Tim Harlow

Happy New Year from the Harlows!

Christmas is behind us now.  We celebrated with my parents on Christmas day.

We had 8,893 people at our 9 Christmas Eve services!  It should surprise you very little when I tell you that is another record crowd.  We successfully used the student ministries venue (THE UNDERGROUND) in the basement in one service with 255 people watching downstairs.  It was all very exciting and blessed by God.

The messages I’ve received from so many people tell me that the service was impactful to a lot of people.  It was so fun to be a part of what God is doing here.

On the 26th, we headed to Missouri to spend a few days with all of Denise’s family.

There are two new spouses added to the cousins, so the family is getting bigger and miraculously everyone was able to be together.  Some are in Oregon and one in California with Nashville thrown in - and we’re in Chicago, but we made it all together again.  Who knows how much more that will happen.  It was such a blessing to be together with everyone.  All of us are in ministry so we all had Christmas Eve services and all the extra stuff that goes on in December and that makes it more fun to get together and “chill.”

 
As I look at these pictures and see how much this family has grown up, it reminds me of how quickly things change – and how they may never be the same again.

When I think back over the past 20 years and how much this family has changed, I am also reminded of how much Parkview has changed.  It’s remarkable to see it grow. 

Denise and I want to thank you all so much for all your work for the Lord Jesus in 2009.  We can’t wait to see what God is going to do this year. 

Whatever your New Year's resolutions include – make sure God has a piece of it.  Because what He can do with our “familiy” is going to be incredible.

Happy New Year,

Tim and Denise

O Come Emmanuel

We’ve had great services so far.  Full auditoriums even in the ice and junk.  The service is incredible. If you don’t get to one live – watch it on the net at Parkview Media.

I had a friend in the church send me this note:

“Have you ever really interpreted the exquisite poetry in the song “O Come O Come Emmanuel?”
 
O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
 
This is probably the greatest poetry in any carol ever.
 
“It says, interpreted (and not in linear fashion):

God, please be here
Pay for whatever has ensnared me and people like me
Because we are distraught over our impending death and dejected by how alone we are
Until some meaning in our life rescues us, some promise made comes due…
Yes! Awesome! God IS coming to me and people like me.
I wonder how many people hear that melody and those lyrics and are totally oblivious…”

That’s absolutely the meaning of Christmas folks. He hit it on the head. Don’t sing the songs and read the story and remain oblivious!  

God is here.

I was just so struck by the scene of the real baby in the manger with the angel at our services that I was compelled to go back there and be with them for the end of the service.  It wasn’t planned; I just wanted to put myself in that scene.  Somehow, looking at that baby lying there in the straw helped me realize how far down God had to bend to scoop me up.

Merry Christmas to you all.  From the staff, and from the Harlow family – we can’t say enough about how great it is to worship God along side of you.

Emmanuel has come, and may he come again quickly!

Tim

Fear Not, It's Christmas

Someone sent me Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life Connection and it appears he’s on the same page with us today. 

Fear Not.

Rick says there are 365 times someone from God says to “Fear Not” in some form or another.  So there is one for every day.  I didn’t count them up and I know preachers always like to make the math work for them – but it’s a cool concept isn’t it?  One time for every day.

Max Lucado’s new book is called “Fearless.” In it Max says that there are 125 imperatives given by Jesus in the gospels.  Twenty-five of those are “Fear Not.”

As I said in my sermon last weekend, it’s not that “Fear Not” is the most important command.  It’s just the most needed.  We need to know it’s going to be okay.

That’s why the angels said, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.   (Don’t be afraid – it’s good news.  Joyous good news.) Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

That answers every fear you can possibly have right there.

I’m not sure what you’re afraid of this Christmas. But stop it. Good news of great joy is everything you need.

Be here for the Christmas Eve services and for Mosaic this weekend at the Orland campus.

Tim

She's 7 - What's Your Problem?

The local Tinley Park edition of the Tribune ran an article today about Parkview’s own little 7 year old Mother Teresa.  Her name is Emiyah Twietmeyer.  She has a heart for ministry to the less fortunate at this young age and came in to talk to Pastor Sean.  Somehow they settled on the idea for her to help the less fortunate by stocking the food pantry. So she went out and distributed fliers in her neighborhood and then collected the food later.  She collected 500 pounds of food for the “Together We Cope” food pantry!

She also put together 20 birthday bags for kids whose parents cannot afford it. Each bag was filled with cake mix, frosting, a cake pan, candles, streamers, a birthday card, a toy, balloons, tablecloth, etc.
 
Here is the article:  Little One Leads the Way
Is that cool or what?
 
Is this what Jesus meant when he said:

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:1-4  

Yes, as a matter of fact it is.  Greatness is about serving others.  You don’t have to be smart or pretty or popular or rich OR OUT OF SECOND GRADE!  You just have to be willing to take a little time and effort and make a difference.
 
What’s your problem?
 
PS – 89.7 (Shine) has played some Mosaic music.This is Rachel, my daughter’s and friends’ group.  They will be leading worship here on December 19-20.  Feel free to tell them you liked it.J

O Come All Ye Faithful

 

Merry Christmas,

Tim

I'm Going to Have a Heart Attack - In a Good Way!

Seriously, I think my heart is just so full it might blow up.  The revival and work of the Spirit in our congregation is so unbelievable, I don’t know how to contain myself.  I can prove it.   We had another record breaking attendance weekend ON THANKSGIVING WEEKEND.  Not such a big deal you say...how about this – BILL WAS PREACHING!  If that ain’t the Spirit’s work – what is?
 
It’s a good thing the doctor got me off caffeine!
 
So here is a video blog to tell you more about what’s going on and how we need your help.
 

We are obviously still reeling from the 739 baptisms last week.   I’ll be interviewed on Michelle Strombeck's morning radio program on Moody's WMBI next Tuesday morning at 10:00 AM.  People are talking about it all over. 
 
But remember that in the book of Acts, when a bunch of people got baptized on the day of Pentecost, IT WAS JUST THE BEGINNING!  Don’t think of your baptism as an end...it’s a new beginning.  The next few verses in Acts 2 tell us that they grew in their faith and in teaching and prayer and communion… and "the Lord added to their number DAILY those who were being saved." (Acts 2:47)  That’s what I’m talking about!
 
I’m in downtown Chicago for a couple of days with churches and planters working on the three churches we are getting geared up to launch down here.  Unfortunately, one of them will be very close to Wrigley field, so who knows how that will go.  But it’s very exciting stuff and we’ll want you to be involved – even if it's to tell us who you know who needs a church in Chicago.

There are only 3 million people down here and 90% of them don’t go to church anywhere as opposed to 60-70% in the suburbs.  One church closes every week in Chicago.  Not only that, but 10 of the 16 poorest neighborhoods in the country are right here. 
 
We can sit around and pat ourselves on the back for 700 baptisms and 5,400 people in church for about 10 seconds - and then get our eyes right back on the super ripe white fields around us waiting for some harvesters (John 4:35).
 
Don’t miss a week – something is always going to happen around here!
 
Tim