Holy Week and Easter Message and Invitation 2012

Easter 2012

So often our times are influenced by news. Listening to the media, on most days we are harassed with a litany of bad news – death, destruction, debt, despair, and more. At times, if just listening to the news, things can seem pretty hopeless. We long for and yearn for some good news; and occasionally a light shines in the darkness. At the same time, whether good or bad it usually just evaporates from our memories – but still it leaves many in a numbed, confused fog.

Fortunately, one Sunday morning long ago, there was a news announcement that has never been equaled. “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen (Luke 24:5-6)!” Talk about Good News!! It’s the best news. It’s the news that changes everything still. And I love how it is both cosmic and personal. Cosmic in the sense that Jesus overcomes death and sin and is alive! Personal in that he appears to individuals to restore and comfort them. And yet, the disciples thought just two days earlier that everything was lost – they had been sold on the “bad news” of the day. But we know that with God all things are possible! As Louis L’Amour wrote, “There will come a time when you believe everything is finished; that will be the beginning.” Amen!

And as if the news of the resurrection itself was enough…there is this truth: “The spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through the Spirit (Romans 8:11). Think about it. The Spirit who raised Christ from the dead – the power and victory that we celebrate on Easter – isn’t just a one day thing. Through our faith in Christ, this power is alive and working within us.

In a world of daily news of death, and dying and decay, we can take heart and hope that we have the source, the power that overcomes even death – within us. So that we look at circumstances and take account of all the obstacles we face – even when we think everything might be finished, because of the good news of the resurrection, because of that same power in our lives – we can be as Paul said, “more than conquerors in all these things.” As well, let us remember and rely on this power more and more as we continue to watch God lead us through this season of renewal for our church!

I invite you to share in the “Hosannas!” of Palm Sunday to the solemnity of Maundy Thursday to the sorrow of Good Friday and to the triumph of Easter. May we experience together the joy, wonder, depth, power and possibility of Holy Week:

April 1 – Palm Sunday Celebration with Luncheon, 10:30 am
April 5 – Maundy Thursday (The Lord’s Supper with Hand Washing), 7:30 pm
April 6 – Good Friday Remembrance Service, 7:30 pm
April 8 – Easter Celebration, 10:30 am

First Reformed Church of Saddle Brook, 5 Ackerman Avenue, Saddle Brook, NJ 07663; http://www.firstreformedsaddlebrook.com. Whether it’s your first time or it’s been a long time – you will be welcomed!
In Christ,
Pastor Christopher

Read Full Post »

The Best of Living Water 2011

Hello: Here is the 2011 Best of Living Water! Thank you so much for your support and prayers! May God bless you in 2012. The full Living Waters from the below excerpts can be found at https://christopherbwolf.wordpress.com. Please take some time to write back/post about which ones were most meaningful to you and why. I would really love to hear from you about that 🙂 Christopher

 

Proof, January 2011

What if people said of you and me, “I know what it is to be loved by God because of the way you loved me?” That’s the kind of goal or achievement I am seeking after. That my life, my loving, my faith – all pointed to God that clearly. And think of how transforming it would be within churches and beyond them into communities! When people look at our lives, if we are doing this faithfully, the only conclusion they can come to is, “Only Christ could be the author of that kind of life.” So as God’s “letters” – there really is only one true and faithful response – “Here am I; send me.” Here we are Lord; write us with your Spirit, address us to other lonely, broken, despairing human hearts and…send us.

 

One Bread, One Body, February 2011

Second, Paul’s description redefines success, making it based on the resemblance to Christ – unity, health and functionality. According to this passage there is direct connection between a church’s health and unity and its ability to authentically resemble Jesus. So that, it doesn’t matter the size, its worship “performance,”  or its income – worldly measures of success. Do people experience the salvation, love, forgiveness, healing and transformation of Jesus? These are things that can’t be faked or fudged – a church that is depending on God and depending on one another will be obvious…This is about belonging to one another – to need others in the best and worst times of life and faith. It’s the difference between being a part of a religious social club and being part of the body of Christ – huge.

 

For Good, March 2011

So, can we come to a place in our lives, where we see our wounds, our mistakes and failures, disease, apathy and wickedness, even death – all of these terrible circumstances as part of a larger plan that we know and are convinced is for our ultimate good? And to be sure, Providence does not excuse or erase wickedness, apathy or other things; nor does it take delight in failures or catastrophes – it lovingly and compassionately supersedes and overrules them.

 

 

🙂 or +…It’s Our Choice, April 2011

 

But a big, yellow smiley face, as pleasant as it is, has no power. A smiley face has never equipped anyone to truly follow Jesus, or to forgive, to reconcile, to be merciful and gracious or to share the joy of salvation; but not only that, a smiley face has never enabled someone to overcome addiction, or leave guilt and pain behind. With all of this and more, only the cross has that power.

 

Resurrection, April 2011

As I am writing this, blossoms, buds, sprouts, and shoots, botanical ambassadors of new life, are fighting through wind, snow, earth, rocks, and other things to emerge from the ravages of winter, from death. And somehow the breathtaking symphony of color and fragrance always wins. Spring happens no matter how bad the winter was. You and I will never know what it takes for them to push through all of that to make it through to the other side. But we do know this. That through Jesus suffering and dying on the cross and being dead and buried, new life, resurrection emerged into this world and into our lives through faith. It wasn’t a snap of the fingers, it wasn’t a magic trick, it wasn’t a formula, and it was anything but easy. But it happened…

 

About Bullying, May 2011

 

At the same time, I just want to offer some solutions for schools, companies, churches and communities. First, if there is no truth about bullies, their targets and bullying episodes, there will be no healing. Schools, churches and companies can and often do try to cover it up, but it won’t work. Sometimes the calculation is made that “moving on” will cost less than “upsetting” everyone with the truth. False. The truth about bullying may be ugly and upsetting, but only when there is accountability, consequences, understanding and restoration can the body or system respond in ways that are healthy and life-giving. Because guess what – bullies and bullying systems don’t just stop after one target – and that’s just one target people may know about. If there is anything that we have learned in the last few decades about leadership – it is that credibility and dealing with issues head-on, no matter what the cost, is effective, builds trust (over time) and leads to a more secure future. Second, bullying is not just about individuals and communities – it’s a justice issue. Tolerating bullying is unjust and means that a school, church or community is operating for the few or for the “self.” Whatever you want to call them – the popular, the elites, the righteous – may be working in your school, church, company or community for the benefit of themselves and will protect it aggressively. Yet, when people are working against bullying and not tolerating it, it means that a school, church, company or community is committed to justice for all.

 

Possibility, May 2011

 

It’s happening right now somewhere – someone is facing an impossible situation – and they are getting down on their knees and praying their heart out; and somewhere someone is introducing and invoking God’s Word and Spirit where it has never been before – and with all of this – there is hope, real hope and possibility.

 

Worthy Worship, May 2011

 

The first is that we have to shift from thinking of worship as only a ritual to thinking of it as an encounter or meeting with God. Could we come to worship prepared to meet God? How, you say? You’ll find Him through hearing His Word read and proclaimed, through loving fellowship of other believers, through prayer, through praising – music or otherwise – God is there ready to meet us through the Holy Spirit…Second, and related, is that we have to shift our thinking of worship as a once a week activity to everyday. Anytime we thank, think of, devote time to, serve, sacrifice for God – this is worship…If we only walked or exercised once a week, our health and fitness would not improve much. Same thing with worship. Third, our approach as worshippers has to experience a paradigm shift. We have to go from “getting something” to “giving something.” We have to start coming to worship because we want to thank God for creating us, saving us and sustaining us. God is worthy of our worship in His own right, but then we also reflect on His marvelous works in our lives – and suddenly worship is more than an just an hour on Sunday.

 

 

Promises, June 2011

 

Beloved ones, I know that many of you are asking those and other questions today. Real, painful questions that you have been wrestling with for so long – without answers. Let’s stop shaking the Magic 8 Ball furiously until it gives us the answer we want! But when I have exchanged my search and demand for answers for remembering and embracing these promises – that’s when I have healed and moved on and seen God working new things in my life. Let God be God, and let us be His people to whom He has promised wonderful things through good times and even in the midst of suffering, trouble and sorrow. We may never have or find answers in this life – but we do have God’s promises – promises that can’t be diminished. I pray that you receive these promises as your own today – welcome, embrace, and cling to them.

 

Where You Belong, July 2011

 

Even with all its flaws, a gracious group of Christians sharing Christ and life together is the highest, purest form of community – because the bonds and connections are supernatural (the Holy Spirit) not performance or money or appearances or status – you just come and belong as you are. And it is the closest thing to thing to Heaven – it’s the closest thing to truly experiencing God’s love and presence. After all, a Christian community is an embassy of God’s Kingdom – where joy, love, justice and wholeness reign. So, hey there, what are you doing this Sunday? I know many of you have been hurt by church and by Christians. I know that it is hard to trust again. I know you want to belong and to be a part of something real. I know you might think what I am saying sounds impossible. But remember, with God all things are possible! I would love nothing more than to see you come through those doors, encounter God in new ways, as well as experience the loving embrace of people who may not know you but somehow have been waiting for you…the embrace of brothers and sisters to whom you can belong. I’ve prayed for it, I’ve dreamed about it, and one day…

 

Something’s Missing, August 2011

 

Like Red (The Shawshank Redemption), like the woman in this passage (Luke 7:36-50), when we seek and work to grasp – how forgiven we are, how we don’t deserve God’s grace (but have it anyway), how broken and hopeless we are without Him, how we can be freed of the past and from our sins, what it cost to save us (Jesus bearing our sins at the cross), and from what we are saved; our responses over time will be increasing – joy, passion, gratitude, devotion, service, hope, strength and more. Oh what is possible when a group of people who are acutely mindful of their “savedness” (over their “chosenness”) and therefore alive and new in Christ, get together and praise God, love one another and go out and seek to share that love with everyone around them in their community and the world! And when their worship and fellowship and mission and serving and giving and their living throughout the week is more and more influenced and impacted first and foremost by their joy and gratitude from being saved by God – watch out!

 

In The Broken Places, September 2011

 

I know you and I have our broken places. Real and painful. Some are because of loss and grief. Some are because of being harmed or abused. Some are because we made destructive decisions. Some are because we are addicted. Some are because we are separated or divorced. Some are because of dysfunctional relationships. Some are because of a lost job or career. Some are because of heartbreak and losing heart. There is so much brokenness in our lives and in this world! Oh, how I wish it weren’t like this! But all I can tell you is how God works – works through – not around – all the brokenness. And, He often meets us most powerfully, most obviously, and most vividly at our broken places…Strong at the broken places. Lower Manhattan Thriving after 9/11. For when I am weak, then I am strong. If you are waiting for everything to go back to normal, if you are waiting to wake up as if it were all a dream, if you are waiting until you are better or “more together” – that may not work nor may not happen. But please know you already have everything you need for God’s healing and restoration to begin…It doesn’t end at our broken places; it begins.

 

Walk With Me (the introduction to my new book, With You Every Step of the Way), October 2011

 

Like any good guide, I want to walk alongside you for a while, sharing, reflecting, and taking steps. Maybe we can even stop and sit and rest for a while together. All of our journeys include mountaintops, valleys, and wildernesses; and it often seems like the weight we carry doesn’t get any lighter. As you know, I can’t alter the journey God has graciously designed for you, but I can encourage you, whisper wisdom and insight, help reveal purpose and promise, laugh and cry with you, and make it more bearable, as well as illuminate pitfalls, landmarks, and breathtaking views along the way. So, would you walk with me for a while?

 

Heart Portrait, October 2011

Because, the kind of heart God is interested in, the kind of heart He can really work with is, “The sacrifices (worthy worship) of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise (Psalm 51:17).” Though I am sinner, may God, through the Holy Spirit, also find a growing humility, repentance and contrition for those times when my heart is turned away from God. But also for those times when life has broken my heart, may I see the loving stitches from the hand of God sewing it back together. A heart that looks more and more like a vessel that is willing to be used and poured out for God’s Kingdom and for others.

 

Season’s Healings, November 2011

Have you ever noticed that the some of the most blessed, sacred, and wonderful things in our lives have come during or after the tears? Think about the hopes and dreams that have come after tears. Think about the strength and renewal that has come after the tears. Think about the clarity and focus that has followed after our tears. Am I right? It’s no coincidence that Psalm 126:5 says, “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.” As much as tears of fear, grief, sadness and isolation are a part of our lives and a part of our faith journeys, they do not have the last word; they are not the end. In fact, they are a gateway to God’s comfort, the comfort of others, truth, clarity, renewal and much more.

 

An Uncommon Love, December 2011

 

It’s the love you’ve been searching for, the love of which you’ve dreamed, the love you’ve been thirsting for…and it’s the love that doesn’t have to be sought after or found; it finds us…it has found us – that’s the baby in the manger!Oh, when we awaken to find and behold the gift of God’s uncommon love for us in our hearts and lives – it’s better than even the best Christmas morning gift opening! Then all the fear and self-serving and confusion can disappear as fast as the wrapping gets torn off presents. And then when you and I, depending on God, start to try to love others in these ways – loving spouses, children, family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, fellow church members, everyone faithfully, unconditionally, sacrificially and daringly…what’s possible is this amazing, uncommon love of God becoming more and more visible so that while it may not be a baby in a manger or a man on a cross or an empty tomb; but it will still be His body. Christ in and through you and I – loving, reaching, restoring, liberating, lifting up, and embracing right here, right now for all the world to see and know.

 

 

 

 

Rev. Christopher B. Wolf

Isaiah 42:7

cbrianwolf@gmail.com

www.christopherbwolf.com

 

Christopher B. Wolf is pastor of First Reformed Church of Saddle Brook and is the author of Giving Faith a Second Chance: Restarts, Mulligans and Do-Overs (2007) and With You Every Step of the Way (September, 2011); and the host of Walk With Me, Wednesdays 8 pm on WYFN 94.9 FM-NY and on www.yfnradio.com.

“It is a matter of sharing and bearing the pain and puzzlement of the world so that the crucified love of God in Christ may be brought to bear healingly upon the world at exactly that point.” N.T. Wright

 

Read Full Post »

Something’s Missing

I thought about it when I caught the final hour or so of the film, The Shawshank Redemption last week.

Red is in prison and meets Andy, who functions as a Christ figure. Red’s encounter with Andy is life-changing, life-saving really. Andy, who was wrongly convicted, escapes prison and tells Red that if and when he ever gets out, Andy will be waiting for him in Mexico – tells him where and also tells him where “treasure” will be buried (a play on Matthew 13:44, “the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field…”) in a field to get to Mexico. Like many prisoners, once released Red is in a fog. He talks about longing to be back in prison where he knew the routine, where he was comfortable, as strange as that sounds. He contemplates the choice of suicide like a fellow released inmate chose while living in the same apartment. But because of Red’s encounter with Andy, that idea of Mexico, the idea of a new life, wins in the end. Red chooses to risk and live – he breaks his parole, finds the “treasure” and gets on the bus for Mexico. The film closes with Red trudging, in his suit with pants rolled up, along the beach, toward a man restoring a boat. It’s Andy of course and even though it’s a wide angle shot, their joy and embrace is moving and visible – like that of a heavenly reunion. Visible, in the sense that you can see and know the joy, the relief, the liberation and the life in Red’s face and body. He is truly alive for the first time in his life.

Brothers and sisters, we are all prisoners. We are born imprisoned because our sinful natures. And throughout life, often we add layers to the walls of our prisons with our choices. Our only hope is that through an encounter or encounters with Christ – and when we respond and He saves us and liberates and we choose to make Him the Lord of our lives – the prison doors are open – we are forgiven and we are new creations. Sounds awesome, right?

So that anyone who is in Christ, knowing that he or she has been saved and rescued from eternal separation from God in hell as well as rescued from a life of emptiness, hopelessness and overwhelming misery, knowing all this – you would think the response would be an unceasing joyful party. But unfortunately, it’s not like that for many believers and many churches. Many believers and churches are spiritually asleep or falling asleep. Many believers and churches are hiding – afraid to live and afraid to die. And, many believers and churches have become so self-sufficient and self-righteous to remember that they are a saved, rescued people.

Something’s missing…

It’s as if, even though liberated and in Christ, many chose to just stay in their prison cell with the door wide open. Going back to The Shawshank Redemption – it would be like Red after getting out of prison, just stays in the apartment and while he never takes his life, never really lives his life either – never takes that risk and heads to Mexico.

Perhaps the only thing worse than people avoiding or choosing not to believe in Jesus, is all the people who believe and choose not to live in Him…

There’s this powerful story in the Bible that illustrates this. It’s found in Luke 7:36-50 and it’s the story of a woman who crashes a gathering of Jesus and religious people. Jesus is invited to dinner with some people who believe they don’t need Jesus and what he has to offer – they’ve “made” it on their own spiritually or so they think. This woman known as a “notorious” sinner comes in and makes a scene. While weeping, she washes Jesus’s feet with her tears, wiped his feet with her hair, kissed them and anointed them with perfume. Awkwardness aside, this is pure worship and adoration! But, as you might imagine, the Pharisees are offended – and question Jesus’s credibility as a prophet because he allows this “kind” of woman to touch him. Jesus then takes the opportunity to talk about forgiveness and how when people’s debts are cancelled they are thankful according to how much they are forgiven (or mindful of how forgiven they are). He explains that this woman is highly aware of how much she is forgiven and has responded accordingly; whereas the Pharisees offer Jesus no such response.  

Something’s missing…

The Pharisee response to Jesus of “so what; we’re good on our own” is unfortunately typical of a lot of believers today. Further and unfortunately, the Pharisee response to the woman of “what is she doing here” is a lot like the response of some believers when visitors dare to show up on a Sunday morning. And here’s why…

Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann talks about an overemphasis on “chosenness” – a kind of self-righteousness, self-sufficiency and pride that develops within God’s people that numbs and causes them to forget and neglect the power, sacrifice, grace and love of Christ that drew them into “chosenness” – salvation – via the cross and resurrection. Instead, with “chosenness” there is more of a focus on the exclusive social, religious and appearance aspects of spirituality and church rather than on salvation and missional characteristics; in other words more religion than Holy Spirit. With “chosenness” there is very little faith, little to no risk, and little passion; maintaining chosen status via pleasing people is the center rather than following and serving Jesus. “Chosenness” is like singing “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound…” and leaving off or ignoring, “that saved a wretch like me.” And this is exactly what is stifling the spiritual lives of many believers today and consequently causing churches to die. It is the arteriosclerosis, so to speak, of the Spirit in souls and churches.

Something’s missing…

In fact, a key path to personal spiritual renewal as well as church revitalization is a purposeful, sustained remembrance of how God has personally and uniquely sought us out, led us to confess and repent of our sins, and brought us to Himself through Christ. Remembering and valuing this over and above anything else – committees, traditions, activities, number of years at a church – all of which are good things – but these will ultimately not be the difference between living and dying, will not be the difference between faithfulness (what God desires) and being “good people” – but what will be the difference is remembering and utterly depending on God and His transforming grace thus naturally enabling a more alive relationship with God as individuals and as a people.

Like Red, like the woman in this passage, when we seek and work to grasp – how forgiven we are, how we don’t deserve God’s grace (but have it anyway), how broken and hopeless we are without Him, how we can be freed of the past and from our sins, what it cost to save us (Jesus bearing our sins at the cross), and from what we are saved; our responses over time will be increasing – joy, passion, gratitude, devotion, service, hope, strength and more. Oh what is possible when a group of people who are acutely mindful of their “savedness” (over their “chosenness”) and therefore alive and new in Christ, get together and praise God, love one another and go out and seek to share that love with everyone around them in their community and the world! And when their worship and fellowship and mission and serving and giving and their living throughout the week is more and more influenced and impacted first and foremost by their joy and gratitude from being saved by God – watch out!  

Is something missing in our spiritual lives or in our churches?

Amen.

 

Rev. Christopher B. Wolf

Isaiah 42:7

cbrianwolf@gmail.com

www.christopherbwolf.com

 

Christopher B. Wolf is the author of Giving Faith a Second Chance: Restarts, Mulligans and Do-Overs (2007) and the forthcoming, With You: Every Step of the Way (September, 2011).

“It is a matter of sharing and bearing the pain and puzzlement of the world so that the crucified love of God in Christ may be brought to bear healingly upon the world at exactly that point.” N.T. Wright

Read Full Post »

What a friend

There are times in life when we really need our friends. Parties and barbecues are nice. But in times of loss and grief – that’s when we really count on our friends being there for us.

 

I know for me, I treasure with great clarity, the faces, compassion, hugs and meaningful words offered during those times. But mostly, it was their presence that made the difference at times like that – family, friends and others who “show up.”

 

Mary and Martha had lost their beloved brother Lazarus. Part of their grief of course was for their brother; but they also wondered where their good friend Jesus was. Now his timing had a purpose but he does show up. After all, Jesus was and is God in the flesh – the God that showed up so to speak. And because he showed up we can view him as a friend – still divine, still the savior – but yes a friend. And not just any friend…

 

So I want to briefly show you Jesus’ friend qualities in this story of comforting his grieving friends.

 

1. He comes to us and He shows up – Jesus’ timing may be off – see the rest of the story of John 11. But still he is there. There is no replacement for presence. Email, calls, text messages, notes, etc. all are nice, but being present, showing up even when we don’t want to can make all the difference. And if you know the rest of the story, Jesus’ presence changes everything from comforting Mary and Martha to resurrecting Lazarus and bringing awe to everyone there. Thanks to the Holy Spirit, Jesus is still, always with us!

 

2. Jesus gets personal. He tells Martha that her brother will rise again and she responds with a “Sunday School” or “religious” answer. She agrees saying that Lazarus along with others will rise at the end of time. Jesus responds by saying, “I am the resurrection and the life…” He puts it in the present and he pivots her religious answer to a personal one – the resurrection is right in front of you – in the flesh, in person. It’s such an important thing to see and grasp. One of the main points of Jesus coming was to be incarnate so that we could have a real and personal relationship with God through the person of Jesus. This is why his answer is so important to Martha and to us – trust in Jesus first – then theology. Have a relationship with Jesus first – He is the resurrection – not church, not rituals – Jesus. Likewise for us, when friends are grieving – just love them – there is no need to say things like “it was God’s will” or other things like that.  

 

3. Jesus listens. Jesus listens to Mary and Martha tell him over and over, “If only you had been here, Lazarus would not have died.” And note how he doesn’t get defensive or mad. He doesn’t walk away. He hears and receives it. It reminds me a line from U2’s song, “Stay” which goes, “And if you shout, I’ll only hear you.” It, like Jesus, means that you can shout, you can accuse and complain but I will just listen and hear you. That’s solid friendship. How are we at listening in general, let alone this kind of listening? What, I am sorry; I was checking my IPod LOL. We are very distracted. Listening takes presence, concentration and effort. Jesus listens to Mary and Martha and then responds…

 

4. Jesus is compassionate – visibly compassionate. It says twice in this story that he is greatly moved and disturbed. This is also the story that contains the verse, “Jesus wept.” Think about that – he weeps. The Word became flesh weeps. He knows and understands grief and loss. And he is okay with sharing that with others. That makes a huge difference. Too often, we don’t show compassion to others – it makes us feel emotions, which is complicated in itself and then it also makes us feel vulnerable – which is difficult too. At the same time though, visibly communicating compassion is transforming – it cuts through numbness – and it immensely comforting. I remember at my mother’s visitation, this woman who had been a good friend of my mom’s walked in and toward my brother and me and just burst into tears and fell into our arms. For me, it showed how much my mom meant to her and we were able to comfort her. Jesus’ example of feeling and weeping doesn’t make him wimpy! It reminds us that he was human, that he cared and that he felt deeply about his friends.

 

5. Jesus points his friends to God. Any good friend is going to point us to God. “To love someone is to help them love God,” wrote Soren Kierkegaard. Jesus is God and in this story through his prayer and actions – gives glory to and evidence of God’s power and glory. He helped many people love God that day! Likewise when we are friends – in good times and in times of grief and loss – we should be pointing people to God.

 

These five examples, Jesus – comes to us and shows up; gets personal; listens; is compassionate; and points others to God – are great illustrations of who Jesus is and was; but they are also reminders of a great example to follow in our friendships.

 

Maybe you are going through a tough time tonight – or maybe you know someone who is. Maybe you feel like you don’t have any real friends to turn to. Please know and remember this – what a friend we have in Jesus – “all our sins and griefs to bear…can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?…in his arms he’ll take and shield thee, thou wilt find a solace there.”

 

Amen!

 

Rev. Christopher B. Wolf

Isaiah 42:7

cbrianwolf@gmail.com

www.christopherbwolf.com

 

Christopher B. Wolf is pastor of First Reformed Church of Saddle Brook, New Jersey. He is the author of Giving Faith a Second Chance: Restarts, Mulligans and Do-Overs (2007) and the forthcoming, With You Every Step of the Way (2011).

 

“It is a matter of sharing and bearing the pain and puzzlement of the world so that the crucified love of God in Christ may be brought to bear healingly upon the world at exactly that point.” N.T. Wright

Read Full Post »

Resurrection

My favorite holiday??

 

Easter, of course!! Not because of the chocolate or Peeps; but because of the miracle of the resurrection.

 

The resurrection is the exclamation point of the Gospel. It is the proof of Jesus’ words, “with God, all things are possible.”

 

And in real life and real-time, it says that no matter how lost, no matter how defeated, no matter awful the circumstances, God’s power is greater than anything in our lives and in this world.

 

And it says that new life comes from death. That new beginnings come from endings. That redemption comes out of being lost. That sin and death do not have the last word.

 

And we know this, but sometimes we forget. Spring doesn’t come after summer, right? It comes after…winter, ugh, often after long drawn-out winters.

 

Sometimes we forget that new life, that resurrection and redemption come at a cost and do not emerge easily – it’s the opposite actually – they only emerge and break through impossible circumstances.

 

As I am writing this, blossoms, buds, sprouts, and shoots, botanical ambassadors of new life, are fighting through wind, snow, earth, rocks, and other things to emerge from the ravages of winter, from death. And somehow the breathtaking symphony of color and fragrance always wins. Spring happens no matter how bad the winter was.

You and I will never know what it takes for them to push through all of that to make it through to the other side.

 

But we do know this. That through Jesus suffering and dying on the cross and being dead and buried, new life, resurrection emerged into this world and into our lives through faith. It wasn’t a snap of the fingers, it wasn’t a magic trick, it wasn’t a formula, and it was anything but easy. But it happened…

 

We’re told that we are new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) and it’s true. But just like resurrection, that new creation happening in us through the power of the Holy Spirit does not happen overnight. It happens surely, purposefully. It happens even when it’s not very visible.

 

We have to remember…

 

We have to remember that when we are trying to restore marriages, when we are trying to overcome addictions, when we are trying to revitalize churches, when we are seeking to follow God more passionately, when we are trying to heal, seeking God’s forgiveness, when we are trying to start over in anything, we have to remember it is challenging, it can be overwhelming, the odds may be against us, it may seem impossible – BUT it’s possible…

 

Thanks to that Sunday morning long ago, when life came from death, light came from darkness, and He was alive!!!

 

 

Read Full Post »

Credible Christianity

“Can you hear me now?”

This of course was the catch phrase for a top cell phone provider. It was meant to show that its coverage was so wide that it can be received anywhere.

But as you know with communication – it’s one thing to be heard. But there is another question.

“Do you trust and believe me/us?”

This is the question believers and churches might want to be asking today because it seems in North America, the answer from many people is “not really.”

Remember how this all started? Jesus drawing lots and lots of people to himself (with the exception of those who were threatened by him). Likewise, the early Jesus followers as chronicled in Acts 2 were drawing lots of people, causing awe and wonder and winning the goodwill of many. Not exactly what is happening today…

As my good friend Greg and I were discussing recently, some believers and churches today seem to be repelling people more than drawing or attracting them.

Why?

Good question. Here are some thoughts…

Most of it has to do with ethos. Ethos is the Greek-based English word in rhetoric terms that evaluates the speaker’s character and believability.

And what has happened is that American Christianity has become increasingly un-believable on a broad scale, in some churches and in the lives of individual believers.

Author and teacher Patrick Morely says, “The American Gospel has evolved into a gospel of addition without subtraction…we can add Christ to our lives, but not subtract sin. It is a change in belief without a change in behavior. It is a spiritual experience without any cultural impact. It is a revival without reformation or repentance.” I would never say that following Christ is easy. But one thing that seems to have happened is that Christianity has unwittingly (or not) become entangled with American consumerism – bigger, better, more, and superficial in many ways. In other words – it looks great, but is hollow inside. Because while a superficial, country club version of Christianity may be safe and make people feel good – it does not transform inside nor impact the culture around it – it just self-serves. It does not draw people earnestly seeking God because they can sense that there is nothing “new” and “life-giving” in this kind of Christianity.

There is this key scene in the film Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade. It’s the scene where Indy finds his way into this chamber where the Holy Grail (the cup Jesus used at the Last Supper) was kept. Indy is followed by two Nazi officials who are after the power associated with the Grail. Once in this chamber, filled with dozens of different cups and chalices, the Nazi bad guy starts to look for the “best” because of course as he says, it’s the cup of the “Kings of Kings.” So he takes a drink of water from a golden and ornate grail and he ages with terrifying speed and becomes a skeleton and basically explodes. Now it’s up to Indy to “choose wisely” according to the old crusader who is guarding the room. Indy shares his thoughts out loud, “The cup of a carpenter.” Indy chooses a very simple cup and alas, it was “the” one.”

The point being there is a huge difference between what we have made Christianity to be and what it actually is – in the purest sense. And therein is this credibility gap and the consequences – the confusion, the division, the repelling and more. We have many believers used to, expecting and defending a golden, ornate version (yes, like an idol) of church and that is why many churches are dying and have long since stopped drawing new believers.

But not all churches are dying. The ones that have the real Jesus at the center, that are missional, that are willing to lose themselves for the sake of the Gospel, that are passionate about reaching the dechurched (people who have walked away from faith and church) and unbelievers are alive and well. Some in North America, but largely in South America and in Africa. They have grasped the roots of early Christianity – when it was authentically dynamic and appealing.

Jesus himself was drawing people through his radical, transforming love and grace, forgiveness, compassion, faithful teaching and God’s power fully on display in his resurrection.

See, Paul knew that to draw people to Jesus, they had to resemble Christ. So he wrote, “Our work as God’s servants gets validated – or not – in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly…with pure heart, clear head…; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; when we’re telling the truth…when we’re praised, and when we’re blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted; ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of lives, but refusing to die; immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all (2 Corinthians 6:3-10 The Message).” Resembling both the wondrous life of, as well as the cross of, Christ. The glory and the cross cannot be separated.

This is what was drawing people to believe – authenticity – not a show, not a routine, not what “we want,” not a path of comfort, and not even really attractive on the surface – yet offering something real – new and eternal life and a strength and assurance beyond anything this world can offer. Paul pleaded with his friends, “Dear, dear, Corinthians, I can’t tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life…(2 Corinthians 6:11).” Amen!

When churches think of outreach today, often the thinking is “programs.” And they have their value. But the very best outreach is a church and members on fire for the Lord in their lives – sharing the struggles of carrying crosses as well as the joy that nothing in the world can take away – and the transformational power and love of God via the power of the Holy Spirit visibly working in their lives. Because as sixteenth century poet and theologian Richard Baxter wrote, “When the people see that you truly love them, they will hear anything from you.”

It’s a mirror moment. Churches and believers need to be looking in the mirror and asking tough questions. Questions like, “Do we resemble the real Jesus, or some kind of glossy, safe, comfortable version of Him?” “Why aren’t people visiting our church?” “When was the last time we baptized a new adult believer?” “Do people see God working in my life?” “Are people inspired to learn more about Jesus or trust more because of the way I live my life?”

For me, it’s about enabling people to believe in God more because of the way they see and hear how I live, learn, lose and love – how clearly they can see and believe in Jesus through me. I just want to be out there saying, “Here I am – no tricks, no gimmicks, when it is all stripped away – I love the Lord and it’s changed my life and I want to share that with you and I want you to know He loves you too.”

People can see and hear us – but do they believe us?

Amen.

Pastor Christopher B. Wolf is the author of Giving Faith a Second Chance (2007) and the forthcoming With You: Every Step of the Way (2011)

Rev. Christopher B. Wolf

Isaiah 42:7

cbrianwolf@sbcglobal.net

www.christopherbwolf.com

“It is a matter of sharing and bearing the pain and puzzlement of the world so that the crucified love of God in Christ may be brought to bear healingly upon the world at exactly that point.” N.T. Wright

Read Full Post »

Arise

“My beloved speaks and says to me: “Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.” Song of Solomon 2:10-11

“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you.” Isaiah 60:1-2

“They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.” Isaiah 61:4

“He (Jesus) clasped the little girl’s hand and said, “Talitha Koum,” which means, “Little girl, arise.” Mark 5:41

“I’ll say to him, Father, I’ve sinned against God, I’ve sinned before you; I don’t deserve to be called your son…and he arose and went home to his father.” Luke 15:19-20

“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He (Jesus) is not here, but has risen.” Luke 24:5

All throughout history, God has been raising His people up. Up out of slavery, up out of destruction and exile, up out of despair, up out of sin and guilt, up out of wildernesses and being lost, up out of sickness and disease, up out of addictions and prisons, up out of impossible situations, and ultimately – through His Son – up out of death. This is a God of salvation and raising up – it’s His nature and His plan.

In what ways can the Lord raise you up today?

Read Full Post »

Best of Living Water 2009

Here they are – The best of Living Waters from 2009. Thank you for your support and prayers.

February – Peace in the Storm

But I also know that Jesus is in the boat. And he is peace personified and he is saying, “I’ve got this” to whatever storms you or others are facing. And he wants you to know and receive the peace he has to offer you. And, I know it is hard to see it right now. Remember, “Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe,” said Augustine.

March – No Going Back

We have seen it when Christianity and Churches are at their best – a people on fire for the Lord and His Word, boldly loving, forgiving, growing, welcoming others and sharing their lives together. We have seen it when Christians and Churches have broken through routines and pretenses and put their focus back on being a living body of Christ.

April – Completely

My prayer for you today, perhaps for the first time or in a renewed way – is that you awaken to, and more fully receive the peace and grace you have been searching for, been thirsting for in this complete forgiveness.

Because it’s for you. It was purchased on the cross for you to own – not to borrow or rent. It’s not some theory; it’s not just for holy people. It’s not based on what others think. It’s not something that anyone else can add to or take away from. It’s for you to completely grab hold of as you let go of all the past and sins and guilt.

April – All Things New

But I do know this, we just celebrated the day that makes it possible for any or all of those to be reversed by a new start through the risen Jesus. And just the fact that it is possible makes all the difference. That it is possible to enjoy a personal and eternal relationship with God through Jesus; possible to see loved ones again in Heaven; possible to have our tears wiped away; possible to be forgiven and forgive others; possible to reconcile; possible to live – abundantly, without the fear of death.

So much so that it has to change the way we live – because the resurrection shattered all the things that hold us down in this life – that trick us into believing that all is lost.

Writer Louis L’Amour captures what happened on Easter and what is possible for our lives because of it, in two sentences, “There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That is the beginning.”

May – The Best Way

We are asked to love one another like this – at the cost of ourselves, putting our lives on the line; to love without any condition or pretext; to love boldly and foolishly – when it doesn’t make sense.

I can’t tell you how many times I have loved others boldly and foolishly. And sometimes it has worked and sometimes it hasn’t. These Living Waters are mostly inspired by trying to love some people in my life boldly and foolishly – trying to write “letters” to some people to show them that they are loved for who they are. And I keep doing it because of this verse and in part because I know that I have been loved boldly and foolishly by God and by others.

June – Life and Death

In this above passage, Jesus was saying that something momentous happens when someone believes what he said about himself being the Son of God and the Savior and thereby enters into a relationship with Him through faith.

At the moment of belief – calling on the name of Jesus as Lord and Savior – “has at this very moment (accessed) the real, lasting life (eternal life) and is no longer condemned to be an outsider (of the Kingdom of God).”

July – The Heart of a Pastor, Part I

When you need wisdom, I will find it for you in the Word.

When you are lost, I will not stop until I find you.

When you are trapped, I will lead the rescue effort.

When you are hiding, I will keep trying to find you.

When you are facing terrible enemies, I will be right next to you.

When you are dying, I will sit with you until the end, and after.

July – The Reach

Because when we are reaching and risking for Jesus’ sake, our faith is real and alive. From the inside out, from behind the wall, out of the silence, out from the pew, beyond the doors, beyond our fears – that is where the healing is, that is where the miracles are, it is where we live – blessed – on the other side of the reach – in the handful of His cloak, in the humbled “ask” for help.

How much risk is in your faith today? In which parts of your life are you reaching out to Jesus? What needs to be left behind as you reach? In which parts of your life are you risking something, if not everything, in faith? If you belong to a church – where is your church risking and reaching?

September – What If?

What if…we were more concerned with faithfulness than success?

What if…we gave of our time, talent and money sacrificially and with the cross in mind?

What if…we took our faith from private to public?

What if…we called out to God and to brothers and sisters when we needed help?

What if…we were as devoted to God as we are to our favorite sports team or hobby?

What if…we asked for and granted real forgiveness?

What if…we reached out to people that no one else remembered or cared about?

November – Postcards from Exile

So the question is, how much longer are we willing to live with the peculiar comfort of the emptiness as well as the episodic pangs of despair?

November – Opening

If you are alive and you are reading this, it’s not too late. It’s not too late to unfold your arms and open them. It’s not too late to risk loving others with abandon, maybe getting hurt and risking trust. It’s not too late to let go of the expectations and demands that keep you imprisoned. It’s not too late for bitterness to evaporate and for wounds to heal. It’s not too late to start to tear down the walls around your heart and let the love of God in Jesus and others to enter in…to let us love you… It’s not too late…

December – What Is This Really About?

Is this more about seeking real healing or avoiding and numbing pain?

Is this more about belonging to a group or belonging to Jesus?

Is this more about being satisfied or longing?

Is this more about the status quo or about transformation?

Is this more about building a fortress or risking it all on a mission?

December – Heavenly Peace

For example, when we are stressed and overwhelmed by all this turmoil in our lives and we want to find some peace, some might think, “I need a drink” or “I need another prescription or pill” or “I need to go on the Internet to look at some pictures” or “I need to use (drugs or people)” or “I need to go shopping” or “I just need to control others or situations” or many other things that “take the edge off.”

You see, the things of this world cannot produce the peace we actually desire. Seeking peace with anything that begins with “I” won’t work. But there is one thing that can…

Read Full Post »

The Right Relationship

 

 

 

“The Word of God became flesh and dwelled among us.” John 1:14

 

In many ways, our lives are defined by our relationships. Certainly we are all individuals. But our times, the substance of our lives can be seen through our connections or lack thereof with others. Relationships at their best can literally be life-giving; relationships at their worst can be heartbreaking or worse.

 

For me, I have been shaped and influenced by so many relationships. Loving others, being loved, sharing the highs and lows of life, learning together. Obviously, my parents and brother Ryan to aunts, uncles and cousins; friends, teachers and coaches. All the people I have worked with at many different jobs. From my first girlfriend (second grade) Christina (who is a faithful Living Water reader today) to all the people I’ve had the privilege to serve as their pastor in a church or from a distance. And, of course, my wife and my children. And that is just in nearly 40 years. I have been very blessed with these key human relationships. Bu there is one relationship above them all…

 

See, so much of our time revolves around relationships – building them, protecting them, putting them back together, enjoying them, and figuring them out. We are frequently wondering how are relationships are doing or seeking the “right” one. Most of the joys of life flow through relationships – life enjoyed through and with others. We are relational by design – by God’s design.

 

Which is why, with the sending of Jesus into this world – God got personal.

 

The whole idea of the Word became flesh and dwelled among us was that God became fully relational with human beings by becoming a human being. No more pillar of fire, no more voice from the mountain, not speaking through prophets, but in the flesh…

 

From his birth, the child in the manger – to his personal encounters with people – healings, teachings and attending weddings – to the last supper, where he asked his friends (and us to this day) to remember him – to the crucifixion and his death and then his bodily resurrection. All lived out by a person who was God and human.

 

I keep thinking about how he was sitting at the Passover meal with his disciples and transforms that sacred meal from a remembrance of the saving power of God during the Exodus into this simple but powerful and personal, “Remember me.” God getting personal.

 

Or I think of this liturgy I use at funerals that includes, “Through his death, Jesus sanctified the graves of the saints (those who believe).” Despite the sadness, it is a beautiful thought and only possible by God becoming flesh and living and dying among us. God getting personal and enduring all things human.

 

Not a theology, not an idea, not a theory, not a hypothetical, not a building, not a tradition or denomination, not a doctrine; but a person. All the things we have made God and religion often make us miss the point that God became flesh and dwelled among us to invite us into a saving and sustaining relationship with him.

 

He came in the flesh for two main purposes – he assumed flesh to assume the sin of the world so by going to the cross and dying – the power of death and sin – that which separated us from God – would be destroyed and the door to a relationship with God could be restored. “It is accomplished,” as he said.

 

And when we think of relationships, it is the most important one. I mean, if you we don’t have this relationship right, then what do we have? Whether you liked or agreed with the book The Shack, one clear message that came from readers was a reminder that God desires a living relationship with us.

 

Relationship involves unconditional love, trust, communication, sharing, serving, encouragement, authenticity, presence. Jesus was and is God to us in all of these ways.  

 

But there was another purpose to his coming “in the flesh.” And it was demonstrate how to be Christ to one another and to the world.   

 

Think about that for a moment. To be Christ to someone. What does that mean?

 

Because he lived in the flesh among us…we can live…because he was divine as well as human, we can see what it was to be human in the best terms as well as to be Christ to one another.

 

To love others sacrificially, to serve them, to open ourselves fearlessly, to see the best in others, to want the best for others, to be instruments of God’s healing and grace – this is to be Christ to one another.

 

But it all starts with a relationship. A few years ago Chase Bank’s slogan went something like this, “The right relationship is everything.”

 

And so it is for us. God got personal with us through Jesus – he initiated the relationship. And it’s about having the “right” relationship with God by believing in his son Jesus, and from that saving and sustaining, primary relationship, all of our other relationships can be “right” by being Christ to others – to embody him to others, from his flesh through ours.

 

Amen.

 

Discussions Questions

1. How is your relationship with God? Is it healthy or dysfunctional? Is it through Jesus? Would you like to know more about this?
2. How are you relationships with others? How do you evaluate relationships? What is that based on?
3. What do you think of being Christ to others? How can we do this?
4. How has God been personal with you in your life? If you feel like he hasn’t, how would that look if he did?

Read Full Post »

All Things New

 

“Behold, I am making all things new.” Revelation 21:5

 

 

If you have ever stood and wondered, in the quiet of a cemetery, at the grave of a loved one – you have thought about it.

 

If you have ever held the shattered pieces of your life in your hands and thought, “How do I put this back together?” – it has crossed your mind.

 

If you have ever had a significant relationship that seemed or was broken beyond repair – you have been there.

 

If you have ever felt like you were beyond redemption or forgiveness, well, then you know the feeling…

 

The desire for all things to be made new – the desire for Easter morning in real time.

 

Maybe you didn’t call it that, maybe you didn’t have words for it; but that’s what it is…

 

It’s the same way the disciples felt after they watched they beloved friend and teacher die horribly on the cross. It is what drove some of them to hide and some of them to run and some of them to return to the tomb.

 

But as you know, to their “terror and amazement” (because new things are always scary), their beloved friend and teacher had come back alive. The stone was rolled away, the tomb was empty.

 

And unfortunately, many of us, too many of us, still live like it is a Good Friday world rather than living in the reality of this Easter Sunday world. We live afraid, we live as if death and disease has the last word, we live as if there is no grace or at least not for us, we live as if we can’t be reconciled with God, we live in hiding and on the run.

 

But as my daughter Madelyn’s Jesus Storybook Bible puts it, “Was God really making everything sad come untrue? Was he making even death come untrue?” Yes, he was and is.

 

This is the God who repeatedly promises in the Bible to make all things new and to wipe away all the tears – and then on that Easter morning delivered the resounding, definitive, decisive down payment and first installment on all those promises.

 

See, of all the miracles in the Bible, this is most important one because it made life come from death and “crushed death to death”; because it had eternal consequences; and because it was incarnate – in other words it could be lived out. Just take some of Jesus’ miracles – blindness turned to sight, feeding thousands, even bringing dead people back to life – all very cool – but the people who were raised would die again, the feeding lasted one meal and the restored sight was specifically for one person. The miracle of the resurrection goes beyond one person or one meal, opened eternal life for all who believe and offers a new way of thinking and living.

 

Easter morning is not just a holy day! It is the day that everything about life on this planet as human beings changed. And each year, it is the day or time or season in which everything can still change – even when it seems impossible.  

 

So, maybe you, or someone you care about, are there today – grieving, everything falling apart, alienated, unforgivable. Maybe you have desired or dreamed of a new start. I can’t tell you how or when because I just don’t know.

 

But I do know this, we just celebrated the day that makes it possible for any or all of those to be reversed by a new start through the risen Jesus. And just the fact that it is possible makes all the difference. That it is possible to enjoy a personal and eternal relationship with God through Jesus; possible to see loved ones again in Heaven; possible to have our tears wiped away; possible to be forgiven and forgive others; possible to reconcile; possible to live – abundantly, without the fear of death.   

 

So much so that it has to change the way we live – because the resurrection shattered all the things that hold us down in this life – that trick us into believing that all is lost.

 

Writer Louis L’Amour captures what happened on Easter and what is possible for our lives because of it, in two sentences, “There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That is the beginning.”

 

Are you ready for that new start?

 

Amen.

 

Discussion Questions

1. Is there a part of your life that you are hoping for a new start?
2. What keeps you from believing that a new start is possible?
3. Have you ever thought of Easter like this? Why or why not?
4. How would living a “resurrection life” be different from your life today?

Read Full Post »