Lesson Preview!!!

Now that we have been formally introduced to Kings, it is time to get to know the book(s) a little better.  Our first three lessons fall under the unit title "Does Character Count?"  This is a counter-cultural question, because, too often, it seems a person's wealth, power, or prestige matter more than her/his character.  This week's lesson comes from 1 Kings 1:1-4:34.  It is titled "What Money Can't Buy."  I know one thing, according to the Beatles' Can't Buy Me Love.  This lesson is designed to help us focus on what we decide are our priorities in life.  Like King Solomon, we, too, have to decide what our priorities will be.  Ultimately, we must decide where on our list of priorities we will place our relationship with God.  Looks like this lesson has good potential.  Come and help make it better with your contribution.

Am I the only one wondering how Phil is doing on his homework assignment? 

See you Sunday,
Don

Mid-Week Update!!!

Lesson Recap

We are getting started in our study of 1 and 2 Kings.  These were originally one book until the 16th century when it was found to be too big for one scroll.  Thus it was divided equally with no regard to storyline!  The author of Kings is unknown.  The books themselves list three sources:

1 Kings 11:41 "Book of annals of Solomon"

1 Kings 14:19 "Book of annals of the King of Israel"

1 Kings 14:29 "Book of annals of the King of Judah:

The book of 1 and 2 Kings is inspired by God as seen in 2 Tim 3:14-15, 1 Tim 4:13, and 2 Tim 3:16.

The last major event in the books is the fall of Jerusalem and the exile of God's people to Babylon in 587 B.C..  Evil Merodach succeeded to the throne in Babylon in 562 B.C.  The date of Kings as a completed work could fall sometime around 560 B.C. or soon after.

The prompting of the writing of Kings is the Holy Spirit.  From a historical standpoint, the specific events that spurred the writing are the afore mentioned destruction of Jerusalem and subsequent exile of God's people to Babylon.

1 and 2 Kings address the difficult questions about why God's people ended up in this exile, and why the foreign land fell prey to invaders.  This also brings up the questions:

-Is God still in charge?

-If so, what has become of God's promise to His people?

What are the major themes in Kings?

1. The sovereignty of God. God is sovereign in history (Hezikiah's statement in 2 Kings 19:15).  God is sovereign in judgement.  God is sovereign in offering hope and restoration (2 Peter 3:9)
2. God's covenant faithfulness.
3. The vital role of true prophets.  Their role was to call the people to repentance and faithfulness.
4. Spiritual role models.  Elijah and Elisha were pictures of faithfulness to God.  So was King Solomon at the start of his reign. Hezekiah sought God in the face of an overwhelming threat.  Josiah led in a spiritual renewal of the entire nation.
5. The contrast between covenant faithfulness and spiritual rebellion. Again and again the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God's Word was stressed. 
6. The dangerous folly of idolatry.  Persistent idolatry resulted in God's severe judgment.

What topics will we explore?

Does my character count?

• What Money Can't Buy
• Why Prayer Deserves Priority
• Where Compromise takes you

Do My Decisions Matter?

• Anatomy of a Grave Decision
• A Hill on Which to Stand
• Sick of Greed?
• Right Not to Remain Silent
• Danger!  Unbridled Passion (X-Rated)
• About Face-Now

Where is My Future Headed?

• Got to Have Hope
• Building a Culture of Life 
• Keep Hope Alive

SPOT Super Bowl Party

...to be held on Super Bowl Sunday (natch!) which will be Feb. 6th.  Once again the LaRowes have graciously offered their abode to host this event.  Details to follow soon!!

Helping Big Chill

Please don't forget that we will be serving a Chili Dinner on Saturday, March 19th to the kids attending Big Chill.  We will need to both provide the chili and help serve it!  Anybody have any good, bulk chili recipe?  We will soon have sign-up sheets, and a donation envelop in the Sunday SPOT folder!

Welcome!!!

We had two new faces in the classroom this past Sunday. A hearty SPOT welcome to Kris and Melissa Luther. Welcome to our ranks!

Snacks

-1/16 Meinhardts
-1/23 LaRowes

Prayer Requests

-Phil's daughter Emily has strep.
-Continued prayers for Zenobia

Special Edition Prayer Request

From Kay Massey:

 

Hi,

We took Liz back to the Dr. this morning for a 1 week follow-up to her eye surgery and the new lens implant has slipped out of place requiring an additional surgery right away.  She will go back in tomorrow and the Dr. will attempt to move it back into place.  She was born with major deformities in her left eye and apparently the sac that holds the lens is also deformed and so did not hold the new lens in place correctly.  

She was planning to head back to college on Monday and so that is now all up in the air.  We will just have to see how she does and make that decision on Monday.  I plan to call the school and see if she can start a few days late and how much that would set her back.

Please pray for a successful surgery, healing, pain relief (Liz is very nervous about this because it hurt so much the first time), guidance about school and peace!  

Thank you all so much for your support and prayers.

Kay

  

 

SPOT News and Notes

 Lesson Preview

What to study next -- that is the question!

We have just completed a study of Paul's letters to the church at Corinth.  Pastor Gene is preaching from Paul's letter to the church in Rome and last month Larry Harder led a Wednesday night study of Paul's letter to the church in Philippi.  Therefore it appeared to me it might be a good time to give Paul a rest and study something from the Old Testament.

Admittedly, I do prefer teaching from the New Testament, consequently I need to study something from the "Other Testament" just for discipline's sake -- if for no other reason.  Another consideration for studying the Old Testament is this; every time a New Testament writer speaks of the "Scriptures" he is referring to the writings in the Old Testament.  The better we understand the Old Testament, the better we will comprehend the New Testament. 

Okay, have I adequately argued my case?  So this Sunday we will start a study of 1 and 2 Kings.  Now don't be confused! This is not about Elvis Presley.  Nor is it just a study of ancient Jewish history.  Our walk with the Kings will allow us to discuss topics like:

• Does my character count?
• Do my decisions matter?
• Where's my future headed?

I'll look forward to seeing you Sunday at 10:30 as we start this new study. 

Don
 

News From Zenobia

Dear Friends and Family,

Please excuse me if part of this email is on the delirious side.  I'm trying a new pain medication routine of just Aleve twice a day vs. ibuprof and Tylenol/Pergoset every 3 hours.  So far it is MUCH easier on my stomach, but the pain is a little more severe.  As of this moment, I've decided pain is better than feeling like a floating goat.

So...this Chemo #3 out of 4?  I'm almost done!  The good news/answered prayer is that I did not start having the muscle/body ache until about 3p today.  The past two chemos, the pain definitely started a day earlier. I also do not have the metal/enzyme taste in my mouth...yet.  So I was able to taste food today which was a nice change.  Even the stale fortune cookie I just ate was heaven!

We spent the holidays in Houston.  I will admit that I barely was strong enough to make it on the plane.  A special thanks to my friend Jean Deasy for coming the night before and helping me pack because I could not have done it without her.  But Thursday morning, I felt stronger and was able to get on the plane for our flight.  It was so wonderful to see family and family and family (I have 25 aunts and uncles), and just chill.  I also was able to see a few friends and spend a wonderful evening with some high school friends from almsot 30 years ago. 

As of my last doctor's appointment, we are unable to feel the lump on my boobie!  So obviously the chemo treatment is working!  Another answered prayer! I was also informed that 3 weeks after Chemo #4, I will have surgery, probably a lumpectomy, then 6 weeks of radiation (5 days/week) along with 17 infusions of Herceptin (1x/3weeks).  The side effects with radiation are mainly burning sensation, and for herceptin mainly some muscle ache upon waking in the morning.  Compared to the chemo side effects, I'm pretty sure the radiation and herceptin side effects will be a "blessing".  We just have to make sure that my heart continues to remain strong, esp with the infusions of herceptin.

Just knowing that you continue to pray for us, think about us, and share your unending support means so so much!  Jaclyn is hard at work in her school routine, as is Ryan.  I think Ryan however is under some stress since returning bc his mouth wiping has increased.  So pls pray for them, and especially for the tutors that help me on a daily basis.

To each of you who has emailed, called, texted, facebooked, sent cards, sent holiday cards, sent gift cards, come to help me at the house, all the blessings that have come our way - THANK YOU!  :) :) :)

Love you all, Zenobia

Blog Notes

Well, we finally got our internet back...so the blog is back and running!  You'll notice a few changes as I've done some color changes.  Feedback is welcome at thepotspot@charter.net!  Also I have added some buttons on the bottom to help you share, email, or Facebook any blog entries you wish!  Enjoy!! 

Help Needed!!!

As some of you may know, Sarah Proemsey is now confined to complete bed rest due to her pregnancy.  As a result, Sarah and Jeremy can use our help.  We are looking for volunteers to cook a dinner for them.  Currently, we need someone to supply dinners on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  You can either deliver to church or deliver to their home ( if you do this you need to call ahead of time so you can be told where the key is, since Sarah cannot answer the door!) If you can help contact Sandi Eberhardt at 636-287-1494.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Brooks LaRowe.  Enjoy your day and Merry Christmas!

Update on Luke Rachocki

Luke is home and recovering.  He ran into a wire clothesline and it crushed his upper palette and moved all his teeth sideways.  They were able to move them back but don't know yet if he will lose his upper teeth.  Amazingly he received no damage to his skin, face or lower teeth.  They will see how he does and determine if he needs surgery later.  Toni said it could have been so much worse and are grateful for the prayers.

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday to Karen Phillips!!  Enjoy your special day!!!

Lesson Preview!!!

Well, as predicted - the weather last Sunday was pretty messy.  A few did brave the conditions.  We had class but it was an abbreviated version.  Therefore, this week we will cover two topics of Advent - Presentation and Procreation.  I have seen women prepare meals.  Some are very delicious but because it was just a regular meal it was not presented with any special flair.  On the other hand - there are those meals when the best china is used and the table looks like something fit for royalty.  Presentation has a lot to do with the event.  How significant do you think the birth of Jesus was to God?  Do you think the significance equals the presentation?  Finally, how does God procreate Christmas?

Bring your thoughts and questions to class Sunday.  This is the last meeting prior to Christmas.  It is also the final meeting until next year. 

Peace,
Don

The Midweek Update...

Lesson Recap

This week we again studied the Advent of Jesus' birth.  For week 3 we looked at the presentation.

God proclaimed regarding the coming of the Messiah in the New Testament:

Mk 1:1 The Beginning of the Good News

Lk1:1-4 Dedication to Theophilus

Jn1:1-18 Prologue

Mt 1:1-17 Record of Jesus' ancestors

Lk 1:5-25  Birth of John the Baptist/Elijah foretold

Lk 1:26-38 Birth of Jesus foretold

Lk 1:39-45 Mary visits Elizabeth

Lk 1:46-56 The Magnificat: Mary's Song of Praise

Lk 1:57-66 Birth of John the Baptist

Lk 1:67-80 Zechariah's Prophecy

What the New Testament tells us about the birth of Jesus:

Mt 1:18-25

Lk 2:8-20

Lk 2:21-24

Lk 2: 25-35

Lk 2:36-38

Mt 2:1-12

Mt 2:13-18

Mt 2:19-23

The SPOT Christmas Shindig...

...is almost upon us.  The date is Wednesday, December the 22nd at the Masseys!  The maps have been sent out, but if you need one you can email thespotspot@charter.net, and we will be happy to send one out to you.  Bring an appetizer and prepare for some great fellowship.  Be sure when you get to the Masseys that you pass up the circle drive before you park, as stated on the map!  Also remember that kids (especially the college age ons) are welcome!

Prayer List 

• Continued prayers for Zenobia and her family.
• Prayers for the safety for the kids coming home from school.
• Pray for Alan Decker and his issues with his daughter and child custody. 

 

The Mid-Week Update!!

Lesson Recap

This week as we continued our Advent preparations we looked at how God proclaimed the coming of Jesus.  We then looked at scriptures that foretold the coming of Jesus, in keeping with our Sunday of preparation.  These scriptures are:

• Gen 49:10
• Isa 7:14
• Isa 9:1-2
• Isa 9:6-7
• Isa 60:6
• Ps 2:7
• Ps 40:7
• Ps 72:10-11
• Ps 118:2Micah 5:1-2
• Hos 11:1
• Malachi 3:1
• Jer 31:15

• Jer 33:15

Christmas Shindig

Maps were emailed to everyone this week.  If you didn't get one email thespotspot@charter.net and we will get one out to you.  Remember the date is Wed.Dec 22nd, 6:30 PM at the Masseys. Bring an appetizer...and you are in!  We are hoping to see a bunch of the college kids there, as well!

Prayer List

• Continued prayer for Zenobia and her family as she battles her cancer.

A Mini Update!!!!

Jim Meinhardt saw the neurosurgeon today.  The doctor does not want to do anything with the tumor, as it does not appear to be growing!!  The doctor also thinks that the tumor is not responsible for the headaches.  Jim will have another MRI in 6 months.  A prayer of thanks go out for this good news!