Thoughts on Small Group from 2/4/10

We mentioned several interesting things last night, and I wanted to provide a link to some of the information we discussed.

First, we had mentioned John Pipers Job Poem. Reading this helped me think about how our losses and trials look from a wider perspective. If God can take everything from us but still promises our souls will be satisfied, then how much greater must He be than we could ever imagine or comprehend.

We also briefly discussed a novel by C.S. Lewis - here is a synopsis of Lewis' Perelandra from Wikipedia. I think this brief summary greatly simplifies the plot and the theological arguments contained therein, but will provide you with enough of a teaser to hopefully interest you in the book itself.

If the book of Job is most important to us, not as a fairytale or an ancient legend, but as an opportunity to learn the greater character of God then questions about the nature of Satan's interactions with God and the way that God can use what appears to be evil in our eyes for our sanctification and eternal good seem a viable question to which we should repeatedly return.

more later...

Tuesday Night Movie

Hi Folks! Tomorrow night is Movie Night.

My place:
3535 Carlyle Dr
Charlotte NC 28208

Movie starts at 7pm - please plan to be there a little bit early so that you do not miss any of the story.

Snacks will be provided. Please feel free to bring your beverage of choice.

The movie is To End All Wars. Trailer below.



Bring friends. See you all there!

This week!!! (1/21/10)

We are meeting at my place:
3535 Carlyle Dr
Charlotte NC 28208

On the table:
Serving as a 242 small group
Studying in Job
Social planning

Reminder

Small group this week (11-19) will be at Brandy's house. Please refer to her email for directions.

If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call at 704-458-2947.

Thanks

Location for 11/5

Don't forget we have a 'guest speaker' this week! Jill's friend Patrick will be leading our discussion!

Jill & Matt's House
2613 Laburnum Ave. 28205

Don't use Google Maps -- it is wrong:

Coming from 7th/Monroe: (Chantilly Neighborhood)

Turn on Ranier (only one way to turn)
Immediate Right onto Weddington Rd.
Immediate Left onto Bascom Rd.
Right onto Laburnum Ave. (the street sign is hidden behind a 25mph sign)

Hope to see you all there!

The One God didn't save

Sunday afternoon I went to visit my Iraqi family (I developed a strong bond with them while teaching the refugee ESL class this summer.) Visits with them are always full of laughter and affection and fantastic conversation. This time we talked about fall traditions and holidays like Halloween, Thanksgiving and black Friday. Eventually the conversation turned (as it often does) to religion. This time we started out discussing the details of Moses. Some of the story appears to be similar between the Qur'an and the Bible but there are definite deviations. We talked briefly about the Occultation which led us into a discussion about the other prophets who had been removed from the earth without experiencing a physical death. (According to the Bible there have been 2 that we know of - Enoch & Elijah.)

According to my friend (and substantiated by additional google research on my part) many Muslims believe that the Qur'an teaches that Jesus never died either. This poses something of a problem for me... I asked what did he mean? He said that because Jesus was God's prophet, God saved him and replaced him with Judas so that the Jews just THOUGHT they had killed Jesus. This is because God was wise and knew not to let humanity harm his prophets. Just like he saved Moses from the Red Sea and his other prophets from what appeared to be unavoidable harm.
I asked how saving Him and replacing Him with someone else showed God's greatness more than allowing Him to die and then raising him again? They said, "Don't you see? God never lets His prophets die before they have finished delivering their message."

Oh, my friends. Isn't that the point? The one 'prophet' that didn't deserve to die, that deserved to walk in the fiery furnace, be saved in the belly of the whale, cross the red sea, be saved from the mouth of lions, be taken away in a chariot of fire - THAT prophet, that SON, SHOULD have been spared. But He was not! His death (and resurrection) WAS the way He finished delivering His message. His message was that He was NOT spared.

How different the wise and distant Allah of Islam, testing and judging the sinfulness of humanity, is from the all powerful yet grieving, sacrificing God of the Bible; a God that would with hold nothing from His children because of his great desire to be reconciled to them (even the death of His own perfect son!) How complete His great and abiding love for the ruined, hopeless, helpless humans that He chooses to be in fellowship with and glorified through.

Romans 8:31-33
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.

There is a big difference between judging and justifying. And there is no doubt in my mind that of all the Prophets which God has sent, my salvation lies in the One that God didn't save.

I can only pray that someday theirs will too.

Our Growing Small Group

Thursday was a fantastic discussion at small group. I felt like it was the first time we have had a lot of 'real' discussion with each other about life and struggles and inspiration. I think Jill first brought up that her faith is often stretched, challenged, and ultimately grown through conflict. I hope that our group can be a place where people aren't afraid to speak up about their personal interpretation of scripture or God's view on social issues. And I hope it brings conflict (friendly conflict, of course!) and causes us to remember the discussion throughout the week. Mull over it and come back with even more. Our small group has the potential to be a safe place for us to share our beliefs and engage in the intellectual spiritual conversation we crave.

Warehouse 242 small group has been a refreshing break from the mundane and 'churchy' small groups I have been involved in before. I think Beth Moore bible studies are great ... but its not my way of connecting to God. So far, in reading the old testament and cross referencing throughout the bible I have felt more and more excited about watching the way God unfolded His plan for humanity. It brings me closer to Him and makes me feel like He really does have it all under control.

You guys are awesome ... can't wait to see you at Jill's on Thursday!

-Christa