Thank you...

I just wanted to say that, while I've only been able to make the second of the past three sessions, I am very thankful for our group. It's wonderful to fellowship with dear friends while learning why what I believe is true and how to defend the Gospel to those who have been led astray. This book has proven to be quite controversial, but I am impressed and comforted that we're able to have a healthy and balanced discussion while examining the theologies of the authors.

I pray that this week "off" allows us to recharge and prepare for the ever-advancing holidays, while growing in Christ in the process. I encourage you (as well as myself) to spend much quiet time with the Lord this week, as this season often pushes us along at breakneck speed and we fail to reflect on the gift of our incredible Savior.

I'm excited to see you again soon and participate in intelligent discussions--something I don't always get while babysitting high schoolers or spending the day with an 18-month-old!

My God bless you richly and abundantly, dear friends of mine!

Prayer Requests/Praises

We may not always get around to individual prayer requests, but we want you guys to know how deeply we care about you and what is going on in your lives!!

The list as I remember it: (* = praise)

Perea's Escrow


Stepro's Offers


Dieballs Pre-Approval


*Norrs' Successful Test/Job


*Dickens Perfect Life  ;)


Jim - Cancer


*Bill/Dad/Grandpa - No Tumor


Clover's Hives

Home Group Recap #2 - Creation/Gays - Wait, was that the name of the chpt?

  Haha. I know our chapter was titled Theology and not Creation/Gays, but we rabbit-trailed so much last week, I had to look at the Table of Contents to refresh my memory!!

  For me, there were times last week felt a little tense. (I'm sure the little roaming, screaming children, a few tired/getting over colds attendees, and the broad subject matter we covered in a short, yet long, amount of time didn't help.) However, I still enjoyed broaching these difficult topics.

  As a full week has passed since that meeting, my memory is a bit foggy but I will do my best to summarize:

1. Theology 
  The foundational absolute truths according to Campolo regarding Christianity are: Jesus is God, He took all our sins away by dying on the cross, He rose again.

 After this though, we mentioned what other absolute truths there were. Jana was much better at discussing this, but a lot of us felt that there were things left out of the absolutes list that were crucial like - heaven and hell. 

  We were also concerned with the slippery slope this could leave people on if they thought after reading this chapter it was ok to go believe whatever they wanted to because it was their own theology.  However, we think Tony Campolo was merely stating that people have fashioned their theologies based on who and where they are in life (and other external factors), and that there is no one blanket theology. People for years have twisted verses to say what they want. 

  So what did we do with that? Are we to believe what we want? Cut and paste the way Noah said Thomas Jefferson (or some founding father) did? No! We believe that we need to diligently seek truth (by seeking the Truth, Jesus), we constantly sift and compare any beliefs with what the Bible really says, and we take into account the 'theologies' or 'beliefs' of Christians that have gone before us and those that are striving towards the goal with us.

  

2. Homosexuality (If you have not glanced at this chapter, you may want to.)

  The homosexual behavior is sin. Christians need to be able to extend the same grace we'd readily give to the adulterer, or the alcoholic/drug addict, the liar, or any other sinner. 

 Verses regarding this behavior have been twisted by some who say it isn't a sin if its between two monogamous people as it's not directly mentioned. Admittedly, there are some Bible verses that point towards specific acts of same sex teacher/pupil rape/molestation as the sin, however, we (as well as Campolo) acknowledge and know that the Bible says that the homosexual behavior is wrong.

3. Creation

  We discussed whether or not Creation (by evolution or design) was a salvation issue. ie Just because someone believed in evolution doesn't mean they don't know Jesus. 

  A debate regarding a literal 7 days account vs a possible poetic/allegoric account ensued but was cut short. You may continue it here if you like!

That's all folks!

Absolute Truth.

Whether we are discussing homosexuality, creation, end times, women in ministry, (etc...) we should all note that there is one truth for each issue. Meaning, either homosexuality is wrong, or it is not always wrong. Either the creation was a literal seven days, or it was not. The end times passages are merely literary exaggerations, or they are, in fact meant to be taken literally. Women have a place in public worship, or they do not.

The thing that is unsettling to me in discussing any of this is that Christians can land on different sides of all of these issues. What has gone wrong? What is happening? I know a great deal has to do with the fact that we are human - strong willed, often narrow-minded, undisciplined at times...- but we are Christians! Jesus says He is the Way, the TRUTH and the life. He also says that "if we abide in His word we are truly His disciples, and we will know the TRUTH and the truth will set us free."

Our God is a God of Light that delights in truth. In my mind, He would be pleased to reveal truth to those who really want to know it and seek Him as the source.

I know there are many things that we will not know on this side of eternity, but I believe too often we stop seeking "absolute truth" to keep peace. Maybe sometimes we aren't completely sure of what we say we believe, so we qualify our statements with the phrase "I believe..." or we don't want to land on any side so we stay neutral instead of seeking out the truth. How different would our conversations go with unbelievers if we changed our statements from "I believe there is a God" to "There is a God."

We need to be compassionate and loving, but consider the way Jesus talked to the Pharisees ("You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?") or the Sadducee's ("You err because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.") He knew their upbringing - he knew they thought they were doing a good job being religious. But He also knew how to call a spade a spade.

So my question is, do we keep the peace with fellow Christians who distort the scriptures we know to be clear? Or do we seek the Lord more to become confident in our faith with Biblical truth to back it up? May our great Counselor give us wisdom as we move through this life. May we never sacrifice truth for peace.

"May your conversation always be full of grace and seasoned with salt so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:6

As we go through our lives, we will undoubtedly run in to people who sound wise and hold the same Bible we hold, yet seem to know a different god. A god who accepts unrepentant sinners, a god who didn't mean the things He said, a god that didn't really inspire the Bible. I pray we never let someone else's titles cause us to waver from the truth the Holy Spirit reveals to us in His Word.

Seek Truth! There is One right answer with God, He is NOT schizophrenic!

Love you all, good discussion!

Homegroup #1 Recap

Salvation is.... 

We had a lively discussion about what we thought Brian McClaren was saying regarding the definition of salvation (and what he was not saying). The discussion questions challenged us to state what our definition of salvation was and how we planned to better live that out. I think it's safe to say we all agreed that salvation is forgiveness of sin through Jesus' death on the cross, thereby salvation from hell, but we also acknowledged that: everyone has different journeys in coming to know Christ; there has to be some sort of decision to follow Christ at some point, even if it's not a huge moment; salvation is only the beginning of the Christian's journey and relationship with Christ and should not be considered the finish line.

Haha! Suppose I'll be be the second! This night was good. I really enjoyed everyones responses. It is good for all of us to know how Christ affects each other. Good Job Noah on a book that made us really think about, and remember, our basic beliefs in Jesus.

I Suppose I Should Be the First to Post....

So can I just say that I am very excited to be a part of this homegroup?! We haven't even started yet, and after reading the first chapter of "Adventures..." I know there is bound to be some interesting moments. However, I am looking forward to worshiping, praying, sharing, eating, and learning with my family and friends.


Here's to you guys! And may we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ!!