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”