| Yesterday I had lunch with a good friend who also calls our faith community his home. We talked about the things in our life that are currently challenging and the things that are currently bringing us joy. The conversation turned to how quickly in life we can begin to compare ourselves to others and how “comparison is the thief of joy.” In this respect, I find it interesting how quickly we can move from the positive and healthy practices of celebration and admiration to things that are destructive and unhealthy like comparison, coveting and jealousy. I remember sharing this story once several months ago. When I was 28 or 29 years old and a first-year professor, I remember looking down the faculty wing hall and seeing people who were now my coworkers, who just a few years before were my professors and mentors. I definitely went through my own cycle of feelings full of inadequacy and insecurity. One day during that first semester of teaching I was sitting in a chapel service and felt clearly like I was given a word from the Lord that spoke directly to my heart and soul. “Josh, you are enough. You are enough, because I am enough.” I sat with that word for quite a while and let it sink in. It felt like God was reclarifying to me that I didn’t need to be anyone else. I didn’t need to try and be the professor down the hall or the professor whose position I replaced. God was letting me know that he called me, and it was okay that he called me. I would bring my own experiences, my own gifts… along with my own lack of experience and blind spots. God wasn’t calling me to be anyone else. I just had to be me and that was “enough”. It was a beautiful gift from God to remind me of his mercy and grace, to speak freedom in my life, and to unsaddle me from the weight of comparison and inadequacy that I was clearly carrying. We all know that life is not always linear, and the trap of comparison is sneaky and can be lurking behind many corners. It’s with our family member, our neighbor, our coworker, people that we often love deeply, but when our mind wanders and invites comparison to peek its ugly head, feelings of inadequacy, insecurity, and the loss of joy are just the beginning. Gossip, discord and hatred are close behind. Today, may the word of the Lord shine through to each of us and all of us as we hear the voice of God reminding us “we are enough, because he is enough.” Blessings, Josh |
| Shower Ministry |
| The weather forecast for next week is quite cold. Next Tuesday, Shower Ministry will be distributing blankets and jackets to those experiencing homelessness in downtown Houston. If you have blankets, jackets, or other warm items like scarves or hats to donate, you may drop any donations off outside the double doors of the Education Building. |
| Valentine Musicale |
| Join us for a musical performance in the Friendswood Friends Chapel on February 14th from 7:00-8:00 pm. Beginning next week, Tickets will be available for purchase through the Tuesday Update and on our website. All proceeds will benefit Friendswood Friends Missions. |
| Sunday Evening Activities |
| Practicing the Way is an eight-week class designed to help get you on your journey of spiritual formation. Ultimately, the goal of the class is to train you to live as an apprentice of Jesus and do as He did beginning with your daily routines. This class meets in the Chapel with Tena Roher from 4:00-5:00 pm. Acts Bible Study is offered to anyone interested in an in-depth study of the book of Acts. This class is designed for you to come and join as your schedule allows without any prep work or homework. Participation looks like listening or joining in discussions. Led by Bobby Kirkpatrick from 5:00-6:00 pm in the Coffee Cafe. |
Kidzone meets in Friends Center from 5:00-6:00 pm where kids 3 years old through 5th grade are invited to have fun learning about Jesus and how to be His hands and feet serving our community. FUSE: 6th-8th grade students meet in Friends Center from 6:00-7:00 pm.CORE: 9th-12th grade students meet upstairs in Friends Center from 7:30-9:00 pm. Students can expect to worship, participate in engaging lessons, and play games. |
| Mid-Week Evening Classes |
| If you’re looking to find a deeper community that aims to sharpen one another into disciples and followers of Jesus, join us as Josh leads us through this belief and faith journey together. The class meets on Wednesday nights at 7:00 pm. Women’s Evening Bible Study returns on January 22nd and will be studying from Epic of Eden: Understanding the Old Testament. This bible study meets at Susan Tam’s home on Wednesday Evenings at 6:30 PM. If you have questions about the study, you can contact Susan by email. Order Epic of Eden Guide |
| Meal Trains |
| Baby Elder Meal Train Baby Bridges Meal Train |
| Student Ministries Meeting |
| Parents and Students, plan to join Katelyn in the Friends Center (Gym Building) Kitchen for a meeting on Sunday, January 26th at 7:00 pm. |
| Family Promise |
| Our host week for Family Promise is February 9th – 16th. There are many opportunities available to serve such as: making and joining our guests for a meal one evening, serving as overnight hosts, or helping with setup and tear-down on Sundays. If you are interested in volunteering with this ministry, use the button below to sign-up or contact Beth Skeeter or Desiree Trevino for more information. |
| Volunteer for Family Promise |
| Budget Business Meeting |
| Sunday, February 2nd after the Worship Service. |
