FBCA River's Edge

Amazing Grace the Movie

2007-01-29T12:52:00.000-06:00

Amazing Grace, a new movie about the life of William Wilberforce, the man who led the fight to end slavery in Great Britain, opens on Feb 23. This is definitely the type of movie believers should support. Do some research on William Wilberforce, and of John Newton, the author of the song Amazing Grace. You will have some great information to share with your family.

Here's the link to the movie: www.amazinggracemovie.com

Maybe we can schedule a family night at the movies at the end of February!

Travis, Ginger, are you there?

Are we reaching the lost?

2006-11-30T09:26:00.000-06:00

I found this posting by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary associate archivist Nathan Finn to be absolutely devastating to my prideful spirit:

http://nathanfinn.blogspot.com/2006/11/some-possible-solutions-for-what-ails_30.html

This is his second treatment on the topic of evangelism. Look at the previous posting to get Part 13.1. Be prepared to be convicted by the Holy Spirit.

Oh God, break my hard heart that I may see and love those who don't know you and share your good news with them. Amen.

These 'parts' are a series of postings that he has done to look at some of the issues the modern church, specifically Southern Baptist churches, face. They cover a lot of the 'fighting issues' going on in the SBC. I've found these postings to be extrememly illuminating without being divisive. A seminary professor I respect, Dr. Alvin Reid, weighs in in several of the comments section, so check those also. He is the author of Radically Unchurched, a book about our unchurched culture that I read this summer.

Sandy Osborne will be teaching God As He Longs for You to See Him this week as Don Schisler continues with 1 John. See you next week!

Announcements-Sunday November 12, 2006

2006-11-13T09:08:00.000-06:00

- Men's Breakfast/Meeting this coming Saturday Nov. 18th at FBCA 8:00am

- Ladies will begin new Monday night bible study beginning Nov. 20th 6:30pm in Cafe'

- Deadline for December 2nd Christmas Dinner is this coming Sunday Nov. 19th See previous post for details

-

Women of Faith "Experiencing Spiritual Intimacy"

2006-10-30T15:41:00.000-06:00

Join the ladies every Monday night in the FBCA Cafe' at 6:30pm as they discover what it means to "Experience Spiritual Intimacy"

Monday November 13th is lesson 12 of 12!

Just show up or call Teresa K. or Ginger P. for details!

Welcome To Our Visitors From Sunday 10-29-06

2006-10-30T09:35:00.000-06:00

On behalf of the entire Rivers Edge class we would like to say welcome to our vistors on Sunday October 29th:

Ryan and Rebecca D.

Patrick and Lynn K.

Wade & Liz B.

Rivers Edge Men's Meeting/Breakfast Fellowship

2006-10-30T08:59:00.000-06:00

Saturday November 18th 8:00am

I would ask that all men in our class, if at all possible, join us at 8:00am on Saturday November 18th at FBCA (rm TBA)to enjoy breakfast fellowship together and meet about this upcoming year. Please be praying about this and ask God to reveal how he can use us, as men, for his glory in this coming year!

Unpacking Goodness and Sovereignty

2006-10-27T15:52:00.000-05:00

I feel I kind of rushed through the chapters on God's goodness and God' sovereignty in the Chip Ingram study, so we're going to expand on these two attributes a bit more this Sunday. Some questions to consider:

Do I believe that when something "bad" happens that God is smacking me around? Do I have any areas of my life that I'm withholding from God's plans because I don't trust Him?

Do I believe, by either thought or action, that God is not in control of my life?

All of these questions lead to one last provacative question: Is my life in Christ one filled with great passion for seeing God glorified, or one of lifeless routine?

Upcoming Studies To Begin January 7

2006-10-27T12:31:00.000-05:00

Class Option #1

The Book Of Galatians

This will be a verse by verse study of Paul's letter to the Galatians

Class Option #2

The Gospel according to Jesus
by John MaCarthur

The first edition of The Gospel According to Jesus won wide acclaim in confronting the "easy-believism" that has characterized some quarters in evangelical Christianity. This expanded edition deepens the debate over "lordship salvation" and the biblical understanding of faith and works in adding three new chapters and an appendix. The new chapters: - The Vine and the Branches - The Promise of Justification - Tetelestai! The Triumph is Complete -- The appendix contains answers to the most often asked questions on the subject of what Jesus really meant when he said "Follow me."

Class Option #3

TBA - We are looking into the possiblity of having a 3rd class option!

Ladies Luncheon Fellowship

2006-10-27T12:19:00.000-05:00

When? Saturday November 11th at 11:00am - ?
Where? Blue Owl in Kimmswick

Join the Ladies for an afternoon of food, fun, and fellowship!

Rivers Edge "Christmas Dinner"

2006-10-24T11:56:00.000-05:00

When? Saturday December 2nd at 6:00pm
Where? Home of Gwen S.

How Much? $15.00/Person

Join the Rivers Edge class for our annual Christmas Banquet. This year's event will be catered by Favazza's on the hill . The menu will include the following:

Baked Mostaccioli with Cheese
Cavatelli con Broccoli with Mushrooms
Favazza's Dinner Salad
Fresh Italian Bread & Butter
Mini Desserts
Beverages

*Deadline to register/pay is November 19th

Hope to see you there!

Possible Upcoming Mens Study "Wild at Heart"

2006-10-16T13:45:00.000-05:00

Men's Bible Study

Helping men rediscover their masculine heart, this guide to understanding Christian manhood and Christian men offers a refreshing break from the chorus of voices urging men to be more responsible, reliable, dutiful… and dead. God designed men to be dangerous, says John Eldredge. Simply look at the dreams and desires written in the heart of every boy: To be a hero, to be a warrior, to live a life of adventure and risk. Sadly, most men abandon those dreams and desires-aided by a Christianity that feels like nothing more than pressure to be a "nice guy." It is no wonder that many men avoid church, and those who go are often passive and bored to death. In this provocative book, now available in trade paper, Eldredge gives men permission to be what God designed them to be-dangerous, passionate, alive, and free.

The Heavens Declare the Glory of God...

2006-10-11T11:15:00.000-05:00

In our first lesson of God As He Longs For You to See Him, I encouraged you to look at how God reveals himself through his creation, his Word, and his Son Jesus. Psalm 19 will help you along the way for at least 2 of those goals.

Psalm 19 starts with the awe inspiring phrase:

'The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork'.

In our fast paced lives, it is rare that we stop and spend time contemplating the awesomeness of God as he reveals himself through his creation. This week we've been "stopping to smell the roses". Yes, I did go on a hike Sunday afternoon with the family...but yes, I was able to fit the RAMS game into that schedule!!!!

Psalm 19 goes on to say:

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.

Are you letting God reveal himself through his Word this week? Do you desire his Word (law/testimony/statutes/commandments/judgements) more than gold?

Let God use verse 11 to encourage you to spend time in his Word today.

This Sunday: The Goodness of God

Slight change of plans!

2006-09-21T14:47:00.000-05:00

Study plans for next 3 weeks

Sep 24
Travelling Light by Max Lucado
Tough Questions from Penn State part II w/Ravi Zacharias

Oct 1
Travelling Light by Max Lucado
Tough Questions w/Ravi Zacharias

Oct 8 thru the end of the year
1 John
Attributes of God (God How He Longs For Us to See Him by Chip Ingram)

Lesson Plans for the next few weeks

2006-09-15T15:16:00.000-05:00

Sep 17 -

Travelling Light by Max Lucado
Case for Christ - finishing the study chapter 14

Sep 24 -

Travelling Light by Max Lucado (completing?)
Ravi Zacharias Tough Questions from Penn State

Oct 1 thru the end of the year

1 John
Attributes of God (God How He Longs For Us to See Him by Chip Ingram)

On the radar (so far) for next year...

The Gospel of Jesus by John MacArthur
Galatians

Since the predominant view of the large group is that the ideal size of a study group is 12-15 people, we need to have 2-3 more offerings starting in January. If you have a book of the Bible, or some book about the spiritual disciplines, scripture, evangelism, or doctrine (perhaps the famous Baptist Faith and Message!) you would like to study/teach, please let Travis know.

Let God surprise you by equipping you to lead a study!

The Road We Travel: the peril of practical atheism

2006-09-07T09:03:00.000-05:00

A good word from Oklahom pastor Rick Thompson on the danger of biblical illiteracy in the church.

The Road We Travel: the peril of practical atheism

Another good reason why we will continue to focus on Bible book studies and doctrine studies on Sunday mornings!

Gearing Up for Welcome Mat Sunday Sep 10!

2006-08-25T12:48:00.000-05:00

We're looking forward to having a very special Sunday on Sep 10. The entire church is rolling out the Welcome Mat! We at Rivers Edge are rolling out our own carpet as well.

There a several groups of people that we specifically want to welcome:

a) our friends and neighbors who see the life we have in Christ,
b) potential new friends who visit the worship service at 9:15 and are unfamiliar with the concept of Bible study groups,
c) old friends who attend worship service at 9:15, but simply have not hooked into a vibrant Bible study group,
d) old friends who have been involved in the past with our Bible study.

Here's a question that many of you may hear when interacting with these new and old friends:

"What's the big deal with going to a Bible study group (or Sunday School for the hard core Baptists!)?"

How will you respond?

...is anyone showing up this Sunday?

2006-08-14T16:37:00.000-05:00

Class camping trip at Sam A Baker State Park this weekend. Since some of you are not coming back for Sunday, I request you submit to me a 1 page summary of chapters 10 and 11 of the Case for Christ in lieu of your attendance...

I can't tell you how much I appreciated the week "off" of Case for Christ! I hope you enjoyed the Ravi Zacharias DVD. I know it caused me to think...which is as it should be; his radio program is entitled "Let My People Think"!

We'l be playing it by ear with Traveling Light for the next several weeks as Sandy will be traveling to Arkansas at different times. Remember to keep him and Christine in your prayers.

Coming up in Sep/Oct:

Book study of 1 John
God as He Longs For You to See Him

Events and Studies this Week

2006-08-04T09:25:00.000-05:00

We've cancelled every activity we had planned this week, including Bible Study on Sunday, because VBS has wiped us out...

No, No, No, the beat goes on!

Men, hopefully you received your reminder email about the Saturday breakfast at 8 AM. The study will complete the Man of His Word series by Adrian Rogers.

Sunday we continue with Case for Christ and Traveling Light!

Studies for this Sunday

2006-07-28T14:14:00.000-05:00

Max Lucado - Traveling Light

Chapters 5-7

Chapter5 - The burden of weariness,
Chapter 6 - The burden of worry
Chapter 7 - The burden of hopelessness.

Lee Strobel - Case for Christ

Chapters 6-7

I'm trying to keep this study moving along, so we will continue to do 2 chapters a week.

This Week:

Chapter 6 - The Rebuttal Evidence: Is the Jesus of History the Same as the Jesus of Faith?
Chapter 7 - The Idendity Evidence: Was Jesus Really Convinced He was the Son of God?

It's my plan to get done one week before Sandy completes his Max Lucado study so that we can watch a video of Ravi Zacharias answering tough questions about the historicity of Christ, the gospel, and the Bible. It should be a good capstone to our Case for Christ study.

What's Next?

So far on the radar screen for our next set of studies...1 John.

We'll have at least one more study option to share with you in the next month.

Events this Week (via Travis)

2006-07-24T20:40:00.000-05:00

First, growth...

Women's Bible Study - Wednesday 6:30 PM FL 11
"Experiencing Spiritual Intimacy"

Then Fun, Fun, Fun...

Ladies at the Lake - Friday and/or Saturday! Call Leila or Ginger for more info.

Men's Night at the Track! Meet at 6:00 at Commuter lot in Barnhart (Metropolitan Blvd and Hwy M) and we'll commute to I-55. Bring your goggles and ear plugs...if you are a girly man.

Adults 5 dollars - Kids Free!

Great studies coming this week

2006-07-05T10:24:00.000-05:00

We've completed the studies in Romans and Ecclesiastes!

This week we start two new studies:

The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel
Traveling Light by Max Lucado

The Case for Christ will follow the journey that Strobel took while investigating the claims of Christianity. This apologetics study will strengthen your faith and provide some historical background to some of the recent discussions (Gospel of Judas, DaVinci Code) on the accuracy of Scripture.

Traveling Light will focus on the 23rd Psalm. From Amazon: Lucado gently unpacks the verses of the psalm while helping readers lay down the burdens of doubt, anxiety, perfectionism, and fear. Look here for an excerpt.

*** Assignments this week ***

Case for Christ - chapters 1 and 2
Traveling Light - chapter 1

Practical Missional Life

2006-06-30T09:18:00.000-05:00

Awesome discussion on the "Practical Missional Life" by Alabama pastor CB Scott on Art Rogers 12 Witnesses blog.

This subject has been perculating in me for months, even though I didn't know what it was!

Check out the following posts:
Missional
Missional 2
Missional 3
Response to Tim
Conclusion

Back in the Saddle

2006-06-22T22:40:00.000-05:00

I haven't posted in a while and I have found that this fact mirrors my thought process for the last two months. Let me explain.

I have found that posting on your own blog requires a much more defined thought process than simply commenting on other blogs, with a few exceptions of course (genebridges comes to mind). Simply by typing these words on this blog I am forced to be creative and organized at the same time. When I first started the blogging adventure (if you can call 1 post an adventure!), I had that type of interest and focus, but I soon found myself scurrying around riding the coattails of other organized creators.

Riding coattails is simply adapting the original authors material to some characteristic of your own life and adding your own narrative and commentary. Sure, collaboration has it's own benefits, but if all you do is appropriate someone else's work for your own, you do not grow.

What's sad is the same thing can happen with our ministry in the church. How often do we appropriate the Holy Spirit working in other believers as the Holy Spirit working in us? Am I being used of God, or am I a chest thumping wannabe that proudly talks about what God is doing in my church?

There is a distinct difference in the two.

God, Mercy, and Parenting

2006-04-14T15:19:00.000-05:00

Last night I was on my way to a small group study of Adrian Rogers' A Man of His Word series, and I was listening to Woodrow Kroll on the drive over. Kroll's study was on how God expressed His love by the cross. One verse he mentioned was Psalm 103:8 "The LORD [is] merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. " This time of year our thoughts are focused more on how God showed His mercy and grace personally to us through Christ's atonement.

That thought was still fresh in my mind as we started the 3rd lesson in the A Man of His Word series, "A Man and His Children". One of the key verses in this small group study was Ephesians 6:4 "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. " All of a sudden I saw a link between the two. Am I merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy with my children? Is my lack of mercy and grace provoking them to wrath? Am I not to model the love of Father God through my own life?

Rookie Ramblings

2006-04-04T15:04:00.000-05:00

This is my first attempt at blogging!

Can I achieve a balance between trying to post too often and not posting at all?

We'll see!