Category: Praises, Requests, & Updates

Thursday

Your attitude must be like my own,

for I, the Messiah,

did not come to be served,

but to serve,

and to give my life.

~Matthew 20:28 LB~

 

 

Tripp Roth

http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/

 

 

From Pam Sellers

Brent (Miller) is doing a little better. He is eating one meal a day. The doctors put him back on his original medicine. He is still very depressed, but we are praying the original medicine will bring Brent out of it. Thanks for praying and please keep Brent and his family in your prayers.
Pam

Please continue to pray for all the grieving families.  May they turn to God.

 

Baptist Press

http://www.bpnews.net/

 

 

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

I heard about a man who was drafted into the army.  While in the army he developed a very strange habit.  As he walked along each day he kept picking up pieces of paper, saying to himself aloud, “That’s not it!”  He would pick up one piece of paper after another and say, “That’s not it. That’s not it!”

This went on for about six months.  His bizarre behavior was finally brought to the attention of his superiors.  They ordered him to report to the base psychiatrist.  The psychiatrist asked, “What is wrong with you? What is the problem?”

The man had a baffled expression on his face as he said, “What problem?  I don’t have a problem.”

The psychiatrist said, “Well, there’s got to be something wrong with you. It has been reported to me that you keep going all over this base picking up pieces of paper and saying, ‘That’s not it, that’s not it!”  So, tell me, just what is it you are looking for?”

The man said, “I don’t know.  I just don’t seem to be able to find it.” The psychiatrist consulted some of his colleagues, then told the man, “I think your problem is serious, and I’m going to give you a medical discharge from the Army.”

When the psychiatrist handed him the discharge papers, the man jumped up and shouted excitedly, “This is it!  This is it!  This is what I’ve been looking for!”

This story reminds me of an incident in the gospel of John where two men were asked the same question.

“The next day John was there again with two of his followers.  When he saw Jesus walking by, he said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’  The two followers heard John say this, so they followed Jesus.  When Jesus turned and saw them following him, he asked, ‘What are you looking for?'” (John 1:35-38a, NCV)

It’s an important question for all of us.  What are you looking for?  On occasion, we may stumble across something we weren’t searching for, but most of the time we have no hope of finding something unless we’re looking for it.  For example, I understand that there is a lot of ginseng in the mountains of North Carolina.  When we lived in Boone, I knew a lot of people who found ginseng, but I never did, and I’m sure a big reason for that is that I never looked for it.

Spiritually speaking, what are you looking for?  So many people miss out on much that God has to offer simply because they don’t have hearts that are searching.  Are you searching for a right relationship with God?  Are you searching for a congregation of God’s people?  Are you searching to know God’s will in a difficult decision you’re facing?  What Jesus promised is true:  “Seek and you will find.” (Matthew 7:7)

By the way, those two disciples in John 1 found exactly what they were looking for.  “‘We have found the Messiah.” (John 1:41).

What are you looking for?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

 

 

When your problems seem big, remember, God is bigger!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“When they went from one nation to another,

From one kingdom to another people,

He permitted no one to do them wrong;

Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes,

Saying, ‘Do not touch My anointed ones,

And do My prophets no harm.’”

~Psalm 105:12-14, NKJV~

Mrs. Ann Chapman requests prayer for the areas of our country that are too day.  We can add the area that is expecting Hurricane Irene, the area that recently flooded and the area the experienced an earthquake yesterday.  Much is happening!

Andy and Betty Taylor are dealing with Andy’s pain from the accident and two surgeries.  Keep them and other family members in your prayers.

Our grandson, Mason, broke his arm late yesterday afternoon while riding his scooter at NOBTS.  He has a brace on in now and will get a cast in a couple of days.

Daddy will be seeing a doctor about a medication side effect today.  Pray for the doctor’s decision in how to best hand this problem.

Pray for the Conleay family as they make funeral arrangements today.

Make time for God in your day today!

Anna Lee

Tuesday Addition

From Melissa Johnson

Please add Delton Davis and Lynette Davis to the prayer link. I just got off the phone with Barbara their daughter and she said her Dad is very sick and is home resting but now all he does is sleep. Mrs Lynette will be having open heart surgey tomorrow at 7 a.m. in Covington. This family needs our prayers with both of their parents sick………

I also spoke to Wanda Bridges and her (Mom) Mrs Velma Anthony is having tests at North Oaks tomorrow morning. Please be in prayer for Mrs Velma.

Mr. Bill Conleay passed away.  He will be missed by many people.  Randy Conleay’s surgery may be promising.  I’ll post an obituary later.

 

I would appreciate continued prayers for my family.  Momma has improved, but is not well enough to come home.  My appointment yesterday confirmed my self-diagnosis.  Pray for me as I have started medication and will have an MRI Thursday.

Tuesday

 

“O Lord, God of my salvation,

I have cried out day and night before You.

Let my prayer come before You;

incline Your ear to my cry.”

~Psalm 88:1-2~

 

From Pam Sellers

Please add my neighbor Brent Miller and his family to the Prayer List. Brent suffered a severe psychotic episode Saturday night and no longer wants to live. He has been on medication for schizophrenia for a long time. He is a born-again Christian and comes from a strong Christian family. Pray for the family, especially his mother Linda, and that the God who knows him will calm him down and that the doctors can adjust his medication. Thank you in advance.
Pam

Pray that Andy Taylor’s pain will begin to ease.  Pray for Betty as she takes care of Andy at home.  Thank God, again, for sparing Andy.

 

Devotionals by Alan Smith

Does one remind you of Dr. Joe Baugh?

http://tftd-alansmith.blogspot.com/2010_01_01_archive.html

 

May you be blessed today!

Anna Lee

Monday

“Some men brought to Jesus a paralytic friend, lying on a mat.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man,

‘Take heart, son! Your sins are forgiven.’”

~Matthew 9:2~

Post by Betty Taylor

Thank you lord for taking care of us and bring us home safely from the hospital. Thank you for all you do. Andy rested his first night home. Still has pain. Has to sleep in recliner.but we can do that. Recovery will be slow and long. But we can do that. With GOD’S help.continue to pray for us, for his healing and my strength so I can take care of him. Again thank you for all your prayers.

Set Your Mind on Things Above

Here are some tips on the subject of aviation:

* Takeoffs are optional. Landings are mandatory.

* If you push the stick forward, the houses get bigger. If you pull the
stick back they get smaller. (unless you keep pulling the stick back
— then they get bigger again)

* Flying is not dangerous; crashing is dangerous.

* The propeller is just a big fan in the front of the plane to keep the
pilot cool. Want proof? Make it stop; then watch the pilot break out
into a sweat.

* It’s best to keep the pointed end going forward as much as possible.

* Every one already knows the definition of a “good landing” is one from
which you can walk away. But very few know the definition of a “great
landing.” It’s one after which you can use the airplane another time.

* The probability of survival is equal to the angle of arrival.

* Those who hoot with the owls by night should not fly with the eagles by
day.

* A helicopter is a collection of rotating parts going round and round and
reciprocating parts going up and down — all of them trying to become
random in motion. Helicopters can’t really fly — they’re just so ugly
that the earth immediately repels them.

* Trust your captain . . . . but keep your seat belt securely fastened.

* There are three simple rules for making a smooth landing:
Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.

* A fool and his money are soon flying more airplane than he can handle.

* Try to keep the number of your landings equal to the number of your
takeoffs.

* Gravity never loses! The best you can hope for is a draw.

* It’s better to be down here wishing you were up there, than up there
wishing you were down here.

Several of these tips lend themselves to spiritual application, but the one that jumped out at me was that last one. How much better it is to be on this earth with a mind set on “things above”, than to be anywhere with a mind set on “things below”!

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4)

Because we are surrounded by a world which we can see, it is easy to keep our eyes focused solely on that world. We will never grow as Christians, though, until we set our sights higher. Wherever your mind has been this morning, may this serve as a gentle reminder to set it on “things above”.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Boone Church of Christ
Boone, North Carolina

 

 

Alan Smith’s devotionals always make me think.  This one is no different. Have a wonderful Monday!

Anna Lee

Sunday Afternoon

Pray for Mrs. Evelyn Bridges who is still trying to recover from a recent fall.

Continue to pray for Mrs. Shirley Frazier who is still seeking a diagnosis and treatment.

We moved Momma to North Oaks Rehab today.  She’s in room 1713. Hopefully, after 7-10 days there, she will be ready to come home.  Thanks for your many prayers for our family.  We have come a long way since the last of June.

Doris Crittenden Garner
(December 17, 1927 – August 21, 2011)

A resident of Kentwood, LA, died at 6 a.m on Sunday, August 21, 2011 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. She was born December 17, 1927 in Magnolia, MS and was 83 years of age. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m., Monday, August 22, 2011, and from 9 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m .Tuesday, August 23, 2011. Services conducted by Rev. Kevin Smith. Interment Tangipahoa Cemetery, Tangipahoa. Survived by husband, Edward Garner, Kentwood, son, Richard Garner, Jr., Kentwood, brother, Roy Edward Crittenden, Kentwood, 6 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-granddaughter. Preceded in death by son, Ronald “Ronnie” Garner, parents, John Crittenden and Nancy Chisholm Crittenden, brother, Carl Crittenden, grandson, Douglas Garner, and great-granddaughter, Olivia Bailey.

Sunday

 

“Let us examine our ways and test them,

and let us return to the Lord.”

~Lamentations 3:40 NIV~

 

Lay Renewal

The Lay Renewal will continue this morning at FBC, Kentwood and will conclude with tonight’s service.

Bill and Randy Conleay

Please keep Randy Conleay in your prayers tomorrow morning. He will be having surgery on his back to try and remove some of the pieces that are pressing on the spinal cord. Hopefully, this will increase feeling in the lower body that is paralyzed. Bill remains about the same. He is still in ICU at North Oaks while Randy is in ICU at OLOL.

Dr. Danny Smith

Spring Creek Baptist Church will be celebrating Bro. Danny’s 20th anniversary as pastor today.  They will have Sunday School, 11:00 worship, and dinner on the grounds.  You are invited to attend.

Momma

Pray for my family, especially Momma, as we move her to North Oaks Rehab today.  Pray for a smooth transition.

Thought for the Day: The Brevity of Life by Alan Smith

The court jester was overcome with grief. His world was at an end! For a long time he had served the Caliph at Baghdad and his court, keeping them amused whenever they called upon him. But in a moment of thoughtlessness he had displeased his ruler who had ordered that he be put to death.

“However,” said the Caliph, “in consideration of the merry jests you’ve told me all these years, I will let you choose how you are to die.”

“O most generous Caliph,” replied the jester, “if it’s all the same to you, I choose death by old age!”

I suppose, if given a choice, that’s the choice all of us would make. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately), though, that choice is not ours to make. We know (all too well) the fragile nature of life. And perhaps it is for the best. If we were guaranteed 90 years on this earth, we would be mighty tempted to wait until the last year or so to get serious about God (just like putting off those term papers in college!). With a realization of the uncertainty of life, we recognize the need to be prepared at all times.

“LORD, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor.” (Psa. 39:4-5).

May you be prepared for the joys that await when this life is over!

–Alan

Have a great “Sonday”!

Anna Lee

Saturday

“When life is heavy and hard to take,

go off by yourself.

Enter the silence.

Bow in prayer.

Don’t ask questions.

Wait for hope to appear.”

~Lamentations 3:28-29 MSG~

Mr. Bill Conleay is still in ICU at North Oaks.  Please continue to pray for him and his family.

Pray for Andy Taylor’s doctors as they determine whether or not he is well enough to come home today.

CaringBridge:CallieCole

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

I trust you will take some time to read the articles that appeal to you on Baptist Press.

http://www.bpnews.net/

Lay Renewal continues today at FBC, Kentwood.

Death Notice Update

Douglas E. Langlois was born March 10, 1942 and passed away at 11:32 a.m., Thursday, August 18, 2011 at Lakeview Regional Medical Center, Covington. He was 69, a native of Woodside and a resident of Independence.

He served our country in the US Army during the Korean Conflict.

 Mr. Douglas is survived by a brother, Ronald D. Langlois and wife Dorris, Erin, TN; 3 sisters, Shirley M. Murphy, Dayton, OH, Linda Kennon, Roseland & Judy Carrier and husband Steve, Abita Springs. brother-in-law & sister-in-law, Jack and Betty Clement, Independence

 Preceded in death by his parents, Johnny and Gladys Langlois; wife, Fedora “FiFi” Clement Langlois; son, Douglas “Dougie” Langlois; 3 brothers, John H. Langlois, Jewel R. Langlois & Bobby “Cookie” Langlois; 2 sisters, Doris Dubroc and Betty Venterella.

 Visitation at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Monday ,August 22, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Worship Services at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home Chapel With Rev .Marshall Wallace officiating. Interment in Lawrence Cemetery, Independence.

An on-line Guestbook is available at www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home is located at I-55N (Exit 46) and Hwy 16W next to Hood Chevrolet and behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash, Bond Eye Clinic and Holiday Inn Express.

I hope you are reading and enjoying the devotionals written by Holley Gerth.  I am.  Here is another one.

Anna Lee

 

Heart to Heart with Holley

Over fear into joy…

Rollercoaster photo by theerawat

I’m a child at an amusement park. The smell of cotton candy swirls around me. The laughter of other children is like a song in the air. The world is in motion and I stand completely still.

I’m staring at a rollercoaster.

Then I hear a voice beside me, “I’ll go with you.”

It’s my Daddy.

He slips his hand into mine.

We wait in line. I fidget. Run my fingers along the red, hard bars that lead us to the rollercoaster.

Then it’s time.

Up the first hill I hear that noise “click, click”all the way to the top.

I wonder if I’ve made a mistake.

I wish I could get off.

I grip the safety bar in front, knuckles flushed white with fear.

But then I look at my Daddy next to me.

The whole way to the top I say over and over something like, “It’s going to be okay. It’s going to be okay.”

He smiles.

And it is okay.

I’m more than fine when we get off.

I ride the rollercoaster again.

Then another.

And another.

Fear gives way to joy, to freedom, to the wind in my hair and the sun on my face.

As I drove last week, the “click, click” of worry in my mind, that exact memory rushed back to me, followed by this promise from my Heavenly Father…

Do not fear, for I am with you. Isaiah 41:10

Our security comes from the One who is with us.

The One who has promised not to leave us.

The One who has told us that whatever is ahead will somehow be worked out for good.

By the end of the last rollercoaster that day, I was raising my arms high until it seemed I could touch the pink and purple sky.

I pull into home and suddenly realize my heart doing the same.

written with love for you by holley