Our Knot2Us Community

Heather's Hike For Discovery

2007-07-10T07:35:55Z

Our facilitator Heather is doing a Hike for Discovery. She is normally very reserve and not at all a marketing/promo type but it is pretty obvious she has a lot of passion for this cause. I know from talking to her that she cares a lot about the subject of cancer, and leukemia in particular.

In a nutshell, the Hike for Discovery is to raise research and awareness for the LLS (Leukemia and Lymphoma Society). The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society uses the funds raised to cure Leukemia, Lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and Myeloma. The Society also gives help and support to over 712,000 Americans battling these blood cancers.

Part of why she is so compelled to do this is that her grandmother was recently diagnosed with leukemia. I can imagine also how cancer will affect beyond her grandmother as I witnessed first hand those effects on my mom when she fought and loss to brain cancer.

So if you ever wanted to have a positive impact on the fight for cancer, take this time to donate to Heather's Hike for Discovery. Click http://www.active.com/donate/hfdsvmb/hfdHBedy to donate NOW!

There's also the chance that your company will match each contribution. Finding the cure is worth asking your HR department the question! Remember all your donations are tax-deductible :)

For more info please contact Heather at lazzeedazees@yahoo.com. Oh and please help spread the word about Heather's Hike for Discovery.

Thanks!

Good Article on Accountability Group

2006-10-05T23:41:22Z

What do you guys (and gals) think of an accountability group that meets outside of smallgroups. I have been thinking for almost half a year now about such a group—specifically a men's group that meets and talk about struggles like lust, work issues, relationship with significant others or just healing broken relationships, etc. I tell you sometimes it's not easy to live according to God's will as a brother. I'm wondering if anyone feels the same?

Here's a good article I ran across recently about accountability group:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/biblestudies/areas/biblestudies/articles/061004.html

Fasting

GrX is planning a 40 days/nights of fasting starting on Monday October 9th. When I heard 40days/nights my thought was THAT'S a long time to fast. Sounds tough! Well pray and ask God to give you something that you could fast that's not so tough. The church staffs will be going on a juice fast. As for me I will fast from checking emails/going online after work (7pm or so). That's not easy but with those time offline I could spend doing other things like reading the Bible/QT, more prayer time, more quality face-to-face time with friends.

http://www.billbright.com/howtofast/index.html

We're Back for Fall: UNSTOPPABLE!!!

2006-09-19T19:49:04Z

Here's our flyer card. (PDF) Download and distribute it to your friends and co-workers and invite them to our smallgroup.

If you are visiting this blog through Fall Launch, welcome to Knot2Us!

We're meeting this week at Barry's place. Email us at knot2us@gmail.com and we will surely send you an invite. We're doing this because our smallgroup is also going mobile. =)

Here's a quote from our facilitator:

Hello!!
Its our first study this Fall!! Join us as we begin the UNSTOPPABLE series!! If you'd like to listen to the sermon that we'll be studying this week, go to this website:http://www.grx.org/messages/ and listen to the sermon from 9/10/06 ("The Unstoppable God").

We are soo excited to spend time with new and old friends!!

Thurs night schedule:
7:15-8:00 - dinner
8:00-8:30 - ice breaker and worship
8:30-9:45 - study
9:45-10:00 - announcement and fellowshiping

We also just got back from our Napa roadtrip and here are some photos to enjoy:

For the rest of the sets please visit Bruce's smugmug site.

I'll post my sets to flickr...soon!

Elijah and Our Insecure World

2006-04-28T02:07:06Z

This week we will begin our 1st week of study on Elijah. The study is from a study guide, Elijah: Living Securely in an Insecure World, and is an 8 weeks study.

Here are the topics we will be diving into:

Obeying God In Times of Terror: 1 King 16:29—17:4

When The Brook Dries Up: 1 Kings 17:5&ndash24

Standing Alone: 1 Kings 18:1–40

Prevailing Prayer: 1 Kings 18:41–46

Defeating Discouragement: 1 Kings 19

Blood In The Vineyard: 1 Kings 21

When Mockers Speak: 2 Kings 1

Heaven Without Dying: 2 Kings 2:1–14

So if you are interested in checking out a smallgroup in Mountain View and have been worried about the recent news of terrorism, hurricanes, bird flus, etc...in general our insecure world, we invite you to come join us and see what we can learn from God about these issues.

So expect lots of fun fellowshipping, worshipping and studying God's Word.

Thanks!

Once upon a time...

2006-02-01T20:15:49Z

I saw a picture and I remember a time when I would have been in that picture... but then again maybe I was wrong and I never belonged there. I'm angry, I'm bitter, and most of all I'm sad. I'm hurting and I don't know how to fix it or make it better. Please pray for me, my dear small group... for what, I still don't know... to be able to accept the trials, to be able to learn, a way out?

Winter Quarter Study Of James

2006-01-13T19:47:30Z

We started our small group bible study last night with James. Allen and myself led the study. We thought we shared with you what we were trying to achieve in terms of an overall theme of the Book of James.

A central theme in James is how vital christianity is characterized by a faith that works, in other words, true faith is demonstrated by spiritual fruitfulness. In Chapter 1, James discusses (1) the test of perseverance in trials and suffering, and (2) the qualities needed in trials.

You can download the participant handout if you like. (Download the PDF)

]]> Prayer Requests

* For Allen— that God will guide him to his next career path and give him the wisdom and confidence in his first round of interviews for a clerkship in South Carolina. Also pray that God will give him incredible articulation skills to impress the interviewers.

* For Chris Lee—whether it is God's will that he lands a job as a Market Analyst for Fox Hollow Technology. Pray that if it is God's will that he works there the company will contact him soon for an interview and that God will provide. Pray also that he will be calm from the anxiety of seeking a job. Don't worry Chris. We've all been there before. God will provide for you a job soon. =)

* For Kat—pray that God will motivate her to further her career whether it is in her current field or in a different field. Pray that God will keep encouraging her and lift her up as a facilitator.

* For Donny—pray that he will have enthusiasm at his job. Currently the department is slow going and just pray that work will pick up for Donny.

* For myself—pray for the GRX Hoops ministry to work together as one so that we can come up with a booth during the next few weeks. Pray also that God will bring more volunteers to Kids Club.

Thanks guy and see you next week.

OTC - Exodus (Finished)

2005-12-13T20:05:57Z

I finished the rest of Exodus last night. (Yep I'm finally caught up) I found the last half of exodus rather dry and hard to get anything out of, but upon further reflection, its actually pretty interesting. Hope this helps.

]]> Observation
The last half of exodus was a LOT of directions on how to do things. Very detailed, almost too detailed. I'm sure you dosed off too at some points. Or skimmed a ton. Another obs is the whole part about Moses and the Golden Calf. Children of Israel are without their "fearless" leader for 40 days and construct this idol made out of gold and such.

Extended Observation and Insight
Israel just came from oppression in Egypt. Egypt is known historically for their ability to build massive structures and architecture. Hence one of the "7 wonders of the world* are in Egypt. They were a bunch of engineers in other words. So being enslaved by engineers, one can only imagine the attention to detail that the directions the Israelites were given. Perhaps thats why God gave them such detailed instructions and proceedures (algorithms). I read it and saw it like a series of if-else's. (sorry geek comment). Anyways, this might just be the way that Israel knew how to follow directions and understand. You can see that God speaks to his people the way they need to be spoken to.

The whole golden calf thing often times makes the Israelites seems like faithless idiots. But there's more here than meets the eye. Moses just sorta left them alone for a while, and they didn't really know what was going on. Its not like Moses told them when he'd return. At this point, the way people see God and worship God goes through Moses. They don't exactly know how to worship God without Moses. So Moses leaves. After 40 days of sitting around, think about how restless you'd be? So they wanted to worship God, but didn't know how. HIstorically false God's were displayed as statues, but they're usually riding on something like a horse or something. Up to this point they have no idea what God actually looks like. So what do they do? Make a calf with God riding on it. Just so happends that God doesn't have a graven image so it just looks like a calf. So well intentioned but they just couldn't follow orders or sit still.

Application
Knowing God speaks to us the way we need to be spoken to, that doesn't mean God speaks to us the way we WANT Him to. Sometimes what we need the most is silence. It's times of silence that we are truly put to the test. Do we sit still and wait on God? Or Do we go make a golden calf? The world, and even the church to some degree tells us that we always need to be working and doing something. But sometimes God just wants us to sit still and wait.

OTC - Exodus Overview

2005-12-12T22:19:27Z

I'm still catching up... But here are my more completed thoughts so far on Exodus 1-23. I had an interesting 4 hrs on sunday trying to get through all of exodus. Sadly when I hit chapter 23 my pen died, therefore I stopped. If this overview is helpful lemmie know and I'll post my Genesis one.

]]> Observation
So the first 23 chapters of Exodus were about the Children of Israel in Egypt. It takes place right after the story of Joseph. Israel was "fruitful and multiplied greatly". So they started taking over Egypt and yada yada, eventually a Pharaoh came about who didn't know about how they got there or Joseph and didn't like them. Yep racism existed in bible times too. It also covered Moses and the 10 plagues God put on Egypt. Pretty popular "bible" story.

Interpretation
It says that God causes Pharaoh's heart to be hardened and that it was God's plan. So lets think about this one... God brings wonders and plagues on Egypt AND is the cause for Pharaoh's hardened heart? God could have just changed Pharaoh's heart and set his people free. So as a result of the plagues, the Israelites had harder and harder work and more and more persecution. They wanted to have Moses stoned at a few points. (rocks not weed) So you could say that God wanted His people to go through hardship. God's ultimate goal wasn't JUST to free Israel from Egypt, sure it was definately part of it, but God wanted to grow closer to his children, not just give them everything they desired. In short, God wanted His people to desire Him. We can see this both through the plagues, and the falling bread from the sky called manna when they were in the wilderness. The overall picture of the first 23 chapters of Exodus is God's deliverance of Israel.

Application
Sometimes God brings circumstances into our lives that seem to make things worse when they don't have to. It is when we see God as a small God that we don't understand. The whole popular overasked question "why bad things happen to good people"? Its cause God desires us to have a desire for Him. God will bring as many hardships into our life as needed for us to get on our knees and develope a heart for God. Every plague God sent on Egypt had negative effects on Israel till the last plague. God not only needed to deliver Israel from Egypt, but needed to deliver Israel from themselves. I dare say when hard(er) circumstances arise in life, its not necessarily a punishment, but rather a deliverance.

Being Faithful

2005-11-28T22:33:22Z

This week in Pastor Dave's sermon, he proposed the question "How can we be faithful to what God has entrusted to us?" He talked about how we all have "filthy clothes" and need to put on new clothes. (spiritual sense) One of the statements Pastor Dave made in closing was "To have God on your own terms says it's all about me".

]]> Upon further reflection, I've had to ask myself "what ways am I coping out when it comes to following Jesus just cause I don't feel like it?" Come to think about it most of the time I really don't feel like it, nor do I feel like doing things God's way. I have the desire TO desire to do things God's way. I really enjoyed this week's message, spiritual formation is something that's near and dear to my heart.

What'd you guys think about the message?

"All In" With our Thankfulness

2005-11-21T17:50:22Z

Per the message on sunday, I just felt like I should put it into a little practice via blog style. But I wasn't sure who reads and doesn't read the blog.

I thank God...

I thank God for the consistent caring heart you have.

I thank God for the good heart and welcoming spirit you have.

I thank God for the ways you are wise with humility.

I thank God for your insight and desire to serve.

I thank God for your ideas and giving attitude.

I thank God for truth seeking heart and teachability.

I thank God for your servants heart and heart for people.

I thank God for willingness and good spirits.

To Conclude: Know that I thank God for you guys, I pray that you (all) experience God in great ways.

-DaB

Disneyland Pictures!

2005-11-15T01:56:55Z

Collage | My Photos | Scott Dancing (right click save target as plz)

OTC W2:Mon - God's Covenant w/ Abraham

2005-11-14T23:37:30Z

Had a good time at disneyland w/ you guys. Back to business here we go on week 2.

Gen 12-15, Ps 5

-Though Abram was “chosen” out of the nations, whom else did God want to bless through his offspring (Genesis 12:2-3)? Compare this “Old Testament Great Commission” to the New Testament version in Matthew 28:18-20.

-What “saved” Abram according to Genesis 15:6? (Romans 4 and Galatians 3:6-14 are Paul’s inspired commentary on this passage.)

-How does experiencing God’s favor inspire us to reach others with that love? Why do we sometimes lose concern for the lost?

]]> I'm currently stuck on this passage. Its that feeling that there's more here than I'm seeing, but am just plain stuck. So please please comment and post your thoughts and insights to this passage. In other words "Help!".

OTC: Day 5 - The Flood

2005-11-11T16:47:58Z

Almost finished with Week 1. Quote from Gladiator: "Strength and Honor" - Maximus

Gen 7-8, Ps 3

The ark was one and a half football fields long, holding the volume of 569 railroad cars. Imagine yourself building such a huge structure – and so far away from any body of water, with hostile neighbors watching!

What do you think might be the significance of who closed the ark? ( Genesis 7:16)? Does this teach you anything about God?

What do you learn from these New Testament passages that comment on Noah and the Flood: Hebrews 11:7, 1 Peter 3:18-22; 2 Peter 2:5 and Matthew 24:37-39?

What was God’s response to Noah’s offering (Genesis 8:20-22)?

]]> Upon further reflection this morning, I was struck by the beginning of the passage. The words "I will blot out from the face of the land every living thing that I have made." (Gen 7:4) Just a couple chapters ago God talked about how "it was good". I remember numerous instances in my own life where God totally provided and made something happen in my life and "it was good", and down the road something changes in the way I hold on to it and God "blots" it out. I used to believe the myth that if God gave you something then it was "meant" to be for good. But the reality of it is, God gives and takes for our own good. Sorta like the bridge of that song "Blessed Be" .... "you give and take away.... you give and take away...." And the name of God is blessed because of that.

Have you ever felt like something was "meant to be" and God started flooding your life? How did you react to God's blessing?

OTC: Day 4 - Sin Spreads Worldwide

2005-11-10T16:32:53Z

I'm praying for you all.

Gen 5-6

-In Genesis 5, the pattern is… “… and he died” after each person’s name – except for what exception is verse 24?

-What does Hebrew 11:5 say about Enoch’s special status?

-What was true about Noah that made him the exception to the rest of the world?

-Why do you suppose God waited so long (120 years) to begin the Flood after telling Noah it was coming?

-What does it tell you about God’s character that so many years went by before He judged sin? How are you doing these days mimicking God’s patience even when retribution is justified?

]]> A couple extra notes. Adam actually almost lived till the flood. He died only a couple generations away from Noah. I noticed an interesting phrase repeated. "____ walked with God". And its apparent that these people who "walked with God" were setapart in scripture. In Enoch's case so setapart he didn't even die. Another random fact, a cubit was somewhere around 17-22 inches or so. Lets say 20 for round numbers. This makes the dimensions of the ark 500ft x 50ft x 83 ft. This thing was the size of a big building. Imagine 2 football fields in a line and sliced down the middle. Then 5 stories up an dyou have a rough estimate of how massive the ark is. They didn't have lumber yards back then either.

On the spiritual side of things... what does it mean for us to "walk with God" and be setapart?

OTC: Day 3 - Sin Spreads to Family

2005-11-09T16:44:59Z

Day 3 was hard! I think this is where its gonna start getting rough for me. It feels like I'm running a marathon and can't see the end, not like i've actually ran one though, but I figured you guys can understand that analogy =) Stay strong! You're all in my prayers.

Gen 4, Ps 2

-In Gen 4, sin spreads from the individual to the family. How are families you know still experiencing the fallout of sin today?

-In addition to the offering itself. What (or rather who) was "out of favor" (Gen 4:4-5)

-What details from the story of Cain and Abel does Hebrews 11:4 stress?

-What insights about sin's effects do you get from Gen 4:7?

]]> Upon further reflection, this morning I've been thinking about the different ways men (humankind) relate to God and vice versa. You have people like Abel who had favor in the sight of the Lord, Cain who couldn't take ownership of anything and begged for mercy, Lamech who essentially reguarded himself as 10x more powerful than God, and Enosh + family who "began to call upon the Lord". I had to ask myself the question... "Who is God to me?" I look back on the different ways I used to think about who God is in different phases of my spiritual life. Times when God was "buddy buddy", times when God was my personal "fix-it man", times when God was the "harsh father", times when God was considered "powerless in my life", times when I thought I knew better than God. What does it mean and look like for us to think of Christ as "The way the truth and the light", and my "personal savior" (sorry for the christian cliches). I think out of all the ways I think about who God is, I struggle with thinking of him as simply a "fix-it man" or the bank far too often. "God i need this... God such and such is sick.... God I have a problem.... God FIX MY PROBLEM..."

Or how bout "God I'm single give me someone.... God everyone else drives an expensive car I want one too... God I need shelter give me a house..." Sure we might not actually pray these things, but our actions speak louder than any words to God. Sorta like last weeks msg about what our budget reflects to God.

I think too much.... Feedback?