Tim Boyd's Blog

Did you know that Christ isn't really Jesus' last name? It's a title that means he is the Anointed King. Did you know Jesus probably wasn't really great looking like he is in the pictures that we have painted of him? Isaiah says that he wouldn't stand out in a crowd (based on his appearance). What are some misconceptions that you used to have of Jesus? How did those shape your view of Christianity and the Church? I used to think that Jesus had nothing to do with the world that I live in. I could not have been more wrong. Everything that I see and touch is not real. The acceptance that I sought through high school and college. The search for significance that I still struggle with. It will all fade away. Jesus came to give us life. Jesus came to give us freedom from the fake and the plastic of this world. Jesus came to set us free and shine light on the world. So that we can see what it truly is...a place for His Kingdom to take hold. What do you think of...

12 years ago I joined a book club where you could get 12 books for the price of one with no obligation. So I got the books and then dropped out of the club. I was 18 - don't judge me. One of the books that I got was the Max Lucado Inspirational Study Bibl e. It's funny because the words "Max Lucado" appear as big as the word "Bible." I read this Bible when I was working at a camp in Duluth, MN. So then I went to Bible College and I took duct tape and covered up the "Max Lucado" part because I was embarrassed (and still am). I wanted people to think that I didn't need Max Lucado's help. Disclaimer: I have nothing against Max Lucado. I think he is doing a great thing through his books. They have touched a lot of people and rightly so. He also has a line of children's movies that my kids love and it teaches them good Godly values. I am a small person, because I want people to assume that I read a Hebrew and Greek Bible so that I...

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. Proverbs 14:12 I am working through some stuff on what Jesus said about himself as he tried to explain who he was. He's the bread of life and the living water and when we eat and drink of that we will never be hungry or thirsty again. He's talking about the Kingdom of Heaven coming to earth in him. The way to enter that Kingdom is to have faith in Jesus. Faith that he truly is the Son of God and has the power and authority to save us from our sins. So after we drink that water and eat that bread (place our faith in Jesus) what are we supposed to do? ...that's a leading question. That assumes that there is a destination that you need to reach. That assumes that you only eat once and drink once and never have to do either again. It's another CONSUMER type of question. When we eat of the bread and drink of the water (place faith in Jesus) we are living. I think that is some of what t...

So I am finally preaching a sermon series. That's the reason I'm back on the blog-wagon. I start my sermon series August 2nd which is my first Sunday serving as Senior Pastor of First Christian Church in Cowden, Ill. It's cool because I am starting with a blank slate (at least for me). Through a lot of thought and prayer I decided to start off with Jesus' first sermon the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5-7. I broke it up (with help from my Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary) into 12 sections. So I told Alex (the Youth Pastor) that I have decided to start off teaching with Jesus' first recorded sermon and Al replied, "So you are comparing yourself to Jesus?" Hmmm. If I did compare myself to Jesus I would fail miserably. I want to start out on the same page with everyone and I can't think of a better place to do it then with the person of Jesus and his first teaching to us. I'm crazy excited about this.