Friday

“In the day of my trouble I will call upon You,

for You will answer me.”

~Psalm 86:7~

Prayer is the place where burdens change shoulders.

Our Daily Bread (Jeff Davis’ Facebook wall)

For a while my heart was heavy with thoughts of two litte boys, Tripp and Roth, who were sick. Now, I’ve added two young people who were killed in accidents (Kelly and Jason). I am so sorry these things happen and have a burden for families who bury their adult children. Please help me pray for the Dunn and McKean families. Both Kelly and Jason leave behind a spruce and children as well as siblings and parents. May God give comfort and peace to these families.

Paul Howell from the Amite area is very sick. Please pray for him and others who played a big part in my life and your life as we grew up and formed our Christian values. It was a blessing to always have strong Christian role models to help pattern my life after.

Susan Rimes has an appointment next Wednesday. Pray she will soon be well enough she can put kidney stones and associated problems in her past.

Debbie Luce is home after her back surgery. Pray she will have a stronger back when she gets past this early recovery time.

Thought for the Day: Learning from Noah

The following list of “Things I Learned From Noah’s Ark” (author unknown) is making the rounds.

1. Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.

2. Stay fit. When you’re 600 years old, someone might ask you to do
something REALLY big.

3. Don’t listen to critics — do what has to be done.

4. Build on high ground.

5. For safety’s sake, travel in pairs.

6. Speed isn’t always an advantage. The cheetahs were on board, but so
were the snails.

7. Don’t forget that we’re all in the same boat.

8. Stay below deck during the storm.

9. Remember that the ark was built by amateurs and the Titanic was
built by professionals.

10. If you have to start over, have a friend by your side.

11. Remember that the woodpeckers INSIDE are often a bigger threat than
the storm outside.

12. Don’t miss the boat.

13. No matter how bleak it looks, there’s always a rainbow on the other
side.

The writer of Hebrews would add one more thing to that list — the importance of having a faith in God strong enough to lead us to obey his commands. For having that trait, Noah was included in God’s “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11:

“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” (Hebrews 11:7)

What is your faith leading you to do in response to God?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Let’s pray for each other today!

Anna Lee

Thursday

“I have treasured the words of his mouth

more than my daily bread.”

~Job 23:12b NIV~

From Mary Ann Cutrer concerning Kaleigh Powers

KaLeighs surgery will be at 7am or around that time today. Please pray for her that this mass will not be something serious. I will try to keep you posted on how the surgery went.
Thanks to all for your prayers.

Please continue to pray for Susan Rimes. She is not well from her kidney stones yet.
Mr. Jimmy Tolar has been undergoing tests and recently had a bad fall at home. He’s okay, but prayers are in order for him and his family.
Glen Magee, Sr. had surgery, but had developed nose bleeds since them. He will be having surgery at West Jefferson today to correct the problem.
Mrs. Lorna Smith’s break requires surgery. Pray for her as she beging the long road to recovery.
Jill Brister will be having back surgery in Philadelphia next week. Pray for her and for her family.
Mr. Freddie Rick will be having shoulder surgery tomorrow.
Mrs. Dorothy Ricks as been moved to Specialty Hospital in Hammond so she can be made comfortable. Continue to pray for Diane Turner and other family members.
Chloe Neyland is gaining weight and doing well following her last surgery. Continue to pray for Chloe and for the family who chose to raise her as their own. She’s been blessed as much as she has blessed others.
The last I heard from Taylor Breeland, she was in Children’s Hospital in New Orleans. Wherever she is, she needs our prayers.

We will be gathering at the cabin for the Third Thursday Share Group at 6:30 tonight. You are invited to join us for food, fellowship, and a devotional. Jimmy Schwartz will be sharing one of his “stories” and James Rimes will be leading the devotional time.

There will be Disaster Relief Training Feb. 3-4 at Camp Living Waters. Volunteers will be trained in several areas which usually include chain saw, laundry, counseling, kitchen work, etc. You can get more information at the state web site.

http://www.lbc.org/DisasterRelief/

Heart to Heart with Holley: The small

Hello Friend!

Do you make New Year’s resolutions? I have to admit I do. Usually they’re quite grandiose—you know, climb Mt. Everest and save the world. Stuff like that.

But this year every time I tried to put some outrageous goal down, it seemed I sensed God whispering to my heart, “Keep it small.”

Now I’m a God-sized dreams kind of girl and I couldn’t understand what in the world was happening. But I slowly realized that what I struggle most with is the small. The mundane. The ordinary. The boring.

So the resolutions that landed on my list are anything but exotic and glamorous. I look at them and sigh. They’re like homely little seeds that don’t look like much of anything at all.

But here’s the thing—I know that if I plant them, water them, and nurture them faithfully every day that they will grow into some really beautiful, powerful, worthwhile habits in my life.

Perhaps we’re ready and willing to be faithful in the big. But it seems the real test often comes when God asks us to be faithful in the small.

Or maybe that’s just me?

So this year I’m taking a different approach. I’m starting small, praying to stay steady, and waiting to see what our extraordinary God does with a whole lot of ordinary.

You too?

Love,

Holley

Isn’t it great for all of us to be able to pray for someone. With all that went on in my life last year, I can testify to the effectiveness of your cumulative prayers gaving me such peace during the hardest year of my life. I trust you will pray along with me so we can join our hearts in prayer for others.

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“Bear one another’s burdens,

and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

~Galatians 6:2~

CaringBridge:LarkinDorris

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/larkindorris

Robbie Lynn C. Kirby will have a procedure at 8 A.M. this morning that will require sedation. Pray her back gets better after the procedure.

Tripp Roth

Today, services will be held at the Catholic church in Ponchatoula for Tripp Roth. Pray for his family and all those who helped with his medical care. Thank God Tripp young life touched many hearts and made a difference. You may choose to wear red like many of Tripp and Courtney’s supporters.

The monthly meeting at the cabin is tomorrow night at 6:30. Please feel free to join us for a good time with other Christians. Bring a dish to share if you want to. Mainly, bring yourself.

Senior adults from FBC, Kentwood will eat at NOLA in Ponchatoula today. Join them is you wish. Call the church office for more information.

Baptist Press News

http://www.bpnews.net/

Thought for the Day: Will you make the jump?

In the movie “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” Butch and Sundance, running from the law, run up to a cliff hundreds of feet high overlooking a river. They are outnumbered by lawmen who have taken up their positions and there is no way out. They get ready to shoot it out, but they know it’s a suicide mission. Then Butch looks out over the cliff and sees the river below and says, “I know, we’ll jump!” Sundance thinks he’s crazy. Butch tells him it’s their only hope. Sundance is still reluctant. Butch assures Sundance that the lawmen would never follow them, saying, “Would you make a jump like that you didn’t have to?” Sundance says, “I have to, and I’m still not going to.” Finally, Sundance gives the reason for his reluctance. He says, “I can’t swim.” Butch just laughs and says, “Are you kidding? The fall will probably kill you!” But Sundance, because of the predicament, knows he’s out of options, and though he can’t swim, he jumps.

I think there are times that the Lord leads us into predicaments where the only reasonable thing to do is to jump and trust the Lord. And we know that he’ll never let us down. Over and over, the Bible stresses that one of the primary attributes of God is his faithfulness. God is always dependable. You can count on him. He makes his word good. When he tells you he’ll do something, you can believe that he will do it. When he makes a promise, you know he’s going to keep it. Because God is faithful.

It’s interesting to notice how the Bible connects stability in the lives of Christians to the faithfulness of God. Thus, we find statements like this: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23). The reason a Christian is able to stand when life’s storms come against him is that his faith is grounded in a God whose promises to him will always be honored.

In Hebrews 11, Sarah is praised with these words: “By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.” (Hebrews 11:11). Here were two people who shared the disappointment over the years of being childless. They had no tangible reason to think anything had changed. Yet, God gave his word to them. And they knew that God was faithful. He wouldn’t let them down.

It is essential that we understand this very important truth: God keeps his promises. And it doesn’t matter whether it was made to Abraham, David, Paul or you, God has never given a promise that he failed to honor. He is faithful.

All you need to do is to jump.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Have a blessed day!
Anna Lee

Tuesday

“Then Jesus went to all the towns and villages,

teaching in their synagogues,

preaching the good news of the kingdom,

and healing every disease and every sickness.’”

~Matthew 9:35, HCSB~

Frank Smith

Just an update on Frank. He is doing better and will try to go back to work tomorrow. Thanks so much for the prayers.
Sue

Andy Taylor

Andy’s doctor wants him to wait another month before removing the bandages that support his right arm. Pray that Andy’s arm will heal completely.

Debi Bales mother

Continue to pray for Debi Bales mother and for Debi as she spends part of each day caring for her mother. Thank God for the doctors who have guided the family in caring for her,

Continue to pray for the numerous people who have tests or surgery today. I already listed them for you, but you can refer back to older posts. I pray for the reports that are given after the tests to be good and for the people to be able to honor God as He guides them through medical issues.

I think the following devotional is perfect for today because so many have important medical days scheduled. I also think it is meaningful because none of us know what what’s ahead this year, month, weeks, day, or hour. Read carefully and take the devotional to heart so it will be with you when you need it.

Heart to Heart with Holley: Whatever you may face

Hello Friend!

I’m thinking of you today, staring at that calendar of blank days on your wall or your screen. What will they hold? I’m not sure but I do know this—there’s One who will hold you through them all.

Our world seems to be in love with uncertainty right now. But there’s One who loves you and dares to whisper, “No matter what, you will be okay. More than okay—you’ll be victorious.”

Maybe you see some challenges you’re not sure you can handle. Maybe you’re standing just outside your comfort zone and wondering what in the world you’re doing here.

So let me whisper that there’s nothing in heaven that won’t be yours if you need it. And God has made you all you need to be to complete his perfectly planned to-do list for you.

And you’re beautiful. Just as you are. Not because of what people see when they look in your face but because of what God sees when he looks at your heart. A child of his who is willing to trust, to live with courage, to give him all of your days.

2012 is going to be a good year for you. Maybe not easy. Maybe not what you expected. Maybe more than you think you can handle. But somehow, someway you’re going to look back and say, “Whew, God was there and He’s good.”

So keep me posted, okay? I want to know what’s happening with you this year.

Love,

Holley

I had the hardest year of my life last year, but God was with me all the way. I’m okay about all that happened. You will be able to say that too if you hold tight to His hand on the journey of your life.

Anna Lee

Monday

“But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord, in the acceptable time;

O God, in the multitude of Your mercy, hear me in the truth of Your salvation.”

~Psalm 69:13~

Pray for Boyd Hatchel as he has more appointments today at Ochsner in New Orleans. They are still trying to determine the cause of the blood clots.
Jimmy Harrell spent two days in the hospital after a slight stroke. He is better and back in his routine. Thank God the problem was mainly a warning to him.
Mrs. Pauline Strickland continues to improve. As you pray for her, pray for her family members who are faithfully at her side.
Roy Russell has been hospitalized in Lacombe after having seven by-passes. He had a good day yesterday and should be able to leave the hospital today unless a problem develops. He will be at his sister’s (Faibra R. Cade) home for the recovery period.
I talked with an aunt and uncle of Jadon yesterday. They said Jadon was doing well. In fact, if he continues to do as well as he has been doing, he may get to come home much earlier than first planned. Jadon’s mom wrote: Praying Jadons circulation has picked back up. CT scan at 6am. He had a great day today.
The associational WMU meet will be at FBC, Kentwood at 10:00 this morning. Bring a covered dish and join us as we remember our WMU ladies who have passed away during the past year.
The monthly gathering for supper, sweet fellowship, and a meaningful devotion will be Thursday at our cabin. We begin at 6:30 and hope to see some of you with us.

Randal Michael “Tripp” Roth, III

Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home

Randal Michael “Tripp” Roth III, 2 years old of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, passed away Saturday, January 14, 2012, at home. Tripp was born on Thursday, May 14, 2009, in Hammond.

Surviving are his mother, Courtney Regina Hotard Roth; father, Randal Michael Roth Jr.; grandparents, Lawton and Anita Hotard, Randal and Rhonda Roth Sr., Pamela and Carey Bennett; great-grandmothers, Dorothy Hotard and Marie Ernst; great-grandparents, Pat St. Amant, David and Betty Robichaux; and step great-grandfather, Erick St. Amant.
He is preceded in death by his great-grandfathers, Sidney Hotard and Lawrence Ernst, and paternal great-grandfather, Frederick Roth II.

Visitation will be on Wednesday1/18, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Ponchatoula, from 10:00a.m. until 1:00p.m., with a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00p.m.

Interment will follow in the Ponchatoula Cemetery.

Donations may be made in Tripp’s name to debra.org, or puckfund.org

A guest book is available at http://www.harrymckneely.com.

Arrangements for Kelly Dunn Sofge are still incomplete. Check back to see if I have them posted later. In the meantime, please continue to pray for Kathy Dunn and other family members.

Thought for the Day: Eternal Life

The joke is told about three nurses who died and went to Heaven, where they were met at the Pearly Gates by Peter. To the first, he asked, “What did you used to do back on Earth? Why do you think you should be allowed to come into Heaven?”

“I was a nurse at an inner city hospital,” she replied. “I worked to bring healing and peace to many sufferers, especially poor, helpless children.”

“Very noble,” said Peter. “You may enter.” And in she went.

To the next nurse, he asked the same question. “What did you used to do?” “Why do you think you should be allowed to come into Heaven?”

“I was a nurse at a missionary hospital in the Amazon basin,” she replied. “For many years, I worked with a skeleton crew of doctors and nurses who tried to reach out to as many people across numerous tribes, with a hand of healing and peace, and with the message about God’s love.”

“How touching,” said Peter. “You, too, may enter.” And in she went.

He then came to the last nurse, to whom he asked, “What did you used to do back on Earth? Why do you think you should be allowed to come into Heaven?”

After some hesitation, she replied, “I was a nurse at an HMO.”

Peter pondered this for a moment, and then said, “Ok, you may enter, too.”

“Whew!” said the nurse. “For a moment there, I thought you weren’t going to let me in.”

“Oh, you can come in,” said St. Peter, “but you can only stay for three days.”

Some of you personally know the feeling of being pushed out of a hospital room faster than you would like to have been. But while there are a lot of adjectives that the Bible uses to describe heaven — incorruptible, undefiled, glorious — one adjective that is never used is “temporary.”

As I look back over my life, there have been some wonderful moments that I wished would never end. But everything we experience in this life is temporary. No matter how much we enjoy doing something, going somewhere, or being with someone, it is all only temporary. But, in heaven, we have the opportunity to be with God and His redeemed for all eternity!

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” (2 Cor. 4:18-5:1)

I hope you’ve made your reservations for the party that will never end!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Have a blessed day!

Anna Lee

Sunday

Heart to Heart with Holley:

When the Difference You Make is Hard to See

Tags: Creativity, Uncategorized

All day long I click, type, look through the screen at the faces of people I love who live halfway across the country or even on the other side of the world.

And, sometimes, in the quiet moments I wonder if what I do really makes a difference.

“You can’t see it in person,” hisses the enemy, “You can’t touch it. How do you know it’s real?”

Then I think about how I should be doing something tangible–rocking a baby, handing out food, building a house. I feel a heart-hunger to know the results with my five senses.

I whisper this to Jesus one morning as sunlight spills in through the open window. I ask Him if I’ve gotten it all wrong–if I should be doing something else.

A verse pops into my heart like a present left on the front porch…

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

I’ve always thought of those words in the context of believing in God.

But that morning it seemed the One Who Loves Us whispered that part of faith is also about believing that our obedience makes a difference–even when we can’t see the results.

Sure of what we hope for…that our words matter in the world, that hearts out there really are encouraged, that the flicker of a screen can bring light to a life again.

Certain of what we do not see…that that the bonds we make, the needs we meet, the prayers we lift up are as real as what’s right in front of us–that the great I am is everywhere and in all we do in His name.

I think then of a conversation I had with Ann Voskamp many months ago about much the same thing. We tossed and turned thoughts around between us until at the end we nodded, smiled and said…

How can we say that the virtual doesn’t matter when the Spirit is virtual?

The Kingdom has always been about more than what we can sense. Oh, friends, it’s more about what we know in our hearts–and about following faithfully the One who whispers to us there–believing that in all things He is working together for good.

Sometimes that good is something we can see, touch, taste and smell.

And sometimes it’s built of eternal things that we won’t know until heaven.

So press on, sisters.

Keep the faith.

Do what you do, be who you are, walk in that sometimes blind, always beautiful obedience.

Yes, you really are making a difference.

– Holley Gerth

When, not if, you wonder about making a difference by what you do, just be sure you are where God wants you to be. You will make a difference!

Anna Lee

Saturday

“If you want to know what God really wants you to do, ask him …

but if you don’t ask in faith, don’t expect the Lord to give you any solid answer.”

~James 1:5-6 TLB~

Marjorie Jean Smith Cutrer

Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home, Bogalusa

Marjorie Jean Smith Cutrer, a long time resident of Bogalusa, Louisiana, went to be with the Lord January 11, 2012 at the age of 87.

She was born July 15, 1924, the daughter of the late Eugene and Margaret Smith. A graduate of Louisiana State University in 1947, she was a member of the Chi Omega sorority. Marjorie married Carl E. Cutrer Sr. on February 6, 1949 in Bogalusa, Louisiana.

Marjorie was a homemaker until her children were grown and then she worked along side her husband at the family owned and operated Red Bird Ice Cream Company. She and her husband, Carl, were lifelong world travelers visiting numerous countries on six continents. Another of Marjorie’s passions was needlecraft. Over the course of her life she crocheted more than 50 afghans, and created beautiful needlepoint, cross-stitch, and embroidery pictures that adorn the homes of her family and friends.

Marjorie dedicated her life to serving others. As an active member of First Baptist Church in Bogalusa for over 75 years, Marjorie served as the pianist for over 50 years and taught Sunday school for over 40 years. Named Bogalusa’s Citizen of the Year in 2000, Marjorie was a leader in her community. She served in many leadership positions for organizations such as the American Red Cross and YWCA, and was a member of the Sunshine Club at Rest Haven Nursing Home, Ingleside Literary Society, Civic League of Bogalusa, and United Way of Bogalusa. One of the highlights of her life was her participation in five mission trips to Nicaragua with Carterville Baptist Church in Petal, MS.

Marjorie is survived by her beloved husband, Carl E. Cutrer, Sr.; her sons, Carl E. Cutrer, Jr. and Hardy Cutrer (Lori) of Baton Rouge, LA; her daughter, Margaret Cutrer Tynes (David) of Petal, MS; and her grandsons, Daniel Tynes (Emily), Paul Tynes (Raven), Charley Tynes, and J. Hardy Cutrer.

Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church of Bogalusa, LA on Friday January 13, 2012. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. followed by the 11:00 a.m. service. Interment will be at Hillview Memorial Gardens in Bogalusa, LA. Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home, Bogalusa, has been entrusted with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First Baptist Church of Bogalusa (541 Avenue F, Bogalusa, LA 70427) or Carterville Baptist Church Nicaragua Mission Fund (1115 Carterville Road, Petal, MS 39465).

Infant Payton Michael Wallace, son of Heather Michelle Wallace and Jason Douglas Honaker of Kentwood passed away on January 11, 2012 at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond.

He also survived by his maternal grandparents, Ricky & Jennifer Wallace, Kentwood; paternal grandparents, Pamela Ann Gazzle, Franklinton and Michael Ray Lachney, Opelousas; ; maternal great-grandparents, Donald & Barbara Holliday, Kentwood;maternal uncles, Justin Wallace & Daniel Holliday, Kentwood; maternal aunt, Tiffany Wallace, Kentwood; paternal aunt, Amanda Lynn Lachney, Meridian, MS; paternal uncles, Justin Lachney, Covington & Michael Ray Lachney, Gulfport, MS; also extended family members.

Preceded in death by maternal great-grandparents, Marvin Wallace & Linda Thames; paternal great-grandparents, Ruby Smokey & Michael Honaker

Graveside Celebration of Life Service at Hyde Cemetery, Chesbrough, on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Gene Richards officiating. Interment in Hyde Cemetery.

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

McKneely& Vaughn Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Baptist Press: http://www.bpnews.net/

I trust you will click on this link and read some of these timely articles. I can’t think of a better or more interesting front page for any Christian to read.

Heart to Heart with Holley: When it seems you will never be done . . . .

Hello Friend!

We all have our quirks. So in the spirit of confession, here’s one of mine: I’m a bit of a stickler when it comes to getting things done. If I have a to-do left on my list at the end of the day it’s like a pebble in my shoe. Anyone else ever feel that way?

The thing is, it never gets all done. There’s always another dish to wash, another email to answer, another project to wrap up. That used to drive me just about wild. And wear me out.

Then one day it seemed God whispered to my heart, “You are never going to be done.”

At first I thought it must be the devil. And this southern girl was about to tell him where to go, y’all.

But no, the whisper kept coming quietly and gently until I fully recognized the Voice of One Who Loves Me.

And he confirmed it with Scripture too: He who began a good work in your will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Two truths stuck in my soul from that one little sentence.

First, while I’m good at “carryin’ on” (as we say in the South) that’s not what God means in this verse. He means that he’ll take on the weight, bear the burden, make sure that what needs doin’ will get done. Our part is simply obedience.

Also, that good work in our lives is going to keep on keepin’ on until it’s complete in the day of Christ Jesus. In case you didn’t catch it, that’s code for “until heaven.” So as much as I may want to check off everything I possibly can, God is going to have more for me until the day I’m with him forever. Whew.That means I can lay day my completion compulsion and trade it for grace.

I don’t know about you, but the new year tends to put my “get it done” self into overdrive. But we don’t have to do it that way this time around. God has it covered, friend.

We don’t have to strive. Instead we can LIVE. With joy even.

Woo-hoo! Now that’s reason for some good “carryin’ on”—the kind complete with whoopin’ and hollerin’ and a little jig thrown in just because.

What helps you trust God with your to-do list? Do tell.

Love,

Holley

I no longer keep my daily “to do” list. I also have learned to be ready for a visit with a friend, a ride in the country, grandchildren, watching the dog and cats, sitting next to David and watching TV programs I would never have selected, etc. I’m enjoying my retirement and all the hours God allows me to do things that were not on my “to do” list, but which suddenly became important to me. David says “no schedule”! I know I haven’t heard those school bells ringing to remind me I should have completed one teaching responsibility and now it is time to begin the next teaching assignment. I’m no longer driven by bells! That means other things like a phone call from Daddy, an unannounced visitor at the door, etc. drive my day. “That’s a good thing!”

Anna Lee

Friday

“And whoever gives just a cup of cold water to one of these little ones

because he is a disciple–

I assure you: He will never lose his reward!”

~Matthew 10:42, HCSB~

Tangipahoa Parish and many other places have been drawn together in praying for two young boys, Jadon and Tripp. Lives have been touched by these two young lives and strong families. I’ve seen such evidence of prayer that encourages my heart. I know you have prayed and been touched too. May God bless these two families and each of you who have prayed for them. I think the following blog will give you the insight into the life of one person who will be changed forever. Keep praying!

http://thislittlelightimages.blogspot.com/2012/01/for-this-tripp-i-thank-you.html

Lisa Westmoreland shared this request.

I am asking for Prayers for my uncle Willie Westmoreland,he is having problems with his kidneys and will require a kidney transplant.

Debbie Luce, a teacher and a former student of mine, will have her third back surgery Tuesday. Pray this fusion process goes well and Debbie can be free of pain and return to her teaching job.
Roy Russell’s by-pass surgery went well. Today will be the third day which is usually the hardest day on the patient. Pray Roy gets through this day without any complications. Roy is a brother to Faibra Cade and a step-brother to J.C. Miller.
Continue to pray for Taylor Breeland of Kentwood. Her prayer support has not been as evident on the internet, but I assure you those who know her have been praying. Keep her near the top of your list as this young lady battles cancer.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

THINGS HAPPEN THAT hurt terribly…

A youngster breaks a leg, eliminating him from participation in a sports activity in which he was excelling;
A tragic accident turns life into a nightmare;
A “perfect” marriage is shattered by the sudden death of a partner;
A promising career is fractured by a merger which puts a brilliant man out of work.

Such things put faith–even strong faith–to the test. The Bible says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord” (Psalm 37:23). How? We can’t presume to know how God works in every case. But for starters:

1. The good man seeks God’s will in all he does. He doesn’t make decisions without considering God’s will. He consults God’s Word, and prays for direction. Then if problems come, he reasons that God may be directing in a way beyond human understanding.

2. He looks for good even in the painful experiences. There will be times when even the good man fails to properly consider God’s will. Times when he will fail to consult the Word, and pray. Times when he will act impulsively, foolishly.

And even when he has fervently sought to do right there will be times when thing go sour and tragedy strikes. What does he do then? He places his trust in God–convinced that, though he doesn’t understand how, God will bring good out of it.

Maybe there are times when God causes seeming tragedy in order to send us down a different road. More often, however, those painful experiences cannot be assigned to the Lord. He does not cause them–but He can use them. Even the terribly tragic experiences He can turn to our advantage. Joe Barnett

“. . .It is not in man who walks to direct his steps.” Jeremiah 10:23

Thanks for praying. You touch many lives!

Anna Lee

Thursday

“We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters,

about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia.

We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure,

and we thought we would never live through it.

In fact, we expected to die.

But as a result,

we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God,

who raises the dead.”

~2 Corinthians 1:8-9, NLT, 2nd edition~

CaringBridge: Logan Watts (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/loganwatts/mystory)

Well our wifi is working at the moment so i’m gonna update while I can. Logan had a wonderful Christmas. He has enjoyed playing with all his new toys and he had a week off of out-patient therapy, which was much needed for him and us. We are getting back into our routine once again with his outpatient therapy, homebound teacher, and therapist from the school system. While Logan was off we took the opportunity to visit Blair Batson Childrens Hospital in Jackson. It was surreal pulling back up into the parking lot there, we were so full of mixed emotions. We had a wonderful time. We got to see one our favorite Dr’s and a few of his PICU nurses and also took the advantage of passing out Logan’s gospel tract’s.

Logan did have his botox injections in his right calf muscle. He did great being that the numbing cream had not affected him. He is now in a cast and will have three series of casting. He is such a lil trooper.

Logan has a eye Dr appt Monday and if his eyes aren’t improved (with being equal) they will do another surgery to align his eyes. Please pray that he will not need the surgery. His vision is good and each time we have seen the Dr his eyes improve.

He is able to have nectar thick liquids now, which is a huge blessing. He does pretty good with the thickened drinks. I was worried since he’s such a picky eater that the consistency would bother him but it doesn’t. His next swallow study will not be until April unless his speech therapist sees a need for one sooner. Logan will also have a MRI and Dr. visit with Dr. Tilton at Childrens in N.O. on April 2.

Logan is trying to stand some and he pulls himself up on a wall to try to turn lights off and things like that. He has stood for around 30 seconds before falling over. He is continuing to improve tremendously but still has a long ways to go. We are so thankful for the progress God has allowed him to make. Thanks for your continued prayers for Logan!

Please continue to pray for Jadon Pailet, his family, and the medical staff caring for him in Detroit.

Roy Russell’s surgery at Lacombe was for seven by-passes. Pray for Roy as he recovers from this difficult surgery.

Mrs. Micky Cade will be coming home following her surgery and rehab. Please keep her in your prayers and encourage her because she has been “out of pocket” for a while.

Glen Magee, Sr’s outpatient surgery was more complicated than expected, but he is not home in Kentwood. Pray for him as he continues to recover,

Pray for Susan Rimes as she continues to recover from her kidney stones.

Boyd Hatchel had several appointments yesterday. His next appointments are Monday. Pray for the family as they wait to see what God has in store for them.

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Today is Human Trafficking Awareness Day. There are more human slaves on earth today (27million) than EVER before and human trafficking is $32billion industry. How’s that for a reality check?
“Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.” Psalm 82:3

(Shared by my niece, Kristin)

Baptist Press

http://www.bpnews.net/

Thought for the Day: He will never leave you!

The following touching story comes from the book, “Chicken Soup For the Soul”:

In 1989, an earthquake almost flattened Armenia. This deadly tremor killed over 30,000 people in less than four minutes. In the midst of all the confusion of the earthquake, a father rushed to his son’s school. When he arrived there he discovered the building was flat as a pancake.

Standing there looking at what was left of the school, the father remembered a promise he made to his son, “No matter what, I’ll always be there for you!” Tears began to fill his eyes. It looked like a hopeless situation, but he could not take his mind off his promise.

Remembering that his son’s classroom was in the back right corner of the building, the father rushed there and started digging through the rubble. As he was digging other grieving parents arrived, clutching their hearts, saying: “My son! “My daughter!” They tried to pull him off of what was left of the school saying: “It’s too late!” “They’re dead!” “You can’t help!” “Go home!” Even a police officer and a fire fighter told him he should go home. To everyone who tried to stop him he said, “Are you going to help me now?” They did not answer him and he continued digging for his son stone by stone.

He needed to know for himself: “Is my boy alive or is he dead?” This man dug for eight hours and then twelve and then twenty-four and then thirty-six. Finally in the thirty-eighth hour, as he pulled back a boulder, he heard his son’s voice. He screamed his son’s name, “ARMAND!” and a voice answered him, “Dad? It’s me, Dad!” Then the boy added these priceless words, “I told the other kids not to worry. I told ’em that if you were alive, you’d save me and when you saved me, they’d be saved. You promised that, Dad. ‘No matter what,’ you said, ‘I’ll always be there for you!’ And here you are Dad. You kept your promise!”

What a beautiful illustration of the promise that God has made to us. “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Heb. 13:5).

That is a promise with which we can trust our lives. Time and time again, God has proven His faithfulness. And we have every reason to believe that He will continue to keep that promise. Maybe you find that your world has collapsed around you. Your marriage is struggling. You’re not sure where the money will come from to pay your bills. You just got off the phone with the doctor and the news is not good.

Hear these words of God. Fix them firmly in your mind. God said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” It may seems that hours have passed by without any sign of God in your life, maybe even days, weeks, months or years. Take heart and be assured. God said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” No matter how it may seem, God has not forsaken you. And he longs for the day when he can once again hold you in His arms.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

This reminder from the book of Hebrews is still true! Feel free to share the devotional and the scripture as you meet others in need of this reminder today.

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“Blessed be God,

who has not turned away my prayer,

nor His mercy from me!”

~Psalm 66:20~

Jadon’s Story

http://jadonsisstory.blogspot.com/

Carol New has the stitches out of her knee. She’s so glad to have come this far since her last surgery. Thank God for her progress.

Mrs. Pauline Strickland has had a setback, be is now doing a little better. Billy Carl will have a procedure Tuesday that will determine if he is ready for chemo and radiation. Donna Fay has been having some heart issues. Pray for all of them and for Firma Kay.

Pray for the doctors working with Boyd Hatchel to evaluate him carefully and determine the continuing course of treatment. Boyd has appointments at 10 and 11 today.

Alan Smith’s Thought for the Day: The bigger picture

Leith Anderson, a minister, shared this experience: As a boy, he grew up outside of New York City and was an avid fan of the old Brooklyn Dodgers. One day his father took him to a World Series game between the Dodgers and the Yankees. He was so excited, and he just knew the Dodgers would trounce the Yankees. Unfortunately, the Dodgers never got on base, and his excitement was shattered.

Years later, he was engrossed in a conversation with a man who was a walking sports almanac. Leith told him about the first major league game he attended and added, “It was such a disappointment. I was a Dodger fan and the Dodgers never got on base.” The man said, “You were there? You were at the game when Don Larsen pitched the first perfect game in all of World Series history?”

Leith replied, ”Yeah, but uh, we lost.” He then realized that he had been so caught up in his team’s defeat that he missed out on the fact that he was a witness to a far greater page of history.

I wonder how often the same thing happens to us. We get so caught up in the “defeats” in our lives, the times when things don’t turn out the way we want them to. So we’re depressed because an illness continues to linger, or when people don’t treat us the way we think they ought to, or when we face financial difficulties.

But we are often so blinded by the pain and disappointment of our “defeat” that we fail to appreciate the fact that we might be witness to something far greater that God is doing in our lives.

Remember when Paul was in prison? He wrote to the Philippian Christians, “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.” (Phil. 1:12)

While most of us would have focused on the “defeat” (being in prison even though he was innocent), Paul was able to see what God was doing in his life. It’s not an easy thing to do. It’s never easy to view things from a heavenly perspective rather than an earthly one, but it is especially difficult in the midst of pain and defeat. But it is learning how to have a heavenly view that helps us to know joy no matter what happens in our lives.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

I think this devotional speaks to all of us. What do you think?

Looking for the bigger picture,

Anna Lee