Author: Anna Lee

Sunday

 

“Lord, You have heard the

desire of the humble;

You will prepare their heart;

You will cause Your ear to hear.”

~Psalm 10:17~

Coach David Currier said his granddaughter, Allie Daigle, is walking all over the place on the foot with a cast. Continue to pray for Allie as she heals.

Hurricane Ike brought strong breezes and light rain to several of the special friends that I keep in contact with through email. We are all thankful for little or no damage, but mainly for the safety provided us throughout the hours of strong breezes and light rains.

Dr. Art’s prediction for Velta Morris today: Feeling much better! (This update came through Sonny Yarbrough.)

Mrs. June Russell has completed rehabilitation in Hammond and is now in Baton Rouge to receive additional rehabilitation. Pray for her return to independence at her home.

Elsie Vera Zachary McGee Jacobsen
(April 4, 1919 – September 12, 2008)

Services for Elsie Vera Zachary McGee Jacobsen, 89 who died on the 12th of September 2008 at the Crown Health & Rehab in Natchez, MS., will be held at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, La. Visitation will be on Tuesday September 16, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. followed by a service in the Chapel and burial at Kedron Cemetery in Amite, LA. Mrs. Jacobsen was the daughter of Dudley and LouElla Robertson Zachary of Amite, LA. She was retired from LSU Dental School and a former resident of Metairie, LA and Mandeville, LA. She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, Walter (Mac) McGee and Henry Jacobsen and one brother Erwin Zachary. She was a long time member of Metairie Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Mandeville, LA. Survivors include her daughter Luann Hines and her husband, Roger, a sister, Loura Stevens, a brother, Lester Zachary, four grandchildren and 5 grandchildren with a sixth great granddaughter due in February, and many nieces and nephews. Her life will be celebrated as she was truly blessed as well as a blessing to us.

G. E. “Mike” Michael
(January 28, 1930 – September 13, 2008)

U.S. Veteran Mr. G. E. “Mike” Michael was born January 28, 1930 and passed away at 5:55AM, Saturday, September 13, 2008 at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. Mr. Mike was 78, a native of Greensburg, PA and a resident of Amite. He was retired from the United States Air Force & Tangipahoa Parish School System. He is the son of the late Darrell & Helen Snyder Michael. Mr. Mike was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria Dykes Michael.

He is survived by 2 daughters, Lauri Michael Girgenti and husband Nic, Amite, & Lisa Michael Kimball and husband, Mike, Ponchatoula; 2 sons, Darrell H. Michael and wife, Denise, Amite, & Matthew Eugene Michael, Lafayette; Grandchildren, Blythe G. Tabony, Sarah Girgenti, Jason Kimball, Adrienne Kimball, Kerri Anne Michael, Lacey Chunn, Nicholas Michael & Alex Michael; Great-Grandson, Dylan Chunn; Special family, Tonya Kent & Michelle Bordelon Michael.

He was also preceded in death by a brother, James Michael & a grandson, Michael Anthony Girgenti.

Visitation will be at the McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Monday, September 15, 2008 from 6:00PM until 9:00PM and on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 after 8:00AM until Religious Services at 10:00AM at the First United Methodist Church, Amite, with the Rev. Brady Whitton officiating. Interment at the Kedron Cemetery with full military honors.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home is located at I-55N & Hwy 16W behind Coggins-Gentry Ford.



 

 

PRAYER FOR OUR ENEMIES

Last week, my wife and I were “window shopping” in a store with a Celtic theme. The Irish are know for their Irish Blessings (“May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back…”, for example). However, I saw a decorated banner with a most unusual old Gaelic “blessing”:

May those who love us, love us,
And those who don’t love us,
May God turn their hearts,
And if he doesn’t turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles
So we’ll know them by their limping.

As I pointed out in a TFTD message a couple of weeks ago, we all struggle with our attitude toward our enemies. We know what Jesus said:

“Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” (Matt. 5:44). (and I don’t think the prayer above was what Jesus had in mind!)

But, there are, throughout scripture, a number of examples of righteous men calling God to act against their enemies. The Psalms are filled with such pleas. And even in the New Testament,

“…The souls of those who had been slain for the word of God…..cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’ ” (Rev. 6:9-10)

When we see great evil being carried out, I think there should be a part of us that cries out for justice. We want to see God avenge those who defiantly oppose Him (and we know that He will).

But, as difficult as it may be at times, we also pray that God will help us to respond personally to those who are our “enemies” in such a way that they may eventually be led to be our friends and, more importantly, friends of God.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

We have a responsibility toward our enemies: Lead them to God!

Anna Lee

Saturday Addition

Mrs. Velta Morris gave eveyone a surprise yesterday. She went into the hospital for a forty-five minute outpatient surgery for gall stones, but ended up with a six hour surgery. There were a large number of stones and also a lot of infection due to the delay in treatment because she was thought to have food poisoning early last week. In the meantime, the gall stone problem was just getting worse. The good news is that she is smiling and thankful to have that behind her. Mr. Bill told me all the medical staff is aware she is “Dr. Art’s mother” and trying to give her extra special treatment. As you pray for Bill and Velta, please remember God contiues to walk with them daily as He has for many years. Velta already has her big smile back! I could sense the smile on Bill’s face too as he told she is feeling better. Pray for her recovery.

(Note: Bill’s sister, Gail, is with Bill and Velta.)

Saturday

 

 

“I have called upon You,

for You will hear me, O God;

incline Your ear to me,

and hear my speech.”

~Psalm 17:6~

 

 

Hurricane Ike is hitting Houston now. Please continue to pray for all the people in the path of Ike.

Pray for members of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Disaster Teams, Southern Baptist Rapid Response Teams, and others as they respond to the needs following Ike.


From Melinda Russell (Stateside assignment in Texas):

Roger and I arrived home this evening from our 13 days of traveling (taking Kyle to Union then on to visit with friends and attending a missionary appointment service in GA). We had a great time and I will share more in the October prayer letter.

I wanted to share with you two prayer requests. Yesterday Karla Geddes (Team Romania in Galati) mother went home to be with the Lord. She had been fighting cancer for ten years. Karla has been in Missouri with her mother for the past three weeks. Karla will be flying home on the 13th immediately after the service. Praise the Lord, Karla and her Mother had some very special times together these past few weeks. Pray for Karla as she makes the flight back home alone, and pray for Troy and the children in RO without her.

Pray also for the Banks family. Today/Friday afternoon (Bucharest time) Wes’ parents arrived for a two week visit from Jonesboro GA. This was Mr. Banks first visit to RO. They had left the airport and were traveling into Bucharest when they were hit head on by a car that crossed the double lines. The only one hurt was Mr. Banks. He broke his leg (compound fracture). He had broken this same leg a few years ago. He is currently in the emergency hospital. He will need surgery. They are hoping it can be done on Monday. Wes is staying with him in the hospital tonight (Friday). Pray for Charlie that he can rest well, for healing of his leg, and for a great surgeon to do the surgery. Pray for the rest of the family. As you can imagine they are shaken up. Also today the 12th is Tamara’s birthday and Coulter will be 5 on the 14th. Pray for them all to feel God’s love as he holds them in his arms.

Thank you for praying!

Love,

Melinda

Yesterday was two years since David’s heart valve replacement and by-pass surgery. We thank God for the great success for that surgery and the two great years he has had since surgery.

You may find several of these articles interesting. Note the new missionaries commissioned in Georgia – where Melinda Russell said she had been.

Baptist Press

September 12, 2008

SOUTH KOREA–9/11 remembered by soldiers in Korea. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28893

WASHINGTON–Chaplains’ freedom to pray is congressman’s concern, not retreat. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28894

TEXAS–Baptists gear up for post-Ike challenge. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28909

TENNESSEE–IN THEIR OWN WORDS: John McCain and Barack Obama on abortion. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28895

NORTH DAKOTA–N.D. woman spends $6,500 to bring ‘Fireproof’ to her town. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28896

MISSISSIPPI–Gulf Coast churches celebrate new facilities. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28897

LOUISIANA–Baptist volunteers busy in Baton Rouge. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28908

FINLAND–EKG transcends culture, Baltic missionaries told. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28898

GEORGIA–83 new international missionaries appointed. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28899

WASHINGTON–ERLC urges U.S. action on Orissa violence. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28900

TENNESSEE–INTERNATIONAL DIGEST: Saudi official kills daughter for conversion. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28901

KENTUCKY–FIRST-PERSON (R. Albert Mohler Jr.): Leading their flock off a cliff. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28902

Leon “Pete” Broussard, Jr.
(November 5, 1927 – September 12, 2008)

Mr. Leon “Pete” Broussard, Jr. was born November 5, 1927 and passed away at 12:50AM, September 12, 2008 at his residence. He is the son of the late Leon B. & Mathilda Broussard. He was 80, a native of Baton Rouge and a resident of Kentwood.

Mr. Pete is survived by his wife, Beverly Morgan Broussard, Kentwood; a daughter, Donna Blevins, Jackson; 3 step-daughters, Barbara Lee Bourgeois, Atlanta, GA, Constance “Connie” Copperfield, Tampa, FL, & Amanda Juneau, Greensburg; 3 step-sons, John Wayne Smith, Mt. Hermon, Glenn Hedrick, France, & Gary Hedrick, France; Also preceded in death by a daughter, Geraldine Lege’, a sister & 2 brothers.

A memorial mass will be Saturday, September 27, 2008 at St. Jude Catholic Church, Greensburg, at 3:00PM with Fr. Joe Camilleri, officiating.

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

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

Friday

“I sought the Lord, and He heard me.”

~Psalm 34:4a~

 

 

 

KOMpray

Kids on Mission Pray

Prayer requests

“Let the little children come to Me, and don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these,” Luke 18:16b

THIS TIME CALLED RAMADAN

Some of the children you meet in school come from other religions. This month, a few of your classmates may be celebrating the month of Ramadan. It’s called a pillar of the Muslim faith. All month long, strict Muslims will fast (not eat any food) during the day. Then they will get together with friends and family to feast each evening. Many Muslim families will also spend extra time reading or listening to the Koran. The Koran is the book of instruction they follow. It is always read in public places in the Arabic language. Most Muslims do not understand Arabic, so they might not understand what they are reading or hearing.

In Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, Muslims work hard all day to set up tables and chairs, prepare food, and get the music ready. About 10:30 at night, everyone gets together for a big party. Women come in elegant and colorful clothes. But no one knows Jesus.

In lots of places in Northern Africa and the Middle East, it is over 120 degrees during the daytime. Really strict Somali Muslims do not eat or drink anything all day long. Think about it. Women are cooking outside over hot stoves. Children are fasting for the first time. Please pray for them not to get sick from the heat and not drinking any water.

Pray for your Muslim classmates and Muslims all over the world. Pray that they will want to read the Bible and hear what God has to say about the love of Jesus. Ask God to help them find Bibles in their own languages and to help them understand the truth they read and hear from the Bible.


MORE PRAYER REQUESTS FROM MISSIONARY KIDS

Pray that I will make more friends. SEALIE, age 8 (Pacific Rim)

A friend of mine, Anna, died in a bike accident and we were really good friends. I am still trying to get over it. Please pray for me. KELLY, age 11 (Pacific Rim)

I live in Nepal and my Dad is the L.C. That stands for Logistics Coordinator (a person who helps others find a house, organize travel, make plans for visitors, and more). Nepali language is mostly Hindi and has the same script (letters). “Daal Baat” is rice and lentils. We eat that some times. My prayer is that my dad will be even more helpful in his work (but he’s very helpful!) Thank you. Also, I want to have the Nepali people learn more about Jesus. TAMARA, age 11 (South Asia)

Please pray that my friends become Christians. Please help me to do better in math

CALEB, age 11 (Pacific Rim)

Please pray for my family. We have moved to another country…I am a person of few words JONATHAN, age 12, (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

Please pray for me to do well in school and make good friends. I like to tell people that Jesus loves them, it is fun to be a missionary kid. ELIJAH, age 6 (South America)

Please pray for the people of Madagascar. Even the ones who believe in Jesus have beliefs tied to their ancestors. It can be very hard for my family and quite frightening in October when the people parade the bones of their ancestors around town. None of my friends at school are Christians, and it is very difficult to be a light in the darkness. Thankfully, more and more missionaries seem to be coming to Madagascar. LYDIA, age 13, (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

Pray for my temper and the way I treat my sisters and parents. Pray for my friend that is lost (her name is Ishu). KRISTA, age 12 (South Asia)

Pray that I have a new friend, all my friends moved away. HANNAH, age 7 (Pacific Rim)

Please pray for people to be receptive and open to the gospel. Pray for us to be able to reach them. Pray, too, for people all over the world to listen to God when He calls them to the mission field. So many more need to be reached and there aren’t enough people telling them. ANN, age 17, (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

MISSIONARY PERSONAL NEEDS. Please pray for missionaries Chris and Katie Nalls, who will begin studying Portuguese in September. Pray that God will bless them with many opportunities to converse with people. Since they were both journeymen in the country of Mozambique and are now returning as a married couple with a precious baby, they already know some Portuguese. Pray that they will recall all the Portuguese that they knew before, and ask for a good adjustment to Maputo, Mozambique. Pray for them as they juggle language study and family time. Finally, ask God to strengthen them and encourage them, giving them diligence and perseverance as they study.

As we thank God Hurricane Ike is going to have only a slight effect on our area, pray for those in the path of the storm. Pray for wise decisions as preparations are made. Pray for smooth traveling for those who evacuate. Pray for quick and adequate response of disaster relief agencies.

TeamRomany Blog

John 18:37

In fact, for this reason, I was born,

and for this I came into the world,

to testify to the truth.

He was deserted by his followers. He was attacked by his enemies. He was rejected by the religious leaders who were looking for him. He was following a course of action that was not his first choice. He was tired. He was embarrassed.

But, He didn’t retaliate. He didn’t curse or blaspheme the desire of His father. He listened to the rebukes and kept silent. He was calm, respectful, and gentle.

The storm came into Jesus’ life and the chaos revealed his true identity. He knew the moment for his life. His purpose on the earth was coming in bright light.

I’ve wondered at times about my purpose, my contribution, and my ‘after it’s over worth’ bottom line. Apart from the Master, there is only a fleeting feeling of worth and importance. Apart from bringing attention to the Master, my best efforts are only selfish and short-sighted. Apart from interacting with others about eternal matters, crisis will implode our goals and reveal our weaknesses.

‘To testify, to bear witness’ means to give credit to God for the good, to direct other’s attention to eternal matters, and to focus upon divine and spiritual truth. Testifying doesn’t always mean in public, on the platform, or ‘church talk’. ‘Testifying’ is relaying true information about experiences, not only crimes or misdemeanors, but spiritual realities. What you haven’t experienced, you cannot share with another. What we have experienced should not stop with us. Pass it along.

So what?

1) Have you / have I experienced a life-changing reality with God which is shaping each day of my life?

2) Am I sharing that experience with others which will shape theirs and my eternity?

3) Does my purpose or passion change or evolve with time, experience, and situation?

Happy Friday! Make today count!

Anna Lee

Thursday Afternoon

Pam Forrest just called with two requests:

  1. Scott Foster, husband of Lori and son-in-law of Dennis and Alice Frazier, is being treated for symptoms of West Nile. The family requests your prayers for Scott.
  2. Brittney Hayden, daughter of Pam Holden, is hospitalized in McComb where she had surgery Monday. Her family would also appreciate your prayers.

Kyle Brabham‘s biopsy reports have all come back clear. Thank God for the good reports. Pray for Kyle and his family as he continues to have different treatments.

Allie Daigle was able to come home today. Her family appreciates your continued prayers for her as she recovers from surgery in New Orleans yesterday.

Thursday – 2nd Addition

Big 10 from teamromany September 2008

1. FARM debriefing will be held in Romania on September 26-27. Please pray for the students who will take part. Pray that this weekend will allow them to share their experiences with others who participated in the project. Pray that our team will learn from this year to make next year’s projects even better.

2. Pray for Ladislav, a Romany musician in Brno. Pray that he would begin to seek the Lord.

3. Teamromany will hold a summit on October 9-10. IMB missionaries who work with Roma throughout Central and Eastern Europe will meet in Prague to share ideas, resources, and plan future ministry.

4. Please pray for our outreach group in Ostrava, Czech Republic. International World Changers worked with us in the Muglinov community in July. As part of the follow-up from the evangelism that took place then, we formed a Bible storying group. Pray for the new believers and those who are seeking as they learn God’s word and how it can change their lives. Pray for Boyd and Joe as they travel to Ostrava for these sessions.

5. Please pray for our park ministry in Brno, Czech Republic. On Friday afternoon, teamromany members go to a park in the primary Romany neighborhood. They play games and interact with members of the community. God is using this time to help us develop relationships and share the Gospel. Pray that those who here will begin to respond in faith.

6. Pray for Boyd as he travels to Poland for a strategy coordinator meeting on September 17-20. Pray for Jennie and the children as they remain in Brno.

7. Thank God for a volunteer team from Bob and Gayle’s home church, First Baptist Dyer, Tennessee, who are in Braila, Romania with the Hills this week. The volunteers are leading Bible studies in homes each day. Thank God for their witness.

9. Please pray for Daniel as he ministers in Romany communinities around Cluj, Romania. Pray for his strength and stamina as he works many long days.

10. Pray for Joe and Julie Silby as they have begun full-time Czech language study. Pray that God would give them recall of the information they have learned and opportunities to be a witness for Christ even during this time of language study.

Last month we asked you to pray for our MKs and our homeschooling Moms as the new school year started. We’re all off to a great start. Thank you for praying.

Thank you for praying with us and for us.

Teamromany

Daniel Byrd – Romania

Boyd and Jennie Hatchel – Czech Republic

Bob and Gayle Hill – Romania

Joe and Julie Silby – Czech Republic

teamromany.com

wagonmissions.blogspot.com


Thursday

God does not give us a spirit of fear,

but a spirit of power, love and self-control.

~2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)~

Update on Larry Watts from James Rimes

I spoke to Larry yesterday (Tuesday) and he sounded much better. One of his doctors told him that he could probably be released (to rehab) this week if he continues to do well. Please continue to pray for Larry and the family.

Please continue to pray for little Allie Daigle as she returns home. Pray she will be able to stay off her foot until it heals properly.

Baptist Press

September 10, 2008

TENNESSEE–Gustav, Ike ravage Cuba; Baptists launch relief. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28875

INDIA–Anti-Christian violence continues in India. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28876

CALIFORNIA–ELECTION 08: Calif. pro-lifers change strategy for 3rd parental notification vote. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28877

NORTH CAROLINA–LifeWay sees ministry results in tough economy. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28878

NORTH CAROLINA–New LifeWay initiative: ‘Transformational Church.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28879

LOUISIANA–Gustav victims hear volunteers’ witness. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28881

TEXAS–Missions-minded music prof dies. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28882

TENNESSEE–FIRST PERSON (David Francis): Sunday School supports church’s mission. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28883

Fred Luter in Chapel: When the storm comes’
By Michael McCormack
NEW ORLEANS (BP)–For New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, reopening after its Hurricane Gustav evacuation, Sept. 9’s chapel service became a time of thanksgiving and reunion — and words of encouragement from New Orleans pastor Fred Luter.

Because of widespread power outages and Louisiana law prohibiting habitation of multi-family housing with no utilities, many NOBTS apartment dwellers could not return to the campus until Saturday, Sept. 6. That amounted to a weeklong absence for many seminarians.

In welcoming students, faculty and staff back to campus, NOBTS President Chuck Kelley encouraged them to view difficult experiences like Hurricane Gustav in light of God’s refining work. Kelley compared that work to intense fire that produces steel and intense pressure that produces diamonds.

“There’s no way for us to become who God wants us to be without going through the fire and the pressure,” Kelley said at the Tuesday gathering. “All of this is to prepare you to have a word for those people you will be leading.”

Kelley gave thanks that New Orleans and coastal Louisiana were spared from what was predicted to be a devastating storm. He also reminded that not all of the seminary family has gone untouched through the 2008 hurricane season.

New Orleans Seminary has partnerships with Baptists in both Haiti and Cuba, two island countries that have been battered by multiple hurricanes this year.

Kelley concluded his welcome by reading Psalm 46, a psalm appropriate for both the person spared from calamity and the person struggling to recover. Regardless the circumstance, Kelley said, God’s mercy is reliable.

Tuesday’s chapel speaker, Fred Luter, pastor of New Orleans’ Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, titled his message “What to do when the storm comes.”

“Somewhere between the time of your first breath and your last breath,” Luter said, “storms will come your way. And my concern is not that we have storms and tribulation but what we do when the storm comes.”

Luter then offered a glimpse into his personal faith struggle following Hurricane Katrina.

“Do you know what I have discovered?” Luter asked. “I’ve discovered that when trouble comes our way faith is the first area that Satan works on.”

Luter said he remembers sitting in his daughter’s apartment in Birmingham, Ala., in August 2005 as Hurricane Katrina approached the Gulf Coast. His faith was shaken.

“I looked at what was going on [in New Orleans] and I looked up and said, ‘God, why don’t You do something?'” Luter recounted. “For the first time in my life, ladies and gentlemen, my faith was literally shaken unlike it had ever been shaken before.”

Not only was he mad at government leaders and agencies, Luter said he was mad at God. But through that experience, Luter said he learned afresh to trust God.

“I have discovered that every now and then God will allow you and me to get into a situation where we can’t trust in mama, daddy, the pastor, the president, the government or the mayor,” he said. “Your back is against the wall and all you can do is trust in God.

“If you don’t have faith, you have fear,” Luter continued. “And if the enemy can get you to fear, he can get you to doubt everything God has told you in His Word.”

Luter pointed to Mark 4:35-41, the account of Jesus calming the storm. To strengthen their faith in times of trouble, Luter challenged the chapel audience to first remember the promises of Jesus.

In verse 35, Jesus told the disciples, “Let us pass over to the other side.” And yet when a fierce storm threatened the boat, the disciples feared they were about to drown. Luter pointed out that their fear could have been quickly quelled if only the disciples would have remembered the purposes and promises of Jesus.

“Jesus didn’t come to drown,” Luter said. “He didn’t come to drown; he came to die on the cross…. He couldn’t drown because He’d said, ‘Boys, let’s go to the other side.'”

Just as the disciples in the boat could have found confidence in the words of Jesus, so Christians today can find confidence in the promises of God during times of trouble. For instance, Psalm 34:19 states, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him from them all.”

Luter also said Christians must remember the presence of Jesus. He said Jesus could have easily sent the disciples across the lake while He stayed behind to rest. Instead, Jesus opted to go along with them in the boat. Christians can find encouragement and confidence in the fact that Jesus was in the boat and in the storm with the disciples.

“My brothers and my sisters, I don’t care what you’re going through. I don’t care what the enemy brings against you. I don’t care what trials or tribulations or storm it might be. If you’ve accepted Jesus into your life, He’s walking with you,” Luter said. “His grace is with you. His mercy is with you. … He’s walking with you. He’s there all the time.”

And, pointing to the power of Jesus, Luter compared the water crashing over the sides of the disciples’ boat to the waves splashing over the walls of the Industrial Canal in New Orleans during Hurricane Gustav. The New Orleans pastor noted: With only three simple words — “Peace, be still” — Jesus brought calm to the situation.

Michael McCormack is a writer for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

9-11

 

PRAYER IN TIME OF WAR

A young guy in a two-engine fighter was flying escort for a B-52 and generally being a nuisance, acting like a hotdog, flying rolls around the lumbering old bomber.

The hotdog said over the air, “Anything you can do, I can do better.”

The veteran bomber pilot answered, “Try this hot-shot.” The B-52 continued its flight, straight and level.

Perplexed, the hotdog asked, “So? What did you do?”

“I just shut down two engines, kid.”

Virtually every day, we are reminded when we turn on the television or pick up the newspaper that there is a war going on in Iraq. These are difficult times, and we all feel the urgent need to spend more time with God in prayer. We pray for the safety of our troops. We pray for a quick end to the conflict. But, beyond that, what should we pray for?

In 2003, Ron Hutchcraft sent out an e-mail entitled “10 Ways to Pray in Times Like These” (http://www.christianitytoday.com/todayschristian/special/10waystopray.html). His suggestions are still good ones. Here are 7 of his points:

1. “Lord, do something that will show people Your glory over all the earth.”

This is a moment for God to do something that no diplomat, no world leader, no army could possibly do – so all will know that “the Lord He is God.”

2. “Lord, use these anxious and uncertain times to bring many to Christ.”

God can use this fearful time to reach the hearts of many – in Iraq, in America, across the Middle East, among the young men and women of the military.

3. “Lord, guide our leaders to be instruments of Your will on earth.”

“I urge … that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority.” (I Timothy 2:1-2)

4. “Lord, protect the innocent.”

5. “Pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27)

Jesus has charged us to represent even our enemies before His Throne of Grace.

6. “Lord, help Your people model peace in these troubled times, pointing the people around them to Jesus – at a time when hearts are soft.”

This uncertain time is a life-saving moment – when those who belong to Jesus have an unusual window to introduce Him to those who don’t. But the window may not be open for long.

7. “Lord, bring peace out of all that’s happening.”

God has told us that the result He desires in answer to our prayers for our leaders is a climate where peace and righteousness can flourish (I Tim. 2:2).

My appreciation goes out to Ron Hutchcraft for his article, and I hope that his prayers will be yours as well. We live in troubled times that serve as a reminder of just how much we need God.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Thank God we had not had any more terrorist attacks in the United States. Thank God for the political and military officials who have made many difficult decisions regarding fighting terrorism and sending troops into war. Thank God for the many people in uniform who have served since 9-11. Pray for the families of each one. Pray for the military personnel who were injured in the war zone and for their families as they face medical disabilities and treatments of their loved ones. Pray for the families of those whose lives have been given since 9-11 to provide freedom for others and to fight the spread of terrorism. Thank God for each person who has volunteered to serve in our military.

Anna Lee