Summary of March 22 Care Group

Thanks to Sue for the great coconut pineapple cake! We discussed themes from chapter 4 of our book. Everyone related to at least one concept that Dave Harvey presented in this chapter about how to live out our doctrine in our marriages.
-The "lawnmower" analogy struck a chord with many of us. We acknowledge that just like an overheated lawnmower spews engine sludge, our heated situations/circumstances/fatigue...bring our ever-present sinful reactions to the forefront.
-We must admit that when God allows these tempting situations into our lives, it is a way of us seeing His love. He brings out sinful attitudes that need His attention.
-Satan does lurk around every corner and seemingly "out of nowhere" can tempt us. But we always see God's grace as greater, stronger and more present than the temptation.
-We all need to suspect our own hearts and be ready to submit our attitudes to Him for inspection.
-The mind is the battle ground that needs to be trained to choose grace and God's way.
-God allows these things to happen to us as a way to humble us, remind us of our need for Him, and to cause us to remember the cross, seeing His grace and His answer as the only way, the only way of refuge.
-We need to remember that we're worse than we even know, yet God loves us anyway! We mustn't get trapped in self-pity and pride. Let God have His way in His plan of sanctification.
-It will take an eternity to grasp the unfathomable love of God.
-It's important to say to our spouses (anyone we've offended) "Will you please forgive me?" because it's a blow to our pride, admitting our sin. God gives grace to the humble and He helps in a very real way.
-We can create a culture of humility and asking forgiveness in our marriages. It just takes practice.
-Ps 92:12 "The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him."
-Don't get overwhelmed by any trial or the logs in our own eyes, trust and love Him!
-Our hearts will be opposed to Him, but we are aware of it and that gives us hope to run to Him for the answer.

Summary of March 8 Care Group

We started by singing about the glory of our Redeemer. Tony read to us from Psalm 86: 8-10 "You are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name." We discussed many themes that apply not only to our marriages, but to our personal trials as well. They were:

1. Satan attacks in many ways, trying to get us to be overwhelmed by our past sins and our guilt and to make us feel disqualified. But Jesus has done such a magnificent work that all our sins are covered. He does NOT hold us under the power of past failures/sins. It does us well to remember what He has done much more than what we have done!
2. Phil 4 "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." We must remember to give our concerns to God and hold on to His word in all circumstances. He is pleased with us when we put His word and His way first in our lives.
3. Solid doctrine helps us to battle temptations, sins, and life's trials. As we hold fast to what He has taught us to trust in His character we remember His faithfulness and goodness.

Summary of January 4 Care Group

We enjoyed a lovely evening at the Brown's home. Oh how good it is for us to be together! Everyone brought an appetizer and we feasted. Then we gathered in the beautifully decorated living room and shared our memories of Christmas from childhood. We learned a lot about each other as we laughed and chatted. Thanks to our Social Committee for planning a much-needed relaxing evening for everyone!

Summary of December 9 Care Group

Thanks to Kristi for the warm brownies and caramel swirl ice cream!
We began with ITim 1:15-17 "The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." We discussed how there is a balance between seeing our standing as "the worst of sinners" and "treasured children" of God. This requires that we ponder His holiness in light of our sin and then His mercy toward us.

Then we went to Gal 1 and discussed how God set Paul (and us) apart. None of us can know exactly how He treasures us, nor all the plans that He has for us. We are by nature pre-occupied with ourselves, so the challenge is for us to saturate our minds with thoughts of God. God's affections and reactions toward us are measured by the gospel. Amazing!! The Old Testament imagery is beautiful where God describes how He has "engraved us on the palms of His hands" and how He wanted to "gather His children like a mother hen gathers her chicks."

We must remember to emphasize God and His work in our lives and not over-emphasize our sin, as if it's the most important thing. The whole purpose of our lives and marriages is God's glory. When we understand that our sin is first against God, not any human being, then we can truly come to Him for help and repentance. The "hidden gift" we receive as we come to understand this is HUMILITY. Paul was a student of his own heart. We would do well to pay attention to our hearts and track the cravings and desires so that we can come more effectively under God's control.