Month: August 2011

Saturday

“I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever;

with my mouth will I make known

Your faithfulness to all generations.”

~Psalm 89:1~

 

According to Par, the Felker ladies are doing okay this morning,

Momma will be coming home Wednesday after two months of hospitalization! Pray for the family as we plan to care for her.

My new medication is working very well.  The pain is almost gone.

Pray for the Conleay family as they celebrate the life of Mr. Bell this morning.

The Silent Witness

Devotional for Sunday, August 14, 2011 by Allan Smith

Ezekiel 3:18-19 – When I say to a wicked man, “You will surely die,” and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself. (NIV)

I often hear from Christians that they are satisfied to be just a silent witness. But is that enough?

Let’s listen in on a court case involving the questioning of a witness.

Clerk: Mr. Jones, please take the Bible in your right hand. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
Witness: Yes I do.
Attorney: Now, on the evening of the alleged crime, you were very close to the crime scene. Is that right, Mr. Jones?
Witness: Yes, sir, I was.
Attorney: And would you please describe to the court what you observed.
Witness: Well, I always take my dog for a walk in that area. I believe that it is important for upright citizens to walk their dogs regularly.
Attorney: True, Mr. Jones, but did you see anything of importance to this case?
Witness: Yes, but I’m not at liberty to share what I saw at this time.
Attorney: I see; you witnessed the crime and choose to remain silent about it?
Witness: Yes, that’s right.
Attorney: Then, you are of no use to this court. You may step down. My next witness, please!

It’s obvious from this court dialogue that the witness had valuable information for the case but was reluctant to share it.

If we are satisfied with just showing others around us what a good person we are, without sharing salvation through Jesus, I feel we miss the boat.

There are lots of unsaved people that we know who live good lives and serve their community well. But they are not required to share the gospel — we are.

Yes, we must exhibit a godly life in service to those around us and pray for the Holy Spirit to open their hearts. But let’s be sensitive to God’s leading and open our mouths to share Jesus with them. Let us not be silent witnesses.

Prayer: Father, many times, we reluctantly hold back from speaking to others about Jesus’ great salvation. We who have surrendered our lives to Him have the blessed assurance of heaven when we die; may we not keep it to ourselves. Holy Spirit, revive the desire in us to see souls saved so that their blood will not be on our hands. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Allan Smith
Innisfil, Ontario, Canada

 

Friday

“For the word of the LORD is right,

and all His work is trustworthy.

He loves righteousness and justice;

the earth is full of the LORD’s unfailing love.”

~Psalm 33:4-5, HCSB~

Continue to pray for the Felker family.  As of last night, B.J. was doing better and could possibly leave North Oaks today, but her mother was no doing well. She was still in ICU.  Pray for this family with two sick ladies.  Pray for Mr. Felker who hasn’t been out of the hospital too long.

Heart to Heart with Holley

5 Ways to Get Rid of an Emotional Hangover

Has someone ever said to you {or perhaps you’ve said to yourself}, “just get over it”?

As a life coach, people often tell me that advice is far easier said than done. And they usually feel guilty that’s the case. But our inability to “get over it” quickly isn’t a failure. It’s actually part of how God wired our minds.

When we have a negative experience, our brains release certain chemicals that correlate with what’s happening. Those chemicals act like helpful little messengers that tell us about what’s going on in our world.

Yes, our thoughts have influence on what we feel but there is a decidedly physical aspect too. That shouldn’t surprise us–with almost everything intangible God ties a physical manifestation to it {ex: the Word made flesh}.

So long after you’ve decided that you will indeed “let it go” there are still those chemicals floating around in your body. It’s like you have an emotional hangover.

Fortunately, there are some ways to speed up the process of moving past negative emotions…

1) Take a walk – Actually, any kind of exercise helps because it releases endorphins, the “feel good” chemicals God put in our brains. Those endorphins replace the negative chemicals and give our moods a boost. Even ten minutes of exercise can help.

2) Listen to upbeat music – Music also impacts us physically in some mysterious ways. It helps release endorphins as well. And if you move around to your favorite tune, even better.

3) Find flow – The state of “flow” is described as when you do something that’s enjoyable, challenging, and makes you lose track of time. You are completely “in the moment” and everything else is forgotten {including that experience you just had}. Flow might come for you by cooking, writing, painting or any other activity where you mind is fully engaged.

4) Pray honestly – When we have negative emotions, we can pray some pretty cliche prayers. It’s okay to say, “God, I’m really mad/hurt/disappointed.” Throughout the Psalms David fully and deeply expressed ALL of his emotions–we can too.

5) Spend time with a positive person – If you’re down in the dumps, find someone who’s a little closer to cloud nine. Research has shown that because we’re created to be social, we often “catch” each other’s moods much like we would catch a cold {but in a good way}. Being with someone uplifiting really can make a difference.

If you try all of the above and there are still some traces of negativity hanging around, then it’s time to wait it out. As you do, give yourself grace. It’s okay for it to take time to get over hurt or frustration. It’s simply a reflection that you are human {and a wonderfully made one too–even in those moments}.

What helps you move past negative emotions?

 

I hope you are not dealing with an emotional hangover today, but if you are maybe these words by Holley will be helpful.

Anna Lee

Thursday

Your attitude must be like my own,

for I, the Messiah,

did not come to be served,

but to serve,

and to give my life.

~Matthew 20:28 LB~

 

 

Tripp Roth

http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/

 

 

From Pam Sellers

Brent (Miller) is doing a little better. He is eating one meal a day. The doctors put him back on his original medicine. He is still very depressed, but we are praying the original medicine will bring Brent out of it. Thanks for praying and please keep Brent and his family in your prayers.
Pam

Please continue to pray for all the grieving families.  May they turn to God.

 

Baptist Press

http://www.bpnews.net/

 

 

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

I heard about a man who was drafted into the army.  While in the army he developed a very strange habit.  As he walked along each day he kept picking up pieces of paper, saying to himself aloud, “That’s not it!”  He would pick up one piece of paper after another and say, “That’s not it. That’s not it!”

This went on for about six months.  His bizarre behavior was finally brought to the attention of his superiors.  They ordered him to report to the base psychiatrist.  The psychiatrist asked, “What is wrong with you? What is the problem?”

The man had a baffled expression on his face as he said, “What problem?  I don’t have a problem.”

The psychiatrist said, “Well, there’s got to be something wrong with you. It has been reported to me that you keep going all over this base picking up pieces of paper and saying, ‘That’s not it, that’s not it!”  So, tell me, just what is it you are looking for?”

The man said, “I don’t know.  I just don’t seem to be able to find it.” The psychiatrist consulted some of his colleagues, then told the man, “I think your problem is serious, and I’m going to give you a medical discharge from the Army.”

When the psychiatrist handed him the discharge papers, the man jumped up and shouted excitedly, “This is it!  This is it!  This is what I’ve been looking for!”

This story reminds me of an incident in the gospel of John where two men were asked the same question.

“The next day John was there again with two of his followers.  When he saw Jesus walking by, he said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’  The two followers heard John say this, so they followed Jesus.  When Jesus turned and saw them following him, he asked, ‘What are you looking for?'” (John 1:35-38a, NCV)

It’s an important question for all of us.  What are you looking for?  On occasion, we may stumble across something we weren’t searching for, but most of the time we have no hope of finding something unless we’re looking for it.  For example, I understand that there is a lot of ginseng in the mountains of North Carolina.  When we lived in Boone, I knew a lot of people who found ginseng, but I never did, and I’m sure a big reason for that is that I never looked for it.

Spiritually speaking, what are you looking for?  So many people miss out on much that God has to offer simply because they don’t have hearts that are searching.  Are you searching for a right relationship with God?  Are you searching for a congregation of God’s people?  Are you searching to know God’s will in a difficult decision you’re facing?  What Jesus promised is true:  “Seek and you will find.” (Matthew 7:7)

By the way, those two disciples in John 1 found exactly what they were looking for.  “‘We have found the Messiah.” (John 1:41).

What are you looking for?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

 

 

When your problems seem big, remember, God is bigger!

Anna Lee

Wednesday Night

Willie Carruth “Bill” Conleay was born March 7, 1928 in Jackson, LA. He was 83, and a lifelong resident of Greensburg, LA, who passed away Tuesday, August 23, 2011at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. He was an automobile salesperson for 55 years. During his career he was named a member of the prestigious Chevrolet Legion of Leaders Honor Club for 36 years. He was a veteran of the United States Army.

Mr. Bill is survived by his wife of 34 years, Diana Walker Conleay, Greensburg; daughter Deborah Lynn Browning, Wilmer; sons, Gary Vance Conleay and wife Emily, McDonough, GA, Randy Lynn Conleay, Greensburg, and Stephen Mark Browning and wife Amy, Walker; grandchildren, Justin Lehmann and wife Courtney, St. Charles, MO, Carlin Conleay Dixon and husband John, Savannah, GA, Gary Michael Conleay and wife Katie, Savannah, GA, Kenneth Allen Conleay, Harrisburg, PA, Joshua Conleay and wife Haley, Greensburg, Sarah Conleay, Greensburg, Austin Browning, Camp LeJuene, NC, Ashley Perck and husband Josh, Walker, Nicholas Browning, Walker and Lindsey Bickham, Walker;  special cousin, Yvonne Pecoraro, Hammond, 11 great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Preceded in death by parents, John and Willie Allen Conleay; daughter, Audrey Conleay Lehmann; great grandson, Aaron Cole Lehmann; special aunt, Nancy Allen Carruth; sisters, Amy Mae McNabb, Addie Allen, Minnie Fleming; brothers, Nathan “Bilbo” Conleay, Dillon Carruth, Nicholas Elton Carruth, William Carruth, O.D. Carruth and Nettles Carruth

Visitation at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Friday, August 26, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Saturday, August 27, 2011 at the Greensburg United Methodist Church from 8:00 a.m. until the Celebration of Life Worship Services at 11:00 a.m. in the Church with Rev. Kenneth Reed officiating. Interment in Greensburg Cemetery, Greensburg, LA.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons; Honorary Pallbearers will be Randy Konzelman, Jackie Konzelman, Bill Hood, Larry Carruth, Daryl Carruth and Leo Easley.

Family request Memorial Donations be made to Greensburg United Methodist Church, 6349 Highway 10 Greensburg, LA 70441, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial and Honor Program, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or The Jason Foundation, Inc., 8 Volunteer Drive, Hendersonville, TN 37075

An on-line Guestbook is available at www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home is located at I-55N (Exit 46) and Hwy 16W next to Hood Chevrolet and behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash, Bond Eye Clinic and Holiday Inn Express.

 

Diane Strickland Woodard
(November 28, 1944 – August 23, 2011)

A resident of Hammond, she died at 1:41 p.m. on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond. She was born November 28, 1944 in Amite and was 66 years of age. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 10 a.m. until religious services at 2 p.m. on Friday, August 26, 2011. Services conducted by Rev. Mike Woodard. Interment Arcola-Roseland Cemetery, Roseland. Survived by 6 children, George Sartar, Charles Sartar, Sarah Lee Sartar, Regina Sartar, Avery Logue, and Paul Holden, 6 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren, sisters, Maggie Holden and Shirley Sanders, brothers, Frank Strickland, James Strickland, and Luther Ray McAllister, special niece, Brandy Hayden. Preceded in death by husband, Woody Woodard, parents, Frank and Dorothy Strickland, and sister, Judy Strickland.

 

 

Wednesday

“When they went from one nation to another,

From one kingdom to another people,

He permitted no one to do them wrong;

Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes,

Saying, ‘Do not touch My anointed ones,

And do My prophets no harm.’”

~Psalm 105:12-14, NKJV~

Mrs. Ann Chapman requests prayer for the areas of our country that are too day.  We can add the area that is expecting Hurricane Irene, the area that recently flooded and the area the experienced an earthquake yesterday.  Much is happening!

Andy and Betty Taylor are dealing with Andy’s pain from the accident and two surgeries.  Keep them and other family members in your prayers.

Our grandson, Mason, broke his arm late yesterday afternoon while riding his scooter at NOBTS.  He has a brace on in now and will get a cast in a couple of days.

Daddy will be seeing a doctor about a medication side effect today.  Pray for the doctor’s decision in how to best hand this problem.

Pray for the Conleay family as they make funeral arrangements today.

Make time for God in your day today!

Anna Lee

Tuesday Addition

From Melissa Johnson

Please add Delton Davis and Lynette Davis to the prayer link. I just got off the phone with Barbara their daughter and she said her Dad is very sick and is home resting but now all he does is sleep. Mrs Lynette will be having open heart surgey tomorrow at 7 a.m. in Covington. This family needs our prayers with both of their parents sick………

I also spoke to Wanda Bridges and her (Mom) Mrs Velma Anthony is having tests at North Oaks tomorrow morning. Please be in prayer for Mrs Velma.

Mr. Bill Conleay passed away.  He will be missed by many people.  Randy Conleay’s surgery may be promising.  I’ll post an obituary later.

 

I would appreciate continued prayers for my family.  Momma has improved, but is not well enough to come home.  My appointment yesterday confirmed my self-diagnosis.  Pray for me as I have started medication and will have an MRI Thursday.

Tuesday

 

“O Lord, God of my salvation,

I have cried out day and night before You.

Let my prayer come before You;

incline Your ear to my cry.”

~Psalm 88:1-2~

 

From Pam Sellers

Please add my neighbor Brent Miller and his family to the Prayer List. Brent suffered a severe psychotic episode Saturday night and no longer wants to live. He has been on medication for schizophrenia for a long time. He is a born-again Christian and comes from a strong Christian family. Pray for the family, especially his mother Linda, and that the God who knows him will calm him down and that the doctors can adjust his medication. Thank you in advance.
Pam

Pray that Andy Taylor’s pain will begin to ease.  Pray for Betty as she takes care of Andy at home.  Thank God, again, for sparing Andy.

 

Devotionals by Alan Smith

Does one remind you of Dr. Joe Baugh?

http://tftd-alansmith.blogspot.com/2010_01_01_archive.html

 

May you be blessed today!

Anna Lee

Monday – Late Morning

Paul J. Miceli, Jr.
(December 20, 1935 – August 20, 2011)

A resident of Independence, LA, died on Saturday, August 20, 2011 at Lakeview Regional Medical Center in Covington, LA. He was born December 20, 1935 in Independence, LA and was 75 years of age.Visitation at Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church, Independence, from 8 a.m. until religious services at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 23, 2011. Services conducted by Fr. Howard Adkins. Interment Colonial Cemetery, Independence, LA. Survived by wife, Ida Miceli, Independence, sister, Diane Miceli, Independence, children, Paulette Miceli Brabham, Kentwood, Joann Miceli Gennaro, Independence, Paul J. Miceli, Jr., Independence, Michael Miceli, Independence, Anthony Miceli, Natalbany, and Sabrina Miceli Graves, Independence, 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by parents, Tony and Mary Miceli. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family.