Category: Devotional

“His unchanging plan has always been

to adopt us into his own family

by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.

And this gave him great pleasure.”

~Ephesians 1:5 NLT~

Continue to pray for George Eddie Lee as he continues to get better.

Pray for Kayla Schneeweiss as her face continues to improve.  Keep praying until it is “all better”.

Continue to pray for Whitney Kliesch as he continues to recover from his injuries.

Pray for the continued rebuilding of New Orleans after Katrina.  You would hope that everything was back to normal by now, but that’s not the case.  Pray for continuing progress and for others to be influenced by the Christian example they witness as many volunteers still are giving of themselves there.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

THE BEDOUIN TRIBES who live in the desert have a story they tell their children that can teach us a great deal about how we make decisions…

According to the story, there was once a man living in the desert with his family.  He saw a cloud of dust and sand approaching from the horizon and said to himself, “It is a terrible beast coming to eat me and my family!”  As the cloud of dust got closer, he saw that it was actually a man dressed in black on horseback.  He then said to himself, “It is my enemy, coming to take over my well!”  He went to get his rifle to defend himself.  The horseman got closer and the man could now see the rider clearly through the sights of his rifle.  He recognized the rider and said to himself, “No, it is my brother.”

The three lessons of this story are:

1.  What we focus on determines what we believe.

2.  What we believe determines what we expect.

3.  We tend to see what we’re expecting to see.  Daniel R. Castro, “When Heroes Are Between a Rock and a Hard Place,” Critical Choices, 35-36

What are you focusing on?

“There we saw the giants

(the descendants of Anak came from the giants);

and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight,

and so we were in their sight.”

Numbers 13:33

Have a fantastic Monday.  Pray for these and other needs throughout the day.

Anna Lee

Caroline Crouch

We are starting to see some improvements this evening. Caroline is eating a little more and seems to feel better than yesterday. Tomorrow she undergoes a pulmonary test and we pray for good results. Again, your prayers are making all the difference and we can’t thank you enough.Will update again tomorrow.

CaringBridge – Callie Cole

I received a very touching card in the mail.  Thought I’d share.

As you wait upon the Lord,
you learn to see things
from His perspective,
move at His pace,
and function under His directives.

Waiting times are growing times
and learning times.
As you quiet your heart,
you enter His peace…
as you sense your weakness,
you receive His strength…
as you lay down your will,
you hear His calling.

When you mount up,
you are being lifted by
the wind of His Spirit…
when you move ahead,
you are sensitive to His timing…
when you act,
you give yourself only to the things
He has asked you to do.

Isaiah 40:31
-Roy Lessin

Thanks Terry.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/calliecole/journal?jid=5997183

Thanks for praying for these two teenage girls this morning.  Their families will be so very appreciative of your continued prayers for them.

Stacey Scarle

We saw the oncologist today. She thinks Stacey tolerated the chemo very well and that  should not have a problem with the next phase. Stacey will get 4 treatments of taxotere  21/28 days apart depending on her blood count. The Dr. was pleased with the change in plans . . . It appears that the tumor has shrunk but she could not tell how much. All in all a good report . . . Thanks so much for your prayers and support.

As Joanie said, she too is appreciative of your prayers for Stacey.

I cannot imagine what it is like to have a child so sick from illness or injury.  As you pray for Caroline, Callie, and Stacey, please pray for the parents as they walk along on this “journey” with their children.  May they always fine peace and comfort from knowing God is walking along with them and holding out his hand to them to help them find peace and comfort each step of the way.

Today’s devotional – a must read!

http://www.forthright.net/kneemail/2010/03/still_2.html

Keep that devotional thought close to your heart for the tough days.

Anna Lee

And now, dear children,

remain in fellowship with Christ

so that when he returns,

you will be full of courage

and not shrink back from him in shame.

1 John 2:28 (NLT)

Erin Evanoff, daughter of the late Faye Kliesch Evanoff, will be having surgery today in Washington.  Please pray for Erin and her family.

Caroline Crouch‘s family thanks everyone for the prayers.  Caroline was doing a little better yesterday afternoon, but was still very sick.  I’ll post when hear an update this morning.

Mrs. Mary  Womack was able to be back at church last night.  She said she felt better yesterday than she had felt in the last few weeks.  Pray for her as she continues to try to get better.

Pray for Mrs. Judy Liberto and Robbie Lynn Kirby as they face additional surgery soon.

Our Daily Bread Devotion “Older or Better”: http://odb.org/

“Don’t just grow older— grow better as a follower of Jesus.”

Anna Lee

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God,

you will receive what he has promised.

For in just a very little while,

“He who is coming will come and will not delay.”

~Hebrews 10:36-37 (NIV)~

From Debbra Smith

Please say a special prayer for Jamie Wallace who is in North Oaks in ICU..

Whitney Kliesch had a MRI last night.  The results were good.  Thank God for that.  Keep praying.

Gentle Persuation

Stan Mitchell (August 19, 2010)

“Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city” ( Proverbs 16:32, ESV).

One of Aesop’s fables tells of a competition between the rain, the wind and the sun. All three were looking down at a man walking along the road on a cold day, his coat and collar pulled tightly around him.

“Let’s see who can take the man’s coat off,” they said. The rain began, pelting the man with a heavy downpour. But the man simply pulled his coat up higher in an effort to protect himself from the elements.

So the wind began to blow, gusts of wind tearing at the man’s clothes in an effort to blow the coat off. But the man simply pulled the coat around himself tighter.

Then the sun began to shine. The sky was blue, the warmth began to seep into the miserable man’s body, and it comforted him. It took a little time, but inevitably it happened. It was so warm and pleasant that the man took off the coat himself.

Many times we try to dominate others, to demand that they do things our way. Not surprisingly, our kids, our spouses and our churches simply pull their coats tighter, in a defensive posture. There is a saying that honey accomplishes more than vinegar. Sometimes where force fails, patience produces.

When manipulation doesn’t work, warm them with the sunshine of your love.

“Warn them with the sunshine of your love”!

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

“. . . I . . . do not cease to give thanks for you,

making mention of you in my prayers:

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of glory,

may give to you the spirit of wisdom

and revelation in the knowledge of Him.”

~Ephesians 1:16-17~

Gretchen V. Simpson

Yesterday my appointment with the doctor was cancelled, but they told me I could still get my x-ray of my neck done. I just got some good news today, my neck brace is gone. The doctors assistant called me to let me know that my neck was healed. I still have to wear a small machine over my neck for 4 hours a day, for the next 3 months. Thank you for your prayers.

Marty, Gretchen, Micah & Sarabeth Simpson

Mrs. Mary Young was not feeling well yesterday.   Pray for her to get better soon.

Mrs. Mary Womack is home now, but going back for an appointment today.  Pray the doctors can get to the root of her problem.

Mrs. Catherine Yarborough is also seeing doctors and making decisions.  Pray for her and her family as they help her through this time.

Mr. Jimmy Tolar had a heart procedure in Baton Rouge and should be coming home today.  Pray for his recovery in a timely manner.

Do you like Christian fellowship?  Come to the cabin at 6:30 tonight.  You’ll also be fed well and get to participate in a devotional time.

Lessons from Prison

These are some of the frivolous lawsuits filed by convicted prisoners across the United States (which are subsidized by taxpayers).

~ An inmate, calling himself a sports fanatic, complained that, as a result of cruel and unusual punishment, he was forced to miss the NFL playoffs — especially the “classic ” between Miami and San Diego, San Diego and Pittsburgh, and Dallas and San Francisco. (Arkansas)

~ An inmate complained because his meal allegedly was in poor condition. He claims his sandwich was soggy and his cookie was broken. (Brittaker v. Rowland)

~ An inmate who murdered five people sued after lightning knocked out the prison’s TV satellite dish and he had to watch network programs, which he said contained violence, profanity, and other objectionable material. (Jackson v. Barton)

~ An inmate sued to be given Reeboks, Adidas, Pony, or Avia hightops rather than the inferior brand sneakers issued by the prison. (Brown v. Singletary)

~ An inmate sued for not receiving his scheduled parole hearing, though he was out on escape when the hearing was to be held. (Young v. Murphy)

~ An inmate sued because he was required to eat off of a paper plate. (Procup v. Strickland, et al)

~ An inmate sued because he didn’t like his mail being stamped in a way that indicated it was being sent from a state prison (California)

~ An inmate who was a murderer sued for $25,000, claiming a “defective” haircut resulted in lost sleep, headaches, and chest pains. (New York)

We get quite a different picture of a prisoner in the New Testament by the name of Paul. While he wasn’t afraid to demand his rights (Acts 22:25; 25:11), neither was Paul one to whine and complain and mope while in prison (and he hadn’t even committed a crime!). Listen to this positive statement which came from Paul’s pen as he sat in chains:

“Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly….. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice.” (Philippians 1:12-14, 18b).

This passage is an encouragement to me in those times when it seems that life is treating me unfairly. If Paul could maintain such a positive spirit and joy in the midst of such difficulty, surely I can do the same. There is much to be thankful for!

“Father, help me to truly understand that what matters most in life is not being comfortable, being stress-free, or even being treated fairly. What matters most is that I am living in a way that brings you the glory and draws others around me closer to you. Please help me to do that. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Be an encourager to others today!

Anna Lee