Small Group Ground Rules

When a group is first established, it's a good idea to setup some ground rules that people all adhere to.  The aim is to make the group a safe place where people can be challenged to grow and not be hurt or offended.

Here is a suggested set of rules.  You can choose to modify these.  You could also print out a copy for each member to serve as a reminder.  These ground rules are adapted from the "Careforce Recovery Facilitator Training" notes.

1.I agree that what is spoken in the group stays in the group.  Confidentiality is essential.  (A spoken commitment from each member is required.)

2.I agree to be personal, not abstract, when sharing needs, attitudes, feelings and causes.  "I" statements.  (If I wander off, please bring me back to the things relevant to the working group.)

3.I agree it is important to process past experiences that continue to make us less effective people today.  I also recognise it is equally important to move on and confront the issues that challenge me.  (I don't recognise/understand all the pieces of the puzzle - yet.)

4.I agree that intellectual opinions play no part in our discussions, except as they bear on our own lives.  (No debates.  We are to get into our lives and feelings and not theorize everything.)

5.I agree that each person has a right to their feelings and will not be condemned for those feelings, even though they may be different from other group members.  (I will not push my advice onto someone else.)

6.I agree that we will be careful not to accuse or pass judgement on one another.  We are called to confess our own faults and deficiencies. (This is an opportunity for Gods grace to work on us)

7.I agree to give and receive feedback.  (Open to how we come across)

8.I agree to daily set aside time for study, reflection and prayer. (Creates flow, allowing continuity between weeks.)

9.I agree to replace "can't" with "I choose not to" and thereby learn to take responsibility for and control of my life.

10. I agree to make a long term commitment to myself and the group.

And now the end begins

I think we're heading toward the "end times" as the bible puts it. I came across an interesting website, that talks about end time prophecies, and there's a link to a very interesting page titled If you missed the Rapture, now what?

If you've ever read the Left Behind Series of books, it tells the story of what might happen if the Rapture occurs. In the story, a pastor pre-recorded a video message for those who were left behind because they did not follow Jesus Christ. In the video he outlines God's plan for salvation. There is a second chance for those who missed the Rapture, but it's not easy.

There are many many prophecies that point to the end times. Each one of them will be fulfilled before the end comes. I'm no bible scholar, but I can tell you some of these are going to be obvious to see:

• A one-world monetary system. All currencies will be merged into the one system.
  
• Everyone will be required to take a mark on the right hand or forehead. No one will be able to buy or sell without it
  
• The world's focus will shift to the middle-east with Israel at the centre. America as a super-power will fade away into insignificance.
  
• There will be an "anti-christ", which could mean either "Against Christ" or "Instead of Christ", like a Jesus-substitute. Look out for anyone that sets themselves up as God in Israel
  
• The temple will be rebuilt in Israel.
  

So, this is my "where did all the christians go?" webpage. If we're gone, now you know. Where do you stand with God? It's time to respond to God's call to repentance.

HUGE VIRUS COMING: PLEASE READ & FORWARD

I received this from a friend the other day:

Hi All,

I checked with Norton Anti-Virus, and they are gearing up for this virus!
I checked Snopes, and it is for real. Get this E-mail message sent around to all your contacts ASAP.& nbsp;

PLEASE FORWARD THIS WARNING AMONG YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY AND CONTACTS!

You should be alert during the next few days. Do not open any message with an attachment entitled 'POSTCARD FROM HALLMARK,'regardless of who sent it to you. It is a virus which opens A POSTCARD IMAGE, which 'burns' the whole hard disc C drive of your computer.

This virus will be received from someone who has your e-mail address on his/her contact list. That is the reason why you need to send this e-mail to all your contacts. It is better to receive this message 25 times than to receive the virus and open it!

If you receive a mail called' POSTCARD,' even if it is sent to you by a friend, do not open it! Shut down your computer immediately. This is the worst virus announced by CNN.

It has been classified by Microsoft as the most destructive virus ever. This virus was discovered by McAfee yesterday, and there is no repair yet for this kind of virus. This virus simply destroys the Zero Sector of the Hard Disc, where the vital information is kept.

COPY THIS E-MAIL, AND SEND IT TO YOUR FRIENDS.
REMEMBER: IF YOU SEND IT TO THEM, YOU WILL BENEFIT ALL OF US

This is a hoax.

Please check out these links:

• Urban Legends
  
• Snopes
  
• Antivirus.com
  
• Squidoo.com
  
• Skylark Networks
  

I googled "POSTCARD FROM HALLMARK", and these links above were in the top 10 results.

From the Urban Legends site:

Some versions of this hoax claim the information was "verified" on Snopes.com. This is NOT true. What has been verified on Snopes.com is adifferent e-card virus threat with a similar name. (see http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_you_received_greeting_card.htm)

DO beware of phony "Hallmark" (or other) e-card notices -- they may carry a real virus.

DON'T be confused by the false descriptions in the emails quoted below.

From the Snopes site:

Although the Postcard virus is real, it isn't a "BIG VIRUS COMING" (It's already been around in multiple forms for a long time now), it will not "burn the whole hard disk" of your computer, CNN didn't classify it as the "worst virus" ever...

The link from Skylark Networks shows a picture of a real email notice from Hallmark, so if you should receive an e-card email, you can verify that it's legit or suspect.