Braveheart - a 3 part sermon series shared at Men's Camp Northwest Division September 2021

 A Brave Heart… to over come fear

Scripture reading: 2 Timothy 1:1-8

 We are leaving in a time of great uncertainty. Never before in my life time have I sense such angst and anger, distrust, unkindness and disturbing behavior from people both in and outside of the church. We have lived with a sense of fear since February of 2020 when the COVID virus starting to spread like wild fire.

Then along came a vaccine that got many of us out of our covid caves and started to trust others again. But that seem short lived.  We are now more divided than ever. My guess is that in a room full of people like this we could argue all night about this one topic alone.  But I won’t suffice to say I have lost too many friends to this dreaded virus.  My heart is so full of sorrow these days its dripping.

So where do we go from here?  Should we continue to stay mad and fear the whole world, or should we play it smart and move along the road with a sense of courage. I contend that we must be people who are willing to have brave hearts that are filled once again with courage, joy and love. Living a life that is connected to God and that connection flows into others.  God needs men with Brave Hearts – full of His holy power to make a difference in the lives of those we come into contact with each day.

In my time to share with you this weekend off this theme of having a  Braveheart I want to explore three area in God’s word, in context, with this theme in mind.

The first is over coming fear. God does not want us to be crippled any longer with unmanageable fears and unrealistic expectations on ourselves or others. So how do lower our anxiety levels to move on in courage and confidence?

Second, we go at this Braveheart thing together. Us guys tend to be lone rangers. We are wired to survive really by ourselves. This works for me because I am an introvert.  But that isn’t how God wants us to do community. He created us for each other.   We will look at a passage in the old testament that speaks to the unique courage and duty that the guard of the thirty, the temple guards of King David

And lastly on Sunday morning we will explore that theme passage in Joshua 1.  That is to be a Braveheart that follows on no matter what.

Paul reminded Timothy that nothing He does or will do or has done is in his own strength.  When we commit ourselves to the lordship of Jesus Christ in our lives nothing happens by happenstance or luck. Paul encouraged his young mentee to keep four things in mind that matter in life

 

1.     Courage – courage is what it takes to bring service to the world.  Courage to be a follower of Christ, a Christian – that courage comes from the continual presences of Christ in our lives.  That calls for the discipline of practicing the presence of God in our lives

2.     Power – power to cope, to overcome, to take a stand, to keep the faith. We pass the breaking point in our lives but do not break.  Being bamboo for others – we bend but we do not break. Remaining firm and strong.

3.     Love – for others, for those in the household of faith (and outside of it!) Loving others so much that we never find any toil too great to undertake for others. Love must abide in us to be a Braveheart.

4.     Self-discipline – the sanity of saintliness is to control oneself in the fire of panic or passion. Christ can give us that sense of self mastery that prevents us from giving up or running away from difficult situations or circumstances.

Application

To be a man of a brave heart doesn’t me we load up our weapons, beat our chests and run across fields. It simply means we submit to the lordship of Jesus Christ in our lives and began living a life that serves God and other.  We overcome our fears only by putting ourselves in a place where God by the power of His Holy Spirit can be unleashed in our lives. Learn to become a servant of Christ. Allow God to help you overcome your fears and learn the art of mastery over your selfish pursuits.

 

Saturday pm

A brave heart to go at this together   2 Samuel 23:8-39  (passage to be read is 2 Sam 23:8-17)

 

I never considered myself to be a “manly man.”  And this goes way back. I was always the smallest and scrawniest kid in the school yard growing up. I was always behind in the percentiles of height, weight and overall size through my child hold and even as a young adult. One of my last meetings with a staff member at the training college I was told I was too skinny to be an officer.  “You need to gain weight” I was told by the college nurse.  I think I have complied pretty well with that request.

My best friend in middle school and high school was Chach. Chach was Japanese American and came from a highly dysfunctional family. He used to live in the house behind us.  We met when I caught him throwing rocks at my dog and told him to knock it off. Chach eventually became an unofficial adopted son of my parents. We hung out and did everything together.  Except one thing.  Chach was into martial arts.  Big time.  So much in fact that he eventually went on to winning all types of awards and eventually opened and ran his own martial arts studio successfully.  I didn’t. Obviously.

Chach and his brother Jim were Bruce Lee fanatics.  In fact, they both cut their hair like Bruce Lee and kept swinging num-chuks around all the time.  Chach would try over and over to get me to go to the gym with him to put on a little “meat on those skinny bones” of mine. I always refused. I never felt strong enough or manly enough.

I lost my best friend in December of 2019 to brain cancer. He considered me one of his brave heart men because of my lifetime commitment to serving God and suffering humanity. That comment floored me. Chach came to know Jesus as savior a few years after I did. Our last long conversation happened in my office in San Francisco where he was seeking my advice on how to help the homeless in the city he was living.

 He left me too soon. He was a good, adopted son to my aging parents and took care of so many people.  He was physically much stronger than me and faced his battle with cancer with unmeasurable courage and strength. There isn’t a day that doesn’t go by without me reflecting on him and our friendship. 

When you have someone bravehearted like that in your life and then they are gone, you are lost. Rudderless, like a ship sailing lost at sea. Its very hard for me to make deep close friends. I live a nomadic, sheltered life. People only see me as Tim, the boss man, the leader, the colonel, the doctor, the upper crest.  Chach just saw me as the scrawny kid who told him to stop attacking the dog which grew into a life long friendship.  That ended with his premature death at age 60.

I stumbled across an obscure passage hidden near the end of 2 Samuel 23:8-17 that reminded me of my friend Chach.  When I think of being brave hearted, I think of the warrior type men in my life.  Chach was one of them.  King David had 37.

Three in particular stood out:

Josheb-Basshebeth – who was called the chief of the three.  He was credited to killing 800 men at one time.

Eleazar – was known to stand his ground in intense battles alongside David against their enemies, the Philistines.

Shammah son of Agee – another soldier who stood the fields and defeated their enemies.

David surrounded himself with men he could count on, not only to defend him and his family but to the cause they were fighting for and the God they served. They didn’t always agree. They fought and debated with each other. They pushed back. But in the end they stuck together.

The context of these passage comes in light of the surrounding chapters that highlight some of these intense battles. In the midst of the battle, the scripture tells us  v. 15 that David longed for some water  from the well that was near the gate of the city of Bethlehem.

v. 16 tells us that these three warriors broke thru their enemies camp to get this water for David. They eventually drew the water and brought it back to David.  David in turn tossed the water on the ground, knowing that these men literally put their lives on the line to bring it to him.

v. 17: Far be it from me, O Lord, to do this! He said. Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?”  And David would not drink it.

David’s sincere heart is exposed here. And his conviction as well. The pouring of the water was a type of ritual sacrifice that emphasized the specialness of their gift to David.  Instead of taking it himself the outpouring symbolized the offering to God.  David was not worthy, in his eyes to receive from these brave hearted men. He didn’t measure up in his manliness to this sort of bravery. 

Application

These three men showed to their leader and friend three traits: courage, loyalty and respect. Though on the historical record these men didn’t always agree with their boss. There were times when they were not on the same page with each other but when push came to shove it was obvious they had each others back.

Who has your back these days?  And whose back to you have?  Or are you a victim of being stabbed in the back?  Or do you have the reputation of being a back stabber? Who are you showing courage, loyalty and respect to? Or are you just trotting thru life now lonely, bitter, angry and harboring resentment letting no one near you. You would rather go it alone.

Now more then ever we each need our brave band of brothers who will see us through thick and thin. I am at deep personal loss since Chach left me and went to be with Jesus.  But since then, God has sent other men into my life. Guys I work with. Some guys living far away. Men who I am not worthy to take a cup of water for due to their devotion and dedication to the cause of Christ.  Let us consider ways in our own lives to support others.  If not a part of a small group of men who will keep you accountable, begin seeking that out and praying about it.  Then commit to being brave hearted with your sense of loyal, love and courage for those who are joining with you on the journey. 

 

Sunday AM

A brave heart…to follow on no matter what.  Joshua 1:1-9

I grew up in a family where quitting wasn’t allowed. A blue collar, Irish Roman Catholic military family, quitting wasn’t in our vocabulary. I am grateful to my parents he instilled that in me that no matter what, never give in and never give up. We may call that being Irish and stubborn. The scriptures consider that sticking too it as known as perseverance.

I can’t say adapting the attitude of not quitting has ever been easy. Whether its on my lousy attitude or my murmuring and complaining and muttering, either to my wife or the sky. There was only one time I quit something that I always regretted – that was studying biblical Greek. Granted it was Christmas time, I was a corps officer, and I had the worst teacher in the world – three great reasons to quit and so I did. But to this day I regret it. Deeply.

In my world view putting my hand to the plow and pressing on is the only option. But that’s not the world I live in. During this time that is becoming known as “the Great Resignation” many people for a myriad of reasons, are quitting their jobs and walking into a future of great uncertainty. Loyalty to a company or even a brand name is a thing of the past. Doing things the way we want, when we want and how we want to pushing the systems to a new edge and almost to collapse. Companies that refuse to pivot and make adaptations soon have to shutter their business or be bought out by more industrious and creative businesses.

If there ever was a group of people who had all the reasons in the world to quit what they were doing, it was the Israelites. Just recently having lost their inspired leader, Moses, who did all he could to keep them steady and together on their wilderness wanderings, the Israelites were literally on the banks of a new day and direction.  Do they cross the Jordan as Moses had encouraged them or did they cash it all in and go back to their wandering and eventually back to the familiar places in Egypt.

Thus we come to our verse for the weekend:

“Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9

I am hard pressed to think of a greater verse we can find for the times we are living in right now.

There is so much to unpack in this portion of scripture that we would be here until 9 pm tonight – which the very thought of makes me want to quit! I would encourage you perhaps to take some time to study this on your own or even better, in a men’s bible study, to get the full impact of the meaning of the passage here.

v. 6  Be strong and courageous…for you will lead.  There is a task ahead Joshua reminds everyone.

There was a task for the people of Israel and there is a purpose of each of us in these days. The world is ripe for a life that has been transformed by God’s spirit. Where people are on edge we can be a reminder of peace, kindness, warmth and caring. Where people are angry, hostile and full of hate, we can be the example of love.  We must not just speak all of the god languages we know but we must show the love language that God wants us to be. All brave hearted men must set the example and lead with wisdom, courage and grace. The time is now for this.

v. 7 Be strong and “very” courageous… and obey God’s word. “Do not turn from it, to the left or to the right.”

The foundation of our journey with God rests on the surety of God’s word. If you haven’t by now developed a daily habit of reading and studying scripture, then make it a priority as something going forward from this time together.

v.9 Be strong and courageous…for God will be with you wherever you go.

We are never alone on this journey. “I will never leave you nor forsake you” is a familiar passage throughout all of scripture. There is nothing worse than the feeling of being abandoned. That kills off self esteem and confidence.  The God we follow isn’t a God who plays games with our emotions and our assurance. He never abandons us.  Duet. 31:6; Heb. 13:6; Matt 28:20

Do we turn our back on Him?  Absolutely. But He never turns from us. He will continue to be with us as our lives go on facing all sorts of challenges, obstacles and opportunities.  

Application

Courage means the ability to do something that frightens one. Hopefully this weekend you have been giving some thought to your own courage. What is it you are frightened about? What closed doors exist in your life that you need to open and walk through? God is calling many of you here to get ready to stand up and move forward. Its time to take on some leadership in your family, in your work and in your Corps.

Some of you God is calling you to give up your petty addictions to whatever it is from overeating to constant complaining.

The time now to is to act on the courage and not just squander the opportunities in front of you.

Be assured that God is with you. God will lead you.  God will never depart from you, but he isn’t going to force you to move. You need to take the first steps. The brave hearted individual can go about these tasks in the world today with assurance and courage, when learning to complete rely on and lean into God.

 

 Tim Foley

Seattle Washington

Fall 2021 copyright.  

Note to readers: Write me at tim_foley06@yahoo.com to obtain permission to use in any speaking, writing or other use.  

 

Dusting this off

 So this blog has been in active for the past three years as my focus has been on my role as editor in chief for National Publications of the Salvation Army.  That role is coming to an end with the duties split between two people and the department reorganized.  My wife and I are under farewell orders back to the western territory.  

This blog will become more active as I tend to write more and do more self publishing. Because of my role I have had to tred lightly in areas that could be considered opinions of the organization rather than mine. 

This is my space and reflects my opinions as I journey on.  There is more coming to this space soon. 

I also plan to keep my web page open. You can see that at www.timfoleyonline.com

Thanks for joining me with my thoughts and reflections.  I hope it proves helpful to you. I know this blog is holistic to me. 

T

April 13 2021. Alexandria VA 

Transitioning

I knew this was part of the gig when I signed up for it back in 1980: transitions.

The nomadic life of a Salvation Army is a mixed bag of emotions and experiences.  I reflect on the eve of my departure from ending another appointment to taking on a new one.  But this time its a little different as we are moving out of our home territory (Western Territory USA) to National Headquarters, which is located in the Southern Territory but is a bit like "Switzerland of the The Salvation Army."  And my job changes from dealing with daily decisions that effect program, people, funding and a wide range of other responsibilities to handling logistics of the national advisory board, conferences and other said duties.

We were informed of this move the first week on January 2018.  Still not sure why we were given the news of moving into these support positions six months in advance but we have been living with the knowledge of this move for half a year.  Which has given me a bit different perspective about the process.

Frequently asked questions were:

1.  Are you all packed?

When that was asked in February to me I just sort of stared at the person.  I didn't plan to live out of my suitcase for six months.  But yes, the stuff is gone and our replacements (Majors Norton) are already living in our former quarters.

2.  Are you excited? 

Yes and no.  No because we actually loved what we were doing and had just hit our stride in understanding our roles at Divisional Leaders.  Plus this is home.  I was raised in the bay area and my family is still here although my mother passed away in February.  I have always wanted to work in San Francisco and now I had the chance for a second time to do that.

Yes because I have always wanted to live in Alexandria.  I have visited National Headquarters several times over the course of my officership for various commissions, task forces and conferences.  I was there in the fall and the spring, never the dead of winter or the heat of summer.  I loved the area, the history, the climate, the attractions.  And now I get the opportunity to do something that is completely different with a different sense of pressure and stress.  We will get to travel the nation, see the Salvation Army in a different light, meet all sorts of new people and renew friendships of those we have met in the past.

3.  Are you taking your dog?

Yes.  How can we leave our Maggie behind?

4.  What will you be doing?

My wife will become the National Treasurer and the Secretary for Business Adminstration.  I become the assistant National Chief Secretary.  Our duties will be many fold primarily administrative in nature.  We will travel but not as much as we do now.  I will be handling logistical matters for the National Advisory Board, Commissioners Conference and assist with any national conferences when needed.  There are other little things that will be added.  Its best to describe my role as a utility player that comes off the  bench.

5.  Where will you be living?

In Alexandria about a mile away from George Washington's home at Mount Vernon.  Its truly a lovely place.

We move from positions of decision makers for the Salvation Army in Central California to influence makers for the nation.  We will be part of an incredible team of gifted employees and officers who are working hard at the coordination of so many different and varied projects and pursuits its hard to describe.

Today we live our last full day in California and will become citizens of "Lover Land" Virginia on Monday.  This new appointment will give me more time to write and reflect so this blog will actually become more active.  I want to write a few thoughts about what I learned, both good and bad by being a divisional commander but I am going to save that for another post.  I have a manuscript on Sabbath in the works and am working on some devotions based on the book of Titus.  My train set will come out and be set up (much to my wife's disliking!) and more time to delve into my WOT game!

Thank you to our friends, family, colleagues and aquaintances for your love, support and prayers as we begin a brand new transition.  Its never easy to let go of duties we have loved but God is in the midst so He gets us through.  See you on the other side of the country.

T

Eulogy for Mom

Note:  I lost my mother on February 24, 2018.  My wife and I were on our way to the hospital when she passed.  She was surrounded by my sisters and brother at the time of her death.  She went peacefully.  Mom was a Salvation Army solider of the Suisun Kroc Center.  Her memorial service was well attended and it went just as she would have loved.   I miss her terribly.

Eulogy for Mom

Props:  a wooden spoon; address book; book; a tv remote

On behalf of my siblings and my father I want to thank all of you for coming here today to pay tribute to our mother and beloved wife of our dad, Rollys Mae Foley.   We are indebted to the support and care from the Suisun Kroc Center family, in particular to Majors Hartt and to Captains Jonathan & Vickie Harvey.

I have literally officiated over 200 plus funerals in my life time as a Salvation Army officer and I have to confess this probably will be the hardest of all. What does one say when they lose a parent in particular a mother?  Parents are a covering of sorts.  You think they will be there forever.  But in truth that isn’t the case.

Our parents were hero’s to all five of us.  We do want to acknowledge our father, Gerry Foley, who is the biggest hero of all.  We have watched him over the years care for our mother in a variety of ways.  He has set the bar very high for what it means to stick thru thick and thin.   These two were love struck lovers.  It was sort of gross when we were kids but we grew to appreciate the sincere love and devotion they had to each other.  Some of our father’s finest days were in the past several months when he was doing all he could to make sure mom was comfortable and cared for.

Dad always told me that Foleys never quit.  He never gave up when mom’s health turned dark and difficult.  We all love you dad and thank you for all the love you showed mom over the years as a faithful spouse.

Mom was different things to all of us.  She got to deal with breaking in to the role of being a parent with my older brother, Mike.   It took her a while but she caught on.  By the time Liz came into the scene mom knew what she was doing.  She was almost always home for us and provided us with safe space growing up.  One of her bravest moments was when She took us all on a jet plane in the 60s to Japan by herself. 

She made sure we were clothed, or at least the patches on my pants were sewn or ironed on.  She served as room mom; always went to anything we were involved with in school whether it was football, endured my acting in plays and was a devoted band mom when Kate was the drum major of the Scarlet Brigade at FHS.

 She traveled all over this beautiful country, riding shotgun with my dad in their truck and 5^th wheel in tow.  She held numerous jobs over the years; working for the phone company; working at Montgomery Wards; working for many years at the book store at Solano College; volunteering for the red cross and later, becoming the advisory board chair for The Salvation Army in Fairfield.  Her and dad became very active in their involvement with The Salvation Army and eventually became a soldier.  Her and dad made a profession in faith in Christ and were very involved in the early days of the Kroc Center here.

Spoon – mom always made sure we were fed.  Growing up with 7 mouths to feed there was always enough with none left over.  You knew it was Friday when Tuna Casserole was served.  She knew how to make gravy like it was no one’s business.

Address book – mom was our yellow pages.  She always knew where any one was in our extended family. She knew anniversary’s, birthdays and never missed sending a card to us kids, grandchild and great grand kids.  

Book – mom was a book worm.  I attribute my love for books from her addiction. She made sure we all had a library card. She would make two to three trips a week to the public library and literally borrow a bag of books.  She would zip through them in a couple of days.  This went on for decades until her eyesight became so poor she could no longer read.  Dad tried to get her into the digital book age with a Sony book reader but she would have no on that.  The feel and smell of books was more her style.

Remote – what can we say – mom owned the remote!   No sports would be seen on the big tv.  My dad taught me how to appreciate watching football on a 9 inch black and white tv screen for years.  Cindy would convince her on Thanksgiving Day to turn on the Cowboys game so we could all watch The Salvation Army red kettle kick off. 

 I can remember the tv came on when Merv Griffin did and didn’t go off until the 11 pm weather report was given.  Often I would see her asleep and would ask, mom, why don’t you go to bed?  She said she always needed to see the weather report.  I attribute her interest in weather as a leading cause of my interest in it.

She was our biggest cheerleader.   She would always brag about what each of my siblings was up to doing and what they were accomplishing to me.  And then she would brag about me to my siblings.  Then we never thought she was talking about us but only about them.

Mom was in a lot of pain in recent years and we could see the slow steady progress of the end of life coming.  Her memory began to slip so and so did confusion do want to thank my sisters and brother for doing all they could to assist dad in comfort and care for her.

She was able to hang on this past Saturday until Lyn arrived from flying in that day to be able to say good bye to her.  With my sisters and brother by her side she quietly passed from this life into the next.

Her laugh and her voice has been silenced now because of deaths awful grip, but we have a ton of wonderful memories that will stick with us in the days going forward that will remind us that we were each loved and we were special to her in our unique ways. 

I would like to conclude our time with a song that has meant a lot to me over the years in dealing with death and those we love leaving us for awhile.  Lets keep mom in our hearts…for awhile…until we see her again.

Shadows are fallin' and I'm runnin' out of breath
Keep me in your heart for a while
If I leave you it doesn't mean I love you any less
Keep me in your heart for a while

When you get up in the mornin' and you see that crazy sun
Keep me in your heart for a while
There's a train leavin' nightly called "When All is Said and Done"
Keep me in your heart for a while

Keep me in your heart for a while

Keep me in your heart for a while

Sometimes when you're doin' simple things around the house
Maybe you'll think of me and smile
You know I'm tied to you like the buttons on your blouse
Keep me in your heart for a while

Hold me in your thoughts
Take me to your dreams
Touch me as I fall into view
When the winter comes
Keep the fires lit
And I will be right next to you

Engine driver's headed north up to Pleasant Stream
Keep me in your heart for a while
These wheels keep turnin' but they're runnin' out of steam
Keep me in your heart for a while

Keep me in your heart for a while

Keep me in your heart for a while

Keep me in your heart for a while

Warren Zevon – Keep me in your heart

“Enjoy every sandwich.”

Dignity

Cindy and I recently attended a civic event in which the word dignity seemed to float right in front of my eyes. Dignity defined simply means this idea of being worthy of honor or respect.

Many times the thought is that honor and respect has to come immediately into being just because one is in a certain position, has a certain title or dwells in a certain social stratosphere in the world.

Someone once told me it takes a life time to earn respect but only takes a nano second to lose it.  

My title or position really mean nothing in the bigger picture of eternity if I am not willing to show respect, care and dignity for all of God's creatures that I encounter each day.  From the person literally laying in the gutter outside of my office, to the person who flaunts a coarse means of lifestyle and mocks my faith, to the individual who is too busy to notice life while living it.

All creatures great and small have their origin from the Creator whether they acknowledge it or not.  My job is not to play judge and jury but to handle each person I meet with care and prayer.  There is value in showing dignity towards others.  The pay back is that you get that same sense of respect in return.

Last Words

On May 31, 2015, after nine years of ministry at the College for Officers Training, our ministry on "In Sunday's" comes to an end.  It is our last private worship service with both sessions of Cadets.  The following week is finals, farewell banquets, packing and then moves quickly into commissioning week events with the covenant service, commencement, ordination and commissioning leading up to the final appointment service. In other words:  busy.  And no longer private.

What follows are my final written words to both sessions of cadets in the Sunday bulletin.  Over the years I have always written something in the Sunday program when we were Corps Officers.  I used to call it "Parson to Person."  While training principal, I would write on occasion but often I tried to find writings from William Booth, or Samuel Logan Brengle or some other Salvationist author as some words to ponder while one read the bulletin. 

Here are my "last words":

One would think after nine years all the words of advice that has ever been asked for, inquired about, freely given or forcefully exhorted, would have been said.  I was searching for some last wise words that would rivet you to your seat and pierce your heart through.  But I can’t come up with anything but a question for you:

Are you ready to feed your flock?

To the Heralds:  are you ready to feed your flock?  Week in.  Week out.  Month in.  Month out. Year in. Year out.

This involves writing the “weekly essay”.  It means a day full of interruptions.  A never ending to do list.  It means loving the unlovable.  Showing an incredible amount of godly patience.  It means going at times where you do not want to go; doing what you may not see yourself doing; long hours and little praise and ever littler rewards.

To the Messengers:  are you ready to learn from the flock God is about to give you for the summer?  In your eight weeks or so will you stay focused on the main thing? Your intern work will pay dividends for the kingdom and for the development of your own so.

So after nine years of ministry here at CFOT, its quickly winding down for my wife and myself.  We are semi packed, briefs being written, steps through the last events and pretty soon, the drive north to the Bay Area will occur.  But until then we will continue to do our best to remind you all to do something so simple:  Feed.  Tend. Love your flock. 

The rest will all fall into place.

Major Tim Foley

May 31, 2015, Crestmont

Is there a doctor on board?

February 19, 2015

Is there a doctor on board?

As I sit and write while traveling on a plane back to Los Angeles, I am overcome with raw emotion.  Surrounded by strangers, the tears are silently streaming down my face.  If any one notices there will be no shame in this.

This ride home comes after a three and a half year journey down a path of personal academic pursuit.  I was an average student in high school who decided during the gap year to go down the path of professional theatre instead of going to college.   When I finally did cross the threshold of a college campus it was so as a young man in spiritual transition.  What business did I have in pursuing a doctorate degree?

Fast forward to the present,  I look back to the past and hardly can believe the opportunities that God has afforded me.  The privilege of being trained and serving as a Salvation Army officer for over three decades; being married one of the most brilliant, strong, smart and beautiful people I have ever met; obtaining a Masters Degree from Fuller Seminary; being a part of the pioneering work of the Kroc Center ministry for the nation and teaching and being in leadership role at the training college for the past 9 years, I am a grateful man.

I wanted to take a moment to capture the essence of this day.  I worked for the past three years on a doctorate degree.  The focus was on spiritual formation for ministry leaders.  Really, it was a focus on my own soul.  The Lord has spoken deeply and has cut me deeper still in this course of study.  Through member of my cohort, the instructors, and my mentors, I sit here today a different man.

Am I perfect?  Nope.  Have I obtained anything?  Yes, and I promise its much more that just a piece of paper and a new title of Dr. Foley.  I am more attuned to the working of God in my life and around me more than ever.  What happened today was a culmination of a very long pilgrimage.

As I defended my work, “The Salvationist and the Sabbath.” I was put to the test as to where I stood on a variety of theological points, personal musings of what the problem of the thesis was and the cause there in. 

I had what I call a few what I call “Walter Mitty” moments where a question was asked and my mind went blank.  Dry mouth, sputtering words, rambling thoughts, all just seemed to stream out.  But I was told I was coherent.

I was asked what I learned about myself in the entire process of this journey the past three years.  I quickly answered that I feel I have learned to be attuned to God and the cadences of my own soul.  The reader and mentor smiled.

I was asked to leave for a bit while notes and comments could be exchanged.  I walked the long hallway of this historic place, in South Hamilton, Massachusetts, at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.  I went to the cashier to pay my outstanding debt, browsed the tiny bookstore and made my way back upstairs, just standing at the end of the hall way waiting

No one ever passes this, I was told, without modifications to the dissertation.  It is not a given, so come prepared and show engagement with your work, I was told.  What seemed like two eternities but was really only 15 minutes, I was summoned to the office to be told the results.

The two thumbs up sign from my mentor was the best gesture I ever have seen.  I was told there would be some things that needed to be added here and there. Tinker with this, tinker with that.  But.

You passed, Tim.  Poster child of the Dmin program I was told.  This is how they like it done.  Hugs, handshakes and smiles abound.

I was overcome with emotion when Dr. Currie prayed for me.    The tears flowed freely.  Was it not only a sense of relief and a realization of a job well done, it was more out of a sense of humility of once again the opportunity that God has given to me.

So exactly what does a Doctor of Spiritual Formation for Ministry Leaders do now?  He plays with his trains.  He rests.  He prays for discernment and direction for next steps. He makes himself to lean into God with others.  He keeps reading.  Writing.  Listening.  Learning.

I have only barely scratched the service here with this topic.  I do plan to put my defense into a short book.  I was told I have already written the outline in what I shared in this meeting today.  I want to be intentional in engaging in sabbath: ceasing, resting, celebrating and embracing.  Not on some legalistic or guilt based trip but more in a way to help myself, and others to learn to live lightly, and freely again.

With special thanks to my wife Cindy, my children, Laura (and Adam Fyn!) Alex and Victoria; to my colleagues at CFOT, the Cadets and staff, to the instructors and  members of my cohort  who spoke into my soul at Enders Island and the campus at South Hamilton, and to Dr. Dave Currie and Dr. Stephen Macchia, I am eternally grateful for your prayers and support.

I will be submitting for publishing bits and pieces of this here on my blog, hopefully in Word and Deed, the Officer Magazine and in book form within a year.  I plan to unpack those four words the sabbath centers on.

So if the question is asked, I can honestly answer: “Yes ma’am. There is a doctor on board this flight. “ Yes indeed. (ironically, they did ask for a 'medical doctor' to ring the bell on one leg of my flight home.  Don't worry...I didn't push the button in that situation!)

 On the left, Dr. David Currie, director of GCTS Dmin progam and reader of dissertation; on the right, Dr. Stephen Macchai, director of the GCTS Pierce Center, President of LTI (Leadership Transformations) and my mentor through this project.  I am grateful to God for these two brilliant and godly men.  February 19, 2015 at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, Massachusetts.