Who Do I Follow?

by Rhonda Jones

It’s really easy in this overtly selfish culture to begin desiring the things we see around us…we’re exploited daily with advertising for new cars, financing for a bigger home and promises that all of those ‘things’ will make us happy. But the truth is things don’t make us happy. In fact, we can wind up further in debt and less satisfied than ever before. So, what’s the solution?

This week Pastor Ron will speak to us from James 4. His message is entitled, “Be a Stand-out person (because of who you follow).” So, here’s a question that we as Christ- followers need to ask ourselves: Do people know I’m a believer of Jesus by the way I live my life? A life that’s lived with intentional devotion to Him will shine brightly in a dark and hopeless world. So how can we be that light for Jesus?

James states that when we pray, we tend to pray with selfish motives and not pray for what God wants in our lives. I know I’ve been there personally. In fact, I’m going through that right now, trying to visualize where I’ll end up when I retire (which is coming too quickly). My mind seems to flit and flutter with thoughts of a lovely home near the water or in a forested area with room for a spacious garden. My imagination runs wild as I scan the homes for sale in outlying, uncrowded areas away from the hustle and bustle of city life. And then, after I’ve hoped and dreamt of what I could want for myself, God’s Spirit tugs at my heart reminding me that He would like to be involved with the decisions for my future. With a humbled heart before God I am able to ask, “What do You want for me, Jesus?” Then and only then is my heart at peace and I can rest in His satisfying presence.

I’m sure I’ve only touched on one aspect of Pastor Ron’s message this week. So join me this Sunday at 10:30 am – be sure to have your notepad and pencil in hand – you’ll want to write down all the points for living an outstanding life and keep them tucked away in your heart as a guide for living an intentional, Stand-out life!

See you Sunday for online worship on Facebook Live, YouTube Live, www.wacathedral.org, or WaCathedral App.

WORDS

by Pastor Linda Skinner

“Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”  Proverbs 16:24

I thank God every day for the start I had in life.  Parents who were loving, kind and had a great sense of humor.  Don’t get me wrong, they weren’t perfect, but there was never a doubt in my mind that I was loved and cherished by them both. 

Before I was even out of the womb, my mother wrote a little lullaby that she sang to me.  I can’t remember those times, of course, but I do know that somewhere deep in my brain these words were planted.  The lullaby ending with this phrase…”God sent us down a little bud for our family tree, we took her and we loved her and we called her Linda Lea.”  (Now mom always pronounced Lea as Lee.  Lee was one of my brother’s name, so she wanted mine to be more feminine, so she spelled it with an “a.”)  Even today when I type those words, it brings tears to my eyes and gives me a warm feeling all over. 

Contrasting this to the life of a very dear person in my life, who I will call Frank for sake of anonymity.  Frank grew up in a household where all he heard from his parents is about how he was the reason for their miserable life.  Many times, he was told that they really didn’t want children and that he was a “big mistake.”  Now, I never met Frank’s parents, so I could not tell you if that is how they really felt.  All I know is that the words that Frank heard were that he was not wanted or loved.  Frank was a wonderful man and he tried to hard to become more positive.  He had a huge collection of Washington Cathedral Power Capsules and he would read through those several times a week trying to let the “words” about the love of God sink into his soul.  I know Frank is in heaven now and our Savior has erased all those bad words spoken into his life, but on this earth he was never able to fully overcome the words that were spoken over him as a child.

Our words are important and, left to our own devices, they can become daggers rather than encouragement or instruments of peace.  I pray every morning that my words will be for good and not for evil as James speaks to in James 3.

This week Pastor Ron Wilbur will be teaching from James 3.  I am looking forward to what God has to say to me through Ron’s message.  Join us for online worship at 10:30 on Sunday morning – Facebook Live, YouTube Live, www.wacathedral.org or our Wacath App (IOS, Android, Amazon).

Blessings on your day,

Pastor Linda    

Love Is a Verb - James 2

by Pastor Jared Gallardo

James 2:8, "If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture,
'Love your neighbor as yourself', you are doing right."

Love is a wonderful thing, but what exactly do we do? James 2:8 says to “love your neighbor as yourself” which means that love is a verb. It requires action! 

Give (James 2:15-17). These verses ask the question; What good is it if we wish people well without helping them with practical needs? Donating food, clothes, and other resources are tangible expressions of love. Washington Cathedral Church is having a food drive on 10/4/20, from 2-4pm, at the church building, because we believe that love is a verb! 

Show Mercy (James 2:13). Mercy is a defining part of Christianity. With Jesus as our model, we can love others regardless of their ability to give back. 

Ask. It's never a bad idea to ask Jesus a question like: How can I love my community? Chances are, He’ll lead you to something unexpectedly powerful. 

Look: Jesus is our number one role model - the greatest example of love in action. He sacrificed his entire life and body so others can experience true freedom. If we look to Him, we can walk in his humble footsteps. 

NOTE; Join us this weekend for Online Worship on Sunday at 10:30 am. Streamed on Facebook Live, You Tube Live, www.wacathedral.org website, and Wacath App (IOS, Android & Amazon). This week we are celebrating 36 years of ministry. Pastor Ron Wilbur will be sharing on James 2 and there will be a wonderful time of praises in song and music. Our celebration continues at 2-4 pm at our Redmond Campus with our “By Our Love” Food Drive.

God Is Faithful

by Rhonda Jones

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess; for He who has promised is faithful.”  Hebrews 10:23

When Pastor Linda asked the staff if anyone would be willing to write a blog on God’s faithfulness, my heart skipped a beat (God’s way of whispering in my ear) and I knew I had to try and share just a bit about how He’s been faithful to me.

I grew up in a ‘Christian’ home-my mom was the church soloist and my dad was the song leader and Sunday School Superintendent.  But at the age of 12 that all changed when my dad decided to leave our family.  That was a really difficult age for me…a young girl who desperately needed her father to help continue to build her self-esteem; it just didn’t happen.  I rebelled, but at 15 decided to give Jesus a chance, and boy, did He change me! 

God’s word became the structure to build my faith and get me through the road ahead.  It’s been a windy path with valleys and mountain paths to climb one step at a time.  I’m reminded of an old hymn: “When we walk with the Lord in the light of His word, what a glory He sheds on our way. When we do His good will He abides with us still-and for all who will trust and obey.”   Many of you know the path I’ve walked hasn’t been perfect…I’ve gone through a divorce and was a single parent for 15 years.  But looking back, He took me through each step; and even though I faltered at times, He kept calling, wooing me back with His ever-present love. 

I now have a faithful, loving husband, two adult men for children (where did the time go?) and help lead worship at our God-blessed church.  I’ve never been in a more loving church body than those of you at Washington Cathedral.  You are always there to bless and support me with prayer and love.  And I thank you!  Oh yes, God is faithful, even when we have a hard time understanding why we’re having to go through certain trials and don’t experience His presence the way we’d like, He is there closer than our breath.  And each time we come through a trial holding His hand, we are stronger, more blessed, and able to help those around us who need to experience His presence.  These have been dark times for us, family. But keep pressing forward-God sees everything, knows our heartaches and hears our deepest cries.  Praise Him for His faithfulness; praise Him for His goodness.  He will meet your needs.

Join us this Sunday, September 27th, 2020 at 10:30 an as guest Speaker Pastor Ron Wilbur shares about the Enduring Faith of God during unsettling times.  You can join us online through Facebook Live, You Tube Live, Washington Cathedra website or App.

A Light to My Path

by Jared Gallardo

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105

Whatever season we are in, God's Word is relevant. Whatever we need, it is all in there! The Bible is filled with stories of God befriending and guiding all sorts of people. God also promises life to everyone who trusts Him. Testimonies and promises are what make the Word so magnetic. Testimonies are emboldening because we can read about God saving people just like us. Promises are crucial too. We rest easy when we trust that God always has our back.

Luckily for us, God doesn’t reserve hope and strength for only good days. Even when we’re smack dab in the middle of searing pain, God’s Word gives us hope (Psalm 119:50). God ALWAYS shows up. Whether we have a bad day or decade, it doesn’t matter. God continues to love. God is more faithful than we could ever imagine. Not only is he mindful of our journeys, he also weaves generations of stories together.

Psalm 119:90 recounts that God’s “faithfulness endures to all generations.” If we are willing to submit our lives to God, the ripple effect influences others for lifetimes to come. When I was 17, I gave God leadership over my life, and at the time, I was the only Christian in my family. Since then, God has undergone heavy-duty construction in my family, restoring relationships and healing wounds. Can you believe that both of my parents now follow Jesus, and that my wife and I baptized one of them this year? In the moment it felt surreal, but looking back, it's obvious that God was simply working across generations...exactly like Psalm 119:90 says.

God is and always will be faithful. Let’s trust Him today.

With Gratitude,
Jared

Note: Pastor Tim will be sharing this Sunday on Psalm 119. Please join us for online worship at 10:30 am via our website (www.wacathedral.org), Facebook Live, You Tube Live or our Wacathedral App.

Enduring Love

by Fiona Monaghan

In preparing for this blog I was surprised to find many lines within this Psalm that were familiar as they pop up in many of our worship songs; such as “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good His love endures forever…” that being a popular one.

The two verses I especially liked were verses 6 and 8 “The Lord is for me I will not fear; what can man do to me?" Verse 8 “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man." What better words could there be for us in these present days when we are being called continuously to 'trust in men and what they can do for our country’.

When David penned this Psalm, it was at a time he found himself in precarious positions while being pursued by King Saul and his armies. Yet he trusted his God to bring him through to the other side. We get to see in observing history how God's salvation, provision and protection was extended toward David, but at that time, David needed to trust while in the middle of what seemed unending conflict.

We might find ourselves in a similar situation, not seeing a way out or how provision will come. But we have that same promise given to trust and to claim - "The Lord is for me I will not fear; what can man do to me? So, take heart and courage from these words as we move through our daily lives.

Join us on Sunday, September 13th, at 10:25 am via Facebook Live, You Tube Live, on the Wacathedral App, or our website - www.wacathedral.org - as Pastor Tim gives us some much needed encouragement from the 118th Psalm.

Whiter Than Snow

by Pastor Jackie White

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” Psalm 51:10

Psalm 51 has been an important part of my life, as I have learned to believe that God could truly forgive me of my sins and wash me, whiter than snow. Not that I had done anything horrible in my 15 years before coming to know Jesus as my savior, but God seems to have created me to have a keen sense of right and wrong. Because of God’s unfailing love and compassion for us in sending Jesus to die for our sins, we are made new. We need to go to God with contrite hearts when we have disappointed him. And then, he will create in us a clean heart, and put a new and right spirit in us. We can re-experience the joy of our salvation!

As Tim and I have gone through trials with his health, we have never entertained the “bad theology” of thinking that God is punishing us for our sins. Rather, as we Jesus-followers go through rough patches in life, we can be assured of His love for us, that He is with us and wants the best for us. During this challenge, we are even more thankful for our church family, as we have felt the power of their prayers and appreciate the loving gestures they have provided. As we continue through this time when we need God’s healing of the infection that caused his artificial knee to be removed due to a bad infection, we are full of hope and faith that Tim will be healed. This is another opportunity to work on overall health and lean on God’s promises.

While Tim is immobile, he prays faithfully for our church family. He has sermons stirring in his heart so he will be recording some messages from his “lift chair”. We encourage you to read Psalm 51 to see how it resonates with you. When we repent of our sin, we are made “whiter than show.” No matter how many times we come to the same Scripture reference, it is always a wonder to see how God will reveal something new to us each time. We love you thank you for your continued prayers.

Pastor Jackie White

PS:  Pastor Tim recorded a great message on Psalm 51, you won’t want to miss it this Sunday at 10:30 am.  You can join us for online worship via Facebook Live, You Tube Live, our Washington Cathedral App or on our Website wacathedral.org.

The Lord is my Light

By Rhonda Jones

“The Lord is My Light and my salvation, so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?” Psalm 27:1

Today the words of Psalm 27 are very meaningful to me. I’m writing this on the eve of my second shoulder surgery. Three years ago I had to undergo rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder because of a tear I created by trying to be a hero for my husband as I struggled to pull a very heavy yard waste bin up our steep hill....the cart won out and my shoulder lost. It was a tough recovery and I have been very careful with my shoulders ever since.

While getting dressed for church one Sunday in January 2019 I tripped and fell hard, wrenching the left side of my head as it hit my makeup bench with the full impact of my weight. Every vertebrae in my neck adjusted and I lay there thinking I had surely broken it. But I was able to move right away and continued on to serve at church that morning. Now, a year and a half later I have learned that when I fell it wrenched my muscles so violently that I tore my left rotator cuff, plus detached a tendon as well.

I must tell you having had this surgery before, I know too well what I’m getting into. On top of that knowing that I won’t be able to play the piano for some weeks ahead. But I have so much to be thankful for! I could have broken my neck that day - God protected me from serious harm! Six weeks of quiet healing and restoration must be just what I need. I look forward to hearing God speak to my heart during the coming days and share the lessons of love I need to learn. God bless you all, Washington Cathedral! You’ll see me in the coming weeks singing with Eliot. I will play our beloved piano again when I am able.

So, no matter what you are going through, I pray that you remember that the Lord is your fortress. This week Pastor Tim is going to be sharing with us from Psalm 27. Please join us for online worship on Facebook live, our website, our App or on our YouTube channel at 10:30 am on Sunday.

God bless you,

Rhonda Jones
Director of Music
Washington Cathedral

The Earth is the Lord's

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.

The world and all its people belong to him.

For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas

and built it on the ocean depths. Psalm 24:1-7

By Pastor Linda

I’m writing this devotion on the morning of my 72nd birthday, so please pardon my time of personal reflection.  I have had the privilege for the majority of my work life to be part of a team led by Pastor Tim White of building a “great caring network.”  I have to be honest and tell you that I had no idea what I was getting into when I accepted the challenge of changing my career from Sales and Marketing Executive in the business world to a Pastor.  The minute Pastor Tim invited me to join the team, I knew in my heart that this is what I had been prepared to do.  (Maybe not as prepared as I thought I was, however). 

I made that career change in January of 1989, so it has been a journey of over 31 years.  I have to tell you it has been the best decision I have ever made.  Oh, there have been many times that I have said to God, “you want me to do what?”  But I have to tell you, when God has His hand on your life, there is only one way to go and that is His way.  Now His way is very different for every person and even changes as time goes on, so that’s why we need to walk with him every minute of every day.  Its not like he says, “here’s your assignment, now go do it.”  No, He gives us a glimpse and a focus and says, “let’s go, we’ve got this, I’m with you every step of the way, lean on me.”

King David knew this when he wrote the words of Psalm 24… “The world and all its people belong to him…” That’s you and me.

This week Pastor Tim has recorded a wonderful message on Psalm 24 to inspire and challenge us.  Join me for a wonderful online service at 10:30 am on Sunday.  You can take part in this weeks service by going to our website, www.wacathedral.org, our Wacathedral App, Facebook Live or You Tube Live.  Hope to see you Sunday.

Blessings on your life and your day,

 Pastor Linda

A Time to Stand Tough

by Pastor Tim White

There is a season for everything under the sun. A time to rejoice a time to cry, a time for war and a time for peace. And even though it’s not listed but there is a time to stand tough. When Daniel was a prisoner in Babylonia, he was commanded to pray to no other God than the state religion, but he kept praying. He had to be thrown into a lion’s den as a consequence, but he hung tough and God prevailed. Abraham and Sarah had only a dream of founding a nation but no baby to get started they did not give up. They hung tough. And every follower of God has had moments when they just had to do the right thing. And for many this is such a time. But before we get too dramatic let’s remember it’s always been that way. We had to hold on, to do the right things and we just could not let go.

Tell a mountain climber about hanging on. Everyone who has held on for dear life has that moment where the thought comes “just let go, give up you can’t do it.” But the consequences are dire for a mountain climber to just let go. So, they hang tough. And a way through comes to them. We are all a little bit mountain climber so don’t give up on that dream, that child, that parent, that spouse. Hang tough because it is the right thing to do.

Read Romans chapter 8:21- through the rest of the chapter.

Your friend for the rest of my life,
Pastor Tim White 

P.S. Join us in worship online this week.  This week we are collaborating with Hillspring Church in Richland.  We’d love to see you there through Facebook Live, You Tube, our website, or our App.