OC Bereans

Gentlemen,

Most of you know that Deb and I have dear friends who have invested most of their adult life ministering in Fond-des-Blancs, Haiti, located in the far southwest area of the country.  We served together with Jean and Joy Thomas in a ministry in Mississippi in the late 1970s; in fact, we watched them fall in love and get married … Jean, who is Haitian, and Joy, originally from Oregon.  I took a team of college students there on a short-term mission trip in 1984, and would love to do the same thing with our Bible study group in the future.  Their website is <http://hcdf.haitifund.org/>, although many of the pages are not loading properly.  An email from Joy is included below.

Well, the future may be sooner than I thought … I am asking you to pray about God’s leading … should a group of us go now?  Frankly, I don’t know how this works, being currently unemployed, but unemployment doesn’t really exist in God’s economy.  Just pray about it … then communicate anything that God may be telling you.  You can post comments on this blog for all of us to read.

Earlier today, Rick P. emailed a list of relief options … in case you didn’t get his email, check it out <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/12/haiti-earthquake-relief-h_n_421014.html>.

Finally, the group that Nate works with, Uncharted Waters Sports Ministry, had already scheduled two trips for 2010 to work with Mission of Hope orphanage in Port-au-Prince <http://www.unchartedwaters.org/opportunities.php?page=62>.  They have been unable to contact the orphanage.

~ tr

Here is Joy’s update:

January 13, 2010

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you all for your many phone calls and messages via email and Facebook.  We will do our best to respond to each of you personally.

As we were preparing to settle down for the night at midnight, there was another major aftershock so we decided to sleep in our car.  Almost everyone slept outside and many went to the church to sleep in the yard there.  There is some structural damage in our area including our larger house, but there are no personal injuries or casualties.

All of us have family and friends in Port-au-Prince and are still waiting on news of them.  We have received some good news about Jean’s family, but at this writing we are still waiting for news of his brother and nephew.  The schools in the city just opened after Christmas break so there are many many young people from our area who just went back to the city.  We and their parents are waiting for news of them.

Our personal tragedy so far is our driver Bebe.  Most of you who have been to Haiti have met him. He was at his home in Port and had been ill.  He was trying to move to what he thought would be a safer place, but during one of the aftershocks he fell and was killed.

We are wanting to send our bulldozer to the city.  We are trying to reach World Vision where Jean’s brother works to offer it to them, but the information between us and the city is not easy and we have not been able to reach either Paul or World Vision.

I went to the school to send the kids home, but it was a unanimous decision by all parents of students of all schools not to send the children.  Everyone is holding on to loved ones nearby while waiting for news of loved ones in the city.  It has always been ironic that it is easier to communicate with the US than with people in Haiti.  Now it is even harder than before.

I have felt three tremors or aftershocks since I began writing this.  The last one was large, but I did not run outside.  I must be tired.

Our two sons in college are available to come with aid groups as translators if any of you know of any group that wants to come or any organization that need expert translators.

I will try to write a daily update.  Thank you for your prayers and concerns.  The known needs of this tragedy are just becoming known.

Joy

Gentlemen,

There is a three-day time gap between Esther chapters 4 and 5, during which the Queen is fasting (and certainly praying).  We have a seven-day time gap until our next study, during which you can reflect on and research these questions about chapters 5 and 6 in order to prepare you for our time together.

1. Based on what occurs in chapter 5, in what specific ways has Esther changed during this three-day time period?
2. Why do you think this occurred?
3. Can you identify other biblical characters who experienced a similar transformation?
4. What is the significance of the king’s response in 5:3?
5. What is the biblical principle behind Haman’s actions in 5:11-12?
6. How high is “fifty cubits”?  (5:14)
7. Why couldn’t Ahasuerus sleep?  (6:1)
8. What is the biblical principle behind Haman’s thoughts in 6:6?
9. What is the true significance of Haman’s request in 6:7-9?

Download next Monday’s handouts on Esther chapters 5 and 6.  They are available at the “Media Drop Box” located on the right-side toolbar, under “Bible Study Tools.”

Dessert will be served at 7 pm … the study starts shortly after that.

~ tr

Gentlemen,

For the men who attended last night’s final Bible study of 2009, we were BLESSED to hear the testimonies of three men (Nate, Steve T. & Bob H.) who reflected on God’s grace in their lives.  The evening was filled with prayer for these men, then capped off by a brief time of communion over the Lord’s Supper.

Now as we set our sights on 2010, let’s review the primary purpose for our Monday night studies:  “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17  NIV).

The Apostle Paul also teaches us that “we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10  NASB).

Our methodology is much like how Dr. Luke describes the early believers in Berea:  “… they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11  NASB).

As we jump back into our study of Esther next Monday, Jan. 4th, here are questions to aid your preparation for chapter four:

• What do “sackcloth and ashes” signify (v. 1)?
• Describe Queen Esther’s response (v. 4).
• Why do you suppose she “sent garments to clothe Mordecai”?
• What was Esther risking in v. 11?
• What was the significance of the “golden scepter”?
• Unpack the bigger theological picture of Esther 4:14.

Remember to download next Monday’s handout on Esther chapter four.  It is available at the “Media Drop Box” located on the right-side toolbar, under “Bible Study Tools.”

The study starts at 7 pm … dessert included!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

A great way to cap off the Christmas weekend, as well as prepare for the New Year, will be to remember God’s grace at work in our lives during this past year.  At next Monday’s (12/28) Bible study, we will take a break from our study of Esther in order to do three things:

1. Three men will share what God has done in their lives generally over their lifetimes, and specifically during this past year:  Nate, Steve T. and Bob H. You will want to hear all three!
2. We will invest a significant portion of time in praying for each other and our families.
3. We will celebrate the Eucharist (Communion, or the Lord’s Supper) together.

Light refreshments will be served at 7 pm, with the sharing beginning by 7:15 pm!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Hebrews and Romans were evenly split as recently as this Monday night.  Then suddenly, with 10 out of 12 voting, Romans took a commanding 60% to 40% lead in our poll of what book to study next.  As the 13th member of our current group, I did not have to cast the “deciding vote” after all.

Remember, even if you have studied the book of Romans before, you will surely learn new insights this time through as well.  Plus, the dynamic discussions of our group will open up new perspectives, too.  This was the Apostle Paul’s “magnum opus” … his most theological letter … penned to the Christians living in the capital city of the Roman Empire.

We will “dive into the deep end” right at the very beginning … then continue to plumb the depths of this weighty New Testament book for all 16 chapters.  It may take us awhile! … but it will be time well-invested!

*We still have 8 chapters to go in the Old Testament book of Esther, though, so please stay focused on that for the present!

See you Monday at 7 pm … we will finish chapter 3, then proceed into chapter 4 … I will provide the dessert!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

It must have been because there were only four of us who attended … we had lengthy discussion about Esther chapter three … but we only got as far as verse two!  We will pick up where we left off next week, plus …

Here are questions to aid your preparation for next Monday’s study of Esther chapter four:

• What do “sackcloth and ashes” signify (v. 1)?
• Describe Queen Esther’s response (v. 4).
• Why do you suppose she “sent garments to clothe Mordecai”?
• What was Esther risking in v. 11?
• What was the significance of the “golden scepter”?
• Unpack the bigger theological picture of Esther 4:14.

Remember to download next Monday’s handout on Esther chapter four.  It is available at the “Media Drop Box” located on the right-side toolbar, under “Bible Study Tools.”

The study starts at 7 pm … dessert included!

~ tr

P.S.  Poll results: 50/50 split with only 8 men voting.  So … unless someone else wants to vote immediately … I will cast the “deciding vote.”

Gentlemen,

The following questions should get you ready for next Monday’s study:

1. Who was Haman the Agagite?
2. What reason would a Jew, like Mordecai, give for not bowing down or paying homage to Haman?
3. Why did Haman seek “to destroy all the Jews” (v. 6), instead of just eliminating Mordecai?
4. What was “pur” (v. 7)?
5. Haman claims that the Jews’ “laws are different” and that “they do not observe the king’s laws” (v. 8 ).  Does this sound familiar?  Can you find other Scripture passages where these same claims were made?
6. What was the approximate value of “10,000 talents of silver” (v. 9)?
7. What is significant about Haman’s decree to “seize their possessions as plunder” (v. 13)?

If you haven’t yet voted on the poll question from two posts ago, please do so this week.  Only seven of you have done so, and I would appreciate all of your input before the decision is made.

Remember to download next Monday’s handout on Esther chapter three.  It is available at the “Media Drop Box” located on the right-side toolbar, under “Bible Study Tools.”

Steve T. promises to bring the dessert which will be served at 7 pm, with the study starting shortly after that.

Let’s all remember to pray for each other throughout this week!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

As you prepare for next Monday’s study on Esther chapter two, think about these questions:

1.  Jot down a running list of specific examples of God’s providence throughout the book of Esther.

2.  How much time has elapsed from the feast where Vashti was deposed until the introduction of Mordecai and Esther?

3.  How old do you think Mordecai was?

4.  The phrase “found favor” is repeated three times in chapter two (vv. 9, 15, 17), plus three more times in 5:8; 7:3; and 8:5.  Why is this significant?

5.  Before going into Xerxes, why did Esther “not request anything except what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the women, advised”?

6.  Mordecai is described as “sitting at the king’s gate” in four verses in the book (2:19, 21; 5:13; 6:10).  Why is this significant?

The handout for Monday night’s study of chapter two is available at our drop box.  Click on the “Media Drop Box” link on the right column toolbar, under “Bible Study Tools.”

Less than half of you have responded to the poll question in the previous post.  If you have yet to cast your vote, please do so as soon as possible.  I value your input, plus want to get a head start on preparations for the next book we study.

Dessert will be served at 7 pm, with the study to follow shortly after!

~ tr

P.S.  How do you like the December snowfall on our SoCal beach scene above?

Gentlemen,

Although we have nine more chapters to cover in our study of Esther, I want to get a head start on preparations for the next book study.  Therefore, please respond to the following poll question:

Thanks!

Check back in a few days for prep questions for next Monday’s study of Esther chapter two.

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Wow! … what a blessing we all received from Carl’s testimony last night!

Here are six questions to facilitate your preparation for next Monday’s in-depth study of Esther chapter one:

1. Chronologically, where does the book of Esther fit into the canon of the Old Testament?

2. Other than marrying Esther, what other events made Xerxes famous (or infamous)?

3. Why are “army officers” specifically listed as attendees at Xerxes’ lavish banquet?

4. Who (what) were the eunuchs mentioned in 1:10?

5. Why do you think Memucan, one of the king’s closest advisers, proposed that Vashti be banished?

6. What was a primary distinctive of the laws of Persia and Media?

May God bless your celebration of Thanksgiving this week!  We all have MUCH to be thankful for!

If you have not yet downloaded and printed the two documents from <http://drop.io/ocbereans&gt; please do so since we will refer to both.

See you next Monday!

~ tr