Saturday

“Or what man is there among you who,

if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?

Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?

If you then, being evil,

know how to give good gifts to your children,

how much more will your Father who is in heaven

give good things to those who ask Him!”

~Matthew 7:9-11~

Rufus, Margie, and “Miss” Avis got home about 8 P.M.  Thank God for watching over them as they came home.

Charles and Bea Houeye of Roseland are both doing pretty well now, even though they both have both had some difficult times.  Thank God for the good health they are enjoying now.

Sydney Dixon (Daughter of Rob and Jess Dixon)

There’s No Place Like Home

from One + One = Three by Jess

Dorothy, you weren’t kidding sister!

What a day it has been. It felt a little like a do-over of last Thursday, when we first brought her home. I had the same nervous feelings riding in the backseat next to her, the same excitement turning into our neighborhood, the same relief as we pulled into our driveway. Happy one-week birthday, Baby Girl! You’re home!

Walking through the halls of Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital today on our way out, I finally saw what a great place it is. We’ve spent the last four days there, and yesterday- day three of our stay- I left room 7310 for the first time to walk around the corner to find the family laundry room. I had to ask a nurse for directions and she tried to start by telling me go back to the elevators… excuse me? There’s an elevator here? Where is that? It was a short walk, and as much as I enjoyed the fresh air, I couldn’t get back to Sydney’s side fast enough. Anyway, if I had ventured out any further, I would have seen a remarkable facility that doesn’t feel like a hospital as you walk through. But while I was impressed, if we never go back there again I’ll be totally fine with that.

As I mentioned earlier, all the doctor really could say this morning is that Sydney was looking great and they had no more reason to keep her in the hospital. While it’s a little scary and frustrating to have no concrete explanation for the distress Sydney experienced over the weekend, we’re just so thankful that the problems seem to have completely gone away. Two of doctors who treated her both said, “It is better to see a patient get better and not know what the problem was, than to know what the problem is and not see a patient get better.” I have watched Syd like a hawk today, and I’ll probably sleep with one eye open tonight, but all we’ve seen today is a content, sleeping, pooping, precious little girl!

We have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. I am thankful for a healthy baby who has changed my life forever in the longest and shortest week ever. I am thankful for an incredible husband who I love even more every time I see him holding our daughter. I am thankful for the doctors, nurses, ER team, and other caregivers at VCH who have taken care of our whole family this week. I am thankful for friends, acquaintances, and strangers who have stopped in the midst of their busy days to pray for Sydney. I am thankful for a Great Physician Who is all knowing and Who allowed us to witness yet another miracle this week. I am thankful for the journey we’ve been on the past few days, because my faith is stronger and  I have a better understanding of Jesus’ love as a result.

There aren’t enough words to say thanks to all of you who are reading this message- you found this blog because you cared about our Sweet Sydney. Thank you for lifting her name up to heaven on our behalf.

I hope you find yourself surrounded by blessings this Thanksgiving with much to give thanks for!

The funeral for Frances Hughes will be at 11 A.M. this morning at Seale funeral home in Denham Springs.  Burial will be in Arcola for those of you who wish to attend.

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor

THE LORD OFTEN taught by parables; in fact, approximately one third of His recorded  teachings  were  in  parable  form…

There  are  no  parables  in  John’s gospel, but in the synoptics, these simple memorable stories with imagery convey deep  truths which are central  to His  teaching.  One of  the Lord’s  favorite  themes in these parables is “stewardship.”  A  steward  was  a  manager-someone  who  managed  the  owner’s  farm  or business. Good stewards faithfully used their master’s resources to advance his current concerns and increase his wealth. Bad stewards misused their resources for  personal  gain  or  squandered  them  out  of  laziness.  Scripture  teaches  that God is the owner of all we have. David stated, “The earth is the Lord’s and all its fullness. The world and those who dwell therein” (Psa. 24:1). Paul reminds us, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have  from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

What trust God has placed in us!  This privilege, however, brings with it the responsibility  to  manage  to  the  very  best  of  our  ability  His  assets.

Most Americans regard themselves as sovereign owners, and the money, wealth, and assets we  have  are  exclusively  at  our  disposal  to  advance  our  own  interest. There  is  a  tremendous  difference  in  how we  view  possessions  as  owners  or stewards.  This concept will determine how much we give. As owners we will ask, “How much of my money will  I give  to God,” but as stewards  the question will be, “How much of God’s money will I keep for myself?”  Statistics  reveal  that  as most American Christians’  incomes  go  up, their percentage of giving goes down! This philosophy is brought about by an attitude that asks, “Do  I want  this? And  (sometimes) “Can  I afford  it?,  from  the owner.   While  the  steward asks, “How will  this affect my  ability  to advance God’s  purpose?” The  steward will  always  remember God’s  passion  to  reach the lost, and look for creative ways to subsidize this great purpose.  In  this  season of THANKSGIVING,  let us  again  renew our  gratitude  for our  personal  redemption  and  determine  that  if  our  nation  can  have  a  special time to count our physical blessings, God’s people can treasure the great spiritual blessings we  enjoy!  As  you  pray with  your  family  this week  let  every family member be reminded of the blessing of salvation!  Jerry Jenkins

“Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”
1 Corinthians 4:2
Thank-you for praying today.  Your prayers mean so much to so many!
Feel free to share your praises, requests, and updates by sharing through the use of “Contact Me” on the web site.
Have a great day of preparation for the Lord’s Day!
Anna Lee

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