April 30, 2009
NEXT steps for “Learning How to Pray”
Next Steps for “Learning How to Pray”
If you were at church this past Sunday, you know that we had one of the best mornings we’ve had at PBC in a long time.
You can listen to read it here or listen to it as well.
We learned a lot that that morning about the “Lord’s Prayer.” This prayer from Matthew 6, is very familiar to people who have grown up in church. But as we saw, there’s more to it than just a mantra to be repeated. Jesus gave us a “model” prayer - a prayer that gives God the glory and then petitions us for our good.
So, now it’s Thursday and you may or may not have prayed much this week. Let’s see if we can give you some NEXT STEPS that might help you out.
[As always, I would recommend everyone doing all for assignments]
If you are not yet a Christian and you are simply “kicking the tires” of Christianity, your NEXT STEP is do a dangerous thing - pray!
No, seriously. Pray something like this: “God, I’m not even sure I believe in You. I don’t really understand everything but I want to know more about You.”
God LOVES these kinds of prayers. Say that prayer, then read Matthew 6:5-14. Notice how Jesus says that prayer is not to be done for public show and He’s clear that prayer is not babbling. Pray is just talking to God. It’s really that simple.
So for the next seven days, just pray this prayer and ask God to show you more of Himself.
If you are a new(er) Christian, then your NEXT STEP is to read the passage. Circle every time you see a plural (“our” “us”). We are told to pray for “our daily bread” not “my daily bread.” Jesus also saw things in light of community. That’s what the church is all about. As Rick Warren writes, “We were created to be in community.”
For the next seven days, pray this prayer and concentrate on the “our” and “us” words. Let it prompt you to pray for your friends and your church.
If you have been a Christian for a while, your next step is to read the passage and then this sermon by John Piper called Haoolwed By Your Name in All the Earth
Have you ever thought of the Lord’s Prayer as a call to missions?
Pray the prayer for the next seven days and pray for different countries as you do.
If you have been a Christian for a long time, read the passage in The Message (this is a paraphrase from the Greek done by Pastor Eugene Peterson):
“The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:
Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best— as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
There are times that we need to hear it in a different way to remind us of the simplicity and beauty of this prayer.
Pray this version for the next seven days and memorize it!
Take three minutes and listen to Charlotte Church (how old is she?) sing the Lord’s Prayer. This is beautiful.
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April 30, 2009
This is a test
After being down for almost a week, I think the blog is back from the dead.
If so, watch this video. This is the “Skit Guys.” They were at the Willow Creek Student Conference we attended last week.
I think I have an idea for this week’s worship time!
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April 22, 2009
Want to follow the shift?
Want to experience what the student ministry team is experiencing?
Click here and to watch click here.
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April 22, 2009
Elijah was just a man…
Wow! Francis Chan just spoke with such passion and “realness.” There’s so much to write but so little time. Francis said that in the book of Acts the church was unstoppable. He then lamented that our churches today are so “stoppable.” He said we have to get away from programs and systems and get on our knees and beg for the souls of our students. He said the same Spirit that gave Elijah the ability to stand up to the 450 prophets of Baal is the same Spirit that inhabits us today. If that’s true then why are we not more bold and powerful?
There’s so much more that I’ll write later.
It was amazing eating lunch with our team in the food court and talking about God’s crazy love for us and the students!
Now, we are sitting waiting for another season to begin. Keep praying for us!
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April 22, 2009
We’re off to Willow
We are here! I’m sitting in the coffee shop with the team enjoying muffins and waiting for them to open the doors. Our first session is with Francis Chan. Check out his church website here. He will be speaking on “Breaking Free from Complacency.” I’m looking forward to being with my team. It’s the first time I’ve ever brought a team here. We have five adult leaders, one college student, and three high school students with us. Pray as we worship, pray, learn, and grow together!
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April 21, 2009
Rachel Scott
Rachel Joy Scott was the first victim of Eric and Dylan in the Columbine shootings ten years ago yesterday. By all accounts, she was the real deal. A sincerely, enthusiastic lover of God and others. She was also a writer. After her death, her mom found her journals and began to read them. Rachel’s heart beat for Jesus. Her diaries are full of letters to God and her tears over others who she knew were hurting.
Much has been made that Eric and Dylan targeted jocks and Christians. After ten years of interviews and investigations, this turns out to be a myth. They actually were trying to kill as many as they could. They wanted to outdo Timothy McVey when he bombed the federal building in Oklahoma City. The bombs planted in the cafeteria did not go off, thank God.
But Rachel was not afraid to live or die for Jesus. She wrote,
“I am not going to apologize for speaking the name of Jesus…if I have to sacrifice everything, I will…”
Yesterday, her mother Beth released a statement that simply said,
“I lived with greatness and never knew it.”
Go to Rachel’s website to read her journals and say a prayer for the Scott family today.
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April 20, 2009
NEXT steps for “Handling Conflict”
Several people told us that this past Sunday’s sermon “stepped on their toes.” This is actually quite a compliment for a pastor! Personally, I’d rather hear “That sermon really made me think about how I’m living my life” than “Nice sermon, pastor” any day.
The topic of conflict is so difficult because most of us were never actually taught how to handle conflict in a Biblical way. My parents may have had the “talk” with me about the birds and the bees but never about how to “live at peace with all people” (Roman 12:18).
It’s Monday now and that co-worker frustrated you today. Or your relative is up to the same old tricks. Maybe your husband said “that” again. You are out of sorts with someone. How do you handle it?
The world says, “Get even…seek revenge…go for the jugular…” Or, as many people learn, “Just ignore it…act like it never happened…fake it till you make it!”
There is another way - a most excellent way. Jesus flipped everything upside down in His most famous sermon that we call, “The Sermon on the Mount.”
Pastor Brian did a great job tackling the subject. Chirstie Todd and Tammy Hitch gave testimony that God can up you handle conflict no matter what environment or how bad you’ve been hurt.
Start by re-reading the sermon. We are very aware that humans forget 90% of what they hear in less than 48 hours. That’s why it’s always good to read or listen to the sermon again on Monday or Tuesday. You can read or listen to the sermon here.
Usually, I break down different steps for different places on the spiritual journey. I believe this is so important that EVERYONE will get the same NEXT STEPS this week.
1. Take five minutes and read Matthew chapter 5. Focus on verses 9 and 23-24. Brian pointed out four action steps:
- Leave abruptly. Why do you think it is so important to stop whatever is going on and head out to make peace?
- Go quickly. Whose responsibility is it to make peace? Even if it isn’t “your fault?”
- Be reconciled. That is the goal isn’t? The students were reminded at the Dare 2 Share conference that we really don’t have “enemies.” Read Ephesians 6:12. “The goal is reconciliation, not revenge.”
- Come and worship. Why does God make such a big deal about making peace? Read Matthew 5:9 again. Why are the peacemakers “blessed?”
Out of these four steps, which one do you think is the hardest? Why?
2. Brian listed the “Seven As” from the Peace Maker Website.
* Address everyone involved (All those whom you affected)
* Avoid if, but, and maybe (Do not try to excuse your wrongs)
* Admit specifically (Both attitudes and actions)
* Acknowledge the hurt (Express sorrow for hurting someone)
* Accept the consequences (Such as making restitution)
* Alter your behavior (Change your attitudes and actions)
* Ask for forgiveness (Request release from the debt)
Here’s where the Next Step process gets a little tricky. Think of a situation in which you are not a peace with someone. Now…
Actually put the four steps into action! Stop what you are doing and go. Or make a call. Remember the seven As as you seek peace. Keep them in front of you. Remember also, you are not responsible for the way the other person responses.
3. Write out Romans 12:18 on an index card and put it somewhere you can see it every day. Memorize it. Put in your car, your cubicle, your bathroom. Pray and ask God to help you live it out every day!
5. Go to His Peace and download the “Peace Makers Pledge.” Sit down with your family sometime this week and read through it together. Make a commitment as a family to follow this pledge, especially with each other.
Also, don’t allow children to bite each other!
4. Send us your stories. We want to hear the God stories that come about when people take seriously what the Scriptures say.
When I first started working at PBC, I was not very good at being a peacemaker. Growing up in the south, I had been indoctrinated well in the art of “peace faking.” I told Brian that I thought that someone was mad at me and he immediately directly me to call that person. I didn’t want to and was nervous even thinking about it. I kind of mumbled that I’d call them “sometime.” Brian told me to call them at 7 and he would call at 7:15 to see how it went. Seriously?! My hands were shaking as I dialed the phone. It turned out that that person wasn’t mad at me at all! It was all a misunderstanding. Brian called right on time and I was able to report that I “handled my business.” That was the beginning of a long process, that I’m still in, of learning how to handle conflict in a way that honors the other person and God.
Stories of peacemaking can spur others to peacemaking. Send your stories to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) so we can celebrate what God is doing among us as we seek peace!
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April 20, 2009
Could it really be ten years later?
Today marks the ten year anniversary of the Columbine school shooting. Could it really be ten years?
Maxine and I were in Denver in the fall and visited her high school. Right down the road was Columbine. We pulled into the parking lot, which was packed for an outdoor fair, and I was astonished by how small it was. My main memory is the kids coming out of the windows in the back. We walked the track to the back of the school and spent some time in the in the memorial that overlooks those very windows. Again, looking down on this school, I was really amazed at how small it was. PTHS is much bigger than Columbine.
We walked silently through the circular memorial that had a plaque for each of the students and teachers that were killed. Each plaque was written by a parent or spouse. Rachel Scott’s was taken directly from her journal and spoke of her outrageous faith and love for Jesus. It was quiet and a warm breeze swept across the hill.
How could something so terrible happen in such a beautiful place?
I wonder if that’s what Adam and Eve thought after they disobeyed God…
As a parent, I was overcome with the pain these parents must have felt. The absolutely senseless deaths of the cherished children. There is no mention of Eric or Dylan but they had families too.
We live in a world ripped apart by sin and hopeless. As moving as the memorial was, it does not bring back the dead. All the tributes and flowery words do not make up for the missing hole in the family Christmas picture.
The only hope we have in a world where Columbine’s happen is the hope that this world is not our home. We will leave this heaving orb and walk way beyond the blue. We will not need answers because we will be with the Answer.
Until that day…
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April 18, 2009
Ride Like the Wind
I rode my scooter out to Jackie and Dan’s wedding today. It was amazing weather in April for an outdoor wedding! Pastor Dick did a great job and I’ve never been to a reception in a barn! They both cried through the ceremony and Jackie jumped up and down when Dick pronounced them man and wife. It was wonderful. Maxine played her cello and we danced. Well, we swayed in the food line for 30 seconds! It just made me remember why I married her and still love her sooooo much!
It was also the first time I had the scooter out in the country and it gave me the first opportunity to do a yearly tradition. Every year, on my first extended ride of the season, I sing “Ride Like the Wind” by Christopher Cross at the top of lungs! That will mean nothing to my younger readers but for many of us Christopher Cross means “Sailing,” “Never Be the Same,” “Arthur’s Theme” and many others. His 1979 self titled debut album garnered five Grammys! The wind was warm and I was on the run, no time to speak…
Enjoy! (This is from his heyday in 1986)
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April 18, 2009
10 pounds down…
About six weeks ago, Marty Cotter challenged me to lose “20 pounds in 20 days.” Well, that might be easier to do at his age but at 40, not so much. So I started running. When I first started, I couldn’t run a mile. Now I’m doing 3 miles three times a week. Then one of our students started preparing to take the life guard test. Me and another leader have been meeting her every morning at 5:30 to swim a mile. A mile?! Yep, finally yesterday I swam the whole thing without stopping.
By 4:30 in the afternoon, I was asleep. My age caught up with me.
But, I have lost 10 pounds and I’m getting close to my “ideal” weight.
I have had this “yo-yo” thing going most of my adult life. I’ll lose about 15 pounds in 6 months and then put it back on in 6 weeks. It’s frustrating but I’m determined not to play that game this time.
Maxine has been a great example. She’s dropped a lot of weight and has kept it off for four years. We are now working out together which is fun.
There’s a mini-triathlon in Champaign August 1st that we are looking at. I’m not to going to commit to it yet, but it is a great goal to shoot for.
It’s all a matter of perspective you know. I was walking into the pool at 5:30 AM and a guy was walking out. He had already swam three miles! The next day, when I got through swimming, I saw him and he had just run 6 miles! Sigh…
On another note, I finally got the scooter out, aired up the tires, changed the oil, and took it out to the Christian school last night for the junior play. It was wonderful driving out but was freezing coming back. Still, I like the open road…
The junior high students did a great job and I was impressed with several of their acting “chops.”
Today, we are headed out for a run and then to a wedding and then…
bed!
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April 15, 2009
Never judge a book by it’s cover!
Wow! You know the old saying, “Never judge a book by it’s cover?” Susan Boyle’s picture should be under that entry.
If you haven’t seen it yet, watch this!
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April 14, 2009
Next Steps if You’re Thirsty!
If you attended our Easter Outreach, you know what an amazing morning it was as we gathered at the high school auditorium. The children sang joyfully and the people sang so loud that I’ve had two people tell me they felt the building shake! Dan and Sandy helped us understand how far the East is from west - “from one scarred hands to another.” The drama was powerful and the video “Healing Rain” help establish the fact that we are all sinners in need of a downpour.
But now, it’s Tuesday and the Easter eggs have all been found and you are back to work. What’s the next steps?
If you are just investigating Christianity, and you attended the outreach, I hope you figured out that we believe that church is not a building but church happens when the people of God gather together.
Maybe you haven’t been to a service in a while. I hope you felt welcomed and comfortable. We hope you felt welcomed enough to come back next week to PBC for our new series, “Finding Hope in Hard Times” as we talk about how to handle conflict.
Maybe you’re a new Christian and this was the first Easter you really understood how good the news is that Jesus is alive and gives us hope and peace. Read I Corinthians 15:3-4 and write it on a index card and read it every day for the next two weeks.
Maybe you’ve been a Christian for a while but have slipped a bit in your devotion to Jesus. I’ve got great news. Read I John 1:9 three times out loud and then spend a few moments confessing your sins and getting a “spiritual bath.”
Maybe you’ve been a Christian for a long time and have grown a bit cynical. It’s easy to start looking at people who struggle and forget what it was like before you came to Christ. We are all in need of standing in God’s Healing rain. Watch the Michael W. Smith Video at the end of this post and ask yourself this question, “Am I like the character who welcomes people into God’s healing rain or am I on the sidelines looking in judgement?”
Take a moment and read the sermon. You can read it here.
Which one of Pastor Brian’s four props did you identify with the most?
* Wash basin? Read Matthew 27:24. Have you washed your hands of church? Here’s a more important question - have you washed your hands of Jesus? Sometimes, we as His people, don’t do a great job representing Him. But that doesn’t mean that Jesus isn’t who He said He is.
* Leaky Cistern? Read Jeremiah 2:13. What are you trying to fill your life with that never seems to satisfy? The drama called “Confessions” touched on drinking too much, anger, stealing and dishonestly, cutting, lust, and divorce and depression. Our prayer was that one of those voices would speak for many in the auditorium.
* Shower? Read Psalm 51 and listen to David’s broken heart. Do you need a shower? Someone stood up at the end of the service because they “knew it was true…I’m definitely a sinner.” Jesus can cleanse you of guilt and shame. No matter what you’ve done or not done, Jesus can wash you clean.
* Bubbling Brook? If you weren’t at the outreach, you don’t know how amazing this prop was. There was a wooden cross that had three bowls in front with water that cascaded down the front (thank you Carol and Randy Schwartz). Read John 4, especially verse 10. Jesus promises the woman at the well living water and it changed her life for eternity.
If you were one of the individuals that stood up at the end of the service, here’s your next step. Tell someone why you stood up. What was God saying to you? What decision did you make? Let us know so we can help you take the next spiritual step.
For those who invited your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers. Great Job! Take a minute this week and follow up with them to see what their next step will be.
To all - watch this video that we showed on Sunday and thank God for the Healing Rain of God’s Grace!
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April 14, 2009
Thirst!
What a wonderful weekend service we had at the Pontiac Township High School Auditorium! Over 600 people heard the GOOD NEWS that Jesus is alive and their is hope for all who are thirsty (see Rev 22:17).
From the food, to the ushers, to the greeters, to the sound guys, to the band and singers, to the drama people, to the prayer warriors, to the ones that invited people, to the nursery workers, to the adults who worked with the children, to the children who sang, to Dan and Sandy, to Pastor Brian who hit a home run…
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
If you would like to see pictures of this event, click here.
If you would like to read the sermon, click here.
If you are thirsty for meaning, purpose, hope, or peace, Jesus offers living water that will satisfy completely. Read John 4:1-38 to find out more.
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April 11, 2009
He is Risen!
...it is tempting to look upon the crucified Jesus with condescending pity and feel sorry for His brutal suffering. Yet, out of respect for Jesus’ dignity we must resist that temptation, because Jesus did not die as yet another helpless victim. Rather with the cross on the horizon of His life, Jesus said no one would take His life from Him in defeat, but rather He would give it and take it up again in victory…
In dignity and triumph, He endured the cross because of the joy that awaited Him on the other side of His resurrection, where the Father is glorified in heaven and sinful people have been atoned for on earth. Today Jesus sits upon His throne in heaven, smiling as He rules over all creation and prepares for the day of His final coming to establish His eternal throne upon earth. This triumphantly joyous Jesus is not served by our pity but our praise!
- Mark Driscoll in “Death by Love: Letters from the Cross”
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April 09, 2009
Easter at the bar
I have been thinking a lot about how, when, and where we do church. I’ve been reading a lot of books that are challenging me and driving me to truly understand how Jesus related to people outside the religious “establishment.”
I love what this church in Arkansas, in the heart of the Bible Belt, is doing for Easter. They are having church in the bar. They want to met at places where people who do not feel comfortable in a traditional church setting would feel at ease and be able to hear the life-changing message of Jesus. (I know that Mosiac in Los Angeles met in a really popular night club for a while).
We are not having church at Bob and Ringos, yet, but we are having our Easter outreach at the high school auditorium. This is the fourth time we’ve done this and each time there are people who come who would never come to a “church building.”
Remember, that we meet in a building but we are the church.
Watch the video and give your opinion…
What do you think about “church in the bar” idea?”
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 04/09 at 10:24 PM •
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