David Wilkinson's death

Certainly a great Christian passed away yesterday. David Wilkinson impacted incredible numbers through Teen Challenge and the church he began in New York, Times Square. He also was a true prophet, with a strong word to speak to America and the church.

It is interesting for me to reflect that our church here in Marlboro in some ways owes its existence to him. Wilkinson came to the Princeton college campus in 1975 and presented an evangelistic meeting (which had minimal results) . But out of that, the person who hosted the event got burdened for Princeton, and helped restart a church there. Wilkinson had a burden for the town, and supported him financially in the very beginning. It was through that church that I got going spiritually. Eventually I went on staff there as a pastor, and then came to Marlboro to start Monmouth. So if Wilkinson did not exist, our church probably would not be here.

A godly man's life has unexpected influences for good in many places.

Necessary for salvation

Romans 10:9 says that a belief in the resurrection of Jesus is necessary for salvation. I memorized this verse when I was a new Christian, but never thought of it this way.

Where do you get all those books?

Guests in my office often ask me where I got all my books, and if I have read them all! I have not read them all, but can give you a summary of pretty much all of them (most I have at least skimmed).

But the best place to get books are used book sales, of which I go to 3 in the spring. The Bryn Mawr book sale in Princeton is enormous (Louise is an alum and works at it). Like all the others, you can take all the books you can carry in a box on the last day for $5, which can mean a lot of books. The Freehold Association of University Women is pretty good too, and I got a lot of Christian books there last year. (It is still coming in June, if you are interested).

But for Christian books, nothing comes close to the Princeton Seminary sale last week. Imagine a gym with thousands of books, and whole tables devoted to old testament, counseling, preaching, practical issues, or commentaries, etc. You can pretty much find any Christian book older than 2 years there. I got a lot for myself, as gifts for others, and for our church library. The cost was $1 for a paperback, and $3 for hard covers. The cost steadily declines as the sale progresses.

Our first grandchild

Here are the pictures of our first grandchild, due in October. If you look carefully, you can see a head and... well, they assure me that it is all there, if you know how to read these photos.

For those who don't know, Tim and Jennifer live in Lancaster,PA, and have been married for 5 and a half years. Tim is a computer software engineer, and Jennifer is a chemical engineer (she oversees the making of listerine, keep using it).

This is the best gift I could have gotten for my upcoming 55th birthday this month.

Any ideas for great names? There are only 2 words which rhyme with Jasko.

700

Yesterday was the first regular service (ie, not Christmas, Easter, special event, etc.) that we had over 700 people present (714 to be exact- last week was 699). It seems like each week more and more people are coming. God is blessing us! And we have some big outreaches in the next few months, drama, Graham celebration, marriage seminar and building dedication.

Keep praying, working, and being faithful, God is honoring it.

Graham celebrations

The life and witness classes went well this week. The Graham people said that a combined attendance of 2000 per week would be outstanding. But there were over 3000 who came! On youth night, so many came that they ran out of books (and pizza) to give out.

You can still get in on the classes this week, and make up the first class.

Aslan is on the move in central Jersey! Keep praying and believing.

Borders' loss...

... is our gain. As you know, many Borders book stores are closing due to financial problems. The Freehold store is selling beautiful furniture and fixtures at fire-sale prices. I have been there 3 times this week to buy various items for a song. If you see nice new furniture around the church (about 20 different items), it probably came from there.

We need to keep an eye out for more of these bankruptcies, these are great chances for the church (and you) to buy good things inexpensively.