eNews will return January 5

YAM eNews Week of December 21, 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--Worship, Eat, The Gathering, Bible Study
COMING UP
I DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING FOR CHRISTMAS
WHEN GOD MESSES UP YOUR PLANS

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REGULAR HAPPENINGS--Worship, Eat, The Gathering, Bible Study

WORSHIP @ 8:45 am--Main Worship Center


EATING TOGETHER, 4th Sunday @ 11:45 am
No EATING TOGETHER in December
Next EATING TOGETHER is January 26
Meet in the TFB patio


THE GATHERING @ 10 am--TFB College Room
Current Study: Nurture, led by Tom
An online version is available weekly on The YAM Discussion Blog

BIBLE STUDY @ 8:00-9:00 pm on Tuesdays--TFB College Room
We're off for the rest of December... see you January 6
Current Study: TBA
An online version is available weekly at The YAM Discussion Blog

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COMING UP

MOVIE NIGHT, December 21, after Bell Noel--bring movies, comfy clothes, blankets and stuff, yourself

SPRING RETREAT, no info yet (dates unknown, but not during mid-terms), but if you'd like to be on the planning team, send an email: tfbyam1@hotmail.com.



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I DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING FOR CHRISTMAS

Admittedly, 6 am was too early to start out. I mean, the work didn’t begin until 9. But is was my first time and I was unsure of distances. So, there I was, 6 am, waiting for a bus. By 6:30, I was ordering my morning vente blackeye, handing the Starbucks card over with one hand, while holding a jalapeno bagel (toasted with butter) in the other hand. It was an odd way to start the day, given the task. Around 7:30 I headed for the Douglas Greenline station. Just twenty minutes later, I was tramping down the steps at Rosa Parks station. The Blueline train was packed, but I lucked out and found a seat. Glancing up at the map, I saw Slauson was the stop before Vernon. I’d be there early, but I figured they could put me to work.

When the train arrived at Vernon station, I headed north up Long Beach Ave toward 41st. Just a few feet into the trek I realized my destination was on the opposite side of the tracks. Bummer. No problem. I kept walking. The building was a warehouse in a low to lower-middle income neighborhood—a mixed bag, for sure. The warehouse was the smaller than I thought, but the two semis parked out front told me that they meant business. On the front was the logo-style name: Los Angeles Food Bank . As I approached the Food Bank, I saw the security guard in the small parking lot. She greeted me cheerfully and led me up the stairs to the work area. We entered a large room, filled with pallets of canned and boxed food. Ten people were already at work preparing the packs for the volunteers that would arrive at 9. They put a box of Corn Flakes in a large plastic handle bag, then placed two bags in each red bin. The bins were labeled "#6"--this is the packet we were preparing today. #6 includes stuff like canned meat, cereal, canned vegetables, dry milk, canned milk, dry beans, and peanut butter. I was put to work unstacking the empty bins so the others could place the cereal in them. We worked furiously for about 30 minutes, prepping 673 bins.

When the others arrived at 9 am, Tony came and gave us our instructions. Teams of four to five people were assigned to each product. Some unsealed the boxes, others placed the cans or boxes into the bags in the red bins. An additional four were assigned to the cleanup team. This was my team. Out tasks were to breakdown the corrugated boxes and place them in a large box and to pick up any trash. The basic task was to keep the place safe and clean in order to prevent injury. Once the assembly line got going, it was a sight to see. In two hours we had packed and palleted all 673 red bins. Tony then had a group of people prep 152 more bins--this time canned peas instead of canned corn. We started up the line again around 10:40 and finished all the bins by 11:30.

These 825 food packs are delivered to 35 senior citizen homes throughout Los Angeles, providing basic nutrition to seniors on fixed incomes. What amazed me most is how such a small effort (we were only there about four hours) could do so much. Each pack supplies a month of basic food. Pretty amazing.

After taking a few pictures (to be uploaded later at Laurasmind: The Fotolog), I headed for Vernon station and lunch. I realized a few things at the LA Food Bank. First, it doesn't actually take that much time and effort to make a difference. It was only four hours. Second, it wasn't the "life-changing event" I expected. It was basic. It was good, but not some panacea--not some instant cure-all. It was good, basic physical labor aimed at a good cause--feeding people. Third, I can do this--even when I have homework to do. I was back near home by 12:30. The excuses are gone, and I gave myself a fairly cool Christmas present. Not bad for a half days work.

I'll definitely go again. You can join me. Sign up online at Volunteermatch. By the way, if you're away at school, Volunteermatch has information on volunteer opportunities in many cities, including Santa Barbara (CA), San Luis Obispo (CA), Stanford (CA), Waco (TX), and Portland (OR). Decide to do something, and then do it. If you're doing something already, share a story by sending an email to tfbyam1@hotmail.com.

- Laura Springer

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WHEN GOD MESSES UP YOUR PLANS
Christmas Sunday, December 21
Pastor Charlie

GOD WANTS YOUR ATTENTION
Proverbs 16:25

Most of us have ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) when it comes to hearing God. There is a way to treat Spiritual ADD. ONE: read the bible regularly and often. TWO: talk with others about what you're learning.


GOD WANTS YOU TO KNOW HE HAS A GREAT PLAN FOR YOU
Jeremiah 29:11

God's plan for your life is always bigger than your plan because He has a bigger perspective.

God's plan for your life will sometimes be difficult and confusing.

God's plan for your life is always rewarding

1 Corinthians 2:9

Life will have trouble, that's a given. But in the middle of it all, God wants to give you satisfaction and significance. If you're regularly fatigued, frustrated, and fearful, you may want to give yourself a Spiritual ADD check up. It may be that he's been talking and your mind has been otherwise engaged.


GOD WANTS YOU TO TRUST HIM
Hebrews 11:6

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YAM eNews Week of December 14, 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—Worship, Eat, The Gathering, Bible Study
COMING UP IN DECEMBER
THINK ABOUT IT
THIS AMAZING BABY, PASTOR CHARLIE

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REGULAR HAPPENINGS—Worship, Eat, The Gathering, Bible Study

WORSHIP @ 8:45 am—Main Worship Center


EATING TOGETHER, 4th Sunday @ 11:45 am
Next EATING TOGETHER is December 28
Meet in the TFB patio


SDGs (SPIRITUAL DISCUSSION GROUPS)

The Gathering @ 10 am—TFB College Room
Current Study: Nurture, led by Tom

Bible Study @ 8:00-9:00 pm on Tuesdays— TFB College Room
Current Study: Christmas Attitude, Philippians 2:5-13
An online version is available weekly at The YAM Discussion Blog

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COMING UP IN DECEMBER

MOVIE NIGHT, December 21, after Bell Noel—one person wants the LOTR one and two; others want something else. We’ll see who wins… bwa ha ha ha

RETREAT, December 26-28, Lake Arrowhead (Camp Pursche), $25

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THINK ABOUT IT
"If you’re never scared or embarrassed or hurt, it means you never take any chances."
Julia Sorel

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THIS AMAZING BABY, PASTOR CHARLIE

Colossians 1:15-20
Pastor Charlie


THIS BABY JESUS IS GOD IN HUMAN FLESH (v. 15).
Hebrews 1:3
Philippians 2:6
Colossians 2:9

IF GOD WERE A MAN

I would expect Him to be sinless. Hebrews 4:15
I would expect Him to speak the most profound and greatest words ever spoken.
I would expect Him to exert a profound influence over human personality.
I would expect Him to perform miracles.
I would expect Him to know the future.
I would expect Him to show us what God was like.

THIS BABY JESUS IS OF ALL CREATIONS SUPERIOR (v. 15).
Hebrews 1:2

THIS BABY JESUS IS THE CREATOR AND SUSTAINER OF THE UNIVERSE (v.16, 17).
Get a small idea of what Jesus made:
Hubble Pictures
Powers of Ten

THIS BABY JESUS IS RULER OVER THE SPIRIT REALM (v. 16).

THIS BABY JESUS IS IN CHARGE OF HIS CHURCH (v. 18).


THIS BABY JESUS HAS POWER OVER LIFE AND DEATH (v. 18).
John 10:18

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YAM eNews Week of December 7, 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—Worship, Eat, The Gathering, Bible Study
COMING UP IN DECEMBER, Dates TBA
STUDYING ROMANS WITH PASTOR CHARLIE
HOW DO YOU NURTURE YOUR SOUL?

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REGULAR HAPPENINGS—Worship, Eat, The Gathering, Bible Study

WORSHIP @ 8:45 am—Main Worship Center


EATING TOGETHER, 4th Sunday @ 11:45 am
Next EATING TOGETHER is December 28
Meet in the TFB patio


SDGs (SPIRITUAL DISCUSSION GROUPS)

The Gathering @ 10 am—TFB College Room
Current Study: Nurture, led by Tom
An online version is available weekly on The YAM Discussion Blog

Bible Study @ 8:00-9:00 pm on Tuesdays— TFB College Room
Current Study: Christmas Attitude: The Whole Story, Philippians 2:5-13
An online version is available weekly at The YAM Discussion Blog

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COMING UP IN DECEMBER, Dates TBA

MOVIE NIGHT—one person wants the LOTR one and two; others want something else. We’ll see who wins… bwa ha ha ha

RETREAT (around $25, sometime between Christmas and New Years)

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STUDYING ROMANS WITH PASTOR CHARLIE

The Christian View of Life, part 33
KEYS TO AN EFFECTIVE MINISTRY
Romans 15:14-33

Major theme divisions in the book of Romans:

Sin: Why do I need Christ in my life? Why do I need to be Saved? 1:18-3:20

Salvation: How can I be saved? 3:21-5

Sanctification: How do I grow up after I’m a Christian? 6-8

Sovereignty: God’s sovereign work in salvation and how Israel’s fits into that work: 9-11

Service: What do I do after I’m saved? 12:1-15:13
KEYS TO AN EFFECTIVE MINISTRY

AN EFFECTIVE MINISTRY IS BASED ON GOD’S GRACE (v.14-15)
John 15:16

AN EFFECTIVE MINISTRY IS BUILT ON GOD’S WORD (v.16)
Acts 20:32
Romans 1:16,17
2 Timothy 3:16,17

AN EFFECTIVE MINISTRY IS OPERATED FOR GOD’S GLORY (v.17-18)

AN EFFECTIVE MINISTRY IS PERFORMED IN GOD’S POWER (v.19)
John 15:5
Zachariah 4:6

AN EFFECTIVE MINISTRY IS PLANNED ACCORDING TO GOD’S PURPOSES (v.20).


PROVERBS ON PLANNING FROM THE LIVING BIBLE:
"We should make our plans counting on God to direct us." Proverbs 16:9

"We can make plans but the final outcome is in God's hands." Proverbs 16:1

"Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong through common sense ,and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts." Proverbs 24:3,4

"A wise man thinks ahead, a fool doesn't and even brags about it." Proverbs 13:16

"A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences." Proverbs 22:3

"A sensible man watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them. The simpleton never looks and suffers the consequences." Proverbs 27:12

"A wise man is cautious and avoids danger. A fool plunges ahead with great confidence." Proverbs 14:16

"It is dangerous and sinful to rush into the unknown." Proverbs 19:2

"The wise man looks ahead. The fool attempts to fool himself and won't face facts."
Proverbs 14:8


PROVERBS ON DECISION MAKING FROM THE LIVING BIBLE

"What a shame, yes, how stupid to decide before knowing the facts." Proverbs 18:13

"We toss the coin but it is the Lord who controls the decision." Proverbs 16:33

"It is pleasant to see plans develop, that's why fools refuse to give them up even when they're wrong." Proverbs 13:19


AN EFFECTIVE MINISTRY IS SUPPORTED BY GOD’S PEOPLE
Supported financially by generous giving (v.25)
Supported spiritually by faithful praying (v.30)



THE GOOD NEWS ACCORDING TO ROMANS

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (3:23)

“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (5:8).

“The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (6:23)

“If you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (10:9).

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HOW DO YOU NURTURE YOUR SOUL?

See the Discussion Blog http://tfbyam.blogspot.com for more.

Is it important to nurture your faith? Why?

How do you nurture your faith? Here are a few ways we thought of today:
Pray often
Witness/lifestyle
Help thy neighbor
Christian music/worship/shows
Outreach
Accountability
Set a "God alarm' on your watch
Potluck
Bible study
Look at pretty stuff

Quick Scripture study (to nurture our souls):

Matthew 21:23-32

Authority Challenged, verses 23-27

Parable of Two Sons, verses 28-32

Closing:
John 8:31-33


Once you’ve thought about some ways to nurture your soul, work on developing discipline to make it a regular part of your life.

1 Corinthians 9:26-27

As with virtually anything in life, whether it be a garden, our bodies, relationships with friends and family, our spiritual relationship with God, it requires desire and effort on our part. The more worthwhile the enterprise, the greater our desire and effort should be.


NEXT WEEK: Nurturing our Faith (Souls) continues, read Ephesians 6:10-20.
Read with passion!

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