EVENT: Full Disclosure Common Ground April 9

This week: Seven: Envy (Josh Harvey) The series on the seven deadly sins continued and this week we focused on ENVY. Envy sneaks in so that we do not even notice it enter. It enters in hundreds of small ways tempting us to look away from what God has provided and blessed us with. Our eyes become far sighted; we are unable to focus on any of the blessings surrounding us and instead what we see in perfect clarity is what she has. I like it. I want it. I need it. She doesn’t. She doesn’t even realize what she has. He doesn’t need all of that. As our eyes become locked on those around us we consider, almost exclusively, our hurt and we grow into desiring the hurt of those who have what we want. Envy breaks relationships (it cripples community) and abandons us to our own lonely selves. Envy is deadly to our character, our witness, our relationships and to our spirituality. Envy is bad. Stay away from it.

Next Week: Seven: Anger (Jon Harvey)

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EVENT: 24 Hour Day of Prayer

May 9-10 has been set aside for a 24 hour day of prayer. You can sign up for your time slot and pray/worship/journal for God as part of a team. Expect amazing things and participate like you believe that they are just about to happen. For details and sign up message Anne Fleetwood or me.
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THOUGHT: A Celtic Prayer

A brief Celtic prayer:

Alone with none but thee, my God,
I journey on my way;
What need I fear, when thou art near,
O King of night and day?
More safe am I within thy hand,
Than if a host did round me stand.

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ANNOUNCEMENT: Have you voted blue today?

Let the voting begin. Vote blue!

You can vote once daily from the same IP address.

You can vote for Matt Rose daily on this website. Matt is presently in 2nd place with 29% of the votes! If you are online regularly and think of it, place your vote for beat boxin' Matt!

http://www.showyourcolours.ca/

Thanks

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EVENT: Full Disclosure Soulhouse April 6

Last Week: So the Story Goes…the series continues. This week we enjoyed the wisdom and wit of Will Sherman (Sr.). Bursting out of the Sunday School mindset to see God’s stories in a whole new light, that is the goal for right now. It is hard to have a clear view of God and a clear understanding of scripture if we never go back and re-examine some of the things that we think we know. How come stories are not popular for adults? I love stories and I loved taking a closer look at Samson. Read his story (Judges 13-16) why did he get included in the faith Hall of Fame in Hebrews 11:32-34? Does that change our definition of what faith is? No answers here today, go read it, what do you think? God’s work was completed, Samson used his gifts, how does this relate to you? First question: are you using your gifts to serve God? Do you want to? Then let’s get you connected.

This Week: So The Story Goes…final week Judges: Gideon (Erin Carter)

Next Week: Why? Environment/Creation (Kevin Chan)

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EVENT: Common Ground Big Event for May

Wednesday Night May 21st. Let's go to the movies! Hopefully discounted rate available. Details to follow.
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THOUGHT: QU Livin' The Life Forgiveness Moment

QU 104: Livin' The Life Session #1 just passed and so I thought I would share one of our snippets of discussion. Here you go:

Matthew 18:21-35 (New International Version)

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"

22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

23"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

26"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' 27The servant's master took pity on him, cancelled the debt and let him go.

28"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.

29"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'

30"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.

32"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I cancelled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' 34In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

35"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."

7 times? That is 3 times the Rabbinic standard of 2. 3x2+1=7: Jesus said 70 times.

No limit. Why? Because to count to 7 you must keep track of the offences, you would be focusing on what had happened and not on forgiving. Love keeps no record of wrongs.

Difference between forgiving and tolerating.

Insight into Text:

1 talent =about 1000 weeks of work. He owed 10,000 talents (like $10 million)

No amount of time is going to help.

Whole kingdoms paid Rome only 800 talents in taxes/year.

100 denarii =about $10

Acted in justice without grace, not the way that God acts toward us.

It is wicked to be forgiven $10 million debt and then not forgive a $10 debt.

V35 How we choose to forgive is how God will forgive us.

If you choose not to forgive you separate yourself from God.

Session #2 is on Thursday April 24th. Sign up and get involved.

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