Category: Praises, Requests, & Updates

Wednesday

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” ~Luke 19:10~

I’m very thankful for the rain last night and for God’s protection over all of us, especially for the family that had the tornado visit them south of Tangipahoa Baptist Church.

http://www.wafb.com/story/16051473/tornado-watch-remains-in-effect-until-10-am

Please remember Mrs. Ruby Dillon in your prayers.  Her hip problem is healing slowly preventing some of “Miss” Ruby’s normal activities.

Remember those who have been sick such as Renee Deck, those who have surgery such as Jason Dean, and those who have had a family member to pass away such as Mrs. Bill Hughes family.  Be an encourager to others in these and similar situations.

Baptist Press – a continuing story we have been following

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=36578

Thought for the Day: Missed Opportunities

The story is told of a young man who wished to marry the farmer’s beautiful daughter. He went to the farmer to ask his permission. The farmer looked him over and responded, “Son, go stand out in that field and I’m going to release three bulls, one at a time. If you can catch the tail of any one of the three bulls, you can marry my daughter.”

The young man stood in the pasture awaiting the first bull. The barn door opened and out ran the biggest, meanest-looking bull he had ever seen. He decided that one of the next bulls had to be a better choice than this one, so he ran over to the side and let the bull pass through the pasture out the back gate.

The barn door opened again. Unbelievable. He had never seen anything so big and fierce in his life. It stood – pawing the ground, grunting, slinging slobber – as it eyed him. Whatever the next bull was like, it had to be a better choice than this one. He ran to the fence and let the bull pass through the pasture, out the back gate.

The door opened a third time. A smile came across his face. This was the weakest, scrawniest little bull he had ever seen. This one was his bull. As the bull came running by, he positioned himself just right and jumped at just the exact moment. He grabbed… but the bull had no tail!

Life is full of opportunities. Some will be easy to take advantage of, some will be difficult. But once we let them pass (often in hopes of something better), those opportunities may never again be available.

The same thing is also true of opportunities to serve Christ. God often opens doors — opportunities to speak up for Him, opportunities to minister to someone who is hurting or in need, opportunities to make an influence on the world around us. If we allow them to pass by (perhaps because we are waiting for something easier to come along), we may miss out on them altogether.

“Continue praying, keeping alert, and always thanking God. Also pray for us that God will give us an opportunity to tell people his message.” (Col. 4:2-3a, NCV)

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Gal. 6:10).

May you take advantage of the doors God opens for you this day!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Try to take advantage of the opportunities God gives you.  You won’t be disappointed!

Anna Lee

Monday

“We must support believers who go on trips like this

so that we can work together with them in spreading the truth.”

~3 John 1:8 (GW)~

If you did not get your Operation Christmas Child Shoebox turned in at FBC, Kentwood yesterday, you will still have about two more days before they are delivered to the collection center.  Complete your box and take it to the church office with a check for $7.00 to cover shipping.  You’ll be blessed!

Another blessing you can have this week is to attend our Third Thursday Share Group at the cabin.  We meet at 6:30 for a time of food, fellowship, devotional, and prayer.  Nobody is ever put “on the spot”, so feel free to come check it out.

Pray for Carol New as she has knee replacement surgery today.

Continue to pray for the many who have lost loved ones recently as well as those who are not well.

Pray for safety for those who will be traveling in the coming weeks.

Pray for boldness for those who have family members and friends who have not accepted God into their hearts.

Be thankful for all the blessing you and yours have received.

Baptist Press

http://www.bpnews.net/

Thought for the Day: He will provide

One Saturday Ken Erickson’s wife cleaned out leftovers from the refrigerator. She gave the one remaining portion of tortellini to their 6-year-old son, Jeremy. Their 8-year-old son, Matthew, also wanted some, so bickering ensued. After several unsuccessful attempts to mediate the dispute, Ken decided on a theological approach. Hoping to convince Jeremy to share his portion with Matthew, he said, “Jeremy, what would Jesus do in this situation?”

Jeremy immediately responded, “Oh, Dad, He would just make more!”

What a beautiful truth — Jesus will provide! I’m not saying that he would have provided for his own personal need (because he never did that in a miraculous way), but time and time again Jesus showed both his willingness and his ability to provide for those who were around him.

It was a truth the apostles needed to learn. Surrounded by thousands of people, Jesus said to them, “Give them something to eat.” (Matthew 14:16). Their answer indicated their recognition that Jesus had asked the impossible. They didn’t have the resources. But Jesus did.

It is a truth we all need to learn. Whatever your need may be, whatever crisis you may be going through, whatever strength you need to cope with the struggles in your life, Jesus will provide. He has both the willingness and the ability to provide for those in need.

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

He will provide!  Sometimes that’s all people can say about their situation in life.  I pray God will use you to “provide for others”.

Anna Lee

Saturday

“When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them.

Always be eager to practice hospitality.”

~Romans 12:13 (NLT, second edition)~

Jana C. Creel is home from the hospital.  Thank God her her improvement.

Jason Dean is in pain, but walking a little.  Pray for him as he continues to recover from back surgery.  He should be released Sunday,

Chloe Neyland is doing better.  She may be strong enough to move to a regular room later today.

I shared this website before, but think it might encourage us to do more for others, so I’m posting it again.

http://www.joeyshopeforhungrychildren.bbnow.org/index.php

Thought for the Day: Missed opportunities

The story is told of a young man who wished to marry the farmer’s beautiful daughter. He went to the farmer to ask his permission. The farmer looked him over and responded, “Son, go stand out in that field and I’m going to release three bulls, one at a time. If you can catch the tail of any one of the three bulls, you can marry my daughter.”

The young man stood in the pasture awaiting the first bull. The barn door opened and out ran the biggest, meanest-looking bull he had ever seen. He decided that one of the next bulls had to be a better choice than this one, so he ran over to the side and let the bull pass through the pasture out the back gate.

The barn door opened again. Unbelievable. He had never seen anything so big and fierce in his life. It stood – pawing the ground, grunting, slinging slobber – as it eyed him. Whatever the next bull was like, it had to be a better choice than this one. He ran to the fence and let the bull pass through the pasture, out the back gate.

The door opened a third time. A smile came across his face. This was the weakest, scrawniest little bull he had ever seen. This one was his bull. As the bull came running by, he positioned himself just right and jumped at just the exact moment. He grabbed… but the bull had no tail!

Life is full of opportunities. Some will be easy to take advantage of, some will be difficult. But once we let them pass (often in hopes of something better), those opportunities may never again be available.

The same thing is also true of opportunities to serve Christ. God often opens doors — opportunities to speak up for Him, opportunities to minister to someone who is hurting or in need, opportunities to make an influence on the world around us. If we allow them to pass by (perhaps because we are waiting for something easier to come along), we may miss out on them altogether.

“Continue praying, keeping alert, and always thanking God. Also pray for us that God will give us an opportunity to tell people his message.” (Col. 4:2-3a, NCV)

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Gal. 6:10)

May you take advantage of the doors God opens for you this day!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

 

 

Have a super Saturday!

Anna Lee

Friday

“I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God;

incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.”

~Psalm 17:6~

Jadon’s Story :  Seizures, sick, neuro appointment, prayer request

My seizures haven’t been the best lately. I’m having about 80 a day again. Surprise surprise. We are praying that they will just stay at 80 until surgery date. I can a least function at 80. When they increase to 150-200 is when the regression starts. I think this is just a reminder of why we need to do the surgery. My mommy and daddy say they have to try surgery. It’s only fair to me so that I can have a chance. Even though I can’t talk you can hear it in my cry ” Mommy please make them stop, mommy what’s going on, help me mommy”. So yes I’m saying the seizures that make me cry are back. On top of all this I’ve been sick. Mommy brought me to the doctor Monday and they put me on antibiotic for a sinus infection. Then Tuesday afternoon I started running a high fever. We thought it was related to the sinus infection but no I broke out in a horrible rash today. I also have ulcers in my mouth and fever blisters on my mouth. The doctor said it was hand, foot, and mouth disease. I probably picked it up in the doctors office when I went to get my antibiotic for my sinus infection. I can’t catch a break right now. Hopefully this rash will go away soon and I can get better. Ok so enough of the bad stuff. I went to see my neurologist in NOLA Tuesday. She did receive the paper work about my surgery. She agreed with the surgery. She said she has done everything possible for me. She also agreed that I can’t continue to develop unless we stop these seizures. She also said I have lots of potential if we could only get them to stop. She said that she would talk to the head of neurology about doing my therapy after surgery in NOLA. Well she walked out to write my new prescriptions and guess what the head of neurology was in the clinic. She agreed to let us do therapy in NOLA. She also agreed with the surgery. She then introduced us to the lady in charge of therapy in the hospital who also just happen to be in the clinic. So yes God was definitely looking out for us that day. My mommy was very nervous about the appointment and everything was perfect. Since we are going to do the therapy in NOLA we may only have to stay in Detroit 3 weeks. It all depends on how I do after surgery. When I’m stable enough to transfer we will transfer. We are very excited about this. Please continue to pray for us. We are definitely feeling your prayers. Everyone is being so helpful to us and we are so thankful to have all of you in our lives. I’m attaching a picture of a little boy that was just diagnosed with infantile spasms in our area. Please pray for him. He is the same age that I was when I was diagnosed. My mommy has been talking to his mommy. We are praying that the ACTH that he is on now will stop his seizures. One last thing. We are in the process of making a prayer blanket for me to take to Detroit. If you would like email my mommy at monica.pailet@gmail.com with your prayer and we will put it on my blanket. Thanks again for the prayers. Love you, Jadon

 

Operation Christmas Child (Shoeboxes of gifts for children)

  • Boxes are due at local churches Sunday (13th)
  • Call your local church or FBC, Kentwood for more information
  • Bless some unfortunate children during the holidays

Baptist Press: Misplaced priorities & the tragedy of Penn State

http://www.bpnews.net/BPFirstPerson.asp?ID=36546

Samaritan’s Purse Refugee Camp is Bombed

A few days ago I visited a refugee camp in South Sudan, where Samaritan’s Purse is helping care for some 23,000 refugees who have fled the atrocities of the government of Sudan. The camp has been a safe haven for these suffering people. But Thursday, the violence followed them when the camp was bombed by the very government they have been fleeing.

Four bombs were dropped. Praise God, we have confirmed that all of our staff are safe and accounted for, and as of now there are no reports of people injured on the ground.

These people are in need of immediate prayer.  Please pray for safety for the refugees, and for our staff. Pray for peace to come to this troubled region. Most of all, please pray that the people we are helping will find lasting hope in Jesus Christ.

Thank you, and may God bless you.

Sincerely,


Franklin Graham
President, Samaritan’s Purse


Veterans, thank you for your service to our country. I’m proud to be an American.

Last night, I noticed an advertisement for veterans to get a free meal at Applebee’s today.  We have our own local businessman with a benefit for veterans.  Robert Brister posted this and said to pass it on.

In honor of all our military servicemen and women on Veteran’s Day, Mr Tom’s Car Wash will once again be giving free washes to all veterans. Our Amite and McComb locations will be participating on Friday November 11 from 7:30am – 6pm. Spread the word! God bless our troops and God bless America.

As proud of veterans as we are, there’s someone who paid a great price for us two thousand years ago.

Thought for the Day: The highest ransom ever paid

A few years ago there was a true story about a man in New York City who was kidnapped. His kidnappers called his wife and asked for $100,000 ransom. She talked them down to $30,000.

The story had a happy ending: the man returned home unharmed, the money was recovered, and the kidnappers were caught and sent to jail. But don’t you wonder what happened when the man got home and found that his wife got him back for a discount?

Calvin Trillin was the writer of this story. He imagined what the negotiations must have been like: “$100,000 for that old guy? You have got to be crazy. Just look at him! Look at that gut! You want $100,000 for that? You’ve got to be kidding. Give me a break here. $30,000 is my top offer.”

I can sympathize with the kidnapped man because I wonder how much the people in my life think that I’m worth. But I am flattered beyond description to realize that I was worth enough to God that He was willing to pay the ultimate price for my ransom, my redemption. As Peter put it:

“You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” (I Peter 1:18-19)

Ultimately, the value of something (or someone) is determined by how much someone is willing to pay for it. A piece of art that may be worth millions of dollars to someone else may be worth less than a hundred dollars to me. The worth of something is determined by how much we’re willing to pay for it.

What that means is that we are of tremendous value to God. He didn’t quibble about the price, but was willing to pay the full ransom amount — the highest ransom ever paid!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Thank a vet today!  Thank God today!

Anna Lee

Thursday Evening

I just talked with Ora Lee Wilson and asked for an updated on her sister-in-law who had cancer surgery.  The report is good; the doctors think they got it all.  Pray for the family as they rejoice over the good report.

Ora Lee said the family had bad news today.  Ora Lee’s first cousin’s son and daughter-in-law had their first child today.  Shortly after they baby boy was shown to his mother she had problems and died.  Pray for the family. especially this young man with a new baby boy to raise.

 

Thursday Afternoon

Jason Dean’s surgery went well.  He’s now in room A109 at Cypress Pointe and scheduled to come home Sunday if all goes well.  Pray for good days between now and then.  Also, pray for the family.

Jana C. Creel is hospitalized in McComb with acute divroticulitious   Add her to your prayer list even though she is hoping to go home tomorrow.

John David Ponder, Sr.
(September 28, 1930 – November 9, 2011)

A resident of Amite, he passed away at 9:08 p.m. on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at Mid Jefferson Extended Care Hospital in Nederland, TX. He was born September 28, 1930 in Amite and was 81 years of age. Mr. Ponder was a U. S. Coast Guard Veteran of the Korean War and a graduate of Tulane Law School. He is survived by four children, Julie T. Ponder of Roseland, Amos L. Ponder of Amite, Katy Ponder Taylor and husband, Mark, of Orange, Tx., and Phillip Ponder of Amite; eight grandchildren, David and Elena Walker, Julia Walker, John and Kim Bittola, Devin Walker, Tara Ponder, Mark Glen Taylor, Annmarie Taylor, and Matthew Taylor; and three great-grandchildren, David and Christopher Walker, and Charlotte Bittola. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Jo Ann Leatherman Ponder; two sons, John David Ponder Jr. and George W. L. Ponder; parents, Justice Amos L. Ponder, Sr. and Amanda McMichael Ponder; 2 brothers, Amos L. Ponder, Jr. and George M. Ponder; 1 sister, Julia Ponder Doane. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 12 Noon until religious services at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 12, 2011. Services conducted by Bro. John Fulda. Interment Amite Cemetery, Amite, LA.

Wednesday Evening

Chloe Neyland

Chloe is struggling a little bit today trying to adjust to being off the vent. she is very happy though because they gave her a little milk and her stomach is not so empty. BABY STEPS!

James Rimes said the last blasting seems to have taken care of all of Susan‘s kidney stones.  That’s a wonderful answer to our prayers for her.

Mrs. Ruby Dillon has been having a problem with her hip for several weeks.  Pray it begins to feel better so she can have some relief.

Jason Dean’s back surgery will be tomorrow at Cypress Point.  The time has been changed to 10:30.  Pray all goes well doing healing and recovery.

Mr. Pete Hyde has another week at rehab before he can come home.  Pray for him to regain strength and movement during this time.

Pray for Mrs. Patricia Peterson and for her daughter, Sherry.