November 30, 2008

What Christmas is All About

Most people in America are familiar with Luke 2 because every December since 1965, in between scenes of the Grinch slithering around Whoville and George Bailey looking for a wonderful life and Rudolf not playing reindeer games, we hear from Linus who knows the true meaning of Christmas.  Listen to the answer he gave to Charlie Brown’s question: “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”

[We played this in the service today]

November 29, 2008

The Best Christmas Present

We’re beginning a new series tomorrow called, “Christmas Questions.”

As I was going through my Christmas article file, I came across something I wrote in 1999 that may be of help to you as you prepare for Christmas.

When I was growing up, I looked forward to opening my Christmas presents (actually, I still do now).  On those special occasions when I received what I had been longing for, I was ecstatic.  But, invariably, no matter how much I had wanted the gift, it eventually lost its luster, or fell apart, before New Year’s Day.

As I’ve gotten older I’ve realized that there’s one Christmas present that will never go out of style or break down.  It will never fade or lose its appeal.  Mary experienced this gift in a very personal way on that first Christmas, as the breath of heaven changed her life forever.

Even though Mary was favored by God and was chosen to carry the Christ of Christmas, she also needed to be forgiven by God.  And it gradually began to dawn on her that God’s plan of forgiveness was wrapped up in her unusual son.

The final appearance of Mary in the Gospels occurs in a violent scene that she did not want to witness—on a hill outside Jerusalem, watching helplessly as her first-born son who was once treated like a king, now hung on a cross like a criminal.  Like many of the other Christ-followers of that time, Mary must have realized the wisdom of God’s perfect plan.

Because Jesus was born of Mary, he was fully human, and therefore could identify with our condition.  Because he was conceived by God’s power apart from a husband, he was fully divine, and so could satisfy God’s holy demands.  No other sacrifice could fulfill God’s desire for mercy without compromising his demand for justice.

God is reaching out to you this Christmas season, offering you the gift of new life and hope.  You can accept this Christmas present by inviting Jesus to come into your life.  All you need to do is confess your sins to God, receive His forgiveness, and by faith accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord.  That’s the best Christmas present ever – will you receive Him today?

November 28, 2008

A True Patriot

PBC member Dr. Steve Norris recently returned from serving in Iraq.  Lincoln School sent an American flag that was flown at the Balad Air Force base and this story from the Daily Leader gives the background.

November 27, 2008

Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation

This is worth reading in its entirety but this section jumped out at me…

I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the imposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the divine purpose, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity, and union.

Read it all here.

November 26, 2008

Being Grateful for God

One Thanksgiving a family was seated around their table, looking at the annual holiday bird.  From the oldest to the youngest, the children expressed their thankfulness as they went around the table.  When they came to the 5-year-old, he began by expressing his thanks to the turkey, saying although he had not tasted it he knew it would be good.  After being thankful for Butterball, he began with a more predictable line of credits, thanking his mother for cooking the turkey and his father for buying the turkey.

But then he joined together a whole hidden multitude of benefactors, as he traced the turkey all the way from its origin to his plate, “I thank you for the checker at the grocery store who checked out the turkey.  I thank you for the grocery store people who put it in the freezer.  I thank you for the farmer who made it fat.  I thank you for the man who made the feed.  I thank you for those who brought the turkey to the store.”
When he was all done, he took a breath and asked, “Did I leave anybody out?”

To which his 3-year-older brother replied, “What about God?”

Without skipping a beat, the 5-year-old said, “I was going to get around to him.”

November 25, 2008

Reading Through the Bible—Pick a Plan

PBC member Joe Myzia offers some excellent suggestions for reading through the Bible in a year.

November 25, 2008

Don’t Put It Off

No unwelcome tasks become any the less unwelcome by putting them off till tomorrow.
It is only when they are behind us and done,
that we begin to find that there is a sweetness to be tasted afterwards,
and that the remembrance of unwelcome duties unhesitatingly done is welcome and pleasant.

Accomplished, they are full of blessing,
and there is a smile on their faces as they leave us.
Undone, they stand threatening and disturbing our tranquility,
and hindering our communion with God.

If there be lying before you any bit of work from which you shrink,
go straight up to it, and do it at once.
The only way to get rid of it is to do it.

-Alexander MacLaren (1826–1910), Scottish preacher

November 24, 2008

Christmas Child Report

148 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child were filled by PBC people!

November 24, 2008

Top Ten Reasons to Give Thanks

Here’s something I go back and read every year at this time.  I wrote it several years ago but it still captures what I’m thankful for.

Two men were walking through a field one day when they spotted an enraged bull. Instantly they darted toward the nearest fence.  The storming bull followed in hot pursuit, and it was soon apparent they wouldn’t make it.  Terrified, the one shouted to the other, “Put up a prayer, John.  We’re in for it!”  John answered, “I can’t. I’ve never made a public prayer in my life.”  “But you must!” implored his companion.  “The bull is catching up to us.”  “All right,” panted John, “I’ll say the only prayer I know, the one my father used to repeat at the table: ‘O Lord, for what we are about to receive, make us truly thankful.’”

Even when times are tough, we can find reasons to be thankful.  In the midst of problems we can praise.  If we remember that the pioneering Pilgrims suffered through a lot of hardship, making seven times more graves than homes, we too can practice the attitude of gratitude this Thanksgiving season.  Indeed, we can find joy in the junk of life because thankfulness is a choice.

Abraham Lincoln made this statement from his Thanksgiving Day declaration in 1863:  “…To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God…It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.”

1 Thessalonians 5:14 reminds us “to give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  That means that it’s not only possible, but in fact, if we want to follow God’s will, then it’s necessary to give thanks.  If we pause to think, we’ll have cause to thank.  It’s been my practice in November to come up with a list of reasons to be thankful.  I’ve found that my list hasn’t changed much over the years.  Here are my “Top Ten Reasons to Be Thankful” this Thanksgiving season.

10.  I’m thankful that the men and women who founded our nation did so on their knees and with a sense of divine calling.  I’m thankful for the freedoms we have to worship when believers from some countries face relentless persecution. 

9.  Though I’m a persecuted Packer fan from Wisconsin, I can think of no place I’d rather live than Pontiac. 

8.  I’m pleased to partner with a fine group of ministers who serve in this community and for the two pastors I have the privilege of serving alongside every day.

7.  I’m appreciative for the impact that Pontiac Christian School has had on our daughters and for the excellent administration and teachers at PTHS.  I’m also grateful that our daughters ask their mother for help with homework, especially when it’s Science or Math.

6.  God has always met my needs for food, clothing and shelter as I’ve tried to put Him first in my life (Matthew 6:33).

5.  I’m thankful for life itself, recognizing that every breath I take is a gift from God.  This keeps me humble and mindful that I must live in order to leave a legacy. 

4.  I’m honored to serve a church that takes the Great Commandment (loving God and others) and the Great Commission (telling others the gospel) seriously.  I’m especially thankful that most of them stay awake during my sermons. 

3.  I’m grateful for four beautiful daughters who have their mother’s great looks and personality.  I’m thankful that they treat me like a hero even when I act like a zero.  I especially like it when they call me “Daddy.”

2.  Amazingly, God has allowed me to be married to my best friend.  I still marvel that she said, “Yes” to me.  She knows me better than anyone else, and yet still loves me. 

1.  I’m thankful for my college roommate who had the courage to challenge my beliefs and point me to the cross.  I’m awed by the relentless love and glorious grace of Jesus Christ.  I’m humbled that Christ saved me from my sins and that I’ll spend eternity with Him, not because I deserve it but because I don’t.  I’m stunned that He loves me just the way I am but loves me too much to let me stay that way.

We can always find something to be thankful for, if we simply count our blessings.  What’s on your top ten list?  Hit the pause button this week and you’ll have cause to be thankful. Happy Thanksgiving!

November 23, 2008

PBC in the Pantagraph

The Pantagraph ran a story today about how churches are using technology as a tool of ministry.  Here’s the section about PBC…

...Another church actively using technology is Pontiac Bible Church, where the Rev. Brian Bill provides manuscripts of sermons as well as cassettes and CDs.

Sermons also are e-mailed and made available on the church’s Web site at http://www.pontiacbible.org.

As at Eastview and Calvary Baptist, Bill uses a blog to help him keep in touch with his church family.

“We consider all this an extension of our ministry,” said Bill, who, like Wingate, remembers filing sermons away before technology was readily available to preserve audio, and even video, versions of them.

“For me as a pastor it is rewarding when weeks or even years after a sermon I get an e-mail thanking me,” he said.

That thanks might come from halfway around the world. Bill said the church’s Web site has had visits from 112 countries, including Russia, Kenya, Japan and Germany.

Bill is thankful that technology allows that far-flung connection.

November 22, 2008

Going Global

Last night Beth and I hosted the first “Go Global Group.”  About 20 people came and we talked about what God is doing in our church regarding missions and how He is prompting several to take the next step.  It was a joy to have Keith Shubert and Michael Wahls with us (thier wives were sick and not able to come).  They shared a lot of practical steps with the group.

We won’t meet in December but will meet again in January. 

November 21, 2008

An Eternal Investment

An anonymous donor gave a huge sum of $50 million to Wycliffe Bible Translators this week making it possible to translate Scripture for the last people groups still without the Bible in their native tongue more quickly.

Read more here.

November 20, 2008

On Being Thankful

This Sunday during our services we are going to have opportunities for people to express what they’re thankful for.  Ken Fulkerson sent me this poem that was written by his mother, Gladys.  I wanted to pass it along.

We say thank you for your blessings Lord
When good things come our way
It’s easy when we’re happy
And the sun shines every day.
In all things be ye thankful
We find it hard to say
Thank you for the hard times
That you often send our way.
I have just scrubbed the kitchen
And the floor is nice and clean
Thank you for my husband, Lord
Every footprint can be seen.
Thank you for the milk, Lord
That is spilled upon the floor,
The telephone is ringing
And there’s someone at the door.
Vacation time is here at last
It seems long overdue.
Why did we have that flat tire?
Must I say thanks for that too?
Thank you for the heartaches
And the night of wakeful sleep
When we find it hard to cope with
The late hours our children keep.
Thank you for the illness, Lord
That keeps me flat upon my bed
As I worry about the housework
And you wanted me to rest instead.
Thank you for the failures, Lord
That come to me and mine
We only see the now, Lord,
Your plan is for all time.
The list grows ever longer
All things mean so very much
Thankful hearts can only come, Lord
As with you we keep in touch.

November 19, 2008

Pontiac Correctional Center in the News

ABC7 out of Chicago ran a story last night about the judge’s ruling halting the movement of prisoners for two weeks.  Our very own Kristy Evans was interviewed.  Check it out here.

November 18, 2008

Did You Know?

I had to watch this video twice to process all the information.  Check it out. 

PBC member Dave Rice sent it to me and I’ve passed it along to all our elders and deacons because of the implications for ministry in these days and in the future.  I was reminded of 1 Chronicles 12:32 which describes the “men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do…”

 

November 18, 2008

Christmas Child—There’s Still Time!

If you’ve not prepared a shoebox for Operation Christmas child yet, you still have time.  Boxes need to be dropped off here at church by noon on Friday.

November 18, 2008

Ponder This

“Give according to your income, lest God make your income according to your giving.” - Unknown

November 17, 2008

All Creatures of our God and King

Check out this video that Ray Pritchard posted.  It ties in wonderfully to our sermon yesterday.

November 15, 2008

Caring and Sharing and Blessing

To God be the glory for what He did through the Caring Closet ministry this morning!  327 people came through the doors representing 109 different families.  Each person received the love of Jesus through the serving hands of our women’s ministry.  We also gave out over 100 copies of Anchor for the Soul and made contacts with people who are looking for a church home.

We still have quite a bit of women’s clothing left.  We’ll open again next Saturday morning so we can match this clothing with those in need.

November 15, 2008

Theology Leads to Doxology

We’ll be focusing on Romans 11:33-36 tomorrow.  I urge you to read this passage several times today, meditate on it and then work this week at memorizing it.  After you read it, sing along with the Doxology.

We’ll show this before the services tomorrow.

November 14, 2008

Clothes for the Community

It’s been incredible to see people bringing clothes and sorting clothes this week in preparation for the Caring Closet, which is a ministry that gives away FREE clothes.  The hours tomorrow are 9:00 to noon.  The Fellowship Hall is filled with good used clothes and some that are even brand new.  Please pass the word to people in need.

I came across this quote this morning: “God won’t ask about the clothes you had in your closet, He’ll ask how many you helped to clothe.”

November 14, 2008

Two Verses

Two verses popped out at me this morning in my Quiet Time…

“Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” (Psalm 85:6)

“Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” (Psalm 86:11)

November 13, 2008

To God Be The Glory

In searching for ideas for this Sunday’s service when we will wrap up our study in Romans 9-11, I came across this catchy video.  We’re not going to use it Sunday but it’s too good to not pass along.

Read this passage from Romans 11:33-36 and then check it out: “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!  ‘Who has known the mind of the Lord?  Or who has been his counselor?’  ‘Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?’  For from him and through him and to him are all things.  To him be the glory forever!  Amen.”

November 13, 2008

Spurgeon Speaks

My favorite preacher from long ago is Charles Spurgeon.  Here’s something he wrote in Meditation for this Morning for November 13th.

“The branch cannot bear fruit of itself.”  (John 15:4)
How did you begin to bear fruit? It was when you came to Jesus and cast yourselves on His great atonement, and rested on His finished righteousness. Ah! what fruit you had then! Do you remember those early days? Then indeed the vine flourished, the tender grape appeared, the pomegranates budded forth, and the beds of spices gave forth their smell. Have you declined since then? If you have, we charge you to remember that time of love, and repent, and do thy first works. Be most in those engagements which you have experimentally proved to draw you nearest to Christ, because it is from Him that all your fruits proceed.

November 13, 2008

Caring Closet

Over the years our family has received the gift of clothes for our children many times.  Now, it’s our turn to give to others through the new PBC ministry called the “Caring Closet.”  All the clothes are now in and are in the process of being sorted so they can be given to people in our community this SATURDAY from 9:00 to noon in the Family Life Center.

We have received more clothes than we expected so please spread the word to people in need that they can come and receive FREE winter clothes, coats, boots, hats, etc. for men, women and children. 

November 12, 2008

Prayer Coach

Crossmap has posted my brief review of the principles in the book called Prayer Coach.

November 12, 2008

Good, But Not Godly?

Craig Wininger sent me this story about what some humanists are planning for the Christmas season.

Ads proclaiming, “Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness’ sake,” will appear on Washington buses starting next week and running through December.

Can we really be good but not godly?  I’m pondering this and plan to develop a response to this in Sunday’s sermon.  You’ll have to wait until then to hear more.  If you have some thoughts please leave some comments—they may show up in the sermon!

November 12, 2008

C.H.A.T.

I listened to a podcast over the weekend where Jim Nicodem, pastor of Christ Community Church in St. Charles, Illinois talked about his new book called Prayer Coach.

During the discussion he talked about a way to pray that I’ve found quite helpful.  In fact, I led the elders and deacons through this format at our joint meeting last night.

C - Confess
H - Honor
A - Ask
T - Thanks

This is similar to ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) but it starts with confession which is a good place to begin.  Plus, it uses the word “ask” which is easier to understand than “supplication.”

One of the ideas Jim Nicodem suggests is to use the alphabet and think of an attribute or characteristic of God for each letter. 

Here’s how I spent time on “honor” this morning.

A - Almighty
B - Beautiful
C - Compassionate
D - Designer
E - Everlasting
F - Faithful
G - Great
H - Holy
I - Indescribable
J - Jehovah Shalom
K - Kind
L - Living
M - Magnificent
N - No equal
O - Omnipotent
P - Personal
Q - Quiet
R - Resplendent
S - Savior
T - Total
U - Universe maker
V - Victor
W - Worthy
X - Extravagant (I cheated on this one)
Y - Yahweh
Z - Zealous

The cool thing about this is that it forces me to think of attributes or characteristics of God that I normally don’t think about.  It also serves to help me spend significant time praising Him for who He is before rushing into my “asks.”

Try it and let me know what you think.

November 11, 2008

Fireproof is Hot

Check out this update from Christianity Today.

November 11, 2008

Brit Hume Not a ‘Part-time’ Christian

I’ve recently started to watch Brit Hume on Fox News.  I appreciate his fairness and like how he treats people.  He’s retiring in ‘09 and am glad to find out that he’s a Christ-follower.  To read more, see here.

Here are some quotes that stood out to me…

‘I certainly want to pursue my faith more ardently than I have done. I’m not claiming it’s impossible to do when you work in this business. I was kind of a nominal Christian for the longest time. When my son died (by suicide in 1998), I came to Christ in a way that was very meaningful to me. If a person is a Christian and tries to face up to the implications of what you say you believe, it’s a pretty big thing. If you do it part time, you’re not really living it.’

From another interview: “And since my son died, I have been, really, I felt rescued by God and by Christ. I have an intense desire to pursue that more ardently and have it be a bigger part of my life than it has been.”

November 11, 2008

Remember our Vets Today

Let’s remember those who have sacrificed for us today. 

Let’s pray also for those who have family members who are serving overseas.

I’ve never served in this way but my dad has.  Dad, thanks for serving our country.

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