January 01, 2008
Happy New Year
I just got home from the fireworks. It was by far the best, the coldest, and the snowiest fireworks display I’ve ever been to here in Pontiac. Happy New Year! 2008. I gave a few students a ride back to their car and we were trying to come up with a good rhyme theme for the year:
* It’s going to be great in 2008…
* I need a date in 2008…
* Don’t take the bait in 2008…
Do you have another idea? Let’s hear it!
Hard to believe that I turn, cough, um, you know…
okay, I’m not ashamed…
This is the year that I turn the number after 39!
I plan to celebrate by jumping out of a perfectly good airplane.
As I’ve said before, I do not make “resolutions.” Most resolutions are broken within a week.
I do have a couple of goals though.
*I had a goal to lose 20 pounds and I’m 16 down as of today. Almost there…
* I also have a goal of writing more in 2008. I have a couple of writing projects in the works. My friend, Sista Leigh Sullan, has the same goal. While I do not have the talent that girl has, I can encourage her to unleash the gifts God has lavished upon her.
* We’ve got a really cool vacation planned for this summer. We are headed to North Carolina and taking the kids back to our old stomping grounds - where we met, where we first lived, where we honeymooned, and to our favorite beach for a week of sun and surf.
O yeah, I’m also trying out for Jeopardy. I’ve wanted to try out for twenty years but I figure it’s time to give it a shot. I’ll keep you updated.
Well, 2008 is already here. What are your resolu…I mean goals for this year?
Happy New Year!
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December 31, 2007
Happy Birthday 2 Me
Today is my spiritual birthday! Happy Birthday to me! 17 years ago today, I became a Christ-Follower after attending a college retreat and hearing Rich MaGhee teach on the “prodigal son” from Luke 15. Here’s a condensed version of the story from a New Year’s sermon I preached in 2001:
On December 30, 1990, I attended a church retreat. This was pretty novel for me due to the fact I prided myself in being too smart to believe in God. But my life was empty and the hopelessness that was taking over my soul was leading me to contemplate suicide. The guys at the retreat were cliquish and the girls were a little on the goody-two-shoes side for me. But the speaker taught on this passage and explained how to come home to God.
I returned home on New Year’s Eve afternoon and attended my girlfriend’s party that night. She met me at the door drunk and her mother was upstairs smoking marijuana with our friends. This was my life. I sat on the couch and something began to happen inside of me. It is very difficult to explain it. It was as if everything slowed down and an this one thought completely overwhelmed me – “Jeff Williams, you are in the pigpen.” My life was a pigpen. God had given me so many opportunities and I had run off in the far country of sin and squandered them all. I sat hungry for meaning and purpose but continually ate the pods this world – lust, power, greed, and pride. God convicted me of my sin and prompted me to repentance. I literally “came to my senses” that night. In the middle of a party on New Year’s Eve 1991 I became I Christ-Follower. In the middle of my hopelessness and shame. That was eleven years ago this weekend and my life has never been the same. And now I stand before you now and tell you the story.
Some of you need to come home. You have been off in the far country. Sin felt good for a season but now you look at your life and wonder “how did I get here.” Sin is a slippery slope and you are in the pigpen. Let me tell you this morning that the Father is longing for you. He is peering over the horizon for you. He desires no one to be lost but everyone come to salvation. Come home. He will welcome you back. He will fill you purpose and passion. He will satisfy the thirst and hunger you have for security and significance. Stop looking for it in humans. Come home.
Many people will say that they will get right with God when they “clean up their act.” Forget all that. Come home and let God clean you up from the inside out. Instead of New Years resolutions to do better and to be better, just come home.
Jesus said, “ I have come to seek and save that which was lost.” [John 19:10] The ultimate expression of His love you was demonstrated on the cross:
“But God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.” [Romans 5:8]
Prayer: Coming to your senses involves repentance. (1) Admitting you are a sinner and that no amount of rule keeping or good deeds will ever get you in good with a Holy God. Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (2)Believing that Jesus died on the cross in your place so you would not be held hostage by your sins. Romans 10:9: “If you confess with your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (3)Confessing that you are a sinner and that you are hungry for a relationship with God. I John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us all our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Surrender your heart to Him today. Today is the only day you have. “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart” [Hebrews 3:15] Whether you are in this auditorium today or listening by tape or even reading this on the internet, stop where you are and get right with God. Just come home to the Father!
By the way, how old are you spiritually?
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December 30, 2007
Sunday’s Jams
We are ending the service today with the old hymn “Take My Life.” It’s a song of surrender and obedience. Read Matthew 6:33 and then enjoy Chris Tomlin’s version:
Or Michael Sweet’s, formerly of Stryper, version:
And of course, I couldn’t leave out Jeremy Camp’s “Take My Life.” It’s not the hymn but this is how I wanted to end service today!
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December 29, 2007
Slip, Sliding Away!
Wow, what a great trip! I’m still trying to recover from our stay at Grand Bear Lodge in Utica the last couple of days. We took six boys under the age of 12 yrs old with us and arrived at noon on Thursday. We checked into the villa, which is like a really nice townhouse, and headed for the water park. There was a wave pool, the lazy river, two slides (one that was dark with flashing lights), and a hot tub built for 100. (I spent a lot of time in the hot tub.) The boys had a blast and swam themselves silly. Then we headed over to the indoor amusement park. Imagine a fair, only indoors. Most of the rides went round and round and my brain does not cope well with spinning rides. Joshua rode the “Tower of Fear” fifty times! Austin won a jackpot on one of the games and got nearly 400 tickets. They stayed up late watching movies downstairs while we had the fire place going upstairs. It was nice to just read by the fire. Friday, we woke to a Winter Wonderland. It snowed a lot more up there than it did in Pontiac. We did the water park again, then the amusement park again, then pizza…again! They loved every minute of it.
Last night we had our first ever college fellowship at the church and more than 20 former students came for a great time of games and fun. As I looked around the room, it occurred to me that I knew many of the students when they were junior high and now they are…all…grown up. Well, sort of. Maxine and Emily Melvin planned the night and did a great job. They are already talking about another one in the summer.
We had worship practice this morning and now I’m about to settle in for a long winter’s…cross word puzzle!
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December 27, 2007
Out of blogging Range
I will be out of blogging range for the next couple of days as we travel up to Grizzle Jack’s Waterpark and resort for some fun and relaxation. I’ll give you all the scoop when we return.
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December 26, 2007
Faith and Football
I read this article on the faith of one of our Illini football players and was so impressed. Impressed by a writer who seemed to have really understood J’s faith and by J himself. Read about how faith should look on and off the field here.
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December 25, 2007
Imagine Christmas…hey, I’ve got a big imagination
After the Christmas Eve service, we decided to be spontaneous and packed up the car and spent the night in a hotel in Schaumburg. After a good relaxing night at the mall, (can you say chaos?), and a good night’s sleep, we made our way to Willow Creek Community Church for their “Imagine Christmas” Christmas Eve Service. I love being at Willow Creek and it was my boy’s first time. I love their heart for lost people and their passion for bringing the arts back into the faith arena. The service, (there were 12 services over two weeks), focused on the creation and I could spend pages describing to you the mind blowing creativity that went into this event. The gospel was clearly shared, with an opportunity to stop “freezing God out” (the theme of the service). Bill Hybels ended the service with “Silent Night.” They have a tradition at Willow that touched me deeply. During the song, Bill encouraged us to huddle as a family and speak words of life and love to one another. Maxine and I told the boys how glad we were that God gave them to us. I had goosebumps and Maxine declared this would be a yearly tradition.
It took a while but we finally found Giardonos Pizza and introduced the boys to “Pizza Pie.” Yummy! We arrived back in Pontiac at 5:05 PM, which left me 50 minutes to do all my Christmas shopping. As I ran around the store, I noticed a lot of other men doing the same. I checked out, with ten minutes to spare, walked across the street, and got to be a guest reader at the Christmas Eve service. The stage was full of little ones who were so excited about Christmas. The church was full and we lit up the darkness with our candles.
I don’t know about you but my family didn’t open presents on Christmas Eve. In fact, I think there is a lost chapter of Leviticus that prohibits the opening of presents early. But Maxine’s family…well that’s another story. I think she would open presents at Thanskgiving! That being said, the boys got to open a box last night and they were soon sporting brand new pjs and matching robes. (I was a good boy and waited till morning!)
They actually slept till 7:30 AM and for that I am grateful. We take turns opening one present at a time. We let the boys open the “biggie” first - a Nintendo Wii. Yes, my wonderful wife was at K-mart at 4:00 AM Thanksgiving morning fighting the crowds and won the jackpot! Most of the other gifts were for the Wii and they soon disappeared into the basement to bowl, play tennis, excite truck, and other games. Of Course, dad had to test the system to see if it safe. Now, I hold the high score on bowling! (Not that it matters)
I got some clothes, Orange of course, and a few Cross Word puzzle books. I have become obsessed with cross words puzzles. Maxine got me a really hard book and I am learning words I’ve never heard of, and I have a fairly decent vocabulary. (It will help me when I go on Jeopardy).
Every Christmas morning, I do a scavenger hunt for Maxine. I usually leave couplets in the places to lead her to the next clue. This year had a twist - I did all the clues in a cross word puzzle. I found a cool website that helps you make your own puzzles. At the end of her search was a watch with rubies that matches her cross.
It was a great morning.
The afternoon was spent playing Monopoly. This is really cool. It is electronic Monopoly with…no cash! You have cards that you swipe to add or subtract. Also, it has updated property. I loved buying Wrigley Field! I ending up owning almost the entire board and put hotels up everywhere. With 35 million dollars in the bank, I picked off the family one by one.
Now it’s Christmas night. The Wii is still going. Maxine is reading and I’m headed to bed. Hey, being a dad at Christmas is exhausting!
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December 24, 2007
Imagine Christmas
As I sat on the front row yesterday morning at the Christmas Outreach, I was overwhelmed with thankfulness for all the servants who made the morning possible. The drama team nailed each scene with authenticity and passion. The worship team/carolers sang with confidence and strength. The children, led by Kathy Carroll and her team, smiled and sang…and stole our hearts. Angela and Dan both sang like the were trying out for this year’s “Idol.” Those were just the up front people. There were so many behind the scenes people that made this event happen. The set designer, Carol Schwartz and her team, proved to be absolutely amazing. Barb Stell and her decorating team, made the place come alive. The Yeagers and the greeter team welcomed, gave out visitor bags, and gave the best gift anyone could ask for - a warm smile on a cold morning. John Wahls and the usher team helped people get seated and said “Merry Christmas” to every single person who entered the auditorium. Willard Baker made the “doors” for the drama and headed a team that patrolled the parking lot to make it a safe place. Vera Wahls and her prayer team interceded for weeks before this event that God would use it for His glory. Karen Eggenberger, and her food team, provided refreshment for our visitors and even made the muffins “calorie-free” just for the morning. Steve Staley, Andy Rayburn, Brian Sullan, and my son Joshua brought their usual servant/techinical skills to the table and answered the questions that I don’t even understand. Scot Schickel and Andy Alsdorf were in the booth for the service and went above and beyond the call of duty. The only word that truly suffices…
THANKFUL!
Someone joked that “it takes a village” to put on a service like we did. I replied that it doesn’t take a village but it does takes a church - a vibrant, living community of faith that believes with all their soul that people far from God matter to Him deeply. I am honored and humbled that I serve at such a church.
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December 22, 2007
It’s for that one
I was talking with a church member about tomorrow’s service and he told me that he was praying for all the technology that was involved. Then he said something that I can’t get out of my mind. He said that he wished there would be a whole lot of people at tomorrow’s Christmas Outreach but it really was all about “one.” That one person who will come and find hope for the first time. All the practice, all the sweat, all the rewrites, all the sound checks, and the time, laughter and tears are for that one. I don’t know his or her name, but God does. I don’t know what they are struggling through, but God does.
Everything we have done is for that one.
When I think about a mission trip that I led to New Orleans, I think of Kelly, a little six year old girl who came to Christ as a result of our Vacation Bible School. When I think of the New York mission trip, I think of a young man who was in a lot of trouble who surrendered his heart to Christ. When I think about the Easter Outreach, I think about a man who discovered that church was different that what he had thought.
Events that reach hundreds of people are best remembered by that “one.” I wonder who that one person is that will be there tomorrow and meet the God of Hope for the first time. God is already moving them toward Himself, even as I write these words.
Would you please read Romans 15:13 and pray for God to work in a mighty way at our Christmas Outreach tomorrow at Pontiac Township High School at 10:00 AM?
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December 21, 2007
Book Hounds
I am a strong believer that reading opens the door to adventure and expands your horizons. I had the opportunity to be a special reader last month at Lincoln Elementary School. I read several books to the students, (with different voices, of course), and then encouraged/begged them to become life-long readers.
I grew up with a mom who always had a stack of books on the table and probably new more about the Civil War than my college history professors. Until recently, my father wasn’t much of a reader. But within the last five years, he has discovered Chuck Swindoll and Max Lucado.
When I was a kid, I used to read the encyclopedia. It’s true. People used to ask me what I was reading and I say, “B.” Almanacs and book of facts were my favorite. When I was in seminary I discovered C.S. Lewis, Calvin Miller, and John Grisham.
Maxine is a machine and reads multiple books a week. She enjoys fiction. I also have multiple books on my shelf downstairs. I’m more of non-fiction kind of guy. Joshua reads the newspaper every night and Austin likes his books about sports.
We encourage students strongly to read their Bible every day. I am also constantly recommending books for the students to read. One of our students borrows a different book from my library every week. Recently, he asked Geoff Trembly to give him a “top ten list” of best books he’s ever read. I’m so thankful that we have Geoff and Joe Myzia working with our students. These two guys are uber-intelligent, love Jesus, and are book hounds too. Here’s the top 10 list fo theological books (with a bonus) that Geoff sent to Michael. Read over it then add your own favorites to this list:
1. “Chosen by God” - R.C. Sproul
2. “Reforming Marriage” - Douglas Wilson
3. “My Utmost for His Highest” - Oswald Chambers
4. “Living Above the Level of Mediocrity” - Chuck Swindoll
5. “The Abolition of Man” - C. S. Lewis
6. “Clear and Present Darkness” - Frank Piretti (fiction)
7. “The Evolution of Species” - Charles Darwin (fiction—know thy enemy)
8. “Idols for Destruction” - Herbert Schlossberg
9. “The Canterbury Tales” - Geoffry Chaucer (fiction and my namesake)
10. “Confessions” - Augustine
11. “Institutes” - Calvin
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December 20, 2007
Christmas Without Christ?
I love Roland Martin. He is a social commentator that writes occasionally for CNN.com. His latest article/rant takes on those who would remove Christ from Christmas.
After reading the article, make sure to read the comments. Very interesting.
What do you think?
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December 20, 2007
Chess and Consequences
My boys have become very interested in chess lately. We play nearly every night and both of them are getting better each time. I play without a queen with Josh but I’ve had to start playing with all my pieces with Austin. In fact, Josh played me to a draw last night and Austin actually checkmated me two nights ago. I love chess and it’s soo cool that my boys are learning what I think is one of the best games to sharpen your mind ever invented.
One of the things they are both learning is to consider the consequences of their moves. At first, they would just move pieces around and not think about my countermoves. Now, they are wary to take their fingers of their piece without considering what I may be up to. Last night, Austin told Maxine that he has to be careful becuase I’m “sneaky.” They are having to consider the consequences of moving to a particular place on the board. They are starting to look at least a move ahead. That’s why they are getting better.
I’m pleased that they are learning these lessons now. Research tells us that teenage boys are basically “brain damaged.” By this they mean that the male brain does not fully mature until the early 20s. This is especially true in the area of consequences. How many times have I talked to guys who were in all kinds of trouble and heard the phrase, “I just wasn’t thinking!” As both my boys approach their teen years, my prayer is that they would learn to think before they act.
The one piece that both of them have trouble with is my knights. While bishops moved diagonally and rooks move side to side, knights moves are a little strange. In fact, they are a little “stealthy.” The boys don’t consider the knight dangerous and get frustrated when I set them up using one or both of them.
I want to teach them that satan doesn’t fight fair and when they are considering some action they need to think about the knights in chess. Out of nowhere, you’re trapped and your queen is history. Same in life. If you do not consider what satan may be up to, it maybe more than a game you lose.
Another lesson I’m teaching them is that the queen is the most powerful piece on the board. Strangely, Maxine agrees! Go figure!
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December 19, 2007
Highway 35
Bon Jovi’s gone country. It’s true. And you know? I still think Jon is the coolest guy in the whole world!
Their new CD is called “Lost Highway.” Why do I mention this?
Because of the recent article I read about Highway 35 in Texas.
There are times I cringe when I see a reporter is going to investigate what “Christians” are up to.
I think I’d rather just listen to a little Bon Jovi, thank you very much.
(Great car in the video!)
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December 19, 2007
Lunch with kindred souls
I had a great lunch with two new friends today - Grant Armstrong and Mark Barlow. Grant is the associate pastor at the First United Methodist Church here is Pontiac. He’s been here for about 6 months. Mark is the new associate pastor at Salem Church outside of Flanangan. He’s been here for about 6 weeks. Both of their wives are pregnant. Amy with their second and Holly with their first.
What a joy to spend time with kindred souls. Guys who love Christ, read “boring” theology books, and struggle to communicate an ancient message to a post-modern generation. As the “elder statesman,” I was able to wax poetic about child rearing and ministry techniques. (Like I know anything!). The food was good, Delong’s has a great Turkey burger, and the company was better.
It’s nice to finally have a couple of youth pastor types, (we are a wierd bunch), to hang out with every month.
Grant even admitted that he reads my blog! What a guy! 
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December 18, 2007
Student Bookmarks
After we made the student bookmarks available to the congregation earlier in the fall, we realized that we had no system for knowing who took what student. Next time we do the bookmarks, in January, we will have adults sign a form letting us know who is matched up with who.
I tell you that to set up a great story. Gwen Edwards took a bookmark that day. Her student is Barak Mattox, a freshman guy. She was in the church this morning because she had the wrong address. She has been praying for him and has called him a couple of times. She wanted to make sure her Christmas card got to him. Way to go GWEN!
This is exactly what I envisioned the bookmarks to be all about. It gives students the chance to get to know an adult and it gives adults a chance to pray for a student.
When we offer the bookmarks next month we will include high school and junior high students. Will you serve our students and take one?
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