Update - February 2 - Happy Groundhog Day!

Punxsutawney Phil didn't see his shadow this morning - so we can look forward to spring around the corner!

Amy led her fourth and final installment on Philippians on Wednesday and on behalf of the entire group I would like to THANK her so much for this series which has been interesting and informative. Thank you so much for taking it on, especially at this time of transition. It's been great!

Here are the thoughts and questions from Wednesday's meeting:
-What stands out to you from the study of Philippians?
-What might you hope to apply to your life?
-How are we like the believers in Philippi?
-How are we like Paul?
-What seems difficult about Paul's words to the believers at Philippi?
-Does anything seem confusing or impossible?

-There is something important about believers getting along with each other.
-Paul tells us "Don't Worry, Be Happy."
-Positive thinking can be an important part of our lives.
-Paul really did know how to be content in good and bad circumstances.
-Receive and experience the amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, deep, deep within yourselves.

And, as promised, Amy shared what she knows/could find out about Paul's death:

HOW DID PAUL DIE?
Well, we actually don’t know. Many assume he was sentenced to death following the trial he was awaiting in Rome when he wrote this letter. If so, he would have been beheaded rather than crucifixion, since it wasn’t legal to crucify a Roman citizen; beheading was much less tortuous. Others claim he left Rome after his trial before Nero and traveled to Spain and perhaps other places, but most believe he did ultimately die of beheading in Rome.

Eusebius, the 4th century bishop of Caesarea who is often called the first Church historian, records that the apostle Paul was executed in Rome during the persecution of the emperor and madman, Nero. Nero’s persecution of Christians lasted for four years, from 64 to 68AD. It was also during this persecution that the apostle Peter was executed. As a Roman citizen entitled to a quick death, Paul was beheaded. St. Gregory the Great, the 6th century pope, wrote that Paul’s execution took place on the left bank of the Tiber River on the Via Ostiensis, the road to the port of Ostia, and is buried near the site of the basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.
http://www.stpaulsirvine.org/html/saintpaul.html

Please refer to the list of upcoming meetings and events on the right side of the blog. There is lots of stuff coming up - hopefully something for everyone!

Have a fantastic week,

Rachel