“Looking Forward” to Sunday

July 25, 2010

In February, when we announced (or introduced) our “big” fundraiser for this summer’s mission trip, we had no idea what a great response we would have. When our Youth Ministry Leader, Santiago Tacorante, announced that he wanted people to sign on to support him and our young people by pledging to contribute dollars per pound (that he was determined to loose) to help off-set the cost of our summer mission trip to Arizona, I think some people were saying to themselves “That is so nice . . . he might lose ten or twenty pounds . . . I’ll sign up for that”.

I wish I could have read everyone’s minds last Sunday when Santiago climbed up on the scale and we received the final total: fifty-eight pounds of excess baggage left behind . . . and counting. I think I spied on the faces of some a perplexing mixture of joy, and mild distress, (“there goes the new flat screen TV!”). It was quite an accomplishment. He deserves a lot of credit.

So far we have received over $4,500 to offset the cost of next weeks trip by our young people to Arizona to work with a tribe of Native Americans. So many in our congregation have contributed and continue to do so.

Back when we shared the plan, my eleven year old, Caroline, came home from church and announced that she had signed up to support the trip to the tune of a dollar a pound. We were a little surprised and I heard myself saying to her “You didn’t have to do that.” She doesn’t work; the money she has in the bank is that which she saved over the years from grandma, pop, aunts and uncles. It certainly isn’t much. I didn’t expect her to participate. This was for the grown ups. This was for the people who work for a living. I didn’t want to be accused of shaking down fifth graders and having them smash their piggy banks for the excursion.

But she was adamant, and I guess Marianne and I were mostly pleased by her desire. After all, wouldn’t the promised blessings that go with sacrificial giving to God’s Kingdom apply to the young as well as those older? When the total was announced last Sunday she was truly excited that Santiago had lost so much weight. And she was thrilled to be able to contribute even more than she expected to our young missionaries. As we study the gifts of God’s Spirit given to all Christians this month, I couldn’t help but think “Perhaps one of her gifts is giving. Maybe God, in the years ahead, will use her to challenge me and teach me a few things.” That would be great.

So this week I withdrew fifty-eight bucks from her little account. I wonder how much spiritual power will be released in our group; how much of God’s blessing will follow our students and their leaders this week because of her, and your faithful, sacrificial support.

Pray for our group as they leave this Sunday morning at 4 a.m. (ugghhhhh!) to catch their early plane to Phoenix. Pray that their five hour journey from the airport to their destination would offer no surprises. Pray that they do real, serious ministry as they and those they serve are changed because of their willingness to go.

This is not a youth group trip. It is a trip undertaken by The Crossing. As they go they represent us, and more importantly they represent Jesus. Thanks for your support. We look forward to seeing what God will do through them this coming week.

Pray.

Blessings,
Pastor Tim

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July 18, 2010

Well, the day has finally arrived. Like an eight year-old anticipating Christmas; like a bride on her wedding day; like a Yankee fan at this year’s World Series (which we will surely be participating in); the day of The Great Weigh-In 2010 has finally arrived.

You may remember that some months back our Youth Ministry Leader issued a church-wide challenge: “I’ll lose the pounds if you provide the cash (for the youth mission trip).” A worthier motivation for dieting I have yet to hear of. Judging from his recently acquired, svelte physique, a number of our wallets will be a bit lighter as well.

This Sunday, during our morning service, we will be asking Santiago Tacoronte to hop on the scale and let us know what we owe. It will be fun (and I think very profitable) so I hope you are planning to be with us. Oh, and bring your checkbooks.

Also, this week I will be beginning a short series focusing in on the gifts of the Spirit of God which He distributes to all believers to build the church and extend His Kingdom. I think it will be an important series as we head into the fall series, 40 Days of Community.

I trust to see you this Sunday for a time of inspiring worship, fellowship, and practical (hopefully) teaching from the word of God.

Blessings,
Pastor Tim

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July 11, 2010

This week we conclude our series Lord, Hear Our Prayer in a familiar passage of scripture. We will be looking at the Lord’s Prayer from Matthew 6. Yes, I know that we recently concluded a series in the Sermon on the Mount. Yes, I know that I preached on this passage . . . this very same passage on February 7th. But really, since we have been looking at what the Bible says about prayer and spirituality, can we exit the series without examining the one place in the entire New Testament where Jesus, Himself, was asked directly about prayer and spirituality? This was the one place where his disciples cornered him and made a direct request, “Lord teach us to pray.”

This is the richest single source in all of scripture on how to pray. It is a true model for prayer. A true prayer for everyone. We will be looking at it from a slightly different perspective than we did in February. Please join us as we conclude this important series and come together in joyful worship and fellowship with those of like faith.

As a part of our service this week we have prepared a special “thank you” to all those who in some way have given themselves to minister to the this local body this past year. I am so grateful to God that we have a growing number of serving, loving, encouraging brothers and sisters whom He is bringing together in unity at The Crossing. See you on Sunday.

Pastor Tim

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June 27, 2010

Summer has officially begun, the longest day of the year (June 21^st) is behind us, vacations have started, and Christmas is less than six months away. Wow. Speaking of vacations beginning . . . this weekend I will be enjoying a few days away with my family. We are privileged to have Pastor Scott Pursley stepping into the pulpit in my stead. I know he will bring you a challenging message from Ephesians. When you see him, please let him know how honored you (we) are to have Lamb of God Fellowship as a sister church. They have been going through some deep waters in recent days and your encouragement would mean the world to him. These are great brothers and sisters in the Lord. I really love them.

I will be continuing my series Lord Hear Our Prayer on Sunday, July 4th, with a message from Daniel 9. Have you ever wondered what kind of prayer God will always answer? Although I didn’t plan it when laying out the series, this message could not have been preached on a better day than on that day that we celebrate the founding of this nation. God knew. I am already pumped to preach that one. I am praying that it will be a watershed day for the future of our church. I believe God will reward all those in attendance.

Enjoy the start of your summer. Parents, enjoy the fact that the kids are frolicking and having the time of their lives this week. (They will all be bored to tears and looking for you to entertain them in another week.) Enjoy the change of pace that the summer affords. And, take time to enjoy the God who provides all good things for you. Blessings.

Pastor Tim

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June 6, 2010

A quick reminder (and invitation) concerning our Memorial Day barbeque immediately after the service this Sunday. There will be plenty of food and games for the kids. You don’t have to bring a thing, although we would ask you to help defray the cost by contributing $3 per person or $6 per family. You couldn’t get a better deal, and it will be fun.

I will also be continuing in our present series entitled Lord, Hear Our Prayer about spiritual encounters and prayers offered by a variety of God’s people in the Bible. This week we will be examining a peculiar episode in the life of Jacob that changed him forever. What happened? Why did it change him? What do I have to do to have a life changing encounter with God?

Also, next Wednesday night, June 9^th, we will be welcoming the Cry For Awakening churches to our building as we look to God for revival and strength for our churches and for our families. Some of our churches have been going through some very difficult times in recent days. We will be sharing some information about that and lifting these churches up before God. Satan is active and wreaking havoc in some circles. Nothing but God’s power can change some of these situations. Won’t you come and be a part of a group of prayer warriors that God will use to turn back the destructive tide of the enemy?

Essex county needs all of the churches to start being the church. Loving one another and protecting one another and standing with those who suffer and are hard pressed. This area needs a God-sized encounter. Nothing else will do. Won’t you join us to pray?

Last thing. It is still not too late to get in on our baptism scheduled for June 20^th. A class will be held this Saturday morning at 10am with a make-up class the following day (Sunday) at 5pm. Call the office and let Mike Petrillo know that you are interested.

Blessings
Pastor Tim

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May 30, 2010

Shortly before 2am on February 19, 1945, the Navy’s big guns opened up on the island of Iwo Jima signaling the beginning of a titanic struggle for a strategic South Pacific piece of real estate just one-third the size of Manhattan. After an hour of punishment, the heavy fire was lifted, leaving the island smoking. From a mile off the coast it looked as if the entire island were on fire.

Both Americans aboard their transports and the Japanese in their caves looked to the skies now. 110 planes screamed out of the sky to drop more bombs. After the planes left, the big guns of the Navy opened up again. Incredibly, this ferocious bombardment had little effect, since almost all the Japanese forces were underground burrowed into the islands volcanic rock.

At 8:30 am, the order to land was given and the first wave of Marines headed toward the deadly shores. 110,000 Marines in 880 ships, who had sailed from Hawaii 40 days before now hit the beaches. But they were immediately bedeviled by the loose volcanic ash as they waded ashore. Unable to dig foxholes, they were sitting ducks for the hidden Japanese gunners. Heavy fire made it impossible to land in an orderly fashion.

Japanese gunners high atop Mount Suribachi, the 550-foot volcanic cone at the islands southern tip had a commanding view of the American landing beach. Blockhouses and pillboxes flanked the landing areas. Machine guns crisscrossed the beaches with deadly, interlocking fire. Rockets, anti-boat and anti-tank guns fired from seemingly everywhere. Confusion and death reigned on the beaches. One historian described the U.S. forces’ attack against the Japanese defense as “throwing human flesh against reinforced concrete.”

There were no front lines at any time of this battle. It was fought and won by the inch-by-inch tenacity of the foot soldier. By the time it was all over 25,851 U.S. service men had been killed or wounded. Virtually all the 22,000 Japanese defenders perished.

Four days after the landing, Bill Genaust, a photographer, recorded a picture of six Marines raising an American flag on a makeshift pole. That frozen scene became the most duplicated photograph in history, and for those men on that hill during the intense heat of battle, that flag was a symbol of the terrible sacrifice offered to get them to that place where victory was won.

And that was just one battle of that terrible war. There was much more fighting to be done. Much more sacrifice demanded, even though by this time so much had already been given.

There have been 1,200,000 deaths in America’s wars, and many more wounded. If you think of all the young widows, orphans, parents, families, and friends who shed a hundred million tears over lives cut short, it is altogether fitting that America pauses for one day each year to remember them. To connect the dots between the unparalleled freedoms we enjoy (and sometimes abuse) in this country and their sacrifice. It seems like such a little thing, and in reality, it is. It is the least that we can do.

Would you take some time this weekend to honor their memory? To impress upon your children the fact that whether we speak of political or spiritual liberty, freedom is never free. So many sacrifices have been made on our behalf. We are a truly blessed people.

Blessings,
Pastor Tim

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May 23, 2010

On June 5^th we will be holding our next baptism class for those who wish to be baptized on June 20^th. Baptism is a very important initiation rite. It’s a little more than that, but once a person admits that he or she is a sinner and turns to Christ for salvation, the Bible says that the watching world needs to know that you’ve made that decision. In a way, baptism separates the browsers from the buyers. Baptism has always stood as a “Do you mean it or don’t you?” test for people who move from being someone who is merely interested into someone who has really bought in to this life of faith.

It’s one thing to say in the privacy of your own heart that you’re a sinner who needs a savior. It’s quite another to step out of the shadows, walk up on a platform, stand before a group of people (for some it seems like several million people), and to demonstrate publicly that fact, that what Christ has done on the cross has now been applied to the sin of your life, and that you’re dedicating the rest of your life as best you can to being a Christ follower.

That kind of makes you do a gut check because once you go public, it’s tough to turn back, isn’t it? There’s an accountability factor when you go public in the demonstration of your faith. That’s precisely one of the functions of baptism. It is to serve as a form of accountability to people. It’s asking the question, “Do you mean it enough to stand in front of family and friends”? Or do you want to play it safe and hide in the shadows being kind of a “closet Christian”, if there is such a thing. We are called to be disciples of Christ. Someone said that “secrecy will destroy discipleship or discipleship will destroy secrecy“, and I think that they are right.

Make no mistake about it, Jesus commanded those who claimed to be his followers to prove it by being baptized publicly. And there doesn’t seem to be any exceptions to this command. He doesn’t say the rich have an exception or that introverts who find it difficult standing in front of a group have an exception. He said everybody.

What’s more, just before his ascension, he gave the disciples and Christian leaders throughout the ages the specific order to continue to challenge new believers with baptism all throughout history, no matter what culture they come from, and no matter what belief system they came out of, if any.

In many places of the world today, when people decide to follow Christ they are baptized immediately and then henceforth are shunned by family and friends for the rest of their lives. That’s how much baptism costs a converted Muslim in North Africa or a Hindu in India. And yet people are willing to do that to obey Christ.

That’s why it is almost inconceivable when I hear a Christian say, “Yes, I’m a Christ follower, but I don’t think I really need to do the baptism thing.” That position has always puzzled me. Whenever I hear it I want to say, “All right, wait a minute. Let me see if I really understand this. Jesus dies an excruciatingly painful death on the cross for someone’s sin, takes their sin and punishment on himself, and offers salvation and eternal life as a gift of grace and love.

“He does all of that for someone, and then asks for someone to simply admit that fact in front of family and friends; to stand up for the Savior and go public about the whole deal.” Is it OK for someone to say, ‘I’ll take the free gift of salvation, but pass on Jesus’ request to go public about it?’” That just has never computed in my mind. That math never works in my head. I just think it’s a ludicrous proposition. Really ridiculous.

True believers, when they really understand the gospel of grace, understand the miracle of forgiveness to what Christ did on the cross; they not only ask Christ to forgive their sin, but usually, almost simultaneously, they yield their entire lives, their talents, their resources fully.

They say, “I’ll follow you. Just say the word. I’ll do whatever you ask. Baptism? When and where, that’s the only question. I’ll stand anywhere in front of any number of people, the more the better, to proclaim how blessed I feel to be forgiven and adopted into your family.” That’s what a true believer ought to say.

Perhaps the time to step up publicly and announce who you are has come. If it has, make sure you get in touch with Mike Petrillo in the church office this week to tell him that you want to be included in this special service next month. I pray that many of you will do just that. It’s high time.

Blessings,
Pastor Tim

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May 2, 2010

The love of God changes everything. When we experience it we are never the same. The fact of the matter is that I believe most Christians, yes most, never drink deeply of this all surpassing love. Yet it has been the testimony of many luminaries throughout the history of the church that when we do, we are never the same again.

D. L. Moody described an experience he once had when God’s love overwhelmed him. He wrote “I cannot describe it, I seldom refer to it, it is almost too sacred an experience to name…I can only say God revealed Himself to me, and I had such an experience of His love that I had to ask Him to stay His hand.” He had to ask God to stop because he couldn’t take anymore of God’s love, it was so overwhelming.

This week, as we continue in our series of messages entitled Lord, Hear Our Prayer, we will be looking at a prayer of the apostle Paul. It is a prayer where he prays that all those who are sons of God will experience this all-encompassing love, because he knows that if they do, it will change their lives.

I trust that you are still sending up your “flare-prayers” each day when your cell phone beckons. God will and already is using those prayers to bring about good things for you and all those whom we are lifting up to heaven.

Blessings,
Pastor Tim

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April 25, 2010

Robert Fuller, a religious studies professor at Bradley University, estimates about 20 percent of people describe themselves as Spiritual But Not Religious (SBNR). In his 2001 book Spiritual, But Not Religious: Understanding Unchurched America, Fuller wrote SBNRs “. . . seek personal growth by picking and choosing among various traditions and rejecting organized religion as unhelpful or even harmful. But that doesn’t mean that they are not spiritual.” No, it doesn’t mean that at all. We live in a very spiritual nation.

Almost nine out of ten people in our country say that they pray outside of religious services. They pray to God, Jesus, the Holy Trinity, the Virgin Mary, Buddha, Allah, a higher power, the angels, and a variety of saints. And a growing number of people, according to statistics, are praying to . . . well . . . no one in particular.

The Bible has a unique take on this whole discussion on spirituality. The Bible says that real spirituality is not just believing in a, or the God, or even just talking to God. Real spirituality is responding to a living God who speaks, and acts, and comes to you. That’s what the Bible says. Real spirituality is knowing a real God who presses Himself in on you through his word and as you connect with Him through prayer. And as you get to know him He changes the way your heart works and the way your life is lived. That’s real spirituality.

Last week we began a new series entitled Lord Hear Our Prayer. It is a series of messages based on a number of case studies from the Bible in which people prayed different kinds of prayers, connected with God, and had true spiritual encounters with Him. Not with some imagined higher power or with an energy force or with nature. They are some of the most fascinating, intriguing, and influential texts in all of world literature.

Last week we looked at Elijah who prayed BIG prayers. This week we look at a person who prayed and prayed, but it seemed as if no one was listening. Where is God when there is a deafening silence in the prayer closet?

As usual, our wonderful worship team will lead us in corporate praise. We are really blessed with a fantastic team of musicians, singers, and technical folk. Let them know how much you appreciate their service to us this week. I am looking forward to God moving us forward, together, as we seek Him.

Blessings,
Pastor Tim

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April 18, 2010

Last night’s Cry For Awakening prayer meeting held at Bethany Church was a bit different than our normal time together. It was preceded by a supper that Bethany put together for the parents of the more than one hundred or so boys who are involved in the basketball league that they sponsor. Many of them, after enjoying fried chicken and fixin’s, joined us for our service. A number of the pastors associated with C.F.A. led spirited and heartfelt segments of prayer for the mothers, grandmothers, fathers, and churches represented, as well as for the police and educators in West Orange. God seemed to rock the house from beginning to end. It was a great time.

It was also a visual representation of what Rev. Doug Adams spoke about this past Sunday when he asked us to “Remember The Crossing.” It was then, as Israel, by faith, crossed over the Jordan, that God’s grace was made manifest to the nation and his plan was put into motion. Pastor Zach Guyton has asked his entire congregation, small though they may be, to band together so that together they, too, may be a conduit of grace to their community. It was great to see. Continue to pray for Bethany as God brings them to mind.

This week I will begin a new series about prayer. We will not merely be talking about prayer but instead studying some of the great prayers recorded in scripture, seeing up close true spiritual encounters with God, so that we too may draw closer to him inprayer. As always we will seek to worship God deeply and enjoy loving fellowship with each other. I hope to see you then.

Blessings,
Pastor Tim

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March 21, 2010

This week we put the finishing touches on the house that we have been building in our morning service since last November.

A playwright in New York once wrote an article about some of the men who had worked with him over several decades. He lamented the fact that many of them began with great promise, but their life ended in a lie. Summing up his observations he said “In the final analysis very few lives are hits that end up on Broadway. Most live are flops that finish out of town in New Haven.”

People want to live successful lives but most, when their life is over, have by their own standard failed. Why is that? Well, a lot of it has to do with how they have chosen. Our choices make all the difference.

Any effective sermon calls people in one fashion or another to decide. A preacher worth his salt will call on his listeners not to consider what has been said, but to decide which way they will go. Jesus, as he comes to the end of his sermon, does just that. He does so by telling his audience about two roads, two trees, and two foundations. Talk was now over. A time for commitment, or not, was at hand.

On another note . . . . Have you thought (prayed) about inviting someone to one of our Easter services on April 4^th? I hope you have. For those who have given us the names of some folks whom you have been considering asking to pray for, let me tell you that those folks have and are being prayed over. I also hope that you will be with us for a very special Good Friday service on Friday (you knew that) April 2^nd. This will be a time of reflection and remembrance of the greatest of all sacrifices. I know you be moved and motivated to offer praise to Christ our Lord for the cross. See you this Sunday.

Blessings,

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March 14, 2010

In the next to last installment of our series on the Sermon on the Mount, Firm Foundations, Jesus asked his listeners to do something which was a key that he promised would unlock the riches of prayer. He urges his followers to ask and seek and knock. All of those words in the Greek are present tense verbs. That is, they were to keep on asking, keep on seeking, and keep on knocking. Why is that? Does he like to see us squirm? Does He only answer after sufficient nagging? Is He hard of hearing and needs us to repeat it again, a little louder please! The real answer to that question may surprise you; His reasoning even more so.

In just three more weeks we will be celebrating Resurrection Sunday. I am really looking forward to it. On that day we will have an opportunity to invite family members, neighbors, and friends to hear a message of hope in a world which conspires against such things. I believe that God is going to work in our congregation that day. This past Sunday, many of you dropped the names of folks into the offering plate to be prayed over whom you are considering inviting. I thank you for that. It shows a heart that is open to the things that God can do.

I really believe this is a time for all of us to take an invitational risk. Would you do something right now? After reading this note would you pause for thirty seconds and earnestly ask God one question, “Lord, who should I ask?” If you are serious, God will bring someone to mind. Your invitation could change the trajectory of a life forever.

Tomorrow, a number of our men take off for an overnight at Liberty Corners that I know will prove to be a significant event in the lives of many. Last night at our Cry For Awakening prayer meeting at LivingWaterChurch, the people gathered there prayed specifically, and at some length, for this event. This is not designed to be a chest-thumpin’ testosterone energized overnight. Our time will focus on spiritual masculinity. Families, communities, and churches suffer when men wiggle into the mold that the culture has assigned them. But God desires so much more.

A few of our guys have had to cancel last minute, so there is room for some aged 18-80 who may still want to go. Call Mike in the office today. And pray for our guys; for all the men from the six sending churches. I hope to see you this Sunday.

-Pastor Tim

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March 7, 2010

This week in our study in the Sermon on the Mount we will be looking at one of the most used (overused?) scripture in the Bible. It is one of those verses that people whose shadow has not fallen on church grounds since they were baptized as an infant or married thirty year ago love to quote. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” It has often proved to be a comfortable citadel that people seeking refuge from inquiring folk retreat to. For the unrighteous, those words have often represented an impregnable fortress of safety. For Christ-followers, the ultimate silencer.

What was Jesus actually saying? How should his words inform our relationships and our concern for the lost? Be here for our next to next to last (no typo) message in our Sunday morning series, Firm Foundations.

This Saturday morning (10am – noon), Bob Garner from New Horizon Wellness will be in our Cafe speaking on Eating for Energy – Ramp Up Your Health. Bob gave up a six figure salary with a Fortune 500 company last year to go back to school and pursue a passion he has had for years – helping people understand the connection of overall health, mood, and energy level with the food they eat. He is presently partnering with several doctors in our area to help people experience wellness.

Right now over forty of you have signed up to be a part of this seminar. There is room for five more. If you would like to be a part of this lively, entertaining, and informative seminar call Mike Petrillo in the office today (973-992-2828). The doors will be open from 9:30am. We will be serving a number of healthy snacks and beverages before and during Bob’s presentation.

Although there is no charge for this seminar, we certainly want to show Bob our appreciation. To help defray the costs of the snacks and his appearance with us, I will arrange to have a basket near the doors in case you would like to contribute for the morning’s seminar.

One more thing. Men, this is the last weekend to sign up for our retreat at the Fellowship Deaconry on March 12^th and 13^th in Liberty Corners. This morning I was with several pastors as we all fervently prayed for what we are certain will be a watershed weekend for a number of us. About seventy-five have signed up so far form our Cry For Awakening churches with more expected to do so this weekend. It is going to be a great time. DON’T MISS IT!

That’s it for now. I trust to see you this weekend.

Blessings,

Pastor Tim

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February 21, 2010

This Sunday, as we continue looking at The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus has a word about worry. Worry is not some minor annoyance; it can and often does take over our lives. Worry drains our energy. It makes us sick. When we worry we don’t just worry with our minds, we worry with our bodies; our organs. If we worry long enough we can get ulcers and become vulnerable to all kinds of maladies. Worry has caused people to take their own lives.

People do all sorts of things to manage their worries. They gulp down pills and alcohol. Even those who don’t go that route are smart enough to know that it is not enough to just say to yourself “This is ridiculous, I just need to stop worrying about this.”

Jesus in Matthew 6 understood that platitudes and mind games were not very helpful when trying to deal with worry. So, he gave them seven reasons why they shouldn’t worry. Some of them were quite practical while others pierced like an arrow into the deepest parts of their soul. This Sunday we will unpack Jesus’ suggestions for a worry free life. I hope you will be able to join us.

Blessings,

Pastor Tim

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February 14, 2010

This Sunday we will continue in our series on The Sermon on the Mount. But since it is Valentines Day, I bring you, in this space, a word on love. No controversial diatribes. No subtle railing against a decaying society. Just love. We all love love, don’t we?

We love to be loved and to be in love. We love to even just think about love. And it doesn’t really have to be our love that we are thinking about either. Someone else’s will often do. Fifty percent of paperbacks sold in America are romance novels (generating over $1 billion a year). Just under twenty-five percent of all Americans read a romance novel in 2008. Judging from who is reading them it would seem that women tend to think about love more than men think about love since women make up ninety-one percent of the romance readership. And once they pick the book up, they just can’t put it down since they typically begin and finish a romance novel within 7 days.

These women really love to think about love a lot. You often can find them watching films like Twilight (series), He’s Just Not That Into You, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, even Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Just try getting some women to kick back one Saturday evening to watch a good, solid, uplifting film like, “Lethal Weapon 4″ is almost impossible.

In fact we love love so much that we have given a whole entire 28 day month over to love. To think about love. To give gifts to ones we love to love so much. Flowers and chocolates; dinners and fleece items from The Gap. We spare no expense. We even have our own saint dedicated to love which we love. But did you know that the saint of love was a real live (and reportedly lovely) little man?

Although church history identified three men named Valentine or Valentinus, tradition tells us that the Valentine in question, a teacher and priest near the city of Rome in the later part of the third century, is the one identified with the tradition which bears his name.

At that time Claudius II had issued an edict forbidding marriage among soldiers feeling the extra responsibility of a wife and family was just too much baggage to carry into battle. But Valentine, viewing the trauma of unrequited love, met with couples in secret and joined them in holy matrimony. Claudius learned of this “friend of lovers” and had him arrested. But the emperor, impressed with his dignity and strong convictions attempted to convert Valentine to the Roman gods. Valentine refused and instead tried to convert the emperor, knowing full well the consequences of his actions. On February 14, 270 A.D., Valentine was executed.

But the story does not end there. While in prison, Valentine, waiting his fate, came into contact with the daughter of his jailer and himself fell deeply in love. Just before his execution he asked for pen and paper and signed a farewell message to her, “From Your Valentine,” a phrase that has buried itself in the hearts and minds of men and women the world over, thanks to the people at Hallmark.

Though deeply sentimental, the facts surrounding Saint Valentine are not at all sure. What is sure is that his story has spawned a tradition that has been around for at least 600 years, (the oldest known Valentine’s Day card written in 1415 and still in existence today was a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while imprisoned in the Tower of London) and probably long before that.

One thing is for sure. People are starved for love. To be loved and to love. To know that they are accepted and acceptable to another. Often because we believe (many times rightly so) that people determine whether we are lovable depending on whether we measure up on their good/bad scale, we spend our lives posturing, pretending that we have less problems and are more together than we really are. We work feverishly to try to do things that will make us more acceptable to them. All to say, “I am worth loving. I won’t be a drag on you, you’ll see. Please love me.”

But the Bible says that there is nothing that I can do that will make at least One person love me any more than He already does. No amount of spiritual gymnastics or renunciations or crusading or holy living will make my heavenly Father love me more than He already does. There is also nothing that I have done or will do that will ever make Him love me less. No amount of hidden sin or present failure can separate me from His electing love. God loved all kinds of sullied individuals in scripture from Jacob to David to Peter to Solomon to even the nation of Israel who endlessly found new ways to disappoint.

God graciously and lavishly loves. All twelve months of the year. He knows we thirst for it. He knows we need it. We need His love. “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings” (Psalm 17:8). I wonder how our lives would change if we ever truly believed that. If we took God at His word.

All you need is love. Love not based on performance, beauty, or brains but on God’s eternal choice of me, His son; His daughter. Guess what? You got it. Happy Valentines Day.

Pastor Tim

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February 7, 2010

It has been called The Lord’s Prayer. If you grew up anywhere near a Christian church you probably learned it as a young child. But that is mislabeled for the simple reason that Jesus, with all integrity, could not have prayed this prayer himself. One part of the prayer says “forgive us our sins…” that is something Jesus could never have prayed. Perhaps it should be entitled, “The Disciples Prayer” since Jesus gave it to them, as a model of what prayer to God should be about. It was to serve them in the same way that an outline serves a speaker. A speaker doesn’t get up before an audience and read back his outline but uses it instead as a guide.

But as I read through the prayer it strikes me that, like a towering Mark Teixeira home run, Jesus touches all the bases. And he opened up for them, and for us, a window of understanding into whom it is we come to when we pray and what it is He is concerned about. And so, He gave us insight into what we should be concerned about.

This Sunday, as we continue in our study in The Sermon on the Mount, we will look at this prayer. It is a wonderful model for all those whose desire to pray often do not match the reality of their prayer life. Jesus said we ought always to pray. This is how we should do it.

Sunday we will be having Marie Rodriguez from InterVarsity Christian Fellowship with us. She will be briefly sharing her ministry on some of the college campuses in Newark. God is moving among students and you will not want to miss her report.

Also . . . . Someone told me that there was a big football game being played this Sunday. Oh yes, that would be THE SUPER BOWL! Although my interest in the outcome of this annual classic waned somewhat with the inexplicable implosion (collapse, destruction,annihilation, obliteration, eradication extermination . . . need more?) of my team (The Giants), I am still a fan and am looking forward to enjoying the fun with many of you. If you haven’t already made plans to join us in the Café to view the big game on a big screen, you need to do so right away. Food and drink will be supplied by our able staff and all you need to bring is a mere $5 bill. Oh, you will also need to bring at least one non-perishable food item to be donated to our Food For Friends bin to get in.

The doors open at 4pm. IF YOU HAVE NOT SIGNED UP, PLEASE DO SO WITH MIKE PETRILLO IN THE MAIN OFFICE (973.992.2828 OR EMAIL HIM) BY NOON FRIDAY SO THAT WE CAN PREPARE ADEQUATELY.

I look forward to seeing all of you this weekend.

Blessings,
Pastor Tim

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January 31, 2010

I hope that many of you are planning to join us this Sunday immediately after our morning service for our monthly Fellowship Luncheon. It is a great time to sit and “visit” for a while with your church family. Often we get so busy that we never get a chance to be in a setting where we can engage one another in a conversation that lasts longer than it takes to say “hi, good to see ya!” Last month it was near Standing Room Only so come join us for a great time.

Sabrina Anton will be leading us once again in worship (along with some wonderful special music) as I continue in our series Firm Foundations. We have finally made it to chapter six (!) where Jesus reviews and critiques the manner in which religious people of his day gave, fasted, and prayed. Although all good things in themselves, the key to blessing went deeper than the act itself. Back then most of the religious activity that went on was like an off Broadway show. Lots of interesting costumes, dialogue, and entertainment, but little gained for the kingdom or the individual who offered it. I wonder how much things have changed.

Immediately after the luncheon we will be having our annual Vision Meeting (1pm) in the auditorium. In that meeting we will be recounting all that God has done for us in the past year and look at plans which our leadership are praying over (and have already begun to move toward) for 2010. We will also be recommitting ourselves to the Lord as we review our Church Covenant, as well as inspecting and passing (hopefully) our budget for the coming year. Although we really expect all members to be at this meeting it is definitely not a members only meeting. All are welcomed to attend.

It will be a busy day. I look forward to seeing you then.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim

(P. S. Don’t forget about our baptism class on Saturday morning at 10 am for those interested in being baptized in March. If you haven’t signed up with Mike Petrillo yet and you do plan on attending, please do so today by email or by phone at 973-992-2828).

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January 24, 2010

Ibn Saud, the king of Saudi Arabia from 1932-1953, once had a woman come to him and demand the death of a man who had killed her husband. The man had been picking dates from a palm tree when he accidentally fell hitting the woman’s husband and fatally injuring him. Although the king tried to persuade the woman not to pursue her rights, she insisted on them.

Finally the king said “It is your right to ask for this man’s life, but it is my right to decree how he shall die. You shall take this man with you immediately and he shall be tied to the foot of a palm tree. Then you yourself shall climb to the top of the tree and cast yourself down upon him from that height. In that way you will take his life as he took your husbands life.” The woman quickly changed her mind, realizing that in following the letter of the law and demanding her rights, she might lose her right to life.

In demanding our rights sometimes we often lose our right to real life, the kind of life that come from an individual who hungers and thirsts after righteousness. Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount wanted to correct the conventional thinking of his day. Thinking that supported the notion that if things looked good on the outside then God was pleased.

The conventional teaching of the day called for an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth when personal damage was inflicted on a person. What was that all about? What did it mean? What is the recourse that a person seeking righteousness has when they suffer? I hope you will be with us this Sunday as we continue in our series Firm Foundations.

I want to thank all who opened their hearts and their wallets last week for the suffering people of Haiti. Although I know some of you had already given through your place of business and even may have contributed directly to Converge Worldwide, we still had a special offering of almost $4,000 that will be sent along with the gifts of many other churches in our conference to help those in need. For your help, I am so very grateful. Please remember to keep praying for the suffering masses there. As the news shifts back to healthcare reform and the other politics of the day, know that these folks will spend years recovering from this disaster.

Blessings,

Pastor Tim

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January 17, 2010

Who do you trust? I mean, who do you trust to tell you the truth all the time every time? We have in our culture developed ways in which we give strength to our words; ways in which we attempt to back up our words so that people will believe what we are saying. We use promises and vows and oaths and even legal documents to insure that people will listen to us and . . . to insure that we will be good to our word. Even then we often fail.

Vows and oaths and promises were the bedrock of the social and ecomonic structure in the days of Jesus. So as Jesus spoke about truth-telling their ears must have perked up since this was an essential component of their culture. But they were really no better than us when it came to truth-telling. To those who pursued righteousness, Jesus had something to say when it came to this area of speech. I hope you will be here Sunday for the next installment in our series Firm Foundations.

All of you have heard of the devastation in Haiti this past week. I hope that you have kept those people close in your prayers this week. This Sunday we will be taking a special offering for the victims of this earthquake. Come ready to give. ^“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy,” (Matthew 5:7).

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January 10, 2010

A. Alvarez in his book Life After Marriage said “You can make divorce as easy to obtain as a dog license, but you can’t burn away the sense of shame and waste.” Jo Coudert observed in Advice From a Failure, “The divorced person is like a man with a black patch over one eye. He looks rather dashing but the fact is that he has been through a maiming experience.” Divorce is as one observed “The psychological equivalent of a triple coronary by-pass.” It is not about legal documents, but incisions on the heart.

This week in our study of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives another example of what righteous living is all about as he addresses the topic of broken marriages. The trail of heartache and fractured families runs long through our culture and sadly, the church. No one gets married with the expectation that they are going to get divorced. But things happen. What should be the attitude of a Christian, who is seeking righteousness in all their relationships, be towards divorce? Is divorce always forbidden? What should be your position and the position of this local church? I pray that God’s word will offer us generous portions of truth and grace as we tackle this difficult issue.

Also, many of you recently put together shoe boxes filled with goodies for the season to be delivered to third world children in conjunction with Operation Christmas Child. We will, by way of video, be showing you where your boxes filled with love ended up. Also, don’t forget that our regularly scheduled classes begin again this Sunday at 9 am with Café 222 Weekend opening at 8:45. I hope you are making plans to be with us this Sunday. See you then.

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January 3, 2010

I hope that you are all recovering from this Christmas season. (Yes, I said recovering - two minutes ago someone tried to shove yet more sugary, chocolate covered, high in fat and cholesterol goodies down my throat - they succeeded). It is hard to believe that a new year (decade) is upon us. (It was like, three days ago, wasn’t it, that we were all crammed into our gym for a grand dinner to mark the start of a new millennium – remember that?)

This week we continue to ‘build the house’ as we once again resume our series on the Sermon on the Mount. I hope it has been a good and challenging series of teachings for you. I know it has made me positively uncomfortable most weeks as the sermon continues to study me and my own heart. We are in a section in chapter five where Jesus gives six illustrations to show that the religious leaders with their narrow interpretation of the Old Testament Law were . . . well . . . missing the point. Righteousness, Jesus said, is not about rule keeping, but about right relationships.

Two weeks ago we talked about murder and the hatred that gives rise to the act. This week it is adultery and the lust from which it comes. Jesus remarked “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” How would the people who were gathered on that hill and heard Jesus that morning have understood these words when they first heard them? How would it have challenged their thinking? Based upon his teaching what would they, if they were serious about following the path of righteousness, have to do? Righteousness from Christ’s perspective was not rule keeping, but right relationship. It always has been.

I hope you will be with us. And I hope you will stick around after the service on Sunday for our Fellowship Luncheon. It is our monthly time to visit with one another. Oh . . . and don’t forget, our regular 9 a.m. teaching time for all ages will not resume until next Sunday (10^th).

Blessings,

Pastor Tim

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December 27, 2009

I hope that you will be with us this Sunday because there is someone that I want you to meet. Ted Faison is the senior pastor at Living Water Christian Center Church in East Orange. The church that he ministers at is one of our Cry For Awakening churches. Over the past year, some of our most spirited and warmest prayer meetings were at Living Water.

I have asked Ted to come and open God’s word for us this week at our morning worship (10:30 am). He is a true brother in the Lord and I know that you will be blessed this Christmas season by his message.

So shake off your post holiday doldrums and make it a priority to be here with your church family for an inspirational and meaningful time of worship and encouragement. As a part of our service, I will be dedicating little Jayden Colon as his parents Paul and Dannellys publicly promise to raise him to honor and serve God. Come out and support this wonderful family.

Blessings,

Pastor Tim

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December 20, 2009

I am reading Ed Welch’s helpful book on depression. There are many levels of what we call “depression” but one of the signs for someone who is sinking into a dark place is a general disenchantment with almost all parts of their lives, and a feeling that what they do does not matter. And, that they are all alone.

I can’ t help but think that many of the people who populated the audience when Jesus delivered his sermon on that hill near the Sea of Galilee were discouraged and disillusioned because of the scoundrels and schisms that they had suffered under in their world. I am sure many of them felt as if there was no way that anyone really understood how they felt and what they were going through. Worse, that when all was said and done they would look back on a life that had made no discernable difference to anyone. Even to those closely knit to them. But Jesus knew differently.

He said in his sermon that there was a certain kind of person that indeed could make a difference. But they first had to understand two things: who they were and what they were called to do. If and when they ever did, well . . . then they truly could make all the difference in the world.

Jesus called his disciples to be salt. He called them to be light. But what exactly did he mean by that, and how does his call to them translate to us twenty centuries down history’s road?

God has called kingdom people to make a difference; a difference that will matter forever. Come Sunday and find out how. Bring a friend.

Blessings,
Pastor Tim

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December 13, 2009

Jesus called his disciples to be salt. He called them to be light. But what exactly did he mean by that, and how does his call to them translate to us twenty centuries down history’s road?

God has called kingdom people to make a difference; a difference that will matter forever. Come Sunday and find out how. Bring a friend.

Blessings,
Pastor Tim