Category: Devotional

Monday

“Some men brought to Jesus a paralytic friend, lying on a mat.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man,

‘Take heart, son! Your sins are forgiven.’”

~Matthew 9:2~

Post by Betty Taylor

Thank you lord for taking care of us and bring us home safely from the hospital. Thank you for all you do. Andy rested his first night home. Still has pain. Has to sleep in recliner.but we can do that. Recovery will be slow and long. But we can do that. With GOD’S help.continue to pray for us, for his healing and my strength so I can take care of him. Again thank you for all your prayers.

Set Your Mind on Things Above

Here are some tips on the subject of aviation:

* Takeoffs are optional. Landings are mandatory.

* If you push the stick forward, the houses get bigger. If you pull the
stick back they get smaller. (unless you keep pulling the stick back
— then they get bigger again)

* Flying is not dangerous; crashing is dangerous.

* The propeller is just a big fan in the front of the plane to keep the
pilot cool. Want proof? Make it stop; then watch the pilot break out
into a sweat.

* It’s best to keep the pointed end going forward as much as possible.

* Every one already knows the definition of a “good landing” is one from
which you can walk away. But very few know the definition of a “great
landing.” It’s one after which you can use the airplane another time.

* The probability of survival is equal to the angle of arrival.

* Those who hoot with the owls by night should not fly with the eagles by
day.

* A helicopter is a collection of rotating parts going round and round and
reciprocating parts going up and down — all of them trying to become
random in motion. Helicopters can’t really fly — they’re just so ugly
that the earth immediately repels them.

* Trust your captain . . . . but keep your seat belt securely fastened.

* There are three simple rules for making a smooth landing:
Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.

* A fool and his money are soon flying more airplane than he can handle.

* Try to keep the number of your landings equal to the number of your
takeoffs.

* Gravity never loses! The best you can hope for is a draw.

* It’s better to be down here wishing you were up there, than up there
wishing you were down here.

Several of these tips lend themselves to spiritual application, but the one that jumped out at me was that last one. How much better it is to be on this earth with a mind set on “things above”, than to be anywhere with a mind set on “things below”!

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4)

Because we are surrounded by a world which we can see, it is easy to keep our eyes focused solely on that world. We will never grow as Christians, though, until we set our sights higher. Wherever your mind has been this morning, may this serve as a gentle reminder to set it on “things above”.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Boone Church of Christ
Boone, North Carolina

 

 

Alan Smith’s devotionals always make me think.  This one is no different. Have a wonderful Monday!

Anna Lee

Sunday

 

“Let us examine our ways and test them,

and let us return to the Lord.”

~Lamentations 3:40 NIV~

 

Lay Renewal

The Lay Renewal will continue this morning at FBC, Kentwood and will conclude with tonight’s service.

Bill and Randy Conleay

Please keep Randy Conleay in your prayers tomorrow morning. He will be having surgery on his back to try and remove some of the pieces that are pressing on the spinal cord. Hopefully, this will increase feeling in the lower body that is paralyzed. Bill remains about the same. He is still in ICU at North Oaks while Randy is in ICU at OLOL.

Dr. Danny Smith

Spring Creek Baptist Church will be celebrating Bro. Danny’s 20th anniversary as pastor today.  They will have Sunday School, 11:00 worship, and dinner on the grounds.  You are invited to attend.

Momma

Pray for my family, especially Momma, as we move her to North Oaks Rehab today.  Pray for a smooth transition.

Thought for the Day: The Brevity of Life by Alan Smith

The court jester was overcome with grief. His world was at an end! For a long time he had served the Caliph at Baghdad and his court, keeping them amused whenever they called upon him. But in a moment of thoughtlessness he had displeased his ruler who had ordered that he be put to death.

“However,” said the Caliph, “in consideration of the merry jests you’ve told me all these years, I will let you choose how you are to die.”

“O most generous Caliph,” replied the jester, “if it’s all the same to you, I choose death by old age!”

I suppose, if given a choice, that’s the choice all of us would make. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately), though, that choice is not ours to make. We know (all too well) the fragile nature of life. And perhaps it is for the best. If we were guaranteed 90 years on this earth, we would be mighty tempted to wait until the last year or so to get serious about God (just like putting off those term papers in college!). With a realization of the uncertainty of life, we recognize the need to be prepared at all times.

“LORD, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor.” (Psa. 39:4-5).

May you be prepared for the joys that await when this life is over!

–Alan

Have a great “Sonday”!

Anna Lee

Saturday

“When life is heavy and hard to take,

go off by yourself.

Enter the silence.

Bow in prayer.

Don’t ask questions.

Wait for hope to appear.”

~Lamentations 3:28-29 MSG~

Mr. Bill Conleay is still in ICU at North Oaks.  Please continue to pray for him and his family.

Pray for Andy Taylor’s doctors as they determine whether or not he is well enough to come home today.

CaringBridge:CallieCole

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

I trust you will take some time to read the articles that appeal to you on Baptist Press.

http://www.bpnews.net/

Lay Renewal continues today at FBC, Kentwood.

Death Notice Update

Douglas E. Langlois was born March 10, 1942 and passed away at 11:32 a.m., Thursday, August 18, 2011 at Lakeview Regional Medical Center, Covington. He was 69, a native of Woodside and a resident of Independence.

He served our country in the US Army during the Korean Conflict.

 Mr. Douglas is survived by a brother, Ronald D. Langlois and wife Dorris, Erin, TN; 3 sisters, Shirley M. Murphy, Dayton, OH, Linda Kennon, Roseland & Judy Carrier and husband Steve, Abita Springs. brother-in-law & sister-in-law, Jack and Betty Clement, Independence

 Preceded in death by his parents, Johnny and Gladys Langlois; wife, Fedora “FiFi” Clement Langlois; son, Douglas “Dougie” Langlois; 3 brothers, John H. Langlois, Jewel R. Langlois & Bobby “Cookie” Langlois; 2 sisters, Doris Dubroc and Betty Venterella.

 Visitation at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Monday ,August 22, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Worship Services at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home Chapel With Rev .Marshall Wallace officiating. Interment in Lawrence Cemetery, Independence.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home is located at I-55N (Exit 46) and Hwy 16W next to Hood Chevrolet and behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash, Bond Eye Clinic and Holiday Inn Express.

I hope you are reading and enjoying the devotionals written by Holley Gerth.  I am.  Here is another one.

Anna Lee

 

Heart to Heart with Holley

Over fear into joy…

Rollercoaster photo by theerawat

I’m a child at an amusement park. The smell of cotton candy swirls around me. The laughter of other children is like a song in the air. The world is in motion and I stand completely still.

I’m staring at a rollercoaster.

Then I hear a voice beside me, “I’ll go with you.”

It’s my Daddy.

He slips his hand into mine.

We wait in line. I fidget. Run my fingers along the red, hard bars that lead us to the rollercoaster.

Then it’s time.

Up the first hill I hear that noise “click, click”all the way to the top.

I wonder if I’ve made a mistake.

I wish I could get off.

I grip the safety bar in front, knuckles flushed white with fear.

But then I look at my Daddy next to me.

The whole way to the top I say over and over something like, “It’s going to be okay. It’s going to be okay.”

He smiles.

And it is okay.

I’m more than fine when we get off.

I ride the rollercoaster again.

Then another.

And another.

Fear gives way to joy, to freedom, to the wind in my hair and the sun on my face.

As I drove last week, the “click, click” of worry in my mind, that exact memory rushed back to me, followed by this promise from my Heavenly Father…

Do not fear, for I am with you. Isaiah 41:10

Our security comes from the One who is with us.

The One who has promised not to leave us.

The One who has told us that whatever is ahead will somehow be worked out for good.

By the end of the last rollercoaster that day, I was raising my arms high until it seemed I could touch the pink and purple sky.

I pull into home and suddenly realize my heart doing the same.

written with love for you by holley

 

 

 

Thursday

Carry each other’s burdens,

and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

If anyone thinks they are something when they are not,

they deceive themselves.

Each one should test their own actions.

Then they can take pride in themselves alone,

without comparing themselves to someone else,

for each one should carry their own load.

~Galatians 6:2-5~

CaringBridge:LoganWatts

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

Mrs. “Bill” Hughes is in North Oaks.  Please pray for this sweet lady.

Heart to Heart with Holley

In God’s heart I am…accepted

Posted: 17 Aug 2011 07:16 AM PDT

Hey you,

the one wondering if you’re enough,

if you’d be loved if anyone really knew you—

turn your heart this way for a moment,

then lean in and listen close…

Acceptance?

You’ve got it.

You don’t have to look any further

than the hands of the One who made you,

the heart of the One who loves you.

You’re welcomed, held,

cherished just as you are

and encouraged to grow

into all you’ll become.

So hold your heart and head high;

look the world in the eyes and say…

“I’m His. I’m loved.

I’m already accepted today.”

–excerpt from God’s Heart for You, Embracing Your True Worth as a Woman by Holley Gerth {available as a book or ebook}

 

Lay Renewal begins tomorrow night at FBC, Kentwood.  Call the church office for more information.

We we have our monthly Third Thursday meeting at the cabin tonight.  You are invited to join us at 6:30 for food, fellowship, a devotional, and prayer.

 

Have a great day!

Anna Lee

 

Have a great day!  Continue to pray for those we have been praying for.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“Bear one another’s burdens,

and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

~Galatians 6:2~

 

Tripp Roth

http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/

 

 

From Becky C. Lindsey

Please add Bill Conleay and his family to the prayer list. He is in North Oaks in ICU.

 

Pray for me as I have some dental work done today and my family as we make decisions this week about Momma’s care when she is released from the hospital Saturday.

 

Pray for our military as they serve around the world to protect freedoms and rights.

 

Pray for politicians on the local, state, national, and world level.  Pray they will put God first and politics somewhere later in their list of priorities.

 

Weekly Prayer Highlights (SBC)

August 17, 2011

* Praise Lord for making Himself known to a small group of women involved in a church plant in easternHungary!

* Pray for the salvation of a couple in Portugal who stayed after dinner for two hours for an eager discussion about faith, Jesus, and having a relationship with God.

* Thank the Lord that more than 60 radios were distributed in 20 market towns in China so that the Iron Pea people could hear the Good News; word has come that so far, 34 have put their faith in Jesus Christ!

* Pray that people in Japan will come to know the One who is called the Wonderful Counselor as “heart care” specialists listen and offer solid life advice and hope.

 

 

Heart to Heart with Holley: Finish your ride…

Last week I wrote about climbing the impossible. And as I set out on my bike last Sunday, I felt sure no hill could stand in my way.

And then.

As I tackled the last steep incline, I felt a pop beneath me and skidded to a halt miles away from home in the blazing summer sun. I spotted a police car parked a few yards away. Timidly, I approached the vehicle and cleared my throat.

“Can I use your cell phone?” 

The phone rang without an answer. The policeman looked at my bike quizically and asked, “Think it will fit in the back seat?” I shrugged my shoulders, “Worth a try.”

We wedged that bike into the back like a sardine. The policeman cleared the passenger seat, pointed to it and said, “I usually don’t let people ride up here.”

I nodded and slipped in the door.  I tried to reassure him that I was not, in fact, an intimidating traveling partner. “I’ve never been in a police car before!” I declared.“That’s a good thing,” he responded sternly. I noted he drove above the speed limit–probably because I smelled so bad.

As we pulled up in front of my house, my wide-eyed husband came to the front of the garage and looked at me as if to ask, “What did you do now?” 

We popped my bike out of the back seat and I was home. The policeman answered my thanks with a single sentence, “Have a nice day, ma’am.”

Safe on my sofa, I reflected on the difference between last week’s ride and this one. Sometimes we do climb the impossible. We push through and realize we’re stronger than we ever knew. And sometimes God, in His loving care, makes a way for us to be carried instead just when we need it most.

Either way, He promises we’ll finish the ride.

Either way, we get Home.

And, in the end, that’s really all that matters.

 

God loves us enough to carry us through the difficult times in our lives.  I’m so thankful for that and know you are too!

Anna Lee

Sunday

 WEIGHED DOWN

A few stupid criminal stories:

One man robbed a liquor store at gunpoint and demanded all of the cash from the register. He then asked for some liquor, but the cashier declined saying that he didn’t look 21. The robber again demanded, but the cashier declined saying that he could not give liquor to anyone under 21.  The stupid criminal proceeded to show the cashier his driver’s license to prove he was 21!  The cashier took down his information, gave the robber his liquor, and called the police when he left. The robber was arrested AT HIS HOME later that evening.

Another guy was in a verbal lineup (where you have to say something to see if the victim can identify you by voice). He was told to say “Give me your money or I’ll shoot you”, and he refused to do it. When asked why by the detective, he said “Because that’s not what I said”!

David Posman 33, was arrested in Providence, R.I, after allegedly knocking out an armored car driver and stealing the closest four bags of money. It turned out they contained $800 in PENNIES, weighed 30 pounds each, and slowed him to a stagger during his getaway so that police officers easily jumped him from behind.

David Posman is not the first person to make the mistake of trying to run while being weighed down.  In fact, it happens spiritually all the time. The Hebrew writer talks about sin being a weight that keeps us from effectively running the Christian race.  We can get bogged down with things that pull us away from God.  And, by the way, as with Posman, those things that are weighing us down are not worth nearly as much as we thought they were when we grabbed hold of them.

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1)

Anything weighing you down?  May you lay it aside as you run the Christian race today.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

 

I hope you “got the point” of that devotional.  Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Thursday

“Now he who plants and he who waters are one,

and each one will receive his own reward

according to his own labor.

For we are God’s fellow workers.”

~1 Corinthians 3:8-9a~

Terry Bankston was rushed to Tulane Hospital over the weekend for surgery.  He will have addition surgery Saturday and possibly several more times.  Pray for his family as they are so concerned about him.  I would guess Terry is in his 40’s.

Momma was much better yesterday.  Thanks for all the prayers and calls.

Pray for the Lay Renewal at FBC, Kentwood.  It will be the weekend of August 19 – 21.

Alan Smith’s Thought for the Day

Being Prepared 
Earthquakes can strike without warning, and being prepared for such a
 disaster can mean the difference between life and death. Here are some 
tips someone has offered to help you and your loved ones make it through 
a quake:

~ Those living in areas not prone to earthquakes can respond quickly to 
the plight of disaster victims in quake zones by complacently smirking 
and saying, "I told you so."

~ To minimize loss and damage in a quake, try not to own things.

~ Practice your burrowing-out-from-under-40-tons-of-rubble skills ahead 
of time.

~ Look out your window often. If you see a large, zig-zag-shaped crevasse 
moving rapidly from the horizon toward your home, step either to the right 
or the left.

~ For those who fear earthquakes, it may comfort you to know that a 
majority of the damage during the 1906 San Francisco earthquake did not 
come from the tremors themselves. Instead, it was from the raging, 
out-of-control fires that consumed most of the city.

~ A doorway is the safest place to be during a quake. Eat, sleep, and work 
in doorways.

~ Be sure to mail your house-insurance payments a full five business days 
before a major earthquake strikes.

~ If you are caught in a major earthquake in Southern California and are part of the entertainment industry, take a moment or two to reflect on how grossly you've wasted your life.

As several of the suggestions above point out (with tongue firmly in cheek!), the problem with an earthquake is its unpredictability.
A few months ago, Hurricane Ike devastated the Galveston area, but there 
was at least warning for several days that danger was coming. With an 
earthquake, there is none -- it simply strikes!

Jesus described his second coming as an event like that. He used terminology
like "a thief in the night" to describe the unexpectedness of the moment. 
His purpose in using that image was not to suggest that he is coming to 
steal something. Rather, he is coming at a time when we least expect it. 
And the only way to be ready for that moment (just as with an earthquake) 
is to stay prepared all the time.

"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The skies will disappear 
with a loud noise. Everything in them will be destroyed by fire, and the
 earth and everything in it will be burned up. In that way everything will
 be destroyed. So what kind of people should you be?
You should live holy lives and serve God, as you wait for and look forward 
to the coming of the day of God." (I Peter 3:10-12a, NCV).

My prayer is that you will be prepared so that you, too, can truly "look 
forward" to that day (whenever it may be!).

Have a great day!

Alan Smith


Thanks for reading and praying today.
Anna Lee

Saturday

“I saw all the people who were mistreated here on earth.

I saw their tears

and that they had no one to comfort them.” 

~Ecclesiastes 4:1 (NCV)~

Jadon’s Story:Finally some results for you!!

Posted: 05 Aug 2011 01:55 PM PDT

Sorry it took so long but my trip to Boston was not a fun one at all. I did great on the plane ride and slept great in the hotel room. The next day is when it started. I arrived at the hospital at 12:00 for a 1:00 admission. Since we were early mommy took me to the cafe to eat. We went back to the admissions office at 12:45. They didn’t take me to my hospital room until 3:00. When I got to the floor they said my room wasn’t ready. They put us in a holding room until about 4:30. While I was in the holding room they came and got me to put my leads on. I always hate it but I gave them a hard time. I screamed the entire 30 minutes. It was awful. I kept looking at mommy to help but all she could do is lay next to me and hold my hands. As soon as I was done I started pulling at my head. They said that most kids forget about it after a while. Well I didn’t forget. I kept pulling at it the entire time I was there. I did get the hat off at one point but they came and put it right back on. This made me really mad. Once we got settled in the room, I fell asleep. I was worn out from all the fighting and crying I did. Things were finally a little better and then they came in for my IV. It was 11:15 at night and I was extremely tired. I don’t know why they waited so late but they did. So I started kicking and screaming again. They had to get a blanket and wrap me up so I couldn’t fight them. By this point mommy and I were both crying. We tried to sleep that night but we didn’t sleep much. The next day was suppose to be my PET scan at 8:00 am. Well I was having so many seizures that they decided at 11:30 that they couldn’t do the scan. Did I mention I couldn’t eat during this time and it was all for nothing. They let me eat and they said we would try the test the following day but not until 1. So the plan was to wake me up early, keep me awake, give me ativan, and let me sleep for two hours then do the PET. Well they woke me up way to early that morning, and I gave my mommy fits all day. I was tired and hungry and couldn’t do either so I was just mad. They finally let me go to sleep. I slept about 30 minutes and they gave me the ativan. And would you know 30 minutes later I was wide awake having seizure after seizure after seizure. They decided to go ahead and do the PET. They would just have to read the results differently. Now the results part. The on call doctor told us some horrible things that I’m not even going to share because they were untrue. All it did was make my mommy cry. When my neurologist came in and explained things mommy felt much better. He said that my EEG didn’t look much different than October. It actually looked a little better because in October I was having over 200 a day. This time I was having about 100 a day. He said the seizures are coming from the left side. They still can not identify a focal spot but they are left sided. I did have 3 from the right side in a 48 hour time. Not the news we wanted but that’s very few considering the time frame. They are not sure exactly what type of seizure I’m having. According to the EEG it looks like tonic but tonic seizures usually last longer than my 1 second seizures. They are saying its probably more like myoclonic jerks because they are so short. Either way it doesn’t matter. I’m having way to many seizure a day. The PET scan did not show anything abnormal. We pretty much expected this because we couldn’t get the test run like we wanted. So what now. We are going to repeat the MRI and 48 hour EEG again next summer. In the meantime we are being referred to a neurologist in Detroit. The neurologist in Boston said that this doctor is the best for children like Jadon. He said that he can do a different kind of PET scan on Jadon that Boston can not do. He said that if anybody can help him it would be this doctor. My mommy already knew about this doctor when he said his name so we knew right away we wanted to go. So we will be traveling to Detroit sometime soon. Everything about me is so rare and different. We are praying that this doctor will be able to help me. Overall the doctors in Boston were impressed with how well I had developed since they saw me last. According to my EEG and the frequency of my seizures I really should not be doing as well as I am. So God is definitely answering our prayers.

 

CaringBridge:LoganWatts

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

 

My brother-in-law, Donnie Eudy, is doing well following his foot surgery.  Thanks for praying for him

 

My son-in-law, Boyd, has had his medical tests and sees the doctor Monday for results and plans for treatment.  Thanks to the staff of FBC, New Orleans for transporting him to and from his appointments this week.

Mrs. Buel Strickland passed away.  Please pray for her family and friends.

 

Clifton Conerly
(October 3, 1943 – August 5, 2011)

Clifton Conerly was born on October 3, 1943 and passed away at 6:15 a.m., Friday, August 5, 2011 at his residence. He was 67 and a resident of Amite.

Arrangements will be added Saturday, August 6, 2011 after 12 Noon.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N and Hwy 16W (Exit 46) next to Hood Automotive and behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash and Holiday Inn Express.

 

Are You starting to Forget?
There’s a beautiful story about a little boy who couldn’t wait for his new baby sister to come home from the hospital. He couldn’t wait to be near her, to talk to her. But his parents didn’t want him to be left alone with her. After all he was only four years old, so they wanted to supervise his visits. He kept begging to be alone with her, so one night his parents finally relented. The boy tiptoed into her room, stood next to his sister’s crib and said: “Tell me about God – I’m starting to forget.”

There are times when we as adults get so caught up in the “rat race” and all of our responsibilities. Perhaps we need to go to the children around us and say, “Tell me about God — I’m starting to forget.”

There are weeks when we’ve been dealing with irate customers and heavy traffic. We need to fellowship with the saints and worship God together because “I’m starting to forget.”

There are weeks when we’ve had to focus on crying babies, the paying of bills and doctors’ appointments. We need the reminder of the Lord’s Supper to see God’s love and grace because “I’m starting to forget.”

There are days when we’re so caught up in deadlines at work and getting the kids to soccer practice, days when we need to slow down a bit and spend time with God in prayer because “I’m starting to forget.”

“Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life.” (Deuteronomy 4:9)

Are you starting to forget? Ask someone to tell you about God once more.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

 

 

Have a great day!

Anna Lee 

Friday

“If I speak the languages of men and of angels,

but do not have love,

I am a sounding gong or a clanging cymbal.”

~1 Corinthians 13:1, HCSB~

 

 

My Georgia grandchildren complete two weeks of school today.  They are on a quarter system which gives them a week off after each quarter.  Pray for all the students who have started or will start school soon.  Pray for the teachers, administrators, and support staff in each school.

 

Jadon’s Story: Poem

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 06:20 PM PDT

My mommy is part of an online support group of families that have IS like me. Someone posted this today and she wanted me to share it. She said I’m such a blessing to my family. She just wishes she could get some relief for me from these seizures so I don’t have to suffer. I promise I will update my page with the information from Boston. My neurologist is going to call us tomorrow with the final results and plan. Thanks for praying for me and enjoy the poem.

A Special Child

You weren’t like other children,
And God was well aware,
You’d need a caring family,
With love enough to share.

And so He sent you to us,
And much to our surprise,
You haven’t been a challenge,
But a blessing in disguise.
Your winning smiles and laughter,
The pleasures you impart,
Far outweigh your special needs,
And melt the coldest heart.
We’re proud that we’ve been chosen,
To help you learn and grow,
The job that you have brought us,
Is more than you can know.
A precious gift from Heaven,
A treasure from above,
A child who’s taught us many things,
But most of all- “Real Love”

 

 

CaringBridge:CallieCole

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

 

Momma has been able to briefly sit in a wheelchair this week.  This is an example of the “baby steps” she is starting to take.  Pray for her as we “walk” along with her on this new journey.

 

  WALKING IN THE LIGHT

A young Marine and his commanding officer board a train headed through the mountains of Switzerland.  They can find no place to sit except for two seats right across the aisle from a young woman and her grandmother.

After a while, it is obvious that the young woman and the young soldier are interested in each because they are giving each other “looks.”  Soon the train passes into a tunnel and it is pitch black. There is a sound of the smack of a kiss followed by the sound of the smack of a slap. When the train emerges from the tunnel, the four sit there without saying a word.

The grandmother is thinking to herself: “It was very brash for that young soldier to kiss my granddaughter, but I’m glad she slapped him.”

The commanding officer is setting there thinking:  “I didn’t think the young Marine was brave enough to kiss the girl, but I sure wish she hadn’t missed him when she slapped and hit me!”

The young woman was sitting and thinking:  “I’m glad the soldier kissed me, but I wish my grandmother had not slapped him!”

The young Marine sat there with a satisfied smile on his face.  He thought to himself:  “Life is good.  When does a fellow have the chance to kiss a beautiful girl and slap his commanding officer all at the same time!”

It is difficult to know exactly what is happening in the dark (as shown by three of the four characters above).  There’s no light by which to gain a proper perspective.  Walking in darkness can be especially dangerous.

It’s not surprising that the apostle John frequently used the images of light and darkness to describe our walk with God.

“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.  If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (I John 1:5-7)

I pray that your walk today may be in the light of God’s love.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

 

 

Thanks for your prayers for these and other needs.  You mean so much to so many.

Anna Lee