Comments for timdowell.com

Comment on Under a Broom Tree by TimDowell

TimDowell — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 18:06:02 +0000

I’m sorry to be so delayed in responding to your comment. I will pray for you.
I encourage you to consider the fact that you’ve made it through all those cold winters & hot summers alive and well. Matthew 6 doesn’t promise comfort or an increased standard of living – it promises we’ll be cared for like the lillies fo the valley – that experience floods & droughts – and yet continue to bloom through it all.
And abundant life as mentioned in John 10:10 doesn’t mean a life abundant with “stuff.” It means as compared to the “thief that comes to steal, kill, and destroy,” Jesus brings us life – and life “abundant” and even eternal.
It’s obvious from your comment that you’ve received an intellectual capacity to express yourself beautifully in writing. That is a gift from God and evidence of God’s presence in your life – as is the fact that you have survived all the “thief” has thrown your way. God is there – though hard to hear (as was the case for Elijah). Hang in there.

Comment on Under a Broom Tree by Shadow

Shadow — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:10:25 +0000

Pastor Dowell, I find myself “under the broom tree” today and increasingly often lately. Please understand that although I was raised in a “Christian” home, it took me more than 40 years to establish a relationship with Jesus Christ for myself. In these past 5 years, I was taught that Christ came so that we would have a more abundant life before physical death and, of course, in the afterlife. While I do not believe God is like some great cosmic genie granting wishes when ever I have a whim or desire, I had hoped to see some evidence of His leading in my life. However, other than clearly hearing Him call me to accept Him as Savior, I have not seen any evidence of Him. I diligently read the Scriptures, volunteer at my church to serve in any capacity that is needed, I tithe regularly and give to missions in order to help carry out “The Great Commission”. I share my faith with others and I have seen changes in myself for the better. But, I still cannot find a job. I cannot afford heat in the winter or food on a regular basis. Please do not get the wrong idea. I am not looking for a handout. I want to believe what it says in Matthew 6. God knows I need these things and I want to believe that He will provide them but having searched for and failed to find a job that pays enough for me to be able to do more than simply survive, I went back to school to expand my options. I obtained a degree in a highly sought after field and went back out to search for a job. As my third winter approaches with no job prospects on the horizon, I am now faced with a moutain of school loans that must be paid and I do not want to be cold anymore. I say all of this to let you understand where I am. Now I simply ask this: Pray for me. Pray for me to come from under the broom tree with a stronger faith in the Lord. Pray for me to have patience and a better understanding of myself and my Father in Heaven. Pray for the Lord to touch me and turn me in the direction that He would have me go because I know that I must not be walking in His will or things would be better. Pray for me to see where I am failing to follow His will. Amen and thank you.

Comment on The Wishbone by lucindamarie

lucindamarie — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:30:30 +0000

Loved the wishbone analogy!

Comment on Lost? by Charlie McNally

Charlie McNally — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 04:30:20 +0000

Tim,
I was sitting in traffic and looking at all the cars and people in the cars. I was amazed by how many people were in this traffic jam. Then I thought about how many more people were out there in the world. I was thinking how small I was and I found myself praying, thanking God for being with me in them midst of all the people. Then I read this scripture and your comment and it confirmed that God does love and value me and all the others we share this world with. I am not lost in the masses, God is with me! That is great news! Thanks be to God.

Comment on by Tim Dowell

Tim Dowell — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:22:59 +0000

That’s my prayer, too!
Thanks for sharing that Charlie.

Comment on by Charlie McNally

Charlie McNally — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:29:31 +0000

I am amazed at how “growing up” in our faith by reading scripture and learning more about God’s laws parallels growing up in general. Just like small children learn from their parents what is expected, we learn from God. As children learn how to behave, they are held more and more accountable and responsible for actions. Likewise, as we grow through reading God’s words we become responsible for following through with action. The act of growing in our faith elimininates our ability to make excuses (which causes me some problems). Just like a child can’t tell his parents he didn’t know he wasn’t allowed to run in the road we can no longer say God I didn’t know I was wrong. I feel like a child who is starting to learn. I pray that as I grow in my faith, I will have the strength needed to act and be the person God created me to be.

Comment on One Year Bible Readings by Don Foster

Don Foster — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 03:36:58 +0000

Rev 4:1-11
Chapters 4 & 5 are an introduction to the action that follows in Chps 6-20. It begins the second section of seven sections. We are shown heaven first so we will not be frightened by what follows. Some theologians note that this is John’s vision, not necessarily what happens next. Some also claim that this is when the Rapture takes place, but there is no agreement on that. (Much of the imagery in vs.2-8 is from Ezekial 1 & 10).
Vs 1-3 is the voice of Christ calling John up to God’s throne room. V 4-6, the 24 elders are the 12 tribes and the 12 apostles, lightening and thunder usually accompany God’s appearance or activity. V 6-10 have the lion is noblest, calf or ox is strongest, human being is wisest and eagle is swiftist. V 11 sums up point of chapter in that all creatures in heaven and on earth will praise God because He is the creator and sustainer of everthing.

Comment on One Year Bible Readings by Don Foster

Don Foster — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 03:17:25 +0000

Rev 3: 14-22 (I left this out of the last comment)
Laodicea was a banking center, produced black wool and carpets and had a medical school that had a special eye ointment. Like Sardis, it lacks any commendation. Jesus begins by affirming the serious nature of the warning to this church. They are at best lukewarm. Vs 17-19 refers directly to the banking wealth, textiles and eye ointment on which they rely rather than having faith in Jesus. V 20 is the classic sinners invitation: the door can only be opened from the inside.
Each of the letters ends with the stament about “whoever has ears…” often made by Jesus throughout the Gospels, which means that the statements just written are for us as well as the seven churches.

Comment on One Year Bible Readings by Don Foster

Don Foster — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 02:56:24 +0000

Rev 3: 7-22
Philadelphia was a small town due to constant earthquakes. The source of trouble for the Christians was, like Smyrna, the Jewish population. There is no rebuke and no call to repentence. V. 7 reminds them that only He has the key to heaven. V 8-11 refers to the persecution caused by the Jewish community and that they will have to fall down at the feet of the Christians. V 10-11 Because they have lived as Jesus with patient endurance of the ill treatment, He will keeep them safe during the coming testing of the pagen world. V 12 refers to Christians being the pillars of strength on which the new Jerusalme will be built.

Comment on One Year Bible Readings by Don Foster

Don Foster — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 02:45:47 +0000

Rev 3:1-6
Sardis was famous for woolen goods and red dye. It had a glorious pat but was conquerd twice before due to guards not keeping watch. V 1-3 refers to them being highly overrated as a church. They are not praised but are admonished to be more watchful and to repent or He will come as a thief in the night. V 4-6 says they have a few who have overcome evil and Jesus will confess their name to God as they did for Him