Study Group Update

So last night was a small group night and it was a good one. Good in the sence that the topic was one I had almost no background on and that the side conversations were equally as usefull. Also, the earlier post I had had about being confused about my place in the group is settling down properly.

The groups topic revolved around the Essenens in Qumran who wrote the dead sea scrolls and their belief system comparable to christianity. I had heard of course of the Dead Sea Scrolls and even the name Qumran before but I had never heard of these people. I was surprised to hear that their were anything close to pre-christians before the times of Jesus. Now to be honest I have had no success researching the topic on my own yet. Everyplace I get info from is different from the next in such a way that I am not capable of or confident to make a statement on who they were. The man on the video we watched depicted them as a jewish sect that broke off from the world on account of persecution over their beliefs as well as to seperate from corrutptive influences. According to him they were more capable of understanding the nature of the coming savior (as apposed to the traditional Jewish view). Though some argue over it (as some always will) the dead sea scrolls were themselves found in a cave nearby Qumran of which a large percentage of our scripture (and its historical validation) has come. These people had removed themselves from traditional and corrupt society influences both religious and not. I'd like to find more on them but it is of little consequence right now and, as stated earlier, not easy to discern truth from fiction regarding them.

As for the side topics I'll just mention one for now. Because of the Essenes cutting themselves off from the world we were asked if it was a smart move or not? I think it was a smart move if only at first. The world was as corrupt then as it is now and to get clean and stay clear one may opt to seperate from it all. On the other hand I don't think it was a great idea that they remained away from the world indefinatly (at least those in Qumran). Those that were prepared should have ventured out and gathered those interested. I realize that is a christian view (one I am just begining to get acquainted with) and not necessarily a jewish view but still it seems like the right thing to do. Anyway, to get back on topic, the idea of things that we fail to seperate from and the things that are accepted by us because of those we are around came up. Things like pornography, swearing, alcohol and other drugs, partying, etc. Personaly, I have had many such battles and it seems have many to go but I appreciate the people in this group as they give me a better form of reference than what I get from everyday life. So now, since other fights are going well, I'm going to ask the Spirit if He'll help me curb this foul mouth of mine. It's not so bad that I use it everywhere but I have developed a tendancy between friends and co-workers to drop the four letter words all to casually. This has been a slow progression over 15 years but none the less must be stopped. It is among other things a poor example on my part. The good thing is it will somewhat stack with another similar issue of laughing (or at least smiling) when topics come up that I should not. Unfortunatly in this area I actually have become so relaxed that the expressions are genuine. How embarrasing is that? Almost as embarrasing as getting scolded at work by another believer, which did happen last week. She was completely in the right to do so however and I appologized and thanked her for it. I of course didn't mean harm by chukling but the topic was improper and I was wrong. So why not combine the two, no swearing and no accepting a topic unworthy of my beliefs. It's going to be hard here at work as I am surrounded by friends who aren't trying to be so discerning. Feel free to pray for the missions sucess.