“I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere,
lifting up holy hands,
without wrath and doubting.”
~1 Timothy 2:8~
Please continue to pray for the families of all four ladies involved in the accident that occurred two and a half weeks ago. Pray for each family individually. “Miss” Carol Jean’s family reports she is basically about the same and thanks you for the prayers you have offered thus far.
The family of Eugene Travis requests prayers for him as he has medical tests and procedures.
Thoughts from Courtney Roth
http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/2012/02/love.html
The early sign-up for “James: Mercy Triumphs” is going well. A second order for books has been made. For those interested in doing a little preparation ahead of time, read the book of James. I even found “Mercy triumphs” in one of the verses!
Roy S. Ardillo, II
(May 29, 1951 – February 11, 2012)
A native of Amite and a resident of Pine, he died at 2:50 p.m. on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at Louisiana Medical Center & Heart Hospital in LaCombe, LA. He was born May 29, 1951 and was 60 years of age. He was a U. S. Army veteran of Viet Nam. A Vigil service followed by the Rosary will be conducted at 5 p.m. on Wednesday at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, with visitation to follow until 9 p.m. and resuming from 8 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Thursday. Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at St. Helena Catholic Church, Amite, at 12 Noon Thursday February 16, 2012. Services conducted by Fr. Mark Beard. Interment will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. Survived by wife, Gaynell Gaudet Ardillo, daughter, Cindy Ardillo Gill and her husband, Mike, son, Richard Ardillo, 2 step-sons, Clinton Billedeaux and his wife, Kimberly, Steven Billedeaux, father, Nick P. Ardillo Sr., one sister, JoAnne Ardillo Falcone and her husband, Vincent, three brothers, James “Rube” Ardillo, Jay Ardillo and his wife, Kerri, Thomas F. Ardillo and his wife, Michelle, grandchildren, Michael Gill, Jr., Matthew Gill, Maylyn Ardillo, Paris Billedeaux, nieces and nephews, Joseph, Jonathan, Margaret & Madeline Ardillo, Vincent & Joshua Falcone, Nikki Falcone Messina, Melissa Ficklin Clark, Amanda Ficklin Mixon & Jason Ficklin, uncles & aunts, Thomas Bellavia, Frank Bellavia, Mary Frances Ardillo, numerous cousins. Preceded in death by mother, Angelee Bellavia Ardillo, and brother, Nick P. Ardillo, Jr. Special thanks to the doctors and nurses at Louisiana Medical Center & Heart Hospital in Lacombe, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Families are so important. A new movie, “The Vow”, gives us an example of a couple who worked through especially difficult problems to regain love and then to remarry. I have not seen the movie, but have heard from others who did. I think the book and/or the movie might be a plus for any family or soon-to-be family. Take time to read what Baptist Press has to say.
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=37170
Dr. Danny Smith, pastor of Spring Creek Baptist Church, has given me permission to share some of his thoughts periodically. I think we can all benefit from what he said yesterday.
Pain, loss, sorrow, grief all things we have experienced and struggle with from time to time. Truth is there is no easy way to deal with any of them.
There are those who insist time heals all wounds but as time rocks on and hurts persist we find that is not right.
Then there are those who say you just have to work through it you just have to go through these steps but then we wear out the path the steps are located on and still have our ache still have our pain and they say give it time.
But there is one who can and does help in these times and He does that first by being with us.
He does it secondly by taking it from us.
And He does it finally by taking it us away from all of it.
No this does not change the pain or take away the sorrow but it sure gives us somewhere to take it and of course that is to Jesus. Where else no where! Who else? No one!
Thought for the Day: Willing to die
The following story is related by Kim Noone in the book, “A Cup of Chicken Soup For the Soul”:
“One day a drill sergeant came out and threw a hand grenade into a group of young soldiers. The men all ran away and took cover away from the grenade. Then the drill sergeant told them that the grenade was not set to explode and he just did it to see their reaction.
“The next day a newly recruited soldier joined the group. The drill sergeant told the other soldiers not to tell the new soldier what was going to happen. As the drill sergeant came out and threw the grenade into the crowd of soldiers, the new soldier, not knowing it wasn’t going to explode, threw himself on top of the grenade to prevent it from killing the other men. He was willing to die for his fellow soldiers.
“That year the young man was awarded the only medal for courage and bravery that had not been won during battle.”
How many people would you be willing to die for? Be honest now! Maybe your husband or wife, one of your children, but the list starts to get pretty short after that, doesn’t it?
Can you imagine dying in the place of a convicted criminal? Someone is scheduled to die on death row for murder, and you say, “Please let me take his place!” Not very likely, huh?
Paul was so right when he said, “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:7-8)
Why would Christ do that? As long as I define love by my own personal limitations, it will always be impossible to comprehend. Only the love of an Almighty God could be willing to sacrifice so much. I am led to respond in praise, and in a desire to give all my love and obedience to the One who loved me more than life itself.
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee
How many ways can you show love to others today? You don’t have to die for them, but you can thank the One who die for us. That was love!
Anna Lee
The Prayer Link 