Sunday

And all of you must put on the apron of humility,

to serve one another;

for the scripture says,

‘God resists the proud,

but shows favor to the humble.’

~1 Peter 5:5 (TEV)~

 

Please pray for this young mother.

Please put Gwen Harper Pedelahore (of Amite) on the prayer link. She has developed sepsis (a serious blood infection) and pneumonia. She is in ICU and sedated to keep her comfortable, according to Kim’s Facebook post.  Gwen is in Ochner on O’Neal.

Julie Eudy

Jadon’s Story

I’m on day 3 of my final medicine increase and I’m still having seizures. My mommy has talked to my neurologist in Boston. He is in the process of talking with the neurologist in Detroit. He will then get in touch with my mommy and let her know his opinion on the surgery. I have 3 neurologist and we want them all to agree with the surgery. I know it’s seems crazy that we are being so cautious. Most people say go ahead with the surgery if it could stop the seizures. Well easier said than done. You see it is a very dangerous surgery. On top of that they can’t tell us that it will definitely stop the seizures. They are pretty sure it will but can’t be 100%. You also run the risk of taking something out that I’m using which means I would regress or even lose function of my right hand. If I do regress they are hopeful that I will regain the skills. It’s just alot to consider and it makes us sick at our stomach everytime we think about it. We are spending lots of time praying right now. I have to be honest and tell you it’s hard to not be mad at God right now. Why do I have to suffer? Why doesn’t the medicine help? Why are we in this situation? Why is it that my family has done everything possible and can’t get me any relief? We have to sit down and think about how far God has brought us and how He has never left us through this all. My mom and dad will never forget the day the neuro in Detroit walked in and said wow he is very high functioning considering his situation. This tells us God is with us even though we don’t understand why I’m having to go through this. Please continue to pray for me and my family. It’s very hard for my mommy to have to leave me for work right now and she is having a hard time. Also pray for the decisions we are having to make. Keep praying for these seizures to stop. We know that even though the medicine isn’t working God can still heal me. We are continuing to trust God as I continue to fight this battle.

Love you all,

Jadon

What Can I Do for You?

It had been a hard winter in the Appalachian area. The snow had piled up deeper and deeper, the mercury dropped, rivers froze, people suffered. The Red Cross used helicopters to fly in supplies. One crew had been working day after day — long hours. They were on their way home late in the afternoon when they saw a little cabin submerged in the snow. There was a thin whisper of smoke coming from the chimney. The rescue team figured they were probably about out of food, fuel, perhaps medicine.

Because of the trees, they had to put the helicopter down a mile away. They put on heavy packs with emergency supplies, trudged through heavy snow, waist deep, reached the cabin exhausted, panting, perspiring. They pounded on the door. A thin, gaunt mountain woman opened the door and the lead man gasped, “We’re from the Red Cross.”

She was silent for a moment and then she said, “It’s been a hard winter, Sonny, I just don’t think we can give anything this year.”

I don’t think the story is true, but it certainly could be. I am convinced that there are two kinds of people — givers and takers. And even in dire times, those who are givers are always thinking about “What can I do for you?” rather than “What can you do for me?” Statistically speaking, the group which gives the greatest percentage of their money to charity every year is the group of people with the lowest income.

There may be several different reasons for that, but truth of the matter is (and this is true among Christians as well), the more we have, the greater is our tendency to hold tight to it. What a great example the Macedonians are to us:

“…in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.” (2 Cor. 8:2).

Did you notice that? The group of Christians that Paul held up as an example of generous giving to those in need were themselves in “deep poverty”. Yet they gave so much that Paul was reluctant to receive the money, until they implored him “with much urgency” to take their gift.

I look at my own life and see that there are many times when I’m reluctant to give to others, not because it might affect providing for my needs, but because it might affect me having the things I want. Like everyone else, I’m tempted to look out for “number one” and I want to know what you can do for me. But, considering the example of Christ, Paul said:

“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Phil.2:4)

“Father, please forgive me. Help me to develop a heart of selflessness and love for others that constantly seeks to find ways to bless those around me. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

 

Have a wonderful Lord’s Day.  Do something for someone else today.

Anna Lee