Tuesday

He causes the sun to rise on good people

and on evil people,

and he sends rain to those who do right

and to those who do wrong.

Matthew 5:45 (NCV)

It seems lots of people are having tests. I’ll not mention names, but pray in general for them at this point.

Emily Panter:

Monday, January 26, 2009

Dear Family and Friends,

I am so happy to finally be writing you this particular mote. It has been long overdue.
Isn’t God wonderful? I am home and doing wonderful. My strength and appetite are coming back steadily and God continues to show His goodness and mercy to our family. Neither my family nor I could have made it through this without the knowledge that prayers were being rendered on our behalf. I would just like to write this little note (which in no way comes close to expressing adequately how I feel,) to say thank you! You are amazing and your thoughts, prayers, gifts, and helpful hands have done so much to make all of this go easier and smoother. We are so grateful!

For those of you who are interested, I will keep up the blog and write some of what God continues to show me, and maybe some funny family anecdotes. I pray that God blesses you as you have blessed us.

In Him,

Emily Panter

& family

Ronald Putman continues to slowly improve. Keep him and his family in your prayers.

CONTENT TO BE DISCONTENT

Jones, a wealthy financier, had on many occasion in the good old days — when trains were flourishing and coaches were the last word in technological luxury — crossed the continent by Pullman. He was well known and well served and was accustomed to every convenience, particularly when dining. Imagine his exasperation, then, when it turned out that the chef did not have tutti-frutti ice cream.

“No tutti-frutti?” he shouted. “I always have tutti-frutti.”

“I’m sorry, sir,” said the waiter, soothingly. “We have chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, black walnut, cherry, mocha almond –”

“I want tutti-frutti,” cried Jones, banging the table and turning red. “I have always had tutti-frutti and I won’t have anything else.”

For miles he muttered, scowled, growled, and snarled at everyone, so that every train employee on board had visions of angry reprisals. Finally, the train stopped at a station; a word to the conductor kept it there while the crew scoured the town for tutti-frutti ice cream.

A whole pint of the dessert was found and all of it was presented to Jones, with huge gobs of cherry sauce on it, together with a sliced banana and a swirl of whipped cream.

“Here is your tutti-frutti ice cream, Mr. Jones,” said the quaking waiter.

Jones looked at it with a scowl, then with a sudden swipe of his arm hurled it to the floor, shouting, “I’d rather have my grievance!”

As embarrassing as it is to admit it, I have been in that same situation. There are times when I have been most content to be discontent and have received great enjoyment from being unhappy. And pity the person who tried to appease me and deprive me of the “pity party” I was throwing myself! Have you been there as well?

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)

May you find joy this day in a God who richly supplies all your needs!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

I hope you are content today and every day.

Anna Lee