The Vineyard- December 25, 2011

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

I Timothy 6:6-8

-          What do you think Paul means when he tells Timothy that there is great gain in godliness in contentment?  How does contentment increase our godliness?

-          We come into this world with nothing, and we leave it with nothing, and yet God stands at either of our life.  What does this tell us about how we should prioritize our pursuit of material vs. spiritual blessings?

-          Paul seems to say that contentment is based on needs, not wants.  If we have everything we need, we should be content, even if we don’t have everything we want.  What are ways you could help others find contentment, by meeting their needs?

Luke 2:1-7

-          Jesus was the model of contentment, as he was willing to be born in a barn, and have a manger for a bed.  Does the Son of God, the creator of the world’s willingness to be born into such humble surroundings cause you to re-evaluate your priorities?

-          Jesus was born in a barn because there was no room for them in the inn.  More than likely, if they had known who Jesus was, they would have made room for Him.  We do know who Jesus is, so do we make room for Jesus, or do we seclude him in some out-of-the-way corner of our lives?

Prayer Requests- December 25, 2011

Prayer Requests:

Recent Requests:  Those who have lost jobs, especially at Cabrini and the hospital in Oakdale, Stan Broussard, Drew Babb, Vonnie Johnson, Alton Peters, Allie Mae Doyle, Thelma Polk, Darwin Jones, Cody Clausner, Arnold Gill, Jimmy Parks, George & Vera Lee Johnson, James Johnson

Continuing Requests:  Dianne McDonald, Bernice Thibodeaux, Bill Goree, Mary Ann Fuller, Tonya Chelette, Benny Richard, Roanne Ballio, Mrs. Joe Danton, Martha Townsend, Dot Melder, Tom Fuller, Bubba Jones, Darwin Jones, Juan Martinez, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Charlie Wilson

Deployed Military:  Tyler Johnson, Robert Rogers, Blake Thompson, all those serving in the military

Cancer Patients:  Shelby Atkinson, Yvonne Bass, Leonard Butter, Shirley Cameron, Gleeta Chamberlain, Jerry Cole, Sharon Cook, Jody Corbet, Rodney Cotton, Dorothy Crane, Wanda Dauzat, Ava Dore, Aly Ericson, Ruth Ann Fisher, Jared Gordon, Steve Goudeau, Allie Harvey, Johnny LaHay, Maria LaMartiner, Dot Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Mattie McReynolds, Elaine Melder, Bob Morrow, Clark O’Banion, Jeanie O’Rorke, Doug and Claudia Pinkston, Wes Roberts, Donny Shows, Linda Sipco, Carlos Smith, Robert Smith, Wally Pullen Smith, Walter Stagg, Glennell Stanley, Jackie Teasely, Will Tulos, Dalton Welch, Shane West, Charles Whitten, Britney Wilson, Geraldine Willis, Charles Young

Nursing Homes:  D. C. Carruth, Janie Jenkins, Helen Johnson, John Kenner, C.J. Meyers, Doris Polk

Deaths: James Reynolds family, Max Earl Melder family, Antonio Sanchez family, Timothy Coker family, Margie Cloud family, Clayton Whittington family, Bradley Cathey family, Blake Kellogg family

Unspoken Requests

James Reynolds

Remember the family of James Reynolds as they lay him to rest tomorrow.  Visitation will be here at the building tomorrow beginning at 8AM, and going until the funeral at 10AM.  As always your prayers are greatly appreciated!

The Vineyard- December 18, 2011

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

Mark 9:30-37

-       -    Jesus disciples missed the point of His teachings as they fought amongst themselves.  Do you ever miss the point, and spend more time worrying about your own status than how you can help and serve others?

-      -   When you receive others, do you treat them as you would Jesus Christ?

Mark 9:38-41

-       -   Did the disciples want to stop the man from exorcising demons because he didn’t follow Jesus, or because he didn’t follow them?

-       -   Do you judges others based on their agreement with you, or based on their agreement with Jesus?

Mark 9:42-50

-         -    It is our mind that ultimately leads us into sin.  Why then do you suppose Jesus refers to cutting off a hand or foot, or tearing out an eye that causes us to sin?

-         -   Jesus analogy is really about valuing things, even our own bodies, more than we value our relationship with God.  This could mean either indulging in sin, or avoiding suffering in the name of Christ, because of a desire to serve the body. 

-         -   Salt acts as a preservative, but only in significant quantities.  What does this tell us about the importance of the church, and Christian fellowship?

Prayer Requests- December 18, 2011

Prayer Requests:

Recent Requests:  Those who have lost jobs, especially at Cabrini and the hospital in Oakdale, Stan Broussard, Drew Babb, Vonnie Johnson, Alton Peters, Allie Mae Doyle, Thelma Polk, Darwin Jones, Cody Clausner, Arnold Gill, Jimmy Parks, George & Vera Lee Johnson, James Johnson

Continuing Requests:  Dianne McDonald, Bernice Thibodeaux, Bill Goree, Mary Ann Fuller, Tonya Chelette, Benny Richard, Roanne Ballio, Mrs. Joe Danton, Martha Townsend, Dot Melder, Tom Fuller, Bubba Jones, Darwin Jones, Juan Martinez, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Charlie Wilson

Deployed Military:  Tyler Johnson, Robert Rogers, Blake Thompson, all those serving in the military

Cancer Patients:  Shelby Atkinson, Yvonne Bass, Leonard Butter, Shirley Cameron, Gleeta Chamberlain, Jerry Cole, Sharon Cook, Jody Corbet, Rodney Cotton, Dorothy Crane, Wanda Dauzat, Ava Dore, Aly Ericson, Ruth Ann Fisher, Jared Gordon, Steve Goudeau, Allie Harvey, Johnny LaHay, Maria LaMartiner, Dot Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Mattie McReynolds, Elaine Melder, Bob Morrow, Clark O’Banion, Jeanie O’Rorke, Doug and Claudia Pinkston, Wes Roberts, Donny Shows, Linda Sipco, Carlos Smith, Robert Smith, Wally Pullen Smith, Walter Stagg, Glennell Stanley, Jackie Teasely, Will Tulos, Dalton Welch, Shane West, Charles Whitten, Britney Wilson, Geraldine Willis, Charles Young

Nursing Homes:  D. C. Carruth, Janie Jenkins, Helen Johnson, John Kenner, C.J. Meyers, Doris Polk

Deaths: James Reynolds family, Max Earl Melder family, Antonio Sanchez family, Timothy Coker family, Margie Cloud family, Clayton Whittington family, Bradley Cathey family, Blake Kellogg family

Unspoken Requests

The Vineyard- December 11, 2011

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

Mark 9:14-29

-     Jesus disciples failed in their attempt to do the very thing he had commissioned them to do, to cast out demons.  This failure by Jesus’ disciples caused the boy’s father to doubt whether Jesus’ Himself could cast out the demon.  How does your behavior as a Christian reflect Christ?  If people know you are a follower of Christ, would that make them more or less likely to want to learn more about Jesus?

-  Jesus reveals to His disciples that their mistake was in their self-reliance.  By failing to pray, they have cut themselves off from the very power needed to fulfill their calling.  How is your prayer life?  Are you plugged into the source of power that enables us to walk as Christians?    

Faith vs. Doubt

-  Faith and doubt coexist, because neither would exist without the other.  Just as we know light only because we have experienced darkness, we know faith, only in relation to the doubt that we have experienced, and continue to experience. 

-    The boy’s father expresses something that we all can relate to, that inside each one of us is a strange and awkward mixture of faith and doubt.  He expresses a desire to move farther away from doubt, and closer to faith.  What has your journey in faith been like?  Do you feel you have more faith now than when you first began?        

Prayer Requests- December 11, 2011

Prayer Requests:

Recent Requests:  Those who have lost jobs, Vonnie Johnson, Alton Peters, Allie Mae Doyle, Thelma Polk, Darwin Jones, Cody Clausner, Callie Carruth, Arnold Gill, Jimmy Parks, George & Vera Lee Johnson, Max Earl Melder, James Johnson, Margie Cloud

Continuing Requests:  Shirley Goree, Janet Prather, Dianne McDonald, Bernice Thibodeaux, Robert Maddox, Bill Goree, Pete and Eva Stewart, Trevor Clark, Rachelle Johnson, Abby Arnaud, Marvin White, Shirley Decker, Tony Keith, Glennell Stanley, Mary Ann Fuller, Tonya Chelette, Benny Richard, Roanne Ballio, Mrs. Joe Danton, Martha Townsend, Dot Melder, Perry Fleming, Tom Fuller, Bubba Jones, Darwin Jones, Juan Martinez, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Charlie Wilson

Deployed Military:  Tyler Johnson, Robert Rogers, Blake Thompson, all those serving in the military

Cancer Patients:  Shelby Atkinson, Yvonne Bass, Leonard Butter, Shirley Cameron, Gleeta Chamberlain, Jerry Cole, Sharon Cook, Jody Corbet, Rodney Cotton, Dorothy Crane, Wanda Dauzat, Ava Dore, Aly Ericson, Ruth Ann Fisher, Jared Gordon, Steve Goudeau, Allie Harvey, Johnny LaHay, Maria LaMartiner, Dot Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Mattie McReynolds, Elaine Melder, Bob Morrow, Clark O’Banion, Jeanie O’Rorke, Doug and Claudia Pinkston, Wes Roberts, Donny Shows, Linda Sipco, Carlos Smith, Robert Smith, Wally Pullen Smith, Walter Stagg, Jackie Teasely, Will Tulos, Dalton Welch, Shane West, Charles Whitten, Britney Wilson, Geraldine Willis, Charles Young

Nursing Homes:  D. C. Carruth, Janie Jenkins, Helen Johnson, John Kenner, C.J. Meyers, Doris Polk

Deaths: Clayton Whittington family, Joyce Melder family, Bradley Cathey family, Blake Kellogg family

Unspoken Requests

Praise: Carolyn Willis is doing better, and Drew Babb’s procedure went well!  

Galatians 4:8:20

Galatians 4:8-20

-          V. 8-11

o   V. 8

§  Cf. Acts 14:8-18; I Thessalonians 1:9-10; and I Corinthians 8:4-7; 10:19-22; 12:2

§  “those that by nature are not gods” could be a reference to participation in the cult of the emperor

o   V. 9

§  The reference to God acknowledging them is a statement of the divine initiative

§  Could Paul be saying that for the Gentile Christians to turn to the law is the same as their returning to the pagan worship of the past? 

§  The description of the elemental spirits as weak is a reference to their inability to save or justify, while their description as beggarly is a reference to their lacking of any spiritual riches or value

§  “knowing” in this context is not referring to an intellectual knowledge, but rather an intimate experience

§  “Relationship with God does not have its basis in [human] seeking (mysticism), or doing (legalism) or knowing (Gnosticism), but it originates with God…and is carried on always by divine grace.”

– Richard N. Longenecker

o   V. 10

§  The observance of days, etc. was apparently something they saw as obligatory, and to view it as such was effectively the same as worshipping the forces that dictated the calendar. 

§  Cf. Colossians 2:16

§  Observances of the calendar are generic, and thus can refer back to pagan or emperor worship, or forward to the Jewish cultic calendar if they seek to follow the law of Moses

o   V. 11

§  The Galatians are like “the dog who runs along a stream with a piece of meat in his mouth, and deceived by the reflection of the meat in the water, opens his mouth to snap at it, and so loses both the meat and the reflection.”  - Martin Luther , “The Freedom of the Christian”  in Luther’s Works

§  Cf. I Corinthians 15:58, Philippians 2:16, I Thessalonians 3:5

-          V. 12-20

o   V. 12

§  He became as them by surrendering his claims as a Jew, so he asks them to become as he is by also surrendering their attempts to become Jewish

o   V. 13

§  Suggestions as to Paul’s malady include malaria (he would have retreated to the altitude of Galatia to recover), epilepsy (the reference to not scorning or despising literally meaning not spitting out, a typical response to ailments like epilepsy thought to be the result of evil spirits), and ophthalmia (the reference to the fact that they would have given him their own eyes)

§  No way of knowing if the ailment is the same as the one referenced in II Cor. 12:7

§  Evidence that eyes problems might have been Paul’s ailment: 1. He uses a scribe for many of his lengthy letters (Rom. 16:22; I Cor. 1:1; I Thess. 1:18; II Thess. 3:17) 2. He refers to his problem as a weakness of the flesh and not a demon 3. His bodily presence when preaching was described by some as being weak (cf. II Cor. 10:10) 4. We know he was blinded on the road to Damascus 5. Paul references sounds but not sights from when he was taken up into the third heaven (II Cor. 12:1-7) 6. He writes with very large letters (cf. 6:11)

o   V. 14

§  The welcome as an angel, or messenger of God is commendable given Paul’s physical state

§  Spitting would have been a popular way of attempting to ward off the “evil eye”, which someone in Paul’s state would have often been assumed to bear

§  Cf. Matthew 10:40; Luke 10:16; John 13:20

o   V. 15

§  Cf. Deuteronomy 32:10, Psalm 17:8, Zechariah 2:8

o   V. 16

§  Telling someone the truth is a mark of genuine affection, and yet here it seems to have alienated Paul from the Galatians

§  Cf. II Cor. 12:15

o   V. 17

§  “shut you out”- if the Galatians go over to a following of the law, ironically they will be shut out from the people of God because of their Gentile heritage

o   V. 18

§  Reference to the Galatians being made much of, or them pursuing the good?

o   V. 19

§  Cf. I Thess. 2:7

§  Cf. Mark. 13:8; Matthew 24:8; Revelation 12; I Thessalonians 5:3; Galatians 4:27

§  The fact that Paul is speaking to many different churches probably means that he is speaking of Christ being formed in them as individuals

o   V. 20

§  Written words are no substitute for conversing in person, and can sometimes be misinterpreted, or at the very least fail to communicate the intended sentiment

o   The desire to return to former worship practices would have been stronger if the Galatians felt socially isolated, or that they had lost economic or political opportunities by abandoning their previous form of worship.  Perhaps they sought a new social circle in the synagogue and through following the law?

The Vineyard- December 4, 2011

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

Mark 9:1-13

-          Even when confronted with the glory of Jesus, Peter’s response is to make three booths, one each for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah.  He failed to understand that as God, Jesus alone is to be praised and worshipped.  Even having experience Jesus’ grace and forgiveness, do you ever find yourself wanting to worship other things, or even other people?

-          Despite the glory of the transfiguration, there was much work left to be done, and hence much suffering left to undergo for Jesus.  What the disciples mistook for the end was really only the beginning.  Did you feel like your putting on of Christ was the end of a journey, or simply the beginning of one? 

Psalm 4

-          In this psalm David expresses both knowledge of God’s saving action in the past, and also a present need for God’s help.  Our awareness of God’s past goodness and faithfulness gives us confidence to continue to approach Him for help in our time of need. 

-          While being confident of God’s help, David also asks questions.  Have you ever experienced a time in your life when you had faith, and yet you also had many unanswered questions?  This psalm of David’s shows us that questioning builds our faith, and is a part of the process of placing our hope in God.  

Prayer Requests- December 4, 2011

Prayer Requests:

Recent Requests:  Sylvia Johnson, C.J. Meyers, Paige Johnson, Lois Johnson, Jimmy Parks, Carolyn Willis, George & Vera Lee Johnson, Max Earl Melder, James Johnson, Margie Cloud, D. C. Carruth

Continuing Requests:  Shirley Goree, Janet Prather, Dianne McDonald, Bernice Thibodeaux, Robert Maddox, Bill Goree, Pete and Eva Stewart, Trevor Clark, Rachelle Johnson, Abby Arnaud, Marvin White, Shirley Decker, Tony Keith, Glennell Stanley, Mary Ann Fuller, Tonya Chelette, Benny Richard, Roanne Ballio, Marie Cook, Mrs. Joe Danton, Martha Townsend, Dot Melder, Perry Fleming, Tom Fuller, Bubba Jones, Darwin Jones, Juan Martinez, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Charlie Wilson

Deployed Military:  Tyler Johnson, Robert Rogers, Blake Thompson, all those serving in the military

Cancer Patients:  Shelby Atkinson, Yvonne Bass, Shirley Cameron, Gleeta Chamberlain, Jerry Cole, Sharon Cook, Jody Corbet, Rodney Cotton, Dorothy Crane, Wanda Dauzat, Ava Dore, Aly Ericson, Ruth Ann Fisher, Jared Gordon, Steve Goudeau, Allie Harvey, Johnny LaHay, Maria LaMartiner, Dot Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Mattie McReynolds, Elaine Melder, Bob Morrow, Clark O’Banion, Jeanie O’Rorke, Doug and Claudia Pinkston, Wes Roberts, Donny Shows, Linda Sipco, Carlos Smith, Robert Smith, Wally Pullen Smith, Walter Stagg, Jackie Teasely, Will Tulos, Dalton Welch, Shane West, Charles Whitten, Britney Wilson, Geraldine Willis, Charles Young

Nursing Homes:  Janie Jenkins, Helen Johnson, John Kenner, C.J. Meyers, Doris Polk

Deaths: Joyce Melder family, Bradley Cathey family, Blake Kellogg family

Unspoken Requests

Praise: George Johnson was able to go home, but is still in need of prayers for restored strength.  

Galatians 4:1-7

Galatians 4:1-7

-          V. 1-2

o   While the child may have de jure ownership of his father’s estate, he or she does not have de facto control over it until they reach maturity, a set time fixed or decided upon by the father

o   Distinction could be that the guardian looked after the person, while the trustee or manager looked after the estate

-          V. 3

o   Could this mean universal sin and universal death?

o   Could the law be an element of this world, just as air, earth, fire, and water are, and if so, is the implication that the Jews worshipped the law just as the Gentiles deified and worshiped the air, earth, fire, and water?

o   Elements of the universe probably refer to universal rules, especially as embodied in the Mosaic Law

-          V. 4

o   The time when God went His Son is analogous to that time fixed by a father when a child would reach maturity, and gain control of and access to an estate.

o   Paul emphasizes Christ’s relation to us in His being born of a woman, and His being under the law

-          V. 5

o   “The receiving adoption as sons” is contingent on the “redeeming those under the law”

o   Could Roman adoption customs, especially as demonstrated in the lives of the Roman emperors, be in view here?  Could Paul be taking an example from Roman history to demonstrate God’s adoption of us?

-          V. 6

o   The Spirit verifies our adoption

o   Cf. Mark 14:36 where Jesus addresses God as “Abba”

§  The fact that the Aramaic form is preserved and enshrined in this verse indicates that this phrase had special meaning to the early Christians, especially given what its usage implied

§  The voice of Jesus is on the lips of the church

§  Jesus cried out in agony.  What is the implication for us since it says that our hearts cry out?

o   “God bestows on us not only the status of sons [through the sending of his Son] but also the character and knowledge of sons [through the sending of the Spirit].  And he bestows on us the character and knowledge of sons because we are already in the status of sons. “ – H. Schlier

-          V. 7

o   Jesus makes us Sons, while also freeing us from slavery

The Vineyard- November 27, 2011

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

Mark 8:22-38

-          In Jesus’ day, there was a variety of ideas about who He was.  The same is true in our day.  Who do you truly believe Jesus to be?  A wise teacher, a prophet, the Messiah?

-          Peter’s mistake was not in failing to recognize Jesus’ as the Messiah, but it was failing to recognize what it meant to be the Messiah.  Peter failed to realize that the Messiah was one who would suffer.

-          Jesus’ rebukes Peter for trying to redefine the mission of the Messiah.  Do you ever try to make Jesus something, or someone, He isn’t? 

Psalm 19

-          Have you ever looked into the night sky, or stood on a beach and taken in the vastness of the ocean, and felt small?  This psalm tells us that the heavens declare the glory of God in a way very similar to God’s written word.

-          You’ll notice that in the first part of the psalm, God is used when referring to creation, but in the second part of the psalm (vv. 7-14), LORD is used when referring to God’s direct interaction with mankind.  The same God that hung the moon and the stars interacts with us on a very personal level, even to the extent of revealing His name.  Looking at the vastness of creation can make us feel very small, but knowing the God who made it all can help us see our true worth.     

Prayer Requests- November 27, 2011

Prayer Requests:

Recent Requests:  Lois Johnson, Jimmy Parks, Carolyn Willis, George & Vera Lee Johnson, Max Earl Melder, Joyce Melder, James Johnson, Margie Cloud, D. C. Carruth,

Continuing Requests:  Shirley Goree, Janet Prather, Dianne McDonald, Bernice Thibodeaux, Robert Maddox, Bill Goree, Pete and Eva Stewart, Trevor Clark, Rachelle Johnson, Abby Arnaud, Marvin White, Shirley Decker, Tony Keith, Glennell Stanley, Mary Ann Fuller, Tonya Chelette, Benny Richard, Roanne Ballio, Marie Cook, Mrs. Joe Danton, Martha Townsend, Dot Melder, Perry Fleming, Tom Fuller, Bubba Jones, Darwin Jones, Juan Martinez, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Charlie Wilson

Deployed Military:  Tyler Johnson, Robert Rogers, Blake Thompson, all those serving in the military

Cancer Patients:  Shelby Atkinson, Yvonne Bass, Shirley Cameron, Gleeta Chamberlain, Jerry Cole, Sharon Cook, Rodney Cotton, Dorothy Crane, Wanda Dauzat, Ava Dore, Aly Ericson, Ruth Ann Fisher, Jared Gordon, Steve Goudeau, Allie Harvey, Johnny LaHay, Maria LaMartiner, Dot Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Mattie McReynolds, Elaine Melder, Joyce Melder, Bob Morrow, Clark O’Banion, Jeanie O’Rorke, Doug and Claudia Pinkston, Wes Roberts, Donny Shows, Linda Sipco, Carlos Smith, Robert Smith, Wally Pullen Smith, Walter Stagg, Jackie Teasely, Will Tulos, Dalton Welch, Shane West, Charles Whitten, Britney Wilson, Geraldine Willis, Charles Young

Nursing Homes:  Janie Jenkins, Helen Johnson, John Kenner, C.J. Meyers, Doris Polk

Deaths: Blake Kellogg family

Unspoken Requests

Praise: Geneva Norsworthy was able to go home from the hospital, and Dianne McDonald is recovering on schedule!

The Vineyard- November 20, 2011

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

Mark 8:1-21

-          The Pharisees come to Jesus wanting a sign, something to prove His authority.  And yet, He has just finished miraculously feeding 4,000 people.  Are you ever blind to the signs of God’s authority, because of your insistence that God manifest His power in a certain way?

-          The disciples knew the story of Jesus’ miraculous actions, and yet those stories had clearly failed to shape their understanding of who He was.  Do you simply “know” the story of Christ life, or are you also letting it shape your understanding of who He is?

Psalm 1

-          Do you delight in discovering God’s will for your life?  Do you find that it gives your life purpose and meaning?

-          Do you feel like a tree planted by streams of water, or do you feel like chaff driven by the wind?

-          This psalm states that “the Lord knows the way of the righteous” (v. 6).  The word know here implies a relationship, just as it did when Jesus spoke of never “knowing” someone.  Do you “know” the Lord, because you’re walking in the path of righteousness?

Prayer Requests- November 20, 2011

Prayer Requests:

Recent Requests:  George Johnson, Alice Mays, Bobby Peterson, Mary Ann Fuller, Tonya Chelette, Max Earl Melder, Joyce Melder, James Johnson, Tony Keith, Glennell Stanley, Margie Cloud, Elaine Melder, D. C. Carruth, Shirley Goree, Janet Prather, Cameron Strother, Dianne McDonald, Chloe Midkiff, Bernice Thibodeaux, Robert Maddox, Bill Goree, Pete and Eva Stewart, Mattie McReynolds, Trevor Clark, Rachelle Johnson, Abby Arnaud, Marvin White, Shirley Decker

Continuing Requests:  Anna Zimmerman, Benny Richard, Roanne Ballio, Marie Cook, Robert Smith, Mrs. Joe Danton, Martha Townsend, Dot Melder, Perry Fleming, Tom Fuller, Bubba Jones, Darwin Jones, Juan Martinez, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Charlie Wilson

Deployed Military:  Tyler Johnson, Robert Rogers, Blake Thompson, all those serving in the military

Cancer Patients:  Shelby Atkinson, Yvonne Bass, Shirley Cameron, Gleeta Chamberlain, Jerry Cole, Sharon Cook, Rodney Cotton, Dorothy Crane, Wanda Dauzat, Ava Dore, Aly Ericson, Ruth Ann Fisher, Jared Gordon, Steve Goudeau, Allie Harvey, Johnny LaHay, Maria LaMartiner, Dot Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Joyce Melder, Bob Morrow, Clark O’Banion, Jeanie O’Rorke, Doug and Claudia Pinkston, Wes Roberts, Donny Shows, Linda Sipco, Carlos Smith, Robert Smith, Wally Pullen Smith, Walter Stagg, Jackie Teasely, Will Tulos, Dalton Welch, Shane West, Charles Whitten, Britney Wilson, Geraldine Willis, Charles Young

Nursing Homes:  Janie Jenkins, Helen Johnson, John Kenner, C.J. Meyers, Doris Polk

Deaths: Cherry Seal family, Billy Fox family, Micky Stephens family, Johnny Prather family

Unspoken Requests

Praise: Anna Zimmerman, Doris Morgan, Peyton Conway, Bryce Bailey, and Sylvia Johnson are all doing better!

George Johnson

Keep George Johnson in your prayers.  He was admitted to the hospital late Wednesday night/early Thursday morning with a lot of stomach pain, and they have found that his intestine is inflamed.  Be praying for a quick recovery, and that he will be able to go home soon.

The Vineyard- November 13, 2011

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

Mark 7:24-37

-          This Gentile, Syrophoenician woman was not a person in whom you would expect to find faith.  Have you ever found faith in some place, or maybe even in someone, where you least expected it?

-          The Syrophoenician woman was also bold, willing to claim something she knew she didn’t deserve all because she had faith in Jesus’ goodness and grace.  Are you willing to claim a relationship with God, and salvation, even though you don’t deserve it?  Do you have enough faith to believe that God’s invitation extends even to you?

-          After Jesus heals the deaf man, it becomes difficult for Him to restrain the enthusiasm of the people.  Is it hard for you to remain silent about what God has done in your life?   

Matthew 7:13-27

-          It isn’t enough to know Jesus’ name, we must also know Him and His teachings.  If you were to meet Him today, would Jesus know you, or better yet, would you know Him?

-          Jesus knows that in the end, many will claim allegiance to Him, and yet not nearly as many will have born fruit in their life that verifies their claims of allegiance.  What type of fruit is your life bearing?  Is it consistent with a Jesus-follower who bears His Spirit? 

Prayer Requests- November 13, 2011

Prayer Requests:

Recent Requests:  Alice Mays, Bobby Peterson, MaryAnne Fuller, Tonya Chelette, Max Earl Melder, Joyce Melder, James Johnson, Tony Keith, Glennell Stanley, Margie Cloud, Elaine Melder, Anna Zimmerman, D. C. Carruth, Shirley Goree, Janet Prather, Cameron Strother, Dianne McDonald, Chloe Midkiff, Bernice Thibodeaux, Robert Maddox, Bill Goree, Pete and Eva Stewart, Mattie McReynolds, Trevor Clark, Rachelle Johnson, Abby Arnaud, Marvin White, Shirley Decker

Continuing Requests:  Benny Richard, Roanne Ballio, Marie Cook, Robert Smith, Mrs. Joe Danton, Martha Townsend, Dot Melder, Perry Fleming, Tom Fuller, Bubba Jones, Darwin Jones, Juan Martinez, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Charlie Wilson

Deployed Military:  Tyler Johnson, Robert Rogers, Blake Thompson, all those serving in the military

Cancer Patients:  Shelby Atkinson, Yvonne Bass, Shirley Cameron, Gleeta Chamberlain, Jerry Cole, Sharon Cook, Rodney Cotton, Dorothy Crane, Wanda Dauzat, Ava Dore, Aly Ericson, Ruth Ann Fisher, Jared Gordon, Steve Goudeau, Allie Harvey, Johnny LaHay, Maria LaMartiner, Dot Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Joyce Melder, Bob Morrow, Clark O’Banion, Jeanie O’Rorke, Doug and Claudia Pinkston, Wes Roberts, Cherry Seal, Donny Shows, Linda Sipco, Carlos Smith, Robert Smith, Wally Pullen Smith, Walter Stagg, Jackie Teasely, Will Tulos, Dalton Welch, Shane West, Charles Whitten, Britney Wilson, Geraldine Willis, Charles Young

Nursing Homes:  Janie Jenkins, Helen Johnson, John Kenner, C.J. Meyers, Doris Polk

Deaths: Billy Fox family, Micky Stephens family, Johnny Prather family, fatality from the ACU bus crash, Betty Veillon family

Unspoken Requests

Praise: Anna Zimmerman, Doris Morgan, Peyton Conway, Bryce Bailey, and Sylvia Johnson are all doing better!