Opposition In Life

By Pastor Michael Fernandez

The congregation of Smyrna, unlike Ephesus, was facing persecution, imprisonment for some, even death. The heart of the message was not repent but be faithful even to the point of death. In the message to Smyrna, the angel is a conquering Angel, and the Christians there a whole assembly of “conquerors”.

“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.” Revelation: 2:11 (NIV)

Each and every one of us will face opposition in life which is my topic today. Whether it is on the job, socially, from the world, physically, mentally, or as we age at home. I could go on, but you get the idea. The idea here is how do we handle the situation? I think the best way to handle it would be to ask the question - What is Jesus Christ doing in my life at this moment in time?

 Maybe that is the question we need to ask ourselves?

I am a pretty competent person and a pretty good task master. It seems the one lesson I continue to learn is to rely on Jesus - not Michael. My humanness always seems to get in the way. Every time I go to pray with someone in the hospital or meet in their home, I ask myself “what am I going to say to them. How am I going to encourage them?” Then, I still my heart and ask The Holy Spirit to lead me and guide me in my endeavor. Most of my life now has been spent nurturing and blessing our church family.

I must confess, life has not been easy of late. I get tired easily if I overexert myself. This has brought out some very old habit patterns from my youth. Swearing has popped up its ugly side occasionally. I absolutely hate it. It appears more when I am driving if you can believe that. I thought I had gotten rid of that decades ago. Now I’m working on getting rid of that issue once again and I will with God’s help.

Most of you know that I have been dealing with some physical issues as I have been diagnosed with Amyloidosis. It is not a cancer, but kind of acts like one. This disease produces a bad protein in one's system, over and over again. That protein attaches itself to your internal organs, (heart, lungs, liver, kidney, tongue etc.)  and can harden them. The doctors still can’t tell me how I got it. It can be inherited, mine was not. You can get it from myeloma cancer which I do not have. Only God knows how I have it. It reminds me daily that life is all too short. Have I adjusted my lifestyle? Yes. That’s why I’m still wearing a mask since my immune system is compromised through disease and treatment. More importantly, I’m totally relying on Jesus for my healing and living a quality life. I’m a fix-it person and I can’t fix this only the infinite healer can. Treatment appears to be moving in the right direction as I am still able to work at a high level. I praise Our Lord every day for breathing new life into me and not taking life for granted.  When I get hangry or tired is when I mess up. Every day now I search for peace even in the midst of my exhaustion, and I try to eat before I get hangry.

Remember, Whoever is victorious will not be harmed by the second death. The second coming of Christ and permanent spiritual death is for those unbelievers. And victory is for those who believe.

To unpack this more watch our service this coming Sunday August 14th at 10:30 am. Or join us in-person in the Spirit Falls Sanctuary at 10:30am. I believe you will gain a greater understanding of what this means in the lives we are living now.

 

Turning Lemons into Lemonade! 

We’re starting a new series of messages on the Book of Revelation.  I love that book and everyone in society wants to talk about it; and that is great.  Sometimes though, it can become defeatist - almost like some Christians are hoping that plagues, famines, earthquakes, storms, and persecution are going to hit everyone they don’t like.

In reality Revelation is a book for more than just the end times.  It’s to be read throughout history right up to the end times.  Anti-Christs' (yes, it’s sometimes used in the plural) have been around throughout history: Nero, Napoleon, Hitler, Stalin, etc., and yes, Elijah’s have appeared on the scene including John the Baptist, St. Francis, Martin Luther, John Wesley, Billy Sunday and Billy Graham.

There is a lot of good news in the Book of Revelation. This week’s message is Don’t Lose Your First Love, Ephesus - Turning Lemons into Lemonade. There will be a picnic right after worship. Included are a Lemonade Contest, Grilled Barbecue Chicken and Roasted Corn on the Cob. Please bring Potluck Side Dishes or Desserts to share. There will be a Lemon Toss Contest, Lemon Relays and a whole bunch of more fun lemon games.

Join us Sunday online (via You Tube, Facebook Live or Church Apps) or in person at 10:30 AM

Your friends for the rest of our lives,
Tim and Jackie White

“I Need More Cowbell!”

I have had a lot of strange sermon titles in my life of ministry, and I’ve enjoyed each one.  I remember when I had a sermon title “The Preacher Who Is Not All There”.  

This weekend I’m following that tradition as we conclude this series on great Old Testament heroes entitled, “God’s All-Stars”.  We are studying the life of Isaiah. He was such a unique person who made a stand for God. I’ve entitled this sermon, “I Need More Cowbell”.  It’s going to be fun, full of insight, and has the power to truly set you free.

Please join us on this beautiful Sunday at 10:30am in our sanctuary and enjoy our new air conditioning!  We are also online via YouTube, Facebook Live, or the Church App.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Tim White

 

Fire From Heaven

By Pastor Tim White

This morning I woke up to find out that my hero from high school Fran Tarkington had asked me if we could connect. I was so inspired as I wore #10 just to imitate him. I finally settled down when I realized he probably has a social media manager and doesn’t even know that we connected.

We have been studying God’s All-Star Team in the Old Testament; Moses, Jacob, Joseph, David, Gideon, and Deborah. It is always inspiring to study the great women and men in scripture, and we see a little of ourselves in them. They have weaknesses that shock us and strengths that we can aspire to. I have had the privilege in my short life (it seems short to me) to meet most of my heroes and get to know them.
Dallas Willard, Bruce Larson, Elisabeth Elliot, Paul Yonggi Cho, Robert Schuller, Bart Star,
Deacon Jones, Johnny Unitas, John Madden, Don Shula, Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, Fulton Buntain, Steve Largent, Carl Sagan, Bill Gates, Jody Allen, John Templeton, Rabbi Levine, Dorothy Stimpson Bullitt, Nobel Laureate - Dr. E. Donell Thomas. etc.

This week we study the life of Elijah one of the great men who ever lived on this planet. We see his strengths and weaknesses. I’ve entitled my message Fire from Heaven: A Study of Miracles. Please join us on Sunday at 10:30am at either the in person at church or online (via You Tube, Facebook Live or the Church Apps) because you will be inspired in studying Jesus Christ by looking at the life of Elijah.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

A Closer Look at the Face of God

 By Pastor Tim White

I am loving the James Webb telescopes infrared photos of the universe. The head of NASA said that this is an advance in science compatible to the first time Galileo looked into a telescope.

When we were visiting our grand kids in Texas, we all took a walk at night just to star gaze. Our granddaughter, who loves science said, “I never even liked astronomy before now I love it.” Our grandson Elijah so impressed me as he laid on his back on the grass looking at the universe and speaking so eloquently about the stars. It was a closer glimpse of an inspiring God for all of us; and sharing it with my first baby girl Elise just brought a deep sense of awe and well-being to me.

This Sunday, our good friend Pastor Linda will be sharing with us the uniqueness of the Old Testament leader, Deborah. I can’t think of anyone on earth I would love to hear more on this subject from, than Linda. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to get a closer look at the face of God. You will be inspired.

Join us at 10:30am this Sunday in either the in-person service or online via Facebook Live, You Tube or the Church apps. Remember too, that we are having a Food Drive. You can bring your non-perishable donations to church or stop by after church and drop them off and get a Free Hot Dog!

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

BOUNCE BACK!

You know that frustrating feeling when you don’t get something on the first attempt? Multiply that by 5,126 because that’s the number of failed prototypes Sir James Dyson went through over the course of 15 years before creating the eponymous best-selling bag-less vacuum cleaner that led to a net worth of $4.5 billion.

His cinematic output has grossed more than $9 billion and brought him 3 Academy Awards, but the master of the blockbuster was rejected TWICE by the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts. Aside from that, this director also struggled with dyslexia which made it harder for him to cope with school. To date, he has won 11 Emmys, 3 Oscars, and 7 Golden Globes, and he’s one of the most successful directors of today. As their way of saying “Oops, I guess we were wrong about you,” the school built a building in honor of Steven Spielberg.

The list goes on and on of amazing people who had to bounce back from difficulties to break through to success.

This week’s sermon is on the life of Joseph, and it’s called “Getting Back Up”. Our whole world needs to hear this biblical truth right now. So won’t you join us in person at 10:30am on Sunday or on-line (via You Tube, Facebook Live or the Church Apps). It will be a blessing to you that you won’t forget.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

Happy Independence Day!

It’s an important weekend to be thankful for the freedoms and opportunities that we share in the United States of America. Maybe more important now than ever. We have so many blessings and if we were not to recognize them it would be just wrong. We need the hope of knowing that, whether Democrat or Republican, we have a lot of blessings and opportunities that we share together.

Leon Patillo, has written a special song for our service and will share it in a debut performance via video. It’s going to really be inspiring. We worship God first and thank him for all that he has done for us. So many have sacrificed a lot to allow us to be one nation under God. We really care about our nation and pray that we can move toward the very best ideals.

Join us this Sunday in person in our Sanctuary or online via Facebook Live, You Tube or Church Apps. It will be well worth your time. You are welcome to join us for the picnic afterwards it is going to be a blast and you being there is only going to make it better! Take part in the pie baking contest. Table games and good food are becoming a tradition for us lately. It won’t take too long but the making of life-long friendships is really worth it.

Please join us this weekend.

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

By Pastor Michael Fernandez

God Made You Great 

In the story of Gideon, remember he was thrashing wheat through a winepress in a pit where he was hiding from the Midianites. This was so he could save whatever food he had to eat since the Midianites stole everything. This is when an Angel of the Lord appeared to him. Listen to what the angel says. “When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.” Judges 6:12 

Imagine what Gideon must have felt. In his society, he was a nobody, a zero. His family was the weakest in his tribe, and he was the least in his family. Gideon is saying, “Hey God, I can’t be used! God, you must have me mistaken for someone else. I am a nobody. Have you ever felt like Gideon? Like you can’t make anything go right?  Maybe you are struggling to provide for your family, or to save your marriage, or struggling to keep your job during COV-ID or even struggling with yourself. Maybe you feel like Gideon, just barely trying to survive.  

“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Judges 6:13. After Gideon complained to the Lord about all that Has happened to Israel, in Judges 6:14, “The Lord said,” I will make you strong, Go and save Israel, I am sending you!”   

Like Gideon, God made you Great! God is faithful to help us grow even when we feel like we have no faith at all. Now Gideon responds again like many of us do, doesn’t he? “I know I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me.” Judges 6: 17  

Even though an Angel appeared to him, & God spoke to him, he still wants a sign. He is basically saying, “Are you really sure you mean me Lord? When we pray the same prayer over and over. Does God listen to us? Gideon is proof He does. God always meets us where our Faith is. We often listen to God, but do we actually hear Him and understand what He wants from us and then actually obey Him? God created you uniquely and Made You Great to be used in the body of Christ.  

Join us this Sunday at the in-person service at 10:30am or online (via You Tube, Facebook Live or church Apps) as we explore this man Gideon and how God took what he offered and made him great! 

By Pastor Tim White

A Father’s Strength

I don’t know about you, but when I think of Father’s Day, I think of something macho. I know that the definition of macho has diversified a lot since the 1980s when I was a young father. In a lot of our macho activities we find women joining us in and loving them … and why not? They are fun. Furthermore, we men are liberated and now macho means reading, research, scientific experimentation, art, handicrafts, plus sports, outdoor life, mechanics, carpentry, etc. Yes, Father’s Day is more about being a father, than trying to be macho.

But if ever there was a time for us to be Free to be Macho this should be the day. I am preaching on Father Abraham, and I know you will enjoy the message. The day will be a lot of fun with exciting activities. It’s a week to enjoy being a manly man and to remember our fathers. We have been blessed by a group of strong men who make this a safe place to create a sanctuary for everyone. Men like Erskine Austin, David Gerzsenye, and many more.

Won’t you join us this Sunday at 10:30am at the in-person service or online via You Tube, Facebook Live or the Church App. Following the in-person service we will have hotdogs and root beer floats, a time to enjoy and celebrate our fathers.

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

By Pastor Tim White

Becoming a Chariot of Fire

I love the movie Chariots of Fire. At the very beginning it shows people singing a beloved hymn in church which uses the phrase chariots of fire. It is not the theme song of the movie by Vangelis but rather a well-loved time-honored Christian hymn. The words are something like this.

I rise to worship, I stand to acclaim,
The king of all glory, Christ Jesus his name.
I ask you Lord Jesus, fulfill this desire.
Ignite me and make me a chariot of fire.

I think of all the chariots of fire that have blessed our church. And I am humbled, thrilled, joy filled, and enthused. Because in every church, parachurch, and community service organization there are those that are fully engaged and make things happen. I call them Faith’s All-Star Team.

One such Chariot of Fire was Pastor David Gerzsenye. As many of you know, our good friend Pastor David passed away early on Wednesday morning this week. He was recovering from Covid which he caught while on vacation with his wife Pastor Carol. He was looking forward to flying home after spending most of his time in the hospital there. He was still struggling to breathe and had a moment when he could not breathe and passed out and after riding to the hospital in an ambulance. Upon getting to the hospital, he took a few breaths and just slipped away to heaven.

We remember David as being the Singles Pastor at Washington Cathedral with his dear wife Carol. They reached thousands of people in our community with their positive faith to share. I don’t know how many came through the Divorce Recovery Workshops, but I believe it was up in the thousands.

Pastor David was the Men’s Ministry Director and we had so many inspirational retreats under his leadership. He was the Facilities Director for a while. He had been the Youth Pastor for a while and really had an impact on the young people of our church. And of course, he did hospital visits, counseling appointments, and some preaching. Many people cherish the experiences where David was the cook for church’s barbecues, breakfasts and banquets. He was like an army cook and would tease everyone and laugh with us and it just made the experience heavenly.

David loved his kids and his family. He loved his friends and those for whom he ministered to. He truly was one of the Chariots of Fire that made Washington Cathedral a great caring network. We will always remember him.

Our sermon series this summer is “Faith’s All-Star Team” and we will be studying each week the story of one of the great people in the Bible.

I love summer and the voting on Baseball’s All Stars, but it is even more exciting to think about those people who will make the All-Star Commitment of Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, Gideon or Deborah, maybe even Pastor David. I wonder who the next All-Stars are to emerge from our church.

Join us Sunday at 10:30 am either in person or online (Facebook Live, You Tube or the Church Apps) to engage in this great adventure.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White