Devotional – Page 164 – The Prayer Link

Friday

“Therefore I say to you,

whatever things you ask when you pray,

believe that you receive them,

and you will have them.”

~Mark 11:24~

My personal observation: I asked God for peace about the brain surgery. He came through in a big way. When I had my doctor appointments after diagnosis, my blood pressure was very high due to anxiety. When I was going into gamma knife surgery without having any medication, my blood pressure was lower than it has been it a long time. I felt confident that God was in control and had no anxiety at all. This is another one of those “God winks”.

Chloe Neyland did better yesterday. Lisa said she got to see the baby blue eyes several times throughout the day. Keep praying for little Chloe, the medical staff, and the family. Lisa requests prayers for all the other children in ICU in Children’s Hospital.

Andy Taylor received a good report yesterday. His hand is doing better than the doctor hoped for. God is showing himself in so many ways.

Please begin praying for Jason Dean and his family. Jason has back surgery scheduled for Nov. 10th in Baton Rouge.

Thought for the Day: What can I do for you?

It had been a hard winter in the Appalachian area. The snow had piled up deeper and deeper, the mercury dropped, rivers froze, people suffered. The Red Cross used helicopters to fly in supplies. One crew had been working day after day — long hours. They were on their way home late in the afternoon when they saw a little cabin submerged in the snow. There was a thin whisper of smoke coming from the chimney. The rescue team figured they were probably about out of food, fuel, perhaps medicine.

Because of the trees, they had to put the helicopter down a mile away. They put on heavy packs with emergency supplies, trudged through heavy snow, waist deep, reached the cabin exhausted, panting, perspiring. They pounded on the door. A thin, gaunt mountain woman opened the door and the lead man gasped, “We’re from the Red Cross.”

She was silent for a moment and then she said, “It’s been a hard winter, Sonny, I just don’t think we can give anything this year.”

I don’t think the story is true, but it certainly could be. I am convinced that there are two kinds of people — givers and takers. And even in dire times, those who are givers are always thinking about “What can I do for you?” rather than “What can you do for me?” Statistically speaking, the group which gives the greatest percentage of their money to charity every year is the group of people with the lowest income.

There may be several different reasons for that, but truth of the matter is (and this is true among Christians as well), the more we have, the greater is our tendency to hold tight to it. What a great example the Macedonians are to us:

“…in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.” (2 Cor. 8:2).

Did you notice that? The group of Christians that Paul held up as an example of generous giving to those in need were themselves in “deep poverty”. Yet they gave so much that Paul was reluctant to receive the money, until they implored him “with much urgency” to take their gift.

I look at my own life and see that there are many times when I’m reluctant to give to others, not because it might affect providing for my needs, but because it might affect me having the things I want. Like everyone else, I’m tempted to look out for “number one” and I want to know what you can do for me. But, considering the example of Christ, Paul said:

“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Phil.2:4)

“Father, please forgive me. Help me to develop a heart of selflessness and love for others that constantly seeks to find ways to bless those around me. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

God, please help me be a giver every day of my life. I want to be better able to give to those who don’t deserve it and don’t need it as well as those who really deserve and need it. Help my life be a better reflection of God in my life.

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“Do your own work well,

and then you will have something to be proud of.

But don’t compare yourself with others.”

~Galatians 6:4 (CEV)~

Tripp Roth

http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/

Thought for the Day: Should I forgive others?

The following story comes from Glenn E. Schaeffer via Christian Reader (“Kids of the Kingdom;” September/October 1997):

During a childrens sermon one Sunday morning, I held up an ugly-looking summer shirt that I wore occasionally around the house. I explained to the children that someone said the shirt was ugly and should be thrown away.

“This really hurt me,” I explained. “I’m having trouble forgiving the person who said those mean things. Do you think I should forgive that person?” I asked the children.

Immediately, my six-year-old daughter, Alicia, raised her hand. “Yes, you should,” she said without hesitation. “But why? The person hurt my feelings,” I responded.

To which Alicia wisely answered, “Because you’re married to her.”

We live in a society that doesn’t care much at all about forgiveness. Our culture exalts those TV and movie heroes who take vengeance on others. Those who are willing to forgive are portrayed as weak, and those who refuse to forgive are strong. The result is a society filled with bitterness, vengeance, anger, hate and hostility. Marriages suffer because grudges are held and nobody’s willing to forgive. Crimes of retaliation and ridiculously excessive lawsuits are rampantly common as people seek vengeance both inside or outside the law.

But Jesus emphasized the importance of forgiving others. In fact, he doesn’t give us any other option, if we are to be his disciples. He said, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15). That’s strong language!

Again in Mark 11:25-26, Jesus said, “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

When Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” (Matthew 18:21), Jesus responds by telling a parable about a master who forgave a servant’s huge debt, but that servant refused to forgive another servant who owed him a small amount. The story ends with an angry master turning over the unforgiving servant to the jailers for torture and torment. And then Jesus made the application in one of the harshest statements in all the gospels: “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” (Matthew 18:35).

Jesus makes it painfully clear that forgiving others is directly related to our being forgiven by God, and our unwillingness to forgive destroys the bridge over which God’s forgiveness comes to us. Before you ask for God to forgive you, is there someone who needs your forgiveness today?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Today is going to be a good day!

Anna Lee

Sunday

And He has said to me,

“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”

Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses,

so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses,

with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties,

for Christ’s sake;

for when I am weak, then I am strong. ‎

~2 Corinthians 12:-10~

Worship God and study His Word on His day!

One of my favorite devotionals by Alan Smith:

Thought for the Day: The best is yet to come

first used the following story (author unknown) in a Thought For The Day message several years ago, and have since used it in a funeral service. It remains one of my readers’ all-time favorites. I hope you enjoy seeing it again.

The sound of Martha’s voice on the other end of the telephone always brought a smile to Brother Jim’s face. She was not only one of the oldest members of the congregation, but one of the most faithful. Aunt Martie, as all of the children called her, just seemed to ooze faith, hope, and love wherever she went. This time, however, there seemed to be an unusual tone to her words. “Preacher, could you stop by this afternoon? I need to talk with you.” “Of course, I’ll be there around three. Is that ok?”

It didn’t take long for Jim to discover the reason for what he had only sensed in her voice before. As they sat facing each other in the quiet of her small living room. Martha shared the news that her doctor had just discovered a previously undetected tumor. “He says I probably have six months to live”. Martha’s words were naturally serious, yet there was a definite calm about her. “I’m so sorry to….” but before Jim could finish, Martha interrupted. “Don’t be. The Lord has been good. I have lived a long life. I’m ready to go. You know that.” “I know,” Jim whispered with a reassuring nod.

“But I do want to talk with you about my funeral. I have been thinking about it, and there are things that I know I want.” The two talked quietly for a long time. They talked about Martha’s favorite hymns, the passages of Scripture that had meant so much to her through the years, and the many memories they shared from the five years Jim had been with Central Church.

When it seemed that they had covered just about everything, Aunt Martie paused, looked up at Jim with a twinkle in her eye, and then added, “One more thing, preacher. When they bury me, I want my old Bible in one hand and a fork in the other”. “A fork?” Jim was sure he had heard everything, but this caught him by surprise. “Why do you want to be buried with a fork?”

“I have been thinking about all of the church dinners and banquets that I attended through the years,” she explained, “I couldn’t begin to count them all. But one thing sticks in my mind — At those really nice get-togethers, when the meal was almost finished, a server or maybe the hostess would come by to collect the dirty dishes. I can hear the words now. Sometimes, at the best ones, somebody would lean over my shoulder and whisper, ‘You can keep your fork.’ And do you know what that meant? Dessert was coming! “It didn’t mean a cup of Jell-O or pudding or even a dish of ice cream. You don’t need a fork for that. It meant the good stuff, like chocolate cake or cherry pie! When they told me I could keep my fork, I knew the best was yet to come!

“That’s exactly what I want people to talk about at my funeral. Oh, they can talk about all the good times we had together. That would be nice. But when they walk by my casket and look at my pretty blue dress, I want them to turn to one another and say, ‘Why the fork’? That’s what I want you to say, I want you to tell them, that I kept my fork because the best is yet to come!”

Truly, for a child of God, the best is yet to come.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.” (I Peter 1:3-4)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

“Why the fork’? That’s what I want you to say, I want you to tell them, that I kept my fork because the best is yet to come!”

Looking ahead!

Anna Lee

Saturday

“This service that you perform

is not only supplying the needs of God’s people

but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.”

~2 Corinthians 9:12 NIV~

Please continue to pray for Chloe Neyland and her family. Chloe did not have a great day yesterday. We can pray for a better day today.

Baptist Press: A 7th inning exit & a great lesson about fatherhood

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=36438

Baptist Press: God uses student’s handicap for His glory

http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=36437

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

I heard about a preacher who went into children’s church to talk to the children about Psalm 23. He told the children about sheep, that they weren’t smart and needed lots of guidance, and that a shepherd’s job was to stay close to the sheep, protect them from wild animals and keep them from wandering off and doing dumb things that would get them hurt or killed.

He pointed to the children in the room and said that they were the sheep and needed lots of guidance. Then the minister said, “If you are the sheep, then who is the shepherd?” He was obviously indicating himself.

There was a silence for a few seconds. Then one of the children said, “Jesus. Jesus is the shepherd.”

The minister was obviously caught by surprise and said to the boy, “Well, then, who am I?”

The little boy thought for a moment and then he said with a shrug, “I guess you must be a sheep dog.”

That’s not a bad answer! I know that the Bible refers to the elders in the church as “pastors” (shepherds), so it’s fully appropriate to refer to them in that way. But Peter referred to Jesus as the “Chief Shepherd” (I Peter 5:4) so as to draw a sharp distinction between Him and the other shepherds of the church. But I also like this idea of our spiritual leaders being “sheep dogs” because it pictures both their role of watching over the sheep and their role of submission to the Chief Shepherd, ready to follow His every command.

If you are a pastor, I hope you connect with the concept of the sheep dog. If you’re one of the flock, I hope that you will “obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.” (Hebrews 13:17). And may we all take comfort in our Shepherd who watches over us and provides all that we need (and so much more!).

In his book, “I Shall Not Want”, Robert Ketchum tells about a Sunday school teacher who asked her group of children if any of them could quote the entire twenty-third psalm. A little 4-year-old girl raised her hand.

The little girl came to the front of the class, and she said: “The Lord is my shepherd, that’s all I want.” Then she bowed and sat down. She may have overlooked a few verses, but that little girl captured David’s heart in Psalm 23. “The Lord is my shepherd, that’s all I want.”

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

How is God using you today to bring Glory to His name? If you haven’t already done so, take some time today to prepare for the Lord’s Day.

Anna Lee

Friday

The world of the generous gets larger and larger;

the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.

~Proverbs 11:24 (Msg)~

PATRICIA “PUNKIN” BRANT SMITH
December 5, 1948-October 26, 2011

Patricia Brant Smith was born on December 5, 1948 and passed away on October 26, 2011 at 2:45pm. She was 62, a native of Kentwood, LA and a resident of Gulfport, MS.

Patricia is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, Donnie Smith, Gulfport, children Tammy Toney(Troy), Gulfport, Tracy Ritchie (Jack), Saucier, Kevin Smith (Ashlee), Gulfport, and Kelly Wallis(Tony), Gulfport. Grandchildren, Amber, Jared, Anthony, Kameron, Tanner, Garrett, Connor, and Braden. Brothers and sisters, Jim Brant (Dulce) Kentwood, Bonnie McDaniel (Buford), Kentwood, Cheryl Guthrie (Clem), Kentwood, Dickie Blades (Trudy), Emilie Van Horn (Bobby), Chattanooga, TN, David Brant (Susan)Hernando, Ms., Tim Brandt(Jennifer) Atlanta, GA, Mark Brandt, East Ridge, TN, Lisa Lawler(Ron), Grapevine TX, and Melissa Farrell, Vinemont, AL.

Preceded in death by her parents, Fred Brant of Gulfport and Shirley Blades of Kentwood and brother Gregg Brandt.

Patricia had also been employed by Oreck Manufacturing for 25 years. She was a faithful member at Sunflower Baptist Church in Perkinston, MS for many years.

Visitation at Riemann’s Family Funeral Home on 3 Rivers Rd., Gulfport from 11am until 2pm with services to follow in the funeral home chapel at 2pm on Saturday, October 29, 2011.

THE BEAUTY OF YOUNG AND OLD

A grandmother and a little girl whose face was sprinkled with bright red freckles spent the day at the zoo. The children were waiting in line to get their cheeks painted by a local artist who was decorating them with tiger paws. “You’ve got so many freckles, there’s no place to paint!”, a boy in the line cried.

Embarrassed, the little girl dropped her head. Her grandmother knelt down next to her. “I love your freckles,” she said. “Not me,” the girl replied.

“Well, when I was a little girl I always wanted freckles” she said, tracing her finger across the child’s cheek. “Freckles are beautiful!”

The girl looked up. “Really?”

“Of course,” said the grandmother. “Why, just name me one thing that’s prettier than freckles.”

The little girl peered into the old woman’s smiling face. “Wrinkles,” she answered softly.

What a beautiful story of love! How wonderful it is when those who are filled with the wisdom that comes with age can still see the beauty in those who are younger and have much to learn. And how wonderful when those just learning to spread their wings can see the beauty in those who have flown so long they have grown weary of flying.

“The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is their gray head.” (Proverbs 20:29)

With a heart of love, may we see the beauty of God’s children both young and old.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Thanking God for the rain and praying you get some too,

Anna Lee

Thursday

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths straight.”

~Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)~

Debbie Bales’ mother has had several falls and other issues lately. Please be in prayer for Mrs. Goings and the family.

Mrs. “Bill” Hughes is back at North Oaks and is very frail. Please say prayers for her and for “Miss” Anne.

From Laura DeBlanc

Just wanted to let everyone Chloe ‘s surgery was sucessful , however she still needs prayer for a quick recovery! I will continue to update on her progress. Also pray for Lisa , for her health, and strength. Also for her as she is seperated from her family (MIke and Eli, and Max)

Thanks

Laura

Susan Rimes had a procedure to blast her stones this week that will require another round next Monday. Continue to pray for her.

Pray for Mrs. Mickey Cade. She has several problems still and will really appreciate your prayers.

Continue to pray for Andy and Betty Taylor. They have problems from the wrecks that are not totally cleared up yet.

Melissa Johnson is fine and looking forward to a new grandbaby next Monday.

Don and Firma Kay Schneeweiss are also looking forward to a baby, their first grandchild, a girl, next week.

Continue to pray for Billy Carl Strickland and Donna Faye Miller. They both have serious medical issues and would appreciate your prayers.

Don’t forget to remember to pray for Eddie Muse and his family as they care for him.

“Pops” Hilbun (from Debbie Crawford)

Visitation and services for Pops Hilbun will be at Line Creek Baptist Church, not the funeral home.

Heart to Heart with Holley: Who shares your umbrella?

Hello Friend!

The other day an afternoon thunderstorm blew in, cracking and laughing over the autumn-colored hills. I watched the clouds gather and then release raindrops from the hands that spattered the sidewalk.

From a few houses down, two children emerged under an umbrella. They hurried along with smiles on their faces. Each one holding the handle in the middle of them. It wasn’t a storm to be avoided in their lives but an experience to be shared.

That’s how it’s supposed to be, I thought. None of use are meant to walk through the rain alone.

A gentle thunder send them scurrying inside a house but I lingered at the window and wondered…

Why is it so hard for us to go through life’s storms together?

It seems we either tend to carry the umbrella only for ourselves. We become scared or bitter and we’re afraid to let anyone close. It’s hard for us to give.

Or we are happy to offer our umbrella to others while we become soaked. We’re afraid that if we don’t sacrifice so much then we won’t be loved. It’s hard for us to receive.

But Jesus calls us to that middle place. He asks us to take hold of that handle. “Love one another,” he says. One another–that’s two people under the umbrella, giving and receiving.

Ah, yes.

My thoughts clear.

The sky does too.

The children reappear and jump in puddles. Shared joy after the rain too.

And I think I can just see a new bit of sunlight slipping unexpectedly into my day.

xoxo

Holley

p.s. Who shares the storms in your life? {Thanks for sharing mine–I’m so glad you’re here!}

Many of you have shared the storms in my life. I’m so thankful and so blessed!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

Isaiah 43:2-3

“When you pass through the waters, I WILL be with you;

And through the rivers, they WILL NOT overflow you.

When you walk through the fire, you WILL NOT be scorched,

Nor will the flame burn you.

FOR I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD,

THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL,

YOUR SAVIOR;”

(Shared by a former student last night)

Chloe Neyland will be having her surgery at 8:00 this morning. It will take 4-6 hours to repair two holes in her heart. Prayers are requested.

Randy Relan, another former student and the recipient of a transplant, shared this:

Thanks 1,000,000 to everyone for your support. It has been a long journey to which there is no end. People from all over the world have prayed for me and supported me during this most trying time in my life. People I don’t even know have phoned me and offered prayers. Old friends have come to the support of my extended family, and just astounded all of us with their generosity. I want everyone to know that although I realize that my survival is the miracle that is reality, the ultimate purpose of this whole thing is that God wants you all to know that he hears your prayers and has the power to answer. If any of you ever wondered if he was listening, remember what happened with me. Be assured that He is continuing to work on me, and I hope that He is working through me as well.

The manhunt continues, but has moved across the state line into Mississippi. People are beginning to tire of the constant stress, but please stay alert. Day 14 would be a good day for all this to end for innocent residents of the area.

Thought for the Day: God is bigger than your problems

The following incident is reported to have been published by Associated Press a while back:

In Arkansas, a lady named Linda went to visit her in-laws, and while there, went to a store. She parked next to a car with a woman sitting in it, her eyes closed and hands behind her head, apparently sleeping.

When Linda came out a while later, she again saw the woman, her hands still behind her head but with her eyes open. The woman looked very strange, so Linda tapped on the window and said “Are you okay?”

The woman answered “I’ve been shot in the head, and I am holding my brain in.”

Linda did not know what to do, so she ran into the store, where store officials called the paramedics. They had to break into the car because the door was locked. When they got in, they found that the woman had bread dough on the back of her head and in her hands. A Pillsbury biscuit canister had exploded, apparently from the heat in the car, making a loud explosion like that of a gunshot, and hit her in the head. When she reached back to find what it was, she felt the dough and thought it was her brain. She passed out from fright at first, then attempted to hold her brains in.

They took her to a local hospital, where they treated her, shampooed her hair, and released her.

Sometimes things aren’t nearly as bad as they may seem at the time. Remember back during your dating days, when that special someone broke up with you, it seemed to be the end of the world. Life just wasn’t worth living anymore! But, in time, you came to realize it wasn’t the major disaster you initially thought it was.

I think we do that a lot as we grow up. I don’t mean to trivialize true tragedies we face, but often when things go wrong, our first reaction is to panic and think our world is coming to an end.

When the spies returned from the land of Canaan and told about the “giants” they encountered, the Israelites’ reaction was, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness!” (Numbers 14:2)

Only two spies took the attitude, “Our problem is big, but our God is bigger. Things aren’t nearly as bad as they seem.” “Do not be terrified, or afraid of them. The Lord your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you….” (Deuteronomy 1:29-30)

Whatever problem you may be facing today, may you do so with the knowledge that however big it may be, our God is even bigger!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Waiting to see how God is going to show himself today!

Anna Lee

Tuesday Evening

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly

as you teach and admonish one another

with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit,

singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

~Colossians 3:16 (NIV)~

From Ashley Raborn

Please keep Sammy Ott in your prayers. They are at MD Anderson this week trying a new drug that will help stabilize his platelet count. They will also perform a bone marrow test. Your prayers are greatly appreciated.

Pray for Leroy Wilkinson of Amite. He fell Sunday requiring stitches and leaving bruises. He is Momma’s first cousin and was missed today.

Gwen Harper Pedalahole is so much better that she is now at home. Thank-you for praying for this young mother who was so critically sick.

KaLeigh Powers of Kentwood has had her appointment postponed. Pray for the family as they deal with this delay and understanding what is happening with KaLeigh.

Ora Lee Wilson’s sister-in-law is dealing with spreading cancer. Pray for the family as they learn more about her situation.

Today, we celebrated Momma’s life. It was a good day of memories. Each person who came to the funeral home and/or the cemetery brought memories of different connections to Momma and/or to our immediate family. Thank all of you who came, prepared food for us, or send messages. We feel so loved! You helped make today a very special memory for us. We feel so very blessed!

Joel Benson Foster
(January 6, 1936 – October 23, 2011)

A resident of Kentwood, he died at 6:22 p.m. on Sunday, October 23, 2011 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond. He was born January 6, 1936 in Kentwood and was 75 years of age. He was a U. S. Army Veteran of the Korean War. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 10 a.m. until religious services at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26, 2011. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood. He is survived by daughter, Pennie Gross and her husband, Dale, Clinton; 2 sons, Joey Foster and his wife, Debbie, Amite and Dae Dae Foster, Kentwood; 4 grandchildren, Colby Dale Gross, Micah Joel Gross, Nicholas Reed Gross and Keri Newman and her husband, John; 2 great-grandchildren, Jayden and Bella Newman; step-daughter, Dee Gee Young and her husband, David, McComb, MS; 2 step-sons, David Connely and his wife, Missy, Albany and Chris Garraway and his wife, Sierra, Hammond; 2 step-grandchildren, Breanna and McKenzie Garraway, Rodney Lange, Jr. and Lindsey Bridges; 1 step-great-grandchild, Bentley Bridges. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Connely Foster; parents, Amos and Velma Westmoreland Foster; step-great-grandchild, Jayden Lange.

Thought for the Day: The gold box

The following article comes to me author unknown:

“We often learn the most from our children. Some time ago a friend of mine punished his 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight, and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate a box to put under the tree. Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, ‘This is for you, Daddy.’

“He was embarrassed by his earlier over-reaction, but his anger flared again when he found that the box was empty. He yelled at her, ‘Don’t you know that when you give someone a present, there’s supposed to be something inside of it?’ The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said, ‘Oh Daddy, it’s not empty. I blew kisses into the box. All for you, Daddy.’

“The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little girl, and he begged her forgiveness. My friend told me that he kept that gold box by his bed for years. Whenever he was discouraged, he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there. In a very real sense, each of us as parents has been given a gold container filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children. There is no more precious possession anyone could hold.”

I cringe when I think of the times I have done something similar. Between all the fussing and the disciplining, I sometimes need to stop and remember what a treasure my children are (all three of them!), and how thankful I am to God for blessing me through them.

“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is His reward.” (Psalm 127:3)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

How are you doing with your “gold box”?

Anna Lee

Monday

“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 (LB)

Maggie Lee Henson: Doing Good for Others

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

Jadon’s Story: Surgery Update

Alot has been going on since my last post. First, I’m still having seizures and I’m on my full dose of vigabatrin. We did start another medicine. We put me back on banzel. Banzel is the only other medicine besides vigabatrin that has helped me. We thought maybe the two together would help. Well it has help and we actually have more control of my seizures than ever before. I’m having about 60 a day and they are not intense at all. It’s very hard to know if I’m having one or not. Though we are excited about this its still not acceptable to have 60 seizures a day. So my mommy has been calling doctors and talking to them about the surgery. She even talk to a mommy whoes child had the surgery. If you look at the end of the post you will see the questions that my mommy ask Dr. Chugani and the answers he sent. She emailed him at 3:30 one afternoon and he emailed back by 7:00 that night. He is awesome. We do believe that God has sent us to him. When we first started looking for doctors to see my mommy and daddy looked in to going to see him or this doctor in Boston. We went with the doctor in Boston. We were in the hospital and actually met a different neurologist than the one we went to see. We liked him so much that we stuck with him and not the other. And would you know a year later he referred us to Dr. Chugani. That is why we believe it was meant for us to see Dr. Chugani. Of all the neurologist out there, there is no way this is just coincidence. It is definitely a God thing. So what is the plan. We have decided to go ahead and schedule the surgery. We will have our final date by Wednesday of this week. It is looking like it will be sometime in December or January. We will then make a trip to Detroit to update my MRI and to see the neurosurgeon who will be doing the surgery. We could do this the day before the surgery but we need time to discuss our questions and think about them. My mommy and daddy will think, pray, and get lots of opinions before they let anyone cut into my brain. We also talked to our neurologist in Boston. He said that no idea of Dr. Chugani’s is a bad one. This made us feel a little better. He also said that Boston is doing a research study that can tell how much of the motor function has transferred to the right side. They use a machine to put next to the hemisphere. The machine cause the muscles on that side of the hemisphere to move. If both of my arms and legs move we will know if it has transferred. We are in the process of trying to get into this study. We would feel much better about the surgery if we can get this test done. It amazes me the test they can do these days. I’m asking you to pray harder than you ever had for me. I can’t tell you how difficult of a decision this is for my family. We are praying and trusting that God will continue to lead us in the direction He wants us to go. I want all of you to know that we are planning my surgery and doing all the prep work but we may not do the surgery. Everything has to fall into place and we have to feel 100% that this is what God wants us to do. That is why we are asking for prayers, prayers, and more prayers. Thanks for all that you do for me and my family. I love you all and here are the notes from Dr. Chugani: SEE ANSWERS BELOW > Dr. Chugani, > > We recently came to Detroit to see you. My son’s name in Jadon Pailet. > We started Sabril the day after we left your office. It has helped but we > are still seeing about 80 seizures a day. With that said the seizures are > not as intense as they were before Sabril. Since they are not as intense, > Jadon has learned 4 new animal sounds and is crawling a little bit. I > know > the next step is surgery but I have a couple of questions. > 1. I’m worried about him regressing after surgery. My husband and I have > been researching and it seems most children are worse off than Jadon when > the surgery is done. What is the likelihood that he will be worse after > surgery than he is now? RARE TO BE WORSE AFTER SURGERY. IF SEIZURES CONTINUE, SOONER OR LATER IT WILL TAKE A TOLL ON THE BRAIN > 2. I read an article about brain surgery which said you can actually numb > the hemosphere and then check for speech, memory, and motor. Is this part > of the procedure that ya’ll do? THE GRID ELECTRODES THAT WE PUT WILL CHECK FOR VITAL FUNCTIONS SUCH AS MOTOR. THE OTHERS ARE NOT AN ISSUE AT THIS AGE > 3. When are we looking at doing the surgery? WORK THAT OUT WITH SARAH > 4. What part of the brain are we talking about removing? The entire left > hemisphere or only the 4 parts that did not form correctly? I know we are > not going to touch the motor cortex unless necessary. WHAT IS REMOVED DEPENDS ON WHAT THE GRID EEG SHOWS > 5. This is not a surgery question but just wanted to ask. Jadon was > on Banzel. The banzel helped but didn’t control the seizures. We took > him > off banzel because we thought it was causing the other medicine not to > work. My question is does banzel work well with Sabril? I’m just > thinking > maybe we can get some more control if we put him back on the banzel. THE 2 CAN BE USED TOGETHER. TRY IT IF YOU THINK IT MAY HELP. HAVE WE MAXIMIZED THE SABRIL DOSE? HOW MUCH IS HE TAKING AND HOW MUCH DOES HE WEIGH?

Chloe Neyland will be seeing a doctor today to see if she is in good enough health to have the holes in her heart repaired Wednesday. Pray for all involved in the decision making process.

Early yesterday afternoon, my sister Julie told me it was a good day for Momma to go to heaven. I agreed. Then, Julie smiled and told me it was the 29th anniversary of her son’s death. Aaron is Momma’s only descendent that has passed away. I think the timing of Momma’s death yesterday was very appropriate.

Thought for the Day: Giving with love

The following story is told in “The Best of Bits and Pieces”:Robert De Vincenzo, the great Argentine golfer, once won a tournament and, after receiving the check and smiling for the cameras, he went to the clubhouse and prepared to leave. Some time later, he walked alone to his car in the parking lot and was approached by a young woman. She congratulated him on his victory and then told him that her child was seriously ill and near death. She did not know how she could pay the doctor’s bills and hospital expenses.

De Vincenzo was touched by her story, and he took out a pen and endorsed his winning check for payment to the woman. “Make some good days for the baby,” he said as he pressed the check into her hand.

The next week he was having lunch in a country club when a Professional Golf Association official came to his table. “Some of the boys in the parking lot last week told me you met a young woman there after you won that tournament.” De Vincenzo nodded.

“Well,” said the official, “I have news for you. She’s a phony. She has no sick baby. She’s not even married. She fleeced you, my friend.”

“You mean there is no baby who is dying?” said De Vincenzo.

“That’s right,” said the official.

“That’s the best news I’ve heard all week,” De Vincenzo said.

Wow! What a beautiful spirit! I wish I could say that I would have reacted the same way, but I know that I would not have. I would have struggled with feelings of resentment. I would have said, “See if I try to help anyone else again!”

De Vincenzo’s attitude is reminiscent of the spirit that God has shown toward us. Despite mankind taking God’s goodness for granted, despite our repeated failures, God was willing to give not just a token amount, but the ultimate sacrifice of His Son. He did so, not reluctantly or with resentment, but willingly and gladly, knowing that while most would only show disdain for his gift, some would respond in obedience motivated by faith and love.

“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 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 toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8)

May the realization of what God has given motivate you to respond to him, and to reach out to others, with the same kind of love.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Today is a good day to ….

Anna Lee

Sunday

A generous man will prosper

and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

~Proverbs 11:25 (NIV)~

Sherry Simpson did well in her surgery. Let’s pray for Sherry as she had several appointments in the coming weeks and as she waits to see if the surgery was helpful.

Wendel Rhodus will be preaching this morning at Osyka. Give him soms prayer support whether you attend the service or not.

Thought for the Day: What can I do for you?

It had been a hard winter in the Appalachian area. The snow had piled up

deeper and deeper, the mercury dropped, rivers froze, people suffered.

The Red Cross used helicopters to fly in supplies.

One crew had been working day after day -- long hours. They were on their

way home late in the afternoon when they saw a little cabin submerged in

the snow. There was a thin whisper of smoke coming from the chimney. The

rescue team figured they were probably about out of food, fuel, perhaps

medicine.

Because of the trees, they had to put the helicopter down a mile away. They

put on heavy packs with emergency supplies, trudged through heavy snow,

 waist deep, reached the cabin exhausted, panting, perspiring. They pounded

 on the door. A thin, gaunt mountain woman opened the door and the lead man

gasped, "We're from the Red Cross."

She was silent for a moment and then she said, "It's been a hard winter,

Sonny, I just don't think we can give anything this year."

I don't think the story is true, but it certainly could be. I am convinced

that there are two kinds of people -- givers and takers. And even in dire

times, those who are givers are always thinking about "What can I do for

you?" rather than "What can you do for me?"

Statistically speaking, the group which gives the greatest percentage of

their money to charity every year is the group of people with the lowest

income.

There may be several different reasons for that, but truth of the matter is

(and this is true among Christians as well), the more we have, the greater

is our tendency to hold tight to it. What a great example the Macedonians

are to us:

"...in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep

poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality." (2 Cor. 8:2).

Did you notice that? The group of Christians that Paul held up as an example

of generous giving to those in need were themselves in "deep poverty". Yet

they gave so much that Paul was reluctant to receive the money, until they

implored him "with much urgency" to take their gift.

I look at my own life and see that there are many times when I'm reluctant

to give to others, not because it might affect providing for my needs, but

because it might affect me having the things I want. Like everyone else,

I'm tempted to look out for "number one" and I want to know what you can do

for me. But, considering the example of Christ, Paul said:

"Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the

interests of others." (Phil.2:4)

"Father, please forgive me. Help me to develop a heart of selflessness and

love for others that constantly seeks to find ways to bless those around me.

In Jesus' name, amen."

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Have a meaningful Lord's Day!

Anna Lee