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