“May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.”
~Psalm 90:17 NIV~
The East Fork youth made it home from Student Life camp dispite a blowout and having to buy a new tire. They had a very meaning week.
Canada Mission Trip (FBC) – Reported by Don S.
Another day in Canada working with the kids in Cayley Alberta, Today was Canada day we had bible school in the AM and then off sightseeing WOW!! this place is great!
Pray for the team today as they have their last day in Canada and as they travel home tomorrow.
Dwayne and Trisha’s report on their mission trip
Hi from El Salvador! We´ve shared the gospel at 6 different schools and served at a homeless shelter in San Salvador. Tomorrow, we go into the community to install water filters.
Steve Sanders is home, but will have to schedule surgery for later. Please keep him in your prayers.
Pray for Mrs. Nadine Council as she prepares for hip surgery on the 13th and Mrs. Wanzie Williams and Mrs. Faye Price as they continue physical therapy.
Mr. I.W. Simmons has been in North Oaks. Please keep him and the family in your prayers.
Continue to pray for Mr. Orin Davidson and the Tolars as they care for him.
Be Angry and Sin Not.
Jesus taught us a little about anger and how to deal with it. He seemed to say that anger can sometimes be a useful thing, but we are not to let Satan use it as a toehold to get us off on the wrong track.
I must confess that I have had to deal with anger relatively often in recent months. Fortunately
My pain, which on some days accumulates to such a degree that I think I cannot stand it, sometimes just makes me angry. However, when I am able to think through it, I realize that my pain does not even come close to measuring up to what Retia is going through. I confess that when I sit in the hospital room and watch her as she is right now in the struggles she is going through and compare that to what she was, my anger burns furiously.
Sometimes the anger is directed at the person who was driving and should not have been. Sometimes it is directed at the alleged law officer who failed so miserably in her duties. And yes, sometimes it is directed at God.
Now, I have been a follower of Christ since 1949. More than that, I have been associated with the church. and the teachings of Christ even longer, so I know that God does not deserve my anger. But do you know what I have learned (by experience)? That God is strong enough to tolerate my anger and still love me.
Like a loving human parent, I have learned that God is able to listen to the rantings of his children and the questions about things that happen and the intervention that does not always come, and yet he is able to continue to be God with all the love and mercy and grace that he has always revealed to us. He is not changed by our anger. He is still love.
I can almost hear him say audibly, “Hey, I understand your disappointment and hurt and anger. But I still love you.” He also reminds me, as he did the psalmist, that in spite of my perceptions of the wrong choices of others whose consequences I suffer, my wrong choices, or even the perceived inaction from him, he will walk with me through the storm and will work good out of horrible circumstances.
So I must confess to him that he is not safe, but he is able to keep me secure. I must confess to him that what bothers me so much is that the love of my life is suffering way too much and I do not believe it is her fault. That makes me mad. The people whose fault it seems to be are going on as usual. Then he reminds me that however much I love her, he loves her even more. He made her and he can take care of her whatever the problem is. So, forgive me for the anger and help me to see through your eyes.
So now you know why I say to Jason don’t try to make me feel better in my misery. Just let me stew for a while.
We had another meeting with the Drs, nurses, and therapists today. The prognosis is that the trends are good, but that does not mean everything will be OK. We just don’t know that yet. We are still hoping and praying for that end, but in the light of what we have learned about God, we are growing into a position where we will see things as he sees them and love her as he loves her whatever the circumstances (even as he does for us all).
Pray for Retia as she struggles with therapy. Pray for the healing of this pernicious bedsore. Pray for her comfort as she struggles to deal with the everyday pain and suffering.
Thanks for standing by us.
-jimmy
THE WAR IS OVER
The story is told about a man in Amsterdam who, not so long ago, was feeling guilty about something he had done, so he went and talked to his preacher.
He said, “I feel terrible because I’ve sinned. During World War II I hid a refugee in my attic.”
The preacher said, “I don’t believe that’s a sin at all. I wouldn’t feel bad about that if I were you.”
“But I made him agree to pay me 20 Gulden for every week he stayed.”
The preacher said, “Well, I admit that wasn’t the most noble thing to do, but you did it for a good cause, so I still wouldn’t worry about it.”
The man said, “Oh thank you, that eases my mind. I have only one more question to ask you — Do I have to tell him the war is over?”
We as Christians are engaged in a spiritual warfare — it’s Christianity vs. the world, the forces of good vs. the forces of evil.
And it’s easy to get the idea (especially if you watch the news) that God’s side is losing, and immorality is winning out!
John wrote the book of Revelation for Christians who must have been feeling the same way. After all, Rome certainly seemed to have the upper hand. Christians were losing! But, in reality, the war is over, and we know who wins!
John, looking ahead, writes, “These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” (Revelation 17:14)
There are battles around us daily, and sometimes Satan does indeed seem to be winning, but looking ahead, the war is over and we know that those who are on God’s side will be victorious! Keep that in mind today when you feel like you’re fighting a losing battle!
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina
I think the devotional may had helped some of us clean us an issue in our hearts. Just what we needed!
Anna Lee
The Prayer Link 