TimHowey.Com

Web Bonus - Wise Men Worship Jesus

I'm sitting in my office, after we finished our 2 Christmas Eve Candlelight services.  I'm hearing the sleet hit the office windows & a piece of me is wondering how much I'll have to scrape off to head home, and then to my mom's house.

But mostly I'm just reflecting on what an awesome God we serve, and what a privilege we just had to worship him this afternoon!

A few thots...

• The Music -- I love the dialed down feeling we have on Christmas Eve.  Ben, our worship pastor, said it seems more intimate...like a family setting.
  
• The Video -- If you're interested in watching the video again, click here and check it out.  We purchased it from SermonSpice.com.
• The Story -- Wasn't the imagery of the gold (deity), frankincense (suffering), and myrrh (death) just AMAZING???  I couldn't wait to share what I'd been finding in my studies.
• The Lights -- The candlelight ceremony always takes my breath away.  And I talked to an usher who said that getting to light a candle in each row was a special moment for him.  Left him feeling great.  (It pictures the rush we get when our faith becomes "infectious" and changes the lives of our friends & family.)
• The Wax -- Being the first one to have his candle lit, I probably get the most wax.  I think I got more hot wax on my fingers than ever!  (Hard to complain after we talked about the suffering & death of Christ though, right?  :-)
  
• The Lives -- One lady caught me after service (who'd just friended me on Facebook this week) and shared how our church family has literally transformed her family recently.  With tears in her eyes, she wanted me to pass on a "Thank you" to everyone at Grace.  That's why we do what we do.
  

May you and your family have a blessed, merry, & safe (with all the ice & snow coming) Christmas!

The 5 Love Languages

One of the books I encourage EVERYONE to read is "The Five Love Languages" by Gary's Chapman.  It'll help you at home, at church, and in the workplace.

• I've read it with my wife
• I've studied it with small groups
• I've used it to counsel couples

It's good stuff.  I think they have an online test & small group discussion guide at their website.  For a quick, "30-Second Assessment," click here.

I couldn't find the Bible references for each love language in their materials.  No problem.  I found each love language in Scripture:  both (a) where each of US are to love people in that language, and (b) where JESUS loved people in that language.  If you ever teach it, or study it in a group, you'll want to jot down these references:

1. Words of Affirmation -- Us (Pro 18:21, 16:24).  Jesus (John 8:1-11).
2. Quality Time -- Us (Rom 12:15-16).  Jesus (Matt 11:19).
3. Receiving Gifts -- Us (Pro 19:6).  Jesus (Eph 4:7-16, Jas 1:17).
4. Acts of Service -- Us (Gal 5:13-14).  Jesus (John 13:1-17).
5. Physical Touch -- Us (Rom 16:16).  Jesus (Mark 10:13-16).

P.S. My wife claims that there is a 6th love language which I have: the love language of Bug.  I was leading a marriage small group one time and several of the guys said they had it too.

Web Bonus - Wise Men Seek Jesus

What an awesome day! We just finished our 3 Christmas Services. Today's topic was "Wise Men Still Seek Jesus" from Matthew 2.

I'm sitting at my desk in my office, typing on my keyboard & listening to the Chiefs game on the radio.  (Andy Studebaker just recovered a fumble for a touchdown.)

I have several thoughts as I sit here...

• Pumped -- I'm PUMPED about what God did today.  We saw people who received Christ as Savior.  And I heard from people who told me they identified with King Herod, vacated the throne of their life, & invited Jesus to re-take his rightful place.
• The Star -- As I said, there are all sorts of ideas of what the Star of Bethlehem was: a nova, new star, comet, planet, angel, miracle, etc.  The website I referenced was BethlehemStar.net, with the COOL video in our church's small goup study library called, "The Star of Bethlehem."  They have the take that the star was a planet.  Another reference for you is Dr. Werner Papke's "How I Identified the Star of Bethlehem" whose take is that it was a new star.
• The Medes -- The reference I made to the historian, Herodotus, which connected the wise men with the Medes (AKA Kurds) came from John Macarthur's article, "Who Were the Wise Men?"
• The Choir -- I was backstage when I heard our choir sing an a capella version of "Angels We Have Heard On High" and it took my breath away.  All I can say is, "WOW."
• The Song -- The last song our praise team did before I spoke was Chris Tomlin's "Born that We May Have Life."  As I listened backstage, I could have sworn the start of the song was just like the start of Wham's "Last Christmas."  Funny thing was that after 3rd service, I found that Pastor Ben was thinking the same thing.
  
• Drained -- Wow, I cannot WAIT for a nap later.  I plan to hit it HARD!

If you're in town, join us Thursday afternoon at 3:30p or 5:00p for our All-Family Christmas Candlelight Service.  INVITE A FRIEND!

The Other Side of the Globe

For an update on the amazing things God is doing among the K's on the other side of the globe, check out this blog post.

It's all because we are committed to going "BEYOND" together -- reaching out as the head, heart, & hands of Jesus -- loving people, serving them, & praying for them.

Approaching Year End

"A Place to Lead" End of Year Message - Tim Howey from Grace Church on Vimeo.

Web Bonus - Wise Men Seek Wisdom

Once again, it's the most wonderful time of the year.  Right Ben?  :-)

We kicked off our Christmas series yesterday called, "Wise Men," talking about how the tremendous lessons their lives illustrate for us.

We called week 1, "Wise Men Still Seek Wisdom."  In it, we were trying to figure out how the Christmas-wise-men even knew to look for Jesus after his birth.  To do so, we traveled back 600 years BEFORE the birth of Chris, to  Daniel 2.  It is the story of how the ancestors of the Christmas wise men ("the magi") had their first encounter with a prophet of God.

We saw some way cool stuff.

• The Challenge -- This week presented a unique challenge in both the VOLUME of material we were covering (49 verses) as well as the DEPTH of the material (history & prophecy).
• The King -- The king we saw was Nebuchadnezzar 2.  His wikipedia entry notes:
• • Saddam Hussein thought he was the reincarnation of Nebuchadnezzar
  • The first ship Neo encounters in The Matrix was called Nebuchadnezzar
• The Prophecies -- Wow.  There are some RICH PROPHECIES in this chapter.  The amazing fulfilled prophecies are one of the reasons I believe the Bible is THE Word of God!  Check out this reference.
• Lost Ticket -- In Proverbs 2:1-6, we talked how diligent we should be in searching God's word for wisdom.  I asked everyone, "What if someone gave you a lottery ticket and you won, but you lost it in your house?  How hard would you search for it?"  For this guy, it's not hypothetical.
• True Wisdom -- There was so much more I wanted to share about "wisdom."  Here's a handful of references I had to leave on the cutting room floor:
• • Ps 111:10 -- The fear of the Lord is the BEGINNING of wisdom
  • Job 28:28 -- The fear of the Lord IS wisdom
  • 1Co 1:24 -- Christ IS the wisdom of God
  • Col 2:3 -- ALL the treasures of wisdom are hidden in Christ
  • 2Ti 3:15 -- The SCRIPTURES are able to make you wise

Don't forget that this next Sunday is our "Christmas Big Day."  We will be looking at the wise men in Matthew 2 and talking about how "Wise Men Still Seek Jesus."  So, INVITE A FRIEND!  We've all got friends who are looking for a place to worship this Christmas and would come with us if we invite them.  Pray for them & invite them to join you next Sunday at 9, 10:30, or 11a.

Today's Time with God

I thought I'd give you a snapshot into my time with God today.

In my daily reading this morning, I read through Isaiah 43-48. My current plan is to read 8 pages/day, every day except Sunday. I don't get to it every day, but that's the plan. What jumped out to me today was the repeated counsel from God to "Fear not!" (Isaiah 43:1, 5, 44:2)

Then for my prayer time today, I did a good chunk of journaling.  I don't write a letter to God every day, but it's still a HUGE part of my prayer life with God.  For me, it's the best way to lay the weightier times & topics before the Lord and leave them at His feet.  Here's the bulk of what I wrote today:

"Dear Lord,

In my daily reading, the command 'Fear not' jumped out at me 3 times.  Then you reassured me that your enemies will fear.

Lord, I seek You.  I'm trusting you & your promise of James 1:

(1)  I'm counting this trial all joy (v.2).  This is a joy to be able to be a part of a situation beyond your control; to cling to you in faith & lift it up in prayer; and watch you do what only you can do.  This is all joy (Acts 5:41).

(2)  I know you are trying to grow me (v.3).  Specifically, when you test my faith, you are trying to grow patience in me --> the ability to wait on you & watch for you & rest in you until the situation is resolved in your timeframe. Tough times are designed by you to grow me internally...the inner man (2Cor 4:16).

(3)  I need to not short-circuit the process of spiritual growth (v.4).  Lord, it would be so easy for me to just try to fix situations in my own strength; or run; or do whatever it takes to stop having to wait on you. But I need to let you work on me...and that takes time (1 Peter 5:10).

(4)  I know you will give me direction if I pray in faith (v.5). You already know what you want to happen. In fact, since you are outside of time (existing in the past, present, & future all at once), you are already there in the future & know what will happen. Lord, give me your wisdom. Lord, give me your direction, give me your plan. All I want is to be your follower & you to be pleased with me. I am yours (1Cor 4:3-4). direction. 

Love, Tim."

Web Bonus - Extraordinary Challenges

We closed out our "Extraordinary Prayer" series yesterday.  Our topic was the extraordinary challenges we all face in maintaining a consistent, heartfelt, powerful prayer life.

What can we say?

• A Praise -- One small group leader said our topic came at the perfect time.  His small group is studying our discipleship material called Directions, and they were scheduled to talk about that very topic.
  
• An Example -- A preschool teacher caught me after service to expand on the thought that God sometimes waits to give us good things until we ask it in prayer.  It reminded her of how she tells her preschoolers to "Use your words" because it's important to their personal development too.
• A Praise -- We received this story from Amanda: "I am going through something very difficult personally right now...Through this, I have started attending Grace and really committed myself to finding the Lord again. This situation is much bigger than I personally could handle - but thanks to the power of prayer and God's strength and Grace, my eyes have been opened...I am also remembering and taking time each day to listen to God and THANK Him continually for the strength he gives me to handle whatever he puts in my path. And with each trial and tribulation I have learned that I am never alone."
• A Resource -- If you've never read it before, check out a super-short book called "The Practice of the Presence of God" by Brother Lawrence.  It's a great resource on prayer.
• A Quote -- I saw this quote on the power of prayer recently: "Nothing is more powerful and significant in our world today than prayer...Satan is not afraid of our budget, out buildings, our programs, or our projects.  He is afraid of our praying."
  
• A Script -- I had someone shoot this note to me this week, on the topic of being specific in our prayers.  "I have been pondering the words I use too repetitiously and without thought and have been trying to communicate with God in a more thoughtful and 'natural' way.  I have, however, realized...it can be really effective to write out exactly what I want so I don't leave out/forget details when I petition God...My latest effort is for our unborn baby girl...I would ask you pray it as you read it:
• • Family, please pray specifically...
  • for the further development of this child;
  • for little Emma’s brain and intelligence,
  • for healthy blood circulation and a healthy life ahead
  • for a healthy physical heart and a tender spiritual one,
  • healthy ears that allow attentiveness and easy communication,
  • for healthy eyes and eyelids to develop so this baby can see our smiles clearly,
  • for perfectly formed face and lips,
  • for a strong physical neck and back and a spirit of upright confidence while remaining kind to others,
  • for perfectly formed fingers and toes, hands and feet that allow this child to serve God,
  • for perfectly formed vocal cords that can sing songs or shout for mommy or daddy (but not too loudly, please),for inner organs and sexual organs and for clear identity and a God pleasing lifestyle,
  • for muscle development and the ability to walk and run,
  • dear Father I pray for...
  • fat production and healthy bone marrow,
  • for strong bones and teeth,
  • for healthy strong lungs and a healthy tongue (that likes all foods, even vegetables),
  • I would love a perfect little nose and pretty hair too!
  • Father we pray in the name of Your Son."
• A Video -- About 3 weeks ago, Ben & I thought about using the "Meet the Parents" prayer clip to close out the series.  So we show up yesterday for our 6:30a meeting with members of our weekend service team & we hear, "Didn't we show this clip recently?"  Huh???  Ben & I had NO memory of it.  We checked back and, sure enough, we showed it earlier this year and both totally forgot it.  (It was still a good clip, though.)

Prayer.  Prayer is powerful.  Prayer is flexible.  Prayer is comforting.  Prayer is extraordinary.

Stick with it!  If we can avoid getting waylaid by the challenges we face, we'll find that prayer moves the hand that moves the world.

Basketball Kicks Off

Here's an update on the 2 basketball games we had yesterday to kick off our 2009-2010 seasons.

3rd Grade Girls Team -- Before the game, I talked to the girls about all the key offensive & defensive principles to remember.  We went out & warmed up.  The referees blew the whistle, the girls instantly forgot every principle we talked about on offense.  I think the sheer adrenaline rush of 10 girls on the court was enough for everyone's short-term memory to be completely blotted out.  The good news is that we remembered how to play defense.  We ended up winning 20-11.  The girls had a blast.

5th Grade Boys Team -- Before the game, the boys seemed to be tuned in for the most part.  We headed out to a quick 5-0 lead.  Then our defense completely left us for the rest of the first half.  After being outscored 14-2, we were down 14-7.  The second half was a different story.  We held them to 1 point for the entire 2nd half until the we tied it at 15 in the last minute of the game.  Unfortunately, we gave up a late basket and lost 17-15.  But the boys still had a great time.

Think Beyond

Hey, let's not stop thinking "Beyond" as Acts 1:8 says.  (That's our whole 2009-2010 theme!)  In this verse, Christ lays the responsibility of reaching out personally, locally, AND globally...all at the SAME time!  In other words, don't forget to think and reach out:

1. Beyond Yourself -- inviting friends & family to consider a walk with God
2. Beyond Your Community -- meeting needs in the Greater KC area
3. Beyond Borders -- praying for an unreached people group like the K's

Here's a picture sent to me by the Royston Small Group in celebration of finishing the "Beyond" series.  Pretty cool...