WHAT GOES ON AT YAM?

The Gathering--learning how to make God look good 24/7, Sundays at 10 AM, on the TFB campus, in the Young Adult room

Eating together--most Sundays, around 11:30 am, give or take...

Experience--an alternative worship event, Every couple of months or so

HomeBase--fellowship in homes

Plain wRap--a bible and brain, pen and paper bible study, Sunday nights during the Summer

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IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK

Upcoming Events
Next Sunday
The Gathering— Random thoughts on a really weird day
Know God—Wanna know how to make life matter?

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UPCOMING EVENTS

- HomeBase at the Stines’, January 25 (sometime in the pm--details later)
- College Winter Camp at Harmony Pines, February 28 - March 2, Cost $95, details later

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NEXT SUNDAY

8:45 am Worship—Worship Center
10:00 am The Gathering—YAM room
11:30 am Lunch (meet in the courtyard for info)

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THE GATHERING—Random thoughts on a really weird day

Well, much to my surprise, the “gathering” happened this week after all. There I was, sitting alone in California Pizza Kitchen, preparing to consume my tasty, carne asada pizza, when in walks the YAM group. Conversation was random. Nothing profound. But then, sometimes fellowship is just that—being together. Sometimes eating pizza and discussing Two Towers and worship styles and whether or not one should eat pizza crust and other stuff that slips my mind—well sometimes that’s fellowship. Random living together—being Christian isn’t just about what happens in the worship center or the Sunday school room. In fact, it isn’t even mostly about that. Being Christian is mostly about living our everyday life—our sometimes frustrating, sometimes boring, often routine life—as if it really matters how we live it.

By the way… it does!

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KNOW GOD--RESOURCES FOR WALKING THE WALK

If you wanna know how to make life matter, you gotta know the One who makes life matter. One of the best ways to do that is to know what kind of person God is—how do you do that? It’s one of those obvious answers—READ THE BIBLE!

But don’t just read it like you do the newspaper or a textbook for school. This book doesn’t just give information—this book tells us who God is—it tells us what kind of person he is—and by the way, some of the stories may mess with your assumptions.

Need help keeping to a schedule? Here’s a free email service that will keep you on track, reading the bible through in a year.

WHAT GOES ON AT YAM?

The Gathering--learning how to make God look good 24/7, Sundays at 10 AM, on the TFB campus, in the Young Adult room

Eating together--most Sundays, around 11:30 am, give or take...

Experience--an alternative worship event, Every couple of months or so

HomeBase--fellowship in homes

Plain wRap--a bible and brain, pen and paper bible study, Sunday nights during the Summer

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IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK

Upcoming Events
Next Sunday--Combined Service at TFB; YAM at Arrowhead!
The Gathering--God is doing something extraordinary
Know God--Daily Passion

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UPCOMING EVENTS

- After Christmas Soda Shop Party, December, 26-- karaoke, ice cream sundae bar, food, music, and maybe even "rhythmic worship" :)
- Winter Retreat - December 27 through 29, Cost: $35
- HomeBase at the Stines, January 25 (sometime in the pm--details later)
- College Winter Camp at Harmony Pines, February 28 - March 2, Cost $95, details later

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NEXT SUNDAY

10:00 am Worship--Worship Center
[no Sunday School]

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THE GATHERING--God is doing something extraordinary--Week Four

How do you picture Messiah? When you think of Jesus in December, what image comes to mind? Probably a little baby, sleeping on hay, and surrounded by sheep. It's a good picture. It's a true picture. But that's not all there is. Jesus the Messiah is much more than a sweet baby. He is much more than a nice man.

Over the past few weeks we have looked at a few of the Old Testament prophecies about Messiah. They paint a very different picture. Around 2100 BC, Yahweh called Abram. In his call, he promised Abram that through him, all families of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:1-3)--Messiah is that blessing.

Around 1700 BC, Yahweh promised Judah, though Judah's father Jacob, that the rulership would remain in Judah's family until the One would come to whom the rulership belongs (Genesis 49:8-10)--that's Messiah.

Around 1440 BC, Yahweh promised the nation of Israel, through Moses, that God would send a prophet like Moses (one who knows God face to face and speaks God's words to the people, Deuteronomy 18:15-19)--that't the Messiah.

Now here's the thing. Messiah is not only one who blesses, he is also one who rules and demands obedience. He is one who speaks for God and must be listened to. Jesus is no longer the baby, resting peacefully on a pile of hay. Jesus is the sovereign ruler of the universe. Those who do not submit--those who do not listen to him--will spend eternity without him. Eternity without Jesus is hell.

We all have hidden areas in our life. Areas we hide from others and think we hide from God. But God not only knows everything, he is also not surprised by anything. There is nothing you have ever done or thought that would surprise God. You see, God only works with broken people. That's the great thing. God works with us in our brokenness, so that his strength and glory are shown even brighter.

Spend some time at the end of this year. Dig up your stuff from its hiding place, then dump it out at Jesus feet. He can handle it. In fact, only he can handle it. Then find a brother or sister you can trust, and tell them. Start today to make the three degree course correction toward the pure and tested life that will bring Messiah honor and pleasure. That's what it's really all about.

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KNOW GOD--RESOURCES FOR WALKING THE WALK

Daily Passion for God

Want to spend time with God? Not sure what to do? Check out the Daily Passion resource at Intervarsity Christian Fellowship.

WHAT GOES ON AT YAM?

The Gathering--learning how to make God look good 24/7, Sundays at 10 AM, on the TFB campus, in the Young Adult room

Eating together--most Sundays, around 11:30 am, give or take...

Experience--an alternative worship event, Every couple of months or so

HomeBase--fellowship in homes

Plain wRap--a bible and brain, pen and paper bible study, Sunday nights during the Summer

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IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK

Upcoming Events
Next Sunday
The Gathering--God is doing something extraordinary
What's going on? arggggh!
Know God--Christmas Gift Card

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UPCOMING EVENTS

- After Christmas Soda Shop Party, December, 26-- So far it's karaoke and food--have ideas? send 'em in!
- Winter Retreat - December 27 through 29, Cost: $35 ($15 due at sign-up).
- College Winter Camp at Harmony Pines, February 28 - March 2, Cost $95, details later

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NEXT SUNDAY

8:45 am Worship--Worship Center
10:00 am The Gathering--YAM Room
11:45 am LUNCH @ Chili's

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THE GATHERING--God is doing something extraordinary--Week Three

When God does something extraordinary, he calls one to speak to many
Deuteronomy 18:15-22; 34:10-12

What are you expecting from Christmas? Shopping. Stress. Time with family and friends. New speakers for the car. Time to read what you want. The list is endless. Every year things happen that heighten our expectation. The day after Thanksgiving, decorations magically appear. Stores and elevators everywhere begin to play endless version of White Christmas, and various winter songs sung by Bing Crosby and Perry Como. Stores have exceptional sales. This seemingly endless list of holiday appetizers shrinks in comparison to the extraordinary Messiah appetizer God set out.

Some 2000 years before the birth of Jesus, God made a promise to Abram that One would come through his family to bless the entire world (see Genesis 12:1-3). A couple generations later, Jacob prophesied that through Judah a king would come, and all the peoples of the earth would obey him. About 600 years later, God gives another prophecy about his Messiah. Around 1400 BC, when Moses was getting ready to die, he gave a final address to the people of Israel. We call this address Deuteronomy.

Turn to Deuteronomy 18.

In the middle of his speech Moses tells Israel about a Prophet who will come in the future. According to verses 15 through 19, this prophet will be like Moses. He will speak to the people for God and whoever refuses to listen to this prophet will be held responsible. So what kind of prophet was Moses?

Turn to chapter 34.

In verses 10 through 12, the editor of the Torah (that’s the first five books of the bible) adds a sort of appendix. In this appendix he sums up Moses as a prophet.

- Moses knew God face to face; he was God’s friend.
- Moses did signs and wonders.
- Moses performed these signs and wonders with great power and mighty terror.

So here we sit, just a few weeks before Christmas. Every Christmas, we focus on the baby Jesus, small and helpless, humble, and sleeping in a manger. It is no wonder that the Jews of Jesus’ time were confused by Jesus’ Messiahship. They were expecting someone powerful—a king who ruled with strength and a prophet who spoke with power and inspired mighty terror, and what did they get? A baby in a feeding trough. But here’s the deal… the baby in the feeding trough? He’s the same person who spoke all creation into existence. He’s the same person who upholds all creation with his word. He’s the same person who will judge everyone in the last day. Jesus, this tiny baby in a feeding trough, is the fulfillment of everything the Jews expected. Most of them just didn’t realize it.

This Christmas, there are many people who do not have happy expectations about Christmas. Some have endured incredible hardship. Others are alone. Some are looking for answers to questions they don’t really know how to ask. A few weeks ago we talked about our faith stories—the story of life before trusting Christ, how we came to trust Christ, and of life since trusting Christ. Your story. There’s one cool thing about telling your own story… no one can argue with it. It’s an eyewitness account. Telling your story is necessary. Telling Jesus’ story is central. But how? There is a tool called One Verse Evangelism. It is a simple, easy to remember diagram using Romans 6:23. Click here to link to the diagram:

During this season and after, think about your own faith story. Learn the facts of the gospel. But most of all have the courage to speak the truth to those who need to hear. Those who do not obey the voice of Jesus will be utterly destroyed. Humanity is completely unable to pay its debt. Only Jesus can pay the debt. Preach Jesus.


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WHAT'S GOING ON?

Finals week... arggggh!

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KNOW GOD--RESOURCES FOR WALKING THE WALK

Christmas Gift Card

Give someone you love the greatest Christmas gift ever... the great news about Jesus. Here's a resource from the evangelism toolbox:

WHAT GOES ON AT YAM?

The Gathering--learning how to make God look good 24/7, Sundays at 10 AM, on the TFB campus, in the Young Adult room

Eating together--most Sundays, around 11:30 am, give or take...

Experience--an alternative worship event, Every couple of months or so

HomeBase--fellowship in homes

Plain wRap--a bible and brain, pen and paper bible study, Sunday nights during the Summer

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IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK

Upcoming Events
Next Sunday
The Gathering--God is doing something extraordinary
What's going on? Alright, so Biola is just way too exciting...
Christmas Funnies: Can you name these Christmas Carols?
Know God--Lectio Divina (no, it's not funny Italian candy!]

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UPCOMING EVENTS

- After Christmas Soda Shop Party, December, 26-- So far it's karaoke and food--have ideas? send 'em in!
- Winter Retreat - December 27 through 29, Cost: $35 ($15 due at sign-up).

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NEXT SUNDAY

8:45 am Worship--Worship Center
10:00 am The Gathering--YAM Room
11:45 am LUNCH @ Mimi's Cafe!

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THE GATHERING--God is doing something extraordinary--Week Two

When God does something extraordinary, he calls one to lead many
Genesis 49: 8-12

Have you ever been to a funeral? One of the main features of any funeral is remembering the person—sharing their mark on their world. We’re going to look at an upside down funeral today. At this funeral, the ‘honored dead’ isn’t dead yet. In fact, it is the dying person who does the remembering and the sharing. At the end of the book of Genesis, Jacob calls his family together and blesses his sons. The blessings are a remembrance in advance. A prequel of sorts to their mark on their world. In his blessing, Jacob reveals each son’s personality, potential, and prophetic future. Jacob tells him what sort of person he is, how he will turn out, and how the promise to Abraham will be fulfilled through him.

Open your bible to Genesis 49

Personality

Verses 8 through 12 contain Jacob’s blessing of Judah, his fourth son. Jacob first reveals Judah’s personality. He tells him what sort of person he is. Look at verses 8-9. Despite being the fourth son, Judah’s natural leadership was already clear. Judah had convinced his brothers to sell Joseph rather than to kill him (Gen. 37:25-28). Judah convinced his father to bring the clan to Egypt (Gen. 43:3-10). In addition to natural leadership, Jacob reveals Judah’s strength. In comparing Judah to a lion, Jacob makes it clear that even at rest, Judah is a force to respect.

Potential

Judah’s strong, leader personality gives him the potential not only to rule Israel, but also to defeat Israel’s enemies. Jacob tells Judah how he will turn out.

Prophecy

Jacob then makes an abrupt turn. Having considered Judah’s personality and potential, he turns to prophecy. He turns from likelihood to certainty. Through Judah, One will come. The right to rule, the scepter, belongs to this One. Jacob prophesies that the rule will remain with Judah until this One arrives. Even with some disagreement over one of the terms in the verse (translated ‘Shiloh’ [KJV, NASB], ‘to whom it belongs [NLT]), most Jewish and Christian biblical scholars agree that the term refers to the Messiah.

The Messiah will come through Judah, and he will not only rule Israel, but the peoples will also be obedient to him. So here, in the first book of the Old Testament, God once again declares that the blessing promised to and through Abram, and through Judah is a blessing for all peoples of the earth.

Last week we saw that when God does something extraordinary, he calls one to bless many (Gen. 12:1-3). This week we see that when God does something extraordinary, he calls one to lead many. That One, who blesses many and leads many, is Jesus.

So, what do we do with this? One of my professors has said that the purpose of the whole Bible is to confront us with a question: who will you trust? You choose. Will you trust the One through whom God blesses and leads humanity? Or will you trust something smaller and weaker? Remarkable or mundane? You choose. Will you join God in the extraordinary something or go your own way, reaching only as far as your own arms? You choose.

Wanna join the something extraordinary this week? Remember that 'faith story' we talked about last week? Well, get out there and tell someone about the something extraordinary God is doing though you.


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WHAT'S GOING ON?

Alright, so Biola is just way too exciting...

Christian College Invaded By Swat Team

Larry Wheeler
KTLA-TV Newswriter

December 5, 2002, 7:03 AM PST

LA MIRADA -- An armed standoff on a college campus has ended with the arrest of one suspect.

It came to an end about 3:15 a.m. (PST) Thursday at Biola University in La Mirada. Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies said two carjacking suspects stole a car about 10:00 p.m. Wednesday. The car and the suspects were found a short time later near the campus. The men were chased to the school, where one of them ran into the cafeteria. He finally gave up after several hours of negotiations.

SWAT officers found him hiding in a hole in the ceiling in the cafeteria. He was later arrested.

The other man remained at large.

Copyright © 2002, KTLA
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CHRISTMAS FUNNIES: Can you name these Christmas Carols?

CAN YOU NAME THESE CHRISTMAS CAROLS?
(For those who give up, the answers are posted below.)
1. ABCDEFGHIJKMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
2. On my list, I only desire my foremost dual incisors.
3. The smogless witching hour has arrived.
4. Exuberating to this orb
5. 288 Yuletide hours
6. Sir Lancelot with laryngitis
7. Leave and do an elevated broadcast.
8. That small hamlet south of the Holy City
9. Listen, the winged heavenly messengers are proclaiming tunefully.
10. Mom's mother was the victim of a "hit-and-run" by Santa's sleigh team.
11. I spied my maternal parent face-against-face with Father Christmas.
12. Whose offspring?


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KNOW GOD--RESOURCES FOR WALKING THE WALK

Lectio Divina--no, it's not funny Italian candy!

Lectio Divina is an ancient Christian prayer method. The steps in Lectio are more properly called movements. The first movement is 'lectio' or reading rather listening to God's Word with a spirit of silence and awe. The second step is 'meditatio' or meditation. This movement does to scripture what cows do to their food when they chew the cud--it gets out every bit of goodness. The third movement is 'oratio' or prayer understood as dialogue with God. In other words, you and God are speaking together. The fourth movement is 'contemplatio' or contemplation. Contemplation is resting in God's presence, like a weaned child sleeping at it's mother's breast. The child is not there to get anything but his mother's presence. That is enough.

Here are some sites for more information (these sites are a mixed bag; take what is true and reject what is not):

Lectio at St. Andrew's Abbey
Article by Michel de Verteuil
Lectio at Saint Joseph's Abbey
Lectio by Carmelites
Awakening to Prayer









Answers to the Christmas funny:
ANSWERS:
1. The First Noel
2. All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth
3. It Came upon a Midnight Clear
4. Joy to the World
5. The Twelve Days of Christmas
6. Silent Night
7. Go Tell It on the Mountain
8. O Little Town of Bethlehem
9. Hark the Herald Angels Sing
10. Grandma Got Run-over by a Reindeer
11. I Saw Mama Kissin' Santa Claus
12. What Child Is This?

WHAT GOES ON AT YAM?

The Gathering--learning how to make God look good 24/7, Sundays at 10 AM, on the TFB campus, in the Young Adult room

Eating together--most Sundays, around 11:30 am, give or take...

Experience--an alternative worship event, Every couple of months or so

HomeBase--fellowship in homes

Plain wRap--a bible and brain, pen and paper bible study, Sunday nights during the Summer

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IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK

Upcoming Events
Next Sunday
The Gathering--Celebration Sunday
What's going on? Room redecoration
Know God--Writing your Faith Story

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UPCOMING EVENTS

- After Christmas Soda Shop Party, December, 26-- So far it's karaoke and food--have ideas? send 'em in!
- Winter Retreat - look for details next week

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NEXT SUNDAY

8:45 am Worship--Worship Center
10:00 am The Gathering--YAM Room
11:45 am LUNCH @

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THE GATHERING--God is doing something extraordinary--Week One

When Yahweh does something extraordinary, he calls one to bless many.
A survey of the South Bay Yellow Pages finds 87 different categories of religion and 531 listings for local religious bodies—and that’s just in the South Bay! People are searching for something greater. Yet, no matter how hard humans try or how many ways we attempt, on our own we can only reach ourselves. What humans need is for the something greater to reach down and do something extraordinary. Well, the “something greater” did “something extraordinary.” That’s why we celebrate Christmas.

But when did this extraordinary something begin? Did it begin around 2000 years ago when God was born as a human baby, who soiled his diapers and cried when he was hungry? Or did it begin 9 months earlier when a young woman who had never had sex conceived a son by the Holy Spirit? Neither. This extraordinary something was not a Johnny-come-lately plan B picking up the pieces after a failed plan A. This extraordinary something was God’s plan before he created even one thing.

God put his plan into action, not 2000 years ago, but over 4000 years ago—back when the list of religions in the ‘yellow pages’ was just as long as today, and when people everywhere searched for something greater in any way they could.

Today, we’re going to look at the event—the happening—that started the extraordinary something. We’ll see the who—the partner, the what—the plan, and the how far—the extent—of God’s extraordinary something.

Get out your bible and turn to Genesis 12.

It has always been God’s plan to do something extraordinary—to do something for humanity that humanity could not do for itself. When God put his plan into action—when he chose whom he would partner with—he didn’t form a committee. He didn’t create a task force. He called one guy. He called a regular guy—a settled guy. Look at verse one. “Then the LORD told Abram, “Leave your country, your relatives, and your father’s house, and go to the land that I will show you.” What did God call Abram to leave? Where did God call Abram to go? God called one. When God does something extraordinary, he calls one.

But God didn’t just call one. He called one to bless. He called one to be a partner in the plan. Look a verse two. “I will cause you to become the father of a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and I will make you a blessing to others.” How did God promise to bless Abram? When God does something extraordinary, he calls one to bless.

God promised to bless Abram and to make him a blessing, but how far would the blessing go? What was the extent of God’s plan? Look at verse three. “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you.” What did God say would be the extent of the blessing—of the extraordinary something? When God does something extraordinary, he calls one to bless many.

God called one to bless the many who search for the something greater to do something extraordinary. He called one who was willing to let God lead—to let God do the doing. This extraordinary something began with Abram, but it didn’t stop there. The extraordinary something became fully active with the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, but it didn’t stop there either.

God is still doing something extraordinary. People are still searching for something extraordinary. God is still partnering with regular people in this extraordinary something. He’s calling regular folks. He’s calling us—one by one.

One of the ways God can use each of you is through your story—your faith story. A faith story is simply the story of your life before you trusted Christ, how you came to trust Christ, and what he is doing through you right now.

Today we’re going to start putting together our faith stories. If you don’t have a faith story—if you have not yet trusted Christ—if you’re still looking for that extraordinary something, I challenge you to take this opportunity. The something greater has already done something extraordinary and all he asks is that you trust him to do through you what you cannot do—to reach God—to reach the something greater and partner in the extraordinary something.

Start putting your faith story together, by answering these three questions:

1. What was life like before you trusted Christ?
2. How did you come to trust Christ?
3. What is Christ doing in you life right now?

Continue to work on your faith story, but don’t stop there—tell someone!

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WHAT'S GOING ON?

ROOM REDECORATION PROJECT: The room is looking good, thanks to Sarah K--resident designer. It's a work in progress, but so far, we have cool throw pillows, floor coverings, nifty lights that even make the green screen look good, and a lovely Christmas art piece created from a string of lights and a bunch of metallic Christmas balls. We've still got stuff to get (window treatments, cooler trash cans, table lamps), but we are on our way. By the way, if anyone has a spare table lamp they'd like to donate... we'll take it! We have some projects for next year, like resurfacing the lovely wood-grain formica entertainment center, and creating small coffee tables from some giant spools.

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KNOW GOD--RESOURCES FOR WALKING THE WALK

Help for writing your faith story from The Evangelism Toolbox