November 19 Care Group

Romans 12: 4-8 "For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.  Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them:  if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness."
We discussed how we see God blessing and encouraging us through people's gifts in the body.
-worship leaders
-gifts of service
-acts of mercy
-leaps of faith
-All these things are going on continuously in the body as God weaves His plan and pattern into us for our good and His glory.
-Whatever we do, do it for the glory of God.  Don't go to work for the money, serve others.
-It is such a blessing to watch servants in our church who have difficult lives of their own giving to others.
-"I just absolutely love people."  "I need my church!"
-God is weaving his body together beautifully as we function as a group.
-It's good for us to follow through when God puts things on our hearts to serve others.
Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
-When we worship we step away from our problems and into God's sanctuary, God's world, and remember how good and faithful God is.
-God inhabits the praises of His people.  It's so special when He showers His presence on us!
-We look forward to this awesome blessing, the prayers, the privilege of group praise.
-The preaching is so important for us to be sound in doctrine, to know what God's word says so our faith can be strong.
-It's so important that we give the word of God to each other in times of need, and at all times.

November 5 Care Group

We discussed the Sunday message from Proverbs about honoring God with our money.  Thanks for all your comments!
-It's good to remember how often God answers our prayers and has brought us through lean times.
-God will take care of the details when we obey Him.
-God provided needs for so many of us who had little money when we first got married, but we tithed and gave anyway in faith and trust.  God blessed our obedience and moved on our behalf.
-Proverbs 3: 9-10 - Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
-Everything we have belongs to Him!
-There is SO much joy in giving to others!
-God's word changes our hearts so we can focus on others and God's glory and not on our own selfish needs.
-We need faith to obey God's commands.
-Do we challenge ourselves to give generously of our time, energy, money and talents?
-Think about what we could be giving to the kingdom.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 - The point is this:  whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

October 23 Care Group

We started the evening with an Ice Breaker activity.  It was fun chatting and getting to know each other better.  Then we discussed what scriptures and concepts have helped us all as we have raised our children.
-It is NOT true that if we do "all the right things" with our children that their lives will be trouble-free.  We can't guarantee what their lives will be like.
-God is the Father of our children and they need Him just like we do.  They need His wisdom and reproof in their lives.
-It's not our job to judge our children's hearts, but only to give them the truth from God's word.  His word will do the needed work in their hearts.
-We must remember that God loves our children more than we do!

LICK 'N PUTT 2013

They say a picture is worth a thousand words...well, here are 28,000 words for you!

Here are the scores from the first annual Lick 'n Putt Miniature Golf Event:

Men's Division Par 46:

Wade - 43

Doug - 47

Eric - 48

Gary - 54

Tony - 58

Women's Division Par 46:

Mary - 54

Cheryl - 59

Debbie - 66

Sue - 67

Maria - 68

Best quote of the night:  "There's a rock there, Maria!"

Thanks, everyone, for a great evening of licking ice cream and putting miniature golf!

June 18 Care Group

We had a lovely evening on Doug and Sue's deck, after a brief rain shower.  We had a light-hearted discussion about what we would take with us if ever stranded on a desert island.  It was fun to hear about which piece of music, which book, and which luxury item each person would choose to take.  We learned a lot about each other and had more than a few laughs.  Thanks everyone!

May 21 Care Group

We discussed I Corinthians 2 this week.  Here are the themes:
-When Paul mentions "weakness and fear" it is refreshing to see him be humble and transparent about his utter dependence on the Lord for strength.
-God is able to use us for His glory and give us wisdom in any circumstance.
-Sometimes God sends us into situations where we feel scared and we have to trust God for every step.
-"Mature Christians" die to self, are concerned about God's glory foremost, and have more fear of God than of man.
-It's amazing that God chooses to use us -when He doesn't have to- for His purposes.

April 23 Care Group Dinner

We shared a wonderful Spring Dinner together around our table.  We celebrated having Eric and Debbie with us.  We discussed God's goodness to us and shared our encouragements with the group.  If you want any recipes, just ask!  Thanks for being the best care group!!

April 9 Care Group

Thanks to Cheryl for the wonderful snacks!!

We read I Corinthians 14 and discussed the following themes:
-Praying in tongues helps us when we don't know how to pray.  He leads and guides and shows us what to do.
-Speaking to God is such an honor and a privilege.  God LOVES it when we pray to Him.
-It's our heart condition that matters when we pray, not articulate words.
-Our own prayer language can bring such comfort and help in times of need.
-God is fanning His flames of gifts in us.  We should pray and ask Him to kindle afresh what He's given us.  We want to glorify His name in all that we do!!

March 19 Care Group

We read I Corinthians 14: 1-5.  Here are the themes we discussed:
-God wants to build up His church at all times.  He wants us to prophesy because He wants to speak to His children.
-We can weigh out prophecies by asking if it edifies and agrees with scripture.
-God can give us a sense that a word is for us alone.
-Criticism and condemnation are never from God.
-We are to follow the way of love, it is the greatest commandment.  God wants us to strengthen and encourage each other.
-Prophecy is God's heart speaking out to us through a saint moved by the Holy Spirit.
-God can speak whatever word is necessary to move us toward encouragement, peace, etc.
-God is not limited by our weaknesses.  Sometimes when one person hesitates he will use another person to speak that word.
-Prophecy produces humility in us because we know that He sees our innermost thoughts.
-God uses prophecy to encourage, comfort and exhort.
-God can give illumination from His word to carry us through difficult seasons and cut through trials to reveal His heart and will for our lives.
-God can make certain verses in scripture "life verses" for us.  These are passages that we can always go to and glean comfort and strength from God.

March 5 Care Group

We started by sharing testimonies of how God's Spirit has moved through many people to show His love, His attributes, His grace and mercy, to give gifts of service and to teach.

We read I Corinthians 12 & 13.  We concluded that love is the motivating factor and the necessary foundation for what we do in service to God.  His love cannot be faked.  He moves through us and uses us to help others as He sees fit.  He uses our service sometimes to reveal impure motives in us as He moves us along a path of sanctification.

January 22 Care Group

Thanks to Sue and Doug for the great snacks!

We started out our evening's discussion of Spiritual Gifts by reading I Corinthians 12:1-11.  We agreed that there are so many items to discuss there that we needed God's help to lead us in what to talk about.  Tony asked "Why are we studying spiritual gifts?"  Here are some answers:
-God wants to love and care for us through the gifts.
-We will see God as we see the Spirit moving through us in spiritual gifts.
-This is a critical time for our church and we we examine the scripture in this area, it is for our good.
-We all need the refreshing of the Spirit.  We need God's Spirit desperately to give to us in all areas of our lives.
-God wants us to know that these gifts are the Norm, not the occasional event.
-He wants to knock out of us pride and self-reliance.
-We want God to be glorified, so it's important that we honor every aspect of His word and plan for our corporate meetings.
-We need to trust God for boldness to speak when we He moves us, we can't rely on our own strength.
-The love of God is the key to moving in the gifts.
-God wants to remind us that He gave each of us gifts when He saved us.  It's good for us to study them ans know He has plans to use us for His glory.
-God wants us to encourage those who move in the gifts so that they may excel still more.
-The truth is, we don't even know how many times God uses us in big and small ways, in all kinds of situations.  He is moving through us and reaching people with His love.
-The gifts are not just for the corporate meeting, but for every day life.
-God births desires in us according to His plans and moves us to do His bidding.

Zechariah 4:6 "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts."

January 8 Care Group

We met at the DeVivos' home and discussed the topic of Spiritual Gifts.  Great discussion!  Here are the themes we talked about:

What is a spiritual gift?
-a talent God has given to encourage growth in others, representing God to them
-something God expects you to use to serve the body
-not everyone has the same gifts, but everyone has one
-expression of God's Spirit in us
-the Holy Spirit prompts us in different ways to give and we always leave the experience affirmed and encouraged
-like muscles, if we don't use them they get weak
-we are told to earnestly desire spiritual gifts and ask for them
-expressions of His grace - free - undeserved pouring out - they give grace to people
-God's gifts and calling are irrevocable.  He can use us after a long time of not exercising them.
-proof that God is alive and speaks to His children

What are some common misconceptions about spiritual gifts?
-that we can't be used in any area God chooses.  God can move anyone to use a spiritual gift for the building up of the body!
-it can be easy to focus on individuals and personalities, but spiritual gifts are for the common good

What would Paul say if he walked into a SGC meeting?
-he would commend our order
-he would commend the humility of the speakers
-he would like to see more gifts in operation so that more people would be edified
-"Be open to being used for people's good."

What would we like to see happen in our church with respect to spiritual gifts?
-everyone on the "same page" biblically, there are new believers in our church who don't know anything about spiritual gifts and might have wrong theology in that area
-new believers enriched by God's truth
-spiritual gifts taken in our work places and homes
-greater sanctification by God's spirit working in us