Month: July 2009

Thursday

“Guide me in Your truth and teach me,

for You are the God of my salvation.”

~Psalm 25:5a, HCSB~

Thank-you for all the prayers for Tiffany Bankston Currier.  She is doing very well at this time.  The family appreciates your prayers so much.

Hollie K. reports she is doing very well in West Africa.  She even had a former student to visit and be a “tourist” with her during her break before classes resume again.  Hollie is loving

Continue to pray for the youth and chaperones at Mission Fuge in Clinton, MS and for the children and chaperones who will be at children’s camp next week.

Mason and Adam Carter

I would like to thank everyone for praying for Mason. He did well and was home 1:00 Tuesday. He even made it to VBS that night.
Adam is doing a little better too.
Lawana

Mrs. Hellen Morris is having a heart cauterization and possibly a stent today.  Keep her and her family in your prayers.

From Lori Rhodes

Also, please pray for my sister and brother-in-law. He is building their house by himself. This morning, he fell from the roof. All of his ribs on the right side are broken, bruised his lung, crushed his collarbone and has a big cut on back of his head. His name is Mark. Thanks!

Landon and Alisha Estay learned their unborn baby son has spinal bifida but are still loving the baby and trusting God.  Keep them in your prayers.

Don Denton

It seems like it gets longer and longer in between the times that I post.  My life is soooooo full these days.

If you are still following us I thought I would update you on how we are doing.

It has now been over a month since Don has been in the hospital and that in and of itself is a miracle.  We are so grateful to God.

Don continues to get stronger.  He is still very, very thin, but that will take some time.  He is still in physcial therapy five days a week.  His physical therapist, Dot H. is amazing and so committed to helping him.  We are so blessed to have her here in Bolivar with her credentials.

Don is tappering at a very slow pace.  He is doing Ok.  Slow and steady is the plan.

Just last week and this week I have spent hours with the insurance company trying to get Don’s nausea meds approved.  I have now heard five different stories as to why.  The are allowing him less than the daily dosage.  One explanation was that the company entered information into the computer wrong.  And of course we have been told by them that Don is approved, but when the doctors sends in the request they deny it.

I have written letters to our senator, the National Assoc. for pharmacists, as Medco has pharmacist who basically determines the approval.  And I have written letters to a patient advocay group and of course Medco’s coroporate office.  Ugh…..

Don doctor continues to work with us and we are grateful for his committment to helping Don in this way.

I think we will celebrate the day that it gets approved.

Last week turned out to be a most challenging and difficult week for me.  I was overwhelmed with everything.  I found out that I have one car that needs tires, the other broke down on me, the clutch is out.  Then backing out of my driveway on the way to a doctor appointment for myself I “slammed” into our sitters car and dented it in three places.  I had grass to cut and weedead.  I had a mound of laundry, bills to pay, groceries to buy, perscriptions to pick up, house to clean, it looked like a tormado had hit.  And then find time to spend with Joshua and on and on.  I was a well, lets say feeling very discouraged.

And then something happened.  Our sitter has a room mate who had been praying that God would show her someone she could serve.  My sitter shared with her some of our situation.  And her room mate came over last week to help clean my house and then she brought another friend over the cut grass.

It is at these times, when I am most discouraged that God says to me, ” I have not left you”.  I am so grateful for you God’s people who pray for us and bless us in so many, many ways.

There are those days when Don and I feel that we just need to make it through the day.  WE don’t know what our future holds, we are so clueless.  We have had a few surprises that have taken us back some.  But the one thing we know is this.  We are a family, we have each other and we love each other.  And we continue to pray for God’s mercy and grace upon us.

Joshua still is struggling with some fears.  Some are age appropriate and some are fears of losing Don and I.  Pray for him in that way.

I continue to learn more of what it is to believe as a child.  Our son’s passion and love for his daddy is precious.  He prays for him everday.  And I find myself focusing on the precious gift of life we have.  In the quiet of the evening when everyone is in bed, I for a fleeting moment realize that we can’t take the “stuff” with us when we leave this earth.  Finding delight in the lives of people.  Valuing who God brings into our life as a gift from God is so important.  I saw an amazing example of what “delighting in others” looks like.  God taught me an important lesson through this women.  I hope to model her love for life and people.  It is such a gift to me and a blessing to us to have friends and family bless us in the way they do.

It is late.  Pray for Don, he has a CAT Scan tomorrow as a follow up.

Bless you our family and friends.
Diane

Lloyd Gullick

(June 19, 1931 – July 8, 2009)

Died at 7:30AM on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at his residence in Roseland, LA. He was a native of Corinth, MS. Age 78 years. Graveside Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Arcola-Roseland Cemetery, Arcola, LA. Services conducted by Rev. Danny Smith. Survived by Wife, Barbara Gullick, Roseland, daughter, Peggy Fuqua, Roseland, 2 sons, Jerry Gullick, Kentwood, Mike Gullick, Amite, 6 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by son, David Gullick, parents, Eli Gullick and Maudie Ethel Gullick, 1 sister, Willie Ruth Reynolds, 2 brothers, J. E. Gullick and Melvin Gullick, 2 grandchildren, Dusty Gullick and Timothy Gullick. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

Baptist Press

(I hope you find time to read all of these, but if not, at least try to read the two I highlighted in red. Anna Lee)

July 8, 2009

TENNESSEE–Teen sex linked to children’s TV viewing, study says. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30846

ENGLAND–Lab-created babies, no male required? http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30847

MAINE–Maine effort to overturn ‘gay marriage’ near success. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30848

TENNESSEE–‘I Can Only Imagine’ marks 10 years. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30849

NORTH CAROLINA–SBC leader Ernest Mosley dies at 81. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30845

KANSAS–FIRST-PERSON (Phil Boatwright): Fireproof co-producer readies new film. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30850

As our friends and neighbors face the many trials of life, I think this devotional thought shows various perspectives.  I pray each one of us will face our trials like Landon and Alisha.

KneEmail

Viewpoint

grand canyon.jpgTHREE PEOPLE WERE visiting the Grand Canyon — a painter, a preacher, and a cowboy…

Looking over the massive canyon, each one verbalized his observation:

“Incredible!” the painter said. “I’d love to paint a picture of this!”

The preacher waved his arms and cried, “Glory! Look what God has done!”

The cowboy exclaimed, “I’d sure hate to lose a cow down there!”

What do you see when you look at your situation? An illustration of God’s handiwork, or just someplace to lose a cow? (Stan Towler)

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,

whatever things are noble,

whatever things are just,

whatever things are pure,

whatever things are lovely,

whatever things are of good report,

if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–

meditate on these things.”

Phillipians 4:8

Posted by Mike Benson

Thankful for this Thursday!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“But the basic reality of God is plain enough.

Open your eyes and there it is!”

~Romans 1:19 MSG~

I would appreciate if everyone would keep Nancy Carollo in their prayers. She is a friend of mine and she has breast Cancer. She is in the middle of 39 weeks of Radiation. Her last date will be on July 24th. PLease keep Her in your prayers that this radation treatment will cure the cancer she has. thanks for all your prayers for her

Faye Carney and Nancy Carollo

In New Orleans, Volunteers Still Needed

Posted on Jul 7, 2009 | by Mickey Noah NEW ORLEANS (BP)

–Almost four years after Hurricane Katrina brought New Orleans to its knees on Aug. 29, 2005, Southern Baptists continue to spend a week or so in the Big Easy, volunteering their time and skills to rebuild or refurbish homes devastated by the deadly storm.

But the number of Baptists who are volunteering is no longer enough.

Since May 1, 2006, under “Operation NOAH Rebuild” — a cooperative ministry of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans and the SBC’s North American Mission Board — more than 25,000 Southern Baptist volunteers have assisted in rebuilding 1,801 flood-damaged homes. These volunteers represent some 1,530 SBC churches from every state convention in the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii. Operation NOAH also has assisted in the recovery of 32 churches and 15 other ministry centers or schools damaged by Katrina.

And as a direct result of Operation NOAH, more than 400 professions of faith have been recorded, according to the latest available statistics.

While an agreement has been reached to transition the day-to-day management of Operation NOAH to the Baptist association, the North American Mission Board has committed to extend its support of the ministry until year’s end, said Mickey Caison, NAMB’s team leader for adult volunteer mobilization.

“We will continue to work with [the association] to support and implement their ‘2020 Vision’ strategic plan,” Caison said. “Part of that plan is to address post-Katrina needs of the New Orleans community, and housing is still one of the critical needs there.”

Caison said 70 more homes remain in the Operation NOAH pipeline for reconstruction or renovation, and “we want to complete every one of them.”

“Some of the folks we still want to help have not received any assistance at all from their insurance companies or the federal government, and are the folks who’ve fallen through the cracks,” Caison said, noting that only 60 percent of the residents displaced by Katrina have moved back home.

But as NAMB’s time for involvement ticks down, Operation NOAH is not seeing the number of skilled volunteers the program needs to finish work on the 70 remaining homes, Caison said.

“We desperately need Southern Baptists who are skilled as drywall workers, plumbers, electricians, framing carpenters and finishing carpenters to volunteer to help us,” he said. “We can house up to 145 volunteers a week but we’re not averaging 145 a week. We only had 66 volunteers during May.” Caison said volunteers are housed in a volunteer “village” at Hopeview Baptist Church in nearby St. Bernard Parish.

David Maxwell, a pastor serving as coordinator for Operation NOAH Rebuild, echoed Caison, adding that “we want to do quality work for these last 70 houses — the same quality anyone would want for their own home. You just can’t do that with unskilled labor.”

As to the volunteer shortage, Maxwell attributes it to the fact that almost four years have elapsed since Katrina. Other disasters — like Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, floods in the Midwest and fires in California — have siphoned off some of the volunteer force needed in New Orleans.

“The bad economy and higher gas prices have also had something to do with the smaller number of people who volunteer. People are just staying closer to home,” he said.

“Operation NOAH Rebuild has given people hope where there was no hope,” Maxwell noted, “just like Jesus Christ does for all of us. There are literally thousands of homes and people in New Orleans who still need help. Contrary to what local politicians may say, it’s not over. We’ve just scratched the surface.”

(Mickey Noah is a writer for the North American Mission Board. For volunteer opportunities with Operation NOAH Rebuild, e-mail noah@namb.net or call 1-877-934-0808 (toll-free) or 504-362-4604.)

KneEmail

Carry

aaasa.jpgFOR THE FIRST time in her life, Western Oregon University’s Sara Tucholsky not only hit a home run in a game against Central Washington University, but she hit it over the fence…

She had passed first base and was on her way to second base when she collapsed. Something had happened to her knee and she couldn’t run. No one on her team could help her around the bases because if they touched her, she’d be out. That’s when her opponents from Central Washington picked her up and carried her around the bases and across the home plate. “My whole team was crying. It touched a lot of people,” says Tucholsky.

“Bear one another’s burdens,

and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Galatians 6:2

Posted by Mike Benson at May 14, 2009 2:13 PM

Have a wonderful day!

Anna Lee

Tuesday Afternoon

From Dwayne and Tricia Wilson

Hi, Friends….we made it back late last night and are trying to process our time in El Salvador….hard to do with 4 very excited children who have not stopped talking since they woke up and saw us this morning! They seem to have grown some since we last left them, and Graham lost a tooth! Dwayne is also back to work today, and there is laundry, and a mountain of other things that have piled up since being away for 10 days. We thank you for your prayers and cannot wait to get a letter of some kind written about our trip. The kids did wonderfully while we were away, and I think Grammy and Poppy did as well! We sure do appreciate your prayers.….

Love,

Tricia

Here’s a link to the El Salvador trip blog on the GAIN website:  http://blog.gainusa.org/archives/category/el-salvador/

This is a link to some of the pictures from our trip on the same website:  http://blog.gainusa.org/wp-gallery2.php?g2_itemId=2275

Thanks for spreading the word on our trip through theprayerlink.com!

Dwayne

Please pray for my mother Billie Jean Booty. She broke her femur on Tuesday, June 30th. She had surgery on Thursday, July 2nd. She is currently at North Oaks and should start rehab pretty soon. Thanks! Brandi Booty Hartman and Family

Monday, July 6th. was my final of 43 Radation for my Prostate Cnacer. I am so glad to be finished, but we will not know the final results for another 30 days. With all of your prayers, the trips have been bearable. Thanks again and with your help, the end results will be the answer to our prayers. Luther (Ricks)

Dukes

< four things… >
Just wanted to post a quick update about four things.

1 – MOM.
She has really had two or three good days in a row. Now, by good, I mean more like herself. She is still not always lucid. But, when we keep her focused and less distracted, she really does interact well and remember things well. Her long-term memory is especially good. Her short-term memory is not as good. Please pray for the stuff with her cranium piece. We should hear soon what the doctor from Ochsner wants to do. Their neuro-surge

on is reviewing Mom’s case and making a plan for putting the bone back on. We are excited to hear what he has to say!

2 – DAD.
Dad is doing fairly well. We have had a good two days, and I know he had a great weekend with Erik. He continues to struggle with pain BIG TIME. It’s tough, because reality is that he will struggle with pain for a long time. Anybody with big rods down both lower legs would. And a bionic elbow. And a restored broken neck. And some other stuff. Erik looked at Mom and Dad’s records more closely recently – the ones from University Hospital where they were originally treated. Based on what he saw, some stuff that wasn’t communicated to us, his comment to Dad – “You should be dead.” Mom and Dad are both walking miracles. We are thankful for God’s love and nearness.

3 – JOSHUA.
Speaking of God’s love and nearness, YOU HAVE TO READ ERIN’S LATEST BLOG POST. It is a MUST READ.

to check it out. You will definitely be moved.

4 – CALEB.
My latest blog post isn’t near as moving or amazing as Erin’s, but we’re all family, and this isn’t competition. So, speaking of competition,

to check out my most recent blog post to see some sights and sounds from time at the race in Daytona for Caleb and me. Pretty cool.

Love yall. We will post at you tomorrow.
-jason

Tuesday

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.”

~Matthew 11:28~

Thank God for the rain we received yesterday.

Pray for Lawana Carter’s two boys.  Mason is having sinus surgery in McComb this morning at 8 A.M.  Adam has a lingering summer cold.

Remember to pray for Shaun Bodin, Judy Easley’s son-in-law, as he sees doctors at Ochsner concerning his fractured neck.

Continue to pray for those at Mission Fuge at Mississippi College and for those having VBS this week.

Baptist Press

July 6, 2009

CALIFORNIA–NEA declines to remain neutral on abortion. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30833

WASHINGTON–Gallup Poll: U.S. adults growing more conservative? http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30834

MICHIGAN–Witnesses assaulted at Muslim festival, team members say. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30835

VIRGINIA–Appalachian Trail hike turns into spiritual journey. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30836

TENNESSEE–Research: Many say income not matching lifestyle. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30837

WASHINGTON–FIRST PERSON (Ken Connor): Bread and circuses: America’s cult of celebrity. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30838

KneEmail

Great

singlecandle2.jpgSo many celebrities have died recently, it reminds one of the death, in 1715, of King Louis XIV of France, after a reign of 72 years.
He had called himself “the Great.” The monarch had made the infamous statement, “I am the state!” (Grandiose political statements are perennial.) His court was considered the most magnificent in Europe, and his funeral was equally spectacular.

As Louis’ body lay in state in a golden coffin, orders had been given that the cathedral should be very dimly lit with only a single candle set above his coffin, to dramatize his greatness. At the memorial service, thousands waited in hushed silence.

Bishop Massilon rose to speak. Reaching down, he snuffed out the candle and said, “Only God is great.”/1

At the cross, and before the empty tomb, as the rich and famous and powerful wither and die, around the table of the Lord, we declare, “Only God is great!”

Or better, like Thomas who threw himself at the feet of the resurrected Christ, “My Lord and my God!” ( John 20:28). (J. Randal Matheny at: http://www.forthright.net/)

“Yours, O LORD, is the greatness,

the power and the glory,

the victory and the majesty;

for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;

Yours is the kingdom, O LORD,

and You are exalted as head over all.”

I Chronicles 29:11

Posted by Mike Benson at July 6, 2009 11:55 AM

Please share information you would like others to pray about.  Have a great day!

Anna Lee

Monday

OOPS!

I just realized I did not click on “publish” this morning!  I realized that just as I cleared what I had written.  Sorry!

We need to pray for our youth as they are at Mission Fuge this week at Mississippi College.  I know groups from several other churches who will also be there this week.  Pray they develop a closer walk with God and with each other as they learn to minister to needs.  Pray for them as they learn about the Roma and develop a better understanding of the lostness of people around the world.

Pray for Shaun Bodin, Judy Easley’s son-in-law, as he sees doctors at Ochsner again tomorrow.  A decision will be made about the way his neck has/has not healed since the boating accident.  Pray for Shaun and Kim as they work through this problem in their lives.

Judy’s son, Joffrey, is fine.  He has no problems from his injuries in the accident.

I’ll try to remember to click on “Publish” now and in the future.

I hope you got some rain and look forward to more this week.
Anna Lee

Sunday Afternoon Addition

Susan Rimes is much better.  Thank you for praying for her.

Dukes

He’s Bigger than the Battle

Erik left a little while ago to go home and help a longsufferi

ng boy momma with some sick boys. On his way he called me to share a song he heard on XM Radio.  Well, I think his main motivation was to make fun of one of my pet peeves: those 7-11 songs. You know. Those songs that have seven words repeated eleven times. I am never sure whether they are not smart enough to think of enough words or whether they are afraid they will not be able to remember the words. Anyway, that is my problem.

In this particular song the words that were repeated over and over were about God. The words were, “He’s bigger than the battle.” Now, those are words worth repeating over and over. God is bigger than any battle we face. He always helps us in the battle by taking us through it or ending it. Either way he decides, he takes care of his people.

I had a number of responses to my recent words about anger. Never let it be misunderstood. James said, “God’s righteousness doesn’t grow from human anger.” (James 1:20, The Message) I know that. But let’s remember that God is also bigger than our anger and is not intimidated by it. He is still God and he still loves us. That we have learned.

Not only is he bigger than our anger, he is bigger than any battle we face. That we are experiencing as well. Remember he is not surprisable He knows what is going on in all our lives. However difficult we may see the circumstances, we can see him as bigger and more powerful. I thank him and praise him for that.

Retia has had a good day today. She has been very alert and is working very hard to keep moving her arms and legs on the days she does not have therapy. She is fighting hard and has a strong desire to get better and get back to Orlando.

In spirt of the increase in cognitive problems, she tries hard to relate to us and often her personality and sense of humor are coming through clearly. We occasionally hear a “Whatever” and she often rolls her eyes at things she finds hard to believe. She still loves old movies, and still has a crush on John Wayne and “East Clintwood,” as she calls him. We try to keep the classic movie channels on for her when we are not here.

Two really encouraging things have happened in the last couple of days. The first has to do with Retia. That one is bitter sweet because the same medicine that increases the cognitive problems has also increased her flexibility in her left arm and leg. While she has had a lot of difficulty moving her left arm and leg in recent days, she is now moving it with much more ease. In fact, I noticed two days ago that she was scratching her head with her left hand. She has not been able to do that before.

The other thing has to do with freedom for me. When we left the hospital this morning, Erik handed me the keys to my truck and told me to drive. I think I must have felt like he did the first time I handed him the keys to a little red Ford Ranger and told him the same thing. Anyway, I drove from Kenner over to Clearview where we ate lunch. I must have done OK, because he let me have the keys when we got back to the Seminary. I was able to drive over to the hospital this afternoon. They may not get the keys back. This freedom will make it possible for me to be much more mobile and independent.

It is another small step that proves God is bigger that the battle. Our prayer is that we will continue to see those steps demonstrating his power as Retia continues to improve. Thanks for standing with us and for remembering to lift us up to the Big and Mighty Father.

Sunday Afternoon

Mrs. Betty Bethel will be having cataract surgery Monday, July 13th and Monday, July 20th.  Please be in prayer for her.

Some of the youth from the church will be leaving today for Missison Fuge at Mississippi College.  Please keep them in your prayers.

Andy Taylor’s mother passed away.  She will be buried from Magnoia.  Please be in prayer for the family.

LORETTA KING GINN

Loretta King Ginn, 81, of Magnolia, died July 4, 2009, at the Cardiovascular Institute of Mississippi in McComb.

Visitation will be Monday from 9 a.m. till services at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church in Magnolia. Dr. David Millican and the Rev. Tracy Hipps will officiate. Burial will be at the Mount Zion Baptist Church Cemetery.

Mrs. Ginn was born June 15, 1928, in Crystal Springs. She was the daughter of the late Milladge and Eula Lea Roberts Nixon.

Mrs. Ginn was a bookkeeper and a member of Central Baptist Church in McComb. She was a lifelong member of Women of the Moose Lodge No. 1179 in Jackson. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her brother, James Nixon, and step-grandchild, Rhonda Mapes.

Mrs. Ginn is survived by her husband of 16 years, Dale Ginn of Magnolia; two sons and daughters-in-law, Andy and Betty Taylor of Osyka, and Howard King Jr. and Teresa of Magnolia; four daughters and two sons-in-law, Cindy Juban of Denham Springs, La., Karen Hart and Dennis of Liberty, Penny Overby of Summit, and Pam Frost and Lance of Pearl; two brothers, Robert Nixon of Maywood, Calif., and Thomas Nixon and wife Charlene of Arkansas; 21 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary Elizabeth Elliott

(December 1, 1934 – July 4, 2009)

Died at 5:55PM on Saturday, July 4, 2009 at Kentwood Manor Nursing Home in Kentwood, LA. She was a native of Tangipahoa, LA and a resident of Kentwood, LA. Age 74 years. Graveside Services will be held at Tangipahoa Cemetery, Tangipahoa, LA at 2:00PM Tuesday. Survived by 3 sisters, Caroline Kline, Tulsa, OK, Frances Nell, Greeley, CO, Clara Remelius, Kentwood. Preceded in death by, parents, Edward Rayburn Elliott and Zelma Lea Travis Elliott. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements.

Lorelise Dykes

(July 17, 1922 – July 4, 2009)

Died at 7 p.m.on Saturday, July 4, 2009 at Beacham Memorial Hospital in Magnolia, MS. She was a native of Magnolia, MS and a resident of Kentwood, LA. Age 86 years. Mrs. Dykes was a retired registered nurse who worked at Beacham Memorial Hospital for 34 years. Fifteen of those years, she was Director of Nurses. She was the daughter of Clyde Bankston and Daisye Bryan Bankston. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 57 years, Ivy Dykes. She loved her family dearly and looked forward to their visits. Each minute she spent with them was precious. She enjoyed preparing their favorite foods. She is survived by 2 daughters, Charlene D. Waller and her husband, Floyd, Kentwood, LA, Sharon D. Venable and her husband, Mike, Kentwood, LA, 2 sons, Wayne F. Dykes and his wife, Jenny, Ponchatoula, LA, Wilton I. Dykes and his wife, Shera, Alpharetta, GA, 1 sister, Marilyn Strickland, Ruston, LA, 9 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren. Grandsons will be pallbearers. Visitation at Line Creek Baptist Church, Kentwood, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Monday and from 8 a.m. until Religious Services at 11 a.m. Tuesday. Services conducted by Rev. Ken Irvin. Interment Dykes Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements.

Sunday

“God, within Your temple, we contemplate Your faithful love.”

~Psalm 48:9, HCSB~

Please continue to pray for Charles “Butch” Slade as he continues to recover from a snakebite.  He is not longer hospitalized, but still has a very swollen arm.

Dukes

Our God is Mighty

Yesterday was a good day.  My trip down was good and safe. I will probably miss my xm radio once all this is over.   My boys are in a wagon on the back of a 4 wheeler today waving flags to celebrate our independence.  I know they are red-faced, hot, sweaty, and tired about this time as the historic Foster Park July 4th parade has drawn to a close.  I am thankful they could be a part.  I would have loved to see them, I know they had a blast.  Thanks Philip and Ms Meagan for thinking of them.

Zeph. 3:17 The Lord your God is with you, He is MIGHTY to save. He takes great delight in you, He quiets you with His love, He rejoices over you with singing.

Cheri Tew prayed this verse for mom today and I will every time I think of it from now on.  Thanks Cheri for being such an encourager.  I have prayed many times over her at night when I leave her to go to bed, that the holy spirit would dance and sing over her in her dreams.  I heard the song based on this verse yesterday on the radio and it spoke to me.  He is mighty to save.  Thankfully he has saved us and continues to heal mom and dad.  He has comforted us through His holy spirit and many of you have comforted us and strengthened us as well.  Thank you for your support.  I know we say thanks almost every post but we sincerely mean it and are blown away daily by the response of God’s church in this whole journey.

I was reminded this week by a patient that we all need to stop and listen to the holy spirit as God the father speaks though His spirit into our hearts and minds to comfort, strengthen, and help us in this time of trouble.  He has and thankfully He will continue to speak.  I am also thankful for His mercy.  He has shown us mercy in rescuing us through Christ and continues to walk with us and minister to us through His holy spirit.

Mom is doing a little better trending upward.  She is still suffering some mild cognitive impairments at times but she has been fairly clear yesterday and today so far.  I think it is a combination of meds, being in the hospital for 3mos, and the head injury.  I found out from records from university hospital that she also had a nondisplaced fx of her sacrum and pelvis.  No wonder her back hurt. We kept saying God was allowing her sleep of the coma to heal we did not know from what all she was healing. They should make a plan for her skull this next week.  Continue to pray over her for movement and the hard work of therapy, clear thinking, and no infection to enter her body.  In the name of Jesus, I pray she will walk.  Dad is hurting, pray for his pain and him handling it daily breath by breath.  Pray he will continue to strengthen through therapy and he will have his mind and heart continually strengthened and brought peace by the holy spirit and the way God continues to use all of you to strengthen and encourage all of us.

On this day that we celebrate our independence may we all be truly and spiritually free.  Jason will be back on monday.  I hope he enjoys his family this weekend.  Maybe the #24 car will win for him and Caleb especially.  If you haven’t looked at his blog lately there are some videos there that are must see!!!  Especially the cheerleader daddy, it reminds me of jason and my other brother, from another mother, and how they would relate to their sweet and beautiful girls.  Happy 4th of July to all of you.

Peace
e.

Etta Lanell Walker “Nell” Lewis
(September 26, 1919 – July 4, 2009)

Etta Lanell Walker

Etta Lanell Walker “Nell” Lewis, passed away on July 4, 2009 at her home in Kentwood, Louisiana. Nell was the beloved wife of the late Elder James Russell Lewis. She is survived by four children, Diane Strickland (Dallas), Pam Lewis and Lynde Kimbrel (Joe), all of Kentwood and Jimmy Pike Lewis (Heather) of Terrell, TX. She was the daughter of the late Dr. Winston Walker and Mrs. Etta Merle Smith Walker. Eight grandchildren include Darin Fontz (Celeste) of Thibodaux, LA, Jodee Corkern (Brian), Jill Brister (Robert), Becky Lynn Gill, Steve Strickland, Trevin, Brock and Dayton Lewis, all of Kentwood, LA and Noah Lewis of Terrell, TX. She is also survived by nine great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Nell was preceded in death by two children, five brothers, one grandson and one granddaughter. Funeral services will be held at Mt. Gilead Primitive Baptist Church in Smithdale, MS, on Monday at 11 a.m. Visitation will be at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Sunday and at the church after 9 a.m. Monday. Services conducted by Elder Luke Addison and Elder Robert Byrd. Interment Mt. Gilead Church Cemetery, Smithdale, MS. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Generations Hospice, 32948 La. Hwy 16, Denham Springs, LA 70726.


James Edward Harrell
(October 6, 1928 – July 2, 2009)


James Edward Harrell

Faith

water cooler.jpg
SOME YEARS AGO, I picked up one of those plastic water cooler containers at a nearby yard sale and converted it into a piggy bank of sorts…

And each time that my family and I returned from the store, we would always drop our loose pocket change into the container. It seemed like an effective way of saving for a rainy day.

Recently I took that container down to the bank, and to my surprise, the four of us had saved a rather considerable sum of money. We had done so by simply saving the dimes, quarters, nickels and pennies that had come from our pockets. Of course, the money was only available because my family had been making regular deposits for quite some time.

It occurs to me that the same can be said of our faith. Unless you and I make regular deposits into our “faith account,’ then no funds will be available when the storms of life appear on the horizon.

What about you, dear Christian? How much faith will you put into your account today? (Mike Benson)

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Rom. 10:17

Posted by Mike Benson

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Independence Day

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,

as though you were working for the Lord and not for people.”

~Colossians 3:23 TEV~


“It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for.

Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up,

He had His eye on us,

had designs on us for glorious living,

part of the overall purpose He is working out in everything and everyone.”

~Ephesians 1:11-12 MSG~

I think we all will agree with Becky Arnold Smith’s thought.

“Becky Smith is thankful for those who paid the price for the freedoms I enjoy— Jesus & the American soldier!! Happy 4th of July!”

Father 2

WHEN JOHN F. Kennedy was President of the United States, Life magazine published photos of his children, John Jr. and Caroline, playing with their toys on the floor of the Oval office…

Those images captured the hearts of the American people like nothing before or since. Why? I think it’s because it bridged a gap between two thoughts: Kennedy was the President of the United States, but he was also a father. He held ultimate political power in the Free World, but playing at his feet were two little kids who called him Daddy. I don’t think your kids would have been allowed to do that. No mine. But his kids were. Why? He was their father. He was not only President of the United States; he was their father.

God is both our Father and the Lord of glory. We can approach Him confidently in prayer because we are His dearly beloved children, but we must never forget that He is also the Sovereign of the Universe. (David Jeremiah)

“For this reason I bow my knees

to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

~Eph. 3:14; cf. Matt. 6:6, 9~

Posted by Mike Benson



Friday Evening

Shelbi Ann Lane was born this afternoon at 12:51 in McComb.  She was 21 inches long and weighed 7 pounds 14 ounces.  Shelbi and her parents, Scooter and Karen, as doing well.  Big brother, Torbin, is very proud.

Eli Allen, son of David and Fannie, had a bicycle accident while on a trip.  He required twenty stitches in his knee and eight in his forehead.  Pray for him to heal without any complications.  The family should be home tomorrow.

Anne Ellzey of Roseland said her husband, Jerry Ellzey, was just found to have lung cancer.  Anne said they would appreciate your prayers.

Please add Ashby Reeves to the prayor list, she will be having open heart sergery at childrens hospital on 13 July, she is 14 years old.  (Bill Frazier)

Dukes

< falling into place. >
People call Wednesday “Hump Day.” It’s that day in the week that you have to endure to get over the hump toward the weekend. I’ve personally always liked Wednesdays. As a pastor, I think that is rare. It may be because our church family doesn’t have activities on Wednesday nights, except for a small group or two. Our philosophy is to free up folks to be the church in their activities rather than busying them with so many “church” activities.

Anyway – you’re not reading this to hear about philosophy of church.

Mom is trending well in most areas. Even still, it has been a tough week watching her be so “out of it” mentally. It is probably due to some new drugs they are giving her. Nonetheless, she is not as clear. There is more confusion.

She is talking better and better. The physical therapists are working her hard. She is beginning to roll over in bed a little better on her own strength. That’s a big deal. Not sitting up on her own yet. But they are working her toward it.

What really needs to fall into place right now? The logistics for replacing her cranium piece needs to come together. There has been difficulty getting the surgeons to communicate and commit to a time. We are hoping by early next week, there will be a clear plan for the when and where and how long. Once that is done, moving Mom back to Orlando will be a lot closer.

I’m flying out this weekend. In fact, they just called my boarding group. So, I guess I will wrap up. Erik gets into town in about an hour. I will be back Monday morning on an early flight.

Very thankful for yall. Happy 4th of July!!! Thankful for our independence to use caring bridge and share life with so many of you. Thank you.
-jason