December 31, 2009
Happy 19th spiritual birthday to me!
19 years ago, I stopped running from God and turned and surrendered my heart to Him. The journey continues. All those years ago, I could have never imagined what God had in store for me. All I knew was that I was going to do whatever He said to do and go wherever He said to go. I had NO IDEA that I would end up as a pastor or living in the frozen tundra of central Illinois, He has given me a wife I don’t deserve and two great boys. He has given me so many amazing opportunities.
In 2010, I want to write more, love more, and live out my faith as a husband and father.
How about you?
Here’s a part of a sermon that I preached several years ago that helps you understand how I became a Christ Follower. Enjoy.
On December 30, 1990, I attended a church retreat. This was pretty novel for me due to the fact I prided myself in being to 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 [Luke 15 - the Prodigal Son] 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 1990 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!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/31 at 08:07 AM •
(0) Comments
December 29, 2009
Just come home!
I know I’m on a blogiging break but this effected me deeply and I had to share it.
It doesn’t matter how far you’ve wandered into the “far country” - there is a Father waiting for you to…
just come home!
Christmas Opener: Just Come Home from NewSpring Production on Vimeo.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/29 at 10:36 AM •
(0) Comments
December 26, 2009
A blogging Break
As a Christmas present to myself, I’m taking a blogging break till the new year. All six of my readers will be sad, but, don’t worry…
I’ll be back!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/26 at 09:45 AM •
(1) Comments
December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas to you!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/25 at 08:42 AM •
(0) Comments
December 24, 2009
The best Christmas Present
This is an article I wrote for the Daily Leaders few years ago. Enjoy.
What’s the best Christmas present you have ever received? Several come to my mind. Like the time my wife got me tickets to see Shaquille O’Neal play in his rookie year. That was a great present. I was amazed at how big Shaq was and enjoyed the sights and sounds of my first professional basketball game. It was a great night. Or the microwavable footies that my wife bought when we first moved to Illinois three years ago. Thirty seconds in the microwave and my feet were toasty for hours.
Today I received another gift that could make my top ten. This morning I checked my box for the usual letters, calls, and memos and found a white bag that said, “To Pastor Jeff, because you have been really good this year.” When I opened it up I was startled at the contents. Someone in my church bought me Barry Manilow’s Christmas CD. While most of our students make fun of me for enjoying Barry, some kindred soul knew that listening to Barry sing “White Christmas” would make the season a little brighter for this odd youth pastor. Isn’t it great to receive presents?
Now the harder question: What’s the best present you have ever given? I can answer that one without hesitation. It was a baby. Maybe I should explain.
The year was 1987. It was Christmas Eve. I was a tired college freshman who had just finished working seventy hours during the Christmas week at a local department store. I had seen customers fight over their place in line and had chased shoplifters down the escalators. I had been cursed out for ringing up merchandise too slowly and had spent my lunch hours fighting crowds to finish my own shopping. In short, I had grown to hate Christmas! I rivaled Ebanezer Scrooge in my disdain for the miserable holiday.
During this hectic holiday, a friend invited me to be a liaison for her mother’s adoption agency. I didn’t want to go. I had gotten into a fight with my parents when I arrived home from work and spent the next hour walking in a cold December rain. I looked like a water-logged rat when they came to pick me up. I sat in silence on the ride to Memphis International airport. My mind was exhausted. I had never felt so down. I had never felt so far away from God. The universe was a cold, heartless place and celebrating Christmas did not seem appropriate or logical to my doubt filled heart. Where is the hope? In a world ravaged by war and famine and death, where is the peace that Christmas promised?
I walked slowly through the terminals and watched the families waiting impatiently in line to check their bags. One whole family had on matching Christmas sweaters. “Bah Humbug!” I said out loud. The Christmas spirit had hit everyone but me.
When we arrived at the gate, I was given my instructions. Suddenly, I became nervous. My job was to board the plane, pick up the baby, and bring him down the ramp and present him to the family. The only problem was I had never held a baby. Let alone walked down a ramp with one. What if I dropped him? What if he made a mess on me? What if he started crying? How was I supposed to know what to do? I was then gently shoved toward the gate door. What happened next changed my mind about Christmas and ultimately lead me on a search to find God.
The plane was empty except for two large car seats about half way down the aisle. I peeked around the blue seat and stared at what I saw. The baby was Korean and chubby. With a big round face and huge dark eyes he stared back at me. I gently slipped my hand under him and pulled him out of the car seat. I held him up and came nose to nose with him. He didn’t cry and he didn’t mess on me. I relaxed a bit and studied this baby. I whispered to him that he had come a long way but that he was about to go to his new home. He smiled, I think. I could feel his heart beating against my chest. I wrapped him tighter in his blue blanket and started back down the aisle of the plane.
I walked the runway and was blinded as I made the turn. I instinctively held him closer as the lights from video cameras and flash bulbs temporarily blinded me. I turned my little friend toward the camera and walked toward the waiting family. A mother was shaking with anticipation. A father was trying to balance the video camera and wipe away tears. Two younger children were standing on tip toes to see what was in the blue bundle this stranger held in his hands. I began to tremble. I held the little boy out to the open hands of the mother and weakly said, “Merry Christmas.” She took him into her arms, held him tight, and began to weep. She showed him to the rest of the family and the dad began to pray. I walked away from that scene weeping openly. I cried partly out of the exhaustion of the week. But there was more, much more in those tears. It was the night I really understood Christmas.
Christmas is not about trying to find a parking place at the mall, putting up Christmas decorations, or blinding the neighborhood with our light display. It is about the greatest present ever given to mankind: a baby. God wrapped Himself in flesh. The infinite became an infant. Grasp this concept and you will never be the same.
We live in a world that, at times, seems overrun with tragedy. Four families are grieving the loss of the young boys who fell though the ice in Massachusetts. The oldest was eleven.
We live in a world permeated by evil. This week our worst fears were realized when the bodies of Ashley and Joshua Gleeson were recovered. They were only three and five years old.
In the quiet of our souls, we cry out the endless, eternal question: WHY? We yell and scream and are answered by the deafening silence of heaven. God gives no easy responses. He already answered our deepest longings for hope and peace two thousand years ago when Joseph and Mary presented a dark eyed baby to a crying, hurting world. What is the only hope for our pain-pierced world? Isaiah said He would be called Emmanuel which means “God with us.” The angel said to name him Jesus which means “God’s Salvation.”
Speaking prophetically, Isaiah wrote this Christmas card to us,
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
A child is born. He will be fully human. A Son is given. He will be a Divine gift that will change the world. He will bring peace by offering Himself in our place as our sin-substitute on the cross. God knows the heart-wrenching pain of losing a child. But He loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).
In order to truly appreciate a present you must receive it. Like my Barry Manilow Christmas CD, it can only be appreciated if I open it. Just now I tore into the plastic and popped it in my CD drive of my computer. Now I’m “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” with my old friend Barry.
The greatest Christmas present ever is the same way. You must receive the free gift that cost God the life of His Son. The apostle John said it this way: “Yet to all who receive Him (Jesus), to those who believe in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12). In the midst of all the hustle and bustle, the shopping and stress chose to unwrap Christmas this year and surrender your life to the Savior.
Somewhere there is a Korean teenager who doesn’t have a clue who that strange college student is on the adoption tape his mother and father show him every Christmas Eve. But I am eternally thankful for my chance Christmas encounter with him. He changed my life and pointed me to the greatest Christmas Presence ever given – Jesus.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/24 at 09:48 AM •
(0) Comments
December 23, 2009
After Christmas Mounring
Yesterday, I attended the funeral of a friend and a family friend died this morning, Christmas Eve.Christmas can be a very sad time for many people as they experience the holidays without loved ones, or without a job, or with a illness of some kind. Sometimes it just a general sense of sadness that weighs heavy on a person’s heart. If that is you, or if you know someone who is struggling with the holidays, here is a gift for you.
A few years ago, after losing Maxine’s mother, I wrote a sermon called. After Christmas Mourning.”
Read it slowly and remember, God is with you!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/23 at 08:35 AM •
(0) Comments
December 22, 2009
Immanuel (God with us)
Sunday night, we attended Willow Creek’s Christmas service entitled, “God with Us.”
This is what Bill Hybels wrote in the front of the bulletin:
“More than 2,000 years ago, God did something radical: He became Immanuel - “God with Us” - a helpless, human infant, born into poverty, vulnerable to the world around Him. In one instance, the King of the Universe became a hands-on God, experiencing the hardships of this life on earth just as you and I do.
He is still Immanuel today. Whatever your circumstances, whatever our story, God has come. I’m glad you joined us for this service, where you will hear some of the big and small ways that God has shown up in the lives of real-life people. As you hear their stories, I challenge you to ponder where God is showing up in your life, in your story, and I will do the same.”
That’s a great question. Could you tell us where God is showing up in your life?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/22 at 03:22 PM •
(0) Comments
December 21, 2009
God with Us - Willow Creek Community Church
After the Christmas service at the high school, we packed up the van and headed to Willow Creek Community Church for their Christmas Service. This has become an annual tradition for our family. Willow does 10-12 services through these weeks and, this year, the Tuesday night service is totally in Spanish.
They began by taking an offering. Every year they take an offering and give it away! This year, the offering goes to - Global poverty and Aids, Care centers/Food pantries and local ministries, the Global leadership summit, and Casa de Luz (House of Light), Willow’s Spanish-language congregation.
This year’s theme was “God with Us.” Last night’s service was different from the last few years. With the economy hitting many people hard, the thought of putting on a Broadway-like production seemed out of place. Instead it was a family service with Christmas carols and a “children’s reading” that came alive with puppets. A young girl camed Likely lived in the village of Lacks. She is at the end of a rope, literally. It was one of the most creative things I’ve ever seen.
The focus of the entire service was God with Us. One by one, people stepped to the mike to tell how God had walked them through divorce, death, financial hardships, sickness, sadness, and more. A little girl, no more than 6-7 years, said, “This year has been hard. My daddy lost his job. My mommy had a miscarriage. My friends were mean to me. But God is good. He gave me a new pet. God is with us.” I lost it. Everyone on my row was crying.
Then the band sang a song, God with Us, and every row had a sign that some one held up that said, “God is with Us.”
Bill Hybels then walked us through the word “Immanuel” and explained that God knows how we feel and is with us no matter what. He ended with a clear call to respond to the Gospel which many did.
The service ended with us taking our wrist bands we were handed at the beginning of the service and writing our first names and what we are praying about in 2010. What do we need God to be with us in for the next year. Then we looped the wristbands together with our whole row. They were collected and as we sang Silent Night, they were connected to a bar and lifted toward the ceiling. It was a waterfall of prayer requests.
As we sang Silent night, our family gathered together and spoke words of love to one another. It was a sacred moment.
We walked out Willow and a soft, quiet snow was falling. I stopped and looked up and said thank you for being with us.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/21 at 03:04 PM •
(0) Comments
December 20, 2009
What’s Love got to do with it?
There are times when a coach is praised for his team’s efforts. I love it when that coach tells the media that he wasn’t on the floor and the players are the ones who deserve the kudos.
Well, this morning is one of those times.
Our Christmas service went off without a hitch and it took a huge team effort to pull it off. There were multiple teams lead by servants that were there late last night and early this morning.
*Our stage and decoration team did an amazing job.
* The band, musicians and singers, were note perfect.
*Lydia and Michelle sang the haunting “Welcome to our World” beautifully.
* Dan nailed “Manager Throne.”
* Nathan, John, and Sarah made the dramas even better than they were on paper.
* Brian preached with passion and purpose.
* The ushers were friendly and welcomed everyone in.
* The Greaters saw new people and welcomed old friends.
* The nursery was staffed by a team that missed the service so people wouldn’t.
* The children’s team has the children ready and started our service off with joy.
* A special thanks to our sound booth team that programed the service and didn’t miss a cue.
* the food team had plenty of muffins for our hungry guests.
* The others, the servants behind the scenes that helped set up and tear down while everyone else was already eating lunch, your secret service did not go unnoticed.
I was just the coach. I get the joy of watching it all come together. And I get the honor of saying thank you!
Oh my goodness…there’s only 106 days till Easter! We better get working!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/20 at 02:11 PM •
(0) Comments
December 19, 2009
A Christmas List for us Dads
Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Seatle, wrote a blog this week that I thought was a great challenge to us dads here at Christmas time.
If you are not a dad, could you encourage a dad you know to read this?
16 Daddy Christmas tips
Mark Driscoll
Tis the season for Dad to drop the holiday ball, stress out as the money is being spent for presents, and miss yet another providential opportunity to lovingly lead his family. So, this blog is intended to help dads not fall into the same old rut of holiday humdrum, sitting on the couch watching football and eating carbs, but rather intentionally plan out the upcoming holiday season. Our children grow quickly and if we miss the sacred moments God opens up for us to connect with and bless our families, everyone suffers and we set in motion generations of missed opportunity.
Dad needs…
1. a plan for the holidays to ensure his family is loved and memories are made. Dad, what’s your plan?
2. to check the local guides for what’s going on to make fun holiday plans for the family. In Seattle it’s here.
3. to carve out time for sacred events and experiences to build family traditions that are fun and point to Jesus. Dad, is your calendar ready for December?
4. to not let the stress of the holidays, including money, cause him to be grumpy with Mom or the kids. Dad, how’s your joy?
5. to give experiences and not just gifts. Dad, what special memories can you make this holiday season?
6. to manage the extended family and friends during the holidays. Dad, who or what do you need to say “no” to?
7. to ensure his family is giving generously during the holidays. Dad, who in need is your family going to adopt and bless?
8. to schedule a big Christmas daddy date with his daughter. Dad, what’s your big plan for the fancy daddy date?
9. to schedule guy time with his son. Dad, what are you and your son going to do that is active, outdoors, and fun?
10. to help Mom get the house decorated. Dad, are you really a big help to Mom with getting things ready?
11. to ensure some holiday smells and sounds. Dad, is Christmas music on the iPod, is the tree up, and can you smell cookies and cider in your house?
12. to snuggle up and watch some fun shows with the kids, especially the little ones. Dad, is the DVR set?
13. to take the family on a drive to see Christmas lights while listening to music and sipping cider. Dad, is it mapped out?
14. to help Mom get the kids’ rooms decorated. Dad, do the little kids get lights or a small tree in their room?
15. to read about Jesus and pray over his kids. Dad, how’s your pastoral work going with each of your kids?
16. to repent of being lazy, selfish, grumpy, or just dumping the holidays on Mom. Dad, are you a servant like Jesus to your family?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/19 at 12:35 PM •
(1) Comments
December 18, 2009
Outreach is in reach!
Most people have no clue how many people it takes to pull off an outreach like we are doing on Sunday morning. It is truly an amazing team effort.
Well, that team is is full gear now.
Last night, the band rehearsed at the high school and the drama rehearsed here at the church.
Decorations are stacked up in the hall ready to take over to the high school.
The computer and sound needs are nearly complete.
Pastor Brian is upstairs putting the finishing touches on the message.
Muffins and water are rolling in for the food team.
The nursery is staffed and the toys are ready to go.
The ushers are ready to greet you when you walk in Sunday morning.
The prayer team is praying.
There’s just one more job left to do.
Invite that one last person. You know the one. The person you have been putting off asking until the right time. Well, the time has come.
The morning will be filled with drama, laughter, special music, praise, and a challenging message.
Will you be there?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/18 at 01:02 PM •
(0) Comments
December 15, 2009
How about a One Horse Open Sleigh…full of spuds!
Peg Shultz is already here at the church and, with the help of Rosie Torez, is preparing our Christmas basket outreach. If you would like to come help sort and fill bags, or if you would like to help deliver the bags, come to the Fellowship Hall tonight at 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm.
This is great way to spend less…give more…love all!
You’ve heard of a one horse open sleigh? How about a pick up full of potatoes?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/15 at 04:27 PM •
(0) Comments
December 15, 2009
Spend Less…Give More…Baby Food Style!
Sunday night we had our annual Christmas party for the students. This year though, it was not only for students but it was planned BY students. There was praise and worship lead by Phoenix and David McClure recited the Christmas story from memory. There were games, videos, and cookies made and decorated by students. It was a fantastic event!
We asked the students to bring baby food for the Caring Pregnancy Center. I have the joy of taking 125 things of baby food to the CPC! Great job students!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/15 at 11:39 AM •
(0) Comments
December 14, 2009
Emmanuel (Hallowed Manger Ground)
This is the song that we have been singing together for the past month. This Sunday, at our Christmas Outreach at the high school, it will be the last song in the praise and worship set. We are asking that PBC members sing it loudly, with passion and joy.
Here’s a video for you to practice to:
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/14 at 01:26 PM •
(0) Comments
December 12, 2009
Band Aid - 1984
As I continue to try to get my arms around how my family can make a difference in 2010, this song has been playing in my mind all week. In 1984, Bob Geldoff of the Boomtown Rats, put together a charity supergroup to record what would become, “Feed the World.” The group, composed of English and Irish pop superstars, (Linda Ronstat and Kool and the Gang were the only Americans), recorded this one night. When the single was released it debuted at #1 and was, at the time, the biggest selling single of all time in the UK.
Every penny went to hunger relief in Africa. In fact, the British government even donated the tax revenue to the cause (after Geldoff stood up to then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.)
If you are a child of the 80s, then most of the singers will look familiar to you. As I was watching this, I was able to name most of them. Maxine says that’s because I had a sad childhood. My favorite story is that Geldoff had Boy George flown on the Concord from NYC to London to do his lines. Oh how the mighty have fallen….
If you have a hard time with putting names with faces,
The original Band Aid ensemble consisted of:
Linda Ronstadt, Adam Clayton (U2), Phil Collins (Genesis), Bob Geldof (The Boomtown Rats, subsequently USA for Africa), Steve Norman (Spandau Ballet), Chris Cross (Ultravox)
John Taylor (Duran Duran), Paul Young, Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet), Glenn Gregory (Heaven 17), Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran), Simon Crowe, Marilyn, Keren Woodward (Bananarama), Martin Kemp (Spandau Ballet), Jody Watley (Shalamar), Bono (U2), Paul Weller (The Style Council, and previously The Jam), James “J.T.” Taylor (Kool & The Gang), George Michael (Wham!), Midge Ure (Ultravox), Martyn Ware (Heaven 17), John Keeble (Spandau Ballet), Gary Kemp (Spandau Ballet), Roger Taylor (Duran Duran), Sara Dallin (Bananarama), Siobhan Fahey (Bananarama), Sting (The Police), Pete Briquette (The Boomtown Rats), Francis Rossi (Status Quo), Robert ‘Kool’ Bell (Kool & the Gang)
Dennis Thomas (Kool & the Gang), Andy Taylor (Duran Duran), Jon Moss (Culture Club, former member of Adam and the Ants), Rick Parfitt (Status Quo), Nick Rhodes (Duran Duran), Johnny Fingers (The Boomtown Rats), David Bowie (who contributed via a recording that was mailed to Geldof and then dubbed onto the single), Boy George (Culture Club), Holly Johnson (Frankie Goes to Hollywood), Paul McCartney (Wings and The Beatles, who contributed via a recording that was mailed to Geldof and then dubbed onto the single)
Stuart Adamson (Big Country), Bruce Watson (Big Country), Tony Butler (Big Country), Mark Brzezicki (Big Country), Jools Holland.
Ok enough of my “well of useless information.” Watch the video and make a choice. Will you help feed the world?
Here it is at Live Aid in 1985. This was a live charity concert done on two continents - Philadelphia and London, England. I was 15, I watched every minute of it. Mock their hair or even the song, but what they were trying to do was, and still is, noble.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/12 at 08:53 AM •
(0) Comments
