Mom’s surgery is over. She did very well. The doctors believe that this procedure will completely take care of the tumor. She is resting at our house in New Orleans and will return home tomorrow. Thank you all for praying!
—Jennie (Anna Lee’s daughter)
And He has said to me,
“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”
Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses,
so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses,
with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties,
for Christ’s sake;
for when I am weak, then I am strong.
~2 Corinthians 12:-10~
Worship God and study His Word on His day!
One of my favorite devotionals by Alan Smith:
Thought for the Day: The best is yet to come
first used the following story (author unknown) in a Thought For The Day message several years ago, and have since used it in a funeral service. It remains one of my readers’ all-time favorites. I hope you enjoy seeing it again.
The sound of Martha’s voice on the other end of the telephone always brought a smile to Brother Jim’s face. She was not only one of the oldest members of the congregation, but one of the most faithful. Aunt Martie, as all of the children called her, just seemed to ooze faith, hope, and love wherever she went. This time, however, there seemed to be an unusual tone to her words. “Preacher, could you stop by this afternoon? I need to talk with you.” “Of course, I’ll be there around three. Is that ok?”
It didn’t take long for Jim to discover the reason for what he had only sensed in her voice before. As they sat facing each other in the quiet of her small living room. Martha shared the news that her doctor had just discovered a previously undetected tumor. “He says I probably have six months to live”. Martha’s words were naturally serious, yet there was a definite calm about her. “I’m so sorry to….” but before Jim could finish, Martha interrupted. “Don’t be. The Lord has been good. I have lived a long life. I’m ready to go. You know that.” “I know,” Jim whispered with a reassuring nod.
“But I do want to talk with you about my funeral. I have been thinking about it, and there are things that I know I want.” The two talked quietly for a long time. They talked about Martha’s favorite hymns, the passages of Scripture that had meant so much to her through the years, and the many memories they shared from the five years Jim had been with Central Church.
When it seemed that they had covered just about everything, Aunt Martie paused, looked up at Jim with a twinkle in her eye, and then added, “One more thing, preacher. When they bury me, I want my old Bible in one hand and a fork in the other”. “A fork?” Jim was sure he had heard everything, but this caught him by surprise. “Why do you want to be buried with a fork?”
“I have been thinking about all of the church dinners and banquets that I attended through the years,” she explained, “I couldn’t begin to count them all. But one thing sticks in my mind — At those really nice get-togethers, when the meal was almost finished, a server or maybe the hostess would come by to collect the dirty dishes. I can hear the words now. Sometimes, at the best ones, somebody would lean over my shoulder and whisper, ‘You can keep your fork.’ And do you know what that meant? Dessert was coming! “It didn’t mean a cup of Jell-O or pudding or even a dish of ice cream. You don’t need a fork for that. It meant the good stuff, like chocolate cake or cherry pie! When they told me I could keep my fork, I knew the best was yet to come!
“That’s exactly what I want people to talk about at my funeral. Oh, they can talk about all the good times we had together. That would be nice. But when they walk by my casket and look at my pretty blue dress, I want them to turn to one another and say, ‘Why the fork’? That’s what I want you to say, I want you to tell them, that I kept my fork because the best is yet to come!”
Truly, for a child of God, the best is yet to come.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.” (I Peter 1:3-4)
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee
“Why the fork’? That’s what I want you to say, I want you to tell them, that I kept my fork because the best is yet to come!”
Looking ahead!
Anna Lee
Virginia told me the doctor spent the day with Chloe Neyland trying different tests/procedures to help her. He came to the conclusion Chloe will need a pacemaker. This will be done Monday. Please pray for Chloe and her family.
“This service that you perform
is not only supplying the needs of God’s people
but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.”
~2 Corinthians 9:12 NIV~
Please continue to pray for Chloe Neyland and her family. Chloe did not have a great day yesterday. We can pray for a better day today.
Baptist Press: A 7th inning exit & a great lesson about fatherhood
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=36438
Baptist Press: God uses student’s handicap for His glory
http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=36437
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
I heard about a preacher who went into children’s church to talk to the children about Psalm 23. He told the children about sheep, that they weren’t smart and needed lots of guidance, and that a shepherd’s job was to stay close to the sheep, protect them from wild animals and keep them from wandering off and doing dumb things that would get them hurt or killed.
He pointed to the children in the room and said that they were the sheep and needed lots of guidance. Then the minister said, “If you are the sheep, then who is the shepherd?” He was obviously indicating himself.
There was a silence for a few seconds. Then one of the children said, “Jesus. Jesus is the shepherd.”
The minister was obviously caught by surprise and said to the boy, “Well, then, who am I?”
The little boy thought for a moment and then he said with a shrug, “I guess you must be a sheep dog.”
That’s not a bad answer! I know that the Bible refers to the elders in the church as “pastors” (shepherds), so it’s fully appropriate to refer to them in that way. But Peter referred to Jesus as the “Chief Shepherd” (I Peter 5:4) so as to draw a sharp distinction between Him and the other shepherds of the church. But I also like this idea of our spiritual leaders being “sheep dogs” because it pictures both their role of watching over the sheep and their role of submission to the Chief Shepherd, ready to follow His every command.
If you are a pastor, I hope you connect with the concept of the sheep dog. If you’re one of the flock, I hope that you will “obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.” (Hebrews 13:17). And may we all take comfort in our Shepherd who watches over us and provides all that we need (and so much more!).
In his book, “I Shall Not Want”, Robert Ketchum tells about a Sunday school teacher who asked her group of children if any of them could quote the entire twenty-third psalm. A little 4-year-old girl raised her hand.
The little girl came to the front of the class, and she said: “The Lord is my shepherd, that’s all I want.” Then she bowed and sat down. She may have overlooked a few verses, but that little girl captured David’s heart in Psalm 23. “The Lord is my shepherd, that’s all I want.”
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina
How is God using you today to bring Glory to His name? If you haven’t already done so, take some time today to prepare for the Lord’s Day.
Anna Lee
The world of the generous gets larger and larger;
the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.
~Proverbs 11:24 (Msg)~
PATRICIA “PUNKIN” BRANT SMITH
December 5, 1948-October 26, 2011
Patricia Brant Smith was born on December 5, 1948 and passed away on October 26, 2011 at 2:45pm. She was 62, a native of Kentwood, LA and a resident of Gulfport, MS.
Patricia is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, Donnie Smith, Gulfport, children Tammy Toney(Troy), Gulfport, Tracy Ritchie (Jack), Saucier, Kevin Smith (Ashlee), Gulfport, and Kelly Wallis(Tony), Gulfport. Grandchildren, Amber, Jared, Anthony, Kameron, Tanner, Garrett, Connor, and Braden. Brothers and sisters, Jim Brant (Dulce) Kentwood, Bonnie McDaniel (Buford), Kentwood, Cheryl Guthrie (Clem), Kentwood, Dickie Blades (Trudy), Emilie Van Horn (Bobby), Chattanooga, TN, David Brant (Susan)Hernando, Ms., Tim Brandt(Jennifer) Atlanta, GA, Mark Brandt, East Ridge, TN, Lisa Lawler(Ron), Grapevine TX, and Melissa Farrell, Vinemont, AL.
Preceded in death by her parents, Fred Brant of Gulfport and Shirley Blades of Kentwood and brother Gregg Brandt.
Patricia had also been employed by Oreck Manufacturing for 25 years. She was a faithful member at Sunflower Baptist Church in Perkinston, MS for many years.
Visitation at Riemann’s Family Funeral Home on 3 Rivers Rd., Gulfport from 11am until 2pm with services to follow in the funeral home chapel at 2pm on Saturday, October 29, 2011.
THE BEAUTY OF YOUNG AND OLD
A grandmother and a little girl whose face was sprinkled with bright red freckles spent the day at the zoo. The children were waiting in line to get their cheeks painted by a local artist who was decorating them with tiger paws. “You’ve got so many freckles, there’s no place to paint!”, a boy in the line cried.
Embarrassed, the little girl dropped her head. Her grandmother knelt down next to her. “I love your freckles,” she said. “Not me,” the girl replied.
“Well, when I was a little girl I always wanted freckles” she said, tracing her finger across the child’s cheek. “Freckles are beautiful!”
The girl looked up. “Really?”
“Of course,” said the grandmother. “Why, just name me one thing that’s prettier than freckles.”
The little girl peered into the old woman’s smiling face. “Wrinkles,” she answered softly.
What a beautiful story of love! How wonderful it is when those who are filled with the wisdom that comes with age can still see the beauty in those who are younger and have much to learn. And how wonderful when those just learning to spread their wings can see the beauty in those who have flown so long they have grown weary of flying.
“The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is their gray head.” (Proverbs 20:29)
With a heart of love, may we see the beauty of God’s children both young and old.
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Thanking God for the rain and praying you get some too,
Anna Lee
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.”
~Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)~
Debbie Bales’ mother has had several falls and other issues lately. Please be in prayer for Mrs. Goings and the family.
Mrs. “Bill” Hughes is back at North Oaks and is very frail. Please say prayers for her and for “Miss” Anne.
From Laura DeBlanc
Susan Rimes had a procedure to blast her stones this week that will require another round next Monday. Continue to pray for her.
Pray for Mrs. Mickey Cade. She has several problems still and will really appreciate your prayers.
Continue to pray for Andy and Betty Taylor. They have problems from the wrecks that are not totally cleared up yet.
Melissa Johnson is fine and looking forward to a new grandbaby next Monday.
Don and Firma Kay Schneeweiss are also looking forward to a baby, their first grandchild, a girl, next week.
Continue to pray for Billy Carl Strickland and Donna Faye Miller. They both have serious medical issues and would appreciate your prayers.
Don’t forget to remember to pray for Eddie Muse and his family as they care for him.
“Pops” Hilbun (from Debbie Crawford)
Visitation and services for Pops Hilbun will be at Line Creek Baptist Church, not the funeral home.
Heart to Heart with Holley: Who shares your umbrella?
Hello Friend!
The other day an afternoon thunderstorm blew in, cracking and laughing over the autumn-colored hills. I watched the clouds gather and then release raindrops from the hands that spattered the sidewalk.
From a few houses down, two children emerged under an umbrella. They hurried along with smiles on their faces. Each one holding the handle in the middle of them. It wasn’t a storm to be avoided in their lives but an experience to be shared.
That’s how it’s supposed to be, I thought. None of use are meant to walk through the rain alone.
A gentle thunder send them scurrying inside a house but I lingered at the window and wondered…
Why is it so hard for us to go through life’s storms together?
It seems we either tend to carry the umbrella only for ourselves. We become scared or bitter and we’re afraid to let anyone close. It’s hard for us to give.
Or we are happy to offer our umbrella to others while we become soaked. We’re afraid that if we don’t sacrifice so much then we won’t be loved. It’s hard for us to receive.
But Jesus calls us to that middle place. He asks us to take hold of that handle. “Love one another,” he says. One another–that’s two people under the umbrella, giving and receiving.
Ah, yes.
My thoughts clear.
The sky does too.
The children reappear and jump in puddles. Shared joy after the rain too.
And I think I can just see a new bit of sunlight slipping unexpectedly into my day.
xoxo
p.s. Who shares the storms in your life? {Thanks for sharing mine–I’m so glad you’re here!}
Many of you have shared the storms in my life. I’m so thankful and so blessed!
Anna Lee
Allen S. “Pops” Hilburn
(November 11, 1926 – October 25, 2011)
A resident of Kentwood, LA, died at 9:45PM on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center in McComb, MS. He was born November 11, 1926 in McComb, MS and was 84 years of age. He was a member of Sons of Confederate Veterans, Masonic Lodge, Fraternal Order of Police, American Legion, and Civil Air Patrol. He served in the Armed Services in the Army Air Corp, U. S. Navy, and U. S. Coast Guard during World War II and Korea. He was a graduate of Southeastern La. University with a degree in accounting, and worked 12 years for Baton Rouge City Police. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 6 p.m .until 9 p.m., Thursday, October 27, 2011, and from 9 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Friday, October 28, 2011. Services conducted by Rev. Ken Irvin. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. Survived by wife, Abbie Muse Hilburn, Kentwood, and her son, Bill Whitney, Jacksonville, FL, brother, Robert E. Hilburn and his wife, Gerry, Baton Rouge, nephews, Bobby and Greg Hilburn, and great-nieces, Savannah and Chelsey. Preceded in death by parents, Luther A. Hilburn and, Lula Knight Hilburn. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com
Sheriff Ronald Ray “Gun” Ficklin
(January 18, 1954 – October 21, 2011)
Sheriff Ronald Ray “Gun” Ficklin was born on January 18, 1954 and passed away at 5:11 a.m., Friday, October 21, 2011 at Butner Medical Center, Butner, NC. “Gun” was 57, a native of Amite and a lifelong resident of Greensburg. He was a Town Councilman of Greensburg from 1980-1984, the Mayor of Greensburg from 1984-1998 and the Sheriff of St. Helena Parish from 1998-2007.
“Gun” is survived by 3 daughters, Melissa Ficklin Clark and husband Cori, Greensburg, Amanda Ficklin Mixon and husband Chad, Greensburg & Alli Ficklin, Hillsdale; son, Ronald Jason Ficklin, Greensburg; 4 grandchildren, Nilaina Ficklin, Cy Mixon, Qway Clark & Jon Bang Clark; sister, Wanda Ficklin, Greensburg; 3 brothers, Freddie Ficklin and wife Rennie, Mike Ficklin and wife Natalie & Randy “Duke” Ficklin all of Greensburg; companion, Paula Davidson McNabb; mother’s of his children, Gail McNabb Domingue & Peggy Davis Ficklin; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
Preceded in death by his father, D. L. “Bang” Ficklin, mother, Myrtle L. Cutrer Ficklin Fiorello; brother, Jimmy Lewis Ficklin; nephew, Johnathan Tidwell; niece, Lacey Ficklin & uncle, “PaPa” Joe Cutrer
Visitation at McKneely and Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Thursday, October 27, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Friday, October 28, 2011 from 8:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home Chapel with Bro. Joe Day and Rev. Laverne King officiating. Interment in Shiloh Cemetery, Pine Grove, LA.
An on-line Guestbook is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com
McKneely and Vaughn Funeral Home is located at I-55(Exit#46) and Hwy. 16W. next to Hood Chevrolet and behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash, Bond Eye Clinic & Holiday Inn Express.
The Gamma Knife Surgery Center called and offered me the option of having my surgery on Monday, rather than Friday, next week. I jumped at the opportunity. I am now scheduled for October 31st. God’s timing is always just right! That’s because He sees the big picture that we do not see!
I understand the manhunt is Pike County is over. I know many people will be able to rest easier now.
Joan B. Hagan called this morning. She’s at the old Baton Rouge General in room 322. She was admitted Monday so they can help her get rid of some fluid and keep a watch on her heart. She’s anxious to get back to her home so she can participate in devotionals led by Bro. Mike, her former pastor at Greensburg. Please pray for Joan and for the devotionals that will mean so much to all those living in the home with Joan.
Isaiah 43:2-3
“When you pass through the waters, I WILL be with you;
And through the rivers, they WILL NOT overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you WILL NOT be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
FOR I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD,
THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL,
YOUR SAVIOR;”
(Shared by a former student last night)
Chloe Neyland will be having her surgery at 8:00 this morning. It will take 4-6 hours to repair two holes in her heart. Prayers are requested.
Randy Relan, another former student and the recipient of a transplant, shared this:
Thanks 1,000,000 to everyone for your support. It has been a long journey to which there is no end. People from all over the world have prayed for me and supported me during this most trying time in my life. People I don’t even know have phoned me and offered prayers. Old friends have come to the support of my extended family, and just astounded all of us with their generosity. I want everyone to know that although I realize that my survival is the miracle that is reality, the ultimate purpose of this whole thing is that God wants you all to know that he hears your prayers and has the power to answer. If any of you ever wondered if he was listening, remember what happened with me. Be assured that He is continuing to work on me, and I hope that He is working through me as well.
The manhunt continues, but has moved across the state line into Mississippi. People are beginning to tire of the constant stress, but please stay alert. Day 14 would be a good day for all this to end for innocent residents of the area.
Thought for the Day: God is bigger than your problems
The following incident is reported to have been published by Associated Press a while back:
In Arkansas, a lady named Linda went to visit her in-laws, and while there, went to a store. She parked next to a car with a woman sitting in it, her eyes closed and hands behind her head, apparently sleeping.
When Linda came out a while later, she again saw the woman, her hands still behind her head but with her eyes open. The woman looked very strange, so Linda tapped on the window and said “Are you okay?”
The woman answered “I’ve been shot in the head, and I am holding my brain in.”
Linda did not know what to do, so she ran into the store, where store officials called the paramedics. They had to break into the car because the door was locked. When they got in, they found that the woman had bread dough on the back of her head and in her hands. A Pillsbury biscuit canister had exploded, apparently from the heat in the car, making a loud explosion like that of a gunshot, and hit her in the head. When she reached back to find what it was, she felt the dough and thought it was her brain. She passed out from fright at first, then attempted to hold her brains in.
They took her to a local hospital, where they treated her, shampooed her hair, and released her.
Sometimes things aren’t nearly as bad as they may seem at the time. Remember back during your dating days, when that special someone broke up with you, it seemed to be the end of the world. Life just wasn’t worth living anymore! But, in time, you came to realize it wasn’t the major disaster you initially thought it was.
I think we do that a lot as we grow up. I don’t mean to trivialize true tragedies we face, but often when things go wrong, our first reaction is to panic and think our world is coming to an end.
When the spies returned from the land of Canaan and told about the “giants” they encountered, the Israelites’ reaction was, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness!” (Numbers 14:2)
Only two spies took the attitude, “Our problem is big, but our God is bigger. Things aren’t nearly as bad as they seem.” “Do not be terrified, or afraid of them. The Lord your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you….” (Deuteronomy 1:29-30)
Whatever problem you may be facing today, may you do so with the knowledge that however big it may be, our God is even bigger!
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee
Waiting to see how God is going to show himself today!
Anna Lee
The Prayer Link 
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