Living Life with Spirit

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.” — Acts 2:1

Ever tried to ride a dead horse? Of course not. But we’ve all been there—strapping on the saddle, digging in our heels, shouting “Giddy-up!” to something long past its expiration date.

You’re leading a class, and no one dreams anymore. They’re scrolling through life like ghosts with glowing thumbs. You’re steering a team, but instead of catching your fire, they’re quietly hoping you cool off. You’re trying to take your business to the next level, but the crew’s still polishing trophies from a decade ago.

That’s life without Spirit. And you can’t ride that horse.

You can’t make your kids love school when their hearts are unplugged. You try to build a better marriage, but it feels like learning to dance in a fog, with lead boots. You show up at church, and instead of Pentecost fire, you get lukewarm coffee and polite yawns.

The truth is, we don’t need more clever plans or motivational speeches. We need wind. Fire. Breath. We need Spirit.

Pentecost was no quiet moment. It was a wildfire of heaven breaking loose. And it’s not just a story from the past—it’s an invitation for now. Because when the Spirit comes, dry bones dance. Old dreams rise. Dead horses? Suddenly gallop.

Join us this Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Mark is bringing the match! Let’s stop dragging what’s dead and start living what’s alive.

Quote of the Day:

“Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without wind. We are useless.” — Charles Spurgeon

Joke of the Day:

What do you call a church with no Holy Spirit?

A Christian Book Club with snacks.

See you Sunday.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

The Rich Fool

This Sunday, we’re in for a special treat — Pastor Paul, the mentor who first called Pastor Mark into ministry at Rainier Avenue Church, will be preaching on a powerful and sobering passage: The Parable of the Rich Fool.

Jesus tells of a man who had everything — a booming harvest, barns full to bursting, and big plans to build even bigger ones. He had it all… except the one thing that mattered. A rich soul.

Jesus doesn’t condemn planning or productivity. He doesn’t criticize farmers or entrepreneurs. He warns against greed that forgets God, wealth that insulates us from wonder, and comfort that cancels our calling.

“Life is not measured by how much you own.” (Luke 12:15)

This parable hits home — especially for those of us living in relative wealth. Most of us have a roof, clean water, a fridge, a phone, a car — luxuries by global standards. But Jesus isn’t just talking to billionaires. He’s talking to all of us who are tempted to measure our lives by square footage, bank balances, or five-year plans instead of the depth of our trust and the generosity of our hearts.

As someone once said:  “You never see a U-Haul being buried next to a grave.

You can’t take it with you. And yet, how many of us live like we’re packing for the afterlife?

C.S. Lewis once wrote:  “He who has God and everything else has no more than he who has God only.” In other words, if you have God, you’re already rich.

Lord, teach us not to measure our lives by what we own, but by how well we know You. Keep our hearts soft, our hands open, and our faith rich. Amen.

We look forward to seeing you Sunday as Pastor Paul brings a word that promises to challenge, encourage, and re-center us around what really matters. Bring your Bible, bring a friend, and an expectation of blessing.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

Flipping the Script: Living Out Radical Love Part 2

“He answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” - Luke 10:27

Years ago, two young men from our church were graduating high school and received a small inheritance—just enough for a quick three-day trip to Hawaii. They had never traveled before, and you can imagine their excitement!

Both were athletes. One was a runner, and the other, a basketball player. They each set off on their own to explore the island through exercise. The basketball player, ever committed, decided to run the stairs of their hotel for his workout. But when he finished, he realized something horrible—he had locked himself in the stairwell.

He pounded on the door. He yelled. People passed by, but no one stopped. Maybe they thought he was a troublemaker or just didn’t want to get involved. But he figured, “At least my best friend will notice I’m missing and come look for me.”

Hours passed. Finally, his friend emerged from their room—but walked right by the door without so much as a glance. The trapped young man screamed and pounded on the window. Still—nothing.

Eventually, at midnight, a hotel employee rescued him. But by then, the damage to their friendship was done. They didn’t speak for a year.

That’s the story of the Good Samaritan in reverse.

Jesus told us to love God with everything we’ve got—and to love our neighbor as ourselves. But how often do we walk by those in need, not out of cruelty, but out of distraction, discomfort, or convenience? Radical love flips the script. It listens when others walk by. It looks when others turn away. It stops. It helps. It pays the price.

As C.S. Lewis once said, “Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person’s ultimate good as far as it can be obtained.”

And maybe this goes without saying—but if your best friend gets trapped in a stairwell, at least look!

Join us this Memorial Sunday as we remember not only those who’ve sacrificed for us, but also our calling to live out Jesus’ command—to love big, to love radically, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.

And yes, we’ll also be flipping the script on your appetite—with a chicken dinner potluck after service. Because love shows up with casseroles, too.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

Flipping the Script: Living Out Radical Love

“The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” —Luke 8:14–15

Jesus never played by the world’s rules. He flipped the script, over and over again—placing the crown not on the powerful but on the humble, not on the loud but on the faithful, not on the platform but in the dirt where seeds take root and grow.

In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus isn’t just talking about agriculture. He’s talking about us—about the condition of our hearts and the daily choices we make to let God’s Word grow deep and real within us. Life throws thorns—worry, wealth, comfort, fear—but Jesus calls us to cultivate something different: radical love, faithful service, and quiet perseverance.

And let me tell you, when I think of all the incredible knights in shining armor God has placed in our midst, I’m moved to tears. People like Toni Othieno, Tony Woods, Duff Simpson, Frank Eaton, Violet, Emily Boyce, Don James, Joanne Vath, Jane Bishop, Scott Nicholls and Marcy Marquez. None of them went looking for applause—they just lived the gospel. And in doing so, they surprised the heck out of everyone. That’s what good soil does, it bears unexpected, world-changing fruit.

Luke also reminds us of something quietly revolutionary: women—often overlooked and undervalued in Jesus’ time—were front and center in His ministry. Mary Magdalene, who had every reason to shrink into the shadows, instead becomes the first to witness and proclaim the risen Christ. That tells us something huge: Proclaiming the gospel isn’t just for preachers—it’s for everyone who dares to follow him.

So maybe the question today isn’t just, “What kind of soil am I?” Maybe it’s, “Who around me needs their story heard? Whose voice needs lifting? What love can I plant today?”

Quote of the Day:

“Do small things with great love.” —Mother Teresa

Joke of the Day:

Why did the seed go to church?

Because it needed a little spiritual growth! Okay, not funny but funny because it’s not funny 😄

Let’s be people who practice heaven now. Let’s listen closely, love deeply, and live like Jesus really meant it.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

Mother’s Day Is Inspirational

“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.” —Isaiah 66:13

Isn’t it amazing that in this verse, God actually compares Himself to a mother? That’s one of the highest honors motherhood could receive. When you think of the very best qualities of a mother—her comfort, strength, patience, sacrifice—you’re getting a glimpse into the heart of God.

When I think of mothers, I think of my own mom and Jackie’s mom. I think of my grandmothers—Betty and Ione. Grandma Betty was so kind and gracious that, believe it or not, when Jackie Kennedy was in town and had a wardrobe malfunction, she came to my grandmother’s house to fix it! That’s just how welcoming and wonderful my grandma was. And Grandma Ione? She was one of the first female ordained pastors in the Methodist Church. Talk about trailblazers.

I think of Anne Nsimbi—what a role model. Jennifer Eaton—an amazing mom. Diana Smith and Jeanne Sutten—accomplished mothers who’ve raised incredible families. And Pastor Linda, who has mothered so many in our church through the years. She’s one of the secret superpowers of Washington Cathedral.

God says, “You want to understand Me? Think about mothers.” Long before society ever debated the role of women, God was already showing us that the nurturing strength of a mother reflects His own character.

So, this Sunday, let’s decide to make Mother’s Day truly inspirational. Join us at 10:30 AM as Anne Nsimbi, Jordan Hoover, and Kristy Dykes share their hearts in a powerful celebration of motherhood.

Here’s a quote to carry with you this week:

“God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers.” —Rudyard Kipling

And just to leave you smiling:

Why did the baby strawberry cry?

Because his mom was in a jam.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

God Provides—If We Work with Him

The exciting thing for us today is that we can all live better lives. Yes, things can get better if we follow our creator’s advice. And this week we have a world-class speaker to give us the advice we need.

The seventh chapter of 1 Samuel gives us a look at an old war-scarred prophet named Samuel. A man who’d walked with God since boyhood and bore the weathered voice of someone who’d seen his share of broken covenants and bitter mornings.

“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the Lord has helped us.’” —1 Samuel 7:12

Ebenezer means “stone of help.” Samuel raised it like a battle flag—half gratitude, half testimony. Life with God doesn’t mean fewer battles. It means you’re not swinging alone. And when you’ve got a mile of scars and a few victories behind you, sometimes you stop, stack a stone, and say, “Look here. We made it this far. By His help.”

God’s way doesn’t promise ease. It promises better. Families built on love, honesty, and sacrifice—better. Businesses run with integrity—better. Churches that love the least and walk humbly—better. And even when the storm hits—and it will—you’ll find you’re lashed to something unshakable.

There are always shortcuts. Dishonesty, betrayal, manipulation. The world hands out shovels and says, “Dig here, it’s faster.” But fast isn’t always wise. Or lasting. Or right.

God provides—when we work with Him.

This Sunday, we’re going to hear from someone who has stacked more than a few Ebenezers of her own. A woman whose boots have walked the back roads of children’s ministry in 40 countries. A pastor. A missionary. A leader with fire in her bones.

Rev. Alma Thompson, the ICCM Global Director of the Free Methodist Church, will be preaching with us. Since 2019, she’s led International Child Care Ministries—an organization that now supports over 50,000 children around the world through sponsorships, scholarships, and gospel-rooted community work. She doesn’t just believe in the next generation—she builds bridges for them with grit, grace, and a deep trust in God’s provision.

She and her husband, Rev. Brent Thompson (Ohio Conference Superintendent), serve together, lifting up the church both in the U.S. and abroad. From the dirt roads of mission fields to the boardrooms of strategy, she’s been a voice for the voiceless and a guide for those of us who still believe in God’s better way.

Come ready. Come open. And maybe bring a stone in your pocket—just in case you need to raise your own Ebenezer.

See you Sunday!

Your friend always,

Pastor Tim White

The Wild Strength of a Servant

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” - Mark 10:45

He could have crushed the world between His fingers. He spoke to storms like a man talks to his dog—Quiet now—and the seas went still. Demons? They scrambled for cover when He showed up. The sick were healed, the blind saw again, and even death had to back down when Jesus called a name.

He had more power in His whisper than all the empires combined, and yet—He washed feet. That’s not weakness; that’s wild, untamed strength restrained by love.

In a world that snarls and snaps for dominance, where men hoard power like wolves over a carcass, Jesus flipped the whole game upside down. He walked in, calm as dawn, and made it clear: Greatness isn’t grabbing the highest seat—it’s kneeling at the lowest one.

The Servant-King came not to take, but to give. Not to be served, but to serve. And that wasn’t a pose. It wasn’t PR. It was the very marrow of who He was.

And then He walked to the cross.

Don’t ever let anyone tell you that servanthood is soft. It takes more guts to lay down your life than to take someone else’s. It takes more fire to lift the burdens of others than to carry your own pride like a badge.

So, when you walk into your day—into the chaos of home, the grind of work, the noise of the world—walk like Jesus. Carry towels, not titles. Look for the broken and the overlooked. Ask not what this place owes you, but what you can pour out of yourself for the glory of God. Because the Lion of Judah came wrapped in the humility of a lamb—and He calls you to do the same.

That’s not just a calling; that’s an adventure!

Pastor Mark’s sermon is going to be powerful this Sunday at 10:30 AM. Please join us.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

Living in Resurrection Power

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead…” Ephesians 1:18–20 

Hope is a beautiful word—but at Easter, it becomes something more. It becomes sacred.  

This is the season of blessed hope—not wishful thinking or vague optimism, but a living, breathing force rooted in the greatest miracle of all time: the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  

Hope is not passive. It doesn’t sit quietly in the corner and whisper “maybe.” Hope rises up. It rolls away stones. It shouts into tombs. Hope is what tells us, “This is not how the story ends.” 

It is hope that keeps a grieving parent putting one foot in front of the other.

It is hope that stirs the addict to believe that tomorrow can be different.

It is hope that whispers to the lonely, “You are not forgotten.”

It is hope that declares to the world: Love has won. Death has lost. Jesus is alive. 

And here’s the extraordinary truth of Easter:

The same power that raised Christ from the dead now lives in you. Not a lesser power. Not a symbolic gesture. The same mighty strength. 

Which means…

You can rise from what tried to bury you.

You can love again after heartbreak.

You can believe again after disappointment.

You can breathe again—even when life has knocked the wind out of you. 

This Easter don’t just remember the resurrection—live in it. Walk in that power. Stand in that light. Hope with all your heart. 

Please join us this Easter Sunday as Pastor Mark speaks to the hope we were made for—the hope we desperately need. Let your soul be filled again. Let your spirit rise. 

Your friend for the rest of my life, 

Pastor Tim White

Wrapped In God's Smile

“They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, ‘Hosanna!’ ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Blessed is the King of Israel!’” - John 12:13

Born in suffering yet wrapped in a smile. That’s the story of every child who’s ever drawn breath on this earth. Bringing a baby into the world is painful—but oh, the joy that follows. The tears. The laughter. The smile that says, “It was worth it.”

Jesus understood this rhythm of pain and joy. Just before entering the deepest suffering of his life, what did he do? He planned a party. A city-wide, nation-shaking celebration—filled with immigrants, families, and strangers all shouting and smiling because Jesus was with them.

Do you have time in your life for a righteous blast of celebration? Remember the joy when the Seahawks won the Super Bowl? A million people lined the streets. Now picture the celebration we’ll have when the Mariners finally win the World Series! But even those pale in comparison to the Palm Sunday celebration. Because all of heaven was rejoicing, too.

If Disney can throw a good fireworks show, just imagine what the God who invented the Big Bang and supernovas can do when He celebrates.

And on earth? Peasants danced. Roman soldiers smiled. Gladiators stood in awe. Children leapt. Tax collectors climbed trees to see. Bakers handed out free samples. Elders’ eyes twinkled. Water fights broke out. All because Jesus was there—with them, right now.

Maybe that’s the lesson we need in these hard times: Celebrate anyway. Rejoice, not because all is easy, but because Jesus is with us: born!

This Sunday, Jesus will be with us again. The donkey will be a delightful surprise. Kids will wave palm branches. The Spirit will lift our hearts. And I’ll be preaching: Born in Suffering—But Wrapped in a Smile. Because the smile of God—that tender, powerful, poetic smile—is still shining on you today.

Please join us, in person or online.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

The Path to Greatness

“But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.’” — Mark 9:33-35

One insight—one bold, out-of-the-box idea—can change the world. Jesus was the ultimate disruptive innovator. Long before the world celebrated visionaries, He redefined greatness in a way that still challenges us today.

At the core of human ambition lies a simple, timeless question: Who is the greatest? The disciples were debating it 2,000 years ago, but let’s be honest—it has probably been argued since the beginning of time. I can almost imagine Adam bragging to Eve that he was the greatest golfer on Earth. And Eve, without missing a beat, reminding him that he was also the worst golfer on Earth.

The debate rages on: Who is the GOAT—Michael Jordan or LeBron James? Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes? Greatness is a conversation we never seem to outgrow.

Jesus, however, doesn’t ignore the question. Instead, He flips it upside down. In what might be history’s most radical teaching, He declares: If you want to be first, you must be last. The greatest is the servant of all. Think about how this message must have resonated with the overlooked, the struggling, the ones who never felt like they could measure up. What a relief! What a revolutionary idea! Jesus’ words shattered the exhausting pursuit of being “the best” and instead offered a new vision—one where humility, service, and love define true greatness.

Before Socrates made the Socratic method famous (he lived from 470–399 BCE), Jesus was already using questions to provoke thought and transform minds. His teaching wasn’t just philosophical—it was life-changing. It set hearts on fire and redefined human purpose.

So, what does greatness look like in your life? What principles guide your choices? Jesus invites us to rethink everything. The true path to greatness isn’t about being the best, it’s about being a servant.

I hope you’ll join us this Sunday at 10:30 AM, in person or online. Pastor Mark, the master communicator that he is, will be talking about this idea in such a way that it will set us free. It’s too good to miss.

Your friend for life,

Pastor Tim White