But Jacob stayed behind by himself, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he couldn't get the best of Jacob as they wrestled, he deliberately threw Jacob's hip out of joint. The man said, "Let me go; it's daybreak." Jacob said, "I'm not letting you go 'til you bless me." The man said, "What's your name?" He answered, "Jacob." The man said, "But no longer. Your name is no longer Jacob. From now on it's Israel (God-Wrestler); you've wrestled with God and you've come through." Jacob asked, "And what's your name?" The man said, "Why do you want to know my name?" And then, right then and there, he blessed him. --Genesis 32:24-29, The Message

Last Sunday's ABF Recap:
by RG & MK

The pace of life can often be quick and busy. The underlying reality is that we value time and efficiency. Isn't it obvious? I wear a clock on my wrist and I'm upset if someone is more than 10 minutes late for a meeting.

"The practice of solitude may be the most important spiritual discipline for the suburbs. And it is probably one of the most difficult to practice here."(p. 27)

So, in a world where "time is money" and every second counts, how do we slow our lives down in order to have a vital relationship with God. The noise of my life is often so great that I feel like I might not be able to hear God even if He screamed.

But there is a difference between "busy" and "hurry." Jesus was busy, but he wasn't hurried. More examples of this include:

Matthew 4:1-11	Luke 6:12
Mark 1:35	Mark 6:31
Luke 5:16	Matthew 17:1-9	Matthew 26:46

Clearly Jesus didn't eliminate busyness from his life, but he knew how to prioritize. And he avoided hurry in his life so as to make time for one-on-one prayer with God. This is what David Goetz calls the Prayer of Silence.

In Genesis 32 Jacob has his monumental and life-changing encounter with the Living God. In many ways, it is not what we might expect, yet Jacob is like all of us. He is searching desperately for value and meaning; for someone outside himself to approve of him, and say "I love you and I'm proud of you." He looks for it in all kinds of places, but finally experiences it in the only place possible - in God. Yet what's so interesting is that he meets God "alone."

Brent Warwick observed during our breakout time that Jacob spent all night with God, and we usually spend five minutes... and those five minutes are spent giving God a list of things to do. Brent speaks for us all.

So that's the struggle... And the discipline that Goetz offers for us to combat the "I Am In Control Of My Life" mentality:

"In the toxic dump of efficiency and control, though, the first act must be countercultural -- a decision not to act. This is the first spiritual practice. A choice to listen and wait for God. Making time for space for God is the most basic element of spirituality." (p.26, emphasis added)

As we exist in a busy world may we avoid hurry and remember that one of our greatest dangers is to let the "urgent things crowd out the important (Charles Hummel)." For the sake of our families and friends may it never be said of us that we take "time far more seriously than eternity (Thomas Kelly)." Find some time in the next few days to steal away and experience relationship with God. It is probably some of the most valuable moments of the week.

Click here to order the book. If you picked up a copy in class, don't forget to pay Matt. (check or cash, no PayPal) This coming week we'll talk about the second Toxin, "I am what I do and what I own" How can we combat this? David Goetz' suggestion is: ~The journey through the self~ We'll touch on the concept of Immortality Symbols on Sunday. If this term is new to you, give the book a read and come prepared for enlightening conversation. Want to dig even deeper into Death By Suburb?

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LifeANSWERS PaintBall!!!
When = Sunday after church Oct 19th, Carpool from Church
Where= Splatterpark
Cost= $25 per person
Includes =

1. Admission
2. 2 Complimentary Hot Dogs, Chips and Drink
3. Gun Rental
4. Safety Equipment Rental
5. Free Air Fills
6. 200 Paintballs which equals almost 1.5 hours of fun

   If you haven't filled out the waiver, do so now!

   Here's a quick list of things you may
   want to bring to the field:

   • Long pants / long sleeved shirt* (The person above had welts at the end of the day!)
   • Gloves*
   • Neck protection*
   • A protective cup
   • Bandana or hat or baseball cap
   • A hoodie
   • Hard soled hiking boots / Football cleats
   • Change of clothes
   • Food or Beverage*
   • Camouflage clothing*
   • Towel to clean off with
   • Your equipment if you are not renting
   • Your friends
   • A good attitude

More questions? E-mail Margy Agbovi.

SupperSix sign-ups are open now!

New to SupperSix? Sign up here and you'll be assigned with two other couples to meet for dinner once monthly for three months. It's a great way to get to know other folks!

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Join the revolution.

Restored to Sanity
by Rubel Shelly

There is an old hymn that begins with this stanza:

Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
Forgive our foolish ways!
Reclothe us in our rightful mind;
In purer lives thy service find,
In deeper reverence praise.

The process called "redemption" or "salvation" in Holy Scripture is about this very thing. We humans are messed up in the way we think. We need God to remake our rational processes. Salvation is not fire insurance for people worried about dying. It is healthy thinking for people who want to live meaningfully.

There are so many conflicting and discordant sounds in our ears. Many of them rationalize the stupidest things you can imagine. Taking what isn't yours. Having an affair. Spending irresponsibly. Spreading gossip. Sneaking a quick look at porn. Self-medication with street drugs. Justifying a foul temper. Slacking off at your job. You can finish the list, can't you?

Lectures and scoldings won't break those negative patterns. Guilt and self-hatred practically guarantee they will continue. Choices become compulsions, compulsions become addictions, and addictions wind up killing you.

Alcoholism is a paradigm illustration of how the process works. A woman's choice becomes a compulsion and soon turns into an addiction. That's why Alcoholics Anonymous speaks so freely of and urges participants to pray about "sanity." It's the same thing biblical language calls being set free, being renewed in our minds, or putting off the old person.

At the start of any given day, it is not a bad idea to pray for a fresh touch of God's grace to keep you sane for what lies ahead. Pray not to live in the past, lick old wounds, or nurse grudges. Those things will drive you crazy! Pray instead for the ability to focus on what is positive, honorable, and upright. These things bring you peace! And ask God to let you be authentically and truly human.

To be "authentically and truly human" is to be what God created you to be. Reflect the image of our God into the world. Think sane thoughts about your own worth and dignity. Treat others as you would like to be treated. Be true to your commitments. Give your best to every task. And spread some joy in your world.

Here is the way Paul said it long ago: "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect" (Romans 12:2 NLT).

We believe that prayer is a vital part of a growing, Christ-loving community. If you have a need that you'd like for us to take to the LORD in prayer, no matter how big or small, please let us know.

Enjoy your week. Send an encouraging e-mail to a friend.

RG