Friday

“My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness

And Your salvation all the day . . .

I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD;

I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.”

~Psalm 71:15-16, NKJV~

CaringBridge

I don’t know about you, but I have learned so much about faith as I have followed the posts written by Callie’s family.

Since today is Friday, let play for all those involved in high school football games. We can pray for players, coaches, refs., bus drivers, bands, cheerleaders, dancers, and fans.  Pray for safety of all and for good sportsmanship as they participate or watch the game.

SELLING OUR SOULS


You may have read this unusual story that was reported through the AFP news organization several years ago:

A 24-year-old man in Shanghai tried to sell his soul on China’s most popular auction website and managed to get 58 bids before operators pulled his ad.  The man posted his announcement on Taobao (a site similar to eBay) last week asking a starting price of 10 yuan ( 1.23 US dollars).  But the company decided that selling one’s soul was inappropriate and deleted the ad on Friday.  By then there were 58 bids from people with the highest at 681 yuan (84 dollars).  “We pulled down the posting because we think only God can control souls,” said Taobao’s public relations manager Tao Ran.

Why would a man agree to sell his soul for as little as a dollar and a quarter?  The truth is, I’m not all that surprised because I know of others who were willing to sell their souls for a measly amount.  Judas was willing to do it for thirty pieces of silver.  For Achan (Joshua 7), it was a robe, five pounds of silver and a bar of gold.  For Elisha’s servant (I Kings 5), it was 150 pounds of silver and two sets of clothing.  For Esau, it was a bowl of soup.

If you’re willing to be even more honest, you know that there are people all around you who have sold their souls for something of little value.  Maybe you’ve even done it yourself.  Maybe you’ve spent so much time making money to gather “the finer things of life” that you have no time or energy left for God.  Maybe you’ve cheated others (like the IRS or health insurance companies) thinking they’ll never miss it and no one will ever be the wiser.  Maybe your desire for riches has clouded your judgment and caused you to do something that has damaged your integrity.

Jesus once said,  “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26)

The question was intended to be rhetorical.  There’s nothing in this world (nor everything in the world combined) that begins to equal the value of your soul.  Bill Gates and all of his fellow billionaires don’t have enough money to even make an opening offer.  So, don’t ever put a price tag on your soul.  Not on eBay.  Not in your workplace.  Not in your daily life.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

You man be interested in reading this Baptist Press article, “Restoring Honor”.

Have a great day!  Please take time today to “Count Your Blessings” and thank God for them.

Anna Lee

Thursday Evening

Erin Evanoff‘s biopsy well well.  Robbie Lynn Kirby‘s surgery went well.  Please pray for both of these young women as they await lab reports next week.

Mr. Charles Bridges has a stent now for a heart blockage.  He did well.  Pray for him as he continues the recovery process.

Mr. Jimmy Tolar continues to need our prayers.  His health problems seems to come on suddenly and in unison.  Pray for him and “Miss” Naomi as they get through a difficult time.

Steve Sanders said his grandpaw, Mr. Clifton Womack, is doing well.  He will be in rehab in Hammond for about ten more days.  Pray he continues to do well.

Pray for Whitney Kliesch as he continues to heal at home with his family.

Mr. Charles Stogner passed away.  Arrangements are incomplete at this time.

Thursday

Whoever wants to be great must become a servant.

~Mark 10:43 (MSG)~

Pray for the family and friends of Caroline Crouch as they celebrate her life today.

Pray for Robbie Lynn C. Kirby as she has surgery again.  She is already at the hospital this morning.

Pray for Erin Evanoff as she has a biopsy today.  This will help determine the extent of her cancer.

Continue to pray for my Tolleson relatives.  Scott is home.  He will receives some health services there.

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KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

A COUPLE FROM Bakersfield, California had just purchased a new boat, but were experiencing some serious problems…

No matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t get their 22-foot boat going.  It was very sluggish no matter which way they turned, no matter how much power was applied.  After about an hour of trying to make it go, they made their way over to a nearby marine, hoping someone there could tell them what was wrong.

A thorough check on the topside of the boat revealed that everything was in perfect working condition.  The engine ran fine, the out drive went up and down, and the propeller was the correct size and pitch.  Then, one of the marina guys jumped in the water to check underneath.

He came up choking on water because he was laughing so hard.

Under the boat…still strapped securely in place…was the trailer…

When God looks “under” your life, what does He see?  Are you strapped to some sin that is slowly pulling you under?

“Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they shall see God.”

~Matthew 5:8~

Make this day, a gift from the Lord, meaningful!

Anna Lee

Wednesday Afternoon

Pray for Erin Evanoff as she has a biopsy tomorrow.

Pray for Robbie Lynn C. Kirby as she has surgery tomorrow.

Robbie Lynn will be having her next surgery in the morning to remove her cervix and hopefully any cancer that may be there. Her doctor is a specialist in the field of robotic surgery and will be removing it robotically. Should all go well she will maybe go home the next day on Fri. Regardless of how good the doctor is she could use everyones prayers and God’s help in performing the surgery and pray that this will remove any cancer that is left. We will give God the praise and glory. Thanks for your prayers.

Robert Callihan

Wednesday

“Rejoice always,

pray without ceasing,

in everything give thanks;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18~

My cousin, Scott Tolleson, was released from the hospital yesterday.  He will receive assistance, like OT and PT, at home.  Please continue to pray for Scott’s immediate and extended family.

Baptist Press Stories for Sep. 7, 2010

—————————————
  • Preaching, fellowship highlight LifeWay’s Black Church Week
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33644
  • Legalism vs. grace: Pastor recaps JBS
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33646
  • A vision for Africa & the local poor
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33645
  • Quebec strongly favors euthanasia
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33647
  • Survey: Nonreligious doctors more likely to hasten death
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33648
  • FIRST-PERSON: No need for God? Stephen Hawking defies divine creation
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33649

David’s uncle

“Gene” Willie Eugene Russell

(November 28, 1932 – September 6, 2010)

A resident of Zachary, he died at 6:15 p.m. on Monday, September 6, 2010 at Baton Rouge General Medical Center – Bluebonnet in Baton Rouge. He was born November 28, 1932 in Russelltown and was 77 years of age. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Sunday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 10 a.m. on Monday. Interment Arcola-Roseland Cemetery, Arcola.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

A FIREMAN I KNOW once got trapped in a burning house…

He had gotten disoriented in a hallway when fire broke out at both ends of the hall.  He believed that he was going to die that day.  With smoke and flame all around him, he simply did not know which way to go.  All he knew was that he did not have much time.  At what seemed to be the last second, the smoke cleared a bit, and he saw sunlight coming into a window at one end of the hall.  He ran to it, broke it out with an ax, and climbed to safety.  His fellow firemen treated him as if he had returned from the dead.

Someone who has tasted death has a way of grabbing our attention.  No wonder, then, that King Nebuchadnezzar was so amazed when the three young Hebrew men emerged alive from the furnace.  Everyone in the palace knew what had happened.  This was not some fluke in which the men managed to find a way out of danger on their own.  Only God could have brought them out.  The Scripture says that it was as if they had never gone into the fire at all: “there was no smell of fire on them” (v. 27).

The king was moved to praise the one true God who had saved the men from the furnace.  He even decreed that no one could even so much as speak against their God.  Don M. Aycock & Mark Sutton, “Dead Men Walking,” Still God’s Man, 220-221

God still saves (cf., 1 Peter 3:20-22) from the fire (Jude 1:2-3).  He still resurrects (cf., Romans 6:5) from the dead.  Do you know Him (1 John 2:3-4; 3:1; 5:20; Philippians 3:10)?
26 Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here.” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the fire. 27 And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them. 28 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God! 29 Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this.” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the province of Babylon.  Daniel 3:26-30
Thanks for taking time to read this post and for praying.  You can also pray for those who have been listed lately and for others who were not listed.  If you wish, you can send me information to post so others can pray along with you.
Anna Lee

Tuesday Afternoon

I saw Bonnie K. Kelsey today.  She had some medical tests today.  If the results of the test allow her to take medication for her thyroid problem, she will do that rather than have surgery.  Pray for her as she waits for an opinion on what is the best treatment for her.

Caroline Alyse Crouch
(March 28, 1955 – September 5, 2010)

A resident of Amite, she passed away at 7:46 p.m. on Sunday, September 5, 2010 at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans. She was born March 28, 1995 in Covington and was 15 years of age. Caroline attended Oak Forest Academy and was a member of St. Helena Catholic Church, Amite. She enjoyed playing the piano, dancing and listening to music, swimming, shopping, caring for her dogs and most of all, spending time with her family and friends. She is survived by her mother, Mary Ann Crouch Goldsby, Amite; step-father, Daniel Goldsby, Amite; 2 sisters, Mallory Crouch, Amite and Ashli Passey, Pensacola, FL; brother, Hardy Goldsby, Amite; grandmothers, Ursula Sherman, Amite and Sylvia Crouch, Amite; step grandparents, Gloria Knapps, Jackson, LA and Mr. & Mrs. D. H. Goldsby, Jr., Jackson, LA. She was preceded in death by her father, William Bryan Crouch; grandfathers, William Franklin Sherman, Sr. and Quitman Crouch; great-grandmother, Mary Ann Cefalu. Visitation at St. Helena Catholic Church, Amite, from 9 a.m. on Thursday until Mass of Christian Burial at 4 p.m. Thursday. Services conducted by Fr. Joe Camilleri . Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, LA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 6931 Arlington Road, 2nd floor, Bethesda, Maryland 20814 or at www.cff.org.

I think Caroline’s brave battle with cystic fibrosis reminds many of us of Corey Diddon and others who have fought that battle.  It’s a real blessing for family and friends to look back thanking God for all the sweet memories we have.  Continue to pray for Caroline’s family and many friends as they face the coming days relying on those sweet memories and looking forward to seeing her again in heaven.  Thankfully, cystic fibrosis and many other terrible diseases do not exist in heaven.  We have a lot to look forward to if we choose to join them in heaven.  I trust you have made that decision.  If not, it’s not too late.

Tuesday

“A fool gives full vent to his anger,

but a wise man keeps himself under control.”

~Proverbs 29:11 (NIV)~

Prayer is important for the one who is praying and for the one who is being prayed for.  I’ll let you select you own list this morning.

KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…”

Philippians 2:10

…WHAT IF YOUR job were to find a gun…?

Or a tumor? Both baggage screeners at airports and radiologists at hospitals spend the bulk of their time looking for things they rarely see.  In the case of radiologists, routine mammograms reveal tumors only 0.3 percent of the time.  In other words, 99.7 percent of the time, they won’t find what they’re looking for.  Guns are even rarer.  In 2004, according to the Transportation Security Administration, 650 million passengers traveled in the United States by air.  But screeners found only 598 firearms.  That’s roughly one gun for every million passengers — literally, one-in-a-million odds.

Both occupations, not surprisingly, have considerable error rates.  Several studies suggest the “miss” rate for radiologists hovers in the 30 percent range.  Depending on the type of cancer involved, though, the error rate can be much higher.  In one especially frightning study, doctors at the Mayo Clinic went back and checked the previous “normal” chest X-rays of patients who subsequently developed lung cancer.  What they found was horrifying: up to 90 percent of the tumors were visible in the previous X-rays.  Not only that, the researchers noted, the cancers were visible “for months or even years.”  The radiologists had simply missed them.

As for the nation’s fifty-thousand airport screeners, the federal government won’t reveal how often they make mistakes.  But a test in 2002 indicated that they missed about one in four guns.  During a similar test two years later at Newark’s airport, the failure rate was nearly identical: 25 percent.  More recently, 60 percent of bomb materials and explosives hidden in carry-on items by undercover agents from the TSA were missed in 2006 by screeners at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.  At Los Angeles International Airport, the results were even worse: screeners missed 75 percent of bomb materials.

And keep in mind, these are trained professionals dealing with life-or-death issues.  Joseph T. Hallinan, “We Look but Don’t Always See,” Why We Make Mistakes, 23-24

What happens when radiologists don’t find tumors and airport screeners don’t find weapons?  People die.  But what happens when Christians aren’t watching for, or don’t locate, false doctrines that are secretly smuggled into the local body of Christ? Give it some thought.

“And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in

(who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty

which we have in Christ Jesus,

that they might bring us into bondage).”

Galatians 2:4; cf. Matthew 7:15-20

Have a great day!

Anna Lee

Monday Afternoon

Leroy Travis “Petey” Lee, Jr.
(February 28, 1969 – September 6, 2010)

Leroy Travis “Petey” Lee, Jr. was born on February 28, 1969 and passed away at 8:20 a.m., Monday, September 6, 2010 at Kentwood Manor Nursing Home, Kentwood. He was 41, a native of Baton Rouge and a resident of Kentwood.

Petey is survived by his wife, Tricia Day Lee, Kentwood; sister, Vickie Lee & Vince Bass, Kentwood; 2 nephews, Lee and Malissa Aron, Kentwood and Hardy Hayden, Kentwood; maternal grandmother, Mildred Needham Birch, Kentwood; mother-in-law, Patsy T. Brumfield, Kentwood; numerous aunts, uncles & cousins.

Visitation at The Lord’s Church, Tangipahoa, on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Don Meadows officiating. Interment at New Zion Cemetery, Kentwood.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Pete Travis Lee, Sr. and Sandra Birch Lee; paternal grandparents, Hardy and Zylhpa Allen Lee. maternal grandfather, Clovis Birch.

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

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

Arrangements for Caroline Crouch are still pending.

Monday Addition

Please be in prayer for the Roma.

There have been some changes in tolerance of Roma in Europe.  Pray for this situation.  You can find other articles by doing a search.

I received this request to share with you.

I have a special prayer request.

The Mayor of Krakow is pressured by the Catholic church to evict us from our ministry center for having prayer meetings in a Government owned building. We rent from a private man who rents the whole building from the city of Krakow.

The city has sent out control officers to validate the claim that we are praying and worshiping in our ministry center.

Of course the claim was found to be true, now the Mayor told our land lord of our ministry center to evict us or they will evict him from renting the entire building.

We fly to America on Tuesday, so we may loose our ministry center while we are in the USA and I don’t know what will happen to our ministry supplies???

Pray that God will allow us to continue to rent this space for our ministry center and that the government officials will not evict us or remove our ministry supplies while we are not here in Poland to save our stuff or to defend ourselves.

Thank you for praying!!!

Z Bogiem, Jerry and family