Philosophy and Ethics: Says Who?

We studied Lesson 2 - Philosophy and Ethics: Says Who? - of The Truth Project a couple of weeks ago. Dr. Tackett helped us to see the differences between the worldview and God's view on these issues.

Philosophy is a scientific quest to discover the ultimate reality. Remember from Lesson 1 that the ultimate reality is truth - particularly God's truth. The world searches for this ultimate reality inside the cosmic cube, the concept that the cosmos is all that is, or ever was, or ever will be. They will continue searching forever under this false assumption since God does not exist inside their box. God created the box and He moves and works inside of it. Ethics is our understanding of right and wrong behavior. We learned that ultimately there is no way to define right and wrong without God.

We are reminded again that we should not let ourselves be conformed to the world views. The mind and the heart are linked and we need to be continually allowing God to transform us by renewing our minds. (Romans 12:2)

Our next lesson, Anthropology: Who is Man?, will be on Wednesday evening. Check out a preview below!

The Truth Project

We have begun our new study, The Truth Project. For those unfamiliar with this study, check out the following trailer:



We had our first lesson Veritology: What is Truth? and it was packed full of some really valuable teachings, challenging us to really think about elements of our faith in a different light. We learned that this study is going to be both comprehensive (we will cover a breadth of topics - left) and systematic (topics will build on each other - right).

This first lesson focused on Truth. We learned about the cosmic battle - the battle between truth and lies. At the beginning of the lesson, we were asked the question, "Why did Jesus come into the world?", and we learned that, though there are many reasons, the answer we are focusing on in this study is: to testify the truth. "...for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." -John 18:37

We were left to ponder this final question:


Our next lesson, Philosophy and Ethics: Says Who?, will be tomorrow evening. Check out a preview below!

Pain and Suffering

Why does God allow pain and suffering?? We had a great discussion on this topic last Wednesday... perhaps a better discussion than the video! Here's a quick clip summarizing the topic:

Kyle's sermon from Sunday also hit on some similar points. If you missed it, click on the sermon from June 7th in the podcast below:

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There's one more thing that I came across since our discussion on Thursday that I'd like to share. It's a quote from one of John Eldredge's books. He argues a good point:

"God... takes immense risks. No doubt the biggest risk of all was when he gave angels and men free will, including the freedom to reject him--not just once, but every single day. Does God cause a person to sin? 'Absolutely not!' says Paul (Gal. 2:17)... Does God stop every bullet fired at an innocent victim? Does he prevent teenage liaisons from producing teenage pregnancies? There is something much more risky going on here than we're often willing to admit.

...God seems to fly in the face of all caution. Even though he knew what would happen, what heartbreak and suffering and devastation would follow upon our disobedience, God chose to have children. And unlike some hyper-controlling parents, who take away every element of choice they can from their children, God gave us a remarkable choice. He did not make Adam and Eve obey him. He took a risk. A staggering risk, with staggering consequences. He let others into his story, and he lets their choices shape it profoundly.

This is the world he has made. This is the world that is still going on. And he doesn't walk away from the mess we've made of it. Now he lives, almost cheerfully, certainly heroically, in a dynamic relationship with us and with our world. 'Then the Lord intervened' is perhaps the single most common phrase about him in Scripture, in one form or another. Look at the stories he writes. There's the one where the children of Israel are pinned against the Red Sea, no way out, with Pharaoh and his army barreling down on them in murderous fury. Then God shows up. There's Sadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who get rescued only after they're thrown into the fiery furnace. Then God shows up. He lets the mob kill Jesus, bury him... then he shows up. Do you know why God loves writing such incredible stories? Because he loves to come through. He loves to show us that he has what it takes."

DYING TO SELF

When you are forgotten, or neglected, or purposely set at naught, and you don't sting and hurt with the insult or the oversight, but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ...THAT IS DYING TO SELF

When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take in all in patient, loving silence...THAT IS DYING TO SELF

When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, any impunctuality, or any annoyance; when you stand face-to- face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility-and endure it as Jesus endured...THAT IS DYING TO SELF

When you are content with any food, any offering, any climate, any society, any raiment, any interruption by the will of God...THAT IS DYING TO SELF

When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or to record your own good works, or itch after commendations, when you can truly love to be unknown...THAT IS DYING TO SELF

When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy, nor question God, while your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances...THAT IS DYING TO SELF

When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself and can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart...THAT IS DYING TO SELF

Are you dead yet? In these last days, the Spirit would bring us to the cross.

"That I may know Him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death." Phil 3:10

June & July Snack Calendar

June 3 - Sally
June 10 - Lesley
June 17 - Marlyn
June 24 - Pamela
July 1 - Sally
July 8 - NO GROUP
July 15 -
July 22 -
July 29 -

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

We had a wonderful time at the ballpark last week! Thanks, Brenda & Dave for spoiling us! We had a great time!

A good pic of the field

We know the GM!!!

Some more fun snapshots...

Look at those blue teeth!

They are VIPs!

That says "Express welcomes Terranova PROOF!"

We got a "behind the scenes" tour!

March Service Project

This month's service project is Wednesday, March 25th at 6:00 pm. We will be bringing a potluck dinner for the residents of The Ranch in Cedar Park. We will be eating with them, talking with them, and playing games with them... so bring your favorite board game! Don't forget, kids are more than welcome to come to this event!!

Here's a list of who is bringing what so far:

-Matt and Perla (Chicken and Ice)

-Jeff and Pamela (Beans)

-Brad and Lesley (Sweets)

-Marlyn ($ for chicken and Fruit)

-Steve and Rhonda (Potatoes)

-Dave and Brenda ($ for chicken and dessert)

-Erich and Diane (something healthy)

The Ranch is located in Cedar Park. Click on the interactive map below for directions!


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A big thank you to Matt for organizing this event!

MARCH 11, 2009

We had a wonderful discussion last night about "Who Was Jesus? Divine or Prophet?" Check out the video below if you missed the discussion!



Also, we will NOT be meeting next Wednesday... have a Happy Spring Break!

Check back soon for more details about our March service project to The Ranch on March 25th!

Does Science Point Toward a Creator?

'Very interesting discussion at our last session of the startling transformation that is taking place in Western scientific and intellectual thought.....the realization that the universe, far from being a sea of chaos, appears instead to be an intricately tuned mechanism whose every molecule, whose every physical law, seems to have been designed from the very first nanosecond of the big bang toward a single end--the creation of life.

"The probability of life originating from accident is comparable to the probability of the unabridged dictionary resulting from an explosion in a printing factory."

Professor Edwin Conklin, Princeton University biologist

I look forward to our next session.


-Steve

In Case you missed it, here's the You Tube version:

February Service Project

This month, we are volunteering at the Round Rock Serving Center. We are scheduled on this coming Saturday (February 21) from 9AM until Noon. We will be doing a variety of activities including: receiving donations (i.e. clothing, furniture), sorting clothing, general maintenance of the facility and some clean up. Feel free to bring a friend or family member with you to help serve!

See the map below for directions to the center. You can click on it for more details!

Hope to see you Saturday!


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Does Science Point Toward a Creator?

After the last two sessions when we considered whether Heaven was real and whether a loving God would condemn people to hell, during our next content session on February 25th we'll ponder whether the universe looks designed because it really was designed. In other words, does science point to a Creator?

To check out what the Bible teaches about God's existence and how the universe came to be, see the following:

Genesis 1
Job 38-42
Psalm 14:1
Psalm 19:1-3
Romans 1:18-32
Hebrews 11:1-3

I think we'll conclude that if we really study science, it will bring us closer to God! I look forward to our discussion.

See you then,
Steve

FEBRUARY 11, 2009

This week we had a great discussion about "Hell: Fact or Fiction?". Here's a clip from YouTube in case you missed it! See you next week for accountability!

Hell: Fact or Fiction

p.r.o.o.f. group,

'Great discussion last week regarding the credible evidence from a reliable source that the afterlife is real -- and that access to heaven is available to anyone who chooses to receive Jesus' freely offered gift of forgiveness and grace.

The scripture for the next "content session" on 2/11 when we'll discuss whether a loving God would condemn people to hell is listed below. The references about the eternal destiny of those who accept God and those who reject him:

Matthew 13:40-43
Matthew 25:31-46
Luke 16:19-31
John 3:16
Romans 1-3
Romans 6:23
1 Corinthians 1:18-19

All the best and see you soon,
Steve

February Saturdays

We are trying to find a Saturday in February where we can volunteer at the Round Rock Serving Center. We would work a 3 hour shift -- either 9-12 or 1-4. Please post comments with your availability/conflicts as soon as possible so that Dave can help us get a date set!!

Superbowl Sunday

This Sunday we, as a family group, are providing a meal for Southwestern students. Please make sure to be at E-Free church at 5pm to help set everything up. A special thanks to Brenda for organizing this list!

Rhonda: liter bottles of Coke, etc, cornbread
Diane: cornbread
Lesley: chili, dessert
Chrissy: dessert
Pamela: chili
Perla: salad
Brenda: paper goods, fritos, cheese, ice

Remember to keep your receipts so that you can get reimbursed!

JANUARY 28, 2009

Last night we discussed Lee Strobel's topic, "Is Heaven Real?". We had great discussion on everything from our stereotypical views of heaven (including buttercream frosting!) to what the Bible really says about it. Here's a short clip summarizing the evidence for heaven:



Next week we will have another "accountability" session, so be sure to review your notecard. Have a blessed week!

Is the Bible Bogus?

In case you missed the first week or would like a review of "Is the Bible Bogus?", here is a clip I found on You Tube:

JANUARY 21, 2009

Last night we met for an "Accountability" session.

Before we split into a men's group and women's group, we discussed some outreach opportunities. We will be hosting dinner for Southwestern students next Sunday. Brenda is putting together a list of who will bring what. She should be sending out an email soon.

During our accountability sessions, we followed the general structure from the index cards that Steve made. Here it is for reference:

Next week we will continue with our Faith Under Fire study with a discussion entitled "Is Heaven Real?". Here is some scripture to prepare for the study:

• Isaiah 66:1-2
• Matthew 6:19-21
• Matthew 8:5-13
• John 14:1-6
• Revelation 7:16-17
  

JANUARY 14, 2009

Last night kicked off our study of Faith Under Fire and our new group identity as P.R.O.O.F.! Here are the highlights for those unable to make it:

• Started off with fellowship, food, and a toasty fire!
• Brainstormed ideas for accountability - we decided to stick with the index cards created by Steve and to designate full group sessions to accountability
• Brainstormed ideas for community service - we have quite a list already! We decided to try serving in a Retirement community as our first attempt. Matt is looking into the details for us.
• Did our first session of Faith Under Fire - it was entitled "Is the Bible Bogus?" Here are the scripture verses that supplement the topic:

Psalm 18:30

Psalm 33:4

Psalm 119

2 Timothy 3:16

Hebrews 4:12

2 Peter 1:20-21