Author: Anna Lee

Wednesday

“The Lord is far from the wicked,

but He hears the prayer of the righteous.”

~Proverbs 15:29~

Doctors have done all they can do for Caroline Crouch.  Now, the family is waiting to see if God is going to heal Caroline Crouch here on earth or in heaven.  Please continue to pray for her family and friends.

Mr. Clifton Womack continues to improve.  Keep him in your prayers.

Caring Bridge

Honesty

mail.jpg

KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10

Mike Benson, Editor

PICTURE WHAT THE world would be like if no one had hidden agendas — everything out on the table, no gossip or talking behind people’s backs…

Imagine how freeing it would be to live like Jesus, not ruled by people’s opinions, to only be concerned about God’s view of us, thus freeing us to care for others with honest words that lead either to rejection or genuine closeness.

Most of us don’t live this way.  We get consumed with how we come across to people.  We hunger for their approval and become manipulative.  This creates a false, but fleeting, sense of satisfaction.  Or, we judge others, telling them that they need our approval.  But Jesus describes a new way to care for people, one unconcerned with their opinion of us, one in which we have both compassion and candor, making our relationships real.

“He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory;

but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true,

and no unrighteousness is in Him.”

John 7:18

I’m hoping September brings us cooler weather, but it is hard to realize September is already here.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

Therefore, accept each other

in the same way that Christ accepted you.

He did this to bring glory to God.

~Romans 15:7 (GW)~

Frances Gay said her niece in Texas did very well with her surgery.  Say a prayer of thanks for this good report.

Whitney Kliesch will arrive home today.  Pray for him as he continues to recover from his fall.

Prayers are still needed for Caroline Crouch and her family.

CaringBridge – Callie Cole

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/calliecole/journal?jid=6016627

Pray for Kentwood’s senior adults as they travel to Wesson for lunch today.  Pray for safe travel and bonding experiences.

mail.jpg

KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10

Mike Benson, Editor

BE A FRAGRANT aroma…

Perfume short-circuits the intellect and captures the heart.  Influence nonbelievers like perfume influences you!  We’re talking about something aesthetically pleasing.  The “redemptive neighbor” is winsome.  He has a distinctive, attractive fragrance which stands out from the aromas of this world.  He’s the aroma of life to those who believe, and the aroma of death to those who reject Christ.  The only essence that captures attention comes from the Father.  We’re to be God-scented people!  Joseph C. Aldrich, “Seeing is Believing,” Gentle Persuasion, 55-56

“For we are to God the fragrance of Christ

among those who are being saved

and among those who are perishing.

To the one we are the aroma of death,

and to the other the aroma of life to life.

And who is sufficient for these things?”

2 Corinthians 2:15-16

Thank you for praying.  Your prayers mean so much to so many.

Anna Lee

Monday

“His unchanging plan has always been

to adopt us into his own family

by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.

And this gave him great pleasure.”

~Ephesians 1:5 NLT~

Continue to pray for George Eddie Lee as he continues to get better.

Pray for Kayla Schneeweiss as her face continues to improve.  Keep praying until it is “all better”.

Continue to pray for Whitney Kliesch as he continues to recover from his injuries.

Pray for the continued rebuilding of New Orleans after Katrina.  You would hope that everything was back to normal by now, but that’s not the case.  Pray for continuing progress and for others to be influenced by the Christian example they witness as many volunteers still are giving of themselves there.

KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10

Mike Benson, Editor

THE BEDOUIN TRIBES who live in the desert have a story they tell their children that can teach us a great deal about how we make decisions…

According to the story, there was once a man living in the desert with his family.  He saw a cloud of dust and sand approaching from the horizon and said to himself, “It is a terrible beast coming to eat me and my family!”  As the cloud of dust got closer, he saw that it was actually a man dressed in black on horseback.  He then said to himself, “It is my enemy, coming to take over my well!”  He went to get his rifle to defend himself.  The horseman got closer and the man could now see the rider clearly through the sights of his rifle.  He recognized the rider and said to himself, “No, it is my brother.”

The three lessons of this story are:

1.  What we focus on determines what we believe.

2.  What we believe determines what we expect.

3.  We tend to see what we’re expecting to see.  Daniel R. Castro, “When Heroes Are Between a Rock and a Hard Place,” Critical Choices, 35-36

What are you focusing on?

“There we saw the giants

(the descendants of Anak came from the giants);

and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight,

and so we were in their sight.”

Numbers 13:33

Have a fantastic Monday.  Pray for these and other needs throughout the day.

Anna Lee

Sunday Afternoon

Even though Kentwood was without electricity earlier this morning, the power was back on in time for Sunday School and church.  I heard some ladies discussing a comment by an older, and very wise, Kentwood lady.  She said if we can go to work on Monday in the rain, there shouldn’t be any reason not to go to church on Sunday in the rain. I hope you agree and made your way to a house of worship today.

Caroline Crouch

Caroline is now home and seems to feel a little better. Her condition is still very serious. She is vulnerable to infection due to her suppressed immune system. It will be at least a couple of weeks before we can tell if treatment is working. Please continue prayers! Thanks and God Bless!Mr. Clifton Womack continues to improve.  Pray for him as he gets rehab.

Ellen Morris Vande Vuss will have another test this week.  Pray for her family as them make adjustments for the coming months while Ellen is not able to drive.

Pray for Lois Pittman as she has tests done and sees a doctor about the test results.  Pray for the Pittman family as Roger has another brother who is sick.

Pray for Bonnie K. Kelsey as she faces surgery in September.

Continue to pray for teachers and students at school.  “Change” seems to be an important work in several schools this year.

Sunday

Now that we know what we have—Jesus,

this great High Priest with ready access to God—

let’s not let it slip through our fingers.

We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality.

He’s been through weakness and testing,

experienced it all—all but the sin.

So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give.

Take the mercy, accept the help.

~Hebrews 4:14-16 (MSG)~

We’re having bad weather now.  I’ll post more later.

Anna Lee

Saturday

If you forgive others the wrongs they have done to you,

your Father in heaven will also forgive you.

But if you do not forgive others,

then your Father will not forgive the wrongs you have done.

~Matthew 6:14-15 (TEV)~

Singing, then refreshments, at Greenlaw Baptist Church tonight.  Supper, then singing, at the Lord’s Church tonight.

I hope you will take time to enjoy some of the wonderful articles.

Baptist Press Stories for Aug. 27, 2010
—————————————
  • KATRINA: The storm’s devastation, the faithful’s determination
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33593
  • KATRINA: A tale of 2 Mississippi churches
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33594
  • KATRINA: A seminary’s rise from the flood
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33595
  • FIRST-PERSON (KATRINA) — David Hankins: <br>The Lord’s promise is faithful and true
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33596
  • FIRST-PERSON (KATRINA) — Jim Futral: <br>A 5th anniversary
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33597
  • FIRST-PERSON (KATRINA) — Joe McKeever: <br>Leaving our prints on this city
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33598
  • BP posts McKeever’s 2,000th cartoon
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33599
  • SBC pastor shot, killed by officer
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33600
  • MARRIAGE DIGEST: Glenn Beck taken to task for libertarian ‘gay marriage’ position

I hope this “shoe” doesn’t fit!

READING YOUR BIBLE?

Someone has composed the following “Top Ten” list of signs you may not be reading your Bible enough:

10)  The Preacher announces the sermon is from Galatians….. and you check the table of contents.
9)    You think Abraham, Isaac & Jacob may have had a few hit songs during the 60’s.
8)    You open to the Gospel of Luke and a WWII savings bond falls out.
7)    Your favorite Old Testament patriarch is Hercules.
6)    Your favorite Bible verse is “Cleanliness is next to godliness.”
5)    You become frustrated because Charlton Heston isn’t listed in either the concordance or the table of contents.
4)    You catch the kids reading the Song of Solomon, and demand:  “Who gave you this stuff?”
3)    You think the Minor Prophets worked in the quarries.
2)    You keep falling for it every time when the preacher tells you to turn to First Condominiums.

And the number one sign you may not be reading your Bible enough:

1)   The kids keep asking too many questions about your usual bedtime story:  “Jonah the Shepherd Boy and His Ark of Many Colors.”

It’s hard to over-estimate the importance of reading and studying the Bible.  God’s Word is our source of spiritual nourishment, our light in the midst of a dark world, our mirror to see what needs to be corrected in our lives.  And yet, it is so easy to let other things get in the way and interrupt time we have wanted to dedicate to Bible reading.

“Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.” (Psa. 119:97)

Have you read your Bible today?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Have a great day of preparation for the Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Friday

Caroline Crouch

We are starting to see some improvements this evening. Caroline is eating a little more and seems to feel better than yesterday. Tomorrow she undergoes a pulmonary test and we pray for good results. Again, your prayers are making all the difference and we can’t thank you enough.Will update again tomorrow.

CaringBridge – Callie Cole

I received a very touching card in the mail.  Thought I’d share.

As you wait upon the Lord,
you learn to see things
from His perspective,
move at His pace,
and function under His directives.

Waiting times are growing times
and learning times.
As you quiet your heart,
you enter His peace…
as you sense your weakness,
you receive His strength…
as you lay down your will,
you hear His calling.

When you mount up,
you are being lifted by
the wind of His Spirit…
when you move ahead,
you are sensitive to His timing…
when you act,
you give yourself only to the things
He has asked you to do.

Isaiah 40:31
-Roy Lessin

Thanks Terry.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/calliecole/journal?jid=5997183

Thanks for praying for these two teenage girls this morning.  Their families will be so very appreciative of your continued prayers for them.

Stacey Scarle

We saw the oncologist today. She thinks Stacey tolerated the chemo very well and that  should not have a problem with the next phase. Stacey will get 4 treatments of taxotere  21/28 days apart depending on her blood count. The Dr. was pleased with the change in plans . . . It appears that the tumor has shrunk but she could not tell how much. All in all a good report . . . Thanks so much for your prayers and support.

As Joanie said, she too is appreciative of your prayers for Stacey.

I cannot imagine what it is like to have a child so sick from illness or injury.  As you pray for Caroline, Callie, and Stacey, please pray for the parents as they walk along on this “journey” with their children.  May they always fine peace and comfort from knowing God is walking along with them and holding out his hand to them to help them find peace and comfort each step of the way.

Today’s devotional – a must read!

http://www.forthright.net/kneemail/2010/03/still_2.html

Keep that devotional thought close to your heart for the tough days.

Anna Lee

Thursday

And now, dear children,

remain in fellowship with Christ

so that when he returns,

you will be full of courage

and not shrink back from him in shame.

1 John 2:28 (NLT)

Erin Evanoff, daughter of the late Faye Kliesch Evanoff, will be having surgery today in Washington.  Please pray for Erin and her family.

Caroline Crouch‘s family thanks everyone for the prayers.  Caroline was doing a little better yesterday afternoon, but was still very sick.  I’ll post when hear an update this morning.

Mrs. Mary  Womack was able to be back at church last night.  She said she felt better yesterday than she had felt in the last few weeks.  Pray for her as she continues to try to get better.

Pray for Mrs. Judy Liberto and Robbie Lynn Kirby as they face additional surgery soon.

Our Daily Bread Devotion “Older or Better”: http://odb.org/

“Don’t just grow older— grow better as a follower of Jesus.”

Anna Lee