Saturday

And climbing out of the boat,

Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus.

But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid.

And beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out His hand,

caught hold of him,

and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Matthew 14:29-31 (HCSB)

Aaron Hill

Early Friday morning
Frann Smith Clark

This morning brings more disappointment. We had gotten excited yesterday evening when Aaron got moved to a private room. We saw it as a sign of improvement. However, this morning’s x-ray shows that there is more fluid building up on the left side of Aaron’s chest. They stopped his feeds and are putting a chest tube in his left side this morning. They are also doing another catheterization this afternoon. Another scary procedure and it means Aaron will go on the ventilator again. We want them to find the problem so our Aaron can get better, but we are scared for our little man. Please pray for him and for the doctors as they sort out the questions. Please pray that God will solve the problem and heal Aaron.

Friday Evening

Just a quick update for everyone. Aaron has been out of his cath for a bit. The preliminary report is that there is a hole where they closed his VSD and possibly another hole. Because of the holes, the right side of his heart has been pumping three times as much blood as normal. This is the reason his heart has been working so very hard for the past 9 days. It is doubtful that they will be able to close the holes without doing another surgery, but we await the review from Aaron’s surgeon. Aaron has been such a strong little man throughout this trial. Please pray that he will continue to be strong and that God will do a mighty work and close these holes Himself. We will give Him all the glory.

Baby Rebecca will be buried today. Her family delayed the burial because the pastor, family members, and friends were on a mission trip to Mexico this week. Please be in prayer for them as they bury this precious gift that God loaned them for a short period of time.

Mickey Cade

• 75th birthday party
• 2-4 P.M. today
• FBC, Fellowship Hall
• No gifts

Migrant Kits

• Due Wednesday

DAILY AFFIRMATIONS

The following have been suggested as some ineffective daily affirmations:

– I have the power to channel my imagination into ever-soaring
levels of suspicion and paranoia.

– I assume full responsibility for my actions, except the ones that
are someone else’s fault.

– I no longer need to punish, deceive or compromise myself. Unless,of course, I want to stay employed.

– I honor my personality flaws, for without them I would have no
personality at all.

– I am grateful that I am not as judgmental as all those censorious, self-righteous people around me.

– I need not suffer in silence while I can still moan, whimper and complain.

– The first step is to say nice things about myself. The second, to do nice things for myself. The third, to find someone to buy me nice things.

– All of me is beautiful and valuable, even the ugly, stupid, and
disgusting parts.

– Only a lack of imagination saves me from immobilizing myself with imaginary fears.

– Today I will gladly share my experience and advice, for there are no sweeter words than “I told you so.”

– A good scapegoat is nearly as welcome as a solution to the problem.

– Just for today, I will not sit in my living room all day watching
TV. Instead I will move my TV into the bedroom.

– I will find humor in my everyday life by looking for people I can
laugh at.

– I am willing to make the mistakes if someone else is willing to
learn from them.

There’s obviously not a single one of the affirmations above that provides a foundation for successful living. So what can we “affirm” daily that will give us the strength we need to face the difficulties that each day bring? Allow me to share with you two affirmations from scripture:

“[The accusers] had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.” (Acts 25:19)

“This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works.” (Titus 3:8)

If we will affirm daily (acknowledging God’s power) that Jesus Christ was not left in the tomb, but is a risen Savior, and if we will affirm daily (acknowledging our responsibility) that we ought to live lives of obedient faith, then we truly have the foundation to meet whatever life sends our way.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Your prayers mean so much to so many. Thank you for being there each day. Please feel free to contact me with praises, requests, and updates for The Prayer Link. (You can do so by using the CONTACT button at the top of The Prayer Link screen.)

Anna Lee