Category: Devotional

Tuesday

“Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him,

since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

~Hebrews 7:25~

 

From Sherry Rosamond

Please Keep us in your prays as we make decisions on were we will put or daddy at to get help. Also as we wait on some test to see if he has cancer. My daddy is johnnie Smith

Thought for the Day: The three envelopes

A fellow had just been hired as the new CEO of a large high tech corporation. The CEO who was stepping down met with him privately and presented him with three numbered envelopes.

“Open these if you run up against a problem you don’t think you can solve,” he said.

Well, things went along pretty smoothly, but six months later, sales took a downturn and he was really catching a lot of heat. About at his wit’s end, he remembered the envelopes. He went to his drawer and took out the first envelope. The message read, “Blame your predecessor.”

The new CEO called a press conference and tactfully laid the blame at the feet of the previous CEO. Satisfied with his comments, the press and Wall Street responded positively, sales began to pick up and the problem was soon behind him.

About a year later, the company was again experiencing a slight dip in sales, combined with serious product problems. Having learned from his previous experience, the CEO quickly opened the second envelope. The message read, “Reorganize.”

This he did, and the company quickly rebounded. After several consecutive profitable quarters, the company once again fell on difficult times. The CEO went to his office, closed the door and opened the third envelope. The message said, “Prepare three envelopes.”

What do you do when things go wrong? Who do you blame? How do you react? Imagine for a moment that the apostle Paul has prepared three envelopes for you when life gets tough.

The first envelope contains 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (make sure you don’t read it until you really need it!)

The second envelope contains Philippians 1:19-21 (only read it if things are getting worse!)

And the third envelope contains 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (save this one for extreme situations!)

May God’s Word give you the strength you need to meet the struggles of life this day and every day.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

 

Let’s not try to blame others, but make a decision to do more/better ourselves.

Anna Lee

Monday

For the word of the Lord is right and true;

He is faithful in all the does.  

~Psalm 33:4~

 

Mrs. Rebecca Moak and her family need our prayers today.  Mrs. Moak is Stephanie F. McKenzie’s grandmother.

Mrs. Carol Jean Gill was a little better this weekend.  Continue to keep her and her family near the top of your prayer list.

Mrs. Gail Pittman-McDaniel is now at home.  She will continue her therapy for a while.

Mr. Raymond Anthony started chemo last week.  Pray for him as he receives treatment in Hammond.  Also, pray for those who are taking him to Hammond for treatment.

Mike Price will soon be going for more tests to evaluate his lungs.  Pray for Mike and Nyla.

Continue to pray for Caroline Cutrer as she goes through her treatments.  Pray for the whole family as so many things are different for them now.

Pray for Kenneth Birch and Shirley B. Frazier.  They are both fighting back issues that seem to be getting the best of them.  Pray for relief for both of them.

The new Beth Moore Bible study began last night.  It was very good and touched my heart and my family situation just by watching the first video which was about James’ (and Jesus’) family.  The other group will begin Thursday at 6:00.  It’s not too late to join.  Let me know by today or tomorrow if you can.  Also, Beth challenged us to push ourselves to put more into the study than in previous studies.  Thankfully, I believe most of the ladies there last night are willing and will find the time to go deeper into the Bible with this study.  Pray for each lady as they apply the life and book of James to their lives.

All boys and men are invited to supper (cooked by Mike Estay) and a movie Thursday night.  It’s the movie “Courageous”, which shows the story of a man who courted and married his wife twice.  The second time was after a wreck that caused her not to remember him at all.  This will be at FBC, Kentwood at the lighthouse (old post office) at 6:00 P.M.

Pray for the youth from our church and other churches as they are at the winter retreat for a few days.

Thought for the Day: Watch out for Lucille

I heard recently about someone who works in the customer service call center of a national pager company. He deals with the usual complaints regarding poor pager operation, as well as the occasional crank caller demanding to be paged less often, more often, or by more interesting people.

The best call came from a man who repeatedly complained that he keeps being paged by “Lucille.” He was instructed that he would have to call her and tell her to stop paging him.

“She don’t never leave no number, so I can’t call her back,” he said.

After three such calls, someone thought to ask how he knew it was Lucille if she didn’t leave a number.

“She leaves her name” was the reply.

After establishing that the customer had a numeric-only pager, the light bulb came on. “How does she spell her name?” the service rep asked.

“L-O-W C-E-L-L”

When things start to bother us, the problem may simply be that we need to get “re-charged”. Keeping our schedules overbooked, staying busy “doing things”, going here and there — it takes a toll after a while. Before we get stressed out and burned out, we need to learn to take some time to unwind and recharge. Turn off the radio and the television. Oh, and the computer, too! Unplug the telephone if you need to, or better yet, get away from the house. Spend some quiet time with God in prayer and reflection on His Word.

Notice what Jesus did as he was surrounded by a crowd of people, all demanding a piece of his time:

“Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.” (Matthew 14:22-23)

Watch out for Lucille! Don’t forget to recharge.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

 

Do you need recharging?  Jesus can do that.  Visit your local church for  more information.

Anna Lee

Sunday

“Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice

is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. “

~Matthew 7:24 NIV~

Beth Moore Bible Study –  James: Mercy Triumphs

FBC, Kentwood

Two groups to choose from

  • Sundays at 4:30 in the church basement (Begins today)
  • Thursday at 6:00 (Begins later this week)
Workbook – $15.00

Baptist Press News

http://www.bpnews.net/

Heart to Heart with Holley: What success really means

Define it with titles.

Step on the scale.

Climb up the ladder.

We chase it until we’re exhausted.

Success.

What does it really mean?

I look through the sacred pages one day looking for an answer.

And I find, all the way through, it really comes back to one word.

Obedience.

Not results.

Not awards.

Not exceeding expectations.

Just obedience.

We are servants who bring our Master joy when we do what he asks.

No more, no less.

Success isn’t as complicated as we make it.

And it’s attainable. For all of us. Every day. Wherever we are.

Even this week.

Doesn’t that make your heart feel freer?

Woo-hoo!

–Holley

Thought for the Day: Summed up in one word
Ole and Lena’s bull took sick and died, so they needed to go to the auction to buy a new one. Ole had to get the crops in and couldn’t leave the farm, so Lena took the train to the city to buy a bull. If she was successful, she would take the train back to the farm, then she and Ole would go to town with the truck to pick up their newly purchased bull.

The bidding was furious at the livestock auction, and Lena found herself bidding on the last remaining bull. It took everything she had but ten cents, but she was finally the successful bidder.

Unfortunately, the train home was fifty cents. “Please, Mr. Conductor, couldn’t you make an exception just once?” pleaded Lena. “Sorry lady,” he replied, “but you can send your husband a telegram to tell him your problem. The office is just down the street.”

At the telegraph office, Lena asked, “Mister, how many words can I send to my husband for a dime?” “It’s ten cents a word,” the clerk answered. Lena pondered her dilemma, then finally said, “OK, here’s the
message: COMFORTABLE.” (Got it? No? Read it again, s-l-o-w-l-y.)

Condensing a lengthy message into one word can be quite a challenge. How would you condense the message of the gospel into one word? Love? Grace? When the New Testament summarizes the preaching of the gospel, it does it in this way:

“Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this scripture, preached Jesus to him.” (Acts 8:35)

Philip’s message to the Ethiopian eunuch, summed up in one word, was Jesus. No doubt, Philip had much to say on the subject. I’m sure he spoke of why Jesus came, what Jesus did for us, and what our response to Jesus needs to be. His message obviously even included a mention of baptism, since the eunuch was led to ask further about that.

But, if the essence of our teaching ever becomes anything other than a focus on Jesus, it is no longer the gospel. All that we say and do is of significance only as it relates to our Lord and our Savior.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Have a great Lord’s Day!
Anna Lee

Saturday

“I have hidden your word in my heart

that I might not sin against you.”

~Psalm 119:11 NIV~

Mr. Kenneth Felker is taking “Miss” Grace Helen back to the hospital today for more attention to her knee.  As you pray for her, please also pray for B.J. who also seems to have an infection.

Please say prayers for the ladies who will begin a Beth Moore study Sunday or Thursday.  May we push ourselves to put more effort into this study than we have ever done before so that our results will be the best yet.  Currently, there are 38 planning to attend.  The study will be James: Mercy Triumphs.  Please contact me if you need information about the study.  Pray hearts will be changed by this study.

Pray for those who much be out in this rainy weather today.  Also, pray the weather causes no tornadoes that do massive damage to property or take any lives.

Heart to Heart with Holley Blog: Taken by Surprise (Guest Writer)

I run. Whenever I can. But no longer do I run along the gorgeous streets in Australia. Oh how I miss those… Instead I am running around in circles in Indonesia. Literally.

It’s a little dull. In fact, incredibly monotonous. As I bound around a track where I live, I see the same guards, people, plants, buildings…every run. The most exciting part is passing the lobby every lap, because I get to dodge taxis, buses, cars, guards and dozens of school children. But it’s always the same.

So I was astounded this week when something looked different. Right next to the grey path. I could see a haze of bright pink on the grass. It was stunning. And surprising.

I looked for the source of this beauty. Under the leaves of a rather simple looking tree, were the most beautiful flowers. I don’t think I had ever seen such a flower before. They captivated me.

How had I missed them? They must have been under the canopy for some time, yet it wasn’t until the petals dropped to the ground that I noticed. I would have missed this moment of beauty otherwise. Which made me wonder.

What are you missing? What beauty is before you that you are failing to see? Everything feels the same but you have missed something gorgeous. In a person who is familiar? Maybe your husband, or your child. Are you still looking for the beauty in them? I want to be looking. Or perhaps, like me, you make assumptions about your environment. Fail to see the new, the surprising.

And can you see what remains after that blur of pink dresses the green below? Exquisite cups of grace. Left to enchant us.

What is left behind by you? When you brush alongside people every day of your life. Is there residual beauty? A word of encouragement? Of sympathy? Or Joy? Possibly subtle, but unmistakable and beautiful.

Perhaps the biggest question. Does your impact on others cause them to look up? You leave some shredded pink on the ground and they have to find the source of that. They don’t want to miss out.

When Jesus lived on this earth he gave extraordinary, vibrant, surprising love. To his closest friends. To strangers. He still does. And people wanted to know him. Because that source was intriguing. Worth stopping. Gazing up. Being captivated by.

There would be no grey, no green left in Jesus’ wake. Just pink.

What colour is on the ground surrounding you today?

Look beyond the grey. If someone is placing pink mist before you, give thanks. And as you surge through another ‘ordinary’ day, leave something exquisite.

May all around you be compelled to look up. To the giver of all good things. To the source.

By Pauline, Six Good Figs

Have a great day despite the weather.

Anna Lee

Friday

“’Go back to your home, and tell all that God has done for you.’

And off he went, proclaiming throughout the town all that Jesus had done for him.”

~Luke 8:39, HCSB~

Baptist Press: Linsanity, Tebow-mania & the evangelistic witness

Bryan Cribb
pnews.net/BPFirstPerson.asp?ID=37195


Thought for the Day: Encourage one another


You will likely recognize the name of Jackie Robinson as the first African-American to play Major League baseball. In his first season with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Robinson faced hatred nearly everywhere he traveled. Pitchers threw fastballs at his head. Runners spiked him on the bases, ugly insults were written on cards and spoken from the opposing dugouts. Even the home crowds in Brooklyn saw him as an object of reproach.


During one game in Cincinnati, the taunts and racial slurs seemed to reach a peak. To make matters worse, Robinson committed an error and stood at second base humiliated while the fans hurled insults at him. Another Dodger, a Southern white man by the name Pee Wee Reese, called timeout. He walked from his position at shortstop toward Robinson at second base, and with the crowds looking on, he put his arm around Robinson’s shoulder. The fans grew quiet. Robinson later said that arm around his shoulder saved his career.


That reminds me of a similar story in the Bible. Saul was a most unlikely candidate for Christianity. I doubt if he was on anybody’s soul-winning list. Except God’s. The reason is that you would have been locked up or killed before you got through the first Bible study. The words Saul and persecution were synonymous. So, Saul had a bit of a problem when he became a Christian. Everybody was afraid to get close to him. The members of the Jerusalem church thought that Paul was pulling a fast one, that he was only pretending to be a disciple (verse 26).


After all, that was a perfect plan — pretend to become a member of the church, get the names of all of the members, call the Sanhedrin and then take the whole bunch to prison. Sounds like a spy story, doesn’t it? But, they weren’t about to fall for that one! But Barnabas accepted him.


There are a couple of things about Barnabas that we need to imitate. First of all, he was a man who insisted on believing the best in others. When others suspected Saul of being a spy, Barnabas insisted on believing he was genuine and real. The world is largely divided into people who think the best of others and people who think the worst of others. “[Love] doesn’t keep track of wrongs….never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up.” (I Corinthians 13:5,7, GOD’S WORD).


Barnabas was also a person who didn’t hold a man’s past against him. It happens so often that whenever a man makes a mistake, he is forever condemned in our eyes. It is a wonderful characteristic of God that he doesn’t hold our past sins against us. We, too, should never condemn a man just because he has failed in the past.


What a great example! We’ve all been there — standing in need of someone to face our problems with us. And we have those around us who need the encouraging arm around the shoulder.


“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (Galatians 6:1-2)


Have a great day!


Alan Smith




Have a great Friday.  Take time to encourage someone today.


Anna Lee

	


	





	

		
		
Thursday
	


	
	
	

		
“Call to Me,


 and I will answer you, 


and show you great and mighty things, 


which you do not know” 


~Jeremiah 33:3~


Pray for Mr. Bobby Simpson and Mrs. Ruby Dillon as they continue their physical therapy sessions.


Pray for Mr. Raymond Anthony as he continues his cancer treatment for the next few weeks.


Pray for Jeff Tolar who is continuing to deal with neck problems.  Jeff lives in Florida.


Continue to pray for Mrs. Shirley Frazier and her brother, Mr Kenneth Birch, as they both seek relief for back problems that are plaguing them.


Pray for Mr. Earlo LaBauve and Mrs. Gail Pittman-McDaniel as they continue to improve in rehab.


Heart to Heart with Holley (Gerth): Joy Feast


http://www.incourage.me/2012/02/joy-feast.html


Third Thursday Meeting (covered dish supper, fellowship, devotional led by Mr. James Rimes, and prayer time)


    

  • 6:30 tonight
    • 

  • Alford Cabin
    • 

  • Call for more information.
    • 



Beth Moore Bible Study: “James: Mercy Triumphs”




    

  • Two groups (Sunday afternoons or Thursday evenings)
    • 

  • Workbooks – $15.00
    • 

  • Contact FBC, Kentwood or me for more information
    • 



Have a wonderful day!


Anna Lee



	


	





	

		
		
Wednesday
	


	
	
	

		
 


“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, . . . 


being confident of this very thing,


 that He who has begun a good work in you 


will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”


~Philippians 1:3-6~


 


 


Frances Gay requests prayer for Lyndy Lewis Kimbrel who is in North Oaks with pneumonia.  She’s in a step-down unit since her lung collapsed.  Additional tests have been done.  She is Becky Gill’s mother and Diane Strickland and Pam Lewis’  sister.  Lyndy is not up to company at this time, but your prayers are very much needed.


Mr. Kenneth Felker said both “Miss” Grace Helen and B.J. are improving at this time.  Please remember them in your prayers.


Lots of people seem to have colds, coughs, sinus problems, headaches, etc. now.  I suppose it might be partially blamed on the many changes in the weather lately.  Pray for everyone to be careful about spreading/sharing and to get past the days of misery these problems present.


Thought for the Day: Prayers of Intercession


I heard recently about a mother and her five-year-old son who were headed to McDonald’s one day when they passed a car accident. Usually when they would see something terrible like that, they would say a prayer for those who might be hurt, so the mother pointed to the cars and said to her son, “We should pray.”


From the back seat, she heard his earnest request, “Please, God, don’t let those cars block the entrance to McDonald’s.”


The honesty of children! But how often have we all been childishly guilty of the same thing? We are surrounded by the needs of so many people, but we often seem to be blind to them in our prayers. Instead, our prayers tend to go something along the line of, “God, please give me what is most important to ME right now. Take away all the inconveniences that make life so difficult for me, and make sure that only good things happen to me.”


When will we learn that prayer was never intended to be the divine equivalent of a vending machine? Prayer is not an attempt to twist God’s arm until he bends Himself to our will, but an opportunity for us to seek His will. We are to share our needs with God, but prayer is also a privilege God has given His children to be able to intercede for others and their needs.


“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.” (I Timothy 2:1)


Who are you praying for today?


Have a great day!


Alan Smith


Two reminders:


    

  1. Third Thursday meeting at the cabin tomorrow at 6:30
    2. 

  2. Beth Moore Bible study beginning Sunday evening and the following Thursday.
    3. 



 Have a wonderful time enjoying the day the Lord has provided!


Anna Lee

	


	





	

		
		
Tuesday
	


	
	
	

		
“I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, 


lifting up holy hands, 


without wrath and doubting.” 


~1 Timothy 2:8~


Please continue to pray for the families of all four ladies involved in the accident that occurred two and a half weeks ago.  Pray for each family individually.  “Miss” Carol Jean’s family reports she is basically about the same and thanks you for the prayers you have offered thus far.


The family of Eugene Travis requests prayers for him as he has medical tests and procedures.


Thoughts from Courtney Roth


http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/2012/02/love.html


The early sign-up for “James: Mercy Triumphs” is going well.  A second order for books has been  made.  For those interested in doing a little preparation ahead of time, read the book of James.  I even found “Mercy triumphs” in one of the verses!


Roy S. Ardillo, II

(May 29, 1951 – February 11, 2012)




A native of Amite and a resident of Pine, he died at 2:50 p.m. on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at Louisiana Medical Center & Heart Hospital in LaCombe, LA. He was born May 29, 1951 and was 60 years of age. He was a U. S. Army veteran of Viet Nam. A Vigil service followed by the Rosary will be conducted at 5 p.m. on Wednesday at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, with visitation to follow until 9 p.m. and resuming from 8 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Thursday. Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at St. Helena Catholic Church, Amite, at 12 Noon Thursday February 16, 2012. Services conducted by Fr. Mark Beard. Interment will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. Survived by wife, Gaynell Gaudet Ardillo, daughter, Cindy Ardillo Gill and her husband, Mike, son, Richard Ardillo, 2 step-sons, Clinton Billedeaux and his wife, Kimberly, Steven Billedeaux, father, Nick P. Ardillo Sr., one sister, JoAnne Ardillo Falcone and her husband, Vincent, three brothers, James “Rube” Ardillo, Jay Ardillo and his wife, Kerri, Thomas F. Ardillo and his wife, Michelle, grandchildren, Michael Gill, Jr., Matthew Gill, Maylyn Ardillo, Paris Billedeaux, nieces and nephews, Joseph, Jonathan, Margaret & Madeline Ardillo, Vincent & Joshua Falcone, Nikki Falcone Messina, Melissa Ficklin Clark, Amanda Ficklin Mixon & Jason Ficklin, uncles & aunts, Thomas Bellavia, Frank Bellavia, Mary Frances Ardillo, numerous cousins. Preceded in death by mother, Angelee Bellavia Ardillo, and brother, Nick P. Ardillo, Jr. Special thanks to the doctors and nurses at Louisiana Medical Center & Heart Hospital in Lacombe, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.


 




Families are so important.  A new movie, “The Vow”, gives us an example of a couple who worked through especially difficult problems to regain love and then to remarry.  I have not seen the movie, but have heard from others who did.  I think the book and/or the movie might be a plus for any family or soon-to-be family.  Take time to read what Baptist Press has to say.


 http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=37170


 Dr. Danny Smith, pastor of Spring Creek Baptist Church, has given me permission to share some of his thoughts periodically.  I think we can all benefit from what he said yesterday.


Pain, loss, sorrow, grief all things we have experienced and struggle with from time to time. Truth is there is no easy way to deal with any of them.


There are those who insist time heals all wounds but as time rocks on and hurts persist we find that is not right.


Then there are those who say you just have to work through it you just have to go through these steps but then we wear out the path the steps are located on and still have our ache still have our pain and they say give it time.


But there is one who can and does help in these times and He does that first by being with us.


He does it secondly by taking it from us.


And He does it finally by taking it us away from all of it.


No this does not change the pain or take away the sorrow but it sure gives us somewhere to take it and of course that is to Jesus. Where else no where! Who else? No one!


Thought for the Day: Willing to die


The following story is related by Kim Noone in the book, “A Cup of Chicken Soup For the Soul”:


“One day a drill sergeant came out and threw a hand grenade into a group of young soldiers. The men all ran away and took cover away from the grenade. Then the drill sergeant told them that the grenade was not set to explode and he just did it to see their reaction.


“The next day a newly recruited soldier joined the group. The drill sergeant told the other soldiers not to tell the new soldier what was going to happen. As the drill sergeant came out and threw the grenade into the crowd of soldiers, the new soldier, not knowing it wasn’t going to explode, threw himself on top of the grenade to prevent it from killing the other men. He was willing to die for his fellow soldiers.


“That year the young man was awarded the only medal for courage and bravery that had not been won during battle.”


How many people would you be willing to die for? Be honest now! Maybe your husband or wife, one of your children, but the list starts to get pretty short after that, doesn’t it?


Can you imagine dying in the place of a convicted criminal? Someone is scheduled to die on death row for murder, and you say, “Please let me take his place!” Not very likely, huh?


Paul was so right when he said, “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:7-8)


Why would Christ do that? As long as I define love by my own personal limitations, it will always be impossible to comprehend. Only the love of an Almighty God could be willing to sacrifice so much. I am led to respond in praise, and in a desire to give all my love and obedience to the One who loved me more than life itself.


Have a great day!


Alan Smith

White House Church of Christ

White House, Tennessee


How many ways can you show love to others today?  You don’t have to die for them, but you can thank the One who die for us. That was love!


Anna Lee

	


	





	

		
		
Monday
	


	
	
	

		
“Faith comes from hearing the message,


 and the message is heard through the Word about Christ.” 


~Romans 10:17 NIV~






Please pray for Bobby Simpson as he has outpatient PT in Hammond for a while.


Earlo LaBauve was scheduled to be moved from North Oaks to North Oaks rehab yesterday afternoon.  Pray for his continued improvement.


Continue to pray for the families whose lives were changed forever in the tragic wreck that happened two weeks ago.  The families have different needs at this point, but God can supply all of these needs.  Pray for all the families involved.


Susan Rimes was able to be at church yesterday, the first time in months.  Thank God for her improvement.


James Rimes will share a devotional thought at the meeting at the cabin Thursday night at 6:00.  We will have a time to each and fellowship before James shared.  Please feel free to join us.  James does an excellent job.  He is back at popular request after sharing last month.  Contact me if you need more information.


The interest in the Beth Moore Bible study has been good.  It will begin Sunday or the following Thursday, depending on the day you choose.  It’s not too late to sign us.  Please notify me or the church office if you are interested.


New Beth Moore Bible Study: James: Mercy Triumphs

FBC, Kentwood

Choice of two groups

Sunday – 8 weeks beginning Feb. 19th; 4:30-6:00

Thursday – 8 weeks beginning Feb. 23rd; 6:00 – 7:30

Books – $15.00


Location: Classroom beneath the auditorium.  Park behind the church.


Choose Sunday or Thursday.


Thought for the Day: The God who supplies all our needs


Here is a dilemma for your consideration: You are driving along on a wild stormy night. You pass by a bus stop, and you see three people waiting for the bus:


1. An old lady who is about to die.


2. An old friend who once saved your life.


3. The perfect man (or woman) you have been dreaming about.


Which one would you choose, knowing that there could only be one passenger in your car?


This is a moral/ethical dilemma that was once actually used as part of a job application.


You could pick up the old lady, because she is going to die, and thus you should save her first; or you could take the old friend because he once saved your life, and this would be the perfect chance to pay him back. However, you may never be able to find your perfect dream lover again.


Think before you continue reading………………………………


The candidate who was hired (out of 200 applicants) had no trouble coming up with his answer.


His answer was, “I would give the car keys to my old friend, and let him take the old lady to the hospital. I would stay behind and wait for the bus with the woman of my dreams.”


Why didn’t I think of that??? I was feeling pretty good about taking care of the needs of that old lady, and along comes someone who meets ALL of their needs!


It’s very much the way I feel before God. I am a person who gets pleasure from trying to meet the needs of people around me. But, so often I fall short. That’s why I’m so very thankful to have a God who can not only meet all my needs, but also the needs of everyone else I come in contact with.


“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Phil 4:19-20)


Have a great day!


Alan Smith




Have you noticed all the things God has done for you lately.  Take time to count you blessings!


Anna Lee



	


	





	

		
		
Sunday
	


	
	
	

		
“All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord,


 and all the families of the nations shall worship before You, 


for the kingdom is the Lord’s, 


and He rules over the nations.”


~Psalm 22:27-28~






 








Heart to Heart with Holley Gerth: What’s Growing


 


I stand in the grocery store line and tap my toe with impatience. The check out girl seems impossibly slow today and the woman in front insists on paying three different ways. As the minutes tick by I stare at the food on the conveyer belt.


Beautiful red apples. Oranges that look like sunlight. Peppers that started as seeds far away.


And I begin to think about time differently. How much time would it have taken me to have this abundance a hundred years ago? Months of work, cultivation, nurturing.


Now I roll my eyes after waiting for five minutes.


Why is that?


I realize it’s because I’m used to production not growth.


Producing something is quick, easy.


Growth is intentional, done with care.


God isn’t impatient like me. He’s committed to working the soil, watering, harvesting, going through the process, all in the right time. His plans are better than mine. Time is not an obstacle to him. Instead it’s an opportunity for what’s truly best to come forth in my life.


And in yours.


God is growing beautiful things in us, friends.


The longer it takes, the sweeter the reward will be.


–Holley




Stay warm and protect your plants, pets, and pipes!


Anna Lee