Solid Foundation

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27

One of my favorite activities when we visit the ocean is building sandcastles. I’m no expert, but over the years, my family and I have managed to create some impressive castles. We spend hours crafting them, all the while knowing the tide is creeping closer. As the waves edge nearer, we frantically try to defend our creation, constructing makeshift walls, rock-and-wood fortifications, and moats to divert the water. At times, we even lie down in front of our beloved sandcastle, hoping to shield it with our bodies. But, as you might guess, nothing can hold back the relentless tide. Before long, we watch as the sea claims our fragile kingdom, and no matter how much effort we put into it, the castle falls, leaving us with a sense of bittersweet defeat.

This image, familiar to anyone who’s ever played at the shoreline, is much like the metaphor Jesus uses in His Sermon on the Mount. He speaks to the very heart of what we wrestle with throughout our lives: Will we build our lives on shifting sand, or will we build them on the solid Rock?

Pastor Mark Nsimbi’s upcoming sermon on Kingdom Investments invites us to reflect on where we spend our time and how we choose to invest in what truly matters. It sounds like worship this weekend could be a wise investment of time.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

Relationships: The Essence of Life

"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed." - Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NLT)

This week, our message focuses on relationships, which are the very essence of real living. We believe this one message has the power to drastically change someone's life for the better and that someone could be you!  We invite you to join us this Sunday at 10:30AM to hear about how relationships change lives. You can watch our live stream on our YouTube channel. You will find us at @WashingtonCathedralRedmond (be sure to subscribe so you can easily find us). Or, come in person to the Cathedral at the Falls at 10:30AM and bring a friend!

Today, a wealth of research shows that relationships are not just important they are essential to our wellbeing. While withdrawing from social connections after the pandemic is understandable, it is also proving to be conclusively harmful: to society, our economy, and, most of all, to ourselves.

A powerful example of the struggle many face post-COVID comes from Dr. David Rush and Dr. Walker, who have seen numerous patients struggle to reintegrate socially. The pandemic created a sense of safety in isolation, but this has unfortunately led to an increase in loneliness and depression. Prolonged isolation has only deepened these emotional challenges.

For instance, those who feel lonely, stressed, or sad often withdraw even further, leading to a vicious cycle of increased loneliness, heightened anxiety, and the risk of depression.

Researchers from numerous organizations have highlighted the alarming rise in:

1. Mental health issues worldwide

2. Cognitive decline

3. Physical health deterioration

4. Social disconnection and community fragmentation

Why not come this Sunday to hear Pastor Tim White share how Jesus' message offers a solution to these challenges and helps us rebuild meaningful, life-giving relationships.

Giving is Living!

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." —Luke 6:38

This Sunday, Pastor Mark begins a new series you won’t want to miss.

Life is not a zero-sum game. In game theory, there’s a well-known concept: zero-sum theory.

A zero-sum situation refers to one person’s gain being exactly balanced by another person’s loss. Think of poker: the money on the table doesn’t change; one player’s win means another player’s loss. But in non-zero-sum situations, everyone can benefit—a win-win instead of a win-lose.

While this theory is intriguing and even popular, it doesn’t hold up when applied to a life of faith.

Economic theorists tell us that capitalism—our nation's economic system—cannot thrive unless it’s expanding. New ideas, businesses, and markets are essential for growth. A poker game, with its limited chips, doesn’t accurately reflect how our economy works, even though it’s become a popular worldview.

The Bible teaches us something very different: giving is living.

Can a parent live without giving? No. None of us can. Life itself demands we give—whether it's to the IRS or in our relationships. Can you love without giving? Can you truly live without it?

I’m not suggesting we give everything away and leave ourselves with nothing. What I am proposing is a profound truth: giving refreshes us. It motivates and unites us in ways nothing else can. It pushes us beyond the zero-sum mentality. In God's economy, He’s always adding more chips to the table—new dreams, new life, new ideas, fresh energy for the weary, and a deep peace that enables us to do what we couldn't on our own.

In this new series by Pastor Mark, we hope to discover something life-changing, something that will bless our families, communities, and nation for generations. We pray to embrace the truth that giving is living.

Your friend for life,

Pastor Tim