Wednesday

“Trust in Him at all times, you people;

pour out your heart before Him;

God is a refuge for us.”

~Psalm 62:8~

Thank you for praying for my parents, Grant and Dot Smith.  Yesterday, Daddy got a good report.

Averi Strickland, the 16 year old KHS student who had a stroke, is back in school!  Thank-you for praying for him.  Please keep Averi and his family in your prayers as Averi continues to improve.

Colton Frazier

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR COLTON FRAZIER AND HIS FAMILY. HE IS IMPROVING EVERYDAY AND THIS MORNING WAS WONDERFUL, HE KEPT HIS EYES OPEN FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. THANKS TO ALL YOU HAVE BEEN THINKING AND PRAYING FOR COLTON AND HIS FAMILY. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!
* TO GET UPDATES AND TO LEAVE MESSAGES FOR COLTON AND HIS FAMILY VISIT http://www.caringbridge.org when asked for website to visit enter coltonfrazier* LYNN WILL BE READING THE MESSAGES TO COLTON WHEN SHE CAN.

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


Don Denton

Just a quick update.  Don is continuing to improve.  We are so grateful for that.  He is continuing to taper down on his steroids and he is tolerating that very well too.  As a matter of fact, he is tapering down on several medications and doing well with it.

Joshua is sick.  He has had a fever for several days now.  It is that time of year.  I woke up with a migraine this morning but am doing better.

We are asking for prayer for several areas.  We will hear from our mortgage company any day now on whether we qualify for a certain program to lower our house note.  Please pray that it will get approved.

We found out that we qualify for food stamps as well.  This is another place for me with being humbled.  I could have never imagined being at this place in our life, and at the same time, I know this is for a season.

We are hoping that we will also qualify for the insurance reduction as well for colbra.  Otherwise we will not be able to afford our health insurance.  Please pray in this way.  We are hoping and praying for this.

I also am working at continuing to appeal health insurance issues for Don’s hospitalizations.  It is an ongoing battle.  Finding the time to do all of this can feel overwhelming.

It is like putting out fires as they come.

And in the midst of all of this, some days I find myself very discouraged, but I have more days that I hold on to what we have with each other and our precious family and friends.

We could not do this without all of you and your love, prayer and support.  It is because of your love for our heavenly Father that you have reached out to us in so many ways.  We truly are changed because of this.  We can’t even begin to put into words how you all have blessed us.  Blessed us by praying, your words of encouragement, your love and support and being available when I need help with the house.

I am working on trying to get the house ready for winter and some students of Don’s continue to reach out to us.  They are precious servents.  They too continue teach us about God’s love.

Brice a past student of Don’s reminded us of some things Don had not thought of pertaining to God being in all of this.  We find that Don’s students are now teaching him and myself.

It is a precious gift to us.  Many of Don’s students have written me and been a “gift of God” to me with meeting us right where we are at.  They are the ones too that have walked with us in honesty and compassion.

I give thanks to God today for another new day.  Another day to give thanks for the life we have.

Bless you our family and friends.

Diane

Dukes

Just wanted to write a post to say thanks to all of you who continue to pray for Dad and Jason and me and our families. It means so much.

I also wanted to follow through on something I mentioned to you a while back. Jason wrote a book. Well, it is online for pre-order now. You can find it by clicking here. I am very proud of him. Hope it encourages those of you who read it. Mom would be very proud of her “Shug” (like “sugar” for short). That’s what she called her boys. Jason dedicated the book to Mom. He actually planned to do so even before the accident.

Please keep praying for Dad. Erin and I and the boys had a great time with him this last weekend. He is going on vacation with Jason and Jen and the kids next week. We are loving the time with him. Look for a post from Jason soon. He said he was gonna get on in the next day or so.
-E

Cheyenne Hartman

Awakened today by her coughing. Last night she was sweating profusely at church.  Two symptoms of her heart not functioning right.  Will this fear I live in ever go away. Turning it over to the Lord isn’t always that easy, I still have anxiety over the possibility of another heart surgery. We go back to Dr. Hixon next week, and I guess he will let me know where we stand as far as the pressure in the heart.

Both fundraisers are coming at a good time. Right now if she had to go in, her Daddy would not be able to come home and help me, we just couldn’t make it with him not working for the next 5 weeks.

Hearing someone else say what my deepest fear is makes me a bit nervous. Yesterday, we talked about not being able to get life insurance until she is 6.  It is hard to imagine that God’s plan is to take this precious Baby from me after all he has brought me through. Living through that would be extremely difficult.  I think about Koby Sumrall’s family and how hard it must be for them. I remember when I found my brother Jimmy, and how hard that was on my Mom. I will never forget her anguishing cry on that day and for so many days that followed.  Mom said you never get over losing a child, I can believe that. God will protect me, I have faith.

With my family and friends holding up my arms, I think we can win this battle…but I do get afraid. I wish Down Syndrome was her only issue, that would be a piece of cake. This heart buisness is a lifetime ordeal.

Pray for my strength and my peace of mind. I need prayer, I need Christian friends lifting me up or I will not make it through this.

Operation Christmas Child

National Collection Week

November 16-23, 2009

It’s time to start preparing the shoeboxes!

Georgia Barnette State (LA) Missions Offering

Week of Prayer:  September 13 – 20, 2009

State Goal: $1,650,000.00

FBC, Kentwood Goad:  $8,000.00

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

GENERAL GEORGE PATTON argued, “Success is measured by how high you bounce when you’ve hit bottom…”

Simon Peter is a perfect illustration of this truth.  He forsook his Lord and Friend in the garden.  He even denied that he knew Jesus when identified by a young maiden around the fire.  He hit bottom.  However, he didn’t stay on the bottom.  He bounced, and he bounced high.  He would preach the gospel powerfully on Pentecost just a short time later (Acts 2).  He would be a catalyst in the growth of the early church (Acts 3-12).

The question is not whether we are going to fail; but rather, how high we are going to bounce once we do.  (Wade Webster)

“Peter answered and said to Him,
‘Even if all are made to stumble because of You,
I will never be made to stumble.'”
~Matthew 26:33~
God loves to hear out prayers!
Anna Lee

Tuesday Afternoon

Colton Frazier

Colton opened his eyes today, thank you jesus, he even gave the thumbs-up sign to a friend. we are all do thankful for all your paryers, we know it works….. Thanks Again!!!!!!

Aunt Alice Frazier
GOD Bless….

Janice Elaine Potter Albrecht
(August 3, 1949 – August 31, 2009)

Died at 7:21 p.m. on Monday, August 31, 2009 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. She was born August 3, 1949 in New Orleans, LA and was a resident of Independence, LA. Age 60 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 p.m. until religious services at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2009. Services conducted by Rev. Andy Stafford. She is survived by her husband, Anthony Albrecht; 3 daughters, Leslie Tullous, Dawn Jordan and Tammy Windecker; 12 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren;sister, Myra Stansbury; brother, Clarence Leonard. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Ella Potter; sister, Dee Dee Hudson; brother, Danny Leonard.

Monday Evening

From Robert Callihan

Please add Linda to the prayer link. She hurt her back somehow and has been in severe pain for several days. Pray that God will allow this to be minor rather than major back problem.

Barbara Gale Jenkins Warren
(September 22, 1941 – August 31, 2009)

Barbara Gale Jenkins Warren

Barbara Gale Jenkins Warren was called home to the loving arms of her Lord and Savior on August 30, 2009. She was 67, born in East Baton Rouge Parish, a lifelong resident of Amite, St. Helena Parish, a member of Kedron Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School for many years and was a member of the Kedron Baptist Church WMU. She was also a graduate of Greensburg High School Class of 1959.

Gale is survived by her daughter, Tina E. Warren; a son, John D. Warren and his fiancé, Marilyn Buhler; 2 grandsons, Steven R. and Trenton L. Warren; a sister, Debbie McMillan , a brother, Floyd “Ricky” Jenkins; also numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rhoney Warren; parents, Floyd & Fern Harvin Jenkins; a son, Dan L. Warren; a granddaughter, Kaitlyn Nicole Warren.

Mrs. Gale lived her life for her family and now resides with the Lord in Heaven.

Visitation will be at the Kedron Baptist Church, Amite, on Wednesday, September 2, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. until Religious Service at the Church at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Herb Cowan and Rev. Tommy Hicks officiating. Interment in the Kedron Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family request memorial donations be made to Kedron Baptist Church Building Fund.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

Please pray for this the Warren family.  Two illness leading to two deaths in a week is especially hard.  I know your prayers will be appreciated.

Monday

“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray.

Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers,

letting God know your concerns.

Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness,

everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down.

It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry

at the center of your life.”

~Philippians 4:6–7 MSG~


From Jenni Henson, Maggie Lee’s mother:

Thank you for your continued prayers for our family. A very disturbed young man entered the sanctuary at fbc this am and started screaming,”

There is no such thing as God.” While John was front and center at the podium. Thankfully, he was not armed, but it was frightening to say the least to think about what could’ve happened.
Will Easley is doing we. He may get to move to a step-down unit today.  Keep praying.
We’ve been asked to pray for another young child: Adrianna Cavanagh.  Adrianna is in Childres’s Hospital in New Orleans and lives in Washington Parish.  She has stage four cancer.  Be sure to read the story and look at her beautiful pictures.
Several people have been hospitalized recently, are hospitalized now, or will be hospitalized soon.  Please pray for each by their group, not by name, today.
Private Matthew Wildes of Hammond was killed on Friday in Afghanistan.  Please pray for his family and for all those who continue to serve around the world to protect us.  When you see a young man or woman in a uniform, tell them thanks.  They volunteered to serve!  Also, thank vets as you get the opportunity.

KneEmail

Number

images.jpgI READ OF an old Norwegian who had kept very careful notes of his life in a series of notebooks he kept on the shelf of his business…

On his eightieth birthday he went to the store and pulled the books from the shelf and began to compute his life. He was surprised to find that he had spent five of his eighty years waiting on customers. He had spent six months tying neckties, three months scolding children who had been running around the store, and eight days telling his dogs to lie down and be quiet.

Some stuff is pressing (i.e., urgent); some stuff is consequential (i.e., important). We need to learn to distinguish between the two and then act accordingly.

“So teach us to number our days,

that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Psalm 90:12


Posted by Mike Benson at August 25, 2009
Thank you so much for being there to pray.  Your  support of others is so appreciated!  Have the best Monday you’ve had in a while!
Anna Lee

Sunday Afternoon

Tony P. Ardillo, Sr
(August 1, 1928 – August 30, 2009)

Tony P. Ardillo, Sr

A beloved member of the Amite community Tony P. Ardillo, Sr. passed away Sunday, August 30, 2009, at the age of 81 years. His valiant seven year battle with cancer ended at 5:00 a.m., his normal hour for arising for over 70 years to begin his day at Ardillo, Inc. which was founded in 1939. He was vice-president and an owner of one of Amite’s oldest continuing business. A life-long resident of Amite, he lived his entire life along the Hwy 16 area. Daddy was a member of “America’s Generation” and lived his life committed to honesty and integrity. He was so well liked and respected by the many customers of the family business and even after he became sick, they always looked for him at his desk. Many of his friends would have a seat with him and enjoy a nice long visit and even a cup of coffee. We are so grateful to our patrons for their many years of friendship, loyalty, and expressions of kindness throughout his life and especially during his illness. He was a member of St. Helena Catholic Church, Associated Grocers of Baton Rouge, Amite Chamber of Commerce, Springview Country Club, and Florida Parishes Skeet and Gun Club.

Visitation at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Monday, August 31, 2009, from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Tuesday, September 1, 2009, from 8:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian burial will be at St. Helena Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. with Father Jack Nutter and Father Joe Camilleri officiating. Interment in Amite Memorial Garden. Scripture readers will be Mike Stant and Susan McGraw. Eucharistic ministers will be Savina and Steve Campo and Ann and Pete Dana. Gifts will be brought forth by Carley and Anthony Ardillo and Gabriel Stant.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Mary Frances Campo Ardillo, Amite; daughters, Brenda A. Bellavia and husband Frank, Amite, Mary F. Ardillo, and Roslyn Ardillo, both of Amite; sons, Tony P. Ardillo, Jr., Amite, and Tim Ardillo and partner Jason Miiller, Indianapolis, IN. Also surviving are grandchildren, Jessica B. Stant and husband Mike, Marc “Deke” Bellavia and wife Richelle, Carley Ardillo and Anthony Ardillo, III, Noah P. Ardillo-Miiller; great-grandchildren Gabriel, Sarah, and Elizabeth Stant and Emma Claire Bellavia. A brother Nick P. Ardillo, Amite and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Also survived by special cousins Josie DePhillips and Mary Lou Lea.

Preceded in death by his mother Carmella Conti Ardillo and father Roy S. Ardillo, brother Steve P. Ardillo, sister Josie A. Walsh, mother and father-in-law Frances and Sam Campo and Josie B. Ardillo.

Pallbearers are James “Rube” Ardillo, Johnny Conti, Greg Esteven, Alan Melancon, Boyd Raborn, Jr., Jerry Rispone, Mike Stant, and Jerry Trabona. Honorary pallbearers are Oliver Bergeron, Matthew Campo, Sam Campo, Garfield Faust, Erlest Landrew III, and Mario Messina.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Memorial and Honor Program, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105

Our family would like to thank the many people who have fought alongside Daddy during these seven years including the doctors and staffs of North Oaks Hospital in Hammond, Hood Memorial Hospital in Amite, and Southeast Regional Medical Center in Kentwood. Also, to the many home health caregivers who tended to Daddy through the years. He was good man and wonderful father. We will walk proudly in his footsteps, but no one will ever fill his shoes.

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 & Hwy 16W behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash and Bond Eye Clinic.

Sunday

“Show me the path where I should go, O Lord;

point out the right road for me to walk.”

~Psalm 25:4 LB~

KneEmail

Time

clock.jpgEVERY MORNING GOD doles out a limited amount of time to every soul on the planet…

86,400 seconds, 1,440 minutes, or 24 hours–depending upon how you count time. We can do what we want with this daily allotment: spend it, use it, waste it, kill it, invest it, or just ignore it. Whatever we do it it, our time for that one day will be gone There is no way to save any of it.

“The day of our lives are seventy years;

and if by reason of strength they are eighty years,

yet their boast is only labor and sorrow;

for it is soon cut off and we fly away.”

Psalm 90:10


Posted by Mike Benson at August 26, 2009 11:18 AM

What will you do with your 86,400 seconds today?

Anna Lee

Saturday

“And let us not neglect our meeting together,

as some people do,

but encourage one another.”

Hebrews 10:25 NLT

KneEmail

Tired

DURING THE FIRST Gulf War, military strategists dropped bombs at night on our enemies…

Even though bombing at night wasn’t as effective because it was harder to hit targets at night, the reason they did so was so that they could keep the Iraqis awake. If our air force could deprive them of sleep, the Iraqis would be so weary and stressed out that they wouldn’t be able to fight back.


When our physical resources have been depleted, we are much more susceptible to discouragement.

“And all of them conspired together

to come and attack Jerusalem and create confusion.

Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God,

and because of them we set a watch against them day and night.

Then Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is failing,

and there is so much rubbish that we are not able to build the wall.”

Neh. 4:10-11; cf. 1 Kgs. 18 – 19:1-4; Gal. 6:9

Tired and discouraged?  I am.  Please pray for all those who are in this situation of life.

Anna Lee


Posted by Mike Benson

Friday

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4: 13, NKJV

Rusty Williams is doing fine.  Please continue to pray for him and his family.

KOMpray

Kids on Mission Pray

Learning in school

My name is Sandy.  I am 7 and I love to do cartwheels.  This month the teachers say I have dyslexia.  This is making my reading in my second language more difficult.  I have to change classes and begin to learn reading in my own heart language (English).  I cried when I found out I must leave my friends and go to a new class.

Please pray I will grow in my reading skills and be able to learn better in school.  Pray I can enjoy school.  Pray for my old friends as I say goodbye and pray for my new friends as I say hello after the summer break.  Pray that I will not give up trying even when my school work gets harder.

I know God is with me in all this, even though I don’t like the change, I was reminded HE loves me, and I agree with that. SANDY, age 7 (European peoples)

Photo

Prayer Requests from Missionary Kids

My grandma died a few weeks ago. Pray for mom to be OK and to get through it.  KT, age 12 (Southeast Asian peoples)

Pray that my family gets back to our country safely.  Pray for my best national friend KH and her brother MG to be safe and happy while I am away.  They are watching my puppy for me.  Pray for KH’s father to believe in Jesus.  SM, age 6 (East Asian peoples)

My prayer request is about my family’s work.  Please help us to continue helping the villages safely.  ERIN, age 11 (East Asian Peoples)

Pray for “Lena”.  I tried to make her believe. I even gave her a Bible so please pray for her.  NATALIE, age 8 (European peoples)

Every Monday in India we have a school day about India, and we let the Indian children play with us with our toys.  We want them to know that Jesus wants us to.  RISA, age 7 (South Asian peoples)

Please pray for all of our people and our friends in Central.  Now it is unsafe for them to go outside of their homes because of the demonstrations in the streets. JACOB, age 12 (Central Asian peoples)

I am moving from East Asia to the U.S.  I don’t know how to deal with that.  East Asia is home.  I need prayer for me and how to deal with the U.S.  MICHAL, age 12 (East Asian People)


THINGS I WISH I’D KNOWN

Someone has composed this list (from a variety of sources) of “Things I Wish I’d Known Before I Went Out Into the Real World”:

*  Never continue dating anyone who is rude to the waiter.

*  Some people are working backstage, some are playing in the orchestra, some are on-stage singing, some are in the audience as critics, some are there to applaud.  Know who and where you are.

*  The five most essential words for a healthy, vital relationship: “I apologize” and “You are right.”

*  Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

*  When you make a mistake, make amends immediately.  It’s easier to eat crow while it’s still warm.

*  The only really good advice that I remember my mother ever gave me was, “Go!  You might meet somebody!”

*  If he says that you are too good for him, believe it.

*  I’ve learned to pick my battles; I ask myself, “Will this matter one year from now?  How about one month?  One week?  One day?”

*  The shortest line is always the longest.

*  Being happy doesn’t mean everything’s perfect, it just means you’ve decided to see beyond the imperfections.

*  If you woke up breathing, congratulations!  You have another chance!

There’s a lot of biblical truth in many of the statements above, especially the last statement.  How often have you done something really stupid and said to yourself, “I wish I could have a second chance”?  The truth is, God has given you a second chance.  He’s given you hundreds of second chances.  You’re not guaranteed another one, but the fact that you got up out of bed today means that you have one more opportunity to make right anything that has destroyed your relationship with God or others.

Many people have questioned why Jesus has not yet returned like he promised he would.  Here’s one reason:

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise [to return], as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

If you woke up breathing, congratulations!  You have another chance!  Don’t waste it.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina