Tim Harlow

Warner

OK...my original post was my bad. It was inaccurate. I remember it from the Super Bowl, but I found out that the story I passed on in the post below is not all accurate.

Here are some excerpts from snopes.com and truthorfiction.com:

When they met, Kurt was a university student and Brenda was a divorced single mom living on food stamps. In his autobiography "Keep Your Head Up," Kurt describes his and Brenda's first encounter when a teammate at the University of Northern Iowa talked him into going to a country-music club in Cedar Falls, Iowa. There was an instant connection, but Brenda didn't know whether it would last. Not only was she a single mom, but one of her two children, her son Zachary, had significant medical problems. He was blinded and brain-injured when accidentally dropped to the floor by her first husband. Kurt was not turned aside by the children or Zachary's condition and he and Brenda forged a relationship that resulted in their marrying four years later. Kurt's celebrated job at a grocery store took place in 1994 after he got a pink-slip from the Green Bay Packers. He returned to Cedar Falls and worked nights stocking shelves for $5.50 an hour. He rose to fame by throwing an amazing 41 touchdowns for the Rams, bringing them to a 13-3 record and to memorable victory in Super Bowl XXXIV. He's become known for his commitment to his family, his clean-kid lifestyle, and his Christian faith. He and Brenda now live in St. Louis with their four children Zachary, Kade, Jesse, and Jada Jo. He is the founder of the First Things First foundation.

Well, Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Warner now live in Arizona, where he is currently employed as the quarterback of the National Football League Arizona Cardinals and is taking his second team to the Super Bowl It should be noted that he also quarterbacked the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. He has also been the NLF's Most Valuable Player twice and the Super Bowl's Most Valuable Player.

Kurt and Brenda are fantastic examples of Christian leaders in the world. I got to interview Kurt at Training Camp several years ago when he played for the Rams. I can tell you that he is the real deal. And all the reports coming out now about him (again) are reports of a great man and a great example who is proud to thank God and Jesus for giving him the ability to be there. But at the same time, he doesn't go around shoving it in people's faces.

To me, he is an excellent example of Salt and Light in a difficult environment - using his gifts for God. It should be a great game!

But it's just a game. Kurt would tell you that the eternal game is the one that matters. Come and hear our approach to that one...

Tim

Kurtis

SEE ABOVE FOR REVISED POST

In a supermarket, Kurtis the stock boy, was busily working when a new voice came over the loud speaker asking for a carry out at register 4. Kurtis was almost finished, and wanted to get some fresh air, and decided to answer the call. As he approached the check-out stand a distant smile caught his eye, the new check-out girl was beautiful. She was an older woman (maybe 26, and he was only 22) and he fell in love.

Later that day, after his shift was over, he waited by the punch clock to find out her name. She came into the break room, smiled softly at him, took her card and punched out, then left. He looked at her card, BRENDA. He walked out only to see her start walking up the road. Next day, he waited outside as she left the supermarket, and offered her a ride home. He looked harmless enough, and she accepted. When he dropped her off, he asked if maybe he could see her again, outside of work. She simply said it wasn't possible.

He pressed and she explained she had two children and she couldn't afford a baby-sitter, so he offered to pay for the baby-sitter. Reluctantly she accepted his offer for a date for the following Saturday. That Saturday night he arrived at her door only to have her tell him that she was unable to go with him. The baby-sitter had called and canceled. To which Kurtis simply said, "Well, let's take the kids with us."

She tried to explain that taking the children was not an option, but again not taking no for an answer, he pressed. Finally Brenda, brought him inside to meet her children. She had an older daughter who was just as cute as a bug, Kurtis thought, then Brenda brought out her son, in a wheelchair. He was born a paraplegic with Down Syndrome.

Kurtis asked Brenda, "I still don't understand why the kids can't come with us?" Brenda was amazed. Most men would run away from a woman with two kids, especially if one had disabilities. Kurtis was not ordinary - - - he had a different mindset.

That evening Kurtis and Brenda loaded up the kids, went to dinner and the movies. When her son needed anything Kurtis would take care of him. When he needed to use the restroom, he picked him up out of his wheelchair, took him and brought him back. The kids loved Kurtis. At the end of the evening, Brenda knew this was the man she was going to marry and spend the rest of her life with.

A year later, they were married and Kurtis adopted both of her children. Since then they have added more kids.

So what happened to Kurtis the stock boy and Brenda the check-out girl? Well, Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Warner now live in Arizona, where he is currently employed as the quarterback of the National Football League Arizona Cardinals and is taking his second team to the Super Bowl

It should be noted that he also quarterbacked the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. He has also been the NFL's Most Valuable Player twice and the Super Bowl's Most Valuable Player.

Kurt and Brenda are fantastic examples of Christian leaders in the world. I got to interview Kurt at Training Camp several years ago when he played for the Rams. I can tell you that he is the real deal. And all the reports coming out now about him (again) are reports of a great man and a great example who is proud to thank God and Jesus for giving him the ability to be there. But at the same time, he doesn't go around shoving it in people's faces.

To me, he is an excellent example of Salt and Light in a difficult environment - using his gifts for God.

It should be a great game! But it's just a game. Kurt would tell you that the eternal game is the one that matters. Come and hear our approach to that one...

Tim

R and D

I’m sitting in a session at a conference in Dallas.  It seemed like going to Dallas in January was a good idea… They canceled school today in Dallas because of ice.  Worst weather in 5 years.    

The conference is called “Innovations” and it’s put on by the Leadership Network which is an organization dedicated to helping churches be more effective. One of the speakers just said that successful companies spend as much as 50% of their budget on R and D.  Research and Development.  What do we do at Parkview?  Well, every once in a while we buy a book.  Maybe take in a seminar or two.  

Are we thinking out of the box?  Are we ready for the future?  

Why would we? We just broke another record this weekend (by 4 people over last week – whoever invited that family, please pat yourself on the back).  We have a new campus that’s going great.  We have more people coming than we can put in chairs and parking spaces. We just sponsored 170 more kids in Africa; our mission's program continues to grow.  Our new Spiritual Development Pastor is here. We just signed up 100 new people in small groups, and our people are growing and going to grow. People are reading the Word.  Prayers are being answered.    

IT AIN’T BROKE.   

So why am I in Dallas? We should be on easy street.

Because there is no Easy street.  There are lost people who need Jesus all over the place. And because the things we are doing that work now are NOT going to work 10 years from now. We’ve got to keep thinking ahead. You could have never told me we’d have two campuses 10 years ago.  Our internet presence is something I never would have believed 10 years ago. An economic recession – no way.  So we’re trying to think ahead. A lot of churches forget to change while the world changed around them. You might have gone to one in your life.  I have been to many.  

One of the speakers said, “the greatest hindrance to the new move of God… is the last move of God.”  

We need to be like the “men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do.”     1 Chronicles 12:32.  

So as we ride this wave, we look for the next one.  The “Church” does not have home field advantage any more.  The world is changing.  Technology is mind-blowing.   Not only that, but the people are hurting like never before.    

We have the answer to their hurt. Jesus is the hope of the world. But if the church is going to be effective in delivering that hope, we must constantly re-evaluate our methods.  

Always be ready to change.  Always be ready to be uncomfortable in a new method.   We will not become complacent.  We can’t afford to.  

Tim  

Show Me The Good

I was reading the Psalms this week and this verse jumped out at me from chapter 4.

⁶Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?"

I would say that nothing has changed much in the past few thousand years – has it? Many are asking – "Who can show us any good?"

On the one hand this week, it was a very proud moment in our nation's history as we celebrated Martin Luther King Day, and then swore in our first African-American President the next day. I’m very proud of the fact that we finally got to the point in our history where the color of your skin doesn’t matter. That is what Jesus would love.

On the other hand, this President is already making decisions that I believe go against what Jesus would love (reference my sermon last week).

Whether you blame Bush or you're afraid of Obama – we can all agree that we’re in a very precarious position in our economy and our country in general.

⁶ Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?"

Here is David’s awesome answer…

Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Ps. 4:6-8)

I seriously love my job. Every day I get the opportunity to tell people that our hope is real, and it’s in something real, and that none of our hope has anything to do with our current reality.

I believe our future is awesome. I’m praying for our new President, but one way or another he is neither the problem nor the solution. Whichever way you feel about that one – you are wrong.

God’s will is going to be done on earth as it is in heaven. He will fill my heart with more joy than a good economy (abounding grain and new wine).

There’s your good.

Tim

P.S. Please keep trying to avoid the 11:00 service if you can.

We're Not Worthy

Peter’s introduction to Jesus was a test. Jesus was teaching by the lake and Peter and the gang were washing their nets. Jesus got into one of the boats so he could more easily teach the crowds.

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" Luke 5:4-8

That’s a good start, isn’t it? Peter was a little irritated at the call, but he obeyed and when he did – they broke the nets.

Notice that Peter immediately realized the miracle and gave credit to Jesus. But he also realized his humble piece of the puzzle.

That is your proper response – when Jesus uses you. “We’re not worthy.” “Go away from me Lord, I am a sinful man.”    

Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. Luke 5:10-11

And there is the next proper response. “I’m with you!”

Later on in the chapter, after a few good miracles, Luke tells us.

Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today." Luke 5:26

What a great sequence…

A little trust, a proper placement of our ability, a clear obedience to the call, ending in praise to God.

We had an amazing weekend. We broke a record with 5169 in attendance. (It makes me feel good that I got the title back from the mob guy). We had 166 more kids in Africa that we are sponsoring – bringing our total to 783. CMF  We had 30 or more families stop to talk about adoption. And 30 volunteers for PASS.

What is my reaction? We’re not worthy. I’m a sinful man. You are a bunch of sinful people (I’ve seen you). So our reaction?

Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today." Luke 5:26

I Stand Amazed,

Tim

Shooting Straight

It seems to me that the world has this idea that Jesus was just “Mr. Nice Guy” all the time and just loved everyone and never had anything negative to say. The truth is, Jesus was a straight shooter. I love that about him. He never judged the “sinner” people and never looked down on them – he was all about the love with them. But the “religious” people were in a different category.

For example in Luke 4:14 - "Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. ¹⁵He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. (notice this)

²²All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. "Isn't this Joseph's son?" they asked.

They loved Jesus. They thought he was cool. So what did he do? Get a convertible and ride in a parade? No, he ticked them off.

²⁴"I tell you the truth," he continued, "no prophet is accepted in his hometown.

And then he proceeded to tell them stories about how God had wanted to take care of their forefathers and they didn’t listen – so God took care of foreigners instead.

And that made them mad. So mad that they tried to lynch him!

²⁸All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. ²⁹They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. ³⁰But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.

People are fickle.

I love that Jesus “walked right through the crowd and went on his way.” Perfectly illustrating what he said about “no one takes my life from me – I lay it down” (Jn 10:18).

But what I want you to see in this story is that Jesus said some pretty strong things. As we head into this series called WWJ Hate, please understand that Jesus had some very strong feelings about some things. The word used in the passage I’m preaching from today is “indignant.”

Here’s the deal. I think I pay pretty good attention to the things people like. But I pay a lot more attention to the things they DON’T like. Especially the things that make people angry. I really want to make sure I don’t do that again.

So this is why I want to spend some time looking at what was really irritating to Jesus. It may sound weird to you, but if something made Jesus upset, and he is my Lord – I need to fix it.

Praying for a great weekend,

Tim

Here's Your Sign

I'm reading in the beginning of Luke right now, which is weird after Christmas, but it gives you a different perspective. So the angel comes to Zechariah and tells him his wife is going to have a baby (Johnny Baptist).

Luke 1:18 Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years."

Here's the deal. If God ever sends an angel saying that something cool is going to happen - GO ALONG WITH IT!  Even if you don't believe it - PRETEND!  Do not hack your faithlessness up for everyone to see. Don't ever ask for a sign. Wow!

Luke 1:19-20 The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now (HERE'S YOUR SIGN) you will be silent and not be able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time."

Here's your sign - YOU WILL BE DUMB. No play on words. Okay, maybe. It's a "Dumb" idea to ask God for proof.

That will preach.

I don't know about you, but most of the people I talked to at the beginning of 2009 would love to see a move of God in their life. But maybe you are afraid that God isn't going to be faithful. I know that you haven't probably had an angel tell you something specific, but there are some promises that God has given to you. And maybe there are some things you know that God wants to do through you and to you in the coming year. You have two choices. You can make the "dumb" mistake of asking God for proof (proving your doubt) or you can be like Mary.

Later in the same chapter Elizabeth says of Mary, Luke 1:45 Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!

Do you need a sign? Or do you have faith?

Tim

Word of God, Speak

I started reading Luke this morning, and I like the way he starts his gospel account.

Luke 1:3 -Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you…so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Luke, the Physician, says “Look, I am a pretty smart guy and I have investigated this stuff so I’m going to write it down for you FOR YOUR CERTAINTY’S SAKE.

As I was finishing up Mark’s gospel this week I was struck by the way that Pilate “was amazed” by Jesus.  Not only that, but the Roman guard saw how he died and said, “Surely this was the Son of God.”

Sometimes we may feel pretty removed from the life of Jesus here on this earth.  It may be hard for us to have, or keep, our relationship with Christ strong when he feels far away.  This is why the Word of God must speak into our lives every day.  Because the Word is living and active – as the Hebrew writer says.  And the Word has been preserved FOR OUR CERTAINTY’S SAKE.  So that we can be amazed like Pilate.  So that our faith can be strengthened through the testimony of a Roman guard that WAS there, even if we weren’t.

“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103) 

We will finish up the “Eat this Book” series this weekend.  Don’t miss it.  The Word of God will change your life. 

Word of God, Speak.

Tim

Eat This Book

I had the awesome opportunity to worship with our Lockport Campus this weekend! It was my first time being in a service there. It was tremendous. If you are a part of the Orland gang, you should mosey over there some weekend and see how it works. It's really amazing. It was good even with Bill preaching! Pastor Brian is doing a great job. Kevin is leading a killer band. The greeters, parking lot workers, children's - everything was fantastic. And they had a record crowd of 459. With four baptisms!

It's so weird to think that our Lockport campus is the same size our whole church was 10 years ago. Great job Lockportians!

And I wanted to make sure you see the link to the Bible reading plan Bill talked about this weekend - Soap Journaling

And here are some others - One Year Bible Online, Zondervan Bible Reading Plan, Bible Gateway Reading Plan, 30 Days with Jesus, Bible Reading Plan, Various Plans

As I finish up the Eat This Book series this weekend, I'm really excited to get you into the Word. The writer of Job said, "I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food." Job 23:12

If you need more faith for this coming year - guess what? "Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ." Romans 10:17

Need to know where to go? "Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path." Psalm 119:105

Don't make it a resolution - make it a lifestyle. Eat This Book.

Tim

New

Honestly in many ways, this time of year is depressing. We are putting away Christmas; we’ve put on some pounds; the economy is scary; the Bears are done☹; and the weather sucks (and will for 5 more months). Feel better yet? Happy New Year! 

Yet, there is something cool about the beginning of a new year. There is a chance to start over and let God do something different. Psalm 40:3
"He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.
 

There is a chance to give something new in YOUR relationship with God. Psalm 33:3
Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.
 

Listen to the prophet Isaiah, Isaiah 43:19  See, I am doing a new thing! 
 Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? 
 I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. 

The truth is, only God can do that. You can diet, think positively, get better habits, and stop your bad behaviors (AND WE SHOULD), but only God can make a New thing happen. Only God can make a way in the desert or a stream in the wasteland. 

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 

January may feel depressing, but new is good. The New has come. So… Eph 4:22 -put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; be made new in the attitude of your minds; and put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 

I hope you are going to be around for the rest of this series on “Eat this Book.” There isn’t a new habit for the new year that will change you more than getting into God’s word. Then we start the WWJH study WWJH

We have Billboards up on Wolf on the east side facing Brook Hill drive, and on on 159th at 104th – that should bring some interest. We are going to have a lot of ways for you to put on the new self this new year. 

Don’t let it just be another year gone by. 

Seize this opportunity to let God make a change. 

I’m really excited to see what God does, 

Tim