Thanks for coming along on this journey!

I’m going to use this space to share the closing message I sent to the volunteer team - it applies to us all:

“I leave this round of Alpha feeling grateful for the ways we saw God move in people’s hearts and lives.

I leave this round of Alpha, knowing that we were a recipient of God’s grace and favour, and I feel blessed.

But yet, I leave this round of Alpha feeling a little sad.  I feel like God has so much more for each of us and each of the participants. 

We (myself included) don’t even begin to grasp the ways He wants to lead our lives and the ways in which He wants to use us and to bless us.

During every Alpha course, in 12 weeks, we see group after group, form solid, healthy relationships where people feel free to share their lives and their journies.  Yet, session after session, the bloom falls off the rose quickly.  People get back into their everyday lives and routines and may get inspired with a good sermon series every now and again, but we still sit with so many blocks and bricks of fear that Satan uses to keep us where we are at.

Pray with me.  Pray for our group and pray for our church.  Pray that those blocks and bricks be broken down, and that we all realize that when we take those first steps in response to His leading, God will respond.  He will be there - He will provide - He will lead - He will not fail us.

Let’s ask for the guts to live from our hearts where the Spirit of God resides.  Let’s ask for discernment on what comes from our heads, especially those things that keep us back from living God-fueled, God-inspired, God-chasing lives.

God has placed each one of you, exactly where you are for a purpose.  Ask yourself…What’s the next step is God asking you to take?  What is the first block of fear that you need His power to overcome? 

If we all move ahead, chasing God with all we have, we may start a revolution that inspires and supports those around us who have their own blocks to smash through.

May His Kingdom come to us on earth and may we all be a little closer to understanding what that means(!) for our corner of the world.

Pursue wholeness.

Pursue Shalom.

Pursue Him.”

This topic is a big one!

What stands out for you from the video?

Do you have a new perspective on how God works His healing power?

Share your stories…

Any good stories about your opportunities to share Christ in the workplace? 

 What circles of influence has God given you?

Big topic huh?

We all struggle with the stuff, with the junk that keeps us from a closer walk with God.

The thing to remember is, it is all just stuff. Evil has no power, other than what we give to it, so as soon as we repent, we will have the power to resist, and we can walk free!

How did this topic affect you this week?

Weekend events always leave me feeling charged up and exhausted at the same time…..there is always so much information to process and it takes a real conscious effort to sit down and consider all that was covered and what that means for me.

How about you?  Where did this weekend and the topic of the Holy Spirit take you?

Were you challenged or inspired in any areas?

Are you wondering, ok….now what?

We will continue to unpack this subject at Wednesday’s session, but in the meantime, if you would like to share any stories about how you were affected, or things you were inspired to do, you can do so in the comments.

Thanks for being there!

Have you ever thought about the ways that God uses to guide us along the right path?  Is there a ‘right’ path, or does He just use the circumstances and choices in our life?

 Any stories about hearing from God?

First off, if anybody wants the Bible reading handout we gave out this week, email me, and I can send you an electronic version - the verses are all ‘clickable’.

**

What are some of your stories of answered or unanswered prayers?

Friday Nov 3
Covenant Reformed Church (corner of Gateway & Knowles)
7:00 pm - approx 9:30

Saturday Nov 4
8:30 am - approx 3:00

Alpha Presentations:
Who is the Holy Spirit?
What does the Holy Spirit do?
How can I be filled with the Spirit?

$15 for all meals and sessions

for those of you who may have stumbled on us, we are a group at www.riverwood.cc who is doing The Alpha Course together - you are welcome to join in our discussions!:

 Read your Bible through in one year by reading 15 minutes a day:

http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/devotionals/biblepathways/

 this Link might help some of y’all to stick to a daily reading plan - it can be a little dry reading with Hebrew/Greek references, but it is a great way to READ the Bible, and then SEE what / how it all fits together.  Try it!

We are doing the Alpha Course at www.riverwood.cc together…if you have stumbled on us..Welcome! **

What ‘markers’ do you have in your life that help you be sure of your faith?

What are things you have been putting your ‘faith’ in that maybe now you can see aren’t so ‘real’?