“If you wait for perfect conditions,
you will never get anything done.”
~Ecclesiastes 11:4 NLT~
Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell is feeling better and plans to be in Sunday School and church Sunday. Please continue to pray for Mr. Philip and “Miss” Annie Bell.
Don Denton
I have been so busy the last few days it has been hard to find time to sit down.
So
here it is as we know it. The doctors want to do a biopsy of the
mennigies of the brain. It will happen in 3 weeks. They want Don to
taper completely off of the steroids before doing this biopsy. Unless Don were to relapse then they would preforn the surgery immediately.
Don was discharged today from Barnes and he had outside testing today and possibly tomorrow. WE hope to be home by tomorrow as well.
We have been here now 10 days and we are pretty tired and ready to be home. We ask for prayer in the following ways:
- Don not relapse so that he can be completely off of steroids before the surgery. Steroids can skew results.
- Don is having more and more headaches. Pray that he does not relapse.
- Pray for Joshua that he can deal with another hospital stay in 3 weeks.
- Pray for me.
We
have so much to be thankful for. The Agivino family has provided a
real need for us. They opened their home to us and just have love and
care and supported us. Joshua loves Ann and she has an precious gift
when it comes to children. And she is a great play buddy too. We are so grateful for them ministering to us in this way.
We
again are asking for God’s mercy and grace upon us. We so need it and
we so need prayer. We are ready to find the answers as to why Don’s
dizziness is not getting better. We are praying that whatever they
find that it is treatable.
I will update you soon.
love
Diane
Emily Payter
This is Emily’s mom reporting in; Emily has internet problems, and
asked me to give an update. She went for another CATscan several weeks
ago in Greenville, and she said it was obvious that most of the fluid
and hematoma were gone, but she didn’t have the official results. Luke
dropped off the results in Dallas at Dr. Shat’s office, and she
received a letter from him last week. In it he said that everything was
back to normal and then added “HAVE A GREAT LIFE!”. He was always one
of our favorite doctors, because he is so positive and funny. He spent
a lot of time with Emily, and was so encouraging. Once again, we thank
the Lord for all of the excellent care which Emily received at Baylor.
recovery continues to be a miracle for which we praise our Lord. I must
admit concern for her, however, because, while her body has healed, for
the most part, from all the surgery and trauma, she is back to being a
full-time mother of 5, and that is exhausting for even the most healthy
mom! I know she would appreciate your continued prayers. She assures me
she is being very good about not overdoing it; she is fully aware of
her limitations.
RULES FOR STRAY CATS (AND SIN)
The following is a list of STRICT UNBENDING RULES for dealing with stray cats:
1. Stray cats will not be fed.
2. Stray cats will not be fed anything except dry cat food.
3. Stray cats will not be fed anything except dry cat food moistened with a little milk.
4. Stray cats will not be fed anything except dry cat food moistened with warm milk, yummy treats and leftover fish scraps.
5. Stray cats will not be encouraged to make this house their permanent residence.
6. Stray cats will not be petted, played with or picked up and cuddled unnecessarily.
7. Stray cats that are petted, played with, picked up and cuddled will absolutely not be given a name.
8. Stray cats with or without a name will not be allowed inside the house at any time.
9. Stray cats will not be allowed inside the house except at certain times.
10. Stray cats will not be allowed inside the house except on days ending in “y.”
11. Stray cats allowed inside will not be permitted to jump up on or sharpen their claws on the furniture.
12. Stray cats will not be permitted to jump up on, or sharpen claws on the really good furniture.
13. Stray cats will be permitted on all furniture but must sharpen
their claws on the new $114.99 sisal-rope cat-scratching post with
three perches.
It’s a humorous progression, but it reminds me of what happens
spiritually (which is not at all humorous). We don’t want to sin, so
we establish boundaries. “I’m not going to go here, look there, think
about that.” But, before long, we’ve crossed the line. We think,
“That’s all right. I still haven’t done anything wrong. I’ll just
re-establish my boundaries and not be quite so strict.” And slowly but
surely, sin works its way further and further into our lives until we
find that we’re no longer in control of the situation.
“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own
desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to
sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” (James
1:14-15)
Father, far too often I have allowed sin to slowly work its
way into my life. I didn’t want it to. I didn’t mean for it to
happen. But it did, and I’m sorry. Please help me to keep my eyes
focused on you as I strive to keep it from happening again. Give me
strength as I resolve not to allow impure thoughts and motives to find
a home in my heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina
The Prayer Link 