R E F L E C T I O N S F A L L / 2 0 1 3

A P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E P B C W O M E N ’ S M I N I S T R I E S

S E P T . 1 0 T H - N O V . 1 9 , 2 0 1 3

P B C M O D U L A R B U I L D I N G

T U E S D A Y M O R N I N G S

9 : 3 0 - 1 1 : 3 0 A . M .

( c h i l d c a r e p r o v i d e d )

o r T U E S D A Y E V E N I N G S

7 - 8 : 3 0 P . M .

 Imagine the friend you’ve been faithfully praying for, and talking to for months about the good news of Jesus Christ. Suddenly, she decides she believes the Bible. She wants to become a Christian! Would you know what to do next?

 We are all called to make disciples in Matt. 28:19, and in Titus 2 we know that the older women are to teach the younger women. But what exactly should we teach, and where should we begin? This fall the Women Walking Wisely study will be focusing on “Bible Boot Camp,” theological and practical “basic training” for helping women to disciple other women. The eleven-week study is focused on three main areas each Tuesday: book discussion, practical “how-to’s,” and an overview of systematic theology.

U G A N D A N M I S S I O N A R Y D A N I E L L E H U R L E Y , A C C O M P L I S H E D

S I N G E R / S O N G W R I T E R A N D S I S T E R O F P B C ’ S O W N L I S A T Y S O N ,

P E R F O R M E D A U G U S T 1 0 I N A S P E C I A L H O M E E V E N T O R G A N I Z E D

B Y T H E W O M E N ’ S M I N I S T R I E S O U T R E A C H . D A N I E L L E A N D

H E R H U S B A N D S H A N N O N A R E F O U N D E R S O F S U F F I C I E N C Y O F

S C R I P T U R E M I N I S T R I E S ( S O S ) , B A S E D I N L U W E E R O , U G A N D A .

A team from PBC will be leaving for Uganda October 6 through 14: Pastor Adam Tyson, Tim, Donna and Desiree Borruel, Mike and Erin Augusta, Mike Marino, Dhon Wellons and three staff members of Legacy Christian Academy, Valencia. The focus includes teacher training at Legacy Academy Uganda, staff and pastor training, help with Bible studies and gospel presentations in local schools, community outreach and construction projects. Teachers on the team will “adopt” African classrooms, bringing materials to decorate in addition to letters and pictures from their own Santa Clarita students.

The Hurleys began serving Uganda seven years ago after seeing the great physical and spiritual needs of the people, caused in part by the ravages of AIDS, poverty, single-mother homes, alcoholism and false religions. PBC’s Bekah Kolstad also continues to serve fulltime in Uganda.

The team seeks prayer support and financial help to meet the costs of travel, visas and immunizations. Fundraising efforts include a garage sale, planned for Saturday August 24 , from 7-11 a.m. at 25320 Via Brasa, Valencia. Contributions may also be made to specified team members, payable to Placterita Baptist Church.

D E C L A R E H I S G L O R Y A M O N G T H E N A T I O N S , H I S M A R V E L O U S

W O R K S A M O N G A L L T H E P E O P L E S . ( P S A L M 9 6 : 3 )

H E A R T S

U G A N D A

C O S T:$15 F O R B O O K S

SIGN-UPS: AUG. 18, 25 AND SEPT. 1

N E W D I S C I P L E S H I P S T U D Y

C O N T I N U E D P A G E 2 ›

B I B L E

B O O T C A M P

1

T H E R E C I P E B O X

Place the dates in a small bowl, pour the boiling water overtop, stir in the instant coffee and set aside until cool . In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until well blended and f luffy. Add 2 eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add half of f lour with the baking powder and salt and beat to blend. Add remaining 2 eggs, 1 at a time, beating to blend after each addition, then add the remaining f lour and beat just until blended.Stir the baking soda into the date mixture, add it to batter and stir to blend. Divide the batter among the jars , fi l ling them about halfway full . Place on a rimmed baking sheet and place in the oven. Bake for 30 minutes , or until golden and springy to the touch. Meanwhile, make the toffee sauce: in a small saucepan, stir together the cream, brown sugar and butter over medium heat. Bring to a boil , then reduce heat and simmer for a few minutes, until smooth and slightly thickened. Pour the warm toffee sauce over the baked puddings and serve topped with ice cream or whipped cream.

S E R V E S 8

T O F F E E P U D D I N G1 C C H O P P E D D A T E S

1 C B O I L I N G W A T E R

1 T B S P . I N S T A N T C O F F E E

O R E S P R E S S O G R A N U L E S

1 / 2 C B U T T E R , S O F T E N E D

1 C P A C K E D B R O W N S U G A R

4 L A R G E E G G S

1 3 / 4 C A L L - P U R P O S E F L O U R

1 1 / 2 T S P . B A K I N G P O W D E R

1 / 4 T S P . S A L T

1 T S P . B A K I N G S O D A

T O F F E E S A U C E :1 1 / 2 C H E A V Y W H I P P I N G C R E A M

1 C P A C K E D B R O W N S U G A R

2 T B S P . B U T T E R

V A N I L L A I C E C R E A M O R W H I P P E D

C R E A M , F O R S E R V I N G ( O P T I O N A L )

P R E H E A T O V E N T O 3 5 0 ° F . S P R A Y ( 8 ) 2 5 0 M L J A R S W I T H

N O N S T I C K S P R A Y O R R U B T H E I R I N S I D E S

W I T H S O F T B U T T E R .

f r o mK A T H E R I N E L O N G ’ S

k i t c h e n w i t h l o v e

S T I C K Y T O F F E E

P U D D I N G i n a J A R

a d v i s o r y b o a r d

D O N N A B O R R U E L

C A R O L K E N N E Y

K A R E N L O N G

J U D Y S E V E R A N C E

L O R I W E L L O N SS e c r e t a r y

B E T T Y I N T A G L I A T AO u t r e a c h

D E N I S E W A T S O NS p e c i a l E v e n t s

L A U R E N S M I T HS p i r i t u a l G r o w t h

R E B E C C A R E Y E SS u p p o r t & E n c o u r a g e m n t

C A R O L Y N M C G U I R EW M C C o o r d i n a t o r

6 6 1 - 2 5 0 - 1 6 2 1c a r o l y n m c a v @ a o l . c o m

P A M S O J K AW M C A s s t . C o o r d i n a t o r

6 6 1 - 2 5 5 - 8 6 2 6p j s o j k a @ g m a i l . c o m

w o m e n ' s m i n i s t r y c o u n C I L

d e s i g n : l i t t l e c a t d e s i g n c o . c o m p h o t o g r a p h y : A N N A C O N V E R S E

8

L I F E - O N - L I F E I N V E S T M E N T :D I S C I P L E S H I P

E R I N A U G U S T Af o r t h e w o m e n ’ s m i n i s t r y c o u n c i l

In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus calls his disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, baptizing them and teaching them to observe everything he taught them. In this “Great Commissioning” we often fail to see the call to holiness – to teach others how we obediently walk in Him. This process is often called discipleship. There are probably as many definitions of discipleship as there are women reading this article. Here’s one I like: teaching women what it means to grow in fellowship with Jesus Christ. This means learning to follow Jesus by meeting together, one-on-one, to study the Bible, to pray, to cling to the gospel of Christ, to learn to serve, and to learn to deal with the sin in our lives and grow in holiness. When we come into relationship with Jesus, everything changes, and women need help learning to navigate this new way of life. In Hebrews 6:1, the Bible calls believers to mature in Him instead of just staying in the elementary teachings, or the unfulfilling “shallow end.” We are called in 1Timothy 4:7 to “…train (ourselves) for righteousness.” There are many Christians who remain immature---just wading in wet suits---because they don’t really know how to swim. Through obedience and like experiences of growing and struggling together, we learn, and we are called to help those younger in Christ to dive in deeper. Discipleship and disciple-making is not about the transfer of information. It is also not merely “hanging out” and being friends. It is a marriage of Truth and relationship. It involves Truth that is unchanging, taught in an organic, changing relationship. This relationship is not for the faint of heart! It is not for those who like control! It is not for those who do not want to be changed–either as disciple-maker or the one being discipled! It is truly an investment…but one well worth it. PBC Women’s Ministry is here to help you grow. Don’t miss “basic training” with our Bible Boot Camp fall study. If you are a new Christian….come! What a wonderful opportunity to learn Bible basics and meet other women of the church. If you want to be discipled…come! Learn how to use Bible basics to grow yourself and perhaps you will meet a woman to begin discipling you. If you want to be a discipler…come! We will be going over some basics to help you to help another--and possibly meet a young believer to begin discipling. We hope to encourage women one by one to give their lives away, maturing and sharing as obedient children of God. We do not look for perfect women, but we look for women who have been transformed by Christ and are committed to investing in others.

Every week the study will begin with a group discussion from Martha Peace’s book, “Becoming a Titus 2 Woman,” and also “A Call to Discipleship,” by Susan Heck.

Practical “how to” presentations follow each week, with tips on things like writing and sharing your testimony, writing a devotional for a baby or bridal shower, memorizing scripture, teaching your children about the Lord, and how to pray. There are even “how to’s” for happy homes---meal planning, cleaning, organizing, and showing hospitality. The third part of the study will help us understand and communicate basic systematic theology. Each week we’ll be learning and memorizing basic doctrinal definitions about God, man, the Bible, and the Church. There is no “one official way” to disciple another woman, but it is our hope that this study will encourage your own spiritual growth and equip you with tools to be able to love and help another woman to grow in Christ.

Come develop friendships with PBC women of all ages. We learn from each other, pray together and hold each other accountable in our spiritual goals. We worship and praise God together, and we have the blessing of seeing how He is working so uniquely in all our lives for His glory. We’d love for you to join us this semester! If you have questions or would like more information about the study, please call me at (661)298-2011.

L A U R E N S M I T H , s p i r i t u a l g r o w t h

c o o r d i n a t o r

H A V E N O T H I N G T O D O W I T H I R R E V E R E N T,

S I L L Y M Y T H S . R A T H E R T R A I N Y O U R S E L F

F O R G O D L I N E S S ; F O R W H I L E B O D I L Y

T R A I N I N G I S O F S O M E V A L U E , G O D L I N E S S

I S O F V A L U E I N E V E R Y W A Y, A S I T H O L D S

P R O M I S E F O R T H E P R E S E N T L I F E A N D A L S O

F O R T H E L I F E T O C O M E .

1 T I M O T H Y 4:7 - 8

B I B L E

B O O T

C A M PC O N T I N U E D

2

“The humble man,” Murray states, “looks upon every, the feeblest and unworthiest child of God, and honors him and prefers him in honor as the son of a King.”

The next three chapters describe the relationship that humility has with holiness, sin and faith. In this section, Murray continues to establish how humility is the foundation of our Christian life. A summary of his thoughts on holiness could be this statement: “The great test of whether the holiness we seek to attain, in truth and life, will be whether it be manifest in the increasing humility it produces. In the creature, humility is the one thing needed to allow God’s holiness to dwell in him and shine through him.”

Concerning humility and sin, Murray proposes that the secret of humility and our highest joy will be found if we continually meditate on the amazing truth that we are sinners saved by grace. We should not be occupied with our sin, but, instead, be occupied with God who has brought us deliverance from our selves and our sin. Remembering God’s grace, and what sinners we were before salvation, is necessary to keep us truly humble.

And, finally, Murray points out that we can never have more true faith than we have of true humility. His definition of faith, “the confession of nothingness and helplessness, the surrender and the waiting to let God work,” is almost the same as the definition of humility.

Humility prepares the soul to live on trust. Faith, holiness and humility all require a dependence on, and submission to, God.

Trials and weakness are the instruments that God uses to make us humble. He wants us to get to the place where we know that His grace is all sufficent, and we can actually take pleasure in the very circumstances that bring us difficulty and suffering. “His strength made perfect in our weakness, His presence filling and satisfying our emptiness, becomes the secret of a humility that need never fail. Our humiliations lead us, in the experience of the presence and the power of Jesus, to choose humility as our highest blessing.”

There is the greatest freedom, the highest joy and the deepest peace when we are so free of “self” and our expectations that whatever is done to us or said of us is lost, in the thought that Jesus is all. Murray explains, “We shall find that the deepest humility is the secret of the truest happiness, a joy that nothing can destroy.”

The author ends the book by calling us to earnestly pray that God would reveal and remove every form of pride and replace it with the deepest humility.

He also exhorts us to “accept with gratitude everything that God allows from within or without, from friend or enemy, in nature or in grace, to remind you of your need for humbling, and to help you to it.”

It is only in our humility, when we are willing to be nothing in ourselves and let Jesus be all, that we best show forth the glory of God. I highly recommend that everyone read this book (ideally on a regular basis!) to be reminded, encouraged and challenged to fervently pursue biblical humility, so you can bring glory to God and experience the joy and peace that can only come from living in absolute submission and dependence on the Father’s will.

D Y I N G T O S E L F

A U T H O R U N K N O W N

When you are forgotten or neglected or purposely set at naught, and you sting and hurt with the insult or the oversight, but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ– that is dying to self.

When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advise is disregarded, your opinions ridiculed and you refuse to let your anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient, loving silence–that is dying to self.

When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, or any annoyance; when you can stand face to face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility, and endure as Jesus endured it– that is dying to self.

When you are content with any food, any offering, any raiment, any climate, any society, any attitude,any interruption by the will of God–that is dying to self.

When you see your brother prosper and have his needs met and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy or question God, while your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances-that is dying to self.

When you can receive correction well outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart–that is dying to self.

“. . . ‘ M Y GR ACE IS SU FFICIE N T FOR YOU,

FOR M Y POW E R IS M A DE PE R FECT

IN W E A K N ESS .’ T H E R E FOR E I W IL L

BOA ST A L L T H E MOR E GL A DLY A BOU T

M Y W E A K N ESSES , SO T H AT CH R IST ’ S

P O W E R M AY R E S T O N M E . T H AT I S

W H Y, FOR CH R IST ’ S SA K E , I DE L IGH T

I N W E A K N E S S E S , I N I N S U LT S , I N

H A R DSH IPS , IN PE R SECU T IONS , IN

DIFFICU LT IES . FOR W H E N I A M W E A K ,

T H E N I A M ST RONG” (2 COR 1 2:9 -10)

7

U P C O M I N G E V E N T SA B O U T T H E F I L M

Having just turned 18, Grace Trey aspires to more than just singing at her church, where the worship leader is her father—a former pop star. So, with the help of Mossy, her dad 's former manager, Grace records a cover version of her dad 's old Top-10 hit, runs off to Los Angeles, and begins to taste the kind of stardom she's always dreamed about.Yet with each rung of the ladder she climbs, Grace feels more and more pressure to compromise her values, further straining her relationship with her parents. Will everything she experiences lead her to reject her faith … or rediscover it? f r o m g r a c e u n p l u g g e d . c o m

Written and directed by PBC’s own Brad Silverman (Coram Deo Studios),

with a cast of singer/songwriters including AJ Michalka, Chris Tomlin,

Jamie Grace, Pia Toscano, and actors James Denton, Kevin Pollak, Michael

Welch and Shawnee Smith. (Rated PG)

C H E C K O U T Q + A W I T H H A Y L E Y S I L V E R M A N O N P A G E 4 ›

3

M US T SE E

MOV I E !

Bring all your friends opening weekend to the exciting new movie written and directed by PBC’s own Brad Silverman! Edwards Canyon Country Stadium 10, located at 18800 Soledad Canyon Rd., and selected theaters nationwide. Got a group? Email groups@graceunplugged.com

O P E N I N G W E E K E N D N A T I O N W I D E

TEA and TALK M O N D A Y , O C T O B E R 7 , F R O M 7 - 9 P . M .

New to PBC? Please join us for a special evening with the elders’ wives and women’s council members. We’d love to meet new attendees and every woman who desires to learn more about the church and opportunities to serve in women’s ministries. We’ll meet at Pam Sojka’s home, located just across the street from the church at 21829 Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall. For additional information, please contact Special Events Coordinator Denise Watson at 661-877-6759.

WHITE CHRISTMAS S A T U R D A Y , D E C E M B E R 7 , F R O M 5 – 8 P . M .

Take an evening to relax in early December with our second annual dinner and dessert, featuring a fun (easy-to-do!) craft, and a special message from PBC’s own Betty Camp. Betty is a popular Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) speaker. Please begin praying now about inviting a friend or two who need to hear the message of Christ this Christmas.

WOMEN’S SPRING RETREAT F R I D A Y , M A R C H 2 1 A N D S A T U R D A Y M A R C H 2 2

Get ready to pack your bags! Plans are underway for a special two-day “get away,” a restful time of fun, fellowship and great teaching from the Word. Watch for details in the coming months…

Andrew Murray’s book, Humility, begins with this premise and continues throughout to explain and demonstrate that “to be humble, to be nothing in His presence, is the highest attainment, and the fullest blessing of the Christian life.” Understanding the importance of humility and the fruit it bears should compel all of us to pursue this virtue with great zeal and purpose.

Although this book was written over a hundred years ago, it remains a practical, relevant guide to help us on our path to living more humble lives that bring glory and honor to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Murray begins his instruction with a brief study of the life and teachings of Jesus, who set the example of humility through His birth, life and death. Because only those who know and trust Christ can truly be humble, “it is of inconceivable importance that we should have the right thoughts of what Christ is, of what really constitutes Him the Christ, and specially of what may be counted His chief characteristic, the root and essence of all His character as our Redeemer. There can be but one answer: it is His humility.”

Jesus set the pattern for us to follow; He was nothing so God could be all. “This life of entire self-abnegation, of absolute submission and dependence upon the Father’s will, Christ found to be one of perfect peace

and joy. His humility was simply the surrender of Himself to God.”

Very few people in the church attain to even a remote likeness to Jesus in His humility, but setting our hearts upon a diligent study of each word of Jesus, together with fervent prayer, are vital first steps in our pursuit of a humble life and ultimately one of peace and joy.

Maybe one of the most insightful and challenging assertions in the book is that the true test of “our humility and love for God will be measured by our everyday intercourse with men and the love it displays; and that our love to God will be found to be a delusion, except as its truth is proved in standing the test of daily life with our fellow-men.”

We may easily think that we are humble before God, but the proof of our humility is our humility before men. Our lowliness of heart is demonstrated in our treatment of others. Do we prefer one another? Do we put on a heart of compassion, forgiveness, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience towards one another? Are we like Christ who emptied himself and took the form of a servant? Do we truly count everyone as better than ourselves? Do we feel no jealousy but instead praise God when others are preferred or blessed before us?

6C O N T I N U E D P A G E 7 ›

U P C L O S E A N D P E R S O N A L B O O K F E S T 2 0 1 3

Q : W H A T W A S Y O U R R E A C T I O N W H E N

Y O U F I R S T S C R E E N E D Y O U R H U S B A N D

B R A D ’ S N E W F I L M ?

I saw the earliest cut in its roughest form – and pretty much every cut since. I’m biased, but I’m also hyper critical when it comes to Christian films. All that aside, I cried, I laughed, the acting was extremely believable, and I felt the message of the film was extremely relevant for today.

Q : W H A T A R E S O M E O F T H E L E S S O N S

T H A T C O M E O U T O F T H E F I L M ,

E S P E C I A L LY F O R M O M S ?

One of the major themes of the film dealing with parents is trusting in God’s sovereignty with our kids. In Grace Unplugged, the mom is actually the more stable of the two, and she really serves as the glue that holds everything together. A character in the film says, “Sometimes when our kids grow up, the

best thing we can do is be faithful and trust God to take care of them.” Easier said than done for a mom.

Q : W H A T W O U L D S O M E O N E W A T C H I N G

T H E F I L M L E A R N A B O U T T H E G O D O F

T H E B I B L E ?

The film really deals with heart motive. In the film it ’s not necessarily what Grace does, but her motives and attitudes behind everything. The film deals, at a subtle level, with examining ourselves to see if we are truly saved. Specifically, I think young people, who are brought up in the church, will be challenged to examine themselves to see if the faith is really their own, or if they are just riding the coat tails of their parents’ faith.

Q : H O W D I D Y O U S U P P O R T B R A D

T H R O U G H O U T T H I S P R O C E S S ?

I pray for him constantly. I try to be a sounding board and a listening ear. I try to make him a priority as his wife, and create an environment where he feels loved and appreciated. Maybe most of all, I try to do whatever I can so that he is freed up to do what God has called him to do.

Q : W H A T W A S L I F E L I K E F O R Y O U A N D

T H E K I D S A S B R A D W O R K E D O N T H E

F I L M ?

One of the hardest times of my life, to be honest. After battling cancer for seven years, my dad went to be with the Lord when Brad was gone. I really missed having Brad’s shoulder to cry on and having him as my main support system. The kids missed their dad a ton, and I suppose in some ways I got a glimpse of what a single mom goes through. But the Lord is faithful. He promises to never give us what we can’t handle.

Q : H O W D I D T H E P B C C H U R C H B O D Y

S U P P O R T Y O U ?

When Brad was gone I was battling a chronic sickness. That, and losing my dad, made for a long two months. The church ministered to me on many levels. Provided meals. Helped with cleaning the house and helping take care of the kids as well. So many at PBC were praying for us.

Q : W H A T I S Y O U R H O P E F O R T H I S F I L M ,

O P E N I N G I N T H E A T E R S A R O U N D T H E

C O U N T R Y ? We hope this film serves as a starting point for conversations in the home that may otherwise not happen. We pray that it will be a useful tool to strengthen families and give hope and reconciliation to those who may be hurting.

B R A D A N D H A Y L E Y ,

M O R G A N , J A K E ,

M A G G I E A N D N I C O L A S

S I L V E R M A N

Q & AH A Y L E Y S I L V E R M A N

W I T H

A B O U T G R A C E U N P L U G G E D

4 5

H U M I L I T Y

A R E V I E W O F A N D R E W M U R R A Y ’ S

C L A S S I C B O O K

While lessons on “pride” are popular today, the topic of “humility” seems to take a humble back seat. We just don’t hear much about it. Yet our growth in humility may be the most necessary---and most lacking---pursuit of our Christian lives. We’re well familiar with the truth that pride is the root of all sin. But what do we know about the root of all virtues? How can we have true love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness or self-control, without humility?

b y P A M S O J K Aw m c a s s i s t a n t c o o r d i n a t o r

U P C L O S E A N D P E R S O N A L B O O K F E S T 2 0 1 3

Q : W H A T W A S Y O U R R E A C T I O N W H E N

Y O U F I R S T S C R E E N E D Y O U R H U S B A N D

B R A D ’ S N E W F I L M ?

I saw the earliest cut in its roughest form – and pretty much every cut since. I’m biased, but I’m also hyper critical when it comes to Christian films. All that aside, I cried, I laughed, the acting was extremely believable, and I felt the message of the film was extremely relevant for today.

Q : W H A T A R E S O M E O F T H E L E S S O N S

T H A T C O M E O U T O F T H E F I L M ,

E S P E C I A L LY F O R M O M S ?

One of the major themes of the film dealing with parents is trusting in God’s sovereignty with our kids. In Grace Unplugged, the mom is actually the more stable of the two, and she really serves as the glue that holds everything together. A character in the film says, “Sometimes when our kids grow up, the

best thing we can do is be faithful and trust God to take care of them.” Easier said than done for a mom.

Q : W H A T W O U L D S O M E O N E W A T C H I N G

T H E F I L M L E A R N A B O U T T H E G O D O F

T H E B I B L E ?

The film really deals with heart motive. In the film it ’s not necessarily what Grace does, but her motives and attitudes behind everything. The film deals, at a subtle level, with examining ourselves to see if we are truly saved. Specifically, I think young people, who are brought up in the church, will be challenged to examine themselves to see if the faith is really their own, or if they are just riding the coat tails of their parents’ faith.

Q : H O W D I D Y O U S U P P O R T B R A D

T H R O U G H O U T T H I S P R O C E S S ?

I pray for him constantly. I try to be a sounding board and a listening ear. I try to make him a priority as his wife, and create an environment where he feels loved and appreciated. Maybe most of all, I try to do whatever I can so that he is freed up to do what God has called him to do.

Q : W H A T W A S L I F E L I K E F O R Y O U A N D

T H E K I D S A S B R A D W O R K E D O N T H E

F I L M ?

One of the hardest times of my life, to be honest. After battling cancer for seven years, my dad went to be with the Lord when Brad was gone. I really missed having Brad’s shoulder to cry on and having him as my main support system. The kids missed their dad a ton, and I suppose in some ways I got a glimpse of what a single mom goes through. But the Lord is faithful. He promises to never give us what we can’t handle.

Q : H O W D I D T H E P B C C H U R C H B O D Y

S U P P O R T Y O U ?

When Brad was gone I was battling a chronic sickness. That, and losing my dad, made for a long two months. The church ministered to me on many levels. Provided meals. Helped with cleaning the house and helping take care of the kids as well. So many at PBC were praying for us.

Q : W H A T I S Y O U R H O P E F O R T H I S F I L M ,

O P E N I N G I N T H E A T E R S A R O U N D T H E

C O U N T R Y ? We hope this film serves as a starting point for conversations in the home that may otherwise not happen. We pray that it will be a useful tool to strengthen families and give hope and reconciliation to those who may be hurting.

B R A D A N D H A Y L E Y ,

M O R G A N , J A K E ,

M A G G I E A N D N I C O L A S

S I L V E R M A N

Q & AH A Y L E Y S I L V E R M A N

W I T H

A B O U T G R A C E U N P L U G G E D

4 5

H U M I L I T Y

A R E V I E W O F A N D R E W M U R R A Y ’ S

C L A S S I C B O O K

While lessons on “pride” are popular today, the topic of “humility” seems to take a humble back seat. We just don’t hear much about it. Yet our growth in humility may be the most necessary---and most lacking---pursuit of our Christian lives. We’re well familiar with the truth that pride is the root of all sin. But what do we know about the root of all virtues? How can we have true love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness or self-control, without humility?

b y P A M S O J K Aw m c a s s i s t a n t c o o r d i n a t o r

U P C O M I N G E V E N T SA B O U T T H E F I L M

Having just turned 18, Grace Trey aspires to more than just singing at her church, where the worship leader is her father—a former pop star. So, with the help of Mossy, her dad 's former manager, Grace records a cover version of her dad 's old Top-10 hit, runs off to Los Angeles, and begins to taste the kind of stardom she's always dreamed about.Yet with each rung of the ladder she climbs, Grace feels more and more pressure to compromise her values, further straining her relationship with her parents. Will everything she experiences lead her to reject her faith … or rediscover it? f r o m g r a c e u n p l u g g e d . c o m

Written and directed by PBC’s own Brad Silverman (Coram Deo Studios),

with a cast of singer/songwriters including AJ Michalka, Chris Tomlin,

Jamie Grace, Pia Toscano, and actors James Denton, Kevin Pollak, Michael

Welch and Shawnee Smith. (Rated PG)

C H E C K O U T Q + A W I T H H A Y L E Y S I L V E R M A N O N P A G E 4 ›

3

M US T SE E

MOV I E !

Bring all your friends opening weekend to the exciting new movie written and directed by PBC’s own Brad Silverman! Edwards Canyon Country Stadium 10, located at 18800 Soledad Canyon Rd., and selected theaters nationwide. Got a group? Email groups@graceunplugged.com

O P E N I N G W E E K E N D N A T I O N W I D E

TEA and TALK M O N D A Y , O C T O B E R 7 , F R O M 7 - 9 P . M .

New to PBC? Please join us for a special evening with the elders’ wives and women’s council members. We’d love to meet new attendees and every woman who desires to learn more about the church and opportunities to serve in women’s ministries. We’ll meet at Pam Sojka’s home, located just across the street from the church at 21829 Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall. For additional information, please contact Special Events Coordinator Denise Watson at 661-877-6759.

WHITE CHRISTMAS S A T U R D A Y , D E C E M B E R 7 , F R O M 5 – 8 P . M .

Take an evening to relax in early December with our second annual dinner and dessert, featuring a fun (easy-to-do!) craft, and a special message from PBC’s own Betty Camp. Betty is a popular Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) speaker. Please begin praying now about inviting a friend or two who need to hear the message of Christ this Christmas.

WOMEN’S SPRING RETREAT F R I D A Y , M A R C H 2 1 A N D S A T U R D A Y M A R C H 2 2

Get ready to pack your bags! Plans are underway for a special two-day “get away,” a restful time of fun, fellowship and great teaching from the Word. Watch for details in the coming months…

Andrew Murray’s book, Humility, begins with this premise and continues throughout to explain and demonstrate that “to be humble, to be nothing in His presence, is the highest attainment, and the fullest blessing of the Christian life.” Understanding the importance of humility and the fruit it bears should compel all of us to pursue this virtue with great zeal and purpose.

Although this book was written over a hundred years ago, it remains a practical, relevant guide to help us on our path to living more humble lives that bring glory and honor to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Murray begins his instruction with a brief study of the life and teachings of Jesus, who set the example of humility through His birth, life and death. Because only those who know and trust Christ can truly be humble, “it is of inconceivable importance that we should have the right thoughts of what Christ is, of what really constitutes Him the Christ, and specially of what may be counted His chief characteristic, the root and essence of all His character as our Redeemer. There can be but one answer: it is His humility.”

Jesus set the pattern for us to follow; He was nothing so God could be all. “This life of entire self-abnegation, of absolute submission and dependence upon the Father’s will, Christ found to be one of perfect peace

and joy. His humility was simply the surrender of Himself to God.”

Very few people in the church attain to even a remote likeness to Jesus in His humility, but setting our hearts upon a diligent study of each word of Jesus, together with fervent prayer, are vital first steps in our pursuit of a humble life and ultimately one of peace and joy.

Maybe one of the most insightful and challenging assertions in the book is that the true test of “our humility and love for God will be measured by our everyday intercourse with men and the love it displays; and that our love to God will be found to be a delusion, except as its truth is proved in standing the test of daily life with our fellow-men.”

We may easily think that we are humble before God, but the proof of our humility is our humility before men. Our lowliness of heart is demonstrated in our treatment of others. Do we prefer one another? Do we put on a heart of compassion, forgiveness, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience towards one another? Are we like Christ who emptied himself and took the form of a servant? Do we truly count everyone as better than ourselves? Do we feel no jealousy but instead praise God when others are preferred or blessed before us?

6C O N T I N U E D P A G E 7 ›

L I F E - O N - L I F E I N V E S T M E N T :D I S C I P L E S H I P

E R I N A U G U S T Af o r t h e w o m e n ’ s m i n i s t r y c o u n c i l

In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus calls his disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, baptizing them and teaching them to observe everything he taught them. In this “Great Commissioning” we often fail to see the call to holiness – to teach others how we obediently walk in Him. This process is often called discipleship. There are probably as many definitions of discipleship as there are women reading this article. Here’s one I like: teaching women what it means to grow in fellowship with Jesus Christ. This means learning to follow Jesus by meeting together, one-on-one, to study the Bible, to pray, to cling to the gospel of Christ, to learn to serve, and to learn to deal with the sin in our lives and grow in holiness. When we come into relationship with Jesus, everything changes, and women need help learning to navigate this new way of life. In Hebrews 6:1, the Bible calls believers to mature in Him instead of just staying in the elementary teachings, or the unfulfilling “shallow end.” We are called in 1Timothy 4:7 to “…train (ourselves) for righteousness.” There are many Christians who remain immature---just wading in wet suits---because they don’t really know how to swim. Through obedience and like experiences of growing and struggling together, we learn, and we are called to help those younger in Christ to dive in deeper. Discipleship and disciple-making is not about the transfer of information. It is also not merely “hanging out” and being friends. It is a marriage of Truth and relationship. It involves Truth that is unchanging, taught in an organic, changing relationship. This relationship is not for the faint of heart! It is not for those who like control! It is not for those who do not want to be changed–either as disciple-maker or the one being discipled! It is truly an investment…but one well worth it. PBC Women’s Ministry is here to help you grow. Don’t miss “basic training” with our Bible Boot Camp fall study. If you are a new Christian….come! What a wonderful opportunity to learn Bible basics and meet other women of the church. If you want to be discipled…come! Learn how to use Bible basics to grow yourself and perhaps you will meet a woman to begin discipling you. If you want to be a discipler…come! We will be going over some basics to help you to help another--and possibly meet a young believer to begin discipling. We hope to encourage women one by one to give their lives away, maturing and sharing as obedient children of God. We do not look for perfect women, but we look for women who have been transformed by Christ and are committed to investing in others.

Every week the study will begin with a group discussion from Martha Peace’s book, “Becoming a Titus 2 Woman,” and also “A Call to Discipleship,” by Susan Heck.

Practical “how to” presentations follow each week, with tips on things like writing and sharing your testimony, writing a devotional for a baby or bridal shower, memorizing scripture, teaching your children about the Lord, and how to pray. There are even “how to’s” for happy homes---meal planning, cleaning, organizing, and showing hospitality. The third part of the study will help us understand and communicate basic systematic theology. Each week we’ll be learning and memorizing basic doctrinal definitions about God, man, the Bible, and the Church. There is no “one official way” to disciple another woman, but it is our hope that this study will encourage your own spiritual growth and equip you with tools to be able to love and help another woman to grow in Christ.

Come develop friendships with PBC women of all ages. We learn from each other, pray together and hold each other accountable in our spiritual goals. We worship and praise God together, and we have the blessing of seeing how He is working so uniquely in all our lives for His glory. We’d love for you to join us this semester! If you have questions or would like more information about the study, please call me at (661)298-2011.

L A U R E N S M I T H , s p i r i t u a l g r o w t h

c o o r d i n a t o r

H A V E N O T H I N G T O D O W I T H I R R E V E R E N T,

S I L L Y M Y T H S . R A T H E R T R A I N Y O U R S E L F

F O R G O D L I N E S S ; F O R W H I L E B O D I L Y

T R A I N I N G I S O F S O M E V A L U E , G O D L I N E S S

I S O F V A L U E I N E V E R Y W A Y, A S I T H O L D S

P R O M I S E F O R T H E P R E S E N T L I F E A N D A L S O

F O R T H E L I F E T O C O M E .

1 T I M O T H Y 4:7 - 8

B I B L E

B O O T

C A M PC O N T I N U E D

2

“The humble man,” Murray states, “looks upon every, the feeblest and unworthiest child of God, and honors him and prefers him in honor as the son of a King.”

The next three chapters describe the relationship that humility has with holiness, sin and faith. In this section, Murray continues to establish how humility is the foundation of our Christian life. A summary of his thoughts on holiness could be this statement: “The great test of whether the holiness we seek to attain, in truth and life, will be whether it be manifest in the increasing humility it produces. In the creature, humility is the one thing needed to allow God’s holiness to dwell in him and shine through him.”

Concerning humility and sin, Murray proposes that the secret of humility and our highest joy will be found if we continually meditate on the amazing truth that we are sinners saved by grace. We should not be occupied with our sin, but, instead, be occupied with God who has brought us deliverance from our selves and our sin. Remembering God’s grace, and what sinners we were before salvation, is necessary to keep us truly humble.

And, finally, Murray points out that we can never have more true faith than we have of true humility. His definition of faith, “the confession of nothingness and helplessness, the surrender and the waiting to let God work,” is almost the same as the definition of humility.

Humility prepares the soul to live on trust. Faith, holiness and humility all require a dependence on, and submission to, God.

Trials and weakness are the instruments that God uses to make us humble. He wants us to get to the place where we know that His grace is all sufficent, and we can actually take pleasure in the very circumstances that bring us difficulty and suffering. “His strength made perfect in our weakness, His presence filling and satisfying our emptiness, becomes the secret of a humility that need never fail. Our humiliations lead us, in the experience of the presence and the power of Jesus, to choose humility as our highest blessing.”

There is the greatest freedom, the highest joy and the deepest peace when we are so free of “self” and our expectations that whatever is done to us or said of us is lost, in the thought that Jesus is all. Murray explains, “We shall find that the deepest humility is the secret of the truest happiness, a joy that nothing can destroy.”

The author ends the book by calling us to earnestly pray that God would reveal and remove every form of pride and replace it with the deepest humility.

He also exhorts us to “accept with gratitude everything that God allows from within or without, from friend or enemy, in nature or in grace, to remind you of your need for humbling, and to help you to it.”

It is only in our humility, when we are willing to be nothing in ourselves and let Jesus be all, that we best show forth the glory of God. I highly recommend that everyone read this book (ideally on a regular basis!) to be reminded, encouraged and challenged to fervently pursue biblical humility, so you can bring glory to God and experience the joy and peace that can only come from living in absolute submission and dependence on the Father’s will.

D Y I N G T O S E L F

A U T H O R U N K N O W N

When you are forgotten or neglected or purposely set at naught, and you sting and hurt with the insult or the oversight, but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ– that is dying to self.

When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advise is disregarded, your opinions ridiculed and you refuse to let your anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient, loving silence–that is dying to self.

When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, or any annoyance; when you can stand face to face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility, and endure as Jesus endured it– that is dying to self.

When you are content with any food, any offering, any raiment, any climate, any society, any attitude,any interruption by the will of God–that is dying to self.

When you see your brother prosper and have his needs met and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy or question God, while your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances-that is dying to self.

When you can receive correction well outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart–that is dying to self.

“. . . ‘ M Y GR ACE IS SU FFICIE N T FOR YOU,

FOR M Y POW E R IS M A DE PE R FECT

IN W E A K N ESS .’ T H E R E FOR E I W IL L

BOA ST A L L T H E MOR E GL A DLY A BOU T

M Y W E A K N ESSES , SO T H AT CH R IST ’ S

P O W E R M AY R E S T O N M E . T H AT I S

W H Y, FOR CH R IST ’ S SA K E , I DE L IGH T

I N W E A K N E S S E S , I N I N S U LT S , I N

H A R DSH IPS , IN PE R SECU T IONS , IN

DIFFICU LT IES . FOR W H E N I A M W E A K ,

T H E N I A M ST RONG” (2 COR 1 2:9 -10)

7

R E F L E C T I O N S F A L L / 2 0 1 3

A P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E P B C W O M E N ’ S M I N I S T R I E S

S E P T . 1 0 T H - N O V . 1 9 , 2 0 1 3

P B C M O D U L A R B U I L D I N G

T U E S D A Y M O R N I N G S

9 : 3 0 - 1 1 : 3 0 A . M .

( c h i l d c a r e p r o v i d e d )

o r T U E S D A Y E V E N I N G S

7 - 8 : 3 0 P . M .

 Imagine the friend you’ve been faithfully praying for, and talking to for months about the good news of Jesus Christ. Suddenly, she decides she believes the Bible. She wants to become a Christian! Would you know what to do next?

 We are all called to make disciples in Matt. 28:19, and in Titus 2 we know that the older women are to teach the younger women. But what exactly should we teach, and where should we begin? This fall the Women Walking Wisely study will be focusing on “Bible Boot Camp,” theological and practical “basic training” for helping women to disciple other women. The eleven-week study is focused on three main areas each Tuesday: book discussion, practical “how-to’s,” and an overview of systematic theology.

U G A N D A N M I S S I O N A R Y D A N I E L L E H U R L E Y , A C C O M P L I S H E D

S I N G E R / S O N G W R I T E R A N D S I S T E R O F P B C ’ S O W N L I S A T Y S O N ,

P E R F O R M E D A U G U S T 1 0 I N A S P E C I A L H O M E E V E N T O R G A N I Z E D

B Y T H E W O M E N ’ S M I N I S T R I E S O U T R E A C H . D A N I E L L E A N D

H E R H U S B A N D S H A N N O N A R E F O U N D E R S O F S U F F I C I E N C Y O F

S C R I P T U R E M I N I S T R I E S ( S O S ) , B A S E D I N L U W E E R O , U G A N D A .

A team from PBC will be leaving for Uganda October 6 through 14: Pastor Adam Tyson, Tim, Donna and Desiree Borruel, Mike and Erin Augusta, Mike Marino, Dhon Wellons and three staff members of Legacy Christian Academy, Valencia. The focus includes teacher training at Legacy Academy Uganda, staff and pastor training, help with Bible studies and gospel presentations in local schools, community outreach and construction projects. Teachers on the team will “adopt” African classrooms, bringing materials to decorate in addition to letters and pictures from their own Santa Clarita students.

The Hurleys began serving Uganda seven years ago after seeing the great physical and spiritual needs of the people, caused in part by the ravages of AIDS, poverty, single-mother homes, alcoholism and false religions. PBC’s Bekah Kolstad also continues to serve fulltime in Uganda.

The team seeks prayer support and financial help to meet the costs of travel, visas and immunizations. Fundraising efforts include a garage sale, planned for Saturday August 24 , from 7-11 a.m. at 25320 Via Brasa, Valencia. Contributions may also be made to specified team members, payable to Placterita Baptist Church.

D E C L A R E H I S G L O R Y A M O N G T H E N A T I O N S , H I S M A R V E L O U S

W O R K S A M O N G A L L T H E P E O P L E S . ( P S A L M 9 6 : 3 )

H E A R T S

U G A N D A

C O S T:$15 F O R B O O K S

SIGN-UPS: AUG. 18, 25 AND SEPT. 1

N E W D I S C I P L E S H I P S T U D Y

C O N T I N U E D P A G E 2 ›

B I B L E

B O O T C A M P

1

T H E R E C I P E B O X

Place the dates in a small bowl, pour the boiling water overtop, stir in the instant coffee and set aside until cool . In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until well blended and f luffy. Add 2 eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add half of f lour with the baking powder and salt and beat to blend. Add remaining 2 eggs, 1 at a time, beating to blend after each addition, then add the remaining f lour and beat just until blended.Stir the baking soda into the date mixture, add it to batter and stir to blend. Divide the batter among the jars , fi l ling them about halfway full . Place on a rimmed baking sheet and place in the oven. Bake for 30 minutes , or until golden and springy to the touch. Meanwhile, make the toffee sauce: in a small saucepan, stir together the cream, brown sugar and butter over medium heat. Bring to a boil , then reduce heat and simmer for a few minutes, until smooth and slightly thickened. Pour the warm toffee sauce over the baked puddings and serve topped with ice cream or whipped cream.

S E R V E S 8

T O F F E E P U D D I N G1 C C H O P P E D D A T E S

1 C B O I L I N G W A T E R

1 T B S P . I N S T A N T C O F F E E

O R E S P R E S S O G R A N U L E S

1 / 2 C B U T T E R , S O F T E N E D

1 C P A C K E D B R O W N S U G A R

4 L A R G E E G G S

1 3 / 4 C A L L - P U R P O S E F L O U R

1 1 / 2 T S P . B A K I N G P O W D E R

1 / 4 T S P . S A L T

1 T S P . B A K I N G S O D A

T O F F E E S A U C E :1 1 / 2 C H E A V Y W H I P P I N G C R E A M

1 C P A C K E D B R O W N S U G A R

2 T B S P . B U T T E R

V A N I L L A I C E C R E A M O R W H I P P E D

C R E A M , F O R S E R V I N G ( O P T I O N A L )

P R E H E A T O V E N T O 3 5 0 ° F . S P R A Y ( 8 ) 2 5 0 M L J A R S W I T H

N O N S T I C K S P R A Y O R R U B T H E I R I N S I D E S

W I T H S O F T B U T T E R .

f r o mK A T H E R I N E L O N G ’ S

k i t c h e n w i t h l o v e

S T I C K Y T O F F E E

P U D D I N G i n a J A R

a d v i s o r y b o a r d

D O N N A B O R R U E L

C A R O L K E N N E Y

K A R E N L O N G

J U D Y S E V E R A N C E

L O R I W E L L O N SS e c r e t a r y

B E T T Y I N T A G L I A T AO u t r e a c h

D E N I S E W A T S O NS p e c i a l E v e n t s

L A U R E N S M I T HS p i r i t u a l G r o w t h

R E B E C C A R E Y E SS u p p o r t & E n c o u r a g e m n t

C A R O L Y N M C G U I R EW M C C o o r d i n a t o r

6 6 1 - 2 5 0 - 1 6 2 1c a r o l y n m c a v @ a o l . c o m

P A M S O J K AW M C A s s t . C o o r d i n a t o r

6 6 1 - 2 5 5 - 8 6 2 6p j s o j k a @ g m a i l . c o m

w o m e n ' s m i n i s t r y c o u n C I L

d e s i g n : l i t t l e c a t d e s i g n c o . c o m p h o t o g r a p h y : A N N A C O N V E R S E

8