How's your heart?

Something we don’t think about often, but is so true, is the idea that what comes out of our mouths stems from what is in our hearts. And we are not talking about the physical heart, but rather the invisible part of you that poets and philosophers write about. You see, life is hard on the heart. The world lodges stuff in our heart that have no business being in there. And over time those things grow and grows until eventually they makes it way out.   And usually the anger or guilt or greed or jealousy that has been in our hearts, when it comes out it wrecks havoc on all the relationships we are in. Which is why above all else we need to guard our hearts. Everything we do flows from it. It is literally where life comes from. But how do we guard it? Hopefully you will follow along during the month of November as we teach habits that can help you guard your heart.

Based on a couple books (Renovation of the heart and Enemies of the heart) I have developed a list of questions I ask my children (and myself). Ask away.

• Is everything okay in your heart?
• Did someone hurt your feelings today?
• Did someone break a promise to you today?
• You mad at anybody?
• Are you waiting around for someone to come to you to make things right?
• Have you had any extended imaginary conversations with anybody lately?
• Do things come out of your mouth on a regular basis, that you have to apologize for? That embarrass you?
• Have you secretly celebrated someone failure in the past few days?
• Got any secrets eating at you?
• Anything going on you hope no one discovers?
• Is there is a question you hope no one ever ask you?
• Is there something you need to tell someone?
• Have you lied recently to someone you love?
• Are you worried about anything?

Proverbs 4:23 - Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.

Growing or Dying

Do you have a plan to grow and challenge yourself this spring? Pastor Rey encourages us to grow by joining small groups and sharing our struggles and praises with others.

Can you believe that it's already May? This year has just flown by. Isabela is a year old and desperately needs Jesus in her heart. Elijah is learning lots in kindergarten. We are reading a book on science and biology together. One interesting fact I learned years back, but had forgotten - "Every living thing is either growing or dying." I think that is true regarding our faith as well. Over the years, I have noticed that same principle re-enacted in the lives of countless people. I can divide people into two categories - growing or dying. I think Peter has this in mind when he writes in his letter –

1 Peter 1:5-10 “ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. Therefore, my brothers and sisters make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble…”

You can hear this in Peter voice - you are either growing in your faith or it is inevitable that you will be dying. So add this and that to your faith. Don’t stagnate. Don’t get comfortable with the status quo make every effort to grow and make it a priority. If you don't make every effort to grow, you will stumble. So how are you going to grow this spring/summer? My suggestion - get into one of these TLC’s. Share your faith and struggles with others. Read and study scripture together. Sharpen yourself and other s in the process. Please pray about joining a group. Like what you see but want more? Check out Washington Cathedral's website for more information.

Entering Teen Territory

JeNell Buchanan, the small group leader of our Teen Parenting group, understands the learning-on-the-go style that many parents have had to adapt to with their teens. Growing as a parent as teens slowly become adults. But what is important to remember is no parent is alone.

In writing my first "blog," I'm finding it somewhat similar to my experience raising my now teenage son: I'm entering new territory, learning as I go... feeling confident one moment, and completely confused the next.

What in the world is a "blog" anyway? As a parent of a teenager, am I the only one who's perplexed about what my teen really wants and needs from me? Am I the only parent who wonders how to raise a teen in the "right" way? Am I the only one who doesn't even know what a "blog" is? When faced with such doubt, I've come to know (though I sometimes forget), that my only hope is in turning to God.

So, that's my plan for Wednesday night, April 30th at 6:30PM in the Mountainside Cafe. Pastor Tim White, Dr. Marty Folsom, and Nancy McJunkin will share spiritual wisdom in parenting teens from God's perspective. I'll be sitting on the edge of my seat, and if you have a teen or preteen, I hope you will be too!

TRUTH AND DARE

What Teens REALLY Need From Their Parents
Wed - April 30 - 6:30pm to 8:00pm in the Cafe
Guest Speakers: Pastor. Tim White Dr. Marty Folsom
Jr. High Teacher. Nancy McJunkinEach speaker will present information about their general approach to working with teens and their parents and address relevant topics to parenting teens. There will be a Q&A for the last 20 minutes.

Cookies and juice provided.

Sponsored by "Parent of Teens TLC" meeting on Sundays at 10am in the Counseling Center. Come join us for weekly support and encouragement.

More information about this event can be found here.

Like what you see but want more? Check out Washington Cathedral's website for more information.

Finding God Right Now

It's easy to see God in your past or imagine God in your future, but how do we did God now? Check out our video devotional by pastor Ben. He gives some tips on how to do it.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by5Dm_HQSSQ&w=640&h=360]

You Gave It All, No Questions Asked

One of our Administrative Assistant's, Fiona Monaghan, loves to play with words and ideas. This poem was inspired by the question 'What Is Easter About? ' Atonement (At one ment) was the purpose for Jesus death and resurrection; to be put back into right relationship with our Heavenly Father.

Atonement

What did it take to stand so tall while hate piled up around? They spat and mocked the Son of God while no wrong in Him was found. You came, this very path to walk it had been planned above; the Father put it in the works in order to show His love. To love those people He had made who’d strayed so far from home He loved them with a lasting love He’d do it all to bring them home. You never wavered from Your task You trod each path until the path would lead to Calvary where your precious blood was spilt. To cover sin, it was so shed the sin-debt to fulfill; You gave it all, no questions asked Atonement paid in full.

Easter and Christmas are two times that Jesus' name is spoken freely, more than any other time in the year. Those two times changed history forever. Something supernatural happened between man and God at those times. Christmas was God coming down to live among us. Easter provided a way for us to live forever with God. Atonement is the payment being made on our behalf. This Easter make a point to take time to meditate on Atonement and what it does in our lives.

Like what you see but want more? Check out Washington Cathedral's website for more information.

What I Wish I Could Tell These Children

What I Wish I Could Tell These Children

Part three of Pastor Rey's reflection after his trip to Kenya where he met many children, many orphaned. Even surrounded by terrible conditions he was reminded of God's love for each of them.

There are so many. Everywhere I go. Everywhere I look there are children. Beautiful children. Poverty, malaria and the HIV virus have left countless children orphaned in Kenya. As I have visited orphanages and schools, both in the city and in the rural areas, I keep hearing God's whisper in my heart - "I have compassion for these children."

As I said goodbye to these children, I have put my hand out to shake their hands. I was able to shake a couple hands but can’t reach all the kids. They all run after me, just wanting to shake my hand. There are so many. I wish I could do more. I wish had more time and resources. I don’t want these children, so valuable in God's sight, just to become a number or statistic. If I had time I would tell them all -

"Your are loved and valued. You can’t imagine how much God loves you. I want you to know you are the apple of your creator's eye. I want you to know you are God's work of art, fearfully and wonderfully made. I want you to know God has a plan for you. I want you to know God loved you so much he sent his own son to die for you. I want you to know God is the father of the fatherless. I want you to know that God will not leave you as orphans. I want you to know one day there will be no tears, no pain, and no loneliness. That there is hope."

That's why we are partnering with these amazing projects where many children can experience the love of God. Where these children can see that their Heavenly Father loves them, each in a unique way.

Like what you see but want more? Check out Washington Cathedral's website for more information

Ridiculous Provision

Pastor Rey continues the sermon series, Tales of Ridiculous Faith. This message is for anyone who has felt overwhelmed. Anyone that feels there is just not enough. Anyone that feels like they are running on empty.

Main Idea: When you don't have what you really want, God is what you really need.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL8dGG82NpM&w=640&h=480]

Family Devotional Scripture: Read 2 Kings 4:1-7 Observation: In your own words, what is this passage saying? Application: How can you practice this bible verse in your own life? Prayer: Ask for God's help to live out this passage and tell God anything else that is on your heart.

Like what you see but want more? Check out Washington Cathedral's website for more information.

The God Who Sees What We Don't

The God Who Sees What We Don't

Pastor Tim continues the sermon series, Tales of Ridiculous Faith. Looking at a story about what could have been seen as a perilous time for Israel, Pastor Tim parallels Elisha's faith and trust in God to the exciting future of Washington Cathedral.

Why we are always excited to bounce back and hope for tomorrow.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ML8BAPE2y9Q&w=640&h=480]

It is always a joy to follow Jesus into tomorrow:

1. From a building to a movement
2. Freedom from debt, Focus on family
3. New strides ahead as a Godly, healthy, and joyful church
4. Breakthrough to grow a better caring network

Like what you see but want more? Check out Washington Cathedral's website for more information.

3MT - Getting the Family Together for Easter

Check out our devotional series, 3 Minute Thoughts, a devotional thought in three minutes or less.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RhPKnhaDFw&w=640&h=360]

Check out the Washington Cathedral website for more sermons, information on how you can get involved, and more on all of the good things that God can do in your life.

Noah Never Gave Up

Noah never gave up. What about us?

Our Music Director, Rhonda Jones, wrote this short devotional on the ridiculous faith of Noah. He stood out because he lived his life to please the Lord. Because of his faith, God gave him a seemingly ridiculous mission. Yet Noah continued to stay strong in his faith even when he was mocked for his unrelenting trust in the Lord.

Thoughts on Noah...

This morning as I was driving to work I heard a pastor on the radio sharing about Noah.  Now, we’ve all heard the Bible story and within the past few years. We've maybe even watched a comedic movie about Noah and his willingness to obey God at all costs - especially after being mocked by his peers (for inordinate amounts of facial hair and his unethical biblical dress code).But did you realize Noah worked on the ark after receiving a vision from God…and that is took him 120 years to complete the building of the ark?  120 years!  A flood of questions ran through my mind:

1. What kind of training did Noah have when it came to constructing a boat?
2. What were his qualifications?
3. If he lived in the desert, where did he get the wood to construct the boat?
4. Where would you even begin to think about building a boat that took up 100,000 square feet? (I hope he owned a large chunk of property…I’d be pretty upset if one of my neighbors plunked down a boat bigger than the Titanic in his front yard…wouldn’t you?)

Noah stood out among everyone else because his life pleased the Lord…enough that God thought of a way to save the human race and keep a few copies on hand of each of the animals (anything that could breathe air) for procreation. I don’t think God wanted to have to create a whole new earth again.  It hadn’t been that long since He’d put it all together in the first place (at least it seems that way-the story of Noah takes place in the 6th chapter of the very first book of the Old Testament).

And in the beginning of Genesis it says that God saw what He had made and it was very good (Genesis 1:31)!  No wonder God's heart was sick…He longed for the fellowship of the human race and only one man and his family even acknowledged His existence!  Everyone else was too involved in their sin to see the heart of God.  Oh, my soul yearns to see the heart of God, doesn’t yours?

“Lord, give me the courage and wisdom to pick up the nails and hammer and begin to build the things in my life that need creating or rebuilding.  Remove the rusty nails that have become embedded in my heart and give me a refreshing that can only come from touching the heart of Jesus.  I love You and want to be the best me I can be for this Great Caring Network as you continue to build up this moving, living, breathing body of Christ.  Amen.”

All kidding aside, Noah was an amazing man.  God was ready to do away with the entire human race.  It says in Genesis 6:6 that the Lord’s heart was filled with pain because of man’s desire to sin.  Our God is so righteous He can’t be in the presence of sin…our sin makes Him sick in His heart.  In thinking it over, I don’t want my behavior to make the Lord’s heart sick.  I’d rather He “dance over me or sing over me” (read Zephaniah 3:17-18) because what He sees is pleasing in His sight.

“No wonder God's heart was sick…He longed for the fellowship of the human race and only one man and his family even acknowledged His existence!