Category: Devotional

Wednesday

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our tribulation,

that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble.”

~2 Corinthians 1:3-4a, NKJV~

Thank-you to those who helped to provide or prepare lunch for the BCM (Baptist Collegient Ministries) at SLU today.  The meal will be at Noon.  Thanks to those going to share and to serve the food.  May this ministry be effective in drawing students into the BCM today.  I think a big pot of jambalaya cooking in front of the BCM will draw in a few extra students today.  Pray for Bro. Bucky as he shares God’s word today.

Mr. “Cete” Dillon will have another eye procedure Thursday in Mandeville.  Pray it is successful this time.  “Miss” Ruby is doing very well.  Thank-you for praying for her lately.

Eddie Keith Schwartz will have eye surgery Monday in Covington.  Please be in prayer for him.

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

Baptist Press Stories for Mar. 2, 2010
—————————————
Overlooked aspect of health care bill could fund abortion
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32400
OLYMPICS: ‘The Pin Man’ makes Christ known at Winter Games
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32401
World Cup kicks off in 100 days
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32402
Retirement contributions may rebound
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32403
Retired editor Wm. Fletcher Allen dies
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32404
FIRST-PERSON: Pitchers and catchers report — will Dads?
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32405
FIRST-PERSON: Getting rid of fear of witnessing
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32406

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor
MANY PEOPLE ARE looking for a sign from God…
They want to know for certain that God is there, that he really is who the Bible says he is.  They are willing to  believe in Him, but first they demand some sort of sign.  They say, “God, if you’re really there, show yourself to me!  Then I will believe in you!”
The truth is that God has given a sign.  It is a miraculous sign — the sign of the empty tomb. Jesus of Nazareth, also called Christ, claimed to be God’s Son.  His earthly life ended on a wooden cross outside Jerusalem.  The Bible says that His death paid the penalty for our sin.  Then Jesus was buried.  If he had remained in the tomb, there would be no sign that Jesus really is the Christ.  But in order to prove that sin is forgiven through the cross and that we can have fellowship with God forever, Jesus was raised from the dead.  His resurrection is the sign that Christianity is true — a sign recorded in Scripture and confirmed in historical accounts from many reliable eyewitnesses.  Philip Graham Ryken
“And while the crowds were thickly gathered together,
He began to say, ‘This is an evil generation.
It seeks a sign,
and no sign will be given to it
except the sign of Jonah the prophet.”
Luke 11:29
Thank-you for praying today.  Your prayers mean so much to many people!  Have a great day!
Anna Lee

Tuesday

“O Lord, God of my salvation,

I have cried out day and night before You.

Let my prayer come before You;

incline Your ear to my cry.”

Psalm 88:1-2

Please add Harrell Sharkey to your prayer list.  He has been hospitalized with double pneumonia since Saturday.


Please pray for another one of my Texas cousins.  Micah is a young man in his twenties.  Last night, doctors determined he has a mass on the frontal lobe of his brain.  Your prayers are coveted for Micah.

CaringBridge

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

Baptist Press Stories for Mar. 1, 2010
—————————————
8.8-mag quake ‘without parallel’ in Chile’s history
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32391
OLYMPICS: Hedrick contributes to U.S. record-breaking medal count
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32392
3 abortion doctors face legal problems
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32393
CP fits with church’s ‘full discipleship’
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32394
CP 1.64% behind 2009 pace
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32395
FIRST-PERSON: Attracting a crowd at VBS
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32396

Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.
(Luke 12.27 NRSV)

A pastor tells about a woman in his congregation. She is one of those over-committed types, always frantically busy, never stopping to catch her breath. “I’m too busy” is her constant cry. The pastor finally asked the woman, “How do you ever expect God to get hold of you if you never stand still?” It’s a good question.If I had my life to live over, I’d pick more daisies.
I’d try to make more mistakes next time.
I would be sillier than I have been this trip.
I would relax, I would limber up.
I know very few things I would take seriously.
I would take more trips, travel lighter.
I would be crazier. I would be less hygienic.
I would take more chances.
I would climb more mountains, swim more rivers, and watch more sunsets.
I would eat more ice cream and less beets.
I would have more actual troubles and fewer imaginary ones.
You see, I am one of those people who live practically and sensibly and sanely, hour after hour, day after day.
Oh, I have had my mad moments, And if I had it to do over again,
I’d have more of them.
Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many minutes ahead.
I have been one of those people who never go anywhere
Without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a gargle, a raincoat, and road map.
If I had my life to live over,
I would start barefooted earlier in the spring
and stay that way later in the fall.
I would ride more merry-go-rounds, and swing more.
I would do more water and sun-fun things.
I’d turn more somersaults, and roll in the grass, and go barefoot all over.
If I had my life to live over.
I’d spend more time at fun places.
I’d try to be more in touch with God and those I love.
I’d pray aloud more and not care what people think or expect of me.
I’d give more to me, and take more of you.
I’d just be me more and more….
Yes, I’d pick more daisies next time.

Dear God, help me to slow down and watch and share your daisies. Amen.

Ron Newhouse

Thanks for praying each day.  Your prayers mean so much to so many!

Anna Lee

Monday

“Finally, brothers, rejoice.

Be restored,

be encouraged,

be of the same mind,

be at peace,

and the God of love and peace will be with you.”

~2 Corinthians 13:11, HCSB~

The Fraziers ask that you pray for Pat Tymes.

Wayne Criswell

We got home(Blake’s house) around noon today.
We will see the Dr. this Thursday. Hopefully we will be able to return to LA sometime during the following week. (Mary)

Devotional

http://www.oneplace.com/devotionals/awordwithyou/default.aspx

Have a marvelous Monday!

Anna Lee

Sunday

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,

but only what is helpful for building others up

according to their needs,

that it may benefit those who listen.”

~Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)~

Wayne Criswell

Wayne Criswell is doing great after surgery. The doctors feel confident that they removed all of the diseased portion from his right lung and he is cancer free. The remaining lobe of his right lung is already starting to expand to fill the area of the removed portion. Due to the higher altitude in Denver, he will continue to use oxygen in his recovery when he goes to Blake’s home Tuesday.

Rev. Butch Reviere

Bro. Butch is also cancer-free at this time.  He is recovering well from surgery.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

FIVE FARMERS BOUGHT a big sack of seed and agreed to plant their respective fields with the seed that came from that one bag…

The seed was supposed to have been pure and unmixed.

After some weeks had passed, the famers met together over breakfast and reported their yield.

The first man was said, “Fellas, the seed that I took from that bag produced some of the finest sweet corn I have ever seen.”

The fourth farmer chimed in, “My seed yielded yellow onions.”

Finally, the fifth man reported, “The seed that I took from that bag produced little, yellow tomatoes.”

We have the same predicament in the religious world today.  Different men claim to be reading from the same word of God.  They plant “seed” into the fertile heart-soil of men, but it is obvious that DIFFERENT seed is being sown, because DIFFERENT crops (e.g., Christians, Lutherans, Episcopalians, Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, etc.) are springing up!  Seed produces after its own kind (Genesis 1:11-12; cf., Galatians 6:7).  Corn seed doesn’t produce squash, bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes.

Roy Lanier once observed, “The seed of the kingdom (Luke 8:11) will produce the kingdom; it will not produce anything different from the kingdom…  It has nver been known to produce anything other than the kingdom of God, the church of the Lord.  The Word of God preached in this community always produced exactly what it produced in another community when preached there.  But we have several hundred different religious denominations in the world today, different from each other in name, doctrine, and practice.

Why are all of these different bodies in existence?  They have been produced by the sowing of seed, the preaching of religious doctrines.  Just as sure as there are bodies differing from each other, seeds differing from each other have been sown.  If the same kind of seed had been sown in every community, the same results would have been produced… So the gospel preached in Jerusalem which produced the kingdom of God, the church of Christ, will not when preached in America produce a hundred different denominations.  The fact that the many denominations are in existence is positive proof that something different from the Gospel, the Word of God, has been preached.” Mike Benson

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Saturday

“An honest answer is the sign of a true friendship.”

~Proverbs 24:26 (GNT)~

Pray for the people of Chile as they deal with the aftershocks of the 8.8 earthquake they received a few hours ago.   Pray for those affected by the quake, the aftershocks, and the tsunami.

Be thankful the snow that is falling  in Kentwood is not sticking and should not be a problem.

CaringBridge

Emilie Faye Gelain McKenzie

Just letting everyone know that we were home and doing well, thanks everyone for the prayers.

Thank You,

Leslie, Stephanie, Erica & Emilie
McKenzie

Ernest “Cete” and Ruby Dillon

“Miss” Ruby is progressing well now.  Thank-you for praying for her.  Mr. “Cete” has been having an eye problem since the fall and has had procedures done to correct the problem.  He will have another surgery in the near future.  Continue to pray for him.

Wayne Criswell

Wayne should be able to leave the hospital in Denver and go to Blake’s home until he is able to fly back this way.  Pray for him and his family as he makes the big move following Tuesday’s surgery.  Brent has already come home.

Sim Bankston, Chuck Baham, & Jason Duhe

Sim: He came home from the hospital on Thursday afternoon. He is feeling a good bit better. He is now taking antibiotics by mouth and will be followed closely by the doctor. Once the infection in his colon is cleared, he will have surgery. Keep him in your prayers that his infection responds to this antibiotic so he can receive the necessary medical attention that he needs.
Chuck: Chuck went into a regular room on Thursday afternoon. He is undergoing some physical therapy. They got him up 3 times today. The doctor that did the colon surgery wants him to get up as often as possible. Lessie will be checking with the orthopedist tomorrow to see if the leg should be moved that much at this time. She feels that it may be a bit much on chuck because it hurts him so to move his foot and leg. If the bone doc okays the moving around, then she will feel better about all of it herself. Chuck is jaundiced. The doctor said that it could be because the liver was so badly bruised in the wreck, or it could be because of the trauma of the surgery he has had. Either way, we need to pray that the liver heals itself and causes him no more problems. Lessie said she counted his staples on his stomach today. He has 43. 43 people – that seems like a lot to me…lol. this afternoon they told chuck that he can begin eating most everything that he wants. he is happy about that, but he is nervous about eating. He was so sick for so long, when he ate, that he is scared that he will become nauseated.
Jacob Duhe: fairly good news on him. he may get to leave the hospital tomorrow. pray for him because he is so upset over causing the accident that he can’t seem to move on…everytime larry or i go to check on him, he asks us to please tell chuck that he is sorry….it makes me so sad to see him beating himself up for what was truly an accident. He is still facing a long recovery. time

Marsha Bankston

Good News Club (Texas)

mail.jpg

Thanks for your prayers. Things went well today despite the fact that one child threw up just before the Bible lesson, the custodian ran the cleaning machine pretty much the entire time I was speaking , and  two of our leaders received parking tickets. The sacrifices we make to share the Gospel! Ha! I do so appreciate your prayers. This is so fun!

Love,

Tricia

Three More Christians Killed in Northern Iraq

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32377

Michael Perez
(September 16, 1918 – February 25, 2010)

A resident of Amite, died at 11:33 p.m. on Thursday, February 25, 2010 at Belle Maison Nursing Home in Hammond. He was born September 16, 1918 in Tickfaw and was 91 years of age. Visitation at St. Helena Catholic Church, Amite, from 9 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 Noon Saturday conducted by Fr. Joe Camilleri. Interment Mulberry Street Cemetery, Amite, LA. He is survived by his sister, Josephine Currier, Amite and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Salvatore and Emanuela Perez; 3 sisters, Angelina D’Antoni, Mary Misita and Lena Bravata; 5 brothers, Sam Buccere, Frank Buccere, Henry Perez, Dominick Perez and Anthony Perez.

Pray for the Ricks family as they have services for Maurice today.

KneEmail

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

A LADY WOKE one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed that she had only three hairs on her head…

“Well,” she said, “I think I’ll braid my hair today.”  So she did, and she had a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed she had only two hairs on her head.  “Hmmm,” she said, “I think I’ll part my in the middle today.”  So she did, and she had a great day.

The next day, she woke up, looked in the mirror, and noticed that she had only one hair on her head.  “Well,” she said, “I think I’ll wear my hair in a ponytail.”  So she did, and she had a grand day.

The next day, she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that there wasn’t a single hair on her head.  “Yea,” she exclaimed.  “I don’t have to fix my hair today!”

Attitude is everything!  www.housetohouse.com


Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,

whatever things are noble,

whatever things are just,

whatever things are pure,

whatever things are lovely,

whatever things are of good report,

if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–

meditate on these things.”

Philippians 4:8

Have a great preparation day for Sunday!

Anna Lee

Friday

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly

above all that we ask or think,

according to the power that works in us,

to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus

to all generations,

forever and ever.”

~Ephesians 3:20-21~

Three More Christians Killed in Northern Iraq:

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32377

Picture and obituary for Maurice Ricks:

http://www.meaningfulfunerals.net/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=540585&fh_id=11426&s_id=646E1B9B8E779782AE5F07FFF65A890D

WATCH OUT FOR LUCILLE

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

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

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

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

“She leaves her name” was the reply.

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

“L-O-W C-E-L-L”

When things start to bother us, the problem may simply be that we need to get “re-charged”.  Keeping our schedules overbooked, staying busy “doing things”, going here and there — it takes a toll after a while. Before we get stressed out and burned out, we need to learn to take some time to unwind and recharge.  Turn off the radio and the television. Oh, and the computer, too!  Unplug the telephone if you need to, or better yet, get away from the house (without the cell phone).  Spend some quiet time with God in prayer and reflection on His Word.

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

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

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

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Several times this week, I said my life was “busy, but good”.  I know this devotional was meant for me.  Was it meant for you too?

Anna Lee

Thursday

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

for You will answer me.”

Psalm 86:7

Continue to pray for Mrs. Faye Price and her family.  Include prayers for Leslie and Stephanie as they adjust to being a family of four.

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

Holly K. says it is extremely hot where she lives.  Poor electrical service means no fans!   Pray for Holly and others who live where the weather is very warm now.

Baptist Press Stories for Feb. 24, 2010
—————————————
Remaining 2 Baptist volunteers in Haiti to be freed
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32359
GCR Task Force process discussed
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32361
WRAP-UP: EC actions include 1-year seminary reallocation to aid NOBTS
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32362
Baptist youth injured in school shooting
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32363
Volunteers carry compassion to Haiti, but have ‘no bottled answers’
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32364
Volunteers from 16 states in Haiti so far
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32365
ERLC: Obama plan has abortion funding
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32366
OLYMPICS: Olympian says there’s ‘no atheist at the top of a bobsled run’
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32367
OLYMPICS: Pac, Meyers in 2nd after 2 heats
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32368
FIRST-PERSON: Changing how we view Terri Schiavo
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32369

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor

LARRY AND JANE HUDSON are dear friends from the Main Street church in Calhoun, Kentucky…
A few years ago invited me to Sunday dinner following the AM worship assembly. This special couple was celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary and so they asked me to go along and commemorate the happy occasion.

Our destination…? Owensboro, Kentucky and Moonlite Bar-B-Q.

Everybody in that neck of the woods knows about Moonlite. Think “casual dining.” Think “family feel.” Think “all-you-can-eat” BBQ buffet. Underline the word “all.” Hungry guests stand in line with a plate and then help themselves to a smorgasbord of tasty, home-style dishes.

Buffet. Choose what you want. Skip what you don’t want. Go back as many times as you wish. This is gastronomical heaven. I loaded my plate with country favorites — mashed potatoes, pulled pork, and green beans, but then skiped the macaroni and cheese, gravy and rolls.

I left the restaurant full as the proverbial tick. Okay, maybe not full — I stopped just one bite shy of gluttony.

The meal was great. The Christian company was even better.

It occurs to me that many preachers treat the Word like a trip to Moonlite. They fill their theological dinner-ware with perennial favorites. They “eat” what their doctrinal belly desires (Philippians 3:19), but then pass over those food items which their denomination deems unpalatable. For instance, some heap their plate with faith, but then consciously omit what the Scriptures teach about baptism. They select SOME of God’s word but not the SUM of God’s word. They claim to be “Bible-believing,” but then do a “Moonlite” on those passages which teach the necessity of immersion.

Does the New Testament require baptism? No? Look again. According to Matthew 28:19-20 baptism is involved in my becoming a disciple of Christ. According to Mark 16:15-16 baptism is something I must engage if I want to be saved. According to Acts 2:37-38 baptism is something I must undergo in order to be forgiven of my sins. According to Acts 8:12-13, 38 baptism is something I must submit to, even if it means changing my religion. According to Acts 10:48 baptism is something I must obey because it has been commanded. According to Acts 16:14-15, baptism is something I will yield to — immediately — in order to be faithful to the Lord. According to Acts 22:16 baptism is something I must do if I desire my past sins to be taken away (cf. Acts 9:6). According to Romans 6:3-7 baptism is that which makes a difference (slave of sin vs. slave of righteousness) in my life. According to 1 Corinthians 12:13 baptism is the means by which I enter the body or church (cf. Ephesians 1:22-23). According to Galatians 3:26-27 baptism is the way that I become a child of God. According to 1 Peter 3:21 baptism saves.

Got your Bible handy? Read through Jeremiah 36. Jeremiah prophesied during the closing days of the Southern kingdom of Judah. On one occasion, the prophet received a divine message from God and then had the words written on a scroll (vv. 1-3). This inspired document was later read to king Jehoiakim by Jehudi (vv. 21). When Jehudi read that the kingdom-nation would be overthrown by the Babylonian empire, Jehoiakim decided he couldn’t “stomach” anymore. The arrogant ruler took a scribe’s penknife, cut up the scroll, and then cast it into the fire until it was consumed (vv. 22-24).

Jehoiakim would have liked Moonlite. Eat what you want. Skip what you don’t want. Mashed potatoes “yes,” dinner rolls “no.” Authoritarian rule “yes,” servile bondage “no.” Faith “yes,” baptism “no.”

Dear reader, the Bible is not a self-serve restaurant. We can’t pick out the parts that we like and then reject or cut out the portions that don’t strike our fancy. We must declare and consume (Jer. 15:16) the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27; cf. 2 Timothy 4:2-4), including those passages which teach the necessity of baptism.

Is your preacher offering some of God’s Word, or the sum of God’s Word?  Mike Benson

“The sum of your word is truth,
and every one of your righteous rules endures forever”
~Psm. 119:160~
Count your blessing, not your problems!  Remember, today is Terrific Thursday!
Anna Lee

Wednesday

“. . . 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~


Wayne Criswell (by Brent Criswell)

I wanted provide more information than before. They ended up having to make a larger incision due to the location and the fact that it covered parts of two lobes. Everything went well and all of the doctors are optimistic pending final pathology exam that this should be it. The larger incision means more pain and possibly a day or two extra in the hospital. Overall things are going very well and we are all thankful for the prayers and calls.

Please continue to pray for Roger Pittman.  He is not going to be able to wait a few weeks before going back to the doctor.  Pray for the Pittman family as they conduct the memorial service for Chuck today.

Pray for Mrs. Faye Price and her family.  I understand the plans are to bring “Miss” Faye home.

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

Winter Olympics from a Christian viewpoint:

http://www.bpnews.net/BPCollectionNews.asp?ID=166

WAIT

clock2.jpg

SOMETIMES GOD SEEMS to take forever…

You wait and wait and wait. But when He finally moves, He does more in one hour and you could accomplish in a lifetime. So it’s your choice: be busily consumed with your paltry attempts or wait on God until He moves in the fulness of His glory and purposes. God’s sense of timing is like this: He waits forever and then moves suddenly and instantaneously. There’s only one way to even begin to tune into God’s sense of timing, and that is through waiting. Waiting transports us out of the temporal, out of our time-zone, and into His time-zone.

God can out-wait anybody. He just waits and waits, while the crisis looms larger and larger, and He waits some more. He waits until the crisis becomes an impossible predicament. And then He waits some more! Finally, when the remotest chance of escape is completely gone, God intervenes suddenly. A good example of this is Abraham.

God promised Abraham a son when he was 75 years old, even though Sarah was barren. And then God waits five years, ten years, fifteen years, twenty years. By now it’s too late. Even if Sarah were not barren, she is now too old, and so is Abraham. Twenty-five years. Count them. Twenty-five interminable years. Finally, when all natural hope was exhausted, God provided and Sarah became pregnant! God is the king of wait. (Bob Sorge)

“Rest in the LORD,

and wait patiently for Him;

do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,

because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.”

Proverbs 37:7

Posted by Mike Benson

I don’t usually mind waiting as much as some people, but I think I will begin to enjoy waiting more when I realize I’m getting in God’s time schedule.

“Count Your Blessings” today.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“Bear one another’s burdens,

and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

~Galatians 6:2~


Wayne Criswell (written last night)

We will report to the Univ. of Co. Medical Center in Aurora at 7:30 am tomorrow. The surgery is scheduled for 9:30. I will try to let you know something tomorrow evening. Brent should arrive around 8:00 tonight. Keep us in your prayers.
Thanks. Mary

I know you will want to remember Wayne and Mary in prayer throughout the day today.

Both Chuck Bahan and Jacob Duke have had surgery.  Pray for their recovery from their accident.

Continue to pray for the Pittman family.

Larkin Dorris

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

Baptist Press Stories for Feb. 22, 2010
—————————————
Former Haiti detainee calls story about note ‘fabrication’
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32341
GCR Task Force releases progress report
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32352
TRUSTEES: NAMB president search to gear up, chairman reports
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32342
11th-hour salvation places judge in heaven
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32343
Welch puts face on SBC’s global relations
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32344
Empowering Kingdom Growth emphasis is ‘a quiet movement of the Holy Spirit’
South Texas church gains Kingdom focus
OLYMPICS: Chaplain nurtures Gospel seeds
OLYMPICS: Hedrick to retire from speedskating

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor

EAGER TO TRY out our navigation system, I programmed in our daughter’s address…
I chose the shortest route.  Everything was fine, until the system said to make several turns.  Thinking it was keeping me from fighting downtown traffice, I argued.  After passing up severalmore chances to turn, I continued to argue.  When I passed the last chance to turn, it told me to make a legal u-turn.  I argue, before turning it off.  It had routed me onto a high mountain road!  Checking the map, it was the shortest way.  This road was high and narrow, and being terrified of heights, I was not going that way.  I had argued, but the system was right.
We have a navigation system for our lives, the Bible.  It gives us instructions and gives us choices, to follow instructions or not.  We may argue with it, but God knows best.  If we take some bad detours or decide to do it on our own, it can help us get back on track.  Make that u-turn! Gaynelle Thomas
“Enter through the narrow gate.
For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction,
and many enter through it.”
Matthew 7:13
Thanks for praying for these requests and others that are not listed.  Your prayers make a difference.
Anna Lee

Monday

“For the Lord hears the poor.”

~Psalm 69:33a~

Pray for the Criswell family as Brent travels to meet them in Colorado today and Wayne has surgery tomorrow.  They will appreciate your prayers.

Marsha Bankston shared that Chuck Baham had to have surgery yesterday.  Please continue to pray for him.

Please continue to pray for my Texas relatives.  Several of them have health issues that at ongoing and gradually progressing.

Death notice:  http://www.mckneelys.com/index.cfm

SING WITH THE UNDERSTANDING

I heard once about a woman who spent some months serving as a missionary in South Africa.  On her final visit to a remote township she attended a medical clinic.  As the Zulu women there began to sing together, she found herself deeply moved by their hauntingly beautiful harmonies. She wanted to always remember this moment and try to share it with friends when she arrived home.  With tears flowing down her cheeks, she turned to her friend and asked, “Can you please tell me the translation of the words to this song?”

Her friend looked at her and solemnly replied . . . “If you boil the water, you won’t get dysentery.”

How many times have we been guilty of the same thing in our worship to God?  Not of singing that particular song, but of singing without being aware of the meaning of the words we were singing.

It seems to me that singing songs of praise is like driving a car.  If you drive, you’ve learned that if you follow the same route day after day, it is possible for you to make the trip without even thinking about what you’re doing.  We’ve all had the scary feeling of arriving at a location realizing that we “zoned out” en route and made the trip while our mind was on “autopilot.”

Many of us have had the same experience in our worship.  We sing all the songs (like we’ve done countless times before) but our mind is on “autopilot” and after we’ve finished, we don’t have a clue what we just sang about.

Paul said, “I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding.  I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.” (I Cor. 14:15)

For those of us who are easily distracted, it requires a bit more effort, but may we resolve to strive to pay attention to the words that we are singing.  May the songs of praise we sing truly come from a heart that exalts God!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Thank-you for praying today and everyday.  Your prayers mean so much to so many.

Anna Lee