Hey everyone,

So, in case you forgot, here's next week's application:

Choose something in your life that would qualify as "loving the world" and not in the way God loves the world. Now, next week, whenever you find yourself being tempted by this, try instead to do something that changes the focus onto God, be it prayer, calling up a brother or sister, reading the Bible, singing/humming a worship song. Do it for the week and at the end, evaluate how you did and whether or not it became easier or harder for you to let this particular activity go.

Also, we have accountability partners for the week:

Jeff with Anne and Daniel.
Doc and Paul.
Jess and Gracie.
Leo and Justin.

Try to keep in constant contact throughout the week and ask how you're doing.
Also, it might be helpful to let them know what you're going to try to replace.

Enjoy this time to get closer to the Lord and know that the struggle helps you to build character and maturity. James taught us that in the last study set.

Jeff

Don't forget everyone! Tomorrow, we journal about keeping the Lord's commandments. Get a journal and a pen ready so you don't forget! Or whatever tool you're going to use to keep track. I'll be sending updates throughout the day tomorrow.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=exodus%2020&version=NASB

I personally love the promise at the end of the Book.  "I am coming soon".

When i read this and parsed in my mind, i realized that I don't really believe Jesus' words.  I don't believe his promise.  I do not trust his word as much as I thought.  Because althought I know he is coming, I've do not believe he is coming SOON.  And this qualifier changes everything.   It ought change everything.  I know whether I believe this promise by each morning, afternoon, and evening.  Soon means right around the corner, and there is no time to waste.  Soon means this weekend trip is no longer a vacation and a time to hang-out and play.  Soon means saturday 7/31 is a time to know Jesus and make Him known.  And we do this by the Gospel, knowing what it is, and believing, and owning, and then sharing out of overflow.

At a certain frequency in time I must ask myself to evaluate the changes which has occurred 

• who I was 1 year ago compared to who I am now
• who I am now compared to who i ought to be in 1 year.

The results surprise me.  In some areas, God has surely taken hold and I have let go for him to transform, out with old-self, and in with the new.  And in many other areas, they are as wretch as the first day, if not worse.

Heads up: We will all be challenged within this next month to dwell on this and engage in that conversation with Jesus.

The term Gnosticism is derived from the Greek word for knowledge "Gnosis", in that the believers thought that you needed special knowledge to achieve salvation.

Gnostics in that time believed that God was separate from the earth, since the spirit is good and matter is evil. This separation of matter and spirit is at the heart of the heresy. For God's New Covenant to apply, Jesus needed to be both wholly man and wholly God. For Gnostics, Jesus could not since God would not defile Himself to become flesh. The explanation is the Christ joined with the man, Jesus at his baptism by John the Baptist and left him prior to his crucifixion. The leading authority of this theory at the time was Cerinthus.

Given this separation of flesh and spirit, followers of the Gnostic faith would abuse their bodies, either through embracing an ascetic lifestyle, highlighted by punishing the flesh to purify the spirit, or wholly embracing hedonism as the body is evil and its actions cannot corrupt the spirit.

This teaching is completely counter to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Salvation is open to all.
Jesus was made flesh to die in our place.
He was risen from the dead so that we may have the promise of eternal life.

Remember, Jesus became flesh. He loved as we love. He laughed as we laughed. He suffered as we suffer. We can take anything to him and he'll understand. He's been through it. And on that day when he returns, we'll be remade with him and forever be part of his kingdom.

For more info, you can take a look at this link.
http://www.carm.org/gnosticism

Hey everyone, we're in for a real treat tomorrow night. We've got a great night of fellowship and study in the works and to compliment that, Doc's got us some fantastic Mediterranean style food to satisfy our physical hunger. Then, John's going to satisfy that spiritual hunger with some fellowship with our almighty Father!

Come early, come on time, come late, but come hungry!

Big thanks to Doc for preparing this week.

Also, remember, Happy Birfday to Leo (last week) and Happy Birfday to David (tomorrow). Hit him up on facebook, email or give him a ring!

Jeff

Sneak Peak at this week's study. How do we have fellowship with God? John answers this question while at the same time countering the arguments of the Gnostic teachers.

1 John 1 (New American Standard Bible)

5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;
7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

1 John 2

1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

"1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life-
2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us-
3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete."


Fact: Our joy is made complete when we share the gospel and our fellowship with the Jesus and God, who were there in the beginning and have demonstrated eternal life. Jesus was there in the beginning and will be there in the end and into eternity. Will you be with Him?

We were challenged to consider our personal fellowships with Jesus and with God. what does your relationship look like? Is it valued? Does that relationship genuinely make an impact on your life and your decisions, and how you act, behave, speak, decide? Could a lawyer prove without a shadow of doubt that your relationship is legit and existent and healthy and growing? Jesus desires not to improve your life, but to transform your life (a new creation).

Retreat
"withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat"
"a place of privacy; a place affording peace and quiet"
"a signal to begin a withdrawal from a dangerous position"

As I read these definitions I could not discount any as an acceptable description for this Aug 27-29 weekend.
A feeling lurks that our individual spiritual healths are ill.  Too many sinful defeats have left us in a numb state.  For some, we are going to a place for peace and privacy, for most others, its to withdrawal from a dangerous position in life.  Being caught up in money, success, power, entertainment, etc is an extremely 'dangerous position' to say the least.

Living Stones Christian Church and LSF Santa Clara petition you to come away AUG 27-29 for a weekend to be with Jesus and the flock here at LSCC.  Ask more on what you can expect!

Westminster Woods
6510 Bohemian Hwy.
Occidental, CA 95465

Registration: click here

Costs: $175, but register early:  $115 (now til 7/18), and $140 (7/18 - 8/1)*
     *Must pay to complete registration

Among them is our brother Leo. On the 3rd day of the 5th month of the year of our Lord 2010 marks a very special day in the life of this man. The last puff of smoke. Period.

Please report any questionable aromas to 901-4MMM-HMM and ask for Justin. Cheers! Nothing is impossible through the Lord

Yesterday, members of LSCC and HOC6 worshiped before our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus and observance of his sacrifice for all the world to be forgiven for our disobedience to our Father God. This wasn't compulsory, but was done willingly and according to God's plan for the world's salvation.

Do you recognize you need to be saved? What are you being saved from? I mean seriously, think about what things in your life are you doing right now, today, what you need Jesus' sacrifice to make things right with you and God. I chase riches and career over growing God's kingdom. I think I'm getting better, but then again, I look upon Jesus' life and how he *dedicated his life* to God's ministry and realize how short I fall to his example. Heck, even full time pastors fall short of his example.

But I am not discouraged. In fact, I am encouraged. Jesus sacrificed himself for a people that "do not know what they doing" (Luke 23:34). So we strive for his model, but know that our striving is not what qualifies us to receive his blessing and his love. It's what we do in response to his actions.

Jesus died on a cross so that your disobedience *is* forgiven. What have you done for Jesus today?

Read Judges 16.  A portrait of a fool indeed.  The folly lays in placing someone else above the Promise of God.  The foolish acts were continuing day after day to be placed in the same situation without change.

Husbands, be warned, wives be warned, singles be warned... is your relationship with Jesus the #1?  If not, do not be surprised if the Lord's hand of blessing departes from you.

-Justin

I found this volunteer webpage on the Santa Clara City Website:

http://santaclaraca.gov/index.aspx?page=533

Thank you for your interest in becoming a City of Santa Clara volunteer. Volunteering for the City is one of the best examples of government and people working together for the good of the community. It will give you an insider's look at how local government works, and an opportunity to share your talents, skills, and feedback on how to better serve our customers. We consider our volunteers one of the most diverse and rich resources in our community, and we're happy to have you join us.

The mission of the volunteer services program is to enhance city programs and services by matching the varied talents of concerned individuals and groups of all ages, interests, and skills with a wide variety of interesting and challenging municipal projects. Santa Clara volunteers are placed according to their interests and skills, as well as the needs of the City. Volunteer Services seeks to find the right opportunity for every volunteer-to assure a rewarding experience that enhances City services. The links below provide information about opportunities now available:

Commissioners
Citizens Police Academy
Fire Reserves
HEAT
Leadership Santa Clara
Library
P.A.L. Volunteers
Santa Clara ARES/RACES
Santa Clara Arts & Historical Consortium
Senior Center Volunteers Needed
Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority (SVACA)
Therapeutic Recreation Services
Ulistac Natural Area

If you're interested in serving the community, let me know at fellowship group or Sunday service or just post a comment. I'll be doing something on this list and it would be great to be able to serve with other brothers and sisters.

Jeff

Title is from Provers 15:22.

God's guidance is more like the marriage guidance, child guidance, or career guidance that is received from counselors than it is like being talked down by the airport controller as one flies blind through the clouds.  Seeking God's guidance is not like practicing divination or consulting oracles, astrologers, and clairvoyants for information about the future, but rather is comparable with our everyday thinking-through of alternative options in given situations to determine the best course open to us.  The inward experience of being divinely guided is not ordinarily one of seeing signs or hearing voices, but rather one of being able to word out the best thing to do.

"Path of Righteousness," 34

God will help me make sound decisions.

Great study last week everyone! We missed Jess and we hope she had a safe and fun trip. In James 2:1-13, James is telling us not to pick favorites in our lives and to love everyone equally. Whether or not we favor one person or another in our behavior tells us something about where our values are aligned. He uses the rich man and the poor man to make his argument and we automatically think money. But as we discussed before, rich and poor can mean anything: fame, power, money, looks, knowledge, spirit and possessions. God levels the playing field and takes all of us to him, achievements and flaws together and gives his grace equally to his children. Shouldn't we follow His example? Shouldn't our values be aligned with His?

We had a couple of reflection questions and some homework. The activity was to think about a area of your life where it is easy to your values to be aligned with God's values, where you interact with everyone without favoritism. Now think about why it's easy for you to do that in that particular situation and try to replicate that in other parts of your life. The goal is to be aligned with the Lord in all aspects of life, so that our instinctive actions are what he would find pleasing.

Hey everyone,

Fantastic study last night. Good food, good fellowship and good participation snacks, courtesy of Jess! It's always a good reminder to stay true to faith and not to be deluded and deceived by the temptations of this world: glory or riches or power or, for Leo, women. Don't trade in that crown that is the promise of our Lord.

As further reflection, think about when you might blame God for placing trials in your life and how you react to it and how your relationship with God changes when you go through it. How is different from a lamentation, or is it any different? Lots of Psalms have descriptions of what a lamentation looks like.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Hey everyone. Here are the reflection questions from the study last week. Take some time, read them and think on them. If you feel like it, comment to this post about the answer of one of the questions. It's often we don't know we're being tested unless we pay attention and look out for it. And remember, we need one another to help us to persevere through it. Have patience and seek wisdom in your thoughts and actions.

Reflection Questions
1) How is your faith tested today? Does it produce an endurance that allows you to focus on God through it?
2) Name two things you trust in other than God in your life when you are being tested. What would it look like to trust God in those situations?
3) Describe how you are rich and what it would be like to be humbled in those areas. Are you prepared for that eventuality?

Just kidding, we're studying James, the brother of Jesus, a pillar in the church, and a guy who ain't afraid to lay it out straight.  As we dig deeper these next months we want to make sure you are engaged.  Read the book in it's entirety for breadth.  Soak up the context. Lets begin... (see you tomorrow Wed 1/20 @ 7:30pm SHARP!)

When the Book of James is mentinoed, what verse pops up in your mind?

In efforts to learn how to pray.. i stumbled on this in my journey and HAD to share:

Our spirits, like our bodies, have requirements for health and growth.  Some people don't want to pay the price of developing good spiritual habits.  Sadlly, they end up paying the much higher price of spiritual disease and even death.  Last year a man came to me in dispair. "I lost my job," he told me.  "ive spent months looking for another position, to no avail."  And unemployment was not his worst problem.  He went on: "I feel so along in this.  Nobody in the church cares.  Sometimes I think God doesn't care.  I feel totally hopeless and helpless."

I asked the man about his spiritual habits.  Was he taking responsibility for feeding his faith? How often did he pray ~ commune with God and listen for his prompting?  Did he regularly attend church services? Was he maintaining friendships with any spiritually minded people?  Was he reaching out to help meet others' needs?

No, the man said, he was doing non of these things.  "i just can't find the time," he explained... [...]

... That man wanted someone to wave a magic want and offer him courage.  He said he wanted God's presence in his life, but he did not want to form any habits that would increase his spiritual health.

                           From Too Busy NOT to pray by Bill Hybels. Pg 42-43




Are you spiritually diseased? On the road to spiritual death?  Lets take a step together please.

A couple weeks ago we talked about 'forgiveness', and what that is to look like.  To jog your memory, here's a recap from Leo: "Paul is asking one of his homies to forgive this dude...".

Application1: How do you manifest love for your bro's and sis's in your everyday life?
Application2: How do you forgive a brother or sister who has wronged you? Are you merciful?
Application3: How do you think managers and sub-ordinates should interact if both are Christians?

As you ponder, respond in the comments now! And enjoy pix from last time:

M = MISSING
I = IN
A = ACTION

.... where is everyone?

Best bring your best this wednesday for the Ginger bread making contest.  It's a build-off.  We have huddles at 7:30, contact your quarter-back for dinner and plans.  Else default to Panda express at lawrence/stevens creek.  Then be at Jeff's at 9pm.  See ya!

LSF Santa Clara wants to give.  Partnering with Harvest of Hope will turn the 'want' into a reality!  Although our role in this part is by prayer and money, it will still make an impact.  God has a good memory so all giving, big and small, counts.

Next Wednesday (09-Dec) consider how much you want to contribute.  It is not about the amount, it is about the heart.  We will purchase together as a fellowship group and thus, our moneys will be pooled together and we will decide what to purchase on wednesday.


Menu:
Sewing Machine (sustainable : $250
Motorbike (for a church-planter): $1400
Cow for family: $400
Goat for poor family: $55
Pig for family: $45
Sheep for poor family: $80
One of each animal: $580
Seeds for Farmers in Africa: $30
Relief Assistance for Refugee Family in Sudan: $70
....

$50 may be the next toy for us, but it's equivalent to years of wages for these families.

Here's the link for more information: http://www.harvestofhope.org/

Listen... forgiveness is going to be a part of your life.  In fact, thats the primary vehicle to Jesus' business: Reconcilation.  In sin, the slave (Onesimus), ran away from his master (Philemon), met man who already met Jesus (Paul), was introduced to the man who could forgive his sins (Jesus), and probably thought 'life is good'.  But walking in a right relationship with God is more than warm fuzzys or smiley days, it's about reconciliation.  Jesus reconciles our relationship to God, and thus, we must ask for forgiveness from those we wronged and reconcile our relationships here on earth.

Have you had a reconciliation experience which you can share? 

Dear all, what else but a reminder from the divingly inspired Word of God: "(20)For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. (21) For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened." -Romans 1:20-21

This is one of the first things that come to mind when I think of giving 'thanks'.  When we continue with life living a life which is not clearly, visibally, coherantly, physically, audibally thankful to God... a flag must be raised and a change must occur, lest your heart become foolish and darkened. 

There's plenty to be thankful for... and it's not just 'thankful', but it's thanking God.  Remember, actions validate the thanksgiving... so, LSF Santa Clara, whats your action?

Gombei Bento: 6pm, Tuesday night (11/24)
Be there.... we all hate eating alone...

Map to Gombei Bento

• meet at Justin's place @ Chesapeake Manor (34756 Chesapeake Court, Union City, CA)
  
• start time 7:30pm
  
• there will be dinner (pizza and soda provided), reviewing survey results, and having some teaching/sharing from "Being A Godly Man"
  
• you are welcome to bring "manly" snacks, beverages, or desserts to share with everyone
  
• questions? email Sam (samuel.kao@lmco.com)

WOMEN:

• meet at Niki's place @ Stone Manor (1097 Stone Street, Union City, CA)
  
• start time 7:00pm
  
• there will be dinner (hawaiian) and a good time of sharing and prayer
  
• RSVP to Yukari (yukarimuchida81@gmail.com) 

Tips:

• CARPOOL!!!!  Call your fellow fellowship friends.. carpool, have a conversation, don't be shy!
  

We need to change.  Something has to change.  In light of the truths regarding the poor, the windows, the orphans, the outcasts, life cannot be the same tomorrow as it was today

It feels as though Gracie and I can't make any impact, so it is hard to find a starting point.  This is but merely an excuse, we can make an impact to 1 person, in 1 place, 1 at a time..  But we wrestled with the concept of making an 'impact'.  Would giving food or money really make an impact?  Would the money given be misused?  How does giving 1 day make an 'impact'?  Should we invite them into our home to stay in the extra rooms? Should stop, give, and get to know? 

Faith is grown step-by-step.  Sheppard David fought many battles and grew his faith in trusting in God's protection.  When it came time to fight Goliath, it was just the next step in his faith, climbing to from floor#45 to floor 46.  It was not ground-floor to the roof in 1 hop.  Our 2nd floor in faith at this time is not yet  to invite the homeless into my home, or not yet to go out and build relationship, but it's to provide money. Yes Money. (aka chien)

Why am I born in the family i was born, why do I have the education i have, why do I have the job that have?   I've made some good decision, in line with His will, i've made some alright decisions that didn't make or break, but I have also made some piss-poor decision in disobedience and plain stupidity and selfishness.  Ultimately, God gave grace to allow me to be where i currently am in life.  Bottom line, God has given regardless of circumstance. 

1) This means, I too can give irrespective to circumstance, and especially to those in a needy circumstance.  To give and to not expect.

But it did not end there, We were forced to look at our own relationships with God.  This was tricky, and eye-opening.  Yesterday finally addressed the thoughts of "should i give money? But what if they misuse it to go buy booz or smokes? what if they're pretending?"  My defenses were thwarted of giving food only... You see, God has given me money, and i have squandered and misued much.  But regardless of my misuse, he has continued to give, offering me a 2nd chance to use wisely.  And perhaps I use 10% wisely, and squander the 90%.  Then God, in his faithfulness and love, gives again, offering me a 3rd chance to use wisely.  And then a 4th chance, and then a 5th, and a 6th.   I have misused my money equivalently  to booz and smokes.  I too am guilty of pretending to be something I am not.  What then would it look if God stopped giving because I was squandering or because I was fake?  He has not stopped.  His faithfulness continues to give me another chance.  It was clear to me, it was clear to us

2) to give money can mean giving another opportunity for that individual to make a decision, a 'right' decision, a decision towards obediences, a decision toward God.

We all make that decision daily.  From the starbucks for $3.57, or from the $0.37 in spare change, we all make a decision.  Perhaps we are the ones squandering in comparison?  Ultimately, we plan to stay aligned to be faithful to our decision of this 1-step, and leave the 'impact' to God. 
Our change in the form of an action?  Well, that's a personal conversation so if you're interested, ask me next time!

-Just

Doh! We didn't take any picture, but we'll get some at the second meeting. Huge thank you to everyone who is supporting this effort through prayer, through hard work, through attendance and through encouragement. Any other kinds of support get a big, not huge, thank you. Just kidding.

Paul and Silas were arrested and beaten while under the false assumption they were Jews. Cast into prison they held back and bit their tongue only to wait for justice above the circumstance and instead be faithful with where they are. By focusing on being faithful to their calling for the immediate people around them (...guards) and NOTcry 'injustice' at the people, nor at God.  They waiting for God to deliver them from their circumstance while they chose to share about Jesus to the guards. 
focusing on circumstance, people came to repentance and believed. Remember, Paul and Silas were ARRESTED as 'foreigners' in the boundaries of Rome.  But Paul was a Roman Citizen... and that was a 'no-no'. They didn't

Work life isn't fair? Do you feel those around you aren't playing 'fair'?  Are you focusing only on circumstance? Don't.  Be encouraged and empowered; focus on being faithful where you are at in sharing about Jesus, let God change the circumstance.... and He will in his time.

(story found in Act 16, the second half)

What are your thoughts on the flim?  Initially exciting because the group orchestrated a live-cast-launch into the film release.  Then i thought the film ended 7 times... ;)

Lets not let this go to 'waste', what was your take-away?