Blizzard Like Conditions in Gresham

Blizzard like conditions in Gresham from gresham campus on Vimeo.

The Rhinelander Restaurant

Hello Everyone,

So Crystal and I wanted to do something fun all together as one big happy family. We wanted to go to The Rhinelander restaurant in Portland on the 29th of December (a Monday) for a fun filled big dinner party in one of the really cool themed rooms. This will take place of the Bible Study that we normally have on Mondays. We need to make the reservation for the dinner ASAP so we need to know who all is going by December 17th. Please let me know if you are coming and if you want to bring somebody else. It is “BYO”…. That means “Buy Your Own.” Dinners can range from $15-$40 per person. It is going to be a more formal dinner for fun so you’re going to want to make sure and dress accordingly. I don’t know what time it will be until the reservation is made but we will try to make it some where between 6-7:30pm. Let me know if you can make it as soon as possible.

Much love,



Tim Reed
Living Hope Church
503-329-5203

My Letter to the pastors and leaders of Living Hope.

Here it the letter that I just recently sent to the pastors and leaders of Living Hope Church about "the upper room" Gresham Living Hope!





“the upper room”

Living Hope Church
- gresham -

Dear Pastors and Leaders

Here is a quick update so that you might keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Our Gresham “house church” location has been meeting every Sunday at 7:00pm for nearly ten months now. We have been able to act as if a campus on most levels even though we almost always have less than 20 people attending on a regular basis. I still feel encouraged, excited and blessed to lead such an amazing and inspirational group of Christ followers.

This group of individuals is mostly in the college age and I believe is part of the next generation of new leaders... They are passionate for God and have an amazing love for this church that we call “Living Hope”.

From August 2007 to May 2008 I helped pastor and assist at Fishers Landing with Seth while his time there. He encouraged me to start a group in Gresham. That began “the upper room” starting on Easter, 2008. At that time my goal was for this “house church” would grow rapidly into a good sized “campus” by September of 2008. What I slowly found out was that it was not God’s plan now. As frustrated and annoyed as I was, I was humbled and brought to my knees. I prayed that God would give me clarity in every step of the way, whether those steps are “baby steps” or “great big leaps.”

God works in such mystery and majesty. I should never question what He has for this group OR for me. Just like in Jer. 29:11 - God’s plan is for HOPE and a Future…. I know that He has great things for all of us and I am giving my one life to lead and pastor the best that I know how for this group. I pray that God will continue His work in me and that I continue to grow in the leadership of this church and the community that it brings. As for now, we will continue steadfastly in prayer and supplication, and meeting at “the upper room” Sunday’s at 7:00. Thank you for risking and praying!

ONLY GOD.

Tim Reed
Living Hope Church
Gresham – Volunteer Pastor
503-329-5203

a date has been set!

so put it on your calenders, december (monday) the 22nd. 7:00pm - this is the date and time of the "white elephant gift exchange." It's gunna be fun. and you better be there.



The rules: You can NOT spend more than $10. but the value must be truly more than a $1...



We are still deciding on a date and time for the movie night. I will keep you posted.

great things.

So here it's come and here it's gone... thanksgiving was great this year. I hope all of my readers had a great one. Now we have Christmas just around the corner. In fact 25 days away. I am trying not to be overwhelmed with how soon this holiday is approaching. We are planning a few fun events here at "the upper room". I think we will have a "white elephant" gift exchange and a movie night pretty soon. Have you seen "the nativity story" movie that came out a few years ago? It a excellent portrayal of how I believe the birth story really happened. I think we will have that as our movie of choice. As soon as we have some dates set I will post it online. Until then have a great week.... listen to Christmas music, decorate the tree, drink your white peppermint mocha and have some fun! See ya later. Blessings.

-Tim

The Big Thanksgiving Bash... read below for more info

The big "upper room" Thanksgiving Bash!!!

When: This Sunday at 6:00pm 11/23/08

Where: "the upper room"

So we are having our first ever Thanksgiving dinner bash this Sunday!!! We have several confirmed people coming and have signed up to bring something since it is potluck style. If you didn't get an email from me than call me and let me know what your bringing and how many guests so that we can plan accordingly. It is going to be awesome and I can't wait!

Love ya all and look forward to seeing you this Sunday at 6:00pm.

Oh yeah and after the meal we will have our normal service with the message and an acoustic worship set afterwards with Joe and the gang, aka "Dwell".

-Tim Reed

Living Hope Church - Gresham

503-329-5203 txt capable.

Oh one more thing.. Here is what has already been volunteered to be brought

Turkey
Mashed Taters
Stuffing
Cranberry Sauce
Yams
Biscuits
Apple and Egg Appetizers
Pecan and Pumpkin Pie
Sparkling Apple Cider

The Holiday Season is upon us...

The holidays are so much fun.... this sunday we are having a thanksgiving potluck with "the upper room" goers. What a great way to kick off the holiday season. Though I must say it is sick that they have christmas stuff out the day before halloween but it kinda grows on you the first or second week of november. I am already listening to christmas music. Some of you might think that i am sick for that, well deal with it! LOL. *sings* "have a holly jolly christmas, in case you didn't hear, oh by golly have a holly jolly christmas this year!!!" ... Though Crys won't let me listen to christmas music until December 1st. So I listen to it when she isn't home or when I want to plug in the headphones, which by the way don't stay in my right ear... the little ear bud does not want to stick in it. Drives me crazy. sorry side note.

That said, I am about ready to go to bed. I just thought I'd share my excitment level with you!

(: Good night and have a great Wednesday!!! :)

The Gresham Times

“the upper room”
living hope church gresham
11-12-08

HOPE: verb - to expect with confidence.

As we are go through this new series “hope” I can’t help but think about all the times in my life where the only thing I had to go on was Hope, Faith and Confidence in the Lord. He is always there; He has been there for me in times of trouble, times of excitement, times of discouragement and times of frustration.
Isn’t it true that we all go through times like that; where we aren’t sure what to do in times of uncertainty or discouragement? Maybe we’re not sure what God’s plan is. I have felt numerous times that I wasn’t sure what God is doing in certain situations. Though every time I come out of those times of struggle I can look back and can see where God was there beside me, and the times He carried me because I was too weak to even keep going.

I believe whole heartedly that this series was meant to happen right now. With the economic crisis and all the junk that we all seem to be in right now it can sometimes be hard to see where God is in it all, but trust in Him. We have got this far, He wouldn’t let us down. For He is never changing, “He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8. And not only does he not change; He also has a plan for our lives. Jeremiah 29:11 says so!

Take heart and don’t lose hope! Come be encouraged as we continue this amazing series this weekend. Don’t forget that we switched our time back to 7:00pm on Sundays. The people are warm, and the coffee is warmer. I hope you can make it this weekend.

ONLY GOD.

-Tim Reed
Living Hope Church
Gresham

Every married couple needs to see this! -Mars Hill - Mark Driscoll

wow... not sure my kid would have blonde hair but whatev.

Hope Series at LH

So we are starting a new series at Living Hope... it's all about "hope" and strangely enough that is what my entire blog was about last week... It really is cool how God confirms what He is trying to show us time and time again. Though I must admit sometimes I'm an idiot and don't listen.... sometimes.... well maybe more often than sometimes but none the less I do still enjoy a little confirmation every once and a while.

I work in sales in a retail store (subaru to be exact), and believe me when I say I am feeling what the market is doing.. My pocket book feels it when the market is down... I have been selling cars for over 5 yrs now and I have been through more than a couple of down times, but none that have lasted as long as this. I can say that I HOPE and believe God will work through this for our benefit.

I am a firm believer in the fact that God tests us and tests our willingness to continue to serve Him even when times are crappy. It strengthens us. And we need strengthening. Americans in general have it easy when you compare us to the rest of the world. My prayer is that we won't be blind to the rest of the world while we are going through this down time in our country. No matter what happens I am reminded that God has a better eternal life for us soon and we can not get so caught up in this mess of things that we loose sight of the ultimate goal and that is growing close the One that made us and bringing lost people to Christ.

So that is my story today and I hope to see you tonight in the upper room- 7:00pm in case you forgot.

-Blessings-
Tim

Hope...

So in this blog I wanted to find the most encouraging words/scriptures in the bible. I briefly talked to John Bishop last night and the one thing that stuck in my mind about our conversation was that he said "don't lose hope" ... So here is what I found in my library, the bible. - by the way there hundreds of amazing texts... i simply chose my favs.

Psalms 71:5 For You are my hope, O Lord GOD;You are my trust from my youth.

Psalms 71:14 But I will hope continually,And will praise You yet more and more.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Acts 2:26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad;Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.

Acts 17:27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;

Romans 4:18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.”

Romans 5:2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 5:5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

2 Corinthians 3:12 Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech—

Lord God, give us hope, give us faith and let us love... Thank you for being such an amazing God. We love you and we praise You!

Vision

Someone once said that "it would be easier to get to your destination if you knew the path in front of you" ... I think that is true when it comes to goals and vision. More importantly vision.

I would just like to share with you the vision that John Bishop shared on his blog and I would like to just pass it on to you - my readers.

VISION for Living Hope Church

A church that reaches lost people.

A church that gets and gives grace.

A church that is about the "pure and simple devotion to Jesus Christ" 2 Cor 11:3.

A church that releases the next generation to change the world. (Us)

A church that helps people connect with others.

A church that is SAFE for people to bring their friends to hear the most dangerous message of their life.

This is truly the description of Living Hope... I can safely say that I am glad to be part of this amazing thing that God is doing here in our church. Yeah God!

October Newsletter

Hello Everyone-

I hope everyone is enjoying this awesome October that we have been having so far. Even as I sit here writing this newsletter I can’t help but think how amazing God is and how amazing His artwork is, the colors on the trees, the gorgeous sunset that I saw last night, the amazing creations that He has put in my life, my friends, my family, my church….

As we go into this time of the year where it seems like nothing is at a standstill, that everything is moving and everything seems like it is changing I can’t help but get excited to see what this new season brings for us. Let me share with you briefly what God is doing here.

I’ve recently been inspired by the early Acts church… a church that lives and breathes God’s word and His Simplicity. Let us be a house church, after all we meet in the upper room of my home. Just like in the book of Acts with 120 people and nothing in common but Jesus learning, worshiping and praising Him in “the upper room”… we want to be like that! Let us get back to the basics of what the church is all about; connection with Christ, simplicity, and authenticity in relationships. As a Christ follower I have 3 goals in mind… upward, inward, and outward. Love God with all your heart and mind. Let the spirit of God work through you. And Let the spirit of God use you to touch the world for the One that made you!

With that in mind, the best way that this house church will work is touching the most lives possible, and right now going back to a 7:00pm service – where more of our group can meet and grow together – is the best thing… so starting this weekend we will go back to our original 7:00pm service. I am excited to see where God is taking us, and I hope you are too!

-Tim 503.329.5203

things happening in the upper room!

So tonight we had a potluck with "the upper room" goers. It was a blast to hang with friends of old, and new ones that I have only met a couple of times. God has really blessed me with the opportunity to lead this amazing group into a time of spiritual growth. We all want to grow together, and reach the community around us... with this common goal God will do great things through us for His Kingdom and His Glory alone! I am truly excited to see where God is taking us.

Last month we switched over from a sunday evening service to a sunday morning service... As it turns out I don't think that was the right time for this switch to happen. We have now decided to go back to meeting again in the evenings. This will allow a few people the chance to come back and be blessed. So I think next week we will be going to a 7:30pm service. It works well for our age group and you know, we like to light the candles and dim the lights down low. It's how we roll. Well thats all for tonight... I am sure I will update again soon.

-Me

The Great Adventure for The Great Pumpkin!

The Search for the Great Pumpkin! from gresham campus on Vimeo.

"The Sloganizer"

First off, Seth don't be mad... I had to take your idea just cuz it was awesome!

Now that that is off my chest I can go on with my blog. I entitled this blog "the sloganizer" because of my very good friend Seth, and his findings. He found this crazy website called "the sloganizer"... It is pretty self explanatory but what it does is you put in a word or someones name and it pops out slogans with it. Here is a few of my examples that you will probably laugh at... and if you don't well than get a sense of humor.

Got Tim Reed?
Sweet as the moment when the “Tim Reed” went POP.
Don’t get mad, get Tim Reed.
How Refreshing! How Tim Reed!

just a few of my favs. Thanks for sharing Seth!!!


"The Sloganizer"
http://thesurrealist.co.uk/slogan.cgi

now when you go there, come back and comment on some of the ones that you came up with.

fun fun fun.
-peace

following me on twitter!

If you look over to the left of this specific blog you will notice that I have added my "twitter" widget. you should join twitter and start twittering. Everyones doing it therefore you should do it! LOL. I say that a lot I think?!

Anywho, let me know if you join up on twitter... ( http://www.twitter.com/ )

P.S. Things are going good. WE had a good bible study on monday. You should have been there if you weren't. My brother and his lovely wife headed last weeks up and did a great job. Next week joe is leading it. Should be a blast can't wait. Oh and this sunday is "worship sunday" so if you like to worship, this is your week to come hang out at our campus. Can't wait.

Love ya!Peace.

i dig it! Do you?

The Upper Room - What you've been missing uncut and raw!

Tim and a little petra in "the upper room"... raw and uncut. from gresham campus on Vimeo.

Comments on the below video.

So the below video is a Gresham Campus exclusive. We have Joe, Aaron and Matt doing a little worship for us after the bible study. Joe wrote and composed this song call "my sunshine in the rain" and he performs it here with Aaron playin lead guitar and Matt doing his amazing talent of beat boxing... no other campus has that! Love it!

worship after the bible study... check it out!

My Sunshine in the Rain from gresham campus on Vimeo.

Bible Study now every week!!!

Hey all!

Just thought I'd inform you that we have finally decided on a day and time to make our weekly bible study. This is going to be a great opportunity to get into the word much more than just on the weekend. Not to mention the great fellowship that it brings too! It will be starting this monday 9/22 at 7:30pm sharp. The location will be at Aaron and Heathers place at 642 SE 208th Ave... right next to the campus location. If you need more information or would like directions to it please email me at greshamcampuslhc@gmail.com or call my cell # 503.329.5203. Thanks everyone. Oh and this is a RSVP type of event just b/c space is limited at the moment. Let me know if you can make it.

-Tim

fresh ink...

I got a new tattoo... what you think? IT is Alpha and Omega.

-Tim

September Newsletter

So we have a few important updates to talk about in this Newsletter. We have some cool new changes that are coming up for our campus. As we go into this new series at Living Hope called “Beyond Belief, what’s next?” I can’t help but ask “what’s next for our campus?”

One of the next major changes that our campus will go through is that we are changing our service time to 11am, Sunday mornings. This change will take place on September 21st, 2008. If you didn’t know already, we have been meeting Sunday Nights at 7pm. The biggest reason for this change is the fact that we are moving into a season where many are going back to school, or children are going back to school and we can understand why an evening service just doesn’t work well at the time. We will still be at our house in “the upper room” until we get a few more people to help out with areas of ministry. Which leads me to my next thing I would like to talk about…

We are having a meeting and time of fellowship this next week on Monday, September 15th at 7:00pm at our house. We would like you to come if you are interested in helping us start this campus or if you feel that God is leading you to the next step which is maybe volunteering time or resources to this campus. Please RSVP if you will be able to make it!

Blessings,

Tim Reed
Campus Pastor/Director
Living Hope Church
Gresham Campus
503-329-5203
644 SE 208th Ave.
Gresham, OR 97030

Pastor John's Blog Aug 31st.

Quoted by Pastor John Bishop of Living Hope Church

"I am fully convinced that multi site is part of God's plan to build His Church in the 21st century.
I believe we can leverage the technology of our day to touch more lives than anytime in our history.
Living Hope started multi siting simply because we really ran out of room in seven weekend services. As a church of over 5000 people, we have an auditorium that seats only 500. Pretty small, but of course 4 years ago, we were only 400 people.

Because I think people are mostly cared for better in smaller environments, the campus idea is brilliant. We started on Easter 2006 with a series entitled "Unthinkable You" It was a movie theme and we launched 5 camuses in 5 movie theaters on Easter 2006. Since then we have moved out of all but one theater. They are good, but now we are pursuing permanent locations to better accomodate each church campus.

We now have over 15 locations (including campuses in New Zealand, India, Phillipines and Kona). We have started alot, closed some and are (as of this blog) reorganizing our approach to being a church in multiple locations. We have merged with a couple different churches (different blog), but I believe this will happen more and more as plataued churches or churches without leadership pursue merging.

I have a few thoughts and want to encourage pastors to risk and allow ONLY GOD to do through you what he alone can (and wants to) do.
Also, LH attenders and members. I can't stress enough that going to a campus, serving and being known is one of the ways your faith will grow the most. It isn't about the campus as much about you serving and being willing to "go"

Multi site campuses are very much part of the DNA of Living Hope Church. Have been and I can safely say, will be. Ask Brent in Kona, or Peter in New Zealand. For some reason beyond what we can "know" they simply work.

I want to share some random thoughts about multi-site here. Although this is mostly for church leaders and church planters, I hope it speaks to everyone.
These are a few thoughts of a sequence of posts on multi-siting. I hope to share as much as I can with church leaders. Be encouraged. Learn from our mistakes (there are plenty) and believe BIG for God.

In a multi-site environment.....
1. AUTONOMY MORE THAN AUTHORITY

I have learned the hard way (a statement you will hear from our teams alot). When a church begins, the denonminational tendency is to exericse inappropriate authority that simply isn't biblical. Multi-siting. One church in multiple locations. The campus has to have necessary authority to change what needs to be changed in order to change the world around its location. Often times, what I "think" works at our main campus doesn't work in a rural area, or worse, what I think will work for a campus doesn't at all. It has been a learning process as we have tried to be discerning, to listen to God, to give our best, we have in effect taken autonomy away from our campuses by trying to hyper "organize" them to smell like us. Very bad. The church is organic. It is a living, breathing organism, not a planned out organization. Being organized matters and helps, but it doesn't make the church the church. There are plenty of churches who look the right way that are closing their doors every day. One example still comes to my mind. One of our campuses wanted to do a pajama party for women to reach out. I thought it would never work and by the way we don't do pajama parties so I said no. Bottom line. I should have allowed them to risk and in risking to fail. Probably, it would have been awesome. We won't know.

Also, what works in the PNW may not work in Georgia? What a thought. Churches have to be led by leaders and driven by vision. If I copy another churches "programs" that is saying to God that all churches should be the same. Heck no.

We are not Northpoint. Duh. We don't have millions of dollars to reach a city. We are who God has made us to be. We are in the area God has allowed us to be and we have what God has allowed us to have. I have to learn to work within what is there to reach who isn't there.
Autonomy is about independence and the church is about dependence. A campus ought to be independently dependent. They have to have vision and the freedom to reach people in the communities they are in. I really think more churches ought to start campuses.
Side note: If you are not growing, campuses are the worst form of church growth imaginable. Fix what is wrong, fill the space you are in and do it for the right reason. It isn't a fad or a church growth model. The pastors I know and the churches that have multiple campuses that I follow are doing stuff right to have to think muli site to start with. Go back to what is right, what is wrong and change how you approach ministry. If what you are doing isn't filling building, more buildings won't grow a church.
More on that in a later post.

The next thing dove-tails from the first thing.
2. DNA more than DEVELOPMENT

To see Living Hope grow from a few hundred to thousands in a few years was something I didn't think about (to be real) when we went down the multi site road. I wanted to expand and reach more people. I think that is a good and God honoring goal. The problem was.... I underestimated the value of DNA in our church.
I faulted on trying to develop pastors, making sure they fit biblical requirements, we focused on space and geographical issues. We bought plastic bins and filled them up. We spent countless hours trying to develop stuff and erred on the side of development, to the expense of DNA transfer.

Churches that grow are growing for a reason. You can say it is buildings and locations, but I would argue that point. There are churches closing inspite of buildings all around America.
IF a church is growing, the Senior leadership team has an obligation to move beyond organizational and developmental issues to DNA transference. Seriously.
For us. I didn't do this as well as I should or could have.
DNA is both caught and taught. I thought it would be caught and life would be good. Not so much.

You have to be intentional here. DNA is critical. DNA amounts to things like reaching people who are lost (more than programming services). It is about helping the next gen leaders understand why you do what you do. Again, if you aren't growing, bail on the multi site idea and fix the problems.

DNA transference for us was about involving the Next Generation. Meaningfully. Not stacking chairs all the time, but really involving them. I could have (and now am) doing better at unpacking what is at the core of our DNA and how can I communicate it in a way that doesn't box a leader in, but takes the lid off and allows him or her to be free to serve and risk and love the people entrusted to their campus.

In fact most of our pastors have been part of LH's culture, so the DNA for them is caught. I am learning the value of DNA being taught as well.
IF DNA is transfered, development will happen better.
Churches will either be natural or super-natural.
These two things are a few random thoughts that I was having after hearing about and praying about so many churches that are beginning to go down the muli-site road.
Exciting times we are finding ourselves in.
Hope this helps?

It is time to radically turn our cities upside down for the cause of Christ.
“...Paul and Silas have caused trouble all over the world,” they shouted, “and now they are here disturbing our city, too. Acts 17:6

Churches ought to be making more waves, waves to reach our cities, waves to love our cities, waves that result in putting a towel around our arms and serving our cities. Let's be the generation known for this. The generation that makes Jesus famous. The generation where churches are unified, where God's voice is loud and people are loved.
The question that makes me think is "IF WE CEASED TO EXIST, WOULD ANYONE NOTICE?"

OK, no more preaching.
JOHN"


I thought that his blog was right on. Here is my response to him;

You're right on John! I know you were talking to all of our pastors and leaders through this blog, but in a way I felt you were speaking directly to me and our campus here in Gresham. I can "riskingly" say that our campus is very different but also very similar to the rest. Isn't that what makes the body of Christ so amazing??? We are reaching an area and group of individuals that otherwise may not have been reached without this church and it's people risking it all. Isn't that the true definition of the Rhino?! ONLY GOD could take this church and transform the hearts and minds of it's body and do what has been done so far. And we won't stop until that glorious day comes when see Jesus face to face.

Thoughts on the Gathering...

We've had a great service! After the service about 7 of us circled up and prayed for some time for our church as a whole, and our campus. It really is awesome to see God working in such a personal way in all of our lives. We had a special guest at our campus, Art McIntosh! It was awesome to have him come and be a part of our group tonight. That really is one of the key things our campus is missing, the "elders." We don't have one that comes on a regular basis and it would be great to get a couple that does. Keep that in prayer.

In recent times, the enemy has been discouraging me because of my young age and inexperience... but b/c of the power of prayer God has also been reminding me of 1 Timothy 4:12-16. Taking Heed to the Ministry that God has given me... and not being despised for my youth. Also not neglecting the gift that God has given me. What an awesome passage! I have been so encouraged by all of the people, pastors and leaders that have supported and prayed for me, my group and our campus as a whole. Thank you!

We all can't wait til we make this campus an official one... But we know that it is all in God's timing and direction.

ONLY GOD.
Tim Reed
Living Hope Church

Margaret Feinberg our Guest Speaker this weekend...

Sunday the 10th

This Sunday at our campus we (after the service) are going to pray. We will pray for our campus specifically... for growth and maturity... we will be praying for our pastoral and leadership team both here at our campus and at our other campus' as well. We will also be praying for this community that we are directly impacting and the rest of this beautiful city we call home. I invite you to come and hang out with us. I know it can be kinda weird going into someones home for church, but I can promise you that it is a normal Living Hope Church service, just without a separate building, and hopefully soon God will have us change that aspect too.

God has shown us a possible way to go, a way to keep moving and growing which includes a new building... I can't wait to share with the whole blogging world what it is, some know some don't. I will reveal the details as soon as we know for sure on what is going to happen. I hope to see you here tomorrow night at 7pm for service and prayer.

-Tim

Sorry for the delay...

So sorry about the long absence in blog world. It has been a combination of vacationing and pure laziness... there, I said it.
The vacation was good. We went to the coast, Lincoln City... It was great fun, I wish the weather would have been not so foggy but all in all it was amazing. It was a good time just to get away and relax. It was much needed. So here are just a few pics.

point of difference...

First off let me extend thanks to my pastor and my friends and to all who have shared with me encouragement and prayer in regards to my recent blog. It is interesting sometimes when I read my previous blogs and I look back at the very moment at which I decided to write them... and then I remember what I was going through in life at the time I wrote them, and remember the exact moment where God showed up and helped me out maturing, growing and drawing close to Him. He is so faithful all the time... even in the times of pain, and brokenness.

Let me share my prayer with you since so many of you have shared much with me...

"Father, I thank you so much for this day in which I can live for you. Thank you for being a God who is big enough to create a universe but small enough to know me better than anyone. Thank you for always being there when I needed you. Thank you for catching me if I fall. I pray that you will help me grow closer to You. I pray for my church... Heal those who need healing, comfort those who need comforting... Help us to come together as a church, and as a body just as You have designed it. I pray specifically for everyone that would call our campus there home, I pray that you would bless them and encourage them. I pray that you would bless anyone who walks through these doors. Help this Gresham campus to grow as a family and help us to impact our community the way You impacted us. I pray that you would bless the leadership team of this church and pray that you would help me grow as one of the leaders. I pray that you would give me patience, clarity and understanding as I take on this call that you have given me to be a pastor. I pray protection over my family, and pray that you would encourage and bless my wife. Thank You for everything You are, and everything You do. We love You and we Praise You.
In Your name we pray, Amen."



For those of you struggling with hurt and pain... Hold on, and keep praying for in His name alone will you find healing and comfort.

Blessings,

-Tim

frustration...

So I have recently been frustrated at God, just a little, and the reason being is that I feel at times like my campus here in Gresham is going nowhere. Which is really totally not right because we really have gone far. We are in a place of growing individually... when we grow individually than God will grow us in numbers. I have to keep my mind focused in the goal at hand but I can't get so caught up in the #'s that I lose sight of the people that we do have. Even if I only get a half dozen people one weekend, I want to make sure that they are the most blessed, most prayed for, most cared for half dozen people at living hope church. I need to get over the fact that it isn't all about #'s... it is about my influence in there lives and my impact that I can make to help them grow in spirit...

Please be prayin, as I am still having these struggles now and again.

-Tim

Our Perspective...

(click on picture to enlarge)

Isn't that a great poem... it really brings in to perspective what our lives really look like, and how we can sometimes feel like we are completly alone... but instead of saying "where are you God when I need???" change your perspective, "how can I draw my self near to You Father in these times of need?" All it is is perspective.... change your perspective, change your life.

Another Thoughtful Moment with Tim part II

So last night I had this dream... It was me viewing a bible story as if Hollywood got it's hands on it. Think of the movie Troy, or Kingdom of Heaven, or 300. Imagine David and Goliath, and think of it instead like the felt board sunday school story, or God forbid David and the Giant Pickle (veggietales), think of it as it really was... blood, guts, "war". Cuz that is the way that it really happend, not like the watered down stuff that we learn when we are younger. Which don't get me wrong, is more kid appropriate, but wrong... What if we read the bible in the way that is was intended, would you be more interested in it?


I have been talking to a friend recently who has a friend that isn't interested in God because they think the bible is boring, therefore God is boring... All they remember is the stuff they learned in sunday school. Do you think if someone down there life had told them how it really was, and what really happend, do you think that that person would believe differently. I DO! This week read your favorite story from the bible, maybe it is David and Goliath... maybe it is the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Daniel and the Lions Den. Read it differently and see what a difference it makes in the story.

Spending quality time...

So the last two weeks at Living Hope we have been talking about friendship and community and all of the above. I wanted to just share with you a fun moment we had on monday with NEW friends and building on old friendships.

What is it that is in the picture? IT is a architectural masterpiece. sorta. It was intended to be a fort, than it turned into an alter, than it was just a bunch of sticks that me and my friends stuck in the ground! And that was that.

It wasn't about what we built but it was the time spent building it. Let me know what you think...

another thoughtful moment with Tim Reed part I

So as we are going through the series "R we frendz?" at church I can't help but remember back in high school... remember the people that you hung out with??? The "click" that you belonged to.... Isn't it interesting that church can sometimes be the same way? These are thoughts that have been on my mind recently. What if at school or church we broke down the "click" walls and barriers and started acting authentic and in unity?! What a difference it would make in our lives. We could get to know one another and not worry about popularity, or all the other junk that goes along with it.
What if someone that you have never met before sat down next to you, they dress wierd maybe they aren't the prettiest person in the world, maybe they just have bad B.O., would you still talk to them? While talking to them would you segway the conversation from the ordinary small talk and push it into a spiritual conversation? Isn't that what we were told and designed to do? What kind of difference would that make in your life, instead of having your 3 friends that are your BFF's (best friends forever) with and what if you had hundreds, or thousands? It would be a family of God!~ Can you imagine how that would change our church, our cities, our country and even our world. Not only would it improve our physical lives, but also our spiritual ones. It would be amazing. Lonliness would be a thing of the past, support and comfort would be a thing of the future!

This week I want you to talk to someone you have never talked to before, it could be someone at work, someone at school, or maybe that homeless dude that walks by your store everyday. Find out who they are, where they come from, and segway the conversation. For most of you it will take you out your comfort zone, but isn't that when we grow, and change??? This is how we were designed. We were designed to be a body of Christ and a family...

Make a new friend, and see that it will change your life!

"Another Thoughtful Moment with Tim Reed"

So I had a video on here that was a mini commercial you might call it, for a new mini-series called "Another Thoughtful Moment with Tim Reed". I took off the video because of some sound issues... anywho, I am thinking that I will do short little thoughts of the day (or week in my case), something that you and I can meditate on during the week. Life changing moments, and thoughts.

Let me know what you think. They will start this week probably either Sunday or Monday will be the first one in the series... I am not sure how long it will last, as long as I want I suppose. In anycase, it should be fun... after I post the "thought of the week" at some point during the week I will update you on how things are going. I hope you will do the same through your comments. Peace.

-Tim

Pics from the BBQ

So we have started this new series called "r we frendz?" It has kicked off in the best way that I know how... a BBQ. Here are some pics of the historic event. This BBQ was not just about food, but it goes so much more deeper. It is about relationship, it is about building on current relationships, and making new ones. It is about driving the conversation deeper, segwaying from normal every day talk and pushing the conversation to a spiritual one. It is about a real genuine interest in people. It isn't always easy and for some who don't have that type of personality, it can take days, months and or even years to get comfortable enough to do that. But it is what we are meant to do. Being a follower of Jesus doesn't just mean "Jesus and I" is also about "Jesus and us" as a family. For that is what we are - a family in Christ.

Big BBQ

Next week we are having a big BBQ. It will be at 6:30-7:30ish. Should be a lot of fun. I think it will be a good way to get in touch with the community. Can't wait!!! If you want to come it would be cool if you could let me know that way we know about how much food to get. Hope to see you there. June 22nd 6:30pm--- oh and bring a chair if you plan on sitting.

-Tim

Video Blog for the Upper Room