Now I Understand.

Having seen this, and considering my lack of precision when it comes to food consumption, I think I am now beginning to understand why I may not always be clearly understood; make sure you turn your speakers up real loud!

Blessings,
PB

Memorial Day

We just came back from the new Gettysburg Visitor Center and were reminded again about how blessed we are to be living where and when we do; by-the-way make sure you get there soon, it's fantastic. Near the end of the exhibit we came to a room dedicated to the Gettysburg Address. You know, Abraham Lincoln's short speech given at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery. The speech that is memorized by more fourth graders than any other speech ever given. This portion of the exhibit included some of the media reactions to the address, including this one from the Harrisburg Patriot and Union: "...we pass over the silly remarks of the president: for the credit of the nation we are willing that the veil of oblivion shall be dropped over them and that they shall no more be repeated or thought of." As well as this from the London Times: "The ceremony was rendered ludicrous by some of the sallies of that poor President Lincoln. Anything more dull and commonplace it would not be easy to produce." So much for the collective wisdom of the media. To be fair it must be said that there were just as many laudatory comments made about "the sallies of that poor President Lincoln" as there were derogatory comments. But even as I was reading the dueling commentaries on what today is almost universally considered one of history's greatest speeches, I was struck by how difficult it is to dispassionately evaluate the events that take place around us even as they are happening. It is this fact that reminds me of how important it is for us to "discipline" our minds and emotions. We should not allow ourselves to panic as if we have no hope when times are difficult. Neither should we allow ourselves to shutdown when things seemingly are going our way. Rather, I think that the appropriate response of a believer in fluctuating times is one of both rest and vigilance. In turbulent times we should seek to find our rest in the knowledge that our God is both with and for us. In times that are marked by His grace we should endeavor to remain vigilant knowing that our enemy comes to steal and kill and destroy. When we panic we position ourselves to hurt those who are near us, primarily by disturbing their peace. On the other hand when we shutdown we make ourselves easy targets, as we become nothing more than pretenders pretending that all is well in this sinful world. So as you find yourself in the shadow of Memorial Day let me encourage you to find your rest in the presence of God even as you live out your life as an active member in His army.

Blessings,
PB

The Sunday Shout-Out: May 25th, edition.

This Shout-Out goes to Esther Griffith who over the last few weeks has been performing the tedious and thankless job of phone call making. As you know we are in the process of taking pictures for the purpose of producing a new church photo directory. Without photos we have no photo directory. Thus the need for a volunteer. Enter Esther Griffith our photo scheduling guru. Esther has both willingly and graciously made call, after call, after call, all with tremendous skill and great humor. Talking to her this morning she is almost done with this monumental task having scheduled all but eleven of us. We are grateful to her for this service as well as all of the other things that she has done and continues to do in making Hilltop a great place. But more than all she does we are thankful to God for who she is. So here's to Esther as she brings our church family into 100% photo compliance.

Blessings,
PB

The Important Things

I just read a few short life focusing thoughts attributed to Vince Antonucci, a pastor from the Virginia beach area:

• There are people who have never heard that God loves them. He asked, “How is it possible that they lived in America and no one has ever told them that God loves them?”
• Eight million LESS people are going to church today than 20 years ago…we have a problem.
• The most messed up people in the world wanted to hang out with Jesus - do the most messed up people want to hang out with me?

May God keep us focused on the important things. Like the lost people we interact with everyday and who still somehow manage to remain clueless to the incredible love that God has for them.

Blessings,
PB

The Sunday Shout-Out.

"Bernard of Chartres used to say that we are like dwarfs on the shoulders of giants, so that we can see more than they, and things at a greater distance, not by virtue of any sharpness of sight on our part, or any physical distinction, but because we are carried high and raised up by their giant size." In this the first Sunday-Shout out we want to recognize all of those who came before us. They were the first to pray for this congregation. They were the first to believe that God would raise up this congregation. They were the first to give, the first to teach and the first to invite their lost friends. They listened to the voice of God when He call them to establish this local church in Westminster and today we are reaping the benefits. We truly do stand on the shoulders of giants and by God's grace we will continue to build on the foundation of faithfulness that they have laid for us. As we look back at the sacrifices that they made we do so in appreciation for the heritage that they have left us. We sit in the building they built and on chairs that they provided; all of this with no understanding as to who would reap the benefit of their sacrifice. As God continues to move us forward as a church family, may we be good stewards of the trust that they have left us; a trust of faithfully hearing Gods voice and pursuing His purposes. This Shout-Out goes to all of those who have gone before us. May they be richly rewarded for their work.

Blessings,
PB

Her Children Rise Up.

Pastors' Mother's day message from Proverbs 31 has had me thinking about my mom all week. Especially Proverbs 31:28, "Her children rise up and bless her."

Even though I am not a mom, I do know that being a mom is not an easy thing. I know it because I know what it is like to be a father; it's not always easy. I also know what it is like to be a son, a sometimes creepy son at that. Now, we might think that our mothers were extraordinarily hard on us, but I can guarantee you that almost without exception they have been harder on themselves.

That's why in a moment of clarity that I briefly experienced two years ago I rose up, took my mother to Pappasito's and blessed her. Well that and the "Fajitas Famosas." And without going into great detail let me suggest you consider doing the same. It felt right as I sat across from her looked her in the eyes held her hand and gave God thanks for her and for all of the things that she has done right in my life and on my behalf. I'll only mention one - she never complained about my decision to move away from her to live with my Grandmother. She sacrificed her preference for my good and it was there that I met Christ.

My mom has always supported me, believed in me and is now a champion for my wife, my son and me. There are only a few things that I have done in my life that have been 100% blessing and 0% curse. This was one of those things. It is the favorite memory I have of being with my mom; probably because it was about her and not me for a change.

So in the wake of Mother's Day consider, Proverbs 31:28, "Her children rise up and bless her." Then consider doing just that.

Happy Mother's Day,
PB

Coming Soon: "The Sunday Shout-Out!"

We are starting a recurring Blog feature this weekend: "The Sunday Shout-Out!"

We will be focusing our attention on the people that make Hilltop, Hilltop. These are the people who with little or no recognition make sure that things get done around here. They clean, sing, and fill plastic easter eggs. They fix toilets, pull weeds and plant flowers. They change air filters, set up chairs and stack them back up again. They coordinate concerts, sponsor Compassion children and change diapers. They fix computers, fix computers and fix computers. They change batteries, run power point, and cook hot dogs. They pick people up for church, fix food for the ill and apply band-aids to boo-boos. They paint faces, monitor timeout chairs and man the moon bounce. They bring coconut cake to the pastors, and say nice things about long sermons. They teach first grade spelling, fourth grade math and eighth grade Bible. They love our kids, they love our wives, they love us and they love the Lord. They dress up like energizer rabbits, hippies and Billy Ray Cyrus to carry eggs across the sanctuary floor. They replace light bulbs, brew coffee and bring yummy donuts. They organize all-nighters, VBS, and tie balloons into animal shapes. They host small groups, lead small groups and organize small group Olympics. And finally: the give, they pray, they love, they serve, and we are a better church because of them.

We give thanks to God for the part of Christ's Body that makes up Hilltop Assembly, and it is our desire to give honor where honor is due. So, as we pursue His purposes for us as a local congregation; may we be those who champion one another in ministry even as we cheer each other on in our personal pursuits of Christ.

We are talking about the exact opposite of "ME CHURCH."



"The Sunday Shout-Out!" Look for it soon.

Blessings,
PB

Talk Radio

I listened to a little talk radio on my way to Caribou Coffee with Sandy and Kyle Saturday. Yesterday I was finding it difficult to believe that we still have six more months of politicking to go before this year's election. Today I am reminding myself that God has not asked me for my political opinion but that He compels my prayer on behalf of ALL in authority.

1 Timothy 2:1-3 "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior."

Blessings,
PB

CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS!?!?!?!

Can you believe this?


This is my second invitation to join and I'm not even 42 yet.

Blessings,
PB