We will begin our book study on July 3. The following is a break down of the chapters and when we expect to be discussing them. If you would like to post your thoughts, reactions and questions that pertain to those particular chapters before the meeting date, we will be glad to share your post and respond.
"In the Grip of Grace" by Max Lucado
July 3 Introduction -3
July 10 4-5
July 17 6-9 At 9:30
July 24 NO BOOK STUDY
July 31 10-13 At 9:30
August 7 14-End
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Ladies,
Thanks for coming today. I think we are off to a great start and I hope everyone is enjoying the book and the fellowship. If you couldn't be with us today, here is a recap (based on my non-existent capacity for memory)...
First we reviewed the parable of river and we all agreed that the chart on page 8 and 9 was great. We mentioned that we can all identify with the various brothers at some point or another. We are reminded through this parable of the importance of educating the next generation with a tangible faith. One that we can draw on when temptation is near. We agreed that the image of the younger brother submitting to Firstborn and being carried back home is of great importance. We are not walking hand in hand but rather we are being carried all the way.
Okay...how funny and up-to-date was the talk-show with Paul? I have often flipped through the channels to see some sensational mud-slinging show and wanted to tell them how wrong they were, and why, and who it's hurting. I think Lucado does a great job of illustrating that in Chapter 2. We agreed with the statement that "every broken heart, every unwanted child, every war and every tragedy can be traced back to our rebellion against God." How frightening the verses from Romans that start "God left them and let them go..., God left them and let them do..., God left them and allowed them to have their own worthless thinking." God is angry at the sin in our lives. He hates it and wants it gone...like the smoking biker your daughter brings home from college...He knows what is best for us and sin is NOT it. As Paul says in Romans 1:20...we have no excuse. God has laid it out plainly for us and there is no excuse for that behavior. How often can I hear my mother's voice saying those same words..(not to me of course but to my brother) 'it was wrong, you know it was wrong and you have no excuse, there is just absolutely no excuse for that' (most effective with left hand on hip while right hand is pointed and the guilty party shaking furiously).
We loved the statement that "Creation is God's first missionary". Of course there is a God who loved us enough to create such a beautiful place for us to be stewards of while we are here. A big bang certainly couldn't have planned the fall foliage in the Blue Ridge Mountains or the glaciers of white blue ice in Alaska. Some people, as mentioned in chapter 3, who delve into the scientific realm see the explanation of cell division or photosynthesis as proof that no God exists but we argue that it should deepen your conviction of how awesome our God really his. He planned for each green leaf to go through that process. He knows all about mitosis and meiosis because HE made them happen. How can you believe anything else? Could it really just be random? And while were are asking dumb questions Are you sure the earth is round and not flat???
Just like the cricket, do we assume that since we can't see the creator that there was no creator?
We are reminded that we were all created for God's purpose. Not to be a dentist, a singer, or a candlestick maker (although I hear there is a big demand for them these days), No we are created to worship the One who created us. Our worship should lead us to the desire to spread the great news of salvation and the great news that the world is not random...that we are not random. We have a purpose. I love when Lucado writes "They opt to be a human "doing" rather than a human "being". Who they are is what they do; consequently they do a lot." Isn't that how we feel? Where is my identity? How often do we introduce ourselves by stating our names and what we do, or whose mom we are? How about this? Hi I'm Susie and I'm a child of God. Okay so it might sound a little hokey but seriously isn't that how we should define ourselves. Put our faith on our nametag and wear it proudly.
Next week we will be reading chapters 4 and 5. Hope you are enjoying the book.
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