Praises, Requests, & Updates – Page 383

Thursday Evening

Mrs. Shirley Frazier is doing a little better. Pray she continues to improve.

My cousin’s young daughter, Callie, was bitten on the face by a dog. She had surgery and is doing okay. Pray she heals well – both the skin and the memory.

Momma, Dot Smith, is in room 4111B at North Oaks with A-fib (heart irregularity). Pray for us as we help her get through this again. It’s only been three months since she was hospitalized with A-fib.

Jennie called today to say Boyd passed out while stopped in a turning lane in Prague today. He had two International World Changers and his two younger children with him. Thankfully, they were stopped and did not have a wreck. Tests today have not identified a problem. Pray for the family and for the 42 International World Changers who will arrive tomorrow. Colleagues stepped in to be with Jennie and the children today and to take Boyd’s place with the IWC tomorrow. Thank God for His protection today and coworkers who are like family when family cannot be there.

Thursday

“I waited patiently for the Lord;

and He inclined to me,

and heard my cry.”

~Psalm 40:1~

CaringBridge:Logan Watts

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

CaringBridge:Caroline Cutrer

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

Shawn Paul Edwards is doing better. The family is so happy. Thank you for praying. Keep the prayers coming.

I went to the orthopedist yesterday for my six and a half month check-up. My bone is completely healed, but my arm is weak. He gave me some exercises to do and said it two more years it should be back to normal. I’m thankful for the improvement, but not so happy it will take another two years. I guess I really did a good job when I broke it! Pray that I will do the needed exercises and not get discouraged.

Pray for Roger Pittman as he continues to get tests done to determine his current problem.

George Eddie Lee is home after having a minor surgery. Keep him in your prayers.

Jimmy Schwartz will have a heart cauterization Friday. If a stent is needed, that will be done Friday.

Tom Brister is making good progress for just being home a few days. Keep him in your prayers. He goes back today to have the staples removed.

Pray for all those who will be traveling this weekend. Pray for our country to return to God.

Heart to Heart with Holley: It’s okay not to be okay…

Posted: 26 Jun 2011 03:26 PM PDT

My grandmother has a cartoon on her refrigerator. It shows a cow on its back with all four legs in the air. The caption reads, “I’m fine, really, I’m fine.”

A lot of us handle the storms in our lives like that cow. We stand in the rain soaking wet with a smile on our faces in our cute pair of galoshes and say, “I’m dry, really, I’m dry.”

I know what that’s like because I did it for years. Somewhere along the way I was told,“Christians need to be happy all the time. If you’re not happy, what will people think about Jesus?”

If you want to breed a herd of perfectionists, just say that a few times from the pulpit.

For many years my life was mostly sunny. I could grin and bear it through the few showers that came along. But then came The Storm—the type that makes the weather channel flash maps covered with red and send warnings about taking shelter immediately.

It’s one thing to stand outside in a nice little shower. It’s another thing to be that crazy news anchor hanging onto a light pole in the middle of a hurricane.

I couldn’t do it anymore. Like the rain that streamed down in my world, something opened in my heart and hurt poured out from a place I had kept locked for years.

Then I waited. I listened for the rebukes. I watched for the disapproving stares. I stiffened my soul for the hard hand of God.

But instead of those things I encountered the last thing I ever expected to find.

Love.

I felt it in the kindness of friends and family. I heard it in comforting words. I discovered it deep within my heart as God whispered, “I’m here with you.”

I also realized I wasn’t the only one who was wet. People began to open up to me. Everyone I knew had some type of rain in their lives. We were one great, big, beautiful soggy mess…and God loved us all.

So if you’re still muttering under your breath, “I’m dry, really, I’m dry” then I invite you to admit that there’s a storm in your life.

It’s okay to not be okay.

When we embrace that grace, we’re finally free to discover that love is waiting for us in the center of the storm.

Wednesday Addition

Prayer for Mt. Zion

Please continue to pray for Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Oak Grove. A van wreck last Wednesday evening resulted in the death of five people with several others injured. A story on the accident can be read at:http://www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011110623012

Wednesday

“Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego,

who sent His Angel

and delivered His servants who trusted in Him.”

~Daniel 3:28b, NKJV~

Jadon’s Story: Tomorrow is the day

Tomorrow is the day.

Posted: 27 Jun 2011 07:28 PM PDT

We leave to go to Boston tomorrow. Everyone is going this time. My brother is so excited about flying in morning. Our flight leaves at 6am from New Orleans. It’s going to be an early morning. We will arrive in Boston at 12:15. Once we get to the house we will probably take a nap. Then we will have time to go do something tomorrow night. My 3T MRI is Wednesday at 11:15. That is 10:15 in Louisiana. If you think about it, please say a prayer for me around that time. We have the day off Thursday. If I’m feeling ok, we will go do some touring in Boston Thursday. Friday we meet with the neurologist at 9:00. He will explain the results of the MRI and then tell us what he thinks we should do next. We will have the rest of the day Friday to go and do some things. We then come home Saturday. Please pray for safe travel as well as great results. I will keep everyone updated while we are there. Thanks for your prayers.

The Hatchels will be arriving in a little more than two weeks. I am so excited. For those of you who have asked, they will be speaking Sunday, July 31 in the A.M. service (10:30). Pray for them as prepare to leave home to live at NOBTS for the next few months.

Heart to Heart with Holley: You’re seen

You’re seen

Posted: 22 Jun 2011 10:15 AM PDT

My family has a favorite phrase: “We’ll see…”

We add it at the end of stories. Grab onto it to describe the future. Toss it into the middle of decisions.

It works pretty well.

And yet lately I’ve found myself wondering what it might mean to add more to the end of that phrase–to not simply stop at “We’ll see.” What if I finished the sentence?

We’ll see…God come through in amazing ways.

We’ll see…how He’ll work all of this out.

We’ll see…His goodness in the middle of the happy and hard places.

Yes, He knows all our circumstances, every hair on our heads, every care in our hearts.

He’ll see…always has, always will.

And somehow that’s enough to make me close my eyes and smile for awhile.

Your turn: We’ll see…{how would you finish that sentence?}

Have a great day!

Anna Lee

Tuesday Afternoon

Jadon’s Story

Monday, June 27, 2011

Tomorrow is the day.

Tom Brister is resting and improving at home. Thank-you for your continued prayers for the Brister family.

Tuesday

“Let no man despise thy youth;

but be thou an example of the believers,

in word,

in conversation,

in charity,

in spirit,

in faith,

in purity.”

~1 Timothy 4:12, HCSB~

From Mrs. Annette Hano

Please include Jim and Judy Alford in your prayers. Jim has had a set back from a recent surgury and is back in the hospital. Thank you!

Adrian Phillips continues to improve. Please keep him in your prayers.

Tom Brister is now home. He did not require blood while at the hospital and does not require home health care. Keep the Brister family in your prayers as Tom continues to recover from surgery.

Heart to Heart with Holley: You’ve got the strength you need for a new week….

You’ve got the strength you need for a new week…

Posted: 26 Jun 2011 01:50 PM PDT

I look at the days ahead and wonder.

Don’t we all?

And then these words:

“Go in the strength you have…am I not sending you?” Judges 6:14

We don’t have to…

wait to overcome our weaknesses,

complete the ten point improvement plan,

figure everything out.

The strength we already have is all the strength we need.

Because we have a limitless God within us who loves us.

As is.

And He promises to stick by us.

All the way.

Make a memory today!

Anna Lee

Monday

Every word of God is flawless;

he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

~Proverbs 30:5 (NIV)~

Pray for Mrs. Shirley Frazier as she officially gets the results of the MRI. Pray for relief from the back pain.

CaringBridge: KathyJoThompson

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

Heart to Heart with Holley

You’re seen

My family has a favorite phrase: “We’ll see…”

We add it at the end of stories. Grab onto it to describe the future. Toss it into the middle of decisions.

It works pretty well.

And yet lately I’ve found myself wondering what it might mean to add more to the end of that phrase–to not simply stop at “We’ll see.” What if I finished the sentence?

We’ll see…God come through in amazing ways.

We’ll see…how He’ll work all of this out.

We’ll see…His goodness in the middle of the happy and hard places.

Yes, He knows all our circumstances, every hair on our heads, every care in our hearts.

He’ll see…always has, always will.

And somehow that’s enough to make me close my eyes and smile for awhile.

Your turn: We’ll see…{how would you finish that sentence?}

Have a wonderful Monday!

Anna Lee

Sunday Afternoon Update

Tom Brister

From Robert Brister

We just found out they are releasing Dad from the hospital. We are all surprised and happy to hear the good news. Thanks for the continued prayers and support friends.

Sunday Afternoon

From Victoria Nielsen

hey yall! im back home, i’ve been home but havent gotten to get on facebook! i wanted to thank yall for all the prayers! i also wanted to tell yall another update! 😀 674 people said they prayed to recieve Christ! God is sooooo good! and im so humbled that He let me share Him! yall please continue to pray for Romania!

Tom Brister may need some blood today, but is getting up and about more. Continue to pray for Tom, Gail, and the family. Thank God for hospitals such as the one at Lacombe where patients are given such quality care.

Caroline Cutrer is six. She is at Children’s Hospital in Jackson, MS for treatment of her leukemia. Please keep all the family in your prayers.

Shawn Paul Edwards family received a more position report from the doctor this morning. Pray for the family who have been on a “roller coaster ride”.

Robbie Lynn Callihan has come through pneumonia and a dental problem lately. Pray for some days of good health for her.

Pray for Jamie Schwartz and others in the military as they are serving around the world to provide freedom for us and others. Pray for their families at home. Deployment are long and seem longer to those who are separated from those they love.

Sunday

Eventually that entire generation died and was buried.

Then another generation grew up

that didn’t know anything of GOD or the work he had done for Israel.

~Judges 2:10 (MSG)~

Adrian Phillips continues to improve at the hospital. Keep him in your prayers.

Caroline Cutrer, daughter of Sherman, Jr. and Treva Harrell Curter, is sick. Pray for the family as they seek treatment for Caroline.

Heart to Heart with Holley: Plant your seeds.

Plant your seeds…

I dig through the bottom of my purse. A couple of wrappers, a few receipts, and other stray items find their way to my fingertips. Then I brush against a small, square envelope.

“What’s that?” I wonder.

I pull it out and realize it’s a packet of Rosemary seeds. Stephanie Bryant gave them to me at the first planting for The Farm.

I headed home with good intentions of putting them in a pot that same day.

And then life got busy.

I pause and think of how I do that so often with other kinds of seeds–intentions, ideas, words I could write.

I carry them home to my heart and think, “Yes! I will plant my seeds.”

And then life gets busy.

Can anyone relate?

The good news is–it’s not too late.

We can still plant our seeds.

We can still say “yes” to what God is asking of us.

We can still see new growth in our lives.

Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well. Ecclesiastes 11:6

{Did you catch that? We don’t even have to be sure how it will turn out to go for it.}

I think I’ve got a pretty pot in the garage that’s calling my name today…

You too?

Don’t leave God out of the Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee