December 16, 2010 by Sal Termini.

John 1:14 And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and lived (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth.

photo © 2008 Adrian Clark | more info(via: Wylio)

The Christmas story is a three act drama played out in the real world of time, space, and human history. The first act of the play begins with the story that God has become like us. The second part of this great drama is that God is for us. The third part is God is with us. Three little words, like, for, and with, have changed the course of human history.

Act I scene one: God has become like usGot identified with us from birth to death. He identifies with our humanity. He suffers hunger, thirst, tiredness, rejection, disappointment, and finally physical death. The Bible says, Jesus learned from the things he suffered. How can God learn? The God who knows all things has now experienced what it’s like to be fully human. God reveals to us that He is no a stranger to our suffering and to the hardships of our life. We can never say to God, you do not understand what I’m going through. We can never say to God, you remained safe on your throne, while humanity suffered. We can never say to God, you don’t understand. He became fully like us so that in all points he can show us His compassion. The Bible reveals Christ is a great high priest, because He suffered just like us in all things. He is able to secure an answer to our prayers because He has experienced our pain and suffering understands our need. Through His compassion for us He is able to secure answers to our prayers from God His Father. God has become fully one of us that we might become fully like him.

Act II scene two: God is for usThe God of heaven and earth who made all things perfect now sees his world ruined, and evil reigning. The world is already suffering the consequences of its rebellion and disobedience to God. Humanity has fallen from the image of God. It has chosen to usurp God’s will with its own. It is in league with the devil who promises evil pleasures without consequence. One would think, surely God has come to destroy us, to punish us, to judge us for our evil. Instead a gentle babe is wrapped in garments and laid in a manger. The King has come not to destroy, not to punish, but to identify and save us who are far from him. He has come to win our hearts again. He has come to give us not what we deserve, but instead a second chance. It is a grace encounter by bringing with him the gift of eternal life.

Act III scene three: God is with usIn all our troubles God speaks loudly, “You are not alone.” God is saying to us, “I will help you.” In all our error, failures, mistakes, and poor decisions, God says, “I will guide you out.” I have come to save you from yourself, is the message of Christ. I have come to transform you, this means, you must change when I call you. You must answer when I call your name. You must allow me to transform your life back into the image and likeness of God. If you do, it will be a day of glorious deliverance. When you accept my word as my will your future will be filled with hope, strength, life, and eternal joy. No matter what you’re going through you are not alone. The reason you are alone is because you have abandoned me, I have not abandoned you. You have turned from me, but I have not turned from you. You have accused me of being cruel because of my just judgments, but I have come to bring mercy. You have been afraid of death, but I will guide you through its dark shadows and its valleys into the light of life. I was there when you were born, and I will be there when you die, if you accept my saving love.

In Christ we see the real meaning of Christmas. He came to give himself as a ransom. He came to give us his love. He came to give us eternal life. He came to take away our sins. He came to bring us forgiveness. He came to give us Himself as the lover of our souls. He came to deliver us from the suffering, judgment, and the torment sin will bring upon us. God himself has become the greatest gift the world has ever known. A gift simply to be received from the generosity of His heart. I have never received a gift without feeling closer or more loving towards the giver. You see, the gift is meant to have you fall in love with the giver. The gift of His incarnation is a symbol of God’s transforming love. Its purpose is to connect us back to God. Its purpose is to restore our relationship to him. Eternal life is being in the presence and power of God for all eternity. It is God that makes heaven beautiful and life worth living.

Have a blessed Christmas,Pastor Sal Termini

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December 1, 2010 by Sal Termini.

As we get into the swing of the holiday gift giving (and buying) seaons, here’s a great article that’s well written and very true. Enjoy!

-Sal Termini

by Ken Connor (Ken Connor is Chairman of the Center for a Just Society in Washington, DC)

“…I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11-13)

photo © 2005 Tracy O | more info(via: Wylio)Americans spend a lot of time and energy pursuing “the good life,” and thanks to the “Mad Men” of the advertising world, we have a pretty good idea of what the good life looks like: A state-of-the-art home with all the amenities, a garage full of luxury automobiles, a closet full of designer clothes, all the latest technological gadgets, a well-diversified investment portfolio, an upwardly mobile career with cushy benefits… the list goes on and on. In a nutshell, we are told that the good life consists of feeling good, looking good, and having lots of stuff.

There’s only one problem with this portrayal of the good life:It’s not enough. It’s never enough. It’s like drinking salt water - the more you drink, the thirstier you get. And let’s get real: the very purpose of advertising is to foster perpetual discontentment with the status quo. Remember that shiny new iPhone you waited hours in line for last year? It’s now obsolete. Still in love with your LCD flat screen TV, or are you feeling behind the curve because you haven’t joined the 3D technology bandwagon? Is the trusty family minivan a beloved symbol of family togetherness, or an embarrassing reminder that you haven’t yet upgraded to an SUV replete with all the trimmings?

Despite the fact that we live in the freest country in the world - a land of unprecedented opportunities, liberties and advantages - study after study reveals that the more American’s have, the less fulfilled and content we actually feel. The Thanksgiving season, then, is a good time to reflect on what truly constitutes the good life, and to look back at the original Thanksgiving story to see what it can teach us about the origins of true happiness.

Even though they were facing a hard winter in a strange place, the Pilgrims set aside time to give thanks to God for His provision in a strange new land. Their attitude was key to their happiness. In modern America, and across much of the modern developed world, we do not give thanks in the way the Pilgrims did, even on Thanksgiving. How many of us live in a spirit of gratitude, with humble appreciation for the many blessings God has given us, and how many of us dwell on the perceived shortcomings in our lives? How many of us, like Martha in the famous Bible story, stress ourselves to the max striving for the perfect home and the perfect meal to the point that we completely lose sight of the reason we’ve gathered to celebrate in the first place?

The pilgrims were not plagued with such frenzied spirits, and for that reason they were able to give thanks joyfully despite the many uncertainties in the road ahead. Because they were men and women of faith, they knew that contentment and security is to be found not in this material world but in spiritual union with the Savior, Jesus Christ. They knew that their future was in His hands, and with that conviction they were free to joyfully celebrate the harvest and their many blessings. They also understood that the chief end of man was to worship God and enjoy Him forever. Contentment was to be found in Christ, not in their circumstances.

When we deny our design and reject our purpose, however (as we moderns have largely done), all we are left with is the spirit of discontentment and envy that Madison Avenue profits from. When we fall prey to the myth that the good life is found in the abundance of our possessions, we are setting ourselves up for perpetual disappointment.

But there is another way. Through union with Christ, there is a joy that cannot be found in material possessions: a peace and contentment that passes all understanding. This is the promise of the Resurrection, a promise that no ad-man and no amount of stuff can ever match. As we conclude this year’s Thanksgiving celebration, we should all take a step back from the frenzy and chaos of the holiday season to meditate on the blessings that will last for eternity.

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