Wow!

Wow! No sooner did our youth team get back from Boston than we received this from one of the people that they ministered to while they were away. You just never know how you are going to touch someone. By the way the boys from Hilltop mentioned in the e-mail are Tyler Bangerd and Matthew Davis.

Her is the text of the e-mail we received:

I wanted to thank the following, sincerely, for their help in cleaning my yard. I am an unemployed and disabled vet, who is presently in dire straits, near to losing my home, and with the way my life is going, needed this to help raise my spirits some. I must admit that due to my present circumstances, and that my grand-daughter was born with cancer ~ {she seems to be better now} ~ that I AND my son have "strayed away" from any type of religion, although I DO feel there IS a need for what you all do, and I AM appreciative.

In particular, I want to thank Joy ~ {team leader}, Lindsy and Erica ~ {all from Michigan}; and Tyler and Matthew, both from Maryland, where I actually have relatives, who were at my house. I was surprised to learn that the team came from so far away. Baxter, my three year old "puppy", also enjoyed their visit, although at the Celebrate America function, on the Lynn Common, I believe that he was overwhelmed by all the people. He is used to being only with 4 other Goldens, at my cousins home, in Connecticut, with very little human contact, although he is very friendly to all. I also want to thank Joy for the prayers for my grand-daughter and for me and my job search, so I don't lose my home ~ {it's all I have to leave to my sons}

I also met Pastor Kurt of the East Coast International Church, Lynn, who was also instrumental in the Celebrate America function on the Lynn common.

Last, I want to thank Michigan Youth Ministries ~ { http://www.mymcentral.com/ } ~ and Hilltop Assembly of Maryland ~ { http://www.hilltopaog.org/ ? } ~ for the youth they sent. I hope I've sent this e~mail to the right addresses ? If not, could someone please forward my thank you letter to the right people.

About the only thing I can think of to do to perhaps return the help, is to donate items that I had earmarked to give away, hoping only for some sort of tax break. I have some old computers, clothing, etc. My mind being in a turmoil of late, I forgot to mention this to Pastor Kurt on the chance he might be interested ~ If so, please call me. By the time Pastor Kurt sees this, I may not have my cell phone anymore, so please call the home number listed.

Steven W. R o b e r t s
Lynn, Mass.

We are very proud of all who went on this trip: Paul Hauffman, David Hauffman, Cory Bangerd, Tyler Bangerd, Matthew Davis, Sam Long and Kyle Smith. By the way I'm sure that Paul could use a prayer or two today; after a weeks ministry and a 9 hour drive home that got him home after midnight, he has to work today.

Blessings,
PB

The Sunday Shout-Out: June 29th, Edition.

It is possible that Mike and Darlene Reese have worn more hats here at Hilltop than have any others. In fact there may not be a single hat that you can volunteer for around here that they have not worn at one time or another. If you have a spare afternoon sometime you might want to schedule an appointment with Pastor Pete and he can give the low down of all that they have done to strengthen just ab0ut every ministry we have. And those who have had the pleasure of working with them can tell you that if the words faithful, reliable and consistent were not already a part of the English language; they would have to be created in order to describe Mike and Darlene's service. We believe that God will always provide what is necessary for us to do the work that He has called us to do as a local church and nowhere is that more evident than in the way He raises up servants within a congregation. The Reese's have frequently been those servants; on occasions too numerous to mention the Reese's have risen up and have given of themselves to further the work taking place here at Hilltop and in the greater Carroll County community of faith. We are thankful to God that he has seen fit to place them here with us. Mike and Darlene you are both treasured gifts and today we shout-you-out!

Blessings,
PB

Is This Guy Watching Me?

Another post from Stuff Christians Like:

#318. Profusely Perspiring Pastors

I am fantastic at sweating. If it were an Olympic event, then China would just go ahead and mail the medals to my house. If it were a superpower, kids around the world would be playing with my action figure named "the sweatster." If you could get paid to sweat, I would be wearing pants made of solid gold right now. Alas, I am not.

But, I am not the only one with a borderline inhuman ability to conjure up a torrent of sweat. Lots and lots of pastors can too. And when I see one on stage, I admit, I find it a little hypnotic.

I wrote once that one of my favorite things to do when I see some pastor up there pouring buckets, is to play "sweat drop race." That's where, if you are close enough to see their shimmering head, you pick out a sweat drop you think is going to make it to the safety of the shirt collar before all the other drops. Then you anxiously wait as it slowly careens its way down the side of the face, so close, so close, you win!!

That's not very mature of me. Neither was the alliteration pun I worked into the title of this post. So to make up for both of those things I thought I would give pastors a few tips on how to deal with sweat on stage:

1. Change clothes. Often.
I think it would be funny if like Mr. Rogers, the pastor did a wardrobe change in the middle of the sermon in the middle of the stage. (Not the pants. How dare you? I wish you were taking this sweat post seriously.) Every 15 minutes or so he could just casually walk over to a little table with a new shirt on it and then switch them mid sentence. It would be even better if he went behind the plexi-glass drummerquarium and pretended he didn't know it was see through. Oh that is rich, that is rich indeed.

2. Invent something called the "prayer towel."
The professional football team called the Pittsburgh Steelers have become well known over the years for their "terrible towels." Simple black and yellow towels, these terry cloth accessories have been a rallying cry for the fans and are now a part of the experience when you go to a game. People love waving them around and using them as a source of inspiration for the team. Do the same thing. Invent a "prayer towel." Instead of closing your eyes when you pray, ask people to "take out their prayer towels" and put them over their eyes. You can quickly wipe your head while everyone is using their prayer towel and you might even create a trend.

3. Preach from inside the baptismal.
This is going to be the hardest one to slip by the congregation but it might be worth it. Do your next sermon series while standing inside the baptismal. In addition to probably getting in the newspaper, you'll also be able to enjoy the cool, refreshing waters all sermon long. Is that sacrilegious? Without a doubt. Would it keep the sweat down for you? Probably.

4. Embrace it.
God made you and me sweaty. There it is, we are sweaty, sweaty, sweaty people. Stop fighting it. Ignore all the other three points and make sweat your calling card. Come up with a great alliteration like "Sweaty Saves Souls," get some deodorant company to sponsor your church and say things like "the sermon won't stick, unless I'm slick." All of that sounds like a pretty classy thing to do, right?

Those are my four ideas to help sweaty ministers. If you've already read a blog today that provided such a scientific analysis of ministerial sweat, I am sorry to have wasted your time. Please though, remember this: If you ever hear me speak, I promise, I will at some point ask you to get out your prayer towel.


Is this guy watching me?

Feeling a little paranoid,
PB

Quote: #6

“There are only two kinds of people - those who say, "Thy will be done" to God or those to whom God in the end says, "Thy will be done.” - C. S. Lewis

Funny.

I came across this yesterday and thought it was funny. It's from a blog entitled, "Stuff Christians Like."

#131. The Bald Worship Leader

After I wrote the post about the "mandatory youth minister goatee" I was flooded with emails about another phenomenon sweeping the nation, the "bald worship leader."

Never one to deny attention to things that are sweeping the nation, I thought I would address it. I'm not bald and I'm not a worship leader either but if I ever lose my hair and a church has a need for a triangle-playing worship leader (only instrument I've got in the bag), here are three rules I am going to live by:

1. Refuse the temptation to be weird hat guy.
When you go bald I think there's a deep urge to really explore all the wonders that the hat world has to offer. But when I see the currently cool Fidel Castro type hat on stage I don't think, "here I am to worship." I think, "here I am to overthrow a capitalist society." From cowboy hats to bandanas and top hats, I think you have to be very careful when it comes to how you clothe your head. (Bret Michaels, we know you are bald. Stop it.)

2. Manage the sweat situation.
If I go bald, I am going to develop the most incredible ninja-like ability to keep my head sweat free. I'll still be rocking out on my triangle, have no fear, but never will you find yourself hypnotized by betting on which bead of sweat will make it down my dome first.

3. Develop an awesome worship leader face.
Someone brought to my attention that in addition to musical skill, a worship leader must possess a face that helps set the tone. It must look engaged but not distant, focused but not unavailable, happy but also a little melodramatic. It's hard to describe, but close your eyes, form a half smile, and imagine you've just taken a bite of your favorite food and happen to be holding an acoustic guitar.

I am sure there are other rules when it comes to being an awesome bald worship leader, but those are mine. Please note: I know there are a lot of amazing female worship leaders. Some of my favorite worship leaders are women. The church that I attend has a bunch, but thus far none of the ones I know have goatees or are bald. So until I think of something funny or someone sends me something about a quirk of female worship leaders, I am sparing them the ridiculousness of posts like this.

None of the above content is original to me.

Blessings,
PB

WHAT IF?

Inspired by this:



This was made possible by 410 Bridge, an organization put together when a few people asked the following questions:

• What if an organization was created that leveraged its relationships with hundreds of thousands of people who were educated and challenged to make a difference in one country in Africa?
• What if a committed network of churches decided to focus on key problem areas in one country in Africa?
• What if those churches partnered with communities in one country in Africa such that they might meet and work together to discover and address the needs of that community?
• What if those with a heart for Africa had a relevant and exciting outlet that provided the means for them to actually put their passion into action?
• Could we move the needle in that one country in such a way that the rest of the world would take notice and ask, "What happened there? Why is that country different?

And now I'm wondering, What If?

• The Hilltop family of faith was to fully leverage the strengths, resources and aptitudes that God has endowed us with, in an effort to make a difference in our community?
• A committed band of Christ followers decided to consistently extend a helping hand to people with broken hearts and broken lives living in our neighborhoods?
• Together we were to work hard discovering and addressing the needs of our community?
• We were to meet these needs in ways that are proactive, relevant and sustainable?
  
• We reached out in ways that clearly demonstrate the love we have for our creator, each other, other local churches, as well as those who might live in opposition to our faith?
• Could we move the needle in our community in such a way that others would have to take notice and ask, "What's happening here?"

WHAT IF?!?!?

Blessings,
PB

Quote: #5

“Character is like a tree, and reputation is like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.” — Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States

Their Off!

We just (three hours ago) sent Paul Hauffman along with his son David, Corey And Tyler Bangerd, Matthew Davis, Sam Long and Kyle Smith off to Boston for the week long "Greater Boston Outreach." They will be working with the East Coast International Church in St. Lynn, Massachusetts and will be returning early next Monday morning. Please keep them in your prayers.

Blessings,
PB

The Sunday Shout-Out: June 22nd, Edition.

Recently I caught Brian Hoffman talking behind someone's back and I just can't resist passing it on to you in the form of this weeks shout-out. Here it is a paraphrase, "...I would like to mention the great effort of Angela Hudgins, she has been of great help to us in the Children’s Church. She has taken on the roll of Children’s Church P. R. head, has helped us out tremendously in organizing VBS advertising, promotion and fundraising. Most recently she put together and recruited for our car wash fundraiser, which was a great success. We want to thank her for all that she does behind the scenes as well as in public. We want her to know that she is a true blessing to us, the church, and the children." I just had to pass that on. Angela today we give you this shout-out for all that you are doing to make Hilltop's ministry to children successful.

Blessings,
PB

Quote: #4

"Biblical interpretation must be missiological, not theological. A theological construct for interpretation finds success in the attainment of knowledge. The more you know, the more mature Christian you are thought to be. And yet knowledge of the Bible does not guarantee application of the Bible. To know is not necessarily to do. When the construct applied to the Bible is missiological, you engage the Bible to discover the response required of your life. It is significant that the history of the first-century church is called the book of Acts, not the book of Truths." - Erwin Raphael McManus

When We Left The Earth.

I am absolutely loving "When We Left The Earth" on the Discovery Channel. Even though I grew up after the United States had won the space race; I never new a time when man had not walked on the moon; I have still found myself in awe of the accomplishment of those men who indeed did have "the right stuff." I am amazed by their courage, by their commitment and by their passion as they answered the challenge; you might even say commission given by John F. Kennedy to "send a man to the moon by the end of the decade." I just cannot remember being so captivated by anything that I have ever seen on the television. I found myself particularly moved by the reading of Genesis 1: by the astronauts of Apollo 8; William Anders, Jim Lovell and Frank Borman; on December 24, 1968.

As I watch this program I can't help but find myself inspired to step up my game when it comes to obeying the commission that God has given me, both as a pastor and as an individual follower of Jesus. I believe that commission Jesus gave is far more compelling than the one Kennedy gave NASA in the wake of Sputnik, compelling though it was. I desire that my courage and my commitment and my passion in answering His call will exceed that of these inspiring men. And I pray that when all is said and done that I will have as faithfully and as fully fulfilled my mission here on earth as these great men did theirs getting off of it. Truly I consider myself to be a very blessed man to be doing what I do, so I close with the words of astronaut Michael P. Anderson, "It's a great view from here. I'm having the time of my life."

Blessings,
PB

Quote: #3

"I do not pray for success, I ask for faithfulness." - Mother Teresa

Muy Bueno!

Bienvenidos, I just got off of the phone with my good friend Pastor Mario from Honduras. It's official...I'm going Honduras in August, MUY BUENO!

Bendiciones,
PB

"I Can’t Fly This Plane!"

Many of you will remember USAir Flight 427 that crashed outside of Pittsburgh, PA on September 8, 1994, killing everyone on board. Seminary professor Steve Brown does. He flew into Pittsburgh one week later on a USAir flight out of Toronto. He also remembers encountering some of the most horrible turbulence he’d ever experience on that particular flight. He though he was going to die; “In fact, I was sure of it,” he says. He continues, “Now that kind of experience has a tendency to make one’s prayers intense. The irritating part about my praying on that occasion was the snores of the sleeping woman next to me. When we finally landed safely, she woke up and was stretching. I said to her, ‘Lady, we almost died and you were sleeping. It seems to me that one ought to be awake for one’s death.’ She laughed, and said, ‘Mister, I can’t fly this plane!’” In other words, why worry if the plane is going to crash, being awake for the crash isn’t going to prevent it.

We (or at least I) can learn a lot from this lady. Because it seems to me that much of what we (again, at least I) worry about is far outside of the realm of our control. And if we can’t fly the plane, then why do we bother trying? After all worry is really nothing more than our misguided attempt to fly planes that we can’t fly. I recently made the decision that I am not going to worry about the things that are outside of my control. Which is as they say, easier said than done. So far it seems that the only thing that I have successfully removed from my worry list is the win/loss record of the O’s (it’s much, much easier when your expectations aren’t too high.) Still, I aspire to live a worry free life because I have come to see my worrying as an indicator of my lack of trust in God and His goodness. When Jesus says, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own,” (Matthew 6:34) He’s saying, “Trust me today.” And trust always pleases God. So let me encourage you to pursue a worry free life with me. The next time we find ourselves coming down with a case of the worries, it might be healthy for us to whisper out or maybe even shout out a prayer to God making the following declaration: “HELP Lord…I can’t fly this plane!” Then I think we should go and take a nap.

Blessings,
PB

Why Golf Is Important To Me.

It is not just that I like golf. No...golf is important to me. Here's why: my parents divorced when I was in grade school. And a short time later my father got a job that moved him out of the country to Scotland, which for a few years limited our communication to letters and phone calls. Then my sister and I were lucky enough to go and visit him one summer when school was out. I still have great memories of that trip but the one that most marks my time there was; my dad took me golfing. It is likely that he took us (my sister and two step brothers) golfing but I only remember him taking me. I even have a memory of trying to play out of a sand bunker etched in my memory some thirty years later. We did a lot of different things in Scotland that summer but for me this was important. I had spent time with my dad, I had developed some memories WITH my dad and I knew something more about my dad...he was a golfer. Though I did not know it then, I became a golfer that day. Not because golf came naturally to me, or that I demonstrated an amazing aptitude for it, but because my dad was a golfer and every son wants to be like his father. And even though I had no golf clubs back home in Houston, I flew back a golfer. I have thought about this for years now and I am convinced that this is true. Golf became important to me because my father was a golfer and my father; even thought he lived in Scotland; was important to me. The same remains true today, my dad still golf’s and golf is still important to me, because my father is still important to me. When I was separated from my father by the Atlantic Ocean golf made the distance shorter. And now that I am a father myself I am learning just how important it is to have something that I can share with my son, something that makes the distance of growing up in a United States that is, in many ways, much different from the one I grew up in shorter. As I think about my need for that kind of connection with my son I can't help but smile because...Kyle loves to golf with me as often as he can. And the only thing better than that are the times when we get to go golfing together with my father.

Happy Father's Day,
PB

The Sunday Shout-Out: June 15th, Edition.

Some people just have the goods. Today's shout-out is directed at Megan Hiltz, she has the goods. Pleasant temperament, servant's heart and mad skills. She is heading off to College Park in the fall, "Fear The Turtle, Go Terps!" There are few service opportunities around Hilltop that Megan hasn't participated in throughout her time with us. But lately she has been filling in at the attendance desk for Vicky and Pat on Sunday mornings so that they can take the ICIT course. We are thankful to God for bringing her our way, proud of how she has handled herself through her years with us and we are excited to see the plan of God being fleshed out in her life in the future. So Megan this shout-out is for you. You go...and come back...girl.

Blessings,
PB

Quote: #2

"Prayer is not conquering God's reluctance, but taking hold of God's willingness." - Phillip Brooks

Recent Reads

The Divine Mentor: if you have ever wanted to journal, this book makes it both appealing and accessable. Using the system outlined in this book anyone from 12 to 100 can journal in meaningful ways. Additionally, if you have ever wanted to mentor someone in their personal walk with God but did not know where to start, "The Divine Mentor" will enable you to do just that and, better yet, it will help you do it in a way that is completely Bible based.

The Shack: there is some controversy here. Eugene Peterson of "The Message" fame says that this book could impact our generation in the way John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" impacted his. My opinion...not quite. Where as Mark Driscoll, Pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle says, "Regarding the Trinity, it's actually heretical." My opinion...not quite, it's a work of fiction after all, not a scholastic work of theology. There were parts that I found to be absolutely beautiful along with one or two parts that made me a tad bit uncomfortable. But it is definitely worth the read and could be a tremendous blessing to you. Just remember this is fiction and not the Bible.

There Is No Me Without You: this is a wonderful book about an Ethiopian lady who turned her personal disappointment into the motivation to do something about the problem of AIDS orphans in her home country. She is not depicted as a saint without flaws, but rather as a very human person with personal struggles, flaws and needs. It's enjoyable, easy to read and inspiring. As a bonus it will give you a little insight into one of the most present struggles in Ethiopia and should help give focus and passion to your prayers for the work that Compassion is doing there right now.

Scarlet: this is the second in a trilogy of novels focused on Robin Hood...I really dig Robin Hood....AND...I'm still waiting for him to show up at my front door with some of the sheriffs ill-gotten riches.



Happy Reading,
PB

Quote: #1

"I have had more trouble with myself than with any other man." - D. L. Moody

Uriah Was One Of David's Mighty Men.

In 2 Samuel 23:39, Uriah the Hittite is listed as one of King David's "Mighty Men." This is the same Uriah the Hittite who was married to Bathsheba. The same Uriah the Hittite who was fighting a war for King David while David was having an affair with Bathsheba. This is the same Uriah the Hittite whose death in battle was arranged by King David in an attempt to cover up his affair with Bathsheba. Every time I read this verse I find myself astonished by how far sin can take a man, even a man whom God describes as being after His own heart. David arranged for the death of one of his own "Mighty Men" to cover up his personal sin. This reminds me that if I let it, sin will take me to some pretty dark places. But there is another part of the story that I find to be very encouraging, and that is how David found forgiveness. Even though David had decided to cover up his sin. God, having none of that, sought David out and initiated a conversation between David and the prophet Nathan that resulted in David’s repentance and his forgiveness. For me the lesson is twofold: first, I am capable of gross sin, which tells me that I am in need of God's ongoing help to resist the temptations that come my way. And second, even when I blow it, God will seek a way to forgive me rather than condemn me. Whew! Thank God for pursuing grace.

Blessings,
PB

The Sunday Shout-Out: June 8th, Edition.

When giving thanks or expressing appreciation people will often add one of the following modifiers; "I don't say this often enough" or "I should have said this before." Sometimes people withhold their thanks until the person being thanked has finished with their task or completed their service. Worse still are the many, many times that people simply let their thanks go unsaid. We don't want to be like those people. So in an effort to reverse this trend we would like to give a shout-out to Donna Haines. As you may know, Donna has taken on the leadership responsibility for the "Child Survival Project '08" concert in August. This concert is a full two months away; which Donna would describe as "Oh My Gosh Only Two Months AWAY!!!!" The organizing of this event is no small task; herculean comes to mind. Still Donna has willingly and enthusiastically taken it on. I think that it is fair to say that without her efforts we would be nowhere (and I mean nowhere) near where we are right now in this project. Her energy, creativity and passion for this event have truly been a blessing. So today we give a hearty shout-out to Donna Haines. Not because the concert is over and it went well and not because it is mid September and we have just now realized that we forgot to say thanks five weeks ago. Rather we shout her out today while she is in the trenches waging war for this event. We shout her out today because her servant heart has been on display for a few months now and we want to draw attention to it before a single song has been sung. We shout her out today because we don't want our appreciation to come to late or not at all.

Blessings,
PB

RE: Now I Understand.

Referencing the earlier post "Now I Understand." This was on my shirt as I led worship this morning. Even still, you guys entered in and went for it. I am so grateful for both God's grace and for your graciousness. It is a blast living this adventure with you.

Blessings,
PB

The Sunday Shout-Out: June 1st, Edition.

As I understand it having an "ace up your sleeve" in the world of poker allows for a player with a poor hand to instantaneously make his hand better. Well this Sunday we would like to shout-out our technology "ace in the hole" Matthew Davis. Recently Matthew has been putting a lot of effort into making Hilltop's technology face better. He has debugged computers, helped with the installation of our new sound board, and worked on the "Child Survival Project '08" posters. He set up and he maintains our pod casts. Currently he is working with Joan and Nancy on the photo directory project. Truly I must say that having an ace up your sleeve is a comforting feeling. Matthew, this Shout-Out is for you, thanks for making our geek world better.

Blessings,
PB