Sunday

“Though one may be overpowered,

two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands

is not quickly broken.”

~Ecclesiastes 4:12 NIV~.

Don Denton

I wanted to udate you all. Don is at Barnes Jewish on the Nurology floor. He is doing well. The doctors have tapered his steroids down to 20mg and Don has been on that does for 3 days now. He has not relapsed!

They will taper down to 15mg starting Monday. We continue to pray that Don will not relapse. Don has met with the Neuro Otologist and we both feel good about the direction they are going in.

There is talk of a biopsy of the brain, but that is NOT definitive at this point. We will be talking with doctors on Monday for a definitive answer as to what direction they want to go in.

We, Don and I will then call his Mayo doctor to discuss this and refer them to consult with the Barnes doctors if they want to do a brain biopsy.

We are praying that a biopsy will not be needed.

Also pray for Joshua. This is much, much harder for him than I could have imagined. This time around is really difficult emotionally for this 4 year old. He cries everytime he leaves his daddy. He gets sad at times and the other day, said upon our leaving the hosptial. Mommy can we take a walk by the lake so I can get my mind off of this. It amazes me that he can say that to me.

Joshua is more afraid this time too. It is almost like he knows dad is pretty sick again. Joshua is very protective of his daddy too.

And for that matter, hearing all of the doctors at Barnes talk about cancer and that possibility is really hard on all of us.

So we are now going on our second week up here. I had to come home this weekend to take care of some important business and we have our very special guests in from Rochester. Which we wish so badly that Don could be here to spend time with them. We so have needed this visit too.

This has been cathardic for both Joshua and I as their visit with us reminds us of our happy times at Mayo. WE have forged a very special bond with them and God brought this precious family in our life at His perfect timing. We are so blessed to know the Gustafson’s.

Josh and I will leave very early Monday morning to be at the hospital first thing to surprise Don.

Please pray for us as we are tired and weary again and are feeling it moreso.

We covet your prayers. We so need them.

Bless you our family and friends.

Diane

Robbie Lynn C. Kirby

Robbie Lynn has told me she was doing well following her recent back surgery. We saw her last night. She is in Kentwood again this weekend and looks well. Thank God for the progress she continues to make.

Two Major Thrusts

The Annie Armstrong Easter Offering supports NAMB’s two major thrusts: evangelism and church planting. An estimated 220 million people in the United States and Canada do not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The agency provides assistance to churches, associations, and state conventions in soul-winning training; interfaith witness; and church and community ministries, which include Alternatives for Life ministries and special evangelistic events.

Southern Baptists are starting more than 1,700 new churches every year, more than any other faith group. Yet, we still fail to keep pace with population growth. NAMB provides resources and strategies for establishing churches and missions among all ethnic and language groups in the United States and Canada.

THE VALUE OF TEACHERS

There is a beautiful legend about a king who decided to set aside a special day to honor his greatest subject. When the big day arrived, there was a large gathering in the palace courtyard. Four finalists were brought forward, and from these four, the king would select the winner.

The first person presented was a wealthy philanthropist. The king was told that this man was highly deserving of the honor because of his humanitarian efforts. He had given much of his wealth to the poor.

The second person was a celebrated physician. The king was told that this doctor was highly deserving of the honor because he had rendered faithful and dedicated service to the sick for many years.

The third person was a distinguished judge. The king was told that the judge was worthy because he was noted for his wisdom, his fairness, and his brilliant decisions.

The fourth person presented was an elderly woman. Everyone was quite surprised to see her there, because her manner was quite humble, as was her dress. She hardly looked the part of someone who would be honored as the greatest subject in the kingdom. What chance could she possibly have, when compared to the other three, who had accomplished so much? Even so, there was something about her the look of love in her face, the understanding in her eyes, her quiet confidence.

The king was intrigued, to say the least, and somewhat puzzled by her presence. He asked who she was. The answer came: “You see the philanthropist, the doctor, and the judge? Well, she was their teacher!”

It was James who wrote, “Brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers.” (James 3:1, GOD’S WORD). He points out that teachers will be judged more severely. He could just as easily have said that teachers have a greater responsibility, a greater challenge, a greater opportunity to affect the lives of people in a negative way. It is impossible to teach without using words, and with greater use of words comes a greater danger that the words will do harm.

But thanks be to God that there are those who face that challenge and assume that responsibility and make a diligent effort to use their words as an opportunity to affect the lives of people in a positive way. Those of you who are teachers — who can begin to measure the tremendous effect that you are having in the lives of the children (and adults) in your classrooms? You may not see the results of your efforts for years. In fact, you may never get to see the results. But you do make a difference.

Those of you who are schoolteachers are teaching not only the basics of education, but you are teaching values and character. Those of you who are Bible class teachers are filling the minds and hearts of our children with stories of faith that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Those of you who are preachers are strengthening the family of God and bringing salvation to the lost.

So, my hat is off to all of you who are teachers because you make a difference!

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach.” (Romans 12:6-7)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Thank a teacher(s) at church today and a school teacher(s) this week. I know I have some to thank.

Have a fantatic Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee