The eNews Week of April 25, 2004
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
CONCERTS IN SO-CAL
HOLY WORLDLINESS—INPUT: Commercial Culture
EVENT SUGGESTIONS
SUNDAY GATHERING—The Relationship Principles of Jesus, Part 2
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REGULAR HAPPENINGS
WORSHIP @ 8:45 am—Main Worship Center
EAT, Last Sunday @ 11:45 am
Next EAT is May 30
Meet in the TFB patio
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
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CONCERTS IN SO-CAL
POD, June 16 at the Wiltern Theater & June 20 at Soma
Fish Fest, July 25 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Information courtesy of Transparent Productions
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HOLY WORLDLINESS—INPUT: Commercial Culture
What's the point of being a light in a lighted room when there is so much darkness outside?
Commercials are a good place to start our look at the world and holiness. Why? Advertisers put millions of dollars of research into commercials in an attempt to influence culture—in fact, to create culture. Here’s what Transparency Now* says about commercials:
In advertising, we “…find art and technology being used to create simulations that tell stories in an effort to evoke desired reactions from audiences.
…
“Commercials create invented "worlds" based on fantasy and desire. To achieve their effects, they engage in the new production process of high-tech capitalism, which is to turn everything into an image.
“This process is very evident in what happens to the actors -- they are turned into simplified human images. Their role is to become characters in false utopias so they can act as living sales pitches for products.”
Read the whole article here.
[*Transparency Now is a website run by a journalist, Ken Sanes, who “created Transparency in 1997 to offer a portion of what is now two and a half decades of writing on the media, popular culture, ethics, politics and human nature.”]
This week as you watch TV or read magazines or billboards, consider the following questions:
What was your initial reaction to the commercial?
Why do you think you reacted that way?
What is attractive here? To whom? How is it made attractive?
What basic human needs are portrayed?
How does the product or service fulfill those needs?
How does the product or service stimulate those needs?
What insight does the commercial give into how people see life, meaning, and reality?
How does the commercial's perspective compare with the biblical perspective of life, meaning, and reality?
That brings up another question: what is the bible’s perspective on the world? Read through these verses (don’t stop until you’re done) and see if you can come up with a summary:
Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31
Genesis 1:26-28
1 John 2:15-17
Colossians 1:15-17
John 3:16
Revelation 11:15
Ephesians 1:9-12
John 9:5
John 17:14-18
What is the bible’s perspective of the world?
How can we be both holy and worldly? Should we?
Wanna think some more? Check out these articles at Relevant Magazine and other resources
Holy Worldliness, Part One
Holy Worldliness, Part Two
Relevant Magazine's progressive culture page
The Mueller article
Faith and Culture links
Ransom Fellowship
questions to ask about film/tv/etc
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EVENT SUGGESTIONS
BBQ at a Park
Beach Days—hanging out or worship
Wednesday Bingo
Maritime Museum
Horse racing
Bowling night (last went 1/30/04)
Food night
Summer at a lake
Camping at Catalina
Road Trip
Super bowl
Baseball
Hockey
Basketball
El Capitan
Yosemite
Mini-Golf
Have a suggestion? Send an email to tfbyam1@hotmail.com or share your idea at one of the gatherings: Sunday 10 am or Tuesday 8 pm
Would you like to get involved in planning an event? …are you ready?... Send an email to tfbyam1@hotmail.com or share your idea at one of the gatherings: Sunday 10 am or Tuesday 8 pm
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SUNDAY GATHERING—The Relationship Principles of Jesus, Part 2
YOUR HEART IS AS IMPORTANT AS YOUR ACTIONS
Matthew 5 & 1 Corinthians 13
Pastor Charlie
GIVE YOUR HEART PRIORITY. Matthew 5:21-24
TAKE YOUR HEART SERIOUSLY. Matthew 5:30
TREAT YOUR HEART PRACTICALLY. 1 Corinthians 13
1) Be PATIENT with others. “Love is patient.”
2) Be KIND to others. “Love is kind.” Ephesians 4:32
3) Be HUMBLE with others. “Love doesn’t envy. It doesn’t boast. It isn’t proud.”
John 13
4) Be HELPFUL to others. “Love isn’t selfish.”
Love isn’t rude.
It’s not self-seeking.
It’s not easily angered.
It keeps no record of wrong.
“Let’s not get tired of doing what’s right for after awhile we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get tired and discouraged and give up” (Galatians 6:9, NIV).
Next week – Love your spiritual family like Christ loves you.
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