Monday, April 5, 2010
CRAZY LOVE, Week #10
Greetings to all! We appologize for our lack of updates recently! While the updates have been slow coming, our group has been in action, and this week we covered the final chapter in Crazy Love. This week we were missing a few of our faithfuls, but all who could be there were present.
We met at the church this week, and had shared all the things going on in our lives. Vince has found a new security job in Los Angeles, Russell has a citizenship interview this week, Greg accepted an offer to do an intership in Arizona with an environmental group, Dave has an offer in on a house and is preparing for the Philipines trip, Jared spent his easter weekend serving a group of youth on a mission trip in mexico, Chris has been working with an animal shelter in the area, Joe is working with his relatives who just opened a flower shop, and Brian is working away in tax season. We are a group of men doing many different things with our lives, but with a common goal of loving and serving our savior.
As we finished the book this week, we were challenged to compare our lives as they are, to the lives we desire to live for Christ. If we want to love our God and live by faith because of what he has done for us, it will take initiative and determination. We discussed how the Lord will be pleased when we follow his calling in our life, whether that means serving him overseas, in the local community, or in our everyday situations. All of us will be called to do different things, but we desire to be willing and able to perform and do anything for our Savior. The end goal will be worth it, when we stand before our Lord and give an account for the life we have lived, and he is able to give us the crown of life, and say, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.”
Live a life of crazy love for your Savior! God Bless you all! Looking forward to our next study in Habbakuk!
Brian and Dave
Monday, March 15, 2010
CRAZY LOVE, Week #7
Hey fellow Man Groupers! Our group has been faithfully attending, and last night we had full attendance! We covered Ch 7, and focused on how our faith shows our love for God.
Faith in the little things, as well as the big things will give Christ glory as we continue to love and follow his commands. We felt this week’s chapter was more inspiring, instead of contuing to show us our shortcomings. Chan has begun to bridge the gap between knowing your selfishness when it comes to God’s love, vs having the faith to trust him with everything you have been given and the plans he has for your life. This includes things such as future occupation, spouse, finances, etc. Our love for Christ shoud result in true faith in his plans, and an attitude that God will provide and take care of us.
Hope your groups are going great! We are having fun and enjoying our weekly get togethers immensly. As we come down the home stretch of the book, we pray that our love for God would grow and become something that God is proud of!
God Bless,
Brian and Dave
Monday, March 1, 2010
CRAZY LOVE, Week #5
Well, we took the week off last week due to some people’s schedules not allowing them to come, so a few people hung out at starbucks and spent the time catching up and fellowshiping. This week were back in action for more crazy love.
We covered chapters 4 & 5 while munchin down on some good ol’ Dount Man. The coversations were great, and we spent some time examining ourselves, and where we are lacking when it comes to our spiritual lives. The lukewarm person profile hit many of us, as we found ourselves falling into many of the categories. We discussed how many people in the church have not really given their lives to Christ, even though they often are at church and try to be a good person. We discussed how unfortunate it is that many of these people will not be in heaven, due to the fact that they have not surrended control to Christ. We also discussed Chan’s calling lukewarm people not saved, and how all of us are lukewarm at times, but that doesnt mean we arent saved. Anyway, we had some issues with how Chan was wording things, but overall, we understood his point to be that lukewarm people may not be saved, so dont count on seeing them in heaven unless you do something about it!
We also spent time talking about how many churches play the numbers game, where they try to get bigger attendence or more people to an event, but is Christ really being served in these endevors, or is it for a trophy for the church? Growth is great, but growth at the expense of focus on Christ may not be worth it. We discussed how we need to bring Christ to the people we know, and not rely on Pastors on sunday to present the gospel to our friends if we bring them. We have just as much responsibility; so bring up your faith often and confidently because Christ will use whatever imperfections you have!
We will all be lukewarm at times, at that is not what Christ desires. Continual growth in our relationship with Christ, and a mentality that He is the only thing that matters anyway, will go a long way in helping us focus and direct our lives in a fashion where Christ is the center and lukewarmness isnt an option. We all have a lot to work on, so GET TO IT!
God bless,
Brian and Dave
Monday, February 15, 2010
CRAZY LOVE, Week #4
This week we met at In-n-Out (much love) and feasted over cheese covered burgers and fries before getting our group kicked off… Good stuff!
We headed back over to church and attacked Ch 3 of Crazy Love. We had a vulnerable night, with many of us sharing stories about our relationships with our fathers, both the good and the bad. We looked at how our view of God as our Father is often misguided because we tend to picture God in the same light we view our earthly fathers. We left the night challenged to examine what our view of God currently is, and how it needs to change based on his love and compassion for us, even though we certainly dont deserve it!
God bless,
Brian and Dave
Monday, February 8, 2010
CRAZY LOVE, Week #3
We had another great night of fellowship and discussions about our Lord this week, as we had all 9 guys in attendance. Dave hooked us up with some cookies, and we were off to the races.
Russell took the initiative and opened us in prayer and shared a meaningful passage from Psalms that he came accross this week that tied into some our discussions from last week. Crazy Joe also was hit this week by things we had talked about last week, so he shared some insight from another Psalms that had meaning to his life specifically. He is feeling that God is trying to tell him something with all these references to being content/not envying/ and what will last when all is said and done, so pray that he continues to open himself up to what the Lord is trying to tell him!
This week was all about the urgency of our faith. How can we not live for Christ, in light of all that he has done for us and not knowing how long we truly have here on this earth? Our prayer this week is that the things we strive for and do are the things God desires in our life, and are also the things that will let our light shine before men so that they will see the path to Christ. What else matters anyway?
Psalm 37
7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For evil men will be cut off,
but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.
Trust the Lord to take care of everything, and do not worry about those around you who may seem like they are living the dream. When all is stripped way, we know what will remain… Stay FAITHFUL!
God bless,
Brian and Dave
Monday, February 1, 2010
CRAZY LOVE, Week #2
Our group was back together again this week for a night of donuts, discussion and prayer. We were on campus, but missing one of the new group additions, otherwise all were present and accounted for. After chowing down on some Donut Man goodness, we hit the ground running.
We covered Ch 1 in Crazy Love, and looked at how us MEN have lost the “Awe Factor” when thinking about our savior. Chan challenged us to get back to the basics, and examine how awesome and holy our God truly is. We discussed how getting to know our God is an endless journey, as we can never know all facets of such an endless and magnificent God. Words can’t even begin to describe his attributes, so we are left pursuing more of Him every day.
We also spent some time in directed prayer, both with our savior and with each other. Jared led us through some scriptures, and we spent time thinking about them and being still before our Savior, while inviting Him to change us anew. Overall, we had a great time connecting with our Lord and each other.
Awesome start to the new series, as we pursue a more crazy love for our holy, holy, holy God and Savior!
Brian and Dave
CRAZY LOVE, Week #1
This week we met at Greg’s place, which was the most festive house in the neighborhood, with enough Christmas lights to light a small village! Greg cooked up some homeade chili and cornbread, which was perfect considering the cold weather G-Town has been getting these days! BURRRRR! Well, Greg warmed us up with his food, and then hit us with some delicious dessert! Darn good stuff! We then moved from the kitchen to the living room, where the fireplace was going strong! Excellent setting for our weekly discussions!
This week we looked at how we must train with our weapons to use them effectively. We looked at how practical our tools can be in our fight against the evils of the earthly realm. We shared stories of our personal encounters with evil, and the tools we used to take down the evil when we came upon it. We also felt challenged by Kenny, to not only train with our weapons, but to actively use them and engage evil as MEN – for this is one of our callings in life. Overall a great week, and we finish up the book next week!
I am going to try and attach a couple of pictures of MAN group in action at the APU Mexico Outreach trip. Hopefully I will be successful in getting a few pictures uploaded!
FIGHT ON,
Brian and Dave
Monday, December 1, 2009
FIGHT Week #10
After a week off due to the craziness of thanksgiving, we were back in session this week. We had lots to talk about, and our conversations ranged from turkey binging to mexico street tacos. Jared and Vince went on the APU Mexico Outreach trip and had great things to report as far as the work the Lord did during the trip and the great worship to the Lord.
Thank the Lord for traveling safety and a good trip, but also pray for a couple of students who are fighting illnesses caught during the trip. Also pray for Russell, as he is trying to get his paperwork in order so that he can stay in the states with a work related visa. Praise the Lord that Steve Rietze is doing well and recovering from his stem cell transplant.
We covered a couple of chapters this week and have two weeks to go in our fight book. Tonight we focused on fixing our bayonets and getting ready for the battle at hand. The Lord gives us the tools we need to squash evil where it finds us, however, we must use our tools with discernment and after prayer, otherwise our efforts may not be blessed by the Lord. We spent some time talking about how Christians perceive different cultures as “ungodly” yet do not know or comprehend a lot of what the culture is really about. Also, sometimes the biggest needs are right in our own backyard, so there is not always a need to travel to far away countries or remote places in order to share the gospel or help those in need who may be oppressed by the evil around them. Keep your eyes out MEN, and be ready to defeat evil at any time!
Brian and Dave
Monday, November 9, 2009
FIGHT Week #8
This week we carpooled out to Brian’s place in Pasadena. Everyone was in attendance and we chowed down on Kristine’s cooking, which had a mexican theme. After butchering what little spanish we knew (except for Jared), we hit chapter 9 and dove right in.
We spent the week focusing on how Satan has control of our culture, and how as God’s MEN we need to commit “spiritual adultery” with the culture around us. If we love the things of the world, such as power, money, and material possessions, we will find it extremely difficult to reconcile our actions with our faith. Satan will work to try and make the culture around us look good and inviting, providing pleasure to those who succumb to the pressure. But God calls us to live a different life, and because of that, we cannot love the things of this earth, which Satan has influence in.
We also talked about how Christian MEN are getting WEAK, and are giving in to the world’s thinking, such as being ok with Homosexuality and tolerant thinking. Taking a stand, and not being ok with what is going on around us, will help us in our FIGHT against evil!
Overall, it was a great week for our group. Hope everyone else’s group is just as good!
Brian and Dave
Monday, October 26, 2009
FIGHT Week #6
Our Man Group met at the church again this week, as we had homeade cookies covered in ice cream and settled in for another round in our FIGHT book.
The evening was spent gather intel on how Satan operates and the things he loves and hates. Amoung the things he loves is when we are busy, and do not have the time to spend time with our savior. One of his goals is to preoccupy our mind with other things, which prohibits spiritual growth in our lives. We looked at how as we grow in our faith, Satan will make weeds grow amoung us and try to choke us out.
We also spent some time talking about how we can apply what we are learning to our everyday activities. We talked about how we spend so much time getting ready for our day physically, that often we forget that we must prepare for the day spiritually, so we will be ready for whatever situations come our way.
God bless all of you,
Brian and Dave
Monday, October 19th, 2009
FIGHT Week #5
Our Man Group met at Church this week, our first time since our first meeting! We had a good time hanging out and eating Martha’s home cooked dinner and dessert! AMAZING to say the least!
We had 6 in attendence and 1 in another state, so it was a great chance to hang out and catch up with what is going on in each of our lives.
Our talks this week focused on Satan’s fall from glory and his pure hatred for us as Christ followers with a future in eternal glory. Since Satan is no longer welcome and banished to do evil here on earth, he will try to do many things to make a believer stumble or become ineffective for Christ. His jealousy of our future gives him a passion for trying to destroy the Lord’s work. As MEN, we must recognize Satan’s jealousy, and do our best to keep the good coming, while making sure the bad stays out of our lives.
Good week all around!
Later,
Brian and Dave
Monday, October 12, 2009
FIGHT: Week 4
Our Man Group met at Jared’s casa this week. Jared cooked up a storm in his sweeeet pad, and we all ate way too much of his delicious Spaghetti and garlic bread! Great stuff!
We covered Chapter 5, and discovered that you can have all the best tools, but if you don’t know how to use them, you will be useless in the FIGHT. Our God-given tools to FIGHT evil give us a huge advantage in the battle, just like night vision gogles give a huge advantage over an enemy who doesn’t have the capability! In order to use our tools for the fight, we must train with them! Easy to say, a lot harder to do in everyday life. If you arent sharpening your weapons or planning your strategies, you will be overcome by the enemy and will lose in our FIGHT against evil for God. Prayer, Bible reading, worship, meditation, and service to others are a few of the tools we need to be working on, otherwise we might fail and lose our battles.
PREPARE and PRACTICE with the tools God gives us to FIGHT evil where we find it!
FIGHT ON,
Brian and Dave
Monday, Oct. 5, 2009
Fight, Week #3
MEN, our group met at the Rietze compound for a little burrito, brownie, and FIGHT action. The fellowship was good, and we heard good stories from Jared’s APU Mexico Outreach trip from the weekend… Praise the Lord for their safety, as the enemy was out in full force, breaking down their car on more than one occasion, the first being in the middle of nowhere in MEXICO with the cellphones not working!
Everyone in the group was in attendance, with the exception of Crazy Joe, who might have been watching the monday night football game. So if you see Crazy Joe out there, put him in a headlock for us! =)
We covered Ch 4 this week, and spent a good majority of the time looking at ourselves, and really analyizing where the devil has footholds in our life. The challenge laid out to us MEN this week, was to 1: Identify our struggling areas, and 2: Actively work on sifting the bad, and leaving the good through by utilizing spiritual disciplines, and seeking help from above. Everyone in the group was able to share some of their areas, and is working on getting the devil out of areas in their life, so we can be ready for the fight ahead.
Blessings,
Dave and Brian
Monday, Sept. 28th, 2009
Fight Week 2:
Fight week 2 was a success for our group! Met at Russell and Vince’s apartment for a delicious Chicken and Mole combo made by Vince, and topped it off with a tremendous smore-type dessert made by Dave’s Martha! Needless to say, we all ate too much!
We covered Chapters 2 & 3, since most of Chapter 2 was a story. Our discussions were good, and we feel our group has a good grasp of the evil present around us, which is half the battle. We spent some time talking about how Satan takes Chistian leaders down, by getting a foothold in their life and gaining access to other parts, and how we as MEN, need to rely on Christ for strength when we are facing struggles, followed by support from others, like those in MAN-GROUP. Overall, great discussions, and we look forward to covering CH 4 next week!
Also got to spend some time after playing a game called Settlers of Catan… Vince whooped up on us! Good times!
Brian, out.
Monday, Sept. 21st, 2009
The FIGHT is ON!
Satan tried to stop me from attending the first meeting last night by taking my car out! Wasn’t about to be stopped though, borrowed another car and made it happen!
Keep praying down the evil forces that do not want us uncovering the truth and taking down evil where we find it!
Pray on!
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