The Akridge Sunday School Class

Prayer Requests/Praises:

• Mike Akridge- Tuesday afternoon, consult with doctors to determine treatment options for cancer. Brenda Akridge - for Jim (her b-i-l) to be able to take treatment #9 for his cancer


• Scott Thomas - praise that his cousin Daryl came through surgery to remove the cancer in his jaw. Please pray infection stays away and complete healing occurs.


• Entrep family during their grieving process.

I. Paul's Example (vv 12-18)

II. Timothy's Example (vv19-24)

So you've become a Christian....now what? Paul says continue to work out your salvation. Saving grace is instantaneous, but the sanctification process is lifelong. We give control of our lives to God and He gives us His energy to grow in Him. There is nothing we can do to earn our place in Heaven. Jesus takes care of that, but we must continue to surrender our lives and choose His path this side of Heaven. We can do that partly by following Paul's example, as well as, Timothy and Epaphroditus as discussed in this chapter of Philippians.

Timothy's example showed genuine concern for others. We are to "shine like stars in the universe." One way we can do this is to not just be concerned with ourselves but to seek out others needs and show concern for them.

As we hold up the mirror in our own lives I pray we will be challenged to not be the same but to live out this new nature that God has given us.

• Krista-unspoken
• Amy E.-brother-in-law, Jeff Harris, for his health and learning life with Diabetes
• Stephanie B.-for my 15 month old daughter (Jillian) to walk
• Ashely F.-mother of one of my Upward Cheerleaders passed away Friday night.
• Julie-sister-in-law readmitted to hospital Saturday night w/a fever of 102. She's on antibiotics for infection. The fever has gone down some. Should be home Monday or Tuesday.
• Scott T.-cousin Daryl to have surgery 3/21 for cancer in his jaw. He also has Leukemia.
• Vesla-will have a follow up visit on Friday.

Announcements:

• Welcome Jennifer B. as our newest class member! So glad to have you with us!
• Time Change-Spring Forward-March 13.--Yes, we lose an hour of sleep but we gain lots of daylight. yay!
• Parent's Night Out for Preschoolers, March 25th.
• March 20, Sunday-Visiting Children's Harbor-meet there at 2pm--contact Emily for more details
• April 10th, Sunday 3pm @ Lisa T.'s house-Prayer & Pampers for Jennifer C. We'll sign up to bring something salty, & sweet closer to the day.
• Saturday, April 23-Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Mike & Brenda's. Bring a dozen filled eggs-no chocolate please.
• March 13th will be Drew R.'s last Sunday with us before deployment. Be sure to come and help send him off this coming Sunday.

Devotional recap:

We are beginning a new study this quarter in the book of Phillipians--yay, no more hard to pronounce names. Mike and Brenda gave us an overview of the book and it's central theme of JOY.

A good way to remember the essence of JOY is the following acrostic.

J-Jesus First

O-Other's Second

Y-You last

• Sunday Social-next Sunday March 6th in Sunday School. We'll have a short devotional and spend the hour getting to know one another better. Potluck breakfast. Be sure to be there at 9:15am
• March 5, 2011, Saturday-Visiting Children's Harbor-Please continue to bring deo for the hygiene bags. Contact Emily if you want to go.

Prayer Requests/Praises:

• Clista-Sinus infection
• Brenda-Praise-Jim was able to take his treatment on Tues.
• Julie-Aunt dealing with husband and mom w/dimentia (Julie's grandmother); Sis-in-law having a C-section Wed. (Complicated/high risk pregnancy)
• Brady-grandmother w/lung cancer
• Scott T.-cousin Daryl Stovall battling cancer in his jaw and Leukemia. He will be setting up a surgery to replace bone from his leg into his jaw.

• Jason & Ashley--Praise! its a girl and she is healthy.
• Brenda-for Jim's platelets to be up so he can take his treatment Tuesday

Announcements:

• Sunday Social--March 6, Sunday--9:15am in our classroom. We will have a good time of fellowship and Mike & Brenda will give a devotional. You can sign up to bring something with Ashley. This is a great way for us to visit with each other and childcare is taken care of.

Lesson Recap: 2 Kings 18-19

"When the outlook is bleak, try the uplook."

Hope=confident trust in God

These chapters give us a look at the account of Hezekiah's reign as king. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord unlike so many kings before him. The foe is King Sennacharib (Mike really enjoyed saying his name.) Sennacharib trys to set Hezekiah up as the one deceiving the people. But God is on Hezekiah's side and shows them all who is boss. (my paraphrase...lol) In a time where Hezekiah's very reputation and belief system are coming into question he doesn't lose hope, he turns to God in prayer. This is the only adequate response. He didn't try to take things into his own hands, he put them in the hands of the One that could truly provide. His prayer shows that he knows God as the one true God, that he believes God is able and that He has the power to provide the salvation they need for the moment. The beauty of the close of the prayer is that he prays all of this to give God the glory so that all kingdoms may know Him.

God does answer Hezekiah's prayer and shows up on the battle field as the angel of the Lord and slays 185,000 men. Hezekiah's men never even had to strike a sword. Sennacharib was taken care of as well, as he fled back to Ninevah and then was killed by 2 of his own sons.

Mike reminded us that It's one thing when a king speaks or a president, etc.....its another when the Lord speaks. We can always have hope, no matter how bleak things are because we know the ending is in God's hands.

Questions of application-

• What is your biggest battle in your life?
• Where is your hope? confidence? trust?
• Do you even have hope?
• Do you expect God to show up?

God knows our battle. We need to turn to Him in prayer. We can claim a promise in Scripture and not be afraid. Fear says I do not trust God.

If you are having trouble in turning to God for something going on in your life right now, do not try to go it alone. We want to help. Turn to someone in our class, or to Mike and Brenda. God is able to carry you through whatever you are facing.

■Individual counseling helps individual family members to identify, understand, and resolve personal and relationship difficulties.

■Family counseling helps a family work together more effectively and supports the growth and development of all its members.

■Parent and child relationship counseling helps the child and parent explore ways to maintain balance and strengthen their relationship through effective communication and cooperation.

■Parenting training provides parents with effective methods for improving their parenting skills.

■Play therapy provides opportunities for clients to express their feelings through therapeutic play.

■Coping techniques teach skills related to reducing and managing stress and anxiety.

■Support groups are provided for people in similar circumstances to develop new relationships, share methods of coping, and encourage each other.

■Social support services assist families with referrals, transportation, housing, and other social needs which have evolved due to the child's illness

• Jason & Ashley--Ultrasound on Thursday to find out the gender fo the baby. Look for email on Friday after they tell their parents. ;)
• Brenda--Jim (b-i-l) to be able to continue treatments for cancer
• Krista--Christy Dooley & family as she goes through treatments for breast cancer
• Brian & Liz Sanders--b-i-l and sister of Jennifer Michaelson
• Jason & Susan Flebott--Jarrod & Stacie Robinson--Jason (35yrs old) has been diagnosed with inoperable stage 4 colon cancer. They have 4 children.
• Continue praying for Pastor Buddy's daughter Grace. You can follow updates on his blog at http://www.buddychampion.wordpress.com/

Announcements:

• Saturday Feb. 19th--Chili social & Ministy project--big day for packing Hygiene kits....see previous post
• March 6th-First Sunday Social in class--sign up for potluck will be passed around in class, or you can contact Ashley.
• Be sure to register for the Preschool Parent's Night Out, through the church website, coming up on Friday, March 25th.

Lesson Recap:

About Face!

Deut. 4:1-2, 6, 2 Kings 17:5-13, `4-23, 41, 2 Pt. 3:9

Israel:

1. Forgot God's Mercy (v7)
2. Imitated the ungodly (v8)
3. Turned a deaf ear to God's preacher (v 13-18)
4. Worshipped the Lord, but not exclusively (v32-34, 41)

• Israel thought they could sin secretly and get away with it.--Are we deceiving ourselves in thinking we can hide our sin from God?
• They knew God's laws--God had sent His prophets and they ignored them. --Are we ignoring God's word?
• They became worthless like the idols they worshipped--Are we worshipping worthless idols?
• Are we becoming immune to God's warning?
• What is it in our lives that would cause anger in God's eyes?
• How has God spoken warnings to us?
• What has been our response to those warnings?

The only appropriate response is Repentance--to make an about face! When we make that about face we will be staring into the face of God. When we turn from our sin God will lead our paths straight. God is full of grace, turn to Him today!

• Hygenie kit packing day Social--Feb 19, 5:30-8:00pm in the Blythe Equipping Room. We are having Chili and goodies. Sign up to bring something in class or contact Emily. Don't forget to bring your travel size toiletries. Scroll down and see the sidebar for ideas for collections.
• We need some volunteers to take birthday cakes to Springville and Margaret schools once a month. Please see Emily to help out.
• TEAM food collection--fill a bag with some groceries to help fill the local food bank. Return items February 13th.

• Julie-grandmother in nursing home with dementia and brain seizures. Adjusted meds, seems more alert. Cooper has tube out of right ear and left is almost out. A lot of pressure is on the right. Pray he stays healthy & tubes don't have to be replaced.
• Clista Whitworth-Kaitlin has upper respiratory infection
• Robert-his boss is departing to Puerto Rico/health issues.

Lesson Recap:

(2 Kings 9-10)--Today was an amazing lesson on our passion in Christ. Simply put, are we where we need to be or where we could be in our relationship with Christ? If not, why not? Mike and Brenda gave us a strong challenge to adjust our lives so that they will line up with where God wants us. The world has one standard, but God's is a far cry from the world. By which standard are we living our lives? Do we think we are ok, because we have cleaned up our act by the things we say, or the fact that our name is on a church roll, or perhaps because we volunteer left and right? Is that really all God desires of us? Let's not be satisfied with where we are simply because we measure up to the status quo of the church. Let's give every aspect of our lives to God. In Revelation, the writer notes that God would rather us be hot or cold but if we are lukewarm he wants to vomit us out of his mouth. How would you rate your passion, your love, your zeal for God? God's love can reach into every area of our hearts and lives. It is powerful enough to transform the coldest heart. And its power continues to drive the strongest to reach for more. It is full of amazing grace. God so desires us to live in a love relationship with Him. His love for us is reason enough to respond with our lives in worship!

Announcements:

• We are starting a new study in our Tuesday Morning Men’s Group. The study is called The Man God Uses by Henry and Tom Blackaby. It is a seven week book/dvd study. We will meet each Tuesday morning at 6:00 am in CLC room 203. We are out between 7:00 and 7:15 depending on when you need to get to work. Our first week will be Tuesday, February 8th. We will meet at 6:00 am at Cracker Barrel this Tuesday (February 1st) to have a fellowship breakfast before we get started. Please let Brian Sewell know if you are interested in the study.
• Don't forget about our Chili fellowship on Feb. 19th. Sign up with Emily to bring something. See previous post for more info.
• March 6th will be our first Sunday Social. We will have a devotional in Sunday School and then use the majority of the hour for fellowship. And of course we will have food! A potluck sign up will be passed around in class. More information will follow or you can contact Ashley.

Prayer Requests:

• Grace Champion - you can read updates on Buddy's blog @ http://buddychampion.wordpress.com/
• Christy Chambers-Friend Becky Edwards undergoing radiation treament for thyroid cancer.
• Vesla- Delivery is set for Feb. 1st. if her appointment on Monday doesn't neccesitate earlier.
• Kate Rush-will be getting tubes
• Julie & Brady Cox-J's sis-in-law w/difficult pregnancy needs to go 4 more weeks. B's G'mother re-diagnosed with lung cancer. J's G-mother in nursing home, dementia, & brain seizures
• Emily & Michael-friend from former church Nigel lost his mom suddenly
• Brenda-brother-in-law Jim to be able to continue treatment on Tuesday

We had a great morning studying 2 Kings 5 with several new couples visiting with us. We welcome you to the class! We hope you felt at home and will join us again soon!

Things must be going fairly well for the majority of the class because we didn't have any recorded prayer requests for the blog. (Some were mentioned in class and we will continue to be praying for those.) We did however have a praise for Brenda's brother-in-law Jim. He is doing somewhat better. Please continue to pray for him and his treatments for cancer.

Announcements:

• Don't forget to be collecting travel size hygiene products. We will be putting kits together to take to Children's Harbor in February. We have decided to make a party out of it on February 19th from 5:30-8:00pm with our kids. Chili will be served in the Blythe Equipping Room at the church as we put the kits together and help our kids understand the importance of this facility and how we are able to contribute to those in need. A list of items for the kits can be found on the sidebar of this blog. A sign up for food items and such to bring to the party will be passed around in class soon.
  
• Vesla's delivery date has been "bumped" up (pun intended) to Feb. 1st.--a sign up for meals will be set up on Takethemameal.com soon after she comes home.
  
• Men's prayer/Bible study group will meet for breakfast this Tuesday at Cracker Barrel at 6am. Come for a great time with the guys and find out more about the next study they will be starting.
  
  Hope you all have a great week!

We had a great crowd in Sunday School so instead of retelling the lesson, I want to simply list some of the questions that stood out in my mind. Maybe they will impact you too.

• What were you like as an 8 year old? Could you have been a king that did what was right in the sight of the Lord and reign for 31 years like Josiah did?
• How are you preparing your own children to walk in the ways of the Lord and not turn aside to the right or to the left?
• When our children grow up will they remember our generation as one who walked with the Lord and be able to follow our example?
• Is God's word evident in our church and in our life? or is it hiding and needing to be found?
• What idols in our life need to be torn down? in our family traditions? in our church? Do we want God's anger to burn against us?

"Josiah desecrated the high places.....He broke down the shrines...he pulled down the altars....he smashed the sacred stones....got rid of the mediums and spiritists, the household gods, the idols and all the other detestable things in Judah and Jerusalem." --2 Kings 23:8, 12, 14, 24

Read this chapter and you will see that Josiah was violent. Are we violent enough when it comes to fighting against our idols - our temptations? We must not be passive, but must fight against every form of evil with God's strength and weapons.

Last question: What was the key weapon that turned their world upside down in these chapters? Answer: The reading of God's word.

• Amy W.-my cousin's grandfather committed suicide Saturday. Please pray for the family. -I will be traveling next weekend. Please pray for safety & that Emma stays well.
• Kiley-best friend having marital problems. 4 kids involved. Currently separated. Pray for Godly wisdom.
• Christy C.-for Alex and his behaviors. -Resolve differences with his pyschiatrist or lead us to right doctor. --for Uncle Sheldon. His kidney function is below 20% & praying he can get on a transplant list.
• Sewell Family--Cade's recovery went well, so far so god. -Pray for adoption as we get close to being matched with our future daughter.
• Julie C.- grandmother is hospitalized and being evaluated about going to nursing home.

Announcements:

• Packing Party at the Church-Saturday, Feb. 19, 5:30-8:00pm, Blythe Equipping Room. We will be packing the hygiene kits for Children's Harbor. Chili will be served. Bring your kids a snack supper and drink. For a list of possible collection items scroll down and see the sidebar list on the right.