The Faith - 2 of 6 - What went right. What went wrong.

Posted by Anonymous | Labels: | Posted On Thursday, June 24, 2010 at 9:07 PM


Hey friends!


We had a great continuation of Chuck Colson's series...once we were able to unlock the door to the classroom we were booted to on a Thursday evening. Tyler B. literally had to lift me up so I could reach my depressingly short arm through the little window all while Cody was heading back with the key.
Just as another random side note, the picture represents a book, unChristian, co-authored by Gabe Lyons, the interviewer with the sweet hair in the DVD series we've been viewing. I've not read it, but I heard good things as it delves in to perceptions of Christians held by nonbelievers.
The title I so willingly borrowed from the session really takes us back to one thing, one HUGELY important happening- Creation.
Think of the oh so practically proverbial question since it's asked so much, "Why do bad things happen to good people?". Considering we were molded by such a loving God, this is the most common argument against Christianity. On the one hand, we have sinful hearts and are not really good people; thus, we don't really deserve anything. At the same time, we were created in the image of God meaning we have a capacity to do great good and in His Holy Name, of course.
Let's explore more of the discussion generated in, and from, this interview with Chuck Colson. Keep in mind that he was one of the first indicted in the Watergate Scandal ("I'm Richard Nixon!" Did you see my raised peace signs? No? Ok...). He has done some serious sharing of the gospel within prisons and helped God move many, many fallen hearts.
So we know the order of things: the Creation, the Fall, and the Redemption. Wait? Cue record stopping sound. Redemption. Say it with me. Re-demp-tion.
You may know (and if not, that's totally okay!) that God came to this world to turn it upside down. He invaded this world. He did this not with an army, but with a CHILD. Jesus was born to a virgin, making Him unlike the rest of us; He was sinless. A virgin birth, THE Virgin Birth, should be no big thing to comprehend (it is a HUGE deal) if you believe God breathed everything into existence. On that note, even Muslims believe Jesus was a moral teacher. Even nonbelievers recognize that there is something wrong with this world. So what happened? God created. Why is there sin? Satan, yes, but because God gave free will. Now, that is NOT His fault for giving us choice. Who chose wrong? Adam and Eve. The original us. Who's STILL choosing wrong? Best be pointing that finger at yourself.
"Nothing outside a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean'" (Mark 7:15)
K. So this sounds like it really sucks. It kind of does. A lot. So what next? GRACE. God loves, and He forgives. What else? HOPE. God came in the form of man and died as a man to atone for our sins, a debt that should have been and should be paid by each and every one of us.
"Anyone who is among the living has hope" (Ecclesiastes 9:4)
Colson talked about prisoners and how they just sort of get it. They understand the Good News, the Gospel that proclaims God's Kingdom on Earth to relinquish the grip Satan has on this world. Any ideas why?
They are some of the lowest of the low. They have nothing, and it is constantly reaffirmed that they ARE...nothing. If this is not evidence as to how God allows bad things happen to bring us closer to Him in the long run, I don't know what is. That's His goal, the desire of His very own heart. Now, I am not saying that God told these men and women (or anyone of us that are victims to our metaphorical prisons) to do bad things. Free will remember? While we are born fallen and will fall hard, how much more we appreciate God's Grace when we get back up again!
How do we reach nonbelievers with the Good News? Be real. Be you. Seek God. Ask for help. Know who you are talking to. Build relationships.
I know this was scattered, but I pray it generates even more discussion. Thanks to Cody, Tyler B. and Heather for your insight so I may have words to add here for others.
Have a great week everybody!
-Kevin
"Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words." - St. Francis of Assisi

Posted by Nic Colgrove | Labels: | Posted On Sunday, June 20, 2010 at 8:27 PM

AS A REMINDER:
The study FOR THIS WEEK has temporarly been moved from Monday night to Thursday night @ 7PM. 

CampusCrusade Presentation - 06/14/2010

Posted by Nic Colgrove | Labels: , | Posted On Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at 12:13 AM

Hey Everyone,
So tonight I feel like we had a great night filled with great friends and great conversation.  We had asked Mozart Dixon from Campus Crusade for Christ (http://www.campuscrusade.com/)  to come and talk to our group about the awesome things this ministry is doing around the state of Nebraska. Campus Crusade is a national and international organization with a focus to bring the word of Jesus Christ within reach to every college student. The boldness, dedication, and focus of this ministry is amazing to me.

I first learned of this Mozart and this ministry thru a friend of the study.  This gentlemen is living proof of God working in great ways, and what intentional sharing of the Gospel can do for people.  Mozart has a whirlwind of a background, but I think it is now a powerful tool that God is using on campuses across this state.  This tells me that God's plan and will for us is so defiant, I hope we all take a moment to listen... seriously listen... to God and discover how God can use our highs and lows in a way that is much bigger then us.  A way to glorify him.  

I encourage everyone to think and pray about becoming a prayer and financial partner for his Ministry.  Our group will discuss in the future if we would like to collectively become prayer and/or financial partners to this ministry. 

BTW... I stole the picture of Mozart from his website Nebraska Catalytic.  Go check it out to make up for me borrowing  it!    (Sorry Mo!)
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As well, to add to the fun... it was the birthday of our friend Cody Nichols.  We celebrated by having cake, ice cream, pop, and cookies.  For all of you who didn't make it... you missed out!  Plus the cake was made to match his boots.  I personally think the cake was awesome  (maybe that's just me.)  The part was also topped off with balloons and a ridiculous party hat. 

Cody... You were a good sport! 

The Faith - 1 of 6 - 06/07/2010

Posted by Nic Colgrove | Labels: | Posted On Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 2:00 PM

To start things off, I'm new at blogging. In fact I'm not much of a writer. So my messages might be slow, delayed, upbeat, short, long, who knows? So hang in there.

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It seems like this DVD series is having us take a step back at our faith.... and having us ask some basic, yet critical questions. (And that's good... right?) In this first DVD, Chuck had us focus on three words that are soooo common in the church. So I'll ask you; What is your definition of the following:

 - - "Christianity"
 - - "Truth"
 - - "Faith"

Christianity -
Chuck said that some of the most common answers are something like:
- - "My Belief System" ; "A Form of Worship" ; "A Religion"

However, we have to remember that Christianity should be considers as our "A complete world view based on fundamental truths." If we only see Christianity as beliefs or values and not a COMPLETE VIEW, we are missing such a huge picture of what we are about. If we only believe, but don't act and live out our values, we are nothing but a large set of hypocrites. Christianity should consume every aspect of our life.

This weekend I wore my "FreedMen Nebraska 2010" shirt around town. It is one that boldly says "CHRISTIAN MEN" on it in bright red letters. I think the shirt looks great, but it also displays a great message. Somehow though, I found myself constantly thinking... "I need to be on my best behavior since I have this shirt on. People can see my 'beliefs' without me asking." I kept thinking I need to be more patient, I need to be more loving and more kind. What image am I setting off. I need to be MORE CHRIST LIKE! It is amazing how that simple t-shirt tried to make me change my COMPLETE WORLD VIEW. Since then I have been challenging myself to live that world view without that shirt on.

Truth - Faith

I'm going to take on both of these items together. Because both of these items rely upon each other. Chuck helps us understand that Truth is "That which conforms to reality." Chuck described it like a road map. If the map doesn't follow the land, it can't take you where you are going. It isn't the Truth. --And in our walk with Christ, anything that isn't the Truth... it is sin.

Now for Faith, it can be described as the "earnest belief that the Truth is real." It is IMPOSSIBLE, to have Faith unless we have some understanding of the Truth. But Truth does us no good, unless we have some desire for the Faith that it is real.  These two concepts/definitions were unbelievable to me.  I had never thought of the core foundation these two words hold for us.  I'm still trying to process.

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So... I'm looking forward to what Chuck has to offer in these DVD's. What is your thoughts on Christianity, Truth, Faith. Give us a post!

The Faith - Chuck Colson

Posted by Nic Colgrove | Labels: , | Posted On Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at 2:40 PM

Hey Everyone,

We have started a new "Life Lesson" study this week. It is a DVD study/conversation with Charles Colson facilitated by Gabe Lyons. Chuck is an author and well respected Christian leader who can be heard on several radio ministries as well.

This DVD will cover a step-back look at the basic fundamentals of Christianity and our faith. Something that we commonly overlook as believers. Come join us, post your thoughts. Stay tuned for more.

-Nic Colgrove

...WELCOME!...

Posted by Nic Colgrove | Labels: | Posted On Tuesday, June 8, 2010 at 1:21 PM

I want to welcome everyone to our new Young Adults Blogging Site. We hold a Monday @ 7:00 PM small group at the church each week. We have studies that cover a specific book of the bible, and also "Life Lesson" studies.  Many of our studies are lead by a DVD series.  We are always interested in new members, so come on by.

-Nic