tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79827692551445781272024-03-05T19:03:46.697-05:00sermon gutsthe best of the Sunday teachingLisa Creech Bledsoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04987000165835179612noreply@blogger.comBlogger187125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7982769255144578127.post-61468499640318301212010-09-06T20:58:00.001-05:002010-09-06T21:01:18.975-05:00WHY WORRY - 9.5.2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgug03d0fvnpgGbJ4SXDLNkBux3Szrko5SvjgYpil4Ma3Cbv262xJZS4g18_cDccepA7ex5guSGUr8n4J78Cife4IClUDZy_aAHH9TxYNaJaPpi1jeH2e2y3NPiLm4tk5UkSAZO9Qnyx2s/s1600/WHY+WORRY.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgug03d0fvnpgGbJ4SXDLNkBux3Szrko5SvjgYpil4Ma3Cbv262xJZS4g18_cDccepA7ex5guSGUr8n4J78Cife4IClUDZy_aAHH9TxYNaJaPpi1jeH2e2y3NPiLm4tk5UkSAZO9Qnyx2s/s400/WHY+WORRY.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513985659829315762" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:48pt;" ><b><o:p></o:p></b></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" ><b><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" ><b>READ IT:</b></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" ><b> </b></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" >Matthew 6:24-34<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" ><b><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" ><b>THINK ABOUT IT: </b></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" >Reflect & Discuss<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" ><b>1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" >What do you find yourself worrying most about? Why do you think you worry most about that?<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" ><b>2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" >Can you remember a time when you worried intensely about something that now seems trivial? What was it? Why do you think it seemed so important at the time?<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" ><b>3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" >Andy makes a helpful distinction: <b><i>The things we’re most devoted to determine what we worry about the most. </i></b></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" >How has this statement proven true in your life?<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" >4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" >Jesus makes clear that (at the core) worrying about your life<i> </i></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" >is a <b>faith</b></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" > issue. There is a huge difference between knowing that God <i>can</i></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" > provide for your life and believing that He <i>will</i></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" >. Have you truly internalized God’s commitment to you? Do you <b>really</b></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" > believe that God is faithful to provide for your life?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" ><b>5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" >Andy says, <b><i>We think our worries arise when our lives become uncertain, but the truth is, every moment of our lives is uncertain; we just become more aware of the uncertainty during certain seasons. </i></b></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" >How does it make you feel to know that your future has never certain? How does that further prove the fact that worrying is worthless? What practical steps can you begin taking today to begin living out a worry-free life in the midst of uncertainty?<b><i><span style=""> </span></i></b></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" ><span style=""> </span><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" ><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" ><b>DO IT: </b></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" >Daily Application<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" ><b><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" >This week, when you find yourself getting attached or worrying about something, get off the “worry trial” and make the decision NOT to worry about it.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" >When you find that you’ve been responsible in the <i>now</i></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" > – have done all that’s in your control – make the decision to trust God for tomorrow</span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" >.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->I Am Verticlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11081636596310050827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7982769255144578127.post-87935922460198029062010-08-28T21:38:00.002-05:002010-08-28T21:41:17.888-05:00Is It Normal? Week 2- Is it normal to experience both clarity and cloudiness in our relationships with God?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vpDWvezd0pF9ELcqZtu016oHyG3wtQixvtO-B-9vfO7cgZaPVOdWCLipawuV2XZcapGRYz1p3gYIOEHZrSp29dPIpjsfkxlUwHCTJ6wVk3beBVm9auFbILP0JYb2fDNQK0t8Pi5zD3E/s1600/IS+IT+NORMAL%3F+Series+Slide.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vpDWvezd0pF9ELcqZtu016oHyG3wtQixvtO-B-9vfO7cgZaPVOdWCLipawuV2XZcapGRYz1p3gYIOEHZrSp29dPIpjsfkxlUwHCTJ6wVk3beBVm9auFbILP0JYb2fDNQK0t8Pi5zD3E/s320/IS+IT+NORMAL%3F+Series+Slide.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508218655214197746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Miss Sunday's Teaching Conversation? </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">You can listen in with our </span></span><a href="http://cnx.podzone.org/wordpress/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">PODCAST</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><!--StartFragment--><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Scriptures From Sunday: </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Matthew 16:5-23, 6:11,31-33; Lk 24:36a, 44-48; Acts 2:14,22-24,32; 2Peter 3:14-16</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">REFLECT/DISCUSS:</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">What is you favorite kind of climate? What does the forecast for your ideal day look like?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">What is the biggest swing in weather you’ve ever seen? Where have you encountered the thickest fog? Clearest water? Bluest sky?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Do you have more moments of clarity (where you have a good sense of what God is saying to you and is doing in your life) or cloudiness (where you aren’t so sure)?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">What strikes you most about the swings between understanding and confusion described in Matthew 16?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Fred suggested some reasons why Peter and the other disciples may not have understood Jesus’ admonition to avoid the yeast of the Pharisees in Mt 16:5-12:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> 1. We don’t always think like Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> 2. We get distracted by the daily, mundane stuff.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> 3. We forget what God has done for and taught us in the past.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> 4. We forget that Jesus is with us.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Which of these do you see play out most often in your own journey? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When was the last time you had a significant moment of clarity in your walk with God? What did God reveal to you or help you understand? Did your feelings mirror what Jesus said about Peter in Mt. 6:18-19 (like you had a more solid foundation, your faith was being built up, something had gotten unlocked for you, ready to do spiritual battle)?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Peter heard some things from Jesus that he didn’t understand and didn’t like in Mt. 16:21-23. Has that ever happened to you? Have your beliefs ever opposed what God wanted to do in and through you?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">How does Peter’s declaration in 2 Peter 3:14-16 that he doesn’t understand everything that Paul writes in scripture strike you? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Is knowledge and understanding God’s ultimate goal for us? If not, what is?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">For Further Study: Read Acts 10. </span></b></span><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">What does this story tell you about the need for continued growth in our understanding of God? Has God ever shown you that the way you were thinking about and living out some part of your faith was off course? Do you think we’ll ever have a complete and flawless understanding of God here on earth?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </span></div>Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453118399295415454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7982769255144578127.post-59395862519053810692010-08-22T07:57:00.004-05:002010-08-22T08:01:51.091-05:00Is It Normal? Week 1- Is it normal to fluctuate between faith and doubt?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vpDWvezd0pF9ELcqZtu016oHyG3wtQixvtO-B-9vfO7cgZaPVOdWCLipawuV2XZcapGRYz1p3gYIOEHZrSp29dPIpjsfkxlUwHCTJ6wVk3beBVm9auFbILP0JYb2fDNQK0t8Pi5zD3E/s1600/IS+IT+NORMAL%3F+Series+Slide.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vpDWvezd0pF9ELcqZtu016oHyG3wtQixvtO-B-9vfO7cgZaPVOdWCLipawuV2XZcapGRYz1p3gYIOEHZrSp29dPIpjsfkxlUwHCTJ6wVk3beBVm9auFbILP0JYb2fDNQK0t8Pi5zD3E/s320/IS+IT+NORMAL%3F+Series+Slide.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508218655214197746" /></a><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;"><b>Miss Sunday's Teaching Conversation? </b>You can listen in with our <a href="http://cnx.podzone.org/wordpress/">PODCAST</a>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>Scriptures From Sunday:</b> Matthew 14:22-32; 2 Timothy 2:11-14a</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>REFLECT/DISCUSS:</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">When is the last time you wondered if something you experienced (in any area of life) was normal- or if it was just you? When were you last able to re-assure someone else who had these kinds of questions?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Have you ever fluctuated between trusting Jesus and doubting? Feeling so confident in your faith and questioning? Being courageous and fearful? Why? What happened? How long did it last? How did it resolve?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Do you think of the story of Peter walking on the water as a story that is more about faith or doubt? Why?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">What is there in/about this story that would lead you to believe that Peter showed great faith?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">“Moments of victory and faith are often followed by times of challenge and doubt.” Agree or disagree & explain. Has this played out in your life?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In your opinion, were Peter’s doubts and concerns while walking on the water unfounded or legitimate? What kinds of things are distracting you and making you take your eyes off of Jesus? Are they legitimate or unfounded?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">How do you imagine Jesus responding to you when your faith fluctuates? What look do you picture on His face? What tone do you hear in His voice? Do you believe He would immediately close the gap to rescue you like He did Peter?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">“You have so little faith! Why did you doubt?” Do you read these words of Jesus as an expression of His disappointment and our failure- or more as a statement about our untapped potential when it comes to trusting? Explain.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Do you think that there is any significance to the fact that the wind and waves that distracted Peter stopped after they get back in the boat- not immediately when Jesus rescued Him? What might we learn from this?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Where would you place yourself in this story? What in this text, teaching or debrief speaks most to where you are with Jesus right now? Where do you want to go from here with Him?</span></span></div></div>Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453118399295415454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7982769255144578127.post-82934962222478246772010-08-18T08:36:00.005-05:002010-08-18T14:14:07.671-05:00LOVE: Heart, Soul & Mind - 8/15/2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrcPZBg8qBOFzTptft8RUAWqEpNVJTGlWvdy44iBy1dAh1u_QJoHYPivDDAFGJJ0eL6_sA-EhCUnwyzJEFiG23WtcdYlLSPSTsIvNpoiiX5RN16H9-0z368KDQ9xYU-hQmIx7KGnKvxc/s1600/LOVE+SERIES+TITLE+%28FINAL%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrcPZBg8qBOFzTptft8RUAWqEpNVJTGlWvdy44iBy1dAh1u_QJoHYPivDDAFGJJ0eL6_sA-EhCUnwyzJEFiG23WtcdYlLSPSTsIvNpoiiX5RN16H9-0z368KDQ9xYU-hQmIx7KGnKvxc/s400/LOVE+SERIES+TITLE+%28FINAL%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506827100352634834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scripture From Sunday:</span><br />Matthew 22:36-38<br />Proverbs 4:23<br />Matthew 15:18-19<br />Psalm 51:10 (NIV & The Message)<br />Hebrews 4:12<br />Galations 2:19-20<br />1 Corinthians 6:19-20<br />Psalm 131:1-2<br />Romans 12:2<br />Ephesians 5:15<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Teaching Overview:</span><br />Jesus' statement in Matthew 22:36-38 is a widely known passage in the Bible: <span style="font-style: italic;">Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind</span>.<br /><br />Most people could recite this verse, even people who are disconnected or uninterested in Christianity. These words are printed on mugs. Framed in art. Preached on countless times a year across the world.<br /><br />But what does it <span style="font-style: italic;">really </span>mean to love God with our heart, soul and mind? Jesus could have been very general here, but He wasn't. He didn't just command us to love Him with everything we are in a general sense; in this passage, He gives us three specifics as to how we love him with everything we are.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">If you missed Sunday's message, you can check it out <a href="http://cnx.podzone.org/wordpress/">HERE</a><a href="http://cnx.podzone.org/wordpress/">.</a> Below are a few questions for further reflection and discussion:</span><br /><ul><li>How would you describe love in your own words? Is it an emotion or a decision? Why?</li><li>When you think about your heart, what comes to mind?<br /></li><li>Read what King Solomon states about the heart in Proverbs 4:23. How does his caution cause you to rethink your thoughts on your heart?</li><li>Jesus makes a strong statement in Matthew 15:18-19 that all <span style="font-style: italic;">unclean </span>things come from the heart. How does Jesus' statement relate to King Solomon's?</li><li>Do you ever find yourself living with a filter, trying desperately to monitor your behavior so nothing ungodly leaks out?</li><li>Why do you think a filter conflicts with what God wants to do in your heart? Read Psalm 51:10 and consider how David's cry reflects God's focus - the heart; cleansing and purifying us at the source.</li><li>Have you ever thought much about your soul? When you think of it, what comes to mind?</li><li>Hebrews 4:12 refers to the Bible's ability to "divide soul and spirit" in us. In other words, the Bible has the capacity and power to make room in us for God to lead? Can you remember a time when this happened to you? Explain.</li><li>In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Paul reminds his readers that Christians "were bought at a price" and are called to live for God's glory, not self-desires. How are you being intentional to make sure God has room to lead in your life? Explain a time when you made the decision to quiet your soul so that God could lead.</li><li>The Bible tells us that loving God with our mind is more than <span style="font-style: italic;">just thinking good thoughts and rebuking bad ones. </span>In fact, Paul states in Romans 12:2 that our mind needs to be renewed completely - rewired according to God's wisdom, which is completely different than the world's. Can you recall something specific in your worldview that God has been reshaping? Explain.</li><li><span style="font-style: italic;">Our thoughts influence our beliefs and our beliefs shape our actions.</span> Do you agree? If so, how has this proven true in your own life?<br /></li></ul>I Am Verticlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11081636596310050827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7982769255144578127.post-4806071150325830272010-08-08T09:12:00.003-05:002010-08-08T09:13:59.502-05:00Offerings Week 5- Less Have To, More Want To<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAb9KwxcpW14Qwp_lu5yvfOYyyl_rRJmMjLU9P4lwXXxZCMB-a2FX3HOzkA8Yh8Va436TAPCr2oFrHi4H6rbqP__fPbFQRmdh7fbGnlMncCBtX4_-cGh-Jb2IRX5HcdE3ZubPRL670sD4/s1600/offerings+series+graphic.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAb9KwxcpW14Qwp_lu5yvfOYyyl_rRJmMjLU9P4lwXXxZCMB-a2FX3HOzkA8Yh8Va436TAPCr2oFrHi4H6rbqP__fPbFQRmdh7fbGnlMncCBtX4_-cGh-Jb2IRX5HcdE3ZubPRL670sD4/s200/offerings+series+graphic.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503041920058052162" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Didn't get to hear the teaching conversation on Sunday?</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">No problem, you can join in via our </span></span><a href="http://cnx.podzone.org/wordpress/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">PODCAST</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div><b>Scriptures From Sunday:</b> Acts 4:34-37, 5:1-6; 2 Corinthians 8:1-7, 9:6-8; Luke 21:1-4</div><div><br /></div><div><b>REFLECT/DISCUSS:</b></div><div>What motivates you? (Ex. Success? Fear of failure? Praise? Criticism? Etc.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Which do you think is more important & why- having good circumstances or a good attitude?</div><div><br /></div><div>How would you describe your attitude about offering your time, talents and resources to God? How about your motivations to give? </div><div><br /></div><div>What have you been taught about giving in church settings- both directly and indirectly?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do you think believers have to give? Need to give? Should want to give? Some/all of the above? Which motivates you the most?</div><div><br /></div><div>What is your reaction to the story of Ananias & Sapphira? What do you think the differences were between their and Barnabas’ offerings? </div><div><br /></div><div>What kind of pressures might Ananias & Sapphira felt that prompted them to give an offering their hearts weren’t behind?</div><div><br /></div><div>Read 2 Cor. 8:1-5. What strikes you most about the way these believers gave? What, if anything, would you hope to emulate in your own life & giving?</div><div><br /></div><div>Have you ever been guilted into giving? What happened? Do you think God was honored by that?</div><div><br /></div><div>What strikes you most about the story of the widow who gave all she had in Luke 21:1-4? What do you think Jesus would call us to emulate about her offering? </div><div><br /></div><div>When is the last time you gave an offering that required faith on your part? What happened?</div><div><br /></div><div>Which would most represent a next step of growth for you- giving joyfully, generously or from faith? Which motivation do you long to leave behind the most- giving from pressure, obligation or guilt?</div><div><br /></div></span></span></div>Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453118399295415454noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7982769255144578127.post-23908513467032012702010-07-31T14:05:00.003-05:002010-08-02T09:59:07.946-05:00Offerings Week 4- We're Going To Need A Bigger Bucket<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73T-PVFTpxMoSyVZdUpb1EjovCgwBG4UG80qVMnDgv6l8cG54UJVvHjDnYdgHV1PzYJ6blb_oygcuyeV1RK8EWku9pude1LHLqx5AlaCAJnsqJtB_GeG2SPiYMQvfabePjAEBmZpqE3w/s1600/offerings+series+graphic.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73T-PVFTpxMoSyVZdUpb1EjovCgwBG4UG80qVMnDgv6l8cG54UJVvHjDnYdgHV1PzYJ6blb_oygcuyeV1RK8EWku9pude1LHLqx5AlaCAJnsqJtB_GeG2SPiYMQvfabePjAEBmZpqE3w/s200/offerings+series+graphic.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492639058853121986" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Didn't get to hear the teaching conversation on Sunday? </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">No problem, you can join in via our </span></span><a href="http://cnx.podzone.org/wordpress/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">PODCAST</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Scriptures From Sunday: </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Romans 12:1-2, 6:1-13; 1 Peter 2:4-5; Matthew 11:28-30, 10:37-39</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">REFLECT/DISCUSS:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Talk about some times when you found yourself in situations that were bigger/more involved than you expected. Give both a positive and a negative example if you can.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Have you ever had moments like this with God? When have you realized that your pictures and perceptions of Him & what He wants for you have been way too small?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">When was the last time you needed some guidance on what was “appropriate”? What was the setting/occasion?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">If you were mentoring a newer follower of Jesus, how would you describe an “appropriate offering” to them? </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Spend time in the Romans 12 & 6 passages above. Based on what you read there, how would you describe the offerings and response God is looking for from us? How does this mesh with your ideas about giving?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Do you consistently see/think of yourself as a temple where God lives and a priest who offers him/herself as a living sacrifice (1 Peter 2:4-5)? How can we maintain this kind of focus? What impact might this perspective have on the way we go throughout our day?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Have you ever offered someone something you thought was significant (a gift, your love or friendship, etc.) and gotten a disproportionate response back? How did that feel?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Do you think we can fully receive the life Jesus offers us without offering all of ourselves to Him? Does this shed any light for you on some of Jesus’ difficult and extreme statements? (See Mt. 10:37-39)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;font-size:medium;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">When you read things in the Bible like, “offer yourselves as living sacrifices” do you long for more “how-to” specifics? Does what Jesus says in Matthew 11:28—30 give you any insight into where/how we are to learn more about the parts of our faith that aren’t clearly spelled out?</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">When was the last time you “offered” God some part of your day or life that wasn’t overtly religious (ex. church, Bible reading) or where you didn’t feel a great need for His help? Do you believe that God can take pleasure in all the parts of your life? Are there any parts of yourself that you have been withholding from Him or offering in the other direction?</span></span></span></p></span></span></div></div>Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453118399295415454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7982769255144578127.post-58731656257026217922010-07-23T08:26:00.002-05:002010-07-25T06:34:43.981-05:00Offerings Week 3- God Passes The Plate For Us<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73T-PVFTpxMoSyVZdUpb1EjovCgwBG4UG80qVMnDgv6l8cG54UJVvHjDnYdgHV1PzYJ6blb_oygcuyeV1RK8EWku9pude1LHLqx5AlaCAJnsqJtB_GeG2SPiYMQvfabePjAEBmZpqE3w/s1600/offerings+series+graphic.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73T-PVFTpxMoSyVZdUpb1EjovCgwBG4UG80qVMnDgv6l8cG54UJVvHjDnYdgHV1PzYJ6blb_oygcuyeV1RK8EWku9pude1LHLqx5AlaCAJnsqJtB_GeG2SPiYMQvfabePjAEBmZpqE3w/s200/offerings+series+graphic.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492639058853121986" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Didn't get to hear the teaching conversation on Sunday? </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">No problem, you can join in via our </span></span><a href="http://cnx.podzone.org/wordpress/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">PODCAST</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></span><div> <p class="MsoNormal"></p></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><!--StartFragment--><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Scriptures From Sunday: </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">James 1:16-17; John 3:16-17; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Colossians 1:19-20; Romans 5:6-9; Hebrews 9:9-15, 10:1-4; Matthew 11:28-30</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">REFLECT/DISCUSS:</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Would you describe yourself as an initiator? Why/Not? What are some situations where you’d volunteer to go first? Others where you’d prefer that someone else take the first turn?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Agree/Disagree & Explain: When we give, we’re simply responding to God’s initiative to give first.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Spend some time with John 3:16-17. What do these verses tell you about God’s willingness to make the first move? About his intentions and motivations toward us?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We’re told in Hebrews 9 & 10 that he Old Covenant sacrifices of animals and produce didn’t really take away sin. So, why did God instruct His people to offer them in the first place? What kinds of things have you “offered” to try and make yourself right with God that didn’t really work either?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Is there any resistance in you to the idea of Jesus sacrificing Himself for your mistakes? If so, can you name what is behind it?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">List as many appropriate answers as you can to the question: What did Jesus come to offer us? When you are done, take a shot at summarizing everything you’ve got in a sentence or less.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">After all the answers you’ve come up with to the last question, why do you think some people focus solely on Jesus offerings us forgiveness and heaven? While those are certainly crucial, do they fully capture what Jesus Himself and the rest of the scriptures say Jesus offers us?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">What does God’s willingness to go first when it comes to giving and sacrifice Jesus for us so that He can offer life to us mean to you emotionally? Does it affect your feelings about giving to God?</span><span style="color:black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </span></span></div>Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453118399295415454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7982769255144578127.post-76620033973693972302010-07-16T08:43:00.006-05:002010-07-18T07:58:39.252-05:00Offerings Week 2- (More Than) A Little Structure<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73T-PVFTpxMoSyVZdUpb1EjovCgwBG4UG80qVMnDgv6l8cG54UJVvHjDnYdgHV1PzYJ6blb_oygcuyeV1RK8EWku9pude1LHLqx5AlaCAJnsqJtB_GeG2SPiYMQvfabePjAEBmZpqE3w/s1600/offerings+series+graphic.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73T-PVFTpxMoSyVZdUpb1EjovCgwBG4UG80qVMnDgv6l8cG54UJVvHjDnYdgHV1PzYJ6blb_oygcuyeV1RK8EWku9pude1LHLqx5AlaCAJnsqJtB_GeG2SPiYMQvfabePjAEBmZpqE3w/s200/offerings+series+graphic.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492639058853121986" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Didn't get to hear the teaching conversation on Sunday? </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">No problem, you can join in via our </span></span><a href="http://cnx.podzone.org/wordpress/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">PODCAST</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></span><div> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Scriptures From Sunday: </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Deuteronomy 12:6, 14:22-29, 8:7-18; Leviticus 5:5-7, 11a; Exodus 22:29-30, 23:19a; James 2:14-26</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">REFLECT/DISCUSS:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'lucida grande';">How do you feel about structure and complexity? Do you need them? Crave them? Avoid them? Do they give you life- or sap it from you?</span></li></ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'lucida grande';">Have you ever felt/thought that God’s commands are burdensome or heavy handed? Like Daniel in The Karate Kid wrestling with Mr. Miayagi’s training methods, have you ever wondered if God is using you or trying to take things FROM you?</span></li></ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'lucida grande';">What could/has a shift toward seeing God’s instructions and commands as an expression of what He wants FOR you mean for your relationship with your Maker?</span></li></ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'lucida grande';">Why do you think God gave the nation of Israel such a complex and detailed system of offerings as they began their relationship with Him?</span></li></ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'lucida grande';">What are your experiences with and perceptions of tithing? Have you ever thought of percentage based giving as a way for God to level the playing field and allow everyone to participate?</span></li></ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'lucida grande';">God commands Israel to give him the first and best of their produce, the firstborn of their livestock, their best wine, etc. Do you think God wants this idea of priority giving to translate to us today? If so, how can we give God our first and best if we don’t bring offerings of food and drink?</span></li></ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'lucida grande';">Think/Talk about a time in your life when a hands-on experience really helped you grab hold of an idea you already “believed in”. Do you think more words on the topic would have had the same impact?</span></li></ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'lucida grande';">Read Deuteronomy 8:7-18. Do you think we face the same temptation God warns the Israelites about in this passage? If so, how can giving help mitigate it?</span></li></ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'lucida grande';">Take a look at James 2:14-26. How do you feel about/respond to the ideas in this passage? Does what you are offering God today (think $ and beyond) require any faith on your part? If so, what would?</span></li></ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'lucida grande';">The Sunday teaching focused on a few key emphases that seem to run throughout the complexities of the OT sacrificial system: PARTICIPATION, PRIORITY, and PRACTICE. Which of these would God have you to focus on most now as you learn to offer yourself more wholly to Him?</span></li></ul><p></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453118399295415454noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7982769255144578127.post-23967728537785897522010-07-11T08:24:00.002-05:002010-07-11T08:28:32.049-05:00Offerings Week 1- The 4th Big Story<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73T-PVFTpxMoSyVZdUpb1EjovCgwBG4UG80qVMnDgv6l8cG54UJVvHjDnYdgHV1PzYJ6blb_oygcuyeV1RK8EWku9pude1LHLqx5AlaCAJnsqJtB_GeG2SPiYMQvfabePjAEBmZpqE3w/s1600/offerings+series+graphic.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73T-PVFTpxMoSyVZdUpb1EjovCgwBG4UG80qVMnDgv6l8cG54UJVvHjDnYdgHV1PzYJ6blb_oygcuyeV1RK8EWku9pude1LHLqx5AlaCAJnsqJtB_GeG2SPiYMQvfabePjAEBmZpqE3w/s200/offerings+series+graphic.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492639058853121986" /></a><b>Didn't get to hear the teaching conversation on Sunday? </b>No problem, you can join in via our <a href="http://cnx.podzone.org/wordpress/">PODCAST</a>.<br /><div><br /><div><div><b>Scriptures From Sunday:</b> Genesis 4:1-8, Matthew 6:19-24</div><div><br /></div><div><b>REFLECT/DISCUSS:</b></div><div>What do you go all out for? Who gets your best in life? </div><div><br /></div><div>What are your feelings about churches talking about offerings and giving? What kinds of experiences have you had with this? </div><div><br /></div><div>Why do you think most faiths include some element of giving to God? Why did Cain and Abel bring offerings to God? </div><div><br /></div><div>Cain and Abel saw the world a bit differently than we do. What were some things they “knew” that might have prompted them to give offerings?</div><div><br /></div><div>Can we ever give God something that doesn’t already belong to him? If not- what’s the point of giving Him anything? </div><div><br /></div><div>Cain and Abel brought offerings from what they had. Do you think God expects us to give Him things we don’t have/can’t afford?</div><div><br /></div><div>God was pleased with one offering and not with the other. What do you think made the difference?</div><div><br /></div><div>Abel brought the best and first part of what He had to God. Cain didn’t. What do you think Cain did with his best and first instead? Does that give you any insight into who or what Cain valued the most highly?</div><div><br /></div><div>What would this story say to the idea that God just wants us to give SOMETHING- and that the specifics of the gift don’t matter?</div><div><br /></div><div>In light of what Jesus says in Matthew 6:19-24, do you think God can fully have our hearts if we hold back our money and things from Him? Is it possible to separate the two?</div><div><br /></div><div>Cain’s offering prompted God to warn him about the direction his heart was heading. What would God say to you about the direction you are heading lately?</div><div><br /></div><div>God wanted Cain to “do well and be accepted”. Do you believe He wants the same for you? Why/Not?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do your offerings to God match the place and priority you say you want Him to have in your life? If not, what can you do to bring them more in alignment?</div></div><div><br /></div></div>Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453118399295415454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7982769255144578127.post-2920117720292475922010-06-29T15:44:00.003-05:002010-07-04T09:00:45.425-05:00Taking Responsibility For Your Life- Week 4<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5hr2fcY7iVlmccLWRjpacjpx6dsvMq5sfzJmIo53cBGiCec6qtDWVnS_DFC1v_TYSfkLak-LIzOWvo9l4v6tCJHJ0mENpH_9xTEzjkpac_4obAA4_qsPyli06bVEmIpHzZLhnri0f2I/s1600/taking+resp+series+graphic.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5hr2fcY7iVlmccLWRjpacjpx6dsvMq5sfzJmIo53cBGiCec6qtDWVnS_DFC1v_TYSfkLak-LIzOWvo9l4v6tCJHJ0mENpH_9xTEzjkpac_4obAA4_qsPyli06bVEmIpHzZLhnri0f2I/s200/taking+resp+series+graphic.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488299593646866162" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This month we're learning from an outstanding teaching series from </span><a href="http://www.northpoint.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Northpoint</span> Church</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> called Taking Responsibility For Your Life.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We're taking in this teaching via DVD and won't be recording it for our podcast like we usually do. However, if you miss a teaching, you can grab the audio or video online directly from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Northpoint</span>. Here's how:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Follow this link: </span><a href="http://www.northpoint.org/messages"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">http://www.northpoint.org/messages</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Scroll to the right through the message series icons until you come to "Taking Responsibility For Your Life" (about the 10<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span> series).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div>Double click on that and you'll be shown the 4 diff messages and be given the option to either listen to the audio or watch them on video.</div><div><br /></div><div>We will be creating and posting our 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">nd</span> Helpings Info as we usually do. You can find them as a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">pdf</span> on our PODCAST SITE or as text below.</div></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div><b>Scriptures From Sunday: </b>Matthew 25:14-30</div><div><br /></div><div><b>REFLECT/DISCUSS:</b></div><div>What’s one of your hidden or unusual talents?</div><div><br /></div><div>Which is easier for you to see- all that others have going for them or all that you have going for you? Why do you think that is?</div><div><br /></div><div>When was the last time you said/felt “Life <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">isn</span>’t fair”? </div><div><br /></div><div>Parables were given to make one point in a big, clear way. What idea did Jesus want to convey in the parable of the talents in Mt. 25:13-40?</div><div><br /></div><div>How would you summarize God’s perspective on the unevenness of life? How does this compare to our view?</div><div><br /></div><div>If you had to honestly place yourself in the story Jesus told based on the opportunities you’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">ve</span> been given and all that you’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">ve</span> got going for you- would you say that you are a 1, 2 or 5 bag person? What would others say about you?</div><div><br /></div><div>Giving an account to the master for how they used what He gave them was exciting for the 2 & 5 bag people in the story and dreadful for the 1 bag person. Which would you feel about giving an account to God for how you’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">ve</span> used what He’s given you so far?</div><div><br /></div><div>What do you feel about/think of this statement: “Your self is too small for you to waste your entire life on”?</div><div><br /></div><div>What could a shift away from lamenting the unevenness of life and toward embracing and maximizing the opportunities God has given you mean for you? Those you are connected to? The world?</div><div><br /></div><div>Which of these temptations are you most prone to when it comes to your “talents”: Taking them for granted? Being irresponsible with your excess? Lamenting what others have that you don’t? Using them only for yourself?</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Assignment: </b></div><div>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Make a list of all the opportunities and advantages that God has given you to leverage for His Kingdom/something greater than yourself. </div><div>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Which are you currently taking responsibility for? Where do you need to step it up?</div></span></div></span></span></div></span>Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453118399295415454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7982769255144578127.post-28207891802483556672010-06-26T12:53:00.006-05:002010-06-26T13:07:54.471-05:00This Is Not The Time To Pray - 6.27.10<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TUGqoT7Xs1Xzq6Kd9UwLTCl2-9bquCatY8UpSt8wWax8volHpg2ArF-2g_vIBTThqM6sGKOQh9ap0mnV9W7bEJPp8mHKPebk-iK610lKJGPjgnqkQ8Fv2GTZglSFU4Jdlmn-Qpb7z5Y/s1600/Slide1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TUGqoT7Xs1Xzq6Kd9UwLTCl2-9bquCatY8UpSt8wWax8volHpg2ArF-2g_vIBTThqM6sGKOQh9ap0mnV9W7bEJPp8mHKPebk-iK610lKJGPjgnqkQ8Fv2GTZglSFU4Jdlmn-Qpb7z5Y/s400/Slide1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487142510246520898" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:Calibri;font-size:13pt;" ><b><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> </b></span></span>Last week we continued with our <span style="font-style: italic;">Taking Responsibility For Your Life</span> series with a powerful message called <span style="font-weight: bold;">This Is Not The Time To Pray</span>. If you missed it, you can watch or listen to it <a href="http://www.2.northpointministries.org/player/player.jsp?occurenceID=4586">HERE</a>.
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";" ><b>
<br /></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">SCRIPTURE:</span> Joshua 7<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">REFLECT & DISCUSS:</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";" >1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style=";font-family:";" >Andy’s message doesn’t undermine the importance of prayer, but rather that prayer should lead to action, not serve as an excuse to be inactive. Do you agree with that?
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p></o:p></span></span><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size:100%;">2. <span style=";font-family:";" >Can you remember a time when your prayers led you to action? What happened? How did that experience encourage you in your relationship with Christ?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:100%;">3. <span style=";font-family:";" >Are there areas of your life where you’re using <i>prayer</i></span><span style=";font-family:";" > as an excuse not to <i>do</i></span><span style=";font-family:";" > what God has already made clear? Has God been saying, “Stand up!” to you lately? If so, how can you begin taking steps of action today?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p></o:p></span></span><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size:100%;">4. <span style=";font-family:";" >“Our irresponsibility eventually becomes someone else’s responsibility” has become a reoccurring theme in this series. In Joshua 7:1, how does Achan’s actions support Andy’s statement?
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p></o:p></span></span><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size:100%;">5. <span style=";font-family:";" >Like Achan, are there areas of your life where you have enriched yourself with the “devoted things” that God told you not to? If so, how can you begin putting verse 13 into practice by removing those things?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p></o:p></span></span><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:100%;">6. <span style=";font-family:";" >Are there irresponsible people you are connected to that you are afraid to confront? Why? Read Matthew 18:15-20 and ask God to give you the strength to act (in love).
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<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p></o:p></span></span><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">ASSIGNMENT:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:20pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:13pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:13pt;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Identify areas of your life where you need to stop (only) praying about and start acting on. Uses these ideas as a filter:</span></span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:13pt;" ><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><i>Has God already covered in it Scripture? If so, stop praying and act.</i></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:13pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /><!--[if !supportLists]--></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><i>
<br /></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><i>Have you behaved your way into a situation? Don’t try to pray your way out of it - get up and act. Prayer must lead to action.</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><i>
<br /></i></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:13pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><i>Would people in your life say to you, “Great, I’m glad you’re praying about this, but I don’t see you making any effect to change”?</i></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:13pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> I Am Verticlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11081636596310050827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7982769255144578127.post-57446187370930342952010-06-20T09:06:00.003-05:002010-06-20T09:09:15.750-05:00Taking Responsibility For Your Life- Week 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sRpWBewL8qfT6DVA0lQwZQgUQ5UQXhHx9sgBSP-adBxieAsmV8-aPOazwWNn29X7tSl-f8J1WEFQUXnXa-tMwrjPh04vmncK7vmLmES_-u4A3yNlGDGKYSQGeWBbALy_Qhs2omZbxgY/s1600/taking+resp+series+graphic.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sRpWBewL8qfT6DVA0lQwZQgUQ5UQXhHx9sgBSP-adBxieAsmV8-aPOazwWNn29X7tSl-f8J1WEFQUXnXa-tMwrjPh04vmncK7vmLmES_-u4A3yNlGDGKYSQGeWBbALy_Qhs2omZbxgY/s200/taking+resp+series+graphic.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484857199733046194" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This month we're learning from an outstanding teaching series from </span><a href="http://www.northpoint.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Northpoint Church</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> called Taking Responsibility For Your Life.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We're taking in this teaching via DVD and won't be recording it for our podcast like we usually do. However, if you miss a teaching, you can grab the audio or video online directly from Northpoint. Here's how:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Follow this link: </span><a href="http://www.northpoint.org/messages"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">http://www.northpoint.org/messages</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Scroll to the right through the message series icons until you come to "Taking Responsibility For Your Life" (about the 10th series).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Double click on that and you'll be shown the 4 diff messages and be given the option to either listen to the audio or watch them on video.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We will be creating and posting our 2nd Helpings Info as we usually do. You can find them as a pdf on our </span><a href="http://cnx.podzone.org/wordpress/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">PODCAST SITE</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> or as text below.</span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Scriptures From Sunday: </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Galatians 6:3-9</span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">REFLECT/DISCUSS:</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When have you seen someone step up and take responsibility for a mistake or failure? What happened afterward?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">One of the things we’re prone to do instead of taking responsibility is to compare ourselves to others. Read Gal 6:3-5. Why does God discourage us from doing this? How can comparisons lead us to fooling or deceiving ourselves?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Do you agree or disagree w/ this statement?</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> “As long as I compare myself to other people, I’ll make excuses. When I compare myself to myself, I’ll make progress.” </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Gal. 6:5 urges us to “carry our own load”. What does that look like for you right now? What are you responsible for? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Another “out” for us when it comes to taking responsibility is to try and dodge the consequences of our irresponsibility. Is this really and fully possible? Why do you think Gal. 6:7 describes this as “mocking God”?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Were you ever able to “put one over” on your parents, teachers or bosses and get away with being irresponsible? Is it possible do the same thing w/God? Do you ever find yourself looking for a loophole or treating God like He’s not very bright?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Where have you experienced the principle of reaping and sowing in your life? Was it positive or negative?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">What do you think of Andy’s assessment that we reap “later and greater”? Have you seen this play out before?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">What are some parts of your life where you are sowing responsibly right now? Where might you be sowing irresponsibly?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Do you think life’s predictable principles (ex. gravity, buoyancy, sowing/reaping) are gifts from God? Why/Not?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Assignment: </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If there is an area of your life where you aren’t where you want to be:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1. Honestly assess- where have I sowed irresponsibly? What’s my piece of the pie? What’s my load to carry?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2. Identify and start doing the things you should have been doing all along. </span><span style="font-size:66.0pt;font-family:CrayonAL;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </span></div></span></span></div></span>Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453118399295415454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7982769255144578127.post-79161535367246393042010-06-09T13:32:00.011-05:002010-06-14T08:12:09.974-05:00Taking Responsibility For Your Life Week 1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBU37438Y-q7RSngjql6TU5cLHkVc92887i0pB46lVccMOlcmMDzVyd60TdP_3RpYFCV6NIpRjqb5PtPEg1eL-LuyouLARGqrJSA6NoW4GhrjNlbvylSTVJNCGPkWpSWQLhMGezgmqIj4/s1600/taking+resp+series+graphic.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBU37438Y-q7RSngjql6TU5cLHkVc92887i0pB46lVccMOlcmMDzVyd60TdP_3RpYFCV6NIpRjqb5PtPEg1eL-LuyouLARGqrJSA6NoW4GhrjNlbvylSTVJNCGPkWpSWQLhMGezgmqIj4/s200/taking+resp+series+graphic.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482616319280471682" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Over the next month we'll be learning from an outstanding teaching series from </span></span><a href="http://www.northpoint.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Northpoint Church</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> called Taking Responsibility For Your Life.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">In a culture that seems to encourage and at times even reward irresponsibility, it's easy for us to notice others who aren't pulling their weight.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">But what about us? Are we taking responsibility for the things we are on the hook for?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We'll be taking in this teaching via DVD and won't be recording it for our podcast like we usually do. However, if you miss a teaching, you can grab the audio or video online directly from Northpoint. Here's how:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Follow this link: </span><a href="http://www.northpoint.org/messages"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">http://www.northpoint.org/messages</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Scroll to the right through the message series icons until you come to "Taking Responsibility For Your Life" (about the 9th series).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Double click on that and you'll be shown the 4 diff messages and be given the option to either listen to the audio or watch them on video.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We will be creating and posting our 2nd Helpings Info as we usually do. You can find them as a pdf on our </span><a href="http://cnx.podzone.org/wordpress/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">PODCAST SITE</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> or as text below.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2ND HELPINGS:</span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Scriptures From Sunday:</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> Genesis 1:27-29, 3:8-13</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">REFLECT/DISCUSS:</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Who is the most responsible person you know & why? The least responsible?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Agree/Disagree & Explain: “Our culture is becoming less and less responsible and in some ways rewards & celebrates irresponsibility.”</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“Irresponsibility is much easier to see through the window than in the mirror.” Is this true? If so, why do you think this is? </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Can you think of a time when someone else’s irresponsibility impacted you? When your failure to live up to your responsibilities affected others?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Do you agree that when we fail to “pick our towels up off of the floor” (i.e. taking care of our responsibilities) we are by default asking someone else to come clean up our mess?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">How would things change in your life/family/workplace/church/etc. if each time we saw each other shirking our responsibilities we followed Andy’s lead w/his kids and said, “I want you to ASK me to take care of what you aren’t willing to care of instead of just leaving it for me to do”?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Respond to/discuss this statement: “Christians should be the most responsible people on the planet.”</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">In the beginning, humans are given huge amounts of responsibility (Gen 1). How do you feel when you shoulder your responsibilities well? When you don’t?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Do you ever find yourself admiring people who are great at blaming others? Why/Not?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Blame and the conflict and shame it produces are deeply rooted in our story (Gen 3). Do you think we can we get past it? How? </span></div><div> </div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Assignments: </span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">1. Listen to the blame conversations in your life- both the ones you have out loud and in your own head. What parts of your life are trying to shift responsibility to others?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2. As you experience relational conflict, ask yourself, “What is in my slice of the pie?”</span></div></div><div><br /></div></span></span></div>Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453118399295415454noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7982769255144578127.post-66086714359341204682010-06-06T16:05:00.000-05:002010-06-06T16:06:39.530-05:00U+ I = WE Week 6: Exponential Impact<div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzngCC2hcundoyVPzcX8aaEhBvS2AjYJcWbBT9xle1N7-jDaZbDUs9Seg4br-nXbY1Lr4dMLOcs-u0i8TTolNlAoMwdnhW8e-SsvFMLFZFc2jKhErkDv1MgUaTkanC9dazDvZHC8yJZrg/s1600/uiwe+series+graphic+1.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzngCC2hcundoyVPzcX8aaEhBvS2AjYJcWbBT9xle1N7-jDaZbDUs9Seg4br-nXbY1Lr4dMLOcs-u0i8TTolNlAoMwdnhW8e-SsvFMLFZFc2jKhErkDv1MgUaTkanC9dazDvZHC8yJZrg/s320/uiwe+series+graphic+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466664029348647394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px; " /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Miss this week's teaching conversation? You can listen in and download the message slides and a pdf of the info below on our </span></span><a href="http://cnx.podzone.org/wordpress/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">POD CAST SITE</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><div><b>Scriptures From Sunday</b>: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Isaiah 9:6-7; John 13:34-35; Philippians 2:3-5, 12-16a; Acts 1:6-8, 8:1, 3-4; Matthew 28:18-20</div><div><br /></div><div><b>REFLECT/DISCUSS:</b></div><div>How have you experienced synergy- where people combined their efforts and got more done faster than they would have on their own? With family? Friends? At work? In your neighborhood? In a faith community?</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Agree/Disagree & Explain: </i>Jesus wants to have an exponential, ever expanding impact in this world and He plans to use us to accomplish it.</div><div><br /></div><div>What do you know how to authenticate? What hallmarks do you look for? </div><div><br /></div><div>According to John 13:35, what did Jesus think would mark His followers and His message for the world to see? In your opinion, do we take these words seriously enough? Do we equate them with our chance to show the truth and beauty of Jesus’ message to the people around us?</div><div><br /></div><div>Think/talk about a time where your mental picture of someone/thing was quite different from the actual person/thing. </div><div><br /></div><div>How do you think our pictures of “church” and “mission” might differ from what Jesus has in mind for us?</div><div><br /></div><div>In your mind, where and when does the ministry of Connections Church (or your church community) happen? </div><div><br /></div><div>Where/to whom does God send you on a daily basis? Do you think of that as your “mission field”? If not, why not? If so, how do you stay focused on what God might do through you while you do your job, sip your coffee, chat with neighbors, etc.?</div><div><br /></div><div><b>PRAY:</b> Pray that God will work in and through us as a faith community to make the impact He desires on the Triangle and beyond. </div><div><br /></div></span></div>Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453118399295415454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7982769255144578127.post-87546742210829435232010-05-30T14:50:00.001-05:002010-05-30T14:52:17.120-05:00U+ I = WE Week 5: Identical is not Ideal<div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzngCC2hcundoyVPzcX8aaEhBvS2AjYJcWbBT9xle1N7-jDaZbDUs9Seg4br-nXbY1Lr4dMLOcs-u0i8TTolNlAoMwdnhW8e-SsvFMLFZFc2jKhErkDv1MgUaTkanC9dazDvZHC8yJZrg/s1600/uiwe+series+graphic+1.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzngCC2hcundoyVPzcX8aaEhBvS2AjYJcWbBT9xle1N7-jDaZbDUs9Seg4br-nXbY1Lr4dMLOcs-u0i8TTolNlAoMwdnhW8e-SsvFMLFZFc2jKhErkDv1MgUaTkanC9dazDvZHC8yJZrg/s320/uiwe+series+graphic+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466664029348647394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px; " /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Miss this week's teaching conversation? You can listen in and download the message slides and a pdf of the info below on our </span></span><a href="http://cnx.podzone.org/wordpress/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">POD CAST SITE</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', serif; "><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><b>Scriptures From Sunday: </b></span><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Psalm 133; Ephesians 4:1-7; Romans 14:1-8, 12:3-8</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><b>REFLECT/DISCUSS:</b></span><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Calibri">What makes a great vacation for you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What’s the right blend of rest vs. activity, travel vs. staying put, socializing vs. solitude?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px; ">Read Psalm 133.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Have you ever experienced the “living in harmony” thing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Why/how do you think that happened?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Calibri">In your opinion, which is harder- staying focused on what we share in common or allowing for and celebrating our differences?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Which is more important?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Why?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px; ">What relationships in your life are struggling right now?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What is the common focus you could appeal to?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px; ">Think of a time when you experienced relational conflict over a difference of opinion about the “right’ way to do things?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Did you resolve it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If so, how?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In reality, was there only one right way?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Calibri">How do you feel about/respond to the idea in Romans 14 that there isn’t one “right” way for followers of Jesus to honor God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Can you think of a way you’ve seen this play out in a community of faith you are/have been a part of?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Calibri"> Why do you think Christians are driven to convince others that their attempts to honor God (w/diet, schedule, devotional life, etc.) are the right/best ways?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Can you think of a time where someone being very different from you has been a blessing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Where would you fit into the Romans 12:3-8 n terms of your gifts?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If it isn’t listed there, how would you describe the part you think God has for you to play in His body?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><b>PRAY:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></b></span><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Lord, give me the humility and determination to maintain the unity Your Spirit gives in my relationships.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </span></div>Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453118399295415454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7982769255144578127.post-20630177081649487192010-05-26T13:12:00.001-05:002010-05-26T13:19:18.487-05:00U+ I = WE Week 4: Clearing Relational Clutter<div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzngCC2hcundoyVPzcX8aaEhBvS2AjYJcWbBT9xle1N7-jDaZbDUs9Seg4br-nXbY1Lr4dMLOcs-u0i8TTolNlAoMwdnhW8e-SsvFMLFZFc2jKhErkDv1MgUaTkanC9dazDvZHC8yJZrg/s1600/uiwe+series+graphic+1.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzngCC2hcundoyVPzcX8aaEhBvS2AjYJcWbBT9xle1N7-jDaZbDUs9Seg4br-nXbY1Lr4dMLOcs-u0i8TTolNlAoMwdnhW8e-SsvFMLFZFc2jKhErkDv1MgUaTkanC9dazDvZHC8yJZrg/s320/uiwe+series+graphic+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466664029348647394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px; " /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Miss this week's teaching conversation? You can listen in and download the message slides and a pdf of the info below on our </span></span><a href="http://cnx.podzone.org/wordpress/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">POD CAST SITE</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><div><b>Scriptures From Sunday:</b> Galatians 5:13-26, 6:1-2; 1 Peter 5:8; Romans 7:21-24; James 4:11-12, 5:9; Psalms 15:1-3</div><div><b>Other Texts:</b> 1Peter 2:1-3, 3:8-12; 2 Corinthians 12:20-21; Romans 1:28-32</div><div><br /></div><div><b>REFLECT/DISCUSS:</b></div><div>How do you deal with clutter? What prompts you to finally get rid of “excess baggage”? How do you feel afterward? What would you like to purge from your life right now? </div><div><br /></div><div>Galatians 5:15 advises us not to “bite” each other. Talk/think specifically about some ways that we do this in our relationships (ex. gossip).</div><div> </div><div>Have you ever seen a relationship “devoured”- i.e. ruined- by negativity and divisive behavior? What happened? How might it have been prevented?</div><div><br /></div><div>Do you resonate with the struggle described in Gal. 5:16-17 & Rom 7:21-24? How have you seen this manifest in your life? Which part of your nature are you listening to and living through most of the time? How do you know?</div><div><br /></div><div>What stands out to you about “the effects of the corrupt nature” listed in Gal. 5:19-21? In your experience, do Jesus’ followers treat all of these things the same? Should we? </div><div><br /></div><div>Agree or Disagree & Explain: We can tell a lot about our relationship with God by how we treat other people? How do the passages above speak to your answer?</div><div><br /></div><div>Look at the things that grow in us when we listen to and live into our spiritual nature (Gal. 5:22-23). What stands out to you about these things? In your opinion, do Jesus’ followers focus on these qualities enough? Can we be spiritually mature without them?</div><div><br /></div><div>Read Galatians 5:24-26. Where does the power for us to live into our spiritual nature- and clear out negative relational clutter- come from? Can we do this on our own? Is it all God’s doing? Is our will and focus involved as well?</div><div><br /></div><div><b>REFLECT: </b> What negative and divisive clutter do I need to clear out of my relationships? Is there anyone in my life I need to apologize to for the way I’ve treated them?</div><div><br /></div></span></div>Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453118399295415454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7982769255144578127.post-14129460452298135052010-05-15T18:52:00.000-05:002010-05-15T18:54:09.618-05:00U+ I = WE Week 3: Adding Value to Each Others Lives<div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzngCC2hcundoyVPzcX8aaEhBvS2AjYJcWbBT9xle1N7-jDaZbDUs9Seg4br-nXbY1Lr4dMLOcs-u0i8TTolNlAoMwdnhW8e-SsvFMLFZFc2jKhErkDv1MgUaTkanC9dazDvZHC8yJZrg/s1600/uiwe+series+graphic+1.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzngCC2hcundoyVPzcX8aaEhBvS2AjYJcWbBT9xle1N7-jDaZbDUs9Seg4br-nXbY1Lr4dMLOcs-u0i8TTolNlAoMwdnhW8e-SsvFMLFZFc2jKhErkDv1MgUaTkanC9dazDvZHC8yJZrg/s320/uiwe+series+graphic+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466664029348647394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px; " /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Miss this week's teaching conversation? You can listen in and download the message slides and a pdf of the info below on our </span></span><a href="http://cnx.podzone.org/wordpress/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">POD CAST SITE</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><b>SCRIPTURES FROM SUNDAY:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></b></span><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Hebrews 10:19-25, 3:12-19; 1Thess 5:9-15;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><b>OTHER PASSAGES:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></b></span><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Calibri">1Thess 4:18; 1Cor 14:26; Gal 5:13, 6:1-2; Rom 14:19</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><b>REFLECT/DISCUSS:</b></span><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Think of 3 people in your life you love to spend time with.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What do they have in common?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Would it be fair to say that they bring good things into your life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Both the Hebrews 10 and the 1 Thess. 5 passages about encouragement start with retellings of the good things Jesus has brought into our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How often do you stop to remind yourself of those things?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Talk w/God about them?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Read Heb. 10:19-22 and 1 Thess. 5:9-11 out loud and offer a prayer of thanksgiving for Jesus’ work in your life.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Have you ever thought that the spiritual encouragement you get from others might be the only thing that stands between you and a hard, unbelieving heart?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Or that your encouragement might be all that keeps someone else on course with Jesus?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>How do you feel about the idea that mutual encouragement is a spiritual necessity?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Would you agree that hard heartedness, spiritual deception and turning away from Jesus is a process that happens over time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If so, what are some signs that we might be headed in those directions?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Calibri">What ties do you see between the calls to keep encouraging each other and to continue hanging out with other believers (Heb. 3:12-13, 10:24-25)?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In your opinion, is attending a weekly church service all God has in mind for us in these passages?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If not, what else might He be urging us toward?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Calibri">If encouragement is supposed to speak specifically to our current needs and situations (1 Thess. 5:14-15), what would give you a boost in your walk with Jesus right now?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Who are you close enough to (both in proximity and trust) to be able to specifically encourage- including lovingly sharing the last 10% of the truth?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If the answer is no one- what could you do this week to build those relationships?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><b>PRAY:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></b></span><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Who can I encourage this week?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What will add value to their pursuit of Jesus?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </span></div>Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453118399295415454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7982769255144578127.post-32264577863114496482010-05-08T22:00:00.002-05:002010-05-08T22:05:14.121-05:00U+ I = WE Week 2: Pointing the Alligator's Mouth in the Right Direction<div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzngCC2hcundoyVPzcX8aaEhBvS2AjYJcWbBT9xle1N7-jDaZbDUs9Seg4br-nXbY1Lr4dMLOcs-u0i8TTolNlAoMwdnhW8e-SsvFMLFZFc2jKhErkDv1MgUaTkanC9dazDvZHC8yJZrg/s1600/uiwe+series+graphic+1.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzngCC2hcundoyVPzcX8aaEhBvS2AjYJcWbBT9xle1N7-jDaZbDUs9Seg4br-nXbY1Lr4dMLOcs-u0i8TTolNlAoMwdnhW8e-SsvFMLFZFc2jKhErkDv1MgUaTkanC9dazDvZHC8yJZrg/s320/uiwe+series+graphic+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466664029348647394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px; " /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Miss this week's teaching conversation? You can listen in and download the message slides and a pdf of the info below on our </span></span><a href="http://cnx.podzone.org/wordpress/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">POD CAST SITE</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><!--StartFragment--><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">SCRIPTURES FROM SUNDAY: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Philippians 2:1-8, John 13:1-5, 12-17 </span></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">REFLECT/DISCUSS:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Think of a time when you had to choose between two good things. (Ex. Buying new TV vs. Putting $ in savings; Vacationing to see your family vs. Taking trip w/friends) How did you decide which had the greater value to you?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">What symbol (>, <, =) would most people put in the middle of this equation: </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">U __ I</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> ? How do you usually answer it? Whose needs do you regularly put ahead of your own?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Based on what we read in Phil 2:1-2 and John 13:13-16, how important do you think it is to God that we follow Jesus’ example of putting others before ourselves?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Does considering others to be more important than ourselves mean that we can’t have any power, authority or a healthy sense of self-worth? How does your answer compare to what we read about Jesus in Philippians 2 and John 13 above? </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">What might it look like to put the needs of a stranger ahead of your own? A co-worker? A neighbor? A friend? Someone in your faith community? A family member?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If we put others first, how are our needs supposed to get met? (Hint see John 13:14.) Which is more rewarding & why- getting what you want/need or helping others get what they want/need?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In our culture “winners” focus on their own goals and create their own success. Look at the Luke 22 and Mark 9 passages above. Would Jesus offer us a different definition of greatness? If so, how would He describe the “winners”?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">According to John 13:17- what brings God’s blessing in our lives? How does this compare to what we normally do with Jesus’ words?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">ACT:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Who will you put ahead of yourself this week? How will you do it? </span></span></p></span></div>Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453118399295415454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7982769255144578127.post-3521997687067980492010-05-02T08:22:00.004-05:002010-05-02T08:28:32.457-05:00U+ I = WE Week 1: You'll Actually Use This Stuff<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzngCC2hcundoyVPzcX8aaEhBvS2AjYJcWbBT9xle1N7-jDaZbDUs9Seg4br-nXbY1Lr4dMLOcs-u0i8TTolNlAoMwdnhW8e-SsvFMLFZFc2jKhErkDv1MgUaTkanC9dazDvZHC8yJZrg/s1600/uiwe+series+graphic+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzngCC2hcundoyVPzcX8aaEhBvS2AjYJcWbBT9xle1N7-jDaZbDUs9Seg4br-nXbY1Lr4dMLOcs-u0i8TTolNlAoMwdnhW8e-SsvFMLFZFc2jKhErkDv1MgUaTkanC9dazDvZHC8yJZrg/s320/uiwe+series+graphic+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466664029348647394" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Miss this week's teaching conversation? You can listen in and download the message slides and a pdf of the info below on our </span></span><a href="http://cnx.podzone.org/wordpress/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">POD CAST SITE</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></span><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">SCRIPTURES FROM SUNDAY:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Genesis 2:7-9, 15-18, Romans 13:8-10, John 15:9-17, 1 John; 4:7-13, 19-21</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">REFLECT/DISCUSS:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Given the choice, would you rather spend a day alone by yourself, or with other people? Why? Do relationships energize you? Drain you? Both? Explain.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">How would you describe the current state of health of your relationships? Where did you learn how to get along with other people? What was taught to/modeled for you?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Read Genesis 2. Make a list of everything Adam had going for him. How much of this is stuff we still seek today? Do you agree w/God’s assessment that it was “not good”? </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">What does it say to you about the importance of human relationships that Adam lived face to face with God in paradise &</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> still</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> needed another person to share it with? What do other people do for us that God can’t/doesn’t?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Read Genesis 3 & 4. What effect does sin have on the way humans treat each other? How has your brokenness hampered your relationships?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">What’s your reaction to the idea in Romans 13 that love is a debt we never stop paying- not just to God- but also to each other? Who do you “owe” some love to right now?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Imagine talking with someone who didn’t know much about Jesus and telling them that He gave us 1 specific command to build our lives and churches around. What might they conclude the commandment was by looking at how we live and what we do? Do you think they’d guess anything close to what Jesus said in John 15:9-17? </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Read through 1 John 3 & 4 and note all the verses that connect our love for God with our love for each other. Does what you see surprise you? Why/Why Not? Based on what you read, how would you describe the link between our relationship with God and the way we relate to each other? </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">PRAY:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Talk with God about your relationships- both those that are healthy and those that aren’t. Ask Him to teach you something in this study that will change them.</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453118399295415454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7982769255144578127.post-4032004087101172912010-04-23T18:56:00.003-05:002010-04-23T19:04:05.123-05:00Here In Your Presence: 4.25.10<div style="text-align: right;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOpD3h2g15tSnIS41UUkhysseSVyVFEuZWqcEI3P9L104-GVtzVCrNdUzJ_rfZa1VCl2Qh7fzuvIqF95Njb-VcUMLZZv9l5uGuh7UgWy41SWyqI-0_2HdK9Edk5cobz4Y44f2NxOSCK0/s1600/Here+In+Your+Presence+-+Message+Title.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOpD3h2g15tSnIS41UUkhysseSVyVFEuZWqcEI3P9L104-GVtzVCrNdUzJ_rfZa1VCl2Qh7fzuvIqF95Njb-VcUMLZZv9l5uGuh7UgWy41SWyqI-0_2HdK9Edk5cobz4Y44f2NxOSCK0/s400/Here+In+Your+Presence+-+Message+Title.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463487160051072866" border="0" /></a>
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<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >Psalm 46:10<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >John 3:6-7<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >Ephesians 1:13-14<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >Psalm 91:1-2<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >John 10:10<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >John 8:44</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> </span></span><span style="position: absolute; z-index: 1;font-size:100%;" ><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">Philippians 4:13<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">Matthew 19:26<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">Romans 8:31<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">John 10:27<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">2 Corinthians 9:8<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">Jeremiah 29:11-13</span></p></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
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<br /></span><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><b><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><b>REFLECT/DISCUSS:</b></span></span><span style=";font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <ul style="font-family: arial;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Do you ever feel like spending time with God is doing something <i>for </i></span></span><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">God? Does it feel like something you <i>have </i></span></span><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">to do? Why do you think that is?</span></span></li></ul><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">
<br /></span></span><ul style="font-family: arial;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">How often do you spend time in God’s presence? Daily? Weekly? What does your time with God typically look like?</span></span></li></ul><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">
<br /></span></span><ul style="font-family: arial;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">How does your life compare to being “still” in Psalm 46:10? What’s the pace of your lifestyle?</span></span></li></ul><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">
<br /></span></span><ul style="font-family: arial;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Have you ever had a moment when you were still enough to realize or remember that God is LORD? If so, how did you respond?
<br /></span></span></li></ul><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">
<br /></span></span><ul style="font-family: arial;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">READ 91:1-2 and pinpoint all of the words that relate to God as Protector. How does it make you feel to know that God loves and desires to protect you?
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<br /></span></span><ul style="font-family: arial;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Do you ever find yourself buying into Satan’s lies? If so, what lies have you allowed to define you in your life? On the other side, what promises from God have you forgotten?</span></span></li></ul><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">
<br /></span></span><ul style="font-family: arial;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Have you ever struggled to understand God’s plan for you? Ever been at crossroads in life, just trying to figure out what to do? What encouragement can you find from Jeremiah 29:12-13 and how do you think this applies understanding God’s plan for you?</span></span></li></ul><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">
<br /></span></span><ul style="font-family: arial;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Do you sometimes get so focused on getting <i>something </i></span></span><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">from God that you fail to appreciate the value of spending time <i>with </i></span></span><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Him?
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<br /></span></span><ul style="font-family: arial;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">How does it make you feel to know that God is not a <i>means </i></span></span><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">to your purpose, rather He <i>is</i></span></span><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> your purpose? Or, that you don’t spend time with God <i>to</i></span></span><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> be loved, but you spend time with God because you <i>are</i></span></span><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> loved? How do you think this understanding can encourage you with spending time with God?</span></span></li></ul><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">
<br /></span></span><ul style="font-family: arial;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Apart from this message, what other practical reasons for spending time in God’s presence do you find in Scripture? Which ones resonate with you the most?<o:p></o:p></span></span></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" class="apple-style-span" ><span style=""><b>
<br /></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" class="apple-style-span" ><span style=""><b>DO IT:
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<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="apple-style-span"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:100%;" >Make a point to spend time with God each day. Identify those times in your schedule protect them. Ask God to help you spend more time with him – not as something to check off your to-do list, but something that is meaningful and fruitful. And remember, God loves you. You’re not spending time with Him so that He will love you, you’re invited to spend time with Him because He does love you! Keep encouraged!</span><span style=""> </span></span></span><span style=";font-family:";" ><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> I Am Verticlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11081636596310050827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7982769255144578127.post-2725432722556435602010-04-18T08:34:00.005-05:002010-04-18T08:39:37.536-05:00In A Nutshell<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnV5ceiox8EDDuqyadRCQ_rMTTy8FMUfxyy4oYTl6DPpsovl0sa1OHHE1xG1a0oON2X1AOIsbhS1-QnZI04IX3p_Ke6DOOKsrdxYEAjaasxK1ost2IpilLHwhAhbmRq9YHdgKw3owkLlY/s1600/In+A+Nutshell+Graphic.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 176px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnV5ceiox8EDDuqyadRCQ_rMTTy8FMUfxyy4oYTl6DPpsovl0sa1OHHE1xG1a0oON2X1AOIsbhS1-QnZI04IX3p_Ke6DOOKsrdxYEAjaasxK1ost2IpilLHwhAhbmRq9YHdgKw3owkLlY/s320/In+A+Nutshell+Graphic.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461471695751828658" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Miss the teaching conversation on Sunday? </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Listen in via our </span></span><a href="http://cnx.podzone.org/wordpress/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">POD CAST</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">SCRIPTURES FROM SUNDAY:</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">2 Corinthians 5:17-19; Ephesians 4:13, 15-16; Mark 10:45, Luke 19:10; Matthew 22:37-40; Micah 6:8; Deuteronomy 6:4-9</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">REFLECT/DISCUSS:</span></span></b></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">When it comes to communication, are you a short and sweet and to the point?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Or do you tend to give the long version of the story?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Give an example.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In a sentence or less, describe: yourself, your best friend, your spouse, your kids, your passion, your biggest dream, Jesus, your church community.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Is this easy or difficult for you?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Why?</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Other than the examples in the scriptures above, can you think of a time in the Bible where big truths are summed up in a nutshell?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Can you think of a “nutshell” truth about life, wok, relationships, etc. that you carry with you each day and try to practice?</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">What do you think about the suggestion that Connections is about: </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Building Relationships That Change Things?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span></b></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In your opinion, does that seem to mesh well with what you know about the story of God and Jesus?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">What you see at/in Connections?</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We talked about building relationships with God, Other Believers and the World.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Which comes easiest for you?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Which is tougher/needs more work?</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Is it helpful to be reminded that we’re “building” relationships?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Why/Not?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Have you ever seen a relationship change someone?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Explain.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">How have you changed or grown in the past year? In your relationship with God?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Other believers?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The World?</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Has any “thing” changed for you as a result of being a part of Connections?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">If so what?</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453118399295415454noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7982769255144578127.post-69296358916164404562010-04-12T13:19:00.005-05:002010-04-14T15:27:59.145-05:00For A Change Week 3- Want to change? You've Got To Get Unwrapped<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlWd17V4vDE29mahX61Efz-waNpXdeFOx0XXZ3iSkH2dgMxcPPu458MT4b7F3Rd0YinaaVteU57k0YSUr7WYGATHusbAET2oJSuyILJcBO4c-9Dir25tMSuPoB9qNhxLaXs6jhFxetg0/s1600/470px-Lazarus,_Russian_icon.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlWd17V4vDE29mahX61Efz-waNpXdeFOx0XXZ3iSkH2dgMxcPPu458MT4b7F3Rd0YinaaVteU57k0YSUr7WYGATHusbAET2oJSuyILJcBO4c-9Dir25tMSuPoB9qNhxLaXs6jhFxetg0/s320/470px-Lazarus,_Russian_icon.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459317553385047810" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Weren't able to hear the teaching conversation in person this weekend? Catch up with </span></span><a href="http://cnx.podzone.org/wordpress/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">OUR PODCAST</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><!--StartFragment--><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">SCRIPTURES FROM SUNDAY:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">John 11:38-44, 12:1-2, 9-11; Romans 6:8-13; Ephesians 4:1b-6, 11-16</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">REFLECT/DISCUSS:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Name something you are “in process” with. How long have you been working on this? Are you comfortable with things that take a while to unfold- or do you prefer to put your energy into stuff you can complete relatively quickly?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Lazarus was buried according to the customs of his day wrapped in strips of cloth. Does it strike you funny that Jesus calls Lazarus to come out of the tomb knowing his hands, feet and face were still bound? Why didn’t Jesus just have a couple of people carry Lazarus out of the grave?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In addition to getting unwrapped from the burial cloths, what else might Lazarus’ recovery process have included after being dead for 4 days? Do you see any parallels for our spiritual growth process?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Are there any parts of your life where you still feel bound? Where you need strengthening? That you have been offering to other things but want to start offering to God instead? Name them and talk with God/others about them.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Do you think it is significant that Jesus asked other people to help Lazarus get free of His grave clothes? Who has God sent to help you in your process of discovering new life in Jesus and growing toward maturity? Take a minute offer prayers of thanksgiving for them.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">After some time passes, Jesus stops to have dinner with Lazarus on His way to face His own death in Jerusalem. Why might Jesus have wanted to see Lazarus at that particular time? </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">What effects does Lazarus’ resurrection have on those who see him afterward? How do you think Lazarus felt about becoming a target? About helping others start believing in Jesus? Do you think we face the same tension as Jesus’ people today?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Lazarus was a living billboard for what Jesus can do. Are you? Who is watching your life for signs of God’s love, power and transformation? Who has God placed in your life so that you can help them get unwrapped? Pray for them and for your own witness. </span></span><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--> </span></div>Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453118399295415454noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7982769255144578127.post-30455355780867108372010-04-04T09:00:00.002-05:002010-04-14T15:26:58.635-05:00For A Change Week 2- Want to change? It's Going To Be Messy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcvTyDEZ4Iubq_YwwFEC7q0slPXyHlj-ExUGDLAfhWIn-nhg4mdEvwjh62KleBiEaK2A4q1DS8tSLc_z1d3uBB_zfUh8D9xDLjhddqLKMKHFtur0loRYNQLw9TDoNNQtfbzcRXFn-NYM/s1600/For+A+Change+Series+SMALL.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcvTyDEZ4Iubq_YwwFEC7q0slPXyHlj-ExUGDLAfhWIn-nhg4mdEvwjh62KleBiEaK2A4q1DS8tSLc_z1d3uBB_zfUh8D9xDLjhddqLKMKHFtur0loRYNQLw9TDoNNQtfbzcRXFn-NYM/s200/For+A+Change+Series+SMALL.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460092171546173634" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Weren't able to hear the teaching conversation in person this weekend? Want to hear it again? Listen with </span></span><a href="http://cnx.podzone.org/wordpress/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">OUR PODCAST</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><!--StartFragment--><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">SCRIPTURES FROM SUNDAY:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">John 11:17-39, Colossians 3:9-10, 12-15</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">REFLECT/DISCUSS:</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Name something that is messy or leaves you stinky, but is rewarding/worth it.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Agree or Disagree- “Most significant change includes steps back as well as steps forward.” </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In your experience, do churches paint a vision for spiritual growth that includes some mess and odor? If not, why not? If so, how is that picture helpful?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Which are harder for you to deal with- your own messes- or others’? Why?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Do you identify with Martha’s spiritual inconsistency- professing great faith one moment and acting doubtful a short while later? What has this looked like in your life? </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Do you think it is possible to grow in your relationship with God without ever getting messy and falling short? Can you think of any well-known figure in the Bible (aside from Jesus) who doesn’t stink a bit?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Fred suggested that Martha reeks of disappointment in John 11. When could the same be said for you? When did you expect God to show up in a certain way at a certain time only to be disappointed?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">What do you think it meant to Mary and Martha to see Jesus break down and cry with them (3x in this chapter)? Have you ever sensed that God is mourning or hurting with you?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Re-read Colossians 3:12-15. Do you see yourself more as the person extending these qualities to others- or needing them from yourself? Why?</span></span><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--> </span></div>Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453118399295415454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7982769255144578127.post-2948901100030637782010-03-28T08:29:00.004-05:002010-04-14T15:28:15.090-05:00For A Change Week 1- Want to change? You have to die.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBB0ZsgKKiLvqca4hAlvpmpaePBXyuaeinfvgMUmGYpUsbvitBkFkoxi8l9CuuxTc2xW9fOD2wymUmhvVKTu-1OhCOg9AwrdB5B4Vy-Pvmy6rULm-KNZiRhrgbyFPBeYGO8brJGPqb5SQ/s1600/For+A+Change+Series+SMALL.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBB0ZsgKKiLvqca4hAlvpmpaePBXyuaeinfvgMUmGYpUsbvitBkFkoxi8l9CuuxTc2xW9fOD2wymUmhvVKTu-1OhCOg9AwrdB5B4Vy-Pvmy6rULm-KNZiRhrgbyFPBeYGO8brJGPqb5SQ/s200/For+A+Change+Series+SMALL.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453676682701708946" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Weren't able to hear the teaching conversation in person this weekend? Catch up with </span></span><a href="http://cnx.podzone.org/wordpress/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">OUR PODCAST</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">SCRIPTURES FROM SUNDAY:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, serif;"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">John 11:1-16, Colossians 3:1-10, Romans 6:3-7</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">REFLECT/DISCUSS:</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Think of a time when you experienced a positive change that happened as the result of a loss or disappointment. Was it worth it? Would you have gotten there without the pain?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Outside of church, where have you heard the word “resurrection”? What kinds of changes is that word usually associated with?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">How do you feel about the idea that Jesus allowed Lazarus to die (and his family to grieve) to bring about transformation for Lazarus and many others?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">What do you think might have changed for Lazarus after he was dead for 4 days and came back to life? Do you think he lived life exactly the same as he had before he died?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Have you ever tried to do spiritual “kaizen” in your relationship with Jesus- making small tweaks hoping to bring about radical transformation? Has it worked? Do you think it can? Why do you think we want to take this approach?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">As you understand it, why is it so important that we die with Jesus? Have you?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Is dying with Jesus a 1x thing? An everyday thing? Both? Explain.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">What do you need to “put to death” in your life right now that is leading you away from God? How can you start?</span></span><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--> </span></div>Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453118399295415454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7982769255144578127.post-28279091530964521572010-03-21T08:37:00.003-05:002010-03-21T08:47:06.956-05:00Stand Alone Teaching- Fruitcake & Ice Cream 3/21/10<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYALZ6TEEZ2JC1CU_zR2TY4JnPfiGgJf1FgdpaVOGkmEHPmNtYPIiFHxmgvTZZmPAf6qmAwrJPWP_QipKqH6AmOcR1ssmGyrL4wJ0eDqhLleg3C0M912pdyf8DjHBPEGhLf7Zm5KKcpk/s1600-h/B001FSKDP8.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 148px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYALZ6TEEZ2JC1CU_zR2TY4JnPfiGgJf1FgdpaVOGkmEHPmNtYPIiFHxmgvTZZmPAf6qmAwrJPWP_QipKqH6AmOcR1ssmGyrL4wJ0eDqhLleg3C0M912pdyf8DjHBPEGhLf7Zm5KKcpk/s200/B001FSKDP8.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451082926111631378" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, serif;">This Sunday's teaching came via a DVD called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fruitcake-Ice-Cream-DVD-CD/dp/B001FSKDP8">"Fruitcake & Ice Cream"</a>. Since it is copyrighted material, we aren't offering it as a pod cast. You can find the DVD for purchase widely on the web. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, serif;">If you were able to be a part of our gathering this week, use the questions below for discussion and/or further reflection.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><b>SCRIPTURES FROM SUNDAY:<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">2 Corinthians 5:13-21</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, serif;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><b>REFLECT/DISCUSS:</b></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span style="font-family:Symbol;">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;">This teaching defined grace as “God at work, doing for us what we can’t do for ourselves”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How does that compare to your understanding of grace?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Based on this explanation, how have you experienced grace lately?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span style="font-family:Symbol;">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;">Share your thoughts/feelings about the following statements from this teaching:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Grace is the thing that sets our (the Christian) story apart from others (religions).”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“When you get grace, it will get you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span style="font-family:Symbol;">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;">What do you think the difference is between Louie’s picture of Jesus signing or stamping our cards to get us into heave vs. Jesus becoming our sins and paying for them on the cross?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span style="font-family:Symbol;">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;">Do you think of yourself as being “the righteousness of God” (vs. 21)?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Why/why not?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How would your life change if you did?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span style="font-family:Symbol;">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;">Do you ever “lose your mind for God” (vs. 13a) when you think about God’s goodness?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If so, when?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;">Have you ever contained your excitement about God and “stayed in your right mind” (vs. 13b) so that your friends who don’t know God’s grace will get it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When/how?</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span style="font-family:Symbol;">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;">What do you think about the statement: “If you never live in the tension of being excited about God and yet restraining your excitement for God to help others come close to the cross- then maybe you don’t get grace.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span style="font-family:Symbol;">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;">Did God use someone like “fruitcake” to show and tell you about His grace?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Are you someone’s “fruitcake” right now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If so, what is the “ice cream” you use as a common point of friendship and connection?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span style="font-family:Symbol;">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;">Who do you know who needs grace?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Have you been praying for them regularly?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If not, will you start?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.2in;text-indent:-.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .2in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, serif;"><b>NEXT WEEK: </b>New series starts! "For a Change- How Spiritual Transformation Happens"</span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02453118399295415454noreply@blogger.com1