Ten Commandment Links

 Friends, The first link is a great teaching video on learning the 10 Commandments, from a Hebrew perspective:
 http://www.aish.com/sp/lal/48948961.html .

The second link is a group of men on a mission trip to Alaska, having fun with the 10 Commandments:
http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=e734d7e1fef22e311eaf .

Enjoy and keep these commandments in mind as we journey together. 

Blessings!  David

Just Think

Last night during out Disciple study on the early chapters of Exodus we focused on character traits (please see photos of work posted near the bottom of this page) of Biblical characters when the children of Israel were under slavery in Egypt.  Included were the powerful saga of Moses' and Aaron's encounters with Pharoah and their reliance on God.  An incredible story!  During our discussions Pastor David led us to think of our own unique personalities, gifts, and callings.  Are we willing to answer?  The study reminded me of a Biblical quote and also a poem by Roy Lessin... found on the back of my calendar! 

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:4

Just Think

By Roy Lessin

Just think,

you're here not by chance,

but by God's choosing.

His hand formed you

and made you

the person you are.

He compares you to no one else -

you are one of a kind.

You lack nothing

that His grace can't give you.

He has allowed you to be here

at this time in history

to fulfill His special purpose

for this generation.

...........................

How timely are God's ways. 

Thanks to Rachael for taking the pics posted below!

See you next week,

 sg

Wrestling with God - Genesis 32:24-32

We have all struggled with life events we do not understand - I suppose we might sometimes think of this as the groaning "Why me?" syndrome!    But as our faith walk is strengthened something amazing happens - God begins to shape us.    And this marvel transforms that old complaining question into a deeply moving reality that God truly cares.  The "Why me?" becomes  a question of wonder and thankfulness that God can love us so much. 

As we continue in the Disciple Bible study, we'll experience those moments of clarity - thanks be to God.  We will support each other in this walk learning that grace can help us understand stories about definitely not-perfect Biblical people chosen and refined by God to demonstrate His love for us as chronicled in the Old Testament.  And by grace how the only Perfect One died for our sins as chronicled in the New Testament... till we truly are rejoicing and living life more abundantly - walking with Christ!

A great little article about Jacob's struggle is found here: http://www.unionchurch.com/archive/100399.html

A little snippet from the above article is a great quote by G. K. Chesterton...

G.K. Chesterton once said, "Christianity has not been tried and found empty . . . it has been found difficult and left untried." Chesterton read an article in the London Times that asked the question "What is Wrong With the World?" He was asked for his response. He got out a fancy sheet of paper and wrote, "I am. Sincerely, G.K. Chesterton."

See you next week at Disciple!

sg

2 Samuel 11-12

Persons who may know only a smidgeon of the Bible recall the story of the shepherd boy who would slay a giant in the battlefield and later become a king. As a man his legend grew among the Hebrew nation and we can read today his psalms that sometimes implore mercy but more often praise and glorify God and his creation so magnificently. So how could he allow the horrible deed to ever begin? Were there small steps towards the ultimate sins? Was he simply given too much unlimited power? Did he ever ponder, "Oh, if I had simply gone to war with my men? If I had been about kingly responsibilities instead of coveting Bathsheba? Why did I force her to come to me? How could I have done the horrible deeds to brave and loyal Uriah?"

And then there's Uriah the Hittite. My commentary explains that his name means, "Flame of the Lord" or "The Lord is Light." A man who embraced and valued the faith and God of the Hebrews. As was the custom of the Hittites, he would not voluntarily take leave from the Ark and his men in battle to be with his wife. A respected and valued warrior, he was also an honorable and righteous man. So much more righteous than his king. And to think as David plotted his death, he had Uriah carry his own death plan back to the battlefield.

These scriptures cover some of the most tragic series of events in Biblical history. Was David haunted with guilt? In 2 Samuel 11-12, we learn that it took the bravery of the prophet Nathan to confront his king. Later, David would have sincere regrets and he would suffer tremendous loss from his cover-up and misdeeds. But we learn that his confession to God with a contrite heart and his confession to God and his people through Psalm 51, helped to begin the healing and cleansing of his heart. Helped to save his soul.

May God provide us windows of escape to flee from sin and the wisdom to respect the Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit within us to resist sin. For sin indeed is our human condition. And may we practice sincere confession to God. For we all fall short of His glory and are in need of His mercy.

sg

Interesting Article

Praying for everyone attending the Disciple class.  I also wanted to pass along an article that may be of interest to those in the class. It can be found at: http://www.christiancentury.org/article.lasso?id=7927

To God be the glory!

David

Disciple Bible Study Scriptures

For those who may be interested in the scriptures read in the Disciple Bible Study, below is a sampling from the first 2 weeks.  Please note that Biblical history and more detailed additional information studied is not included here. 

• Psalm 84; Hosea 11; Exodus 15:1-18; 1 Kings 19:1; 1Chronicles 22; Acts 9; Exodus 20; Deuteronomy 5-6; Micah 4; Philemon; Luke 15
• Genesis 1:1-2; 3; Genesis 2:4-25; Psalm 8; Psalms 19:1-6:33; Job 38-39; 40:15-41:34; Psalms 104;150; John 1:1-5

Please say a prayer for the study group committing their time and hearts for the next 34 weeks.  Thank you and God bless!

sg

Welcome Disciples!

We thought a blog dedicated just to the Disciple Study would be appropriate. A place to post questions and comments and share in this journey. Hope to hear from you soon.

Psalm 84

Sheila's post shared from http://www.shegardens.blogspot.com/ ...

Tonight we discussed Psalm 84, one of the Psalms of Zion that celebrated God's presence in Jerusalem. Thankfully today it is not necessary to travel to the temple to draw near to God. We can pray and sing our praises to Him at anytime - anywhere when we accept the invitation to have Christ in our lives. Have you ever experienced so much joy that a spontaneous song of praise sprang forth from your heart? Try lifting your own unique song this week. Off -key is not important - God listens to our hearts.

What do you think?