Mendham Hills

Does your experience in following Jesus not match up with what you felt like was promised and preached? The church over the last years has turned the promises of the Bible into something akin to a Christmas wish list. What happens when your experiences don't seem to match the promises? Sure, you were probably told you would share in the victory of Jesus in this life, but did anyone bring up sharing in his pain? The Bible not only talks about suffering; the truth is, it promises suffering. Have you felt it? This Sunday, in Week 2 of our "Thrive" series, we look at thriving through suffering.

As we kick-off a new church year at Mendham Hills, we will study Paul's letter to the church in Philippi. This brand new study together is called "Thrive" - you were not meant to merely exist, you were meant to Thrive!

Have you ever noticed how skeptical and suspicious people are? Can you blame them? It seems like every day there is a new scandal about a politician's abuse of power, an actor hiding a secret life, or someone in authority breaking a promise. It's hard to have faith and trust someone who is consistently untrustworthy. But does that same cynical attitude ever affect your faith? This week, we look at the "One" who is always faithful and who will take away our suspicions and skepticism and replace it with faith.

If you're not - if you struggle with the idea that goodness is the essence of His nature - you will also struggle with manifesting the spiritual fruit of "goodness". This Sunday, we'll explore what the Scripture teaches about goodness and why we get tripped up so often.

"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see."

In a world and nation where people seem to be ever-increasingly consumed with themselves, is kindness and idea and characteristic of the past? This week, we continue our series, "Seeds of Change." Join us as we look at the little known (and hard to pronounce) Mephibosheth, and what the story of his life can teach us about the kindness of God.

"Patience is power. Patience is not an absence of action; rather it is 'timing.' It waits on the right time to act, for the right principles, and in the right way." -Fulton J. Sheen

In a society that demands speed, we want everything fast, including justice. We want others to get what they deserve quickly, especially if we are the ones who have been wronged. Thankfully, God isn't like you and me. This week, we look at God's patience, long-suffering and long nose, as we continue our series, "Seeds of Change."

In John 14:27, Jesus tells us, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you." Anybody know where that gift is? When you read the headlines, it sure seems hard to find. But peace IS a fruit of the Spirit and millions of believers ARE finding this dynamic fruit of the Spirit is growing in their lives. Christ-followers are finding deep, life-changing peace even in the worst of times, the saddest of occasions, the most dangerous of places, and the most stressful of situations. So where can you find this fruit of the Spirit this summer? It's closer than you think.

This Fourth of July weekend, as we celebrate our freedom, here is a thought for you: "Everybody wants a revolution, but nobody is willing to die." In order for revolution to come, in order for there to be change on a grand scale, it usually requires the death of something else. This holiday weekend, as we seek change for ourselves and our lives and our destinies, what needs to die and what needs to be born? Did you know that one seed of change underpins an entire heart revolution? This Sunday we fire the first shot of our revolution!

This Sunday we launch our Summer series "Seeds of Change." With that in mind, it might be time for some pre-service self-examination. What is it that you would like to change? Which areas of your life need some growth or transformation? Maybe you have become cynical about your ability to change, or worse, given up hope. Tired of trying to be different and failing? This Sunday we kickoff our summer of change right in the middle of our changing sanctuary. Don't miss your summer take-home assignment, available this Sunday at MHCC!