Friday

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Death will exist no longer;

grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer.”

~Revelation 21:4a, HCSB~

Mrs. Ruby Dillon had a better day yesterday.  She is expected to be released today or tomorrow.

Please continue to pray for the Pittman family.

CaringBridge

• http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/adriannacavanagh
• http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/calliecole
• http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/larkindorris

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE
IMB
Friday, February 12, 2010

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will exist no longer; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer,” (Revelation 21:4a, HCSB).

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the Office of Global Prayer Strategy, continuing in prayer for the Haitian people.

One month ago, we watched the news in disbelief as images of total devastation were revealed. It is estimated that more than 230,000 people died, 300,000 were injured and one million left homeless.

Steve and Marilee Flook (Team Hispanola) ask us to pray for missionaries and teams traveling on very dangerous roads between Jimani, Dominican Republic, and Haiti. They also ask prayer for an extra measure of rest and strength. As many have experienced through a natural disaster, “you go until you can’t go any more.”

Strolling across the hospital grounds, Delores York spied three young people sitting, talking, and the middle one writing something on a pad of paper. “They smile as I greet them and we start just chatting. I ask the young girl what she is writing and she says it’s a letter to her mother. I ask what would seem to be the obvious, ‘Are you going to put it in an envelope to send it?’ She smiles a rather sad smile and says ‘No.’ I ask her where her mother is and she responds she thinks she is still buried under a large collapsed building in Port-au-Prince.”

Even as life continues and things appear fairly normal, deep pain remains. IMB counselors have taught grief counseling to a group of IMB missionaries, Dominican Baptist leaders, and Haitian leaders to help people deal with their grief. One pastor said the sick cannot help the sick.

* Please pray for pastors to be ministered to in order for them to minister to others.

* Give thanks for medical teams that have been working diligently, now witnessing the birth of new babies and many new births in Christ!

* Intercede for the Haitian people that they will receive the Lord’s healing–mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual.

Baptist Press Sports

Read some testimonies of the players who participated in the Superbowl last week.

http://www.bpsports.net/

The memorial service for Mary Frances Ashley McCullough is Sunday at the First Baptist Church at 2 PM.

(Mary Frances was one of David’s classmates at Amite High School.)

GIVE THANKS FOR YOUR FRIENDS

I heard about a farmer who was detained for questioning about an election scandal.   The attorney asked him, “Did you sell your vote?”

The farmer said, “No sir, not me.  I voted for that there fella ’cause I liked him.”

The attorney said, “Come, now, I have evidence that he gave you fifty dollars for a vote.”

The farmer said, “Well, now, it’s plain common sense that when a fella gives you fifty dollars you like him.”

I suppose that’s one way to define a friend.  In fact, Solomon said, “Many entreat the favor of the nobility, and every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.” (Proverbs 19:6).

But, a true friend involves a depth of relationship.  It’s someone you enjoy doing things with, someone you enjoy talking with, someone you wouldn’t hesitate to turn to in times of need.  I like how I once heard someone describe a friend as someone you could call at 2:00 a.m. if you needed something.  Solomon lets us know how important friends are in the difficult times of life:

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.  For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.  But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.  Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.  And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Eccl. 4:9-12)

Give thanks to God for the friends who are a blessing in your life.  And let those friends know how special they are to you!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Stay warm and dry if possible.  Be safe.

Anna Lee