Gateway Fellowship

It isn't enough just to avoid the wrong things (empty and sweep the house). In order to live the abundant life we are designed to crave, we have to "fill the house."The question I keep considering is, "How do we do that?"

People don't do what's most logical, we do what we believe will make us feel good. Science, psychology, and marketing all verify this, and it makes us often confused by our own choices and the choices of others.How do we leverage this insight for our thriving?How does this impact our approach to God and inviting others to the life of faith?

This talk is based on Galatians 3:14."He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit."

"The tongue is connected to the heart!" (Theresa said that during the chat.)James 3 provided the context of this Whiteboard session.

What matters most? This chat is about the bullseye of the target and what we tend to get sidetracked by instead.(Based on the parable of the good samaritan in Luke 10).

John 15:4-5 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

An easter message from Romans 5."For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!" (Rom 5:10)

"As Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life."John 3:14-15

This was a Wednesday evening chat.

The master of the banquet tasted the good wine, but didn't know where it came from. He completely missed both the miracle and the divine love it revealed. How often do we do that?

Thoughts about the last supper.

The Lord Almighty fights for us.Therefore teach usto fight with weapons of light, not carnal weaponsthe way of the cross, not the way of the swordto bless and not curse (Rom 12:14),to give thanks and not grumble.As we suffer injustice, following Jesus,we entrust ourselves to our Faithful Creatorand continue to do good. (1 Peter 4:19)Pain and pleasure come and go, but God remains. So today I intend to meet all pain with tenderness and meet all pleasure with open hands.

Coming home to God also involves coming home to yourself and returning to what you've neglected and misused, learning from Jesus the art of really living.

"The Lord takes pleasure in everything he made." (Ps 104:31)

Don't avoid it. Don't get stuck in it. Go through.5 What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord,    who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.6 When they walk through the Valley of Weeping,    it will become a place of refreshing springs.    The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.7 They will continue to grow stronger,    and each of them will appear before God in Zion.(Psalm 84:5-7)

This chat centers around the concept of how transformation happens, which is by gazing upon the beauty of God seen in the face of Jesus. 2 Corinthians 4 was the main text.

There's something uniquely bonding about going on a spiritual pilgrimage together.

Psalm 63:1-8

Our Father in heaven,Reveal who you are.Set the world right;Do what’s best—    as above, so below.Keep us alive with three square meals.Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.You’re in charge!You can do anything you want!You’re ablaze in beauty!    Yes. Yes. Yes.’

This was session 2 of Fresh Encounter.