From Doug

Painting Project on Hold

04/15/2011 00:00

Due to a lack of communication, our classroom will be in use for church directory picture taking this weekend. We will have to postpone our painting party. If you would still like to stay and eat lunch with the Poolville Commune life group, please contact Kristen Gilbert about what to bring. The only volunteer I had was for the Harvey's to bring lettuce. I apologize for the late notice but I only found out last night myself.

 
We will also need to have class in a different location since photography equipment will be set up in our classroom. We'll meet in the gym either in the vacant classroom or in a corner of the open area. Sorry for all of the changes.
 
On the bright side, our lesson this Sunday will be about stress! God's timing is always perfect, isn't it?

Happy birthday to me.

03/27/2011 16:51

As of today I'm longer 40, but now I'm in my forties. I have been around the sun 41 times. I should be exhausted.

 
Class is coming tomorrow. I need a copy of "The Fellowship of the Ring". Does anyone have one you can bring? If so we'll watch a clip about leadership and look at how to be a sneaky leader. Keep praying for your kids and noticing the special things each one brings to your family. Also, keep Stacy in your prayers while she discusses surgery for her bulging disk in her neck.
 
I look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow morning. Our classroom repairs are almost complete. We will plan an evening or a Saturday to paint, clean carpet, and decorate once Dale is finished. You know it's a great class when the teacher finds one more thing to add to your calendar, right? Since we're clogging up calendars, make a time to get your picture made tomorrow for the church's pictorial directory. That will help people remember who you are when they see you.
 
See you Sunday!

Loving and Growing Your Children

03/18/2011 22:52

I hope everyone has had a great Spring Break if your kids are school-age. At least I hope you have adjusted to the time change. Continue to keep the people of Japan in your prayers as well as the people in class who have been struggling.


March Madness is underway (that's a college basketball tournament for those who don't know). After day one, my bracket is still in decent shape.
 
Last week we learned about our relationship with our spouses. This Sunday our class will look at ways we can model Jesus to our kids. We have to do more than love our children. We're charged with bringing them up in the faith, teaching them, disciplining them, and modeling Jesus to them. As we let Jesus work through our relationships with our children, he can accomplish far more than we hope, and the results might be very different from what we had in mind.
 
Read Psalm 127, maybe even commit it to memory since it's only five verses.

March 10, 2011

03/13/2011 16:14

Sorry for the late email this week. Where does the time go? Sunday morning is almost upon us, and so is Spring Break!

 
We're continuing to learn how to bring others to Christ. This Sunday we will be learning how well we love and honor our spouse. In preparation read Ephesians 5:21-33.
 
When we tell others how much better their lives can be when they walk with God, no one will want to listen to us if our relationship with our spouse is no better than theirs. It's also important for our children to know what a healthy marriage looks like. We need to show them our successes and our failures.
 
Keep Stacy Dial in your prayers this weekend. She has been suffering from a pinched nerve in her neck and had a procedure Thursday to try to relieve the pain.
Also, pick another couple in our class and pray for their marriage this weekend.
 
See you Sunday!
 
--Doug

E-Mail from 3-02-2011

03/02/2011 11:42

"You are the salt of the earth..." God didn't create you to make the world, your church, or your family more bland. Be salty. Spice up people's lives.

Take time this week to thank God for the seasoning each of your children add to your family. Pick three qualities for each child and spend time in prayer today, tomorrow, and Friday and thank God for one quality in each child each day.

 
Added challenge: If you're part of a step-family, thank God for that saltiness too.