- "Andrizo" Men's Training Group
Any man, any age who wants to be trained and discipled by Pastor Dave.
Meets Wednesday evenings, 8:15-9:30PM in the Upper Room. Great
opportunity! Take advantage of the time with Pastor Dave.
Join Pastor Dave for our "300 Men" movie clips and discussion nights. Three Wednesdays in September during our Wednesday "NightLife"--Sept. 7th, 14nd & 21th at 8:15-9:30PM. Knowing
what God was able to do with Gideon and just 300 men, are you man
enough to give 300 minutes?! It's a seasonal opportunity to hang out
with other guys and just be MEN!
- "First Meeting" Men's Devotional Group
THE GOAL
To be in the WORD daily and to be connected with other men.
Something doable
Something meaningful and applicable.
Something that will challenge me
Something that will help me grow Spiritually and relationally
THE CHALLANGE
Daily Reading: My Utmost for His Highest
This is a classic and guides the reader through Scripture, daily devotionals, and meaningful, applicable commentary.
Read (or listen/audio version), highlight, mark up, make notes, journal--anything to capture what the reading is doing in you and through you.
OPTIONAL
Tweet: (@FirstMeeting1) I am totally new to this but thought it would be a good place for us to simply Tweet thoughts on our readings and how they are affecting our lives. I WOULD LOVE HELP FROM SOMEONE WHO KNOWS HOW TO USE THIS TYPE OF SOCIAL MEDIA.
SUNDAY MORNINGS: Carl Dever and I will be available for "casual meetings" on Sunday mornings at church. In the Embassy (just across the Colonnade in Heritage Hall/Main front doors). This will be a casual, come-as-you-are, gathering of First Meeting Men. No format except to gather and share how our devotionals are going, encouragement, and fellowship. 8AM - 8:50AM. Come and go as you have time. Have a cup of coffee and a doughnut or two (or three!) STARTING SUNDAY MORNING, JANUARY 9TH
THE BOOK
BOOK: I am using the "Updated Version" as this book's content was written in the early 1900s. But it is up to you--some of us really like to older use of language.
Updated Version Link: http://www.amazon.com/Utmost-His-Highest-Updated-ebook/dp/B0049U4WA6/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1321295737&sr=8-8#_
Classic Version: http://www.amazon.com/My-Utmost-His-Highest-CHRISTIAN/dp/1577489144/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323891367&sr=1-1#_
iPhone: http://www.appstorehq.com/myutmostforhishighest-iphone-68349/app
Audio: Some guys are playing this as they drive into work: http://www.amazon.com/My-Utmost-His-Highest-Language/dp/1596445009#_
Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Utmost-His-Highest-Classic-ebook/dp/B0052MFU5G/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323891367&sr=1-8
I LIKE HOW ONE MAN REVIEWED THE BOOK ON AMAZON:
I find there is no better way to start the day than with the wisdom in this magnificent devotional; these profound thoughts were given by Oswald Chambers while at the Bible Training College in England, during the years of 1911 through 1914, and after his death in 1917 (while serving in Egypt during World War I) were edited by his wife, and later updated into modern English by James Reimann, who says in his introduction that the book is the "culmination of approximately 1800 hours of research and editing", and the end result are words that flow and feed and sometimes pierce the soul with remarkable accuracy, to remind one of the way Jesus intended us to live. This book, in conjunction with the Bible (Reimann recommends one to read this with one hand and the Bible in the other) are guideposts for a meaningful life.
Not a "God loves you and all is well" type of book, there are many passages of tough love, that keep one on the right track, and I often have the experience of it answering a question that is on my mind. Each day under the header, is a relevant Bible quote, and underneath Chambers' teaching on the subject, in the 250 word range in length. There are various editions to chose from, and mine is a small leather-bound volume using the NKJV for its Bible quotes, with a foreword by Charles Stanley, who as Reimann's pastor, was the one who recommended the original Chambers work to him.
The back of the book has two useful sections, a Subject Index, and a Scripture Index.
SAMPLE:
Jesus answered him, ’Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward’ —John 13:36
“And when He had spoken this, He said to him, ’Follow Me’ ” (John 21:19). Three years earlier Jesus had said, “Follow Me” (Matthew 4:19), and Peter followed with no hesitation. The irresistible attraction of Jesus was upon him and he did not need the Holy Spirit to help him do it. Later he came to the place where he denied Jesus, and his heart broke. Then he received the Holy Spirit and Jesus said again, “Follow Me” (John 21:19). Now no one is in front of Peter except the Lord Jesus Christ. The first “Follow Me” was nothing mysterious; it was an external following. Jesus is now asking for an internal sacrifice and yielding (see John 21:18).
Between these two times Peter denied Jesus with oaths and curses (see Matthew 26:69-75). But then he came completely to the end of himself and all of his self-sufficiency. There was no part of himself he would ever rely on again. In his state of destitution, he was finally ready to receive all that the risen Lord had for him. “. . . He breathed on them, and said to them, ’Receive the Holy Spirit’ ” (John 20:22). No matter what changes God has performed in you, never rely on them. Build only on a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ, and on the Spirit He gives.
All our promises and resolutions end in denial because we have no power to accomplish them. When we come to the end of ourselves, not just mentally but completely, we are able to “receive the Holy Spirit.” “Receive the Holy Spirit “— the idea is that of invasion. There is now only One who directs the course of your life, the Lord Jesus Christ.
MEN, I AM REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO 2012 AND JOURNEYING WITH YOU!
PASS THE WORD.
USE THE BOOK IN YOUR MENS GROUP
HINT FOR THE BOOK AS A CHRISTMAS GIFT
BUY TWO AND GIVE ONE AWAY AND INVITE
Pastor Matt
Contact Matt Stemme
mstemme@earthlink.net
Men--If you have a son--Passage is for you! Wednesday nights at 8:15 PM--Watch for details on the next dates for "Passage." This is a "don't miss" opportunity for you to grow and connect with other guys while learning to help your son move from boyhood into manhood. Facilitated by Pastor Dave.
Join our group of adventurous men who get together every 1st Saturday of
the month for a good hike! We'll go for a local hike and have breakfast
afterwards. For more information, contact Ron Ried at tallried@yahoo.com Next Hike:
Pastor Dave invites all men who'd like to work out together to join him to hang out and LIFT
together! It's great opportunity to get to know other men and Pastor
Dave while doing something good for you! Tuesday & Thursday
mornings--Watch for information on the next opportunity to "Lift!"
- Men's Groups, Bible Studies
Throughout the year we have several Bible Studies and Small Groups
to choose from. There are Saturday morning groups, weekday groups, as
well as early morning groups for men. These groups vary from doctrinal,
to new believer, to relational. Whatever the group, we hope men will
find NorthPark Men's Groups inviting and condusive to building strong relationships.
-
BAND OF BROTHERS MENS GROUP
Band of Brothers is a men’s group. This group is open to all men and is led by Pastor Bob Lininger. Watch for dates and information.
Pastor Dave leads a time of vision and training
at the church offices that he opens up to any men and women who'd
like to come to get a little extra instruction. Join the Pastors and
Staff as we learn together! Thursdays, 11:45-12:15PM in the Upper Room.
NorthPark Community Church understands that many men love to connect
through sports. We regularly enjoy basketball, softball, going to the
gym, biking, an annual Turkey Bowl, kayaking, hiking, camping, and more.