Friday

“Be quick to listen, slow to speak …”

~James 1:19 NIV~

Mrs. Avis Sullivan will be moved to Hood Memorial for the next phase of her rehabilitation.  Continue to keep her in your prayers.

The last report I had on Mrs. Lois Bridges was a couple days ago, but she was doing well and trying to determine her next placement.

Ronnie Brabham returned from Houston yesterday with the good report that he is now cancer free.  Thank God for this good report Ronnie Received.

Karl Jackson Ott Jr., 80, of Osyka, died Sept. 27, 2010, at G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery V.A. Medical Center in Jackson.

SO MANY VALUABLE POSSESSIONS

This comes from the file of “stupid criminals”:

Waylon Prendergast, 37, of Tampa, Florida, committed a spur-of-the-moment robbery while on his way home from a late-night drinking session.  A very inebriated Mr. Prendergast forced his way into the house through an open upstairs window, filling a suitcase with cash and valuables before setting the living room on fire to cover his tracks.  He then escaped through the back door and made his way home, chuckling all the way.  Only as he turned the corner into his own street, however, and discovered three fire engines outside his house, did he realize that in his drunkenness he had, in fact, burgled and ignited his own property.  His comment:  “I had no idea I had so many valuable possessions.”

While we may not do anything quite that stupid (at least nothing that makes the national newspapers), there are times when Christians need to stop and reflect, coming to same conclusion Mr. Prendergast did:  “I had no idea I had so many valuable possessions.”

From family and friends to material comforts (like electricity and running water),  from our basic needs (like food) to luxuries other generations never dreamed of (like the computer you’re sitting at right now), from the freedoms we enjoy to the jobs we hold, there is much that we have been blessed with that we take for granted.

Even beyond the physical blessings, there is so much that God has given us through Jesus Christ.  As Paul wrote,

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3)

Truly, I had no idea I had so many valuable possessions.  “God, forgive me for taking so much of it for granted.”

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Enjoy some time outside in the fall weather.

Anna Lee