TimHowey.Com

5 Quick Hits

Here are 5 quick updates for everyone...

• "Elementary-age basketball...it's faaaan-tastic" -- I'm coaching Jacob & Karina's basketball teams again this year.  I coach my 3rd grade girls first, then my 5th grade boys show up...back to back.  It's a blast.
• Reading thru the Psalms -- In my continual reading through the Bible (Genesis to Revelation), I'm in Psalms these days.  Rich stuff.  Here were the last couple notes I wrote in my journal today:
• • Psalm 118:6 - "I used this thought last night, when I was teaching Numbers 9-10."
  • Psalm 119:62 - "Wow.  Do I do that?  Rising from bed at midnight, just to praise you & give you thanks for the righteous judgments of the Bible?"
• Operation Christmas Child -- Guess what my family was up to tonight?  We hit up the Dollar Tree to shop for a boy & girl gift for Operation Christmas Child.  We're encouraging every single family to bring a boy & girl gift to Grace for distribution around the world.  Great way to show Christ's love to people.  The deadline is this Sunday!
• • From the Field 1 -- By the way, did you catch last Sunday that we have a Gracer serving in Central Asia who has witnessed children receiving these gifts personally.  It changed their lives!
  • From the Field 2 -- We have another group we support who are serving the people of Middle East who are launching a similar project ("Children Reaching Children") in their neck of the woods.
• Pounding the Pavement -- I'm starting my slow re-engagement with running after the Wichita marathon.  I did 7 miles today with 8x100 meter repeats in the middle.
• Extraordinary Prayer -- I can't wait for Sunday morning.  I believe we're going to talk about some things that will change people's lives in the area of prayer.  (And here's a quick shout out to you 2nd service people...can you shift to 1st or 3rd service & show some of God's love to people...it's wall to wall in there these days!)

Hanging with Ravi - Pt.2

Here's part 2 of my time last Friday afternoon with Ravi Zacharias.  (You can read Part 1 here.)

The second part of his talk centered on what the church should do about the global cultural trends he's been observing recently.

His 3-Part Proposal:

1.  We need an apologetic that's not just HEARD, but SEEN (Our Lifestyle) -- This is making sure that we not only PROCLAIM the gospel to pepole, but LIVE the gospel before people.  It's what Francis Shaeffer called the "Two Legs of Evangelism: (1) proclamation & (2) charity."  This is making sure our good works reveal Christ to people as much as our good words.

2.  We need an apologetic that's not just ARGUED, but FELT (Our Passion) -- This is making sure we go beyond just what we say.  It's being sure that Christ IS our #1 passion; that Christ comes before everything else in our lives; that we embrace the fact that our faith in Christ IS our life...knowing that & believing that to our core.  This is living with the passion that Christ IS our life.

3.  We need an approach that reaches not just ENDS, but MEANS (Our Bible) -- He commented that many churches have had a sincere heart to accomplish good "ends" (i.e. to reach people for Christ).  Unfortunately, they have abandoned the Bible as their "means."  In doing so, they have taken the Word of God out of the position God designed it to hold: to change lives.  He said the church needs to make sure to use God's Word as the "means" to the right "ends."

Loved it.  Loved it.  Loved it.

Hanging with Ravi - Pt.1

I had the PRIVILEGE of hearing Ravi Zacharias speak to a group of senior pastors from around KC last Friday afternoon.  It was stimulating, challenging, & encouraging...all at the same time.  I thought I'd share an executive summary of what he talked about.

The first part of his talk centered on some global cultural trends that he's been observing recently.

Global Cultural Trends:

1. The Concept of the "Death of God" -- He pointed to the growing popularization of the concept that "God is dead" (or "there is no God") and the stridency of people now willing to live with its ramifications -- the way people view morality and ethics in our culture is indicative of this.

2.  The West Misunderstands the Discussion -- He said the West erroneously believes it's in a "dialogue" of ideas with a multicultural world.  In actuality, the rest of the world is in "monologue" with the West -- wanting to promote it's religious & cultural views in the West, without reciprocating (& even suppressing by force) by allowing the awareness of Christian ideas within it's borders.  It's one-direction only.

3.  The Trend toward Visual Learning -- He pointed to the trend of society being informed more & more through visual elements.  Entertainment is now supreme.  He also pointed out that people are beginning to blur the lines between the real and the imaginary (i.e. think "virtual worlds").

4.  The Shift to a Younger World -- He pointed out that 60% of the world is not under the age of 24.  And of them, over half live within a 3-hour flight of Singapore (I think that's what he said...I was furiously taking notes then).  This caused him to point out the need for International Youth Ministry efforts to support that growing population.

5.  The Visual/Emotional Generation -- He concluded by saying that our generation has begun to "listen" with its eyes (i.e. visual learning) and "think" with its feelings (instead of it's mind).

Very thought-provoking stuff.  I'll share his proposed solutions tomorrow.

Thursday Night at Harvester's

We had a BLAST going "Beyond Our Community" on Thursday night -- reaching out to our "Judea & Samaria" (Acts 1:8) -- & serving the needy at Harvester's...

Where U Been?

Where've I been?  I've been ALL over the place recently:

I've been to see my baby girl at her 3rd grade musical.  She's in the front row on the far right in the authentic dress from China (thanks Grammy & G!).  The musical reminded me a little of "Let's Worship H-U-M-A-N-S!!" but she was cute!

 

Then I got the chance to have 3rd row seats at the NBA game at Sprint Center last week.  I LOVE watching basketball & it was shocking what those athletes could do.

We had the chance to serve the needy as a family on Thursday night.  We headed down to Harvester's with around 30 or so people from Grace to pack 100's of cabbages for 2 hours.  It was a BLAST (really)!  It was AWESOME to see so many families & kids there, serving the needy together.

Yesterday, I got the chance to hear Ravi Zacharias speak to a group of Senior Pastors around Kansas City.  He spoke on the trends happening in society & generation in the coming years.  He was OFF THE HOOK.  (More later on that.)

This morning, I took my son to the Men's CommUNITY Prayer Event.  I was able to talk to him about the power & role of community prayer, both before & after the event.  It was another GREAT investment of time & special memory.

L8R.

Late Night Feed

It's Saturday night...errrr...Sunday morning.  What was up this week?

• High Intensity Meetings -- I was involved in a BOATLOAD of high intensity meetings this week.  High importance.  High opportunities.  High stakes.  High passions.  Awesome stuff.  I'm zonked.
• No Time to Run -- I'm in my last week of tapering for the marathon.  And I literally had NO time to run the last 2 days.  None.  It's bugging me.  Gotta hit the pavement tomorrow.
• Feel the Chill? -- I was doing 1600 meter (almost 1-mile) repeats earlier this week at our Pastors Retreat in Lawrence.  I did 3 of them in 5:46, 5:33, & 5:27.  My legs were SHOT when I was done.
• Praying for the K's -- Our church is adopting the K's, an unreached people group.  We want every man, woman, & child to be aware of them, pray for them, & show them love.  My heart & mind has been on them today.
• Extraordinary Prayer -- Today, I was in a meeting where we nailed down the title of our next series starting Sunday, November 15:  "Extraordinary Prayer."  What does that even mean?  We're going to find out...

CU in a few hours...

5 Things I Think I Think

It's Tuesday.  I had a couple minutes open up in a day-full of meetings.

So here are 5 thing I think I think....

• Thanks Kellie -- After a year & a half on staff as our church receptionist, Kellie Williams is heading back to her old job.  She, like other pastor's spouses in our past, had to create some "non-Grace-space" in her home!  If you see her, make sure you thank her for her service on staff & wish her the best.
• Blessing the K's -- In our weekly staff meetings, we encourage people to tell stories of what God is doing in people's lives in and around Grace.  This morning, we heard how Grace is partnering with another church to bring immunizations to 15 villages in northern Iraq.  It's awesome.  You'll hear more soon...and how you can bless a people group on the other side of the globe.
• Time to Retreat -- Our staff pastors are headed out tonight for an off-site retreat.  I'm really looking forward to seeing what God does.  Lift up a prayer for us right now, if you can take a minute.
• Golf with Jacob -- Instead of doing a fall sport this year, I've been teaching my son how to play golf.  It was very cool to have my wife tell me last week that he woke up one morning, asking, "What's the tee time for Daddy & I today?"
• Time to Taper -- I'm in the tapering phase of my marathon training.  I only did 7 yesterday & 4 today.  Hardly broke a sweat!  :-)  The marathon is looming.  I'll be attempting to break the 3 hour mark (averaging 6:52/mile for 26.2 miles).

L8R.

5 Things I Think I Think

Here are 5 things I think I think...

• Sweet Time -- 7a Sat is one of the best, most productive times of my week.  And the thing is, ANYONE can join me.  It's our weekly prayer time for Grace Church.  We had a particularly sweet time this morning, praying for the INCREDIBLE things coming down the pike for our church family, if we fully surrender our hearts to Christ.
• The Heat is Gone -- As I walked out of the house this a.m. at 6:45a, I was hit by a blast of cold air.  It was in the 50's maybe?  Running weather is back!
• Corporate Confession -- Read Ezra 9:6 a couple days ago in my daily reading.  It's about addding corporate confession of sins to God (forgive our sins" instead of just my sins).  Been spinning on that since.  Wondering how often we should be engaged with this together.  Anyway, did some of it this a.m.
• A Fly on the Wall -- Read Nehemiah 13:25 this morning in my time with God.  Nehemiah was so enraged over the blatant disregard of God's people for God, that he (1) stood up to them, (2) cursed them, (3) smacked some of them around, (4) grab fistfuls of their hair & ripped it out, & (5) made them swear their allegiance to God.  How about THAT for conflict resolution???
• Beyond -- It's time to go "Beyond."
  • Beyond our plans
  • Beyond our mindset
  • Beyond our intellect
  • Beyond our comfort zone
  • Beyond our lives
  • Beyond our community
  • Beyond our borders
  • It's time
  • The next phase of our journey begins tomorrow

L8R.

P.S. I hope the Chiefs crush the Raiders tomorrow 70-0.

Wednesday Thots

Here are 5 things I think I think...

• Any Jobs Out There??? -- We've had people asking us if we know about companies that are hiring.  Have you heard of anyone hiring out there (entry-level, living-wage jobs, at minimum)???
• Sounded Fine to Me... -- I guess there was a mini-firestorm about the President's speech to students yesterday?  I read the speech which you can read here.  Sounded like he said "Stay in school, take responsibility for your education, & don't give up."  Nothing wrong with that.
• The Royals Owe Us... -- By my count, the Royals are undefeated when it's "Grace Day at the K."  I think EVERY day should be "Grace Day" and we'll see the turnaround immediately.
• Trombone Man -- My son was cracking us UP yesterday.  He was marching around the house with his brand new (rented) trombone, on Day 1, trying to play "Axel F"...trying.  :-)  (But I'm WAAAAAAY proud of the boy...the trombone was MY instrument in school, too.)
• My Favorite Photo...  -- This might be my favorite photo from our recent trip.

5 Things I Think I Think

Here are 5 things I think I think...

• Bad to Good -- Bad news turned to good recently.  The fall football thing for Jacob didn't work out (and I felt like a bad Dad, to be honest.)  But because of the change, we've playing golf together (I'm teaching him at the driving range & putting clock).  We're spending more time together than ever and it's been GREAT.  Bad turned to good a la Romans 8:28.
• Mercy Gift -- My daughter, Karina, was watching a Compassion International video tonight and, yet again, displayed the gift of mercy God gave her.  She broke down, wanted to adopt a child, and was willing to give every dime she had to it.  She has a wonderful mercy gift from God.  I look up to her.
• Yea, Baby, It's Comin' -- I was KNEE DEEP into the Book of Numbers today...as I was yesterday...as I was on Monday.  I'm seeing some INCREDIBLE things for our Wednesday Night Bible Study coming up.  Get ready...
  
  • 9/9 -- "Cultivating your Child's Spiritual Life"
  • 9/13 -- "Understanding the Day of Accountability"
  • 9/20 -- "Navigating the Wilderness" (Intro to Numbers)
• Keep Hope Alive -- I bleed Chiefs red.  I am hoping for the best this season.  The O-line will all come together at the last minute, Matt Cassell wil throw for 1000 yards, Larry Johnson will dominate, and our new 3-4 defense will put a stranglehold on the opposition.  :-)
• Dream Come True -- In the next few days (internet access permitting), you'll hear about some AMAZING things we're looking into for Grace.

L8R.