Glorified PitStop: Tim Timmons

Two Roads

On Friday November 13, I ventured to the beautiful town of Aiken, South Carolina to capture the Greater Than Tour with MercyMe featuring Tim Timmons and Phil Wickham with special guest author, John Lynch.

Millbrook Baptist Church welcomed everyone in to join them who had tickets for the sold out evening sharing together in the grace and redemption power of the cross. Reverend Bill Howard opened the service with a sorrowful sentiment in regards to the horrific terrorists attacks in Paris, France. For those attending that evening it was the first that many of us had heard of it. He asked if we could all take a few minutes to pray for those devastated by the acts of heinous violence and in that moment you could feel the presence of God hearing our prayers.

MercyMe showed up on this tour bearing gifts. When I say this I mean in the sense of the two amazing artists and speaker that they invited to join them. As they traveled across different states sharing their testimonies and talents with those who came to hear how God has changed and encouraged their lives, anyone who was able to take part in one of these special nights would leave inspired and challenged.

Not only do they all demonstrate the love of Christ in spirit and truth but as supporters of the non-profit organization Compassion International they create the opportunity for others to change the life of a child in need of desperate help. This organization is in the top 1% of how the money supporters donate is utilized in the lives of the children each person individually selects. Not only do they get to choose the child or children they will be supporting but they also get the opportunity to build a relationship with them and communicate, often times getting the chance to meet them.

Nathan and his sponsored child Edgar

Nathan Tasker, knows from personal experience the impact you can have on a child in need. He told us about a child named Edgar who he started receiving letters from. Little did he know a friend of his started sponsoring Edgar for him. Initially he was surprised by the gift of this relationship with Edgar and it turned out to be a great blessing to him. Nathan stated,

"When God gives a gift He wraps it in a person."
Compassion International and the groups that support this outreach are on a mission to release children from poverty while honoring Jesus and sharing our faith with them. I spoke with a really friendly volunteer named Caysee towards the end of the evening and she stated a little under a hundred children had been sponsored that evening alone.

I recently had the opportunity to review Tim Timmons latest album , Awake Our Souls so when the opportunity arose for me to get the chance to see him perform live I didn't hesitate to take advantage of that. Tim opened up the evening with a message that seemed to be perfectly aligned with what we see happening in the world today. A lot of his music is written from his personal testimony of trusting God no matter what others say or the situation or hardship portrays.

Tim blessing the sold out crowd in Aiken, SC in song

He asked the question, "What if I lived as if God is God and I am not?" After singing his opening song he made a profound statement that worded in his perspective portrayed a significant difference between following God and trusting God. Having blind faith in our risen Savior is allowing Him to truly be our King.

"Every time we worry about something we become the King or Queen of our Kingdom. We have to trust God. What do you see? What do you learn from what you are going through or facing? One thing we have to trust is that He says He works things out for the good when we seek His Kingdom first. A lot of us pray and we pray hard but not many truly surrender. If we continue to worry about situations we are taking away His power to change it."

     Tim performed four wonderful songs that evening off his new album including Awake Our Souls, Everywhere I Go, Spring Up and one of my personal favorites, You Are Good (that I may).   Below you can watch his video for this song and I highly recommend catching him on an upcoming tour.

Bart Mallard, lead singer from MercyMe came on stage to introduce John Lynch who has been a true inspiration to him through his life in ministry. Bart said that one of the books he wrote reminded him at a difficult time in his life that, "Nothing we can do will make Christ love us more than He already does. What we do in our lives doesn't really matter, because it's not about what we do that creates our identity, it's about what Christ has already done for us."

It was shortly after the introduction that Mr. Lynch came forward to share a powerful demonstration out of chapter one of his book The Cure (co-authored by Bruce McNicol and Bill Thrall).

He began to speak of two roads we often come to, sometimes even years after serving Christ and trying to draw closer to Him. "As a Christian, sometimes the devil likes to try to defeat us by condemning us so we began to build mounds of dirt under our feet pushing us away from feeling worthy of an intimate relationship with Christ.

We cannot work any harder on our sin than Christ already demonstrated. The crossroad we face is choosing between trusting God and pleasing God and both of these roads lead to different rooms full of people who are searching for answers just like us. Many people get stuck hiding behind masks without actually being free in Christ and it's important to keep traveling and not remain bound."

You will have to buy the book to figure out "if God isn't who you think He is and neither are you."

Phil during his set in Aiken, SC

John took a short break in the message to invite Phil Wickham to the stage. Phil mentioned that he plans to release his new album in April of 2016 which I am definitely looking forward to after hearing him share his testimony and music. He opened his set with a popular favorite This Is Amazing Grace. After his opening song he began to share about how our hope gives us the confidence in Christ to believe.

"God who can make the stars and the Heavens lives inside of us and He Has promised us in His word the thoughts He has for us of peace and a future of hope and that He will never leave us nor forsake us. Our hope gives us the strength to stand in the good and bad on the promises of God. Even in the midst of tragedy we can have peace in Jesus so that we do not have to live in fear"

Let me just say it was truly a blessing to learn more about all three of these gentleman with amazing hearts for God and love both for music and the Word doing what they can to share it with others. It had been several years since I had actually seen MercyMe live, so I was kind of blown away by how much they have changed personally. I have basically grown up with them in Christ as well which is why I assume the messages in their music have continued to minister to me. This was the first time I had heard Bart share part of his testimony about his dad and the transforming power of grace that he seen unfold in his family. This resonated with me so deeply that without going into detail if you choose to read part of my testimony you can find it here.

I don't know what I enjoyed more that evening, the singing or the ministry provided by every single person that stood on that stage. Bart got me all choked up though with the ministry he would share between each number they would do. On their album Shake released in 2014 there is a powerful message behind every single lyric and he passionately demonstrated the relevance of each one.

Bart Ministering in Aiken, SC

"I don't buy flowers for my wife to remind her I love her. It's because she's seen me at my worst and she still loves me. It's kind of the way Jesus works. If you keep pursuing Christ you get to a point when that's all that comes out of you. Without suffering grace is hard to see. Sometimes you see yourself and look at God and ask, "Why would you ever want this?" and He responds by saying "Because you are mine." If the worst day of your life was exposed God would still look at you and say, "I'm crazy in love with you." Regardless of how many times you mess up God still sees you as His own. With grace it doesn't mean we should continue in sin, but it's because of the cross sin has lost it's power to keep us down."

The creativity that was demonstrated in the line up that MercyMe delivered was fantastic. They definitely try to hit a sprinkle of every single person's favorite. With 21 years of history making songs to cover that is a task they definitely conquer and with a ministerial style that proves itself.

It was one of those nights where everything that took place was laid out as if it was a perfect orchestra and all the instruments that were used created a different experience for every single person that was listening. For those who are looking for a perfect stocking treat for a loved one MercyMe has a new Christmas Album available and it would go great with Tim or Phil's latest album as well as John's book.

When author, John Lynch came back on stage to close out the wonderful evening of ministry he finished telling the story of what happened in the room called grace.

"We are all saints that sometimes sin, and God wants us to trust Him enough to run to His arms. It's time to trust who He says He is in you."

If you haven't found the door of Grace, it's at the cross where Christ took your sin and your shame and said, "I am enough and I will carry you." All you have to do is enter into that relationship with Christ trusting Him with your life and choosing to believe that He is all you need. He's waiting on the other side of the door, all you have to do is open it.

Follow Glorified Pitstop On Facebook

Straight out of Orange County, Tim Timmons and his wife of 18 years, Hilary are currently residing in Nashville, Tennessee with their 4 children Malia, Noah, and twins Aaron and Anna.

When Tim was living in Orange County he was a worship leader for almost two decades which is easily recognizable on his most recent album release through Provident Label Group/ Reunion Records.

One of the reasons I titled this review "Sing-A-Long With Tim", is because the musicianship on Awake Our Souls produces melodies that you can easily begin to catch onto and by the second chorus you are already joining right in with him the first time you hear each song. That is a trademark quality of someone who has been a worship leader. It's all about inviting everyone else into the moment with you blessing the Lord and encouraging one another.

Tim's last album Cast My Cares received a large amount of radio play and his goal with that album was to make believers of Jesus actually become followers of Jesus. Not to just go through the set motions of how we are supposed to act, but to engage the world drawing them to Christ. On Awake Our Souls Tim shares what his ultimate goal was behind the process and selection of songs he passionately captured.

The opening title track Awake Our Souls is a high-spirited celebration asking God to open our eyes to the fact that the Kingdom of God resides inside of us. We are carriers of the freedom that is given to the saints who have entered into a relationship with Christ. In my opinion this song ends way too soon. I could have used another verse in there somewhere. It's one of those songs that takes you to a happy place.

Another toe tapper is Everywhere I Go, the message in this song is not to be afraid as long as we are walking with Christ. Knowing He is with us in every step we take, which brings comfort in all circumstances. I couldn't help at one point mixing in the old country hit "Cotton Eyed Joe", and you will never be able to listen to it again without doing that either (If you know the song I am talking about). This is definitely one you get stuck in your head quite a bit. With great lyrics and a melody that won't quit this is sure to be a favorite among his fans.

     Tim continues the engaging melody pattern in, Like I've Been Changed. "When I seek you first who knows what you will bring. Oh Jesus turn me upside down, shape my world till yours is found. Let my life show that I believe." This song struck a chord with me bringing to remembrance a recent album review I did from Dan Bremnas. Not that they sound like each other, but both of these guys are very good at creating earworms.

With all of the album reviews I have done I have come to the conclusion that if you make it through the third song on an album and you are impressed that's a good indication how things are going to progress. Tim did not change my mind on this philosophy as he delivers throughout the entire album.

     One video I must share happens to be one of my favorite songs right now. Sometimes life can be overwhelming and we don't always understand situations and circumstance that we are currently facing. However, we find our way to the center of His grace and mercy placing our soul in His care. He knows our struggles better than we do and this song although I had already grown to love it, really hit me right in my spirit the other day and has now been deemed my favorite on the album. Without further ado the video below for Rest My Soul.

I feel Tim is easily able to express the lyrical components of this album because he is a living over-comer. Being diagnosed with incurable cancer and fighting this battle for the last fourteen years of his life (told he would only live five by doctors) he doesn't stop that from letting him live freely as a wonderful Father, Husband and demonstrator of the gospel. Not only does he share his tremendous faith through music, but also through an extended ministry he calls "Motel Church", which you can read about on his Website.

The Lord instructs us not to weary in well doing. In The Outcome Tim demonstrates the importance of letting God lead our steps. "To live the life you've put inside, till your work is done, I surrender the outcome. " Trusting God with what He knows lies ahead has never been an easy task, but we learn that releasing the reigns to Him gives us joy unspeakable and full of Glory.

Right Beside Me, confirms the trust we find in Christ even when we can't see the outcome, we can look back and see that He has never left us. "I'm here in the cold, in the dark, oh I'm overwhelmed but I'm not alone. As I fix my eyes on you, I put my hope in you. I can brave the storm, I can walk the sea. I can step out on the waves cause your with me."

Tim has a desire for the living water inside each believer to pour out to others who need to experience the hope we have in Christ. Spring Up confronts this, questioning if we believe are we truly living it out? "Spring up a well in my soul and let the flood go. Open the gates every heart and let the river flow. Till we can see till we believe that you are everything. All that we need."

Though most of the album is filled with higher tempo melodies there are a few beautiful worship songs that are just as challenging to all of us who truly want to become all that God calls us to be. All I Really Want is a beautiful invitation from someone asking God to take complete control of their lives. "You are welcome to come have your way. You are welcome to move in this place. Take over my heart, take over my soul, take over my life spirit of God."

One of my favorite songs, Finally Breathing emotes so much freedom in what one comes to grasp as they embrace surrender. I truly feel the passion that was lightly wrapped around this lyric and the presentation poured out of his heart. "If all I do is just survive, I'll waste this one and only life. Your love moves me to my feet, it's like I'm finally breathing." This is a truly beautiful work of art.

You Are God (That I May), is the only song I have not talked about yet. First I must say this is a great radio song. I can see a lot of people being truly blessed by this. However, this song though simple in lyric, has a profound deep statement that causes me to cry every time I listen to it. If we as people could grasp a hold of what Tim shares in this song
no matter what they face they would realize they still win. Though we can be broken down and hurting, struggling and not understand why, God is still good.

"I'll praise you, not that I have to, not that I ought to, but that I may."

What a privilege we have to worship our God in spirit and in truth. No matter what our current circumstances may look like, one thing we can always count on is that He already knows the outcome and just trust Him. All I can say is allow Tim's new album to Awake Your Soul, and try to catch him on tour with Mercy Me through November 14th.

“We talk about all these things I’ve known about my whole life — like freedom in Jesus and overwhelming joy — but I’ve never known it until now and it’s just this awakening in my soul. The goal of this record is to invite people into a new reality of the Kingdom of God that is around us all the time.” -Tim Timmons

Follow Tim on Facebook

Check For Tour Dates Near You!