Saturday

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:

for it is the power of God unto salvation

to every one that believeth.”

~Romans 1:16~

Wayne Criswell and brothers-in-law

Wayne did well with his procedure Friday and will get the results in a few days. The Dr.s feel like this is most likely some scar tissue from an old bout with pneumonia about 30 years ago.

Please add my brothers: Jim Brent who lives in Austin had a biopsy of the prostate on Thursday, and Max Brent who lives in Ohio had back surgery on Tuesday.

Mary Criswell

Callie Cole

Forgot to remind everyone that the Callie’s Mission T-shirts are here.  You can look at the shirts on calliesmission.org, and there are several colors and designs to choose from.  The sales will go to Callie’s Mission to generate funds for those scholarship recipients selected.  There will be three students selected and sent to the uttermost parts this year.  Please pray for those interested in applying for the scholarships.  They will be writing their essays about their calling to missions, and we all know how difficult it can be to put our hearts on paper.
We are so thankful to all of you who are supporting Callie’s ultimate dream to bring others to the feet of Jesus!!

Love,
Tom and Frances

A Lesson in Pruning

by Dr. Charles Stanley
John 15:1-4

Years ago I lived in Fruitland, North Carolina. It was apple country, and several of my parishioners were growers. When I stopped by to visit one of them, his wife told me that he was in the orchard. So I walked out back to find him mercilessly cutting branches from one of the trees. Without thinking, I said, “You’re going to kill that tree!” He turned around and said, “You stick to preaching, and leave the pruning to me.”

This gentleman and I became friends, and it was from him that I learned about the pruning process. In order to produce an abundant crop of the best fruit, he had to cut as he did. It might look as if the tree was going to die, but new growth would spring from the wounds. Our conversations helped me to understand why the Lord sometimes acts as a pruning
force in people’s lives.

To get a plentiful crop of spiritual fruit, our heavenly Father must remove anything that distracts or deters us from serving Him. The process is often painful. I know I’ve cried out, “More, Lord?” when He has taken the “knife” to me. But the result is always satisfying—I am a better, more accurate reflection of Jesus Christ after God cuts away a fleshly habit or worldly attitude.

Being loved by God does not mean we will be coddled—our comfort is not His primary interest. A grower must prune an apple tree to get a bountiful harvest. In the same way, God must sometimes let us feel pain so He can bring forth greater growth and more spiritual fruit.

Have a special Saturday!

Anna Lee