I have never cried this much for anyone, my heart just aches over this lost like none other.  However, I am encouraged by all the support I witnessed, all the hugs we exchanged with each other, all the prayers to the Father, and the tears we have shed together.  Our sister Donna is home with the Lord this we know, for the Bible tells us so.  Here are some scriptures I prayed at the funeral service that reflect on our assurance of salvation, and emphasize that salvation is not earned or deserved but a gift from God, who sent His only begotten Son out of His vast, infinite, and eternal love for us:

John 3:16-18; John 10:27-29; Rom 8:37-39; Eph 2:8 (perhaps there are some passages you would like to share with us as well)

Rev. Hector Ramirez did an excellent job in moderating the service with exhortations that reinforced these truths, and then Dr. Bruce Terpstra brought it home with a heart-felt sermon expressing that all the goodness and near perfection we saw in Donna was the light and life of Christ being exemplified through her.  I will ask Bruce to make that sermon available either by transcript or in a form of a blog for our memories and for ‘keep sake.’

Rest in Peace and His Presence Donna – Yeathus Johnson

In my next blog I will talk about the resources of have been reading to help me get through this difficult time.

If you would like to help out the Tilli Family:  A memorial fund has been set up with the Metropolitan District of the C&MA to help with funeral costs. Cornerstone is asking that in lieu of flowers you help with a gift to this fund.

Please make the check payable to:
Metropolitan District of the C&MA
PO Box 7060
Newark, NJ 07107
In the memo section, Please write BENEVOLENCE

Cards may be sent to: Rev Bob Tilli, Cornerstone Chapel, 620 Route 23 North, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444.
If you need any more information, please call the church office.

Thank you for your love, prayers and service

Read Psalm 42

Today, my soul still longs for the Living God.  God is a living God!  God is El, meaning He is mighty, full of strength, powerful, compassionate, jealous (protects and preserve our relationship); He is living, vigorous, refreshing, our source of life, the author of health, prosperity, and vitality.

But why does the psalmist select the deer of all animals?  Why not the goat, sheep, bull, or bird?  The deer is the perfect metaphor, which explains David’s life at this time when his enemy was pursuing him.  Deer were admired for their grace and agility having an ability to sense danger quickly, they were swift.  They would face long journeys for water during the dry seasons.

Satan may have power, is fast, strong, and big but hold on…the story is not over, have you not heard “greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

Just as a deer needs his source of life, so we need you Lord, you are our source of life.

How am I dealing with grief?  Just as I stated above, and I am asking all to pray, give to the Benevolence Fund and “Go hard after God like we have never done before.”

Please check out this website http://www.griefshare.org/

Books to review and purchase:  Finding Your Way after the Suicide of Someone You Love
By: David B. Biebel, Suzanne L. Foster

Grieving a Suicide: A Loved One’s Search for Comfort, Answers & Hope
By: Albert Y. Hsu

Take the Dimness of My Soul Away: Healing After a Loved One’s Suicide
By: William A. Ritter

Read Psalm 42

The psalmist wanted God to become a reality at that moment not just an inference, he needed God to be more than an ideal, more than a principle, or invisible image.  He desired God’s presence “right now;” he needed a fresh revelation, a manifestation of the living God, a new experience.  David needed a present word from the Lord.  Jesus gives us the words of life.  Jo 6:63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life

When our souls thirst for the Living God we will be encouraged by Jesus’ words such as those from Mt 5:6 – Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

“God we need you! I am hungry for You.  Fill us Lord to overflowing, so that out of belly will flow rivers of living water.” – Yeathus Johnson

If you would like to help out the Tilli Family:  A memorial fund has been set up with the Metropolitan District of the C&MA to help with funeral costs. Cornerstone is asking that in lieu of flowers you help with a gift to this fund.

Please make the check payable to:
Metropolitan District of the C&MA
PO Box 7060
Newark, NJ 07107
In the memo section, Please write BENEVOLENCE
Be assured there is no other Benevolence fund at the district and all funds collected will go to the Tilli Family.

Cards may be sent to: Rev Bob Tilli, Cornerstone Chapel, 620 Route 23 North, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444.
If you need any more information, please call the church office.

Thank you for your love, prayers and service

• Pray, pray, pray with all types of prayers (Eph 6:18)
• Ask “How are you doing?”
• Send a personal message (encouraging cards and messages on FB are appropriate)
• Don’t evaluate the person’s response or lack of response, allow them to grieve
• Rarely offer advice
• Don’t avoid grieving people, presence is everything even if you are just sitting quietly and praying
• Save your own stories of loss, let the spotlight of attention rest on the bereaved person
• Be prepared to help grieving people get help
• Recognize that you can’t fix it and avoid attempts to deliver “a quick spiritual fix”
• Find scriptures that will speak to their soul deeply, ask permission to share don’t assume anything

Remember, your prayers “at this time” is more important than your answers.  A simple scripture and especially a psalm is more meaningful “at this time” than a long “power-punched” sermon.  A hug and tears “at this time” is more comforting than “calling it the way it is.”  - Yeathus Johnson
  
What else could you do?  We will be taking a benevolent offering to assist the family.  If God prompts you to assist, please respond quickly.

Please make the check payable to:
Metropolitan District of the C&MA
PO Box 7060
Newark, NJ 07107
In the memo section, Please write BENEVOLENCE
 
Cards may be sent to: Rev Bob Tilli, Cornerstone Chapel, 620 Route 23 North, Pompton Plains, NJ 07107.

Metropolitan District Conference 2010

October 18th – 20th

The Grand Hotel of Cape May, NJ

The time has arrived to make plans to attend this Fall’s Metropolitan District Prayer Conference.  Our theme this year is “Go and bear fruit- fruit that will last” based on John 15:16.  Each portion of Conference has been prepared with special focus.

As licensed workers, you are required to attend conference.  If you are newly licensed within the last two years and have not yet attended our New Official Worker (NOW) Forum, please consider attending.  This is a requirement for ALL new official workers.

To register online:  Metro District Online Registration

To download the registration packet:  Entire Conference Packet

To download NOW Forum Registration form only:  NOW registration form

Summer camp/After school Intern Opportunity

I sensed the Spirit saying to me a few years ago that the church that refuses to work with other churches will be ineffective in the coming decade. I believe the time of the autonomous independent local church is coming to an end. Since we are part of a denomination we have an advantage in that we already have many things/values in common. Therefore I wanted to determine the first steps in how our churches in the South Region could partner together.  As a result I organized three Strategic Gatherings to be catalysts for cooperation in making sure every man, woman, and child in our region has an opportunity to hear, see, touch the truth of Jesus Christ.

Bob Riconda