“Very early in the morning,

while it was still dark,

Jesus got up,

left the house and

went off to a solitary place,

where he prayed.”

~Mark 1:35 NIV~

Lots of prayer time is needed in our local communities to pray others and ourselves through the tough times so many families have experienced lately.  The Good News is that God has walked every step with each one of us and carried those who were unable to walk on their own strength.

Thought for the Day: When the rains begin

A newcomer to Seattle arrives on a rainy day. She gets up the next day and it’s raining. It also rains the day after that, and the day after that. She goes out to lunch and sees a young kid and, out of despair, asks, “Hey, kid, does it ever stop raining around here?” The kid says, “How should I know? I’m only 6.”

Residents of Seattle don’t tan — they rust!

I hear it only rains twice a year in Seattle — August through April and May through July.

Q: What do you call two straight days of rain in Seattle?
A: A weekend.

Q: What does daylight-saving time mean in Seattle?
A: An extra hour of rain.

Seattle may have a reputation for having a lot of rain, but it’s impossible to think about much rain without Noah and the flood coming to mind. The story of Noah is well-known, even among children, and its lessons are deep. Through this brief narrative, we are reminded of all of the essential elements of our relationship with God: God’s hatred of sin and the assurance of His judgment, God’s grace in providing a way of salvation, and Noah’s faith which led him to obey God completely.

“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” (Hebrews 11:7)

May your faith sustain you when the rains begin!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

I hope you have the faith to sustain you when the rains and floods of life happen in your world.  If not, please talk with someone who can guide you.  When you have that faith, life on this earth, no matter how good it is, does not begin to compare to life in heaven.

Anna Lee

I just talked with Sharon Martin.  Her dad, Earlo LaBauve, is in room 2204B in the medicine unit at North Oaks. His problem was too much cholesterol medicine which has affected his kidneys.  Please be in prayer for him and for Sharon as she helps with her dad and takes care of her family.  Mr. Earlo enjoys company and calls.

Frances McDaniel Gay told me that she got an excellent report on her check-up.  I’m so glad for her.  Thank God for this report and for a lady who enjoys each day God has given her.

Ian Russell Guzzardo

Crain Funeral Home, Franklinton

Wall McKneely said Jadon continues to do well today.  It doesn’t hurt to cover his family with prayers each day.

I saw Pat Felker.  She said “Miss” Grace Helen had knee surgery again and is expected to be in the hospital for 4-6 weeks.  B.J. saw the doctor yesterday, but continues to have an infection in the incision on her leg.  Pray that clears up without her having to be hospitalized again.

David’s great niece, Harley, is doing well.  The doctors did not see the need to discuss surgery today.  If she continues to do well, Harley may be able to go home tomorrow.

Mrs. Carol Jean Gill‘s family said she is still about the same.  Keep her name on our lips throughout the day as to petition God to continue to watch over her and her family.

David and I have been to 8 wakes and/or funerals in the past 12 days.  The memorial services have been very memorable.  I’m thankful for each life that touched me and for memorial services that were equally special and touching.  Pray for the many hurting families in our area.  It’s really touching to see hurting families reaching out to other hurting families.  We have some great Christian people in our area!  May that always be true!

“Be anxious for nothing,

but in everything by prayer and supplication,

with thanksgiving,

let your requests be made known to God.”

~Philippians 4:6~

David’s niece Janet A. Melanxon has a teen daughter hospitalized in Baton Rouge.  Pray for Harley to get better soon, so she can continue her school week.

Pray for Mrs. Pauline Strickland to get stronger and for her children Donna Fay, Firma Kay, and Billy Carl as they help take turns with a sitter to care for her.  The family thanks you for your continued prayers for “Miss” Pauline and for themselves.

Today is the day the Hatchel family were scheduled to return to the Czech Republic.  Due to blood clots in his left calf, doctors and he IMB have put the return trip on hold indefinitely.  Pray for them as they seek God’s leadership during this time.  Also, pray for the doctors who are working with Boyd.

Modern slavery is known as human trafficking.  It is real and exists all over the world.

Slavery is a bigger problem today than it has ever been in human history. It is estimated that there are 27 million slaves around the world–most of them involved in human trafficking. In India alone millions of girls are without hope as their bodies are sold again and again. http://ow.ly/8CXMg Pray for these victims to be set free–physically and spiritually.

Dorothy B. Ricks
(March 28, 1934 – January 29, 2012)

A resident of Kentwood, LA, died on Sunday, January 29, 2012 at Specialty LTCH of Hammond in Hammond, LA. She was born March 28, 1934 in Tangipahoa Parish, LA and was 77 years of age. Graveside Services will be held at Mixon Cemetery, Tangipahoa, LA at 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 31, 2012. Services conducted by Rev. Joey Miller. Survived by daughter, Diane Turner and her husband, Roy, Kentwood, sister, Carolyn Morere, Ponchatoula, 3 grandchildren, Daniel Turner and his wife, Angela, Donald Turner and his wife, Andrea, and Ladd Turner and his wife, Christy, 4 great-grandchildren, Joshua Turner, Chloe Berberette, Chase West and Cheyenne West. Preceded in death by husband, Floyd G. Ricks, parents, Noah Booty and Mildred Fairburn Booty Wall. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Please pray for Diane and her family in the coming days.  Caring for “Miss” Dot has been one of her primary activities for a long time.

Thought for the Day: Fighting the Battle Alone

The story is told of an old lady who had moved to the United States from Europe when she was a child, but now she wanted to officially become a citizen of this country. After months of going through all the necessary red tape, she was finally ready to take the required oath.

“Raise your right hand, please.”

She raised her right hand.

“Do you swear to defend the Constitution of the United States against all its enemies, domestic or foreign?” was the first question.

The little old lady’s face paled and her voice trembled as she asked in a small voice, “Uhhh . . . all by myself?”

I know the feeling. When I read what the apostle Paul had to say about the great spiritual battle going on, I tremble a bit. Paul said,

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:12)

The thoughts of waging such a battle alone is enough to cause even the most stout-hearted to tremble. But we don’t go into battle alone! We go forth as a part of the army of God, led by the Son of God in all his glory, and side by side with every brother and sister in Christ on the face of this earth. The battle is still a difficult one. There will be many casualties along the way. But, thank God, we do not fight it alone!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Have a blessed Tuesday!

Anna Lee

Thank you for praying for Jadon again.  He is home again!

Update on Jadon Pailet

http://jadonsisstory.blogspot.com/2012/01/catching-up.html?spref=fb

“Miss” Lorna’s service was very appropriate.  I came away with two words: love & smile.  If you missed the service, be sure to ask someone.

There has been an addition to “Miss” Catherine’s obituary.  I post it as it now is.

“Now that the worst is over,

we’re pleased we can report that we’ve come out of this with conscience and faith intact,

and can face the world—

and even more importantly, face you with our heads held high.

But it wasn’t by any fancy footwork on our part.

It was God who kept us focused on Him, uncompromised.”

~2 Corinthians 1:12 MSG~

• Both “Miss” Gail Pittman-McDaniel and “Miss” Carol Jean Gill are improving.  ”Miss” Gail is no longer in ICU. Continue to keep these families in your prayers.  Pray also for the families of “Miss” Lorna Smith as her memorial service is today and “Miss” Catherine Simmons’ is tomorrow.  Continue to pray for two churches and a hurting community.
• “Miss” Lorna – Visitation begins at 10 A.M. with memorial service at 2 P.M. today
• “Miss” Catherine – Visitation begins at 9 A.M. with memorial service at Noon tomorrow
• Jadon Pailet was admitted to the hospital because of his high temperature.  So far, tests have not identified a problem, but thankfully have ruled out some serious problems little Jadon could have developed.  Continue to pray for Jadon and those caring for him.
• Holly Kliesch shared a request for prayer for the people of Senegal.

http://af.reuters.com/article/senegalNews/idAFL5E8CS00520120128?sp=true

• Barbara Ricks Reed

(Died January 28, 2012)

Heart to Heart with Holley: Walk On

Mr. Kenneth Felker said that both “Miss” Helen Grace and B. J. hav infections at the sites of their recent surgery.  Please be in prayer for this family.

Sharon Martin’s dad, Mr. Earlo LaBauve, was taken to the ER this morning with back problems.  Please be in prayer for this family.

Jadon Pailet was also taken to the ER because of 105.4 degree temperature.  Play for this child and his family.

Dorothy B. Ricks

(March 28, 1934 – January 29, 2012)

 A resident of Kentwood, LA, died on Sunday, January 29, 2012 at Specialty LTCH of Hammond in Hammond, LA. She was born March 28, 1934 in Tangipahoa Parish, LA and was 77 years of age. Graveside Services will be held at Mixon Cemetery, Tangipahoa, LA at 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 31, 2012. Services conducted by Rev. Joey Miller. Survived by daughter, Diane Turner and her husband, Roy, Kentwood, sister, Carolyn Morere, Ponchatoula, 3 grandchildren, Daniel Turner and his wife, Angela, Donald Turner and his wife, Andrea, and Ladd Turner and his wife, Christy, 4 great-grandchildren, Joshua Turner, Chloe Berberette, Chase West and Cheyenne West. Preceded in death by husband, Floyd G. Ricks, parents, Noah Booty and Mildred Fairburn Booty Wall. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Mrs. Lorna Smith’s daughter, Debbie, call to request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the DebRA Foundation of America to help children like Tripp Roth of Ponchatoula who recently passed away.

Debra of America
16 East 41st Street, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10017

You can also give online at

http://www.debra.org/honorary

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;

perplexed, but not in despair;

persecuted, but not abandoned;

struck down, but not destroyed.”

~2 Corinthians 4:8–9 NIV~

Miracle video of the day. Jadon giving me a five with his right hand

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=956775003564&set=vb.50301338&type=2&theater

A Note from (Tripp Roth’s) Granny

http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/2012/01/note-from-grammy.html?spref=fb

Continue to pray for the families of the four ladies in Saturday’s accident.

There will be no AWANA meeting tonight at FBC, Kentwood due to the wake for Mrs. Lorna Smith.

Thought for the Day: Being prepared

Earthquakes can strike without warning, and being prepared for such a disaster can mean the difference between life and death. Here are some tips someone has offered to help you and your loved ones make it through a quake:

~ Those living in areas not prone to earthquakes can respond quickly to the plight of disaster victims in quake zones by complacently smirking and saying, “I told you so.”

~ To minimize loss and damage in a quake, try not to own things.

~ Practice your burrowing-out-from-under-40-tons-of-rubble skills ahead of time.

~ Look out your window often. If you see a large, zig-zag-shaped crevasse moving rapidly from the horizon toward your home, step either to the right or the left.

~ For those who fear earthquakes, it may comfort you to know that a majority of the damage during the 1906 San Francisco earthquake did not come from the tremors themselves. Instead, it was from the raging, out-of-control fires that consumed most of the city.

~ A doorway is the safest place to be during a quake. Eat, sleep, and work in doorways.

~ Be sure to mail your house-insurance payments a full five business days before a major earthquake strikes.

~ If you are caught in a major earthquake in Southern California and are part of the entertainment industry, take a moment or two to reflect on how grossly you’ve wasted your life.

As several of the suggestions above point out (with tongue firmly in cheek!), the problem with an earthquake is its unpredictability.
A few months ago, Hurricane Ike devastated the Galveston area, but there was at least warning for several days that danger was coming. With an earthquake, there is none — it simply strikes!

Jesus described his second coming as an event like that. He used terminology like “a thief in the night” to describe the unexpectedness of the moment. His purpose in using that image was not to suggest that he is coming to steal something. Rather, he is coming at a time when we least expect it. And the only way to be ready for that moment (just as with an earthquake) is to stay prepared all the time.

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The skies will disappear with a loud noise. Everything in them will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be burned up. In that way everything will be destroyed. So what kind of people should you be?
You should live holy lives and serve God, as you wait for and look forward to the coming of the day of God.” (I Peter 3:10-12a, NCV).

My prayer is that you will be prepared so that you, too, can truly “look forward” to that day (whenever it may be!).

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Repeat after me!

God is good (God is good)

All the time (All the time).

All the time (All the time)

God is good (God is good)!

This is God’s day!  Don’t take it form Him.

Anna Lee