Month: June 2015

Transformation

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I was listening to KLove on the way to church yesterday, they were talking about transformation. When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you leave your old life behind and your life is transformed into a new life. I am going to try to explain exactly what it means, so fasten your seat belt and enjoy the ride. I will try to use some personal stories and maybe even include some of my friends’ stories as well.

What does it mean to transform? Here is the one definition that dictionary.com gave me and I think it works for what I am talking about, “to undergo a change in form, appearance, or character; become transformed.”  I think it means to change your personality, and your thoughts, how you think, what you think, and your actions and reaction. 

The bible speaks of this very clearly about transformation, in the New Testament, we see it in 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” , or jump up 3 verses to verse 14 and continue down to 17, I will not be putting it in here, but please read it. The concept is really hard to understand, but once you wrap your head around it, it is so simple!!

Before I accepted Jesus as MY personal savior, I did what I wanted, spoke the way that I wanted to speak, and thought the thoughts that I wanted to think. Let me further explain, or try to further explain. Some people will disagree with me, but that is ok for we live in a country that is free, and we are allowed to disagree with one another. Here is a great example that I just thought of (umm, He gave me), I was at my sister’s house and the topic of reading material in the bathroom came up, my brother-in-law mentioned something about Playboy, and I said that I do not read it, and he some what gave me a hard time. Well, pornography is not right, it leads to lustful thinking. Looking at another in a lustful, wanting way is not  what Jesus tells us to do, in fact He tells us the opposite, that it is sinful. Here is what Jesus has to say about it. This is from His teaching from the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5:27-28: ” You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery”, but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”. Before I accepted Jesus, I would so look at those type of magazines, website, and  movies. I am not saying that I am perfect, I am NOT!! I want to revisit the story that I told you about regarding my rent and wondering, worrying, and being anxious about where it was coming from. Before, I accepted Jesus I would be panicking, looking for help from anyone that I could, now I simply pray about it and give it over to Him. Jesus told us again in the Sermon on the Mount, in Chapter 6:25 says: “.. do not be anxious about your life…”  He will provide everything that you NEED, not what you WANT!!

Before I continue, let me stop and say one thing. Jesus did not come to abolish the laws that were set out by God to Moses, but He came to fulfill the Laws. The only major commandment is to love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. And, to love one another. So when I use scripture, it is to show His teachings, not His laws/commandments. We have free will, to do what we want, it is up to us as individuals if we follow His teachings or not.

Transformation, or changing one self is extremely personal, and varies from person to person. Please I beg you transformation, or changing oneself  is not a one time thing, it is a life long process that does not end, until we are “home” with Him!

I was looking for a way to finish this, but my dear friend and brother in Christ did it for me, I love how God puts the right people in our lives for a reason. Please read his comment in the entirety and comment!!!  Thank you Jeff German!!

Here it is: ” I have been through a couple of radical transformations in my life. The first was when I got sober, and that transformation certainly involved a dramatic change in form, behavior, outlook on life and spirituality. However, I did not need Jesus to undergo that initial transformation to stop drinking and to begin to change. Christ was not at all part of that transformation at first, and it is true that millions of people in AA have gotten sober without giving their lives to Christ. What I eventually learned was a transformation without Christ was not enough for me.

Through Christ, I have been transformed in ways that only He can accomplish – a far greater and more profound transformation that any other. Transformation through Christ involves change, but it is more than just behavioral or theological. Christ provides us with healing and forgiveness that is available nowhere else; complete freedom from the sins of our past and the opportunity for abundant life in His kingdom – on earth and in heaven. He provides us with a deep abounding love that no human or other spiritual force can provide. We become a new creation with a brand new identity in God’s kingdom – a complete transformation only available through Christ.”
I truly hope this helps you to truly understand what transformation is!! Please leave a comment below!

Hearing God’s call and following it Part 2: Giving

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Good morning everyone. I hope that you all enjoyed your weekend. Time for another blog from me! I was reading a post on Facebook this morning from my friend Lisa Collins Contino who lives in Arizona. She is doing so amazingly well there. She started a “project” out there, feeding the homeless in Phoenix. It started out with 25 lunches and toiletries a month, now it has grown to around a 100 lunches a week, sometimes more. She clearly heard God’s call and is following it. I am NOT asking for you to help, but if you feel led to, please contact me and I will give you her information. She has some amazing friends and family that are helping her out there. I spoke with Lisa via email and here is her response:

“I hesitate to talk about the Hope Bag Project on Facebook because of that exact verse you included.  I don’t want people to think I’m saying, “Oh, look at me!  Look what I’ve done for the needy.”  Actually, it’s more like, “This is something that I started because I couldn’t stand to see people suffering one more day and kept wondering how this community could just ignore a huge need that was staring them squarely in the face.  Perhaps the challenge was too great or perhaps they’ve grown immune to it and it required a fresh pair of eyes to see it.  I want people to see just how easy it was to just do SOMETHING…..and look how easy YOU also can do something.  You can start SMALL and see what happens when God orchestrates things–you’ll be amazed!”  I made a promise to Him that I would continue doing it as long as I could afford to continue and as long as there was a need to help.  He’s made it clear that this is my purpose right now, because he continues to bring people to help me and also continues to provide items to hand out.  For example, a woman showed up with TEN cases of water on Friday night.  Such a blessing! “

I mentioned before that I helped the homeless in Camden as a service project for my Timothy Project from church. It is the most amazing thing to do. He truly called me to help those that need the help. Our church that my wife and I attend truly believes in helping others. The church has a benevolent center to help those in the area that truly need the help, whether it is financial, need some food, or spiritual help. The church does mission trips to help people all over the world. I am NOT trying to toot the horn of the church, but this is what we do, we hear God’s call and follow it. Just like we are expanding, “making room for you” at the church with a new 2,000 seat sanctuary. The church as a body heard God’s call to expand and that issanctuary2 what we are doing.

Here is a picture is a picture of the new sanctuary going up!! I am so proud of the church and being part of it. We are growing not to grow, but to have more people come to know our true Savior, and our Heavenly Father, and to be able to help more people who are in need of help.

I have been to several Bat/Bat Mitzvahs and each one has stated that they are taking some of their gifts that they receive and donating it to a charity. Professional Athletes donate their time and money to others that are in need. Whether they admit it or not, they are following God’s call, to help those that need the help. My brother and nephew do the city to shore ride for MS every year, and the proceeds of what they raise goes to MS. They are helping others through giving to the research for this disease. I am sure there are many more people who are helping out where they can. Where am I going with this, well we are called to help one another.

In Matthew, Jesus taught to give to the needy. He clearly speaks of giving, but to do it in private, not sounding your own horn to let others know. Here is what Jesus says about giving to the needy, the verse is from the ESV translation. Matthew 6:1-4 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,  4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”  In the Old Testament, it also tells that God hears the cry of the poor man, and that God helps the poor man (Proverbs 34:6). There are more instances in the Old Testament about helping the needy. 

Giving to the needy is not just solely about giving money to those that need help. It is about giving of our time to those that may need our help. I was in need last fall to get the leaves raked up, I contacted the church, as we have ministry that helps with those things. Well, 3 men came out and in about an hour the yard was totally cleaned up!! I needed the help and received it, they truly heard God’s call and followed it.  It could also be spending time visiting with people who can not get out.

I just saw this great quote by Denzel Washington, and think it is so appropriate for what I am talking about today. “Put God first in everything that you do… Everything I have is by the grace of God. it’s a gift….I didn’t always stick with Him, but He stuck with me.”  So by helping others and giving to others whether it is time or finances, it is putting God first in what we do!!

The one piece of advice that i can give you is the following, and Thank you Stacey for sharing this on Facebook, it is a verse from the bible, Proverbs 3:6 “Listen for God’s voice in everything you do and everywhere you go, He is the one that will keep you on track”. Not sure what version this is from, but I do love it. Step out of your comfort zone and He will help you!!

I would like to thank Lisa Collins Contino for the help with this blog.  I also want to thank my wife Stacey for her input and encouragement and putting up with me when I hit a brick wall when writing these blogs.

His Love endures

Joe

Praying and prayer

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I was looking at the blogs that I have done, and I noticed that I have not done one on praying and prayer. When I re-committed my life to the Lord, I struggled with it. I heard other people pray these long elaborate prayers, and felt my small prayers are not heard by Him. As I continued my journey, or as some people call it “my walk” with the Lord, I realized He does hear my prayers.

So, the question begs to be asked, “What is prayer?” Let me first start with what Dictionary.com has for the definition..”a spiritual communion with God or an object of worship, as in supplication, thanksgiving, adoration, or confession.”  I love how it mentions worship!  My definition of prayer is real simple, it is a conversation with God! Prayer or praying does not have to be limited to when you are in church or synagogue!!  Yes, as part of worship we sing songs, and listen to a sermon, but we also pray to the Lord. 

Praying to God is not just about asking Him for things, whether it is for us or for others, but it is also a way to thank Him for what He has given to us, asking for His forgiveness when we do something that is wrong. I never understood growing up, why I had to wait until Yom Kippur to ask for forgiveness and be written in the “Book of Life”, now when I mess up, I immediately ask for forgiveness, although it is not necessary as Jesus paid the price for my sins. I am not saying that gives me a free pass to sin, but I know that I am forgiven. I am also confused as to why the Catholic church requires confession and have the priest ask Him for your forgiveness? I hope that one of my catholic friends can explain this to me. Please, I beg of you as you are reading this, do not think that I am putting down your religious beliefs or practices, as I am NOT!

I have found that my prayer life changes at times, it still is a conversation like i would have with you(the reader), my wife, step-daughter or anyone. It is something that is so intimate, because it is between me and my Heavenly Father. There are times that I ask Him for something for myself, or my family, or a friend. There are times that it is more asking Him for something for other people. There are times, more times then I care to remember that I apologize for something, but no matter what I take the time to thank Him for loving me exactly where I am in my life. There are times that I find myself demanding that He shows me what He wants me to do, or show me where He is taking me in my journey. That really does not work out well, but sometimes it does and He makes it clear to me.

There was a time a few years ago, that rent was coming due, and we did not have it. I started praying, talking to Him tell Him of my concern, well He heard me loud and clear, and we got the rent money, not sure how or where it came from, but we did and I thanked Him for answering my prayers.

I have learned through my walk, and talking to others, that no matter what He hears our prayers, whether it is the long elaborate prayers or the real short one. I am still a work in progress and will keep learning, and I will keep on talking praying to Him, and also learn to just sit back and let Him respond to the conversation!!

I hope you have enjoyed reading this as much as I have enjoyed writing it. Please as usual leave your comments.

In His grace and presence.

His Love never fails

Joe

Hearing God’s call and following it

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A friend of mine, Steve Scarduzio suggested a topic of talking about my journey after I accepted/re affirmed my commitment to Jesus, and how that looks like with FAC (Fellowship Alliance Chapel). I think it is a worthy topic.  Please keep in mind that I am a work in progress and that at times I fall, but He is there to pick me up and tells me to move on!

If you remember my last blog about how I came to FAC in 2006, after I took the Alpha course, I asked the Pastor at the time how can I help? Well Pastor Joe put me behind the sound booth and said this is where you belong!! My first time back there was January 2007, and I was nervous because I never worked a soundboard in my entire life. It was definitely a learn as you go process for me.  I did well, and even enjoyed being there. I felt really good that I was able to help people explore Christianity. It was something that Father was definitely calling me to do.  At that time Jeff German was playing his guitar and singing before the video.  If you attend Alpha, you will still see me behind the board doing the sound and the video, but now I have a great team that is helping me.

Also, in January of 2007, I started attending Band of Brothers, which is the men’s breakfast on Wednesday morning. It was a small group and we had breakfast in the Chapel. It was led by my mentor Pastor Bob Chaffee (whom recently went home to be with Father).  When we moved to the sanctuary where we are now, I somehow was again behind the sound booth.

I am not sure what year I started helping with the worship team, but I do know that I started with the cameras, we video record our sermons and worship. At some point, I moved behind the sound booth again, but not as a sound engineer, but I was a video person putting the words to the song and the sermon on the screen. I do believe, that we were using Power Point in the beginning, and moved from that to EasyWorship, today we use ProPresenter 5. I believe that I started with the worship ministry about 8 years ago, and I am still there. While doing this, I felt so close to the Lord, because I was helping those that attend the weekend services worship Him, and learn about His word. If it helped one person come closer to know the Lord then I did my job! It never was and still is not about me and what I get out of it, but what He gets out of it!! Serving Him has been a huge blessing in so many ways. It is really hard to explain, especially if you do not have a relationship with God.

Slight diversion, in September of 2009, I started at Burlington County College to get my degree in Entertainment Technology: Sound and recording engineer. In May of 2011 I got that degree!! All because of dong sound at FAC, and the encouragement of my wife Stacey Silverman. I really felt good to graduate. I finally accomplished something and finished something.  During this time, I really had to learn how to rely on Him for our needs. Whether it was physical needs to get through the day, or financial needs to meet our bills.

In 2012, I believe it was I started the journey of discipleship with the CMG group at FAC. I met a great group of people during this time. We took a 2-3 year journey together, which culminated in the Timothy Project. I can say that doing this I have grown in my relationship with the Lord. I did things that were totally out of my comfort zone.  I have a great group of men that were right alongside of me in the journey.  I learned to feel comfortable about praying with people out loud and even volunteering to help feed the homeless in Camden. During this time, especially going through the Timothy Project, I was able to “teach” a devotion. A devotion is taking a passage/verse from the bible reading it, and really tearing it apart to understand it.  Trying to convey what God is telling us about that particular verse.  It is very humbling to teach something like that, and have a group of men listen and learn what you feel the verse is saying to you!  As far as helping to feed the homeless, it is so humbling. I really do not think had it not been for my group of men or FAC that I would have volunteered for that. It really makes you think hard, that the hardship that you may be going through at the time is NOTHING compared to what they go through on a daily basis!!

It is so humbling to serve Him, whether it is praying for someone, or helping to feed the homeless. Serving Him and following Jesus is not about being comfortable, it is about being uniquely equipped to do it and He provides that for us!! So follow God and His calling for you, for He knows what is best for you and will be there to help you!! Look at Jeremiah 29:11 ” For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope”

Take that leap of faith!