Category: Devotional

Wednesday

“Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!

You have relieved me in my distress;

have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.”

~Psalm 4:1~


Please pray for Tammy Helsel Rohner.   She’s very sick and unable to get out our bed.  Her husband, Heath, requests our prayers.

Mason and Adam Carter

Will you add Mason to the prayer link. He will have sinus surgery again on the 18th in McComb, Ms.  Adam has fluid in one of his ears. He is on meds and hopely it will clear it up.
Thank you,
Lawana

Colton Frazier

Tuesday, September 8, 2009 5:36 PM, CDT

OK everyone, we have new news.  Colton is going to stay here in New Orleans at the hospital for a couple of more days, (trying to get completely rid of his little fever) then he will be transfered to Touro Rehab in New Orleans where he will receive the BEST rehab and care he can get.   This is another step forward!!!
Adrianna Cavanaugh

Tuesday, September 8, 2009 4:05 PM, CDT

Just got admitted to hospital.  Adrianna and I got here this morning and got labs drawn, met with Dr. Yu, then went to get a pedicure for Adrianna. She had a blast picking out her color and talking to the ladies who did our toes!  She was so proud and kept asking what her daddy was going to say when he saw her toes.  She even said, “Daddy got his toes painted when he was a little boy!”  This had all the customers laughing!
She also had her last fast-food cheeseburger for a LONG time.  I’d say she’s in a pretty good mood and didn’t give me a fight coming to the hospital today.  Which was great, b/c I’m by myself today.  Joe will be here tonight and tomorrow and then my mom will come while Joe is at school.  Then he’ll come back for the weekends.  We’ll be playing musical chairs for a little while here!
Please say an extra prayer for my dad, as he has to go tomorrow to have another angiogram done.  He’s been having shortness of breath, and they are wondering if he needs stints.  Adrianna worries about her Poppa ALMOST as much as he worries about her!
Dr. Yu said the high dose chemo will actually start tomorrow during the day, just in case there were a reaction to it and she may need to be around.
So today they will just get labs drawn and get prepared for tomorrow.  We are in a normal room right now, but in the middle of the night they will give her a sterile bath, wrap her in a towel, and run her across the hall in the extremely clean and STERILE room.  This room has been swabbed and cleaned for a week now, waiting on Adrianna.
They have to put her clothes and toys in a high temp sterilization cleaner and for the rest of the 3 weeks, the adults in the room (mom, me, or Joe) will have to wear gloves, masks, and gowns- even during sleep!  We can give each other breaks, though, which is relieving.
We also have to store all of our clothes, etc. in the bathroom of the room and cannot eat at all in the room, or take a shower, or use the bathroom in there.  It’s going to be different, but it will be just another process in getting Adrianna healthy and better again!!!!
Please say lots of prayers that Adrianna does not get the mucocitis this go around, and if she does, that it’s not that bad.  That’s been my biggest fear- that she won’t be able to talk or eat during all of this.  She even said a prayer herself about it last night.
She also grabbed my prayer cross that a friend of mine had given me, and said a sweet prayer for Jace.  It was so sweet!!  Robyn said Jace said a prayer for her too, when the priest came to bless him!  They are so genuine and beautiful!
Adrianna’s in her legwarmers, boucing on the side of the bed right now, beggin for more cookies!  I better get going and let her enjoy her last cookies for a while too.  She’ll be on a strict diet after this.
More news tomorrow……..keep that prayer chain going!!
P.S.  Thanks SOOOO much to Tracie Howes (a former teacher friend) for having a b’day bash and being so kind as to have people give donations to Adrianna at her birthday party.  It was such a sweet gesture and we appreciate all the donations, and especially that now all these people know to pray for our baby girl, too!  So sweet- thank you, thank you, thank you!


Theresa Flores will have a kidney transplant October 19th.  Please keep Thereas, her family, the doctors, and the entire medical staff in your prayers.

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

A GOOD FRIEND of mine’s personal statement on Facebook says, “Don’t let your eyes adjust to the dark…”


He gives no explanation or elaboration, and for his friends who are unfamiliar with the Bible, the message probably makes no sense.  When I first read it, I assumed it was some inside joke between him and another friend.  But knowing the kind of person he is, it occurred to me that he was talking about spiritual, not physical, darkness.  In fact, his words effectively summarize what Jesus said in Matthew 6:22-23.


God created our physical eyes to easily adjust to dark surroundings, but He never intended for our souls to adapt to the darkness of sin and its effects.  To His dismay, however, too many of His children find spiritual darkness normal, and some even find it quite comfortable.  Is this true of you or me?  Have our spiritual eyes adjusted to darkness when:

  • Sin saturates the shows or movies we watch, the things we read, or the websites we visit?

  • We see others hurting or suffering and yet feel no compassion for them?

  • We misuse our mouths with bad language, gossip, harsh criticism, or other cruelty?

The world is often a dark place, and its shadows can easily creep into our lives and overwhelm us.  But God’s light will always eliminate the darkness of sin and as His lights, we can even make this world a brighter place.  “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8).  Blaine Kelly


The eye is the lamp of the body.  So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.  If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” Matthew 6:22-23 ESV


Thank you for praying for these needs and for other needs that were not listed.

Anna Lee


Tuesday

“Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You.”

~Psalm 67:5~

Maggie Lee for Good – Oct. 29

(in honor of Maggie Lee Henson)

http:www.maggieleeforgood.org
Continue to pray for the family of Colton Frazier as they make plans to move him closer to Kentwood.
Hollie K. sent prayer requests
  1. People not to become to weary/discouraged from lack of electricity (off about 10 hours a day lately)
  2. Flooding in streets and houses from constant rain (and problems related to flooding)
Pray for wise choices to prevent the spread of Swine Flu.   Pray for families that have been touched by this problem as they treat the patient and prevent the spread within the family.
Pray for the family of Demetria S. Mearidy of Tangipahoa who was killed in an accident and for the four other young ladies who were in the car with her.

Provoke

STUDIES SHOW THAT entire families who begin the day with hot food, encouraging words, and affection do their respective tasks more efficiently during the time they are apart…

The unfortunate ones who leave each other after a quarrel do not fare as well. Unhappy or stressed students make poorer grades in school and do not get along with others as well as children who leave home with a positive attitude. It is the responsibility of parents to instill in their children positive attitudes, as well as a depth of love and forgiveness that make for peace in families. This is best done by example. Be before them what you want them to become. (Frances Parr)

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works…” (Heb. 10:24).

Posted by Mike Benson
Have a great, short work week!
Anna Lee

Monday

“Then the Lord said to Paul in a night vision,

“Don’t be afraid, but keep on speaking and don’t be silent.

For I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to hurt you.”

~Acts 18:9-10a, HCSB~

Madeline Nielson, daughter of Ronnie and Angie Nielsen of the Jackson, MS area,  has Swine Flu.  Please pray she will get well quickly and none of the other family members will get sick.



Colton Frazier

Sunday, September 6, 2009 10:24 PM, CDT

At the 10 am visit we sat him up on the side of the bed.  He did ok, just have to hold him up, but it helps to get him motiviated.  Guess that wore him out cause the rest of the day he was pretty  lazy He did move his legs more than he has been.  So guess  that was our baby step of the day.  Every little bit is good.  Another day to heal!!

People to continue to keep in your prayers today:

Mrs. Faye Price

Chuck Pittman

Mrs. Nat McKinney

Friendship

I CAN COUNT on one hand my most intimate friends, those with whom I would share anything…

I can hardly think of a boundary on our conversations. We reached that plane of relationship after long hours together and considerable risk. If a doctor informs me tomorrow that I have a terminal disease, they will be my first calls.

Most of my intimate friends live in other cities, and as a result I may see them only once a year. When we meet, though, we skip the chitchat and go right to the heart of what concerns us most. I don’t worry about being judged or second-guessed or made the subject of gossip. With true friends, I feel safe.

Friendship with God encompasses each of these levels of communication. God cares about the ordinary and everyday as well as the peak experiences. I bring to God my failures and sins (confession, repentance) as well as my triumphs and joys (praise, thanksgiving). I bring to God my worries and concerns (petition, intercession). The very attempt to hide something from God is folly, for God know all of who I am: the genetics as well as the environment, the thoughts and motives as well as the actions. (Philip Yancey)

“And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God,

and it was imputed unto him for righteousness:

and he was called the Friend of God.”

~James 2:23~

Posted by Mike Benson

Enjoy the holiday.  Have a great week!  Keep praying.

Anna Lee

Sunday


“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,

for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,

for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

~Romans 1:16~

Colton Frazier

Saturday, September 5, 2009 9:10 PM, CDT

Colton had a good day. Not really a lot of change but still doing all the things he has been doing.  He made some movements for David Fraizer today, made us all happy!  At 8pm they were finishing his bath, and all of us who know Colton, knows how many times a day he showered, therefore he was feeling real good.  He just layed there and looked at us so relaxed. Another day for him to heal has passed. Keep praying!!

Trust

abtrust.jpgIT’S IMPORTANT TO be careful where you place your trust…

Some barbers say “trust me” as half of your eyebrow falls into your lap.

Some dentists say “trust me” as they drill down deeper than Exxon.

Some postal workers say “trust me,” stamp your package “Fragile,” and then drop-kick it into the parcel bin.

Some manicurists say “trust me,” as they push your cuticles back to your elbow.

Some mechanics say “trust me,” then make your engine purr like a kitten…with strep throat.

Some friends say “trust me” as they borrow your favorite shirt, accidentally wash it in hot water, then hand you back a swatch.

A lot of people say “trust me,” but don’t quite earn your trust. They fall short of their promises, and leave you wishing you hadn’t placed your faith in them in the first place.

Aren’t you glad, though, that when God says “trust Me,” you can? (Martha Bolton)

“He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him.”

~Prov. 30:5b, KJV~

Posted by Mike Benson

Make God first today!
Anna Lee

Friday

“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~

Averi Strickland has been able to be at school this week.  Who would have predicted that after his recent stroke?  His progress is an answer to prayers!

IMB Connecting

Lottie Moon shortfall limits Gospel access, leaves missionaries on hold Tim and Audrey Shepard (names changed) were ready to go to Asia as Southern Baptist missionaries. Then they got a call that told them their appointment had been put on hold. There wasn’t enough money to send them. “You feel sort of directionless,” said Audrey. “We really don’t know what to do now.” On the field, missionaries Sam and Elizabeth Hughes (names changed) were counting the days ’til the Shepards arrived. “I’ve got a list as long as I am tall of things I need them to be doing,” Sam says.

Giving shortfall risks southern Baptists’ opportunity to re-engage closed country.  A rare opportunity to place missionaries in a highly restricted Central Asian country may soon slip through Southern Baptists’ fingers due to a serious shortfall in missions giving. Shane and Melanie Johnson (names changed) were on track to become the first Southern Baptist personnel to serve inside the country in nearly a decade. But now that plan is in jeopardy. Financial restrictions are leading to at least a six-month delay. During that time, the window of opportunity to get into the country could close. And the Johnsons — with a baby on the way — are looking at some financial hardships themselves.

“After 2,000 years of Christian history and concerted mission efforts, why do so many areas of our world remain untouched by the Gospel? … Could it be that one of the barriers to reaching these pockets of lostness is the lack of financial resources?”
Jerry Rankin, president, IMB

FYI:  Dr. Jerry Rankin will be speaking at FBC, Kentwood later this fall.  You will be invited to attend so you can hear his report on the Interantional Mission Board.  What an opportunity!  David and I have heard him speak more than once.  He has insight we can all profit from.

Colton Frazier

Wednesday, September 2, 2009 2:12 PM, CDT

The Therapist came in to work with him.  We sat him up on side of the bed again.  He did good sitting up with all our help but was a little tired today. We asked him if he wanted to lay back down  to raise your right thumb.   Well let me tell you the thumb came straight up, he was ready to lay down.  Everything else is still good.

Thursday, September 3, 2009 9:56 PM, CDT

Well all and all Colton had a good day.  The therapists sat him in  a big chair this morning.  He looked good sitting there.  Had Good responses from that. The rest of the day he was tired and had to rest. At the 8pm visit we raised his head from the pillow and he opened his eyes a little and we told him to move his hand and give us a thumbs up.  Guess what, he did, then asked again and he raised his whole arm and thumb.  It was a great way to tell us good night.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009 2:12 PM, CDT

The Therapist came in to work with him.  We sat him up on side of the bed again.  He did good sitting up with all our help but was a little tired today. We asked him if he wanted to lay back down  to raise your right thumb.   Well let me tell you the thumb came straight up, he was ready to lay down.  Everything else is still good.

Baptist Press

September 3, 2009

MAINE–Maine set for historic ‘gay marriage’ vote. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31191

TEXAS–Humans are never ‘too expensive … too inconvenient,’ Land says. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31192

GEORGIA–Ga. pastor shot, killed by undercover police. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31193

WASHINGTON–Abortion doc reports threat; arrest follows. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31194

TENNESSEE–Young adults’ spirituality explored. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31195

TENNESSEE–FIRST-PERSON (Rob Phillips): Why the Kingdom still matters. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31196

KENTUCKY–FIRST-PERSON (R. Albert Mohler Jr.): NIV will require ‘attentive study.’ http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31197

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor
JEAN ROSENSTEIN SAT down at a small table in her cramped, one-bedroom apartment and painfully put her thoughts on paper…
The arthritis in her fingers made the writing difficult and painful, but she continued.  The scrawled words read, “I’m so lonely I could die.  So alone.  I cannot write.  My hands and fingers pain me…I see no human beings.  My phone never rings…I’m so very old, so very lonely.  I hear from no one…Way past eighty years.  Should I die?  Never had any kind of holidays, no kind.  My birthday is this month…Sometimes I even feel sure the world ended, and I’m the only one on earth.  How else can I feel?  Oh, dear God, help me.  Am of sound mind, so lonely, very, very much.  I don’t know what to do.”
She put the letter in an oversized yellow envelope along with some money and six stamps and mailed it to the Los Angles Times newspaper.  The money was to pay for the call if someone would just call to talk to her.  The stamps were for anyone who would take the time to write.  In a city surrounded by millions of people, Jean Rosenstein felt alone.  And what happened?  First, a reporter called and said he would like to visit.  Mrs. Rosenstein was delighted.  She had not had a visitor for a long, long time.
She described her painfully accurate situation to the reporter.  “If you are alone, you die every day…Sometimes I just dread to see myself wake up in the morning.”  The newspaper printed her letter along with a story.  Within days thousands of letters and cards poured into the little apartment.  Visitors began to stream in and out to talk to the lonely lady who had no friends.  So many people called that she finally had to take the phone off the hook.  Letters came from elderly people, young couples sent pictures of their children.  People responded from all over the world.  She said, “This will last a lifetime.”
THOUGHT: How many Mrs. Rosensteins are in the city which you live–some lost in vast cities, some in convalescent hospitals, some in shabby apartments, some on farms–all forgotten people, forgotten by children and former acquaintances, forgotten by people who are too busy to care?  All that is necessary to destroy loneliness is the one real friend.  If there is a Jean Rosenstein living near you, a person who needs your friendship as badly as you need to extend it?  Take a look, friend, and reach out to that person.  (Harold J. Sala)

“A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24
Have a fantastic Friday!
Anna Lee

Thursday

“So don’t get tired of doing what is good.

Don’t get discouraged and give up,

for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.”

~Galatians 6:9 NLT~

Adrianna Cavanagh

Just wanted to update to let everyone know that Adrianna is in the BEST mood today!  Gradually, throughout the day, she has lost one thing after another that has confined her to the bed!  She is off the oxygen now, the pain med machine, and the bpm monitor!
As soon as everything was finally removed, she was soooo eager to put on her shoes and head to the playroom!  We wanted to bring her downstairs where they were having a bluegrass band concert, but there’s too much flu or swine flu around these days, and we didn’t want to take any chances!
So Adrianna, Mommy, and Nana are all listening to Adrianna’s music CD’s and watching her play and cut up.  She has been talking, talking, talking ALL day long.  We can’t even get her to stop talking for a moment!
They took the chest tube out right after lunch and that was painful to watch- I can’t imagine feeling that thing being pulled out of my sore body! She did extremely well with it, but was sweating and upset for a few minutes there.  At least Nana had just gotten here, and she was able to divert her attention a little.
(Her Mommy couldn’t even watch them do it!  She had to close her eyes like a chicken!)
So Dr. Yu has said that we are still on track to be admitted the day after Labor Day, but the actual stem cell transplant will not start until Sept. 16th.  They have tests, prehydration, etc. that they have to do with her before the transplant can begin.
We are extremely happy that my dad, Poppa Reggie, is feeling better after having been admitted to the hospital himself on Sunday.  His heart was experiencing some arrythmia, but he’s doing better now and was discharged the next day.  Adrianna was very worried about her Poppa having to be in the hospital, too.  On the way to New Orleans, we stopped by to see him, and she wanted to make sure she gave him her little blue birdie “to make him feel all better!”  She talked about Poppa all night and the next day, until he finally got home, and then she asked to talk to him on the phone.  She was very concerned and sweet about it.

…Love to all!  Keeping the faith!
~Stephanie

Robert Thomas “PaPa Smurf” King
(April 9, 1935 – September 2, 2009)

Robert Thomas “PaPa Smurf” King was born on April 9, 1935 and passed away at 9:45 a.m., Wednesday, September 2, 2009 at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. He was 74, a native of Ponca City, OK and a resident of Hammond.Robert is survived by 2 sisters, Carolyn K. Patterson, Lafayette and Janet “Candy” Pourciau, Roseland; 5 brothers, Mervel A. King, Amite, Johnny King and wife Helen, Demopolis, AL, Richard King and wife Ruby, Roseland, Ronald King and wife Melrose, Roseland, and Robert “Tuffy” Jackson and wife Vera, Arcola; a sister-in-law, Dorothy King Eggers, Roseland.

He was preceded in death by parents, John and Jeanette Martin King; a brother, Jack L. King; 3 sisters, Dorothy K. Jackson, Bessie Mae Hayden and Alice K. Lyons.

Visitation will be at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Saturday, September 5, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. until Religious Services in the funeral home Chapel at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Bob Simpson officiating. Interment in the Hillsdale Cemetery.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N & Hwy-16W behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash and Bond Eye Clinic.

Operation Christmas Child

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php
IS THERE ANYONE WHO THINKS HE CAN WHIP ME?

The following story comes from Robert Norris (via Reader’s Digest):

“My brother and I arrived at boot camp together. On the first morning, our unit was dragged out of bed by our drill sergeant and made to assemble outside. ‘My name’s Sergeant Jackson,’ he snarled. ‘Is there anyone here who thinks he can whip me?’

“My six-foot-three, 280-pound brother raised his hand and said, ‘Yes, sir, I do.’

“Our sergeant grabbed him by the arm and led him out in front of the group.  ‘Men,’ he said, ‘this is my new assistant. Now, is there anyone here who thinks he can whip both of us?'”

That humorous story reminds me of our relationship with God.  As we look out at the world, our pride and our sense of independence may cause us to feel that we can take on anything life has to throw at us.  But life will let us know very quickly that we are no match.  The trials of life have a way of beating us down and causing us to feel helpless at times.

But God stands by our side and suddenly our confidence is renewed, because there truly is no one or nothing strong enough to defeat us both.

“What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (I John 4:4)

“Be strong and of good courage; do not be afarid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

May you find your confidence this day not in your own strength, but in the strength of the One who stands by your side.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Praying that you have a great day!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“Trust in Him at all times, you people;

pour out your heart before Him;

God is a refuge for us.”

~Psalm 62:8~

Thank you for praying for my parents, Grant and Dot Smith.  Yesterday, Daddy got a good report.

Averi Strickland, the 16 year old KHS student who had a stroke, is back in school!  Thank-you for praying for him.  Please keep Averi and his family in your prayers as Averi continues to improve.

Colton Frazier

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR COLTON FRAZIER AND HIS FAMILY. HE IS IMPROVING EVERYDAY AND THIS MORNING WAS WONDERFUL, HE KEPT HIS EYES OPEN FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. THANKS TO ALL YOU HAVE BEEN THINKING AND PRAYING FOR COLTON AND HIS FAMILY. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!
* TO GET UPDATES AND TO LEAVE MESSAGES FOR COLTON AND HIS FAMILY VISIT http://www.caringbridge.org when asked for website to visit enter coltonfrazier* LYNN WILL BE READING THE MESSAGES TO COLTON WHEN SHE CAN.

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


Don Denton

Just a quick update.  Don is continuing to improve.  We are so grateful for that.  He is continuing to taper down on his steroids and he is tolerating that very well too.  As a matter of fact, he is tapering down on several medications and doing well with it.

Joshua is sick.  He has had a fever for several days now.  It is that time of year.  I woke up with a migraine this morning but am doing better.

We are asking for prayer for several areas.  We will hear from our mortgage company any day now on whether we qualify for a certain program to lower our house note.  Please pray that it will get approved.

We found out that we qualify for food stamps as well.  This is another place for me with being humbled.  I could have never imagined being at this place in our life, and at the same time, I know this is for a season.

We are hoping that we will also qualify for the insurance reduction as well for colbra.  Otherwise we will not be able to afford our health insurance.  Please pray in this way.  We are hoping and praying for this.

I also am working at continuing to appeal health insurance issues for Don’s hospitalizations.  It is an ongoing battle.  Finding the time to do all of this can feel overwhelming.

It is like putting out fires as they come.

And in the midst of all of this, some days I find myself very discouraged, but I have more days that I hold on to what we have with each other and our precious family and friends.

We could not do this without all of you and your love, prayer and support.  It is because of your love for our heavenly Father that you have reached out to us in so many ways.  We truly are changed because of this.  We can’t even begin to put into words how you all have blessed us.  Blessed us by praying, your words of encouragement, your love and support and being available when I need help with the house.

I am working on trying to get the house ready for winter and some students of Don’s continue to reach out to us.  They are precious servents.  They too continue teach us about God’s love.

Brice a past student of Don’s reminded us of some things Don had not thought of pertaining to God being in all of this.  We find that Don’s students are now teaching him and myself.

It is a precious gift to us.  Many of Don’s students have written me and been a “gift of God” to me with meeting us right where we are at.  They are the ones too that have walked with us in honesty and compassion.

I give thanks to God today for another new day.  Another day to give thanks for the life we have.

Bless you our family and friends.

Diane

Dukes

Just wanted to write a post to say thanks to all of you who continue to pray for Dad and Jason and me and our families. It means so much.

I also wanted to follow through on something I mentioned to you a while back. Jason wrote a book. Well, it is online for pre-order now. You can find it by clicking here. I am very proud of him. Hope it encourages those of you who read it. Mom would be very proud of her “Shug” (like “sugar” for short). That’s what she called her boys. Jason dedicated the book to Mom. He actually planned to do so even before the accident.

Please keep praying for Dad. Erin and I and the boys had a great time with him this last weekend. He is going on vacation with Jason and Jen and the kids next week. We are loving the time with him. Look for a post from Jason soon. He said he was gonna get on in the next day or so.
-E

Cheyenne Hartman

Awakened today by her coughing. Last night she was sweating profusely at church.  Two symptoms of her heart not functioning right.  Will this fear I live in ever go away. Turning it over to the Lord isn’t always that easy, I still have anxiety over the possibility of another heart surgery. We go back to Dr. Hixon next week, and I guess he will let me know where we stand as far as the pressure in the heart.

Both fundraisers are coming at a good time. Right now if she had to go in, her Daddy would not be able to come home and help me, we just couldn’t make it with him not working for the next 5 weeks.

Hearing someone else say what my deepest fear is makes me a bit nervous. Yesterday, we talked about not being able to get life insurance until she is 6.  It is hard to imagine that God’s plan is to take this precious Baby from me after all he has brought me through. Living through that would be extremely difficult.  I think about Koby Sumrall’s family and how hard it must be for them. I remember when I found my brother Jimmy, and how hard that was on my Mom. I will never forget her anguishing cry on that day and for so many days that followed.  Mom said you never get over losing a child, I can believe that. God will protect me, I have faith.

With my family and friends holding up my arms, I think we can win this battle…but I do get afraid. I wish Down Syndrome was her only issue, that would be a piece of cake. This heart buisness is a lifetime ordeal.

Pray for my strength and my peace of mind. I need prayer, I need Christian friends lifting me up or I will not make it through this.

Operation Christmas Child

National Collection Week

November 16-23, 2009

It’s time to start preparing the shoeboxes!

Georgia Barnette State (LA) Missions Offering

Week of Prayer:  September 13 – 20, 2009

State Goal: $1,650,000.00

FBC, Kentwood Goad:  $8,000.00

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

GENERAL GEORGE PATTON argued, “Success is measured by how high you bounce when you’ve hit bottom…”

Simon Peter is a perfect illustration of this truth.  He forsook his Lord and Friend in the garden.  He even denied that he knew Jesus when identified by a young maiden around the fire.  He hit bottom.  However, he didn’t stay on the bottom.  He bounced, and he bounced high.  He would preach the gospel powerfully on Pentecost just a short time later (Acts 2).  He would be a catalyst in the growth of the early church (Acts 3-12).

The question is not whether we are going to fail; but rather, how high we are going to bounce once we do.  (Wade Webster)

“Peter answered and said to Him,
‘Even if all are made to stumble because of You,
I will never be made to stumble.'”
~Matthew 26:33~
God loves to hear out prayers!
Anna Lee

Monday

“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray.

Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers,

letting God know your concerns.

Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness,

everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down.

It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry

at the center of your life.”

~Philippians 4:6–7 MSG~


From Jenni Henson, Maggie Lee’s mother:

Thank you for your continued prayers for our family. A very disturbed young man entered the sanctuary at fbc this am and started screaming,”

There is no such thing as God.” While John was front and center at the podium. Thankfully, he was not armed, but it was frightening to say the least to think about what could’ve happened.
Will Easley is doing we. He may get to move to a step-down unit today.  Keep praying.
We’ve been asked to pray for another young child: Adrianna Cavanagh.  Adrianna is in Childres’s Hospital in New Orleans and lives in Washington Parish.  She has stage four cancer.  Be sure to read the story and look at her beautiful pictures.
Several people have been hospitalized recently, are hospitalized now, or will be hospitalized soon.  Please pray for each by their group, not by name, today.
Private Matthew Wildes of Hammond was killed on Friday in Afghanistan.  Please pray for his family and for all those who continue to serve around the world to protect us.  When you see a young man or woman in a uniform, tell them thanks.  They volunteered to serve!  Also, thank vets as you get the opportunity.

KneEmail

Number

images.jpgI READ OF an old Norwegian who had kept very careful notes of his life in a series of notebooks he kept on the shelf of his business…

On his eightieth birthday he went to the store and pulled the books from the shelf and began to compute his life. He was surprised to find that he had spent five of his eighty years waiting on customers. He had spent six months tying neckties, three months scolding children who had been running around the store, and eight days telling his dogs to lie down and be quiet.

Some stuff is pressing (i.e., urgent); some stuff is consequential (i.e., important). We need to learn to distinguish between the two and then act accordingly.

“So teach us to number our days,

that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Psalm 90:12


Posted by Mike Benson at August 25, 2009
Thank you so much for being there to pray.  Your  support of others is so appreciated!  Have the best Monday you’ve had in a while!
Anna Lee

Sunday

“Show me the path where I should go, O Lord;

point out the right road for me to walk.”

~Psalm 25:4 LB~

KneEmail

Time

clock.jpgEVERY MORNING GOD doles out a limited amount of time to every soul on the planet…

86,400 seconds, 1,440 minutes, or 24 hours–depending upon how you count time. We can do what we want with this daily allotment: spend it, use it, waste it, kill it, invest it, or just ignore it. Whatever we do it it, our time for that one day will be gone There is no way to save any of it.

“The day of our lives are seventy years;

and if by reason of strength they are eighty years,

yet their boast is only labor and sorrow;

for it is soon cut off and we fly away.”

Psalm 90:10


Posted by Mike Benson at August 26, 2009 11:18 AM

What will you do with your 86,400 seconds today?

Anna Lee

Friday

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4: 13, NKJV

Rusty Williams is doing fine.  Please continue to pray for him and his family.

KOMpray

Kids on Mission Pray

Learning in school

My name is Sandy.  I am 7 and I love to do cartwheels.  This month the teachers say I have dyslexia.  This is making my reading in my second language more difficult.  I have to change classes and begin to learn reading in my own heart language (English).  I cried when I found out I must leave my friends and go to a new class.

Please pray I will grow in my reading skills and be able to learn better in school.  Pray I can enjoy school.  Pray for my old friends as I say goodbye and pray for my new friends as I say hello after the summer break.  Pray that I will not give up trying even when my school work gets harder.

I know God is with me in all this, even though I don’t like the change, I was reminded HE loves me, and I agree with that. SANDY, age 7 (European peoples)

Photo

Prayer Requests from Missionary Kids

My grandma died a few weeks ago. Pray for mom to be OK and to get through it.  KT, age 12 (Southeast Asian peoples)

Pray that my family gets back to our country safely.  Pray for my best national friend KH and her brother MG to be safe and happy while I am away.  They are watching my puppy for me.  Pray for KH’s father to believe in Jesus.  SM, age 6 (East Asian peoples)

My prayer request is about my family’s work.  Please help us to continue helping the villages safely.  ERIN, age 11 (East Asian Peoples)

Pray for “Lena”.  I tried to make her believe. I even gave her a Bible so please pray for her.  NATALIE, age 8 (European peoples)

Every Monday in India we have a school day about India, and we let the Indian children play with us with our toys.  We want them to know that Jesus wants us to.  RISA, age 7 (South Asian peoples)

Please pray for all of our people and our friends in Central.  Now it is unsafe for them to go outside of their homes because of the demonstrations in the streets. JACOB, age 12 (Central Asian peoples)

I am moving from East Asia to the U.S.  I don’t know how to deal with that.  East Asia is home.  I need prayer for me and how to deal with the U.S.  MICHAL, age 12 (East Asian People)


THINGS I WISH I’D KNOWN

Someone has composed this list (from a variety of sources) of “Things I Wish I’d Known Before I Went Out Into the Real World”:

*  Never continue dating anyone who is rude to the waiter.

*  Some people are working backstage, some are playing in the orchestra, some are on-stage singing, some are in the audience as critics, some are there to applaud.  Know who and where you are.

*  The five most essential words for a healthy, vital relationship: “I apologize” and “You are right.”

*  Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

*  When you make a mistake, make amends immediately.  It’s easier to eat crow while it’s still warm.

*  The only really good advice that I remember my mother ever gave me was, “Go!  You might meet somebody!”

*  If he says that you are too good for him, believe it.

*  I’ve learned to pick my battles; I ask myself, “Will this matter one year from now?  How about one month?  One week?  One day?”

*  The shortest line is always the longest.

*  Being happy doesn’t mean everything’s perfect, it just means you’ve decided to see beyond the imperfections.

*  If you woke up breathing, congratulations!  You have another chance!

There’s a lot of biblical truth in many of the statements above, especially the last statement.  How often have you done something really stupid and said to yourself, “I wish I could have a second chance”?  The truth is, God has given you a second chance.  He’s given you hundreds of second chances.  You’re not guaranteed another one, but the fact that you got up out of bed today means that you have one more opportunity to make right anything that has destroyed your relationship with God or others.

Many people have questioned why Jesus has not yet returned like he promised he would.  Here’s one reason:

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise [to return], as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

If you woke up breathing, congratulations!  You have another chance!  Don’t waste it.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina