Family – Page 97 – The Prayer Link

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

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

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

Ron Newhouse

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

Anna Lee

Friday

All Scripture is inspired by God

and is useful to teach us what is true

and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.

It corrects us when we are wrong

and teaches us to do what is right.

~2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT)~

Wayne Criswell

We have had two Dr. visits since we arrived in Denver. Todays visit was a surgical consult with the Dr. who will perform Wayne’s surgery. He is scheduled for Tuesday. Brent will fly in on Monday to be here for the surgery. The average stay after this type of surgery is usually 4-5 days.
I will let you know more when the surgery is completed.
Please keep all of us in your prayers.

Mary

Sambo Cutrer

Please add my dad, Sambo Cutrer, to your prayer list. He has an infection in his body and has to have antibiotics by drip every 4 hours for the next 4 & 1/2 weeks. We have already been doing it for 11 days. He also has to have a 2nd antibiotic every 18 hours. We were trained to administer these medications to him. Also, remember my mom as she has to do it more than my sister or myself. We know that we can’t survive without the help of God.

Thanks, Debbie

Chuck Baham, Jason Duhe, & Sim Bankston

Larry and i went to north oaks for the 5 p.m. visit with chuck. his mom was going to the cafeteria to eat some supper so we got to stay a while with chuck. i really couldn’t believe how much better he was and how much more alert he was as compared to Tuesday night. He said that his somach does not hurt as much when he touches it. His blood level has seemed to level out and is not dropping by much at all. Praise God, it seems to have sealed itself off. He said he still gets nauseated, but the new med is helping a lot better. He said he’s not in too much pain, unless he coughs, hiccups, or starts heaving and throwing up. His stomach is so sore that he has to ask for something for the pain when he starts these things. He said that they are going to start some sort of rehab on him tomorrow if the blood work comes back okay. It will probably be getting him up and sitting in a chair. I am already grunting for him!!!! Ouch!!!! I was so glad to see chuck doing better. It really lifted my spirits. Ii told him that so many people are praying for him and he said good and that he feels the prayers working because he knows that God is with him.
The other driver, Jacob Duhe, is now in a regular room. He is doing a little better and his room was filled with family and friends. He still has a long road to recovery. His family are asking for prayers also. They are all praying for chuck also.
Last night Sim started hurting so badly in his stomach that Pam took him to the emergency room. The ER doc decided that it is his diverticulitis acting up again. they admitted him and started with the antibiotics thru the drip. This afternoon the Nurse Practioner for Dr Winkler came in and examined him. She tends to think that it may be his appendicts. He was waiting for the doctor to come in on her rounds so he can find out what they will do next.
Our prayer list keeps growing!!!!!!!!!!

Marsha Bankston

David saw Roy Russell yesterday. He is staying with his sister, Fay, and doing better. Physical therapy is scheduled for several times a week. Keep Roy and his family in your prayers.

Continue to pray for Rev. Butch Reviere. He continues to recover from surgery.

Pray for Chuck and Roger Pittman. Roger will be at North Oaks today for a redo of his last procedure.

Daddy had his second cataract surgery yesterday. All seemed to have gone well. I will take his for his one day check-up today. Momma is doing very well at this time. Thank-you for your prayers for my family.

CaringBridge

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

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

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

===== Wednesday’s Thought For The Day (February 17, 2010) =====

WHAT I DUN

This week, we have been engaged in our congregation in a massive effort to collect and send clothing to the earthquake victims in Haiti. Our efforts reminded me of this illustration that I’ve used before:

A cowboy rode into town and stopped at the saloon for a drink (root beer, of course!). Unfortunately, the locals always had a habit of picking on those of a British background, which he was. When he finished, he found his horse had been stolen. He came back into the bar, handily flipped his gun into the air, caught it above his head without even looking and fired a shot into the ceiling. “WHICH ONE OF YOU SIDEWINDERS STOLE MY HOSS?” he yelled with surprising forcefulness.

No one answered. “ALRIGHT, I’M GONNA HAVE ME ANOTHA SODA, AND IF MY HOSS AIN’T BACK OUTSIDE BY THE TIME I FINISH, I’M GONNA DO WHAT I DUN IN TEXAS! AND IIIIIIIIIIII DON’T LIKE TO HAVE TO DO WHAT I DUUUUUN IN TEXAS!” Some of the locals shifted restlessly.

He had another root beer, walked outside, and his horse was back! He saddled up and started to ride out of town. The bartender wandered out of the bar and asked, “Say partner, what happened in Texas?”

The cowboy turned back and said, “I had to walk home…”

Ever known anybody like that, lots of threats, but no real intention to carry out them out? All talk but ultimately no action? More to the point, is your Christian life characterized more by what you SAY you’re going to do, or by what you’re actually willing to DO?

“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:14-17)

What kind of faith do you have — the kind you talk about, or the kind you show through your obedience to God and service to others? Is there someone in need that you’ve been praying for? It may be time to stop praying for others to do something and start helping yourself.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fridays are fantastic!

Anna Lee

Thursday

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

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

for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

~Romans 1:16~

Rev. Butch Revier will be meeting with his doctor to determine if he needs some form of addition treatment. Pray for the doctor as he makes a decision and for Bro. Butch as he continues to heal.

Rev. Bill Ichter, former minister of music at FBC, Amite and longtime music missionary to Brazil, us undergoing a series of daily cancer treatments. He is about half way through the scheduled treatments. Pray he will continue to be able to sustain his energy level and endure the remaining treatments.

Continue to pray for my cousin, Sharla T. Hodges, in Texas. Please add another cousin, David Tolleson, who recently began his military career. He has had health issues that have caused him to be hospitalized in California. His dad is flying out to be with him and to hopefully bring him home in a few days.

HAITI. Pray that IMB missionaries currently doing relief work in Haiti and the Dominican Republic will be able to focus on the best thing to do in the midst of massive need and great chaos. They have been working non-stop for days. Please pray that the Lord will give them strength to carry on their tasks today and to trust that He will provide their every need for tomorrow. Relief workers, missionaries and media teams have seen more than their minds can grasp and far more than they would want to remember. Intercede for them as they seek ways of coping with the images.

Michael V. “Mike” Guillot
(August 9, 1939 – February 2, 2010)

He was born on August 9, 1939 and went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, February 2, 2010. Mike was 70, a native of Thibodaux and a resident of Loranger. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Sherry Currier Guillot; 2 daughters, Heidi Guillot, Loranger and Danielle Guillot, Loranger; his beloved grand-dog, Buster; also survived by his brother, Ed Guillot and wife, Linda; sister, Evelyn Vidrine and husband, Ray, all of Thibodaux; brother-in-law, Stanley Currier and his wife, Sheila; sisters-in-law, Pat Barrilleaux and her husband, Vernon, Paula Cleland and her husband, Carl, Robbie Orsi and her husband, Ron, Cindy Alston and husband, Sam, all of Loranger, and Chris Blunck and husband, Carl of Mobile, Ala. numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Marie Guillot; sister, Beverly Andrus of Thibodaux. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday and at St. Dominic Catholic Church, Husser, from 9 a.m. until religious services at 10:30 a.m. Friday. Services conducted by Fr. Paul Yi. Interment St. Dominic Cemetery, Husser, LA.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL and straightforward way of winning with people is to give them a compliment — a sincere and meaningful word of affirmation…

If you want to make others feel like a million bucks, you’ve got to master this elementary skill. And it’s essential that you learn to give your compliments in front of others as well as one-on-one. Why? Because that private compliment turned public, instantly and dramatically increases in value.

As commander of a $1 billion warship and a crew of 310, Mike Abrashoff used grassroots leadership to increase retention rates from 28 percent to 100 percent, reduce operating expenditures, and improve readiness. How did he do it? Among other things, he placed supreme importance on public compliments.

“The commanding officer of a ship is authorized to hand out 15 medals a year,” he wrote. “I wanted to err on the side of excess, so I passed out 115.” Nearly every time a sailor left his ship for another assignment, Captian Abrashoff gave him or her a medal. “Even if they hadn’t been star players, they got medals in a public ceremony as long as they had done their best every day. I delivered a short speech describing how much we cherished the recipient’s friendship, camaraderie, and hard work.” Abrashoff wanted to make them feel good by complimenting them in front of others.

Whenever you have an opportunity to publicly praise another person, don’t let it slip by. You can create those opportunities, as Captain Abrashoff did, but you can also find countless opportunities if you look for them. John Maxwell

“And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles

(which is translated Son of Encouragement),

a Levite of the country of Cyprus.”

Acts 4:36

Have a great day! Be extra careful if you get out today.

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“But my God shall supply all your needs

according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

~ Philippians 4:19~

Wayne Criswell

Wayne Criswell is having a needle biopsy of his right lung Friday morning, at North Oaks in Hammond. Please pray for him and those doing the procedure.

Thanks,

Chris Wales

Sharla Hodges

Please continue to pray for my cousin as she adjusts to her new home. Pray she will be in rehab soon.

ADRIANNA KATE CAVANAGH, AGE 3

And a resident of Franklinton went to be with God early Tuesday January 26, 2010 at Riverside Medical Center with her family by her side. She fought a courageous battle against cancer for the last ten months. Adrianna was born December 6, 2006 and her three short years on earth were a blessing to all who knew her. She was loved greatly by her family and supported through it all by a wonderful community. Adrianna was full of joy and brave during her fight but she had a unique understanding that God would care for her. She and her entire family felt blessed by the countless prayers from people all around the world. Her faith was peacefully rewarded with mommy and daddy holding her hands as she went to heaven.

Survived by:

Loving parents: Joe and Stephanie Simmons Cavanagh of Franklinton

Grandparents: Reggie and Judy Simmons of Franklinton Brian and Irene Cavanagh of Torrington, CT

Aunts and Uncles: Kristi and Rob Crain of Franklinton Betsy and Jason Labat of Prairieville, LA Brain Cavanagh of Torrington, CT Kate and Keith Bouchard of Unionville, CT Jackie and Wade Wilkinson of Long Beach, NY

First Cousins: Wesley, Andrew and Jacob Crain Jack Bouchard Emma Wilkinson

Also numerous great-aunts and great-uncles and other cousins

Adrianna also had a special real dog that she loved named Finn.

She was preceded in death by her uncle Matthew Cavanagh, Joe’s twin brother. Also her great-grandparents Gary and Josie Stafford, Othar and Maude Simmons, Joseph and Eileen Gormley and Fred and Ellen Cavanagh

Visitation will be at Crain Funeral Home Friday January 29th from 5 pm until 9 pm. Visitation will continue Saturday after 9 am at First Baptist Church of Franklinton. A funeral service will be held at the church at 11 am with Rev. Luther Stanford and Rev. Jay Cook officiating. Burial will follow in Ellis Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made in Adrianna’s honor to Children’s Hospital in New Orleans or to bandofparents.org, an organization committed to the research and eradication of childhood cancers.

http://www.actionnews.us/News/tabid/55/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/422/Northshore-mourns-passing-of-Adrianna-Cavanagh.aspx

http://www.actionnews.us/News/tabid/55/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/433/Funeral-services-set-for-this-weekend-for-three-year-old-Adriannna-Cavanagh.aspx

Today’s devotional is entitled Misery and was written by Mike Benson. We’ve all been there. Us the link below to ready the devotional.

http://www.forthright.net/kneemail/

Count your blessings today!

Anna Lee

Sunday

From now on,

if you listen obediently to the commandments that I am commanding you today,

love God, your God, and serve him with everything you have within you,

he’ll take charge of sending the rain at the right time ….

~Deuteronomy 11:13-14 (MSG)~

Eric Pritchard

Please keep Eric on the prayer list. it’s not looking promissing, But with Jesus,all things are possible. Keep praying for a miracle.

Lloyd and Alcyon Hayden

Wagstaffs

Here’s our latest on the medical front. We have a complication. Bob just had his x-rays and doctor’s visit, and unfortunately the doctor did not release us to make reservations to come home on Feb.6, as we had hoped. He wants Bob to have a CT Scan on Tuesday because he is having so much pain. If he doesn’t find the problem and Bob is still in pain he will have an MRI as soon as it can be scheduled.
   We are getting weary of being away, but Bob couldn’t do anything there anyway while he is having this much pain. Please do continue to pray. It seems that Bob’s backbone is healing nicely, but the doctor said there may be a bloodclot or hemorrhaging that is pressing on a nerve. Doctor Ha (Yes, that is really his name.) is not sure what is causing this pain, that’s why Bob will have more tests.
Our prayer request is for Bob to be pain free and to be released to come home. We would love for that to happen by Tuesday. Anyway, God has a reason for allowing our hardships. Pray that we will understand why this is happening. But, even if we don’t, we praise God that He is in charge.
     We love you guys,
                             Diane

Adrianna Cavanagh

Today was a rough day for Adrianna and for us. Yet God blessed us with another miracle and now she is sleeping peacefully on the couch.
Early this morning I could tell Adrianna was very confused. She kept saying she wanted to go to Mommy’s room, but we were already in there. Finally we brought her into the living room to the couch, because she wanted to be moved. She threw up a lot last night and all through the morning, but kept wanting to drink more water and milk.
Around 11:30 she began to start straining for breath, just as she did last Saturday night- a week ago. We all sat around her, talking to her, telling her she did not have to fight anymore and she could go be with God…and not to be scared.
She then had what seemed like 3 different seizures, so we kept giving her Ativan to calm her down. Thankfully, the hospice nurse was here to help. We also switched her pain meds because her leg, feet, and arm pain have been getting worse.
As she finally regained some strength and started breathing normally, we were all in awe again. Simply a miracle! We just kept shaking our heads in disbelief, thinking, “Wow! This kid is tough! She just doesn’t want to give up yet!”
After a while, I took a long bath and thought of Abraham in the Bible who was supposed to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Though Abraham couldn’t bear to do this to his son, he followed God’s orders until God said for him to stop, and saved Isaac from being sacrificed.
I kind of felt like we had done something similar today–tell ing God to take her so she wouldn’t suffer anymore, and God giving us a miracle.
Adrianna has woken up off and on, asking for water nonstop. She has kept down all of her medicine and fluids tonight and is finally sleeping, without pain.
God bless all the people who’ve been praying for all of us, for the people who’ve been holding a candlelight vigil outside our home every night, and for all the people who’ve been bringing us delicious food to eat all week.
We are truly blessed with amazing family, friends, and acquaintances.
We are tired, but happy that our baby girl is still here with us, fighting like the true fighter she is.
And we’re trusting in God, who is the ONLY one who can give us the real strength we need and the peace that passes ALL understanding.
Hoping to have more precious moments with our baby girl tomorrow, and that she will be pain-free tonight and tomorrow.
Taking it day by day, hour by hour….
Keeping the faith and believing in miracles,
Stephanie, Joe, & Adrianna

Roy Russell has been moved to North Oaks Rehab. He is getting some help he needs to recover f rom his stroke. Please keep him in your prayers.

My cousin, Sharla, is doing much better at rehab. She still has some issues the medical staff is working on, but is definately better. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.

Daddy had his first cataract surgery and is doing well. Please continue to pray for him as he progresses and for us as Momma and Daddy have four appointments with doctors this week.

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

THERE IS A certain convict that I have been corresponding with for several years down in Texas that recently got a “new” typewriter…

He had completely worn out the old one.

It was not very easy to correct his errors on the old machine and the letters he would type were full of typos most of the time. I was taken back by the cost of the new one…$110…quite a price to pay for anything in prison, and it was very elevating to my own soul to hear how joyful he was at being able to buy it.

I wrote him a letter and told him that every once in a while all of us need a little new in our lives.

Makes me wonder…

Why don’t we sweep out the old grudges from our lives, rip the pages of regret out of our life book, focus on how much good God has done for us, plant a seed of hopefulness in our neighbors, write a special memory on the wall paper of someone’s heart? Replace the fears of tomorrow with the good we can do today. Make a difference where we stand. Do the little things that matter. Hope more, love more, find new ways to serve, get out of ourselves and into the lives of others.

What stirs you? What is your passion? What makes you get up early, go to bed late, work harder, stay longer, risk more, cry less, laugh more? What if there was no way for you to lose? No way to be disappointed, no “on the other hand,” nothing but good consequences at the end of the day?

What if you could “buy” a dream, make a wish come true, be the person you’ve always known you could be? How hard would it be to put some “new” in your life by changing just one simple thing – your attitude?

What if we looked forward to helping others instead of considering it a chore, that’s right a chore, don’t think I’m the only one that ever had the thought, “I could be doing something I want to do instead of helping so and so.” I’m not. Neither are you.

What kind of “new” could you and I put in our lives that would give us the joy that this convict feels with a new typewriter? Could it be as simple as looking each day for someone to serve in some way even if it is small? Yep that would do it for me. I could get up for some “new” in my own life, a change in my attitude, an opportunity to serve others and the good part is those “others” are all around me.

I think perhaps we are so conflicted about what we should be doing and dont do that it makes us all start searching for something different or new to put joy in our lives whwen all along the “new” is simply to write on our own internal typewriters a “new name” to serach each day. I must do better. Ken Upchurch (Ken is a shepherd with the Kensington Woods church of Christ in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.)

“Therefore, as we have opportunity,

let us do good to all,

especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Galatians 6:10

I’ll post some other updates this afternoon.

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Friday

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;

and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem,

and in all Judea and Samaria,

and to the end of the earth.”

~Acts 1:8~

Thank you for praying for Daddy yesterday. His eye surgery went very well. Pray for him as he goes through the healing process.

HAITI. For updated information and prayer requests related to the Haiti earthquake, please visit http://www.imb.org/main/pray/ and Ed Cox’s blog, http://imbprayerdir.wordpress.com.

As many of us complete our work weeks, let’s pray for those in Haiti who have had such turmoil in their lives for the past week and a help. Pray this sad, sad time will also be a time when they realize people who don’t know them are there to assist them. May a sense of love penetrate to their hearts and minds. Pray this tragedy will be like an open window introducing them to the love of God and His plan to save them for eternity!

Please continue to pray for the people of Haiti as the news stories become less frequent. Know their physical needs will be great for a long time. Pray their spiritual needs will be fulfilled!’

Baptist Press

https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inbox/1265325f1aeb409c

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

I KNEW A woman one time whose husband had left his wife and children to marry her years ago…

After learning that such is adultery (Matthew 19:9), she said in all seriousness, “I don’t know what to do. I guess we’ll go to torment.” She was in what I call the Devil’s box. That is, she had succumbed to his temptation, fallen into sin, and now was so tied to it that she simply saw no way out.

David was in the devil’s box after he committed sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). When she announced to him that she was carrying his child, David heard the top slam shut. He was locked in the box. He had to think of his sin day and night, and found himself desperately crafting a way to get out without exposing his sin.

Satan enjoys putting people in the box of sin because when we are there, we can’t see our way out except to live in fear of being discovered and paying the consequences of our actions. (Glenn Colley)

“Be sober, be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion,

seeking whom he may devour.”

~1 Peter 5:8~

May God touch your heart and help you to do something for someone today. May this be a day to forget self and do for others.

Anna Lee

Thursday

Your hands shaped me and made me.

~Job 10:8 (NIV)~

Rev. Butch Reviere

David and I visited Bro. Butch yesterday evening. He is progressing with his recovery, but doesn’t yet have a date to leave the hospital. The biopsy results will be back in a couple days. Keep praying.

Kathy Wales

David and I visited Kathy Sunday afternoon. She was in good spirits and minding the doctors so she will be able to get around better as soon as possible. Chris is taking good care of her.

Kathy went to the Doctor today, Wednesday January 20, and had her cast removed after 5 weeks. The doctor agreed to put her in a “boot” but insisted on continuing another 3 weeks total non-weight bearing. X-rays looked great. We will return to the doctor in 3 weeks to hopefully start partial weight bearing. We appreciate your prayers, cards and phone calls.
Thanks,
Chris

Adrianna Cavanagh’s CaringBridge page has been updated. Please continue to pray for this family.

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

Stephanie,Joe and Adrianna, you continously are in my prayers. Adrianna is such a beautiful baby she has eyes like granny (LOL). Keep praying as God answers all prayer. Love you very much.

Phyllis McCraney

Mrs. Faye Price

Hi, Just wanted to let you know Faye has been moved to Kentwood rehab! We are all very excited, pray she will do well here!
Thanks to everyone for all of your prayers,continue to pray for a full recovery.
Laura

Grant Smith

Pray for my daddy as he has cataract surgery today in Hammond.

Jeanette L. Viola
(August 1, 1936 – January 19, 2010)

A resident of Amite, LA, died Tuesday, January 19, 2010. She retired from Shelby County Government and Macy’s Dept. Store, both in Memphis, TN. She is survived by her two daughters, Debbie Pingno and her husband, Emile, Amite, Theresa Simmons and her husband, Ted, Loranger, LA; a son, Ricky Viola, Amite; Five grandchildren, Charles Engeron, Loranger, Stacy Morris and her husband, Josh, Loranger, Jason Pingno and his wife, Heidi, Amite, Andy Perez and Joseph Perez, Amite; Six great-grandchildren: Nicholas and Abigail Engeron, Ashton and Colton Morris, Jason and Hunter Pingno. Also survived by four brothers: Richard Lee and his wife, Anna, Memphis, TN, Charles Lee and his wife, Helen, Senatobia, MS, Jerry Lee and his wife, Millie, Greer’s Ferry, AR, and Joe Lee, Memphis, TN; Three sisters, Elizabeth Morgan and her husband, Milton, Mountainburg, AR, Geneva Porter, Memphis, TN, and Zelpha Arnold and her husband, Craig, Fountain Inn, SC. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews including a niece in particular, Elizabeth Lee Ann Porter, Bethesda, MD, who has been here for the family every step of the way. In addition to a multitude of friends, she leaves behind four very close and dear friends, Charles and Rozell Reeves, Mountain View, AR, Cathy Martin, Memphis, TN, and Viral Patel, Amite.

The family would like to take this opportunity to thank the following medical personnel and facilities for their kind, professional and compassionate care given to our loved one in her time of need: Dr. Joe Sharma and Dr. Juan Sarmiento and the staff of Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA; Dr. Rhea Jones and his staff; Dr. David Oubre, Wendy M. Gill, MSN ANP-C and staff at Pontchartrain Hematology Oncology, Inc.; Dr. Robert Fields and staff of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center; Dr. Gregory Linarello and staff; Dr. Alan Manning and staff, and the entire staff of North Oaks Hospital. Also a special thank you for the excellent care provide by Generation Hospice.

Visitation will be at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 23, 2010. Services conducted by Deacon Roger Navarra. Interment will follow in Tangipahoa Cemetery, Tangipahoa, LA.

The Memorial Video will be available for viewing on Friday.

Baptist Press contains articles about Haiti, the Mass. election, and other current topics of interest.

https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inbox/1264df845dae78a9

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

SOME HANDS ARE used to play piano, some to mold clay, others to sign for those who cannot hear…

Some hands are used to cook for others.

Look at your hands. What do you see? I see veins popping up, brown spots, wrinkles and unpolished nails. I see only the blemishes, but God sees them as instruments for serving others. If I choose, they can be used like the woman who “extends her hand to the needy” (Proverbs 31:20).

Paul tells us to “work with our hands” (1 Thessalonians 4:11). Solomon states that “lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth” (Proverbs 10:4). Isaiah begs for strength for his feeble hands (Isaiah 35:3). David also admonishes us to have “clean hands and pure heart” (Psalm 24:4). Gaynelle Thomas

Let him who stole steal no longer,

but rather let him labor,

working with his hands what is good,

that he may have something to give him who has need.”

~Ephesians 4:28~

Remember to pray for these and for other needs today. Your prayers will be greatly appreciated.

Your hands shaped me and made me.

~Job 10:8 (NIV)~

Anna Lee

Sunday

“Keep on growing in your knowledge and understanding,”

~Philippians 1:9 NLT~

Adrianna Cavanaugh

Stephanie and Joe are maintaining a constant vigil as Adrianna appears to be in the downward spiral. They are giving her pain meds and keeping her as comfortable as possible as she nears her entry to Heaven. Please pray that her passing will come soon and peacefully even as you pray for Joe and Stephanie to endure this final battle with the evil cancer afflicting their beloved child. We know not how long Adri can fight, but she is so tough she is giving it her all. She is so precious and her departure will leave a huge void in the lives of many. God bless you all, and know that we love you and thank you for all you have said and done to support Adri and her family. You cannot know truly how much you love and support has meant to us. Yours in Christ, Poppa

Pray for Rev. Butch Reviere as he has surgery at 7:30 in the morning in Lacombe. Bro. Butch will greatly appreciate your prayers before, during, and after surgery.

Mark Hughes’ surgery is scheduled for noon tomorrow in Atlanta. His family will be most appreciative of your prayers.

Donise Honeycutt continues to do very well following his surgery. Alice Mary is taking good care of him.

Pray for my cousin, Sharla Hodges. She has Huntington’s. Her family would greatly appreciate you prayers for them as they help care for Sharla.

Callie Cole

We continue to keep on keeping on hoping that today will be the day the Lord tells Callie to wake. She is doing very well despite the fact that our prayers for the awakening have not happened. She has not caught our colds that we can’t seem to shake. She continues to improve with the swallowing. And she sleeps well at night. No skin breakdown or problems with the feeding tube. So, on all accounts Ms. Callie is doing great. We just get a little impatient at times.
I can’t speak for Tom; but, I find myself searching for an obvious flaw within me that may be keeping my “sleeping beauty” asleep. Maybe there is a long overdue change or forgiveness that needs to happen inside my soul so my child will be set free. I do not know if this is a correct way to think as far as theology of scripture goes but I would hate to know I am an obstacle for her complete healing.
Lord please forgive me for my disobedience. May your Word equip me to be who you want me to be…who I was created to be. Please show me the error of my ways so my heart becomes more like yours. And a witness that is totally submissive to you will shine into the darkness bringing glory only to you. I love you. My heart is aching for my child to rise, to walk, to talk and be who you created her to be. If it is not your will that Callie be healed, please allow us to see the purpose and meaning of it all with the peace that you alone bring. I ask all of this in your precious son’s name. Amen.

Thanks for being obedient to Him and lifting Callie up in your prayers.

Love,
Frances

Mrs. Faye Price has been moved back to North Oaks. Pray for her and all those caring for her.

Join us at the cabing for food, fellowship, and a sweet time of prayer and Bible study Thursday night at 6:30. If you have never been before, please feel welcome to come. Call me if you need directions.

Anna Lee

Saturday

But the basic reality of God is plain enough.

Open your eyes and there it is!

~Romans 1:19 (MSG)~

Mary Criswell sent this message.

Wayne Criswell is back at home and doing well. Thanks for your prayers.

CaringBridege

Today, many people are again traveling so they can be at home/church for the weekend and back to their regular schedule/work on Monday. Be extra careful as you travel.

Margurite Wilkinson Travis Vernon

Vernon, Margurite Travis McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, at 1 p.m.

Published in The Advocate on January 2, 2010

For those of you who participated in Operation Christmas Child and those who are considering participating next year, please read http://www.baptistmessage.com/articledetail.php?articleID=e0bb2084d3cc581256d7c5331ed76e39

Thank-you for your participation. If you did not participate, pray about participating next year.

Members of Florida Boulevard Baptist Church in Baton Rouge unload some of the 12,317 shoeboxes collected at the church for Operation Christmas Child.

Undeserved

Jesus knock2.jpg A MAN IN his sixties was walking down the street of a modern subdivision…

In his hand was a scrap of paper from a doctor’s office with a name and address scribbled in pencil. As the man approached the house, he waded the paper and pushed it into his pocket. He made his way to the front door, pushed the doorbell button, and waited anxiously.

Earlier that day, the man had been reading a medical journal in a doctor’s office wiating room when he came across an interesting article about organ donation. He was reading how so many people were on waiting-lists for kidney transplants, and how some would surely die waiting. As he closed the journal, still waiting for his name to be called, he imagined what it would be like too be dying in a waiting room. Right then, he made the decision to donate one of his kidneys.

An hour after asking his doctor for a lead, he was standing out in the cold on the doorstep of a complete stranger. As he herd the door being unlocked from the inside, he was eager to look upon the face of the one who would benefit from his sacrifice. The door pulled open.

“If you’re selling something, I’m not interested.” The first response was automatic. The man inside was middle-aged and appeared somewhat annoyed by his uninvited guest. “No, I’m not selling anything sir,” the older man answered back. “Actually, I guess it might seem odd why I’m here, but you see, I was just out walking and this air is terribly cold, so I thought perhaps you would allow me to step in for a few moments to warm up…” The man inside hesitated for a couple of seconds, glancing back and then sighing with a hint of frustration. “Alright, come on in.” The invitation was cold and half-empty.

The older man stepped into the warm house, and for the next few minutes, he did everything he could to carry on small-talk with the stranger. More than anything, he just wanted a glimpse of who this man was, a peek at the life he would spare. But it soon became evident that this man was ready for his guest to leave. “Sorry, but I’ve got something planned, so I’m afriad you’re going to have to be on your way now.”

The older man generously offered his thanks and quickly stepped back out into the cold. As he walked away from the house, he paused and looked back. Through the large front window, he watched as the man inside plopped down in front of a television and reclined back in his chair. It was precisely at this moment, as he looked upon the undeserving man, that he smiled and said to himself, “This is the man I want to help.”

Why choose to help someone who doesn’t deserve it? When Jesus came to this earth, he voluntarily sacrificed himself to offer us hope — and certainly not because we deserved it. As Christ hung on the cross, He looked down upon an undeserving crowd of spectators and cried, “Father, forgive them…” Thank God that His desire to save the hopeless was not detoured by rejection. Alan Pitchford

“For scarcely for a righteous man will one die;

yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us,

in that while we were still sinners,

Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:7-8

Posted by Mike Benson

Thank-you for praying as you read The Prayer Link each day. Have a great weekend!

Anna Lee

Saturday

Birth Announcement

Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified.

The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”

At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:

Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

Luke 2:9-14 (MSG)

Thank God for taking care of Bro. Butch Reviere, his friend, and the other driver during an accident in Bogalusa. None of them were serious hurt. Bro. Butch will need to get a new vehicle though. It’s a little cool to ride his motorcycle every day.

Randy Meadows, husband of Sherry Alford Meadows, got to spend Christmas in the hospital thanks to an infection. Pray Randy gets to feeling better and can enjoy his vacation/holiday time with family.

A former student, Charlotte, spent her Chirstmas Eve and Christmas at her dad’s bedside. He’s better now. Pray for continued improvement.

Pray for all the other families that had members hospitalized during the holidays. I remember spending some holiday time visiting relatives on Christmas or even being at the funeral home with family. It’s a holiday memory that you don’t forget. It’s so assuring to know God walks with us on holidays like all the other days. He can provide the assurance and comfort we need each and every day.

Why?

WHILE APPEARING ON a panel with other bereaved parents, I was surprised at how much I learned by listening…

We were there to help a group of ministers help the grieving, but we ended up learning from one another.

One mom, who had lost her infant daughter to meningitis, shared a simple truth that touched me. She related that as she tried to work through the huge question of “Why?” she spoke to her dad about it. He told her that a better question to ask is “Who?” He explained that she may never know why her daughter was taken so early, but the help she needed most would come from pursuing who God is in this tragic situation.

Think of what this means to us in our difficulties. When we face unexpected grief and ask “Who?” we thus answer: “The Father of mercies and God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3). When we face a period of weakness, we discover that “the LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer” (Psm. 18:2). When the ungodliness of this world seems overwhelming, we can know that the “God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly” (Rom. 16:20). When “Why, God?” is on your heart, ask instead, “Who are You, God?” Then seek Him in His Word. (Dave Branon)

“Lord, all my desire is before You;

and my sighing is not hidden from You.”

~Psm. 38:9~

Posted by Mike Benson

May you have a blessed day today.

Anna Lee