Sunday

Meaning of Easter

“Through the blood of His Son,

we are set free from our sins.

God forgives our failures

because of His overflowing kindness.”

~Ephesians 1:7 GWT~

Update on Scott Lindsey

Please continue to pray for Scott. As you know he suffered a traumatic brain injury from a 4-wheeler accident February 28th. He was transferred from Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge to Touro Infirmary in New Orleans on Thursday for Rehabilitation. Scott is truly a miracle! He is walking and talking, he is oriented to time and place.

There is a 50% mortality rate for the injury he sustained. Most patient’s with the injury Scott sustained are not nearly as far along as he is. The Doctors and Nurses are truly amazed. Please continue to keep Scott in your prayers. He is anxious to come home, but that is not possible at this time. Pray for him to have understanding and guidance and for the nurses and rehabilitation team that are working with him.

Don Denton and Family

Friday, April 3, 2009 11:49 AM, CDT

Just a quick update: Don did well on the pain meds last night and is doing better this morning. It is going to be a rough 3 weeks ahead of us.

I need prayer for the following. We are going back to St. Louis on Monday for testing all day. The doctors office has informed us that our insurance company is refusing to pay for a $400.00 test. We would need to pay up front.

I am not asking for money, but I am asking that you would pray that we would find a way for Don to have this test.

The doctors office has informed us that our insurance company is one of the only insurance companys that will not pay for this test. All other insurance companies do.

Joshua may have an ear infection, so I take Joshua to his doctor at 2pm today and Don sees an eye doctor to check pressure behind his eyes today.

Thank you for your love and support.

Diane

Saturday, April 4, 2009 4:45 PM, CDT

Well, Don miraculously did not have a headache yesterday. And today it has been minimal. Thank you God. I am so thankful for this. I don’t think I could have handled a relapse and Joshua being sick.

Yep…Joshua at doctor yesterday and then again this morning. Doctor sent us for xrays at hospital today and nebulizer treatment at doctor office.

Good news Joshua does not have pnemounia. He has inflammation in his airway. So Joshua is on a steroid and nebulizer treatment until he is better. Depending on how Joshua does today and tomorrow will determine whether we have to cancel all day testing for Don is St. Louis on Monday.

Joshua was up as I was most of the night last night with fever and constant cough and then on the way to doctor vomiting.

I think we should own part of the pharmacy by now….all of the pharmacists and techs know us by first name now.

I am so thankful that Don has not relapsed which I believe is a direct answer to prayer. I believe that with all that is within me. I saw how sick Don was the other night and I know this is a miracle that he did not relapse.

So, as this season of newbirth, new beginnings and the amazing reminder of Christ’s resurrection and what that means for us as believers, I am thankful.

I am tired and yet, thankful that I have not gotten what Joshua has, nor has Don. I make Don wear a mask and we have hand sanitizer everywhere throughout the house.

Well, a busy night ahead of me. Thank you so much for praying for Don and all of us.

Diane

THE POWER OF BAPTISM

The following true story comes from Verna Chambers in “Kids of the Kingdom”:

Little Betsy had faithfully attended baptism classes. Her mother, wanting to be sure her daughter understood its significance, asked, “Honey, what does baptism mean?”

“Well, it isn’t the water that makes you clean … ” she began.

Smiling, Mother thought, Yes, she understands.

” … it’s the soap.”

Well, Betsy was at least half right. Baptism is indeed the point at which the sins of a penitent sinner are washed away (Acts 22:16), but it’s not the water itself that makes you clean. Paul makes reference to the cleansing that comes in “the washing of water by the word.” (Eph. 5:26). Jesus, himself, spoke of the new birth as being “born of the water and the Spirit” (John 3:3,5). But there is no regenerational power in the water itself.

No, the power of baptism is the blood of Jesus Christ. As John acknowledged in the opening of his Revelation: “To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.” (Rev. 1:5).

Does that detract from the value of baptism? Not at all. Baptism is no less important. It just means that the power of baptism is found not in the water, but in the blood of Jesus Christ. That’s why Paul connects the two so closely in Romans 6:

“Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death…” (Romans 6:3-4). Separating baptism from the blood of Jesus Christ is like separating the chassis of a car from its motor. A car is useless without a motor — that’s where the power is! And baptism is worthless without the blood of Jesus — that’s where the power is!

What a beautiful symbol baptism is of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Rom. 6:4-5). Thanks be to God for the cleansing that comes at the point of baptism, but greater thanks indeed for the blood of Jesus Christ which provides the power for that cleansing!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

The first two presentations of the Easter Drama at FBC, Kentwood are today. Tickets are still available for Monday and Tuesday nights.

Pray for the drama to be meaningful not only to those who view the drama, but to those who participate in any way. In previous years the drama was very effective as a “revival“. Pray that will be true this year too.

The Easter presentation at FBC, Amite will be today and tomorrow. Tickets are not required.

Worship the Lord this Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee