From Pastor Tim

A Reason for Hope

2010-03-25T08:06:00.000-07:00

Rebecca Manley Pippert wrote a book, Hope Has Its Reasons. In our New Testament, unlike the world we live in, hope is not just wistful wish that everything will turn out for the best. It is an expectation. It has its roots in the Bible story of Jesus who came to share God's love. When the people, many of those in power, didn't want to listen, they killed Jesus. The folk who had come to love Him and His message felt defeated, past discouraged. Three after his death, though, these same defeated people were proclaiming to all who would hear, "He is not dead! The God who has sent him has raised him from the dead!" From that point on, nothing, no personal tragedy, no task, no challenge, no relational problem, has been insurmountable for people who have the coming of Jesus. A very happy and hopeful Easter!

Lent

2010-02-17T09:05:00.000-08:00

When I was just a little kid, my friends (Roman Catholic) made a big deal about "lint." I, of course, thought they were talking about that stuff you find is your pockets or in your navel. The were always giving something for this "lint." They treated this season with a kind of reverence we didn't have at our church. In my later years, I've come to appreciate this 40 days before Easter when the days grow longer (Anglo-saxon, lenthening of days, or Lent)as a time of spiritual growth which calls us to take a good look at ourselves; our mortality, our failings and, in the light of these limits, turn to God in a new and healthy ways. Please join with us in this time of renewal.

With a Heart in the Middle

2010-02-01T07:03:00.000-08:00

Though it's the shortest month, February was always an exciting time for my nuclear family. Both of my sisters were born in February; George Washington and Abe Lincoln were born in February. But what's really exciting is the heart in the middle, Valentine's Day, Named for a third century saint, it celebrates love. Love comes in many wrappings romantic love, friendship love, many times both. It's good to stop and quite intentionally tell people we love that we, in fact, love them. Love has other dimensions, though, such as compassion. Recent earthquakes in Haiti called the world's attention to a region which was already in desperate need of that attention. The advent of an earthquake makes an already untenable situation worse. So, let us "love with actions and in truth." During this month with a heart in the middle, let's have a heart

All Things New

2010-01-11T10:55:00.000-08:00

In the Revelation (21.5), the exalted Christ promises to make all things new. In this time of New Year's resolutions, when prople resolutely vow to loose weight, be nice to the crotchety old man next door, and read the Bible every day, such resolutions are inevitably doomed to failure, Jesus' promises come as welcome news to all of us who are tired of such failures. What we, in our own machinations, cannot achieve; Christ can do in us. As we live in vital relationship with Christ, He miraculously, almost imperceptibly changes us people of greater love, service, and joy. Thanks be to God for new creations in Christ. Grace and peace, Tim

Let Him Glow

2009-12-01T14:05:00.000-08:00

It's the first of December. My online music is streaming "Let it snow; let it snow; let it snow." The way it feels outside and looks in the lead colored sky; it just might. It's odd then, or perhaps on second thought not, that we celebrate the brightest birth at the end of the month: Jesus Christ, God's only child. In bleak December, the light of the world shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome Him (ref. Jn.1.5). As the radio sings of snow to come; we Christians sing of a love that has come. Didn't He love and doesn't He shine? Join us at New Covenant as we celebrate His coming!

Thankslliving

2009-11-19T12:33:00.000-08:00

It's not an original thought, (What is?), but when the Bible says "in all things give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Th. 5.18), it clearly expresses that Thanksgiving is more than a season or holiday. It is a way living, a hopeful and, therefore, optimistic way of relating to life and other people. It is a Christian way of looking at problems, transforming them into opportunities and possibilities. Join with us at New Covenant as we share abundant, overflowing life together. Grace and peace, Tim

All Hallowed's Eve

2009-10-20T12:13:00.000-07:00

October 31 is fast approaching. Orange and black are seen everywhere. Kids look forward to dressing up like football heroes and ballerinas and going door to door asking for treats. At New Covenant, our parking lot is filled with cars and our fellowship hall has a variety of wholesome activities for neighborhood kids to provide them with a safe and nurturing place to go. Halloween: On the Christian calendar it is a time for folk to take a look back on their lives to people who have come before them in the faith, people who shared the faith with them. It is a time to thank God for them and to take a look at our own lives to see how faithful we have been to our own Christian heritage. How are we doin'? Grace and peace, Tim

Filled With Fall

2009-09-21T11:34:00.000-07:00

On September 22 at 4:18pm CST, fall begins. I don't know who figures these things out, but I googled it; so it must be right. I love fall, it revives me. Past the hot of summer, footballs have been flying for a month now; the chill, crisp mornings and the sun warmed afternoons are a kind natural, invigorating sauna. Soon, colors will be appearing as leaves lose their green to cochineals and golds sometimes seen only once in eternity, a true miracle of grace. So, how's your life going? If you're not in love with it, how about remembering Jesus' words that he came to give us life abundantly, overflowing. Talk with us at New Covenant about that life. Perhaps you'd appreciate worshipping with us. Grace and peace, Tim

With God in His Garden

2009-08-18T09:05:00.000-07:00

I went to college to be an English teacher. My wife is a career elementary teacher (retired). We both graduated from the University of Northern Colorado. Kepner Lecture Hall there had over its main entrance emblazoned and etched in stone this saying, "Whoever teaches a child labors with God in His Garden." I believed it then; forty-five years later I understand it and appreciate it. As the school year approaches, we at New Covenant invite you to join us in praying for our students and teachers.

Remembering Summer

2009-07-01T14:22:00.000-07:00

Summer is a great time for building memories: trips to Aunt Joy's farm, digging new potatoes, milking cows; church camps in the mountains, Bible school teachers you had a crush on, quiet moments around campfires in which you grew closer to God and friends; 4th of July celebrations in the city park. We at New Covenant are about building warm, formative memories. Won't you join us?

Father's Day

2009-06-15T12:14:00.000-07:00

One if the many unique things about Jesus is he taught his folowers to call upon Almighty God by using the child like name of "Daddy" (Greek, pater--Father; Aramaic, abba--Daddy). The Creator of the universe who holds the stars and worlds in place with hands cares about you and like a proud papa. I encourage you to accept that kind of caring and then share it a world that needs it so desperately. Grace and peace, Tim

Done With Apple Picking

2009-05-12T09:16:00.000-07:00

Robert Frost, as you may know, is one of my favorite American poets. He writes one, "After Apple-Picking," in which he describes the weariness of a man who has picked apples all day. Frost writes, "there may be two or three/Apples I didn't pick upon some bough. But I am done with apple-picking now." How refreshing. He knows when he's done and stops to rest. This is a time when folk graduate from high school, college, vo-techs. Everyone asks these folk what they're gonna do next. Well there may be something left to do. But just now, rest. Receive congratulations. Be done for the moment. Grace and peace

Call Your Mom

2009-02-05T11:32:00.000-08:00

Larry Fitzgerald, wide receiver for the Phoenix Cardinals, has had a spectacular career (and Super Bowl), one that anyone could envy. He continues to live with one major regret: when he was in college, his mother was diagnosed and later died of breast cancer. During that time , his father would often call Larry and ask him, "Call your mom!" He was a busy young man and never got around to it until it was too late. We're a busy people. But, especially during this Valentine season, let's take time to express our love to people around us. Grace and peace, Tim