the unchanging character of God

God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, through the sea, and no sooner do they go back to disbelieving God. God wants to destroy them. Moses prays to God and asks him to remember how far he's brought the Israelites thus far and that it would really be a shame to have to start all over. God agrees with Moses and answers Moses prayer to to spare the Israelites, that 'I will be your God and you will be my people."

Many folks have pointed to this story with the question, how can an unchanging God change his mind? I believe the answer is in his character. God wants us to ask of him. God asks us into communication and dialogue with him. It's God's character that desires rich relationship with rich communication to cultivate a compelling trust, especially when life takes you by the neck and puts you on the mat. Our creator's unchanging character is in his calling for us to engage with him. We do this through prayer and meditation on the gospel to gain a better understanding of how God is redeeming all things unto himself beginning with himself, Jesus of Nazareth.

All things are being made brand new, into a new creation. He's invited us to join him now in his fulfilling and rewarding work in our lives today. Let us today answer the call to bring joy and peace the entire world, and be filled with passion and power to proclaim radical salvation in Jesus' name.

Feb. 22, 2010 Meeting Minutes

Met at Trey's (aka "The Ripper's") apartment. Yuca's, Bison Chocolate Stout, Anchor Steam, chocolates, Book of Eli soundtrack...

Shared:
- Rory's story of coming to faith, embracing music, all the way up to current convictions and the movement to new pastures.
- A story by Mark worth hearing if you've not heard it. I linked in to that with a story of my own, then we got to discussing "miracles", the extraordinary in the ordinary, and so on.
- Josh's renewed musical inspiration.
- Dan explained how he's every car-related reality show's casting dream guy. Also just moved.
- Brian's in a very transitional place, writing a lot as usual, pursuing formal writing education.
- Shelvy was kind of the meeting sage, and not just because of his brazen facial hair.

Only 6 of us, which was quite nice. Maintained a single conversation for the majority of the meeting.

And finally we prayed for each other, or rather Shelvy prayed for the group right from the notepad he scribbled prayer requests on. Those requests are posted below.

Good meeting. We didn't directly hammer through Acts 4-6, but it was referenced as usual. Little discussion on current projects; more on that next time, per Mark's request below.

March 22nd for the next one? Someone's place? My place?