Anna Lee

Friday Addition

I forgot to mention that Mr. “Cete” Dillon got home about dark last night. He’s better, but needs to rest for a while to completely recover. Please continue to pray for Mr. “Cete” and “Miss” Ruby. Thank God for Mr. “Cete’s” improvement.

Friday

Please continue to pray for Mrs. Jeanette McGehee as she and her doctors plan the next steps in her treatment.

Continue to pray for Mrs. Faye Price and her family. “Miss” Faye’s heart surgery was a year ago yesterday. It has been a difficult year for her and for her family. God continues to walk by their side day-by-day. Pray for the medical staff as they work to overcome an infection.

Dr. Earl Council’s test Monday did not show a problem. The current plan is to give him more blood Monday. Keep praying for his return to good health.

Caleb Estay is doing well following his surgery Tuesday. God has faithfully answered many prayer on Caleb’s behalf. He will be carefully monitored in the hospital for a while longer.

Bro. Butch Reviere has one more day of medical tests today. Next week he has another day of tests and meets with the doctor to learn the “game plan”. Continue to pray for Bro. Butch and his doctor.

Peoples of Iran

Tucking away a JESUS film and a few Bibles in her belongings, Zahra* boards a bus in the capital city of Tehran to share the Gospel with relatives in the Iranian countryside.

Zahra is taking a risk by carrying evangelistic material in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Publishing and distributing Bibles is illegal. Converting to Christianity and sharing the Gospel can be punishable by prison or death.

Despite the risks, Zahra felt burdened to act after seeing her tribe — the Bakhtiari — listed as an unreached people group in International Mission Board material her house church pastor had given her.

While it is safer to share the Gospel in small home groups to escape notice, the Lord gave Zahra boldness when the movie being shown on the bus malfunctioned. She handed the JESUS film to the driver, who played it all the way through.

Eight of the 40 people on the bus told her they were interested in becoming Christians. During home visits, Zahra led the driver, his wife and their three grown children to the Lord — as well as her own sister.

Though there are restrictions against Christian workers living in Iran, giving through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the Cooperative Program enables personnel to share the Gospel with Iranians living in various parts of the world, disciple Christian refugees and train house church leaders when they can travel outside their country.

Pray
Pray for Christians who risk their lives to share the Gospel in Iran. Pray for the peoples of Iran to be able to hear and read God’s Word. Uplift workers as they find ways to help Iranians know Jesus as Lord and Savior.

From Trisha (Mrs. Dwayne) Wilson

Thanks, Friends, for praying for the outreach in our home for Abby Grace’s class. Eight kids came, 2 moms stayed, and the rest of the moms dropped their kiddos off at our house. Things went well except for some minor distractions from one of my twins….I’ll let you guess which one. Praying my kids will be the well behaved ones for our outreach to Graham’s class tomorrow! Please pray for us tomorrow at 4!

Love,

Tricia

CHARGED, BUT JUSTIFIED

A local policeman had just finished his shift one cold November evening and was at home with his wife. “You just won’t believe what happened this evening. In all my years on the force I’ve never seen anything like it!”

“What happened?”

“I came across two guys down by the canal, one of them was drinking battery acid and the other was eating fireworks.”

“Drinking battery acid and eating fireworks!! What did you do with them?”

“I charged one and let the other one off.” <insert GROAN here>

Spiritually speaking, those of us who are Christians have been both “charged” and “let off.” We are charged with sin (and rightfully so, for we are guilty). “For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.” (Rom. 3:9)

But, those of us who are Christians who have put on Christ have also been “let off” because Jesus Christ has paid the price for our sins. We have been justified, “just as if I’d” never sinned. “Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.” (Acts 13:38-39)

To be charged is a frightful thing (those of you who have received tickets can vouch for that). To have a judge say, “I find you guilty, but I’m going to pay the fine for you” is inconceivable. Yet, that’s exactly what has happened! May our lives demonstrate the gratitude we feel.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Have a great day!

Anna Lee

Thursday

In response to all he has done for us,

let us outdo each other in being helpfuland kind to each other

and in doing good.

~Hebrews 10:24 (TLB)~

David Allen got a release to go back to work. Thank God for his return to better health. Pray he gets better and better.

Mrs. Ann Chapman had her halo removed yesterday. She still wears some of the other “equipment”, but will get her next halo in heaven. Thank God for her progress.

Mr. Cete Dillon is doing better. If all goes well today, he may come home today or tomorrow. Keep him in your prayers.

Pray for Robby Lynn C. Kirby. She’s been having health issues again.

From Faye Raborn

Update on Malaysia Garner..remember she was born October 1 and weighed 1# after losing some ounces in the first few days and now tops the scales at 3# 6oz. The Lord surely has His hand on Malaysia and the medical staff in Jackson who care for her 24 hours a day. Many medical problems still prevail. We know God performs miracles far beyond our understanding. Bryan and Donisha THANK everyone for prayers that have been sent up for their precious little baby girl. Please continue praying and believing in the days ahead as Malaysia faces her struggle each day.

CaringBridge

Another former student:

William Charles Langston, Sr.
(December 11, 1958 – December 1, 2009)

U.S. Veteran William Charles Langston, Sr., 50 years old, was born December 11, 1958 and passed away sometime in the early morning hours on December 1, 2009. As my father’s daughter, I know that if he had the chance, these are the words he would say in parting: To my darling wife of 24 years, Lydia Ockman Langston, you are the love of my life. You made me the man I am today, a man I hope you were proud to call your husband and the father of our children. To my son, William Charles Langston, Jr., you have made me prouder than you will ever know. No father could ask for a better son. Give Heather Bentivegna Langston, my daughter-in-law, a kiss and always treat her right. To my daughter, Evangeline Alanna Langston, Daddy’s Baby Girl, I have not abandoned you. Just wave when you pass over a bridge and know I’m waving back. To my step-daughter, Melanie Howell Foreman, her husband, Tommy Foreman, and my four grandchildren, Layla, Morgan, Elizabeth and Johnny, I’m watching over you. To all of my family: I know you’ll cry. I know you’re sad, but I’m Home now with my Maker and Protector. I love you and will miss you. One day, I’ll welcome you Home, too. Also lovingly survived by mother, Annie Juanita Langston, 79, and two brothers, Carl Benjamin Langston, Sr. and Donald Langston, two sisters, Carloyn Langston Athey and Catherine Langston Thomas, mother-in-law, Helen Price Ockman, 79, and many nieces, nephews and in-laws. Preceded in death by father, Carl Avery Langston, Sr., one brother, David Langston, and father-in-law, Earl Antoine Ockman. He was a U. S. Navy Veteran and for the past 12 years was a Tug Boat Captain for River Parish/Moran Towing Company. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Thursday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 10 a.m. Friday. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, LA. He was a Husband, Father and so much more. Daddy, we love you.

Vietnamese of Cambodia

Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, is dotted with numerous floating villages occupied by much of Cambodia’s Vietnamese population. Because so many Vietnamese are fishermen and find it difficult to gain land rights in Cambodia, they prefer to live on the water in tight-knit communities. They take care of each other — from sharing generated electrical power to caring for one another’s children.

Most residents in the floating village of Kbal Taol had never heard the name of Jesus — but that changed in March 2008. A Christian worker named David* visited the villagers to tell them about the One who is a fisher of men. During one of David’s many visits a Vietnamese man named Tim* became especially interested, so David gave him a Bible. On one of David’s subsequent visits, Tim invited David to his home for dinner.

After dinner, the talk turned to spiritual things. Tim had begun reading the Bible David gave him and had many questions. Around 3 a.m., Tim accepted Christ.

“That is the longest visitation I’ve ever had,” David said with a smile.

Tim is the first believer in Kbal Taol. By God’s grace, he will not be the last.

Pray
Pray that other Vietnamese in Kbal Taol and surrounding villages will be open to the Gospel and will put their faith in Jesus Christ.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

J. EDGAR HOOVER ran the FBI, no question about it…

As a result, almost all of his subordinates were on the lookout for ways to impress their powerful boss. A young FBI man was put in charge of the FBI’s supply department. In an effort to cut some costs and impress his boss, he reduced the size of the office memo paper. One of the new memo sheets soon ended up on Hoover’s desk. Hoover took one look at it, determined he didn’t like the size of the margins on the paper, and quickly scribbled on the memo, “Watch the borders!”

The memo was passed on through the office. For the next six weeks, it was extremely difficult to enter the United States by road from either Mexico or Canada. The FBI was watching the borders. Why was the FBI watching the borders? They thought they had received a warning from their chief. But they hadn’t. They had transformed an innocuous comment into a solemn warning. Steve Farrar

“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood

and speak truthfully to his neighbor;

for we are members of one body.”

Ephesians 4:25 NIV

Have a great day!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me,

and do not forbid them;

for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’”

~Matthew 19:14~

Sydney Dixon has been at home one week. She and her parents are doing well. Thank you for praying for her.

Dr. Earl Council is home again. His test went well, but the results won’t be available until next Monday. Pray for him as he waits.

Rev. Butch Reviere’s has three days of medical tests that begin today. Pray for him as he undergoes tests and continues to seek a diagnosis and treatment plan.

CaringBridge

Berber people of North Africa

Keith Jones (name changed) often stopped in at the small shop across the street from his home in a North African city.

Sometimes it was just to pick up bread or fruit, but Keith always tried to share Gospel truths with the Berber shop owner, practicing the Berber language he was learning.

He and his wife, Susan (name changed), both from South Carolina, say the shop owner viewed Keith as a “person of God” because of his conversations.

One day the shopkeeper told Keith that he should be an imam, a spiritual leader in a mosque. The Berber man explained: “We live up here and we speak [the Berber language], and these imams come here and they preach to us in Arabic … and we don’t understand a word that they are saying.

“But you come and talk to us about God and you’re doing it in our own language.”

“It was as if, for the first time, he realized that God could speak his own language, too,” Susan recalls.

Keith and Susan are Bible translators, working to complete a translation of the New Testament into the Berber heart language — something the Berber people have never had. Southern Baptists play a vital role in getting the Gospel to the Berbers through their gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.

Pray
Pray for Keith and Susan’s team to develop relationships with more Berber men and women with whom they can test these vital materials.

Pray that they and other translators will be able to quickly complete their New Testament project, communicating in language that is clear, natural and accurate.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

A COUPLE MARRIED for 15 years began having more than usual disagreements…

They wanted to make their marriage work and agreed on an idea the wife had. For one month they planned to drop a slip in a “Fault” box. The boxes would provide a place to let the other know about daily irritations. The wife was diligent in her efforts and approach: “leaving the jelly top off of the jar,” “wet towels on the shower floor,” “dirty socks not in hamper,” on and on until the end of the month. After dinner, at the end of the month, they exchanged boxes. The husband reflected on what he had done wrong. Then the wife opened her box and began reading. They were all the same, the message on each slip was, “I love you!”

⁴ “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

⁵ does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;

⁶ does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Thanks for praying today!

Have a great day!

Anna Lee

Tuesday Evening

Mr. Cete Dillon has been admitted to the hospital in McComb. Pray for him and his family.

David Allen still is not feeling 100%. Keep praying for him.

Curt Allen had surgery and is still hospitalized. Keep Curt and his family in your prayers.

Bert Newton has several blockages. The surgeon said it is urgent, not an emergency, to have surgery. A second opinion will be obtained. Pray for Bert and his family as they make important decisions.

Pray for Wayne and Cora Morris and their family. May they know the peace and the presence of God each day.

Caleb Estay’s surgery was delayed, but went well. He’s out of surgery. His mom and dad will be able to visit him soon. Grandma Annette has Abigail tonight. Continue to pray for God’s hand on Caleb and his family.

Thank God for walking with each of us through the dark, dreary days we face periodically. He is the Light, the Comforter, and the Friend we need is such times!

Tuesday

We who are strong in the faith

ought to help the weak

in order to build them up in the faith.

~Romans 15:1~

From Caleb Estay’s grandmother, Annette

I’m just getting home and settling in. Caleb Landon Estay made his arrival at 10:43 a.m. Weighing 6lbs, 3 oz. 19 in long. He’s absolutely gorgeous, of course I think he looks like Landon. He will be having surgery about 12 noon tomorrow to repair the mylemeningocele. Thanks to everyone for your prayers, it means so much to me.

Caleb is in NICU at the hospital where Annette works! Keep praying.

Pray for Mr. Cete Dillon. He’s not feeling his best.

Butch Reviere has more tests this week and next week and then meets with his doctor on Friday. Keep him on your prayer list.

Pray for Bert Newton of Roseland. He’s having an angiogram today.

Pray for Mr. Joe and “Miss” Othelle Williams. They are both pretty well homebound. Thank God they have a son who is able to stay with them and care for them.

Mrs. Della McDaniel continues to improve. Keep her on your prayer list a little longer.

Chuck Pittman is thankful for your prayers and continues to covet them.

Kathy Jo Thompson of Amite had to have surgery at Bethesda, Maryland. Read her CaringBridge journal to get an update. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kathyjothompson

William “Gene” Cox, Sr.
(August 25, 1941 – November 30, 2009)

William “Gene” Cox, Sr. was born on August 25, 1941 and passed away at 11:45 a.m., Monday, November 30, 2009 at his residence in Walker, LA. He was 68 and native of Antlers, OK.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time.

An on-line Guestbook is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughfh.com

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N and Hwy 16W behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash and the new Hood Automotive.

Mary “Claire” Doize Capdeville
(December 8, 1918 – November 26, 2009)

Mrs. Mary “Claire” Doize Capdeville, on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2009 passed away at the age of 90, at the Gallatin Health Care Home in Tennessee. A native of New Orleans, she lived in Amite, LA and Bethpage, TN. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Harold “Ace” Capdeville and her son, Harold “Rocky” Capdeville, II. She is survived by her daughters, Carolyn Diann Brunet and Mary Eliza “Beth” Strahan, 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, a sister, Doris “Dot” Thompson of Amite, and a loving family and devoted friends. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 1 p.m. on Wednesday until religious services at 2 p.m Wednesday. Services conducted by Deacon Michael Agnello of St. Helena Catholic Church, Amite, LA. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, LA.

Week of Prayer for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – Day Three

Lezghi people of the Caucasuses

Fear of the supernatural is part of daily life for the Lezghi people, who make their homes in the Caucasus Mountains of Central Asia and Eastern Europe.

Though they profess to be Muslim, nearly all Lezghi wear amulets or charms to ward off evil spirits; broken teapots hung from homes and thorns hung from vehicles’ rearview mirrors serve the same purpose. Holy places called pirs (pronounced peers) provide Lezghis a place to offer sacrifices and consult witch doctors to garner favor with spirits.

Most of the more than 650,000 Lezghis have never heard the Gospel. Southern Baptist workers Carl and Amy Stroller (names changed), from Wake Forest, N.C., are working to change that.

But progress is slow and there are few workers. Carl and Amy have served among the Lezghi for more than 10 years and seen little results. But that doesn’t stop them from sharing.

Today the Strollers are busy nurturing a Lezghi church they helped start and are looking for new opportunities to tell others about Jesus. Despite the challenges they face, they remain faithful to the task.

“The biggest hardship working with the Lezghi is their overall resistance to the Gospel,” Carl says. “We thought these people only needed to hear about Jesus and they would start coming to faith. Their eyes have truly been blinded.”

Pray
Pray that God will open the hearts of the Lezghi and protect the Strollers from discouragement.

Baptist Press

November 30, 2009

VIRGINIA–IMB reports 500,000 baptisms in 2008. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31778

VIRGINIA–Missionaries see first fruits. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31779

WASHINGTON–Critics: Dom. partners bill undermines marriage. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31780

CANADA–Canadian church of 50 makes film. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31783

ALABAMA–Churches sponsor film, bring it to local theaters. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31781

WASHINGTON–Man conscious during 23-year ‘coma.’ http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31782

CALIFORNIA–FIRST-PERSON (David Jeremiah): Your faith, on trial. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31784

Dena Potts Simmons has asked our help with a project called Brown Bags and Jesus (http://www.brownbagsandjesus.com/). Her son, David, is collecting new and used blankets, hats, and gloves for the homeless who live under the Claiborne bridge in New Orleans. The items will be given out on Christmas Eve. If you want to help please bring me the items you have. I will pass them along to her.

We have all heard about the homeless who live under the bridge. I checked out the site and hope you do too. Then, gather up the items you wish to contribute.

This could be one of the most meaningful gifts you will give this year! Don’t miss this opportunity.

Thanks for your many prayers today!

Anna Lee

Monday

“But from there you will seek the Lord your God,

and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart

and with all your soul.”

~Deuteronomy 4:29~

This is the day Caleb Estay will be born in Houston. Pray for the family. I have already assured them of our prayers. Don’t let them down!

Pray for Mrs. Avis Sullivan as she has a check-up today. Pray for Margie Williams as she cares for her Momma and waits to hear about Caleb.

Mrs. Faye Price has an infection and pneumonia. Please pray for her and her family to have a good day as the doctors address her health issues.

Betty Simpson asked for prayer for Mr. Bobby Simpson. He will be seeing a surgeon on December 7th about a place on his back that has to be removed.

Dr. Earl Council will be undergoing tests in Ruston today. Pray his problem will be located so doctors can work to return him to good health.

Peoples of Ethiopia

As the sun rises in Ethiopia, thousands of people make their way to church. They worship, sing and hear sermons delivered by priests in an ancient language they do not understand.

The people place their faith in a religion with many roots in the Bible — Christianity and Old Testament traditions. This religion, however, has lost touch with biblical truth through the years.

Many worship saints and demons. They believe there are more than a dozen paths to heaven. They do not have any assurance of salvation and lack understanding of who Jesus Christ is. Most put their trust in Saint Mary.

More than 42 million people in the Horn of Africa claim this religion as “truth.”

Christian workers Renee and Ed (names changed), have dedicated their lives to sharing the Good News with the people of Ethiopia. More than 90 percent are illiterate and unable to read the Bible in their own language.

Pray
Pray for Renee and Ed as they build relationships with them and share that the only way to heaven is through God’s Son, Jesus.

Pray the people Renee and Ed meet in Ethiopia will be open and receptive to the friendship and message of hope they offer.

Pray that more workers will be called to help spread the Gospel message.

GOING AGAINST THE FLOW

The story is told about a woman who called her husband on his car phone as he was on his way home from work and she said, “Honey, you need to be careful. I just saw on the news that there’s some nut driving the wrong way on the Interstate.” Her husband said, “There’s not just one nut, there’s hundreds of them!”

Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever felt like trying to do God’s will makes you go the wrong way down the road? All the traffic’s coming the other way. Have you ever thought, “If everybody’s going this way, it’s so hard to go against the flow. Would God really mind if I just turned around for a little while?”

An article in The London Times a couple of years ago reported that there are currently about 200 million Christians in over 60 countries who are being persecuted for their faith. Because we have freedom in the United States to worship God, those of us who live here sometimes we forget just how many people in this world live under oppression – by Communist authorities or Muslim authorities, or authorities who simply oppose God and the people who follow God.

And even if you don’t face governmental oppression, there are no doubt many of you who live with oppression – in your home, in your workplace or at your school – oppressed by a family member or boss or teacher who makes it difficult on you as a Christian. More and more, we all are living in an anti-God culture. We live in an environment that makes it difficult at times for us to stand up for God.

We must remember the words of Paul: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

No matter which way the crowd around you is flowing, may you have the courage to travel the direction that God would have you to travel.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Many of us will be returning to work after having extra time off. Pray that we will have a productive day.

Anna Lee

Sunday

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro

throughout the whole earth,

to show Himself strong

on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”

~2 Chronicles 16:9a~

Written by Cheryl Hughes Green in honor of Frances Hughes

Saying good-bye to a special lady, Aunt Frances yesterday. All could learn how she lived; she loved everybody and unconditionally. All she ever wanted was for you to love her back. Her death brought a family and old friends back together to see each other, but most of all to show their love for her. Good-bye Franni e Jo for now, we will see you again soon. Everyone have a bless day with the Lord.

Frances was really that special to all who ever knew her. She and her family have been gone from this area for many years. To see people who showed up at the cemetery in her honor yesterday out of love and respect for a humble, loving, hard-working family was special. I think we are all better people for having known the Hughes family. What an honor and a blessing to have know Frances and her family!

The Week of Prayer for International Missions and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering begins today. Make this a priority!

Peoples of Northern India

At 17, Moses suffered from debilitating arthritis. Like many Orthodox Hindus, he petitioned various gods and goddesses seeking help. As his condition worsened, he began to lose hope. One day a stranger handed him a Gospel tract, and Moses began reading about the Great Physician. He started attending church and soon put his faith in Jesus Christ. Fifteen days later, his arthritis was gone.

Years passed and Moses became a successful businessman, but God convicted him that he needed to do more. Leaving his wealthy lifestyle, Moses journeyed with his wife and children to remote Himalayan villages in northern India to share the Gospel.

But following Jesus is hard. Indian people are willing to “add” Christ as one of their gods, but if they believe in Christ alone, they are persecuted. Many believers are burned alive, raped, mutilated, killed or chased into the surrounding jungles. Moses and his family have been thrown out of their home numerous times after landlords learned of their faith.

Despite the hardships, Moses works alongside International Mission Board missionaries supported by the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Together Moses and the missionaries share the Gospel, disciple believers and start house churches.

Pray
Pray that God will give boldness and protection to Moses and other believers in northern India as they share their faith.

“Time is short,” Moses says. “I must go, pray and preach the Gospel.

http://www.imb.org/main/pray/page.asp?StoryID=5624&LanguageID=1709

Have a great day of Bible study and worship today! Touch a life for Jesus!

Anna Lee

Saturday Addition

Are you ready to be blessed today by reading about a teen’s missionary plans? Red the following Enterprise Journal articles about Callie Cole.

http://www.enterprise-journal.com/articles/2009/11/27/news/01.txt

Saturday

“Or what man is there among you who,

if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?

Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?

If you then, being evil,

know how to give good gifts to your children,

how much more will your Father who is in heaven

give good things to those who ask Him!”

~Matthew 7:9-11~

Rufus, Margie, and “Miss” Avis got home about 8 P.M. Thank God for watching over them as they came home.

Charles and Bea Houeye of Roseland are both doing pretty well now, even though they both have both had some difficult times. Thank God for the good health they are enjoying now.

Sydney Dixon (Daughter of Rob and Jess Dixon)

There’s No Place Like Home

from One + One = Three by Jess

Dorothy, you weren’t kidding sister!

What a day it has been. It felt a little like a do-over of last Thursday, when we first brought her home. I had the same nervous feelings riding in the backseat next to her, the same excitement turning into our neighborhood, the same relief as we pulled into our driveway. Happy one-week birthday, Baby Girl! You’re home!

Walking through the halls of Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital today on our way out, I finally saw what a great place it is. We’ve spent the last four days there, and yesterday- day three of our stay- I left room 7310 for the first time to walk around the corner to find the family laundry room. I had to ask a nurse for directions and she tried to start by telling me go back to the elevators… excuse me? There’s an elevator here? Where is that? It was a short walk, and as much as I enjoyed the fresh air, I couldn’t get back to Sydney’s side fast enough. Anyway, if I had ventured out any further, I would have seen a remarkable facility that doesn’t feel like a hospital as you walk through. But while I was impressed, if we never go back there again I’ll be totally fine with that.

As I mentioned earlier, all the doctor really could say this morning is that Sydney was looking great and they had no more reason to keep her in the hospital. While it’s a little scary and frustrating to have no concrete explanation for the distress Sydney experienced over the weekend, we’re just so thankful that the problems seem to have completely gone away. Two of doctors who treated her both said, “It is better to see a patient get better and not know what the problem was, than to know what the problem is and not see a patient get better.” I have watched Syd like a hawk today, and I’ll probably sleep with one eye open tonight, but all we’ve seen today is a content, sleeping, pooping, precious little girl!

We have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. I am thankful for a healthy baby who has changed my life forever in the longest and shortest week ever. I am thankful for an incredible husband who I love even more every time I see him holding our daughter. I am thankful for the doctors, nurses, ER team, and other caregivers at VCH who have taken care of our whole family this week. I am thankful for friends, acquaintances, and strangers who have stopped in the midst of their busy days to pray for Sydney. I am thankful for a Great Physician Who is all knowing and Who allowed us to witness yet another miracle this week. I am thankful for the journey we’ve been on the past few days, because my faith is stronger and I have a better understanding of Jesus’ love as a result.

There aren’t enough words to say thanks to all of you who are reading this message- you found this blog because you cared about our Sweet Sydney. Thank you for lifting her name up to heaven on our behalf.

I hope you find yourself surrounded by blessings this Thanksgiving with much to give thanks for!

The funeral for Frances Hughes will be at 11 A.M. this morning at Seale funeral home in Denham Springs. Burial will be in Arcola for those of you who wish to attend.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

THE LORD OFTEN taught by parables; in fact, approximately one third of His recorded teachings were in parable form…

There are no parables in John’s gospel, but in the synoptics, these simple memorable stories with imagery convey deep truths which are central to His teaching. One of the Lord’s favorite themes in these parables is “stewardship.” A steward was a manager-someone who managed the owner’s farm or business. Good stewards faithfully used their master’s resources to advance his current concerns and increase his wealth. Bad stewards misused their resources for personal gain or squandered them out of laziness. Scripture teaches that God is the owner of all we have. David stated, “The earth is the Lord’s and all its fullness. The world and those who dwell therein” (Psa. 24:1). Paul reminds us, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

What trust God has placed in us! This privilege, however, brings with it the responsibility to manage to the very best of our ability His assets.

Most Americans regard themselves as sovereign owners, and the money, wealth, and assets we have are exclusively at our disposal to advance our own interest. There is a tremendous difference in how we view possessions as owners or stewards. This concept will determine how much we give. As owners we will ask, “How much of my money will I give to God,” but as stewards the question will be, “How much of God’s money will I keep for myself?” Statistics reveal that as most American Christians’ incomes go up, their percentage of giving goes down! This philosophy is brought about by an attitude that asks, “Do I want this? And (sometimes) “Can I afford it?, from the owner. While the steward asks, “How will this affect my ability to advance God’s purpose?” The steward will always remember God’s passion to reach the lost, and look for creative ways to subsidize this great purpose. In this season of THANKSGIVING, let us again renew our gratitude for our personal redemption and determine that if our nation can have a special time to count our physical blessings, God’s people can treasure the great spiritual blessings we enjoy! As you pray with your family this week let every family member be reminded of the blessing of salvation! Jerry Jenkins

“Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”

1 Corinthians 4:2

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

Anna Lee