Husband, father, motorcyclist, minister at Church of Christ
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Articles by Tim Pippus
Loneliness: A Dead-End or a Doorway?
CT Pastors It was friendship at first sight despite lockdowns and social distancing. Our daughters hit it off at a park near our homes, and so did we. Years of pent-up desire to share our ruminations on podcasts, books, philosophy, and religion surged out of us. We exchanged numbers. Every few months we’d take our daughters to the park again. Each conversation was as meaningful as the last. I slowly, but deeply, connected with my “pagan” friend (he likes this term).
Can sadness come to church?
What happens when you are not happy? What happens when the smile on your face is more fake than real? Is there a place for sadness in our worship? Column by Tim Pippus During our worship time, we used to sing action songs with the kids.
The importance of celebration
I talk to a lot of people each week and I have noticed a trend: bad news seems to be 10 times more common than good news. Now, if you think about it, that is not true. In fact, most people are blessed beyond measure. However, we tend to notice and talk about the aspects of our lives that we dislike rather than focusing on what is good and right. We need to change this pattern.
Learning to avoid anxiety
One of the most exciting times in my life was when I started taking driver’s education classes. I loved being in the driver’s seat. One of the most uncomfortable times in my life was when my girls started taking driver’s education classes. It was not that they were bad drivers, I just did not like being in the passenger’s seat. article continues below Trending Stories That is true in most areas of my life. I like to be in control. I like to know what is happening and what is coming next.
Stories of home
When a travel show visited London, England, the host said, “I have always wanted to visit London because all of my favourite stories are based here. Stories like Mary Poppins and A Christmas Carol. When you get here it feels strangely familiar. You feel comfortable and at home because this is where our stories are.” What stories do we tell? What do we focus on? What makes us feel safe, comfortable and at home? article continues below Trending Stories More importantly, what stories did Jesus tell?
Column: You do not have to react
Someone once asked Wayne Gretzky what made him such a good hockey player and he said, “I skate to where the puck is going to be, not to where it has been.” I like that quote because it speaks about making good decisions and being intentional rather than being reactionary. That has been a hard lesson for me to learn. article continues below Trending Stories For most of my life, I have lived in a reactionary mode.
Column: Keeping a record of rights
When people give me cards or notes of encouragement, I put them in a file folder called “Nice Stuff.” After many years, that folder is so full that I am scared to take it out of the filing cabinet because it might explode all over my office. In addition, I have a similar folder on my computer that contains 1,270 more notes. article continues below Trending Stories I never look at what is in the folders.
Column: The challenge of seeing your blessings
When Kevin Kinard was seven years old, his school went on a field trip to Arkansas’ Crater of Diamonds State Park. For the last 26 years, he has been going back to the park in search of diamonds. It is not a crazy quest. Since 1906, 75,000 diamonds have been unearthed in the park, but Kinard always came home empty-handed. That is, until September of last year.
The power of kindness
This article is about one of the most important and powerful attitudes in the word of God. Put into practice, this quality could change all your relationships for the better. What is this most outstanding concept? Kindness. article continues below Trending Stories At first glance, kindness does not seem like a big deal. In fact, it is a concept that we teach to children. You go to pre-school and kindergarten, at least in part, to learn how to share and be kind to others.
Failure does not have to be fatal
Failure can be devastating. Long after the event, our bad choices and actions can weigh us down and colour our self-image in negative ways. It can be hard to forgive yourself and forget what went wrong. article continues below Trending Stories How does God see your failures? There are many ways to answer that question, but one of the best comes from the night that Jesus was arrested and crucified. At nightfall, Jesus took his disciples to a garden east of Jerusalem and asked them to pray for him.
I am cheering for you
When a child draws a picture, you say, “Wow! That is beautiful!” even when you have no idea what they drew. School plays are painful. Most of the time the kids mumble into the microphone, or they forget their lines altogether. Half of the performers are distracted and are not where they ought to be. At the end, they sing some song really off-key. What do you do? You give them a standing ovation. article continues below Trending Stories I used to coach hockey.
Enjoying the process of faith
Digital cameras are amazing. You can see something that you like, capture an image, and evaluate it on the spot. If you are not satisfied, you can keep taking pictures until you get one you like. Photography was not always this way though. article continues below Trending Stories I remember when you had to buy film for your camera. Typically, you were limited to 12 or 24 exposures, so you had to use them wisely. When you took a picture, you never knew exactly what you had.
A better year starts here
A year ago, if you had told me that, in 2020, I would walk into my bank while wearing a mask, I would have thought you were crazy, but I did. Had you said that I would spend most of the year working from home instead of in my office, I might have guessed that the church building burned down. It did not. article continues below Trending Stories If you noted that, by the end of the year, I would be sick of Zoom, I would have asked, “What is Zoom?” I had never heard of it before 2020.
Hope in the middle of darkness
Imagine being a shepherd watching sheep at night. Now imagine watching sheep for years and years of nights. That does not sound very interesting or overly exciting. Yet, one night, was unlike any other. article continues below Trending Stories “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified” (Luke 2:8-9). Of course they were terrified.
Learning to wait
I picked the wrong day to go to the post office. The line was so long that it started outside the building. When I finally made it in, I saw the problem immediately. An older lady was trying to ship several huge packages and she was having a lot of trouble. article continues below Trending Stories First, she could barely lift any of the parcels onto the counter. Then she could not hear what the Canada Post worker was telling her.
Keep looking forward
When I was a kid, I spent hours poring over the Sears Christmas Wish Book, marking all the important pages. I can still see the blue and yellow remote-controlled airplane that I wanted so badly. I spent hours staring at the Toronto Maple Leafs jerseys trying to decide whether I liked the blue or the white ones better. I read the description of the Electronic Quarterback video game so many times that I could probably repeat it word for word. I dreamed about having a real Cooper goalie mask.
The power of being known
Every September, the staff at Sara’s school has a party to celebrate the start of the new school year and to welcome new staff to the group. This year’s event was the best one ever. One of the teachers said he would host everyone in his backyard. Then, he made a great decision.
Regroup and refocus
The Thanksgiving long weekend has just ended, and I hope you enjoyed it. I cannot think of another year where we have needed a reminder to be thankful more than this one. People are tired. They are depressed. They are worn out and, when that happens, it becomes much easier to worry, awfulize and focus on what we think is wrong all around us.
Going back to Sunday school
In 1986, Robert Fulghum wrote a book called, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. The premise was that life would be better if adults remembered to be kind, share, help one another and clean up after themselves. The book was a best seller and it is still in print 25 years later. article continues below Trending Stories That got me thinking that I should write a book called, All that I Really Need to Know About God I Learned in Sunday School. Think about the lessons you learned there.
An unbeatable offer
While looking through the newspaper flyers, I noticed that one of my favourite stores had oil filters and grinding wheels on sale. Needing both, I went and purchased them. On the way out of the store, I looked at the bill which said, “Total: $20.45” and, happily, “Today you saved: $41.33”. I love that “Today you saved” line! It always makes me feel good to see a big number there.
Guard your hope
Bob was in intensive care and not doing well. Sometimes he was alert, but mostly he slept. When his friend, Lee, went to visit, he was not sure what to do. Should he just sit there? Should he read scripture to Bob? He decided that, since they had spent many years together in church singing hymns about heaven, joy, and hope, he would sing those songs to his sleeping friend.
Choices, chances and changes
The keys were on the table. The truck was in the driveway. I had never driven a standard transmission vehicle before, but how hard could it be? I had just turned 16 years old and I was watching my uncle and aunt’s house while they were away. No one was there to stop me, so I grabbed the truck keys and decided to give it a try. article continues below Trending Stories I started the engine, put the truck in reverse, let the clutch out, and slowly backed out into the street.
Praise the Lord for he is good!
For the last 30 years, my first sermon of the New Year has focused on ways to challenge and improve ourselves. Those lessons have been good, but this year we took a different approach. Instead of thinking about ourselves, we focused on God. article continues below Trending Stories Too often, we concentrate on the physical, what we do and think we control, and undervalue the unseen aspects of our lives. Yet, it is the unseen that should concern us most.
The best story ever
This past summer, family and friends gathered to celebrate my brother and sister-in-law’s 25th wedding anniversary. It was an informal gathering that had only one real goal: hang around and tell stories about Kurt and Tracy. article continues below Trending Stories This was done not because we did not remember their wedding or anything else from the past 25 years. We did it because stories are the language of relationships. They remind us how much we care and that we are connected.
What kindness can do
The picture that the volunteer firefighters in Reserve Mines, N.S., entered in the Fire Hall Photo Contest was stunning. It showed the crew, a couple of fire engines and even a hovering rescue helicopter all shrouded in dramatic lighting. Everyone who saw the picture said they were sure to win the $5,000 first prize and they were right. Within days, they had received so many votes that they were winning by a landslide. Then, the firefighters of Reserve Mines saw another picture.
The blessing of Thanksgiving
I cannot remember a time when I have looked forward to Thanksgiving weekend as much as I am this year. The long weekend will be nice. Having family around will be great. But the big reason I am looking forward to Thanksgiving is because I need it. article continues below Trending Stories Compared to what other people are going through, my life is not that difficult, but lately it has felt very busy and chaotic. There is always something to think about, worry about, plan for or figure out.
Making it through the middle
Antonio de la Rosa made the news this summer as he reportedly spent 76 days paddling a combination paddleboard-canoe more than 4,000 kilometres from California to Hawaii. I completely understand the first 16 kilometres. Starting a new adventure is exciting. I also understand the last five kilometres. Completing a goal is fun. article continues below Trending Stories The part I do not get is out in the middle of the Pacific where one wave looked just like the next and progress was hard to measure.
The surprising benefit of hanging around
“I do believe! Help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) Those words, spoken to Jesus by a man who wanted his son to be healed, are some of the most universally understood words in the entire Bible. We want to believe but doubts and fears creep in and derail us. article continues below Trending Stories What if you were Jesus? How would you help this man deepen his faith? If you were like most churches, you would have given this man a book to read, a mentor to visit with or a seminar to attend.
Stop focusing on the sprinkles
When my mom used to make cookies, my brother, sister and I often helped by putting icing and sprinkles on them. Along the way, one of us would always end up challenging the others to pour a bunch of sprinkles into their mouth and eat them straight up. Have you ever tried a mouth full of cookie sprinkles? They are terrible! They have no real taste or consistency. They look nice, but without the cookie, they are not worth eating.
Only the Lonely
I feel lonely. Not all the time, but I feel it now more than I ever have in my life. I felt it when our girls grew up and left home. I felt it when close friends moved away. I feel it when the house is empty, and I am wondering what to do with my day. I wonder if you feel it too. article continues below Trending Stories Actually, I know you are lonely. I know it because you are constantly on your phone. Every time it rings or dings, you pick it up. You cannot wait or even stop yourself.
Focusing on the future
On July 20, 1969, millions of people watched as NASA landed the first men on the moon. It was the culmination of the dream set forth by President John F. Kennedy and it was one of the most engaging and impressive feats of human achievement. It is also one of NASA’s biggest problems. article continues below Trending Stories You see, NASA has a great history, but what it desperately needs is an equally great and compelling future.
I am certain of this
There are not many sure things in this world. Invest your money and you could gain or lose. Your favourite sports team may win or not. Local weather says it is going to be sunny this weekend? Better bring an umbrella just in case. Most of life is defined by uncertainty.
A small word with a big impact
Though we talk to little children about it a lot, kindness does not often find its way into the teaching material for mature Christians. It should though. Kindness is one of the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). In other words, it is one of the qualities that should show up when God’s spirit is interacting with the life of his people. Kindness is important for many reasons, but it is absolutely necessary for these three reasons. First, kindness breaks my selfish tendencies.
Out of control prayer
When I was younger, I spent a lot of time trying to control things. After moving to Estevan, it was a struggle to get to know a new group of people, learn the ropes of preaching and simply survive. I had to get a handle on things quickly so that I could feel settled and comfortable. For the most part, I assumed that it was up to me to make things work. Then I got married, we had kids and life was great. We had lots of friends. Our extended family was doing well. The church was healthy.
Restating the good news
You are worse than you think you are. Most people react to that statement in one of three ways. First, they will argue and say, “That is not true. I am a good parent. I give to the food bank. I help my neighbour.
You are the missing piece
If I had to pick one Old Testament story to teach from for the rest of my life, I would pick David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17). It is familiar, easy to understand and full of lessons about important themes like fear, trust, faith, God and the nature of man. As I read through the incident one more time last week, I was struck by a new thought: “Why did Saul allow David to fight Goliath?” Saul knew what was on the line.
Jesus is what God had to say
“If you are willing, you can make me clean” (Mark 1:40). Leprosy was a terrible disease. Not only did it disfigure and tear up one’s body, it also tore up everything the person held dear. Lepers had to leave their homes, families, jobs and even their towns. They had to shout “unclean” so that they did not come into contact with healthy people. It was such a lonely existence that some referred to lepers as “the living dead” because they had lost everything that brought meaning to their lives.
Staying on course
Taking one last look at the Newfoundland coast before heading out over the Atlantic Ocean, Charles Lindbergh wondered what the next several hours would hold for him. He had taken off from Long Island’s Roosevelt Field at 7:52 that morning and for the next 11 hours he navigated by spotting landmarks and comparing them to his numerous maps and charts. However, that was about to change.
God’s gracious forgetfulness
I like those “Spot the Difference” puzzles where you are shown two almost identical pictures and then must figure out what changed from one to the other. In a Biblical version of that game, I am going to give you a passage of scripture that retells an Old Testament story. Your job is to tell me what detail has been left out. “By faith Abraham, even though he was past age – and Sarah herself was barren – was enabled to become a father because He considered him faithful who had made the promise.
God’s way of giving
Especially at this time of the year, most people are aware of the fact that God loved us so much that he sent his Son (See John 3:16-17). It is important to know that God is a giver and that he took the first step to bring us back home. What most people do not realize, though, is how God gives. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1) How does God give? He gives lavishly.
Spiritual journeys start here
When Dianna Rasing woke up on Nov. 21, 2016, she had no idea that her life was about to change. While swimming laps at the Pam Am pool that morning, she noticed that the left side of her body felt numb. As she made her way to the side of the pool, lifeguard Andrea Orobko realized that Rasing was in distress and came to her aid. Rasing was having a stroke and without Orobko’s help she would have been in big trouble. One year later, Rasing went back to the pool to meet the woman who saved her life.
The amazing power of hope
For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to go to Cape Canaveral, Fla., and visit the Kennedy Space Center. Last week, I got my chance. For an entire day, Sara and I wandered around marvelling over rockets, spacesuits and moon rocks. It was incredible. The amazing thing about the space program is that it was built entirely on hope. When John F.
Keep showing up
Recently, the Estevan Motor Speedway crowned its track champions at its annual awards banquet. One of the interesting stories of the night was that Joey Galloway won the modified division without winning a race. Instead, the key to his success was consistency. He just kept showing up and finishing in the top five every night.
Hearing a different voice
The term “early adopter” is applied to those who take to new ideas very quickly. I am not one of those people. When I go out for breakfast, I order the same thing every time. I have been a Toronto Maple Leafs fan my entire life. Green has always been my favourite colour. When I find something that I like, I stick with it. Speaking of favourites, did you know that most people have a favourite method for reading and understanding scripture? Simply stated, we look for commands.
A lesson that I hate learning
I do not like waiting. I hate having to have patience. I do not like not knowing. Call me a control freak, but I want to fix things and make situations better. Unfortunately, there are lots of events that are out of my control. What do you do in those situations? If you have ever been to the circus, you have probably seen the trapeze artists. A trapeze act is made up of two performers: a flyer and a catcher. When the flyer is in air, he or she has only one job and that is to wait.
Giving thanks for God
My wife, Sara, took up painting this past summer. In the process, she noted that to paint something accurately you must see it differently. She grew up on a farm and has seen thousands of dugouts and sloughs, but painting one requires a different vision. “You have to notice things you did not notice before. You need to see how the sun glints off the surface. You must account for the way the reeds reflect in the water.
The gift of going first
When I was young, I was fascinated by Evel Knievel. In fact, my brother and I often imitated him by building ramps and jumping our bikes off them. There was only one problem. After each new ramp was completed, someone had to be brave enough to give it a try to prove that the jump could be done without getting hurt. “Who is going first?” was an important question. Once someone showed that it was not that scary, then everyone would try it, but someone had to go first.
Build on the rock
Sadly, summer is over. I hope that you had a great time with things like camping, boating, road trips, concerts, reunions and weddings. Summer is made for having fun and creating memories. Unfortunately, memories and good times have one inherent problem. Peter describes this issue by saying, “You know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life…” (1 Peter 1:18). Notice the words perishable and empty.
It is personal
She had no right to be there. After all, this gathering was for the religious and the elite of the town and she was neither of those things. In fact, sinner was the word that most people used when describing her. Not only was she out of place at Simon the Pharisee’s house, but she also made a spectacle of herself. First, she went to the place where Jesus was seated, fell down behind him and began crying so loudly that everyone could hear her. Then, unbelievably, she touched Jesus.
Simple but not simplistic
A hammer is a simple tool, but it can be used to create elaborate structures. Smiling is a simple act, but it can change interactions between people. A simple rhyme can help us remember information such as, “In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” Simple words can convey deep and important concepts. Similarly, God’s message to us is not difficult to understand. It does, however, have an impact that goes far beyond the simple wording. Consider these three simple, but huge, statements.
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