from Portugal through Japan and the bottom would go from Guinea through the bottom tip of India all the way to the Philippines. Most of the people who have not had an opportunity to hear the gospel, live here. The 31 least reached countries in the world are in this "window."

Praise from Scotland

A few days ago, Lynn and I were making our way back south from the Highlands. We found a costal town called Kirkcaldy, and decided to stay the night there. Once we got settled in, we realized it was one of our least favorite towns/village to be at. It was time for dinner and walked for a good while before we found any thing open.

There was a small pizza place called “Elevens”. A young lady waited on us. After talking with her, we found out that she was a young single mother, which lived in this small town her whole life. I sensed that God was doing something here. I asked her if she knew if she would go to heaven or not. Kelly said “I hope so”. We asked her if she could sit with us while there were no customers. Kelly allowed me to share the Gospel with her, using the bridge method, which many of you have seen in small groups.

Monday June 30th, Kelly gave her heart to Christ. I told her that many of you at LifeSong will be praying for her and her son.

Kelly,
WE are so happy for you and your new life in Christ. AS you read this blog, please know that Tim & Lynn, and your brothers and sisters in the U.S.A. are praying for you. Remember to listen to God by staying in His word (Bible), and talk to Him daily.

Love in Christ,
Tim & Lynn Lyda

John 10:27-30
27. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
28. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
29. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.
30. I and My Father are one.”

Update From The Highlands

Lynn and I stayed in the city of Ineverness a few days ago. We meet Ray and Christine that operate the Bed & Breakfast that we stayed at. With in a few minutes of conversation, they wanted to know why, while they where in Fla. for vacation, there where so many churches. Wow! The door was open. We stayed up to midnight just sharing life and had an opportunity to pray for them. We left with them a bible reading plan and the Invitation CD. Keep them in your prayers.

That night we got to experience (by chance) the Scottish Highland Military bag pipers, as they paid tribute to a solider that was retiring after 33 years of service. I’ll have more on that story later.

Galatians 6:10


Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Best Friend

What is a best friend? What does it mean? Does it ever make you feel like you are missing something when you here someone talk about a best friend, or when you see two people “hanging out” together? Some people seem to have 100’s of “best” friends. How can that be? Well I’m no different that any other person and have some opinions on the matter.

Webster says:
a person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile.

What ever. I don’t consider someone who is not being hostile toward me, a friend.

God says:
Proverbs 18:24
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 27:6
Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

Luke 5:20
When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven

What do we need to understand from this? A friend is someone who will remove their mask and allow you to see the good and bad of their life. The second part is “Best Friend” has the “want to” and the ability to forgive. “Best friend” means that I want to see more great things to come to that friend, than comes my way. Being friendless or “Best” friendless is a choice.

Maggie our border collie is a great friend. She senses when I’m down, when I am happy, and she expresses her love for me with a massive flexing of her body that I call the Maggie Wiggle. One time when returning from a trip she was so happy to see me, she peed on her self. Now I am not suggesting that … well you get the visual, all I am saying is as a person close to me said, “ In order to have a friend, you must first be a friend”. The next time you look around and wonder where the friends are, remember that we have to be intentional just like Maggie. We are the ones that are to go, and not wait for someone to speak or call. WE are the ones that must walk across the room.

Tomorrow I will travel to Edinburgh with my best friend. She has been my best friend for 25 years, and has put up with a lot of Crazy from my life. She has forgiven and been forgiven, she chooses to give, over receiving. She still loves me when I remove the mask.

Lynn, thank you for your love and best freindshipness.

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Man vs Wild

I finally had an opportunity to get my new 29er (wheel size of my new mountain bike) out on the trail. This was the same trail that my full suspension met its end. I mounted up on this oversize Mountain bike and hit the trail hard. 15 minutes into the ride I realized pretty quick that I was climbing quicker and descending on the single track at a good pace.

Moving fast and enjoying the ride, my left arm caught some briars and I starting bleeding. In the mountain bike world, when you bleed from a ride, you have become one with the trail. It’s kind of a marriage. The bleeding was making me feel manly so I searched for some bugs to eat in order to seal the “Man vs Wild” deal, but the only thing present was some bees, so I had to settle showing off my battle wound to my woman. Lynn, with all of her love said, “that’s nice”. Well never mind, it still was a cool ride.

Blood is Life
Blood is Proof of Life
Blood Seals the Deal…its kind of a marriage

Matthew 26:28

For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Mark 14:24

And He said to them, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many.

Luke 22:20

Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.

John 6:53

Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.

Romans 3:24 -25
being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Mountain Bikes

About Bikes
Last week while riding @ USCU, I destroyed my mountain bike. It broke my heart. It was my first full suspension bike, and the one that I have raced twice. This bike was such a natural fit for me and how I ride. When riding it, the bike became an extension of my arms and legs. I could downhill fast, climb steady, and cross water hazards without drowning. I logged more than 700 miles of trail riding with that bike, which translates into a lot of abuse for a mountain bike. This bike will now be stored in my basement, as I have come to the conclusion that I can’t part with it, even in its broken condition.

About Family
Family is an extension of who we are. Some families are broken beyond repair due to death and sin. Other families are damaged because of un-met expectations, and listen to more of what Satan has to say, than speaking to and listening our Father. I’m convinced that most people want healing within their families but the sins of pride and Unforgiveness, seem to be the bigger giant. Lynn and I long to have healing in our own families, but just don’t know how to do it. Like many of you who try it in your own strength, it seems to bring only temporary results. I think that I’m learning something here about Trust, Faith, and Prayer.

About Church
Just like earthly family we have something in common. Blood. With that said, if we focus our efforts on what we have in common (HIM) then we see less of (US). At the end of the day its about glorifying our Lord. The expectations that you bring to your family or church has to be about (HE) and not (WE).

About Jesus
As I sometimes do, I tend to look back and reflect on my walk with Christ.
I have been taken to places that I would have never gone by myself. I have been disoriented many times due to my inability to trust the path on which I was placed on and the ONE who placed me there. I was never alone when I thought that the downhill was going to never end. Climbing trials on a bike, I relied on my legs and lungs. Climbing to a Spiritual Mile Marker, I had only one option and that was to rely on His strength and guidance.

About New Bikes & New Life
My bike can not be repaired. I have purchased a new one (see picture). New bikes are not cheap. Jesus repairs brokenness, even when in our eyes there is no hope of repair. The type of repair He does is everlasting, complete, and not cheap. I’m so thankful that Christ chose to repair me, because in HIS eyes, I (we) are beautiful to Him. My prayer is that I reflect Him to the Precious and I can testify that what ever type of dirt & brokenness you bring, you are Precious to Jesus.

PS. Looking back while mountain biking is not healthy for you or your bike. Looking back on past sins or successes normally causes you to miss a future blessing that has been prepared for you.

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Daughter in Love

Today is our Daughter in Love’s Graduation from college. Brittany is a amazing young woman who has blessed us so much with her smile, love for the lost, love for family, but most importantly her desire to please God. Lynn and I are so proud of her, and we celebrate this mile marker in her life. We ask that all of our friends and family to join hearts together today and celebrate what God has done.

Britt, we LOVE YOU!!!

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Tim & Lynn

Tents

Realizing that not all of you that read my blog, also read the blogs of the other pastors of LifeSong Church, I have included in today’s update a guest blogger… Senior Pastor Jeff Hickman.
If you have visited LifeSong church or bumped into a LifeSong member in the community:
You will hear that we are about being missionaries where we live, work, and play.

You will hear that we will pitch tents, not build Cathedrals.
You will hear that we will be part of a movement, not to build monuments.
You will hear that we will avoid like the plague any activity that brings focus on ministry that fits only in the confines of the church building or only focuses on “Church Folk”.

From Jeff Hickman
It seems that the talk of the Christian "blogger world" is about Ed Stetzer's blog called "breaking news". The latest statistics from the Southern Baptist show that last year was the second time in the denominations history that there was a decline in membership. This is really not breaking news. It is has taken a long time for us to get here as a denomination. I am not a guru on this subject however, I do have my own opinions. I believe that LifeSong Network can help churches get back on track.

How?

The greatest error we made as a denomination was when the tail started wagging the dog. Local associations, state conventions, NAMB, and the International Mission board were created for specific purposes and we have relied upon them greatly. In most instances they have been effective, however it has moved the mindset in the pew from missional to mission-minded. People were taught to give and let somebody else go. This shift in thought and behavior within the church has created a crisis. Overcoming this mentality will be very difficult because it is built into our "DNA". Institutional thinking has been built into our pulpits, constitutions, budgets and attitudes. We must find a way to move the church back to missional living and destroy our institutional mentality.

It is very important that you hear me affirm our missions organizations. We need to continue to support our missionaries, but we must abandon the thought that our mission minded activities will solve this crisis.

LifeSong Network is aiming to help churches return to personal responsibility with our communities. We want to plant churches that build in a missional DNA. Churches that can see the importance of every person becoming a missionary where they live, work and play.

I believe that through coaching, pastoral encouragement and visional renewal pastors in new churches or in existing churches can see radical transformation in their churches and communities. We need to embrace a lateral growth plan where we are not looking to build kingdoms, but we help each other build the body. The church is one body. Many different names, but one mission. -Pastor Jeff Hickman

Gather, Grow, & Go

Pastor Tim

Heroes

For whatever reason in my quietness this past week, I have thought about our 2 sons a lot. Don’t get me wrong, I think about them daily, but last week they just seemed to be on my mind and heart. Like any parent, I enjoy telling stories about our kids, like the time Matthew drove the car into the den, or Andrew and I trying to camp at the lake during a lake wind advisory. There is also this major disease that Matt & Drew have which effects their ability to maintain car keys…(my sister Kim has the same disease).

But I can not forget the look on Matt’s face when his bride Brittany came to him at the altar, and to see how she has partnered with him in ministry, or the look in Andrews’ eyes as he shares how God has spoken to him while studying a John Maxwell series…that’s almost the same look that he gives when he says “Erin”.

To be quite serious I am amazed how God has grown our two sons into Men that seem to be fearless in their pursuit to follow the Messiah. This passion and pursuit has impacted the ones that they love, as well as the ones that have been loved by them. By no means are they perfect, but they simply are a joy & blessing to be with. I often worried as a young dad, was I doing the “right” things, and even now I find my self thinking “is there something that I could be missing?”

I wondered was I too hard on them when it was time to spank them. Yep I said spank. That was an activity that was not any fun for us or them, and I realize that many disagree with the method, and do not spank, but as a famous TV Dr. said “how’s that working out for you?” At the Lyda house it was used as one of many tools to grow men. Prayer and Love are the other tools. I don’t know a lot of things, but I am glad that the tables have turned, and I now get be the one that is daily, and weekly learning from some men that pursue Christ, that not too many years ago I was driving them to baseball.

Matt & Drew… my heroes

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Prayer Walking

In the past few months here at LifeSong, you have heard a lot of discussion about
“Prayer Walking”.

So what does that mean?

http://www.waymakers.org/ is an organization that has championed this type of prayer activity in the local church body.


Below is what they have to say about Prayer Walking:

“Many Christians have been learning to quietly pray in the places that they live, work or play. We've come to call this sort of on-site intercession "prayerwalking."
Prayerwalking is simply praying in the very places we expect God to bring forth his answers. Prayerwalking is usually a low-profile affair: Friends or family stroll two-by-two through their own neighborhoods, schools and work places, praying as they go.

Once in a while the prayers can be demonstrative, but most prayerwalking is fairly quiet. It's usually being on the scene without making one.

As you pray God's promises with specific homes or worksites in view, you'll find that hope for those people begins to grow. You'll begin to see people as God might view them. You'll likely find yourself becoming more interested in the welfare of the people you are praying for. In other words, you might find yourself becoming the kind of neighbor that you always wanted to be.

Watch for the ways God impresses you to display his love in practical acts of kindness.

Be ready to offer to pray with your neighbors as opportunity may arise. Ask God to give you opportunity to explain clearly how people can enjoy friendship with God by the power of the gospel.

Check out the different sections on this website and the resources we have available. In a few years we'll be living in a prayed-for world and you will be part of it!”

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Got Milk?

Have you ever seen a new born baby with a knife and fork, ready to tear into a medium well New York strip? Hope not. What about someone that has had major surgery and the day after is eating Chili Cheese a Plenty from the Beacon? That could land them right back in the hospital.

1 Peter 2:2 says:
2.Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.

At LifeSong, we want to give you an opportunity to Grow and enjoy some Spiritual Milk.
On March 30th Sunday night we will be starting our 2nd Starting Point Class.

What is “The Starting Point”?
If you have recently started a relationship with God, or you are reconnecting with God after being away for a while, this would be a great bible study group to be in. It is a bible study that focuses on the foundations of being a Christ follower.

Where and when, does the Starting Point group meet? It is a 6 week small group study that takes place at LifeSong church on Sunday nights.

Who Leads Starting Point?
The study is being facilitated by Gavin & Patty Huckabee. The Huckabees are passionate about people and serving our Lord and Savoir.

The next “Starting Point” is scheduled for March 30th. Contact me if you are interested in taking part of this Growth opportunity.

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

What is the Roll of a Pastor?

Pictured to the right is C.S. Lewis, one of the greatest pastors of all time in my opinion.

After reading an article by Bill Easum (a ministry consultant) concerning Pastoral rolls, I felt lead to share some thoughts with you.

If you had to list only one responsibility of a pastor, what would it be?

By the way there is only one biblical answer.

You might say that it depends on his spiritual gift. To this I say, that this one responsibility doesn’t depend on a gift, but it should be on each pastor’s list.
You might say “shepherd the flock” or “it depends on the size of the church” or “making hospital visits (see Acts 6)”. Despite what people think or may have been told or taught their whole life that would be a big NO.

The ONLY biblical response is to ensure that the congregation is equipped to do ministry. Let’s look at God’s word together:

Ephesians 4:11-12
11. And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,
12. for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of (the body of Christ;

So the short answer is, a Pastor’s roll is not to care for the people, but to grow them into mature Christians, and that happens when people are serving one another rather than being taught a course at the church.

Shepherds in Christ’s day didn’t care for their flocks. Instead they made sure that the sheep were in pastures where they could graze, so that they’d mature, grow and reproduce. The goal of the shepherd was ultimately reproduction.

Does this mean that Pastors shouldn’t care about their congregations? Of course not! It’s because the pastor does care for the congregation that he focuses on equipping them to be missionaries where the live work and play.

The more ministry that a pastor does for the congregation, the weaker the congregation becomes. As one of the Pastors of LifeSong I desire spiritual growth that pleases God, and at the end of the day, the LifeSong Pastors will be focused on equipping those to have an impact on the community in which we live.

Thank you LifeSong for your love of Christ and community.

Gather, Grow, and Go
Pastor Tim

To Love / To be Loved

Questions:
If God makes no mistakes, what does it speak to the world when we treat a person as if they are not good enough? Does that say that this person that God created is a mistake?

If I can’t love the person that I can see, how can I love God that I can not see? Even as Christians, we sometimes try to convince ourselves and others that we are in a right relationship with God (our daddy) all the while we can’t or won’t be LOVE to someone. How is it that we can have the life changing experience of salvation and not love others, even the others that take a little more effort to love? I think that the next question must be, do we understand what it means to experience the redeeming power and love of God’s forgiveness and receive the free gift of salvation?

1 John 4:17-21 The Message

17-18. God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we're free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ's. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.

19. We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.

20-21. If anyone boasts, "I love God," and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won't love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can't see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You've got to love both.

Gather, Grow, & Go

Pastor Tim

Perfect Love

Today, Lynn and I are celebrating our 27th Valentines. Reflecting on that seems to humble me quite a bite. I think about Lynn many times a day and long to be near her all the time. Many times I feel completely lost, if I can’t see her face or hear her rumbling around the house, preparing for the Daycare. She is my perfect mate, she is my woman, and I would not want to be here on earth without her.

When we think of PERFECT LOVE, one must reflect on God’s word. Let’s take a look together:

1 John 4 (The Message)
7-10 My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn't know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can't know him if you don't love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they've done to our relationship with God.

11-12 My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us—perfect love!

13-16 This is how we know we're living steadily and deeply in him, and he in us: He's given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. Also, we've seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent his Son as Savior of the world. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God's Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we've embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God.

Gather, Grow, and Go

Pastor Tim

Acts 2 Church

The first church truly got it right in terms of what Jesus intended to church to be. Acts 2 describes a people that ate together, studied together, prayed together, and the number of Christ followers grew daily. Isn’t it funny how God can take a group of people from being self centered to being Christ centered? And when we together, finally focus on the savior and not each other, that is when God uses us to encourage and minister to each other. When a person receives salvation, fellowship is realized, growing together in God’s word is realized, and becoming a missionary in your area of influence is now a “Must Be” reality.

I am overwhelmed of the GroupLink response from this past Sunday. We had 84 adults to sign up for small groups!! This represents 8 small groups in different parts of town, various ages and walks of life. I can see God planting a huge landscape of some amazing relationships that are about to be discovered. Your willingness to be a part of such activity, takes away the ME factor and now puts into play the WE factor. My prayer is that we continue to, not just to know what the savior knows, but to become who He is.

Three Reasons why the first church made an impact on their world:

1. Gather, Which is Fellowship
Acts 2:46
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,

2. Grow, Which is Bible study and prayer.
Acts 2:42
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

3. Go, Which is be a Missionary were you live work and play.
Acts 2:47
praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Gather, Grow, & Go
Tim