Category: Praises, Requests, & Updates

Monday

“But certainly God has heard me;

He has attended to the voice of my prayer.”

~Psalm 66:19~

Pray for Elizabeth Hughes Cooper as she has more surgery tomorrow to continue her recovery from her baseball injury received last summer.

Pray for Mason Carter as he has sinus surgery again on Friday.

Pray for Frances Gay as she still faces shoulder surgery.

Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering Week of Prayer

State Goal: $1,650,000

FBC, Kentwood Goal: $8,000

Day 1 – Main Street Mission, Pineville

“…for we are laborers together with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9.

MainStreetMission-pgPaul uses the word “we” inclusively, bringing every believer into the picture. He addresses all believers with a heart for making a difference. Believers have the responsibility to be on mission to spread God’s Good News of salvation and eternal life to the lost and unchurched in Louisiana.

At 3:00 on a hot July Thursday, the last thing a mission pastor wants to hear is the “clank, clank, clank,” of an air conditioner fan as it slowly quits turning or to discover a ceiling leak after an extremely bad thunderstorm. He whispers a prayer plea – “Who do I call now, Lord?”

We Louisiana Baptists meet this type of need through the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering. Ask Herb Cady of Pineville’s Main Street Mission. An emergency grant, matched by funds from the sponsoring church, First Baptist, Pineville and North Rapides Baptist Association helped replace their leaking roof two summers ago.

This is only one of the many mission churches to receive emergency assistance. When you pray today, bringing Herb Cady’s prayer requests to the throne of the One who knows our every need, pray that we will recognize the importance of faithful giving to meet emergencies.

  • Thank God for the fact that emergency needs and equipment needs can be and are met.
  • Pray that children and their families will hear the Gospel and respond to God’s offer of salvation as Herb Cady and others work with them.
  • Pray that volunteers will hear and respond to God calling them and answer as Isaiah did, “Here am I, Lord, send me.” (Isaiah 6:8).

Day 2 – Christ’s Community Church, Denham Springs

“…for we are laborers together with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9.

ChristsCommunity-pgA laborer is a skilled worker, one who has learned and is perfecting a particular skill for a specific purpose. Paul’s farming analogy refers to skilled laborers, persons who know their role in the process and who understand the importance of that role in meeting the goal.

Church planters Willis and Shannon Easley at Christ’s Community Church in Denham Springs know their role in the process and the importance of this church plant, as does partner church, Judson Baptist Church in Walker and its pastor, Merlin McCon.

Christ’s Community is not a new church plant and has experienced several moves as it has grown. In June 2009, it moved again, this time to a vacant church building near property that already has been purchased by a grant from the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering.

Helping families to relocate and settle gives this church an opportunity to share Christ while meeting needs. Creative, unique ministries are as important as traditional methods like Backyard Bible Clubs, VBS, Bible study, seasonal events and sports camp. The constant encouragement, support and involvement of the partnering church and LBC Missions and Ministry helps the pastor to be focused on reaching lost and unchurched families for Christ.

  • Thank God for property purchased with assistance from the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering.
  • Pray that churches, healthy and hurting alike, will become so Kingdom-focused that they will help build the Kingdom of God by sponsoring a mission.
  • Pray that church planters, like Willis and Shannon Easley,will not lose sight of reaching the lost wherever they are.


Have a great day and a great week.

Anna Lee

Sunday Afternoon

Ora Lee Wilson requests prayer for her daugher-in-law, Trisha Wilson.  Trisha has been having joint problems since her return from the mission trip.  She has been to several specialists, but no diagnosis.  Trisha is having problems getting around and caring for her family.  Please keep the Wilsons in your prayers.

Colton Frazier

Sunday, September 13, 2009 11:00 AM, CDT

Hello everyone.  Had some computer problems, but back running again.  Colton had a progressive day yesterday.  He sat up in the chair twice, and stood up for a second, of course with all our help, but hey thats another baby step up the latter.  He really moved around in his bed a lot.  His Temperture has been normal so far this morning, hopefully it will stay that way.  He is resting good now.   Will update again later.

Sunday Morning Addition

Debbie Crawford called to request prayer for sixteen year old Cassie Cole of Brookhaven.  She was seriously injured in an accident Thursday night.  Your prayers will be appreciated by the family and friends.

I failed to mention five coaches from Inedpendence High School were involved in an accident early Saturday morning as they returned from a football game in north Louisiana.  The accident happened near Brookhaven.  Three of the five are still hospitalized.  Please pray as they recover from the cuts and broken bones.  Thankfully, they will all recover.    You can find articles in the area newspapers and news sites to keep you updated.

Sunday

“Let God transform you into a new person

by changing the way you think.”

~Romans 12:2 NLT~

Week of Prayer for State (Louisiana) Missions – Sept. 13-20

Day 1 – Main Street Mission, Pineville

“…for we are laborers together with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9.

MainStreetMission-pgPaul uses the word “we” inclusively, bringing every believer into the picture. He addresses all believers with a heart for making a difference. Believers have the responsibility to be on mission to spread God’s Good News of salvation and eternal life to the lost and unchurched in Louisiana.

At 3:00 on a hot July Thursday, the last thing a mission pastor wants to hear is the “clank, clank, clank,” of an air conditioner fan as it slowly quits turning or to discover a ceiling leak after an extremely bad thunderstorm. He whispers a prayer plea – “Who do I call now, Lord?”

We Louisiana Baptists meet this type of need through the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering. Ask Herb Cady of Pineville’s Main Street Mission. An emergency grant, matched by funds from the sponsoring church, First Baptist, Pineville and North Rapides Baptist Association helped replace their leaking roof two summers ago.

This is only one of the many mission churches to receive emergency assistance. When you pray today, bringing Herb Cady’s prayer requests to the throne of the One who knows our every need, pray that we will recognize the importance of faithful giving to meet emergencies.

  • Thank God for the fact that emergency needs and equipment needs can be and are met.
  • Pray that children and their families will hear the Gospel and respond to God’s offer of salvation as Herb Cady and others work with them.
  • Pray that volunteers will hear and respond to God calling them and answer as Isaiah did, “Here am I, Lord, send me.” (Isaiah 6:8).

Adrianna Cavanaugh

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

Please continue to pray for Clarence Johnston and his family. Clarence was unable to receive the lung transplant the other night due to the fact the lungs were filled with puemonia. Continue to pray for a donor or some type of treatment will come available for him. This is a very difficult time for his family.

Laura DeBeblanc

Baptist Press

September 11, 2009

WASHINGTON–Rep.: Plan would lead to abortion increase. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31239

CAIRO–During Ramadan, Egypt arrests 155. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31240

TENNESSEE–INTERNATIONAL DIGEST: Convictions overturned for jailed Mexican Christians. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31241

LOUISIANA–9/11 REVISITED (First-Person): Just another day …. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31242

ILLINOIS–9/11 REVISITED (First-Person): A thought experiment. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31243

TEXAS–WEDGWOOD REMEMBERED: Shootings, 10 years ago, gripped pastor’s grief, theology. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31244

TEXAS–WEDGWOOD REMEMBERED: SWBTS remembers victims. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31245

TEXAS–WEDGWOOD REMEMBERED: Shooting killed 7. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31246

GEORGIA–NAMB staff goes to the mission field. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31247

Isabelle “Tizzi” Scarle Eckholdt
(August 15, 1944 – September 10, 2009)

Died on Thursday, September 10, 2009 at Acadian Medical Center in Eunice, LA. She was a native of Amite, LA and a resident of Eunice, LA. Age 65 years. She was a member of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Sunday and from 11 a.m. until religious services at 2 p.m. Monday. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. She is survived by son, Dr. Scott Eckholdt and his wife, Deborah, Eunice; 2 granddaughters, Ashton and Madison Eckholdt; 2 brothers, G. M. “Porgy” Scarle, III, Fluker and Marshall “Mike” Scarle, Mandeville. She was preceded in death by her parents, George Milford Scarle, II and Isabelle Bethune Kent Scarle. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Louisiana Chapter, 4613 Fairfield St., Metairie, LA 70006  LINK.

Dora Nell Martin Cannon
(July 28, 1933 – September 11, 2009)

Dora Nell Martin Cannon

Mrs. Dora Nell Martin Cannon a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister was born July 28, 1933 and passed away at 6:15 a.m., Friday, September 11, 2009 at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. She was 76, a native of Walthall County, MS and a resident of the Mt. Nebo Community.

Mrs. Nell is survived by her husband, Earl K. Cannon, Mt. Nebo; 3 sons, Terry Cannon and wife, Pam, Ponchatoula; Randy Cannon and wife, Wanda, Amite; Marty Cannon, Mt. Nebo; a sister, Patricia Kinsella, Covington; a brother, Arnold Martin, Franklinton; 5 grandchildren, Kyra McDaniel and husband Chris, Mt. Nebo, Alissa Cannon, Mt. Nebo; Whitney Cannon, Wilmer; Justin Cannon and wife, Meshelle, Amite; Jennifer Richmond, Amite; 8 great-grandchildren, Kallin McDaniel, Kayden McDaniel, Raven Cannon, Devin Conti, Olivia Wascom, Gabrianna Cannon, Abbrianna Cannon, and Donovan Meyn.

Preceded in death by her parents, Clydie & Bertie Martin; a grandson, Ryan Cannon; a brother, J C Martin and a sister, Melva Martin Sandifer.

Visitation will be at the McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Saturday, September 12, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. until Religious Services in the funeral home Chapel at 12:00 Noon with Rev. Larry Blades officiating. Interment in the Dees Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Justin Cannon, Chris McDaniel, Randy Cannon, Terry K. Cannon, Reed Dees & Joe Wayne Sandifer.

An on-line Guestbook and to view a Video Tribute is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N and Hwy 16W behind Mr. Tom’s Express Car Wash & Bond Eye Clinic.
PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE?

The story is told of a Russian named Ivanovich who visited the Moscow zoo for the first time.  To his amazement, he found a little lamb sharing the cage with a big fierce lion.

Ivanovich expressed surprise to his guide.  The guide smiled and said, “That is peaceful coexistence.”

When Ivanovich shook his head in a doubtful way, the guide explained, “Of course, we have to put in a fresh lamb every morning.”

As much as we should strive for peace, there are some things which simply cannot coexist peacefully — truth and error, righteousness and ungodliness, morality and immorality.  If we try to combine two such things in our lives, they will only coexist “peacefully” only if one gobbles up the other.  That’s why James was so forceful in his warning:

“You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God?  Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4, NASB)

This verse frightens me more than just about any verse in the entire Bible, because I see the influence that “the world” has on me and on Christians around me.  We have just as much interest in accumulating “things” as the world does.  We often don’t do a better job of taking care of those in need than the world does.  We worry just as much as the world does.  We value the same things as the world does.  We imitate the world to such an extent that if you were to go into an average workplace and ask the boss, “Which of these men and women working for you are Christians?”, he wouldn’t be able to identify us.

Let us beware lest we make the mistake of thinking that our association with and imitation of “the world” doesn’t affect our relationship with God.  Some things can’t live in peaceful coexistence, and “whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God”!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Saturday

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,

as working for the Lord, not for men.”

~Colossians 3:23 NIV~

Colton Frazier

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

Adrianna Cavanagh

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

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor
I HAVE A vivid recollection of that day…

My wife came in the room, turned on the TV set and then spoke in shaken tones.  She said, “They’ve flown a jet-liner into one of the World Trade Center towers in New York…”  For the next several hours I sat transfixed before the television and watched in horror as the events of 911 unfolded.

Exactly eight years after that dreadful day, many Americans, like myself, look back on September 11 with intense emotion.  We recall those gaping wounds in the sides of the towers.  We remember those ill-fated flights and how they were intentionally slammed into the very icons of our nation.  We remember those those thick plumes of noxious smoke as the bellowed out of the top of those lofty skyscrapers and into our collective conscience.  We remember our own anxiety and ponder what must have raced through the hearts of fellow-citizens as they contemplated the end of their earthly existence and the brevity of human life.  We remember the internal shock of watching the first, and then the second tower plummet to the ground.  We remember those feelings of helplessness and despair as lower Manhattan was engulfed in ash and debris.

But may I suggest, dear reader, that there is a far more terrible tragedy that warrents our joint remembrance.  Every first day of the week (Acts 20:7), we need to call to memory (1 Cor. 11:23-26) those horrific events which transpired nearly 2,000 years ago:
We need to remember the murderous plot against the innocent Son (Mt. 26:3-4; Heb. 4:15; 7:26).  We need to remember the Lord’s internal struggle as He pondered His impending death (Mt. 26:37-39).  We need to remember His betrayal at the hands of one of His own disciples (Mt. 26:47-50).  We need to remember the ill-informed attempt to thwart His crucifixion (Mt. 26:51-54).  We need to remember the disciples’ cowardice and how they fled for their lives when He needed them the most (Mt. 26:56).  We need to remember the howls of the angry mob as they shouted, “Crucify Him!  Crucify Him!” (Mk. 15:13-14).  We need to remember the incredible injustice of both the Jewish and Roman courts (Mt. 26:57ff).  We need to remember Pilate’s timidity before that blood-thirsty crowd (Mt. 27:24-26; Lk. 23:13-25).  We need to remember the brutal flogging (i.e., “little death”) at the hands of the Roman lictors (Jn. 19:1).  We need to remember Peter’s lying about his association with Jesus (Mt. 26:69-75).  We need to remember the slanderous mockery of the soldiers, priests, and thieves (Mt. 27:27ff; 39-44).  We need to remember the Lord’s humiliation as He was stripped of His clothing and numbered with lawless, ungodly men (Isa. 53:12; Mt. 27:28; Heb. 12:2).  We need to remember that ruthless blow to His head (Mt. 27:30).  We need to remember the heavy burden of the cross that was thrust upon His weary shoulders (Mt. 27:32).  We need to remember those cruel nails that pierced His hands and feet and how that He was suspended between holy God and sinful man (Jn. 3:14; 12:34).  We need to remember the bitter  taste of sour wine mingled with gall (Mt. 27:34).  We need to remember His desperate cry to His own Father (Mt. 27:46) and how that heaven itself turned away from His mangled form.  We need to remember the frightful earthquate that shook the earth the moment the Savior died (Mt. 27:54).  Perhaps most importantly, we need to remember that our own sins made this barbaric occasion necessary (1 Pet. 2:24; Isa. 53).

“Lest I forget Gethsemane, lest I forget Thine agony, lest I forget Thy love for me, lead me to Calvary.”

“…Do this in remembrance of Me…” 1 Cor. 11:24, 25
Have a great day preparing for the Lord’s Day!
Anna Lee

Friday Evening

Ann Trappey just called to request prayer for Mrs. Charlie (Kathy) Stringer of McComb.  She developed heart problems while in Houston for her son-in-law’s funeral.  Your prayers will be greatly appreciated.

Edward Harrison Baham
(October 19, 1927 – September 10, 2009)

U.S. Veteran Died at 8:10 p.m. on Thursday, September 10, 2009 at Old Jefferson Community Care Center in Baton Rouge, LA. He was a native of Albany, LA and a resident of Amite, LA. Age 81 years. He was a U. S. Air Force Veteran of World War II and retired from Louisiana Gas Service Company. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m.Monday. Services conducted by Rev. Mike Foster. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, LA. He is survived by his wife, Carleen Barnes Baham, Amite; daughter, Tawanna Lynn Purpera and her husband, Reese, Gonzales; son, Gaylan Baham and his wife, Kelli, Gonzales; 4 grandchildren, Andrew Melvin, Ellen Melvin, Emily Baham and Zachary Baham. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alex and Lena Baham; sister, Evelyn Demonica.

Isabelle “Tizzi” Scarle Eckholdt
(August 15, 1944 – September 10, 2009)

Died on Thursday, September 10, 2009 at Acadian Medical Center in Eunice, LA. She was a native of Amite, LA and a resident of Eunice, LA. Age 65 years. She was a member of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Sunday and from 11 a.m. until religious services at 2 p.m. Monday. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. She is survived by son, Dr. Scott Eckholdt and his wife, Deborah, Eunice; 2 granddaughters, Ashton and Madison Eckholdt; 2 brothers, G. M. “Porgy” Scarle, III, Fluker and Marshall “Mike” Scarle, Mandeville. She was preceded in death by her parents, George Milford Scarle, II and Isabelle Bethune Kent Scarle. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Louisiana Chapter, 4613 Fairfield St., Metairie, LA 70006

Friday

“The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed,

a refuge in times of trouble.

Those who know Your name trust in You

because You have not abandoned those who seek You, LORD.”

~Psalm 9:9-10, HCSB~

Adrianna Cavanagh

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

John and I went and seen Will (Easley) yesterday. He looks so good and has been eating alot. Before the surgery he didn’t eat to much. He has had an ear ache since the surgery. They went to the doctor yesterday afternoon to see why. When I find out I will let you know. Also Wyatt McKenize is doing better. They never found out why his legs hurt so bad, but it has gotten better over the last couple of weeks. Thanks for all that you do. God bless.

Cheryl Hughes Green

Please continue to pray for the Nielsen family as they try to get Madelyn better.  Pray for all those with the new flu,  Take precautions and encourage others to do so too.

KOMpray

http://kidsonmission.org/prayer

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor


CONSIDER A FEW excerpts from Tom Heymann’s book, “In An Average Lifetime…”
Mr. Heymann has analyzed several aspects of life and has calculated what an individual does in a typical lifetime. The average American individual:
  • Spends 3 years in business meetings
  • Spends 13 years watching television
  • Spends $89,281 on food
  • Consumes 109,354 pounds of food
  • Makes 1811 trips to McDonalds
  • Spends $6,881 in vending machines
  • Eats 35,138 cookies and 1,483 pounds of candy
  • Catches 304 colds
  • Is involved in 6 motor vehicle accidents
  • Is hospitalized 8 times (men) or 12 times (women)
  • Spends 24 years sleeping
With all of this activity, or lack thereof, it is important to remember that life is brief at best.  Are we doing the really important things with the time we have been given?
“Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow.
For what is your life?
It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”
James 4:14
Thank-you for praying for these and other needs today.  Your prayers make a difference in many lives.  Let’s also pray for America today.  Pray for people to work together to continue to make our nation great, safe, free, and fair as we continue to honor and serve God.  Remember those who serve around the world to help provide our safety and freedom.  Especially pray for the families of those who lives have been lost in service of our country, those who have been injured, and the family that deal with military separation.  Pray for our leaders to seek God’s leadership for all they do as citizens strive to keep abreast of what is happening and made good decisions as they vote and speak up.
Don’t leave God out of your day today!
Anna Lee

Wednesday

“Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!

You have relieved me in my distress;

have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.”

~Psalm 4:1~


Please pray for Tammy Helsel Rohner.   She’s very sick and unable to get out our bed.  Her husband, Heath, requests our prayers.

Mason and Adam Carter

Will you add Mason to the prayer link. He will have sinus surgery again on the 18th in McComb, Ms.  Adam has fluid in one of his ears. He is on meds and hopely it will clear it up.
Thank you,
Lawana

Colton Frazier

Tuesday, September 8, 2009 5:36 PM, CDT

OK everyone, we have new news.  Colton is going to stay here in New Orleans at the hospital for a couple of more days, (trying to get completely rid of his little fever) then he will be transfered to Touro Rehab in New Orleans where he will receive the BEST rehab and care he can get.   This is another step forward!!!
Adrianna Cavanaugh

Tuesday, September 8, 2009 4:05 PM, CDT

Just got admitted to hospital.  Adrianna and I got here this morning and got labs drawn, met with Dr. Yu, then went to get a pedicure for Adrianna. She had a blast picking out her color and talking to the ladies who did our toes!  She was so proud and kept asking what her daddy was going to say when he saw her toes.  She even said, “Daddy got his toes painted when he was a little boy!”  This had all the customers laughing!
She also had her last fast-food cheeseburger for a LONG time.  I’d say she’s in a pretty good mood and didn’t give me a fight coming to the hospital today.  Which was great, b/c I’m by myself today.  Joe will be here tonight and tomorrow and then my mom will come while Joe is at school.  Then he’ll come back for the weekends.  We’ll be playing musical chairs for a little while here!
Please say an extra prayer for my dad, as he has to go tomorrow to have another angiogram done.  He’s been having shortness of breath, and they are wondering if he needs stints.  Adrianna worries about her Poppa ALMOST as much as he worries about her!
Dr. Yu said the high dose chemo will actually start tomorrow during the day, just in case there were a reaction to it and she may need to be around.
So today they will just get labs drawn and get prepared for tomorrow.  We are in a normal room right now, but in the middle of the night they will give her a sterile bath, wrap her in a towel, and run her across the hall in the extremely clean and STERILE room.  This room has been swabbed and cleaned for a week now, waiting on Adrianna.
They have to put her clothes and toys in a high temp sterilization cleaner and for the rest of the 3 weeks, the adults in the room (mom, me, or Joe) will have to wear gloves, masks, and gowns- even during sleep!  We can give each other breaks, though, which is relieving.
We also have to store all of our clothes, etc. in the bathroom of the room and cannot eat at all in the room, or take a shower, or use the bathroom in there.  It’s going to be different, but it will be just another process in getting Adrianna healthy and better again!!!!
Please say lots of prayers that Adrianna does not get the mucocitis this go around, and if she does, that it’s not that bad.  That’s been my biggest fear- that she won’t be able to talk or eat during all of this.  She even said a prayer herself about it last night.
She also grabbed my prayer cross that a friend of mine had given me, and said a sweet prayer for Jace.  It was so sweet!!  Robyn said Jace said a prayer for her too, when the priest came to bless him!  They are so genuine and beautiful!
Adrianna’s in her legwarmers, boucing on the side of the bed right now, beggin for more cookies!  I better get going and let her enjoy her last cookies for a while too.  She’ll be on a strict diet after this.
More news tomorrow……..keep that prayer chain going!!
P.S.  Thanks SOOOO much to Tracie Howes (a former teacher friend) for having a b’day bash and being so kind as to have people give donations to Adrianna at her birthday party.  It was such a sweet gesture and we appreciate all the donations, and especially that now all these people know to pray for our baby girl, too!  So sweet- thank you, thank you, thank you!


Theresa Flores will have a kidney transplant October 19th.  Please keep Thereas, her family, the doctors, and the entire medical staff in your prayers.

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor

A GOOD FRIEND of mine’s personal statement on Facebook says, “Don’t let your eyes adjust to the dark…”


He gives no explanation or elaboration, and for his friends who are unfamiliar with the Bible, the message probably makes no sense.  When I first read it, I assumed it was some inside joke between him and another friend.  But knowing the kind of person he is, it occurred to me that he was talking about spiritual, not physical, darkness.  In fact, his words effectively summarize what Jesus said in Matthew 6:22-23.


God created our physical eyes to easily adjust to dark surroundings, but He never intended for our souls to adapt to the darkness of sin and its effects.  To His dismay, however, too many of His children find spiritual darkness normal, and some even find it quite comfortable.  Is this true of you or me?  Have our spiritual eyes adjusted to darkness when:

  • Sin saturates the shows or movies we watch, the things we read, or the websites we visit?

  • We see others hurting or suffering and yet feel no compassion for them?

  • We misuse our mouths with bad language, gossip, harsh criticism, or other cruelty?

The world is often a dark place, and its shadows can easily creep into our lives and overwhelm us.  But God’s light will always eliminate the darkness of sin and as His lights, we can even make this world a brighter place.  “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8).  Blaine Kelly


The eye is the lamp of the body.  So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.  If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” Matthew 6:22-23 ESV


Thank you for praying for these needs and for other needs that were not listed.

Anna Lee