Saturday

“But certainly God has heard me;

He has attended to the voice of my prayer.”

~Psalm 66:19~

Prayerline

INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD
Friday, May 30, 2008

“It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega,

the Beginning and the End.

I will give to the thirsty from the spring of living water

as a gift”

Revelation 21:6, HCSB

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the International Prayer Strategy Office, continuing to ask you to pray for those who are facing daily challenges.

In the last several months, the citizens of South Africa have endured daily electrical power outages that have caused many problems. Equipment has been damaged, businesses have failed financially, and the traffic situation has worsened. There is also increased danger for nightly meetings such as cell-groups (home-based congregations) and Bible studies, as well as other ministries in which missionaries are involved. Pray for the country’s leaders to find realistic solutions to the current problems with daily power outages.

The hot season is in full force in Pakistan and so are the power cuts, also known as “load shedding.” In March and April, the daily average for load shedding was between 6-8 hours (often in 2-hour periods). Some in the poorest neighborhoods went without power for much longer periods of time. Water is also a big concern as the temperatures increase. There is simply not enough clean water to go around. Please pray for God to show Himself as the Great Provider and for the people of Karachi to know that Jesus alone brings Life.

*Please pray for believers in these nations to depend fully on the Lord and demonstrate their confidence in His provision to their neighbors.

*Pray for missionaries’ safety as they continue with ministry while dealing with difficult circumstances.

*Pray for those facing life’s challenges to recognize the Alpha and the Omega who provides all our needs.

Please remember my son, C.J. Williams in your prayers, his biological father, Clyde Williams, Sr. of Ponchatula was crossing the street yesterday morning (Thursday)and was struck and killed by an oncoming vehicle. C.J. never really had much of a relationship with his father but the lack of that and now the chance to have one is gone and that is bothering him. So I am asking prayer for C.J. and for the rest of the family during this time, I ask for prayer for strength, healing and growth through this tragedy. Thank you for praying. Sue Minor

Dr. John Sherman Scarle Sr.
A resident of Ponchatoula, Dr. John Sherman Scarle Sr., 88, died at 5 a.m. Friday, May 30, 2008, at his home after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was born on Thursday, Dec. 11, 1919, in Amite. Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Louise Miller Scarle; two daughters and sons-in-law, Scarlet Scarle Hebert and Thomas E. Hebert, M.D., and Marsha Scarle Black and Gary Louis Black; and son, John Sherman Scarle Jr. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Friends will be received at First United Methodist Church of Ponchatoula on Monday, June 2, from noon until service at 1 p.m., with the Rev. Tom Logan officiating. Interment will follow in the Amite Cemetery, Amite. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parkinson’s Foundation at 1501 N.W. 9th Ave. (Bob Hope Road) Miami, FL 33136-1494, or to North Oaks Hospice, P.O. Box 2668, Hammond, LA 70404-2668. An online guestbook is available at http://www.harrymckneely.com.

Vesta Louise Gill Walker
Walker, Vesta Louise Gill McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, at 11 a.m.

THE VALUE OF EXPERIENCE

“Sir, What is the secret of your success?” a reporter asked a bank president.

“Two words.”

“And, sir, what are they?”

“Right decisions.”

“And how do you make right decisions?”

“One word.”

“And, sir, what is that?”

“Experience.”

“And how do you get experience?”

“Two words.”

“And, sir, what are they?”

“Wrong decisions.”

There’s a measure of truth in that. Though we can (and should) learn from the mistakes of others, experience truly does seem to be “the best teacher.” The experience of making wrong decisions in the past should help us to learn so that we make better decisions in the future. But are we willing to learn?

Paul is a great example of someone who learned from his past mistakes and, as a result of that experience, made better decisions in his effort to serve God.

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man….” (I Timothy 1:12-13)

I love the way that I’ve heard Randy Harris put it: “God loves you wherever you are……..but He loves you too much to leave you where you are!”

Father, once again I come asking forgiveness for the many times I’ve let you down. As I confess to you my transgressions, I pray that you will help me to learn from my mistakes — to recognize the consequences of following my stubborn will, to realize the heartache you feel when I turn a deaf ear to you, to learn from my error the need to follow your word more closely. I have made wrong decisions, but I pray that the experience of doing so will help me to develop the wisdom necessary to make better decisions in the future, as I strive to draw closer to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Right decisions

Experience

Wrong decisions

“God loves you wherever you are……..

but He loves you too much to leave you where you are!”

Think on this today.

Have a wonderful Saturday!

Anna Lee