Dear Friends,As I sit here writing this, I realize we are just over 60 days away from the inauguration of our newest President, Barack Obama.   What an amazing and wonderful thing, and a sign that our country truly is overcoming the racial prejudices that have plagued us like a cancer for centuries!   This truly is a historical moment that should please everyone who has ever hated even the idea of slavery.   I am excited to see what things God has planned for our nation of the horizon!

And yet…I have, like many people recently, been feeling a sense of unease and unrest in my spirit, due to the course our recent elections have taken (and I am not referring only to the presidency).   Typically, I have never been one who enjoys or even takes part in most political debates and I have never sought to offend or “rock-the-boat”.   However, this is heavy enough on my heart that I felt I should at least say something, even though it goes against my personality to be saying any of this.   Honestly, to my shame, in the past, I would prefer to hide and not let people know what I thought or felt, if I thought people might disagree and then not respect me anymore.   Yet, I would like to think that I have matured enough over the last few years to be less concerned with what people think and more concerned with what my God thinks, and finally be bold enough to stand strong, by faith, on my convictions and let my voice be heard!   So, here goes…While I do and will pray daily for our new president-elect and will be MORE than pleased to support him in his new position of authority…I will not be able to support, endorse or ignore actions and decisions that are contrary to my own personal convictions.  Having said that, I would ask that you would not ignore what I am about to say and strongly urge you, in addition to praying for our next president, as well as, all who are in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2; Romans 13:1-7), to also pray and consider what your stance will be if…IF…once in office President Obama and our congress begin making decisions and taking actions that oppose your biblical standards.Again, just to be clear, I am NOT and in NO WAY, encouraging or endorsing any slander, trash-talking, contempt for, or rebellion against President Obama, our government or any person in a position of authority in our country.   I have no personal opposition with any person being in any position in our government, no matter who they are, their race, gender, religious beliefs, etc…   And, as already stated, I believe that God would have us submit to their authority and humbly obey their laws and pray for God’s wisdom, mercy and blessings on each of them and their families, so that we may all live in unity, peace and godliness!However, I also must stand firm on the moral, ethical, biblical and spiritual beliefs that make me who I am and in some situations…on some issues that I believe are important enough, I believe it is not only my right, but my patriotic duty and moral obligation to speak up and, unfortunately at times, to even speak out against the decisions made by people in our government.

I say this, NOT simply because I want to rebel against a man, a party, or a group, but because I strongly believe that we as American citizens and as God-fearing, Bible-believing Christians are called to hold each other accountable, morally, biblically and yes, even governmentally…ESPECIALLY those who are making laws and deciding the future of our nation, and the world!With that in mind, however, we must also realize something else.   We need not (and should not) blindly oppose someone, simply because they are of a different political party than us…or even pettier, because some celebrity on the T.V. or radio opposes them!   If we are concerned, we should be reading and educating ourselves on the issues, so that we know what is really going on…and then, as Christians we should be taking it to the Lord in prayer…which will be MUCH more powerful and effective than either: 1) shouting at people in disagreement, 2) protesting with signs and pickets, and yes, even more effective than 3) quietly, passively, sitting by and NOT DOING ANYTHING AT ALL!!!

Remember, we have been given a HUGE gift…a blessing that many people around the world covet…FREEDOM!   In America, we have the freedom to say whatever we believe!   We have the freedom to write and communicate our beliefs (like I am doing right now)!   We have the freedom to choose, appoint, and elect our governmental authorities!   We have the freedom to vote and voice our opinions on laws and policies…rather than simply bowing to a king, queen or dictator who can do whatever he or she wishes!   We should not, and MUST NOT, take these freedoms lightly!We MUST uphold the biblical values and standards that our great nation was founded on.
We MUST stand up for and defend the sanctity of life!
We MUST protect the unalienable rights of all people, whom God created equally,
                      both men, women, AND…unborn men and women, who cannot speak for themselves!
We MUST NOT continue putting the desire of wealth and prosperity before the preciousness of life!
We MUST defend the representation on earth of God’s relationship with us…
                      the union between one man and one woman!
We MUST be loving, compassionate and forgiving to those who are trapped in a destructive life-style,
                      while at the same time, not be afraid to say what is right and true!   (If we do not…
                      how else will they be able to escape that trap, unless we LOVINGLY help them?!)
We MUST NOT sit back any longer and be steamrolled by radical, liberal, leftists who…
                      oppose everything we believe and hold dear!
We MUST NOT continue listening to the liberal media’s agenda,
                      blindly following everything they spew, when it is all so contrary to what we know is right!God has certain principles and guidelines in His Word that we know…but will we choose to follow them?   When no one else does, will we still obey His voice?   Will we stand up for and defend the institutions and people that GOD has told us to protect?   Such as, marriage, the family, the unborn, the elderly, the poor, the orphans, the widows?I am going to support President Obama.
I am going to obey the laws of our government.
I am going to pray for all men, especially those in authority.
I am going to boldly, stand and defend life, marriage and
                  the innocent…even if that means opposing those who
                  may at some point decide to misuse  their God-given
                  authority…although, I hope and pray they do not!And I hope that I am not standing alone…So, now…What will you do?

Whether or not you agree or disagree with what I have said…
I would love to hear your comments!
Please feel free to write comment here  on this website, in the field below, or
by emailing me with your thoughts or concerns.If you DO agree with anything I have said, would you prayerfully consider signing this petition?
http://www.grassfire.org/111/petition.asp?PID=18764942&NID=1If you do NOT agree, that is  ok, you have that freedom…

but, please  do not stop praying for our president  and other leaders! Thank you and God bless you, your family and your country!
Pastor Tim <><

I hear chatter and complaints around the community…

“Who will be the next president?”
“How high will the price of gas go?”
“Will Congress sign the housing foreclosure assistance bill?”

All such concerns are important and valid, but…
are we overly worried about them?

This excessive worry leads to stress.
Well, here are the American Institute’s 50 Common Signs and Symptoms of Stress:

Wow…this is no joking matter.   Did any of these symptoms are signs sound familiar for you?   If so, it may be time to make a change.   What should you do?

First, Paul writes to the Philippians, “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 minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Here are a few additional stress reducers you can put in place:

                  Jogging and other aerobic exercises
                  Meditative, strength building exercises, such as yoga
                  Getting adequate sleep
                  Proper diet, eliminating or minimizing caffeine
                  Laughter

All stress is not bad….but the stress brought on by constant and excessive worry is not only non-productive, but also harmful.   So, when feeling stressed……keep Philippians 4:6-7 in mind.

Sandra Diedrich, MS, NCC
Counseling Consultant
Morningside Counseling Center

        As a child, I dreamed of having superpowers (especially flying and invisibility…I was very shy).
        As a teenager, I dreamed of one day  having the boldness and courage to write and sing songs that would bless  other people (remember, I was very shy).
        As a high school graduate, I dreamed about my wife (who would she be? where is she now? when will we meet? how will I know?)
        As a Customer Sales Associate, I dreamed about ministry (I was bored and felt like my passions, gifts and “dreams” were being wasted).
        As a volunteer worship leader, I dreamed about being in full-time ministry (I didn’t want my own fears and “shyness” to prevent me from fully obeying the Lord’s call!)
        As a “new” Worship Pastor, I dreamed of being at a big church, in a big city, with a big budget (Pastors  in big cities don’t have  financial strains on their ministry, right?)

        As a full-time Worship Pastor, I dream of simpler times (leading worship twice  on Sunday, once on Monday, once on Wednesday, with a  practice on Thursday and many other events and activities throughout the week can get pretty exhausting!)

        Have you ever noticed that dreams are mainly made up of “better” times and/or bigger things than you are currently experiencing?   Yes, dreams are fascinating.   They lift us above our current experience into a realm that is full of hope and what-ifs.
        Have you ever noticed that during the hard times, often the dreams are what get you through?   In fact, I think that in the hard and dark times, the dreams become bigger, more vibrant and more tangible.   There is hope in the dream.   There is life in the dream.
        Think about this:   Could it be that God did not create the dreams for the hard times, as much as He created the hard times for the dreams?   Did you get that?   Let me say that again…just in case, “Maybe God didn’t create the dreams for  the  hard times, but instead He created the hard times, so that we would dream!”

        “We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.   And hope does not dissapoint us…” (Romans 5:3-5 NIV)

        In the hard times, we are able to see a perspective (a.k.a. “a  dream”) that we would have never known existed had we not gone through the hard time.   If we allow the Lord to use the hard time to our advantage, we don’t become hopeless and bitter.   We pray.   We forgive.   We hope.   We dream.
        And then once the night is over, we can wake up and put those dreams into action.   But, it takes the night for the  dream.

        Does God ever dream?   Yes.   Here was one of His dreams that He put into action:

        “For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.” (Ephesians 1:4)

        We are now in our 4th week,  in a 5-week series, here at Morningside Community Church called, “Live Like You Were Dying” based off of the Tim McGraw song by the same name.   And  so I have this question that is burning in me to ask you…

        “What are the dreams that you have…and have you taken any steps towards seeing those dreams put to action?”   Because, you don’t know how  much time you have left to fulfill those dreams.   What if this is the time?   Are you ready?

        But, honestly, there’s an even more important question that should be asked…a much bigger question than, “What are your dreams?”   And that is simply this…

        “What is GOD’s dream for your life…and are you actively seeking to fulfill His dreams every day?”

        God does have a dream.   If you look around you, you can see that the night is so prevelant in the world.   He obviously has some pretty big dreams.   Could God have a specific dream for you today?   You bet!   I believe that it has something to do with bringing light into the darkness, hope to the dejected, healing to the wounded, justice to the downtrodden, salvation to the lost, love to the unlovely, hope to the dying…and a ton of other stuff!

        It is our call to do our part to wake up the world and put His dream into action.   Will you join me?

God is transforming lives here at Morningside through this “Live Like You Were Dying” series!   Small groups are meeting and having some amazing discussions, sharing cross-generational encouragement and many people…both young and old, both married and single…are experiencing some much needed fellowship with other believers!

This week Pastor Joe really challenged us to step out of our comfort zone and “love others extravagantly…shock those around you by doing something for someone else that nobody would expect you to do!”   And it’s working, the stories people are telling are inspiring!   It is truly exciting  and convicting to hear what God leads us to do when we will just listen to His leading and then go and demonstrate His unmeasurable, uncontainable  love for others!

Maybe  you are at a place where you need to know that you are loved, that you are special, that you are not forgotten.   If that is you…we encourage you to do  four things:

        1)   Ask God to show you His love through someone else.

        2)   Tell someone that you can trust (pastor, parent, close friend, etc…) how you are hurting.   Maybe they simply don’t realize how you are struggling…and maybe they are the one through whom God wants to show you His love!

        3)   Finally, why don’t you make the first step (yes, maybe an uncomfortable one) and show someone else that you love them…you may be pleasantly surprised to feel God’s love wash over you too, when you demonstrate His love for someone else!

        4)   Write us here at Morningside to let us know your story of how God is showing you his love…and with your permission we may share your story to others to encourage their boldness to “love extravagantly” as well!

May God bless you richly as you allow Him to pour out His overwhelming heart of love through you and onto your world!

Keep living like you are dying!

Pastor Timothy <><

…by the way, you can download the “Love Deeper” message by ‘right-clicking’ on the picture above and selecting ‘Save Target As…’!

Well, our history has something to do with it.   Did you grow up in a house where you often heard “I love you?”   It’s unfortunate, but many have not.   So, we are not used to saying it to others.   Maybe we feel that it is understood without being said.   We think to ourselves…of course they know I love them…….I provide for them…..I wash his clothes……I made her dinner……I did all my chores……we rarely fight……I say “please” and “thank you”……..I gave her flowers…..I bought him tickets to a football game…..all these things are great loving gestures….but can’t you SAY IT!!!!

Pride is also a culprit which keeps us from saying, “I love you.”   What would they think if you said “I love you?”   In your head you anticipate their thoughts…..”Maybe they think I’m dying?   On drugs? Dinged the new car?   Want something expensive?”   It doesn’t matter what they think…..it matters that you say it.   We also worry about how they may respond.   Will they say “I love you too……or look at you like you have a horn growing out of your forehead?”  

WHAT IF…..it melts their hearts…..makes their day…….mends their hearts, because they have been waiting their whole life for you to say it……it allows them to  experience Christ’s love.

When you live like you are dying…there are no regrets……so don’t wait to say “I LOVE YOU!”

 ”Hi, Elaine!”

 It is always a good thing to admit addictions. It is to be the first step towards recovery.  This, however,  is one addiction I hope I  never recover  from. An addiction is something we can’t stop, no matter how hard we seem to try. I have discovered about myself that I am addicted to learning. Not just learning, I suppose, but learning about God and my relationship with Him.

Over the years, I have spent much time in the study of Scripture to know about God. Somewhere along the line my study switched from knowing about God to knowing God. Huge difference. I believe it was at this time my addiction started. The more I got to know God, the more amazed I became at how awesome He is, which made me want to know Him more, which lead to wanting to learn more about Him, which lead to…well you see the cycle.

I must admit, I am in the midst of a love affair with Jesus. He is fanning into flame a passion for Him, that after over 30 years of being a Christian, I didn’t know could exist! I am finding each study I do is the best one I have ever done. Each fact I learn is just what I needed for that day to live in freedom. This is what motivates me to drag my tired old body out of bed at 4:30am morning by morning. I am awe-stuck at the simplicity, continuity and complexity of His Word. If I was speaking of anyone but the Almighty God, that statement would be contradictory, but with Him, it’s not. I simply can’t get enough of Him!

So how did this addiction start? I’m afraid I asked for it. I asked God to give me a heart that hungers and thirsts for Him. I asked Him to fill me with the ability to love Him with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind, and all my strength. I asked Him to forgive me for living a life independent of Him, and to teach me to live totally dependent upon His Spirit and His Word. Like I said, I asked for it, and how He has answered!

This addiction  hasn’t come easily or without cost. There are mornings I don’t want to get out of bed; times His Word seems so dry and I can’t  get anything out of it; times I study by faith that when the time is right, it will make sense to me; times I get frustrated with how much I have forgotten, wondering why what I learn seems to get snatched away. Yet, perseverance has paid off. I haven’t always lived my life filled with “goose bumps”, but they are happening more and more often these days. His Word is so often making perfect sense. I find I am able to retain so much more of what He is showing me. It is a season of growth, of fruit, of excitement.  If you are not experiencing an intimate relationship with your Savior, oh how I want that for you! But more importantly, how He wants that for you…with you.

We live in a world with so little intimacy. We know about many people, but truly know so few, if any. Do you know about your spouse, or do you truly know them? What are their passions, their fears, their dreams? Do you know about your children, or really know them? What about your parents, your friends, your co-workers…your God? Do you know about Jesus, or really know Him? What is His passion, His dream and His desire for your life? He promises it is more that you can ask for or even imagine. (Eph. 3:20)

I guess what excites me the most is realizing how much more I have to learn! My addiction  can continue throughout eternity and be completely satisfying while leaving me with the desire for more. Oh, what a God we serve! I hope you are addicted, too.

Small Groups connect our lives to one another in a very personal way.   That can be hard… because sometimes we want to remain anonymous… don’t want to have to share life together… don’t want to share our troubles and triumphs.   But, that’s not the way God wants us to be.   He has created us to have relationships… relationships with Him and with others… and when we say we’re too busy… too scared… or too disinterested to do that… we’re missing out on one of the most satisfying things about Christianity.

We’re going to make another effort to get some Small Groups started at Morningside in the next few weeks.   I’ll be preaching a 5-week series on Live Like You Were Dying (yes, it is based on the Tim McGraw song) starting on April 6^th.   We’ll be starting up Small Groups based on this series that same week.   Some groups will be set up by location (Flandreau, White, Volga, Arlington)… others will be set up by interest (students, moms, seniors, business people).   We’re hoping that many, many of our people will choose to get involved.

If you’re interested… either in the LLYWD series… or the accompanying Small Groups… we’d love to have you.   Please feel free to contact me for more info.   Everyone is welcome.   God wants us to be in relationship with others… not just those in our church… but, those in the Kingdom of God… and we can’t do that by emailing or texting… it happens best in a Small Group.

Pastor Joe