Author: Anna Lee

Wednesday

“Your attitude must be like my own,

for I, the Messiah, did not come to be served,

but to serve, and to give my life.”

~Matthew 20:28 LB~

Frances Gay will be seeing a specialist today concerning her retator cut tear. Please be in prayer for her as she faces surgery.

Adasyn Antoon arrived safely.  She is beautiful, but we all know that runs in the family.  Pray for the Antoon family of three as they make adjustments to life with a baby.  Thank God for the safe arrival and good health of Adasyn.

Pray for Mrs. Ola King, a teacher at KHS.  She has been hospitalized for pneumonia.

Pray  for Averi Strickland as he begins physical therapy in Hammond today.

Pray for the students who will be involved in football activities in all the area schools.  Pray for safety and a good spirit of teamwork.  May they all enjoy the sports opportunities they have an opportunity to participate in.  May the fans be great observers and participate with concern for all involved.

The monthly share group will be tomorrow nigbt at the cabin at 6:30.  If you would like to join us, we will be glad to have you for our usual time of food, fellowship, and devotional study.  Call if you need more information.

Continue to pray for my parents, Grant and Dot Smith, as they address a number of health issues.

Thank God for a medication the helps give a good night’s sleep.  I needed it briefly three years ago when David had surgery.  I need it now  to help turn the thought process off long enough to get some rest.  Thankfully, I was able to get eight whole hours of much needed sleep.  That’s a big improvement and will allow to to face the day better.

Elaine Hart McElveen


A resident of Birmingham, Ala., Elaine Hart McElveen, 75, passed away after a long and courageous struggle with pulmonary fibrosis. Elaine left this world to be with her Lord and is in a place full of love and peace and no longer feeling the restrictions of her illness. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Her smile filled every room and her loving, compassionate approach to life is reflected in the lives of her husband, children, grandchildren and friends. Even in her most difficult days, her priority was not her own needs, but it was her family and friends. She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Brooks McElveen; two sons, Gregory Lynn and wife Cameron, and David Michael and wife Dana; a daughter, Dawn Elaine and husband David; and eight grandchildren, Natalie, Kurry, Corey, Christian, Brooks, Lennon, Emily and Graham. The family will receive friends at Hunter Street Baptist Chapel, 2600 John Hawkins Parkway, Hoover, Ala., (205) 985-7295, on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 1 p.m. until memorial service at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International at www.jdrf.org. If you would like an alternate way to give, please call (800) 533-CURE (2873) or write the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, 120 Wall St., 19th Floor, New York, NY 10005.
Published in The Advocate on August 15, 2009

KneEmail

BIG

Nazca.jpgMystery on the Desert, Maria Reiche describes a series of strange lines made by thte Nazca in the plains of Peru, some of them covering many square miles…

For years, people assumed these lines were the remnants of ancient irrigation ditches. Then in 1939, Dr. Paul Kosok of Long Island University discovered their true meaning could only be seen from high in the air. When viewed from an airplane, these seemingly random lines form enormous drawings of birds, insects, and animals.

Similarly, people often think of the Bible as a series of separate, unrelated stories. When we view the Scriptures as a whole, however, we discover that they form one great story of redemption–from the first “In the Beginning” of Genesis to the final “Amen of Revelation. Weaving through all the diverse strands of the Bible is a divine story line, the overarching story of how God has rescued, redeemed, and restored humanity, from the first nanosecond of creation through the final cry of victory at the end of time. (Mike Macintosh)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth–in Him.” Ephesians 1:3-10

Posted by Mike Benson at August 18, 2009

May your Wednesday be wonderful.  I’m going to try to assure mine is.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“The righteous cry out,

and the Lord hears,

and delivers them out of all their troubles.”

~Psalm 34:17~

Pray for John and Kirstie Lee Antoon as their baby girl Adasyn is born today.

Greg Tanner is doing well.  He is out of the wheelchair already.  Thank God for Greg’s recovery so far.

I was surprised to see Averi Strickland yesterday.  He is progressing very well following his stroke and is walking and talking.  He will begin physical therapy in Hammond Wednesday and will do school as a homebound student for a while.  Pray for a return to his pre-stroke condition.  I told him many people were praying for him.  He was surprised, but glad.

Appointment

Garfield.jpgON PRESIDENT GARFIELD’S first Saturday in Washington as President, a member of the Cabinet insisted that a Cabinet meeting must be called…

Garfield refused on the grounds of another engagement. The Cabinet member insisted. Garfield still refused on the grounds that the other was a prior engagement. The Cabinet member then insisted that the national matter was of such grave importance that the President should break the engagement. Garfield refused. Then the Cabinet member remarked, “I should be interested to know with whom you could have an engagement so important that it could not be broken.” Garfield replied, “I will be a frank as you are. My engagement is with my Lord to meet Him at His house and at His table at 10:30 tomorrow, and I shall be there.” The crisis passed. The nation survived. President Garfield had been faithful to his obligation.

He understood the seriousness and his obligation to partake of the Lord’s Supper on the first day of each week. (Kyle Cantrell)

“Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread…” Acts 20:7a; cf. 1 Corinthians 11:26

Posted by Mike Benson at August 17, 2009

Thanks for  being there to pray for needs each day.  Your prayers mean so much to many people.

Anna Lee

Monday

“God has made us what we are,

and in our union with Christ Jesus

he has created us for a life of good deeds,

which he has already prepared for us to do.”

~Ephesians 2:10 TEV~


Mrs. Kathryn Kuss shared two requests.

  • Carol Loving McNabb – dealing with cancer
  • Bernice Dickinson – will soon have a heart stent

Frances Gay sees a specialist Wednesday for her shoulder problem.

Pray for Frances to soon get relief.

Frances Gay told me of the death of Elaine Hart McElveen, wife of

Brooks McElveen.  She lived in Hoover, Alabama.

Travis, Winfred Walter Pine Ridge United Methodist Church at 2 p.m.

I failed to share this obituary last week.

Died on Friday, August 14, 2009 at his residence near Osyka, MS. He was a native of McComb, MS. Age 31 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Sunday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Monday. Services conducted by Rev. Raymond Garcia. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. Survived by wife Elizabeth Travis Cutrer, Osyka, MS, son Anthony T. Cutrer, mother Mildred Rosamond, father Jimmy W. Dykes, brothers, Anthony Wayne Sloan, Gabriel Dean Cutrer, Nathan Rosamond, Scott Damon Cutrer and his wife, Allison, brothers-in-law, Johnny Travis and his wife, Rose, Quinn Travis and his wife, Tammy, sisters-in-law, Sherry Jackson and her husband, David, Emily Brown, nephews, Jamarcus Lee, Kaleb Cutrer, Bryce Ever,, Shamar Warren, Deondre Warren, Scott Cutrer, nieces, Christina Cutrer, Aubrey Cutrer, aunts, Joyce Lynn Sloan Morgan, Charlene Dykes and her husband, Mark , Melissa Cutrer and Jerry Simmons, uncles, Carl W. Cutrer and his wife, Connie, Van Haven Dykes, Michael Dykes, J. C. Ricks and his wife, Iris, grandmother Ruth S. Dykes. Preceded in death by 2 sons, Christian Lee Cutrer, Nathan Christopher Cutrer, grandmother Lillian Leoda Dykes Tarver, grandfathers , Carl William “Boogie” Cutrer, Erastis Van Dykes, great-grandmother Catherine Sloan.


Susan C. Haskins
Posted: 08/13/09 – 11:30:04 am CDT

Susan Christena Haskins, 20, of McComb, died Aug. 11, 2009.

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Services were held today at First Baptist Church in McComb, with Dr. Mack Amis and
the Rev. Wayne Hall officiating. Burial was in Hollywood Cemetery, under the direction
of Hartman-Sharkey Funeral Home of McComb.

Miss Haskins was born Oct. 16, 1988, in McComb, to Carldon Odell “Don” Haskins Jr. and

Barri Butler Haskins.

A 2007 honor graduate of Parklane Academy, Susan was homecoming queen and a cheerleader.

She was a member of the McComb Garden Club Azalea Court and president of the McComb
Junior Auxiliary Crown Club.

She was a junior hospitality management major at the University of Mississippi. She was an

active member of Kappa Delta Sorority and a member of the rush team. She was a chancellor’s
honor roll student and volunteered for Leap Frog. She was a member of Ole Miss Ambassadors
of Southern Hospitality and recently was inducted into Sigma Alpha Lambda, a national
leadership and honors organization.

Susan’s lifelong friend Lee Anna Woodcock said, “Susan had the unique ability to always make

everyone feel special and needed. Her kindness and warmth filled a room and impacted our
hearts for good.”
Susan’s most treasured advice came from her grandmother, Mama Sue: “Try to do something
good for someone every day. Stay close to God and he will stay close to you.” Susan lived a life
that exemplified these words.

She was an active member of First Baptist Church in McComb.

Miss Haskins was preceded in death by her brother, Carldon Odell “Carr” Haskins III; and her

grandfathers, Calvin Butler and Carldon O. Haskins Sr.

Survivors include her parents; her brother, Cal Haskins of Hammond, La.; and her

grandmothers, Mrs. Calvin (Susan) Butler of Clinton, and Mrs. Carldon O. (Tena) Haskins Sr.
of McComb.
The family requests that memorials be sent to the Baptist Children’s Village in Jackson or
the McComb Junior Auxiliary’s Camp Sunshine.

TODAY’S PRAYER
IMB
AUGUST 17, 2009

“God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.” (Psalm 47:8)

WORLD LEADERS. “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Please pray today for Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao of Timor-Leste (between Indonesia and Australia).

JAPAN. A volunteer team came from Tennessee in June and prayerwalked through the city of Tako, about an hour east of Tokyo. This city of 17,000 people has no church, but the city is dotted with 60 temples and shrines. Most of the population is elderly. The young people leave and usually do not return. As the team prayed and passed out Gospel portions or tracts and witnessed of Christ’s presence in their lives, they met some who refused to accept the Word, and others who said they would read the literature they received. The soil is so hard! Pray for God to use the testimonies that were shared, the prayers that were prayed and the Word of God that people are seeing for the first time to lead them from darkness into light, from fear to faith in Christ. Please add your prayers to those of the volunteers and pray fervently for the people’s salvation and for churches to be birthed in this city. http://www.jgpnetwork.org/

SOFIA, BULGARIA (SOH-fee-uh). There is a possibility that a semester worker will be coming this fall to do research and outreach into the Asian community here in Sofia. Please pray for the Father’s will to be accomplished in this. Pray for all the logistics to work out so that this worker can come. Also intercede for the many Asians who live in Sofia. When people are far away from their homes and families, they normally seek ways to fill the loneliness. Pray that they will discover that Christ is the true cure for homesickness and is able to fill the empty spaces in their hearts and lives. pray4bg@yahoo.com; http://www.teambulgaria.org/

Sunday

“It is God himself who has made us what we are

and given us new lives from Christ Jesus;

and long ages ago he planned

that we should spend these lives in helping others”

~Ephesians 2:10 LB~

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10)
Mike Benson, Editor
POSSESSIONS OF THE powerful, wealthy, or famous, no matter how common, can become extremely valuable, even priceless…

Napoleon’s toothbrush sold for $21,000.  Can you imagine paying thousands of dollars for someone’s cruddy old toothbrush?  Hitler’s car sold for over $150,000.  Winston Churchill’s desk, a pipe owned by C. S. Lewis, sheet music handwritten by Beethoven, a house once owned by Ernest Hemingway.  At the Sotheby’s auction of Jackie Kenndy Onassis’s personal belongings, her fake pearls sold for $211,500 and JFK’s wood golf clubs went for $772,500.  Not because the items themselves are worthy but because they once belonged to someone significant.

Are you ready for a surprise?  We fit that bill too.  Think of the value of something owned by God.  What incredible worth that bestows on us, what inexplicable dignity!  We belong to Him. (Charles Swindoll)

“But you are a chosen generation,
a royal priesthood,
a holy nation,
His own special people,
that you may proclaim this praises of Him
who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
1 Peter 2:9
That means you are special to Him!  Have a wonderful Lord’s Day!
Anna Lee

Saturday Evening

Another family to pray for:

Winfred Walter Travis
(January 2, 1916 – August 15, 2009)

Winfred Walter Travis

Winfred Walter Travis, 93, of Kentwood, La. died at 2:35 a.m., Saturday, August 15, 2009, at home peacefully surrounded by his loving family. Visitation will be at Pine Ridge United Methodist Church from 6 p.m. Sunday until services at 2:00 p.m. Monday. Interment will follow in Pine Ridge Cemetery, Pine Ridge. He was born January 2, 1916, in McComb, MS to Walter William and Nettie McMillan Travis. He was a dairy farmer for over 50 years and a retiree from the LA. Dept. of Highways. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years Pearl Bryant Travis, his parents, and his siblings Lee, E.D., Lige, Alton, Rosa, Ethel and Marie Blades. Survivors include two daughters, Norma and husband James E. Muse, Peggy and husband Ken Crawford, all of Kentwood; two sons, Warren and wife Norma Travis of Denham Springs, Winfred Jr. and wife Kathy Travis of Kentwood; grandchildren, Elizabeth M. Sharp of Loranger, James E. Muse III of Aurora, CO., Trudy M. Shockley of Springfield, LA, Stephen C. Muse of Magnolia, TX., Kenneth Crawford Jr. of Kentwood, Cyndie C. Fussell of Hammond, Karen C. Daniel of Kentwood, Jason Travis of Amite, Jennifer Daigle of Kentwood and Brian Travis of Denton TX., Rhonda Bilyeu of Plano, TX; great-grandchildren, Ron Sharp of Atlanta GA., Jerry and Christopher of Kentwood, Celia and Shelly of Monroe LA., Jordan Shockley of Springfield, Ryan Scott and Meghan Fussell of Hammond, Brittany Wild, Sherrie, Shayna and John Wyatt Daniel, Lilly Moore, Allie and Luke Daigle of Kentwood, Austin, Nathan and Haley Travis of Denton, TX, Brayden Muse of Magnolia TX; special nephew, John Bryant of Orlando, FL; brother, Billy Travis and sister, Dorothy Hughes of Kentwood. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home, P.O. Box 929, Ruston, La. 71273-0929.

Saturday Afternoon

Huntington’s Disease affects some members of my family on Texas.  Pray for those with the disease and for other family members as they cope with HD in the family.

Christopher Lee Cutrer

(April 5, 1978 – August 14, 2009)

Died on Friday, August 14, 2009 at his residence near Osyka, MS. He was a native of McComb, MS. Age 31 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Sunday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Monday. Services conducted by Rev. Raymond Garcia. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. Survived by wife Elizabeth Travis Cutrer, Osyka, MS, son Anthony T. Cutrer, mother Mildred Rosamond, father Jimmy W. Dykes, brothers, Anthony Wayne Sloan, Gabriel Dean Cutrer, Nathan Rosamond, Scott Damon Cutrer and his wife, Allison, brothers-in-law, Johnny Travis and his wife, Rose, Quinn Travis and his wife, Tammy, sisters-in-law, Sherry Jackson and her husband, David, Emily Brown, nephews, Jamarcus Lee, Kaleb Cutrer, Bryce Ever,, Shamar Warren, Deondre Warren, Scott Cutrer, nieces, Christina Cutrer, Aubrey Cutrer, aunts, Joyce Lynn Sloan Morgan, Charlene Dykes and her husband, Mark , Melissa Cutrer and Jerry Simmons, uncles, Carl W. Cutrer and his wife, Connie, Van Haven Dykes, Michael Dykes, J. C. Ricks and his wife, Iris, grandmother Ruth S. Dykes. Preceded in death by 2 sons, Christian Lee Cutrer, Nathan Christopher Cutrer, grandmother Lillian Leoda Dykes Tarver, grandfathers , Carl William “Boogie” Cutrer, Erastis Van Dykes, great-grandmother Catherine Sloan.

Saturday

“I know what I’m doing.

I have it all planned out

—plans to take care of you, not abandon you,

plans to give you the future you hope for.”

~Jeremiah 29:11 MSG~

I don’t know why I have not thought to send this to you before now but, it just hit me to send this prayer request.
Cheyenne Hartman is a 5 month old little girl that goes to our church, Mt Nebo. You can read for yourself the story on caring bridge. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/cheyennehartman
 Please add Cheyenne and her family to the prayer list. She and her family need our prayers.
Thanks,
Lynda Newman

Background Story

Cheyenne was born on March 3, 2009 at Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge.  During our pregnancy at 6 months she was diagnosed with Down Syndrome and congenital heart disease which included a complex heart defect, AV Canal.  During the ninth month, she was diagnosed with Duodenal Artresia, which would have to be repaired within 24 hours of her birth.

The Surgeon told us it would be a slow recovery and estimated it wouldl take up to 2 weeks or longer for her to be ready to go home.  Cheyenne came out a fighter and proved she was not a child that would be able to predict behaviors on.  Cheyenne had a shorter surgery than time than estimated and in record time she recovered and we went home after 12 days.

In April, when she was one month old she aspirated and was hospitalize

d for 10 days while they did yet another surgery and put in a G tube for feeding and also a Nissen to prevent reflux aspiration from happening.  Once again she had recovered in record time and we went home.

In late April, Cheyenne started showing signs of heart failure and we decided it was time for her open heart surgery. On May 25th she was admitted to Children’s in New Orleans and in 9 days had open heart surgery and recovered and we went home.

August comes and she appears a bit sluggish to Mom, we took her to her doctors and they saw nothing. Following our own instinct, we took her to the Emergency Room at OLOL in Baton Rouge where they determined she had been aspirating and was again in heart failure.

Thursday, August 13, 2009 8:04 PM, CDT

We made it.  Actually Mom beat the ambulance by five minutes. Cheyenne did great during transport and did not require to be paralyzed or additional sedation.

Wi

thin minutes of my arrival, Dr. Caspi’s assistant tracked me down and walked me through the admit process and then took me back to see the queen.
When I walked in the Physician team was there waiting to speak with me, all in one accord. What a switch.  The cardiologist said her heart function was “fantastic”. The Internist said her vitals looked wonderful and she was not in nearly the shape they had anticipated.

The pulmonologist thinks we may start to back down on the vent tomorrow. They had an X-ray up for me to view and discuss, I was so impressed with their professionalism.  Her right lung is clear the aspiration pneumonia is gone. She still has some pulmonary edema in the left but they are confident the medicine will get it off.

Nothing but good news today. Praise God!!! I was so depressed and discouraged.  Cheyenne is not totally zonked on pain meds now, they cut her to a much smaller amount. Although her hands are restrained, she was smiling and laughing at me over the vent tube.

I am so thankful for Dr. Caspi and the team at Children’s, and I am confident they can help me build a better care plan for Cheyenne’s future.

Thanks for all the prayers.

Friday, August 14, 2009 11:09 PM, CDT

Cheyenne decided she was tired of the vent and she got her tube out all by herself. Unfortunate

ly, she will need surgery to have her Nissen repaired. Looks like we are in this for a couple more weeks… it is just good to see her and hold her. I will handle tomorrow … tomorrow..

Breath in… Breath out is all I can do today.

Others at Children’s Hospital this week:
  • Averi Strickland (16 year old who suffered a stroke).  Averi is doing well with physical therapy.  I saw a picture of him walking with his physical therapist.  Keep praying.
  • Brittney Thomas’  baby – Born with a hole in the heart.
  • Mrs.  Josephine Dyson’s grandson (surgery), L.J.

Thank God for this wonderful hospital in our area to provide the care needed by so many.


Obituaries Einar “Bud” Oxholm, Jr.
(November 15, 1931 – August 10, 2009)

Einar

U.S. Veteran Einar “Bud” Oxholm ,Jr. who was known for his wits, humor and practical jokes was born November 15, 1931 and was welcome home by his Lord and Savior at 6:29 p.m. on Monday, August 10, 2009 at the Louisiana Medical Center & Heart Hospital, Lacombe. He was 77, a native of New Orleans, a resident of Kentwood and a former resident of Metairie.He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 30 years, Wilda Fay Oxholm, Kentwood; daughter Tina Marie Anthony and husband, Pete, Husser; 2 grandsons, Hunter and Tanner Anthony, both of Husser; and his loving friend “Cricket”.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Einar and Cecile Hilda LeBlanc Oxholm; a daughter, Susan Clarice Oxholm: a sister, Marcelle Dillion and 5 siblings.

Mr. Bud was a retired Veteran having served in the U.S. Naval Reserve, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army and U.S. Army National Guard and Retired from the U.S. Postal Service. He was also an avid fisherman and hunter. His favorite hobbies were cooking, watching sports and working in his shop.

Visitation will be held at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Thursday, August 13, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and after 8:00 a.m. Friday, August 14, 2009 until Religious Services in the Funeral Home Chapel at 1:00 p.m. conducted by Elder Mason Miley, Elder Doyle Ball, Elder Glynn Ervin , Elder Jesse Johnson and Dr. Danny Smith. Interment in the Beulah Cemetery, Kentwood.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105

An on-line Guestbook and to view a Video Tribute is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com

Anthony Failla
(June 13, 1937 – August 14, 2009)

Anthony Failla was born on June, 13, 1937 and passed away at 7:55 p.m. on August 14, 2009 at the Hammond Nursing Home, Hamond. He was 72.Arrangements are incomplete at this time.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N and Hwy 16W behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash & Bond Eye Clinic.

LEARNING FROM CORRECTION

I read recently about a wife who who frustrated at always being corrected by her husband.  She decided the next time it happened she would have a comeback.  That moment finally arrived, and she was ready.

“You know,” she challenged, “even a broken clock is right once a day.”

He looked at her and replied, “Twice.”

Nobody enjoys being corrected, even if it’s done in a kind, loving way.  But correction may serve a useful purpose.  We need to listen to it and, if possible, profit by it.

As someone has said, “We learn much from the disagreeable things people say, for they make us think, whereas the good things only make us glad.”

For Christians, correction should be a stepping-stone to spiritual growth!  It’s an opportunity to learn what we’re doing wrong and what we need to do better.  It provides us with the motivation we need to change and mature.

But our pride often stands in the way of our gaining anything from correction.  We don’t want to admit our shortcomings.  We react to admonishment by pouting, retaliating in anger or attempting to rationalize our behavior.

Peter is a good example for us.  He had a lot of excellent qualities that made him a great servant of God — his leadership, his frankness, his energy, his devotion.  But there’s one quality in particular that helped Peter grow to the great leader that he was.  Peter was correctable.  And a correctable person is able to learn and grow.

On at least eight different occasions, the Bible tells us that Peter blew it.  He sank in the Sea of Galilee.  He rebuked Jesus for talking about his death.  He spoke out of turn at the transfiguration.  He initially refused to let Jesus wash his feet.  He went to sleep in Gethsemane.  He cut off the ear of Mal­chus.  He denied any relationship with Jesus.  And he practiced racial discrim­ination against his Gentile brothers at Antioch.

And every time he failed, Peter received some kind of admonition, usually verbal — from Paul, from Jesus, from God.  And each time, Peter humbly received his admonition, then pressed on in his Master’s service.

“If you listen to correction to improve your life, you will live among the wise. Those who refuse correction hate themselves, but those who accept correction gain understanding.” (Proverbs 15:31-32, NCV)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Have a great day preparing for the Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee