Oral Roberts

WOW! It has been a long time since my last post. Or since anyone of us 3 posted. History was marked this week with a milestone, the home-going of Oral Roberts to his eternal reward. His life and ministry were truly amazing and God did tremendous works through his life. We can only wonder how God will move in the future. Definitely something to pray about.

Here is a video clip in tribute to the man

http://www.tulsaworld.com/webextra/content/2008/oralRoberts/

Giving should be a Joy!

School time

Just a hello and a note that we are praying for all of our students as they start back to school. We are praying that God would bless you and use you for His purpose.

Pastor P

Solutions for Life

I want to introduce you to a great website that is full of sound Biblical counsel concerning relationships. Take some time and check it out, you will probably add it to your favorite bookmarks.

www.cloudtownsend.com

Pastor P

The Truth Project returns August 23rd

Beginning August 23rd, 5:30pm for 13 weeks
We are going to look at the power and importance of having and holding to a Biblical Worldview. Everyone should invest time in viewing this series.

The Rivera Bunch

Here's the story of man named Brady... oops with six kids now I kind of get confused with that other guy. Major differences: No dog and there never will be and no live in maid, though an occasional visit by one would probably be enjoyed by all especially Carol, I mean Kristi.

Seriously, here is a picture of our beautiful new daughter Kyra Janelle Rivera.
She was born on July 30 (same day as my sister) @ 1:45 PM. She weighed 7lbs 13 oz and was 20.5 inches long.

This picture was taken a couple of hours after she came into the world.

Not completely sure who she looks like yet, though she has kristi's chin and the long skinny rivera feet.

Baby is doing great, last night was a long one for mom: Tough battle with pain and overall post surgery discomfort and issues.

Kids are crazy about her already and I told the boys they really have their work cut out for them now, helping me look out for 4 girls plus mom. I think they are up to the task, besides the girls are pretty tough in their own right guess it comes with the territory-5 siblings and a mom as amazing as Kristi for a role model.

Well gotta go for now.

Will try to post more pics alter.


PB






8 hours old

It's a Girl

Someone, Anyone, contact Pastor Ben and ask him to post video of their new addition to the family. Kyra Janelle is healthy and doing well. And almost one day old as this gets posted.

Pastor P

Summer

Boy! You can sure tell that it is summer-time. I was visiting various Blogs and no one has them up-to-date. I suppose that everyone is at the beach and windsurfing.

And in fact, since this Blog had gotten a tad stale I thought I should add something. So, enjoy your vacations and get yourself ready for the rest of the year which is full of routine.

Blessings to all- Pastor P

Exciting week at Praise Assembly

This is not your Grandmother's Vacation Bible School.

There is just so much going on every
moment between 9 and noon.
There are scores of kids just having a
blast and even all the volunteers seem
to be having a great time too.

This looks to be the very best VBS that Miss Lucie has ever orchestrated in all the years that she has been doing this annual week of Bible fun.

I have been blessed with tasting some of the snacks this week. The ones that have been baked right here on the premises were the best.

What a Great Week of activities.

Pastor P

Home Stretch

Well, we are in the homestretch. Only about 4.5 weeks until the baby is born. As I shared in yesterdays sermon, we are pretty set for the arrival. Just a few final preparations to make.
1. Stock up on diapers
2. Get the bassinet ready
3. Decide on a name

It is hard to believe that it is almost July already.
It has been a busy summer already.
Since school let out on June 5th, we have had a weeks vacation in the Catskills, the boys had a phenomenal run in the playoffs. There team made it all the way to the Championship Game (They lost), but Benjamin won the clinching game to get them there. He also hit his first homerun, a 3 run shot off the other teams ace to seal the win. Joshua had a really good year, going from a sub last year to a full time starter and regular contributor. He has one more year left in the Majors, could be a tough lefty pitcher with a little work.

After that crazy week, the boys and I went to Youth Camp for a week. There were 37 total from Praise. What an amazing week of fun, laughs and God. We had students baptized in the HS, some really took there worship to a new level and others left camp challenged and invigorated to take their relationship with God more seriously. Plus the Praise kids dominated Bible Quiz and
were on 4 of the top 5 teams in the final points standings.

June is ending with the older kids in NYC spending a week with their grandparents and cousins and Kristi and I using the time to get some stuff done around the house.

All in all a great start to summer and a wild time to be getting ready for a baby.
PB

Prairie Home Companion

Put on a lot of miles this week, probably more than 1,200 miles in all. Drove up to see my family and pick up a few items from my parent's home in western Massachusetts. The next day up to Maine to visit with Ana and Chuck and help her decorate the new apartment (what a blessing from God). Ate loads of lobster and fried clams. Three work days in all, one fun day exploring Kennebunkport. Then back down to western Massachusetts to the Berkshires to a place called Tanglewood. Took in a live radio broadcast of the Prairie Home Companion and special guests were Martin Sheen, Arlo Guthrie, and Steve Martin who is playing banjo in the video. First learned to enjoy Garrison Keiller on those long drives from the East to the Midwest. What a fun radio show. Hunt for it sometime and enjoy the stories that he tells. Glad to be back home after all that.

Pastor P

Surviving the Economic Meltdown

Here is a tremendous source for financial wisdom during these challenging times.
Check out this link and download yourself a free PDF copy of the book.
http://survivethemeltdown.org/

Pastor P

CHANGE

Photo of Hurricane Ike (at left)

Below are various quotations on change. Everything seems to be changing very rapidly and I am not sure that the average human being has any real handle on all the change that is around us today. Of course my concern is that in the midst of such turbulence we would have a haven, a place of security and mooring, somewhere to anchor us. Only one source that I know of, God.

His Word and His Spirit will faithfully guide us. He is our eye in the storm. Remember now, the disciples had to wake Him as He was sleeping through their storm. That's how much peace He can bring. He is the Prince of Peace! Pastor P

They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.
Andy Warhol (1928 - 1987), The Philosophy of Andy Warhol

Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me.
Carol Burnett (1936 - )

Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix.
Christina Baldwin

We all have big changes in our lives that are more or less a second chance.
Harrison Ford (1942 - ), quoted by Garry Jenkins in 'Harrison Ford: Imperfect Hero'

Things do not change; we change.
Henry David Thoreau (1817 - 1862), Walden (1970)

Nothing endures but change.
Heraclitus (540 BC - 480 BC), from Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers

It's not that some people have willpower and some don't. It's that some people are ready to change and others are not.
James Gordon, M.D.

Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better.
King Whitney Jr.

We did not change as we grew older; we just became more clearly ourselves.
Lynn Hall, Where Have All the Tigers Gone?, 1989

The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (121 AD - 180 AD), Meditations

Any transition serious enough to alter your definition of self will require not just small adjustments in your way of living and thinking but a full-on metamorphosis.
Martha Beck, O Magazine, Growing Wings, January 2004

The more things change, the more they remain... insane.
Michael Fry and T. Lewis, Over the Hedge, 05-09-04

There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.
Nelson Mandela (1918 - ), 'A Long Walk to Freedom'

Change your thoughts and you change your world.
Norman Vincent Peale (1898 - 1993)

Turbulence is life force. It is opportunity. Let's love turbulence and use it for change.
Ramsay Clark

This isn't good or bad. It's just the way of things. Nothing stays the same.
Real Live Preacher, RealLivePreacher.com Weblog, January 03, 2004

Nothing in the world is permanent, and we're foolish when we ask anything to last, but surely we're still more foolish not to take delight in it while we have it. If change is of the essence of existence one would have thought it only sensible to make it the premise of our philosophy.
W. Somerset Maugham (1874 - 1965), The Razor's Edge, 1943

Jesus is definitely returning very soon

I am not able to share much in the way of specifics on this blog site.  But...let me say that I am very excited about the strategic plans of Bible Alliance and the Fire Bible for 2010 and so I wanted to post some kind of reference to these plans.  Once I am home I will be able to share personally in one of our upcoming services.  However, this planned outreach through the Fire Bible will be an incredible effort, aiming very close to the "Gates of hell."

We are going to be involved in the single most ambitious endeavor ever.  And these plans are so sensitive that they should not be posted anywhere on the internet.  Cannot wait to share with everyone once I get home.

Pastor P 

Socialist Europe

As a follow up to my previous blog: Here is an excellent article that reinforces what I had said about our nation. We are on the verge of traveling down the same pathway as socialist Europe and if we do we lose our freedoms-enjoy the article entitled, "Live Free or Die".
http://www.hillsdale.edu/news/imprimis.asp

Just click the link then select "Imprimus" from the lower left side of the home page.

Enjoy
Pastor P

So Good to be Home

Just returned home from Paris and Nice, France. The time away was a good change of pace. Always fun to travel and to see new things, or even old things.

But-there is no place like home! And I am speaking comparatively. There is no other nation like ours in the entire world. There may be some that are a close facsmile, but we truly are unique as Americans and we should be proud of our distinctives.

Within a day of arriving in Paris I was again reminded of the problems with Europe. One glaring problem with Europe and specifically France is the entrenched socialism in that nation. If you want to ruin people's lives and rob them of every ounce of creativity and amibition then teach them not to be responsible for themselves. The economic problems in the United States right now have nothing to do with the American people. It was the result of government and political incompetence and corporate greed. We, unlike the Europeans will pull out of this because we believe in entrepreneurial striving and we will create again and build again. Let's just hope and pray that the Obama administration doesn't become too European. A strong belief in Republicanism, (I am not speaking of political affiliation here) whereby people take responsiblity to support themselves and govern themselves is the hope of America. Our nation was built on this principle which allows us so many freedoms. The most important freedom of course is to be godly instead of sinful. Pray for our homeland. God Bless America!

Pastor P

Boys of Summer

The picture on the left is of Mariano Rivera (no relation) of the NY Yankees.
My sons love baseball and have said since they were little that they would play for the Yankees. The fact that we can get Yankee shirts with our last name on the back and not pay extra for special printing is a plus.

They may never make it to that level, but we sure have had some fun with baseball. This past week has been a busy one. Last Saturday, they were part of a Perfect Game. Joshua made a nice catch in the outfield to preserve it. On Sunday they won 6-4 and Benjamin got the win. He pitched 2 innings of relief and got 4 strikeouts. Jump to Thursday and they won 2 games. One for their school (ECA) and one for their other team-the Mets. Benjamin got both wins: 4-3 and 10-0. He had 17 strikeouts and Joshua helped with his hitting.

Some people think baseball is boring, but as far as I'm concerned there is nothing more enjoyable than getting outside and running around on a sunny day and playing with my kids or cheering them on as they play.

I guess it comes back to a saying we have in our Youth Ministry: It's not where you go or what you do, but the people that can make it fun. People/relationships are the important thing and my family (all 7 of them) make my life fun.

PB

Bad Guys Die, Hostage rescued

What great news! A victim/hostage has been rescued. And the perpetrators received the consequence of their actions.

Now, I am sure that there is going to be some pundit somewhere who is going to criticize the USA for being such a monster when it comes to handling international affairs. And so let's keep things in perspective, Captain Richard Phillips was trying to earn a living delivering humanitarian aid to African people. He was not intending to do anyone harm, just doing his job which included providing help to others in need. Nothing he did was intended to provoke 4 men bent on doing evil. These were 4 thugs who deserved what they got.

Contrary to contemporary world culture and even American society, Evil people should be punished for their actions. They are violating not only American law, and possibly international law, but most importantly God's law. Galatians 6:7 states that "God will not be mocked- a man will reap what he sows. If he sows to the flesh he will reap destruction."

For too long now we have been excusing evil, wrong behavior, and sin, It was only a month ago when a pastor was shot and killed in Illinois and the press tried to link the murder to the shooter suffering from Lyme Disease. Pulease! There is evil in our world. And evil reared its ugly head 5 days ago off the coast of the Horn of Africa.

And although the Bible tells us that "God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, He much prefers that they turn from their evil ways" (Ezekiel 18:23), numerous times in His Word He also tells us that"Evil men will be cutoff", Pslam 37:9, and "Evil men will bow in the presence of good men" Proverbs 14:19.

Why should evil triumph so often in our world? Why do we so seldom expect this kind of outcome where bad guys die and the good guys live? And I just wonder if the media, in the days ahead will try to turn the tables and try to vilify the good guys. I pray not this time.

God Bless these superbly trained Navy Seals. They too are a group of good guys who are just going about their job, rescuing lives. Protecting good men from evil men.

Pastor P

He is Risen!

Two millenia have come and gone and there is still no tomb containing bones of our Messiah. In other words, "make no bones about it", He rose from the dead. Jesus Christ was killed for our trangression (sin), the sacrifice of His own life has reconciled us to God. And then the "power of God raised Him from the dead" and He lives forevermore. And because He lives we too shall live. With only one condition- that we know Him and acknowledge Him as our Savior.

Christus Victor!

Pastor P

Stem Cell Research debate

Thanks Steve Lee for sending this info along to me.
This is incredible-no need to kill babies to get good cells.
Proof again that God's ways are better than our ways.
Shame on the Liberal Left, both media and politicians.
Pastor P


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDFJOzu9SyM

General Superintendents Cabinet

Last Thursday and Friday was our first Cabinet meeting of 2009. Our special guest was Ed Stetzer from LifeWay Research. The basic report that he gave us based upon a survey of Assemblies of God pastors showed that the Assemblies of God as a fellowship was ahead of all other denominations in areas of discipleship, doctrinal loyalty, and practice of distinctive beliefs. That is the Good News.

The bad news is that the bar has been set pretty low. My interpretation of the information given is that the evangelical church of today is rapidly descending to the levels of the mainline denominations before us. And that saddens me, it truly is bad news.

Unless you believe as I do that God will once again raise up a Revival Movement to replace all that is dieing or has died. One thing that I will always remember through my concentration in Church History is that Christian groups tend to follow a cycle. The cycle begins with a man, then becomes a movement, then a machine, and finally a monument. I know that this is simplistic but it is still true. Just look at the history of any major mainline denomination or any of our 100+ Universities in America that once had their roots in the purpose of training men and women to serve God.

When we get "too big for our britches" and get comfortable doing things in our own strength and power, God then looks for someone who will lean on Him and trust Him for the impossible and the cycle begins again. And this is where we need to be-right now.

For info on various church research go to www.edstetzer.com or www.lifewayresearch.com

Pastor P

New Challenges

Well, this will definitely be a year of new challenges for my family and I.

Our oldest son will be turning 13, we are expecting the latest addition to our family in August (They say it is a girl) and come September our oldest kids will start attending new schools. For the last several years they have had the privilege of attending a local Christian School. The school has had some changes this year and are no longer offering the discounts which made attending possible.

We know that this will be a big change, but we also know that nothing happens that God is not in control of. However, we do ask for your prayers for the transition and favor wherever they end up
PB

Wednesday April 1

Well, an interesting holiday is quickly approaching- April 1st is National Atheist's Day.

Psalm 14:1-"The FOOL says in his heart, 'there is no God'"

A great way to celebrate would be to plan now to tell someone you meet that day that there actually is a God and he lives in your heart.

Blessings-Pastor P

Pastor Ben has lost his Wisdom teeth

I know that this is "old news" right now-but I thought I would post a photo of Pastor Ben following the removal of his wisdom teeth. Hey, why would a youth pastor need them anyways!?

Cute little fella- isn't he? With the chubby cheeks and all.

Pastor P

Go Surfing

You have got to check out two great websites-one especially for kids and the other for anyone, especially adults.

Kids will enjoy: www.bgmckids.ag.org

the other site is all about world missions: www.world.ag.org

Check these out the next time that you're surfing

Blessings,
Pastor P

What a weekend

It really was a great weekend! We concluded our Annual Missions Convention this Sunday and Robert Solomon did a fantastic job in song. What a voice this guy has and he is a great communicator too. The Sunday evening banquet was a spread of wonderful ethnic variety.

I now realize that the whole missions emphasis is more than just focusing on reaching the world with the Gospel, it is also a practical illustration of the great diversity in unity that exists in the Body of Christ, particularly here at Praise Assembly. And a special thanks to those who attended wearing ethnic outfits. It was a blessed weekend.

Pastor P

Funerals can include fun

Who says that funerals have to be all tears?!
Here is my son Mike demonstrating the improper use of a murphy bed. Unless of course you are an astronaut in total weightlessness.

This stunt brought us a
little
lighthearted-
ness when we traveled out to St Louis in October for my father-in-law's funeral. Mike is a great traveling tool. I bet you wish you had one.

Pastor P

Sunday School and Debt

You have got to be in our Adult Elective class. This Sunday we cover DEBT. And here is a funny video clip that I am going to show that basically sums up why so many Americans and the US government is in so much trouble. A lot of people just don't get it, so you may even want to watch this more than once.

Pastor P

Winter Cleaning-My office is almost done!

It has been several weeks in the making, but my office is almost done. Walls are painted, floor is done and now I am in the process of putting everything back. The picture shows how much of a difference a little hard work can make-Just Kidding

It may not look as unique as that, but at least it got a much needed cleaning and facelift.

We are also doing some rearranging and purging at home. Some people get that urge every spring, but I get it about every 6 weeks and Kristi loves to rearrange furniture. So guess what I did on my day off yesterday? That's right-we totally re-did all the bedrooms.

I'd rather do it now and spend time outside when the nice spring weather finally arrives. Well gotta go this office won't get finished on its own.
PB

Missions Convention is approaching

The unofficial start of our Missions Convention and World Missions emphasis is this Sunday evening, February 22.

Missionary Area Director, Bob McGurty will be here to share some very current updates of what God is doing in India.

Then the week officially begins Sunday morning, March 1st when our Adult Choir sings some inspiring numbers and I share on the topic of World Missions. In the evening service we will view this year's Missions Musical from the Assemblies of God Missions department.

Wednesday night we will enjoy a video biography about one of our missionary heros, Mark Buntain. He was so mightily used in India and everyone needs to hear his story.

Finally- the following Sunday we will meet one of Mark's spiritual progeny. Robert Solomon (photo above) is a real dynamo. Robert loves the Lord and ministers with all his heart. He will be with us both morning and evening. And remember- we are going to feast in the evening banquet, please remember to bring something ethnic to share as well as a dessert.

Missions Convention is such a great time of year here at Praise. I hope you will be part of it.

Pastor P

General Superintendents Cabinet

It was a year ago this April that I was appointed to the General Superintendents Cabinet and in this initial meeting it was decided to move forward with the creation of the Assemblies of God Trust which would have three major objectives. These three primary emphases are church planting, investing in the next generation, and providing resources for evangelism and discipleship. And a lot has happened in just one year.

Work has begun on new resouces for discipleship via revamping of the Foundations of Faith curriculum, two scholarship programs have been created in order to encourage our young people to enter into ministry and to start new churches, and grants have been made available to financially assist new church plants.

And the results are beginning to show. According to a recent report from the AG Trust, "During the past 12 months, 43 churches have received matching grants and have made contact with over 70,000 unchurched people, seen 955 salvations, and are giving 11 percent of their general income to missions."

I am also proud to say that Praise Assembly is a Charter Member of the AG Trust.

The next General Superintendents Meeting is April 2nd and at that time I hope to give a very current report of all that God has done through this very ambitious strategy.

Pastor P

The Wedding, February 7, 2009

Finally! All the weeks of frantic preparation and stress are over. The event has happened and went off without a flaw. Thank God for excellent weather which allowed 100% attendance of all those who responded. Thank you to everyone who did attend and shared our joy and honored our family with your support. We hope that all had a good time. And of course we pray God's richest blessings upon Ana and Chuck as they start their new life together.

We are truly Blessed!

Pastor P

Wedding for Anastasia

Ana and Chuck get married in about 2 weeks, February 7 Thought you might enjoy a sneak peek at the chapel and the reception area. Willow Valley is a perfect setting for such an event. Looks like we will have at least 200 attending. There is still much to do but everything is coming together and it will be a beautiful celebration.

Pastor P

Floating in the Caribbean

Here is a photo of part of the interior of the ship we were on last week. What a restful trip. The weather was terrible so we were encouraged to rest more and it felt great. This cruise was sandwiched in between Christmas and an upcoming wedding for my daughter - so the timing worked out perfectly.

Pastor P