Thought questions - Psalm 73

Are we functionally living as though God isn't the source of our happiness, contentment and peace?

1) What is my greatest nightmare? What do I fear most?

2) If I failed or lost it - What would cause me to feel that I did not even want to live? What keeps me going?

3) What do I rely on or comfort myself with when things go bad or get difficult?

4) What preoccupies me? What do I think most easily about?

5) What prayer, if unanswered, would make me seriously think about turning away from God?

6) What makes me feel the most self-worth? What am I the proudest of?

7) What do I really want and expect out of life? What would really make me happy?

are any of the things from these questions things that your mind has convinced itself that you need alongside God to really be satisfied?

REMEMBER - a life of worship is where we gain the right perspective to remember that God is the strength of our heart and our portion forever!

Prayer Requests November 8th

Here's the prayer requests mentioned in class this week, if you have updates or further requests, please comment so that we can all be in prayer with and for you.
Webb - Keep Karen's Dad in your prayers, surgery went well, but pray for his recovery.
Poore - Praise that her "premies" just turned 18
Boone - Please pray for Wanda, she has not been eating, hoping she'll come when they invite her to church
Hill - Pray for Ben and his employment situation
Wheeler - Families of 2 of the children from her school
McKinney - Nancy Legard as she recovers from surgery to repair broken leg, Alan and Nancy and employment for Alan to not working at Children's Home and for the necessary adjustments for Roger and Janice as Terah and Ben move in

Pumpkin dip recipe

http://www.recipecircus.com/recipes/wiccadwoman/DIPS/PUMPKIN_DIP.html

List of Ingredients

1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
8 ounces cream cheese
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 (8 ounce) container Cool Whip

Recipe

Beat cream cheese; add pumpkin, mixing well. Beat in powdered sugar. Add spices. Fold in the Cool Whip. Refrigerate overnight.

Serve with ginger snaps.

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Prayer Requests November 1st

Please remember these folks in your prayers this week:
Nancy LeGard - Broke her leg - had to put in a titanium rod
Ben Hill - that God will provide in the area of employment
Karen Webb's father
Lauren McKinney - testing for possible seizures
Roger's Aunt - is doing better, but is still on a respirator
Bill Blumenthal - Lung scan
Sandy - stomach surgery
Lassiter family
Sr. football players at Gallatin High School

God Be Merciful to Me

Here is the clip I was talking about on Sunday. We all love the end of Psalm 51 "Create in me a clean heart, O God..." but the confession HAS to come first! Love the way Jars put this together. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LofARYK9EU

Discussion Questions - James 3:1-18

Verses 1 & 2 Why did James put such an emphasis on the accountability of teachers? How should accountability make us more careful in the way we use our words?

How can a Christian follower show maturity through his or her speech? Why is showing self-control in our speech a difficult challenge at times?

Verses 3 - 6 What are some small things that can lead to big problems? What small things did James use to illustrate the tongue's power? Why are these effective examples of how uncontrolled speech can cause problems?

When have you been "burned" by the fire of the tongue? When have you burned someone else?

Verses 7 - 12 What kinds of pets does your family own? Why do you enjoy having these pets?

Based on this passage, how effective are human beings at taming their tongues? What danger of the tongue did James describe (vv. 9 - 12)? How do we see that played out in our culture?

Verses 13 - 18 How should proper speech and wise behavior influence our relationships with both believers and unbelievers? What principles from this lesson will you apply to your relationships this week?

Prayer Requests for August 30, 2009

Here's the prayer requests mentioned in class this week, if you have updates or further requests, please comment so that we can all be in prayer with and for you.

McKinney: Janice's sister, Nancy LeGard, has broken her 'good' leg, she has a spiral fracture between the knee & ankle. Praise for the good report that the biopsy came back clean for Roger's Dad - it's not breast cancer, but there will be additional tests, so we need to continue to pray for him.

Jackson: Please keep praying for Charlie's co-worker Colin Briscoe - he is a coach and the vocal polyps are getting worse - they may have to take more drastic measures than "voice rest"

Roberts Please pray for Tammy's continued recovery from neck surgery, she is having a lot of muscle pain and stress.

Hunt: Praise that son-in-law Tim has found employment, starts 9/14. Additional request, please pray for Rhonda's sister Micki this week for peace and wisdom.

McKinney: Praise that both Tara and Ben have found part time employment, keep praying for something full time.

Webb: Please keep Karen in your prayers - she has applied for a position with the Jason Foundation - the evaluation process begins soon and she is asking for wisdom, vision and patience in the upcoming weeks.

Roberts: Praise that a situation with one of Ken's employees was settled without a lot of hassle, and that she was able to witness answered prayer.

Prayer Requests August 16th

McKinney - Please pray for Lauren's friend, Brianna Kietley. She has been diagnosed with an aggressive kind of skin cancer. She will have a procedure Tuesday at Vanderbilt. There is a 90% survival chance if this kind of cancer is caught early, but the family is understandably concerned.

Wheeler - Son Jacob starts classes at MTSU next week - adjusting to new surroundings.

Hunt - Granddaughter Rebecca WInters begins classes at UTC this week.

Jackson - Requesting prayer for Bobby and Alyssa Beasley - She is pregnant and on bed rest due to a serious condition - very possible that they will have to take the baby very early.
Also a request for Charlie's co-worker and coach, Colin who has vocal polyps and is on "voice rest" - tough deal as a coach.

Webb - Please pray for Hank's brother Dick and his wife Debby, and for Hanks brother Mark.