Pastor’s Blog

There is no better heart monitor than money. Placing a paycheck, an inheritance, or even a Christmas bonus in the hands of a Christian is akin to hooking up a spiritual EKG to watch what happens. What does this person care about most? Where are their passions and priorities centered? What level of faith do they possess? What do they believe about their life’s purpose?

Jesus taught that money is a test from God to see how faithful we are with the “little” this world can offer, so that He can determine how many of heaven’s “true riches” to place under our management (Luke 16:10-13).

Money is a temporal trust from God to help us prepare for the eternal trust of heaven-rewards and wealth beyond our ability to measure or comprehend. And, as is obvious in the pages of Scripture, a key indicator of good stewardship is giving.

Giving is more than an exercise in obedience, and its purpose transcends even the recipient or cause of the donation itself. Giving is an extension of our lives; rather than an isolated event, it is really a way of life. It’s more than just a line item on a budget, it’s an expression of who we are, what we care about, and how deeply we believe the promises of God.

Here’s the best part: Giving money and possessions away is one of the greatest joys a believer can experience. Jesus said it well: “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). There are many ways to receive this blessing:
-Giving to family in need (1Tim 5:8)
-Giving to support your church and spiritual leaders (1Cor 9:7-12 )
-Giving to assist other believers in need (1Cor 16:1-2; 2Cor 8:13)
-Giving to spread the gospel across the world (Rom 10:13-15)
-Giving to help orphans, widows, the poor, victims of disaster, etc. (James 1:27; Luke 6:30-31)

Before I give my possessions to God, He first wants me to give myself(2Cor 8:5). Second Corinthians 8 is one of those chapters you read and ask, “How can this be?” Paul is commending the churches of Macedonia for their generosity, yet he says that they were in a “severe trial” and “overflowing joy” and “ rich generosity” in their giving. (v. 2) How can all of this go together? To go further, Paul said that they begged him to allow them to give more, to support other needy saints. (v. 4) The fifth verse gives us the answer, “hey gave themselves first to the Lord.” Until we give Him every part of our lives, we will not know what it is like to give the way the Macedonians gave! Has there ever been a point in my life when I fully gave myself to God?

For the next few weeks we will be studying what the Word says about following Jesus with our giving.

Praying for You,
Tim

No Comments »

In Hebrews chapter thirteen, the author wrote three words that he wanted followers to hear. This short plea from the heart of a pastor was simple but he understood its necessity. The request is located in verse eighteen. “Pray for us.” Who is the “us”? Pastoral leaders. Listen to the instructions in the verses just prior. 17 “Be responsive to your pastoral leaders…18 Contribute to the joy of their leadership.”
The Message.

I do know that our KCF family prays for me and our staff and I thank the Lord daily for that. But for this epistle to the church, I would offer you an opportunity to pray for seven specific requests for me.

Request #1 – Pray that I would be a committed follower of Jesus.

Request #2 – Pray that I would lovingly and effectively lead my wife and family at home as well as the staff and our Katy Fellowship family.

Request #3 – Pray that my teaching and equipping at KCF be anointed by the Holy Spirit to produce true HELPERS who will follow Jesus in prayer, worship, giving, serving and sharing the Gospel.

Request #4 – Pray that I would faithfully commit to call pastors and ministry leaders in Katy/West Houston to pray for transformation.

Request #5 – Pray for our search for a part-time children’s ministry pastor who will continue to provide excellence in our Promiseland ministry. Pray for finances to make that position full-time.

Request #6 – Pray for me and our church leadership to lead us biblically through the journey of building on our seven acres.

Request #7 – Pray 1 Peter 5:2-3 (NCV) for me: “Just as shepherds watch over their sheep, you must watch over everyone God has placed in your care. Do it willingly in order to please God, and not simply because you think you must. Let it be something you want to do, instead of something you so merely to make money. Don’t be bossy to those people who are in your care, but set an example for them.

I’ve been blessed since day one at KCF with precious people who have fulfilled Hebrews 13:17-18 in being responsive to me and thus making it easy to have joy in serving as pastor. I trust that you will continue to pray for your pastor(s). I’m smiling as I think of you

You’re in My Prayers,
Tim

No Comments »

What happens when 4,000 people gather in the Merrell Center for one purpose and one purpose only – to cry out to God on behalf of our city and our nation?

What happens when 4,000 people cross their denominational, racial, and traditional boundaries and agree on one thing – we want God to transform our city and our nation?

We are planning on finding out on Thursday evening, May 5th and would like for you to join the 40 plus churches and ministries across the Katy/West Houston area. The Robbie Seay Band will lead us in praise and worship. Eight pastors and ministry leaders will facilitate us through a concert of prayers. It is going to be a truly historic and city changing event.

Katy Fellowship’s vision is to be a church that lives out God’s design for the church to be a house of prayer. We want to be a church that leads in reaching out to unite the churches of the Katy/West Houston area in prayer and city transformation. That is why I would like to challenge you to join me, the staff, our elders, and trustees in participating in this very important event. The Merrell Center and Rhodes Stadium have no problem being filled up with sports and school events. What happens when we fill it with prayer?

The event begins at 7 p.m., so arrive early and begin praying over the seats in your area to be full of praying people to see the most significant prayer event ever in Katy.

Praying for You,
Tim

No Comments »

Prayer has always been used in this country for guidance, protection, and strength – even before we were a nation or a handful of colonies. The Pilgrims at Plymouth relied on prayer during their first and darkest winter. Our founding fathers also called for prayer during the Constitutional Convention. In their eyes, our recently created nation and freedoms were a direct gift from God. And being a gift from God, there was only one way to insure protection -through prayer.

President Abraham Lincoln knew this well. It was his belief that, “it is the duty of nations as well as men, to owe their dependence upon the overruling power of God.” When it came to the fate of the nation, he practiced what he preached. Before the battle of Gettysburg, he turned to God in prayer. “I went to my room one day and I locked the door and got down on my knees before Almighty God and prayed to him mightily for victory at Gettysburg.” Won by the Union, Gettysburg was one of the turning points in the war that ended slavery and kept the states united. Today the need for prayer is as great as ever. Our nation again faces battlefields, along with an epidemic of broken homes, violence, sexual immorality, and social strife. As the heroes of our nation did in the past, we must again bow our heads in prayer. We must ask the Lord to bless our leaders with wisdom and protection, and that we will have the fortitude to overcome the challenges at hand. If Roosevelt, the Pilgrims, and Lincoln never underestimated the power of prayer, neither should we. (from National Day of Prayer website)

I want to personally challenge you and your family to participate in this year’s National Day of Prayer. More than forty churches and ministries in this area have united to sponsor this event that will be held in the Merrell Center on Thursday, May 5th at 7 p.m. Our school superintendent has challenged the pastors of Katy/West Houston to fill the arena (4,000) that night for prayer. I truly believe an event like this will be one of the most significant events ever in our community. Please begin praying now. Our world is in desperate need of the Holy Spirit to draw people’s heart to God. Will you join me over these next 35 days to pray for:
- God’s favor on this event
- 4,000 plus pray-ers
- Robbie Seay Band leading worship
- invite cards to 50k homes
- a Holy Spirit agenda
- Jesus Christ will be exalted

Praying for You,
Tim

No Comments »

We are now well into our journey to be not just fans of Jesus but completely, committed followers. I hope the “not a fan.” series is having a profound affect on our church family. Denying self is at the core of what it takes to be a follower. The following is part of an article I would like to share with you from well-known author John MacArthur.

Great scientists often risk their health to make important discoveries. Great medical researchers risk exposure to deadly disease to save thousands of lives. Great artists and musicians sacrifice their social life to practice and perfect their craft. Great athletes constantly train their bodies, denying themselves pleasures most people take for granted. The easy way is never the way of success.
That was true of John the Baptist. Jesus questioned a crowd who had followed John, “But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in king’s palaces!” (Matt. 11:8) His question reveals an important characteristic of John’s: his self-denial.
John’s life could never be described as easy. He wore “a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.” (Matt. 3:4) He was God’s messenger, but he didn’t live, dress, or talk like the other religious leaders of the day. John’s garment was practical and durable, certainly not comfortable or fashionable.
John’s very dress, food, and lifestyle were a stern rebuke to the self-satisfied and self-indulgent religious leaders of Israel—the scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, and priests. Both physically and symbolically, he separated himself from the hypocritical and corrupt religious and political systems. He was so consumed by God’s calling he was not attracted to the world’s enticements. His devotion to ministry completely superseded any personal interests and comforts.
John’s self-denial was also a rebuke to those people who longed for their leaders’ comforts although they couldn’t indulge in their leaders’ privileges. . . But his lifestyle was a dramatic reminder that worldly lusts and pleasures prevent people from following God’s will completely and humbly.
John’s life-long, voluntary self-denial was the ultimate act of devotion to God and is a great example for us to follow.

Have you risked anything to fully follow Jesus? The easy way is not the road we’ve been called to travel. But the destination is out of this world!

Praying for You,

Tim

No Comments »

I know. I know. You’ve been asked this question before. Because it’s so familiar, there is a tendency to dismiss it. Not because it makes you uncomfortable. Not because it’s especially convicting. The question is dismissed mostly because it doesn’t feel necessary.
One of the most sobering passages of Scripture tells of a day when many who consider themselves to be followers of Jesus will be stunned to find out that He doesn’t even recognize them. In the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 7, Jesus tells of a day where everyone who has ever lived will stand before God. On that day, many who call themselves Christians and identify themselves as followers will stand confidently in front of Jesus only to hear Him say, ” I never knew you. Away from me.” If you’ve just assumed you are a follower of Jesus, I pray that the video series produced by City On A Hill will either confirm that confidence, or it will convict you to reevaluate your relationship with Jesus and bring you to a commitment to follow Him.
(Introduction letter to readers from Kyle Idleman of not a fan. video series.)

Katy Fellowshippers, our word for the year is FOLLOWER. Completely, committed FOLLOWERS. I hope you will commit to attend these six weeks of not a fan. beginning February 13, 2011. Our format will include prayer, a short welcome, some worship time, and an intro to the video before we watch it. We will end each service with a prayer of commitment.

For the next eight Wednesday nights, we will focus our Incense prayer service on praying for revival in our church. Revival comes to a church when its Christians experience again what it is truly like to commit to be followers of Jesus. Above knowing your role as a follower is knowing intimately the one you are following. Our priority should always be for revival and spiritual awakening. We can still be excited about building a facility and will trust God on that journey, but let us continually keep asking ourselves, “Are we truly followers of Jesus?”

Praying for You,

Tim

No Comments »

“The parents and child stand at the side of the car as he prepares to go off to college. There’s no time to teach new truths. There ‘s no time to instill values or lay foundations. There is only one word that can be said–Remember. Remember who loves you. Remember what matters. Remember what is right and what is wrong.”*

Remember.

In Deuteronomy, God tells his children to remember. Israel is about to make a transition. For forty years, they have wandered. Now they are about to settle down in a new land. It’s a time of transition. From Moses to Joshua. From the wilderness to the Promised Land. From nomads to farmers. From people with no land to people of the land.

God wanted them to stay faithful, stay distinctive. So Moses spends forty days reminding them of God’s law. This would be the second hearing of the law. [Deuteronomy is Hebrew for "second hearing of the law."] God didn’t want them to forget.

Hopefully you, Katy Fellowshippers, have a rock somewhere in or around your home to help you remember what God has done for us. I want to share an excerpt from the January newsletter article I wrote one year ago. We had been praying and waiting for years for property to build on. Below is what I wrote:

“I know that our prayers and perseverance are tied to His promise and I ask you to join me in 2010 to see that promise come to pass. Our word for 2009 (FAITH) could have very well provided the preparation necessary to be realized in the tenth year of our existence. The leadership of our church is seeking God and by faith working towards something definite to happen soon. Would you join us in pursuit of God’s plan for KCF? What a great way to celebrate our tenth year by experiencing the faithfulness of God through His provision of property! How’s your faith?”

What an AWESOME GOD we serve! November 21, 2010, we set up stones to remember God’s power, provision, and plan. Let’s be careful to remember what God has done and what He has taught us this year. Remember to be at AMC Theatre #10 on January 9th for the 2011 Word for the Year. I would LOVE for you to be there to see where God is leading us.

Praying for You,
Tim

No Comments »

“Live a life of love just as Christ loved us and gave himself for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2

Christmas is a time for love and giving. God set the example by loving us so much that He gave His only Son, who came in the form of a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed in a manger. Jesus loved us, and he gave himself for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. We enjoy the love of family as they gather for the holidays to give and receive gifts. Christmas brings out the joy and love for giving.

Katy Fellowship’s word for 2010 was LOVE. We began the year with the challenge to live a life of love and to do that as Christ did as a beautiful offering to God. He gave, in the deepest way possible, sacrificially. Throughout the Bible, we are instructed in the art of giving in love. Jesus used the example of the widow’s sacrificial gift (Luke 21:2). Paul commended the church in Macedonia for an overflowing joy to give generously even though they had very little (2 Corinthians 8:2-3). We have just celebrated the miraculous gift of 7.4 acres on which to build our own house of worship. This act of love was done out of obedience, yet with great sacrifice. Could the Katy Fellowship family now close out 2010 with an act of love by each family giving a sacrificial gift to move us toward the building of our church home?

December 19th is our KCF Family Christmas service. We will provide a special love gift envelope to each family that morning. We will receive those envelopes that day and through December 31st as a year-end “gift of love” for our building fund. Please make this gift a matter of thought and prayer. Plans for the building will begin in 2011, along with the plan to raise the finances necessary as the Lord provides. The apostle John defined living a life of love this way, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us,” and, “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:16, 18). May God bless you with a very Merry Christmas!

Praying for You,
Tim

No Comments »

Most of us have been asked on occasion to take some time to pause and reflect on just how much we have been blessed. If not, then allow me to encourage all who read this to join me in taking some time to “praise and reflect” on the goodness and greatness of our God. November is the month that we celebrate this act of thanksgiving and reflection. It is not by accident that our Forty Days of Praise will continue through this month. Sunday, November 21st will be the fortieth day and will be a great day to praise and reflect on the miraculous gift of property for our church building! Dedication of the 7.4 acres to God is planned on that Sunday morning at 10:30 as we gather on the property to express our gratitude to God for the gift of His Son Jesus Christ and for the land.

Immediately after the Israelites crossed the Jordan River and began taking possession of the promised land they had waited forty years for, they paused to praise and reflect upon God’s provision. They built an altar out of rocks and placed them there as a remembrance of what God had done and promised to do. (Joshua 4)

Katy Fellowship will place a rock of remembrance on our promised land, and our dedication service will include each family in attendance placing a rock there with the large stone as an altar of praise to God. What a great day that Sunday before Thanksgiving will be for KCF. Please make plans to participate. Here is the development plans that include our property. Take a moment right now to praise our God!

Let me take just a moment to also thank God for my precious wife Polly and our children Tara and Trey; our KCF staff—Marcus, Chris, Pris, Marla, Stacey, Gail, Penny, and their families; our Elders, Trustees, and their wives; our Promiseland, Remixed, and Handmade by God teams; our worship teams, Incense intercessors, LIFE Group leaders, and hosts; our numerous volunteers; and every one of our precious Katy Fellowship HELPERS. I am blessed to serve a wonderful God who has given me the privilege to love and care for such precious people. I take time to praise and reflect over you!

Tim

1 Comment »

Each summer Polly, Tara, Trey, and I meet up with Polly’s family for a week at the Frio River. One of the many activities is the traditional “putting the puzzle together activity.” During the week, family members can at their leisure sit down and put pieces of the puzzle together. Occasionally pieces go missing by someone unknowingly knocking pieces off the table where they become hidden under furniture. Or there have been times when some of the youngest family members intentionally hide pieces so as the picture in the puzzle gets more defined, they have a piece to put in. (Some of you are smiling because you’ve done the same thing!) When pieces do go missing and are never found, the puzzle is incomplete.

The church is the same way. The apostle Paul wrote in Romans that we all form one body and we each belong to all the others. In other words, Katy Community Fellowship is like a puzzle, and each family member is a piece of that puzzle. When a piece is missing the puzzle isn’t complete. I saw this line awhile back: CH__ __CH What’s missing? Followed by the letters U R.

The month of October, Katy Fellowship is putting together a church puzzle. Each family should receive a puzzle piece to bring with you to church on Oct. 17th. Make sure U R not missing that day! (We’ll also have opportunities on the 24th and 31st to assemble the puzzle.) A great celebration is planned for that Sunday, so make every effort possible to be there with your family. That evening, we will have a family picnic at Mary Jo Peckham Park. There will be lots of food and games for everyone. RSVP to the church office so we will have plenty of food. It will be a great day!

Praying for You,
Tim

No Comments »