Mendham Hills

Good Friday services at Mendham Hills Community Church

The greatest prison people live in is the fear of what other people think. If the greatest battle we engage in is the battle within, then perhaps our greatest enemy is the need for approval. What would it be like to wake up one morning and realize the whole thing never really was a competition? Tired of a life striving for a constantly moving finish line? Imagine the freedom of living as if you had already won. Victory over our approval addiction - this Sunday at Mendham Hills.

It seems we live in a world bent on war and filled with rumors of war. Nation against nation and brother against brother, hate seems to be the order of the day and civility is a long-dead casualty. The Bible's chock full of wars, too, leading many to wonder if God is a God of war. It is not God, though, who created humanity to live in violence, but humanity who chooses violence. It is our history, not God's. He winds up tainted by being part of our story, but the story of God is a story of peace. And that peace begins within. Winning the battle within - this Sunday at Mendham Hills.

Join us this Sunday as we hear David Janssen, Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Mendham Hills, share his story of faith and the pieces that so clearly made him a believer in God. He adds to his story the Psalm that so deeply explores the heart of this amazing journey. Come and hear how our David's story and reflections on God's love tie into Psalm 103, written by another David, who knew so well the grace and love of God.

Miriam-Webster just added the term "dumpster fire" to it's renowned dictionary of the English language. That's how common the term is and how frequent the train wrecks are. Pick any synonym you want, when I messed up as a kid, my dad would ask me, "Do you have rocks in your head?" There are so many sayings because we are so good at making bad decisions and messing up our lives. Why are we often so good at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory? Heck, often times I know the right decision and still make the wrong one. This Sunday, before you toss another match in the dumpster, discover the "expulsive power of a new affection.

What is it that you depend on? I guess it "depends" on the situation. On a staircase, it's the railing. On a plane, it's the captain. In a marriage, it's my spouse. Have you ever noticed that your courage, faith and willingness to risk is directly related to what it is you depend on? Ever get in a plane with a captain you don't trust? Would you marry someone with wandering affections? This Sunday at MHCC, we discover a foundational truth in all of the Scriptures - how to be bold in a world full of fear and anxiety.

This Sunday, we continue 40 For 40 - our journey through the 40 most influential chapters in all of the Scriptures. Name a religion and there's a set of rules. Judaism has ten commandments, Islam has the five pillars, Hinduism has the four principles, Buddhists have five moral precepts. What's with all the rules? Do you know of anyone who has walked away from faith because they got confused or tired of trying to keep them all? Have you? This Sunday - Jesus, religion and the role of rules.

This Sunday, we launch into our new series, "40 For 40" as together we explore the forty most essential themes in the Scriptures. Let's be honest - approaching the Bible can often times be intimidating (where do you start?), confusing (what does this even mean?), or defeating (have you tried and given up?). This Sunday, with the help of a forty day devotional guide, we begin an eight week journey through the biggest eight ideas in all of the Bible, in pursuit of not just knowledge, but truth and transformation. These stories are too good to be true, but they are. Commit to these forty days with us and let's see if you don't come out the other side seeing God, and maybe yourself, in a way you never imagined.

If you're old enough for this to sound familiar, you just began to sway. Who knew Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock had such wisdom? This simple rhyme taps into a pretty deep - but often-hidden - spiritual truth. A truth that Paul, an early follower of Christ, said he had to learn. A secret truth he said he had to "be initiated into," a truth about finding joy and purpose, even in the pain. This Sunday, discover the secret purpose of the "stuff."

Unto You - We Demand A Sign by Sunday Podcast