Fire Up ..........and Calm Down

By Pastor Tim White

The other day, two of our neighbor kids came by to visit Jackie and me…year-old Benjamin and his 4-year-old brother J.J. They had some birthday cake to share with us because J.J. had just turned 4. It was fantastic cake! Then J.J. had to tell me the story of how fast he was on his new bike. And he really was. He would shout with enthusiasm... “I go ZOOM!”

Well, Jesus’ teaching on life shows us we can combat fear with thanksgiving, joy and trust. God knows that it doesn’t work to just sit there, telling yourself not to be stressed or nervous. We need to replace those feelings with emotions that work the opposite in our lives. Join us for WAC LIVE on Facebook this Sunday at 10:30 am to learn more.

Your friend always,

Pastor Tim White

PS: If you need help on how to join WAC LIVE on Facebook, please email us at info@wacathedral.org. We will send you a link. You do not need to have a Facebook account in order to view the services.

Important News

by Pastor Tim White

Dear Washington Cathedral and friends,

I have been praying without ceasing for your health and safety. And like all of you, I am praying for our community and the world as we fight this Covid19 pandemic. Yes, it is a serious fight.

Fighting a potent viral infection can be life-threatening. I pray that we laugh, trust, and care for one another--biblical concepts, known to strengthen our immune system. We are all appropriately alert, but I pray that we do not give in to panic and fear. We need to focus on the fact that God is in control and will be our redeemer.

It is with much prayer that our staff has been discussing our church response to this epidemic. The World Health Organization has just declared Covid19 a pandemic, saying it is going to get worse before it gets better. After hearing Governor Inslee’s announcement on banning meetings over 250, and how impactful this pandemic is continuing to be for our community, we have prayerfully decided to only do virtual services online until the governmental ban is lifted, and close our building in the meantime.

I knew that our attendance would drop below 250 just because of the individual response to this pandemic. But, after much prayer, we discussed how fast infections move through our church and we don’t want to risk anyone’s life. Therefore, our response is clear. We want to do the right thing for our church family.

At the same time, I must tell you that the impact of the corona virus could potentially remake the landscape of churches in our community. Churches of every size are going to be impacted.

We will continue to live stream the services, including Good Friday and Easter services. And we pray that the good hearts of our people will continue with online giving and tithing. If you need help on how to join us via live stream on Facebook Live, please call either email info@wacathedral.org or call the church office and set a call time with one of our staff who will help you set it up on your smartphone, tablet or computer.

Remember our new ministry to help our church members who are shut-in because of their health concerns or illness. So, stay in contact with your church by emailing us at GetHelp@wacathedral.org.

Bottom line is we will be more than conquerors in response to this time of challenge. God will help us and we will help others. This caring network was created for such a time as this.

Let’s stay in touch.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

PS – As I have mentioned before, these times can be tough for the church financially. A majority of our weekly income still comes from the giving that is done at the church when people attend services. With needing to go to a digital service at this time, that eliminates a good portion of our weekly income to meet our ongoing budget. For the 30-40% who already give online or through other electronic methods, thank you so much for that. For those who give during the offering time at church, we are asking you to please consider giving online or through your financial institutions electronic bill pay system. This will allow our ministries to continue through these tough times. If you need help setting up online giving, please contact Pastor Linda at 425-830-7101. She is happy to help you through the process. Online giving can be done through credit card, debit card or eCheck.

Life Is A Party

by Pastor Tim White

Jesus came to give us life overflowing. John 10:10. And Jesus’ first miracle was to create wine out of water to help the wedding at Cana at his mother’s request. I am praying for a miracle that Washington Cathedral can take a giant stride forward in making everything we do, a party. That means worship, Board meetings, Divorce Recovery, and Small Group meetings. 

I look back on my life with Christ for the last 54 years and I have to say, “Wow what a party!”  I know we are trying to help the poorest of the poor and as many people in our community as possible, but let’s relax, laugh and let God lead us through this party we call life.  I know there is a Presidential Election going on and we are leading the nation in the corona virus statistics, but life is short, and our adventure is precious. So, let’s make life a party!

This morning when I was awoken at 5:30 a.m. it was because I felt my glasses being put on me by my grandson Oscar. He had a big smile on his face as he said, “GP can you tell me a story?”  When you are 4 life is a party. But the same should be true when you are 64. Are we catching on to the life Jesus came to give us?

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

PS:  I’ve asked our staff to prepare and send out an update on what we are doing to address the Corona Virus situation in our community. Please watch for that email tomorrow. I ask that we all be in prayer for all of the people and their families in our community and all over the world who are being impacted by this disease. As we build this “Great Caring Network” we want to make sure that you feel cared for and safe in these unsettling times.

Let's Eliminate Negative Thinking for Lent

by Pastor Tim White

I am writing this blog on Ash Wednesday. We are going to have a great Lenten service at Washington Cathedral. Pastor Michael is leading it with Rhonda, Josh and Eliot assisting. Whether you make it to the service or not, you can still give something up for Lent. Ash Wednesday begins the 40 days of Lent. It is a season to prepare your soul for Easter. And historically we Christians give up a bad habit for Lent. People traditionally give up alcohol, smoking or sugar for Lent. But this year I am suggesting for us to give up negative faithless thinking for Lent. It shortens our lives and pollutes the lives of our loved ones. I don’t think anyone tries to be negative it’s just a bad habit that sneaks up on them. So, let’s change ...try it for 40 days.

And if you’re daring to be positive, now join us Saturday night for our Rockin’ the Dream Banquet. A catered barbecue dinner with great food for vegetarians too. Doug Sutten is our Master of Ceremonies. Dave Irish is our Special Musical Guest. And we will celebrate one of the greatest miracles in the history of Washington Cathedral. It’s going to be a delightful evening.

New Paradigm

by Pastor Linda Skinner

David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear and javelin,
but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies –
the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” 1 Samuel 17:45

Have you ever felt totally dissatisfied with where you are?  I remember when I was young, I wanted to be older.  Now I’m older and I want to be younger?  When I was younger, I thought, “When I get older I’ll be wiser, I’ll make better decisions and I’ll have more time to do the things that are I really enjoy.”  Now I look back with fond memories on all the days when my body was stronger, and my mind was sharper.  I used to keep phone numbers, dates, and hundreds of names in my mind.  Now, I have to have a watch that reminds me to stand, breathe and take my walks.

Pastors Tim and Jackie are on vacation in Hawaii, as we speak, and he asked if I would share the message with him this weekend.  We are teaching on the story of David and Goliath.  He’s speaking on Sunday and I’m speaking Saturday night.  (Tim and Jackie fly in late Saturday night from Hawaii).  As I was reflecting on the text, it struck me “David, the young teenager, was the one who took on the Giant.  Other warriors were much more capable and had all the strength and training.  David would have been for any of us the last choice to enter into that battle.”  David had the faith to move beyond his physical capabilities and do what God placed on his heart to do.  Who of us, would have taken up a sling shot as our weapon against that Giant?  But a sling shot is what he had, and he knew how to use it – a sling shot and a mighty God behind him.

This morning God reminded me that despite my circumstances – my tricky knee, my overloaded brain, the arthritis in my back, my desk piled up with unfinished projects – he has provided me with everything I need – a watch to keep me on track, friends who step in help with the load, a good physical therapist to get my knee back in shape, on and on.  Even better, I have a God that stands with me against any Giant that comes my way.  You have that God, too.  Join us this weekend and be inspired to embrace a new way of thinking when approaching the Giants in your life.

Many blessings on your day,

Pastor Linda

The Unhurried Life

by Pastor Tim White

Doesn’t that sound good? I think all of us could use a dose of that. I remember years ago when my brother was starting a new business and he was just overwhelmed with all of it. (We’ve probably all been there sometime). He stopped at an Arco to fill up with gas. (This was at a time he was living in Dana Point, California.) All the cars were driving fast at rush hour and he was late for his appointment in Beverly Hills. So, he just rushed in to fill up his car and buy a breakfast sandwich and coffee. He jumped in his car and took off to join the rush hour traffic. He immediately heard this loud flapping sound. People honked and flashed their headlights at him. He was really getting annoyed by all the uptight drivers. One person rolled down their window and told him to pull over. Now he was really angry. He got out of his car to talk to the rude driver. Then noticed what all the commotion was about. He had a gas nozzle still in his car with a hose trailing and flapping all around.

As he drove back to the Arco station, he was hoping and praying he would find it blown-up or burned to the ground. When he arrived, he was relieved to see it was okay. So, he took the nozzle and hose in hand and carried it inside to the lady at the cash register. As he handed her the remnants, sheepishly apologizing for driving off with her pumping equipment- guess what she said! “Don’t worry about it - it happens all the time.”

This weekend we will be looking at what God says about fearlessly eliminating hurry from each of our lives.

Please join us,

Pastor Tim White

God's Word - Your Strength

By Pastor Tim White

I love the Word of God. So many could agree with this statement from all around the world.

“The Bible is the greatest benefit which the human race has ever experienced.” Immanuel Kant

Even those who believe, as Einstein did, that… “The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honorable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish.” Einstein in his God letter.

With all his honest criticism Einstein believed that the Bible was honorable but still full of primitive legends which were childish. And this is what I have found of many of the critiques of scripture that many of them still believe that it is a primitive legend, but it is also an insightful portrayal of the primitive human mind.

But for those of us who have fallen in love with the Bible it is a dazzling insight into antiquity and also a practical tool to help us live a better life today. In fact, as we wrestle with the same critical questions and analyze science seriously, we often come to different conclusions. We love the truth and so we cannot ignore science. This is the raw Christian response to scientific inquiry. And we confess that not only do we come to love Scripture, but to trust it as a hope for everyone.

Let me share with you how you can learn to love and trust scripture more and more in your life; how this ancient word can be a strong foundation that can weather every storm that comes against you. And how this doesn’t mean we have to disrespect critical scientists whose honest inquiry also draws us closer to the God of the universe. Our aim is to reach for a relationship with the God who also knows more than we know and so fills us with humility and confidence. I encourage you to read the Bible at breakfast and at night, as a family and a church, as a nation and as we respect other philosophies of life. I pray that you will receive this irresistible attraction to memorizing this word. I envision our enthusiasm growing so great that we can’t but help but share it appropriately. Let’s take a fresh look at this strength that God has provided for each of us. May our society receive healing through its blessings.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

Learn About Your Basic Strengths

by Pastor Tim White

I am so excited for our church family to learn about the basic strengths that God has given us as Christians. I love in the Book of Revelation where it pleads for the believers to not neglect their first love (Revelation 2:4). Our first love is Jesus Christ. As a church, we have encouraged married couples to go on a honeymoon break four times a year. In fact, the staff get four honeymoon breaks a year plus their vacation because we want to build marriages and not tear them down. We want this to be one of the basic strengths of our church.

Another one of the basic strengths we have as Christians is prayer. And prayer is neglected by so many Christians today. Many times, Christians turn more people off to Christ than anything else. To me it’s a non-praying Christian who point others the wrong way.

This week we are daring to learn more about the two-way conversation that should be the essence of prayer. It is the “dynamite” part of prayer. Are you praying without any pop? Don’t miss this weekend as we learn to add the dynamite to our prayers.

Your friend for life,

Pastor Tim White

Basic Strengths

By Pastor Tim White

Do you know what your basic strengths are that were endowed to you when you chose to follow Jesus Christ?

One of my favorite jobs was as a high school age basketball coach in the inner city of Pasadena, California. Where we lived, we had a basketball court just outside our kitchen window. All kinds of kids would play on that basketball court from early in the morning until late at night. It took a long time before we could even talk to those kids. Finally, Jackie made a chocolate cake and brought out a thermos of cold milk. We built friendships that lasted a lifetime by forming a basketball team and entering some pretty good tournaments. I’ll never forget showing a 6’5” 8th grader how to slam dunk and then watching him do what I couldn’t do. How thrilling! We lost a lot of games to teams that had players who seemed destined for the NBA. When we entered a tournament in Watts, California along with hundreds of other teams, we won; and one of the prizes was a brand-new basketball which we definitely needed. I have never seen a team get better faster than this team because they had discovered some strengths they never imagined that they had.

And so it is as we study God’s Word and we learn that there are basic strengths we can acquire. That is a great analogy for our Christian lives as we discover our strength of faith to be used the way God wants us to use it. Or it can be praying, trusting, loving, etc. This Sunday I am starting a new series on how to harness our basic strengths in Christ. You will find roots deeper and stronger than you imagined and wings to soar like you have never dreamed.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

The Best is Yet to Come - Part 3

by Pastor Tim White

I must admit I have truly needed this sermon series. It is really challenging me at some core points in my heart and life that really needed the light of this Biblical perspective.  It’s like the person preaching this series has so much in common with me - he knows right where my heart is...yes, it’s me…me and myself are pretty close. 

This is how I have felt the last two parts of this series. This week we will be looking at Philippians 1:12-14 and the scalpel goes even deeper into my heart surgery. Paul writes from prison. I was feeling like I was in prison. Even though the hospital has been a life-saving blessing and; I really wanted to go home. Our home is so comfortable now, but now I feel like I’m in prison and would love to go out. If God is ever going to bless us in the difficulties of life, we have to adapt our expectations and plans to His plan. That’s not easy but it is necessary if the best has yet to come.  I can’t just wish that I was 25 years old, or 15 or 5. I need to meet God now, in the place I find myself. And so, do you. 

Last week, we were blessed to celebrate our grandson Oscar’s fourth birthday. He wants to be a firefighter someday. And we got him a really cool fire truck. He loved all of his firefighter presents. He ate a bunch of his gluten free cupcakes before anyone could catch him. And as he was playing at stopping a fire, he was soaking the floor putting them out. He would run to each of his four grandparents to scream and play in delight. Finally, he tore off his clothes down to his underwear and used colored ink to put on war paint and began to run in circles as we all just laughed.  What would have been sillier would be if I had tried to act like a four- year old again. It would not have been cute - but tragic! When people can’t imagine that the best is yet to come. it’s because they don’t understand that we have to adapt our plans and visions to God’s plans and visions for us.  Meet me this weekend and you will grow like you’ve never dreamed. The best really is yet to come.

 Your friend for the rest of my life,

 Pastor Tim White