Saturday

“I am convinced that God,

who began this good work in you,

will carry it through to completion.”

~Philippians 1:6 GWT~

Eddie Muse

Please be in prayer for my brother Eddie as he will be seeing specialists at The Mayo Clinic in Arizona. We are hopeful that he will be able to get definitive answers to health issues that have developed in recent months.
Trudy Muse Shockley


I’ve been doing great the last two days. I’ve had about 30 spasms if Jadon’s Story
that each day. The good thing is I’m only having them when I wake up.
So I have anywhere from 5-10 each time I wake up and then none
throughout the day. We decreased my topamax again Wednesday night.
It’s so awesome to only have to take 1 topamax pill at night. I can’t
wait to get off of it completely. We think the topamax was making my
seizures worse. You see we started it right after ACTH. We assumed my
seizures were going up bc I was done with the steroid. It’s heart
breaking because I’ve been on topamax almost a year and we didn’t know
it was making things worse. We know there was no way of knowing this
but it doesn’t make it any easier. We are very thankful that I’m
getting some relief though. God is in control and we have to remember
that. Guess what? Tomorrow I’m getting a new cousin. My Aunt Rachael
is having her baby. I can’t wait to meet him or her. I’ll keep you all
updated. I love you and all your prayers 🙂

KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10

Mike Benson, Editor

IN ATTACKING THE existence of God, many atheists have attacked the biblical account of the resurrection…

The Apostle Paul himself said the resurrection itself is central to the truth of Christianity. He wrote:

“But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. ( 1 Corinthians 15:13-16 ESV).

The most certain proof for anything is eyewitness testimony. In criminal trials, a conviction is almost certain if eyewitness testimony is given. While it is true that people alive today have never seen anyone raised from the dead, it is most certainly true that the resurrection of Christ has been seen by many.

The most certain proof for anything is eyewitness testimony. In criminal trials, a conviction is almost certain if eyewitness testimony is given. While it is true that people alive today have never seen anyone raised from the dead, it is most certainly true that the resurrection of Christ has been seen by many.

In the same chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul wrote the eyewitnesses to Christ in his resurrected body numbered more than just himself and the other apostles.

“… that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me,” ( 1 Corinthians 15:4-8 ESV).

The eyewitness of Paul is of great importance because when he saw the resurrected Savior, he was 100 percent opposed to Christ. At the time Jesus appeared to Saul in Acts 9, the future apostle was traveling from town to town putting Christians in prison and killing some of them.

But, Saul saw Jesus alive after he himself knew Christ was dead. The eyewitness account was repeated to Roman rulers. Paul appeared before Felix and Festus, Roman governors, and to Herod Agrippa, one of the Idumean kings (Acts 24-26).

Eyewitness testimony does not lose its truthfulness over time. One cannot discount the testimony of so many just because one does not want to believe it. If one looks at the objective testimony of the hundreds of witnesses of Jesus in his resurrected body, one must admit God does exist and that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God.  John Henson at: http://www.forthright.net/christian_evidences/cases_for_the_resurrection.html

” Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time” (1 Corinthians 15:8).

The Valentine banquet at church last night was great.  The food was very good.  The activities were great.  If you missed it, plan to attend next year.

Have a wonderful Saturday.  The sun is shining and will warm things up in a little while.

Anna Lee



Friday Addition

Please continue to pray for Jon-Michael Williams, his mother (Brenda), the medical staff caring for him, and for his many friends.  Thank God for a baseball coach who has stepped up to help the family improve their home to accommodate Jon-Michael’s current health situation.  Whether or not you know Jon-Michael and his family, you can help.  Read the article from today’s paper.

http://www.actionnews17.com/News/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/5716/Letters-for-JM-reaches-6132-plus-with-Monday-deadline-approaching.aspx

Friday

“And we …

are being transformed into his likeness

with ever-increasing glory,

which comes from the Lord,

who is the Spirit.”

~2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)~

Baptist Press Stories for Feb. 10, 2011
—————————————
  • WORLDVIEW: Youth in Egypt, elsewhere cry, ‘Enough!’

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34632
  • Egyptian crisis helps believers build bonds

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34626
  • Groups urge DOJ to prosecute porn makers

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34627
  • Shi Weihan, Christian bookstore owner, released from Chinese prison

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34628
  • PROFILES: NAMB’s 4 new vice presidents

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34629
  • FIRST-PERSON (Denny Burk): America’s abortion schizophrenia
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34631

THE GREAT PHYSICIAN

The following statements are reported to have been found on patients’ charts during a recent review of medical records. These statements were written by various health care professionals including doctors at several major hospitals:

“The patient had waffles for breakfast and anorexia for lunch.”

“She stated that she had been constipated for most of her life until 1989 when she got a divorce.”

“The patient was in his usual state of good health until his airplane ran out of gas and crashed.”

“She is numb from her toes down.”

“While in the emergency room, she was examined, X-rated and sent home.”

“The patient was to have a bowel resection.  However, he took a job as a stockbroker instead.”

“When she fainted, her eyes rolled around the room.”

“Patient has been married twice, but denies any other serious illnesses.”

Dictated:  “Patient had a Pap smear today”
Transcribed: “Patient had a Pabst Beer today.”

“Patient experiences difficulty swallowing tires easily.”

“History:  Patient was shot in the head with .34 caliber rifle.  Chief complaint — headache.”

“Healthy appearing decrepit 69-year-old white male, mentally alert but forgetful.”

“The patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year.”

“On the second day the knee was better, and on the third day it had completely disappeared.”

Though we often complain about such things as the expense of doctor visits and the amount of time spent in the waiting room, we are greatly indebted to our doctors for the care they have given us over the years.  Many of us (myself included) owe them our very lives.  How appropriate that Jesus would use that imagery to describe his relationship with us.

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.  I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Luke 5:31-32)

All of us are sick (though some may not yet realize it or admit it), and spiritual healing comes from only one source.  Thank you, Father, for sending the great Physician in our time of deepest need!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Have a wonderful day!

Anna Lee

Thursday

“And they continued steadfastly

in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship,

in the breaking of bread,

and in prayers . . .

and the Lord added to the church daily

those who were being saved.”

~Acts 2:42-47~

Rene Deck is doing well following her back surgery.  She was able to be at church Sunday and again last night.  Keep her in your prayers as she continues to heal.

Pray for the Hatchels as they are at Malta for the next week and a half.  Pray for Boyd and Jennie as they lead a conference for their coworkers.

Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell’s heart procedure is scheduled for 1 P.M.  Let have many prayers now and right through her surgery time.

There have been a number of young people in wrecks lately.  Thank God for protecting the drivers.  Be careful on the wet roads.

Mrs. Bertie Hano is in Beachum Hospital in Magnolia.  Pray for her to return to her good health so she can return to the nursing home and be an ambassador for the Lord there.

Meagan Strickland had her surgery yesterday.  Pray for her as she heals at home and for her baby daughter as she gains weight.

Jadon’s Story: Mild, but More

My seizures have increased the last three days. I’m having about 40 spasms a day now. Even though they have increased they are still very mild. We are still thankful that they are mild. I’m still very happy and doing new things. We found out the other day that I’m not getting a PT. The PT that was going to come is not servicing this area anymore. So no PT for now. My mommy is trying really hard to find me one. I really need PT. Other than thing, things have been nice around here. It’s amazing how much easier things have been the past week. Thanks for praying for me 🙂

KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10

Mike Benson, Editor

THERE WAS A daddy who had nine big strapping sons that formed the starting lineup of the best team that ever played baseball…

The daddy was the manager, and always found fault with anything his sons did.  Let one of  his sons hit a home run and he would say something like, “Boy, he put the ole’ apple right down the middle, didn’t he?  Blind man coulda hit that one.  Your grandma coulda put the wood on that one.  If a guy couldn’t hit that one, there’d be something wrong with him, I’d say.  Wind practically took that one out of here, didn’t even need to hit  it much.”

And if you think that was bad, you should have heard him when one of them made a mistake.  It was obvious that this wasn’t “home on the range,” because there was always a discouraging word.  His sons could never please him, and if they did, he forgot it.  When his oldest son, Edwin Jim, Jr., turned and ran to the centerfield fence for a long fly ball and threw his glove forty feet in the air to snag the ball and caught the ball and glove, his daddy said, “I saw a man in Superior, Wisconsin, do that a long time ago, but he did it at night and the ball was his a lot harder.”

Those boys could have used some encouragement.  What is true of sons in general is true of sons of God.

19 “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,

20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,

21 and having a High Priest over the house of God,

22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,

25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Hebrews 10:19-25

What does the Lord have planned for you today?  Make it a great day as He reveals His plans for you!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“But you shall receive power

when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;

and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem,

and in all Judea and Samaria,

and to the end of the earth.”

~Acts 1:8~

Money, letters mount for Jon-Mike Williams

http://www.hammondstar.com/articles/2011/02/08/top_stories/education/

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It is not too late to write an email!

MISSIONS PRAYERLINE

IMB
Wednesday, February 9, 2011

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance,” (James 1:2-3, NASB).

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the Office of Global Prayer Strategy, praying with you for those facing persecution.

Workers among Iranian Arabs struggle to impact the local church in the face of intensifying persecution. Ask the Father either to offer new strategies that are effective or to allow current strategies to transcend the hostilities to the Gospel. Pray for leaders to be trained, allowing them to multiply healthy churches inside the country.

Local believers of Coal City, China, have been facing an increase in persecution. Although this has not been widespread, there have been reports of believers being questioned by various authorities, people not being allowed to travel to meetings, and at least one leader being asked to leave the area. It is not unusual for the authorities to confiscate tracts and other printed materials. Our brothers and sisters persevere despite opposition and courageously spread the message of Christ. Pray that the local church will be strengthened and refined by these trials.

The Berber people worshipped in both French and their native Kabyle dialect. Men were singing praises, dancing, and praying to the Father. It was amazing! After about an hour of singing, the Word was brought forth. Then the leader called forward those who wanted prayer. Several walked to the front, and the congregation encircled them with outstretched arms. At the end, one young woman believed–it was a glorious day! Many of these believers can never go home to North Africa due to the threat hanging over their lives. They are willing to give up family and familiarity in order to serve the Lord.

* Please lift up those who are being persecuted for righteousness sake, and ask that those who believe will continue to praise Him.

* Intercede for workers that they not allow hostilities or discouragement to overwhelm their call.

* Give thanks to the Father that believers are being added to the family despite various trials.

KneEmail

At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow.  Philippians 2:10

Mike Benson, Editor

JOHN R.W. Stott, an English theologian, states, “Vision begins with a holy discontent with the way things are…”

It is possible to become so content with our church that we become complacent.  We are busy building homes, families, and careers, while trying to live in a chaotic, change-filled world.  Sometimes the last thing church members want to see changed is their congregation.  They like the stability of church being the same week after week.  Unfortunately, that sameness can breed complacency and weak ministry.

Discouragement may set in, even bitterness.  And the lighthouse God called into existence only emits a weak light.  But with vision, the future begins to grow and become clear and larger than the past and present.  Discouragement and complacency are replaced with hope.  J. David Schmidt

“For as the body without the spirit is dead,

so faith without works is dead also.”

~James 2.26~

Thanks for praying today.  Your prayers mean so much to so many!

Anna Lee