Time is Love

By Pastor Jared

What does "Follow Jesus” mean? Jesus spoke on this topic a lot, so let’s look at His explanations. John 8:31 says, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.” So, if we live by Jesus’ teachings, then we are Jesus followers. Great! But we still need more info. What are his teachings all about? When asked about following God, Jesus explains two things. 1. Love God and 2. Love people. (Mark 12:30-31). What a relief! We don’t need to understand a complex and confusing list of requirements. It’s all about personal health and loving others. How do we love others?

Jesus is very clear on this one. He wants us to feed hungry people, give water to thirsty people, invite strangers into our lives, donate clothes, and visit people in prison. (Matthew 25:35-36). What do all these acts of love have in common? All of them include sharing resources to empower others. Our resources include a million different things: time, energy, food, water, cars, clothes... Anything I have can be shared. A sharing centered lifestyle takes self-awareness and good boundaries. If I give away too much, then I sacrifice my own health and can’t share resources anymore.

There are many ways to serve others, but today let’s focus on time. For people in our immediate circles, family and friends, we can simply be present. That may sound simple, but it’s tough to do if I’m busy and preoccupied with work and stress. The most incredible conversations happen when I give my wife, family, and friends my full attention.

Lastly, Jesus asks us to give time to strangers. Looking back, I can see that my life has been radically changed by once-strangers giving me time at Starbucks, listening to me vent and talk about my dreams. I don’t remember my mentors’ specific words, but I remember that they were present.

Jesus said to love God and love people. That can only happen if we give time to God, and give time to people because time is love.

P.S. This week Pastor Tim’s message is entitled “Jesus Followers”.  Join us for a wonderful time of online worship on Facebook Live, YouTube Live, www.wacathedral.org Website or our WaCathedral App at 10:30 on Sunday, March 7, 2021.

Christ Followers We Have a Mission

By Pastor Tim White

The United States has never been more divided since 1860 when we split into two opposing armies. The casualties were 620,000 according to an 1889 study by William Fox and Thomas Livermore. Today we know that those numbers are way low.  Modern studies of civilian collateral damage finds that it is disproportionately higher than military deaths or projected civilian deaths. The war was fought over many things. Slavery was one, although deconstructionist historians minimize it. We are all smart enough to know about the Missouri Compromise and the Anti-Slavery movement prior to the war. But yes, there were economic issues and State’s Rights issues that were at play. There was transformation of our economy from a homestead economy to plantations and a market economy. Yes - many factors but a divided nation. 

February 6th is a day that will live in infamy.   Whatever the cause many people (thousands) stormed our nation’s Capital calling out the Vice President to be hung. The result was the symbol of our democracy defiled and police beaten with the American flag and 5 dead.

This division in our nation did not begin yesterday. It began with overstatements by both sides for years. A Press on both sides which forgot what unbiased reporting looked like. And after Fox News disagreed with Feb. 6th, among other things, many people got their news from unrestrained resources.

That’s where we come in with Our Mission in 1 John 4:7-8.  We are here to heal the world with loving relationships. Throughout history Christians have held nations together with love. Whether Herod was the leader, or Caesar, or even through Soviet ruling.

We do this by: 
1) Praying for our President. The less we like them the more we pray.

2) Making sure our churches are loving enough to draw diversity of ideas.

3) Asking questions and building friendships with people who think differently from us.

4) Ministering to the greatest hurts in the world as strongly as we can.

Nobody wants a Civil War. People forget why they are fighting. and morality drops to an immoral level. So, let’s get to work Washington Cathedral our mission is clear.

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

PS: Join us on Sunday morning at 10:30am for this new sermon series. We are on Facebook Live, You Tube or the church Web page.

Friends Find Freedom

By Pastor Jared

Philippians 4:13 is often quoted by celebrities; “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” By itself it is an encouraging quote. In context it is even more potent. The rest of Chapter 4 paints a picture of why the author said that. He wasn’t necessarily encouraging people to chase their dreams or to work hard, although people often quote it that way. You might be surprised by what the author was actually talking about. Philippians 4 talks about fighting friends and how we can all find peace in God. Let’s re-write the scripture to help us relate. 

Imagine a private Facebook message. Your close friend moved one year ago and today they messaged you for the first time. They heard through the grapevine that two of your mutual friends are fighting: 

“Friend,
I love you so much (verse 1). Please help our friends get along back home. We've come so far and have been through so much together (verses 2-3). Stay positive. The peace of God transcends any disaster (verses 4-7). It might help if you keep your minds on what is good, rather than focusing on what’s wrong (verse 8). I’ve been both rich and poor, and it taught me to be content with whatever I'm going through (verse 12). I was able to find contentment because I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (verse 13). Tell everyone I say hi. My family over here say hi and they miss you so much (verse 21).” 

Philippians 4 (paraphrased above) tells a passionate story about friendship, anxiety, fighting and trusting God. The encouragement we are left with is this: We can always find freedom and capture contentment because God’s peace transcends painful situations.

Please Join us this Sunday, February 21st, on Facebook Live, You Tube or the church webpage as Pastor Tim wraps up his series from Philippians as we explore Chapter 4. His message for this week is entitled “Think Excellence.”

From the Inside Out: A Pure Heart

by Rhonda Jones

It’s Valentines’ week, 2021. Every entryway, as I walk into the grocery store, is lined with heart-shaped cookies in vibrant pink and red colors with white lace trim. And as if that’s not enough, on the way out of the store I'm assaulted with bright red boxes of candy for purchase at the checkout stand. Sometimes I think it’s all a bit of overkill, don’t you?

So, what does Valentine’s Day mean to you? Is it a day once a year to tell those around you that you love them? Or earn kudos with those co-workers that really don’t mean that much to you, but might help you climb the corporate ladder if you make a good impression? I’m not sure a box of cookies or candy will do that. So, I’m taking personal inventory this week and thought you might want to read the thoughts I’m gleaning from God’s Word regarding what pleases Him the most when it comes to the condition of our hearts.

I’m remembering the scene in Matthew 23:25 where Jesus is speaking boldly with the Pharisees: “Woe to you teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.” His heart was on fire blowing out Holy Spirit smoke as He spoke those words of truth to them!

In Psalms 51:6 we read, “Surely You desire truth in the inner parts (the heart of man); You teach me wisdom in the inmost place (deep in my heart).”

So how can I achieve a clean and pure heart?

Psalm 51:17 states: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite (humble) heart You will not despise.” Again, I see a picture of Jesus in my head as He is bowing to wash the disciples’ feet the night of His betrayal. He knew what was ahead of Him and still He humbled His heart to serve them. He gave the perfect example to His disciples of how to serve one another with a humble heart. I can see now that any smidgeon of self-righteous thinking on my part is an abomination to God… He hates haughtiness!

So how can I get rid of any darkness in my heart? That’s where the inventory part comes in…letting God’s Spirit sweep my heart for any hidden corners of darkness I may be either knowingly or not knowingly holding on to. I love the truthful cries of desperation from David in the Psalms! Here’s Chapter 51:7: “Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean, wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” After all, the purification of our sins is exactly why Jesus died. I’m also reminded of a hymn I used to sing as a child: “What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Oh precious is the flow that makes me white as snow! No other fount I know! Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

So why are we called to love others? I John 4:9 states: “We love each other because He first loved us.” Simple and pure. And if you can’t love someone, just ask Him for an extra amount of His love…He freely gives!

Why should Jesus be my first love? Revelation 2:4 states, “One complaint: You don’t love Me or others like You did at first!”

And the greatest commandment of all: Matthew 22:37-40: “Jesus said, ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.” (The Message).

A Valentine’s Day prayer:

“Purify my heart, Oh, Lord. May my heart be humbled to serve as You served, to love as you loved. I offer my heart to You this Valentine’s Day so that You can remain my first love forever and always.” In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Rhonda Jones Music Director

Please Join us this Sunday, February 14th, as Pastor Tim continues His series from Philippians as we explore Chapter 3. His message for this week is entitled “Love Changes Things.”

Lighten Up!

By Pastor Michael Fernandez

God has given me the gift of intensity and some of you might be like me. I’m actually an Engineer by trade. It seems to me it would be hard to be an engineer without being intense because there are so many problems to solve.  

Years ago, Teresa and I were the Singles Pastors here. When I moved on to a different position, I had to turn the Singles Group over to another person. It was part of my job to mentor this person. We struggled at first in communicating because we didn’t see eye to eye on things. I would go to Pastor Tim and say “do I have to work with this person?” and Pastor Tim would say “yes” and tell me to go work it out.  This other person would go to Tim and say that he couldn’t work with me and Pastor Tim would say you have to and go work it out. At first, I was pretty intense about it as his ideas seemed to go against my ideas. Finally, it dawned on the both of us that we loved the Single’s Group and we wanted the same things for them.

We were just going about it differently. He was using his gifts and I was using mine. I realized right then, just because we have differences, doesn’t mean we can’t be friends, and it doesn’t mean we can’t work together with one mind and purpose. 

Philippians 2:1-2 NLT “Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?  Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.”

As Christians we usually do want the same things -- like leading people to Christ -- but we might go about it from a different perspective. Today Pastor David and I are best friends and laugh about those early times together.  So, God helped each of us learn a great lesson.  That is “lighten up and you will find a way to love one another.”

Pastor Tim will be sharing from the Philippians Chapter 2, a message on “Let It Shine” this Sunday at 10:25 am online.  You can catch with me on Facebook Live, YouTube Live, our WaCathedral App or website.  Hope to see you there.

UNEXPECTED JOY

by Pastor Linda Skinner

A couple of days ago my phone rang and it was one of my dear friends calling me. I knew she was in the hospital and I’d been trying to call her for a couple of days to see how she is doing. So, when her name appeared on my phone screen, I was overjoyed to be able to talk to her and hear how she was doing. This lady is one of those people who always blesses you when you talk to her. She had been admitted to the hospital a few days earlier because of a nasty infection on her leg. She’s been a friend, prayer and ministry partner, and is one of the dearest people in my life. I had been praying for her and was so concerned that she had landed in the hospital, especially, with today’s challenges. I was looking forward to bringing words of encouragement to her.

We talked and she let me know that she was doing great. The medical staff was treating her, and she went on about how special they all were. Then she added how much she was really enjoying her time in the hospital. She said she was meeting so many new people and making friends. She said, “I know I’m right where God wants me to be right now.” After talking to her, I hung up the phone and thanked God for giving me the gift of a special friend. Someone who could help me look beyond my circumstances and find joy in whatever situation I find myself.

This week Pastor Tim is beginning a new series on Philippians entitled “This is the Day – Reasons to be Glad”. Philippians is one of the “Prison Letters” written by the Apostle Paul. “Prison Letter” because Paul writes it to the church at Philippi while he is in prison. In prison for the dastardly offense of preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ. One might think Paul’s letter would be filled with anger and whining over why he’s locked up when he’s doing God’s work. But, Paul, like my friend, sees way beyond his circumstances and sees how God can use them to His glory. Paul’s letter is filled with encouragement for us to live a life filled with faith and joy despite our circumstances or our challenges.

I can’t wait to hear what God has laid on Pastor Tim’s heart to share with us this week. I hope you can join me. I want to learn to be a joy-finder and a joy-giver. How about you?

Blessings,

Pastor Linda

PS: All of our services are online right now due to COVID restrictions. You can join us at 10:30 am every Sunday on Facebook Live, YouTube Live, our WaCathedral App or on our website at www.wacathedral.org. If you can’t make it on Sunday morning, you can always catch it at a later time at the same places.

To Persevere or Not - That Is the Question…

by Fiona Monaghan

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 (ESV)

Definition of perseverance: continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition: the action or condition or an instance of persevering : steadfastness.

When I think of perseverance I am drawn to the story of Joseph in Genesis. Of all the stories of someone who could have given up and thought his life over, it would have been Joseph. At 17, he was sold by his brothers, who hated him, to some passing nomads. He worked as a slave and through hard work and integrity was given a position of authority. Then he was accused of indecent liberties when he stood strong against lies. Was put in prison for years before being placed in a position of great power. It was his perseverance and faith in his God that stood him in strong stead. He couldn’t have known at 17 that he would be at 40, second in command in Egypt during a great famine. He stated to the brothers who had sold him, “that what they had meant for bad, God had meant for good.” Reconciliation with his brothers was made available with this awesome understanding that God was in control of his life.

Where do we get that kind of perseverance? It can be found in the things we hold important and unshakeable. When we believe God has good things in store for us. That he loves and cares about us. That He has given everything in order for us to have relationship with Him through His Son. That He won’t leave us alone to handle this life, but will be there in it with us.

Paul, in writing this to the Philippians, also had to stand against many obstacles and hold strong to his faith in God as a rewarder of great things to those who stand strong and believed. He faced many obstacles, punishment and also great accomplishments. He penned many letters of encouragement in the New Testament.

For myself, I have learned perseverance when in places of aloneness. When life didn’t pan out as I had hoped. When I had to rebuild my faith from the ground up. To seek out who God was and what He wanted for me and from me. I am sure I am not alone in this. We have all been in those places where we feel stripped bare of support or comfort and find out just what we believe in and if it will stand the test. God has promised us many things if we trust Him, and He has not disappointed. Stand strong and steadfast.

Join us this Sunday at 10:30am on Facebook Live, YouTube or the Church app or website, when Pastor Tim wraps up this series with the sermon “Every Comeback Needs Perseverance.” Bring your notebook or iPad to make note of these inspiring points he will deliver.

P. R. A. Y.

by Rhonda Jones

There’s no doubt about it…these are trying times. So, what can we do to protect our psyche? We need a plan…a moment-by moment plan to combat the negativity that bombards us daily on social media. And what’s the answer? The answer, plain and simple, is a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. He is the only vital relationship I know that can destress, renew and give hope and peace to our hearts and minds during these stressful times.

I’ve never really struggled to believe in God; I see His majesty in every part of creation. But I know that some of you do-it’s hard to conceive of a God that exists and cares for you, let alone believe that He could speak to your Spirit. It all comes down to whether or not you believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and are willing to open your spirit to the possibility that He will speak to you. We, the staff at Washington Cathedral, do believe the Bible and have learned that God is Spirit, and in order to connect with Him you need to worship Him in spirit and in truth (see John 4:24). That means daily seeking Him and hopefully first thing in the morning (and sometimes when I wake up in the middle of the night). I’d be lying to you to say I have that habit down pat…it’s tough making it your first priority each day. But I’ve noticed that when I do, the media reports don’t seem to matter quite as much as they would because when you touch God’s heart, He gives you His ‘Eternal’ perspective on every situation you may face in this life.

So here’s my plan for success in 2021…it’s a simple anagram:

P = Pause

R = Reflect

A = Actively Seek

Y = Yield

Join me on this journey and you will discover as I am that peace is possible in every situation.

Rhonda Jones, Director of Music

PS. Pastor Tim has a great message this week on “Every Comeback Needs a Plan.” Vanessa Love and family will be with us to minister to our hearts in music on this Martin Luther King weekend. Join us online at Facebook Live, You Tube Live, our website or our App. We’d love to see you.

Living Your Purpose

by Pastor Michael Fernandez

God knows you. He knows everything about you. He knew you in advance: your dreams, your strengths, your weaknesses etc. He designed you in a unique way and once you begin to fellowship with Him, you are going to have a purpose that is more powerful than you are. And as you become closer and closer to Jesus you will become more and more like Him.

I remember when I graduated from St John’s Elementary school in 1968. Father Manning asked me to study for the priesthood. I was an altar boy at the time. I was too proud and too stubborn to make that commitment. On March 17th, 1985, I accepted Jesus Christ as My Lord and Savior. Then in September of 1994 I came on staff here at Washington Cathedral.

It took me 26 years to find my true purpose in life. And all that happened when I finally came into fellowship with Jesus. My decision then, to become a Pastor, has been affirmed many times over in these past 26 years, by many of you. And today I am thankful and blessed with the wonderful family and friends Our Lord, has brought into my life.

Romans 8:29-3O (NLT)

“For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.”

All of that is waiting for you as you strengthen your fellowship with Jesus.

This Sunday, Pastor Tim will be continuing his series with a message on “Refreshing Your Purpose.” Be sure to grab your journal or iPad and join us on Facebook Live at 10:25am, YouTube Live, or our Washington Cathedral website or App. This message will enlighten your understanding in a healthy, new way.

See you Sunday.

Pastor Michael

The Key to Comeback

by Jared Gallardo

Comebacks are exciting! We’ve all seen movies about people that overcome impossible odds. Disney has made a fortune with movies like “Mulan”, a story about a girl from a rural village transforming into a formidable warrior. What makes her story so interesting? Well...she wasn’t born a warrior. Before she reached heroic status, she went through an identity crisis, completed boot camp, and fought in brutal combat. It seems like every Disney movie does that – They show a person’s journey from pain to power.

Much like Disney movies, the Bible is bursting at the seams with comebacks. Genesis 37-50 tells a story about an average person named Joseph who falls into pain and rises to power. In short, his family betrayed him, and his boss got him thrown into prison, but luckily the story doesn’t end there. He makes friends with the king who gives him leadership “over all the land of Egypt” (Genesis 41:41), and his family begins healing from their broken past. Whether Joseph was with his family, being trafficked, working, talking to the King, or working out family drama, God was with him. Even in prison, “the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love...” (Genesis 39:21). Like a flash flood, God’s love rushed into Joseph's pit of despair.

And that is the key to comeback - God’s transformative love in the midst of overwhelming grief.

Happy New Year.

Jared Gallardo

PS: Join us this Sunday at 10:30am on Facebook Live, You Tube Live, the website www.wacathedral.org or on the church app. Pastor Tim will be speaking on “The Great Comeback” as he continues the series “Have Fun in 2021.”