Weekly update: 12/11

Hey all,

Last week we looked at the concept of the kingdom of God as an ongoing reality in our lives. It affects the way we see ourselves and those around us. One of these realities is that each of us is responsible to work for the spiritual development of the others around us. We spent some time at the end of the night looking at what are some of the different ways we can do that.

This week, in addition to finishing our study on the Kingdom of God, there's going to be a time for us to talk about who would like to take up various roles described on the sheet or other roles I have neglected to mention.

Please spend some time with the Lord this week praying through this concept. The last thing I would want is for someone to feel pressured or guilted into talking a role.

- Bob

Weekly update: 12/4

Hello,

Thanks to everyone who went to the Operation Christmas Child last week. I had a great time hanging out with you all and working on the present sorting line. Good times!

Wednesday, 12/6 at 7 pm: We're back at the church in the Cliff House (aka room 20) for a chance to renew our discussion of the Kingdom of God.
This week we're going to be looking at what it means for the Kingdom to be something bigger than ourselves.

Also, we're still having lunch together on Sundays after the 11 am service.

- Bob

Weekly update: 11/27

Here's what the Grace career group is up to:

This Wednesday, we will not be meeting at the church, instead, we're going to be meeting at the Operation Christmas Child location to work on living out the values of the Kingdom of God. Thanks to Erica for all the specifics she mentioned in her email. If you have any questions, email me or (if you want to email someone who knows something) email Erica.

Next week we'll be back at the church to resume our study of the Kingdom of God.

Looking ahead, on 12/20 we'll be having a grand Christmas gala. I'm not sure what separates a party from a gala, but I'm confident we'll reach gala status.

Weekly update: 11/20

Hello everyone,

Here's what is happening ..

This Wednesday (11/22) - Since Thanksgiving is the following day, we're going to do something a bit different this week. We'll be gathering at Bob and Becca's house (3218 E. 6th St; Long Beach) at 7 pm.

There will be dessert, laughing, and other fun festivities. If you would like to bring a dessert, please let me know.

Upcoming: 11/29 we'll be living out the influence of the Kingdom of God through caring for the poor with Operation Christmas Child. There were maps and forms passed out last week at Bible study. I'll have more available at our house this week as well.

See you all on Wednesday!

- Bob

Weekly update: 11/13

Hello everyone,

Here's what is upcoming...

Weekly gathering: 11/15 - Wednesday, 7 pm - We'll be continuing our study on the Kingdom of God. I would encourage you to take some time between now and then to think and pray about John 3. What does it mean to live a life that has entered the kingdom of God?

Also, this Wednesday Kim Stephens will be sharing her story of life and faith.

Upcoming: 11/29 we'll be living out the influence of the Kingdom of God through caring for the poor with Operation Christmas Child.

See you all on Wednesday!

- Bob

Weekly update: 11/6

Hello everyone,

Here's what is upcoming...

Weekly gathering: 11/8 - Wednesday, 7 pm - We'll be kicking off a new series on the kingdom of God.

Also, this Wednesday Lisa Smith will be sharing her story of life and faith.

Upcoming: 11/29 we'll be living out the influence of the Kingdom of God through caring for the poor with Operation Christmas Child.

Also upcoming: 12/20 seems like it would be a great day to have a career group Christmas party. Please email me if this is something you'd want to plan, attend, or clean-up after.

- Bob

Worry - Summary and Request for Comments

The stated objectives of the series on worry were:

1. Reduce our propensity to worry
2. Reduce the degree to which we indulge worry
3. Cultivate the habit of entrusting our worries to God
4. Replace worry with positive thoughts, feelings, and concerns

When we find that we are worrying, we can "in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let [our] requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phil 4:6).

After we have made our requests known to God, we can loosen our grip on having the outcomes that we want. "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God…Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you" (1 Pet 5:7). We looked at the example of Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane. "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want" (Matt 26:39). We can do this if we trust that "all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose" (Rom 8:28).

We looked at how feelings of anxiety are built upon our thoughts, and thoughts of anxiety are built largely upon our beliefs. To a large extent we are able to decide what to think about. We can't exactly "decide" what to believe but we can make every effort to believe what is true if we seek to do so. We can examine our beliefs and thoughts to see if they are really true.

We can also try to fill our minds with good thoughts to replace thoughts of anxiety and concern. "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things" (Phil 4:8).

After thinking about these things and discussing them with each other, what do you find to be the biggest obstacles to reducing your propensity to worry and reducing the degree to which you indulge worry?

Is there anything that you want to start doing to cultivate the habit of entrusting your worries to God and to replace worry with positive thoughts, feelings, and concerns?