Devotional – Page 205 – The Prayer Link

Sunday

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?

Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.

I’ll show you how to take a real rest.

Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it.

Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.

I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.

Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

~ Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)~

Ethel Mae Durbin Bourgeois
(September 26, 1923 – December 4, 2009)

Died at 7:00PM on Friday, December 4, 2009 at Lane Regional Medical Center in Zachary, LA. She was a native of Montpelier, LA and a resident of Zachary, LA. Age 86 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 10 a.m. Monday. Services conducted by Rev. David Luce. Interment Montpelier Cemetery, Montpelier, LA. Survived by her husband, Percy Bourgeois, Zachary , 2 daughters, Gloria Mobley and her husband, Andy, Calhoun, and Susan Durbin, West Monroe , daughter-in-law, Jennifer Bigner Durbin, Amite, 2 step-daughters, Linda Redden, Watson, and Susan Simpson, Baton Rouge, grandchildren, LaDonna Coleman Bender and her husband, Mike, Keller, TX, Clint Coleman and his wife, Tammy, Calhoun, Scott Coleman and his wife, Tracey, Plattsburg, NY, Mellissa Durbin Leto and her husband David, Sr., Amite, Kimberly Durbin Curry and her husband, Stephen “Nim”, Hillsdale, John Daniel Durbin and his wife, Andrea, Gulfport, MS, Ken Rogers, West Monroe, and Nichole Smith and her husband, Cody, West Monroe, 18 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandson, Preceded in death by, first husband, Leland J. Durbin, Sr., and son, Leland J. Durbin, Jr. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Clint Coleman, Scott Coleman, Ken Rogers, John Durbin, David Leto, Jr., and Clinton Coleman.

Peoples of the Canary Islands

Pepe and Shari Lopez (names changed) rely heavily on relationship-building to enhance their ministry opportunities in Fuerteventura, one of seven Canary Islands located off the west coast of Africa.

Many islanders are immigrants from northwest Africa who have come looking for a better life in the European Union. Some enter the country legally, while others go a more dangerous route on rickety boats or makeshift rafts.

Earning these people’s trust is a lengthy process, but the Lopezes have found that providing free, no-strings-attached services — such as teaching — help tremendously. Shari leads multilingual children’s camps, and Pepe teaches a free Spanish class. Omar, a Muslim, is one of Pepe’s most dependable students. Because of Pepe’s dedication and free teaching, the trust level among his students has skyrocketed — especially with Omar.

The friendships built during the classes and camps have helped Pepe and Shari reach areas of the community that previously would have been nearly impossible.

Pray
Pray that Pepe and Shari will continue building deep relationships with fellow islanders.

Because you give
“The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is our ‘life support.’ We could not live, function or remain here should Southern Baptists not be praying for us all the time,” Pepe says. “We are the tangible extension of your life and your ministry. So much of what we see around us — schools, hospitals, people and government … they are all in dire need of the Gospel. How could we continue to reach out to them if you do not pray and give?”

Don’t forget to bring your blankets, hats, and gloves to me so I can pass them on to Dena P. Simmons. She’s going to work through BrownBagsandJesus.com to get these into the hands of the homeless in New Orleans who live under a bridge.

Catalog

TIS THE SEASON to receive catalogs in the mail….
Every trip to the mailbox ends with an armload of slick holiday catalogs. Each one claims to offer me something I need–immediately. “Don’t wait!” “Limited offer!” “Order now!”

The lure works. I open the pages to discover what I didn’t know I needed. Sure enough, I see things that suddenly seem essential, even though a few minutes earlier I didn’t know they existed. Manufacturers use catalog illustrations to create desire for their products.

In a way, Christians are God’s catalogs. We are His illustration to the world of what He has to offer. His work in our lives makes us a picture of qualities that people may not know they need or want until they see them at work in us.

As you browse holiday catalogs, consider what the “catalog” of your life says about God. Do people see qualities in you that make them long for God? (Julie Ackerman Link)

“You are our epistle written in our hearts,

known and read by all men.”

~2 Cor. 3:2

Posted by Mike Benson

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Anna Lee

Saturday

“Your generosity …

not only provides for the needs of God’s people,

but also produces prayers of thanksgiving to God.”

~2 Corinthians 9:12~

From Trisha (Mrs. Dwayne) Wilson

Thanks, again, my friends for your prayers. Today’s outreach with Graham’s class went well. 10 kiddos came, along with 5 moms, a friend from my Community Bible Study (wanting to get ideas for her outreach next week) a 2 yr. old, and a 5^th grader (came to help out a bit)….quite a houseful including my 4 kids!

Love and appreciate your support!

Tricia

Caring Bridge Sites

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

VICTOR FRANKL COULD have been forgiven if he had displayed a bad attitude…

As a prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp, he was witness to some of the most indescribable horrors in human history.

How, then, did Frankl avoid the fate of pessimism and bitterness? He wrote: “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s way.”

Our attitude is a matter of choice? Few ever come to that realization. They merely take the mood that comes with the events of their day and act correspondingly. If someone cuts me off in traffic, I’ll be in a foul mood for awhile. If I get that promotion, I’ll be on top of the world. If not, stay out of my path!

What can a person do to test Frankl’s theory of choosing one’s attitude? Here are some ideas from one who was described as having a heart like God’s (Acts 13:22):

• Practice Praise: “Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together” said David in Psalm 34:3 (NKJV). When we take time to realize how much greater God is than the problems of our world, we’ll be encouraged. Life won’t seem so dismal to one who is a child of the Omnipotent Father!

• Try Thankfulness: In Psalm 103:2, David gave this admonition: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” After writing that, he listed some of his many blessings. It will work the same for us. When we count our blessings, we remember that God has not forgotten us. Every day his mercies toward us are rich.

• Break Out The Blinders: Hear David again in Psalm 101:3: “I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.” Is television filling our souls with discouraging images of problems or with scenes of wickedness? Would our attitudes improve if we spent time meditating on good, wholesome ideas and images (cf. Philippians 4:8)? “Garbage in, garbage out” was first applied to computers, but it also explains many a bad attitude.

Christians should demonstrate attitudes that are markedly different from those of the world. Jesus said so in John 15:11: “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” Ask someone close to you: “Does my joy show?” If it doesn’t, it’s time to choose a better attitude – with God’s help. Tim Hall at http://www.forthright.net

“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

Lottie Moon Christmas Tea

First Baptist Church, Amite

Saturday, December 19

2:00 P.M.

All ladies and girls are invited.

Sign up at your local church or here on The Prayer Link.

Come and learn more of Lottie Moon

and her commitment to missions.

Jesus is the reason for the season.

Anna Lee

Lost cities of China

During the past two decades, central China’s urbanization has grown at full-throttle. Workers migrating from the countryside to new urban centers have transformed 223 towns into cities, each counting more than 1 million people.

The lure? Money. A city job pays three to four times the salary possible in villages. But in the past, moving to find that job put rural people at risk because government policies denied them the documentation they needed to work in the cities. Last year, thousands of Chinese took to the streets to protest their dire economic situation. The government responded by allowing 20 percent of them to move into cities — cities with insufficient housing, factories and roads.

And little Christian witness. As these metropolitan areas continue to sprawl, there’s a growing concentration of people who don’t know Jesus and have little opportunity to meet Him. In essence, they are a collection of lost cities.

Finding a way to share Christ’s love, developing a plan to reach these urban centers is critical. Now is the most opportune time as workers arrive and struggle to find their way. They — and the relatives they left behind — need the stability found only in Jesus.

Pray
Pray that God will call more Christian workers to take the Gospel to these unreached peoples.

Friday

Please continue to pray for Mrs. Jeanette McGehee as she and her doctors plan the next steps in her treatment.

Continue to pray for Mrs. Faye Price and her family. “Miss” Faye’s heart surgery was a year ago yesterday. It has been a difficult year for her and for her family. God continues to walk by their side day-by-day. Pray for the medical staff as they work to overcome an infection.

Dr. Earl Council’s test Monday did not show a problem. The current plan is to give him more blood Monday. Keep praying for his return to good health.

Caleb Estay is doing well following his surgery Tuesday. God has faithfully answered many prayer on Caleb’s behalf. He will be carefully monitored in the hospital for a while longer.

Bro. Butch Reviere has one more day of medical tests today. Next week he has another day of tests and meets with the doctor to learn the “game plan”. Continue to pray for Bro. Butch and his doctor.

Peoples of Iran

Tucking away a JESUS film and a few Bibles in her belongings, Zahra* boards a bus in the capital city of Tehran to share the Gospel with relatives in the Iranian countryside.

Zahra is taking a risk by carrying evangelistic material in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Publishing and distributing Bibles is illegal. Converting to Christianity and sharing the Gospel can be punishable by prison or death.

Despite the risks, Zahra felt burdened to act after seeing her tribe — the Bakhtiari — listed as an unreached people group in International Mission Board material her house church pastor had given her.

While it is safer to share the Gospel in small home groups to escape notice, the Lord gave Zahra boldness when the movie being shown on the bus malfunctioned. She handed the JESUS film to the driver, who played it all the way through.

Eight of the 40 people on the bus told her they were interested in becoming Christians. During home visits, Zahra led the driver, his wife and their three grown children to the Lord — as well as her own sister.

Though there are restrictions against Christian workers living in Iran, giving through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the Cooperative Program enables personnel to share the Gospel with Iranians living in various parts of the world, disciple Christian refugees and train house church leaders when they can travel outside their country.

Pray
Pray for Christians who risk their lives to share the Gospel in Iran. Pray for the peoples of Iran to be able to hear and read God’s Word. Uplift workers as they find ways to help Iranians know Jesus as Lord and Savior.

From Trisha (Mrs. Dwayne) Wilson

Thanks, Friends, for praying for the outreach in our home for Abby Grace’s class. Eight kids came, 2 moms stayed, and the rest of the moms dropped their kiddos off at our house. Things went well except for some minor distractions from one of my twins….I’ll let you guess which one. Praying my kids will be the well behaved ones for our outreach to Graham’s class tomorrow! Please pray for us tomorrow at 4!

Love,

Tricia

CHARGED, BUT JUSTIFIED

A local policeman had just finished his shift one cold November evening and was at home with his wife. “You just won’t believe what happened this evening. In all my years on the force I’ve never seen anything like it!”

“What happened?”

“I came across two guys down by the canal, one of them was drinking battery acid and the other was eating fireworks.”

“Drinking battery acid and eating fireworks!! What did you do with them?”

“I charged one and let the other one off.” <insert GROAN here>

Spiritually speaking, those of us who are Christians have been both “charged” and “let off.” We are charged with sin (and rightfully so, for we are guilty). “For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.” (Rom. 3:9)

But, those of us who are Christians who have put on Christ have also been “let off” because Jesus Christ has paid the price for our sins. We have been justified, “just as if I’d” never sinned. “Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.” (Acts 13:38-39)

To be charged is a frightful thing (those of you who have received tickets can vouch for that). To have a judge say, “I find you guilty, but I’m going to pay the fine for you” is inconceivable. Yet, that’s exactly what has happened! May our lives demonstrate the gratitude we feel.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Have a great day!

Anna Lee

Thursday

In response to all he has done for us,

let us outdo each other in being helpfuland kind to each other

and in doing good.

~Hebrews 10:24 (TLB)~

David Allen got a release to go back to work. Thank God for his return to better health. Pray he gets better and better.

Mrs. Ann Chapman had her halo removed yesterday. She still wears some of the other “equipment”, but will get her next halo in heaven. Thank God for her progress.

Mr. Cete Dillon is doing better. If all goes well today, he may come home today or tomorrow. Keep him in your prayers.

Pray for Robby Lynn C. Kirby. She’s been having health issues again.

From Faye Raborn

Update on Malaysia Garner..remember she was born October 1 and weighed 1# after losing some ounces in the first few days and now tops the scales at 3# 6oz. The Lord surely has His hand on Malaysia and the medical staff in Jackson who care for her 24 hours a day. Many medical problems still prevail. We know God performs miracles far beyond our understanding. Bryan and Donisha THANK everyone for prayers that have been sent up for their precious little baby girl. Please continue praying and believing in the days ahead as Malaysia faces her struggle each day.

CaringBridge

Another former student:

William Charles Langston, Sr.
(December 11, 1958 – December 1, 2009)

U.S. Veteran William Charles Langston, Sr., 50 years old, was born December 11, 1958 and passed away sometime in the early morning hours on December 1, 2009. As my father’s daughter, I know that if he had the chance, these are the words he would say in parting: To my darling wife of 24 years, Lydia Ockman Langston, you are the love of my life. You made me the man I am today, a man I hope you were proud to call your husband and the father of our children. To my son, William Charles Langston, Jr., you have made me prouder than you will ever know. No father could ask for a better son. Give Heather Bentivegna Langston, my daughter-in-law, a kiss and always treat her right. To my daughter, Evangeline Alanna Langston, Daddy’s Baby Girl, I have not abandoned you. Just wave when you pass over a bridge and know I’m waving back. To my step-daughter, Melanie Howell Foreman, her husband, Tommy Foreman, and my four grandchildren, Layla, Morgan, Elizabeth and Johnny, I’m watching over you. To all of my family: I know you’ll cry. I know you’re sad, but I’m Home now with my Maker and Protector. I love you and will miss you. One day, I’ll welcome you Home, too. Also lovingly survived by mother, Annie Juanita Langston, 79, and two brothers, Carl Benjamin Langston, Sr. and Donald Langston, two sisters, Carloyn Langston Athey and Catherine Langston Thomas, mother-in-law, Helen Price Ockman, 79, and many nieces, nephews and in-laws. Preceded in death by father, Carl Avery Langston, Sr., one brother, David Langston, and father-in-law, Earl Antoine Ockman. He was a U. S. Navy Veteran and for the past 12 years was a Tug Boat Captain for River Parish/Moran Towing Company. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Thursday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 10 a.m. Friday. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, LA. He was a Husband, Father and so much more. Daddy, we love you.

Vietnamese of Cambodia

Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, is dotted with numerous floating villages occupied by much of Cambodia’s Vietnamese population. Because so many Vietnamese are fishermen and find it difficult to gain land rights in Cambodia, they prefer to live on the water in tight-knit communities. They take care of each other — from sharing generated electrical power to caring for one another’s children.

Most residents in the floating village of Kbal Taol had never heard the name of Jesus — but that changed in March 2008. A Christian worker named David* visited the villagers to tell them about the One who is a fisher of men. During one of David’s many visits a Vietnamese man named Tim* became especially interested, so David gave him a Bible. On one of David’s subsequent visits, Tim invited David to his home for dinner.

After dinner, the talk turned to spiritual things. Tim had begun reading the Bible David gave him and had many questions. Around 3 a.m., Tim accepted Christ.

“That is the longest visitation I’ve ever had,” David said with a smile.

Tim is the first believer in Kbal Taol. By God’s grace, he will not be the last.

Pray
Pray that other Vietnamese in Kbal Taol and surrounding villages will be open to the Gospel and will put their faith in Jesus Christ.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

J. EDGAR HOOVER ran the FBI, no question about it…

As a result, almost all of his subordinates were on the lookout for ways to impress their powerful boss. A young FBI man was put in charge of the FBI’s supply department. In an effort to cut some costs and impress his boss, he reduced the size of the office memo paper. One of the new memo sheets soon ended up on Hoover’s desk. Hoover took one look at it, determined he didn’t like the size of the margins on the paper, and quickly scribbled on the memo, “Watch the borders!”

The memo was passed on through the office. For the next six weeks, it was extremely difficult to enter the United States by road from either Mexico or Canada. The FBI was watching the borders. Why was the FBI watching the borders? They thought they had received a warning from their chief. But they hadn’t. They had transformed an innocuous comment into a solemn warning. Steve Farrar

“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood

and speak truthfully to his neighbor;

for we are members of one body.”

Ephesians 4:25 NIV

Have a great day!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me,

and do not forbid them;

for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’”

~Matthew 19:14~

Sydney Dixon has been at home one week. She and her parents are doing well. Thank you for praying for her.

Dr. Earl Council is home again. His test went well, but the results won’t be available until next Monday. Pray for him as he waits.

Rev. Butch Reviere’s has three days of medical tests that begin today. Pray for him as he undergoes tests and continues to seek a diagnosis and treatment plan.

CaringBridge

Berber people of North Africa

Keith Jones (name changed) often stopped in at the small shop across the street from his home in a North African city.

Sometimes it was just to pick up bread or fruit, but Keith always tried to share Gospel truths with the Berber shop owner, practicing the Berber language he was learning.

He and his wife, Susan (name changed), both from South Carolina, say the shop owner viewed Keith as a “person of God” because of his conversations.

One day the shopkeeper told Keith that he should be an imam, a spiritual leader in a mosque. The Berber man explained: “We live up here and we speak [the Berber language], and these imams come here and they preach to us in Arabic … and we don’t understand a word that they are saying.

“But you come and talk to us about God and you’re doing it in our own language.”

“It was as if, for the first time, he realized that God could speak his own language, too,” Susan recalls.

Keith and Susan are Bible translators, working to complete a translation of the New Testament into the Berber heart language — something the Berber people have never had. Southern Baptists play a vital role in getting the Gospel to the Berbers through their gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.

Pray
Pray for Keith and Susan’s team to develop relationships with more Berber men and women with whom they can test these vital materials.

Pray that they and other translators will be able to quickly complete their New Testament project, communicating in language that is clear, natural and accurate.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

A COUPLE MARRIED for 15 years began having more than usual disagreements…

They wanted to make their marriage work and agreed on an idea the wife had. For one month they planned to drop a slip in a “Fault” box. The boxes would provide a place to let the other know about daily irritations. The wife was diligent in her efforts and approach: “leaving the jelly top off of the jar,” “wet towels on the shower floor,” “dirty socks not in hamper,” on and on until the end of the month. After dinner, at the end of the month, they exchanged boxes. The husband reflected on what he had done wrong. Then the wife opened her box and began reading. They were all the same, the message on each slip was, “I love you!”

⁴ “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

⁵ does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;

⁶ does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Thanks for praying today!

Have a great day!

Anna Lee

Monday

“But from there you will seek the Lord your God,

and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart

and with all your soul.”

~Deuteronomy 4:29~

This is the day Caleb Estay will be born in Houston. Pray for the family. I have already assured them of our prayers. Don’t let them down!

Pray for Mrs. Avis Sullivan as she has a check-up today. Pray for Margie Williams as she cares for her Momma and waits to hear about Caleb.

Mrs. Faye Price has an infection and pneumonia. Please pray for her and her family to have a good day as the doctors address her health issues.

Betty Simpson asked for prayer for Mr. Bobby Simpson. He will be seeing a surgeon on December 7th about a place on his back that has to be removed.

Dr. Earl Council will be undergoing tests in Ruston today. Pray his problem will be located so doctors can work to return him to good health.

Peoples of Ethiopia

As the sun rises in Ethiopia, thousands of people make their way to church. They worship, sing and hear sermons delivered by priests in an ancient language they do not understand.

The people place their faith in a religion with many roots in the Bible — Christianity and Old Testament traditions. This religion, however, has lost touch with biblical truth through the years.

Many worship saints and demons. They believe there are more than a dozen paths to heaven. They do not have any assurance of salvation and lack understanding of who Jesus Christ is. Most put their trust in Saint Mary.

More than 42 million people in the Horn of Africa claim this religion as “truth.”

Christian workers Renee and Ed (names changed), have dedicated their lives to sharing the Good News with the people of Ethiopia. More than 90 percent are illiterate and unable to read the Bible in their own language.

Pray
Pray for Renee and Ed as they build relationships with them and share that the only way to heaven is through God’s Son, Jesus.

Pray the people Renee and Ed meet in Ethiopia will be open and receptive to the friendship and message of hope they offer.

Pray that more workers will be called to help spread the Gospel message.

GOING AGAINST THE FLOW

The story is told about a woman who called her husband on his car phone as he was on his way home from work and she said, “Honey, you need to be careful. I just saw on the news that there’s some nut driving the wrong way on the Interstate.” Her husband said, “There’s not just one nut, there’s hundreds of them!”

Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever felt like trying to do God’s will makes you go the wrong way down the road? All the traffic’s coming the other way. Have you ever thought, “If everybody’s going this way, it’s so hard to go against the flow. Would God really mind if I just turned around for a little while?”

An article in The London Times a couple of years ago reported that there are currently about 200 million Christians in over 60 countries who are being persecuted for their faith. Because we have freedom in the United States to worship God, those of us who live here sometimes we forget just how many people in this world live under oppression – by Communist authorities or Muslim authorities, or authorities who simply oppose God and the people who follow God.

And even if you don’t face governmental oppression, there are no doubt many of you who live with oppression – in your home, in your workplace or at your school – oppressed by a family member or boss or teacher who makes it difficult on you as a Christian. More and more, we all are living in an anti-God culture. We live in an environment that makes it difficult at times for us to stand up for God.

We must remember the words of Paul: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

No matter which way the crowd around you is flowing, may you have the courage to travel the direction that God would have you to travel.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Many of us will be returning to work after having extra time off. Pray that we will have a productive day.

Anna Lee

Saturday

“Or what man is there among you who,

if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?

Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?

If you then, being evil,

know how to give good gifts to your children,

how much more will your Father who is in heaven

give good things to those who ask Him!”

~Matthew 7:9-11~

Rufus, Margie, and “Miss” Avis got home about 8 P.M. Thank God for watching over them as they came home.

Charles and Bea Houeye of Roseland are both doing pretty well now, even though they both have both had some difficult times. Thank God for the good health they are enjoying now.

Sydney Dixon (Daughter of Rob and Jess Dixon)

There’s No Place Like Home

from One + One = Three by Jess

Dorothy, you weren’t kidding sister!

What a day it has been. It felt a little like a do-over of last Thursday, when we first brought her home. I had the same nervous feelings riding in the backseat next to her, the same excitement turning into our neighborhood, the same relief as we pulled into our driveway. Happy one-week birthday, Baby Girl! You’re home!

Walking through the halls of Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital today on our way out, I finally saw what a great place it is. We’ve spent the last four days there, and yesterday- day three of our stay- I left room 7310 for the first time to walk around the corner to find the family laundry room. I had to ask a nurse for directions and she tried to start by telling me go back to the elevators… excuse me? There’s an elevator here? Where is that? It was a short walk, and as much as I enjoyed the fresh air, I couldn’t get back to Sydney’s side fast enough. Anyway, if I had ventured out any further, I would have seen a remarkable facility that doesn’t feel like a hospital as you walk through. But while I was impressed, if we never go back there again I’ll be totally fine with that.

As I mentioned earlier, all the doctor really could say this morning is that Sydney was looking great and they had no more reason to keep her in the hospital. While it’s a little scary and frustrating to have no concrete explanation for the distress Sydney experienced over the weekend, we’re just so thankful that the problems seem to have completely gone away. Two of doctors who treated her both said, “It is better to see a patient get better and not know what the problem was, than to know what the problem is and not see a patient get better.” I have watched Syd like a hawk today, and I’ll probably sleep with one eye open tonight, but all we’ve seen today is a content, sleeping, pooping, precious little girl!

We have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. I am thankful for a healthy baby who has changed my life forever in the longest and shortest week ever. I am thankful for an incredible husband who I love even more every time I see him holding our daughter. I am thankful for the doctors, nurses, ER team, and other caregivers at VCH who have taken care of our whole family this week. I am thankful for friends, acquaintances, and strangers who have stopped in the midst of their busy days to pray for Sydney. I am thankful for a Great Physician Who is all knowing and Who allowed us to witness yet another miracle this week. I am thankful for the journey we’ve been on the past few days, because my faith is stronger and I have a better understanding of Jesus’ love as a result.

There aren’t enough words to say thanks to all of you who are reading this message- you found this blog because you cared about our Sweet Sydney. Thank you for lifting her name up to heaven on our behalf.

I hope you find yourself surrounded by blessings this Thanksgiving with much to give thanks for!

The funeral for Frances Hughes will be at 11 A.M. this morning at Seale funeral home in Denham Springs. Burial will be in Arcola for those of you who wish to attend.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

THE LORD OFTEN taught by parables; in fact, approximately one third of His recorded teachings were in parable form…

There are no parables in John’s gospel, but in the synoptics, these simple memorable stories with imagery convey deep truths which are central to His teaching. One of the Lord’s favorite themes in these parables is “stewardship.” A steward was a manager-someone who managed the owner’s farm or business. Good stewards faithfully used their master’s resources to advance his current concerns and increase his wealth. Bad stewards misused their resources for personal gain or squandered them out of laziness. Scripture teaches that God is the owner of all we have. David stated, “The earth is the Lord’s and all its fullness. The world and those who dwell therein” (Psa. 24:1). Paul reminds us, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

What trust God has placed in us! This privilege, however, brings with it the responsibility to manage to the very best of our ability His assets.

Most Americans regard themselves as sovereign owners, and the money, wealth, and assets we have are exclusively at our disposal to advance our own interest. There is a tremendous difference in how we view possessions as owners or stewards. This concept will determine how much we give. As owners we will ask, “How much of my money will I give to God,” but as stewards the question will be, “How much of God’s money will I keep for myself?” Statistics reveal that as most American Christians’ incomes go up, their percentage of giving goes down! This philosophy is brought about by an attitude that asks, “Do I want this? And (sometimes) “Can I afford it?, from the owner. While the steward asks, “How will this affect my ability to advance God’s purpose?” The steward will always remember God’s passion to reach the lost, and look for creative ways to subsidize this great purpose. In this season of THANKSGIVING, let us again renew our gratitude for our personal redemption and determine that if our nation can have a special time to count our physical blessings, God’s people can treasure the great spiritual blessings we enjoy! As you pray with your family this week let every family member be reminded of the blessing of salvation! Jerry Jenkins

“Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”

1 Corinthians 4:2

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

Feel free to share your praises, requests, and updates by sharing through the use of “Contact Me” on the web site.

Have a great day of preparation for the Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Thanksgiving

“So we, being many, are one body in Christ,

and individually members of one another.”

~Romans 12:5, NKJV~

Today is Thanksgiving. I have so much to be thankful for. I’ll not list my blessing here, but you can think through some of your many blessings and thank God for each one.

Dr. Earl Council is home now, but will be admitted to a hospital soon for additional treatment. Please be in pray for Dr. Council, the doctors, and his family.

Larry Bankston got a good report at his post-op appointment. Thank God for the progress Larry has made.

Theresa Flores is doing well following her kidney transplant. She no longer needs dialysis. Thank God for the progress Theresa has made.

Robert Ricks, the Arcola one, has completed four weeks of treatment at M.D. Anderson. Some days the treatment has been hard, but Robert is “hanging in there”. Doctors are planning on about three more weeks of treatment before Robert comes home. Thank God for the quality treatment Robert has been receiving and his progress so far.

Mrs. Rena Cutrer continues to recover from a hip problem. Thank God for her improvement.

Frances Hughes

Frances Eugenia Hughes, 65, born September 24, 1944 to Johnny and Floy Brumfield Hughes. She was a native of Roseland, Louisiana and lived in Denham Springs, Louisiana. She left this world on Monday, November 23, 2009.

She is survived by her brother, Wilton and wife, Sandra Hughes, Bolick, North Carolina; 4 sisters: Evelyn and husband, Steve Stevens, Athens, Texas; Viola and husband, Gene Cody, Watson; Isabel Eldridge, Baton Rouge; and Wanda Davis, Baton Rouge. Also 12 nieces and nephews, numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews, family and friends.

Preceded in death by parents, Johnny Elmer and Floy Brumfield Hughes and brother, Alton Glenn Hughes.

Visitation will be at Seale Funeral Home in Denham Springs Friday from 6 P.M. to 9 P.M. with services at 11 A.M. Saturday followed by burial in Arcola.

FALLING ASLEEP

I heard recently about a college professor who had the mysterious habit of walking into the lecture hall each morning, removing a tennis ball from his jacket pocket. He would set it on the corner of the podium. After giving the lecture for the day, he would once again pick up the tennis ball, place it into his jacket pocket, and leave the room. No one ever understood why he did this, until one day. . . .

A student fell asleep during the lecture. The professor never missed a word of his lecture while he walked over to the podium, picked up the tennis ball and threw it, hitting the sleeping student squarely on the top of the head.

The next day, the professor walked into the room, reached into his jacket, removed a baseball. . . No one ever fell asleep in his class the rest of the semester!

I would imagine that many of us have had the experience of falling asleep at a time when we should have stayed awake — perhaps in a classroom or during a sermon. In the scriptures, poor Eutychus will forever be known for only one thing — falling asleep during a sermon and falling out the window!

For those of you who aren’t familiar with this Bible story (found in Acts 20:7-12), there was a young man by the name of Eutychus (a side note: ironically, his name means “fortunate”) who attended a worship service where the apostle Paul was speaking. No doubt, Eutychus was tired and perhaps his stomach was full. He found a spot near a window where he could get some fresh air because oil lamps lighted the room and the air would have been a bit stuffy. We’re told that Paul talked on and on until after midnight. Luke tells us that the young man fought sleep and gradually lost the battle. When he nodded off, he fell out of the third-story window. Fortunately, the story has a happy ending as he was raised back to life by Paul.

Those of us who are preachers are inclined to say that the moral of this story is that you should never fall asleep during a sermon (though I suspect others may say that the moral is that preachers shouldn’t preach so long — it can be dangerous!). But of even greater concern than falling asleep in our worship is the fact that we sometimes fall asleep in our walk with Christ. We grow weary, we lose our concentration, our mind drifts off to other things, and the result can be deadly!

The apostle Paul warns us: “Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.” (I Thess. 5:6).

Is your mind focused on God? Are you listening carefully to Him, submitting to His Spirit? If you’re growing weary, it’s time to wake up!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

“Count your blessings.

Name them one by one,

Count your many blessings.

See what God has done.”

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“Then He said to His disciples,

‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.

Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest

to send out laborers into His harvest.’”

~Matthew 9:37-38~

Please continue to pray for Bro. Butch Reviere. He’s still waiting on addition tests and a timeline for what will be done in the future.

Mrs. Faye Price is in North Oaks. Pray for her and her family as they stay close to her side.

Mrs. Jeanette McGhee is home. Pray for her as she continues to heal.

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE
IMB
Wednesday, November 25, 2009

“The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!” (Psalm 50:23, ESV).

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the Office of Global Prayer Strategy, lifting prayers of thanksgiving to the Father for your faithful service in prayer.

As Christian workers reflect this Thanksgiving on the blessings of the past year, they will most certainly give thanks for all who have supported their continued service. Thank God for the sacrificial giving of many in churches that has allowed God’s Word to go forth continuously into the far reaches of the world, even during the global recession. Pray that both those who give and those who go to make His name known will truly delight in the honor and privilege.

Pray that genuine seekers will participate in the many Thanksgiving outreach activities that will occur this weekend, asking that through sharing about this American holiday, the gospel will also be presented and many will believe.

Many refugees live throughout the United States and will be invited to celebrate Thanksgiving with local Christians. As people from two cultures come together to share food from each culture, pray that these displaced peoples will clearly understand the spiritual significance of our holiday as a time to give thanks to God for His blessings on our nation and families.

In contrast on November 26, Muslim pilgrims in Saudi Arabia will stand in earnest supplication and devotion, praying for Allah’s forgiveness, honoring their Day of Arafaat. On November 27, others will celebrate Eid al-Adha, the “Festival of Sacrifice.” Their hearts strive through works to find acceptance with God.

* Please pray for Thanksgiving hosts, whether in the U.S. or overseas, as they share the love of Jesus this weekend–and consider opening your home to someone who has never experienced God’s love.

* Intercede for those who continue in allegiance to their faith of works, asking the Lord to break through the spiritual walls they have raised.

* Pray for God to reveal His salvation to those who seek righteousness and attend one of these intimate celebrations of thankfulness.

—
International Mission Board
3806 Monument Avenue
Richmond, VA 23230

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

AN ESTIMATED 1.5 MILLION people are living today after bouts with breast cancer…

Every time I forget to feel grateful to be among them, I hear the voice of an eight-year-old named Christina, who had cnaner of the nervous system. When asked what she wanted for her birthday, she thought long and hard and finaly said, “I don’t know. I have two sticker books and a Cabbage Patch doll. I have everything!” The kid is right. Erma Bombeck

“Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD,

among the Gentiles,

and sing praises to Your name.”

Psm. 30:4

What do you have to be thankful for this week?

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!

For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.”

~Psalm 75:1~

Mrs. Della McDaniel got to leave the hospital last night and is now back in Kentwood. Continue to pray for her as she recovers.

Mrs. Jeanette McGhee came through her surgery well. Pray for her as she recovers.

Pray for Mrs. Rena Cutrer as she continues to recover from a broken hip.

Frances Hughes, originally from Roseland, was one of the first people I knew whose mother had passed away when she was young. Frances was also blind. I loved to go to her home as a child and visit. I remember taking vanilla wafers. Frances got around very well at her home. At church, she always immediately recognized my voice. Her daddy worked hard to take care of his family. The siblings all took good care of each other. Thankfully, there were a lot of sisters to help run the household. I’ll never forget this sweet family.

I found out this evening that Daddy’s sister, Frances passed away this afternoon around 3:40pm. They are suppose to make the final arrangements tomorrow; but it looks like Friday night visitation at Seale Funeral Home in Denham Springs and burial at Arcola on Saturday morning. Soon as I get the obituary I will send it to you. God bless.

Cheryl Hughes Green

Lawana Carter took both boys to the doctor yesterday. Mason got his best sinus report in 13 years. Adam has some fluid that will hopefully clear up. Thank God for Mason’s good report, but pray for Adam to get better.

Sydney Dixon – http://rockytoptiger.blogspot.com/2009/11/look-no-tubes.html

Larry Bankston fot a good report yesterday. He sees the cardiologist again in three months.

Pray for Rev. Butch Reviere as he sees his doctor again today.

CaringBridge Sites

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

SENATOR RICHARD NEUBERGER once said the experience of contracting cancer changed him…

“A change came over me which I believe is irreversible. Questions of prestige, of political success, of financial status, became all at once unimportant. In their stead has come a new appreciation of things I once took for granted — eating lunch with a friend, scratching Muffet’s ears and listening for his purr, the company of my wife, reading a book or magazine in the quiet cone of my bed lamp at night, raiding the refrigerator for a glass of orange juice or a slice of coffee cake. For the first time I think I am actually savoring life. I shudder when I remember all the occasions that I spoiled myself — even when I was in the best of health — by false pride, synthetic values, and fancied slights.”

“In everything give thanks;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Think about ten ways you are thankful. Focus on them throughout the day today. Thank you for praying today.

Anna Lee