The eNews Week of August 29, 2004

If you would like to contribute to the eNews or converse with the editor, send an email to
tfbyam1@hotmail.com.

=============================
IN THE eNEWS THIS WEEK

REGULAR HAPPENINGS
NEW SUNDAY SCHEDULE—Coming September 12
COLLEGE BRIEFING!!! September 3-6
ALTERNATIVE—September 5, Sunday Bible Study
IS IT JUST A NOTION? Collegium, or some such thing…
SUNDAY GATHERING—POG History
LECTIO DIVINA—Sacred Reading
SERMON NOTES—Qualities That Will Weaken Your Life

=============================
REGULAR HAPPENINGS

WORSHIP @ 8:45 am—Main Worship Center

SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY @ 10 am on Sundays—TFB College Room
Currently: POG History (see below for an explanation of “POG”)

TUESDAY GATHERING @ 7:15-9:00 pm on Tuesdays— TFB College Room
Currently: Learning Jesus in the Gospel According to Mark

=============================
NEW SUNDAY SCHEDULE—Coming September 12
Beginning September 12, 2004, TFB will have a new morning schedule, complete with 30 additional sleep minutes—yippee!

WORSHIP @ 9:15 am—Main Worship Center

FELLOWSHIP @ 10:30ish—TFB Courtyard

SUNDAY GATHERING @ 11 am—TFB College Room

=============================
COLLEGE BRIEFING!!! September 3-6

Cost: $160
Place: Forest Home

Speaker:
Bryan Loritts
Host: Jason Djang
Band:
Plumbline

See Laura to sign-up

For details click
here.

=============================
ALTERNATIVE—September 5, Sunday Bible Study

Sunday, September 5, while some of us are off to College Briefing, please join the Combined Adult Sunday School in the gym.

Topic: Breaking New Ground
Focus: Presentation of our new fall schedule and its opportunities
=============================
IS IT JUST A NOTION? Collegium, or some such thing…


Collegium: A group whose members pursue shared goals while
working within a framework of mutual trust and respect

[Source: American Heritage Dictionary]


What if YAM became an intergenerational collegium?
What would that look like?
What might our shared values be?

Some possibles:

Know the story.
Be the people.
Spread the Kingdom.


Ponder on…

=============================
SUNDAY GATHERING—POG History
[* POG = People Of God]

God’s Covenant with Israel
Exodus 19:21-25; 20:18-26

Holy terror for the wholly other Holy Yahweh grows holiness.

Yahweh is the wholly other Holy One.
A. Yahweh can only be approached on his own terms, 19:21-25
B. Yahweh can only be worshiped his way, 20:22-26
Meeting the wholly other Holy Yahweh brings holy terror.
A. Holy terror is an intellectual response, 20:18, 22.
B. Holy terror is an emotional response, 20:18.
C. Holy terror is a volitional response. 20:18-19.
Holy terror for the wholly other Holy Yahweh grows holiness.
A. Holiness is for life, 20:20; 613 laws, 248 positive, 365 negative, covering every area of life.
B. Holiness is for worship, 20:23-26.



September 12—at 11 am—we’ll return to POG History and look at The Judges—Sin and Deliverance

Judges 2:11-23

Israel Wants a King
1 Samuel 8:4-22

Saul Loses the Throne; David Anointed King 1 Samuel 16:1-13

David Prepares Solomon for the Throne 1 Kings 2:1-9

Solomon’s Wisdom and Sin
1 Kings 11:1-13

The Kingdom is Split 1 Kings 12:12-20

Northern Kingdom Taken to Assyria 2 Kings 17:6-18

Southern Kingdom Taken to Babylon 2 Kings 25:1-7, 18-21

Returning to the Land—Rebuilding the Temple Ezra 1:1-11

Returning to the Land—Rebuilding the Walls Nehemiah 2:11-20
=============================
LECTIO DIVINA—Sacred Reading

Lectio Divina has four steps: lectio, meditation, oratio, and contemplatio The terms are a bit fancy, but the process is basic.

Step one: Lectio (read the passage once or twice aloud, then once or twice silently; your goal is to experience the passage rather than to merely understand it)

Step two: Meditatio (chew on the Word by focusing on a word or phrase that jumps out at you)
- What does this word/phrase bring to mind?
- What does this word/phrase feel like to me?

Step three: Oratio (conversation with God)
- God, what do you want me to do with what you’ve given me today?

Step four: Contemplatio (rest in God)
- Get quiet and simply be. In today’s noisy world, this is very difficult, so when the stray thoughts come—and they will—don’t stress out, just lay them down and move on.

Spend some time these next two weeks and do a lectio on the following two passages.

Exodus 20:20
"Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of
him may be before you, that you may not sin."

Hebrews 4:16 (text in brackets [ ] added for context)
[Therefore, because of Jesus’ sacrifice and
priesthood] Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that
we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.


=============================
SERMON NOTES—Qualities That Will Weaken Your Life
What God Can Do Through Ordinary You - Part 4
Hebrews 11:32; Judges 13-16

SELF INDULGENCE WEAKENS YOUR LIFE. Judges 14:1-3

Galatians 6:7, 8
Proverbs 25:28


BITTERNESS WILL WEAKEN YOUR LIFE Judges 15

*It's a waste of time to get even.
*It's a waste of energy to get even.
*It is a waste of creativity to get even.


Proverbs 29:22
Proverbs 16:32
Proverbs 29:11

CARELESSNESS WEAKENS YOUR LIFE Judges 13:3-5; Judges 16


SELF EVALUATION

I am out of control in my life in the following ways….

I am resentful and or bitter towards the following people….

I am less than fully devoted to God in the following areas…

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

The eNews Week of August 22, 2004

If you would like to contribute to the eNews or converse with the editor, send an email to tfbyam1@hotmail.com.

=============================
IN THE eNEWS THIS WEEK

REGULAR HAPPENINGS
NEW SUNDAY SCHEDULE—Coming September 12
COLLEGE BRIEFING!!! September 3-6
SCHEDULE CHANGE—September 5, Sunday Gathering
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY—POG History
POSSIBLE FUTURE STUDY TOPICS
SERMON NOTES—“Four Tests of a Believer”

=============================
REGULAR HAPPENINGS

WORSHIP @ 8:45 am—Main Worship Center

SUNDAY GATHERING @ 10 am on Sundays—TFB College Room
Current Study: POG History (see below for an explanation of “POG”)

BIBLE STUDY @ 7:15-9:00 pm on Tuesdays— TFB College Room
Current Study: Learning Jesus in the Gospel According to Mark

=============================
NEW SUNDAY SCHEDULE—Coming September 12
Beginning September 12, 2004, TFB will have a new morning schedule, complete with 30 additional sleep minutes—yippee!

WORSHIP @ 9:15 am—Main Worship Center

SUNDAY GATHERING @ 11 am on Sundays—TFB College Room

=============================
COLLEGE BRIEFING!!! September 3-6

Cost: $160
Place: Forest Home

Speaker: Bryan Loritts
Host: Jason Djang
Band: Plumbline

See Laura to sign-up

For details click here.

=============================
SCHEDULE CHANGE—September 5, Sunday Gathering

Sunday, September 5, while we’re off to College Briefing, please join the Combined Adult Sunday School in the gym.

Topic: Breaking New Ground
Focus: Presentation of our new fall schedule and its opportunities

=============================
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY—POG History
[* POG = People Of God]


Moses Called Exodus 3:1-12

The story of the call of Moses touches on at least six issues:

Time
Risk
Trust
Reluctance
Humility
History

Time: Moses was 40 when he left Egypt and fled to Midian. He was 80 when God called him from the burning bush. Then he spends another 40 years wandering around the wilderness with the people of Israel. That means he didn’t complete the task until he was 120.

Risk: Moses fled Egypt because he had killed an Egyptian and was afraid of Pharaoh. God was sending him back to Pharaoh—either the very one from whom he fled, or the son; either way, Pharaoh likely knew Moses. On top of that, Pharaoh was the monarch of one of the most powerful nations in the world, and Moses was to go and ask him to set free all his Hebrew slaves. Risky business.

Trust: God was asking for a huge amount of trust here. In verse 12, God assures Moses by telling him that God would be with him and meet with the people of Israel at the very mountain where Moses saw the burning bush. That sounds all well and good, except that Moses had to wait for the sign until after he accomplished the task. That’s trust.

Reluctance: Moses was a humble guy, but his humility made him doubt God’s choice. In our passage today, Moses basically tells God that he’s not the right guy. In the verses following this passage, he argues with God and makes excuses. He goes in the end, but he needs lots of reassurance.

Humility: When God announced himself as Yahweh, God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, Moses responded by hiding his face, because he was afraid to look at God. It’s true that God is loving and merciful, but he is also the awesome and terrifying King of the Universe, who was about to give Moses amazing power and authority. God needed a man who knew his weaknesses. Moses was the guy.

History: In verse 6, God clears up his own identity and the identity of Moses by putting identity in the context of history. God was the God of Moses’ father Amram, and of his ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This reminded Moses of his historical context and the history of God’s dealings with his family.


Next week we’ll return to Mount Sinai, for the fulfillment of the promise in Exodus 3:12.

God’s Covenant with Israel Exodus 19:21-25; 20:18-26

The Judges—Sin and Deliverance Judges 2:11-23

Israel Wants a King 1 Samuel 8:4-22

Saul Loses the Throne; David Anointed King 1 Samuel 16:1-13

David Prepares Solomon for the Throne 1 Kings 2:1-9

Solomon’s Wisdom and Sin 1 Kings 11:1-13

The Kingdom is Split 1 Kings 12:12-20

Northern Kingdom Taken to Assyria 2 Kings 17:6-18

Southern Kingdom Taken to Babylon 2 Kings 25:1-7, 18-21

Returning to the Land—Rebuilding the Temple Ezra 1:1-11

Returning to the Land—Rebuilding the Walls Nehemiah 2:11-20

=============================
POSSIBLE FUTURE STUDY TOPICS

Old Testament topics
- 1 Samuel
- Genesis 1
- Jewish Holy Days
New Testament topics
- Revelation
- The Gospels
- New Testament survey
Theology/Apologetics topics
- JEPD Theory
- Hermeneutics
- Sovereignty
=============================
SERMON NOTES—“Four Tests of a Believer”
What God Can Do Through Ordinary You, Part 3
Hebrews 11:8-19


“Without faith it is impossible to please God…” (Hebrews 11:6, NIV).

“…for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine…” (1 Peter 1:6-7, NIV).

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4, NIV).


TEST #1 - A MAJOR CHANGE (v. 8).


TEST #2 - A DELAYED PROMISE (v. 9).


TEST #3 - AN IMPOSSIBLE PROBLEM (v. 11-12). Genesis 18:9-15

TEST #4 - A SENSELESS TRAGEDY (v. 17-19).

"…Lord, I believe. Help me with my unbelief." Mark 9:24

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

The eNews Week of August 15, 2004

If you would like to contribute to the eNews or converse with the editor, send an email to tfbyam1@hotmail.com.

=============================
IN THE eNEWS THIS WEEK

REGULAR HAPPENINGS
COLLEGE BRIEFING!!! September 3-6
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY—POG History
POSSIBLE FUTURE STUDY TOPICS
SERMON NOTES—“The Type of Person God Uses”


=============================
REGULAR HAPPENINGS

WORSHIP @ 8:45 am—Main Worship Center

SUNDAY GATHERING @ 10 am on Sundays—TFB College Room


BIBLE STUDY @ 7:15-9:00 pm on Tuesdays— TFB College Room
Current Study: Learning Jesus in the Gospel According to Mark

=============================
COLLEGE BRIEFING!!! September 3-6

Cost: $160
Place: Forest Home (we’re staying in Main Camp this year!!)

Speaker: Bryan Loritts
Host: Jason Djang
Band: Plumbline

See Laura to sign-up

For details click here.

=============================
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY—POG History
[* POG = People Of God]


When I (Laura) was about eight years old, my friend Barbara and I decided that it would be a very good idea if we cut each other’s hair. Being excessively certain of my competence, I decided to go first. That being decided, we went of to her mother’s sewing supply and retrieved the pinking shears. I then cut her hair. Frankly, I thought it looked just fine, but her mother disagreed. She did not get to cut my hair. Humans are quite often excessively certain of their competence, just as eight-year old Laura. Sometimes, when we can’t find an acceptable way to achieve our goals, we find another way. Today’s story is about someone who did just that—Jacob. Jacob tricked his brother Esau out of the rights of the firstborn (Genesis 25:29-34). Jacob tricked his father, Isaac, into giving him Esau’s blessing (Genesis 27). Finally, Jacob tricked his father-in-law Laban out of the best of the flocks (Genesis 32:22-32 ).

Study the story:
- How do Jacob’s past interactions with Esau, Isaac, and Laban compare to his interaction with “the man”?
- What clues from the story help the reader to understand the change from Jacob (heel-catcher, i.e. thief; basically, trusting self) to Israel (God fights; basically, trusting God)?

Live the story:
- What are some of your “I’d rather do it myself” stories?
- What had God done—or what will he need to do—to change you from self-trusting to God-trusting? What gets in the way?

Coming up:

Moses Called Exodus 3:1-12
God’s Covenant with Israel Exodus 19:21-25; 20:18-26
The Judges—Sin and Deliverance Judges 2:11-23
Israel Wants a King 1 Samuel 8:4-22
Saul Loses the Throne; David Anointed King 1 Samuel 16:1-13
David Prepares Solomon for the Throne 1 Kings 2:1-9
Solomon’s Wisdom and Sin 1 Kings 11:1-13
The Kingdom is Split 1 Kings 12:12-20
Northern Kingdom Taken to Assyria 2 Kings 17:6-18
Southern Kingdom Taken to Babylon 2 Kings 25:1-7, 18-21
Returning to the Land—Rebuilding the Temple Ezra 1:1-11
Returning to the Land—Rebuilding the Walls Nehemiah 2:11-20

=============================
POSSIBLE FUTURE STUDY TOPICS

Old Testament topics
- 1 Samuel
- Genesis 1
- Jewish Holy Days
New Testament topics
- Revelation
- The Gospels
- New Testament survey
Theology/Apologetics topics
- JEPD Theory
- Hermeneutics
- Sovereignty
=============================
SERMON NOTES—“The Type of Person God Uses”
What God Can Do Through Ordinary You - Part 2
Hebrews 11:7, 8

Genesis 6:5-8

WHY GOD PICKED NOAH

1. NOAH WAS available.
Point: God uses people who are available to Him.


2. NOAH DARED TO BE different (v. 9).
Point: God uses people who dare to be different – to be Godly.


3. NOAH FOLLOWED GOD WITHOUT reservation (6:22).
Point: God uses people who follow Him without reservation.


The project God gave Noah did not make sense because…

It had never rained before on the earth.
They were at least 500 miles from the closest large body of water -- the Mediterranean Sea.
It is impossible to round up two of every kind of animal.



4. NOAH NEVER gave up.
Point: God uses people who never give up.

Three things that will tempt you to give up are….
Problems
Pressures
People


= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

The eNews Week of August 8, 2004

If you would like to contribute to the eNews or converse with the editor, send an email to tfbyam1@hotmail.com.

=============================
IN THE eNEWS THIS WEEK

REGULAR HAPPENINGS
COLLEGE BRIEFING!!! September 3-6
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY—POG History
POSSIBLE FUTURE STUDY TOPICS
SERMON NOTES—Four Keys To Effective Living, Part 1

=============================
REGULAR HAPPENINGS

WORSHIP @ 8:45 am—Main Worship Center

SUNDAY GATHERING @ 10 am on Sundays—TFB College Room


BIBLE STUDY @ 7:15-9:00 pm on Tuesdays— TFB College Room
Current Study: Learning Jesus in the Gospel According to Mark

=============================
COLLEGE BRIEFING!!! September 3-6

Cost: $160
Place: Forest Home (we’re staying in Main Camp this year!!)

Speaker: Bryan Loritts
Host: Jason Djang
Band: Plumbline

See Laura to sign-up

For details click here.

=============================
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY—POG History
August 8 starts POG* History
[* POG = People Of God]

The Call of Abram/Abraham Genesis 11:27-12:4
Jacob Wrestles with God
Genesis 32:22-32
Moses Called Exodus 3:1-12
God’s Covenant with Israel Exodus 19:21-25; 20:18-26
The Judges—Sin and Deliverance Judges 2:11-23
Israel Wants a King 1 Samuel 8:4-22
Saul Loses the Throne; David Anointed King 1 Samuel 16:1-13
David Prepares Solomon for the Throne 1 Kings 2:1-9
Solomon’s Wisdom and Sin
1 Kings 11:1-13
The Kingdom is Split 1 Kings 12:12-20
Northern Kingdom Taken to Assyria 2 Kings 17:6-18
Southern Kingdom Taken to Babylon 2 Kings 25:1-7, 18-21
Returning to the Land—Rebuilding the Temple Ezra 1:1-11
Returning to the Land—Rebuilding the Walls Nehemiah 2:11-20

=============================
POSSIBLE FUTURE STUDY TOPICS

Old Testament topics
- 1 Samuel
- Genesis 1
- Jewish Holy Days
New Testament topics
- Revelation
- The Gospels
- New Testament survey
Theology/Apologetics topics
- JEPD Theory
- Hermeneutics
- Sovereignty
=============================
SERMON NOTES—Four Keys To Effective Living, Part 1
What God Can Do Through Ordinary You
Hebrews 11:24-28
Pastor Charlie

Moses settled four basic questions in his life:

1. Who am I?
2. What are my choices?
3. What is really important?
4. What are my goals?


1. BE YOURSELF (v. 24).
2. ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR OWN LIFE (v. 25).
3. ESTABLISH A VALUE SYSTEM FOR YOUR LIFE (v. 26), Luke 16:13
The world’s value system:
a. The value of Pleasure. "I want to feel good."
b. The value of Possessions. "I want to be wealthy.”
c. The value of Power. "I want to be famous.”
God’s value system:
a. God's purpose is more valuable than popularity.
b. People are more valuable than pleasures.
c. God's peace is more valuable than possessions.
4. NEVER TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE GOAL (v. 26, 27), 2 Corinthians 4:16-18


Your happiness is determined by your character.
Your character is determined by your choices.
Your choices are determined by your values.
Your values are determined by your vision -- what you are looking ahead to.


"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles,
and let us run with perseverance the race that is marked out for us.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,
Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross…" (Hebrews 12:1-2, NIV).


= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

The eNews Week of August 1, 2004

If you would like to contribute to the eNews or converse with the editor, send an email to tfbyam1@hotmail.com.

=============================
IN THE eNEWS THIS WEEK

REGULAR HAPPENINGS
COLLEGE BRIEFING!!! September 3-6
SUNDAY GATHERING—Assessment Day!!
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY
SERMON NOTES—Satisfying Our Spiritual Thirst

=============================
REGULAR HAPPENINGS

WORSHIP @ 8:45 am—Main Worship Center

SUNDAY GATHERING @ 10 am on Sundays—TFB College Room


BIBLE STUDY @ 7:15-9:00 pm on Tuesdays— TFB College Room
Current Study: Learning Jesus in the Gospel According to Mark

=============================
COLLEGE BRIEFING!!! September 3-6

Cost: $160
Place: Forest Home (we’re staying in Main Camp this year!!)

Speaker: Bryan Loritts
Host: Jason Djang
Band: Plumbline

See Laura to sign-up

For details click here.

=============================
SUNDAY GATHERING—Assessment Day!!
Where are we, where are we going, and what do we need to know and do to get there?



Well judging from the percentage of moans, I’m guessing a score of about 50%. Not bad. If you didn’t get a chance to take the assessment test and you actually want to, it’s on the web here at Bible.org.

Either way, after you’ve scored your test, list some subjects you’d like to know more about. Here’s the list so far:

Old Testament topics
- 1 Samuel
- Genesis 1
- Jewish Holy Days
New Testament topics
- Revelation
- The Gospels
- New Testament survey
Theology/Apologetics topics
- JEPD Theory
- Hermeneutics
- Sovereignty

Bring your list to The Sunday Gathering—the 10 am thingy—next week or send an email to tfbyam1@hotmail.com.

=============================
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY
August 8 starts POG* History
[* POG = People Of God]

The Call of Abram/Abraham Genesis 11:27-12:4
Jacob Wrestles with God Genesis 32:22-32
Moses Called Exodus 3:1-12
God’s Covenant with Israel Exodus 19:21-25; 20:18-26
The Judges—Sin and Deliverance Judges 2:11-23
Israel Wants a King 1 Samuel 8:4-22
Saul Loses the Throne; David Anointed King 1 Samuel 16:1-13
David Prepares Solomon for the Throne 1 Kings 2:1-9
Solomon’s Wisdom and Sin 1 Kings 11:1-13
The Kingdom is Split 1 Kings 12:12-20
Northern Kingdom Taken to Assyria 2 Kings 17:6-18
Southern Kingdom Taken to Babylon 2 Kings 25:1-7, 18-21
Returning to the Land—Rebuilding the Temple Ezra 1:1-11
Returning to the Land—Rebuilding the Walls Nehemiah 2:11-20

=============================
SERMON NOTES—Satisfying Our Spiritual Thirst
Pastor Rog
John 7:37-39
Invitation to drink, v.37a
- Have you drunk of Jesus?
Impartation, v.38
Continuation, v.37b
- Are you still thirsty?
- Are you continuing to drink?

Nothing else/ No one else truly satisfies your deepest need.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =