Error message

  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementBase::execute($args = [], $options = []) should either be compatible with PDOStatement::execute(?array $params = null): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2244 of /home1/anushke/gcf.focus.lk/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home1/anushke/gcf.focus.lk/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home1/anushke/gcf.focus.lk/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::key() should either be compatible with Iterator::key(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home1/anushke/gcf.focus.lk/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::valid() should either be compatible with Iterator::valid(): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home1/anushke/gcf.focus.lk/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home1/anushke/gcf.focus.lk/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: strlen(): Passing null to parameter #1 ($string) of type string is deprecated in drupal_random_bytes() (line 2293 of /home1/anushke/gcf.focus.lk/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DateObject::__wakeup() should either be compatible with DateTime::__wakeup(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include_once() (line 158 of /home1/anushke/gcf.focus.lk/sites/all/modules/contrib/date/date_api/date_api.module).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DateObject::format($format, $force = false) should either be compatible with DateTime::format(string $format): string, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include_once() (line 158 of /home1/anushke/gcf.focus.lk/sites/all/modules/contrib/date/date_api/date_api.module).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DateObject::setTimezone($tz, $force = false) should either be compatible with DateTime::setTimezone(DateTimeZone $timezone): DateTime, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include_once() (line 158 of /home1/anushke/gcf.focus.lk/sites/all/modules/contrib/date/date_api/date_api.module).
  • Deprecated function: rtrim(): Passing null to parameter #1 ($string) of type string is deprecated in url() (line 2343 of /home1/anushke/gcf.focus.lk/includes/common.inc).
  • Deprecated function: strpos(): Passing null to parameter #1 ($haystack) of type string is deprecated in url_is_external() (line 2387 of /home1/anushke/gcf.focus.lk/includes/common.inc).
  • Deprecated function: str_replace(): Passing null to parameter #3 ($subject) of type array|string is deprecated in url_is_external() (line 2389 of /home1/anushke/gcf.focus.lk/includes/common.inc).
  • Deprecated function: ltrim(): Passing null to parameter #1 ($string) of type string is deprecated in url() (line 2305 of /home1/anushke/gcf.focus.lk/includes/common.inc).

Building Community Around the Word

Submitted by amalan on Mon, 03/23/2020 - 12:10

In 2016, few graduates passed out from Jaffna thought of starting a WhatsApp group for moral and social support. This was for those who passed out from Jaffna University who were actively involved in the FOCUS ministry during the 1990 period.

As you may know all of us are scattered all over the world from Australia to Canada due to the civil war at that time. Since we started this group, the participation was very good, we were able to share our prayer requests, social and personal concerns and were able to feel the support of a spiritual body in our day to day life. With in a short time we thought of starting a regular Bible study at a deeper and meaningful level. For this purpose, we started a different group with interested persons only. Out of 30 in the original group, 21 joined in the Bible study group.

We agreed that we will read, research and share our insights while one person leads the group with questions in the usual FOCUS way. Over the years the enthusiasm for this study grew, and the number of participants grew as well. Some younger graduates joined. But we tried to maintain the group with in the defined limits. That is “FOCUS 1990 Jaffna graduates”. This gave us the freedom to discuss, dispute and grow together in our spiritual life.

We have studied many books so far. Some time we finish a book very fast, some times we take long breaks in between and allow holidays with a set calendar. Some are regular contributors, some are silent readers. Some times it is very frustrating for the person who leads, as they wait for a response, to see none for some time. The good feature of WhatsApp is the Emoji that helps to nudge people to respond soon. We were able to study some books that we skip otherwise in our personal quiet time.

I thank God for sustaining us and leading to continue this for many years. Over all I would strongly suggest to join a group in which you know most of the other people, be an active participant and give and gain and grow in you spiritual life.

In Christ,
Gnani