Tim Harlow

Joplin (Corrected Links)

It’s amazing to me that while the world was laughing at this seriously misguided preacher's failed prediction of the end of the world on Sunday – the people of Joplin Missouri were actually experiencing it. I don’t believe tornadoes are an act of God in any way. They happen because our world is living under sin’s curse.

But I want to ask for prayers for the people of Joplin. It’s kind of a home town for me. My in-laws and parents went to college there. I was born not far from there while they were in college. Denise grew up not too far from there and we both went to the same college as our parents – and met in Joplin, Missouri at Ozark Christian College. Christ in Youth  (the ministry that means so much to our students) is based there as well as a lot of great missions' organizations and churches. 

We still have family in the area, and many friends and loved ones. To my knowledge I don’t know anyone who was lost in “the worst tornado tragedy in recorded history.” But I do know people who’ve lost houses and the entire area is just devastated. I spent most of my childhood in Oklahoma; I’ve spent my fair share of time in the storm shelter or bathtub listening to a weather band radio wondering if I was going to be in the Wizard of Oz for real. I can only begin to imagine what they are going through. 

It’s just amazing how fragile life really is. As the world scoffs (rightly so) at a preacher who just decided to push back his prediction again (third time is the charm?), the truth is that it is going to end someday. 

It’s a sobering reminder for me as I’m 3 days away from my daughter’s wedding and we’re scrambling to get things together. Married\single, rich\poor, better\worse, we are all going to leave this planet someday. We don’t actually know when – so we just need to always be ready. 

Are you ready? 

If you’d like to help with the people of Joplin, there is actually a mission’s organization that we support that is based in Joplin and they are ready to help make a difference immediately. I.D.E.S. 

I bought all the red sherbet they had at Jewel yesterday – so we’re ready for you to come to the wedding. Friday at 3 – don’t bring gifts or cards – just come and celebrate. 

I mentioned in my last blog about Rachel writing a song for the Lincolnway Choir (which Becca is in). I talked about what a great Christian presence there has been even in a public High School.

I’ve got a video of the song Rachel was commissioned to write. The words are the text from Philippians 4 – IN THE BIBLE! It was surreal listening to my daughter sing – in a public school choir – a song written by the Apostle Paul and Rachel Harlow. Surreal.

They say there are no atheists in foxholes. There aren’t in tornadoes either. There doesn’t need to be even in a public school. Because when the “anxious” times come – no matter where we are – we all need the “peace of God.”

Rachel’s Song 

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

Tim

PS – If you missed Flip This Marriage last weekend, you missed Rachel singing “To Be Found.” Her album is out in pre-release form at rachelharlow.com

Mrs. Lambert

It would probably seem from the outside like this wedding stuff is consuming our emotional energy and it certainly is part of it. It's a week from Friday (May 27 – 3:00 pm – everyone is invited – don't bring gifts).

I watched “Father of the Bride” last night just to prepare :), but the difference between Steve Martin and me is that Rachel's been on her own in Nashville for almost 6 years. I'm not saying I'm not going to cry, don't worry, I will. But what’s hitting us harder is Becca’s graduation from High School. Not only because she is probably moving even farther away than Nashville, but because it signifies the end of an era for us.  And it’s been a great era.

For any father to look back on 10 straight years of having a daughter in High School – with the fondness that I have at this moment – is miraculous. For 10 years straight, we’ve had one or two of our daughters at Lincolnway East High School. It’s been such a great experience. This is not to open up a debate between public/private education, we certainly would have considered private if the need had presented itself. But my hat is off to Dr. Wylie and his wonderful administration (including Parkview’s own Dr. Jensen – retiring principle of East). I wouldn’t have traded it.

Denise and I will be attending our final event in the LWE auditorium on Thursday evening - one last choir concert. We’ve had girls in the choral (and band) programs there for ten straight years (did I say that already). And as much as I joke about it finally being over – it’s a part of our life that we will sincerely miss.

And part of the reason is because we know how much the music department at a public High School has positively influenced our daughters. If you would have told me ten years ago that one of the best and most godly influences in our daughters’ lives was going to be a Christian, public school, music teacher that didn’t even go to Parkview, I would have doubted you seriously. But for 9 of those years, Mrs. Alicia Lambert has taught and modeled for our daughters what it means to be a godly woman in a secular workplace. She gave her kids pep talks and “pre-prom talks” and acted like a wise, older sister whenever they needed her. She pushed them, and counseled them, and showed them how to be God’s person in the world. She never backed down from teaching them sacred music (you can’t do choral music without it) but never forced it down anyone’s throat either.

As we bid her adieu (“adieu, to you and you and you” - if you don’t get the Sound of Music reference, you might as well quit reading), we will be grateful for a lot of people who helped us raise our kids. Hillary said it took a village, and I’m not sure I actually ever agreed with Hillary – ever – but we have been blessed to live in the Village of Mokena and the Village of Parkview.

I can’t even begin to talk about our own church’s influence. Denise and I made a pact when we came here in 1990 that if our church wasn’t strong enough to have a good student ministry when our girls got to this age – we would not stay. We knew how important it would be. And it did, and it was. As a matter of fact, Sean (our youth pastor here for 15 years) is officiating Rachel’s wedding.

I guess as I’m reminiscing about all of it, I’m just really thankful for everyone who helped us with this wonderful job of raising kids. And I’m committed to helping you with yours.

2 Timothy 2:2 is one of our theme verses around here. “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” 

It’s all about passing it on. So thanks to you youth sponsors, VBS teachers, mission trip donators, and even public school teachers – like Mrs. Lambert, who have demonstrated Jesus to my girls. Now they are “qualified to teach others.”

And they will.

PS – Rachel’s album is out in pre-release form.  She will be here this weekend and have some with her or you can go to Rachelharlow.com

Tim

 

Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you, I used to be a Navy Seal

 

I don't know if you heard about it or not, but yet another clergy 'fail' came to light this week.

This Pastor in Pennsylvania lied about being a Navy Seal. Here is the article. 

I mean at least it's not adultery or theft or any of the 'normal' clergy screw ups I have to read about on a regular basis, but dang! Why? Why, why, why? What could possess you to lie about something like that? I’m not saying I don’t lie. I’d be a liar if I did. But here’s a helpful hint about lying. If you’re going to do it, make sure it’s not something that any idiot with an internet connection could disprove.

I’m not judging the guy – really I’m not. I am a bigger sinner than he is, I’m sure. This guy did actually serve, and I’m sure he’s a good guy and was probably a good pastor. And can and will be again! But this is why I tell you all the time what a lousy good-for-nothing person I am. The dumbest thing any human being could tell another human being is that they are good!

You should never have to doubt my stories from the pulpit, because I never tell you anything impressive. There ain’t nothing! I didn’t fight in a war. I didn’t win an award. I don’t even know anyone important!

(Now I know your doubting my picture with Scotty Pippin, but I promise I did meet him – I promise.)

Seriously, if you doubted me – what would it be about? I’ve never claimed to be impressive. It just doesn’t make sense. I’m not.

And as Liz reminded us last weekend for our wonderful Mother’s Day service – we’re all “Former Bad Girls (or Boys)” and even going forward we’re not going to be great.

If the apostle Paul said he was the “chief of sinners” (I Timothy 1:15) and

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Romans 7:15-18

then why would I claim to be any better?

And WELCOME to Parkview Hospital Church – where Jesus said he came for the sick not the healthy. (Mark 2:17)

Anyway – if you didn’t get to see Liz last weekend, I’m sorry I can’t put it online because of copyright issues, but you can see the performance of our version of Mommy Rhapsody (written by the wonderful and generous folks at Church on the Move in Tulsa).

And introducing the Pre-release of Rachel Harlow\Harris new album! Finally. It’s not officially released, but you can get it from her at her website.

Pass it on.

And please join us for the wedding – May 27 at 3pm.  All are welcome – bring your kids to the real Royal Wedding.

I’m going to go practice my scuba diving…

Tim

Tim on Twitter

Glad He’s Dead?

It was pretty crazy to see the reaction to Osama Bin Laden’s death. The front page of the paper just said, “Dead” and had his picture, but there was celebration throughout the land. I likened it to the Wizard of Oz when the Munchkins sang, “Ding Dong, the Witch is dead.” And I think it felt that way to many of us - like we’d been liberated from the tyranny of terrorism. 

Of course we know that he was just the face of terrorism, and it’s likely that we’ll be dealing with plenty of “wicked witches” for the rest of time – like there has been since the beginning of time. 

But there was no doubt a collective sigh of relief felt throughout the land. 

I didn’t really know how to feel. My first reaction was “good.” And I think that is appropriate.  Justice is something all of us long for in this world. God himself is a God of justice. I’m glad that Bin Laden is now unable to enact terror on any more innocent people.  That part is true. I am glad for the closure for those he hurt. 

Am I glad he’s dead?  I don’t think I can go that far. 

“Say to them; As I live,’ says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?” Ezekiel 33:11

The truth of the matter is as much of a monster as Bin Laden was – there was always hope for him. 

Pastor Casey wrote a very interesting blog about it.

He asked what would happen if Jesus was watching the news. And how many Christians thought about the fact that this guy’s family doesn’t know Christ? And maybe we could stop for a least for a couple of minutes and pray for them that they might find Jesus.

Pastor Casey is more spiritual than me.

It all really goes back to the comparison game we all play. I talk about it all the time. I’m going to compare myself to Bin Laden and feel like he got what he deserved. But I’m not supposed to compare to him. He was a misguided idiot – at best.

I’m supposed to compare myself to Jesus, and realize that I didn’t get what I deserved and be grateful.

On a lighter note – while I was in Orlando for the Exponential Conference last week, I did take off a little early one afternoon and took Becca over to Disneyworld.  My two brothers-in-law (Doug and Jack) were there at the conference and Doug had never been there – so we made him go through “It’s a Small World” as a way of indoctrination. 

Anyway, before we went over – we stopped at a cheap t-shirt shop and bought these hideous, bright, orange t-shirts to wear around the park and totally embarrass Becca with.

I think we succeeded.

 
“Orange you glad you aren’t Becca?”

Tim