Update - July 17

Rebecca presented us with a great Bible study on "Light vs. Darkness" on Wednesday night. She gave us an overview of her three part series...

Week 1: Laying the ground work
Week 2: Light vs. Darkness in the US
-What characteristics on both sides are in us?
-What can we do to nourish and nurture our light?
-letting go of the darkness in our past
Week 3: Light vs. Darkness in the world

Then, we got into the thick of it...

Definition of Light:
1. The electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength that is VISIBLE to the eye
2. A type of energy
3. Something that makes vision possible
4. Something that provides information or clarification (as in "threw some light on the subject")
5. A state of awareness or understanding, especially as derived from a particular source
Syn: aglow, bright, brillian, CLEAR, glowing, luminous, radieant, vivid, UNOBSCURED, shining

Design reference: without light, there would be no form, color, or texture.
Luminosity: the quality of being luminous, emitting or REFLECTING light.

What does it feel like to be in a room without light? Low light?
How does it feel when the light is turned on?

Gen 1:1-5 & Gen 1:14-19
"And God said 'Let there be light" ...what was He talking about? How does He describe the universe without that light?

1 John 1:1-5
if God = Light and God = Love, then Light = Love
So Walking in the Light could represent Walking in Love.

1 John 2:8-11
Can you see the connection of Walking in Love as we discussed with Ashok and Walking in the Light? Does it more clearly define "Walking in the Light" when you think about it this way?

Do we try to justify our actions when we are not living in the light?
What does it mean to the world to have that light, our light in it?

Philippians 2:14-15
Is your life shining brightly, or is it shrouded by negativity?
People around us or in the world that have this light or luminosity?

Ephesians 5:1-14
So THIS is what living in the light is?
How difficult is this to do on a daily basis?
Do you feel like you're going through the motions, or living in the dark after reading this?

What is the most important thing to take away from these verses?

Matthew 5:14-16
Even with our imperfections and "failed" attempts at living in the light, what is this saying to us?

Is it more important to concentrate on this verse and what that means in our lives? Or the previous (Eph 5:1-14)?

To think about:
-Are you living as a beacon of God's light? or a dim flame?
-In what ways do we nurture and nourish our lights?
-How do we make sure our light is visible to the world?
-And that no one extinguishes or dims it?
-In what ways to you consider you show your light to the world?

A Chinese Proverb
If there is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person.
If there is beauty in the person, thee will be harmony in the house.
If there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation.
If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.

Thanks, Rebecca! This is fantastic.

Upcoming events that have been planned include:
August 25 = hiking in Temescal Canyon area followed by BBQ in the park (we're going to invite other church young adult groups to this event as an outreach attempt. Be sure to invite any folks you meet at church who might be interested and friends, etc...)
September 21-23 = FALL RETREAT!!! Mark your calendars now. Ashok is the "point person" on this one and will update us on his findings soon. We're thinking WINE TASTING!

That's all for now, folks. Enjoy the rest of your week and I hope to see you soon at one function or another.

Yours in Christ,
Rachel