What is Strength?

For those of you not following this blog YET, we have recently started a new bible study created by Tony Dungy, the Indianapolis Colts head coach. We are starting our second session even though it is technically our fourth because it took us three weeks to get through session one. From now on, we will speak of the study sessions as chapters!

So what is strength to you? Does strength mean big physical capabilities? Does it mean mental fortitude? Does it have to do with personality types? A great excerpt from the Quiet Strength Bible Study Guide:

"Perhaps strength isn't found in a personality type or even an outlook on life. Regardless of how we are wired, strength is found in having the faith to look to God to change us and to obey Him in what He has called each of us to do."

So how does society define strength? Now compare that with your definition of strength! I think it is a great reminder that their are many "worldly" perceptions or definitions that we still follow.

"Tony Dungy is the first African-American coach to ever win the Super Bowl. That in itself, is a great honor, but interestingly enough he is a man who has used his position of notoriety to behave in a quiet and strong way in the face of personal tragedy and he has influenced a lot of fellow citizens."

President George W. Bush
A great example to follow!

The B.I.T.E. Team Signing Out!

A little tid bit but NEVER too late!

I know it has been a little too long since the last update, especially since we are trying to get this thing up and running! I told all the guys from last week's session that I was going to make a post about a very important question from our study. We just finished session 1 last week in the Quiet Strength Bible Study by Tony Dungy which only took us 3 weeks to complete. At least we can claim to be thorough! But one of the most interesting aspects of our study have been the life application questions which are always hard to ask or answer for that matter!

Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

So the questions we were to ask ourselves is:

1. What do you think God wants you to do TODAY? THIS MONTH? THIS YEAR?
2. How are you going to get started?

This is a very serious question that we NEED to really pray about! How often do we allow our plans and expectations to get in the way? I know that for myself, I continue to struggle with God's plan for my life because I simply do not allow Him the opportunity to lead. So maybe another question to ask yourself is this; Who is leading your life?

I have encouraged all the guys from our group to give responses to this blog entry so that we can share with everyone reading. But I also want to ask our readers to give a response to these questions in the comment box. We look forward to learning more about all of you and we will continue to fight the good fight together!

Kindest Blessings,

Andy Rea

Encouragement not only for today but for your life

Good morning my brothers,

I visited a church of one of my close brothers in Christ this past Sunday and wanted to share a scripture that impacted my heart, soul, faith, and spirit. Again, God really spoke to my spirit.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:2-4)

God's instructions on how to face adversity are radical-but so is His healing. Don't settle for anything less than what God wants for you!

Sunday's message at CCMB - Pastor Nate

Rethinking Marriage - 1 Corinthians 7:1-9

My brothers I want to share a great message that was delivered during Sunday service at Calvary Chapel Monterey. We tackled upon scriptures in the bible of what most believers say are the toughest to face because it refers to sexual purity and immorality as a single person or married couple.

Below is a summarization of Pastor Nate's message:

"It appears that the marriage bed to be a microcosm of the entire marriage relationship. It is there that certain character traits are fostered. Here are a few:

- Servanthood

- Communication/Honesty

- Love- Respect

- Mutual Submission

I would encourage all married couples to study Paul's words carefully. There is the world's view of sex and then there is God's view of sex. Obviously, as the church, we want to view it in the pure and holy light of God's word, not the dim and defiled darkness of this world. What God has created to be beautiful, loving, safe, and a joy, man has twisted to be painful, selfish, and destructive.Many of us are like the Corinthians. We have been raised in a pagan world and a pagan culture. We wonder aloud how we are to live this life. The Corinthians had been trained by their friends and culture to view sexuality in a twisted and distorted way, so when they came to Christ their minds were in need of serious renewal. So many of us are right there, our minds need to be renewed. We need to see many issues, including sexuality, in the light that God intended.My hope is that we can look the Scriptures square in the eye, find their direct meaning and teaching, and thereby know the very heart of God on the issues we face constantly. After all, that's what it's all about. God proved His love for us on that cross, we know that He cares deeply about us. So, by knowing His heart, we are also knowing His best for mankind."

I hope this message encourage you as it did for me. Your brother in Christ, Jason

Dear Heavenly Father,

We are faced with terrible decisions based upon the world's view of marriage every single day. In today’s radio and media campaigns there are little if any encouragement of building and sustaining a healthy Christian marriage. Shows such as desperate housewives are tuning our people into the world's frequency. The world's views tend to rub off in our faith at times but I thank you for keeping us grounded in your ways and truth. Father God I thank you for your encouragement and the hope that you have provided for us through the recent movie Fireproof and upcoming Family Life Weekend to Remember Marriage Retreats. I ask for your continued protection in all marriages and your favor in today’s voting for YES on Proposition 8 honoring the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman. I pray that the purposes of all marriages are “to mirror your image, multiply a godly heritage, manage God’s realm, mutually complete one another, and to model Christ’s relationship to the church.

In Jesus precious name,
Amen