Momma was moved from telemetry to step-down less than an hour ago.  She’s now in room 3230.  Our roller coaster ride continues.  Please pray for our family and sing along to my Hymn of the Day! (below)

Ronnie Nielsen’s mother passed away.  Please pray for those who are left behind to mourn her loss.

USING WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN US

A band director was having a lot of trouble with one of his drummers. He talked and talked and talked with the drummer, but his performance didn’t improve.

Finally, in front of the whole orchestra, he said, “When a musician just can’t handle his instrument and doesn’t improve when given help, they take away the instrument, give him two sticks, and make him a drummer.”

A whisper was heard from the percussion section: “And if he can’t handle even that, they take away one of his sticks and make him a conductor.”

It is a biblical principle that if we are unable to handle the responsibility that God has given us, it can be taken away.  Jesus told a parable in Matthew 25 about three servants who were given money by their master and were told to make use of it while their master was gone.  When he returned, two of them had used their “talents” and one had not.  Jesus concluded the parable by saying:

“For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.” (Matt. 25:29)

I need a constant reminder that all that I have has been given to me by God to use for His glory.  It is an exciting thought to realize that as I use what God has given me, He will bless me with even more opportunities for service.  On the other hand, it is a sobering thought to realize that if I fail to make use of what I have been given, I may lose it.

So what are you doing with what God has given you?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Hymn of the Day

God On The Mountain Lyrics

Life is easy when you’re up on the mountain
And you’ve got peace of mind like you’ve never known.
But then things change and you’re down in the valley.
Don’t lose faith for you’re never alone.

For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley.
When things go wrong, He’ll make it right.
And the God of the good times
is still God in the bad times.
The God of the day is still God in the night.

You talk of faith when you’re up on the mountain.
Oh but the talk comes easy when life’s at its best.
But it’s down in the valley of trials and temptation
That’s when faith is really put to the test.

For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley.
When things go wrong, He’ll make it right.
And the God of the good times
is still God in the bad times.
The God of the day is still God in the night.

For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley.
When things go wrong, He’ll make it right.
And the God of the good times
is still God in the bad times.
The God of the day is still God in the night.
The God of the day is still God in the night.

“God On The Mountain” words and music by Tracy G. Dartt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V65EPF2S-s0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkpfFxA6Yk0&feature=related

I’ve had this song on my mind since yesterday.  Of course, Robert Callihan is the one singing it in my memory.  I hope you will sing or hum along as you read the lyrics or listen so some of the singers listed on the You-tube site.

that nothing can ever separate us from his love ….” 

~Romans 8:38-39 (NLT)~

“Let the peoples praise You, O God;

let all the peoples praise You.”

~Psalm 67:5~

From Faye Carney

1. Please Add Bo Lilly to your prayer list…. Bo Lilly, left for Afghanistan Friday. Please keep him in your prayers. He is the nephew of Mrs. Ann Trappey

2. Please pray for Robert Hartman, he is in North Oaks telemetry unit, they will do test today on his heart.

Hymns of the Day: Blest be the Tie that Binds

http://www.biblestudycharts.com/SH_Blest_Be_The_Tie.html

I’ve missed out on attending worship services lately, but have had my opportunities as I sat with Momma in ICU.  For example: A nurse shared how good God had been to restore her troubled marriage.  She told of the learning experience she has been through.  A tech who was also in the room had a few moments of praise and thanksgiving. I was so blessed to be a part of those special moments.

You may wonder how such a conversation took place in ICU.  It was because Momma has told everyone that on January 1st, she and Daddy will be married for 65 years.  Comments about her marriage have caused many to marvel and to even calculate their age if allowed to live long enough to have sixty-five years on marriage.

Hymn of the Day: Day by Day

http://www.biblestudycharts.com/HH_Day_by_Day.html

This phrase has come up almost daily and mainly from doctors as I sat with Momma.  God daily gives us strength to go through our trials here on earth.  He has been faithful to walk each step of the way with my family.  The wonderful workers in ICU have become like family during the last three weeks!  God put each of them in that place and at the moment we needed Him.  He allowed them to remind me to “Let Others See Jesus in You”.

Pray for my family as we celebrate the long, sweet life of my uncle today.  I can picture in my mind my aunt showing him around in heaven and hear her quoting verses to go with anything she has to share with him (and us).

Be a blessing to someone today!

Anna Lee

Chorus
I’m learning to lean, learning to lean,
Learning to lean on Jesus.
Finding more power than I’d ever dreamed,
I’m learning to lean on Jesus.
The joy I can’t explain fills my heart,
Since the day I made Jesus my King;
His blessed Holy Spirit is leading my way,

He’s teaching and I’m learning to lean.
Chorus
I’m learning to lean, learning to lean,
Learning to lean on Jesus.
Finding more power than I’d ever dreamed,
I’m learning to lean on Jesus.
There’s glorious vict’ry each day now for me,
Since I found His peace so serene;
He helps me with each task, if only I’ll ask;
Ev’ry day now I’m learning to lean.
Chorus
I’m learning to lean, learning to lean,
Learning to lean on Jesus.
Finding more power than I’d ever dreamed,
I’m learning to lean on Jesus

Momma had a much better day yesterday.  More lines are to come out today!  Please continue to pray.  Thanks so much.

CaringBridge:CarolineCutrer

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/carolinecutrer

]]> http://theprayerlink.com/index.php/2011/07/13/wednesday-184/feed/ 0 http://theprayerlink.com/index.php/2011/07/12/tuesday-174/ http://theprayerlink.com/index.php/2011/07/12/tuesday-174/#comments Tue, 12 Jul 2011 11:58:23 +0000 Anna Lee http://theprayerlink.com/?p=6508 Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,

but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.

~Proverbs 20:15~

Dennis Walker called David with news that some mutual friends who are missionaries had their first salvation experience in their ministry recently.  They have been working at it for six years.  Thank God for His faithfulness as well as the determination of the family to continue sharing the Good News!

Dennis Walker visited in the ICU yesterday – just when I really needed to see a familiar face.  I’m so glad God sent him!  The timing was perfect.  I keep singing “In His Time” to myself.

Momma had a difficult day yesterday, but a new medicine was tried that seemed to help her overcome her anxiety.  More of her regular medicines will be started today.  I think that will be good.  Continue to pray for all of us.

Boyd saw a doctor yesterday.  Another MRI will be done Friday so he can bring the results with him.  He has an appointment Wednesday in Metairie.  God was really at work in getting all these things lined up in a timely manner.

Jennie just told me the big suitcases are packed.  She is now working on the carry-ons.  Can you tell I’m getting very excited?

CaringBridge: LoganWatts

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/loganwatts

Jadon’s Story:

Posted: 11 Jul 2011 09:06 AM PDT

Things have been crazy the last couple of days. I had a bad reaction to the lamictal. I broke out in a rash. It was horrible and I was miserable. My neurologist called to check on me twice a day. So you know it was bad if the neurologist was calling twice a day. We stopped the lamictal and with 48 hours the rash was gone. We have started the lamictal again and so for so good. We went back down to 15 mg twice a day. We will increase it again in 2 weeks but this time only by 5mg instead of 10mg. If I break out we will stop using it. So we will see how I do in two weeks. I still do not have dates for Boston. My orders are in and we are waiting for the hospital to call and schedule it. It is taking longer than expected because we want to have both test done while in the hospital instead of having to go twice. I will let you know dates when I find them out. Thanks for praying for me. I’m leaving you a video of me shaking my head yes. I’m also leaving a picture of me holding on to the fence and standing. I’m also pointing to my head when you ask me where is my head. I will have to get a video and share that soon. So even with the horrible rash, I’m making progress. I’m such an amazing little guy. My family is so proud of my development.

I will sing to You among the nations.”

~Psalm 57:9~

ONE DAY AT A TIME, SWEET JESUS

(Marijohn Wilkins / Kris Kristofferson) Cristy Lane Also recorded by: The Alexander Brothers; Judy Collins; Phil Coulter; Floyd Cramer; Carlene Davis; Florida Boys; Tennessee Ernie Ford; Foster & Allen; Bill Gaither; Don Gibson; Arthur Greenslade; Lee Greenwood; George Hamilton IV; Sharon Hardman.

I’m only human,

I’m just a woman.

Help me believe in what I could be

And all that I am.

Show me the stairway,

I have to climb.

Lord for my sake,

teach me to take

One day at a time.

Chorus:

One day at a time sweet Jesus

That’s all I’m asking from you.

Just give me the strength

To do everyday what I have to do.

Yesterday’s gone sweet Jesus

And tomorrow may never be mine.

Lord help me today,

show me the way

One day at a time.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/carolinecutrer

Please continue to pray for Caroline, her extended family, and the medical staff at Children’s Hospital in Jackson where she has been treated.

I understand Mary Womack, Tom Brister, and George Eddie Lee were all at church today.  Thank God for the progress each of them has made.

Momma (Dot Smith)

We’ve been on a roller coaster ride this last week and a half.  When I left Momma a few minutes ago, she was eating her first meal in a week and a half. A procedure that was done yesterday stopped the A-fib.  Thank God for her progress so far.  She still needs more improvement.  We’re trusting God to continue to walk each step of the way with us.  Thanks for your concern for her and for us.

Hatchels

The vehicle Jennie and Boyd will be using for the next six months is parked at my house.  Thanks to Ron Phillips of Humboldt, Tennessee who has made nine mission trips to Romania.  He took responsibility for providing a vehicle at a good price, got insurance, etc.  What a blessing he has been!  Pray for the Hatchels as they pack and complete their work in Prague before the trip to NOBTS Saturday.

“Trusting Jesus”

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/r/trusting.htm

There have been names that I have loved to hear,

But never has there been a name so dear

To this heart of mine, as the Name divine,

The precious, precious Name of Jesus.

Refrain

Jesus is the sweetest name I know,

And He’s just the same as His lovely Name,

And that’s the reason why I love Him so;

Oh, Jesus is the sweetest name I know.

There is no name in earth or Heav’n above,

That we should give such honor and such love

As the blessèd Name, let us all acclaim,

That wondrous, glorious Name of Jesus.

Refrain

And some day I shall see Him face to face

To thank and praise Him for His wondrous grace,

Which He gave to me, when He made me free,

The blessèd Son of God called Jesus.

Refrain

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/j/i/jisnikno.htm

http://www.scriptureandmusic.com/Music/Text_Files/Near_To_The_Heart_Of_God.html

Early in the spring of 1905, my hus­band and I were so­journ­ing in El­mi­ra, New York. We con­tract­ed a deep friend­ship for a cou­ple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doo­lit­tle—true saints of God. Mrs. Doo­lit­tle had been bed­rid­den for nigh twen­ty years. Her hus­band was an in­cur­a­ble crip­ple who had to pro­pel him­self to and from his bus­i­ness in a wheel chair. De­spite their af­flict­ions, they lived hap­py Christ­ian lives, bring­ing in­spir­a­tion and com­fort to all who knew them. One day while we were vi­sit­ing with the Doo­lit­tles, my hus­band com­ment­ed on their bright hope­ful­ness and asked them for the se­cret of it. Mrs. Doo­lit­tle’s re­ply was sim­ple: “His eye is on the spar­row, and I know He watch­es me.” The beau­ty of this sim­ple ex­press­ion of bound­less faith gripped the hearts and fired the imag­in­a­tion of Dr. Mar­tin and me. The hymn “His Eye Is on the Spar­row” was the out­come of that ex­per­i­ence.

Civilla Martin

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/h/i/hiseyeis.htm

Go to this link for the words and music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVdEdIDyeaA

Because He Lives

http://www.my.homewithgod.com/heavenlymidis2/helives.html

Words and music by William J. Gaither
© 1971

Matthew 28:6
“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.
Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

• • • • Chorus
        Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
        Because He lives, all fear is gone;
        Because I know He holds the future,
        And life is worth the living,
        Just because He lives!
        Chorus
        Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
        Because He lives, all fear is gone;
        Because I know He holds the future,
        And life is worth the living,
        Just because He lives!
        Chorus
        Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
        Because He lives, all fear is gone;
        Because I know He holds the future,
        And life is worth the living,
        Just because He lives!

      God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;
      He came to love, heal and forgive;
      He lived and died to buy my pardon,
      An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives! How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
      And feel the pride and joy he gives;
      But greater still the calm assurance:
      This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!

      And then one day, I’ll cross the river,
      I’ll fight life’s final war with pain;
      And then, as death gives way to vict’ry,
      I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives!