October 27, 2008
Whatever You’re Doing
Throughout my Christian journey, God has given me songs that have ministered to me in whatever situation I’m in. As I turned 40 and seem to be in a massive re-evaluation mode, this song has become very important to me. Not sure what it says to you, but I could have written it if Santus Real hadn’t of beat me to it.
Whatever You’re Doing (Something Heavenly) lyrics
It’s time for healing, time to move on
It’s time to fix what’s been broken too long
Time make right what has been wrong
It’s time to find my way to where I belong
There’s a wave that’s crashing over me
All I can do is surrender
[Chorus]
Whatever you’re doing inside of me
It feels like chaos somehow there’s peace
It’s hard to surrender to what I can’t see
but I’m giving in to something heavenly
Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Revaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow your will
or just climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what it is you want from me
I give everything I surrender…
To…
[Chorus]
Time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out
That I’ve wanted to say for so many years
Time to to release all my held back tears
Whatever you’re doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but I believe
You’re up to something bigger than me
Larger than life something heavenly
Whatever you’re doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but now I can see
This something bigger than me
Larger than life something heavenly
Something heavenly
It’s time to face up
Clean this old house
Time breathe in and let everything out
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October 26, 2008
A great Day at Rock River!
We are finishing the day with a junior high extravaganza - High School Musical II. Just a minute ago Shiann and Tim were just singing on the stage with five girls “backing them up.” I have video! It was hilarious. Now it’s “I Don’t Dance!”
We had a fantastic hay ride tonight through the woods while singing praise songs. What a cool thing!
Session two we went through 12 attributes of God like Sovereign, Loving, Merciful, Eternal, and all the Omnis. We then asked the question “So what?” It made for a deep time of learning about who God is.
Then we went to the bonfire. We did some praise and worship and then I opened it up for anyone who wanted to share what God was doing in their lives. It was an amazing time. Several students shared really deep prayer requests and immediately a group of students would surround them and begin praying. It was a deeply moving, Holy time that’s really hard to describe. There were a lot of tears and laughter. God is doing something really cool in our junior high ministry.
One thing that I’ll never forget. Marty was saying that God knows everything. He grabbed a piece of wood and said God knows everything. He then threw it into the woods and said, “God knows where this is going.” The piece of wood caught in the tree and everyone just stopped and stared. It was a weird, amazing God moment.
I need prayer. I feel down the stairs over by the river. I am very sore. The students prayed for me at the campfire which was really wonderful.
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October 25, 2008
Howdy-do from Rock River Christian Camp!
Hey Everyone! I’m presently sitting in the office at Rock River Christian Camp and taking advantage of their wifi. We’ve had a great time so far. Seven leaders and 26 junior high students made the 2.5 hour track up to Rock River Christian Camp in Polo IL last night in the pouring rain. Amy the Super Bus driver saw us through to safety. Last night, Lori Wiseman shared her testimony and did an amazing job communicating how “God pieced together everything in her life.” Several of the students cried as she shared how God brought her through some really hard times. I’m really proud of Lori for doing this. We ended the night with “Under Dog!”
Most of the students stayed up really late and struggled to stay awake during the first session “Can God be Known.” It went well and the learned that God revealed Himself through Natural Revelation , Special Revelation, and through the Incarnation of Christ.
After a great lunch, we are now having free time. Some students are asleep. Some are playing basketball. Some are hiking and some are just hanging out and talking. Dinner is at 5:30 and then a hay ride. Then we will have session 2 on the attributes of God. And then worship at the bonfire. And then…
We are going to watch High School Musical 2…with the subtitles so we can sing to every song! Oh boy…
Pray as we talk about God’s love tonight that God would work in the student’s hearts and they would open up at the bonfire.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 10/25 at 02:58 PM •
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October 22, 2008
Seven Years and Counting
Exactly seven years ago I came on staff full time at PBC. I had been serving part time in the worship area for about a year but officially became part of PBC lore on Oct 22, 2001. It was at “Stalter-Fest” that I asked Mark Thannum when I was supposed to start. He smiled and said, “About five minutes ago. Now go out there and sit with the teens!”
That’s what Maxine and I have been doing for the last seven years - sitting, crying, laughing, and serving with the teens. We are thankful for the students we have watched grow and give God the priority in their lives. We grieve for the one’s who choose to walk a different path.
The past seven years, I have had the opportunity to preach, teach, and lead and do things I didn’t even know I could do. I’ve grown so much but have so far to go.
Biblically speaking, after seven years shouldn’t I get a year off?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 10/22 at 01:58 PM •
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October 21, 2008
Galatians Remix: Crucified (Chapter 20)
“I want to rip that necklace right off her,” Paul mumbled half to himself.
“What did you say?” Scribus said as he dodged a group of teenagers loudly making their way through the market.
“I want to…” Paul’s thoughts were interrupted by a young girl that couldn’t have been more than thirteen.
Her brown shoulder-length hair shimmered in the noonday sun and her eyes danced with youthful excitement.
She held in her hands a wooden box and proudly asked Paul, “Sir, would you like to buy a cross?” She opened the box to reveal crude handmade crosses attached to rope that you could wear around your neck.
Scribus could see Paul’s blood pressure rising by the veins in his neck that bulged and tried to shoo the girl away. She would not be deterred.
“They’re all the rage. Everyone is wearing one. I’m running a sale today. Two for one!” She announced loud enough for several other people to hear. Soon a crowd had gathered around a young entrepreneur and an aging apostle. Coins began to jingle and the little lady beamed with every sale.
Once everyone had made their purchase, she looked up at Paul and Scribus.
“Don’t you want one too?” She asked as the “cuteness” factor nearly caused Scribus to buy the whole box.
Paul had been waiting for this moment. He knelt down on one knee and looked the little girl right in the eyes.
(It amazed Scribus that Paul was able to kneel on cobblestone but he knew that Paul’s knees had been worn by many hours of prayer)
“What’s your name, sweetheart?” Paul said.
“Lyra,” she replied in surprise at Paul’s sudden attention.
“And tell me Lyra, what is this you are selling?” Paul reached into the box and pulled out one of the crosses.
“I’m not exactly sure but everyone’s wearing one.” She said looking at the dangling cross as it twisted in the slight breeze.
“Did you know that Jesus died on a cross like this?” Paul asked.
“Oh yes, my mother told me the story when I was younger.” she said innocently.
Paul became serious and his voice grew strong, “Is it just a story to you? Is the cross you wear decoration or declaration?”
The question caught the young girl off-guard and she had to admit it was more of a fashion statement than a mission statement.
Did you know that that was the cross I was crucified on as well?” Paul asked with a smile.
At this, Scribus whose attention had been diverted by a pretty young woman selling flowers, nearly fell down as he turned back to listen to what Paul was saying.
“I’m sorry sir, but I don’t understand. When someone is crucified they die, don’t they?” Lyra asked in complete confusion.
“Yep, that’s right.” Paul said as his smile became bigger.
“You see, the cross is more than a necklace to me. The cross represents the most important decision God ever made. He sacrificed His Son, Jesus, on the cross to pay for my sins. Jesus died in my place to pay my sin debt.”
Lyra looked thoughtful and said softly, “My grandfather told me that before he died. He wanted me to put my faith in Jesus but I told him I want to have fun first. I wish I hadn’t of said that.” She looked down sadly.
Paul leaned in and cupped the girl’s face in his calloused hands. They were whispering at that point but Scribus knew what was happening. He had seen it before. Right before his eyes, Lyra was being made new.
Lyra hugged Paul’s neck for a long time and then pulled away and asked, “What was that about you being crucified? I don’t understand that part.”
Paul wiped away tears and began, ” When Jesus died on the cross I died too. In a mysterious way, my old self was put to death. The part of me that was opposed to God’s will and His ways, was nailed to the cross and died. I died to rule keeping as my way of being right with God. Obviously, I’m still here but now Christ lives in me and through me. I live my new life by faith in Jesus who loved me and gave himself for me.” At that, he choked up again. “Lyra, that made all the difference in my life.” At this, his tears began again.
Scribus noticed another group forming around them listening intently to Paul’s every word. Scribus recognized several members of the formula fellowship in the crowd.
Paul shook his head and stood up. He turned from Lyra and spoke to the crowd.
Holding up the cross he boomed, “Grace! At the cross, come find grace. Only at the cross do you find grace. If you add anything to it, Christ died in vain!”
At that, several men in the crowd walked away.
Spontaneously, Lyria opened her box and began giving the crosses away to the people in the crowd. As she passed them out, Scribus heard her ask one lady, “Are you going to wear this for decoration or for declaration?”
Lyra spoke to a young girl about her age, “Did you know that I was crucified with Christ on a cross just like this?”
Scribus held the cross in his hand. What a strange thing. A Roman execution tool of death becomes the beacon of life and hope.
Scribus and Paul talked to people for well over an hour and when it was all over several dozen had been made new, including a pretty young flower seller named Phoebe.
Later that night, Scribus had to concentrate hard as Paul dictated another part of the letter to the believers at Galatia:
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the Law, Christ died for nothing!”
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October 21, 2008
A Picture of a Dying Church
A famous artist once was asked to paint a picture of a dying church. It was expected that he would paint a small a small and humble congregation in a rundown building. Instead, he painted a stately structure with a rich pulpit and magnificent windows - and near the door, an offering box, marked “Missions,” with the contribution slot blocked by cobwebs. - Chuck Swindoll
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October 20, 2008
On Certain Days
As many of you know, last week I walked with the Rayburn family through a very dark week with the funeral of Brian Rayburn. Andy asked Leigh Sullan to write a poem for the funeral and she put something together the night before. She is amazing and this is such a blessing to the family.
On Certain Days
on certain days,
words seem not enough
next to the absence
that fills hours,
reminding s of a life lived and known
indescribable by language
even feeling.
and yet. in recollecting
the words we do have ;
brother. Redeemer, blessed—
we begin to see scatterings of hope
filling syllables, moments, prayers
to help us remian
in the spaces between words
we can’t quite grasp,
remembering a name and a face
we are lucky to know.
- Leigh Sullan
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October 18, 2008
First Down Pontiac Chiefs!
I am a big believer in taking risks, taking a chance. That’s why I jumped at the chance to defend myself in court even though I lost. I would never had lead worship, preached, taught, or performed dramas if I hadn’t have just had the courage to take a risk.
Today’s football game provided another opportunity to “cast my bread upon the waters.” As some of you know, I have an “announcer voice” I do and like to unofficially call games from the sidelines. For Austin’s last home football game today they didn’t have an announcer. I didn’t hesitate when they asked my to climb up in the booth and give it a shot. I’m actually a much better play-by-play announcer for basketball but I know enough about football to get by. The first quarter I just tried to figure out who had the ball. By the end of the game, I was making concession announcements and thanking coaches. It was a blast! I even did the game after Austin’s but that proved harder because I didn’t know any of the kids and had to figure out all the numbers. I did okay with some help.
Speaking of football, Memphis is mourning today for Tom the Tiger. He came right as I graduated and was laid to rest this weekend. We will miss you TOM.
What’s the moral of the story boys and girls? Take a chance. Jump in there and try something you’ve never done before. Sometimes you’ll succeed, other times not so much! But you’ll never know unless you try.
Touchdown! Let’s make some noise for your Pontiac Chiefs!
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October 17, 2008
Are you on Face book?
I just read an article that reported that there are now over 100 million people on Face Book! That’s totally amazing. For the most part, Face book is populated by the Mosiacs but I love it. As more and more of my generation finds Face Book, I am freaked out by how many old friends, and a couple of old girlfriends, are finding me. Imagine how freaked out they are when they find out that I’m now Pastor Putt-Putt?! None of them saw that one coming. 
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October 16, 2008
A Broadway SHAPE
Last week at Cross Roads, I taught the students that they have been SHAPED to Serve. We used the Saddledback acrostic
Spiritual Gifts
Heart
Abilities
Personality
Experiences
I asked them to think about what they think God may have shaped them to do. I received this amazing email from Ashley Haley, an 8th grade student at PCS, who is an absolutely phenomenally talented singer/performer:
“So, to answer your question on Wednesday night (how are you going to make a difference?), I am going into Musical Theatre when I grow up *or sooner:)*. A lot of people who are affiliated with this arena are associated with things like homosexuality, sexual impurity, etc etc. I am determend to make a difference in the world of the Arts. While I do not know exactly where and in what circumstances I will be in, if I do musicals and things like that I am sure I will meet all kinds of people, many of which will not have even any sort of faith. I want to be an example of Jesus through my actions and words and reach those people who are lost. Alrighty then! See you Wednesday!!”
This young lady gets it! Do you?
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October 15, 2008
Prayer for our country
As many of you sensed on Sunday, I feel really strongly that this is not a time for panic but for us to trust in our Everlasting God.
Obviously, Max Lucado agrees.
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October 15, 2008
Where are your shoes going?
“Let mercy lead, and in every footprint that you leave there’ll be a drop of grace.” - Rich Mullins
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October 14, 2008
Capture the Flag - the Biggest Ever!
On Sunday night, the junior high and high school combined to have our annual Capture the Flag at the Dewalds. we had the largest turn out in the history of my time at PBC. Nearly 100 students played on Sunday night! The weather was warm, the moon was full, and the games were fun. Thanks to the adult leaders who came out and played.
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October 12, 2008
EQUIP takes a field trip!
Marty and the junior high EQUIP class took advantage of the amazing October weather and had class outside. They were studying the fact that Jesus is 100% God and 100% man. Way to think “outside the box!”
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October 11, 2008
Be a Johnny!
Watch this video and decide today to be a Johnny! Mother Theresa once said, “Do little things with great love.” This is an example of how that attitude can change the world!
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