Hey everyone!
How's everyone doing? I know it's been a long time since I've posted and I am REALLY sorry about that. I know there really is no excuse because we are ALL busy around now. I hope your reading week was fun and not full of reading :P I'd love to hear more about what you all did :)
Anyways, I really wanted to appologize for the lack of communication within our group and organizing events and such. I have emailed Jon about Ark Aid so hopefully he'll get back to me soon! I know Karen and I had hoped we could do more in terms of volunteering and stuff, but I guess as school progressed I haven't really made this small group a priority. I don't think it really hit me until I received an email about how there were only 3 ACF meetings left before finals came. I thought about all the things I had hoped we could do and all the things we actually did do and it was rather disappointing.
So ... on a brighter note, I think the Iron Chef idea is going to be good "end of the year" event. I think if we just did it amongst our own small group it would be easier to organize (we have lots of people and 2 small kitchens). So I'll send out an email for those who don't regularly check this blog and hopefully we can find a weekend where most of us are free.
God bless BO!
Monday, March 12, 2007
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Beyonding Ourselves?
Hello bo-ers...
haha I just made a new verb: beyonding.... (going beyond)... well How was everyone's reading week? I just if you've joined this blog, it's either because you are part of Beyond Ourselves small group AND you want to share your opinions!! It's good to just read what others have taken the courage to share but like Rodger says, WHY KEEP EXPERIENCES GOD HAS GIVEN TO YOU TO YOURSELF?? It was just a wake up call for me and I'm just wanting to be honest before my brothers and sisters... it's hard to share, I know it and i'm many times not willing to share (which I become so guilty myself). I've just taken away MANY opportunities God has given me to bless others and what God gives us isn't only for ourselves, it's for everyone too!
And I just want to encourage you to encourage your fellow brothers and sisters. Some of you may be struggling in your walks with God, or juggling school, relationships, and other issues. But some of you are close with God. Nonetheless, the Bible tells us: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25
ANY relationships is NOT a one-way communication, it's 2 ways, three-ways, x-ways (haha MATH).... But seriously, don't always expect people to initiate the conversation or the talk. I know personalities can get in the way... I used to never talk but because of God, he opened my heart and my mouth to others and it has blessed me and many others. Continue praying to God for a deeper relationship with Him. It's a relationship, not a one-way traffic!
Think about it! It's a life-long process and I hope you are willing to put some effort in our small group, which will not only last for the next 2 months. I hope that we can continue to fellowship together even after school is finished!
ANDDDD by the way..... tiff or karen... when will be start beyonding ourselves? does anyone know where we can help in the community? WILL THERE BE IRON CHEF???? =)
God bless!
Janine
haha I just made a new verb: beyonding.... (going beyond)... well How was everyone's reading week? I just if you've joined this blog, it's either because you are part of Beyond Ourselves small group AND you want to share your opinions!! It's good to just read what others have taken the courage to share but like Rodger says, WHY KEEP EXPERIENCES GOD HAS GIVEN TO YOU TO YOURSELF?? It was just a wake up call for me and I'm just wanting to be honest before my brothers and sisters... it's hard to share, I know it and i'm many times not willing to share (which I become so guilty myself). I've just taken away MANY opportunities God has given me to bless others and what God gives us isn't only for ourselves, it's for everyone too!
And I just want to encourage you to encourage your fellow brothers and sisters. Some of you may be struggling in your walks with God, or juggling school, relationships, and other issues. But some of you are close with God. Nonetheless, the Bible tells us: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25
ANY relationships is NOT a one-way communication, it's 2 ways, three-ways, x-ways (haha MATH).... But seriously, don't always expect people to initiate the conversation or the talk. I know personalities can get in the way... I used to never talk but because of God, he opened my heart and my mouth to others and it has blessed me and many others. Continue praying to God for a deeper relationship with Him. It's a relationship, not a one-way traffic!
Think about it! It's a life-long process and I hope you are willing to put some effort in our small group, which will not only last for the next 2 months. I hope that we can continue to fellowship together even after school is finished!
ANDDDD by the way..... tiff or karen... when will be start beyonding ourselves? does anyone know where we can help in the community? WILL THERE BE IRON CHEF???? =)
God bless!
Janine
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Lenting?
Hey everyone!
Have you heard of lenting? I don't want to have a big blog explaining it so I'll let Wikipedia do the job, hahaha.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lent
Okay, so now that you've read it. What are you going to lent? I know it's kind of late starting, but better late than never! I'm lenting gaming and anime. I'm not concerned about gaming since I don't game much anymore, but anime is going to be tough for me, hahaha. I'd love to know what everyone else is going to lent. It'll be good to know so then we can help each other if we ever feel like giving in to them.
Have a wonderful reading week!
In Christ,
Jeff
Have you heard of lenting? I don't want to have a big blog explaining it so I'll let Wikipedia do the job, hahaha.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lent
Okay, so now that you've read it. What are you going to lent? I know it's kind of late starting, but better late than never! I'm lenting gaming and anime. I'm not concerned about gaming since I don't game much anymore, but anime is going to be tough for me, hahaha. I'd love to know what everyone else is going to lent. It'll be good to know so then we can help each other if we ever feel like giving in to them.
Have a wonderful reading week!
In Christ,
Jeff
Thursday, February 22, 2007
hey guys! i just finished my last midterm ..and i'm sooo happy reading week is here. time to relax and spend time doing things you ACTUALLY want to do.. woot!
i was planning to share something with you guys.. but now i totally forget what it is. i guess i'll respond to jeff's post. even tho it's been posted for awhile. haha sorry i'm slow.
jeff: i used to be sooo like you! and i still sort of am. not talking much.. likes to listen to others talk more. but i've learned throughout my years here.. if you don't step out in faith and share what the Lord has given you.. you are missing out on blessings others AND blessings for yourself. and about what you said about maybe the wrong questions are being asked.. i admit that i've been guilty of giving ppl dumb answers like "good" after they ask me "how was your week?". i guess it depends on the context of where i am and who i'm talking to if i'll be willing to open up more. but you know what.. i've also learned that sometimes.. you don't have to wait for ppl to ASK you.. you should just TELL THEM! God will give you opportunities.. and it's up to you if you're willing to be obedient and take them.
HEY i remember what i was gonna share with you guys now! it's something doreen shared with me the other day.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
7 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. 8 He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
i guess it's for ppl who are waiting to hear if they get into grad school/internship or whatever. it's about trusting in God no matter what happens. even if i don't get into OT and have to spend a year doing something else.. i can still bear fruit for the Lord in whatever i'm doing. and that's the most important thing.. keeping our eyes fixed on the Kingdom and things of eternal value :)
have an awesome reading week small group!
i was planning to share something with you guys.. but now i totally forget what it is. i guess i'll respond to jeff's post. even tho it's been posted for awhile. haha sorry i'm slow.
jeff: i used to be sooo like you! and i still sort of am. not talking much.. likes to listen to others talk more. but i've learned throughout my years here.. if you don't step out in faith and share what the Lord has given you.. you are missing out on blessings others AND blessings for yourself. and about what you said about maybe the wrong questions are being asked.. i admit that i've been guilty of giving ppl dumb answers like "good" after they ask me "how was your week?". i guess it depends on the context of where i am and who i'm talking to if i'll be willing to open up more. but you know what.. i've also learned that sometimes.. you don't have to wait for ppl to ASK you.. you should just TELL THEM! God will give you opportunities.. and it's up to you if you're willing to be obedient and take them.
HEY i remember what i was gonna share with you guys now! it's something doreen shared with me the other day.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
7 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. 8 He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
i guess it's for ppl who are waiting to hear if they get into grad school/internship or whatever. it's about trusting in God no matter what happens. even if i don't get into OT and have to spend a year doing something else.. i can still bear fruit for the Lord in whatever i'm doing. and that's the most important thing.. keeping our eyes fixed on the Kingdom and things of eternal value :)
have an awesome reading week small group!
Sunday, February 18, 2007
HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEARS!
HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEARS!!!
I WANT RED POCKETS!!!!...haha..j/k
hope you all have a wonderful day!
I WANT RED POCKETS!!!!...haha..j/k
hope you all have a wonderful day!
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Hmmm
Ever feel like there is something you should share with others but when they ask you to share, you say you don't?
If you were at P&R's last Sunday, you would have heard Roger say that he's not going to use the "It's not for you, it's for me...and everyone else." phrase. I like that phrase because it's true. Yeah, I guess it could be misleading if he pauses for too long after the "me" but the phrase overall is right.
I've been told that I don't share much. When I look at myself from someone else's point of view, that is true. I really don't like talking much. I like being the silent type and listen to everyone else talk. I admire it when people learn so much from what God has taught them and share it with others. But I look at myself and see that I don't do the same. Selfish, it would be (yoda talk!).
I wonder, how come I don't share? Maybe the wrong questions are being asked? If someone asked me something really specific, I would reply with a good answer (I hope). But if the question was, "How was your week?" or "What are you thinking about?", I would say not much even though there are stuff floating around my head. *shrugs*
Hmm, I don't find my bible readings to be effective right now. Maybe I shouldn't be reading Pslams. Proverbs? I had a blast reading Romans even though I remember nothing. Suggestions?
Hope exams are treating you well and hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day with that special other, others or just themselves even! Or even better, spending it with God!
In Christ,
Jeff
If you were at P&R's last Sunday, you would have heard Roger say that he's not going to use the "It's not for you, it's for me...and everyone else." phrase. I like that phrase because it's true. Yeah, I guess it could be misleading if he pauses for too long after the "me" but the phrase overall is right.
I've been told that I don't share much. When I look at myself from someone else's point of view, that is true. I really don't like talking much. I like being the silent type and listen to everyone else talk. I admire it when people learn so much from what God has taught them and share it with others. But I look at myself and see that I don't do the same. Selfish, it would be (yoda talk!).
I wonder, how come I don't share? Maybe the wrong questions are being asked? If someone asked me something really specific, I would reply with a good answer (I hope). But if the question was, "How was your week?" or "What are you thinking about?", I would say not much even though there are stuff floating around my head. *shrugs*
Hmm, I don't find my bible readings to be effective right now. Maybe I shouldn't be reading Pslams. Proverbs? I had a blast reading Romans even though I remember nothing. Suggestions?
Hope exams are treating you well and hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day with that special other, others or just themselves even! Or even better, spending it with God!
In Christ,
Jeff
Saturday, February 10, 2007
A prayer for all of you ...
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for being so amazing and faithful. We are continually blessed by you Lord in so many ways whether they be gifts, peace, and even trials. I pray Lord that as we strive to be servants for you that we will constantly feel your presence in our lives. As we come into a period of midterms, assignment, and projects I just pray that you will be with us through the whole process, encouraging us to strive for the best that we can be for you Lord and that we may feel at peace knowing that the plans You have for us far exceed what we may think are the goals we have in school right now. Whether we do well or poorly, may You be exalted through it all ... we can take no credit for doing well Lord. Continue to remind us to be humble and selfless to you and others. Help us to remain in You God and keep You the center and focus of our lives in all that we do. Help us to feel stress-free as we write our exams and help give us good time management skills as we study hard. We know that whatever we ask for, in faith, You will grant us, so I just want to pray again for peace and wisdom Lord and comfort knowing that you are in control of everything. Thank you for your love and as we go on this week ... I pray that we will live lives worthy to be called Yours.
In Jesus' name I pray ... Amen.
Thank you for being so amazing and faithful. We are continually blessed by you Lord in so many ways whether they be gifts, peace, and even trials. I pray Lord that as we strive to be servants for you that we will constantly feel your presence in our lives. As we come into a period of midterms, assignment, and projects I just pray that you will be with us through the whole process, encouraging us to strive for the best that we can be for you Lord and that we may feel at peace knowing that the plans You have for us far exceed what we may think are the goals we have in school right now. Whether we do well or poorly, may You be exalted through it all ... we can take no credit for doing well Lord. Continue to remind us to be humble and selfless to you and others. Help us to remain in You God and keep You the center and focus of our lives in all that we do. Help us to feel stress-free as we write our exams and help give us good time management skills as we study hard. We know that whatever we ask for, in faith, You will grant us, so I just want to pray again for peace and wisdom Lord and comfort knowing that you are in control of everything. Thank you for your love and as we go on this week ... I pray that we will live lives worthy to be called Yours.
In Jesus' name I pray ... Amen.
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