Slide Show of Pictures at Sunday School Social

Let's try this:
Click on this link to see a slideshow of the pictures from our party on Saturday evening:

http://picasaweb.google.com/jraggie05/SocialAtEmeraldForestPoolAugust2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCMrp2sWUvcDuiQE&feat=directlink

Sunday School Class Social Pictures and Recipe

HERE IS THE RECIPE THAT SOME OF YOU REQUESTED AT THE PARTY. I AM STILL WORKING ON THE PICTURES.

JIMMY

CHICKEN SALAD RECIPE

Cindy Creel

3 cups cooked chicken, shredded

2 medium celery stalks, finely chopped

1/3 cup sliced almonds

1 tablespoon minced onion

3/4 cup light mayonnaise

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1/3 cup sliced red bell pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

COMBINE AND MIX WELL

ENJOY!

August 30, 2009 "Eternal Living" Romans 6: 19-23

At the beginning of our discussion today, we looked at the results of several polls that suggested there are a large number of people in our society who do not believe in heaven or hell and who do not believe that Jesus is the only way to attain salvation and eternal life. One of the surveys to which we referred can be accessed at the following web address:


http://www.beliefnet.com/News/2005/08/Newsweekbeliefnet-Poll-Results.aspx





Our lesson today focused on this progression as outlined in Paul's writing:


Obedience leads to righteousness (Romans 6:16) which leads to sanctification (6:19) which leads to eternal life (6:22).





We looked at Romans 6:23 from the perspective of a believer. While the wages of sin is death, the Gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Living eternally should begin the moment we are saved and we should always live life as if we are dead to sin and free from the slavery and death that are the consequences of sin. We should be "living for eternity" in all the areas of life:


marriage, finances, parenting, the future, our vocation, when dealing with stress, in acquiring possessions, in our prayer life, in church attendance, and in witnessing to others. Let's all strive to live a life of eternity this week, one that is dead to sin and free to the gift of life that comes from Christ Jesus.





CLASS SOCIAL


We had a great time at the class social on Saturday night. We enjoyed watching the kids swim and visiting with each other. I know it is hard to schedule such events, but it is really enjoyable to be able to learn more about each other and to see the kids. I enjoyed swapping rattlesnake and hunting stories with Bo, hearing about the warm water on the carpet at midnight in their home--and what Bo assumed it was--, learning about John Brick's new teaching challenge this semester and hearing about Jamee Brick's "surprise" recruitment as a soccer coach, getting updates on Liz and John Chivis and their do-it-yourself remodeling project, and watching Bill and Kathleen keep up with their little ones. Wow! It made me tired just watching! Cindy and I really enjoyed meeting the kids. Hallie and Becka Scasta reminded us so much of our own two daughters as their age difference is similar and they both have their own distinctive personalities that are quite unique and yet, they have many similarities as sisters growing up together. We also enjoyed seeing the new technology in kid stuff (floatie belts, life preservers, and water guns) as well as the fast food preferences of different families. I also had an opportunity to learn about the work that Stefanie and Patrick Miles do in Fort Worth and learned how they met and courted. In addition, Bo told me about the history of the "Raising a Modern Day Knight" training that is an important offering in our church today. Bo also shared this website with me if you would like to learn more about this program:

http://www.rmdk.com/



I am going to try to publish a link to a slideshow of the pictures I took at the Sunday School Party. However, I am going to put it on another post to be sure that I don't destroy the writing that I have done above. If you were unable to attend this social, I hope you will make every effort to attend the next one. It really is good to get to know our Christian brothers and sisters better.



Have a blessed week.



Jimmy

In addition to the prayer requests listed below, I received an update on Tyler Collins this evening. Tyler is the three year old son of Tammi and Chris Collins who had surgery on Thursday. Tyler is on the mend but has had a virus that is slowing his recovery. He has had fever. Please keep Tyler and his parents in your prayers this week.
PRAYER REQUESTS COPIED FROM TRACEY'S E-MAIL:
Day- Praise! Jayden's dad was baptized today!Jackson- Praise! Hollis' uncle's bypass surgery went well and he goes home today! Please continue to pray for Hollis' parents as they prepare to move from Arkansas to Texas.Scasta- Praise! Craig's dad's leg surgery went well. Thank you for your prayers. Please pray for our friends who are going through divorce.Creel- Please continue to pray for niece's baby, June Creel. She is still having a lot of health issues and has been in the hospital more than she has been home.Gutierrez- Please continue to pray for Kathleen's brother. He has already started partying and hanging out with old friends who are bad influences.Please pray for our nation as Congress considers healthcare reform and consider contacting your representative.LNO: Hello girls! Please meet us this Thursday at 6:30 ish at Pei Wei on University Dr. Then let's move to the Benjamin Knox gallery on University for coffee about 8PM. Please call or email so we'll know to look for you. Tracey 777-6244 or Heather 574-8998. See you there!

New Prayer Request

Today, I learned that Tyler Collins, 3 year old son of Tammi and Chris Collins, is scheduled to have surgery on Thursday. Let's all lift Tyler in prayer and remember his Mom and Dad and his doctors and nurses as well. The Lord is still in control and He is still in the business of answering prayer.

August 23, 2009 Class Follow-Up

August 23, 2009--Romans 6: 8--18

LESSON SUMMARY


Today's lesson was entitled "Righteous Slaves." Paul taught in these scriptures that we are all slaves either to sin or righteousness and he encouraged God's children to be a slave to righteousness and an instrument or tool of righteousness to others. Paul makes it clear in verses 8-10 that believers should live for God, now and forever. In verses 11-13, he emphasizes that Christians should be dead to sin, but alive to God, should not allow sin to reign in our bodies, and should use our body as an instrument of righteousness.


During the lesson today, we pondered this question: "How can you actively reject the reign of sin in your life on a daily basis?" We identified the following strategies: a strong prayer life, spending time in the Word of God, and recognizing the fact that the victory has already been won--the victory belongs to us if we will depend on God's strength to help us defeat the influence of sin in our lives. When you are faced with a temptation or an inclination to sin, do you remember this truth? Jesus died on a cross for us. His death paid the price for our sin. He sent the Holy Spirit to in-dwell our lives and to aid us as we fight to overcome temptation and our proclivity toward sin. "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!" (Phillipians 4:13)



We also discussed the fact that it is impossible to serve two masters. Therefore, when we try to rationalize behavior that is not pleasing to God, we need to remember that it is impossible to be a slave to sin AND be a slave to righteousness at the same time. We make the choice of whether or not we will be a slave to sin or a slave to righteousness--it is a personal decision that is made repeatedly throughout each day of our lives. As Christians, we should be living a life of obedience on a daily basis and we should not accept the authority of sin in our lives--not as habitual sin or even as occasional sin (verses 8:1 and 8:15). Here are some typical issues that tend to enslave Christians. Perhaps, you can identify others?



FINANCIAL PROBLEMS WORLD EVENTS

WORK ISSUES PARENTING

MEDICAL PROBLEMS RELATIONSHIPS WITH FRIENDS/NEIGHBORS AND FAMILY MEMBERS

MARITAL CONFLICT BAD HABITS



According to Paul, the path to becoming a slave to righteousness and a tool of righteousness for our neighbors is simple:

1. Die to sin--ask forgiveness and repent from sin

2. Be alive in God--spend time in prayer, study the Word, live to please God

3. Do not allow sin to reign in your body--reject the influence of sin in your body

4. Use your body as an instrument of righteousness--serve others, influence others, be a role model for others

LIVE AS A SLAVE TO RIGHTEOUSNESS

Think about these questions this week:

Who or what determines the things that dominate or control a person?

What would Paul say to a psychologist who says that you cannot change behavior that is inherited?

What kind of behavior are your children being exposed to that could become "inherited behavior"?

Have you ever been guilty of trying to serve two masters?

I don't know about you guys, but I was absolutely lifted up by the singing of "How Great Thou Art" in the worship service today. I grew up hearing that song and it always brings chills to
my spine when it is performed with passion as it was today. I have heard it performed by many different artists, but Elvis is still my favorite. Just take a look at the words of the first verse and you can understand the power of this great classic:

Oh Lord my God when I in awesome wonder Consider all the *worlds thy hands have made

I see the stars, I hear the **rolling thunder

Thy power throughout the universe displayed

REFRAIN:Then sings my soul my savior God to thee

How great thou art

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Class Social at Emerald Forest Pool on Appomattox Drive from 5:00 p.m.--8:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, 2009

Bring a picnic supper for your family and a dessert to share with others (That's what I'm talk'in 'bout) Physical Address: 8500 Appomattox Drive--Directions: Exit from Hwy. 6 Bypass on 2818/Harvey Mitchell Pkwy/Emerald Forest Pkwy (all the same exit), Turn on Emerald Forest Parkway into Emerald Forest Subdivision, Turn Left on Appomattox, Arrive at Pool on Left. I'll be in the air conditioned room!

Welcome to new visitors this week: Jason and Stephani Sap and also to Karri's Mom who was visiting with us.

SCHOOL STARTS MONDAY FOR MOST STUDENTS--PRAY FOR A SMOOTH START, PRAY FOR PATIENCE AMONG PARENTS AND STUDENTS AS WELL AS SCHOOL EMPLOYEES, PRAY FOR A GREAT SCHOOL YEAR IN WHICH STUDENTS GROW AND KNOWLEDGE IS MULTIPLIED.

Prayer Requests Copied from Tracey's E-Mail:

Please remember the teachers and students as they head back to school tomorrow.Jackson- Praise! Hollis' parents finally sold their house. They close on Sept. 15th. Also please pray for Hollis' uncle who will be undergoing surgery.Creel- their teacher friend, Jody, cancer appears worse. More spots were found on her liver. Please continue to pray for this young mom.Gutierrez- Kathleen's brother is starting college after quitting his drug rehab program early. Please pray for him as he faces temptations.Scasta- Craig's cousin's wife, Amber, has been diagnosed with MS or fibromyalgia. She has an MRI tomorrow to find out more.Day- Praise! It looks like Becky's sister has arthritis rather than MS which is a more favorable diagnosis for treatment. She will see her Dr. tomorrow.CLASS SOCIAL: Don't forget!! Come have some end-of-summer fun this Saturday, Aug. 29th 5-8PM at the Emerald Forest neighborhood pool (the park and pool that can be seen when you are driving on Appomattox). Bring the kids to swim and hang out with friends in the AC!! See you there!

"Dying to Live"--Lesson Discussion on August 16, 2009

Today's lesson deals with the writing of Paul in Romans 6: 1-7. The theme of the lesson is the death to one's old life (before Christ) and the living of a transformed life after becoming a follower of Christ. The lesson began with a discussion of an Afghan man who faced the death penalty as a consequence for his converstion to Christianity. We also considered the example of former U.S. Olympic Skier Brodie Miller who went to the Olympics as a heavy favorite in his field and, as a result of two weeks of partying and socializing rather than making the sacrifice required for concentration and high performance, failed to meet the expectations for success in the Olympic races. The lesson helped us to understand the concept of dying to self and dying to the old way of life before we became Christians and living a new life, transformed to the life of Godliness.

In the lesson today, we studied Paul's admonition that we should die to our old life, die to ourselves, die to sin, just as Jesus died for our sin, and that we should live a life that honors God and reflects His presence in our lives as we were resurrected with Jesus, freed from the slavery of sin. In other words, we should not allow "pet sins" or other unGodly habits to dominate our daily lives. We emphasized the truth that God is in control as each of us attempts to avoid the temptations that come before us on a regular basis. We suggested personalizing one or more of the following verses as an aide in successfully overcoming the temptations of satan:

GOD IS IN CONTROL
Pick one of these verses which reminds
you that God is in control.
1 Peter 5:7
Luke 12:32
Proverbs 3:5-6
Psalm 46:1-2
Psalm 91:9-10
Psalm 4:8
Psalm 121:7-8
Deuteronomy 33:12
Psalm 18:2
John 16:33
Romans 6:5-6

Some of the strategies that we identified to help us defeat the temptation to engage in "pet sins" included fleeing from evil, exercising caution regarding our friends and colleagues, a strong prayer life, spending time in the Word, accountability groups or accountability relationships, and the personalization of God's Word in our lives. Challenge for this week:

Take at least one of the verses listed above and write the verse in a personalized style that speaks to you. If you feel led to do so, please share your personalized version of the scripture on this blog. May the Lord bless each of you and your families this week as we consider these truths. In the words of Max Lucado, "It's Not About Me."

Announcements/Resources:

Here is the link to the Lukewarm Christian Test: http://so4j.com/lukewarm-christian-test.php

Please mark your calendars for Saturday evening, August 29, 2009 for a class social at the Emerald Forest City Park and Neighborhood Pool. This will be a great opportunity for classmembers to socialize and get to know each other better as we begin a new school year and a new Sunday School year. Each family is asked to bring their own favorite sandwich/picnic meal for themselves and a dessert that can be shared with everyone. The pool will be open and you can swim or not as you choose. We have reserved an air conditioned room in the pool complex for eating and visiting. We will begin at 5:00 p.m. and conclude the party by 8:00 p.m. I look forward to seeing each of you.

F.Y.I.--Cindy and I plan to be out of town on Sunday, September 13, 2009. Our girls will be participating in another triathlon and we hope to cheer them on in Boerne, Texas. If there is ANYONE who feels led to facilitate or teach on that day, please contact me or contact Craig.

Prayer Requests Copied from Tracey's E-Mail:

Please pray for teachers as they head back to the classroomCreels- 1. teacher friend, Jody, has been diagnosed with kidney cancer. She is only in her late 20's and has a 4 YO child. 2. their neice's baby, June Creel, had surgery. Please pray for her recovery and that she will do well.Please continue to pray for the Lawyer family.Scasta- Craig's dad's surgery has been rescheduled for Tuesday morning. Please prayerfully consider if you are called to serve our SS class as apprentice teacher or greeter and let Jimmy or Craig know. Have a great week!

Jimmy

Greetings and welcome to a new endeavor! Beginning during the week of August 30, 2009, I hope to create a weekly blog in which members of our Sunday School Class can extend our discussion of the scripture from our weekly class discussion, make application of the weekly lesson to our daily lives, or make application of other scripture passages to our lives, expand our prayer list by making adjustments on a daily and even hourly basis as needed, share anecdotes, jokes, and stories that may enrich the lives of others, and use our interaction and communication to grow closer to the Lord and to Honor Him. I hope to make at least an initial posting each week and I hope that class members will share responses and make comments during the week as well as add personal prayer requests and share other information that will be meaningful and helpful to our Christian brothers and sisters, and perhaps, even serve as an evangelical vehicle for bringing a person or family to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ! Please join me as we attempt to use technology to expand our learning, lift up each other, keep prayers lists current, and Praise Him!

Jimmy