YAM eNews Week of August 24, 2003

If you would like to contribute to the YAM eNews, send an email to tfbyam1@hotmail.com.

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IN THE eNEWS THIS WEEK

REGULAR HAPPENINGS
SUMMER EVENTS
STUDYING ROMANS WITH PASTOR CHARLIE
[YOUR CONTRIBUTION COULD BE HERE]
THE GATHERING—Paradigm Shifting
YAM SERVICE TEAM—Coming in September
TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY-- The book of Beginnings: Genesis 1-11

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REGULAR HAPPENINGS

WORSHIP @ 8:45 am—Main Worship Center

EATING TOGETHER, 4th Sunday @ 11:45 am
Next EATING TOGETHER is September 28
Now taking restaurant recommendations…

SDGs (SPIRITUAL DISCUSSION GROUPS)

The Gathering @ 10 am—YAM room
Current Study: "Seeing God in The Matrix" taught by Tom
An online summary is available weekly at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/

Communal Discovery @ 8 pm on Tuesdays—YAM room
Current Study: How it all began... Genesis 1-11
An online version is available weekly at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/

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SUMMER EVENTS


COLLEGE BRIEFING
August 29 to September 1
Forest Home
…CHRIST IS ALL THAT MATTERS… Colossians 3:11 NLT

Dodger Baseball—early September

The end of summer is upon us. We are both sad and happy.
Let us take a moment of silence to remember the days gone by…

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STUDYING ROMANS WITH PASTOR CHARLIE

The Christian View of Life, part 20
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CHRISTIAN
Romans 8:5-17

THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BELIEVERS AND UNBELIEVERS

A DIFFERENCE IN MIND SET. (v.5)
Romans 12:2
Galatians 5:19-23

A DIFFERENCE IN LIFESTYLE (v.6)

A DIFFERENCE IN ATTITUDE TOWARD GOD. (v.7)
Romans 7:15,19,20.

A DIFFERENCE IN ABILITY TO PLEASE GOD. (v.8)

THE KEY DIFFERENCE: THE HOLY SPIRIT LIVES INSIDE A CHRISTIAN. (v.9,10)
John 14:16,17
1 Corinthians 12:13

There's a difference between the Holy Spirit being resident in your life and the Holy Spirit being president of your life.

Ephesians 5:18


WHAT IS NEW IN YOUR LIFE BECAUSE YOU ARE A BELIEVER?

YOU HAVE A NEW POWER IN YOUR LIFE. (v.11)

YOU HAVE A NEW ABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY. (v.12,13)

YOU HAVE A NEW LEADER – THE HOLY SPIRIT (v.14)
John 14:26 (NIV)

YOU HAVE A NEW RELATIONSHIP OF LOVE WITH GOD NOT FEAR. (v.15)
Romans 8:32

YOU HAVE AN ASSURANCE THAT YOU BELONG TO GOD. (v.16)
1 John 1:9-13
Romans 10:13

YOU HAVE A NEW INHERITANCE. (v.17)
John 14:12
Galatians 4:6,7
Ephesians 1:18,19

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[YOUR CONTRIBUTION COULD BE HERE]



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THE GATHERING—Paradigm Shifting
[also available at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/]

YAM joined the combined adult Sunday School class today, to hear Mark Lambert (title) speak on Paradigm Shifts. Here’s the upshot: the world has changed; the church must change if we are to follow Jesus’ command to go into the world and make disciples. Everyone is a missionary. This paradigm shift will be tough. There will be failures. We all need to have the guts to stick with it and do what Jesus commands.

We also had an excellent lunchtime talk about direction and necessary changes for YAM. Here’s the blunt version:
- YAM is boring and mostly irrelevant, and it’s easy for the mind to drift.
- YAM needs to change in order to retain and attract new students.
- Students need to step up to the plate, doing more student-led bible study, speaking up when things aren’t going well (rather than assuming that the “leaders” will catch on by student non-attendance), and taking an active role in a student leadership group.
- Teaching needs to be less theoretical and more practical, with more interactive discussion.

So, for those who were not at Ruby’s for lunch… step up, speak up. It is better to speak the truth and step on toes, than to keep silent and tell a lie.

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YAM SERVICE TEAM—Coming in September

YAM Service Team Applications are just about ready to come off the press. If you’d like to step up to the plate and be part of the leadership team, start talking with God today, asking him what he might want you to do.

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TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY-- The book of Beginnings: Genesis 1-11
[available—with more stuff—at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/]

August 19, we looked at Genesis 4 (focusing on verses 1-15).

Things to notice in the text:
- Who’s the main character?
- What’s the plot—the basic story line?
- What are some things that just don’t seem to make sense—for example, look at God’s treatment of Cain in verse 15. Cain is a murderer, yet God protects him. Other things: Abel’s accepted sacrifice and Cain’s rejected sacrifice—what’s the difference? The place of Adam and Eve in all this—where were the parents? Look for more.

Life issues:
- On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being mediocre and 10 being totally on fire, how would you rate your passion for God? Why do you think that is? What needs to change?
- Proverbs 4:20-23 says that godly wisdom is life and health—that springs of life pour from them, yet it often seems that God’s way is presented as restrictive and boring. What are we missing here? Is there something about God’s way that we are missing? What do you think it is?

Next week we’ll look at Genesis 6 (focusing on verses 1-8)

Get a headstart. Spend one of your personal worship times reading over Genesis 5-6 (in addition to a genealogy in chapter 5—a bit of a snore—there is a really WACKY story in chapter 6—it’s a MUST READ).

--Laura

YAM eNews Week of August 17, 2003

If you would like to contribute to the YAM eNews, send an email to tfbyam1@hotmail.com.

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IN THE eNEWS THIS WEEK

REGULAR HAPPENINGS
SUMMER EVENTS
EXPERIENCE: WORSHIP SPACE—HOLY WIND
FREE STUFF—Online Bible Software Sites
STUDYING ROMANS WITH PASTOR CHARLIE
STUFF FROM THE WEB—Cheap Ways to Decorate Your Dorm Room
[YOUR CONTRIBUTION COULD BE HERE]
THE GATHERING—The Ultimate Story
TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY-- The book of Beginnings: Genesis 1-11

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REGULAR HAPPENINGS

WORSHIP @ 8:45 am—Main Worship Center

EATING TOGETHER, 4th Sunday @ 11:45 am
Next EATING TOGETHER is August 24


SDGs (SPIRITUAL DISCUSSION GROUPS)

The Gathering @ 10 am—YAM room
Current Study: "Seeing God in The Matrix" taught by Tom
An online summary is available weekly at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/

Communal Discovery @ 8 pm on Tuesdays—YAM room
Current Study: How it all began... Genesis 1-11
An online version is available weekly at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/

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SUMMER EVENTS

Getty Museum
http://www.getty.edu/museum/
Saturday, August 23 @ 11 am to 7:00 pm (max ending time)
Meet at Aviation Station (Aviation and Imperial) at 11 am.
Bring $3 for transportation and money for lunch.


COLLEGE BRIEFING
August 29 to September 1
Forest Home
…CHRIST IS ALL THAT MATTERS… Colossians 3:11 NLT
Cost: $145 due now!
Scholarships available, ask Laura or Tom
Visit http://www.gospelcom.net/foresthome/collegebriefing2003.htm for info

Dodger Baseball—early September

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EXPERIENCE: WORSHIP SPACE—HOLY WIND

Check out the fotolog for pictures from Experience. The next Experience will be in a couple months. More info later.

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FREE STUFF—Online Bible Software Sites

The Christian Classics Ethereal Library provides—free of charge—downloadable bible software. It includes “official” components and “user-made” components. Some useful stuff. Remember, use the web with wisdom. Check it out.



There are also a number of use-it-online bible took sites:

Bible Gateway gives you access to lots of translations—newer ones like NIV, NLT, and NASB and older ones like Young’s Literal and King James.

Bible Tools at Crosswalk has translations, commentaries, dictionaries, and more.

Dr. Constable —a Seminary prof—has put all his notes on the internet. I have used these, and he gives a balanced opinion.

Knowing God Through the Whole Bible gives an overview of the Bible courtesy of the Radio Bible Class.

The Biblical Studies Foundation provides tons of articles, introductions, outlines, and more on biblical and theological subjects.

Bible History online has lots of stuff on history and archeology.

Finally, Resource Pages for Biblical Studies has links to tons more stuff.

Surf away, maties.

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STUDYING ROMANS WITH PASTOR CHARLIE

The Christian View of Life, Part 19
LIVING WITHOUT CONDEMNATION
Romans 8:1-2

HOW GOD RESPONDS TO ME WHEN I SIN

GOD DOES NOT REJECT ME WHEN I SIN.
John 6:37

1) God’s love is unconditional.
Romans 9:15

2) My acceptance is not based on my performance.
Romans 9:16

3) My acceptance is based on my position in Christ.
Romans 3:21-22

GOD IS PATIENT WITH ME WHEN I AM INCONSISTENT.
Psalm 103:13-14
Hebrews 4:15,16

GOD DOES NOT PUNISH ME WHEN I SIN.

Punishment is payment for past sin.
Romans 5:18
1 Peter 3:18
Psalm 103:9-12


WHAT DOES HAPPEN WHEN A CHRISTIAN SINS?

SIN BRINGS CONVICTION FROM GOD.

Conviction means God is making me aware of my sin.
Acts 2:37

SIN’S CONSEQUENCES HURT US AND OTHERS.
Galatians 6:7

OUR FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD IS BROKEN.
1 John 1:6, 7

OUR USEFULNESS TO GOD IS LIMITED.
John 15:4

SIN BRINGS LOVING DISCIPLINE FROM GOD.
Hebrews 12:5-11

WE EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF REWARDS IN HEAVEN.
2 John 8, 9
1 Corinthians 3:10-15


WHAT SHOULD A CHRISTIAN DO WHEN HE SINS?

REMIND MYSELF THAT JESUS HAS ALREADY PAID FOR MY SIN AND IS RIGHT NOW UP IN HEAVEN PLEADING MY CASE BEFORE GOD.
1 John 2:1, 2

CONFESS MY SIN TO GOD.
1 John 1:9

ACCEPT FORGIVENESS AND FORGIVE MYSELF.
1 John 3:19, 20
Hebrews 9:14


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STUFF FROM THE WEB—Cheap Ways to Decorate Your Dorm Room

An excerpt from “Cheap Ways To ...” ($8.99 from Relevant Books). Hope it helps you bring a little warmth to the tiny cube you'll be living in for the next nine months.


Adding your own personal style to your dorm room doesn't have to cost a fortune. A little time and creativity can do wonders for any room. Remember to build upon your existing decor (if you have any) rather than try to remodel everything. Try not to go overboard with trends; they become dated far too quickly. Televisions shows such as Trading Spaces are packed with budget ideas and worth a few afternoons or evenings of viewing time.

A TOUCH OF ART

Art comes in all forms, and it's important to keep an open mind.


JUST THE RIGHT TOUCH
It's usually the little things that make the biggest difference. Look for ways to add your own creative touch to the details of a room. Use inexpensive accessories such as pillows, plants, vases, plates, or lamps to brighten up a room and create atmosphere. Remember that you can always upgrade an old accessory with a new coat of paint.


CURTAINS

When it comes to curtains, it's time to get creative. If you can't find a set on sale, then visit the linen department of the store.


LIGHTEN UP
You can change the atmosphere of a room by changing the lighting. What kinds of lamps are you using? Could any of them be repainted? How would a different shaped shade or light bulb wattage affect them? Can dimmer switches be added to any of your lighting? Consider buying a new shade rather than replacing an entire lamp. Visit mass merchants such as Target and Wal-Mart for great prices. Make sure you unplug all lamps before painting or rewiring.

GET CREATIVE
Wonderful decor can be found at rummage and garage sales. Look for great prices, but also look for a product's potential. Which items can be given a new coat of paint and a new purpose? Old planters can be painted and rolled in the sand to add texture and a new look. Flower vases can be turned into fish bowls. An old chair can become a plant stand. Jewelry can be used to decorate or accentuate picture frames and lampshades. A mirror can be framed. An old paint roller pan can be painted, decorated and used to hold newspapers and magazines. Old windows can be used as frames for artwork. Add little quotes, pieces of wisdom, and Scripture to your creations to make them truly unique.

Adapted from Cheap Ways To ... available nationwide in and online at the RELEVANT Store for only $8.99.

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[YOUR CONTRIBUTION COULD BE HERE]



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THE GATHERING—The Ultimate Story
[also available at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/]

Well, for you all that missed it, we created the unofficial yam “mascots” today—Mr. Yam and Ms. Yam—and no, they’re not married; they’re just yams. Check out the yam fotolog on Monday for a picture.

Why it the world did we make people out of yams and what does that have to do with anything? Well, first off, it was funny. I mean, the guy is wearing a tuxedo! How cool is that?! Secondly, they’re a symbol of our story. Our story as individuals. Our story as YAM. Our story as the people of God.

More than that, they’re a symbol of the Ultimate Story. The Ultimate Story started when, in the beginning of everything, God created the heavens and the earth. When Eve was tricked into eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, God was not shocked. When Adam listened to the voice of another human—his wife—rather than listen to God, God was not shocked. God already had a plan. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians says that God chose us—before the beginning of everything—to be holy and without blame—to be adopted into his family (Ephesians 1).

So what is the Ultimate Story? Get your bible and turn to the last book—Revelation. Flip over to chapter 21. The first five verses of this chapter give us the subtitle of the Ultimate Story: God is making everything NEW. All of history—from the earliest cave paintings to the Mars orbiter, and all the stuff in between—from Genesis 1 clear through to today, August 17, 2003, in all of it God is working to make all things new.

Good news is, he has called us—chosen us—to join him in his recreation—in his making all things new.

So, back to the yam people—the symbols of our story. Let’s spin a tale. Imagine it is August 17, 2004. What will your life be like? What has changed? What has stayed the same? What has your life in 2003-2004 added to the Ultimate Story? How has YAM—as in Young Adult Ministry—been part of that story?

It is time to dream. It is time to spin a tale. It is time to change the world.

- Laura

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TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY-- The book of Beginnings: Genesis 1-11
[available—with more stuff—at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/]

Last week we looked at Genesis 3 (focusing on verses 1-7, the rejection of God’s rule).

Things to notice in the text:
- The serpent lives up to his “crafty” designation: in three simple steps, he raises doubts about God’s command, doubts about God’s truth-telling, and doubts about God’s motivation (vv. 1-4).
- The woman participated in her own deception, by understating and overstating the case (vv. 1-4; compare 2:16-17)
- Humanity was tempted to use God’s original design in an incorrect way. Compare v. 6 with 2:9.

Here are some thought questions:
- Did all the animals talk? some? just the serpent?
- Was the serpent able to talk because he was possessed by Satan, or was speech a natural ability?
- Had the woman been thinking about the Tree of Knowledge, or was this new?
- Was the man present during the woman’s discussion with the serpent, or did he arrive later? How does the text help you answer? What difference does it make?
- Read 1:26-27. Given the information in chapter 3 and in 1:26-27, are humans essentially good or essentially evil? Why? What difference does it make?
- If God knew humans would sin, why did he create us? A couple of options come to mind (there may be more): 1- God is mean. 2- Humans—beings made in God’s image—are valuable to God. Which option best fits with God’s revealed character?

Next week we’ll look at Genesis 4 (focusing on verses 1-15)

Get a headstart. Spend one of your personal worship times reading over Genesis 4.

--Laura

YAM eNews Week of August 10, 2003

If you would like to contribute to the YAM eNews, send an email to tfbyam1@hotmail.com.

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IN THE eNEWS THIS WEEK

REGULAR HAPPENINGS
SUMMER EVENTS
STUDYING ROMANS WITH PASTOR CHARLIE
STUFF FROM THE WEB— Pray-o-matic May 2003
[YOUR CONTRIBUTION COULD BE HERE] Tom on “Issues to think about when viewing/listening to current media...”
THE GATHERING—Finding God in the Matrix
TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY-- The book of Beginnings: Genesis 1-11

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REGULAR HAPPENINGS

WORSHIP @ 8:45 am—Main Worship Center

EATING TOGETHER, 4th Sunday @ 11:45 am
Next EATING TOGETHER is August 24, [restaurant to be decided next Sunday]


SDGs (SPIRITUAL DISCUSSION GROUPS)

The Gathering @ 10 am—YAM room
Current Study: "Seeing God in The Matrix" taught by Tom
An online summary is available weekly at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/

Communal Discovery @ 8 pm on Tuesdays—YAM room
Current Study: How it all began... Genesis 1-11
An online version is available weekly at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/

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SUMMER EVENTS

Hollywood Bowl
Yoyo Ma’s Sounds of Brazil
[TRIP CANCELLED]

Experience: Worship Space—Holy Wind
Curated by YAM
Saturday, August 16 @ 8 pm
Prayer Space by Jonathan Pribble
Entry Space by Jeff Barnhart
Art Space by TBA
Community Space by TBA

Getty Museum
http://www.getty.edu/museum/Saturday, August 23 @ TBA

COLLEGE BRIEFING
***SIGN-UPS HAVE BEGUN!! INVITE A FRIEND!!***
August 29 to September 1
Forest Home
…CHRIST IS ALL THAT MATTERS… Colossians 3:11 NLT
Cost: $145, $25 non-refundable deposit due at sign-up
Scholarships available, ask Laura or Tom
Visit http://www.gospelcom.net/foresthome/collegebriefing2003.htm for info

Dodger Baseball—early September

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STUDYING ROMANS WITH PASTOR CHARLIE

The Ultimate Lifestyle
Romans 8:1-39

A LIFE WITHOUT CONDEMNATION. (v. 1-4)
A life without condemnation means: GOD IS NOT ANGRY WITH ME.
John 3:17-18a
John 5:24

A LIFE WITHOUT DOMINATION. (v. 5-17)
A life without domination means: I DO NOT HAVE TO SIN.
[side note from Tuesday Communal Discovery: notice that one of the effects of sin is that humans are dominated by sin. This is a great distortion of reality. Genesis 1:26-27 says that humans were created to have dominion, not to be dominated.]

A LIFE WITHOUT DESPERATION. (v. 18-27)
A life without desperation means: I CAN LIFE WITH HOPE.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
1. We have the hope of a future resurrection. (v. 23)
2. We have the hope that the Holy Spirit is praying for us even when we’re going through these troubles. (v. 26)

A LIFE WITHOUT MISCALCULATION. (v. 28-30)
A life without miscalculation means: EVERYTHING IN MY LIFE HAS A PURPOSE.
Philippians 1:6
[side note: the word translated “will complete it” is ‘epiteleon’ and means “1) to bring to an end, accomplish, perfect, execute, complete 1a) to take upon one's self 1b) to make an end for one's self 1b1) to leave off 2) to appoint to, impose upon “… what seems like a mess now, is safe in God’s hands because he is able to bring all the pieces together to accomplish exactly what he wills]

A LIFE WITHOUT INTIMIDATION. (v. 31, 33-34)
A life without intimidation means: I CAN LIVE WITH CONFIDENCE
Hebrews 13:6

A LIFE WITHOUT SEPARATION. (v. 35-36)
A life without separation means: I WILL NEVER GO THROUGH LIFE BY MYSELF.
John 10:28


SIT BACK AND SAVOR THIS ONE:
Isaiah 43:2-3a NLT (emphasis mine)
WHEN you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. WHEN you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! WHEN you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Notice the ‘when’s… messy life is a guarantee… God’s presence is a guarantee… you can take that to the bank!

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STUFF FROM THE WEB— Pray-o-matic May 2003

From “cynical columnist investigates spirituality”

http://www.gospelcom.net/watkins/shorspi.htm#prayomatic
You, too, can pray with confidence and competence with the new 'Pray-O-Matic" system. Just choose a phrase from each category and you'll touch heaven from your prayer closet just like the saints of old. (There are over 10,000 possible combinations.)

Opening
[ ] Our gracious and loving Heavenly Father
[ ] We come before You
[ ] We come into Your midst
[ ] We come into Your presence

Transitions
[ ] We beseech Thee
[ ] In Jesus name
[ ] In the powerful name of Jesus
[ ] For Thy boundless love and mercy
[ ] This is weighing heavily on our hearts and minds
[ ] For Thy sake we pray
[ ] We look to the Lord in prayer
[ ] O, Lord Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth

Praises
[ ] We want to praise You
[ ] We just want to praise You
[ ] We just really want to praise You
[ ] We just lift You up
[ ] We just want to thank you, Lord

For meals
[ ] Bless this food to it's intended use
[ ] Bless this food to our bodies
[ ] Strengthen us so we may serve you
[ ] God is great, God is good . . .

For health
[ ] We rebuke this illness in the powerful name of Jesus
[ ] Bless those who are sick of our number

For missionaries
[ ] Bless the missionaries who labor in foreign fields, especially those who have gone out from our assembly

For protection
[ ] Thank Thee for Thy watchcare over us
[ ] Grant us Thy traveling mercies
[ ] Protect us on our way
[ ] Surround us with a hedge of protection
[ ] Cover us with Your blood
[ ] Now I lay me down to sleep . .

. For wisdom
[ ] Grant us Thy insight on this matter
[ ] Guard, guide, and direct us

For other needs
[ ] Be with all the "unspoken requests"
[ ] Convict them with your Spirit
[ ] Lift their burden

Closing
[ ] For Thy sake we pray, amen.
[ ] In the Name of Jesus, amen.
[ ] . . . I pray the Lord my soul to take, amen.

Better yet, why not just talk to the Father as your father:


God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, and now you can call God your dear Father. Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since you are his child, everything he has belongs to you (Galatians 4:6-7).

(c) 1999, 2003 James N. Watkins.

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[YOUR CONTRIBUTION COULD BE HERE] Tom on “Issues to think about when viewing/listening to current media...”

What morals are being portrayed? Would Jesus approve if He were sitting next to you watching/listening. If questionable, what could you learn NOT to do, or how NOT to act. Are they legitimizing anti-Christian values such as sexual freedom, homosexuality, adultery, lying. Are Christians/religious people portrayed as stupid and intolerant while any of the above are portrayed as the fun, smart, hip people. Is it a do your own thing, live for the moment, kind of mentality.

How do they portray truth? Everyone has a right to their own truth. There is no absolute truth. You're intolerant if you don't accept other's truths.

Who are the authority figures? Sport stars, movie stars? What qualifies Arnold Schwarzenegger to run for governor? Church leaders, teachers?

What kind of language is being used in music. Hateful, violent, sexual, loving? What influence will this have on adults, teens, children who listen.

Are we as a society becoming deadened to violence, sexual immorality, lying, homosexuality, godlessness? Do we as a society need greater and darker levels to achieve more of a thrill?

THINK how we can use all the positives and negatives to bring God more in focus. We should NOT just turn our backs and ignore what's happening to the world. We should seek to be a light to world, pointing at God. How can we make a change?

- Tom

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THE GATHERING—Finding God in the Matrix
[also available at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/]

Today we talked about the role of knowledge, truth, and reality.

Take some time this week to check out what God says about truth, knowledge, and reality.

Matthew 7:13-14; 9:4-6; 13:10-11; 17:18-20
Revelation 3:20-22
John 8:31-32 [Tom’s favorite]
2 Corinthians 4:6; 10:5
Ephesians 1:17; 4:11-13
Philippians 1:9-10

Read through these scriptures. What has been added to your understanding of knowledge?

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TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY-- The book of Beginnings: Genesis 1-11
[available—with more stuff—at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/]

Last week we looked at Genesis 2 (focusing on verses 18-25, the creation of woman).

Things to notice in the text:

There is a chiasm in verses 18-20.
A: “I will make a helper suitable”
B: “Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air”
C: “He brought them to the man to see what he would name them;”
C’: “and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.”
B’: “So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. “
A’: “But for Adam no suitable helper was found.”

See more on chiasm, and other literary features, on the YAM Bible Study Blog

There are two terms translated “man” in this text. The first is ‘adam’ (just like the man’s name), and can mean ” man, human being; man, mankind” (Source: http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Hebrew/heb.cgi?number=0120&version=nas). This term is used in verses 18-22 and in verse 25. The second term is ‘ish’, and can mean “man, male (in contrast to woman, female); husband” (Source: http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Hebrew/heb.cgi?number=0376&version=nas). This term is used in verses 23 and 24, where the man is contrasted with the woman.
An important literary device uses this word ‘ish’. In verse 23, the man is actually saying, “She shall be called ishah (the word for woman), for she was taken out of ish.” This wordplay tells us that living in relationship is a necessary part of who we are. This is, in fact, the main idea in this passage.

Another important word in this passage is ‘ezer’—the word translated “helper” in the NIV. Ezer simply means “helper.” The important thing about this term is its usage elsewhere. In the Psalms, ezer is used exclusively of God. This gives us a clue to the kind of help the woman was to be for the man—help coming from strength.
http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Hebrew/freqdisp.cgi?book=ps&number=05828&count=11&version=nas

The word “suitable” is a translation of the term “neged”, meaning “what is conspicuous, what is in front of; in front of, straight forward, before, in sight of; in front of oneself, straightforward; before your face, in your view or purpose with preposition” (Source: http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Hebrew/heb.cgi?number=05048&version=nas)
The woman was designed by God to stand beside him and rule with him as an equal partner, as the completion of humanity (see also Genesis 1:27, where it says point blank that the human—male and female—were created in God’s image.

Here are some thought questions:
1. The passage says that the woman was created as the ‘ezer’, the suitable helper, of the man. How has human culture distorted this? Where does human culture reflect this? What can you do this week to begin reversing the distortion in your sphere?
2. The passage shows the human exercising dominion over the creatures by naming them. How has human culture distorted this? Where does human culture reflect this? What is our responsibility as Christ-followers?
3. The passage says that marriage is a natural outgrowth of the ezer—suitable helper—relationship. What does this imply for the marriage relationship? What might change in your dating relationships if this were lived out?


Next week we’ll look at Genesis 3 (focusing on verses 1-7, The Sin)

Get a headstart. Spend one of your personal worship times reading over Genesis 3. Put yourself in the serpent’s shoes—he had legs then, you know—and then in Eve’s shoes. Describe the serpent’s clever tactics and Eve’s taking the bait—as in hook, line, and sinker!

--Laura

YAM eNews Week of August 3, 2003

If you would like to contribute to the YAM eNews, send an email to tfbyam1@hotmail.com.

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IN THE eNEWS THIS WEEK

CALENDAR
SUMMER EVENTS
STUFF FROM THE WEB—Steps of Faith
[YOUR CONTRIBUTION COULD BE HERE]
THE GATHERING—The Matrix?
TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY-- The book of Beginnings: Genesis 1-11

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CALENDAR

SUNDAYS
Worship @ 8:45 am—Main Worship Center

The Gathering @ 10 am—YAM room
Current Study: "Seeing God in The Matrix" taught by Tom
An online summary is available weekly at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/

Eating together (most weeks) @ 11:45 am


TUESDAYS

Communal Manuscript Study @ 8 pm—YAM room
Current Study: How it all began... Genesis 1-11
An online version is available weekly at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/

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SUMMER EVENTS

Hollywood Bowl
Yoyo Ma’s Sounds of Brazil
[YAM TRIP CANCELLED]

Experience: Worship Space—Holy Wind
Saturday, August 16 @ 8 pm

Getty Museum
http://www.getty.edu/museum/
Saturday, August 23 @ TBA

COLLEGE BRIEFING
***SIGN-UPS HAVE BEGUN!! INVITE A FRIEND!!***
August 29 to September 1
Forest Home
…CHRIST IS ALL THAT MATTERS… Colossians 3:11 NLT
Cost: $145, $25 non-refundable deposit due at sign-up
Scholarships available, ask Laura or Tom
Visit http://www.gospelcom.net/foresthome/collegebriefing2003.htm for info

Dodger Baseball—early September

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STUFF FROM THE WEB—Steps of Faith

Taking Steps of Faith
from Re:Jesus

“Jesus was someone who stretched the faith of people around him. He constantly dared people to see things differently, to act differently, and to take steps of faith towards God.

“These pages are here to help you take a step of faith. Just click a shoe! Some of the steps are quite small – they’re more like shuffles of faith. Others are a lot bigger – they’re leaps of faith. All of them offer a chance to discover what you believe and how you want to live your life. And who knows? They might also help you discover more about God.”

Check out the website . Take some steps of faith.

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[YOUR CONTRIBUTION COULD BE HERE]

I know some of you write… if you’d like to contribute your thoughts—on anything from God to the best place for hotdogs—then this spot’s for you.

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THE GATHERING—The Matrix?

The question for the week:
How do you know what is real?

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TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY-- The book of Beginnings: Genesis 1-11

Last week we looked at Genesis 1 (especially verses 26-31, the creation of humanity).

Next week we’ll look at Genesis 2 (focusing on verses 18-25, the creation of woman).

Get a headstart. Spend one of your personal worship times reading over Genesis 2:4-25. Compare the creation story in chapter two with the creation story in chapter one. What is different? What is the same? Why do you think Moses included this second telling of creation?

--Laura