FNF 12/6/13



Happy Thursday folks!

I hope we all enjoyed our Thanksgiving. FNF is back this week, and we'll be meeting at Rob's place 

We'll meet at 7:15 for the physical feast, and begin our spiritual feast at 7:45.

Our study leader for the evening is Victor!

Please bring drinks, cups, utensils, and food items (salad, fruit, bread etc.) to contribute to the meal.

Come one, come all, and let us worship together! Happy Sabbath when it comes.

---

On behalf of FNF, I'd like to take a moment to congratulate Alesis and Rose on their wedding this past weekend! We love you guys and want to wish you God's blessings in this new phase of your journey together!

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Taken from Our Daily Bread (12/5/13) 
http://odb.org/

Get Your “Wanter” Fixed

When my wife was a young girl in Austin, Texas, Carlyle Marney was her family’s neighbor, pastor, and friend. One of his off-hand remarks about being content became one of her family’s enduring expressions: “Dr. Marney says, ‘We just need to get our wanter fixed.’”
It’s so easy to want more than we need and to become more focused on getting than on giving. Soon, our desires dictate our choices.
When the apostle Paul wrote to the followers of Jesus in the city of Philippi, he told them, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content . . . . I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” (Phil. 4:11-12). Paul was saying, in effect, “I’ve had my ‘wanter’ fixed.” It’s important to note that Paul was not born with contentment. He learned it in the difficult circumstances of everyday life.
During this season of the year, when shopping and buying often take center stage in so many countries and cultures, why don’t we decide to focus on being satisfied in our present circumstances? It may sound difficult, but Paul, when talking about learning to be content said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (v.13).
Help us, Lord, to learn contentment when life is rough. Protect us from believing the lie that having more will bring us happiness. May we be content with what You have given.
Contentment begins with having fewer wants.

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Nov 28th - No FNF for Thanksgiving



Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I pray that we all had an enjoyable day, filled with friendship, fellowship, family and fun. If not though, remember that a life full of Christ is all we really need!

Due to differing plans this weekend for the holiday and no volunteers to host/lead out, there will be no FNF this weekend. Have a blessed Sabbath when it comes. 
Lots of love!

---
Thanksgiving Blessings
Praying you are...
Blessed in a way that brings God's presence closer than you have ever known it...
Blessed in a way that assures you of the plans He has for your life...
Blessed in a way that fills your heart with a thousand"thank-yous" for all that His hand will bring your way.
May the Lord continually BLESS YOU with Heaven's blessings as well as with human joys. Psalm 128:5 TLB

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November 22nd Feast


This week... we feast at Symon's place:

Christina will be leading out in our study for the week!

Feast begins at 7:15pm, and the study will begin at 7:45pm. 
Bring your Bibles, bring your hearts, bring a friend, and come prepared to share and to be blessed!

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Nov 15th Feast


Happy Sabbath when it comes everyone!

This week, we have a special guest leading out our FNF, Marcus Singleton!

Geneva and Candeis will be hosting us. Here's their address...

Meal starts at 7:15. We'll start the study at 7:45.
Looking forward to seeing you all then!

***
Please bring drinks and dessert...

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Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
~Psalm 133:1

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Nov 8th FNF


Greetings feasters!

This week's study will be led out by none other than Marcus!

Ryan has graciously allowed us to use his office space, located at 

Once again, we'll be having potluck! Mexican theme this week. 
Please text Raymond or Randelle what you'll bring, or post in the comments box at the left.
Food, plates, cups, utensils, drink and whatever else you can think of :)

Happy Sabbath when it comes!

---
"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him"
~ Psalm 103:11

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FNF - Nov 1st


Sorry for the late notice this week.

Our host for tonight's FNF will be Symon! He'll be providing the meal, but plates, cups, utensils and drinks are still needed. Here's Symon's address:

Victor will be leading out the evening's study!

Update: (forgot to put this on here earlier)
Feast begins at 7:15, study will begin at 7:45.

Please come prepared to participate, and to be blessed. See you all tonight!



-------------------
Taken from Our Daily Bread - Nov 1, 2013
Written by Julie Ackerman Link
“A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others.” I saw this quotation, attributed to the Wizard of Oz, on a wall plaque in a gift shop.
The Wizard of Oz may be a good story, but it’s not a reliable source of spiritual information. God said something quite different. According to Him, the greatest commandment is to love—to love Him first and then others (Mark 12:29-31). Scripture says nothing about expecting to be loved in return. In fact, Jesus stated the opposite in His most famous sermon: “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven” (Matt. 5:11-12).
When it comes to love, the important thing we need to know is this: All love starts with God (1 John 4:19). As Moses told the Israelites, God delighted in them to love them (Deut. 10:15), and because of that they were to love others, even strangers (v.19). God’s intent is that the people who receive His love will become the conduit of His love to others.
Apart from God—who Himself is love—none of us could truly love or be loved (1 John 4:7-8).

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Oct 25th



It's almost the weekend again! 
This week's FNF will again be held and Mikhail and Stacey's place.
The address is:

We'll be having an Asian themed potluck
Please text Raymond or Randelle what you'll bring, or leave a note in the chat window at the left of your screen. 
(If you have no ideas for Asian food, that's ok. We'll take whatever contributions)

Vuyo will be leading out our study this week!

We'll plan to start eating at 7:15pm and begin our study at 7:45pm

Come one, come all and be blessed. Bring your Bible and a friend!
God bless, and Happy Sabbath when it comes!



~ But then a truth that had been buried deep in my heart surfaced: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)

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October 18th


Hi All!

FNF this week will be held at Mikhail and Stacy's place! Here's the address:

We will be having potluck, so please bring food, drinks, fruit etc. to contribute to our Feast!

Leading our study this week will be me, Randelle

Physical feast begins at 7:15
Study will begin at 7:45

Please come out early equipped with a Bible, your dish, a friend and a worshipful attitude as we study and fellowship together!

 God bless...


My heart is stirred whene’er I think of Jesus,

That blessed Name that sets the captive free;

The only Name through which I find salvation,
No name on earth has meant so much to me. —Eliason



Philippians 2:9-11 (ESV)


Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.





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FNF 10/11/13



Happy Friday all!

After a bit of a hiatus, Friday Night Feast is back! We will meet tonight at Kirk's place...

Pizza will be provided, but please bring whatever you can to go with it.

UPDATE:
Physical feast starts at 7:15
Study will begin at 7:35

Come out and partake of the Food...the Fellowship...and the Family...!!^_^!!
 Blessings!




How great you are, Sovereign lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. 
- 2 Samuel 7:22

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October 4th -- Reaching the Cities

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness.
    Let the whole world know what He has done.
 Sing to Him; yes, sing His praises.
    Tell everyone about His wonderful deeds.
 Exult in His holy name;
    rejoice, you who worship the Lord.
 Search for the Lord and for His strength;
    continually seek Him.
 Remember the wonders He has performed,
    His miracles, and the rulings He has given,
 you children of His servant Abraham,
    you descendants of Jacob, His chosen ones.
 He is the Lord our God.
    His justice is seen throughout the land.
 He always stands by His covenant—
    the commitment He made to a thousand generations. Psalm 105:1-8
*******
Greetings Friends!

If you still don't have Sabbath plans and despaired of this blog being updated before sunset, fret not! 

Please join us as we join Birmingham First SDA for the first of a 3-day series with Dave Fiedler, author and educator, who will discuss medical evangelism, end-time events and the inside story on Dr. Kellogg's turn from Adventism to pantheism. 

The event will begin at 7pm tonight. On Sabbath, he'll be the main presenter all day and a fellowship lunch (potluck) will follow the divine hour. 

Birmingham First SDA is located at 3520 Lorna Road in Hoover.

Hope you've all had a wonderful week. God bless!
*******
This Rittenhouse Square photo's dedicated to Chido in Philly -- we miss you!

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Sept 27th - No FNF

Sorry about the late notice. There will be no Friday Night Feast tonight, but feel free to join the folks over at Ephesus SDA church. 
They will be having communion service this evening, starting at 7pm. 

Ephesus' address:
  • 105 6th Avenue North
  • Birmingham, Alabama 35203

Happy Sabbath!

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

~ John 3:16

“But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.”

~ Isaiah 53:5


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FORWARD - Sept 20th


"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Hebrews 12:1, 2 (NKJV)


We will resume with our regularly scheduled Friday Night Feast in a few weeks once the city-wide evangelistic effort is over. For tonight, we will again lend our support.
There will be no food provided at the event, but great fellowship and a power-packed seminar!
See you tonight at the BJCC at 7pm!

God Bless!
http://relevantseminars.com/forward
*******

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September 13th


 "12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

 - Philippians 3:12-14


Once again, 
FNF is supporting  the city-wide evangelistic effort tonight Friday, September 13th at 7pm

Again there won't be food but there will be plenty of warm fellowship and what promises to be a great seminar.
See you tonight at the BJCC!
Seat reservation information and directions are HERE!
God Bless!
http://relevantseminars.com/forward
*******

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September 6th -- Forward!

“Forget the former things;
    do not dwell on the past.
 
See, I am doing a new thing!
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:18-19

*******

Hello Friends!

Geneva made an excellent point that it's probably best that we support the city-wide evangelistic effort beginning this Friday, September 6th at 7pm

There won't be food but there will be plenty of warm fellowship and what promises to be a great seminar.

See you tomorrow at the BJCC!

You should probably go HERE for directions and to reserve a seat:)

God Bless!
http://relevantseminars.com/forward
*******

AND!! Speaking of new things, CONGRATULATIONS to the newest newlyweds, Marcus and Idelka (hope I spelled that correctly).  May God bless your marriage! Love you guys!

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Prayers and Praises 8/23/13

Randelle - Happy for being able to see mom and praise that she made it back home safely

Kirk - Friend lost job and now has a mortgage to pay. Has been going through a difficult time for quite a while. Needs a new job, and also to discover what lesson God is trying to teach her through the difficulties

All students

Danielle - Happy to have moved safely to Birmingham and prayer to get over cold

Tancia - Cousin Timmy was hit by a car, but did not need surgery and is recovering well. Please keep him in prayer.

Prayer for the Thompsons on their first family mission trip.

Mikhail - For cousin to be acquitted

Chinwe - Thankful to be here in Birmingham, and that her friend has a healthy baby (pregnancy going well). Going through a rough time and needs guidance.

Vuyo - Direction


"For I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance". Phil 1:19




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August 23rd -- The Good News

"We talk of the Second Coming; half of the world has never heard of the first." --- Oswald J. Smith
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Good Evening Friends!

Tomorrow night's FNF will be held at Tancy's

Physical Feast @ 7:30pm
Spiritual Feast @ 8pm

Victor will lead out!

If you can, please bring drinks or fruit.

Thanks and see you tomorrow!

Happy (Almost) Sabbath!
*******

And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.  Matthew 24:14

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No FNF - Friday August 16th



Please note:
THERE WILL BE NO FRIDAY NIGHT FEAST TONIGHT...

Take some time, slow down, and just "be" with God...

"I stare out the window into the backyard. From my breakfast table I can see a summer robin fluffing out her feathers. The trees reach up to the sky with new leaves that wave good morning. A chubby squirrel gathers a few acorns to save for later. As I look, I realize the pace beyond my windows is so different than the one within them. We, as humans, are tempted to hurry. And yet it seems God is intent on slowing us down.

He gives us a Sabbath and we work through the weekend.
He gives us three meals a day to let us slow down and we pick fast food.
He gives us eight hours of sleep a night and we try to squeak by on far less.

We hurry when we’re afraid that we’ll be late, miss out on something, or disappoint someone. God doesn’t need to hurry because he has all the time in eternity. This is good news for us, friends. It means…

God will not rush your healing.
And God will not rush your growth.

God is okay with where you are right now. He’s not tapping his toe impatiently. He’s not looking at his watch with a sigh. He’s not trying to get you out the door a few minutes sooner. The God who loves you is willing to give you the time you need. All of time belongs to him and he is generous with it. He gives it freely to fluffy birds and friendly trees and chubby squirrels. And he’ll give it to you."
~Devotional thought by Holly Gerth



Have a blessed Sabbath, and see you all at FNF next week!



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August 9th -- Think Fast!


“No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
    lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
    and remove the chains that bind people.
Share your food with the hungry,
    and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
    and do not hide from relatives who need your help." Isaiah 58:6-7
*******

Happy Sabbath!

This week's FNF promises to be special.
We will be hosted by Pastor Michel and Elizabeth!
The address is: 3649 Cedar Brook Trail, Apt. F, Birmingham, 35216

Elizabeth has prepared a sabroso feast for us and asks that we arrive by 7pm.

Our study will begin at 8pm and will be led by Kirk! Woot Woot!

See you tomorrow evening. God Bless!

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August 2nd Feast


The year is speeding along. It's August already!

This week, FNF will be hosted by Symon!


Victor and Geneva will lead out in our study.

We will begin our physical feast at 7pm, and our spiritual feast at 8.

And a thought to meditate upon... 
"Letting go of the rope drops us right into the arms of Hope."

Happy Sabbath when it comes!

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NO FRIDAY NIGHT FEAST THIS WEEK

 


THERE WILL BE NO FRIDAY NIGHT FEAST THIS WEEK!



However...

For those of you interested in Helping the students of the Vacation Bible School at Ephesus SDA graduate this week....

Feel free to participate! Just head to Ephesus SDA Church.


105 6th Avenue North
Birmingham, AL 35204









The graduation will take place from 7pm to 8pm!





........................................On that note.........................................

FNF at Symon's!!!

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July 19th -- Shabbat Shalom

Outward troubles may not cease,
But this your joy will be:
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace
Whose mind is stayed on Thee.” —Anon.
*******

Good Evening Friends!

Man, this week has flown by. Seriously.

FNF @ Mikhail & Stacy's!
 .....
Please bring drinks, fruit, bread and picnic-y foods to help out.
Feast @ 7:30pm
Study @ 8pm

God Bless & See you tomorrow!

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July 12th -- Thanksgiving in July

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:15-17
*******

Good evening!

Tomorrow night's FNF will be held once again at Marcus's place 
(Thanks Marcus!)
If you missed FNF last Sabbath, you really missed out as the smoothies were cold, the company warm, and the study engaging. Special thanks to Luke and Rose (the real Smoothie King and Queen) and Danae for inviting Maria to fellowship with us. Hey Maria!

 If you can, please contribute by bringing plates, cups, forks, fruit or drinks.
We'll start our physical feast @ 7pm and our bible study @ 8pm.

Thanks!

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July 5th -- What makes us free?

“[Y]ou have to stop loving and pursuing Christ in order to sin. When you are pursuing love, running toward Christ, you do not have opportunity to wonder, *Am I doing this right?* or *Did I serve enough this week?* When you are running toward Christ, you are freed up to serve, love, and give thanks without guilt, worry or fear. As long as you are running, you’re safe.”— Francis Chan (Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God)
*******

Good evening!

Tomorrow's FNF will be hosted by Marcus!

Our feast will be something fun and different:  A Smoothie Feast!
Since most of us ate more that we should've today, we'll have an easy repast tomorrow.
Please bring lots of fruit (fresh, frozen or dried), yogurt, honey, almond milk, juice, nut butters, oatmeal, cacao, etc.. and we'll blend it all up. We'll also need cups and spoons. I think that's it!

FNF Fruit Feast @ 7pm
Study starts @ 8pm

See you tomorrow/ God Bless!

“…when we love God, we naturally run to Him-frequently and zealously. Jesus didn’t command that we have a regular time with Him each day. Rather, He tells us to ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ He called this the ‘first and greatest commandment’ (Matt. 22:37-38). The results are intimate prayer and study of His Word. Our motivation changes from guilt to love.”
— Francis Chan (Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God)

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June 28th -- U.N.I.T.Y


I have found the one whom my soul loves. Song of Solomon 3:4 

Hello Friends!

Tomorrow's FNF will be held at Birmingham 1st SDA
3520 Lorna Road, Birmingham, AL 35226

Our study leader will be Mike who? Michael Jones!
We'll have pasta and, if you can, please bring drinks, fruit, etc.

Just want to say a quick CONGRATULATIONS to Zeke & Erica as they marry this weekend!
We love you guys! And happy anniversary to Cassi & Aaron:)

See you tomorrow-- God Bless!





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June 21st -- Spur One Another On :)

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:23-25
*******

Good Evening!

We're switching it up a little for tomorrow's FNF!

We will join the BISDA bible study group @ 7pm @ 2708 Temple Drive, Birmingham, AL 35209

There will be a special mission-oriented presentation that you won't want to miss so please meet us there!

Thanks & God Bless!

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June 14th -- Beat the Heat!

"Never again will they hunger;  never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat down on them, nor any scorching heat.”
Revelation 7:16

*******

Good Evening!

Tomorrow night’s FNF promises to be special:

Zeke will lead his last bible study with us... as a single man :)

Please join us at Kirk’s at 7:15pm

We’re going to order pizzas so please consider helping by bringing drinks or things for a salad or a simple dessert. 

We will start the study by 8pm

Hope you’ve had a great week! Happy (almost) Sabbath!

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June 7th -- FNF Tonight!

FNF Tonight tonight has been cancelled!!

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May 31st -- Dry Spells

"Then the Lord said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by her husband, yet an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the sons of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes.” So I bought her for myself for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and a half of barley. Then I said to her, “You shall stay with me for many days. You shall not play the harlot, nor shall you have a man; so I will also be toward you.” For the sons of Israel will remain for many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar and without ephod or household idols. Afterward the sons of Israel will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king; and they will come trembling to the Lord and to His goodness in the last days." Hosea 3:1-5
*******

FNF is back!

We will meet tomorrow night at Birmingham 1st SDA @ 7pm.
The address is 3520 Lorna Road, Birmingham, AL 35226

We'll have a breakfast supper-- I'm thinking healthy pancakes, maple syrup, scrambled tofu and fruit and veggie meat & OJ. That sounds amazing, right?

Let's make it happen! Please help me by bringing fruit for a fruit salad (strawberries, grapes, apples, mangoes, kiwi, etc) and by bringing juice/ almond milk and veggie sausage. I'm going to aim to get there by 6:20 or so to start making the pancakes & tofu and could definitely use help if you want to come early:)

My friend had to back out on leading out so since I'm doing the study, we'll most likely study something OT.

Looking forward to seeing all of you! Hope you have a productive yet easy Friday! God Bless!

(In case it's wrong, I totally made up that zip code:)

*******
Here's a little devotional to go along with the verse above. It's good so read all of it when you have time.

"Several years ago, at a women’s retreat where the theme was “Experiencing the Joy!” I remember telling them that “real joy is knowing the depth of your sin and the extent of your idolatry.” Until you believe with your whole being that, given the right set of circumstances, you are capable of committing any sin, and until you know that apart from Christ there is nothing that’s naturally good in you, then you will never know real joy.

Real joy is knowing how bad I am and then comparing it to how much I have been forgiven. Jesus said it himself: Those who have been forgiven much, love much. Their gratitude spills over, and they find themselves crazy in love with God, falling at his feet, worshiping with abandon. They find themselves loving others extravagantly and forgiving others from the heart. For not only do those who have been forgiven much love much, but they forgive much too (see Luke 7:41–48). As the Bible instructs, we are to “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

Although some sins are more heinous than others—murder is more detrimental to society than entertaining lustful thoughts or stealing a packet of Sweet ‘N Low—all sin is grievous to God. All sin separates us from him. All sin is serious . . .

Whenever my heart starts to grow cold, when I take comfort in being “not so bad” and seek satisfaction in feeling superior to others, all I need is to look at the cross of Christ. Then, once I see clearly that it was me who put Jesus there, I remember his words to another sinful woman: “Your sins are forgiven . . . Your faith has saved you; go in peace” (Luke 7:48, 50).
—Nancy Kennedy

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May 24th -- A Day to Remember

"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

*******

Good Morning Friends!

No FNF tonight. 

We WILL definitely meet next week. I'll try to post the blog by Wednesday.

If you're traveling this weekend, please be safe. Love you all & God Bless!

Happy Sabbath!

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May 17th - Oh the Things Things You'll Do...


"Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:11-13
 ......

This week...

Victor will lead out a lively Bible study 

FNF will take place at the Birmingham First Church

The address is 
3520 Lorna Road, Birmingham, AL 35216


POTLUCK!


 Physical Feast Starts at 6:45pm
Bible Study starts at 7:30pm 

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