From Pastor Tim Johnson:

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

-1st Corinthians 13:13

They say that if there’s one thing that we can count on in life it’s that things change.  You buy a new cell phone with all the latest capabilities, and six months later there are a whole host of new options.  You hear that job markets are looking for new skills, and about the time you complete the training things have shifted yet again.  You work through an issue with someone important to you in your life, and just when there seems to be clear sailing there’s something new that catches you completely off-guard.  Even in the church, change seems to be ever pressing in—the latest music replaces an age-old favorite hymn; the ministry patterns of yesterday seem to change with the culture.  And you wonder, where can I count on something stable…unchanging?

“Even God says Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:35) And, what do God’s word say about change.  It says that there are ultimately three things which we can count on to remain:  faith, hope and love.  That means that today, whatever else you may be needing to do, whatever change you may be facing, these three things are worthy of your energies and focus.  They are eternal.  And if you’re really pressed to focus on, as often we are, love should occupy the number one spot!

Friend, whatever is your situation today, “know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.  (1st John 4:16)  There is no better place to be, no more important act to perform, no greater gift to give than love!

From Pastor Tim Johnson:

We’re all looking for the way forward.  We’re faced with decisions to make, business contracts to enter into, children to raise, and judgments to make about all kinds of things.  Often, we have well-meaning people who will give us advice.  And quite certainly we have our own thoughts about such things.  But as good as they are, sometimes we can try to step forward without fully trusting that God is on the move.  Sure, we pray.  But we can also perceive that God just hear or that our situation isn’t that important to God.

The Bible says that when Jesus spoke the Word, he did so as one having authority.  And amazing things happened!  We also need to speak the Word of God into our situations—declaring the power and promise of God to have ultimate authority and influence in our lives.

Take for instance the following story:

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions. But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. “God, how could you do this to me!” he cried.

Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. “How did you know I was here?” asked the weary man of his rescuers. “We saw your smoke signal,” they replied.

It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn’t lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground —-it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God. For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it:

You say: “It’s impossible”

God says: All things are possible with me (Luke 18:27)

You say: “Nobody really loves me”

God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)

You say: “I can’t go on”

God says: My grace is sufficient for you (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: “I can’t figure things out”

God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: “I can’t do it”

God says:  But with me, you can do all things (Philippians 4:13)

You say: “I’m not able”

God says: But I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: “It’s not worth it”

God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28)

You say: “I can’t forgive myself”

God says: But, know that I forgive you (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: “I can’t manage”

God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)

You say: “I’m afraid”

God says: But I have not given you a spirit of fear; child, do not be afraid. (II Timothy1:7)

You say: “I’m always worried and frustrated”

God says: So, cast all your cares on me (I Peter 5:7)

You say: “I don’t have enough faith”

God says: I’ve given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)

You say: “I’m not smart enough”

God says: I will give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: “I feel all alone”

God says: But I will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews13:5)

Friend, whatever is your circumstance, whatever decision you are faced with, trust the power and authority of God’s Word to lead you through it.  For He loves you, is for you, knows everything about you, and will show you the way.  More than that, He’s already at work!

From Pastor Tim Johnson:

“He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed…”  -Luke 4

It has been said that these words of Jesus constituted his life’s mission, his focus.  It is nothing less than a mission of healing.  Why?  Because He knows our brokenness, our pain, the things that keep us from experiencing life in its fullest.  Just as this was true 2,000 years ago when he walked this earth, it is true today!  (“For Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8)  In essence, Jesus healed then, and Jesus heals now.

It is also true that Jesus’ followers heal.  The Bible says, “And He called the twelve to Him, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits … And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.” (Mark 6:7,13)  I remember a close friend’s phone call many years ago who, at the age of 18, told about how her doctor’s visit had revealed a cancer tumor at the base of her sternum.  It came on quickly; her first symptoms were a growing inability to breathe deeply.  Being a part of a young adult group at our church, we gathered around her and prayed and believed God for healing.  In fact, our whole church prayed; we had a special healing service, and she and her mother attended other such healing services wherever they could find one.  Long and short of it was that five weeks later the tumor was completely gone, and today she is a healthy mother of two girls, one of them now 18 years old herself.

There were many of us in that young adult group who were pretty new to faith in God.  And, admittedly, there was a certain naiveté about our faith—it was a simple, believing faith.  Years have passed since then; I trust that I’ve grown in wisdom and knowledge of God’s Word, attended seminary and am now a pastor.  But through it all, one thing has remained the same, and that is I’ve only grown in my conviction that simple faith in Jesus is still the way to go.

“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” James 5:14  Jesus still heals, and the Church still has the ministry of healing.  While it is a mystery why some seem to get better now and God has some wait until heaven to bring final and complete healing, you and I are called to believe in the One whom God anointed for this ministry of healing, and we’re called to be agents of healing ourselves, trusting in the power of God’s Holy Spirit.

Friend, trust and believe that God wants to heal you from whatever infirmity you suffer from.  Whether that be depression, an addiction, a poor self-image, an ailment of the body, or a relationship that is struggling, remember that with God all things are possible!  And remember that as you gather in faith with other believers within the Church, that miracles still happen!

From Pastor Tim Johnson:

“… with you I am well pleased.”

- Mark 1:11

How many of you remember at some point in your growing up or in your adulthood being the object of someone else’s disappointment?  Some failure, some shortcoming, some not-measuring-up occurred, and whether or not it was spoken aloud you knew that someone in your life was not well pleased with you.

Truth be known, we all have this in common.  We fail to live as we ought, as we intend, and the reality is that others are not “well pleased” with us.  Add to that the fact that we are our own worst critics and you’ve got a prescription for an identity crisis.  In fact, for many, it is the voice of disappointment that seems to be replayed over and over again inside one’s mind that causes great consternation.  We become depressed, self-loathing, fearful, apprehensive, and generally feel mindful that we simply “do not measure up.”

But for the Christian, this is a wrong mindset—it is an untruth.  For you see, when God looks upon us, He sees us through the lens of Jesus.  When we were baptized in Christ, we were baptized into his goodness, his purity, his favor and blessing.  Our “old self” is drowned; our “new self” emerges.  The exact same declaration that was made at Jesus’ baptism is the one that is made at ours—”with you I am well pleased.”  That means that God sees you as treasured, blessed, gifted; and God is pleased!

You say, Pastor Tim, how can this be?  God sees me for who I am and I just don’t measure up.  Friend, that is to approach things from the wrong vantage point.  God’s vantage point is one of grace.  It is one of redemption, of forgiveness and of the power of extraordinary blessings.  Baptism is precious because it washed away the old and it gives birth to the new.  Jesus overcame incredible odds to bless and love  others, in large part, I believe, because he knew that his Heavenly Father had declared a perfect blessing upon him.  This is true for you, as well.  God has declared that you are blessed, forgiven, and God’s pleasure rests upon you!

Take hold of this truth, let it reframe your orientation, and let it renew you in the waters of refreshing new life!  “For behold, I make all things new,” says the Lord!

From Pastor Tim Johnson:

“Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.” 1st John 4:18

Perhaps there is simply too much that is said about love.  “Love is a beautiful diamond ring.”  “All is fair in love and war.”  “There is only one happiness in life—to love and to be loved.”  And yet, if we really want to know pure love—true love—we need to look to the One who is the source of it—God.  In fact, the very essence of God is love. (1st John 4:8)  Yet, so often we struggle to truly believe that we are loved just as we are—with all of our imperfections, failings, and anxieties.  And so we live in fear—fear of not being accepted, treasured, forgiven…loved.

The Bible says that when we really accept that God’s love for us is unconditional, we will live without fear.  We will not worry about our standing before God—because our Redeemer Jesus stands in for us; we will not worry about death—because our Savior Christ has saved us from eternal separation; we will not even worry about the day that is before us—because we are led by our Good Shepherd who is the Way and the Truth and the Life.  In love—God’s pure and perfect love—this Life is now ours—a life that is lived without fear.  This is God’s will for us.

Friends, Christmas is about God’s perfect love coming to ordinary folk like you and me.  Christmas is about that perfect gift of love found in Jesus coming to take all of our fears away.  For those shepherds in the field that night, God knew that fear would try to sneak in to take away their hopes.  And so He sent an angel to them and said, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” (Luke 2:10)  And so those shepherds made their way to the manger to receive the perfect love that God had become.  Indeed, perfect love had expelled their fear.

If you feel fear sneaking in, lean into God.  And remember that there is no greater love for you than the mercy, grace and acceptance God has for you in our Lord Jesus.  It is a love that is pure, unconditional, eternal, without limits, and filled with grace.  And in the face of that great a love, fear has no chance!

From Pastor Tim Johnson:

“Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  (Hebrews 12:2)

I love this scripture verse.  In it, we not only hear that Jesus is the one who is the author and finisher, or perfecter, of our faith.  But he willingly endured the cross.  The cross is where every single sin you and I have or will ever commit was nailed to its death.  Jesus rose victoriously not only over death, but also over sin—our sin.  Mind you, we each know that sin has its consequences, not the least of them is shame.  Shame for regretful acts, failures, omissions, and self-centered living.  But take note of what Jesus did with that shame—he despised it.  He didn’t and doesn’t despise us—only sin and its shame, which is our enemy.  And he knows it.  That’s why he saved us from it!  And that gave Jesus joy!  And it should for us too as we  despise both sin and shame.

Earlier, as Jesus was speaking with his disciples, he commended them to remain in his love and to follow his commands.  And he told them this,  “…so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11)  This is Christ’s will and hope for you and me—a life filled with joy!  And joy most certainly comes when we remain in Jesus’ love, follow his ways, and remember that he has conquered sin and death.

Friends, Christmas is near.  Immanuel is God’s Son, Jesus—literally “God with us.”  Receive the gift of your Savior and Giver of Joy!  For, there is good reason we ring out with, “Joy to the World!”

(from Pastor Tim Johnson …)

PEACE … one of the gifts Christ brings. Peace with God, and the commendation to be at peace with one another.

Scripture puts it this way: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
(Romans 12:18) As far as it depends on you … How about your life? Where does peace “depend on you?”

If the absence of peace is a fracture (large or small) in a relationship, then I’m afraid that there are any number of times when peace depends on me. In fact, as I write this blog, it wasn’t even an hour ago that I had a conversation in which I commented in an unhelpful, negative way. Not that big of a deal, I thought. But the reality was that my comment had an edge to it, and it simply left things hanging between me and the other person. Now, I knew that it wasn’t any sort of a “make or break” comment—just one that could have been different. I also knew that I didn’t really have to back track and explain what I said—it was just “one of those things.” “She probably didn’t even take offense,” I thought to myself.

Was this what St. Paul was talking about when he said, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”? I think so. Mind you, this wasn’t an overly significant exchange. But the truth was that it was most certainly possible for me to do something about it. And because I was the one who erred, it most certainly depended upon me. And so I circled back, apologized, and simply expressed my regret at not having chosen my words better. And it mattered that I did!

Where in your life does peace depend on you? Perhaps it’s in how you speak about or with someone. Perhaps it’s whether you create a circumstance that could look different—less contentious. Where is it possible to do something different? Or, as in my case, to at least express regret for it not having been different?

Friends, peace is a precious gift. And it’s one that has been entrusted to you and me. May you experience the peace of Christ deep within you, and may you find opportunity to share that peace with others!

Peace be with you!
Pastor Tim

(from Pastor Tim Johnson)

“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.”

-Meister Eckhart

This quote was written at the top of the sheet of notes from a Thanksgiving message given by the Dean of the Chapel at my seminary 18 years ago this weekend.  They were perhaps the last words that he had written, as he died tragically in an accident over that Thanksgiving weekend.  I remember thinking how his life had been oh so much more than that.  Yet, I appreciated that he thought it instructive to boil it all down to these words by Meister Eckhart, a 14th Century theologian.

Do you sometimes wonder how your life adds up?  I mean, do you agonize over whether you do enough, work hard enough, and strive adequately so as to make a real difference in life?  Many people do.  Yet we need to be reminded that at the core of our existence is the reality that life is a gift.  And, by and large, we do know what to do when we receive a gift—to say, “thank you.”  In fact, staying grounded in this most foundational truth, that “it’s all a gift,” we’ll stay close to what is most important—being thankful people.  And as we are, in all of its varied forms, that will be enough.

So, in these days of Thanksgiving, be thankful.  As you move into Advent and Christmas, be thankful.  As you experience the best and the most challenging of your relationships, be thankful.  As you ponder your past and anticipate your future, be thankful.  As Scripture reminds us, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1st Thessalonians 5:18.

Friends, trust that God is at work in you as you attend to this one, possible, thing—being thankful.  Indeed, I am thankful for you!

-Pastor Tim