November 30th -- Speak Life

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Hello Friends!

Can't wait to be reunited with you all  @tomorrow night's FNF @ the Lau residence!

It's big & warm enough for everyone (and a friend!) to come together for a wonderful feast @ 6:30pm.

Victor will share a special message with us @ 7:30pm so please come on time and bring your bibles!

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I know you're thinking-- "Wowsers, what's with the little kid?"  I dunno exactly, I just thought the photo was striking and the message (always) timely... That it is better to be known for your wise words than wisecracks. Be more loving-- to friends, family and casual acquaintances. We are family... Before I veer even further into Sister Sledge territory, I'll close this entry with a quote from EGW:

“It is not earthly rank, nor birth, nor nationality, nor religious privilege, which proves that we are members of the family of God; it is love, a love that embraces all humanity. ” 

"A true Christian constantly acknowledges Christ. He is always cheerful, always ready to speak words of hope and comfort to the suffering."

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November 23rd -- In All Things...

"... In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Happy Thanksgiving!

FNF is cancelled tomorrow -- enjoy the holiday!

The video below is one which helped me regain perspective and I hope you will enjoy it also.

See you next week -- God Bless!

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November 16th -- Fully Committed

"The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him."    2 Chronicles 16:9

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Bom Dia Meus Amigos!

(I typed that in my best Frederico voice :)

This Friday's FNF should be super fun... We've got new hosts and a new study leader!

We'll meet at 6:30pm @ Birmingham 1st SDA for a feast prepared by Samuel & Shirley Salazar-- yay!

They've got a delicious dinner planned and ask only that we bring beverages.

The address to the church is 3520 Lorna Road, Birmingham, AL 35216.

Our bible study will be led by... Candeis -- woot woot!

She's got a powerful message for all the commitment-phobes taken from 2 Chronicles 16 and entitled "Commit Like Your Life Depends On It."

I look forward to the Sabbath (it's been a long week) and hope to see you all.
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Here's a lyrics video to a song that I love. The song is probably based on Candeis' scripture-- and is by a group called Forever Jones. Like to hear it? Here it goes!

God bless you!

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November 9th -- Heart and Soil

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

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Hello Friends!

Tonight's FNF will be held at Chichi's place.

We will have a Pizza Party/Potluck at 6:30pm.

Chichi will provide pizza and we'll need others to chip in and contribute by bringing plates, drinks, napkins and whatever side dishes you can to augment our feast!

Our study leader for the evening is Luke!

Please bring a bible, a friend, your dish and come on time because we'll start our study promptly at 7:30pm!

Feel free to take a sneak peek at the notes for tonight's study-- I will include all of them in the comments section but here's a preview:

"Many years ago, in a Moscow theater, matinee idol Alexander Rostovzev was converted while playing the role of Jesus in a sacrilegious play entitled Christ in a Tuxedo. He was supposed to read two verses from the Sermon on the Mount, remove his gown, and cry out, “Give me my tuxedo and top hat!”

But as he read the words, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matt. 5:3, 4), he began to tremble. Instead of keeping to the script, he kept on reading from Matthew 5, ignoring the coughs, calls, and foot-stomping of the other actors. Finally, recalling a verse he had learned in his childhood in a Russian Orthodox church, he cried, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). Before the curtain could be lowered, Rostovzev had trusted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior.

God throws His Word in the most unlikely places in order to try to save as many of His wayward children as He can. We often limit the scattering of God’s Word by underestimating its power.

While Christ came to scatter seeds of truth to human hearts, He also calls us to sow seeds of truth in human hearts. Sowing seeds of truth is not always easy, as Christ’s life revealed to us. Ellen White wrote, “He left His home of security and peace, left the glory that He had with the Father before the world was, left His position upon the throne of the universe. He went forth a suffering, tempted man; went forth in solitude, to sow in tears, to water with His blood, the seed of life for a world lost.”

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November 2nd -- Our Sovereign Leader

For the Scriptures say that God told Pharaoh, "I have appointed you for the very purpose of displaying my power in you and to spread my fame throughout the earth." Romans 9:17

 Hello Friends!

FNF will be hosted by the three amigos -- Eliel, Ezekiel and Victor this week.

We will start with our feast at 6:30pm.

The guys ask that we please bring juice and dessert to help out.

Our study will begin at 7:30pm. 

I know we said we'd discuss bald men and bears last week but now I'm leaning towards donkeys :)

For the last two weeks we've had awesome participation and our bible discussions averaged nearly two hours. I hope you all will bring a friend, a bible and come on time so that we can wrap up by 9:30pm.

See you tomorrow!

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Sorry, almost forgot prayer requests --

Symon -- unspoken

Trudy -- testifying of God's faithfulness with interview. Praying for classmate whose husband left her and their kids.

Brian -- thankful for study group and Emma's attendance :)

Kirsten -- praying for jobs in TX for both her and TJ; also praying that her certification will be accepted there. Praying that TJ does well in school at Southwestern and that God provides housing and that everything works to His greater good.

Victor -- praying for guidance and direction in life and for anxieties.

Everyone -- guidance and direction in life and anxieties.

Gratuitous Scripture Break:  "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil 4:6-7

TJ -- Praying that God guides us all into His truth and that the Holy Spirit will mend strained friendships and show us how to reach out to friends who are hurting.

Tancy -- thankful that mom's second ultrasound didn't show another cancerous area.

Caitlin -- praying for peace for her and her family as she continues to battle pancreatic cancer.

Frederico -- praying for friend with a shoulder injury.

Marcus -- praying for injured ankle.

Doreen -- praying for peace and comfort for family of Christabel and James -- Christabel lost her mother.

Vuyo -- praying for families of the Elyton village kids. Guidance and opportunities to reach out to kids and parents. 

The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes. But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; His intentions can never be shaken.

What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord whose people He has chosen as His inheritance! Psalm 33:10-11

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