Hope Class Fellowship

Cedar Lane Restaurant

Let's have fellowship, eat and be merry!! As of Sunday, twenty seven will be going. The more the merrier!!!

Hey, hey, hey, bus leaves at 5:30 pm Saturday and I expect to see everyone there.

I heard through the grapevine that Danny is buying dinner for the first person to show up early. See you Saturday.

Franz

PS - Heather this does not apply to you.

Celebrating Easter's Significance

I have a friend who refers to Easter as "Resurrection Sunday." He did this to emphasize the importance of this day within the Christian faith and to de-emphasize the secular connotation our society has placed on "Easter." Resurrection Sunday is the "Hope" and "Faith" of generations past, present and future. It is the defining moment in history that consummates the promise of God to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. A belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ is essential for any meaningful relationship with God.

The Hope Class in Action

Johnny Payne brought his camera and took these pictures of the class in action on March 16, 2008. Our lesson this day was "Growing Spiritually through Personal Crises" and the text was from the life of Jacob in Genesis 32 & 33. We broke into small groups to discuss the impact of personal crises in our lives. Everyone present had experienced a season of personal crises in their lives. The question was "Are christians immune to personal crises?" The consensus was a resounding No!!! All were in agreement that we can grow spiritually when we respond appropriately. We studied the response of Jacob in his time of crises to identify life application principles that will help us grow during these stressful times. If you are searching for a great class, this is the best in the world. Come and engage in great christian friendship and fellowship.

Jenny, Glynn, Larry and Andy (left to right) in action. Larry is like E.F. Hutton - when he speaks people listen.

Van, Robin, Franz, Danny, David, Edsel and Kay (left to right) listen to Franz as he shares his thoughts about personal crises in the lives of Christians.

Jackie, Larry, and Susan (left to ritght) listen to Gerald during a small group breakout.

David, Robert, Juanita and Jennifer (left to right) in small group breakout discussing the effect of personal crises in the lives of Christians. What are your thoughts? Why does God allow seasons of personal crises to occur in the lives of his children?

A group photo of the greatest SS Class in the entire world. Would you believe this was St. Patrick's Day weekend? Green ties, coats, shirts, blouses, sweaters, walls and even green writing on the white board. At JSBC in Dublin, Georgia we get into St. Pat's day. A special thanks to Mrs. Sue Bennett for providing many of the men of our church with ties.

Growing Spiritually Through Crises

First I apologize for being slack this week. I have been out of town and have not had the opportunity to post.

No one is immune to life's crises!! No, not even Christians. In case you disagree, don't take my word for it, study the life of any biblical, God fearing character (Abraham through Paul, including Jesus Himself) and you will discover each encountered times of personal crises. If you are still not convinced, study the lives of modern saints and you will discover they too have encountered some serious crises during their lives. The important thing is how you respond to these crises. What are your options when crises strikes? More importantly, how do you respond during these crises? I'll leave these for you to ponder and hopefully comment to in the blog!

Genesis 32 & 33
This week Jacob encounters such a crises. He has been in Haran living with his father-in-law(Laban) for twenty years. He arrived with nothing, God has blessed him with:
family.... (four wives & twelve children [eleven boys and one girl] Benjamin not yet born)
wealth.....(sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, oxen, servants, etc.)
and life skills....(a career, wisdom, discernment, etc.)
So what is the crises and what to do? In short, he is no longer welcome in Laban's home or land. Years before he left his father's house (Isaac) under threat of his life. What to do - does he stay?, if not where does he go?, will his family be safe?, will they understand?? God speaks to Jacob and tells him to return to the house of his father, Isaac. The decision to return was not an easy one for Jacob. How will he be received? Does Esau still harbor revenge? What will happen to his family? God did not provide understanding - just direction.
God does not abandon us in times of crises! Sometime you have to listen carefully to hear God's voice over the hurt, pain and distress. But it is there if you will listen and hear. Often the instruction is not what you want to hear but it is always for your well being. It will provide hope; but requires faith. Hope... that somehow tomorrow will be better than today. Hope... that God hears and will respond to your pain. Faith... to respond to God's instruction even if it hurts. Faith... that God will use this time of hurt to grow you spiritually. He does not promise understanding....just that He will be with you and not abandon you. Sometimes you cannot see or feel Him but you know he is there.
Most likely you will not see God's hand until you respond in faith. Jacob was obedient and began the journey to his father's home. In my opinion his anxiety grew even though he was responding to God's instruction. God did not remove him from the anxiety until he responded in faith. More importantly Jacob did not abandon God. He was faithful to remember God's promise to him twenty years prior. The same promise God had made to Abraham and Isaac. Mainly that He would multiply his family, give him the land of Canaan and...... that the whole world would be blessed by his faithfulness. Jacob not only remembered this promise; he reminded God of it. When crises strikes, you should remember God's blessings on your life and remind God of his promises to you. His word is filled with these promises. I do not mean to imply that God has forgotten them or that He needs to be reminded of them. Rather that you must reflect on His blessings and remember His promises in order to act in faith during this time of crises.
When crises strikes, and it will; how will you respond? For you see, it is in times of crises that you are most tempted to abandon God. If you respond to God in faith...He will grow you spiritually. If you abandon God, you do not respond in faith and deny God the opportunity to demonstrate His faithfulness to you during this time of need. Jacob listened, heard, acted in faith and was greatly rewarded for his faithfulness. In conclusion, often in my own life I am reminded of the great promise of God in Proverbs 3: 5-6...Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy path (JKV). I believe this to be God's instruction as to how you should respond at all times and especially in times of crises. Read it, memorize it, remember it, respond in faith as instructed and see how God will grow you through your time of crises.

Until next time.....

Danny

Sick Class Members

Several of our class members are sick and under the weather. Remember......

1. Phillip Hampton - Franz & I visited with Carolyn & Phillip this week. Phillip continues to have good days and bad days. Phillip our prayers are with you and Carolyn. We miss you and hope you will feel better soon.

2. Jennifer Taylor - she is having some back pain. I have not talked with her but know she and David would appreciate our prayers. Jennifer you are a trooper and our prayers are with you. Hope you feel better soon. We miss you.

3. Larry & Susan Drew - both were out sick last week. As we all know, this is very unsual. Hope you ae recovering and look forward to seeing you soon.

4. Juanita Drew - Juanita is recovering from the "creeping crud." She is on the road to recovery but still needs our prayers.

If there are others, please let me know!

Until next time......

Danny

Birthdays This Week

Clifton "Skeeter" Wilkinson - March 4th
Jenny Duggar and Ivey Wilkins March 6th

.... may you have many more!!!!

Until next time.......

Danny

Class Fellowship

The class decided to go the Cedar Lane restaurant for our next fellowship. To find out more about the restaurant and menu click on the name below. The restaurant does not have a web site but this is a "my space" site about the restaurant.

1. Destination - Cedar Lane Restaurant, McRae, Ga
2. Date - Saturday, March 29, 2008
3. Departure - 5:30 pm from the church on the church bus
4. Dress - casual

Please let us know if you will be attending. You can either sign the attendance sheet in Sunday School or leave a comment on the blog. Have a great week.

Until next time..........

Danny