This past Sunday, the Church sent around the collection plate in what would appear to be a normal offering, but this time, instead of putting money into the plate, parishioners were told to take an envelope out of the plate.

Inside the envelope was either a $10, $20, or $50 bill.  In total, the church gave away $30,000 for this event, which Senior Pastor Tim Lucas said was to:

“teach churchgoers that faith in God, not government, is the only route to recovery in this financial crisis”.

Wow!  An argument that conservatives have been making for decades is that the reason we have the welfare state that we have is because churches have dropped the ball and left government to pick up the pieces.  If more churches would do things like this, there might come a time when the social programs like we currently have them won’t have a reason to exist.

The church plans to donate an additional $60,000 to various projects in the northern New Jersey counties they serve.

Bravo, Pastor Lucas.  Keep it up!

_________
Source:
NBC New York

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Sept. 6, 2011 — Liquid Church, which engages a variety of multi-media and arts in its programs, has commissioned a new song commemorating the sacrifice and service of first responders to the 9/11 tragedy. The song titled, “There is Hope,” is being dedicated as a gift to the surrounding communities during this time of remembrance.

Tim Lucas, Lead Pastor of Liquid Church, has envisioned the project since 9/11 last year. He enlisted singer and songwriter, Dave Pettigrew, in helping to capture the spirit of the message he wanted to bring to the people. Lucas explained, “While so many of the messages in the public square look back into the past of what has happened with 9/11, we wanted to share a gift of hope and inspiration that helps us look forward again.” The song and lyrics can be previewed at http://www.liquidchurch.com/9-11/thereishope.

Pettigrew is performing live at two Sunday morning memorial services in Essex County at the John Walker Middle School in Nutley, NJ. The venue, which seats 750 people, is the site of the church’s newest campus location, being launched on the same day in a symbolic move of hope for the community. Nearly 200 local volunteers have signed-up in various capacities for the memorial services.

3,000 free copies of the song on CD are being presented to participants at all six 9/11 services in Essex, Middlesex and Morris counties.

The song has captured very positive reception so far, including various satellite radio and Internet music stations that are adding “There is Hope” into their airplay rotations. Other churches and organizations that want to use the song and accompanying music video during local commemorative 9/11 events are invited to do so via the song’s media page.

LIVE EVENT DETAILS:

Members of the media community are invited to the live performances of “There is Hope” by Dave Pettigrew at the 9/11 Memorial Services in Essex County. RSVP to Kenny Jahng | (973) 500-8536 in advance of the event.

September 11, 2011 // 9:30am & 11:30am
John Walker Middle School
325 Franklin Avenue
Nutley, NJ 07110

ABOUT DAVE PETTIGREW

Singer/songwriter Dave Pettigrew was recently selected among the Top 20 new emerging artists in contemporary Christian music, has opened for the likes of Mercyme, Lincoln Brewster and Mark Schultz amongst others, and is a World Vision Artist Associate. Based in New Jersey, he actively tours with his band throughout the northeastern U.S.

ABOUT LIQUID CHURCH

Liquid Church, founded in 2001 by Lead Pastor Tim Lucas, welcomes people from all backgrounds, regardless of where they are on their spiritual journey. With campuses in Morristown, New Brunswick, and Montclair, nearly 2000 people experience Liquid’s worship services every weekend in New Jersey and around the globe through its Church Online. The church exists to lead the current generation into a life-giving relationship with Jesus Christ. As a part of its global outreach, Liquid provides clean drinking water to poorest of the poor with dozens of completed projects in Ethiopia, Central African Republic, Haiti and El Salvador.

For more information about Liquid Church: http://www.liquidchurch.com/.

[poll id="25"]

One of the focal points of the memorial services is to commemorate the anniversary of the September 11 attacks through the presentation of hand-crafted, 40-pound, custom-made brass bells with the engraved words “Hope Never Quits” to representatives to the first responder community. The church is honoring those we loved and all who served from the New Jersey region. First responders to the September 11 World Trade Center tragedy, victims’ families, and all community members are invited to the special memorial services in Essex, Morris and Middlesex counties.

Together with everyone who gathers, the church will hear a message that honors those who died, including firefighters, police officers and emergency personnel in a way that connects the past and future. Lucas explained, “The message we want to bring to our communities is that our future is secure, because hope never quits.”

In addition, the church has commissioned a new song written specifically for the 10th anniversary of 9/11 as a gift to all those affected by the WTC tragedy. Dave Pettigrew & Frank Di Minno’s special arrangement, “There is Hope,” is now available to preview online at http://www.liquidchurch.com/9-11/thereishope. Free copies of the CD will be given to participants of all six memorial services.

EVENT DETAILS

Morris County // 9:30am & 11:30am
Hyatt Morristown
3 Speedwell Avenue
Morristown, NJ 07960

Middlesex County // 9:30am & 11:30am
The Heldrich Hotel
10 Livingston Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Essex County // 9:30am & 11:30am
John Walker Middle School
325 Franklin Avenue
Nutley, NJ 07110

Rise and shine, America!

Once again you’ve been had! Political Correctness has won yet again!

When will we learn? At this point I am thinking the answer to that question is, “Never”.

I was not aware that actually being in the vicinity of Christian symbols was such an overload to the sensibilities of those who are not Christians. Now, a 70-year-old tradition is thrown out the window in the name of appeasement.

No worries, though, America! A compromise has been reached! Now, students in Neptune Township, N.J., can walk down the aisle to receive their diploma without having to see…… wait! You will never believe what these high school seniors of the past 70 years have been subjected to! Are you ready? Two signs! Yes, we are saving these seniors and those who attend their graduation from gazing upon two signs! Such horrible things, I know!

So what were on these signs, you ask? ”Holiness to the Lord,”  and “So Be Ye Holy”. Yes, I know! Cover your eyes, America!

Yet once again the ACLU has bullied their way in and the high school in New Jersey “compromised”. No, they didn’t compromise, they CAVED, plain and simple!

Every single one of our traditions and freedoms are being threatened. The more we bow at the alter of political correctness and sacrifice our freedoms we lose another foothold on this great nation. We are literally handing it over to the enemy. Yes, I said it… the enemy! ANYONE who wants to restrain our freedoms is an enemy!

I am not a Buddhist, but when I walk into a Chinese restaurant and see a Buddha statue it does not offend my sensibilities. So I ask this question: What if my child were going on a school-sponsored field trip and they go to lunch at a Chinese restaurant where there is a statue of Buddha. Should I file a lawsuit against the school district for offended the sensibilities of my child? Of course not!  I do not agree with their beliefs, but Buddhists are free to believe whatever they choose to believe. Who am I to tell them they cannot have their statue of Buddha?

We are weakening every facet of our society by allowing the disease of political correctness to dictate what we do. So you don’t agree with the statues, ornaments, signs or other things in a gathering place. Fine, you don’t have to agree with it. But is your mind that weak that you cannot just accept that someone else believes differently than you? Ohhhh yes, I get it! YOU want to infringe what YOU think, feel, believe and don’t believe on EVERYONE else! Political Correctness. It will surely be the death of this great nation.

If a sign offends their delicate little sensibilities, I wonder what will happen on this day- because ONE DAY, EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, EVERY TONGUE WILL CONFESS that Jesus Christ IS Lord!

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5-11

I sat watching the “Glenn Beck” show just an hour ago with a mixture of emotions. My city made Glenn Beck’s show once again! Not only did Glenn highlight a news story from our city, but there were other elements that made me stand proud. A church service supporting and honoring Israel was the main topic of the news story. And then I became enraged!

Glenn told his audience of a letter he received from Pastor John Hagee, the pastor of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas, describing the details of a disturbance that happened in the middle of their worship service this past Sunday.

Pastor Hagee is a staunch supporter of Israel, who has written several books in defense of Israel, giving clear, Biblical proof that to stand with Israel is the only answer. He founded Christians United For Israel, a non-profit organization which provides a national association that allows every church, organization, ministry or individual who supports Israel the venue to connect in support of Israel.

This past Sunday morning, May 15, 2011, Cornerstone Church had a special service to show their love and appreciation for the State of Israel and the Jewish people. It was during the nationally televised11:00am service that 11 anti-Israel protesters reared their hate-filled heads and hearts. They were not actual “Palestinian” people, they were simply radical, extremist activists from the San Antonio area.

One of the radical protesters chose to start the commotion the moment Pastor Hagee stood to give his sermon on Sunday morning. She did not scream, she chose instead to throw propaganda leaflets from the balcony proclaiming to the church members of Cornerstone Church that their tithes were “supporting the deaths of 1,500 children since the year 2000″. Very interesting that she accuses Israel of murdering children. You know what they say about people in glass houses! Was it not just a few months ago- March, 2011- that a Jewish family- the Fogel’s- were murdered in their sleep by Palestinians simply because they were Jews? A 3-month-old baby was murdered because of her heritage!

Being that Cornerstone is a very large church, coupled with the fact that Pastor Hagee has had numerous threats and attempts on his life, they have a Security Team that is well-equipped to handle any emergency situations that may arise. The Security Team acted swiftly, removing her from the sanctuary.

Pastor Hagee continued with his sermon. It wasn’t long before another protester stood up in the congregation and started screaming loudly that the people of Israel had no right to the land they “occupied” and should leave, among other hateful things. Once again, the Security Team acted swiftly, removing her from the sanctuary. This time the congregation reacted by standing and applauding the Security Team for the protesters removal.

It wasn’t but five minutes later when the third protester stood up, this time spewing the typical hateful rhetoric that is common around the world to condemn Israel. Once again, the Security Team successfully removed the protester.

It was at this point that Pastor Hagee says he realized that this was an organized protest intent on shutting down the service. He proclaimed to his congregation that he would not be deterred, he would preach until 6pm if that is how long it took. In response to this, the congregation erupted in applause and cheers as if it were “the Super Bowl”, Pastor Hagee said. He also made the statement that the actions of the protesters UNITED the congregation rather than dividing it! They DID NOT succeed in their mission!

The protesters continued to stand every five minutes, repeating the same actions as the previous protesters. Each one was swiftly escorted away by security, and the service continued on. In the end, this congregation was more united than ever before. They has witnessed first hand just a tiny glimpse of the hatred Israel sees and experiences every single day!

Each protester was taken to another area of the church where their pictures were taken and they were issued trespassing citations. If they return to the church they will be taken to jail. There were a few of the protesters that had outstanding warrants and were whisked away to jail on Sunday.

It was later determined that one third of the staff of staff of Esperanza Peace and Justice Center- a San Antonio based non-profit organization, were participants in this invasive disruption of a church service. That is quite contradictory to the name of the “organization” they work for, I would say! “Peace and Justice” is quite the opposite of what they are doing, standing for and supporting. 

As a tax-paying citizen of the State of Texas, and city of San Antonio, I am outraged to learn that this so-called “peaceful” organization- Esperanza Peace and Justice Center- receives funding from my tax dollars! They not only receive funding from the State of Texas, but they also receive funds from the City of San Antonio as well!

You can rest assured I will be contacting my Congressmen, Senators, Governor and anyone else in leadership to make it very well known that I want an IMMEDIATE stop to their funds! I am a STRONG supporter of Israel, and the thought of my tax-paying dollars going to a blatant anti-Israel organization is appalling to me!

In Pastor Hagee’s letter to Glenn Beck he stated why he and those who stand with him will continue to support Israel. I am one of those he speaks of.

1. Standing with Israel is not about politics, it is about obeying the Word of God. The Bible is the only Truth there is. Your feelings and thoughts do not make something true. To quote Pastor Hagee letter regarding this issue, “The truth is, Israel is the only nation created by a Sovereign act of God in the Book of Genesis. Israel was not born on May 15, 1948…it was born 3500 years ago when Almighty God made an eternal covenant between Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their descendants (see Genesis 13:14-15 and Genesis 17:7-8).” Amen, Pastor Hagee, AMEN!

2. Psalm 122:6 commands us to love and pray for Israel. If we claim to beleive the Bible and follow what it says then standing with, praying for and loving Israel is a must!

3. All blessings and curses come to us from how we treat Israel (Genesis 12:1-4). In Pastor Hagee’s letter he gives 2 distinct examples of how this plays out in the lives of past Pharaohs actions. I choose to be blessed by God rather than cursed by Him.

4. Jesus- a Jewish Rabbi- healed a sick Gentile because this man “built a synagogue” in the land of Israel. Messiah of the World healed a Gentile because of he supported Israel. (Luke 7:1-5).

5. Romans 15:27 tells us it is our duty as Christians to minister where needed. This especially applies to Israel. If you take away the contributions of the nation of Israel from the Christian faith there would be no Christian faith.

6. Jesus tells us whatever we do to the least of those we do unto Him. (Matthew 25:40) God made a covenant with Israel and her people and we are to honor that covenant in our beliefs and actions.

7. Obadiah 1:15 and Joel 3:2 speaks very clearly that any nation that tries to divide the land of Israel (Jerusalem IS included in this land covenant made by God with Abraham) will receive judgement from God. America is not immune to the consequences if we insist on being a part of trying to force this division. When we as a nation take our “final stand”, so to speak, against Israel, and join the  ranks of those demanding the creation of a “Palestinian State”, God will swiftly remove His hand of protection from this nation. He will turn His back on America just as she has turned her back on Him and His chosen people- Israel.

8. Israel has every right to exist! Who are we or anyone else in the world to “demand” that she give up land promised to her by Sovereign God? The wrath of God Almighty will be seen by all who follow through with this “demand”.

Once again I quote Pastor Hagee from his letter:

We call on the President and Congress to demand that Hamas and the Palestinians recognize Israel’s right to exist or to cut off all foreign aid immediately. Israel has the right to defined and defensible borders. Israel has the right to defend itself from any nation or group of people that attack them.

I personally stand with Pastor Hagee and demand that our leaders in Congress and our President support Israel and stop pushing to divide Israel.

I agree with every single reason Pastor Hagee gave in why we will still support Israel. For me it goes much deeper than that. It goes to the very depths of my soul. Yes, the Bible reasons are more than enough for me. But there is a longing in deep in my soul to do what is good and pleasing to God. It goes beyond just not wanting to receive the wrath of God. I am honored to love the nation of Israel and her people with a spiritual love that reaches beyond the constraints of time. When I read the Biblical account of the Jewish people there is a stirring within me that I cannot explain. I know without a doubt God has chosen this nation and people to be blessed for many reasons.

People of the world- be warned. You will be judged on how you treat Israel. Scoff and mock me if you will. As for me and my house, we WILL serve The Lord God Almighty! (Joshua 24:15) He has commanded us to stand with Israel and I will obey! I know all too well the consequences of being disobedient to God. I will not ever make that mistake where Israel is concerned!

I am a proud Christian, Texan, American who stands with Israel come hell or high water! May God have mercy on the souls of those who don’t!

___________________

Update: I have started a Facebook Page to contact Texas Lawmakers to demand that an immediate stop be put on the funding of Esperanza Peace and Justice Center- a San Antonio based non-profit organization that participated in this disruptive invasion. If you are on Facebook, please stop by the Page. Use the link to contact your Congressmen and Senator. Forward it to your friends and have them contact their Congressman and Senator. We must stand united for Israel!

Answer? He was in Africa volunteering for the South African Council of Churches, a group that holds to the self-same Black Liberation Theology philosophy preached by James Cone and Jeremiah Wright. The philosophy that has at its core the principles of “Marxism dressed up as Christianity.” The philosophy that is at the very heart of the Obama administration and its actions since taking office two years ago.

The philosophy that Coons will undoubtedly all-too-eagerly represent if he is elected as an Obama Democrat to the seat once held by Obama Vice President Joe Biden of Delaware.

David Weigel over at the liberal Slate is not alone in noting:

But check out Coons’ message! In a Democratic state, he does not mention that he is a Democrat. We learn that he balanced the budget, cut spending, and cut his salary. That’s what Jim DeMint would do if we gave him New Castle County, isn’t it?

Imagine that.

Chris Coons can’t even bring himself to mention he’s a Democrat in supposedly Blue State Delaware. So how exactly would the realization that he went out of his way to support a group advocating liberation theology be received in Delaware? And a liberal columnist is — really — trying to compare him to South Carolina’s conservative Republican Senator Jim DeMint?

Question.

Do you think Jim DeMint would have volunteered to go to Africa in his twenties and volunteer for a group selling liberation theology — “Marxism dressed up as Christianity”?

Of course not.

..

It is exactly the same socialist vision of wealth redistribution preached by Jeremiah Wright in Barack Obama’s Trinity Church for twenty years while the future president sat in those pews. It is exactly the vision behind the policy and personnel of the Obama administration — from Van Jones the now-departed self-described Communist and White House Green Jobs czar to Mark Lloyd the Hugo Chavez-admiring FCC diversity czar to Anita Dunn the Mao-quoting ex-White House aide to Ron Bloom the SEIU negotiator turned “manufacturing czar” to Carol Browner, a leader in the climate-change division of the “Socialist International” turned Obama global warming czar to the nationalized health care admiring Medicare administrator Donald Berwick to the social justice-promoting consumer activist Elizabeth Warren and on and on — right into the Oval Office and President Barack Obama himself.[1]

And if that wasn’t enough, here is the same apologetic, Marxist garbage coming from Coons as we get from Obama all too regularly.

Perhaps more should be seen in Coons’ statement that his experiences in Africa “warned me that my own favorite beliefs in the miracles of free enterprise and the boundless opportunities to be had in America were largely untrue.”[1]

Snake. Grass. The End.

[1] Chris Coons: Volunteer for Liberation Theology: http://spectator.org/archives/2010/09/20/chris-coons-volunteer-for-libe/