Author: Anna Lee

Friday

“Therefore I say to you,

whatever things you ask when you pray,

believe that you receive them,

and you will have them.”

~Mark 11:24~

My personal observation: I asked God for peace about the brain surgery.  He came through in a big way.  When I had my doctor appointments after diagnosis, my blood pressure was very high due to anxiety.  When I was going into gamma knife surgery without having any medication, my blood pressure was lower than it has been it a long time.  I felt confident that God was in control and had no anxiety at all.  This is another one of those “God winks”.

Chloe Neyland did better yesterday.  Lisa said she got to see the baby blue eyes several times throughout the day.  Keep praying for little Chloe, the medical staff, and the family.  Lisa requests prayers for all the other children in ICU in Children’s Hospital.

Andy Taylor received a good report yesterday.  His hand is doing better than the doctor hoped for.  God is showing himself in so many ways.

Please begin praying for Jason Dean and his family.  Jason has back surgery scheduled for Nov. 10th in Baton Rouge.

Thought for the Day: 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

God, please help me be a giver every day of my life.  I want to be better able to give to those who don’t deserve it and don’t need it as well as those who really deserve and need it.  Help my life be a better reflection of God in my life.

Anna Lee

Thursday Afternoon

Warren Charles Doty, Sr.
(March 7, 1924 – November 2, 2011) 

 

A resident of Kentwood, he died at 7:40 p.m. on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at his residence. He was born March 7, 1924 in Patterson and was 87 years of age. He was a U. S. Army Veteran of World War II and a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Kentwood. He is survived by his daughter, Jessie Doty Hilbun, Kentwood; 3 sons, Patrick John Lambeth, Maryville, TN, Richard Paul Doty, Kentwood, and Thomas Joseph Doty, Kentwood; 2 sisters, Carolyn Doty Anderson, Patterson and Dolores Doty Hahn, Franklin; 1 brother, Clarence Henry Doty, Jr., Canton, TX; 14 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by, wife, Catherine Cambre Doty; son, Warren Charles Doty, Jr.; 2 granddaughters, Tessie Lynn Doty and Rebekah Leigh Doty; daughter-in-law, Betty Booty Doty; parents, Clarence and Jessie Doty; sister, Iris Doty. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 8 a.m. until religious services at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 5, 2011. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Arbor Day Foundation.

 

 

 

 


Thursday Addition

A few hours after having gamma knife surgery on my brain tumor Monday, I was sitting with Jennie at the from of the missionary home on the campus of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary giving out candy to the children of students and professors.  I had my head wrapped from surgery and wore my pajamas, but everyone thought I was in costume.  That was a night I will always remember and be thankful for.  Monday was a great day in my life!

Thursday

He said to another man, “Follow me.”

But that man said, “Sir, first let me go back and bury my father.”

Jesus answered, “Let the dead bury their own dead.

You go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.” 

~Luke 9:59-60 TEV~

Betty Simpson told me Melissa’s grandbaby who is named Lily Kate will go by Lily.

Boyd Hatchel got another good report yesterday.  The doctor said he did not have a seizure in Prague and does not have epilepsy.

Miles Hatchel woke up with a problem that seemed to be a broken collarbone according to his mother, the nurse, and the doctor.  A x-ray eliminated that, but led to blood-work that could have shown something much more serious.  The blood-work showed Miles had been too close to Granddaddy’s cats.  Miles has a virus – cat scratch fever.

My surgery is not giving me any problems, but I had a difficult day with facial pain which is brought on by stress.  Stress was good because it led to learning I had a brain tumor.  Stress now is not good.

Mr. Luther Ricks is doing a little better each day.  Thank God for Luther’s continued improvement.

Sherry Simpson is home from her recent surgery in Tennessee.  Pray that time shows the surgery improved her health issue.

From Lisa M. Neyland

Chloe had another rough day today. Hoping for tomorrow to be better.
There are 14 babies right now in the cicu unit with chloe. They all have their own special issues and some of the families have had to travel for hours to be here. Please remember them in your prayers that all their little bodies will be healed and they get to return to their homes and their normal lives

Don’t you love the sweet spirit in Lisa’s heart as she thinks about other families?  Virginia, Chloe’s grandmother, said Chloe had a difficult day again yesterday.  Pray for the family as they face another day at Children’s Hospital.

From Debbie Crawford

Please be in prayer for the family of Warren Doty. He just passed away.

Mrs. Catherine Yarborough’s sister passed away.  Please be in prayer for “Miss” Catherine and other family members.

Arrangements for Frances Fowler Allen

Visitation today from 10:00 – 2:00 at New Day Church in Liberty, MS.with burial in the Gillsburg cemetery.

Pray for the large extended family she leaves behind.

Pray for revival at FBC, Kentwood.  If you are interested in praying with others tonight, men will pray at the alter and ladies in the prayer room.  This time will begin at 7 P.M.  The revival will run Sunday – Wednesday.

 

I pray you have a special day of recognizing God’s presence in your life.

Anna Lee

 

 

Wednesday

“Do your own work well,

and then you will have something to be proud of.

But don’t compare yourself with others.”

~Galatians 6:4 (CEV)~

Tripp Roth

http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/

Thought for the Day: Should I forgive others?

The following story comes from Glenn E. Schaeffer via Christian Reader (“Kids of the Kingdom;” September/October 1997):

During a childrens sermon one Sunday morning, I held up an ugly-looking summer shirt that I wore occasionally around the house. I explained to the children that someone said the shirt was ugly and should be thrown away.

“This really hurt me,” I explained. “I’m having trouble forgiving the person who said those mean things. Do you think I should forgive that person?” I asked the children.

Immediately, my six-year-old daughter, Alicia, raised her hand. “Yes, you should,” she said without hesitation. “But why? The person hurt my feelings,” I responded.

To which Alicia wisely answered, “Because you’re married to her.”

We live in a society that doesn’t care much at all about forgiveness. Our culture exalts those TV and movie heroes who take vengeance on others. Those who are willing to forgive are portrayed as weak, and those who refuse to forgive are strong. The result is a society filled with bitterness, vengeance, anger, hate and hostility. Marriages suffer because grudges are held and nobody’s willing to forgive. Crimes of retaliation and ridiculously excessive lawsuits are rampantly common as people seek vengeance both inside or outside the law.

But Jesus emphasized the importance of forgiving others. In fact, he doesn’t give us any other option, if we are to be his disciples. He said, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15). That’s strong language!

Again in Mark 11:25-26, Jesus said, “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

When Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” (Matthew 18:21), Jesus responds by telling a parable about a master who forgave a servant’s huge debt, but that servant refused to forgive another servant who owed him a small amount. The story ends with an angry master turning over the unforgiving servant to the jailers for torture and torment. And then Jesus made the application in one of the harshest statements in all the gospels: “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” (Matthew 18:35).

Jesus makes it painfully clear that forgiving others is directly related to our being forgiven by God, and our unwillingness to forgive destroys the bridge over which God’s forgiveness comes to us. Before you ask for God to forgive you, is there someone who needs your forgiveness today?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Today is going to be a good day!

Anna Lee

Tuesday Afternoon

“The Good News shows how God makes people right with himself —

that it begins and ends with faith.”

~Romans 1:17a (NCV)~

 

Melissa S. Johnson is a grandmother for the second time.  Kate Speed and Booke are both doing well.

Firma Kay and Don Schneeweiss will soon become grandparents for the first time.  Tensley Elizabeth Schneeweiss should be born later this week.

Chloe Neyland had surgery for her pacemaker this week.  Hopefully, she will awaken from her sedation soon.  Please be in pray for this family.

Jadon’s Story: We have our surgery date

Well since I haven’t gotten to blog this week, let me go back. My case was presented to the surgery board on Monday. Dr. Chugani actually called me after the meeting to let me know what went on. I know I’ve said this before but this Dr. amazes me more and more every day. Not many doctors take the time for his patients as he does. Anyway he said that he spoke with my doctor in Boston.(Who also called me and said he agrees with Dr. Chugani and thinks this is the best option for me. He said that Dr. Chugani is a very bright doctor and any idea of his is a great one.) He also said that the surgery board had a really great conversation about me and that everyone was in agreement that surgery is the best option for me right now. You see we have tried everything possible to stop these seizures. On top of all the medications, we have tried keto diet and an herbologist. So we have truly done everything possible to try to give me some relief. It’s always the same story. It helps at first and then the seizures slowly pick back up. Last Monday when we increased my banzel, I only had 20 spasms and I went 5 hours without having one. I have never done this before. So yes we celebrated that day. You have to it was a good day. I wish I could say it continued but no I’m back up to 50 spasms a day. They are still better and less intense but they are slowly kicking back up. I can’t even begin to tell you how frustrating it is and how much of a roller coaster it is. Its awful. Which leads me to my surgery date. I will go back to Detroit on November the 21. At that time we will update my MRI and I will get to meet the neurosurgeon. This will give us time to ask him questions and process everything before my actually surgery. We will come home and get to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family. I will then leave January 3 to go back to Detroit. My surgery will be January 5. It will be a two stage surgery. This means I will have my first surgery on the 5th. They will go in and put electrodes on my brain. They will then halfway close me up and record data for 3 days. I will pretty much be sedated those three days while they get the information they need. The fourth day is the second phase of the surgery. They will go in and remove most of the left hemisphere of my brain. We don’t know exactly how much until we get the results from the electrodes. The surgery will take about 10 hours. I will then go to the PICU for 24 to 48 hours. Then I will get my own room for a few weeks. We will be gone a total of about 4 to 5 weeks. There are NO words that can explain how we are feeling right now so I’m not going to try. We have decided to take my brother with us. We can’t go that long without seeing him. He might not stay the entire time but he is coming at the beginning. I will keep you updated as we receive more information. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE pray for me and my family. If you want to read about two of my friends who have had this surgery you can click on the links below. My mommy has talk to both of their mommies and they have helped out alot. The little boy Trevy is a little more like me than Charli. Trevy had the left side of his brain removed too. Charli had a stoke at birth so her story is a little different but both of these kids are amazing little miracles.

Trevy    http://www.happybeingtrevy.com/

Charli   http://charlimonk.blogspot.com/

 

Caring Bridge: Callie Cole

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/calliecole

Tonight is the last opportunity to see Heaven’s Gates and Hell’s Flames at the Lord’s Church.  It will begin at 6:30.  There is no admission charge.

 

Frances Fowler Allen (From Judy Fowler)

Wanted to pass on information.  Please remember the family in prayer:

Services for Frances F. Allen will be at New Day Church, Old Greensburg Road, Liberty, MS, on Thursday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m. til service at 2 p.m..  Burial will be at Gilsburg Cemetery, Gilsburg, MS. 

I’m sorry to be late posting this.

Ann Weaver Connerly
(May 4, 1936 – October 25, 2011)

A resident of Osyka, MS, died at 10:42PM on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. She was born May 4, 1936 and was 75 years of age. Visitation at Greenlaw Baptist Church, Kentwood, from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m., Thursday, October 27, 2011, and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 28, 2011. Services conducted by Rev. E. J. Didone. Interment Roberts Cemetery, Osyka, MS. Survived by husband, Philip Connerly, Osyka, MS, daughter, Karen Gill Morgan, Kentwood, 4 sons, Ernie Gill, Greensburg, Mark Gill, Zachary, Wayne Gill, Greensburg, and Johnny Gill, Osyka, MS, step-children, Phil Connerly, Kentwood, James Connerly, Magnolia, MS, Jeff Connerly, Osyka, MS, Lori Stewart, Albany, and Fran Bauer, Baton Rouge, a number of grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and sister, Betty Lou West, NC. Preceded in death by brother, Bo Weaver. Pallbearers will be Jeff Connerly, James Connerly, Phil Connerly, Johnny Gill, Mark Gill, and Ernie Gill. Honorary pallbearers will be Cheyenne Morgan, and Cody Morgan McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

 

 

I’m feeling great.  The people who have seen me today are amazed and all talk about a miracle.  I know I found the right doctor and the right procedure.

I’ll try to be back on a more regular schedule tomorrow. 

Anna Lee

Tuesday

I am home and doing great.  I wish you could see and hear me through this posting.  Thanks for the many, many prayers for me, my family, and the medical staff at the Gamma Knife Center.  Everything went was planned!  God is so good!

 

Frances Fowler Allen

Sister of Alice Fay Lee and sister-in-law of Judy Fowler, Frances Fowler Allen, passed away Monday, Oct. 31, at 2:30 pm.  Funeral arrangements are not complete at this time.

Will update later.

Sunday

 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