Prayer Request...

Kevin and Susan have a silent prayer request.

Sunday Recap!!!

Lesson Recap

Boy.  Is this a tough one!  We ended our study of Crazy Love today with a flurry of questions on how to apply what we have learned.  We started the class out by asking the question "What in the world does this study of Crazy Love mean to me?".  We shared these responses around our tables.

We also looked at the pile of manure statement on page 169.  We found a biblical reference to this thought in Mark 28: 19-20.

In this whole chapter, Chan reminds us that if we stop pursuing Christ, we are letting our relationship with Him deteriorate.  How can we prevent this from happening?

When Chan looked at Hebrews 12:1, he thought that it means that those in Heaven are observing us here on earth.  How does this help us to run the good race?  He also states that what we do reverberates through heaven and into eternity.  How is this so?

We looked at what keeps us going those times that we struggle in our lives in Christ.  Those times when we want to throw in the towel or call time out.  What keeps us going is the gift and power we have received in the Holy Spirit as read in John 16: 7-8; 13.  We also read Eph 5:18 that being filled with the Spirit is a continuous process in which God does the filling!

What do YOU want to be doing when Christ comes back?

Browniepalooza

...was a hit!  Most of us were on a chocolate buzz for most of the day.  Looks like we will have more events like this in the future.  In fact, we will have one in late August.  So watch this space soon for a description of Angel Foodarama!

Blog News and Notes

The new email (thespotspot@charter.net) is proving to be fast and stable so it is staying! (Yay!)  In addition keep reading the blog for news on upcoming news and events...such as the Muny event coming up!   

Prayer Requests

• We continue to pray for the health of Don's brother and Linda Conrad's mom.
• Jim Meinhardt has a friend with a heart infection. 
• Pray for all of the high school youth out on their life-changing mission trip!
• Continued prayers for Rich Conrad.
• We also continue to pray for the family in Oakville of the fallen Marine.

LESSON PREVIEW

Our "Crazy Love" series ends this Sunday, June 28.  After looking at chapter 9, I determined it was better suited for an independent study.  So you're on your own!

This Sunday we will discuss chapter 10.  We'll not have a Postview Session and Sunday July 4, the class will not meet as we observe Independence Day.  There will be one worship service, however.

When we come back together on July 11, we will start a new series for the balance of the summer.  Right now I am thinking about doing one called

Adult-rated Bible Stories.  Don't let your imigination run away with you!

See you Sunday,
Don

Finally...the Sunday Update!!!

OK....better late than never!

Lesson Recap

We concentrated on obsession today.  First we defined obsession, then we came up with numerous examples of things we obsess about.  We looked a bit on the consequences of obsession, as well.

We looked at some in the bible that were obsessed with their relationship with God, and the evidence that showed this.  We then looked at the following 13 profiles of obsession with God!

1. Lovers- Luke 6:32-36
2. Risk Takers
3. Friends of All-Matt 16: 24-26
4. Crazy Ones-Matt 8:18-22
5. The Humble- Matt 5:16
6. Servers- Jn 15: 8
7. Givers-Matt 22:39
8. Sojourners- Phil 3:18-21
9. The Engrossed- Deut 6:4-5
10. The Unguarded
11. The Rooted-Ps 1:1-2
12. The Dedicated- Jas 1:2-4
13. The Sacrificers- Ps 50: 9-12, 14

What conclusion can we draw from this lesson?  Are we as obsessed with our love for God as we should be?

Browniepalooza

Is this upcoming Sunday!!!!  (YUM!).  Bake your favorite brownie recipe to share with the class!   Cold milk and coffee provided.  We will have a cup set up for small donations to cover the cost of milk!

Camping Trip

If you haven't been following along (and weren't there!), look at the last few blog entries for a taste of what went down on the annual SPOT camping trip!!

Prayer Requests

• Linda and Rich Conrad, and Linda's mother as mentioned in the last email sent out to the class.   
• Kevin and the tests he is undergoing prior to another surgery next month.
• Prayers for the safe travels of all class members who are on the roads!!

More Camping Photos...

Thanks to Kay Massey we have a few more photos from the SPOT camping trip!

Father's Day is almost here.......

Click here!!!

SPOT Camping Trip Recap!!!

Well.  We all survived!!  It was a great weekend to have a float/camping trip, which the SPOT class did this past weekend at Bennett Spring State Park and Lottie's Rustic Retreat.  We had quite a number of people attend...a good jump up from last year!  Attending were Brooks and Ginger LaRowe; Don and Lori Robbins, and their son Michael  and daughter-in-law Bree; Bill and Cynthia McKee, along with daughter Jessica and friend Jenna; Kevin, Susan, Ian and Colin Hurt; and Neil and Doug Stubbs.  Kay and Don Massey were there but stayed at their own farm, along with Liz, Anne Daniel, and Aimee Phillips.  Joining us camping on Saturday was Linda Conrad and Michael.

Everyone rolled into camp Friday afternoon and evening except for the Hurts and the Masseys who got there a touch early to fish, and the Conrads who got there Saturday evening in time for the bar-b-que. Lottie's is not a huge place, but was big enough to sleep eight...(although the lines for the single shower got a bit long at times!)..and it had a plasma TV so we could catch the Cardinals!  We floated the Niangua River on Saturday morning. It was a loooooong 8 mile float that took about 4 hours.  There were many twists and turns, spills and dunks, mishaps and swimming, that took place along the way, but it was a fun and hot (!) float....even with the nasty storm that blew in towards the end!  Some are still nursing their sunburns!

Some fished for trout each morning, and some stuck to the pond.  Trout fishing was very successful, with 55 trout being caught and brought home.  (All are at the blogmeisters house...so if you want any fresh trout just give a call!)  Many got up at 4 each morning to secure their spots on the bridge to trout fish.  Even the pond was a minor success as Don Robbins caught a good size catfish...and wished he hadn't!

With the exception of the blogmeister getting his arm scorched a bit, the bar-b-que was a hit.  Burgers and dogs for everyone, along with a variety of chips, salads, and desserts!  Great fellowship and dining abounded as the sun went down!

A campfire ensued, along with the traditional sacrificing of the marshmallows. S'mores were everywhere, until Mr. Massey wanted chocolate...then there was none!  Again great fellowship was present.  It was a relaxing, fun close to a very busy day.


Sunday morning the fisherfolk got up at 4 to catch some trout.  The rest of us waited until a reasonable hour then headed to the lodge for a great breakfast buffet!  Then is was back to Lottie's for a brief devotional.  Afterward, it was time to depart and head our separate ways.

It was fun, and at times maddening.  It sure will hold memories for those who attended.  This little narrative cannot cover all that occurred.  Here are a few pictures, with others to follow throughout the week!

Lesson Preview!!!

This weeks lesson preview...

How do you define "obsess"?  What causes one to be obsessed?  Think of that athlete or artist - their life is totally consumed with their sport or category of art.  This person is sometimes difficult to be with because all they talk about is their sport or art.

Yes, I know what you are thinking; teens are obsessed with their "love" life.  Whoever it happens to be this week, is mister or miss perfect and we parents hear all about him or her.  Remember this - it may only be puppy love BUT it is real to the puppy. 

This week we're going to talk about being obsessed.  We are going to look at a profile of the obsessed Christian.  Francis Chan gives 13 characteristics of the obsessed believer.  We may not have time to cover it all so it will help to read Chapter 8 before coming to class. 

Hope to see you Sunday,
Don

Fallen Marine Update

This is an update about the fallen Marine mentioned in last weeks prayer requests.


Funeral Tuesday for fallen St. Louis Marine | St. Louis Globe-Democrat

Coming Soon!!!

...a recap of the SPOT camping trip.  Hint...it was awesome!!!

Happy Birthday!!!

...today to Ginger LaRowe!  Have a blessed day!

Apologies..

...to Linda Conrad.  Being out of town, I missed posting her birthday last Friday in this space!  Sorry, Linda!

Prayer Request...

Kay Massey has asked for the following prayer request. Don's former secretary from AB who has a 22 year old son in the Marines was killed in Afghanistan on Sunday.  His name was Donald Marler and his mom is Sue Marler.   Don and Sue worked closely together for years and the topic of kids and all the issues with growing up was something that the two shared frequently at work.  We had interacted and seen Donald at AB functions over the years.  We are very heavy hearted over it and can't even imagine what pain Sue is going through.  There will be much in the news about him in the next few days.  Please pray for Sue, her husband and their three other kids as they experience such overwhelming grief.  One of the other sons is also in the Marines and stationed in the U.S. at least for now.

Happy Memorial Day

Thanks to all who served or are serving.  Our freedoms have been kept because of those who sacrificed.

On a slightly different note...the blogmeister will be gone for the next two weeks.  I will be in Wisconsin starting tomorrow to be present for a nieces graduation....then the SPOT camping trip.  We will still, however, be monitoring both the blog and the email at spotspot@gmx.com.  Prayer requests will still be posted, and emails answered!


For those still needing info on the SPOT camping trip, please email.  We still are looking for final info on the number canoeing, so if those canoeing (even those we know about!) could email spotspot@gmx.com, I sure would appreciate it.  We are getting ready to make full reservations...so this info is handy!


See you in a couple of weeks!

The Sunday Update on Tuesday!!!

Lesson Recap

Last week we talked a bit about lukewarmness.  In this lesson we looked at a few topics on fear and guilt and how they motivate us to keep from living lukewarm, and what love means!

We have to learn to not try so hard.  Through Galatians 5:13-14 we find what it means to be free in Christ.  As Chan says "When we love, we're free....when we are loving we can't sin."  In Gal 5:6 we read that "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."  Paul is telling us that we love others because of our love for God.

We know that God wants us to experience salvation.  After all, " He gave us life so that we might seek and know him."  We also need God's help to love God!  Something mysterious, even supernatural must happen for genuine love for God to grow in our hearts.  That would be the work of the Holy Spirit! 

We then read Jn 16:33 were we saw the following:

1) The Assurance of Hard Times.

2) An Example of Hard Times.

3) Explanation of Hard Times.

4) and the Conclusion of Hard Times.

We also saw Jesus as a servant...not a beggar.  So now we see someone we can be real with! As Chan states "If you merely pretend that you enjoy God or love Him, He knows.  You can't fool him; don't even try."

Browniepalooza

On June 27th we will have our first ever browniepalooza.  See the full details in last weeks post, but just get your favorite brownie recipe ready!

Camping Trip

...is getting close!  If you haven't gotten your packet or map you need to email spotspot@gmx.com, so they can be sent to you!

The Blogmeister

...will be absent on June 6th and 13th.  Any prayer requests can be emailed to spotspot@gmx.com.  The blog will be abbreviated during this time, but will march on with info!

Prayer Requests

-Phil and Ginger's sister is still suffering in the hospital.  The doctor's are having difficulty coming up with a cause.  Pray for God's guidance and healing hand.      

 

CSM News and Notes!!!

1. We have our CSM guys lock-in this Saturday night from 7pm until church on Sunday morning. It is for all guys 6-12th grades, and all they have to bring is their favorite snack to get in. This is their reward for raising more money than the girls for our two kids we adopted as a youth ministry through Compassion International a few years ago.

2. Registration forms and deposits for our Middle School Mission Trip are due this Sunday!

3. Don’t forget- there is only one service this Sunday at 10:30 which means no Connection Classes.

4. Also, we have a mandatory High School Mission Trip Meeting Sunday, June 6th after church from 12-1:30pm. Students should bring $3 for pizza and soda. :)

SPOTmail!!!

Finally Crazy Love

By now, we have all come to realize that Francis Chan is a "hard hitter."  He's truthful, but to the point of hitting where it hurts.  Well, we've made it through Chapter 5, which is supposed to be the book's toughest.  This week's topic is that fuzzy little word -- love.  

How would you answer this question: "Who in the Bible demonstrated a great love for God?"  Would you choose someone from the Old Testament, like David or Samuel?  Or perhaps John or Paul, if you're looking to the New Testament.  Why would these names come to mind?  What puts them above other greats like Moses, Elijah, and Peter?  If one of your teen's friends asked, "Do your parents love each other?", how would your teen answer?  What would their answer be based upon?  

Love is interesting and complex.  For example; how do we know when we are in love?  How does the other person know they are loved?  Why do we choose to love one person instead of another?  

I'll see you Sunday, where we'll try to better grasp this concept.

Don

SPOTlunch

This Sunday is SPOTlunch at the IHOP in Gravois Bluffs!  To avoid the wait (we didn't wait last time), we're going to reserve a few tables in advance!  Please RSVP by Saturday!  Email spotspot@gmx.com with your reservation so that we can get the proper head count. 

Strawberry Festival

The Missouri Baptist Children's Home is holding its annual Strawberry Festival June 5.  If you can help, we're looking for folks to work in Concord's Milkshake Booth.  If you can't be there in person, you can donate chocolate syrup, canned pineapple, whipped cream, even a blender!For more info, call Bill McKee at 314-894-2545.

Senior Sunday

This Sunday, we'll celebrate the accomplishments of our graduating high school and college seniors (not our parents -- different kind of seniors).  In addition to a photo tribute during the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services, our seniors will be going to a mystery lunch location and then on to the Valley Park Brunswick Zone for an afternoon of fun.  Please be sure to congratulate these young men and women at this special milestone in their lives!

Camping Trip

If you are going on the SPOT camping trip and haven't picked up your information packet, email Kevin Hurt at spotspot@gmx.com right away.  There's a $5 per person charge for the barbecue, so please get your money in as soon as possible.

Cardinal Baseball

Once again, Brad Slinkard has discount tickets for the Cardinals' game against  the Oakland As on Saturday night, June 19.  Get a great seat for only $13 and enjoy the game with your SPOT friends.  See Brad Slinkard for details (636-717-1008).

Prayer Requests

• Lori Robbins asks for prayers that her Dad stays well all week.  She will be going to get him today (Thursday) and will bring him back to St. Louis on Friday.  Pray also for a safe drive.
• Rich Conrad left for his four-month assignment on Wednesday.  Pray for a safe arrival at his final destination and for his safety throughout his stay.

Browniepalooza!!

It's a special snack week in the SPOTclass Sunday June 27-- the first ever Browniepalooza.  Everyone's responsible for snacks that week!  Make your favorite brownie (box or from scratch).  Keep half to share with your family at home and bring the rest to trade and share in class!  Cold milk will be provided (also coffee)!

You may even want to bring a few copies of your recipe (or an empty box),  just in case others want to duplicate your treat!  It will be a fudgy day!

Sunday Update!!!

Wow. This weeks Sunday Update is actually here on Sunday!!!!

Lesson Update

The title of today's study on the book "Crazy Love" was titled "Leftovers"!  This is one of the hardest chapters of the book...even Chan says so!

Chan speaks of reading the Bible as if one has never read it before.  What if we only had the Bible to read?   Would we see the message of commitment differently than we currently practice?  It is an all or nothing experience!

We looked up Matthew 16:24-25 and Luke 14:33 and then worked on combining them into our own contemporary version.  Again we see the commitment that we need to make as a total one!

God wants our best, deserves our best, and demands our best.  Not our leftovers!!  Read Gen 4:5, Hosea 13:6 and Malachi 1:8.

What is love?  How do we do love?  Try taking 1 Cor 13:4-7 and personalize it.  Put your name where "It" appears!

Conclusion: Choose to answer one of the following:

      Why I choose to give God my leftovers?

      Why I desire to give God all that I am!

Strawberry Festival

As mentioned last week, the Missouri Baptist Children's Home is holding it's annual Strawberry Festival and they need our help in our Concord Milkshake Booth!   Supplies are needed, as well as bodies to man the booth on 6/12.  See last weeks update for details and contact info!

Camping Trip

It's getting close!!!  If you are going on the camping trip and haven't gotten a copy of the small info packet, email the blog here at spotspot@gmx.com and I will get one out to you quickly. Also, the $5 per person for the barbecue is needed within the next week or so.

Browniepalooza!!

OK.  Here's how Browniepalooza is going to work.  On 6/27 instead of a single class snack, we are asking everyone to make their favorite brownie recipe (box or from scratch!).  Keep half to share with your family at home, and bring the rest to trade and share at class!  Cold milk will be provided!  You may even want to bring a few copies of your recipe in case other want it!  It will be a fudgy day!

Special Day!!

It was brought to the blogmeister's attention that we didn't have some information.  As a result we failed to wish Don and Kay Massey a happy anniversary last Friday!

SPOT Lunch

SPOTlunch will be next week after class at the IHOP in Gravois Bluff!!  To avoid the wait we had last time, we are going to reserve a few tables for class.  What we need for you to do is to RSVP by Saturday!  Email spotspot@gmx.com with your RSVP so that we can get the proper head count!  (You can also just respond to any blog update email!)

Baseball, anyone???

Brad Slinkard has many Cardinal tickets for the evening game on Saturday, June 19th!!  These tickets are 1/2 price, to boot.  So get a great seat for only $13!!!!  See Brad Slinkard for details!

Prayer Requests  

-Lori asked for prayers that her Dad stays well all week.  She will be going to get him on Thursday, and will bring him back to Saint Louis on Friday.

Bonus

...just for making the reading this far...a bonus video just for you!

  

SPOTmail!!!

An admittedly lukewarm effort at SPOTmail again this week.  Is there life after graduation?

Lesson Leftovers

Last week our discussion was about lukewarmness.  We all agreed no one likes lukewarm anything.  But what about leftovers?  I, for one, like them. 

I think there are certain dishes that actually get better with each warm up.  However, I have met some people who will not eat leftover anything! 

If you have not yet read chapter 5, I encourage you to do so prior to our discussion Sunday morning.  You guessed it - it's about leftovers.  Though the discussion will be about leftovers - the discussion will not be a leftover.

See you Sunday.
Don

SNACKS

May 16 - Sanftners

May 23 - LaRowes - seeking to trade with someone - will not be in class 5/23 or 5/30

It's about that time!!!!!

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