Happily Ever After: The Book of Ruth

On Sunday November 18, we finished up our “Happily Ever After” series on the book of Ruth.

It doesn't take a lot of brainpower to see that the book of Ruth is a romance. A cursory glance may give the impression that Ruth was some sort of biblical Cinderella, a widow with a compassionate heart, who catches the eye of the powerful, affluent Boaz, marries him, and lives happily ever after.

 

Through careful explication of scripture though, we see just how incredibly beautiful this story is.
 

Because unlike any fairy tale, or Disney movie, or rom com that exists, the hero isn’t a prince.

 

The love story between Ruth and Boaz is one that is saturated in GOD’S love as he graciously extends his hand of providence over His faithful children.

The divine radiance of the book of Ruth also finds its foundation in the story's reflection of the gospel. We watch Boaz redeem Ruth, and we remember the cross and Christ's purchase of HIS Bride's redemption.


As we enter new seasons of our lives as college students, we are also made ever more aware of the broken dating world that society pushes us to embrace. 

Guys, be encouraged to be Godly men like Boaz, who value integrity and character and are firmly resolved to seek God's will before all else.
Ladies, be encouraged to be women of excellence like Ruth, who are praiseworthy reflections of Proverbs 31.

If you read my previous post, you know that I’ve been trying to make recordings of the messages available on the blog. Unfortunately, I only have the last half of the series recorded. Sorry guys, but each of the messages begins with a recap on everything that’s been talked about, so hopefully that will catch you up. I will post the uploaded the recordings, but again, if you want an mp3 of the messages, email me at layen3@yahoo.com and I will be HAPPY to send you the file.

*I will finish writing the series recap, but I really wanted to get this up ASAP, so for now, here are the messages:

Brad Toy speaking on Ruth 3
 

Chris Koga Speaking on Ruth 4:1-12
 

Series Conclusion, Chris Koga speaking on Ruth 4:13-22

Message Recordings!

After looking through this blog, I appreciated the message recaps that the students took the time to write up. We need to bring them back.

With some adjustments :)

So for the past couple months, I’ve been trying hard to figure out how to make recordings of the messages available for the blog. After working through the audio technicalities (I discovered that if I sit in the front row, a handheld voice recorder can pick up great details....including people's/my breathing at times), I needed to find a way to upload the recordings onto the site.

In order to save memory/storage space, I will be uploading the messages to Youtube. It’s just the audio, so it’s not meant to be “watched” unless you WANT to look at the same picture for half an hour. However, I know that some of you might want the actual recording to put on your iPods or other players.

SO, if you want an mp3 recording of any of the messages that are uploaded, just email me at layen3@yahoo.com and I will be MORE than happy to send you the file.

Honestly, PLEASE ask. These messages are worth listening to.

Just a Reminder, This Blog is for YOU!

Hello Epic Family!

This is Leia. If I haven’t had the privilege of meeting you yet, I’m the really tall, skinny Asian girl you’ve probably seen either sweating intensely due to my shameless love of “playtime” (who needs Insanity, when you’re around small children?) or talking to people while using frantic, erratic gesticulations to make my points even more clear (because there’s nothing more impressive or emphatic than having someone’s hands waved in your face). I am easily excited and easily amused, so I’m also probably that strange girl you’ve seen, jumping up and down in overt enthusiasm (yeah, I really do that).  Oh, and I like hugs; I promise I will do my best not to choke you.

The reason I’m sharing some stuff about myself, is because I’m going to try to utilize this blog as much as I can. I know I haven’t met many of you yet, but believe me when I say I WANT to get to know you. Unfortunately, I know this might not happen right away, since many of you are away at college. I hope that by getting to know a little bit about me, you won’t feel too out of place when reading my posts, even if I’m someone you haven’t met (YET!).

Because even if I don’t know you, you are on my heart and you are being prayed for.

The same goes for everyone I DO know, who happen to currently be away, whether studying at college or traveling abroad. I miss you guys.

When I learned about this blog, I couldn’t help but praise God for how amazing the internet is, or rather, what great potential the internet has for investing in His kingdom, especially when it comes to relationships. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m strongly against the way people are lured into a false sense of intimacy by the ease and convenience of social networking. I much prefer phone calls to texting, and talking face-to-face as opposed to emailing, chatting, or any other variation of instant communication that exists. This is probably why I’m still awful at using my cell phone.

But in all honesty, the internet is a fantastic resource we can use to serve one another.  That’s the reason this blog exists (http://gvbcepic.blogspot.com/2010/09/this-blog-is-dedicated-to-you.html ). I’m with Chris—my hope is that through this blog, we, the students at Epic now, can serve you by keeping you updated on what’s going on back home and you, in turn, can serve us by keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.

As your sister in Christ, I love you and I will try to use this crazy brain God’s given me to think of as many ways as I can to use what resources I have for God’s glory and your fellowship. I am only one person out of several who have committed to serving through this blog team, and I know that they are here because they want to be active in loving you just as much as I do.

Please consider these questions to help us though, because we appreciate your input and ideas: HOW can we be serving you? What are some things we could do to help you feel more connected?

I was thinking more towards what things you’d like to see on this blog, but I’m going to keep the question open ended; any suggestion is appreciated.

I know it’s pretty awkward, having to answer this kind of question, but if you can, please do. Feel free to post or email or talk to any of us.

This blog IS for you, and we want to make it so.

Ruthwalking #1

An Evening at the Park

On the 9th of September, CG had an awesommeeee evening at the park! With over 40 brothers and sisters, we had a water balloon toss, relay race, and tons of getting to know each other more!  Filled with fellowship and love and bbq, the night was a success!  Praise the Lord! 

Below is a small glimpse of those who were there.  Photo credits to the most beautiful Leia Yen!  

Upcoming September Events

• Sunday 9.9 BBQ at the Park. 
• Thursday 9.13 Hangout at Matsushima's.  Make your own bread and learn how to swing dance.
• Saturday 9.15 Keep Gardena Beautiful (whole church event)

• Sunday 9.16 Ruth Series #1
• Thursday 9.20 Hangout at Matsushima's.

• Sunday 9.23 Ruth Series #2

• Sunday 9.30 Ministry Rush

*Events subject to change :)

SUMMER 2012

Thanks everyone for giving EPIC one of it's most awesome summers ever!  Here is a 10 minute video to recap what we did.

CLICK THE LINK BELOW (sorry couldn't get the thumbnail up)

EPIC SUMMER 2012

Photo credits to: Michelle Cordill, Kelcie Kadowaki's Facebook page, Aubrey Kaneshiro's Facebook page, Ben Lee, and Corey Atkinson.

hello hello EPIC familia!!!!
sorry it's been a while since we've had a message re-cap/message responses :( i hope this post finds you all well with the school year almost done and summer right around the corner!!! can't wait to see everyone's lovely faces return home and have us all re-united back home at GVBC :D

Here's a little something to munch on! :D

SELFISH vs. SERVANT (speaker: Chris)

Main passage: Mark 10:35-45

Our goal should not be to be the person everyone serves, but the person that serves everyone. In this passage, we are James and John. Too often do we have the mindset of how are MY actions going to benefit ME? What am I going to get out of this? How will I be blessed? How will I be glorified? We give to receive and serve to be blessed. Christ, the Son of Man, did not come to be served, but to serve. (verse 45) We need to follow Christ's example in doing nothing out of "seflish ambition or vain conceit" but rather putting others above ourselves, looking not to our own interests, but the interests of others. (Philippians 2:2-4) God has called us to serve others to glorify Him, to show others His love, to bless Him.

How would you gauge your selfishness in terms of family, friends, your church, at work, at school? What areas do you need to work on developing a servant's heart? Do you serve to be glorified, or glorify God through service? Here are some things to consider...
-Do you HUMBLY serve others with selfless motives? (Do you donate to be
recognized, do you help expecting a thank you, do you serve anticipating an
earthly reward?)
-Are you willing to do MENIAL tasks? (whether that be doing the dishes at
home without complaining or helping set up/break down at college group, are
you willing to be faithful in the small things that at times may go
unnoticed?)
-Is your life marked by giving or getting? (is it all about me me me, take
take take? or how can i help? how can i give? how can i benefit those around me? how can i glorify God?)
-Are you about achieving a status or making a difference? (is this life
about how high and mighty people think you to be or how you can better
someone else's life?)

Selfishness is not something that will go away overnight, but by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can turn our self-centered hearts to hearts of service and love bringing glory to the One who deserves it.

I pray you all have a blessed week whether you are taking finals, studying for finals, working, stressing, chilling, whatever you may be doing this week :) May you see God in the little things, remember Him in EVERYTHING, and find peace in knowing that YOU are HIS. Whether you want to take a vacation form life or life is rainbows and butterflies for you, I pray that you contine to seek Him and live this life for Him. <3

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humilty consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus..." Philippians 2:2-5

Epic Camping Trip 2012

Epic Camping Trip 2012

Just a quick slideshow of the pictures from the camping trip. Enjoy!

To describe the trip, I would use the word peacefully amazing.  Although we all planned for rain, God shed His light (literally) on the camp site, for a cool 70 degrees during the day.

Deep one on ones, two worship sessions, a football game on the beach, a mile walk/run to the pier, boccie ball games, board games, cooking teams, and spending quality time with others were absolute highlights of the weekend.  Personally, I enjoy the fact how all of us members of EPIC come from different walks of life.  Who would have thought we could all work so well as a family? Well God did.

Seeing God's beauty through His creation of nature was mesmerizing.  His presence was all around.  God you are so wonderful.  Thank You for this community and the love You overflow among us.

1 John 4:7-8

message responsesss!!!! :)

hello hello everyone!!!! sorry there's been such a delay with these posts :( butttt hope you are all doing well!!! here are some message responses from Brad's message about trusting in God through all of our fears, doubts, and worries because He is such a strong and powerful God <3

God has been teaching me over the past few weeks, or rather encouraging me, to be very strong and courageous because i have a firm foundation to go out from and return to. Because the LORD has power and love beyond measure despite not being sure what to do i just need to trust.

This just reminds me of an important fact in my life that God has been showing me. Despite what I'm going through i need to trust Him and know that He is the loving God whom cares.

I am reminded today that God is completely worthy of all my worship. Especially worthy of my complete faith & trust. I can be worried about countless things, and afraid of everything, but I can give up all of these things & trust God with them because He is faithful.

Knowing who you believe in and understanding His magnanimous power is paramount in being a follower of Christ.

This message was a good reminder to not worry so much about my problems because I know God will provide for me if I focus on Him.

I thought it was very meaningful and it makes me want to try and have more faith in everything I do.

I want to become more loving.

I'm so happy when I'm weak, He shows me His love through His work. I'm encouraged to study about God after I heard the message today.

I think the message had pulled a great perspective for me. Also, the message was a great reminder that God gives me storms in life because He loves me enough, and He believes that I can handle it more than I believe I can. Ya boy-Lainel ;)

Hearing how you put all your faith in God keeping Him in control of your life was motivational for me to put more faith in Him in my life.

I have been ashamed to go to God because I have not been spending enough time with Him and doubting Him but after Brad's message I remembered that He is always with me and wants the best for me. And that honestly is enough.

I just want to know how awesome God is. So that I have to read the Bible more even when I'm tired.

I've been frustrated with God for not "calming the storm," especially because it seems like our financial/family situation has been going on for over a year now. But I am encouraged tonight to seek God to see why he might have brought this "storm" and to trust His character through it.

Tonight I was reminded that God is the same God He was when I first believed-same character, same promises...the only thing that has not been the same (especially during this break) is remembering that He is unchanging and how He has provided for me through all things.

I hope you all had a blessed winter break and I pray He has blessed you with a wonderful 2012!!! May you continue to seek Him with a whole heart and may you have an open heart to ALL the amazing things He has in store for you this year! Loves <3