FBC – Page 144 – The Prayer Link

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

Wednesday

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them,

I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:

and the rain descended, the floods came,

and the winds blew and beat on that house;

and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.”

~Matthew 7:24-25, NKVJ~

Maggie Lee Henson

Tuesday, July 21, 2009 2:05 PM, CDT

The trek down to the CT scan went well–thank

s to your prayers and the great nurses and team who accompany her down. I’ll post a picture soon of what it looks like heading down the hallway. The trek in and of itself is risky, but the team watches every detail, juggling monitors, breathing apparati, lines, etc.

We are awaiting results of the scan and will update with what we learn.
–John

Tuesday, July 21, 2009 6:26 PM, CDT

A very good day for MLH. She had an additional CT scan which showed slight improvement in swelling. She tolerated the field trip well-what a vast improvement from monday a week ago.
Her icp is being contained. She got a blood infusion which she loved! They cut back on her epi twice (it boosts blood pressure) her icp hit an all time low of 17 which is terrific.
We further decorated her room, putting the slogan “miracles happen” on her window as a constant reminder.
God is good!
Pleas

e pray for;
-continued improvement in blood pressure
-continued drop in ICP
-more reactive pupils
-a continued unfolding of God’s miracle!
Thank you. Please keep it up!!
Oh- Happy Birthday, Madeline Richardson! Maggie Lee loves her twin cousin!!!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009 11:19 PM, CDT

I was recently digging around in the outer flap of my computer bag. Some say it is my manbag, but I carry no such item. As I was hunting for a cord for my computer, I found something I had not seen since early into this nightmare. It is a small zip lock bag, with “Speciman Bag. BIOHAZARD.” and directions with four steps on how to insert something into it. Inside the bag is something very non-biohazardous, but something that must have been inserted with a few tears, a measure of compassion and perhaps a prayer.

Inside the bag is a ring that Maggie Lee was wearing when they found her. It’s a ring that Jinny bought for her when she was coming back recently from a trip to Knoxville, one to serve as an encircling reminder of how much she believes in Maggie Lee. It was given to her to wear while going off to Camp Crestridge for two weeks of camp, where she didn’t yet know anyone and would be 900 miles from home. Jinny knew she wouldn’t know anyone at camp and wanted her to remember how much she believed in her and her dreams even though they would be apart.”

Jinny is the greatest encourager I know. It’s a gift of hers and she is more than willing to pour it out liberally on anyone she sees. If you know Jinny, you know its generous, loud and completely heartfelt. It is the fuel in my tank and it is dispensed constantly in our house to accomplish anything from taking a math test, preaching a sermon or even to pulling a tooth. I had no idea she gave this ring to Maggie Lee, but it doesn’t surprise me at all to learn of it tonight.

As I read the ring, the words stood out to me, especially as I think of how they are so fitting of the way Maggie Lee lives her life. Engraved on the ring are these words:

Dream. Fly. Dance. Sing.

I am looking at her now, asleep in the bed, knowing that it’s not time for her to go. She is too young, too full of dreams, flight, dance and song. As I look at her beautiful, unusually quiet self resting in this bed, my prayer, O Lord, is for her to . . .

Dream.
Fly.
Dance.
Sing.

May it be so, Lord God. May it be so.

–John

You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

Psalm 30:11

(70,285 – number of times someone has viewed the Caring Bridge site for Maggie Lee in one week! Many prayers have been said for this young lady and her family!!! http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/maggieleehenson)

Keep praying!

Cottage prayer meeting for our country will be held at 6:30tonight in the homes of Mrs. Wanzie Williams and Rev. and Mrs. Joey Miller.

KneEmail

Reap

EVER PLANT A garden…?

Or maybe just a few flowers in a bed or a plant in a pot? Something makes it possible for the gardener to function, or a farmer to produce a crop is a “law” of nature. “Law” really isn’t a very good word, but because it really is just an observation of the consistency of nature. Whatever kind of seed is planted is the kind of plant that will be produced. A farmer can know that when he plants wheat, that wheat is the plant that will grow. It is not random or arbitrary. Wheat seed produces wheat plants and corn seed produces corn plants. Farmers and gardeners can count on it.

What is just as true, though not as readily recognized, is that this same “law” applies in all of life. Whatever a person sows, that is what they will reap. To think otherwise is not only ludicrous, it also mocks God.

We have two choices. We either sow to the flesh or the spirit. This same letter outlines the differences between living according to the flesh and according to the spirit ( Galatians 516-18). Sowing to the flesh is involvement in the “deeds of the flesh” ( Galatians 5:19-21). The consequence os involvement in these is corruption and exclusion from God’s kingdom ( Galatians 5:21; 6:8). This is the harvest resulting from sowing those seeds. Just as surely as planting wheat seeds results in a harvest of wheat. We can count on it. (David Deffenbaugh, Bill McFarland)

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”Galatians 6:7

Posted by Mike Benson at July 21, 2009

Striving to sow the right “seeds”!

Anna Lee

Monday

“But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly;

the Lord will hear when I call to Him.”

~Psalm 4:3~

Pray for Judy Easley’s son-in-law, Shawn Boddin, as he has surgery tomorrow at the Neuromedical Hospital in Baton Rouge. He will be having two vertebra fused and should only be hospitalized overnight. This is because of the boating accident.

Pray for Mrs. Evelyn Bridges who is experiencing a throat problem.

Maggie Lee Henson

Sunday, July 19, 2009 11:55 AM, CDT

Generous, generous friends-

We are so grateful for all of you.

Please, please,plea

se do not stop petitioning God to heal Maggie Lee.

Currently, her ICP is 31. ok, it’s now 26.

I have not ever noticed the dog in the lower left hand corner of this picture of Maggie Lee at our front door. That would be Jack’s venti terrier, Fiona. She is really hacked off in the kennel this morning with our grande dog, Bandit. Ellie, of course, being the tall 🙂

Perhaps that is why we have each other on the road of faith, to point out things along the way that we would otherwise miss. Thank you all for pointing out your favorite promises from God’s word and prayers this past. To God be all praise and glory.

love
jin

Sunday, July 19, 2009 3:06 PM, CDT

Maggie Lee’s favorite picture of herself. Please keep praying!
ICP Creeping up to higher twenties, still on saline to keep it down.
Keep the vibrant faith!

Sunday, July 19, 2009 9:10 PM, CDT

Sunday Night Our daughter is a fighter. We full well know we need a miracle and are awaiting that. As much as we watch and pray and hold our breath, we know that Maggie Lee is utterly in God’s hands. Her lungs look FABULOUS, the ICP the dr would still like to be under twenty and not spike to 30 like it did occasionall

y today. We have a 2nd opinion, with a dr. who read the CTs and notes and gave us some great perspective in all of this. We feel very good about where she is and every day that she is here is a miracle. Her nurses call up there all the time to check on her and many even check her carepages. Bottom line, only a miracle will help Maggie Lee, so we pray for that and wait for God’s provision however we see fit. Last year after being so sick, maggie Lee was discouraged. She then said, “It’s OK, Mom, I know my time will come.” I cannot help but think

Monday, July 20, 2009 1:30 AM, CDT

I am arriving at the hospital and relieving Jinny’s mom–Judy/M

imi–from her 8pm-1am shift. Maggie Lee’s ICP is still in 20’s but apparently has stayed in higher 20’s. The plan of care is being tweaked some and I think there will be some variations from the norm as that takes place.

Please continue to pray that the pressure will go down on its own more as each hour passes.

My favorite Psalm is 139 and it has a great reminder to read at night/early morning. I ran across it and other Scripture in the Daily Evening Prayer in the BCP:

Yours is the day, O God, yours also the night; you established
the moon and the sun. You fixed all the boundaries of the
earth; you made both summer and winter. Psalm 74:15,16

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; my heart teaches
me, night after night. I have set the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not fall. Psalm 16:7,8

Seek him who made the Pleiades and Orion, and turns deep
darkness into the morning, and darkens the day into night;
who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out upon
the surface of the earth: The Lord is his name. Amos 5:8
If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me, and the light
around me turn to night,” darkness is not dark to you, O
Lord; the night is as bright as the day; darkness and light to
you are both alike. Psalm 139:10,11

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world; whoever follows me
will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12

It ends with Jesus as Light of the World. Jesus has been Maggie Lee’s Lord and Savior since age 7 and he continues to be her light, even in the night.

Funeral arrangements for Bennie Gaylon Simmons are still incomplete. Please continue to remember the family in your prayers.

FBC, Kentwood – Deacons of the Week – Larry Miller and Henry McKenzie

KneEmail

Testing

WHENEVER YOU FIND yourself going through times of testing, there is always a reason…a very good reason…

In fact, there are several reasons. Testing times are to:

UNCOVER something: When God allows pressures and trials, it is so that you might uncover something in your life He wants to deal with. Hardships reveal areas of weakness and vulnerability. God wants to strengthen us in those very areas, and better equip us not only to stand strong in the storms ourselves, but also to be a shelter for others.

RECOVER something: God allows us to be tested so that we might recover something we’ve lost over the months and years. Perhaps it is our delight in the Word of God, a habit of daily prayer, or the delight of regular fellowship with those of like-precious faith. Trials may force us back to that “first love” walk with the Lord that has slipped away from us.

DISCOVER something: Even though it’s a test you may not like or enjoy, you discover that He’s your God, you’re His child, and that He loves you. He’ll care for you and see you through.

I hear people talk about this trial and that trial, this test and that test. People will say, “Pray for me, I’m going through a trial in my marriage (or in my job or in my finances or in my relationships at home).” But in reality, those aren’t the things being tested at all. What’s being tested is our faith, whether we will really trust Him to work in and through our circumstances.

That’s what’s really at stake. When the heat’s on…when the shadows fall…when disappointment rips through my heart…am I going to trust Him? Am I going to wait on Him, worship Him, and give my anxieties to Him? Or am I going to turn away from Him in my doubt and discouragement? (Ron Mehl)

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations,

knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;

and perseverance, character;

and character, hope.

Now hope does not disappoint,

because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts

by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

Romans 5:3-5

Posted by Mike Benson

Have a marvelous Monday!

Anna Lee

Saturday

“‘What do you mean, ‘If I can’?’ Jesus asked.

‘Anything is possible if a person believes.’”

~Mark 9:23 NLT ~

Maggie Lee Henson

Friday, July 17, 2009 8:55 AM, CDT

Friday Morning-
Great night last night and wonderful morning. ICP in the low 20’s. Obviously there is a huge mountain to climb but by your prayers we are baby-stepping.
I love reading your entries and truly appreciated the on which read,”We are in this to pray for Maggie Lee for the marathon and not the sprint.” That is exactly how we feel and words can’t express adequately how grateful we are.
Even in a coma, Maggie Lee is ravishing:) I can imagine that she is having some awesome dreams about marrying Joe Jonas and opening for Taylor Swift (btw-Taylor Swift made her pressure go up, so we had to turn that off)

Friday, July 17, 2009 10:12 PM, CDT

This has been a great day for Maggie Lee, with swelling going down and our experience of stepping off the unwanted rollercoast

er ride we have been on for these last several days. We will continue to see agressive treatment for a few days before backing off and moving to increased stimulation.

I am slowly learning to be patient in the wait, yet resting in the peace God is providing at this stage, especially as a result of your prayers. –John

Saturday, July 18, 2009 3:22 AM, CDT

Early Sat. a.m.-

Praise God for a stable night; ICP’s in the low 20s. Please keep up the amazing work of prayer and stand back and be amazed at what God will do. All glory to our gracious God and King.

A quote from Stacia Runnels’ Mom; “Doubt is a luxury that we simply cannot afford.” Amen and amen.

Riding the wave of your petitions,

jin

Saturday, July 18, 2009 4:59 AM, CDT

ML tolerated being moved all over creation for her well-needed change of bedding. With her toes and fingers are painted, she’s ready for prom, basically.

CP 21 at present, praise GOD.

Please pray for Michael in the pccu here. He’s 8 and dr.’s found a grapefruit-sized tumor in his abdomen.

Life is precious,
jin

Pray for the Simmons family. Mr. Bennie Gaylon is not doing well. Your prayers will be appreciated.

The FBC children are home from camp. Thank God for good days at camp and safe travel.

Baptist Press

July 17, 2009

WASHINGTON–Senate includes homosexuals in hate crimes protection. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30909

TENNESSEE–Q&A: Hate crimes’ impact on religious freedom. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30910

WASHINGTON–House approves funds for D.C. abortions. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30911

WASHINGTON–D.C. spending bill allows for marijuana. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30912

FLORIDA–FIRST-PERSON (Bobby Welch): Soldiers of the cross. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30913

WASHINGTON–LIFE DIGEST: Obama & pope discuss abortion. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30914

TENNESSEE–Oldest BP articles now available online. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30915

TENNESSEE–Woolley Award given to SBC’s archives. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30916

LOUISIANA–FIRST-PERSON (Kelly Boggs): Blind leading the blind. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30917

Those of you who are very interested in sports may appreciate this site.

BPSports — Sports with a spiritual attitude! http://www.bpsports.net.

ATTRACTED BY THE LIGHT

The story is told of an old country doctor who went way out to the boondocks to deliver a baby. It was so far out, there was no electricity. When the doctor arrived, no one was home except for the laboring mother and her 5-year-old child.

The doctor instructed the child to hold a lantern high so he could see, while he helped the woman deliver the baby.

The child did so, the mother pushed and after a little while, the doctor lifted the newborn baby by the feet and spanked him on the bottom to get him to take his first breath.

No sooner had he done this when another baby popped out, Then another, and yet another. At this time, the little boy blew out the lamp.

The doctor yelled, “What did you do that for?”

“The light’s attracting them,” he replied.

Spiritually speaking, there’s a great deal of truth in that last statement. We experience the “new birth” (John 3:3) only after being attracted to the “light” — the light of God’s presence, the light of God’s Word. Like moths drawn to a light bulb burning in the night, those who search with an empty and unsatisfied heart will be drawn to God’s light. And praise be to God who offers us a way to leave our world of darkness and enter his “marvelous light”:

“But you are….His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” (I Peter 2:9-10).

Heavenly Father, I live in the midst of a dark world. Thank you for allowing your light to shine into my heart and into my life. Help me as I strive to live my life in such a way that I reflect your light so that others around me may see that light and be attracted to it. In the name of the one who is the “light of this world”, Amen.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Thanking God for the rain!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

In His Time!

“But these things I plan won’t happen right away.

Slowly, steadily, surely,

the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled.

If it seems slow, do not despair,

for these things will surely come to pass.

Just be patient!

They will not be overdue a single day!”

~Habakkuk 2:3 LB~

Mary Lee Hinson

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/maggieleehenson/photos (more pictures)

1:49 A.M. Wednesday

With the coma-inducing medication removed, Maggie Lee is showing off with some incredible brain waves. We know that she is very, very, very much here with us.

I relieved John bedside a little after midnight and have been reading all of your precious words and scriptures to Maggie Lee since then. I know she can hear it and because I am SO LOUD, this entire END of the Critical Care Unit is, as well 🙂 God’s word is going out in this place thanks to you, the nurses and drs. hear your prayers for them as well.
We are all amazed at the outpouring of love from the body of Christ all over the world…many total strangers and cling to your encouragement. From prayer services at FBCS to Catholic Masses, our entire outh group is so covered in prayer.
Please pray:
-For her ICP to go down. We’re in the 30’s
-For her brain swelling to subside.
-For her lungs to stay inflated
-For her heart to continue to be strong
-For Lauren Murchison’s continued improvement. She has been moved to a private room in ccu
-For continued improvement for Sarah Smith
-For the parents of Brandon Ugarte as they mourne his loss.
-For God to glorify Himself in all of this wretched tragedy.

Words cannot express our appreciation but please KEEP ON!!!!!
jin

Please continue to pray for our church children at camp this week and for those for all the children and youth at other camps. Pray for those serving internationally too in world changers.

Three cottage prayer meeting in Kentwood tonight to pray for our country. They all begin at 6:30. Chose one from Mrs. Mary Young’s, Mr. and Mrs. Gaylon Cutrer, and the Alford’s cabin. For more information or directions call the church office (985-229-8111).

Leland J. Durbin, Jr.

(May 27, 1946 – July 13, 2009)

Born on May 27, 1946 died at his home in Amite, La. Monday night July 13, 2009 surrounded by His family. Arrangements are incomplete at McKneely Funeral Home of Amite & Kentwood, Inc., Amite, LA

Purpose

WHERE DID WE come from…?

Who are we? Why are we here? How should we live? Where are we going?

The answers to each of these questions depend on the existence of God. If God exists, then there’s ultimate meaning and purpose to your life. If there’s real purpose to your life, then there’s a real right and wrong way to live it. Choices you make now not only affect you here but will affect you in eternity. On the other hand, if there is no god, then your life ultimately means nothing. Since there is no enduring purpose to life, there’s right or wrong way to live it. And it doesn’t matter how you live or what you believe–your destiny is dust. (Norman L. Geisler and Frank Turek)

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God and keep Hhis commandments,

for this is the whole duty of man.”

Ecclesiates 12:13

Posted by Mike Benson at July 14, 2009

Tuesday

“When you pray,

do not use a lot of meaningless words,

as the pagans do,

who think that their gods will hear them because their prayers are long.

Do not be like them.

Your Father already knows what you need before you ask Him.”

~Matthew 6:7-8 TEV~

Micah Simpson

We took Micah to the doctor about a bump on his rib. The doctor told us to go get an x-ray done. I talked to the doctor this afternoon and he thinks it’s a outgrowth bone and wants us to go to Children’s Hospital in New Orleans just to make sure everything is alright.

Marty & Gretchen Simpson

Cottage prayer meetings for our country will be held Wednesday at 6:30 P.M. in the homes of Mrs. Mary Young, Mr. and Mrs. Galon Cutrer, and our cabin. Feel free to choose one and participate.

There will be a time of food, fellowship and devotional Thursday at the cabin at 6:30. You are invited to join us.

Continue to pray for our children as they are at camp this week and all the other children and youth at camps this week. Also, pray for those participating in VBS this week.

KneEmail

Unchanging

morals.jpgRELATIVISTS OFTEN CONFUSE the changing behavioral situation with the unchanging moral duty…

For example, when discussing a moral topic like premarital sex or cohabitation, you often hear people in support of it say something like, “Get with it, this is the twenty-first century!” as if current behaviors dictate what’s right and wrong. To illustrate the absurdity of the relativist’s reasoning, you need only to turn the discussion to a more serious moral issue like murder, which also occurs much more frequently in America today that it did fifty years ago. How many relativists would speak in support of murder by asking us to “Get with it, this is the twenty-first century!”? That’s where their reasoning takes them when they confuse what people do with what they ought to do. (Norman L. Geisler, Frank Turek)

KneEmail: “And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32

Bible reading for 07.13.09: Acts 18; Job 7-9

Be a missionary. Forward KneEmail to a friend, loved one, or co-worker today.

To SUBSCRIBE or find archives, go to: http://www.forthright.net/kneemail/

Posted by Mike Benson at July 13, 2009

Unchanging

RELATIVISTS OFTEN CONFUSE the changing behavioral situation with the unchanging moral duty…

“And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”

John 8:32

Posted by Mike Benson at July 13, 2009

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

Anna Lee

Thursday

“Guide me in Your truth and teach me,

for You are the God of my salvation.”

~Psalm 25:5a, HCSB~

Thank-you for all the prayers for Tiffany Bankston Currier. She is doing very well at this time. The family appreciates your prayers so much.

Hollie K. reports she is doing very well in West Africa. She even had a former student to visit and be a “tourist” with her during her break before classes resume again. Hollie is loving

Continue to pray for the youth and chaperones at Mission Fuge in Clinton, MS and for the children and chaperones who will be at children’s camp next week.

Mason and Adam Carter

I would like to thank everyone for praying for Mason. He did well and was home 1:00 Tuesday. He even made it to VBS that night.
Adam is doing a little better too.
Lawana

Mrs. Hellen Morris is having a heart cauterization and possibly a stent today. Keep her and her family in your prayers.

From Lori Rhodes

Also, please pray for my sister and brother-in-law. He is building their house by himself. This morning, he fell from the roof. All of his ribs on the right side are broken, bruised his lung, crushed his collarbone and has a big cut on back of his head. His name is Mark. Thanks!

Landon and Alisha Estay learned their unborn baby son has spinal bifida but are still loving the baby and trusting God. Keep them in your prayers.

Don Denton

It seems like it gets longer and longer in between the times that I post. My life is soooooo full these days.

If you are still following us I thought I would update you on how we are doing.

It has now been over a month since Don has been in the hospital and that in and of itself is a miracle. We are so grateful to God.

Don continues to get stronger. He is still very, very thin, but that will take some time. He is still in physcial therapy five days a week. His physical therapist, Dot H. is amazing and so committed to helping him. We are so blessed to have her here in Bolivar with her credentials.

Don is tappering at a very slow pace. He is doing Ok. Slow and steady is the plan.

Just last week and this week I have spent hours with the insurance company trying to get Don’s nausea meds approved. I have now heard five different stories as to why. The are allowing him less than the daily dosage. One explanation was that the company entered information into the computer wrong. And of course we have been told by them that Don is approved, but when the doctors sends in the request they deny it.

I have written letters to our senator, the National Assoc. for pharmacists, as Medco has pharmacist who basically determines the approval. And I have written letters to a patient advocay group and of course Medco’s coroporate office. Ugh…..

Don doctor continues to work with us and we are grateful for his committment to helping Don in this way.

I think we will celebrate the day that it gets approved.

Last week turned out to be a most challenging and difficult week for me. I was overwhelmed with everything. I found out that I have one car that needs tires, the other broke down on me, the clutch is out. Then backing out of my driveway on the way to a doctor appointment for myself I “slammed” into our sitters car and dented it in three places. I had grass to cut and weedead. I had a mound of laundry, bills to pay, groceries to buy, perscriptions to pick up, house to clean, it looked like a tormado had hit. And then find time to spend with Joshua and on and on. I was a well, lets say feeling very discouraged.

And then something happened. Our sitter has a room mate who had been praying that God would show her someone she could serve. My sitter shared with her some of our situation. And her room mate came over last week to help clean my house and then she brought another friend over the cut grass.

It is at these times, when I am most discouraged that God says to me, ” I have not left you”. I am so grateful for you God’s people who pray for us and bless us in so many, many ways.

There are those days when Don and I feel that we just need to make it through the day. WE don’t know what our future holds, we are so clueless. We have had a few surprises that have taken us back some. But the one thing we know is this. We are a family, we have each other and we love each other. And we continue to pray for God’s mercy and grace upon us.

Joshua still is struggling with some fears. Some are age appropriate and some are fears of losing Don and I. Pray for him in that way.

I continue to learn more of what it is to believe as a child. Our son’s passion and love for his daddy is precious. He prays for him everday. And I find myself focusing on the precious gift of life we have. In the quiet of the evening when everyone is in bed, I for a fleeting moment realize that we can’t take the “stuff” with us when we leave this earth. Finding delight in the lives of people. Valuing who God brings into our life as a gift from God is so important. I saw an amazing example of what “delighting in others” looks like. God taught me an important lesson through this women. I hope to model her love for life and people. It is such a gift to me and a blessing to us to have friends and family bless us in the way they do.

It is late. Pray for Don, he has a CAT Scan tomorrow as a follow up.

Bless you our family and friends.
Diane

Lloyd Gullick

(June 19, 1931 – July 8, 2009)

Died at 7:30AM on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at his residence in Roseland, LA. He was a native of Corinth, MS. Age 78 years. Graveside Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Arcola-Roseland Cemetery, Arcola, LA. Services conducted by Rev. Danny Smith. Survived by Wife, Barbara Gullick, Roseland, daughter, Peggy Fuqua, Roseland, 2 sons, Jerry Gullick, Kentwood, Mike Gullick, Amite, 6 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by son, David Gullick, parents, Eli Gullick and Maudie Ethel Gullick, 1 sister, Willie Ruth Reynolds, 2 brothers, J. E. Gullick and Melvin Gullick, 2 grandchildren, Dusty Gullick and Timothy Gullick. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

Baptist Press

(I hope you find time to read all of these, but if not, at least try to read the two I highlighted in red. Anna Lee)

July 8, 2009

TENNESSEE–Teen sex linked to children’s TV viewing, study says. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30846

ENGLAND–Lab-created babies, no male required? http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30847

MAINE–Maine effort to overturn ‘gay marriage’ near success. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30848

TENNESSEE–‘I Can Only Imagine’ marks 10 years. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30849

NORTH CAROLINA–SBC leader Ernest Mosley dies at 81. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30845

KANSAS–FIRST-PERSON (Phil Boatwright): Fireproof co-producer readies new film. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30850

As our friends and neighbors face the many trials of life, I think this devotional thought shows various perspectives. I pray each one of us will face our trials like Landon and Alisha.

KneEmail

Viewpoint

grand canyon.jpg THREE PEOPLE WERE visiting the Grand Canyon — a painter, a preacher, and a cowboy…

Looking over the massive canyon, each one verbalized his observation:

“Incredible!” the painter said. “I’d love to paint a picture of this!”

The preacher waved his arms and cried, “Glory! Look what God has done!”

The cowboy exclaimed, “I’d sure hate to lose a cow down there!”

What do you see when you look at your situation? An illustration of God’s handiwork, or just someplace to lose a cow? (Stan Towler)

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,

whatever things are noble,

whatever things are just,

whatever things are pure,

whatever things are lovely,

whatever things are of good report,

if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–

meditate on these things.”

Phillipians 4:8

Posted by Mike Benson

Thankful for this Thursday!

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.”

~Matthew 11:28~

Thank God for the rain we received yesterday.

Pray for Lawana Carter’s two boys. Mason is having sinus surgery in McComb this morning at 8 A.M. Adam has a lingering summer cold.

Remember to pray for Shaun Bodin, Judy Easley’s son-in-law, as he sees doctors at Ochsner concerning his fractured neck.

Continue to pray for those at Mission Fuge at Mississippi College and for those having VBS this week.

Baptist Press

July 6, 2009

CALIFORNIA–NEA declines to remain neutral on abortion. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30833

WASHINGTON–Gallup Poll: U.S. adults growing more conservative? http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30834

MICHIGAN–Witnesses assaulted at Muslim festival, team members say. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30835

VIRGINIA–Appalachian Trail hike turns into spiritual journey. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30836

TENNESSEE–Research: Many say income not matching lifestyle. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30837

WASHINGTON–FIRST PERSON (Ken Connor): Bread and circuses: America’s cult of celebrity. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30838

KneEmail

Great

So many celebrities have died recently, it reminds one of the death, in 1715, of King Louis XIV of France, after a reign of 72 years.
He had called himself “the Great.” The monarch had made the infamous statement, “I am the state!” (Grandiose political statements are perennial.) His court was considered the most magnificent in Europe, and his funeral was equally spectacular.

As Louis’ body lay in state in a golden coffin, orders had been given that the cathedral should be very dimly lit with only a single candle set above his coffin, to dramatize his greatness. At the memorial service, thousands waited in hushed silence.

Bishop Massilon rose to speak. Reaching down, he snuffed out the candle and said, “Only God is great.”/1

At the cross, and before the empty tomb, as the rich and famous and powerful wither and die, around the table of the Lord, we declare, “Only God is great!”

Or better, like Thomas who threw himself at the feet of the resurrected Christ, “My Lord and my God!” ( John 20:28). (J. Randal Matheny at: http://www.forthright.net/)

“Yours, O LORD, is the greatness,

the power and the glory,

the victory and the majesty;

for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;

Yours is the kingdom, O LORD,

and You are exalted as head over all.”

I Chronicles 29:11

Posted by Mike Benson at July 6, 2009 11:55 AM

Please share information you would like others to pray about. Have a great day!

Anna Lee

Monday

OOPS!

I just realized I did not click on “publish” this morning! I realized that just as I cleared what I had written. Sorry!

We need to pray for our youth as they are at Mission Fuge this week at Mississippi College. I know groups from several other churches who will also be there this week. Pray they develop a closer walk with God and with each other as they learn to minister to needs. Pray for them as they learn about the Roma and develop a better understanding of the lostness of people around the world.

Pray for Shaun Bodin, Judy Easley’s son-in-law, as he sees doctors at Ochsner again tomorrow. A decision will be made about the way his neck has/has not healed since the boating accident. Pray for Shaun and Kim as they work through this problem in their lives.

Judy’s son, Joffrey, is fine. He has no problems from his injuries in the accident.

I’ll try to remember to click on “Publish” now and in the future.

I hope you got some rain and look forward to more this week.
Anna Lee

Sunday Afternoon

Mrs. Betty Bethel will be having cataract surgery Monday, July 13th and Monday, July 20th. Please be in prayer for her.

Some of the youth from the church will be leaving today for Missison Fuge at Mississippi College. Please keep them in your prayers.

Andy Taylor’s mother passed away. She will be buried from Magnoia. Please be in prayer for the family.

LORETTA KING GINN

Loretta King Ginn, 81, of Magnolia, died July 4, 2009, at the Cardiovascular Institute of Mississippi in McComb.

Visitation will be Monday from 9 a.m. till services at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church in Magnolia. Dr. David Millican and the Rev. Tracy Hipps will officiate. Burial will be at the Mount Zion Baptist Church Cemetery.

Mrs. Ginn was born June 15, 1928, in Crystal Springs. She was the daughter of the late Milladge and Eula Lea Roberts Nixon.

Mrs. Ginn was a bookkeeper and a member of Central Baptist Church in McComb. She was a lifelong member of Women of the Moose Lodge No. 1179 in Jackson. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her brother, James Nixon, and step-grandchild, Rhonda Mapes.

Mrs. Ginn is survived by her husband of 16 years, Dale Ginn of Magnolia; two sons and daughters-in-law, Andy and Betty Taylor of Osyka, and Howard King Jr. and Teresa of Magnolia; four daughters and two sons-in-law, Cindy Juban of Denham Springs, La., Karen Hart and Dennis of Liberty, Penny Overby of Summit, and Pam Frost and Lance of Pearl; two brothers, Robert Nixon of Maywood, Calif., and Thomas Nixon and wife Charlene of Arkansas; 21 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary Elizabeth Elliott

(December 1, 1934 – July 4, 2009)

Died at 5:55PM on Saturday, July 4, 2009 at Kentwood Manor Nursing Home in Kentwood, LA. She was a native of Tangipahoa, LA and a resident of Kentwood, LA. Age 74 years. Graveside Services will be held at Tangipahoa Cemetery, Tangipahoa, LA at 2:00PM Tuesday. Survived by 3 sisters, Caroline Kline, Tulsa, OK, Frances Nell, Greeley, CO, Clara Remelius, Kentwood. Preceded in death by, parents, Edward Rayburn Elliott and Zelma Lea Travis Elliott. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements.

Lorelise Dykes

(July 17, 1922 – July 4, 2009)

Died at 7 p.m.on Saturday, July 4, 2009 at Beacham Memorial Hospital in Magnolia, MS. She was a native of Magnolia, MS and a resident of Kentwood, LA. Age 86 years. Mrs. Dykes was a retired registered nurse who worked at Beacham Memorial Hospital for 34 years. Fifteen of those years, she was Director of Nurses. She was the daughter of Clyde Bankston and Daisye Bryan Bankston. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 57 years, Ivy Dykes. She loved her family dearly and looked forward to their visits. Each minute she spent with them was precious. She enjoyed preparing their favorite foods. She is survived by 2 daughters, Charlene D. Waller and her husband, Floyd, Kentwood, LA, Sharon D. Venable and her husband, Mike, Kentwood, LA, 2 sons, Wayne F. Dykes and his wife, Jenny, Ponchatoula, LA, Wilton I. Dykes and his wife, Shera, Alpharetta, GA, 1 sister, Marilyn Strickland, Ruston, LA, 9 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren. Grandsons will be pallbearers. Visitation at Line Creek Baptist Church, Kentwood, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Monday and from 8 a.m. until Religious Services at 11 a.m. Tuesday. Services conducted by Rev. Ken Irvin. Interment Dykes Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements.