Category: Praises, Requests, & Updates

Wednesday

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,

and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,

for I am gentle and humble in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

Mrs. Faye Price is improving. Continue to pray for her, the medical staff caring for her, and the family. (Her surgery was five weeks ago today.)

Mr. Raymond Anthony seems to have had one problem after another the past few months. Pray for him and his wife, “Miss” Velma, as she cares for him.

Joshua Reece

Thank you for praying for Joshua. Read the great news below but continue to pray for his complete healing.

Love,

Melinda

Dear Prayer Partners,

We just got off the phone with our daughter, Heidi Reece, and she told us that Joshua is being released from the hospital. This is an amazing recovery sent down from above by our loving Heavenly Father. Joshua was taken to the hospital in Hannibal on Jan. 1st. Several hours later he was air-lifted to St. Louis by helicopter because he was in such terrible shape. Now, after only 5 and a half days of hospitalization, he is well enough to go home. Miracle!!

Of course, there are follow up visits and things that they want to see much improvement in, but for now, it is back home. Caleb, the big brother, will be waiting for his family to arrive. He has been in the care of David’s parents, out on the farm.

Thank you is not near enough to say to all of you faithful, praying friends. When we heard what the situation was, the only things we could do was to pray, and to ask others to pray. Since we asked, many of you have told us you were praying, and that you were asking your friends, church families, and prayer networks to pray. Only God knows how many people were praying for one little boy.

I am learning about the powerful answers that come from our powerful God, when we all unite in prayer on the same subject. May God richly bless you for what you have done for us.

Your grateful brother and sister in Christ, Bob and Margie Craig, Craiova, Romania

Mr. I. W. Simmons takes his last treatment Thursday. Pray for him as he completes this process.

Holly K. has safely arrived in West Africa. Thank you for praying. She is staying a a guest house and making purchases of items she will need in her new home. Please continue to pray for her as she continues to make adjustments and learn about what her responsibilities will be.

Paula Braud Guzzardo
(June 6, 1949 – January 5, 2009)

After a courageous battle with cancer, she passed away at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center on Jan. 5, 2009, at 3 a.m. She was born June 6, 1949. Paula was surrounded by loving family and friends. As a native and resident of Baton Rouge, she was an educator, business woman and Realtor. Visitation at St. Jean Vianney Catholic Church on Wednesday, Jan. 7, from 11 a.m. until funeral Mass at 1 p.m., with the Rev. Tom Ranzino, celebrant. Burial in Amite Cemetery, Amite. A celebration of Paula’s life will be held after the burial on Wednesday at the home of Paul and Diana Burns, 7381 Woodstock Drive, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Survived by her children, John Paul “J.P.” Guzzardo, Chad Nicholas Guzzardo and Erin Katherine Myers Guzzardo; father of children, Nick J. Guzzardo; grandchild, Ainsley Katherine Marie Hammack; mother, Edith Gainey Braud; and brothers, John J. Braud, Steven J. Braud and Charles R. Braud. She was predeceased by father, Paul H. Braud; and brother, Gary P. Braud. She was a graduate of Redemptorist High School and LSU with a master’s in education and history. Paula studied under the Jesuit Order at Millsaps College. A lover of great friends and family, she was a proud mother of three. Please send donations to The Sister Dulce Foundation, P.O. Box 77526, Baton Rouge, LA 70879. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

WEDNESDAY WINDOW ON THE WORLD – January 7, 2009

CARIBBEAN YOUTH. Team West writes: “We asked you to pray that a new work would be started in a neighborhood in Barbados. We are happy to announce that it began in November, had its second gathering in December, and will have the third on Jan. 11. God has opened many doors for sharing testimonies and doing acts of kindness in this neighborhood. Please continue to pray for His Spirit to move over this place and to do wondrous and mighty things in the lives of the residents.” http://www.macregion.org/

NEAPOLITANS OF ITALY (nee-uh-PAHL-uht-n). The Harvesting Naples Team writes: “There is already a small evangelical presence in Napoli (Naples); however, there has not been an emphasis on evangelism until recently. Churches are beginning to offer English Second Language (ESL) classes, Italian lessons and music lessons, as well as feeding the homeless as a way to reach others with the gospel. As we partner with the churches, we will have an opportunity to teach English lessons and feed the homeless. Please pray that the church members will support these new ministries, that there will be an interest in the language classes, and that the partnership between our team and the churches will prosper.” paulandmackenzie@gmail.com

CITY H, EAST ASIA. January is an important time in City H as families gather to celebrate the new lunar year. However, for new believers who made a recent decision to follow Christ, it is a spiritually difficult time. Many are sharing with their families for the first time that they have decided to follow Christ. And they will be ostracized, mocked and even beaten for their newfound faith. As a result of this persecution, some will fall away from Christ while others will bear this crushing burden alone. Pray for the strengthening and encouragement of these new brothers and sisters during this “spiritual dead zone” in the month of January. Pray especially for non-believing family members to come to faith in Christ when these believers share their testimonies and the gospel. prayfor.cityh@gmail.com

Baptist Message

January 6, 2009

TENNESSEE–Radio network gives Obama ad money to pro-life groups. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29612

ECUADOR–Unlikely church planters prove effective. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29613

ECUADOR–Former gang members now share Christ. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29614

ECUADOR–Changed man uses rap to spread the Word. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29615

ECUADOR–Ecuadorian house churches support own missionary. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29616

KENTUCKY–FIRST-PERSON (David E. Prince): A lesson about work over sausages. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29617

THINGS WE KNOW FOR SURE

A newspaper editor was instructing a new reporter in some of the important details of his job. “Never state as a fact anything you are not absolutely sure about,” said the editor. “To avoid putting the paper in the position of stating something which it may not be able to prove, you should always use the words ‘alleged,’ ‘claimed,’ ‘reputed,’ ‘rumored,’ and so on, unless you know positively that everything is true as stated.”

The reporter was sent out to get society items, and soon thereafter the following paragraph appeared in the society column:

“It is rumored that a bridge party was given yesterday by a number of reputed ladies. Mrs. Smith, it is said, was hostess. The guests, it is alleged, with the exception of Mrs. Brown, who says that she comes from Illinois, were all local people. Mrs. Smith claims to be the wife of Alexander Smith, who is rumored to be doing a thriving business in town.”

It is important to know those things that we are absolutely sure of. That’s one of the reasons why the letter of I John was written. John had some things to say to those Christians who referred to themselves as “gnostics”. The Greek word “gnosis” means “knowledge” and these Christians thought they had more knowledge than “normal” Christians. John writes this letter to say (1) The Gnostics didn’t know nearly as much as they thought they knew; and (2) All Christians know those things which are of greatest importance (“I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it.”, I John 2:21)

Among the things which we can “know”:

“Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.” (I John 2:23)

“…We know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (I John 3:1)

“And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.” (I John 3:5)

“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us.” (I John 3:16)

“By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.” (I John 4:13)

“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life…” (I John 5:13)

“We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.” (I John 5:19)

“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.” (I John 5:20)

Take confidence in those things which you know to be true!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“We give thanks to You, O God,

we give thanks!

For Your wondrous works

declare that Your name is near.”

Psalm 75:1

Joshua and Paula Splane

Paula Splane asked that you put her nephew, Joshua Splane, age 22, on the prayer link. He is in ICU at Tulane. He has a shunt in his head and is having problems.

also, Paula fell last night a tore a tendon behind her knee and will be out of school this week and perhaps next week. Please put her on link also. Thanks,

Janet A. Hammons

Pray for Mrs. Catherine Yarborough as she continues to work to work to get pain relief. She is hopefully on the road to improvement.

Joshua Reece

Thank you so much for praying for Joshua. As you will read he is doing better but still has a ways to go in his recovery.

Melinda

Dear Prayer Partners,

God is answering your prayers for Joshua Reece, our grandson. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Like firemen, you heard the plea for help, and you ran to the rescue. Our Heavenly Father is full of mercy and grace, which He delights to pour out on His children. I talked with our son-in-law David, and received this report. Joshua has taken a 5 ounce bottle of formula, and has eaten about an ounce of solid food—the first intake by mouth in days. His IV for fluids has been disconnected, but is still in place just in case it is needed. The oxygen tube on his nose is still in place but has been reduced to almost no flow at all, since he is breathing on his own. He is coughing more now, which hurts his chest, which he does not like, but this is a sign that the congestion is beginning to break up in his lungs. His father, David, was playing some “peek-a-boo” with him, and he was chuckling, a little, so that is a sign that he is feeling some better.

Heidi and David have been able to get some rest and wish to thank all for their prayers for Joshua and for them. The different specialists are already making plans for follow up visits so they can analyze his development issues—-underweight, never crawled yet, fluid on the brain, etc. Because of this, please pray for wisdom from on high, that God would lead them to know how to help his little body grow. We all are so grateful for the excellent care given to him at Cardinal Glennon Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. We highly recommend their services.

I knew that God had led us to gather the best Prayer Partner Network available, and once again, I want to thank you. We could do nothing from here but pray, and to ask others to pray. God was very faithful to us and His grace was more than sufficient. Please, communicate with your prayer networks our gratitude. We would consider it a privilege if you would give us your prayer requests and allow us to hold you up in prayer, too. All praise and glory and honor goes to our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. Bob Craig—missionary

Don Denton

Don Update:

Don came home from the hospital on Friday. We again find ourselves so grateful to God for his mercy upon us. It was a long exhausting very tireing week. I am so grateful to my brother Steve and his precious wife Lynn for flying in from Texas to help out. We are so blessed. Joshua justs continues to be blessed by his family. We are so grateful to them for their generosity to us. We could not have made it through the week without them and I am most grateful to them.

We need more prayer. Don has numerous doctor appointments this week. Hopefully we can get to the bottom of why he continues to be so sick. We will have a few new “eyes” looking to help us. We are thankful for a doctor from Mayo who called me this week, a Dr. Whineshakker. He believes we need to continue asking questions. We are so thankful for Dr. Trotman for his passion and tenacity in not letting go of this. He is one of the finest doctors we have encountered. We know we are in excellent hands. And we know more than ever that God’s hand is upon us and directing us in a way that we know we will get answers.

Please pray for wisdom and discernment for these doctors and for us as we continue to ask the important question that need to be asked.

Sorry for the delay in the update. I literally got maybe three hours a night of sleep this last week. This next week will be a good week.

I will post as soon as we get more information.

Blessings to you our family and friends.

Diane


From the IMB:

PALESTINIAN ARABS OF THE MIDDLE EAST. Once again war is ravaging Gaza. Palestinian believers tell workers that it has never been as bad as it is right now. Hundreds have already been killed. There has been no electricity for a week. Food and water are in short supply. No one can sleep because the bombs fall all night. Ordinary people are terrified. Please pray that the violence will stop and that no more people on either side will be injured. Pray for those on both sides of this conflict whose hearts are hardened by hate and fear. Pray especially for those who are followers of Jesus. Pray that they will experience God’s peace in the midst of turmoil. Pray that they will find opportunities to share His peace with others.

LAST FRONTIER. Workers focused on a Last Frontier people group are planning a training conference for national partners. Join them in asking the Father to lead them to the right people to be invited. Ask that the learners will understand the information shared and will then be able to use the information to share with many members of the people group. Whenever there is an opportunity like this, there is always the challenge of gathering safely. Ask our Father to protect all the participants as they study together.

MISSIONARY PERSONAL NEEDS. In early December, you were asked to intercede for J, who is carrying twins. She writes: “On Christmas Eve, we went in for a follow-up ultrasound and we could easily see two healthy babies with strong heartbeats! It’s been quite an emotional roller coaster after having lost a baby, then going for an ultrasound, expecting to see nothing, then seeing two instead! Most likely, the doctors think there were triplets and we lost one. The last couple of weeks we’ve been waiting and hoping that those two have been growing steadily and remaining healthy. Today’s ultrasound confirmed just that. We’re ecstatic that mother and babies seem perfectly healthy now and chances for another miscarriage continue to drop with each passing day. We’re scared to death of being the parents of five, but we also feel extremely blessed and fortunate. Thanks for your prayers!”

Larry Roberts
(August 27, 1944 – January 4, 2009)

I have fought the good fight and kept the faith. Mr. Roberts died at 9:55PM on Sunday, January 4, 2009 at Lallie Kemp Regional Medical Center in Independence, LA. He was a resident of Kentwood, LA. Age 64 years. Visitation at Greenlaw Baptist Church, Kentwood, from 8 a.m. on Tuesday until religious services at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Services conducted by Rev. Joseph Warden. Interment Roberts Cemetery, Osyka, MS. Survived by uncle and aunt, Wiltz Roberts, Sr. and Joan Roberts, Osyka, MS, numerous cousins, friends, and church family. Preceded in death by mother, Golda Davis, uncles, Lawrence, Bilbo, Alton, and Clyde Roberts, aunts, Jessie Hilbun and Tina Rodriguez. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Greenlaw Baptist Church, 14407 Greenlaw Baptist Church Road, Kentwood, LA 70444. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements.
Baptist Press
January 5, 2009

TENNESSEE–Gaza Baptist Church damaged in air strike. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29605

WASHINGTON–Survey: Large majority favors abortion limits. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29606

CALIFORNIA–Rose Parade outreach yields Kingdom results. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29607

TENNESSEE–Rural church is missions ‘greenhouse.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29608

TENNESSEE–CP giving 4.99% behind ’08 pace. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29609

TENNESSEE–FIRST-PERSON (Rebecca Powell) Spend more time around the table. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29610

FBC, Kentwood

– On Mission in Kentwood will work Saturday @ 8 A.M.

– AWANA will resume Sunday evening at 4:50.


Command

JUST BEFORE JESUS went to Calvary He said to His disciples, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” ( John 13:34, 35)…

Is it right for God to command us to love one another?

Imagine a young man on a college campus who sees and falls in love with a young lady. But she’s not the least bit interested in him. So, he goes up to her one day and says, “I command you to love me!” Can a man do that to a young lady? Of course not.

It’s important that we understand that Christian love is not an emotional feeling that we manufacture. But it means we treat each other the way God treats us. Christian love is not a matter of feeling, it’s a matter of willing. “For God so loved…that he gave” ( John 3:16). God’s love wasn’t a sentimental feeling, but it expressed itself in action.

How does God treat us? God forgives us, so we forgive one another. God is kind to us, so we are kind to one another. God receives us, so we receive one another. We may not have the same personalities, or we might not even have the same interests; but we willingly and deliberately treat each other the way God treats us. This helps us to understand what it means to love one another.

I’m going to have a difficult time washing your feet if I don’t love you. I’m going to have a difficult time forgiving you if I don’t love you. The interesting thing is this: the more we deliberately will to love one another, the more our feelings begin to change; and lo and behold, we even start to like one another. You may not want to spend a week’s vacation with some people, but you can still treat them the way God treats you. As we love one another more and more, we learn to like one another. We can get along with one another.

God commands us to love one another because He revealed to us His love. He said, “Greater love has no one than this, that a man lay down one’s life for his friends” ( John 15:13). “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us…For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” ( Rom. 5:8, 10). Jesus gave us the perfect example of what it means to “love one another” by His life and by His death. His command to love one another shouldn’t be looked upon as a burdensome commandment ( 1 John 5:2, 3), but a joy. (Howell Ferguson)

KneEmail: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” ( John 13:34, 35).

Posted by Mike Benson at December 18, 2008 3:01 PM

Finally brothers, whatever is true,

whatever is honorable,

whatever is just,

whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely,

whatever is commendable—

if there is any moral excellence

and if there is any praise—

dwell on these things.

Philippians 4:8

Anna Lee

Monday

Ephesians 2:8-9

“By grace you are saved through faith,

and this is not from yourselves;

it is God’s gift – not from works,

so that no one can boast.”




Jane Duncan asks us to pray for Donald’s cousin, Shira Easley. Shira lives in Donald’s neighborhood and has cancer.


Joan Hagan asks for continued prayer for her cousin Kitty who has now developed a staph infection in addition to having the infection caused by the spider bite. Kitty is facing additional surgery.





Holly K. begins travels to West Africa today. Pray for her and her “new family” as they work together for the next two years.


MISSIONARY PERSONAL NEEDS. “Please remember the sister of a worker here in Southeast Asia. She just had a heart attack and will undergo heart catheterization on Wednesday morning. It is difficult enough going through the illness of a loved one when we are nearby, but when one has to be oceans away, there can be much concern. So when you pray for this dear sister and her heart, please also remember the heart of her sister here in Southeast Asia. Ask the Lord to give her peace and comfort while they are separated during this crucial time.”


Wilma Rimes Strickland
(June 20, 1915 – January 4, 2009)
Died at 7:05AM on Sunday, January 4, 2009 at Flannery Oaks Guest House in Baton Rouge, LA. She was a native of Magnolia, MS and a resident of Baton Rouge, LA. Age 93 years. She was a U. S. Army veteran of WWII and was a member of Stevendale Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, LA. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 10 a.m. on Tuesday until religious services at 1 p.m. Tuesday. Services conducted by Dr. Richard Wallace. Interment Spring Creek Cemetery, Spring Creek, LA. Survived by 2 daughters, June Ott, Denham Springs, Betty Gill, Amite, 1 sister, Wanza Burris, McComb, MS, 4 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by husband, Willie W. Strickland, and a daughter, Patsy Strickland. Special thanks to Flannery Oaks Guest House and Alysia and Dee with Hospice In His Care. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Spring Creek Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 61361 Highway 1057, Kentwood, LA 70444 or Hospice In His Care, 11715 Bricksome Ave., Suite, B6, Baton Rouge, LA 70816.



On Mission in Kentwood will be Saturday, January 10th. There’s many yards in the area that need “picking up” after the snow. If you are willing and able to help some people who cannot do this for themselves, please meet at the church at 8 A.M. You’ll make a difference to others. Mostly, you’ll be blessed as you minister to others.



I hope you were able to see the movie “Fireproof” last night. It’s doubtful there were many dry eyes! The lessons on marriage were very clear. FBC, Kentwood will show the movie again in February in connection with a Valentine meal. If you have not seen this movie, please make plans to see it somewhere.


Today is back-to-school day for teachers. Tomorrow, student will begin the second semester of this year. Pray for all as they return and get settled back into the routine.


WHEN EVERYTHING GOES WRONG

Here is a list of “Murphy’s Laws for Churches” (author unknown):

* Video projectors always work before the class meeting begins.

* The probability of the preacher tripping over the mike cord is greater on “Bring A Friend” Sunday than any other week.

* The largest Bible Class will show up when the teacher feels his/her worst.

* No matter how many bulletins you print, you’ll always need one more.

* A member living 15 miles away will be 15 minutes early; members living two blocks will be 15 minutes late.

* The shorter the agenda, the longer the business meeting.

* Saying “Let us pray” or singing “Just As I Am” causes babies to cry.

* When you answer the Bible teacher’s question right, nobody remembers; when you are wrong, nobody forgets.

* The furnace only fails when the outside temperature is more than 20 degrees below zero. The air conditioner only fails when the outside temperature is 90 degrees or above.

* When the preacher misspeaks in a sermon, at least half of those taking notes will write the remark down as an important thought from the sermon.

Murphy’s Law (“Whatever can go wrong will go wrong”) manifests itself in a multitude of ways in our lives. In fact, there are times when it seems that EVERYTHING is going wrong. How we react to those situations says a lot about our character.

Do we react by saying, “Everything will turn out all right eventually”? We may be living in a dream world.

Do we react by saying, “How could God do this to me”? Our bitterness may cause us to turn away from God.

Or do we react by turning to God, praying for strength, trusting Him to see us through?

In Acts 4, the apostles were threatened by government officials and forbidden to preach in the name of Jesus. They prayed, “Now, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word….” (Acts 4:29)

Father, there may be those reading this message whose world has come crashing down around them. May you bless them with strength; make them mindful of just how much they need your help. May you use the times when things go wrong as opportunities to manifest your glory in a special way. In Jesus name, amen.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Thank-you for praying each day. You impact many lives!

Anna Lee


Sunday Afternoon

Mrs. Faye Price

Virginia and Sue left the hospital this morning to come home for a bath. They left Dennis and “Miss” Faye’s sister, “Miss” Betty, in charge along with one of their favorite nurses. Virginia said her mother had been on a “roller coaster” ride – up and down and very unpredictable.

Judy Easley visited the hospital this afternoon. “Miss” Faye was sitting up, had eaten Cheerios, and was enjoying having her company speak to her briefly. We all know “Miss” Faye is appreciative of your prayers. Keep praying for more “ups”!

Sunday Addition

The Holidays

from Emily Panter
by Emily Panter

Don’t you just love this time of year? It is by far my favorite. Starting with the beginning of fall; all of the smells and sounds associated with it and the air gets a little crisper. I love all of it. This year was a unique one. It was a fall full of lessons to be learned about the wonderful mercy, grace and power of my Holy Father. If there was one thing my parents did especially well, it was to teach us the true meaning of Christmas. Since we were on the mission field most of my growing up years, we spent most Christmases with just my immediate family, and we established many traditions. One of those traditions was to begin reading the nativity story in sections each night for the week leading up to Christmas Eve. The younger kids always got to hold the piece of the manger scene that was being told that night. And then on Christmas Eve we would read it in its entirety and then sing carols. We opened our gifts on the 24th and it always felt more authentic to me that way because I imagine the stable at night with the stars shining above. Christmas was then a family day. Luke and I are beginning to establish some our own family traditions (most of which we were unable to do this year,) but this year Christmas was a true reminder of the gift God gave the world of new life. I hope that in your precious prayers for my family this year, your Christmas was made even more special as well.

As the week went on and we approached 2009, I couldn’t help but thing of that hymn…count your many blessings name them one by one, count your many blessings see what God has done!… and I began to count. God has given me a wonderful husband who loves Him more than me. He has given us a ministry to serve Him in. He has blessed us with five beautiful, unique, healthy, irreplaceable children. He has given us a roof over our heads, a car to drive, food to eat, and clothes to wear. He has provided us with wonderful friends and family members who have proven themselves to be true prayer warriors and has used them to spread the news worldwide uniting the body of Christ in one cause allowing Him to display His unlimited grace and show His loving-kindness and power to so many believers and lost alike. He was in complete control every instant of my journey these past months, He brought mom home at just the right time. He gave many doctors wisdom on just the right decisions to make (not to mention the quality of doctor care He alone provided me with.) He spared me the majority of the pain by allowing me to be unaware during those first few weeks of recovery. He watched over my family better than I ever could. I could keep going and going and going because there is no end to His goodness, but I am aware that not everyone wants to read my blog all day J so I will finish with this…HE brought me home to my family before Lily’s birthday. He gave me the gift of watching them grow a little longer and for that I am eternally grateful. And He has let me understand that nothing He does is in vain or out of cruelty. Everything He does has a purpose and He has given my family the honor of being a part of bringing Him glory. May I never forget! (fortunately I have a pretty big reminder that goes from the top of my abdomen all the way down, it’s kind of hard to missJ)

I hope your holidays were as wonderful as ours.

In the way of an update; I saw Dr. Spak on the 29th and he was very pleased with my progress. He still wants to see me in two months again at which time I’ll have to have another CT scan. This is just to continue monitoring the reduction of the fluid and hematoma in my abdomen. My lab work came back very good. All it showed was some borderline anemia so they have me taking iron. I know mom has already written some of this stuff. Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers. God bless you all.

Sunday

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not rely on your own understanding;

think about Him in all your ways,

and He will guide you on the right paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6


Below is an update on Bob and Margie Craig’s grandson, Joshua.
Thank you for praying for him.
Melinda

Subject: The latest news on Joshua Reece…..

Dear Faithful, Praying Friends,
We just got off the phone with our daughter in St. Louis, Missouri, calling from the hospital. Joshua is better! Thank you Heavenly Father! He is NOT well yet. He has a long way to go.
The mass in his brain that was seen by the CT Scan is now believed to be normal fluid that is within the normal acceptable range for his age—1 year old. However, he seems to be nutritionally underdeveloped. There is no understanding as to why he is, because he eats—but perhaps not enough of the correct things, OR he DOES eat enough of the correct things, but his body does not absorb the nutrition from the food he eats. Nevertheless, the nutritionist at the hospital is very involved in his care. His muscle development is poor.
He has been on oxygen since arriving, and they have been reducing the amount from time to time to get him to breath deeper on his own, but they have had to occasionally boast it back up for a time, especially after he eats and gets sleepy. The white count in his blood is not too high at all, so the ear infection was not severe. The viral pneumonia and the RSV are the big enemies right now, and the lack of nutrition has been a constant enemy for a few months, they think. He will most certainly be in the hospital until he breaths on his own and they analyze his eating processes.
Right now, he is not eating much at all, but is on IV fluids, and he hates the oxygen tube in his nose, so he keeps trying to pull that off. It keeps his Mom, Dad, and the nurses hopping. Heidi said his color is much better now!! Everyone has been so good and kind. The hospital is full to overflowing with RSV affected babies. It is highly contagious. If you have children, please do not attempt to visit anyone in the hospital right now. God has been pouring on His love and grace to us. We have been amazingly calm and assured that He has everything under control. Praise His holy Name!
Your grateful missionary friends, Bob and Margie Craig
Holly K.
Today is Holly’s last day at home before beginning her trip to West Africa. She’s done the practical things like packing her bags. Pray this last day at her church and at her home will be encouraging to her and her family. Pray for her mother as she goes back to teaching tomorrow and for her dad as he takes Holly to the airport and in the days ahead. Pray for safe travel and good experiences from the time she meets her MK’s in Atlanta for the remainder of the trip. Pray for a good support system for Holly and her family during the next two years.

Ethel B. Harvell Dunn
(January 24, 1911 – January 3, 2009)
Died at 9:05a.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2009 at St. Helena Parish Nursing Home in Greensburg, LA. She was a native of Grangeville, LA and a resident of Greensburg, LA. Age 97 years. She was a retired School Teacher with St. Helena Parish Public Schools. Visitation at United Methodist Church, Greensburg, LA, from 9 a.m. on Tuesday and until religious services at 1 p.m. Tuesday. Services conducted by Rev. LaMarylis Smith Cotton. Interment Greensburg Cemetery, Greensburg, LA. Survived by daughter, Doris Higgins, Hattiesburg, MS, 3 sons, Leslie L. “Bubba” Dunn and his wife, Lois, Greensburg, Rev. Joe E. “Sandy” Dunn, Jr., and his wife, Estelle, Albany, Frank G. “Randy” Dunn and his wife, Janie, Greensburg, 9 grandchildren, Sherry Dunn Schivers, Brenda Dunn Miller, Colin Higgins, Samantha Higgins Williams, Joseph B. Dunn, Joseph W. “Jay” Dunn, Amy Dunn Harris, Kathryn Dunn Forrest, Christopher Dunn, 14 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by husband, Joe E. Dunn, Sr., parents, Leslie Self Harvell and Clara Strickland Harvell, 1 great-granddaughter, Breanne Miller, 2 sisters, Edith Harvell Hartner, Doris Harvell, 1 brother, Lea Harvell. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home, 901 S. Vienna, Ruston, LA 71273 or contact online at LMCH.ORG. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.
“Fireproof” will be shown at FBC, Kentwood tonight at 6 P.M. Admission is free. Come and enjoy a good movie and learn the importance of working to strengthen a marriage.
KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10).
Mike Benson, Editor
THOUGH LESS THAN an inch in length, the bombardier beetle is noted for its unique defense system…
When threatened, the insect sprays boiling, foul-smelling liquid and steam from its posterior, warding off spiders, birds, and even frogs.
Consider: This beetle is equipped with “a pair of glands which open at the tip of [its] abdomen.” Each of these has a reservoir that stores an acidic compound and hydrogen peroxide as well as a reaction chamber filled with enzymes dissolved in water. To protect itself, the insect can squeeze the solution from the reservoirs into the reaction chamber to trigger a chemical reaction. The result? Noxious chemicals, water, and steam–at a temperature of about 212 degrees Fahrenheit–are sprayed onto an attacker. The chambers are less than sixteenth of an inch long, yet the beetle can change the speed, direction, and consistency of its toxic spray.
Researchers have studied the bombardier beetle to learn how to develop more effective and ecologically-sound mist systems. They have discovered that the beetle not only used one-way inlet valves to allow chemicals into the reaction chambers but also has a pressure-relief valve to expel them. Engineers hope to use spray technology based on the bombardier beetle in car engines and fire extinguishers, as well as in medial drug-delivery devices, such as inhalers. Professor Andy McIntosh of the University of Leeds, England, says: “Nobody had studied the beetle from a physics and engineering perspective as we did–and we didn’t appreciate how much we would learn from it.”
What do you think? Did the bombardier beetle’s complex system of valves, combustion, and explosion develop by chance? Or was it designed? (Awake)
“Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind”; and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good” (Gen. 1:24-25).

God’s plan for creation is so involved we will never be able to comprehend all that He did, much less do something of that magnitude ourselves. How can we not recognize that and serve Him daily?

Anna Lee

Saturday Update

Mrs. Faye Price had a very good day yesterday, but is not doing as well today. This is a big let-down for the family again. Virginia said they are hoping to see a doctor later this afternoon so they can learn more about the current situation. Pray for “Miss” Faye, the medical staff, and the family. Today marks a month her children have waited in the ICU waiting room.

Saturday


“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness,

the power and the glory,

the victory and the majesty;

for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;

Yours is the kingdom, O Lord,

and You are exalted as head over all.”

1 Chronicles 29:11

Pray for Holly K. as she makes final preparations for traveling in West Africa where she will be a MK teacher for the next two years. Holly asks for your continued prayers as she makes this big change in her live. Pray that not only will she be an effective teacher for the four MKs, but she will have an impact on the nationals around her.

Jared Prescott continues to improve at home. His progress will take time. Pray for him and his family during this time.

David Gullota is now in University Hospital in New Orleans. He’s still in ICU where doctors are continuing to watch his liver. Surgery may still be necessary. If surgery is not done on the liver, doctors plant to set his leg Monday. Continue to remember David, his family, and the medical staff in your prayers.

Mrs. Faye Price continues to slowly improve. Continue to pray for her, her family, and the medical staff as they care for :Miss” Faye in ICU.

Tomorrow night, FBC, Kentwood will show the new movie “Fireproof”. It is the story of a firefighter who is allowing his marriage to fall apart for a while. The storyline is good, but the deeper meaning is that marriages are worth working on. Bro. Butch said the movie is appropriate for anyone who is married, anyone who interested in being married one day, and for anyone who knows someone who is married. I think that includes all of us. The movie will be shown at 6 P.M. and is free. Come and bring your famiy and friends.

FAILED RESOLUTIONS

At the beginning of a New Year, a high school principal decided to post his teachers’ New Year’s resolutions on the bulletin board. As the teachers gathered around the bulletin board, a great commotion started. One of the teachers was complaining. “Why weren’t my resolutions posted?” She was throwing such a temper tantrum that the principal hurried to his office to see if he had overlooked her resolutions. Sure enough, he had mislaid them on his desk.

As he read her resolutions he was astounded. This teacher’s first resolution was not to let little things upset her in the New Year.

It has been said that “nothing is certain but death and taxes.” Perhaps we should add one more thing to that list of certainties — the breaking of New Year’s resolutions! Looking back on 2008, you may be one of the fortunate ones who accomplished exactly what you hoped to accomplish during the year. But, if you’re like most of us, you didn’t read all the way through the Bible like you intended to, you quit smoking but only for a while then picked up the habit again, or you lost a few pounds only to put them back on again when your diet failed. After experiencing this failure year after year, a person tends to say to himself, “What’s the use? Why even bother to try to make these changes?”

As an old Chinese proverb puts it, though, “Failure is not falling down. Failure is not getting back up.” Or as the Japanese put it, “Fall down seven times, get up eight.” If there are areas of your life that you’ve tried to improve and failed, let this this be the month that you try again. And if you fail this month, get up and try again next month. Learn from your mistakes and become stronger. God does not turn his back on the Christian who fails (if you question that, you need only look at the story of Peter’s denial of Christ). However, He cannot help the Christian who refuses to try any longer.

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hearts, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded….Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:7-8,10)

If you have made a resolution to develop a habit that will bring you closer to God or a resolution to get rid of a habit that is pulling you away from God, may God bless you with the strength to accomplish your goal. And, if you should stumble on your journey, may He pick you up and dust you off so that you can continue on the long journey of becoming like Christ.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Have a super Saturday!

Anna Lee

Friday

Don’t worry about anything;

instead, pray about everything.

Tell God what you need,

and thank him for all he has done.

Philippians 4:6 (NLT)


As you pray for Joshua, please pray for these grandparents.

Please pray for Bob and Margie Craig’s grandson, Joshua.

Melinda


Subject: Urgent Prayer Request!!

Dear Prayer Partners,

I’m sending you this urgent prayer request on behalf of our little grandson, Joshua Rune Reece. He is very sick. I just received a call that he is being transported to a children’s specialty hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, named Cardinal Glennon Hospital. He has been diagnosed with a virus called RSV, with pneumonia in both lungs, and an ear infection. He has been fighting a fever for several days, and today did not have good color about him, so his mother took him to the hospital in Hannibal, Missouri, where they live and he was admitted, but is now being transferred.

Today is Joshua’s birthday. He is one. His other Grandmother called to give me the news and to let me know that she had Joshua’s older brother, Caleb, with her and that he is fine.

Here I am in Romania, and all I could do was to make a few calls to other family members, and to pray. So, now I am asking you prayer partners to pray. Thank you for all you do for us and for him in prayer. Your missionaries, Bob and Margie Craig

Thursday @ Noon

Update from Emily Panter’s mom, Janis:

While we were at Jason’s, we put the pictures on our camera onto a disk so that we’d be sure to have room for more pictures and seeing this one of Sarah surprised me. I had taken pictures of Sarah just as soon as I got to Emily’s house on October 28 and had forgotten the pictures of the kids were still on the camera. Seeing Emily holding Sarah in the picture, it brought that day back very forcefully to me. I thought, “less than an hour later, everything changed!”. I thank and praise our Lord again for all that He did those closing months of 2008.
I was thankful yesterday as I talked to Emily for a long time on the
phone. She said she is really sore after sitting up so much over the
Christmas holidays. Food is beginning to taste “right” to her again,
and she said that she has figured out that now when she feels
nauseated it means she’s getting hungry. Of course, feeling
nauseated doesn’t make you feel like eating, but she forces herself
to eat a little. At her follow up visit with Dr. Spak last week, she
asked him when she could drive and he said the rule is usually 3
days for every day in ICU, so she figures she might be able to drive
in May!
We all know her recovery will be long and slow, but none of us mind!
Our plan is for me to return to Texas sometime soon to help.
I am so thankful that we were able to visit Jason, Cheryl and their
children in Germany. It was a trip of a lifetime for me!
Most of all, I am thankful that our Lord holds 2009 in His hand;
nothing that happens will surprise Him or catch Him off guard.
Our future is secure!