Praises, Requests, & Updates – Page 424

Friday

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)~

Cheryl Hughes Green got home about 3:30 from same day surgery. All went well. Cheryl should get lab results next Wednesday. Keep her in your prayers.

Pray for Randy Relan who is hospitalized again.

Mrs. Willie Mae Graves is also hospitalized. Her family is meeting with the doctor this morning. Pray for them as they make plans for her care.

Continue to pray for Erin Evanoff as she waits for lab reports.

Stacey Scarle has completed another chemo and only has two more left. The next one will be on the 27th. She appreciates all the prayers for her.

Holly K. will be home in twelve days. Pray with her family and friends as she completes her teaching in West Africa and moves into the next phase of her life. Pray for guidance in the decisions she will be making in the coming months.

CaringBridge

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

Some of you may be interested in following this blog for Jadon who is a year old. Prayers will certainly be appreciated by the family.

http://jadonsisstory.blogspot.com/

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE
IMB
Friday, October 8, 2010

“Having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,” (Hebrews 10:21-22a, NKJV).

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the Office of Global Prayer Strategy, asking you to pray for the Turks of Marmara, Turkey.

The Marmara (pronounced MAR-mah-rah) area is the smallest of seven geographic regions of Turkey, but it is the most densely populated. Thirty percent of the country’s population lives there. Istanbul is a very modern city with a population of approximately 13 million. There are subways, high-speed Internet, modern highways, and an efficient public transportation grid. Yet there are also Gypsies selling flowers and riding horse-drawn carts on the interstates. There are beggars and stray dogs and cats at most busy intersections. The literacy rate for women is less than 50 percent. Honor killings are not a thing of the past. The Marmara area of Turkey is in tension. There are forces pushing to the West and the East . . . Asian and European . . . conservative and liberal . . . Islamic and secular. There is little room in this mix for local Christians.

Many millions of these Turks have been raised in moderate Muslim traditions. They dress as Westerners, call themselves “modern,” and participate in only the bare minimum–if any–Islamic practices.

One of these modern Turks is J. Through dreams about Jesus, reading a Turkish Bible (a gift from her neighbor, who is a worker), many conversations with her neighbor and other workers about Bible stories and Truth, and many prayers, J seems to have come to faith in Jesus! Recently J told her neighbor that her father “believes like I do”! He has been visiting J for a month and has watched her copy of the “JESUS” film countless times.

* Please pray for J’s father and other modern Turks as they turn to Christ and grow as disciples.

* Ask God to open doors among students so that they may hear His truth.

* Intercede for Christian workers to serve with a true heart in full assurance of their faith.

Thought for the Day: SOAK IN THE MUD

Albert walks in to his doctor’s office for his yearly physical exam as he has done the same time every year that he can remember. The doctor takes him through all of the motions, does the normal tests and then leaves to get the results. After about 30 minutes, the doctor returns with a very sad look on his face.

“Well Doc, what kind of shape am I in this time?” Albert asks.

“Albert, I don’t know what to say. The news is bad. Really bad.”

“What is it Doc?”

“I hate to have to give you such bad news. I can’t find the words to tell you. I really don’t know what to say.”

Albert, being a strong man who appreciates straight talk, tells the doctor, “Ok, don’t beat around the bush. Tell me what you know. I can take it”.

“Well”, says the doctor, “Let me put it this way. I think that you should go to Arkansas and visit the hot springs there for a nice relaxing mud bath. Spend some time soaking in the mud.”

“Oh, so I need to relax a little bit, eh? Will that cure me, Doc?”

“No, Albert, it won’t cure you. And it won’t help you relax. But it will help you get used to being covered in dirt.”

From time to time, we all need to be reminded of our mortality. “As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.” (Psa. 103:15)

It is only when we are convinced of the limited time we have on this earth that we feel motivated to plan for where we will spend eternity. That’s why Solomon said, “Better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for that is the end of all men; And the living will take it to heart.” (Eccl. 7:2)

The house of feasting is certainly more fun. But while we are in the house of mourning, we are reminded that death will come to us all. As someone has put it, we are all “terminal.” May we “take it to heart” and live accordingly.

Oh, and if you happen to be in Arkansas anytime soon, I highly recommend the mud bath.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Count your blessings today.
Anna Lee

Thursday – Special Request

From Jennie

Mihai and Viktorita (Roma missionaries from Romania) – returned yesterday from training in Prague with Boyd to their country of service. When they arrived at the airport they were not allowed to enter the country. They spent the night in a holding room at the airport. They will be sent back to Prague today. Pray for them to be strong in the Lord during this time. Pray for Boyd as he meets with them and helps them make plans for the future.

Thursday

Now you belong to him …

in order that you might be useful

in the service of God.

~Romans 7:4 TEV~

CaringBridge

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

Baptist Press Stories for Oct. 6, 2010

—————————————

Three decades of one-child policy plagues China

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33809

Canadian court OKs legalized prostitution

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33810

‘Secretariat’ director grew up in church

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33811

Volunteers minister to equine enthusiasts

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33812

A submissive horse is collegian’s witness

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33813

Dakota Baptists trim budget, send more to SBC

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33814

FIRST-PERSON: Moments in Utopia

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33815

Thomas B. Singleton

(December 15, 1930 – October 5, 2010)

Thomas B. Singleton was born December 15, 1930 and passed away at 4:15 p.m., Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. He was 79, a native of Roseland and a resident of Amite. Mr. Thomas was a Veteran of the US Navy.

Mr. Thomas is survived by his wife, Louise Brown Singleton, Amite; 2 sons, Wayne Thomas Singleton and wife, Faye Elizabeth, Amite and Barry Lee Singleton, Manchester, NH; sister, Bertha West, Baker; sister-in-law, Jeanine Singleton, Baton Rouge; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by parents, Tom and Clara Johnson Singleton; son, David Alan Singleton; 4 sisters, Ida Magee, Mattie Thornton, Irene Courtney and Lela Vicknair; brother, Clifton Singleton.

Visitation will be at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Friday, October 8, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Saturday, October 9, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home Chapel with Rev. Larry Blades officiating. Interment in Arcola-Roseland Cemetery, Roseland, LA.

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

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

Thought for the Day: Be Careful Who You Imitate

The following story is reported to be true:

A new missionary recruit went to Venezuela for the first time. He was struggling with the language and didn’t understand a whole lot of what was going on. Intending to visit one of the local churches, he got lost, but eventually got back on track and found the place. Having arrived late, the church was already packed. The only pew with a seat open was the one on the front row.

So as not to make a fool of himself, this recruit decided to pick someone out of the crowd to imitate. He chose to follow the man sitting next to him on the front pew. As they sang, the missionary tried to follow along. When the man stood up to pray, the missionary recruit stood up too. When the man sat down, he sat down. When the man took the cup and bread for the Lord’s Supper, he took the cup and bread. During the preaching, the recruit didn’t understand a thing. He just sat there and tried to look like that man in the front pew.

Then he perceived that the preacher was giving announcements. People clapped, so he looked to see if the man was clapping. He was, and so the recruit clapped too. Then the preacher said some words that he didn’t understand and he saw the man next to him stand up. So he stood up, too. Suddenly a hush fell over the entire congregation. A few people gasped. He looked around and saw that nobody else was standing, so he sat down.

After the service ended, the preacher stood at the door shaking the hands of those who were leaving. When the missionary recruit stretched out his hand to greet the preacher, the preacher said, in English: “I take it you don’t speak Spanish.”

The missionary recruit replied: “No I don’t. Is it that obvious?”

“Well yes,” said the preacher, “I announced that the Acosta family had a newborn baby boy and would the proud father please stand up.”

There is nothing wrong with imitating godly men and women, but we need to be careful who we imitate, and to what extent. Even the apostle Paul was careful to limit those who sought to follow him:

“Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” (1 Cor. 11:1)

Follow the example of those you know who are living godly lives, but be sure to keep one eye on Christ as the ultimate standard. Otherwise, you may find yourself standing when you ought to be sitting!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Be blessed today!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“Ask, and it will be given to you;

seek, and you will find;

knock, and it will be opened to you.”

~Matthew 7:7~

Mrs. Lois Bridges is completing her time at rehab and will be at her home.

Don’t forget to pray for Cheryl Hughes Greene as she has outpatient surgery today.

Thought for the Day: The Value of Teachers

There is a beautiful legend about a king who decided to set aside a special day to honor his greatest subject. When the big day arrived, there was a large gathering in the palace courtyard. Four finalists were brought forward, and from these four, the king would select the winner.

The first person presented was a wealthy philanthropist. The king was told that this man was highly deserving of the honor because of his humanitarian efforts. He had given much of his wealth to the poor.

The second person was a celebrated physician. The king was told that this doctor was highly deserving of the honor because he had rendered faithful and dedicated service to the sick for many years.

The third person was a distinguished judge. The king was told that the judge was worthy because he was noted for his wisdom, his fairness, and his brilliant decisions.

The fourth person presented was an elderly woman. Everyone was quite surprised to see her there, because her manner was quite humble, as was her dress. She hardly looked the part of someone who would be honored as the greatest subject in the kingdom. What chance could she possibly have, when compared to the other three, who had accomplished so much? Even so, there was something about her the look of love in her face, the understanding in her eyes, her quiet confidence.

The king was intrigued, to say the least, and somewhat puzzled by her presence. He asked who she was. The answer came: “You see the philanthropist, the doctor, and the judge? Well, she was their teacher!”

It was James who wrote, “Brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers.” (James 3:1, GOD’S WORD). He points out that teachers will be judged more severely. He could just as easily have said that teachers have a greater responsibility, a greater challenge, a greater opportunity to affect the lives of people in a negative way. It is impossible to teach without using words, and with greater use of words comes a greater danger that the words will do harm.

But thanks be to God that there are those who face that challenge and assume that responsibility and make a diligent effort to use their words as an opportunity to affect the lives of people in a positive way. Those of you who are teachers — who can begin to measure the tremendous effect that you are having in the lives of the children (and adults) in your classrooms? You may not see the results of your efforts for years. In fact, you may never get to see the results. But you do make a difference.

Those of you who are schoolteachers are teaching not only the basics of education, but you are teaching values and character. Those of you who are Bible class teachers are filling the minds and hearts of our children with stories of faith that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Those of you who are preachers are strengthening the family of God and bringing salvation to the lost.

So, my hat is off to all of you who are teachers because you make a difference!

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach.” (Romans 12:6-7)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Have you thanked a teacher lately?

Anna Lee

Tuesday Afternoon

Cheryl Hughes Green requests prayer. She’s having same day surgery tomorrow to remove four small tumors in her right arm.

CaringBridge

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

Loys Calvin Neal
(March 22, 1946 – October 2, 2010)

A resident of Kentwood, he died on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at 7 p.m. at his home. Born in Independence on March 22, 1946, he was 64. He was a Retired U. S. Army Veteran of Vietnam. Calvin is survived by his wife, Anneliese, Kentwood; 3 sons; one daughter; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy L. Brown; his father, Loys W. Neal; a brother, James E. Neal; and 3 sisters, Dorothy Marie Neal, Bessie Rhodus, and Reava Newman. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, on Saturday, October 9 from 9 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Interment with full military honors will be Tuesday, October 12 at Port Hudson National Cemetery, Zachary, LA.

Tuesday

It is God himself who has made us what we are

and given us new lives from Christ Jesus;

and long ages ago he planned

that we should spend these lives in helping others.

~Ephesians 2:10 (LB)~

Pray for Holly K. as she completes her work in West Africa and returns Stateside to do graduate work in French. Thank God for her willingness to give of herself to teach MK’s for the last two years.

The obituary for Calvin Neal is still incomplete. I will post an update when it is complete.

Thought for the Day

The Last Day of Your Life

The following quotes are reported to come from an actual newspaper contest where entrants ages 4 to 15 were asked to imitate “Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey”:

Give me the strength to change the things I can, the grace to accept the things I cannot, and a great big bag of money. –Age 13

It sure would be nice if we got a day off for the president’s birthday, like they do for the queen’s. Of course, then we would have a lot of people voting for a candidate born on July 3 or December 26, just for the long weekends. –Age 8

Democracy is a beautiful thing, except for that part about letting just any old yokel vote. –Age 10

For centuries, people thought the moon was made of green cheese. Then the astronauts found that the moon is really a big hard rock. That’s what happens to cheese when you leave it out. –Age 6

As you make your way through this hectic world of ours, set aside a few minutes each day. At the end of the year, you’ll have a couple of days saved up. –Age 7

Often, when I am reading a good book, I stop and thank my teacher. That is, I used to, until she got an unlisted number. –Age 15

The only stupid question is the one that is never asked, except maybe “Don’t you think it is about time you audited my return?” or “Isn’t it morally wrong to give me a warning when, in fact, I was speeding?” –Age 15

If we could just get everyone to close their eyes and visualize world peace for an hour, imagine how serene and quiet it would be until the looting started. –Age 15

I believe you should live each day as if it is your last, which is why I don’t have any clean laundry because, come on, who wants to wash clothes on the last day of their life? –Age 15

Who can argue with that last statement? But it raises an interesting question. If you knew (with full certainty) that this would be your last day on this earth, how would you live it? Would you spend the day in Bible study and prayer? Talking with people about Christ? Relaxing with your family? Or would you spend it washing clothes, cleaning the house, going to work and doing all the “mundane” things that you do every day?

We are told to “watch” at all times, knowing that the second coming of Christ will be as unexpected as a “thief in the night” (I Thess 5:1-6). It could be within the next few hours! And since none of us are promised a certain number of years, this may well be our last day of life on this earth. So how should that affect the way we live?

If we really believed that, it would cause us to rearrange our priorities. It would cause us to ask ourselves, “Is what I am doing important from an eternal viewpoint?” Mundane tasks such as washing our clothes remain necessary, but we all find ourselves spending much of our time doing things that seem to be important at the moment (from an earthly perspective), but which have no eternal significance.

“Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober……For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” (1 Thess. 5:6,9-11)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Have a blessed day!

Anna Lee

Monday

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart,

but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

~Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)~

Annette Jones Fucich from Becky Lindsey

Just a quick note to let you know I was able to spend the night with Annette last night. Prayers have been answered and she is on her way to recovery. She still has alot of healing to do. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.

Stacey Scarle

Labs Tuesday & chemo Wednesday. That will make six down and two to go and I will be finished with chemo. Then it’s surgery followed by radiation. One day at a time, I keep telling myself, one day at a time.

Thought for the Day

Alan Smith

I thought you would enjoy the following list of “Rules and Regulations for Teachers in 1872”:

1. Teachers each day will fill lamps, clean chimneys, and trim wicks.

2. Each teacher will bring a bucket of water and scuttle of coal for the day’s sessions.

3. Make your pens carefully: you may whittle nibs to the individual taste of pupils.

4. Men teachers may take one evening each week for courting purposes, or two evenings a week if they go to church regularly.

5. After 10 hours in school, the teachers spend the remaining time reading the Bible or other good books.

6. Women teachers who marry or engage in unseemly conduct will be dismissed.

7. Each teacher should lay aside from each pay a goodly sum of his earnings for his benefit during his declining years so that he will not become a burden on society.

8. Any teacher who smokes, uses liquor in any form, frequents pool or public halls, or get shaved in a barber shop will give good reason to suspect his worth, intentions, integrity and honesty.

9. The teacher who performs his labors faithfully and without fault for five years will be given an increase of 25 cents per week in his pay, providing the Board of Education approves.

I was intrigued by the wording of #9 above. It sounded somewhat familiar to me. Then it dawned on me that there is a similarity to what Jesus had to say to the seven churches of Asia Minor in Revelation 2 and 3.

“Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Rev.2:10b)

“…[T]hey shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” (Rev. 3:4-5)

There are a couple of significant differences, though, between the promise given to teachers in 1872 and the promises given by Jesus. Jesus doesn’t require that we live “without fault” (and oh, how I’m thankful for that!). The reward that Jesus promises is considerably better than 25 cents for every five years of service (and I’m thankful for that as well!). And it’s not a matter of gaining the approval of a group of men. The only approval that matters is the smile we’ll see on our Father’s face.

Father, thank you for the promises that you have given — not just the promise of a crown or of white garments, but the promise of an opportunity to be in your presence, to be held in your arms. I don’t live before you “without fault”, so I thank you for your grace as I seek to live faithfully as your child. I commit all that I am and all that I have to be used in your service. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Enjoy this day the Lord has provided for us!

Anna Lee

Sunday

Jesus said,

“I am the light for the world!”

~John 8:12b, CEV~

CaringBridge

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

(You may remember the Denton family as staff at FBC, Independence.)

Thank God for the good progress Don and his family have finally made.

Calvin Neal
(March 22, 1946 – October 2, 2010)

A resident of Kentwood, he died at 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at his residence. He was born March 22, 1946 and was 64 years of age. Mr. Neal was a United States Army Veteran of Vietnam.

Arrangements will be finalized on Monday with McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood.

(I’ll post more later.)

Reliability

Yugo (yoo’-go)
n. 1) Small, economical, Yugoslavian-built automobile.
v. 1) What doesn’t happen when you press the accelerator.
~~~

Q. How do you double the value of a Yugo?
A. Fill the tank with gas!
~~~

What do Yugos have in common with Ferraris?
– A Ferrari can go from 0 to 60 in 4 seconds.
– A Yugo can go from 0 to 4 in 60 seconds.

Actually, a Yugo CAN accelerate as fast as a Ferrari, if you give it a
fast enough running start, so it clears the cliff’s edge…
~~~

A man entered an auto parts store…
Man: “I need a windshield wiper blade for a Yugo.”
Clerk: “Well, only if you throw $20 into the trade.”
~~~

Q. Why does a Yugo have rear a window defroster?
A. To keep your hands warm as you push it.
~~~

Q. What comes with every Yugo User’s Manual?
A. The bus schedule.

Having a reputation for being inexpensive isn’t much consolation if it
is accompanied by a reputation for having a lack of power and being
unreliable. Reliability is one of the qualities we look for when we
purchase a car. After all, what good is a car that gets 60 miles to the
gallon if it breaks down before we get where we’re going?

In the scriptures, reliability is also one of the most important
qualities a person can have. We admire someone who keeps their promises.
Someone whom we can count on to do what they say they’ll do. Someone who
is trustworthy.

Fortunately, we serve a God with all those qualities.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He
who promised is faithful.” (Heb. 10:23)

“If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.” (2
Tim. 2:13)

May the reliability and faithfulness of God motivate you to exhibit
those same qualities in your own life.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Boone Church of Christ
Boone, North Carolina

Have a wonderful fall, Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Saturday

If we confess our sins,

He’s faithful and just to forgive us

and to cleanse us from every wrong.

~1 John 1:9 NLT~

Pray for Carol New. She had another procedure on her knee yesterday.

CaringBridge

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

Vic Hayden
(March 9, 1944 – October 1, 2010)

A resident of Independence, he died at 3:15 a.m. on Friday, October 1, 2010 at Richard Murphy Hospice House in Hammond. He was born March 9, 1944 and was 66 years of age. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

Being Prepared

Earthquakes can strike without warning, and being prepared for such a disaster can mean the difference between life and death. Here are some tips someone has offered to help you and your loved ones make it through a quake:

~ Those living in areas not prone to earthquakes can respond quickly to the plight of disaster victims in quake zones by complacently smirking and saying, “I told you so.”

~ To minimize loss and damage in a quake, try not to own things.

~ Practice your burrowing-out-from-under-40-tons-of-rubble skills ahead of time.

~ Look out your window often. If you see a large, zig-zag-shaped crevasse moving rapidly from the horizon toward your home, step either to the right or the left.

~ For those who fear earthquakes, it may comfort you to know that a majority of the damage during the 1906 San Francisco earthquake did not come from the tremors themselves. Instead, it was from the raging, out-of-control fires that consumed most of the city.

~ A doorway is the safest place to be during a quake. Eat, sleep, and work in doorways.

~ Be sure to mail your house-insurance payments a full five business days before a major earthquake strikes.

~ If you are caught in a major earthquake in Southern California and are part of the entertainment industry, take a moment or two to reflect on how grossly you’ve wasted your life.

As several of the suggestions above point out (with tongue firmly in cheek!), the problem with an earthquake is its unpredictability.
A few months ago, Hurricane Ike devastated the Galveston area, but there was at least warning for several days that danger was coming. With an earthquake, there is none — it simply strikes!

Jesus described his second coming as an event like that. He used terminology like “a thief in the night” to describe the unexpectedness of the moment. His purpose in using that image was not to suggest that he is coming to steal something. Rather, he is coming at a time when we least expect it. And the only way to be ready for that moment (just as with an earthquake) is to stay prepared all the time.

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The skies will disappear with a loud noise. Everything in them will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be burned up. In that way everything will be destroyed. So what kind of people should you be?
You should live holy lives and serve God, as you wait for and look forward to the coming of the day of God.” (I Peter 3:10-12a, NCV).

My prayer is that you will be prepared so that you, too, can truly “look forward” to that day (whenever it may be!).

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Have a great day!

Anna Lee

Friday

“Be quick to listen, slow to speak …”

~James 1:19 NIV~

Mrs. Avis Sullivan will be moved to Hood Memorial for the next phase of her rehabilitation. Continue to keep her in your prayers.

The last report I had on Mrs. Lois Bridges was a couple days ago, but she was doing well and trying to determine her next placement.

Ronnie Brabham returned from Houston yesterday with the good report that he is now cancer free. Thank God for this good report Ronnie Received.

Karl Jackson Ott Jr., 80, of Osyka, died Sept. 27, 2010, at G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery V.A. Medical Center in Jackson.

SO MANY VALUABLE POSSESSIONS

This comes from the file of “stupid criminals”:

Waylon Prendergast, 37, of Tampa, Florida, committed a spur-of-the-moment robbery while on his way home from a late-night drinking session. A very inebriated Mr. Prendergast forced his way into the house through an open upstairs window, filling a suitcase with cash and valuables before setting the living room on fire to cover his tracks. He then escaped through the back door and made his way home, chuckling all the way. Only as he turned the corner into his own street, however, and discovered three fire engines outside his house, did he realize that in his drunkenness he had, in fact, burgled and ignited his own property. His comment: “I had no idea I had so many valuable possessions.”

While we may not do anything quite that stupid (at least nothing that makes the national newspapers), there are times when Christians need to stop and reflect, coming to same conclusion Mr. Prendergast did: “I had no idea I had so many valuable possessions.”

From family and friends to material comforts (like electricity and running water), from our basic needs (like food) to luxuries other generations never dreamed of (like the computer you’re sitting at right now), from the freedoms we enjoy to the jobs we hold, there is much that we have been blessed with that we take for granted.

Even beyond the physical blessings, there is so much that God has given us through Jesus Christ. As Paul wrote,

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3)

Truly, I had no idea I had so many valuable possessions. “God, forgive me for taking so much of it for granted.”

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Enjoy some time outside in the fall weather.

Anna Lee