March 29

Greetings,

I just asked EBell what we studied in life group last week, and she replied "The Church in Smyrna." :) I told her, "No, it was Ephesus, I suppose we have to start our study anew, because you obviously didn't get it?" :) [Printed with permission. :)]

At any rate, we will begin tonight where we left off last week, Revelation 2:8 the church at Smyrna, and get through as many of the seven churches as time, discussion, and/or Dr. Stan allows we should.

It was a lively and insightful discussion last week with many new things shared I've never heard of or thought about before. Many good questions too.

So read a little forward, and come prepared, if you can, or just come! :)

Blessings in Jesus Name,

Dwayne

[Video from Israel last month.]

March 22nd

Greetings,

Last weeks intro to "The Apocalypse" was insightful, and stimulated a lot of discussion. Hope you join us tonight as we continue in the "Revelation of Jesus Christ", chapter two, and look specifically at the church in Ephesus. For what it meant then, what it means now, and what it means to you?

Hope to see you at the Bell's, 6:30 pm.

Blessings,

Dwayne

[Video of Recent Prayer Retreat (YouTube)]

March 15

Greetings,

What's on tap for home group, 6:30 pm, the Bell's home?

John’s experience at Patmos!

We’ll read chapter one of Rev...and might perphaps touch on the first church (Ephesus?)...But mainly chapter 1.

Thanks.  See you tonight.

Stan

Report on Centering Prayer Retreat

Mar 8 . Have You Forgiven Yourself For ...?

Greetings,

Self forgiveness?  What is that? What does it look like? Is it important? Let's look around and ask each other and the Lord for meaningful examples or illustrations? Or better yet, look into our own lives? And into the Bible for any teaching or examples that might be found?

I'm not sure if we'll do that this Wednesday night, 6:30 pm, at the Bell's or not? Or if we'll watch the film we've been talking about, "as we forgive" by Laura Waters Hinson? Dr. Stan will be leading and I've not discussed it with him yet. If he gives me anything, I'll edit this blog and put it at the bottom. Just wanted you to be prepared if you want to be. :)

On my way back from the Israel/Germany trip last week, my friend Rainer gave me this excellent book which I read on the airplane and finished up the first day home, "Counterfeit Gods" by Timothy Keller. I highly recommend it for situational awareness in our spiritual and cultural lives, and well as our personal lives with the Lord.

In it, among many other wonderful things, I found a different perspective on self forgiveness.

Blessings and Shalom,

Dwayne

There is legitimate guilt that is removed through repentance and restitution, and then there is irremediable [impossible to cure or put right] guilt. When people say, “I know God forgives me, but I can’t forgive myself,” they mean that they have failed an idol, whose approval is more important to them than God’s. Idols function like gods in our lives, and so if we make career or parental approval our god and we fail it, then the idol curses us in our hearts for the rest of our lives. We can’t shake the sense of failure.              Timothy Keller, “Counterfeit Gods”

February 22

Greetings Friends,

First let me remind you to pray for brothers and sisters around the world who are being persecuted for their faith in Christ when you think of it or it crosses your path. And remember to pray for the church in Iran, as we focused on them and watched the video about what the Lord is doing there a few months back. Forgiveness plays a big role in the kingdom going forward in these places as everywhere. Recall Jesus manifesto called the Sermon on the Mount. How to live, how to act, how to think. Much differently than the world! Forgiveness is certainly like that.

Wednesday we'll meet at 6:30pm at the Bell's home and continue our discussion on "forgiveness."

Bring any thoughts or Scripture or subject matter you have on the subject and we'll all consider it. We  had a lively and insightful discussion last week, and I expect it again.

We'll also concentrate perhaps on the practical side of forgiveness a bit. Or the mechanics, if you please. "How do I ask for forgiveness?" And, "How do I pronounce forgiveness?" Sounds simple I know, but there are several things (attitudes or words) surrounding these actions that can derail or make them less than effective. That's what we want to look at together!

Because we want relationships restored, do we not? And people in our realm to be free, do we not? Including ourselves, do we not? Come ready to think, live, love, and share. :)

Remember to read the John Piper blog that Chad brought to our attention last week if you haven't. We'll likely discuss that some too! :)

Hope to see you there!!


 “Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.” (Hebrews 13:3)


 “And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.’ ”” (Luke 11:4)

"Forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation, restitution, or approval of sin. Forgiving, according to Jesus in his parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35), involves a singular decision of the will by which you consider another person no longer indebted to you."
                                           (from The Red Feather by Tom Elliff)

February 15

Greetings,

We had an excellent meeting and discussion on "forgiveness" Wednesday night! Everyone participated in sharing and discussion and the Spirit came as we prayed for those who needed help with forgiveness issues and relationship issues. It was a powerful and joyful time.

Next week, Feb 15th, we'll meet at the Bell's home at 6:30 pm, and continue our study and discussion about forgiveness.

Please consider bringing one (or 2 or 3) Scripture on forgiveness that's been meaningful to you, and you can share "why" if you wish. Also bring a story of forgiveness in your life or realm, how it happened, and the results, if you want to.

We'll probably center our discussion following around this question Peter asked Jesus, and the parable Jesus gave us following that question.

Come expecting insights, and help with forgiveness if you are in need of forgiving or being forgiven. :)


  “Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”” (Matthew 18:21)


“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.” (Matthew 18:23)

Check out this article Chad found on the subject... very excellent and thought provoking.

February 8

Greetings,

We started our discussion on forgiveness last Wednesday with a small but lively and sharing crowd. Dr. Stan led the discussion with some penetrating questions about forgiveness.

Our Wednesday, February 8th, meeting will be at the Bell's home 6:30 p.m..

Dr. Stan has asked me share about the Honduras mission trip. This I will do, but plan to take only 10 minutes and entertain your questions if you have any. I'm anxious to continue our discussion on forgiveness where we left off! This could be the most beneficial study and discussion we've ever had together! We will look at what the Bible teaches and share our experiences, led by Dr. Stan.

Come ready to listen, learn, share, and really get God's heart on the subject!

Here are some questions that were thrown out to get us thinking. Ponder them and see where the Spirit leads you. :)

1. What's the one thing that makes it hardest for you to forgive someone?
2. What is something that makes it easier to forgive someone when you think about it?
3. Is there anything in the Kingdom of God more important than forgiveness?
4. What's the most important thing you've learned about forgiveness so far in life?
5. What's your favorite Bible verse or story about forgiveness?

If you have something for us to ponder, let me know and I'll add it to the list!

Blessings in Christ,

Dwayne





   “And he came into all the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins;” (Luke 3:3)





   “But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ, so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.” (2 Corinthians 2:10–11)