The Vineyard- February 22, 2015

The Vineyard

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

 

Can the Bible be taken literally?

Pray that God will speak to you through the reading of His word.

-          The gospels are historical

o   The gospels are eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ life.  Why is it important to know that the Bible can be trusted historically? 

-          The gospels aren’t always convenient

o   The gospels sometimes portray future church leaders (like Peter and Paul), in a negative light.  Peter is afraid to stand with Jesus, and Paul persecutes the church.  Jesus, the one whom the Bible proclaims as Lord, is said to have died on a Roman cross.  And yet, the Bible includes these embarrassing details.  Why is it comforting to know that the Bible speaks the truth, even when the truth is inconvenient?

-          What have you done with the truth?

o   If the gospels are historical, and have been shown to speak with the truth even when it’s inconvenient, then we can trust what it says about the Jesus who lived a very real life, died a very real death, and actually rose from the dead.  What have you done with this truth?

Praise God for leaving us the truth about His love for us. 

Thank God for giving us a Bible that we can trust. 

Ask God to help you make the truth about who Jesus is the center of your life. 

Prayer Requests- February 22, 2015

Prayer Requests

Praise:  Ava Earl and Frank McKay had successful heart surgery.  Dianne McDonald, Donald Johnson, and Barbara Anderson are doing better.  Richard Simmons was able to come home from the hospital.    

Recent Requests:  Cooper & Ramsey Catherine Marler, Charles Peters, Montez Hodges, Robin Fee, Frank McKay, Ava Earl, Christina Valaysack, Eunice Graves, Robbie Bedgood, James Otis Dunn, Bill Gordy, Chuck Welch, Karen Harrington, Mike Melder, Ronnie Chisholm, Haley Chisholm

Pray for persecuted Christians, the Ebola epidemic, and your enemies.  (Matthew 5:44)

Pray for our elected and appointed leaders, as well as world leaders whose decisions impact each of us. 

Continuing Requests: Brent Anderson, Dale Anderson IV Kowyn Austin, Allan Babb, Josh Baden, Roanne Ballio, Makenzie Bankston, Jeff Bedsole, Conner Bouchie, Carl Chellette, Marie Cook, Lynn Diboll, Sampson Doyle III, Kimmy Fix, Robert Gough, Ed & Mamie Grantham, Kathryn Hardy, Grady Harper, Darlene Holt, George Johnson, James Johnson, Sylvia Johnson, Darwin Jones, Andrew Juneau, Mascel Keith, Anita Kurtz, Dallas Lavespere, Ruby Lott, Drake Martin, Iris Lee Martin, Mattie McReynolds, Dot Melder, Mark Melder, Arvis Midkiff, Billy Joe Monroe, Sue Moore, Jim Owens, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Bob Peterson, Carol Pfile, Dewanna Polk, Clint Powell, Bobby Richards, Estelle Simmons, Eric Sipco, Halyn Smith, Betty St. Andrie, Aiden Stewart, Erica Gillette Stewart, Eva Stewart, C.W. Strother, Myrtle Strother, Jolee Rayne Terrell, Anna Thibadoux, Azaria Thompson, Martha Townsend, Carl Verrette, Toun Vilaysack, Jeanie Winegeart

Deployed Military:  Tyler Bankston, James Chandler; Hank Coleman, Taylor Denegal, Matthew Droddy, Horace Greene, Kelvin Griffin, Jacob Hicks, and those serving in the military

Cancer Patients:  Ruth Barbe, Sylvia Bollock, Myrtis Bond, Larry Book, Hedy Butler, Shirley Cameron, Gleeta Chamberlain, James Clark, Randy Coker,  Jerry Cole, Dorothy Crane, Sally Crooks, Ramona Cutrer, Bill Davidson, Brian Delacerda, Donna Dyson, Ruth Ann Fisher, Sherry Fontenot, Murray Ganson, Dr. Ganta, Jared Gordon, Stacy Gough, James Johnson (Alexandria) Leah Johnson, Roger Johnson, Virginia Johnson, Mr. Kelly, Johnny LaHay, Dot Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Kaylee Lesta, Barrett Lovell, Braeden Lyberski, Neda Lyberski, Roy McDonald, Peggy Middleton, David Monroe, Bob Morrow, Joe O’Neal, Jeanie O’Rorke, Myra Page, Chris Parker, Brenda Pringle, Angie Roberts, Colton Rodriguez, John Roy, Joan Schneider, Marshall Shipp, Donny Shows,  Richard Simmons, Connor Smith, Ken Smith, Donna Spears, Walter Stagg, Glennell Stanley, Jackie Teasely, Cliff Thornton, Dalton Welch, Shane West, Charles Whitten, Britney Wilson, Charles Young

Nursing Homes:  Mary Ann Fuller, Aline Johnson, John Kenner, Doris Polk

Travelling:  The Vilaysacks, Philip Orr

Deaths: The families of Mila Griffin, Danny Doyle, T. J. Russell, Bobby Barron, and Joe Donald Francis

Unspoken Requests

The Vineyard- February 15, 2015

The Vineyard

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

 

Hasn’t Science Disproven Faith?

Pray that God will speak to you through the reading of His word.

-          The game is rigged

o   Often when we try to speak of faith in society, the world sets the parameters of the discussion against us.  How do we frame the discussion so that faith isn’t precluded from the outset?   

-          How science points toward God

o   There are many, many example of irreducibly complex biological systems, systems which cannot have resulted from evolution.  How does our complexity point towards the existence of a Creator?

o   The universe is miraculously organized so as to support life.  How does the existence of everything in just the right way to support life point to a Creator?

-          Science as the exploration of God’s creation

o   Did you know that so many of the great scientists were devout Christians?

o   How can science, exploring God’s creation, strengthen our faith and point us toward God?

Pray for the ability to defend your faith, even in a world that stacks the deck against us. 

Praise God for making such a wonderfully complex universe, perfectly fit for our habitation. 

 

Prayer Requests- February 15, 2015

Prayer Requests

Praise:  Danielle Lachney, Tootie Yancey, Johnny Ray, Dwayne Strother, and Kirby Guy are doing better.  Richard Simmons had successful surgery to replace his hip. 

Recent Requests:  Frank McKay, Ava Istre, Christina Valaysack, Eunice Graves, Dianne McDonald, Bobby Richards, Barbara Anderson, Robbie Bedgood, James Otis Dunn, Bill Gordy, Chuck Welch, Karen Harrington, Donald Johnson, Mike Melder, Ronnie Chisholm, Haley Chisholm,

Pray for persecuted Christians, the Ebola epidemic, and your enemies.  (Matthew 5:44)

Pray for our elected and appointed leaders, as well as world leaders whose decisions impact each of us. 

Continuing Requests: Brent Anderson, Dale Anderson IV Kowyn Austin, Allan Babb, Josh Baden, Roanne Ballio, Makenzie Bankston, Jeff Bedsole, Conner Bouchie, Carl Chellette, Marie Cook, Lynn Diboll, Sampson Doyle III, Kimmy Fix, Robert Gough, Ed & Mamie Grantham, Kathryn Hardy, Grady Harper, Darlene Holt, George Johnson, James Johnson, Sylvia Johnson, Darwin Jones, Andrew Juneau, Mascel Keith, Anita Kurtz, Dallas Lavespere, Ruby Lott, Drake Martin, Iris Lee Martin, Mattie McReynolds, Dot Melder, Mark Melder, Arvis Midkiff, Billy Joe Monroe, Sue Moore, Jim Owens, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Bob Peterson, Carol Pfile, Dewanna Polk, Clint Powell, Estelle Simmons, Eric Sipco, Halyn Smith, Betty St. Andrie, Aiden Stewart, Erica Gillette Stewart, Eva Stewart, C.W. Strother, Myrtle Strother, Jolee Rayne Terrell, Anna Thibadoux, Azaria Thompson, Martha Townsend, Carl Verrette, Toun Vilaysack, Jeanie Winegeart

Deployed Military:  Tyler Bankston, James Chandler; Hank Coleman, Matthew Droddy, Horace Greene, and those serving in the military

Cancer Patients:  Ruth Barbe, Sylvia Bollock, Myrtis Bond, Larry Book, Hedy Butler, Shirley Cameron, Gleeta Chamberlain, James Clark, Randy Coker,  Jerry Cole, Dorothy Crane, Sally Crooks, Ramona Cutrer, Bill Davidson, Brian Delacerda, Donna Dyson, Ruth Ann Fisher, Sherry Fontenot, Murray Ganson, Dr. Ganta, Jared Gordon, Stacy Gough, James Johnson (Alexandria) Leah Johnson, Roger Johnson, Virginia Johnson, Mr. Kelly, Johnny LaHay, Dot Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Kaylee Lesta, Barrett Lovell, Braeden Lyberski, Neda Lyberski, Roy McDonald, Peggy Middleton, David Monroe, Bob Morrow, Joe O’Neal, Jeanie O’Rorke, Myra Page, Chris Parker, Brenda Pringle, Angie Roberts, Colton Rodriguez, John Roy, Joan Schneider, Donny Shows,  Richard Simmons, Connor Smith, Ken Smith, Donna Spears, Walter Stagg, Glennell Stanley, Jackie Teasely, Cliff Thornton, Dalton Welch, Shane West, Charles Whitten, Britney Wilson, Charles Young

Nursing Homes:  Mary Ann Fuller, John Kenner, Doris Polk

Travelling:  The Vilaysacks, Philip Orr

Deaths: The families of T. J. Russell, Bobby Barron, Joe Donald Francis, Robert Poole, and Ian Job

Unspoken Requests

The Vineyard- February 8, 2015

The Vineyard

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

 

Can a loving God really send someone to hell?

Pray that God will speak to you through the reading of His word.

-          Can a God of judgment be a God of love?

o   Why is judgment a necessary component of love?

o   How does belief in a non-judgmental God open the door to vengeance?

o   How does the belief in God’s judgment open the door to living at peace with others, even our enemies?

-          Can a loving God allow hell to exist?

o   How do we define hell?  Is it a place, the absence of God, or both?

o   Would God be loving if he forced us to live with him for eternity against our will?

-          Believing in a God of judgment…and love.

o   How many religions explicitly state that God is love?

o   When we think of God’s judgment, do we focus on punishment, or the lengths that God has gone to so that we might be forgiven? 

Praise God for the promise that one day all evil will be abolished through divine judgment. 

Thank God for the freedom to choose an eternal relationship with Him. 

Pray that we will see not only the reality of hell, but also the lengths that God went to so that we would be spared judgment.    

Prayer Requests- February 8, 2015

Prayer Requests

Praise:  Madison Strother, Kirby Guy, and Dee Guy are doing better.  Aaron Johnson made it home safely. 

Recent Requests:  Dianne McDonald, Bobby Richards, Barbara Anderson, Robbie Bedgood, James Otis Dunn, Bill Gordy, Dw ayne Strother, Chuck Welch, Karen Harrington, Donald Johnson, Mike Melder, Ronnie Chisholm, Haley Chisholm, Tootie Yancey, Johnny Ray

Pray for persecuted Christians, the Ebola epidemic, and your enemies.  (Matthew 5:44)

Pray for our elected and appointed leaders, as well as world leaders whose decisions impact each of us. 

Continuing Requests: Brent Anderson, Dale Anderson IV Kowyn Austin, Allan Babb, Josh Baden, Roanne Ballio, Makenzie Bankston, Jeff Bedsole, Conner Bouchie, Carl Chellette, Marie Cook, Lynn Diboll, Sampson Doyle III, Kimmy Fix, Robert Gough, Ed & Mamie Grantham, Kathryn Hardy, Grady Harper, Darlene Holt, George Johnson, James Johnson, Sylvia Johnson, Darwin Jones, Andrew Juneau, Mascel Keith, Anita Kurtz, Dallas Lavespere, Ruby Lott, Drake Martin, Iris Lee Martin, Mattie McReynolds, Dot Melder, Mark Melder, Arvis Midkiff, Billy Joe Monroe, Sue Moore, Jim Owens, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Bob Peterson, Carol Pfile, Dewanna Polk, Clint Powell, Estelle Simmons, Eric Sipco, Halyn Smith, Betty St. Andrie, Aiden Stewart, Erica Gillette Stewart, Eva Stewart, C.W. Strother, Myrtle Strother, Jolee Rayne Terrell, Anna Thibadoux, Azaria Thompson, Martha Townsend, Carl Verrette, Toun Vilaysack, Jeanie Winegeart

Deployed Military:  Tyler Bankston, James Chandler; Hank Coleman, Matthew Droddy, Horace Greene, and those serving in the military

Cancer Patients:  Ruth Barbe, Bobby Barron, Sylvia Bollock, Myrtis Bond, Larry Book, Hedy Butler, Shirley Cameron, Gleeta Chamberlain, James Clark, Randy Coker,  Jerry Cole, Dorothy Crane, Sally Crooks, Ramona Cutrer, Bill Davidson, Brian Delacerda, Donna Dyson, Ruth Ann Fisher, Sherry Fontenot, Murray Ganson, Dr. Ganta, Jared Gordon, Stacy Gough, James Johnson (Alexandria) Leah Johnson, Roger Johnson, Virginia Johnson, Mr. Kelly, Danielle Lachney, Johnny LaHay, Dot Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Kaylee Lesta, Barrett Lovell, Braeden Lyberski, Neda Lyberski, Roy McDonald, Peggy Middleton, David Monroe, Bob Morrow, Joe O’Neal, Jeanie O’Rorke, Myra Page, Chris Parker, Brenda Pringle, Angie Roberts, Colton Rodriguez, John Roy, Joan Schneider, Donny Shows,  Richard Simmons, Connor Smith, Ken Smith, Donna Spears, Walter Stagg, Glennell Stanley, Jackie Teasely, Cliff Thornton, Dalton Welch, Shane West, Charles Whitten, Britney Wilson, Charles Young

Nursing Homes:  Mary Ann Fuller, John Kenner, Doris Polk

Travelling:  The Vilaysacks, Philip Orr

Deaths: The families of Joe Donald Francis, Robert Poole, Ian Job, Mamie Odom, Pete Terrell, and Kris Smith

Unspoken Requests

The Vineyard- February 1, 2015

The Vineyard

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

 

Isn’t the Church responsible for a lot of injustice?

Pray that God will speak to you through the reading of His word.

-          What is usually the cause of the church contributing to injustice?

o   Why is it helpful to remember that Christians are still imperfect, and prone to sin?

o   Why is it important to remember our calling to service, and a citizenship in a kingdom not of this world?

-          The Bible critiques religion

o   Who does Jesus critique more, the religious or the non-religious? 

o   When people criticize the church for sometimes contributing to injustice, where do they get their ideas of what justice truly is?

-          Justice in the Name of Jesus

o   What are some notable examples in history of people who worked for the justice described by Jesus and the Bible?

o   What are some ways that we as the church can work to make the world more just?

Pray that we will never lose sight of who Christ has called us to be as His church.    

Prayerfully ask God to reveal to you areas in your own life where you can be more fair and just towards others.

Pray that we will follow our Lord and Savior’s example in loving others and seeing them treated fairly.    

Prayer Requests- February 1, 2015

Prayer Requests:

Praise:  Hunter Anderson, Natalie Yancey, and Sydney Mason are doing better.  Sydney Mason was baptized Wednesday night!  Aaron Johnson made it home safely. 

Recent Requests:  Robbie Bedgood, James Otis Dunn, Dee Guy, Bill Gordy, Dwayne Strother, Chuck Welch, Karen Harrington, Donald Johnson, Mike Melder, Ronnie Chisholm, Haley Chisholm, Tootie Yancey, Johnny Ray, Dale Anderson IV

Pray for persecuted Christians, the Ebola epidemic, and your enemies.  (Matthew 5:44)

Pray for our elected and appointed leaders, as well as world leaders whose decisions impact each of us. 

Continuing Requests: Brent Anderson, Kowyn Austin, Allan Babb, Josh Baden, Roanne Ballio, Makenzie Bankston, Jeff Bedsole, Conner Bouchie, Carl Chellette, Marie Cook, Lynn Diboll, Sampson Doyle III, Kimmy Fix, Robert Gough, Ed & Mamie Grantham, Kirby Guy, Kathryn Hardy, Grady Harper, Darlene Holt, George Johnson, James Johnson, Sylvia Johnson, Darwin Jones, Andrew Juneau, Mascel Keith, Anita Kurtz, Dallas Lavespere, Ruby Lott, Drake Martin, Iris Lee Martin, Mattie McReynolds, Dot Melder, Mark Melder, Arvis Midkiff, Billy Joe Monroe, Sue Moore, Jim Owens, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Bob Peterson, Carol Pfile, Dewanna Polk, Clint Powell, Estelle Simmons, Eric Sipco, Halyn Smith, Betty St. Andrie, Aiden Stewart, Erica Gillette Stewart, Eva Stewart, C.W. Strother, Myrtle Strother, Jolee Rayne Terrell, Anna Thibadoux, Azaria Thompson, Martha Townsend, Carl Verrette, Toun Vilaysack, Jeanie Winegeart

Deployed Military:  Tyler Bankston, James Chandler; Hank Coleman, Matthew Droddy, Horace Greene, and those serving in the military

Cancer Patients:  Ruth Barbe, Bobby Barron, Sylvia Bollock, Myrtis Bond, Larry Book, Hedy Butler, Shirley Cameron, Gleeta Chamberlain, James Clark, Randy Coker,  Jerry Cole, Dorothy Crane, Sally Crooks, Ramona Cutrer, Bill Davidson, Brian Delacerda, Donna Dyson, Ruth Ann Fisher, Sherry Fontenot, Joe Donald Francis, Murray Ganson, Dr. Ganta, Jared Gordon, Stacy Gough, James Johnson (Alexandria) Leah Johnson, Roger Johnson, Virginia Johnson, Mr. Kelly, Danielle Lachney, Johnny LaHay, Dot Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Kaylee Lesta, Barrett Lovell, Braeden Lyberski, Neda Lyberski, Roy McDonald, Peggy Middleton, David Monroe, Bob Morrow, Joe O’Neal, Jeanie O’Rorke, Myra Page, Chris Parker, Brenda Pringle, Angie Roberts, Colton Rodriguez, John Roy, Joan Schneider, Donny Shows,  Richard Simmons, Connor Smith, Ken Smith, Donna Spears, Walter Stagg, Glennell Stanley, Jackie Teasely, Cliff Thornton, Dalton Welch, Shane West, Charles Whitten, Britney Wilson, Charles Young

Nursing Homes:  Mary Ann Fuller, John Kenner, Doris Polk

Travelling:  The Vilaysacks, Philip Orr

Deaths: The families of Robert Poole, Ian Job, Mamie Odom, Pete Terrell, and Kris Smith

Unspoken Requests