Dear friends of TPP,

The last few months, amidst Covid confusion and societal conflict, we have seen a great need for the things that Jesus calls us to.

There are three things our country needs right now that Jesus encourages:

1. We need dialogue.   Our society needs to have people talking to each other.  It is through conversations that we clarify our thinking, gain mutual understanding, and mutual respect.  It is by talking to one another that we see that we often desire that same things for our lives and our families.  Dialogue lowers the animosity and creates peace.

This is exactly what Jesus calls us to do, when he called his followers to be “peacemakers”.  Matthew 5:9 (NIV) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

• We need truth seekers.  Our society needs people who seek the truth.  We need people who are willing to go behind the headlines, and past the sound bites to find the truth.  We need people who are willing to examine their own preconceptions, and seek “the facts” to shape their thinking.  We need this on all the “sides” of the issues we face!!

Christ called those who follow him to be truth seekers. In fact, the truth will liberate us!! “…you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 (NIV)

• We need people who do something constructive. It is easy to do nothing.  Sadly, it is also easy to be destructive.  It takes humility, wisdom and motivation to do something constructive.  Our society needs people who will be healers and builders.

Jesus made it clear that those who follow him will be people of action, promising blessing from carrying through on his teachings…John 13:17 (NIV) Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.   The early followers of Christ understood that love was not simply an emotion or an inclination, but it involved action, 1 John 3:17–18 (NIV) If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

TPP exists to help churches follow Jesus.   As I work with churches I see them practicing what Jesus encouraged.  I have seen the humility to engage in dialogue, the wisdom to seek truth and the motivation to act appropriately.  I have seen churches serving their community, partnering  with school districts, and working towards reconciliation.

Thank you for your support and encouragement of TPP!!

One more thing- in mid July we got to spend a week in the mountians of NC with 3 of our daughters and their families. It was great. Hillary and Zach were not there, as they have moved to Hawaii!!