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Flu Update

Map of Flu Cases

5 Things you need to Know

Health Experts Answer Swine Flu Questions

Prevention can help:  If coughing, stay home and your family stay home.  Coughing is the way this thing is spread.  Hand washing helps because the droplets get on hands and we humans like to touch our mucus membranes–eyes, face, mouth etc…-so wash hands.

Good News:  Mortality rate may be less than previously assumed?

  • mortality rate in Mexico seems to have slowed: total is 152 & health officials have speculated that tens of thousands may have contracted it so this puts the mortality rate from 6-10% to 1% or less.  Still too early to know.  This article gives a more accurate picture of the shear number of cases in Mexico AND that it probably has been around for months–as early as February.
  • U.S. confirmed is at 91 and 1 death which again means that there could be tenfold more unconfirmed cases again pointing to the mortality rate being at the worst 1% if 1/91 rate continues…
  • The other concern has been that it is killing 25-45 year olds, but we still haven’t seen the numbers to know for sure.  The first U.S. death was in a baby from Mexico, and unfortunately, the baby was in the age range that we typically see being most effected by the flu–under 2 and over 65.
  • Here is a reassuring article putting potential ‘worst case scenerio’ stats together to point out that even if this were as bad as the ‘Spanish’ flu of 1918….
Pray and wait.
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Marriage Life Live: Date Night with a Purpose, Friday, May 1

FRIDAY, MAY 1 FROM 6:30-8:30pm
Meeting location at Rod and Amy Kamps’ home (28 Montclair, Irvine, CA  92602) and children meet at the Northpark Clubhouse.

This group is for all married couples at Pathways Church. The format for MLL is fun, informal, & interactive. We will eat together, watch movie clips, and talk about how we can have better intimacy and great marriages.

We will be charging a nominal fee for food for adults and kids:$15 per couple for food and $5 per child for childcare and the kids food.

Directions to the Clubhouse: going North on Culver turn left onto Portola. Take the first left which is Gate Park. Tell the guard that you are going to the Kamps’ home and the clubhouse. As you pull through the gate, the Clubhouse building will be directly in front of you and its parking lot is to the right.

Directions to the Kamps’ home from the Clubhouse: Make a right out of the parking lot, turn right on Meadow Valley, right onto Grass Valley and right on Montclair, end at 28 Montclair.

View Larger Map

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Part 4: Does suffering show us God?

This is the 4th of a 5 part series that we did at Pathways Church.  Bucky does a powerful job of sharing the uniqueness of Christianity and the power of the cross to help us during our suffering.  Evil and suffering is a topic of great concern to all of us.  We have a history of posts on this important topic that you can review by simply scrolling down and looking to the right to see under the categories section: Evil and Suffering link.

As always, please share your thoughts with us.

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Flu Update

Question #1: Why is the mortality rate so high in Mexico?

Ans: There are many theories but no clear answers (yet), but the good news is that it appears that the death rate is slowing and the total cases are slowing as well in Mexico.

I would rank the theories in their most likely order:

1. not enough data and we will find that there were/are a lot more cases so the mortality rate is falsely elevated

2. virus changed minutely/just enough to make itself less lethal but more contagious

3. differences in population–worse health, bad air polution, delay in going to seek medical attention, genetic differences, more herd immunity in U.S.–many of us might think: “Mexico is so poor and their health system must be worse than ours.”  One of my partners assurred me that Mexico Cities healthcare system is very clean and modern so that theory is probably not accurate.

4. Some other infection–some speculate that there is another supra-infection or co-infection that is making the death rate higher in Mexico.

Question #2: Are the deaths highest in the young–25-45 age range in Mexico?

Ans: Again, no data has been available, but some rumors and speculations that that is the case.  If that is true, experts worry that may mean we are dealing with a flu strain like the 1918 strain which was very bad.

Some more links:

Global Map

Daily Update for Emergency Physicians

Daily update from CDC

Incidental notes:

I worked 10 hours last night in the Emergency Department, and we were testing for the flu on EVERYBODY that had any symptoms at all suggestive of the flu–all were negative.  I would think that we would start to see cases if this thing is going to spread like most epidemics do…More to follow….

Also one of my partners is interviewing today a researcher who has created a vaccine (tested only on animals but seems to work) that is non-typable.  This means that this vaccine would work on ANY strain of the flu…WOW…for more details look for his interview on his website.


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Flu: What are the true numbers?

Mexico:  86 confirmed deaths (only 20 of which have been confirmed to have the swine flu); 1400 confirmed cases

These numbers are concerning.  I will make an educated guess that most of the 86 deaths are from the flu but there are 1,000’s of unconfirmed cases to go with the 1400 confirmed cases.  For example, in New York approximately 100 kids came down with flu symptoms, but the health department only tested 8–all of which were positive for the swine flu.  This means that there are a lot of people with this flu that are unconfirmed cases.  I am hopeful that when the dust/stats settle, we will find that the Mexico numbers are more likely 80 dead out of 8000 (I hope or just wishful thinking)–which is a 1% mortality rate rather than the 6-8% mortality currently being reported there.

Now why are we not seeing any mortalities (yet)?  Is it just too few cases? Or has the flu changed? Or is there some kind of herd immunity from exposure to prior flu vaccines etc.?

Any thoughts???

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Swine Flu: Just another flu?

So what is the deal with this? Some of us were all geared up for the bird flu to erupt into a pandemic of epic proportions.  A pandemic simply means that a certain illness spreads throughout the world.  Not everyone gets the illness just a certain percentage get it (20% range).  If this flu (virus) is mild then everyone or many people just get sick with a bad cold–no big deal.  The only concern as I see it is if this flu has a high mortality rate.  The initial numbers from Mexico are concerning-60-80 dead, effecting the 25-45 age group, and total infected 1000.  This would mean a mortality rate of 6-8%.  Now that is alarming and high enough for all of us to be concerned.  However, this is certainly not the real number(s).  There are likely 1000’s or at least 2000 people who have probably gotten the flu and have had little or no symptoms which probably makes the mortality rate more like 3-4% (still high).  The only other problem is if the number dead is actually higher than 60-80.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like we can get a clear picture of the extent and accuracy of these reports from Mexico.

The cases that we have seen in the U.S. seem to be mild (again the actual case numbers are probably much higher but many are getting the flu or exposed to the flu but not getting any symptoms).  So has this flu already mutated to a milder form? Hopefully and possibly.  Viruses like this tend to mutate to a high infection rate and low mortality rate so that they can stay around.  If the mortality rate is too high, the virus itself dies off (aka ebola), and if the infectivity rate is too low, this will eliminate the virus as well.

The CDC is saying that prior flu vaccines will not give us any immunity, but I would guess that they might provide a little.  Certain antiviral medications (tamiflu) are reported to be effective in shortening the duration of illness, but this could change as the virus mutates.

The bad news:

  • mortality in Mexico cases appears to be 6-8% (BUT again that is probably less & the virus may have mutated to a less lethal form)
  • it is spreading (although I would have thought that it would have spread more rapidly by now…again all viruses are different and maybe this one is less contagious than others or it just has not had time to mutate enough to change into a very contagious form)
  • If it is like prior flu epidemics/pandemics it will have 2-3 waves but hopefully by then a vaccine will help reduce impact
  • In Mexico it is killing 25-45 year olds–bad news for most of us–BUT remember: 1. these reports are probably not accurate and mortality rate is probably a lot less 2. cases outside of U.S. are without deaths so far.
The good news:
  • It’s the flu.  Nothing more.  Cough, fever, body aches and MOST will be without any symptoms or not get it. (pray that it’s mortality rate is low)
  • Mortality is zero in the cases outside of Mexico so far.
  • Antivirals seem to work.
  • Vaccine will be available likely in 3 months or more
What is the flu? It is any form of the inFLUenza virus.  This swine flu has probably been around in the population for years.  You can find reports of cases of and deaths due to swine flu but very, very few and all related to being near pigs (aka bird flu is just a certain strain of influenza that effects people that are in contact with birds–note also that there are many different strains of what we call bird flu as well–calling it bird or swine just means that its host (where the virus came from) was a bird or a pig).  The problem comes with one of these influenza strains mutates to be contagious from pig to human and then human to human and then highly contagious between human to human then we get epidemics/pandemics.
There may be more to follow. Posts on uberlumen are not usually about current events so not sure how many flu updates to expect.  As always please post/add your comments below. (If I get a lot of feedback then maybe that will motivate me to continue updates.)

sites of interest:

google map-this is several maps created to follow the outbreaks

CDC

WHO

fluwikie

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Men’s Group April 22, 2009: Calvary Road

Men on the Path will be starting one of the most impactual books that I have done: Calvary Road by Roy Hession

We have ordered copies for anyone who doesn’t have a copy yet.  There is also a great study guide/work book which you will enjoy to augment Calvary Road book.

Join us for this life changing book on the TRUE message of the cross: brokenness & belovedness.

Our first meeting today was a review of the Preface & Introduction.  You can review the questions and teaching points, and thought provoking teaching and discussion time.  We wrestled with our hearts that are both broken and beloved.  

We would LOVE your thoughts on the mystery of Scripture stating that our hearts are ‘wicked’ but as Christians, Jesus dwells within our hearts….

Further resources:

Holiness by J.C. Ryle

Waking the Dead by John Eldgridge

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Best Kids Games: Ticket to Ride

The game of the trip this year was: Ticket to Ride!  I have listed some of the GREAT kids games and it is one of them, but this year we learned Ticket to Ride and my 12 year old and 6 year old LOVE it.  In fact, there is a Ticket to Ride European version that has some tweaks to it that make it just as fun as the original.  This is a great family, thinking, strategy game for kids 8 and up.

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Passover and the Cross

I missed yet another ‘God moment’ when I was listening in to a discussion between 2 families about passover and the cross.  Lacking the courage and/or energy to speak up, I listened as the Jewish family and the Catholic family had this dialogue with the conclusions that the passover and the cross are stories that shared from each other and just happen to fall on the same days this year.  I proceeded to try and share with my sister the incredible parallel’s between the passover and the cross during our Good Friday dinner discussions.

We have lost sight of the incredible and miraculous design of the Bible: “The old testament is the new testament concealed and the new testament is the old testament revealed.”-Chuck Missler

One historical event that is truly miraculous and shows us the overwhelming design of the Bible message is the passover and its foretelling of Jesus and his ministry.

Enjoy Mike’s great message as he points out some of the incredible connectedness between the passover and the cross.

  • I have always thought that the plagues in Exodus were just random and honestly very bizarre choices for God to make–locust, frogs, etc…BUT Mike points out that each plague represented God’s very specific and intential counter to each of the major Egyptian false gods.  Once again our western minds and education miss the point and see the choice of plagues as funny and random to satisfy our desire to make fun at the Bible and it’s ‘God’; when in reality, the God of the Bible is VERY real and chose each plague carefully to point out to the Egyptian people that they were worshipping false gods/idols!
  • The Jewish slaves had 2 problems–slavery and the wrath of God just as we have the same 2 problems today (as Paul points out in Ephesians 2)–slavery to sin and the wrath of God.
  • wrath of God:  1. God’s wrath is used to do all that can be done to eliminate sin and 2. again our western mind set now is fixated on God’s love and ignore His Holiness.  But the new testament teaches a different covenant but NOT a different God–the entire Bible teaches of God’s Holiness (His only attribute that is emphasized in the Old Testament by Isaiah’s statement: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord…).  With His holiness comes His wrath against anything that is not holy–i.e. our sin! 3. When we sin and God allows it to continue–that is His judgment; when we sin and we get caught–now that is His mercy… 4. God’s wrath and love merge at the cross.

Enjoy Mike’s sermon and please share your thoughts.

Here is a GREAT summary of the passover and the cross–the golden thread of redemption and the incredible design proven by prophecy and foreshadowing in the Bible is AMAZING!

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Luke 18: The rich young ruler & all of His homes

Greg Boyd hits 2 homeruns in a row with these 2 sermons.  The first discusses that age old challenge of the rich young ruler who approaches Jesus and asks Him what must he do to inherit eternal life, and the second discusses Jesus’ comments later on in Luke 18 regarding who is your mother, brother etc….  Both are powerful and moving.

  • The die to stuff exercise at the end of the first is really revealing and powerful
  • The community of Christ teaching that can truly transform our communities throughout the second is inspiring and challenging.

As always share with us your comments.

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Men’s Group: April 8, 2009 Suffering

Last Wednesday was one of those Men of the Path sessions where you just had to be there to fully appreciate what went on.  Perhaps I should have written this last Friday, because Francisco taught on pain and suffering.  What better day to reflect on pain and suffering than Good Friday, right?  If you have not gotten to know Francisco I encourage you to do so.  If you attend Wednesday mornings and have had the opportunity to sit at Francisco’s table you know why I said that.  He is a man of few words.  Generally, Francisco does not speak until the end; but when he does, everyone at the table is in awe.  God’s words just flow through him.  We are blessed to have such a man of God in our church community.  Please ask Francisco to share some of his story with you.

Francisco gave us three Scripture verses and three questions.  The Scriptures were:
Matthew 26:39
John 5:30
Hebrews 5:7-8

Take a moment and read each one.  My favorite of those is Hebrews 5:7-8, “While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry, to the one who could rescue him from death.  And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God.  Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.”

Incredible, isn’t it?  Even though God heard Jesus’ prayers and knew the deep reverence He had for God, God allowed Jesus to suffer. Why?  Because Jesus, in the form of a man, learned obedience from His suffering.  Knowing this helps in meditating on the questions Francisco had for us.  After all, we seem to be more willing to be obedient, and more willing to give God the steering wheel to our lives when pain and suffering come. 

The questions Francisco had for us are the kind that I cannot answer for you; they are ones that you should answer and record in your journal.  The questions were:

Have you experienced pain and suffering without the help of the Lord?
What is the difference in having those same feelings but having the Lord by your side?
How has the greatness of God’s love affected your life to this day?

For those of you that heard my testimony, you know what happened when I told God, “That’s okay, I want to control my own life; just stay out of it and let me be.  I know what is best for me.”  
Some comments about the second and third questions were:
God gives us a peace in knowing He is with us in every situation;
Even though we may have seen our share of difficulties in this life, having a relationship with God gives us hope;
God is the only One that can do the things He’s done in our lives.

I have asked on occasion that you write me with some of your answers and comments.  I am not going to do that today.  I am going to ask that you go to Drew’s website, www.uberlumen.comand send Drew what God is saying to you about pain and suffering; how He is helping you through today’s problems.  Drew would welcome your comments.

Have a great week; remember, no meeting at the clubhouse this week.  We are supporting Bruce and the rest of the men who put together the All Pro Dads program at Hicks Canyon Elementary by meeting there at 6:30 a.m and putting Servant Leadership into effect.  I hope God has it on your heart to come help.  Who knows, you may even get to eat a few pancakes.
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Men’s Group: March 25, 2009 What is your favorite book to read?

Enjoy Dave’s insights about our latest men’s group:

Robby and Bucky teamed up at last Wednesday’s Men of the Path to cover the subject matter of one of the most difficult sessions we’ve had. It was on the value to us, as men, of one book. That book is sometimes called by names such as, The Book of Books, The Owner’s Manual for Life, the Good Book, or Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. Of course we are talking about the Bible. No matter what name we use, one thing is clear; the Bible is the Word of God. The icebreaker last week was, “What is your favorite book to read?” It stumped most of us; heck, we’re men, we don’t read unless it has to do with sports or work, right? I don’t know why, but I was stumped on how to answer this question. I knew what the answer “should be,” but it wasn’t the truth; at least I was not comfortable saying the “should” answer. For some reason my tongue was tied. I’ve read a lot of books. In the approximately 12 months I was at Taft, I read more than 36. {If you are wondering what “Taft” is, then go to Drew’s website, www.uberlumen.com, and listen to my testimony, among the many great things for men.} I read some great books; being a new Christian I absorbed them like a sponge. Books like, “Mere Christianity,” “The Screwtape Letters,” the entire “Left Behind” series, “Wild at Heart” and, of course, the Bible. I’m convinced I was tongue-tied on an answer to the “favorite book” question because of the lack of time I spend today in God’s Word. What many of us did was start naming our favorite book of the Bible. It was sad, but at the same time, that fit right into what Robby and Bucky wanted to talk about. Robby and Bucky used Psalm 119:9-16 to stress that the amount of time we spend reading and meditating on the Bible is “serious business.” Please take a moment to read Psalm 119:9-16. Every line talks about God’s Word, doesn’t it? These eight lines say so much. Even though most of us didn’t have answers to that icebreaker we all had answers for the other questions, “What does the Word of God mean to your life?,” Why is the Word of God a useful tool for us as men?” and “How does the Word of God make us more like Jesus? Bucky closed with some “shoulds.” He said the Bible “should” ignite a fire under our bellies. Bucky said the Bible “should” be the final authority in your life (it “should” be the book you consult for everything in your life). Bucky said we “should” spend at least 30 minutes a day in God’s Word. Five minutes a day is not enough for us in the OC; it is like a snack. Here in the OC we need a meal. I’d like to ask that you spend some time “feasting” on the Psalm 119: 9-16 and the preceding questions. Email your thoughts to Bucky and/or Robby. These guys put a lot of time into Wednesday mornings and would love to hear from you. It would be great if those of you that cannot attend take some time to email your comments to Bucky and/or Robby. Their addresses are on this email. Enjoy your time with God and His Word this week.

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Part 2: Does the Bible show us God?

This is Part 2 of our 5 part series titled: Show me God. Part 2 we discuss the evidence for the Bible showing us God and being inspired by God. Please share your thoughts.

 

Show Me God

The Bible

Dr. Drew Lawson and Pastor Bucky Dennis

 

The God Who Shows Up

Creation

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.” Romans 1:20

 

Ask questions:

  • What do you believe? What are the conclusions to your worldview? What do you get without God?

  • Are you willing to believe? Are you willing to believe that miracles are possible? 

 

Now We Can Talk About the Bible: God’s Word

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16

 

Why Trust the Bible?

Manuscript Evidence

The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) written between 45-60 A.D.

  • Book of Acts (Spectacularly accurate historically; must be dated before 62 AD)

  • Fall of Jerusalem is not mentioned even though Acts started in Jerusalem.

  • Nero’s persecution not mentioned that occurred in 64 AD

  • Paul is still alive; no mention of his death (Paul died in 64AD @ Nero’s persecution)

  • Paul’s Experiences & Writings Documented between 32-56 A.D

  • Creeds and Oral Tradition (Phil. 2:6-11, Col. 1:15-20, 1Cor. 15:5) between

  • 33-38A.D.

  • “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

  • Credible Witnesses (1 John 1; 2 Peter 1:16; John 20:30; Luke 1:3)

  • Eight men eyewitnesses or had contact with eyewitnesses (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, James, Peter, Jude)

  • “For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.” 2 Peter 1:16

Archaeology Evidence

  • Walls of Jericho- Joshua 6:2-5

  • King David- Tell Dan Stone that Read “House of David” and “The King of Israel”

  • Acts 27- Anchors away

Prophecy Evidence

“From the beginning I revealed the end. From long ago I told you things that had not yet happened, saying, “My plan will stand, and I’ll do everything I intended to do.” Isaiah 46:10

  • Messianic Prophecy:

Isaiah 53:3-9

“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken.

He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.”

Scientific Evidence

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

  • Scientific perspective

  • Other creation accounts

  • Genesis account


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Part 1: Does science show us God?

This is Part 1 of our 5 part series titled: Show me God. Part 1 we discuss the evidence from creation and design for God. Please share your thoughts.
 

Show Me God

Creation

Dr. Drew Lawson and Pastor Bucky Dennis

 

The God Who Shows Up

  • Looking for God

  • Facing our doubts

  • Reasons for faith

 

  • Creation: “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.” Romans 1:20

 

  • Word: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16

 

  • Christianity: “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35

 

  • Suffering: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles.” 2 Corinthians 1:3

 

  • Resurrection: “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

 

God’s Priority

  • A love relationship

  • A free will offering

  • Faith verses certainty

 

  • “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

 

The Clues for God in Creation

 

Creator: The Mysterious Bang- How did you get something from nothing?

  • “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

    “In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.” Psalm 102:25

Designer: Complexity and Wonder

  • “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.” Psalm 19:1

 

  • “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:13-14

 

Worship

  • “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” Hebrews 11:1-3

 

  • “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.” Psalm 8:1

 

Resources for the Journey

The Reason for God by Timothy Keller

The Case for a Creator by Lee Strobel

What’s So Great About Christianity by Dinesh D’Souza

 

Websites

Dr. Lawson http://www.coachdrewlawson.com

Hugh Ross Http://www.reasons.org

Stand to Reason http://www.str.org

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Men’s Group: March 18, 2009 A response to creation: WORSHIP

Here is a GREAT summary from Dave (and the study questions are below as well):

Our “ice breaker” question last Wednesday, was, “Talk about a beautiful place you have visited or would like to visit.”  I cannot say what was discussed at the other tables but there were some great answers at the table where I sat.  Most of us, including me, mentioned great works of God like the Grand Canyon and the Great Lakes.  But a couple of guys spoke of simpler things.  One was the view while sitting on his screened in porch as a child.  The other was watching a farmer till his land and taking in the smells of the earth as it was being turned over.  Simpler is certainly better, isn’t it?  Close your eyes and think of a simpler time in your life and take in it’s beauty.Bucky covered Psalm 139; please take a few minutes and read the Psalm.  What does this Psalm say to you? Here is a quick synopsis of what Psalm 139 says to Bucky.  Verses 1-6 say God knows us intimately.  Verses 7-12 say God is with us constantly. Verses 13-18 say God made us wonderfully, and verses 19-24 say God judges righteously.  So, if David, knew these things about God, how did it effect his relationship with Him?  If you are familiar with David’s life, you know he was far from perfect.  But the Bible tells us David was a man after God’s own heart.  How can that be?  Well, in looking at the verses of Psalm 139 and how Bucky broke them down it is easy to see what David’s reaction was to each.  Since God knows us intimately, David knew we must TRUST God.  It makes sense, doesn’t it.  If someone knows all about you shouldn’t you be able to trust them?  If God is with us constantly, David knew we must ACKNOWLEDGE Him.  It is amazing how David said that no matter where he went he knew God was there.  God is everywhere.  Since God is always with us shouldn’t we acknowledge His presence and act accordingly?  I think it is funny that some people believe they can get away with something because, “no one is looking.”  How untrue.  God knows everything you think, say and do.  So, when you sin, rather than shy away from God, do what David did; acknowledge Him and repent.  You will feel better faster if you get on your knees and say you are sorry.  Ask God to help you overcome your areas of weakness.  Pete McKenzie says the real turning point in his spiritual life came when he got on his knees and said, “Lord, I am a failure at being a Christian.  Would You help me become the man You want me to be?   Well, I’d say God heard Pete and helped him get to his goal.  Since God made us wonderfully, David knew we must PRAISE God.  We’ve heard it before; God has a purpose for our lives.  We have been given talents and spiritual gifts and must use them both for God, not our own personal gain.   Many of us struggle with this one.  We, as men, find our identity in our work.  We justify why we need to put in 12 hours a day.  I would like you to take a piece of paper and write down the five things that are most important to you.  Then, HONESTLY put down how much time each day you spend on those five things.  This will tell you what is really most important in your life.  Lastly, since God judges righteously, David knew we must FOLLOW God, not try and be Him.  In other words, it is not up to us to judge or take matters into our own hands.  Judgment is reserved for God and God alone.  This is my biggest challenge.  I have a tendency to judge rather than listen with an open mind.   Every Wednesday we end with, “How can we pray for you?”  Well, if you are a man of prayer, my request is you pray for me and my judgmental attitude.  Have a great week; I encourage you to spend some time with God and reflect on the blessings He’s given you.

Please enjoy the study questions from our latest men’s group, and as always, please share your thoughts.

Talk about a beautiful place that you have visited or would like to visit?

Psalm 139-I Must Worship

 1 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.  3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. 5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,  too lofty for me to attain.7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,”  12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!  How vast is the sum of them! 18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you. 19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men! 20 They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. 21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD, and abhor those who rise up against you?  22 I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. 

God knows us intimately—I must_____________him-vv.1-6

God is with me constantly—I must _____________him-vv.7-12

God made me wonderfully—I must____________him-vv.13-18

God judges righteously—I must _______________him—vv.19-24

Questions for Discussion:

1.  What are some of the ways that you see and experience God in this life?

2. How does David’s knowledge of who God is affect his daily life?

3.How is God calling you to live a life of Intimate worship

                -Trust

                -Acknowledge

                -Praise

                -Follow

4. How can we pray for you?