October 30, 2007
Once again we gathered together for a great night. After sampling Jon’s hot apple cider and some Starbucks coffee we made our way into the room to get to know a few couples a bit better. We played the Newlywed/Not So Newlywed/Dating/We’re Only Friends Game. The Renigers, the Weberlings, and the Groenevelds were our contestants answering questions about each other including what type of animal they were like, what item of clothing they dislike the most, their first date, and many more…the Groenevelds were our winners.
We as a group discussed our fears and times of great risk in our lives. We looking into Judges 6 and how God called Gideon into an important role (see previous post). We asked the questions of what winepress we were hiding in, who we were hiding from and what was God calling us to. After a few minutes of Kris sharing we opened it up for conversation and insight into the passage. We were all really encouraged and I was impressed by the comments.
The night closed as Jon led us in worship.
Our next Gathering will be either in December or January…look back here for more info.
See you November 10th at the church for the Harvest Fest.
Leave a Comment » | 
Gathering, Teaching | 
Permalink
Posted by Kris
October 30, 2007
November is here. The cold weather arrives, the leaves are falling, and most importantly, the Michigan/Ohio State football game is right around the corner. At the end of the month we with gather together with family and friends for the holiday of Thanksgiving. This is often the time where we are able to reflect on our surroundings and give thanks. But what if you think or feel that you have very little to be thankful for?
On Friday night I shared a passage with the 20’s and 30’s group from Judges 6. Israel had walked away from God and they were being oppressed by Midian. They were so afraid of Midian that the Israelites were hiding and living in caves and clefts in the mountains. It is in this time when we meet Gideon. Gideon is going about life, working when he is called by God to partner with him to set the nation free.
It really is a humorous situation. God calls Gideon “mighty warrior” (although he is hiding in a winepress) and tells him to save Israel. Gideon gives God two excuses, first that his surrounding circumstances are too great and could not be overcome (v. 13). And his other excuse was that he was not able to do it because of his own personal shortcomings (v. 15).
Reflecting upon this passage you may be wondering what this has to do with giving thanks. First, God has placed you upon this earth, just as he did with Gideon, to accomplish something great in the Lord’s name. There is no mistake about who you are and who God has shaped and is shaping you to become. God has you here in this moment, at this very time, for a very specific reason. Second, God calls each one of us “mighty warrior”. Too often we destroy ourselves with our thoughts and words when each one of us are created in the image of God and if we know Jesus, we have access to the Holy Spirit who is our power source. Third, often the two main excuses we give about not being able to do something for God includes our surroundings holding us back and us not being good enough. Gideon has these same factors but rose above them because he knew that God had called him to something more then just simply exist in hiding. God answered Gideon, that He would be with him and that Gideon would strike down Midian.
We can be thankful that we are not mistakes. We can be thankful that God has set our life in motion to accomplish something great for him right now. We can be thankful that God is not done shaping us. We can be thankful that God encourages and blesses us. We can be thankful we are created in God’s image. We can be thankful that no matter what our circumstances and personal shortcomings are, we can still be used by God for the advancement of his Kingdom. We can be thankful that God is with us.
Leave a Comment » | 
Gathering, Teaching | 
Permalink
Posted by Kris
October 15, 2007
The next gathering is just over a week away. The gathering will run from 7 to 8pm on Friday October 26th in the youth room at FBC. I encourage you to come out and invite some people to come along with you.
We would like your input:
Our desire is to process life together and therefore we are looking for burning questions that you have about God, faith, the world, issues, concerns, etc…
Post a reply with your question or topic of interest!
1 Comment | Gathering | Permalink
Posted by Kris
Posted by Kris 