Planet Impact Blog

Monday, April 14, 2008

Review: When Angels and Serpents Dance by P.O.D. by Tim Gibbons

P.O.D. is my absolute favorite band on the planet! Last week they released their new album which has been thumping non-stop in my car and on my computer ever since it arrived in the mail. It's sweet. Here's a review I just read on an e-newsletter I receive.
- Pastor Kevin

When Angels & Serpents Dance is the end product of fourteen years of musical experimentation by San Diego, CA-based P.O.D. The album encompasses the band’s hardcore/punk roots, the hip-hop style lyrics, and the reggae flavor that have marked their previous releases and made P.O.D a name with a solid, passionate fan base. The band’s sixth album follows up on multi-platinum releases The Fundamental Elements of Southtown and Satellite and shows the same evolution in style and high-energy that made those two albums hits.

When Angels & Serpents Dance features the band's reunited original line-up - Sonny (vocals), Wuv (drums), Traa (bass), and after a four year absence, Marcos (guitar) - and a return to some of their classic driving rock riffs. Marcos' in your face style is evident on the first single “Addicted”, as well as songs “Kalifor-eye-a”, “God Forbid” and “When Angels and Serpents Dance”. Additionally, the album has a well-balanced feel for the more serious side of life with “It Can’t Rain Everyday”, “The End of the World” (featuring a gospel choir), and “Tell Me Why”.

When Angels and Serpents Dance features a unique blend of blues, classical, in addition to rock guitar. The song “Roman Empire” is a sort of pseudo-overture for many of the riffs featured in greater detail on the rest of the album. “Rise Against” features an epic blues-styled solo amongst the reggae-style cadence of the song.

P.O.D. writes yet another chapter with When Angels & Serpents Dance and they show no sign of slowing down soon. The album is a further expression of the band’s unique sound fourteen years in the making. This album should have a place in your collection.

(Source: Youth Work Weekly is a free publication of Youth Ministry Exchange April 14th, 2008)

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Serving is Fun!

Tonight was our annual missions banquet, and I was so proud of those of you who were working so hard and with such servants' hearts. What I loved most was that no one was grumbling and complaining. In fact, just the opposite was true! All of you were smiling and laughing and having a great time. Even my daughter was able to serve and be in on the fun. You are learning the joy of serving! I was looking forward to serving with you this year, but unfortunately the timing of my back surgery made it impossible for me to do so. Therefore, I did the next best thing I could. I grabbed my cane and hobbled over to say thank you and tell you how proud I was of all of you. I tried to get to each and every one of you individually. If I missed you, this one's for you: "THANK YOU! I APPRECIATE YOUR HARD WORK! YOU DID A GREAT JOB!" Thanks for being Jesus tonight! I love you guys! When I got home, believe it or not I was pretty sore from walking around, so I iced up, I took a hot bath, I loaded up on my la la drugs, and now I am about to fall asleep and go to la la land. Good night to all, and to all a good night.
Love,
PK

Friday, April 11, 2008

How YOU Can Honor Sharon Stack

Yesterday I was able to use my walker and make it over to the church for Mrs. Sharon Stack's funeral. It was a beautiful service that honored her and celebrated her life. Both her brother and her best friend (Mrs. Debbie Abrahamsen) shared with tremendous clarity and love. Perhaps the two things I want all of us to take away from her life are the two qualities her brother shared.

First, she was always joyful. May all of us constantly be filled, refilled, and overflowing with the joy of the Lord. The Bible says, "The joy of the Lord is our strength" (Nehemiah 8:10).

Second, she was a servant. Just as Sharon understood and followed Jesus, who did not come to this earth to be served, but to serve. May we all learn to serve the Lord with gladness and joy as Sharon did. (Psalm 100:2)

Let's honor Mrs. Stack by emulating her in these two wonderful, Christ-like qualities that she modeled for us during her days on this earth.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Funeral for Sharon Stack Details

Smithtown Gospel Tabernacle
Tonight at 7:30 pm
1 Higbie Dr.
Smithtown, NY 11787
Phone: 631-265-2485

Weekly Devotional: "In All Things Grumble and Complain"

When I was in the hospital this past weekend recovering from my back surgery there were moments, indeed hours, when I was in excruciating pain. I was having severe, intense back spasms that would not let up, and no matter which way I turned I could not find comfort. There were a few thoughts that kept going through my mind.

I am only 31 years old, why the heck did I need back surgery?

Why are there Umpa Lumpas dancing around on the ceiling?

If I squeeze and cringe any harder, my back isn't the only thing they're going to be wiping clean.

The doctor forgot to remove the knife and sewed it inside of my back.

It's a good thing he did or the next time he comes by to visit I might have an insatiable desire to use it on him.

Jesus suffered pain much, much, much more severe than this when He was being beaten and when He was hanging on the cross for me.

I love that verse in the Bible that says, "In all things scream, yell, grumble and complain for this is the will of God for you."

Now, if that last point doesn't quite sound like Bible, give yourself a pat on the back, because it's not. The actual verse says, "In all circumstances give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (I Thessalonians 5:18).

There were so many moments when those spasms just squeezed my back like an anaconda on a cat and I thought I was going to die, but I just kept saying [yes, out loud], "In all things give thanks, for this is the will of God." Sometimes nurses were in the room and would hear me say that and ask, "Pardon me?" I would say, "I am in a lot of pain right now, but I know that in all things I can give thanks because a life of thanksgiving is God's will for me. I have a ton of things to be thankful for." Sometimes the nurse would give me that look that said, "I am a Christian too," and sometimes the nurses would look at me like I was on drugs ... which I was. (No, not those kinds; the prescribed, legal kinds!)

So, what is it about thanks? How is giving thanks in ALL circumstances God's will for us? I'll let you think about, chew on (meditate), and wrestle with that question this week. Remember, no matter what you're going through - at home, at school, with your friends, at work, wherever - God's will for you in Christ Jesus is that you would give Him thanks. Now ask yourself the deeper questions as to why that is true.

Blessings,

Worship God Right Now Where You Are At! Watch this Video

"Mighty to Save" by Hillsong

Special Service Tonight To Honor Mrs. Stack

Always wanting to be flexible and sensitive so we can follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, I have made a call to change our Power Up Service in order to have a night of prayer, worship, and an exhortation from Mr. John Contes.

My thanks to Dwayne for his flexibility. He was supposed to share his testimony and perform some of his songs, but understanding the circumstances, he humbly surrendered his time so we could pastor our students through this tragedy. We will have Dwayne minister in just a few weeks, and it will be powerful! Be sure to bring your unsaved friends to hear his incredible testimony about how Jesus saved him from a lfe of dealing drugs, gang bangin, and time in prison.