Sunset Meetings

So Tuesday night was one of the bible studies and then tonight was the other one.

Tuesdays group spoke about many things like how we interact with non-belivers and a little bit on the end-days. Two very interesting and prevalent topics in my life. Though I'd like to think otherwise they are two topics I am not so familiar with. Dealing with unbelievers is not an easy thing by any means. It takes practice, finness, patients, and understanding among other things. Even then it is easy to mess up. By dealing I don't mean the casual conversations or hanging out with them. I mean haveing deep talks or the more frequent tense debates and arguments. Some of the people in the group shared occasions when they had to step up and say something or in some way had to face unbelivers. I was pleasantly surprised by both the way they handled the situation and who it was in the group that spoke. It is nice to see others who have had small victories in this war. Even though our roles are small it is important to struggle against the current. The semi-brief talk on the end-days was interesting if not a bit inacurate. I don't mean that I know it any better just that I know we were all only semi-familiar. Often it seemd that interpretations and theories found their way into the ring. Understandable I suppose considering the topic. Some where looking forward to it and others were not. I am, but I felt a bit alone in the conversation as I am the only one (I think) who wanted to stay after the rapture. I know that won't happen but I would if their were and option. Besides being an incredible time to be alive I can imagine the chaotic world and the obvious slap in the face that the rapture will be to many of those left behind. I can imagine those who come to realize they missed the first boat and decided to get on the second one will be reaching out for guidance and will find very little. Comparatively I mean. It would be an honor in those days to stay, as a light these days seems easily overlooked but even a small light in such a dark time would burn brightly. Though it would be no pleasure cruse in truth.

Tonight's group spoke again on Ecclesiasties and James. Mostly on interpretation of the scripture as apposed to a specific individual topic. Reading the verses and telling what comes to mind or how it may be relavent to our lives. Not that their is no focus. Their are questions that accompany the reading, but a lot of it is the group sitting around a table thinking and talking about the text. Some people don't like studies like this but I do, as much as any study really. I enjoy interpretation or analyzing texts and then relating them to me or the group. It often reveals things about individuals who are able to open up which can strengthen the fellowship. On the other hand if no one opens up then the conversation can get a little slow. Part of me enjoys it becasue its a forum to talk about myself which, other than this blog, I don't have. Funny thing is I have a hard time not talking all the time. I don't want to dominate the groups conversation or make it about me after all. I think the group has plans to go more activity oriented than study oriented. I think this is a good idea and in fact is something I have been looking for for some time. Hope it goes through.

Over all I take a long time to relax and get used to new groups most of the time and these groups are no exception. It is no fault of anyone in the groups it's just my personality. I'm an introvert. Being social isn't one of my talents, at least not at first, but I am relaxing some and enjoying the groups time more as the weeks go by. These are all good people and so is the fellowship. Their is a third study starting soon and Mascot and I are signed up but I can't be sure I will be able to follow through with everything else going on.