Category: Family

Thursday

Enjoy prosperity while you can.

But when hard times strike,

realize that both come from God.

That way you will realize that nothing is certain in this life.

~Ecclesiastes 7:14 NLT~

 

 

 

Miss Bill Hughes is at home once more. She said that she is doing better but is still in some pain. (I called her at home. And then I called Mrs. Anne Hurst.) Both Miss Bill and Mrs. Anne Hurst went home last night from their hospitals. Mrs. Hurst said that she was definitely feeling better.

Laura Joiner

 

Jadon’s Story: Eye appointment

I had my eye appointment today. After a 3 hour wait they said my vision is fine. I have to go back in 6 months to see if there has been any change. Other than that my seizures are still the same. We have to talk to the Dr. In Detroit tomorrow. II will let you know what he says. Please continue to pray!!!

 

Mr. Harrell Sharkey’s heart is fine.  Doctors will be searching for what his problem could be.

Mr. Jimmy Tolar also had a heart cath. with good results.

Taylor Breland, a 14 year old student at Sumner Middle School, was recently diagnosed with cancer.  Pray for Taylor and her family as go to Childrens’ Hospital.

Dr. Earl Council always requests prayer for unborn babies and their mother.  That is a very valid request and one we should all add to our prayer lists.

Andy Taylor has a place in his stomach that is not healing as well as the doctors would like.  Pray that Andy heals so additional attention is not needed.

Pray for the family of Mrs. Georgia Gaines Zachary as they deal with her loss and the circumstances of the accident.  Life and death can seem so unfair at times.

Thought for the Day: Some things money cannot buy

The story is told of a professor was gave a big test one day to his students. He handed out all of the tests and went back to his desk to wait. Once the test was over, the students all handed the tests back in.

The professor noticed that one of the students had attached a $100 bill to his test with a note saying “A dollar per point.”

The next class the professor handed the tests back out. This student got back his test score and $64 change.

We live in a world where virtually anything can be bought with money. It’s important to be reminded every now and then that there are some things that money can’t buy.

“….Conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” (I Peter 1:17b-19)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ

White House, Tennessee

 

May you have the peace of God today in all you do!

Anna Lee

Thursday

“And . . . they shall abide,

for now He shall be great to the ends of the earth;

and this One shall be peace.”

~Micah 5:4b-5~

CaringBridge:CarolineCutrer

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

My former student, Julie Thompson Lessard, is still hospitalized with a blood clot.  Keep her in you prayers now and when she goes home again.

Pray for families whose strong mother figures are broken and frail now.  I can count several without much effort.  My prayers go out to these families.

Pray for Becki, Brayden, and Peyton Alford as they are already traveling back to Georgia this morning.

Tripp Roth

http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/

Courtney Roth

http://mom.babble.com/mom/mominations/mominations-winner-courtney-roth/

Thought for the Day: Faith when the rains begin

A newcomer to Seattle arrives on a rainy day. She gets up the next day and it’s raining. It also rains the day after that, and the day after that. She goes out to lunch and sees a young kid and, out of despair, asks, “Hey, kid, does it ever stop raining around here?” The kid says, “How should I know? I’m only 6.”

Residents of Seattle don’t tan — they rust!

I hear it only rains twice a year in Seattle — August through April and May through July.

Q: What do you call two straight days of rain in Seattle?
A: A weekend.

Q: What does daylight-saving time mean in Seattle?
A: An extra hour of rain.

Seattle may have a reputation for having a lot of rain, but it’s impossible to think about much rain without Noah and the flood coming to mind. The story of Noah is well-known, even among children, and its lessons are deep. Through this brief narrative, we are reminded of all of the essential elements of our relationship with God: God’s hatred of sin and the assurance of His judgment, God’s grace in providing a way of salvation, and Noah’s faith which led him to obey God completely.

“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” (Hebrews 11:7)

May your faith sustain you when the rains begin!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

I’ve been blessed.  What about you?

Anna Lee

Monday

“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, NKJV

 

Mike Nason still is fighting pneumonia, but is now hospitalized.  Pray he can recover quickly.

Billy Carl Strickland has had surgery and is expected to have more surgery.  Keep him in your prayers.

Andy Taylor and Jimmy Schwartz were both back in church yesterday.  Thank God for their progress.

Jimmy Schwartz Benefit

If you eat at Chili’s Restaurant in Hammond anytime on October 17th, 10% of your bill will be donated to Jimmy’s medical expenses.  You must mention Jimmy’s name when you pay your bill for him to receive benefit of the Give Back program.

Sgt. Paul Stuckey, a resident of Zachary, passed away Friday, Sept. 30, 2011, at the age of 47. He was born in Okinawa and raised in Baton Rouge where he graduated from Catholic High School in 1983. He was a sergeant with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries for 19 years. He loved hunting and fishing and loved sharing that with his boys. He was a… loving, …devoted husband and father. He is survived by his wife, Kim Stuckey; children, Mathew, Nathan and Brayden Stuckey; father, Marvin Stuckey; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Billy and Phyllis McCalister; sisters, Wanda Boyette and husband Glenn Boyette, Alice Michel and husband Mark Michel, and Martha Stuckey; brother, Jonathan Stuckey and wife Anna Stuckey; sisters-in-law, Amanda Cole and husband Keith, and Melissa McCalister; nephews, Christopher Boyette, Daniel Boyette, Austen Michel, James Stuckey, Alek Cole and Jimmy McCalister; nieces, Chelsea Boyette, Aymee Michel, Mary Stuckey and Kaitlyn McCalister; and loved ones. Preceded in death by his mother, Loretta Stuckey; and grandparents. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Louisiana Wildlife Agents Association, Fallen Officer Fund, or COPS. Visitation will be at First Baptist Church, Zachary, on Tuesday, Oct. 4, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Wednesday, Oct. 5, from noon until service at 2 p.m.
Have a fantastic Monday!
Anna Lee

Thursday

“Be anxious for nothing,

but in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving

let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

~Philippians 4:6-7~

Today, we will focus on good news/answered prayers.

  • Our six year old grandson, Mason, had suffered with allergiers all his life.  Yesterday, he had some allergy tests at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans.  Mason is no longer allergic to peanuts.  He celebrated with peanut butter and salted peanuts.  Today, he wants a Snickers. Tomorrow, he will get a Recees Cup.                                                                   This reminds me of all the simple pleasures of life we take for granted each day.
  • Momma is doing a little better and has made some progress in regaining her strength to stand up.                                                                     That is something that seems easy to most of us and something we think little of.  I think these two things alone will make us thankful today.
  • Andy Taylor was able to be at prayer meeting last night.  I know he is counting his blessings.
  • Ruby Schwartz is doing better with her walking.  I know she is thankful to have less pain now.
  • Frank Erwin is home from North Oaks.  There’s no place like home!
Thought for the Day: Appreciating Our Blessings

Two old friends bumped into one another on the street one day. One of them looked forlorn, almost on the verge of tears. His friend asked, “What has the world done to you, my old friend?”


The sad fellow said, “Let me tell you. Three weeks ago, an uncle died and left me forty thousand dollars.”

“That’s a lot of money.”

“But you see, two weeks ago, a cousin I never even knew died, and left me eighty-five thousand free and clear.”

“Sounds like you’ve been blessed….”

“You don’t understand!” he interrupted. “Last week my great-aunt passed away. I inherited almost a quarter of a million.”

Now he was really confused. “Then, why do you look so glum?”

“This week… nothing!”

That’s the trouble with receiving something on a regular basis. Even if it is a gift, we eventually come to expect it. Someone once suggested to me a way to test someone’s character. Give him (or her) $5 a day for a month. Then stop, and see what his reaction is. The natural tendency is that if we receive a gift long enough, we come to view it as an entitlement. We feel hurt, even angry, if we don’t receive it any longer.

It’s the same way with the blessings God gives us every day. I don’t deserve the comfortable home I live in, the beautiful scenery around me, the clean water that I drink. But after receiving these gifts (and a multitude of others) for years, I sometimes fail to be grateful. I’ve come to expect these good things. And when one of them is removed for a short while (like the water being cut off), I get upset.

Make an effort today to recognize the blessings you’ve come to take for granted. Focus on what you have rather than on what you don’t have, and see if it doesn’t improve your attitude.

“Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:8)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

 

My mother-in-law, Bessie Russell, was the best example I had of appreciating the little blessings of life.  She appreciated every little aspect of nature as she rode with family along the familiar roads of our area.  She felt so blessed to watch a child do everyday things, like run across her porch.  A new dish towel at Christmas was appreciated as much as a million dollars (which she never had).  She always fed Jason red beans from an old, heavy ironstone bowl.  I’m thankful for my daughter-in-law, Becki, who has that old ugly bowl hanging in a shadow box in her kitchen.  It brings back sweet memories of “Miss” Bessie and thankful thoughts of Becki who recognized the importance of that bowl that is priceless to Jason.

Blessed and thankful,

Anna Lee

Monday

 

“God, create a clean heart for me

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

~Psalm 51:10, HCSB~

 

Please say a special prayer for Caroline Cutrer. She is having a really rough time right now. She is back at the hospital in Jackson, Ms. Her fever has spiked and she is going to have some more transfusions. Thanks, Tammie

 

CaringBridge:LardkinDorris

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

 

Pray for Chloe Neyland and her family as Chloe is admitted to the hospital for Wednesday’s surgery.

 

 

Pray for Majel’s family.  Jesse is better, but her cousin. Joe, is still hospitalized in Jackson, and her sister goes in for knee replacement surgery on Wednesday at Baptist Hospital in Jackson, MS.  It’s been two weeks since Joe’s surgery.  He had been dealing with complications.  Jason‘s back surgery is scheduled so you can begin to pray for him.

 

Alice Faye Lee asked us to pray for her sister, Frances Allen, who has ovarian cancer and will have surgery at St. Dominiques in Jackson.  Frances and Frankie Fowler were twins.

 

Mr. Frank Erwin continues to be at North Oaks.  Pray for him and his family as they treat him for pneumonia and other concerns.

 

 

Thought for the Day: A Tribute to Missionaries

Preacher

You know you’ve been a missionary too long if……

1. You can’t answer the question, “Where are you from?”
2. You read National Geographic and recognize someone.
3. You have a time zone map next to your telephone.
4 You consider a city 500 km away to be “very close”.
5. You watch nature documentaries, and think about how good that animal would taste if it were fried.
6. You can cut grass with a machete, but can’t start a lawnmower.
7. You speak with authority on the subject of airline travel.
8. You read the international section before the comics.
9. You have friends from or in 29 different countries.
10. You sort your friends by continent.
11. Fitting 15 or more people into a car seems normal to you.
12. You refer to gravel roads as highways.
13. You haggle with the checkout clerk for a lower price.
14. You don’t think that two hours is a long sermon.
15. You marvel at the cleanliness of gas station bathrooms.
16. You think you’ve died and gone to heaven when you go into a foreign grocery store.
17. You think a “foreign school” conducts classes in English.

Before I get a flood of letters, let me assure you that I realize that not all missionaries work in conditions described above. But what an important role is filled by those willing (and able) to fulfill Jesus’ commission to carry the gospel to “all the world” (Mark 16:15)! I never cease to be amazed at the dedication and willingness to sacrifice that I see in the missionaries I know, as well as their obvious love for Jesus Christ and for people.

“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:14-15)

May God grant a special blessing today to those of you who have such beautiful feet! And I encourage all of my readers to offer a special prayer to God on behalf of the missionaries you know.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Boone Church of Christ
Boone, NC

 

Pray for our son-in-law as he travels back to his family in New Orleans today.

 

Stand in the storm.  When it gets rough, make adjustments, but keep standing.  

Blessed,

Anna Lee

 

Sunday

“Call to Me, and I will answer you,

and show you great and mighty things,

which you do not know.”

~Jeremiah 33:3

I think Momma has an infection again.  Pray for my family as we try to get this verified and something done to help Momma feel better.

Pray for my son-in-law, Boyd, as he speaks in Virginia today.  My his words be the words God has for the church there.  May the church be receptive to the words God has for them.

Thought for the Day: The Value of Experience

“Sir, What is the secret of your success?” a reporter asked a bank president.

“Two words.”

“And, sir, what are they?”

“Right decisions.”

“And how do you make right decisions?”

“One word.”

“And, sir, what is that?”

“Experience.”

“And how do you get experience?”

“Two words.”

“And, sir, what are they?”

“Wrong decisions.”

There’s a measure of truth in that. Though we can (and should) learn from the mistakes of others, experience truly does seem to be “the best teacher.” The experience of making wrong decisions in the past should help us to learn so that we make better decisions in the future. But are we willing to learn?

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man….” (I Timothy 1:12-13)

Paul is a great example of someone who learned from his past mistakes and, as a result of that experience, made better decisions in his effort to serve God.

Father, once again I come asking forgiveness for the many times I’ve let you down. As I confess to you my transgressions, I pray that you will help me to learn from my mistakes — to recognize the consequences of following my stubborn will, to realize the heartache you feel when I turn a deaf ear to you, to learn from my error the need to follow your word more closely. I have made wrong decisions, but I pray that the experience of doing so will help me to develop the wisdom necessary to make better decisions in the future, as I strive to draw closer to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Wednesday Afternoon

 

 

Two requests from Ashley Raborn

  • Please keep Webster McGehee in your prayers as he recovers from hand surgery due to a saw accident.
  • Please keep Sammy Ott in your prayers as he continues chemo.
Remember Landon Estays family today as both of the children have adenoids removed and tubes put in their ears.
Jesse Dean looks well.  He gives lots of credit to his drill sargent, Majel.  It was good to hear Jesse plans to make it to church Sunday.
Jimmy Schwarts also looks well.  He is waiting for test results and for Ruby.  She was scheduled to come home today.  Pray for Jimmy and Ruby as they both deal with illnesses.  Thanks to all those who have ministered to this family through food deliveries to the home.
Momma ‘walked’ a good bit for the PT yesterday.  Bruce Neal can get more from Momma than anyone else.  Thanks, Bruce.  Keep it up, Momma.
Two death notices

Late Monday Afternoon

Two Good Reports

  • Randy Relan is doing well following his liver transplant.
  • The neurosurgeon said my tumor seems to not be malignant, but will need to be watched in future MRIs.  Surgery is not a good option for me, but one-time radiation may be a possibility.  My next appointment is Dec. 5th.
Thanks for the prayers for Randy and me.  We both have a lot for which to be thankful and appreciate all the prayers on our behalf.

Monday

I pray that out of his glorious riches He may strengthen you

with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. 

~Ephesians 3:16–17 NIV~

I pray that out of his glorious riches He may strengthen ME

with power through his Spirit in MY inner being,

so that Christ may dwell in MY HEART through faith. 

~Ephesians 3:16–17 NIV~

Today, I’m feeling selfish and have altered that verse (which I normally don’t do) to suit the way I feel about the need for God to dwell in me and work through me in regard to our family as we work with Momma and as I see a neurosurgeon at 11:15 today.  I ask your prayers for there two big issues in my life today.

I know many of you have been praying for these two requests already because you have told me so and because I (we) have been able to let God deal with us through the circumstances we have found ourselves in lately.  Thanks so very much for each and every prayer.

“Stand in the storm.  When it gets rough, make adjustments, but keep standing.”                                             Anonymous, but suitable to me
Anna Lee