McAlisters this Thursday Dec, 2......Devotional.......Dec. 21 Christmas party at Glenmary!

It's the First Thursday of the Month of December.....Meet you at McAlisters across from Jefferson Mall around 6:00pm.  We will eat, fellowship, discuss "Honesty in Communication",  then head over to the fabulous Christmas Cantata at Minors Lane at 7:30pm.

SEE YA THERE!

 

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ANNUAL LOUISVILLE SINGLES CHRISTMAS PARTY......TUESDAY DECEMBER 21.....7PM......GLENMARY COUNTRY CLUB...

(DRESS FESTIVE....APPETIZERS SERVED......KAREOKE.....CAROLING.....GAMES....AND MUCH MORE.  COST ONLY $5)

MAKE YOUR PLANS TO ATTEND NOW.   RSVP TO THIS EMAIL.)

                               WATCH FOR DETAILS FROM TOM FAWBUSH IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS!!!!!!!

 

 

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"Honesty in Communication"

read pages 99-106 Character Matters by Dr. Mark Rutland

Truth is sacred because departure from truth is departure from God.  Satan is a liar and the father of lies.  Those who operate in right relationship to ultimate truth live in right relationship to who God is.  They reflect the character of their Father.  Those who deal in deception reveal who their true father is.  Satan is the father of and the center of all deception in the earth.

   True Truth and False Truth:

There may be things that are true, but they are not the truth.  Discuss the story of Abraham and Sarah.  She was technically his half sister, but the higher reality was that she was his wife.

True statements can be woven together to form an untruth.  Discuss Classic example of the first mate's log entry regarding the captain of the ship:   "Captain was sober today."  This insinuated that the Captain has an alcohol problem, which he didn't.  A true statement can be made an untruth, a destructive untruth that can wreak havoc in any organization.  This firstmate, in deception, manipulation and innuendo brings disharmony to the ship.

A lie has a great deal to do with motive. ex)promise to take a child to the park; then park gets destroyed by tornado.

Every parent must make the determination about how to relate to truth and fantasy.  Discuss Santa Claus.

Remember that Literalism will make our lives joyless and uncreative.

   2 Kinds of Dishonest Communication:  

SIMULATION:  to seem to be what we are not.   Tools are: exaggeration, pretense and hypocrisy.  The image-conscious society in which we live hates truth and loves appearance.  Discuss Annanias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11.  God is serious about religious simulation.  They were not slain for withholding money.  They died for claiming more generosity and gracious faith than they had.

Discuss:  Are we sending ministries mixed signals when we financially support ministries that are experts in simulation, and then hate them when they are exposed for disception?

DISSIMULATION:  to seem not to be what we are.

Matt. 26:69-75  Story of Peter's denial.

The compromised, lacking the courage of their convictions deny who they are.  The temptation will seldom be to outright denial, but rather to subtle compromises.

The Instinct for Dishonesty:  The motivation for dishonesty is the animal instinct for self-preservation.  The flesh says, "If I want it, I'll steal it.  If I am not, I'll pretend to be.  If I am, I'll pretend not to be.  If I want to sell it, I will not tell everything."  What can possibly shatter the spell of so inborn an instinct?   PROVERBS 22:4 SAYS, "BY HUMILITY AND THE FEAR OF THE LORD ARE RICHES, AND HONOUR, AND LIFE."Babies are not born with the fear of God .  We must teach and instill Godly fear.

........In every human heart there is the thumbprint of the Creator.  It is a homesickness for the image of God. JOHN 8:32 "YE SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE".  This is the mystery key to full humanity in the image of God.

Pilate asked the infamous question:  "What is truth?"  God answered:  'I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE".  JOHN 14:6 

 

Desiring Truth in all things,

Becky

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2010 Annual Singles Christmas Party.....Tuesday Dec. 21

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW FOR THIS SPECIAL EVENT FOR ALL SINGLES IN THE AREA!

 

EWPC Single Adult Christmas Party.....Tuesday Dec. 21.....7:00pm.....Near Oxmoor Mall, 
St. Matthews

 

Details coming soon!            MARK THE DATE!!!!!!

 

 

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!!!!   

Becky 

Bowling and Dinner tonight!

HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE THERE.........KINGPIN ON TAYLORSVILLE  7 - 9 PM

                                                              STEAK N SHAKE    9 - 10:30 PM

 

FRIDAY  NOVEMBER 19......CALL A FRIEND AND BRING THEM ALONG!

FRIDAY BOWLING/DINNER

evangel singles

        bowling night

 

friday Nov 19nd 7:00p – 9:00p

 

kingpin lanes 9525 taylorsville rd.

 

·      2 hours of bowling (including shoes) for $15.00

·      Steak-n-Shake for food and fellowship at 9:00pm

THIS FRIDAY BOWLING/DINNER....Nov. 19....7:00 Bowling....9:00Dinner....Devotional

Spread the word....call a friend....send an email or text:   Singles Bowling This Friday Nov. 19    Kingpin  9525 Taylorsville Rd  7:00-9:00pm.   2 hours of bowling (including shoes) for $15.00.    Then on to Steak-n-Shake for food and fellowship at 9:00pm.  RSVP to this email or call 593-2117.  Have had a great response already....don't miss out!!!!

 

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Devotional for Nov. 18

***********6:15pm   new starting time for Thursdays small group Bible Study**************

Honesty:  Character and Truth

read pages 91-98  Character Matters by Mark Rutland

Discuss the story of General Billy Mitchell from WWI who was court martialed for telling the truth about air power.  He died before being given an apology and receiving the congressional Medal of Honor.

Honesty is the virtue of wealth and words.  Honesty in communication is telling the truth.  "Thou shalt not bear false witness."  (Bible) Honesty in possessions is right action with regard to things.  "Thou shalt not steal." (Bible)

Honesty and possessions:

The teenaager who shoplifts, the thrill theft, the unpaid debt--these are the everyday thefts of America.

Do you think?:  An individual who unneccessarily and deliberately files bankruptcy for the express purpose of avoiding the payment of debt is a thief?  or......a person who noticing in her shopping bag that an article is there that she did not pay for, and does not return to pay for it  is a thief?

Is it acceptable to defraud an insurance company because we might think insurance is a racket itself?

Rutland says:  "Faceless theft starts with the wrong question.  The question is not who or what owns a thing.  The greater issue is who DOES NOT. The fact that something is not mine is the bottom line for me."

I may not know whose it is, but I certainly know whose it is not.  Knowing it is not mine is the true ground of honesty.

Honest Gain:

The selling of worthy goods or services for a fair price is pleasing in God's sight.  Willfully hiding pertinent information from another in order to get the better of him in a business deal is not shrewd business;  it is theivery.

(read story pages 96-97)  What do you think?

 Honest Gain Honestly Gotten:

There is a line between shrewd business and dishonesty.  

What do you think?:  Is it better to miss out on a great deal than to make it by the slightest deception?  

Interesting thoughts on Gambling:

Rutland says:  " There is no specific Bible verse that says, 'Thou shalt not gamble.'  However, the counsel of God taken as a whole clearly teaches that I have no right to another's goods without offering something of value in return.  Gambling not only endangers the resources of God entrusted into my hands, but also I exploit the passion and lust for chance in the life of another in order to take his goods with nothing in return.  When a state or a nation begins to operate gambling games, it breeds characterlessness and immorality into the lives of its citizenry."  What do you think?

THE END NEVER JUSTIFIES THE MEANS.

How about exaggerated advertisements,   padded expense accounts,    deliberately shaved tax forms,     arriving late and leaving early from a job,   etc......?   Food for thought!

 

See you all this Friday,

Becky 

Character Study for thurs. Nov. 11.......Bowling and Dinner Friday Nov. 19

FRIDAY NOV. 19:   BOWLING AT KINGPIN 9525 TAYLORSVILLE RD   (719-5464) ....OUR GROUP RESERVATIONS ARE FOR 7:00-9:00PM.  WE CAN BOWL FOR 2 HOURS FOR ONLY $15 (PRICE INCLUDES SHOES).  THEN WE ARE HEADED TO STEAK-N-SHAKE NEAR STONEY BROOK THEATERS FOR INEXPENSIVE, GREAT FOOD AND FUN.  PLAN TO JOIN US.  RSVP TO THIS EMAIL PLEASE.  TELL A FRIEND!

 

 

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6:15-7:15pm  (new start time)....Singles Small Group Study

read pages 88-90   "Character Matters"  by Mark Rutland

 

Frugality and Arrogance:

Great question:  "Not only am I willing to live as I can afford to, but am I willing to live on less than I can afford?"...for the sake of self-discipline.

If I have a million dollars, can I afford to use one dollar to buy drugs to bring an emotional high or escape from reality?

 

Frugality and Repentance:

To see financial restitution as a proper use of money is unfamiliar to modern Westerners, but it was not alien to the ancient Jew.  Study Luke 19:1-10 the story of Zacchaeus.  Deliverance from Mammon came to him.

If I have cheated anyone, frugality demands that I pay it back.  If I owe anyone money, I will make it my goal to repay the debt.  If I have withheld my tithe, I must now give it and more, much more!  I MUST GIVE UNTIL I AM FREE!

 

The Place of Prosperity:

If I live a frugal life with a balance view of money, what about prosperity in my life?  discuss two extremes of teaching on this. 

Stranded in between these two extremes is the great body of people who are living day-to-day on the money that they can earn while trying to provide for their families and improve their lives.  John Wesley had a magnificent equation for this. 

1. He said to earn all you can.  Earn it righteously.  Earn it in a way that brings no shame to people and no shame to God.  Earn all you can.
2. Save all you can.

3. Give all you can.

 

Frugality saves to give.

Greed gives to get.

Frugality plots and plans, schemes and denies self, and sacrifices in order to give more next year than this year.

 

CHARACTER:  FREE TO BE FRUGAL

Rutland's summary:  "Frugality is the strength of character that will set us free from the terrible grip of mammon.  It may not be immorality that finally erodes our national character.  It may be the price of designer tennis shoes.  The prosperity of God is a great blessing, a dangerous one, but a great one.  If greatly used, prosperity can do much good.  Hoarded or squandered, it corrupts character and destroys families."

Remember Oseola McCarty's philosophy:  "Work hard, serve folks joyfully, save frugally and give generously."

 

NEXT WEEK:   Honesty:  Character and Truth

 

Hope to see you soon,

Becky    

  

McAlisters Source Group this Thurs. Nov. 4 6:00-7:15pm......Nov. 19 Bowling......Devotional thoughts

ITS THE FIRST THURSDAY OF THE MONTH....SO WE MEET FOR OUR SOURCE GROUP AT MCALISTERS ON OUTER LOOP NEAR JMALL FROM 6:00-7:15PM.....THEN ON TO MINORS LANE TO EXCITING HEALING SERVICE!  DON'T MISS OUT!

 

 

NOVEMBER ACTIVITY IS :

    FRIDAY NOV. 19:  BOWLING AT KINGPIN ON TAYLORSVILLE RD.....RESERVATIONS ARE FOR 7:00-9:00PM.  CAN  BOWL FOR 2 HOURS FOR ONLY $15 (PRICE INCLUDES SHOES).    THEN WE ARE HEADED TO STEAK-N-SHAKE NEAR STONEY BROOK THEATERS FOR INEXPENSIVE, GREAT FOOD AND FUN.  PLAN TO JOIN US.  RSVP TO THIS EMAIL PLEASE.  TELL A FRIEND!

 

 

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Frugality and Money

read pages 83-87   "Character Matters" by Dr. Mark Rutland

Christians often struggle with the wrong question.

example used in the book,  regarding flying first class:  "Is the added comfort worth the added cost of first class?"  Rutland says that this question misses the point.  How so?  Is the issue money or attitude as to why you choose first class vs coach?

John Wesley said: "Money is an excellent gift from God if it is used excellently, answering the noblest needs of humanity."  Money is not the enemy.  It is my own sinful nature.

 

Frugality's simple questions:

1.  What is money for?   Money is for exchange.  Money provides education, comfort and beauty to my life and to the lives of those I love.  Money is for the good of humanity and the expansion of the kingdom.  MONEY IS NEVER TO BE USED FOR THE PURCHASE OF STATUS OR FOR THE DEMONSTRATION OF POWER!   James 2:1-9  Money often speaks in church, and it does not always say, "Praise the Lord"  Wealthier people may offer good advice on business and financial matters, but should not be allowed to have more to say than others about the spiritual conduct of the ministry.   

2.  Who's in charge here?  Am I controlling the money or is it controlling me?  KEY:  When ethical decisions are based on the bottom line of finances, money is in control.  Are we making our decisions according to God or mammon?  FINANCIAL EXPEDIENCY CORRUPTS FAITH LIKE DEMONIC RUST AND EATS AWAY AT CHARACTER, DESTROYING SUBMISSION TO AUTHORITY, HUMILITY, OBEDIENCE, HOLINESS AND PATIENCE.

3.  Will I let character set the limits?  When there is not sufficient money for me to pursue a certain course of action, am I willing to believe that it is not God's will for me to do it now?  Thought:  Since God gives us the funds to affirm a course of action, do you think that sometimes he may tighten the purse strings in order to stop us from a course that is not in His will for us at that time?????

Frugality is the willingness to endure limits on myself.

Rutland suggests:  "A grave danger inherent in the American credit system is that it allows me to consume at a level of superficial prosperity, which is not based on any real wealth.  Bankruptcy in America comes dressed in a tuxedo, not in rags. "  Rutland discusses the fact that when he and his wife got married at an early age, they had no car or couch for 3 years....because they couldn't afford it!  (BTW...He is the current President of Oral Roberts University and runs mission outreaches all over the world!)

It builds positive character to wait on things until we can pay for them.  Credit can be a good thing, but its misuse destroys character.  

                             *******What do you think? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?********* 

         This is food for prayerful thought.......and we will discuss it over great food for our body at McAlisters:)  See ya Thursday! Becky