Category: Praises, Requests, & Updates

Friday

“Therefore I say to you,

whatever things you ask when you pray,

believe that you receive them,

and you will have them.”

~Mark 11:24~

My personal observation: I asked God for peace about the brain surgery.  He came through in a big way.  When I had my doctor appointments after diagnosis, my blood pressure was very high due to anxiety.  When I was going into gamma knife surgery without having any medication, my blood pressure was lower than it has been it a long time.  I felt confident that God was in control and had no anxiety at all.  This is another one of those “God winks”.

Chloe Neyland did better yesterday.  Lisa said she got to see the baby blue eyes several times throughout the day.  Keep praying for little Chloe, the medical staff, and the family.  Lisa requests prayers for all the other children in ICU in Children’s Hospital.

Andy Taylor received a good report yesterday.  His hand is doing better than the doctor hoped for.  God is showing himself in so many ways.

Please begin praying for Jason Dean and his family.  Jason has back surgery scheduled for Nov. 10th in Baton Rouge.

Thought for the Day: What can I do for you?

It had been a hard winter in the Appalachian area. The snow had piled up deeper and deeper, the mercury dropped, rivers froze, people suffered. The Red Cross used helicopters to fly in supplies. One crew had been working day after day — long hours. They were on their way home late in the afternoon when they saw a little cabin submerged in the snow. There was a thin whisper of smoke coming from the chimney. The rescue team figured they were probably about out of food, fuel, perhaps medicine.

Because of the trees, they had to put the helicopter down a mile away. They put on heavy packs with emergency supplies, trudged through heavy snow, waist deep, reached the cabin exhausted, panting, perspiring. They pounded on the door. A thin, gaunt mountain woman opened the door and the lead man gasped, “We’re from the Red Cross.”

She was silent for a moment and then she said, “It’s been a hard winter, Sonny, I just don’t think we can give anything this year.”

I don’t think the story is true, but it certainly could be. I am convinced that there are two kinds of people — givers and takers. And even in dire times, those who are givers are always thinking about “What can I do for you?” rather than “What can you do for me?” Statistically speaking, the group which gives the greatest percentage of their money to charity every year is the group of people with the lowest income.

There may be several different reasons for that, but truth of the matter is (and this is true among Christians as well), the more we have, the greater is our tendency to hold tight to it. What a great example the Macedonians are to us:

“…in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.” (2 Cor. 8:2).

Did you notice that? The group of Christians that Paul held up as an example of generous giving to those in need were themselves in “deep poverty”. Yet they gave so much that Paul was reluctant to receive the money, until they implored him “with much urgency” to take their gift.

I look at my own life and see that there are many times when I’m reluctant to give to others, not because it might affect providing for my needs, but because it might affect me having the things I want. Like everyone else, I’m tempted to look out for “number one” and I want to know what you can do for me. But, considering the example of Christ, Paul said:

“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Phil.2:4)

“Father, please forgive me. Help me to develop a heart of selflessness and love for others that constantly seeks to find ways to bless those around me. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

God, please help me be a giver every day of my life.  I want to be better able to give to those who don’t deserve it and don’t need it as well as those who really deserve and need it.  Help my life be a better reflection of God in my life.

Anna Lee

Thursday

He said to another man, “Follow me.”

But that man said, “Sir, first let me go back and bury my father.”

Jesus answered, “Let the dead bury their own dead.

You go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.” 

~Luke 9:59-60 TEV~

Betty Simpson told me Melissa’s grandbaby who is named Lily Kate will go by Lily.

Boyd Hatchel got another good report yesterday.  The doctor said he did not have a seizure in Prague and does not have epilepsy.

Miles Hatchel woke up with a problem that seemed to be a broken collarbone according to his mother, the nurse, and the doctor.  A x-ray eliminated that, but led to blood-work that could have shown something much more serious.  The blood-work showed Miles had been too close to Granddaddy’s cats.  Miles has a virus – cat scratch fever.

My surgery is not giving me any problems, but I had a difficult day with facial pain which is brought on by stress.  Stress was good because it led to learning I had a brain tumor.  Stress now is not good.

Mr. Luther Ricks is doing a little better each day.  Thank God for Luther’s continued improvement.

Sherry Simpson is home from her recent surgery in Tennessee.  Pray that time shows the surgery improved her health issue.

From Lisa M. Neyland

Chloe had another rough day today. Hoping for tomorrow to be better.
There are 14 babies right now in the cicu unit with chloe. They all have their own special issues and some of the families have had to travel for hours to be here. Please remember them in your prayers that all their little bodies will be healed and they get to return to their homes and their normal lives

Don’t you love the sweet spirit in Lisa’s heart as she thinks about other families?  Virginia, Chloe’s grandmother, said Chloe had a difficult day again yesterday.  Pray for the family as they face another day at Children’s Hospital.

From Debbie Crawford

Please be in prayer for the family of Warren Doty. He just passed away.

Mrs. Catherine Yarborough’s sister passed away.  Please be in prayer for “Miss” Catherine and other family members.

Arrangements for Frances Fowler Allen

Visitation today from 10:00 – 2:00 at New Day Church in Liberty, MS.with burial in the Gillsburg cemetery.

Pray for the large extended family she leaves behind.

Pray for revival at FBC, Kentwood.  If you are interested in praying with others tonight, men will pray at the alter and ladies in the prayer room.  This time will begin at 7 P.M.  The revival will run Sunday – Wednesday.

 

I pray you have a special day of recognizing God’s presence in your life.

Anna Lee

 

 

Wednesday

“Do your own work well,

and then you will have something to be proud of.

But don’t compare yourself with others.”

~Galatians 6:4 (CEV)~

Tripp Roth

http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/

Thought for the Day: Should I forgive others?

The following story comes from Glenn E. Schaeffer via Christian Reader (“Kids of the Kingdom;” September/October 1997):

During a childrens sermon one Sunday morning, I held up an ugly-looking summer shirt that I wore occasionally around the house. I explained to the children that someone said the shirt was ugly and should be thrown away.

“This really hurt me,” I explained. “I’m having trouble forgiving the person who said those mean things. Do you think I should forgive that person?” I asked the children.

Immediately, my six-year-old daughter, Alicia, raised her hand. “Yes, you should,” she said without hesitation. “But why? The person hurt my feelings,” I responded.

To which Alicia wisely answered, “Because you’re married to her.”

We live in a society that doesn’t care much at all about forgiveness. Our culture exalts those TV and movie heroes who take vengeance on others. Those who are willing to forgive are portrayed as weak, and those who refuse to forgive are strong. The result is a society filled with bitterness, vengeance, anger, hate and hostility. Marriages suffer because grudges are held and nobody’s willing to forgive. Crimes of retaliation and ridiculously excessive lawsuits are rampantly common as people seek vengeance both inside or outside the law.

But Jesus emphasized the importance of forgiving others. In fact, he doesn’t give us any other option, if we are to be his disciples. He said, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15). That’s strong language!

Again in Mark 11:25-26, Jesus said, “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

When Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” (Matthew 18:21), Jesus responds by telling a parable about a master who forgave a servant’s huge debt, but that servant refused to forgive another servant who owed him a small amount. The story ends with an angry master turning over the unforgiving servant to the jailers for torture and torment. And then Jesus made the application in one of the harshest statements in all the gospels: “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” (Matthew 18:35).

Jesus makes it painfully clear that forgiving others is directly related to our being forgiven by God, and our unwillingness to forgive destroys the bridge over which God’s forgiveness comes to us. Before you ask for God to forgive you, is there someone who needs your forgiveness today?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Today is going to be a good day!

Anna Lee

Tuesday Afternoon

“The Good News shows how God makes people right with himself —

that it begins and ends with faith.”

~Romans 1:17a (NCV)~

 

Melissa S. Johnson is a grandmother for the second time.  Kate Speed and Booke are both doing well.

Firma Kay and Don Schneeweiss will soon become grandparents for the first time.  Tensley Elizabeth Schneeweiss should be born later this week.

Chloe Neyland had surgery for her pacemaker this week.  Hopefully, she will awaken from her sedation soon.  Please be in pray for this family.

Jadon’s Story: We have our surgery date

Well since I haven’t gotten to blog this week, let me go back. My case was presented to the surgery board on Monday. Dr. Chugani actually called me after the meeting to let me know what went on. I know I’ve said this before but this Dr. amazes me more and more every day. Not many doctors take the time for his patients as he does. Anyway he said that he spoke with my doctor in Boston.(Who also called me and said he agrees with Dr. Chugani and thinks this is the best option for me. He said that Dr. Chugani is a very bright doctor and any idea of his is a great one.) He also said that the surgery board had a really great conversation about me and that everyone was in agreement that surgery is the best option for me right now. You see we have tried everything possible to stop these seizures. On top of all the medications, we have tried keto diet and an herbologist. So we have truly done everything possible to try to give me some relief. It’s always the same story. It helps at first and then the seizures slowly pick back up. Last Monday when we increased my banzel, I only had 20 spasms and I went 5 hours without having one. I have never done this before. So yes we celebrated that day. You have to it was a good day. I wish I could say it continued but no I’m back up to 50 spasms a day. They are still better and less intense but they are slowly kicking back up. I can’t even begin to tell you how frustrating it is and how much of a roller coaster it is. Its awful. Which leads me to my surgery date. I will go back to Detroit on November the 21. At that time we will update my MRI and I will get to meet the neurosurgeon. This will give us time to ask him questions and process everything before my actually surgery. We will come home and get to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family. I will then leave January 3 to go back to Detroit. My surgery will be January 5. It will be a two stage surgery. This means I will have my first surgery on the 5th. They will go in and put electrodes on my brain. They will then halfway close me up and record data for 3 days. I will pretty much be sedated those three days while they get the information they need. The fourth day is the second phase of the surgery. They will go in and remove most of the left hemisphere of my brain. We don’t know exactly how much until we get the results from the electrodes. The surgery will take about 10 hours. I will then go to the PICU for 24 to 48 hours. Then I will get my own room for a few weeks. We will be gone a total of about 4 to 5 weeks. There are NO words that can explain how we are feeling right now so I’m not going to try. We have decided to take my brother with us. We can’t go that long without seeing him. He might not stay the entire time but he is coming at the beginning. I will keep you updated as we receive more information. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE pray for me and my family. If you want to read about two of my friends who have had this surgery you can click on the links below. My mommy has talk to both of their mommies and they have helped out alot. The little boy Trevy is a little more like me than Charli. Trevy had the left side of his brain removed too. Charli had a stoke at birth so her story is a little different but both of these kids are amazing little miracles.

Trevy    http://www.happybeingtrevy.com/

Charli   http://charlimonk.blogspot.com/

 

Caring Bridge: Callie Cole

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

Tonight is the last opportunity to see Heaven’s Gates and Hell’s Flames at the Lord’s Church.  It will begin at 6:30.  There is no admission charge.

 

Frances Fowler Allen (From Judy Fowler)

Wanted to pass on information.  Please remember the family in prayer:

Services for Frances F. Allen will be at New Day Church, Old Greensburg Road, Liberty, MS, on Thursday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m. til service at 2 p.m..  Burial will be at Gilsburg Cemetery, Gilsburg, MS. 

I’m sorry to be late posting this.

Ann Weaver Connerly
(May 4, 1936 – October 25, 2011)

A resident of Osyka, MS, died at 10:42PM on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. She was born May 4, 1936 and was 75 years of age. Visitation at Greenlaw Baptist Church, Kentwood, from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m., Thursday, October 27, 2011, and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 28, 2011. Services conducted by Rev. E. J. Didone. Interment Roberts Cemetery, Osyka, MS. Survived by husband, Philip Connerly, Osyka, MS, daughter, Karen Gill Morgan, Kentwood, 4 sons, Ernie Gill, Greensburg, Mark Gill, Zachary, Wayne Gill, Greensburg, and Johnny Gill, Osyka, MS, step-children, Phil Connerly, Kentwood, James Connerly, Magnolia, MS, Jeff Connerly, Osyka, MS, Lori Stewart, Albany, and Fran Bauer, Baton Rouge, a number of grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and sister, Betty Lou West, NC. Preceded in death by brother, Bo Weaver. Pallbearers will be Jeff Connerly, James Connerly, Phil Connerly, Johnny Gill, Mark Gill, and Ernie Gill. Honorary pallbearers will be Cheyenne Morgan, and Cody Morgan McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

 

 

I’m feeling great.  The people who have seen me today are amazed and all talk about a miracle.  I know I found the right doctor and the right procedure.

I’ll try to be back on a more regular schedule tomorrow. 

Anna Lee

Tuesday

I am home and doing great.  I wish you could see and hear me through this posting.  Thanks for the many, many prayers for me, my family, and the medical staff at the Gamma Knife Center.  Everything went was planned!  God is so good!

 

Frances Fowler Allen

Sister of Alice Fay Lee and sister-in-law of Judy Fowler, Frances Fowler Allen, passed away Monday, Oct. 31, at 2:30 pm.  Funeral arrangements are not complete at this time.

Will update later.

Saturday

“This service that you perform

is not only supplying the needs of God’s people

but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.”

~2 Corinthians 9:12 NIV~

Please continue to pray for Chloe Neyland and her family.  Chloe did not have a great day yesterday.  We can pray for a better day today.

Baptist Press:  A 7th inning exit & a great lesson about fatherhood

 http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=36438

Baptist Press: God uses student’s handicap for His glory

http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=36437

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

    I heard about a preacher who went into children’s church to talk to the children about Psalm 23.  He told the children about sheep, that they weren’t smart and needed lots of guidance, and that a shepherd’s job was to stay close to the sheep, protect them from wild animals and keep them from wandering off and doing dumb things that would get them hurt or killed.

He pointed to the children in the room and said that they were the sheep and needed lots of guidance.  Then the minister said, “If you are the sheep, then who is the shepherd?”  He was obviously indicating himself.

There was a silence for a few seconds.  Then one of the children said, “Jesus.  Jesus is the shepherd.”

The minister was obviously caught by surprise and said to the boy, “Well, then, who am I?”

The little boy thought for a moment and then he said with a shrug, “I guess you must be a sheep dog.”

That’s not a bad answer!  I know that the Bible refers to the elders in the church as “pastors” (shepherds), so it’s fully appropriate to refer to them in that way.  But Peter referred to Jesus as the “Chief Shepherd” (I Peter 5:4) so as to draw a sharp distinction between Him and the other shepherds of the church.  But I also like this idea of our spiritual leaders being “sheep dogs” because it pictures both their role of watching over the sheep and their role of submission to the Chief Shepherd, ready to follow His every command.

If you are a pastor, I hope you connect with the concept of the sheep dog.  If you’re one of the flock, I hope that you will “obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.” (Hebrews 13:17).  And may we all take comfort in our Shepherd who watches over us and provides all that we need (and so much more!).

In his book, “I Shall Not Want”, Robert Ketchum tells about a Sunday school teacher who asked her group of children if any of them could quote the entire twenty-third psalm.  A little 4-year-old girl raised her hand.

The little girl came to the front of the class, and she said: “The Lord is my shepherd, that’s all I want.”  Then she bowed and sat down.  She may have overlooked a few verses, but that little girl captured David’s heart in Psalm 23.  “The Lord is my shepherd, that’s all I want.”

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

How is God using you today to bring Glory to His name?  If you haven’t already done so, take some time today to prepare for the Lord’s Day.

Anna Lee

Friday

 The world of the generous gets larger and larger;

the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.

~Proverbs 11:24 (Msg)~

 

 

PATRICIA “PUNKIN” BRANT SMITH
December 5, 1948-October 26, 2011

Patricia Brant Smith was born on December 5, 1948 and passed away on October 26, 2011 at 2:45pm. She was 62, a native of Kentwood, LA and a resident of Gulfport, MS.

Patricia is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, Donnie Smith, Gulfport, children Tammy Toney(Troy), Gulfport, Tracy Ritchie (Jack), Saucier, Kevin Smith (Ashlee), Gulfport, and Kelly Wallis(Tony), Gulfport. Grandchildren, Amber, Jared, Anthony, Kameron, Tanner, Garrett, Connor, and Braden. Brothers and sisters, Jim Brant (Dulce) Kentwood, Bonnie McDaniel (Buford), Kentwood, Cheryl Guthrie (Clem), Kentwood, Dickie Blades (Trudy), Emilie Van Horn (Bobby), Chattanooga, TN, David Brant (Susan)Hernando, Ms., Tim Brandt(Jennifer) Atlanta, GA, Mark Brandt, East Ridge, TN, Lisa Lawler(Ron), Grapevine TX, and Melissa Farrell, Vinemont, AL.

Preceded in death by her parents, Fred Brant of Gulfport and Shirley Blades of Kentwood and brother Gregg Brandt.

Patricia had also been employed by Oreck Manufacturing for 25 years. She was a faithful member at Sunflower Baptist Church in Perkinston, MS for many years.

Visitation at Riemann’s Family Funeral Home on 3 Rivers Rd., Gulfport from 11am until 2pm with services to follow in the funeral home chapel at 2pm on Saturday, October 29, 2011.

 

THE BEAUTY OF YOUNG AND OLD

A grandmother and a little girl whose face was sprinkled with bright red freckles spent the day at the zoo.  The children were waiting in line to get their cheeks painted by a local artist who was decorating them with tiger paws.  “You’ve got so many freckles, there’s no place to paint!”, a boy in the line cried.

Embarrassed, the little girl dropped her head.  Her grandmother knelt down next to her.  “I love your freckles,” she said.  “Not me,” the girl replied.

“Well, when I was a little girl I always wanted freckles” she said, tracing her finger across the child’s cheek.  “Freckles are beautiful!”

The girl looked up.  “Really?”

“Of course,” said the grandmother.  “Why, just name me one thing that’s prettier than freckles.”

The little girl peered into the old woman’s smiling face.  “Wrinkles,” she answered softly.

What a beautiful story of love!  How wonderful it is when those who are filled with the wisdom that comes with age can still see the beauty in those who are younger and have much to learn.  And how wonderful when those just learning to spread their wings can see the beauty in those who have flown so long they have grown weary of flying.

“The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is their gray head.” (Proverbs 20:29)

With a heart of love, may we see the beauty of God’s children both young and old.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

 

Thanking God for the rain and praying you get some too,

Anna Lee