The following are the refernce materials I used and questions I asked while leading the college group through the study portion of our Tuesday night meeting this week.
Small Group Breakout Discussion
Romans 12:1-2
- What do you think Paul means when he says that we should present our bodies “a living sacrifice”? What might this look like?
- In verse 2, Paul commands us to avoid “the pattern of this world”. How do we live in the world without conforming to it?
1 Corinthians 10:12-13
- In this set of verses, Paul warns of overconfidence in our lives. What areas do you find yourself feeling confident in that you might need to pay attention to more closely?
- What is the “way out” of temptation that Paul says God will provide for us?
2 Corinthians 1:12
- According to this passage, how are we to live?
- Is there a conflict between the confidence Paul speaks of in this passage versus the confidence he mentions in 1 Corinthians 10:12-13? Why or why not? Is there a difference?
Items For Personal Reflection
1. What is one thing in your life or in this world that you would change if you could? Why? Are you doing about it?
2. What is one thing that you struggle with on a daily basis? Is it something you are trying to overcome? If so, how are going about trying to make progress in this area?
3. Pray that God would convict you of sin in your life and that you would live a life that is pleasing to God.
The following texts were referenced throughout the talk:
Romans 12:1-2
1 Corinthians 10:12-13
2 Corinthians 1:12
Galatians 6:14 (Our confidence is rooted in the Cross. The Cross is our boast.)
Ephesians 4:20-24
Phillipians 3:10-15
2 Timothy 3:10-17
I also used the following texts as part of my preparation:
2 Corinthians 3:18
2 Corinthians 7:1
Hebrews 12:14
1 Peter 1:13-16
Piano Tuner Needed
Here's something I've learned over and over again over the past several years of my life: There are people out there who believe with all their heart that they can sing a tune bettre than anyone else, when in reality they can't hit a single note. Perhaps they have never had anyone provide them with honest feedback, or perhaps at one point in time they could sing but they have lost that ability for some medical/surgical reason. Either way, whenever I am confronted by the "singer" who cannot sing to save their life I am puzzledand feel a bit sorry for them. I mean, they have reached this point in their life with total confidence in the beauty of their voice, when the reality is the total opposite.
This guy, however, still has me playing his tune almost 2 weeks after I first heard it:
This guy, however, still has me playing his tune almost 2 weeks after I first heard it:
Molars Mean Misery
The past few night have been a bit restless, as Lydia has been waking up numerous times in the night crying and sitting up in bed. Usually, she will lay back down and fall back asleep fairly quickly, but that has not been the case these past few evenings. While I haven't had to stay up for more than 10 or 15 minutes with her at a time, it is still disrupting my sleep and making me a bit more tired than usual during the day.
Based on her restless nights, constant drooling and her overall melancholy mood, it appears that Lydia is working on getting her first molar.
While she was a bit fussy and drooled everywhere during the rest of her teething adventures, she was never as clingy or so often upset as she has been these past few days. I suppose it makes sense that the molars coming in would bother her more, due to their size and basically flat-topped shape. I'm sure the sharp, smaller edges of the previous teeth made the process quicker and less painful for her.
So we have an absolutely adorable 11 month old at home who is happy one minute and incredibly sad the next.
Aside from giving her ice cubes, cold water, teething rings, Tylenol and Baby Orajel, does anyone have any ideas on what we might be able to do to help this teething process be less painful for her?
Based on her restless nights, constant drooling and her overall melancholy mood, it appears that Lydia is working on getting her first molar.
While she was a bit fussy and drooled everywhere during the rest of her teething adventures, she was never as clingy or so often upset as she has been these past few days. I suppose it makes sense that the molars coming in would bother her more, due to their size and basically flat-topped shape. I'm sure the sharp, smaller edges of the previous teeth made the process quicker and less painful for her.So we have an absolutely adorable 11 month old at home who is happy one minute and incredibly sad the next.
Aside from giving her ice cubes, cold water, teething rings, Tylenol and Baby Orajel, does anyone have any ideas on what we might be able to do to help this teething process be less painful for her?
I am Precious, Honored and Loved
I read these words last night and wanted to post them here.
Notice how God repeatedly goes out of His way to declare who He is and who we are. He continually reiterates why He is everything of importance and that we were made by Him to bring Him glory and sing His praises. Awesome - literally, awe inspiring.
Excerpts from Isaiah 43
1 But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
4 Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you
5 Fear not, for I am with you
7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.
10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord
11 I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior.
12 I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and I am God.
13 Also henceforth I am he; there is none who can deliver from my hand; I work, and who can turn it back?”
14 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel
15 "I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.”
18 “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
20 The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people,
21 the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.
25 I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.
26 Put me in remembrance
Notice how God repeatedly goes out of His way to declare who He is and who we are. He continually reiterates why He is everything of importance and that we were made by Him to bring Him glory and sing His praises. Awesome - literally, awe inspiring.
Excerpts from Isaiah 43
1 But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
4 Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you
5 Fear not, for I am with you
7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.
10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord
11 I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior.
12 I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and I am God.
13 Also henceforth I am he; there is none who can deliver from my hand; I work, and who can turn it back?”
14 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel
15 "I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.”
18 “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
20 The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people,
21 the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.
25 I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.
26 Put me in remembrance
The Greatest Story Ever Told - Tuesday Tunes
"The Greatest Story Ever Told" from Sai Linne's Storiez album:
Idleness and Temptation
One night last week, Lisa was surfing the web on our laptop and she closed the lid and said "You haven't put anything on your website recently."
It was at this point that I realized that anyone else might be following my nothingness. The nothingness ends now with this great video.
It is is a wonderful example of temptation and why the Bible commands us to not be "dragged away and enticed" (James 1:13-15) but to resist the devil (1 Peter 5:8-9) and look for the way God has provided to stand firm against the temptation (1 Corinthians 10:12-14).
It was at this point that I realized that anyone else might be following my nothingness. The nothingness ends now with this great video.
It is is a wonderful example of temptation and why the Bible commands us to not be "dragged away and enticed" (James 1:13-15) but to resist the devil (1 Peter 5:8-9) and look for the way God has provided to stand firm against the temptation (1 Corinthians 10:12-14).
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