Thought for the Week

One of my favorite reads is www.absojesus.wordpress.com. There are daily thought provoking comics. They are challenging, convicting, and sometime upsetting but they cause you to think. Here is one of my recent favorites.

The Gathering…the Report

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.

Mighty Warrior

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.

Jesus and Some Pumpkin Spice Coffee

Last night (Friday the 28th) we launched the first ever Gathering at FBC.

People filled the new coffee bar area to enjoy coffee from the Coffee Mill and other various drinks while connecting with old and new friends.  It was very exciting to have two infants join us for the night although they did not add a whole lot to the conversation.

The Gathering began with a random video that was quite funny.  I shared with the group for awhile some of what God has been leading me with in light of this group.  There were three main elements…

1. We have the opportunity to be part of something bigger then ourselves (Acts 1:12-13).  We looked at the disciples gathered with a message that would change the world in a room in this passage.  As believers we can link ourselves back to them and their mission…our mission today.

2.  We have the opportunity to join with others in mission (John 17).  Our desire is to develop deep relationships and community with the goal to be a light for Christ.  This happens outside the church walls and in our everyday lives at work, home, school, etc.

3. We need to be where Jesus is at (Rev. 3:20).  Jesus said “Here I Am”.  Are we living and serving where Jesus is at or running with our own plan?

We closed our night with worship lead by a great team.

After worship people spent time after word talking for a good hour.

Friday night was a GREAT starting point and foundation to some great things that the Lord will continue to do in and through the lives of the individuals who commit themselves to Him.

The Gathering-September 28th

FRIDAY September 28th…Family Bible Church, 14995 US 27 Marshall, MI

worship-the word-community

6:30 Coffee Bar Open

7:00-8:00 The Gathering

8:30 Coffee Bar Opens Again