Category: Family

Tuesday

For we are God’s workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus to do good works,

which God prepared in advance for us to do.

~Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)~

Thank God for the rain and hopefully some cooler temperatures.

Pray for Gretchen V. Simpson as she has back surgery July 8th.  I know she will appreciated your prayers.

CaringBridge

Devotional: Cell by Mike Benson

Thanks for praying today.  Your prayers mean so much to so many.

Anna Lee


Saturday Afternoon

Micah Tolleson

Well, Micah is in his own room… Room #6651…  He is doing well and not connected to any tubes anymore.  As long as everything keeps going well, he will be going home tomorrow!  He will have to go to speech and occupational therapy this time, but is already doing awesome!  Thanks for all the prayers and encouragement during this time.  Please keep the prayers coming as Micah heads in to radiation.  Thanks!

Friday

“Jesus said, “. . . there is more happiness in heaven

because of one sinner who turns to God

than over ninety-nine good people who don’t need to.”

~Luke 15: 7, CEV~

Continue to pray for Rev. Ronnie Nielsen and others as they minister in Romania.

Stacey Scarle

Great news! Stacey just got the results of the CTs of her chest and abdomen and they were clear which means it appears that the cancer has not spread. We are so thankful for all the prayers. Next chemo is July 20th and then we see the oncologist on the 23rd. She is half way through this round of chemo. She had a rough week this week but was better yesterday. Please keep up the prayers as they are certainly helping us through this ordeal.

Micah Tolleson’s surgeon was again able to remove about 95% of the brain tumor.  Pray for Micah, his family, and doctors as they plan the treatment process.

I urge you to take time to read these requests from MK’s

http://kidsonmission.org/prayer/

Two more grandchildren arrived yesterday.  Pray for their parents as they travel to Kentwood  today.

We’re having a fantastic Friday.  I hope you are too!

Anna Lee

Thursday

Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow

if you can help them now.

~Proverbs 3:28 (TEV)~

Micah Tolleson, my 22 year old cousin, will have the regrown brain tumor removed today.  Please pray and stay updated by visiting his CaringBridge site.

This is the day I get to have all six of my grandchildren together for the first time in three years.  It’s been three years since we had all of them at once.  Pray nothing interferes with a good visit for all of us.  Jennie is here and Jason and Becki will come tomorrow.  Pray for safe traveling for them.  Pray for Boyd who is still in Europe and working in three different countries while his family is stateside.

Continue to pray for Gretchen V. Simpson as she awaits surgery which is scheduled for one week from today.  Pray she will be able to endure the pain well this week and the surgery goes well next week.

Thanks to having grandchildren here, David and I got to go watch them bowl with children from the church.  It was a good experience for all.  Thank God for parents who see that all children get to have good, clean fun with other Christian families.

The youth are home from camp despite a bus breakdown.  Thankfully, they were able to get a ride home with another church group.  The bus is repaired in Alabama.  Pray for Marty Simpson as he travels drive the bus home.

TODAY’S PRAYER
IMB
JULY 1, 2010

“Blessed be the Lord, because He has heard the voice of my supplications!” (Psalm 28:6)

WORLD LEADERS. “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Please pray today for Prime Minister Robert Fico of Slovakia (central Europe, south of Poland).

Prayer requests from Eddie Cox, director of IMB’s Office of Global Prayer Strategy, to “Today’s Prayer” intercessors:

Please express your thanks to our heavenly Father, who faithfully and lovingly responds to our many prayers.

Throughout 2009, we prayed to the Lord of the harvest to thrust laborers into the fields, and He responded with 753 new workers being commissioned to serve abroad–326 long-term and 427 two-year missionaries.

We also prayed for the evangelistic ministries of our missionary personnel, and He blessed us with 506,019 new believers being baptized.

Another prayer request was for church-planting efforts, and God answered with 24,650 new churches being established.

We serve a truly amazing God. All praise and honor to Him, the One who loves all peoples and speaks into lost hearts around the world. May His name be high and lifted up . . .

HEAT

1ametal.jpgPETER USED A powerful metaphor from the world of metallurgy…

When the metallurgist mines the metal, it is in an ore state with a mixture of dross. That means there are inherent corruptions in the metal that rob it of its strength and beauty. In order to bring the metal to its purest state, the metallurgist applies white hot heat until the ore is liquefied and boiling. In this process, the corruptions are boiled out, and it becomes fundamentally stronger and more beautiful than ever before.

What are trials? They are God’s boiling pot. When we initially come to Christ we are dross-corrupted. We are carrying around “corruptions” inside of us that rob us of our strength and beauty. So God, in the grandeur and faithfulness of His redemptive love, boils us. The difficulties that come our way are not a sign of His unfaithfulness and inattention. No, they are an indication of His love. He knows that we are not yet what we were meant to be. He has dug us out of the mine, but we need to be refined.

Now why is this so hard for us to deal with? I am convinced it is because we tend to live with a destination mentality. We want like to be easy, satisfying, and good as it can be, immediately here and now. But, this isn’t a time of destination. Peter says our destination is guaranteed, but we will not have it now. Now is a time of preparation. It is a time of radical, personal growth and chance, so God applies white hot heat to prepare us for the destination to come. Paul David Tripp, “Painful Faith: God’s Story and Suffering,” Lost in the Middle, 197-198

“In this you greatly rejoice,though now for a little while,

if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,

that the genuineness of your faith,

being much more precious than gold that perishes,

though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory

at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

I Peter 1:6-7; Hebrews 12: 5-11/

Posted by Mike Benson at June 30, 2010 10:40 AM

Have a terrific Thursday!

Anna Lee

Monday

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)

CaringBridge – Macy Gueldner

Both Smiley Conerly and Andy Taylor have recovered from pneumonia and were able to be back in church yesterday.  Andy’s special music was beautiful, showing no indication of the recent pneumonia.

Margie Williams is recovering well from her surgery.  She should be back at work soon.  Thank-you for praying for her.

Bonnie Blue Broussard is having much better days than she did after her surgery last week.  Thank God for her progress.

Micah Tolleson, my 22 year old Texas cousin, will have surgery Thursday to remove the tumor that has quickly regrown in his brain.  Please continue to pray for Micah and his family.

Mrs. Annie Belle Harrell continues to need our prayers.  She continues to battler health issues.  She certainly would appreciate prayers on her behalf.

Pray for Jimmy Dykes.  He is in ICU at North Oaks.  His family will be most appreciative of your prayers.

This is the day!  They are crossing the Atlantic now.  Pray for no problems with customs and a good connection with the next flight.  Jennie and the children arrive at New Orleans tonight.  It’s been a long two and a half years since they were stateside!

Have a great day!  Make it count for something good!

Anna Lee

Saturday

“You must make allowance for each other’s faults

and forgive the person who offends you.

Remember, the Lord forgave you,

so you must forgive others.”

~Colossians 3:13 NLT~

Pray for the children who have mede professions of faith at the various Vacation Bible Schools this summer.  Pray they will receive good counsel from family and church leadership and be wisely guided in their young Christian life.

Pray for Jennie as she packs for her trip to Kentwood.  She and the children will begin the long journey tomorrow and arrive in New Orleans Monday night.  Pray the trip is safe and uneventful for them.

KneEmail

SUPPOSE A GROCER takes inventory of his store…

Buried in the bottom of his meat section he finds five packages of overripe hamburger. They have somehow sat there for two weeks, turning green.

What should the grocer do with this rotting meat? No one could argue the answer. He should get rid of it immediately! Furthermore, he should make certain that he never again neglects his meat section. He may have a beautiful store stocked with gorgeous produce, but rotten meat will spoil his business. Any customer who spots that greening goop will want to walk out of the store and never return.

It’s the same with talk. Less than one percent of a person’s word inventory can ruin the effect of all the rest. I’ve known people whose words could charm a snake out of its hole, people who are gracious in ninety-nine percent of what they say. But there is a toxic streak in their words that spoils the rest.

…Almost everybody can recall words that stung, words that crushed the spirit, words that left them feeling hopeless and desolate for days. How many people remember being told as children that they were stupid? How many people remember being told as adults that they were overweight? That it is their fault their children have problems?

It’s amazing how often people remember having such words said to them, and yet how seldom people remember saying such words to others. We usually don’t mean to hurt people. The words just pop out without our planning. We forget them. But those who hear them don’t.

Sometimes words have to hurt. When you confront real problems, you must face painful realities. That’s far different, however, from toxic talk. Toxic talk doesn’t lead to dialogue–it stops it. Toxic talk is usually spoken in haste or in anger. The poison lingers on long after the emotions are gone.

The first task is to identify the toxic words in your speech and get rid of them. Tim Stafford, “Toxic Talk: Harsh Words and Lies,” That’s Not What I Meant!, 40-41

KneEmail: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1

Posted by Mike Benson at June 25, 2010 10:29 AM

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

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples;

I will sing to You among the nations.”

~Psalm 57:9~

As we continue to have very hot days, pray for those who have to be outside and for those who do not have air conditioning.  Help out your neighbors if they are in danger because of the heat.

Roma Conference

http://imbeurope.org/2010/05/roma-conference-emphasizes-hope-in-christ/

Several churches are having VBS this week.  Pray for those who will be leading and for the children who will be attending.  May young lives be changed.

Baptist Press Stories for Jun. 22, 2010
—————————————
  • Mission:Dignity shows widows they’re not forgotten
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33208
  • Obama celebrates gay dads on Father’s Day
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33209
  • World Cup: U.S. fan support abounds
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33210
  • Children, youth learned too during SBC
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33211
  • Bivocational network holds 1st luncheon
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33212
  • FIRST-PERSON: Fatherless homes & poverty
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33212
Pray for Jennie and the children as they are preparing for a short visit in Kentwood.  Thank God for allowing them this opportunity.
Have a great day!  Thanks for praying.
Anna Lee

Tuesday

Nurture, guard, and guide

the flock of God that is your responsibility …

Not domineering as arrogant, dictatorial, and overbearing persons

but being examples, patterns, and models of Christian living ….

~1 Peter 5:2-3 (Amp)~

Jimmy Muse

Jimmy had a problem with an electrical charge at home and is hospitalized in Baron Rouge.  Please keep him in your prayers.

George Dees

George Dees is very ill.  Please pray for him and his family.

High Temperatures

Be careful to stay hydrated if you are working or playing outside.  The high temperatures we have been having are very dangerous.

Have you got a few minutes to read?

http://www.bpnews.net/

Devotional thought

http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/

TODAY’S PRAYER

IMB
JUNE 22, 2010

“I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 13:47)

WORLD LEADERS. “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Please pray today for Prime Minister Joachim Rafael Branco of Sao Tome and Principe (Gulf of Guinea, western Africa).

HIDDEN MOUNTAIN PEOPLE OF EAST ASIA. Ask the Father to impress upon local believers not only the great need to reach their neighbors and friends for Jesus, but also the great need to go to the remote places and do whatever it takes to reach the Hidden Mountain people with the Gospel.

KASHMIRI MUSLIMS OF INDIA (KASH-meer-ee). Give thanks to God for answering your prayers by providing amazing opportunities to interact with several government agencies and tourism groups in the area through a visiting expert. After visiting several new areas in the valley, workers believe that a new project might open doors in new villages for local believers to earn a livable wage, and for lost families living in poverty to hear the Good News.

Pray for Jennie and the children as they prepare to travel here for a brief family visit.

Thanks for taking time to read this and to pray.  If you have something you would like to share, please feel free to contact me so I can post it.  Have a wonderful day!

Anna Lee

Monday

“Teach me Your way, LORD,

and I will live by Your truth.”

~Psalm 86:11a, HCSB~

Stacy Scarle

Just a brief update on Stacey. We saw the oncologist on Friday. She reports the the bone scan and heart echo were fine. This is great news. We only have the CTs left and that will be at the end of the month. She thinks Stacey is doing fine. She has lost all of her hair and Darla cut the remaining straglers last night. She wears her wig and has named her “Maude”. She says Maude doesn’t like to be around a lot of people and that she creeps up her head when she is ready to go home. I can’t vouch for that but I know when she gets that look that we better be heading home. Of course we only go out for Drs, drug store and groceries so it isn’t that often. She stil has a good attitude and is positive that she will be ok. She continues to pray for a miracle and says when she sees the surgeon there won’t be anything to operate on. I pray she is correct. Keep praying for her as she goes through this ordeal. The last few weeks have been trying. Thanks for your cards and calls they really help.

Wendell Simmons

Wendell Simmons had a motorcycle racing accident over the weekend.  He is now hospitalized at University Hospital in Jackson, MS.  Wendell has a broken tibia as well as a hip problem.  Pray for Wendell as he is treated and healing in the coming months.

Smiley Conerly

Smiley is dealing with a case of pneumonia.  Pray he can beat it soon with no additional problems.

Judy Liberto

Judy continue to recover nicely from surgery.  Thank God for her great progress.

Alice Faye Lee

Alice Fay is doing well with her broken humerus.  She was at church yesterday. Pray for continued good healing.

Countdown

David and I are beginning the final countdown until Jennie and the children arrive a week from today.  Please pray for them as they make preparations for the long trip from Prague to Kentwood.

Today’s devotional

Have a great week!

Anna Lee