Peter Furler's Statement From The Newsboys

The Newsboys have always been one of my favorite if not favorite Christian groups. There sincere love for Jesus Christ and the word of God blows me away as evidenced in the music.

God has used their lead singer, Peter Furler, to help spread the good news of Jesus Christ 'to every tribe, tongue, and nation'. Peter has decided it is his time to 'pass the baton' to Michael Tait formerly of 'dc Talk'. He is an equally gifted artist who has a heartfelt love for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I have attached a statement from Peter that was posted out on the Newsboys website. Please pray for the transition to Michael, for Michael, and most importantly that the gospel of Jesus Christ continues to be spread through the Newsboys.

Godspeed Peter ! You will indeed be missed !

"Hello Friends,

Sorry for the delay in getting this brief statement out. As we say
around the nb camp, “I’ve been flat out like a lizard drinking.”
It’s been a busy time helping the lads with this transition, while at
the same time finishing up the recording and mixing of the new CD
in order to make the May 5th release date.

As you know, I have come to a decision that it is time to stop. I want
to thank you for your prayers and encouragement! We have had many
people write and call asking about my well-being. Thank you for your
concern! I am happy to let you know that I am not dying of some
sickness or disease, nor am I in some sort of moral or spiritual
crisis (Glory To God!). There has been no band bust-up or punch-out!
All is well! (Although now that I think of it, I did accidently render Duncan
unconscious one time in a play fight minutes before a concert!) For me,
the decision is that after traveling many thousands of miles across
land and sea for over 22 years, along with needing to constantly keep
writing and reach production deadlines–let alone feed my dog, It
was time for something to give, and my booking agent and his GPS drew the short straw!

What are my plans you ask? Well, at the moment, they are to encourage the lads in this here “passing of the baton” to Michael, as well as to continue songwriting, and most importantly, for Summer and I to
continue doing what we are all called to do–that is reach the
people that come across our path with the Love and Spirit of Jesus.

I want to thank YOU! For you have always welcomed me, from the early
days of criss-crossing the USA in a beat-up, old dodge van, to
traveling in trains, planes, ferries, ships, (and of course the
occasional motorbike) into some of the most amazing places on this
planet! Let me think: Morocco, Israel, Asia, UK, Europe, Latin America,
Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, Russia and Uganda just to name a few. Seeing your faces and hearing you sing has blessed me.
Again, many thanks!

Now, I need to ask you a favor. Please do the same for my friend,
Michael Tait. Welcome him. Michael is a statesman in our industry, and
he is who I have picked to carry on what I started as a teenager.

newsboys is more than a band to me. It is a group of people: men and
women, husbands and wives, sons and daughters pooling together their
gifts and talents, making many sacrifices, and believing that together we
are all making a difference in telling the good news of the saving
power of our Lord Jesus Christ to our generation. I am happy to say
that this has not changed.

I will continue on with the band as friend, songwriter, cheerleader, and
prayer partner.

Please enjoy the new CD, In The Hands of God. We poured our souls
into it. I sang at the top of my lungs! It is for you!

Love and Peace,

Peter Furler


Comment on it at http://www.newsboys.com
March 2009"

"By Your Side" by Tenth Avenue North

"Why are you striving these days
Why are you trying to earn grace
Why are you crying
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away

Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run

And I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life

(Chorus 2x)

Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, I love you
I'll never let you go

(Chorus 2x)"


This is one of those songs that I can listen to over and over again. Powerful lyrics and even more powerful message.

Aren't you glad that Jesus is right there with you at your side any time you call on him ?

"Something Heavenly" by Sanctus Real

"It's time for healing time to move on
It's time to fix what's been broken too long
Time make right what has been wrong
It's time to find my way to where I belong
There's a wave that's crashing over me
All I can do is surrender

[Chorus]
Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
but I'm giving in to something heavenly

Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Revaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow your will
or just climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what it is you want from me
I give everything I surrender...
To...

[Chorus]

Time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out
That I've wanted to say for so many years
Time to to release all my held back tears

Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but I believe
You're up to something bigger than me
Larger than life something heavenly

Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but now I can see
This something bigger than me
Larger than life something heavenly
Something heavenly

It's time to face up
Clean this old house
Time breathe in and let everything out"

One thing that I have come to learn over the years is that "God does work together all things for good". Our finite minds cannot grasp that God wants the best for us all the time and that "best" will often require us to "go through the fire". It is not pretty or pleasant but coming out on the other side the "fire" removes the impurities.

I have gone through so much the past few years that I would have never dreamed or would have asked for. But I can tell you that my faith in Jesus Christ has grown stronger and my love for my family and friends has grown deeper becuase of these time. I am so thankful that one of my favorite groups Sanctus Real addresses this in this song "Something Heavenly".

So when you are go through this times remember to "give in to something heavenly" and God will pour his love upon you.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06AgY5Xoavw

Magnificent by U2

Magnificent by U2

"I was born
I was born to be with you
In this space and time
After that and ever after I haven't had a clue
Only to break rhyme
This foolishness can leave a heart black and blue

Only love, only love can leave such a mark
But only love, only love can heal such a scar

I was born
I was born to sing for you
I didn’t have a choice but to lift you up
And sing whatever song you wanted me to
I give you back my voice
From the womb my first cry, it was a joyful noise…

Only love, only love can leave such a mark
But only love, only love can heal such a scar

Justified till we die, you and I will magnify
The Magnificent
Magnificent

Only love, only love can leave such a mark
But only love, only love unites our hearts

Justified till we die, you and I will magnify
The Magnificent
Magnificent
Magnificent"

U2 consistently never ceases to amaze me with some of the most awesome music on this planet but lyrics that point directly to our loving, awesome God. I hope you take the time to read and ponder God's love for you - and do get the CD - you will be glad you did !

"Prayer" - by Petra

Words and music by Bob Hartman and John Elefante
Based on 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, Ephesians 6:18-19, Matthew 6:9-13

"First I want to thank You Lord for being who You are
For coming to the rescue of a man who's drifted far
For calling me to be Your son and calling me to serve
Lord the way You've blessed my life is more than I deserve

Keep the ones I love so dearly
Fill their emptiness while I am gone
And fill the loneliness in me

(Chorus)

This is my prayer Lifted to You
Knowing You care even more than I do
This is my prayer Lifted in Your name
Your will be done I humbly pray

Let me be the evidence of what Your grace can do
To a generations struggling to find themselves in You
May they come to know the love of God
May their eyes be made to see
Give me the opportunity to share the truth that sets them free
And may unity in all things
Be the banner of Your church
And let revival's fire begin to burn

As we face the last and final hours
Turn a wayward country back to You
And keep us from the evil that devours
Keep us on the path and lead us through
Keep us in Your light until Your kingdom comes
And our work is done
This is my prayer
Lifted to You
Knowing You care so much more than I do
This is my prayer
In Jesus' name
Your will be done I humbly pray

This is my prayer"

I want to thank Walter Myles for drawing my attention recently to this great song by Petra. If you get a chance listen to it - very inspirational.

Very powerful lyrics. I dedicate this to all my family and friends who pray for me and know that without question you have my prayers in return. Know that no matter what you are going through God is with you, loves you, and cares deeply for you.

Be a blessing to someone today by praying for them and may God richly bless you in return.