“Then He said to them,
‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’”
~Matthew 4:19~
Good reading
Stand in the storm. When it gets rough, make adjustments, but keep standing.
Have a great day preparing for the Lord’s Day!
Anna Lee
Category: Baptist Press
Saturday
“[A]nd let us run with endurance the race
that God has set before us.”
~Hebrews 12:1c (NLT)~
If you haven’t already begun to pray for Jesse Dean and his surgery Tuesday, now is a good time. I know he and Majel will appreciate that very much.
Doctors seem to have found more concerns for Momma now that she is hospitalized. The family continues to covet your prayers.
Katrina was a big event for those of us living here. 9/11 was a significant event for every American. It seems like it cannot be ten years already, but to those closer to the heart of 9/11, it probable seems like much longer than ten years. Pray for the families of 9/11 just like you did on 9/11. Pray for America to stand strong against terrorism and for God and the Christian values we hold so dear.
You may find some interesting 9/11 reading at BPNews.net.
Heart to Heart with Holley: A Time for Everything
Posted: 08 Sep 2011 10:00 AM PDT
I’m facing the beach. The sun has just slipped above the sea. I sip coffee and my thoughts roll, roll, roll, like the waves.
Unbidden, concerns come to the surface.
What about…?
When will I…?
How can I…?
I could fill in those blanks a thousand different ways.
And yet this morning one passage from Ecclesiastes seems to be the answer to all of them…
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Each sentence flows over my soul. And I realize, if all the waves came in at once it would be too much for us. We’d drown in our desires.
And so we wait, watch the shore, trust the hand and heart of the One who brings us what is best in its time.
Lord, we surrender to your ways.
We yield to your rythm.
We who hurry choose to let
each answer in our lives have its moment.
Give us your time for everything…
and help us trust you for all things.
Amen.
Blessing to all of you today!
Anna Lee
Thursday
“God shall bless us,
and all the ends of the earth shall fear Him.”
~Psalm 67:7~
Today, I want to be selfish and request prayer for some members of our famiy.
- David’s sister, Bonnie, tripped and fell this week. Thankfully, Bonnie only seems to have a dental problem from the fall. She called to tell me and to remind me how quickly life can change.
- My niece, Lacey, is giving birth to her first child, Cade, today. That will be a big change.
- Momma doesn’t seem to be doing well. We change daily as Momma changes.
Your world and family is constantly changing too. Let’s pray for each other. On the surface, things often look fine, but a lot can be happening in families.
Baptist Press for Wednesday
Thought for the Day: Showing Through
Stan Buck tells the story about a little girl who, on the way home from church, turned to her mother and said, “Mommy, the preacher’s sermon this morning confused me.”
The mother said, “Oh! Why is that?”
The girl replied, “Well, he said that God is bigger than we are. Is that true?”
“Yes, that’s true,” the mother replied.
“He also said that God lives within us. Is that true, too?”
Again the mother replied, “Yes.”
“Well,” said the girl. “if God is bigger that us and he lives in us, wouldn’t he show through?”
I like that little girl’s way of putting it. If God lives in us, then there’s no way of keeping Him from “showing through.” That’s the essence of Christian living — living in such a way that people around will see God in our lives.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
A simple question as you live this day: Is God “showing through” in your life?
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee
I pray that God “shows through” in my life and your life. This devotional reminds me of a girl in my class in Roseland Elementary School. Her slip was showing below the hem of her dress. She adjusted the slip and the skirt all day. The teacher very kindly told her it was nice that her slip showed, because it let everyone see she had one. If we had God in our hearts, He should certainly “show” so that others will know He is there.
Let Him “show” in your life today!
Anna Lee
Thursday
“Continue earnestly in prayer,
being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.”
~Colossians 4:2~
Today, let’s pray for Andy Taylor and Eddie Muse.
- Andy is better is some ways. He got the stitches out of his arm and can now move his swollen fingers. The staples are our of his stomach with daily packing needed daily. This hasn’t drained properly, so home health will start today.
- Eddie is better in that he hasn’t had to be hospitalized for a while. Before that, he was in the hospital three times.
Continue to pray for these two men and the family members who are their main caregivers. Also, pray for all the family members. Having a family member sick for a long time is no “picnic in the park”!
Please go to http://www.bpnews.net/ to ready about working with survivors of Hurricane Irene, the 9-11 memorial plans, and other interesting news.
Forget Not All His Benefits
An elderly widow and widower were dating for about five years. The man finally decided to ask her to marry. She immediately said “yes”.
The next morning when he awoke, he couldn’t remember what her answer was! “Was she happy? I think so, wait, no, she looked at me funny…”
After about an hour of trying to remember to no avail, he got on the telephone and gave her a call. Embarrassed, he admitted that he didn’t remember her answer to the marriage proposal.
“Oh”, she said, “I’m so glad you called. I remembered saying ‘yes’ to someone, but I couldn’t remember who it was.”
How could a person possibly forget something so important?! Unfortunately, I know the answer to that question all too well. It’s not that I forgot that I’m married to what’s-her-name. No, my problem is that I forget to thank God for the many blessings that He has showered on me. In fact, sometimes I forget to even recognize those blessings.
The words of David speak to me:
“Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things…” (Psalm
103:1-5a)
Now, if I can just remember where I put my keys! 🙂
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee
May you have that great day God has planned for you today!
Anna Lee
Wednesday
Terry Bankston is home and waiting for his third surgery in about two weeks. Please keep Terry and his family in your prayers.
Continue to pray for the Felker family. B.J. is being released today. “Miss” Helen Grace is in a regular room, but not ready to come home yet.
Momma comes home today after nine weeks of hospitalization. Pray for my family. It’s going to take all of us to do what’s on our schedule today. Pray for a smooth transition today and care to go well at her home.
Baptist Press News.
Hurricane Irene
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/articles/responding_to_irene/
Make a difference in someone’s life today!
Anna Lee
Thursday
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~
Tripp Roth
http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/
From Pam Sellers
Brent (Miller) is doing a little better. He is eating one meal a day. The doctors put him back on his original medicine. He is still very depressed, but we are praying the original medicine will bring Brent out of it. Thanks for praying and please keep Brent and his family in your prayers.
Pam
Please continue to pray for all the grieving families. May they turn to God.
Baptist Press
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
I heard about a man who was drafted into the army. While in the army he developed a very strange habit. As he walked along each day he kept picking up pieces of paper, saying to himself aloud, “That’s not it!” He would pick up one piece of paper after another and say, “That’s not it. That’s not it!”
This went on for about six months. His bizarre behavior was finally brought to the attention of his superiors. They ordered him to report to the base psychiatrist. The psychiatrist asked, “What is wrong with you? What is the problem?”
The man had a baffled expression on his face as he said, “What problem? I don’t have a problem.”
The psychiatrist said, “Well, there’s got to be something wrong with you. It has been reported to me that you keep going all over this base picking up pieces of paper and saying, ‘That’s not it, that’s not it!” So, tell me, just what is it you are looking for?”
The man said, “I don’t know. I just don’t seem to be able to find it.” The psychiatrist consulted some of his colleagues, then told the man, “I think your problem is serious, and I’m going to give you a medical discharge from the Army.”
When the psychiatrist handed him the discharge papers, the man jumped up and shouted excitedly, “This is it! This is it! This is what I’ve been looking for!”
This story reminds me of an incident in the gospel of John where two men were asked the same question.
“The next day John was there again with two of his followers. When he saw Jesus walking by, he said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’ The two followers heard John say this, so they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following him, he asked, ‘What are you looking for?'” (John 1:35-38a, NCV)
It’s an important question for all of us. What are you looking for? On occasion, we may stumble across something we weren’t searching for, but most of the time we have no hope of finding something unless we’re looking for it. For example, I understand that there is a lot of ginseng in the mountains of North Carolina. When we lived in Boone, I knew a lot of people who found ginseng, but I never did, and I’m sure a big reason for that is that I never looked for it.
Spiritually speaking, what are you looking for? So many people miss out on much that God has to offer simply because they don’t have hearts that are searching. Are you searching for a right relationship with God? Are you searching for a congregation of God’s people? Are you searching to know God’s will in a difficult decision you’re facing? What Jesus promised is true: “Seek and you will find.” (Matthew 7:7)
By the way, those two disciples in John 1 found exactly what they were looking for. “‘We have found the Messiah.” (John 1:41).
What are you looking for?
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina
When your problems seem big, remember, God is bigger!
Anna Lee
Saturday
“When life is heavy and hard to take,
go off by yourself.
Enter the silence.
Bow in prayer.
Don’t ask questions.
Wait for hope to appear.”
~Lamentations 3:28-29 MSG~
Mr. Bill Conleay is still in ICU at North Oaks. Please continue to pray for him and his family.
Pray for Andy Taylor’s doctors as they determine whether or not he is well enough to come home today.
CaringBridge:CallieCole
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/calliecole
I trust you will take some time to read the articles that appeal to you on Baptist Press.
Lay Renewal continues today at FBC, Kentwood.
Death Notice Update
Douglas E. Langlois was born March 10, 1942 and passed away at 11:32 a.m., Thursday, August 18, 2011 at Lakeview Regional Medical Center, Covington. He was 69, a native of Woodside and a resident of Independence.
He served our country in the US Army during the Korean Conflict.
Mr. Douglas is survived by a brother, Ronald D. Langlois and wife Dorris, Erin, TN; 3 sisters, Shirley M. Murphy, Dayton, OH, Linda Kennon, Roseland & Judy Carrier and husband Steve, Abita Springs. brother-in-law & sister-in-law, Jack and Betty Clement, Independence
Preceded in death by his parents, Johnny and Gladys Langlois; wife, Fedora “FiFi” Clement Langlois; son, Douglas “Dougie” Langlois; 3 brothers, John H. Langlois, Jewel R. Langlois & Bobby “Cookie” Langlois; 2 sisters, Doris Dubroc and Betty Venterella.
Visitation at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Monday ,August 22, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Worship Services at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home Chapel With Rev .Marshall Wallace officiating. Interment in Lawrence Cemetery, Independence.
An on-line Guestbook is available at www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com
McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home is located at I-55N (Exit 46) and Hwy 16W next to Hood Chevrolet and behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash, Bond Eye Clinic and Holiday Inn Express.
I hope you are reading and enjoying the devotionals written by Holley Gerth. I am. Here is another one.
Anna Lee
Heart to Heart with Holley
Over fear into joy…
I’m a child at an amusement park. The smell of cotton candy swirls around me. The laughter of other children is like a song in the air. The world is in motion and I stand completely still.
I’m staring at a rollercoaster.
Then I hear a voice beside me, “I’ll go with you.”
It’s my Daddy.
He slips his hand into mine.
We wait in line. I fidget. Run my fingers along the red, hard bars that lead us to the rollercoaster.
Then it’s time.
Up the first hill I hear that noise “click, click”all the way to the top.
I wonder if I’ve made a mistake.
I wish I could get off.
I grip the safety bar in front, knuckles flushed white with fear.
But then I look at my Daddy next to me.
The whole way to the top I say over and over something like, “It’s going to be okay. It’s going to be okay.”
He smiles.
And it is okay.
I’m more than fine when we get off.
I ride the rollercoaster again.
Then another.
And another.
Fear gives way to joy, to freedom, to the wind in my hair and the sun on my face.
As I drove last week, the “click, click” of worry in my mind, that exact memory rushed back to me, followed by this promise from my Heavenly Father…
Do not fear, for I am with you. Isaiah 41:10
Our security comes from the One who is with us.
The One who has promised not to leave us.
The One who has told us that whatever is ahead will somehow be worked out for good.
By the end of the last rollercoaster that day, I was raising my arms high until it seemed I could touch the pink and purple sky.
I pull into home and suddenly realize my heart doing the same.
written with love for you by holley
Friday
“The thought of my pain and my homelessness is bitter poison.
I think of it constantly, and my spirit is depressed.
Yet hope returns when I remember this one thing:
The Lord’s unfailing love and mercy still continue,
fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise.
The Lord is all I have, so in him I put my hope.”
~Lamentations 3:19-26 TEV~
There are many in our area with heavy hearts today. Some are listed here, but some are not listed here. Pray for those you know who have needs and for those you don’t know of, but who have needs.
From Ashley Raborn
Please keep Sammy Ott in your prayers. He will start chemo treatments tomorrow at M.D. Anderson.
Sammy has been diagnosed with leukemia.
I was given incorrect information about Mr. Bill Conleay passing away. He’s still very sick and in ICU at North Oaks. His son, Randy, was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident yesterday.
Jimmy Schwartz feels very tired and saw a doctor again yesterday. Please keep praying for Jimmy and his family.
Both Jesse Dean and Jason Dean have been having back problems for a while. Jesse has scheduled surgery for next month. Jason is trying to wait a few months to have his surgery. Pray for the Dean family.
Continue to pray for Mrs. Ann Chapman. She still has problems with her neck. Most importantly, she has a wonderful attitude about her problems and leaves them all in God’s hands.
Momma will be moved to rehab this weekend. Paperwork is still being processed, so we don’t know where or when yet. Pray for Momma to make a good adjustment to another new place.
Lay Renewal begins tonight at FBC, Kentwood. Supper will be prepared and waiting when you go tonight.
Douglas E. Langlois
(March 10, 1942 – August 18, 2011)
Douglas E. Langlois was born March 10, 1942 and passed away on Thursday, August 18, 2011 at Lakeview Regional Medical Center, Covington. He was 69, a native of Woodside and a resident of Independence. He served our country in the US Army during the Korean Conflict.
Preceded in death by his parents, Johnny and Gladys Langlois; wife, Fedora “FiFi” Clement Langlois; son, Douglas “Dougie” Langlois; 3 brothers, John H. Langlois, Jewel R. Langlois & Bobby “Cookie” Langlois; 2 sisters, Doris Dubroc and Betty Venterella.
Arrangements will be added Friday, August 19, 2011
An on-line Guestbook is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com
McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home is located at I-55N (Exit 46) and Hwy 16W next to Hood Chevrolet and behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash, Bond Eye Clinic and Holiday Inn Express.
Cecil A. McCoy, Jr.
(July 5, 1952 – August 16, 2011)
Cecil A. McCoy, Jr, born July 5, 1952, passed away in his beloved Colorado on Tuesday, August 16, 2011. He was a resident of Greensburg, a graduate of Greensburg High School and employee of ExxonMobil Plastics in Baton Rouge. Cecil was preceded in death by his parents, Colelia Smith McCoy and Cecil A. McCoy, Sr and sister, Norma Ruth McCoy Strickland. He is survived by his four children and their spouses, Craig and Lauren McCoy, Valerie and Jeff Young, Henry and Amanda McCoy, Matthew and Teresa McCoy. He has three beautiful grandchildren and one on the way, Stephen and Zachery McCoy and Victoria Young and her unborn brother, Cole. He is also survived by two sisters, Mary Dale Walters and Lydia Smith. Services will be held at Greensburg Baptist Church on Monday, August 22, 2011. Visitation and fellowship from 3:00pm until religious services at 7:00pm.
Baptist Press News
I hope you take time to read some of these articles. They are very inspiring.
Let God take your hand and lead you through this day.
Anna Lee
Wednesday
“Whoever is faithful in small matters
will be faithful in large ones;
whoever is dishonest in small matters
will be dishonest in large ones.”
~(Luke 16:10 GNT~
Mission Opportunity – Hay Relief Effort
Being touched by the plight of ranchers and farmers in Texas who continue to face wildfires, heat, and drought, Duncan Ferche’ at Woodland Park Baptist Church, Hammond is coordinating a HAY RELIEFeffort.
If you, or people you know, would be willing to donate round bales of hay and/or the cost of transporting it, please contact Brother Duncan Ferche’ at Woodland Park Baptist Church, Hammond. Call Brother Duncan at 985.878.9212 for more details.
To assist in covering fuel costs for transport you can make your donation payable to Woodland Park Baptist Church and designate it “Hay Expenses.” You can contact Woodland Park at www.woodlandparkbaptist.org or 985.345.4013.
Mail donations to: Woodland Park Baptist Church, 1909 J.W. Davis Drive, Hammond, 70403.
(If you have hay to donate or cash to help transport the hay, you may want to support this unique ministry. If you don’t have hay or cash, please take time to pray for this mission opportunity and others that will open doors to sharing the gospel. Read the article below to learn of someone making the most of his opportunities to witness at a car repair shop.)
FIRST-PERSON: A providential trip to the car repairman
Keith Collier
http://www.bpnews.net/BPFirstPerson.asp?ID=35911
Find your best methods of sharing the Good News and make the most of the opportunities you have. A missed opportunity may never come again.
Anna Lee
Tuesday
“In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
~John 16:33 NIV~
From Sherry Rosamond (Yesterday)
I would like to add my ex-mother-law pearl Steale she had knee surgery this morning. I would like her to be remember in ur prayer that she will have a speedy recover.
Momma is still slowly improving. The staffing meeting yesterday went well. Momma will leave Specialty Hospital on the 20th. We don’t yet know where she will be next. That depends on her physical therapy progress between now and then.
Perry, at Rally: America has Forgotten God
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=35900
Pray for America and her leaders on every level.
Have a terrific Tuesday day!
Anna Lee
The Prayer Link 
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