Welcome to the Bell home and to the Udouj/Bell Life Group 2015!

Our first meeting this fall was last Wednesday, September 9th, and we had seventeen in attendance! Most of our regular family was there, except Chad & Amy, who were in Boston, and we had several folks join us for the first time. Thanks to all who came and participated.

We discussed what material and format to use this fall, and took a survey of the topics mentioned at our summer social gathering. I'll get to the results of those surveys in a moment.

Dr. Stan led us in a brief discussion of something that had been on his mind, Proverbs 22:5.

     In the path of the wicked lies thorns and snares, but the who guards his   

         soul stays far from them.

He asked us the question, "What are you doing to guard your soul?" What follows is a list I copied from what different folks shared.

[1] No TV or very little

[2] Slay three dragons every day (a) Get up! (2) Get some physical exercise. (3) Spend some quiet time in the Word, in prayer, or in mediation.

[3] Attend a men's meeting 2 or 3 times a week

[4] Get with a friend for fellowship and sharing life issues

[5] Read the Word

[6] Pray, Pray for others

[7] Journal

[8] Eliminate "Hurry"

[9] Be quick to forgive, let there be no root of bitterness

[10] Keep good, correct attitudes

[11] Focus on the Author and Perfecter of our faith

[12] Careful to intake good things and keep out bad things

[13] Confess your sins to another

[14] Have someone you share with

I invite you to respond with something you've done this week to "guard your soul." Or something you're going to do this week and fall. It was mentioned, "You have to be intentional!" Write your idea or plan down, share it with a friend, these are ways to make it happen. Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you, remind you, and empower you. Godspeed in this cause in this season of your lives.

Please respond someway and often to this blog, or it won't be very helpful or exciting. It's for sharing thoughts, what you've heard, or commenting on what we are discussing or learning as we consider the different topics this fall, and just live life together. Thanks!

Dwayne