Saturday

“‘What do you mean, ‘If I can’?’ Jesus asked.

‘Anything is possible if a person believes.’”

~Mark 9:23 NLT ~

Maggie Lee Henson

Friday, July 17, 2009 8:55 AM, CDT

Friday Morning-
Great night last night and wonderful morning. ICP in the low 20’s. Obviously there is a huge mountain to climb but by your prayers we are baby-stepping.
I love reading your entries and truly appreciated the on which read,”We are in this to pray for Maggie Lee for the marathon and not the sprint.” That is exactly how we feel and words can’t express adequately how grateful we are.
Even in a coma, Maggie Lee is ravishing:) I can imagine that she is having some awesome dreams about marrying Joe Jonas and opening for Taylor Swift (btw-Taylor Swift made her pressure go up, so we had to turn that off)

Friday, July 17, 2009 10:12 PM, CDT

This has been a great day for Maggie Lee, with swelling going down and our experience of stepping off the unwanted rollercoast

er ride we have been on for these last several days.  We will continue to see agressive treatment for a few days before backing off and moving to increased stimulation.

I am slowly learning to be patient in the wait, yet resting in the peace God is providing at this stage, especially as a result of your prayers.    –John

Saturday, July 18, 2009 3:22 AM, CDT

Early Sat. a.m.-

Praise God for a stable night; ICP’s in the low 20s. Please keep up the amazing work of prayer and stand back and be amazed at what God will do. All glory to our gracious God and King.

A quote from Stacia Runnels’ Mom; “Doubt is a luxury that we simply cannot afford.” Amen and amen.

Riding the wave of your petitions,

jin

Saturday, July 18, 2009 4:59 AM, CDT

ML tolerated being moved all over creation for her well-needed change of bedding. With her toes and fingers are painted, she’s ready for prom, basically.

I

CP 21 at present, praise GOD.

Please pray for Michael in the pccu here. He’s 8 and dr.’s found a grapefruit-sized tumor in his abdomen.

Life is precious,
jin

Pray for the Simmons family.  Mr. Bennie Gaylon is not doing well.  Your prayers will be appreciated.
The FBC children are home from camp.  Thank God for good days at camp and safe travel.
Baptist Press
July 17, 2009

WASHINGTON–Senate includes homosexuals in hate crimes protection. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30909

TENNESSEE–Q&A: Hate crimes’ impact on religious freedom. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30910

WASHINGTON–House approves funds for D.C. abortions. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30911

WASHINGTON–D.C. spending bill allows for marijuana. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30912

FLORIDA–FIRST-PERSON (Bobby Welch): Soldiers of the cross. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30913

WASHINGTON–LIFE DIGEST: Obama & pope discuss abortion. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30914

TENNESSEE–Oldest BP articles now available online. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30915

TENNESSEE–Woolley Award given to SBC’s archives. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30916

LOUISIANA–FIRST-PERSON (Kelly Boggs): Blind leading the blind. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30917

Those of you who are very interested in sports may appreciate this site.
BPSports — Sports with a spiritual attitude! http://www.bpsports.net.
ATTRACTED BY THE LIGHT

The story is told of an old country doctor who went way out to the boondocks to deliver a baby.  It was so far out, there was no electricity.  When the doctor arrived, no one was home except for the laboring mother and her 5-year-old child.

The doctor instructed the child to hold a lantern high so he could see, while he helped the woman deliver the baby.

The child did so, the mother pushed and after a little while, the doctor lifted the newborn baby by the feet and spanked him on the bottom to get him to take his first breath.

No sooner had he done this when another baby popped out, Then another, and yet another.  At this time, the little boy blew out the lamp.

The doctor yelled, “What did you do that for?”

“The light’s attracting them,” he replied.

Spiritually speaking, there’s a great deal of truth in that last statement.  We experience the “new birth” (John 3:3) only after being attracted to the “light” — the light of God’s presence, the light of God’s Word.  Like moths drawn to a light bulb burning in the night, those who search with an empty and unsatisfied heart will be drawn to God’s light.  And praise be to God who offers us a way to leave our world of darkness and enter his “marvelous light”:

“But you are….His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” (I Peter 2:9-10).

Heavenly Father, I live in the midst of a dark world.  Thank you for allowing your light to shine into my heart and into my life.  Help me as I strive to live my life in such a way that I reflect your light so that others around me may see that light and be attracted to it.  In the name of the one who is the “light of this world”, Amen.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Thanking God for the rain!
Anna Lee

Friday


“At that time we were completely overwhelmed,

the burden was more than we could bear,

in fact we told ourselves that this was the end.

Yet we believe now that we had this experience

of coming to the end of our tether that we might learn to trust,

not in ourselves, but in God who can raise the dead.”

~2 Corinthians 1:8-9 PH~

Maggie Lee Henson

Friday, July 17, 2009 2:49 AM, CDT

Maggie Lee is having a good night/early morning.  Her ICP(pressur

e on brain) is at a manageable number (17-23) and is so much better than last night.  It seems that we may be on a new trend to stability.

Jinny is getting some much needed rest and will be back up sometime after CICU shift change (they are at 7-8 each morning and evening).

We both feel the lift of your prayers, enabling us to keep going through the rollercoaster rides of late. I can’t imagine how we would be without your constant prayers for Maggie Lee and for us.

A prayer I have enjoyed this “evening” is from the Compline of the Book of Common Prayer:

Be our light in the darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercy
defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the
love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the hours
of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and
chances of this life may rest in your eternal changelessness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Look down, O Lord, from your heavenly throne, and
illumine this night with your celestial brightness; that by
night as by day your people may glorify your holy Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Visit this place, O Lord, and drive far from it all snare of the
enemy; let your holy angels dwell with us to preserve us in
peace; and let your blessing be upon us always; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.

Mrs. Nadine Council is in Sage Rehabilitation Hospital (across for Our Lady of the Lake) which is located at 8000 Summa in Baton Rouge.  Her phone number is 225-819-0703.  Visiting hours are:
  • Weekdays – 4:00-8:00
  • Saturdays – 1:00 – 8:00
  • Sundays – 8:00 – 8:00
Mrs. Wanzie Williams asks you to pray for her family.  Her brother-in-law, Roy Frazier, has learned of a reoccurance of his cancer.  Your prayers will be greatly appreciated.
KOMpray
Kids on Mission Pray

Prayer requests

“Let the little children come to Me, and don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these,” Luke 18:16b

Make a joyful noise There’s a Christian who lives in a country where there aren’t many believers in Jesus. This Christian lives near a center for disabled children and orphans. In many countries, disabled children and orphans don’t get the same education as other kids. But this Christian is determined to help!   After many long talks, the directors of the center gave the okay for this believer to come twice a week to teach English, music, and the local language. The believer and other group members cannot teach classes about Jesus, but they CAN share His love with the children.   Some of the kids cannot hear or talk, but they love to join the music class. They may not sing the way we would expect, but they sing with whatever sound they can make. The Bible tells us to “make a joyful noise” and that’s just what they do! And the believers are learning some sign language to help “talk” with the kids.   Please pray for the children and the staff at the center. Pray that they will want to know more about what the Christians believe. Pray that they will become Christians too.

MORE PRAYER REQUESTS FROM MISSIONARY KIDS

Please pray that the people of Zambia do not get sick.  KELSEY, age 6 (Sub-Saharan African peoples)
Pray that our church will continue to grow and evangelize boldly to the Japanese in Tokyo. Pray that the Japanese will be open and hungry for the gospel. ASHLEY, age 13 (Southeast Asian peoples)
Ask God to help my friends and the poor and the maids and my maid in Quito, Ecuador.  ZACHARY, age 8 (American peoples)
I Want you to PRay about The People in india.  Pray For indian PeoPle.  MIKAYLA, age 6 (South Asian peoples)
Baptist Press
July 16, 2009

WASHINGTON–Sotomayor sees ‘seriousness’ of marriage debate. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30896

MISSOURI–Missouri ‘Peace Committee’ gets up to $100,000 from reserves. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30897

MISSISSIPPI–Bus crash victim struggles with brain injury. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30898

ILLINOIS–GCR task force to meet in August. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30899

TEXAS–CBF cuts budget amid shortfall. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30900

VIRGINIA–Africa missions pioneer John Mills dies. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30901

KENTUCKY–Baptist Press interns capture SBC flavor. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30902

LOUISIANA–FIRST-PERSON (Page Brooks): What can we learn from Mark Driscoll? http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30903

KneEmail

List

butterfinger2.jpgMY HUSBAND AND I dated all through high school and we have boxes and boxes of notes we used to write back and forth…

I loved getting these notes, but it seemed that after we go married these stopped. One of the things on my list is “I feel loved when you write me love notes.” This helped him to start writing me love notes again.

Things he or she does every day. There are things that we do for each other on a daily or weekly basis that become habit or duty. Make sure you identify thoe things your spouse does on a regular basis that make you feel loved… As you write your list, consider the issues of time and money. You should be sure to include things on your list that take practically no time at all to give (e.g., “I feel loved when you wink at me from across the room,” “…tell me that you love me,” “…rub my back or feet,” “…bring me a cup of coffee”) all the way up to things that take lots of time (e.g., “I feel loved when you fix me a four-course meal,” “…spend your day off planting flowers with me,” “…take me away for a long weekend”). Be sure to include things that cost nothing or very little (e.g., “I feel loved when you kiss me before you leave for work,” “…send me a card in the mail,” “…bring me a single rose”) all the way up to things that could be very expensive. Remember, it’s a wish list and you won’t necessarily get everything on the list.

It is very important that you be as specific as possible on this list. Remember the Christmas wish list? It would not have worked to write down “I want a Barbie” on the list. How likely would it have been that Mom would pick out exactly which Barbie I wanted? I had to write, “I want the Barbie with the long red dress and her hair pulled up on top of her head.” Now Mom could get just the right one. The same applies to your list. Give enough details and specifics that your spouse will be sure to get it right. Don’t say, “I feel loved when you bring me flowers.” You might get roses, daisies, wild flowers–dandelions. Be sure to say exactly that you want. If my list said “I feel loved when you bring me a candy bar from the grocery store,” and he comes home with an Almond Joy, he would definitely see my disappointed face. However, if he brought me a Butterfinger, I would be his forever. So don’t leave room for guess work. Tell him or her exactly what you would like.

Once each of you have finished your list, exchange them. Be sure to go over everything on the list to be sure you completely understand what each item entails. Then begin doing at least one thing a week off the list for your spouse. (Debbie L. Cherry, “Discovering the Treasure of Marriage,” 80-81).

“For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.” Ephesians 5:29

Posted by Mike Benson at July 16, 2009
Thank God for the rain!
Anna Lee

Thursday Evening

Baptist Press article about Maggie Lee Henson

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30898

Pray for Mrs. Barbara Erwin as she has hip trouble.  Pray she has not damaged her replacement hip requiring more hip surgery.

Eltie Clyde Wright

(June 18, 1941 – July 16, 2009)

Died at 4:10 a.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2009 at Tangi-Pines Nursing Center in Amite. He was a native of New Orleans, LA and a resident of Amite, LA. Age 68 years. He was a member and of House on the Rock Church in Amite. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 12 Noon until religious services at 3:00PM Saturday. Services conducted by Pastor Jeff McKneely. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, LA. He is survived by 2 daughters, Anita Schexnayder and her husband, Wayne, Westwego, and Charlene Domingue, Slidell; son, Paul Wright, Metairie; grandchildren, Joshua and Rebekah Schexnayder, Adrian, Cameron and Arthur, IV, Domingue; uncle, James Miller, Tickfaw. He is preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Bertaut Wright; brother, Billy Wright; parents, Eltie Clyde Wright, Sr. and Mildred Anita Miller Wright.

Thursday Midday

Maggie Lee Hinson had a difficult night.  CAT scan shows swelling and hemorrhage, but the pressure is better.  Please keep praying for this young lady.

Pray for Wayne Addison.  He’s having surgery because of diabetes.

Pray for Mrs. Nadine Council as she begins rehab.

Benjamin Franklin Allen

(October 26, 1931 – July 15, 2009)

U.S. Veteran Died at 6:47PM on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. He was a native of Loranger, LA and a resident of Amite, LA. Age 77 years. He retired as a driver for Greyhound with over 30 years of service and was a U.S.A.F. veteran of Korea. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9 a.m. on Friday until religious services at 11 a.m. Friday. Services conducted by Rev. Marshall Wallace. Interment Briar Patch Cemetery, Loranger, LA. Survived by daughter, Joan Brumfield, Meadville, MS, son, Michael Allen, Amite, 2 sisters, Mary Jane King, Amite, Lerlene Holden, Amite. Preceded in death by, wife, Doris U. Allen, 3 brothers.

Janet Newcomb Loyd

(Died July 15, 2009)

Died on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at her residence in Greensburg. She was a native of Independence, LA. Age 63 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Saturday. Interment Greensburg Cemetery, Greensburg. She is survived by her 2 brothers, Billy Ed Kilcrease, Ark. and Billy Jean Newcomb, Concord, NC; numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. Preceded in death by her husband, Teddy Loyd; mother, Nola K. Newcomb; father, John Cass Newcomb; 3 brothers, J. V. Newcomb, Toddy Newcomb and Aubry Ray Newcomb.

Thursday

“This means tremendous joy to you, I know,

even though you are temporarily harassed

by all kinds of trials and temptations.

This is no accident—it happens to prove your faith,

which is infinitely more valuable than gold.”

~1 Peter 1:6-7 PH~

Please add my 16 year old great-niece, Rachel McClain Budde to thepraylink and please keep her and our family in your prayers. Rachel is the granddaughter of Barbara Didone, neice of Jesse Didone, daughter of Jessica. Rachel has been having some problems and has been found to have a tumor pressing on the main artery going to her heart. They are not sure yet whether it is malignant or not and what it is actually attached to. She will be seeing a surgeon at Oschner Hospital in New Orleans today to see where things go from here.

Sue Minor Tucker

Maggie Lee Henson

Wednesday, July 15, 2009 2:11 PM, CDT

Well, she still has a temper, so that’s a blessing:) Even in her coma, Maggie Lee is exerting her will. The nurse suctioned her chest and she got really ticked off: blood pressure went through the roof.

SERIOU

SLY URGENT PRAYERS: BRAIN SWELLING TO SUBSIDE before any more damage is done. It is obvious that the brain is of greatest concern. The heart is strong, the lungs are resolving and her urine output is good.

The doctors have never been able to keep the ICP Rate where it needs to be, so PLEASE PRAY RIGHT NOW that God would get that swelling down.

We are really just believing in a miracle here and your notes of God doing the impossible are great.

Thursday, July 16, 2009 1:26 AM, CDT

PRESSURE!
Maggie Lee continues to have this very high ICP. Dr.’s have wanted it to be in the 20’s and it is still creeping up to the high 30’s.
They are treating it w medication BUT PLEASE PRAY that this swelling would subside. What goes up MUST come down, so please pray that it would.  That is the gravest concern right now.
She has gone beyond the 72 hour mark which a brain injury typically peaks. We are desperate for her to get some relief.
All of our love,
jinny
Leland J. Durbin, Jr.
(May 27, 1946 – July 13, 2009)
U.S. Veteran He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend in Christ who went home to be with the Lord at 9:10 p.m. on Monday, July 13, 2009 at his home in Amite, LA surrounded by his family. He was born May 27, 1946 in Hammond, LA. Age 63 years. He was a United States Army Veteran of the Vietnam War. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Jennifer Bigner Durbin, Amite; 2 daughters, Mellissa Durbin Leto and her husband David, Sr., Amite, Kimberly Durbin Curry and her husband, Stephen “Nim”, Hillsdale; a son, John Daniel Durbin and his wife, Andrea, Gulfport, MS; mother, Ethel Mae Durbin Bourgeois and her husband, Percy, Zachary; 2 sisters, Gloria Mobley and her husband, Andy, Calhoun, Susan Durbin, West Monroe; 11 grandchildren, Sybil, David, Jr. and his wife, Amanda, Caleb, Jacob and Cayla Leto, Lidia, Emily and Nim Curry, Isaac, Kate and Jane Durbin; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Leland J. Durbin, Sr. Visitation will be at Cornerstone Church, Amite, from 12 Noon on Saturday until religious services at 2 p. m. Saturday. Services conducted by Pastors Neil Barberio, Steve Farmer, and Mervin Strother. Interment Montpelier Cemetery, Montpelier, LA.

Baptist Press
July 15, 2009

WASHINGTON–Hate crimes vote slated in Senate. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30888

WASHINGTON–Sotomayor doesn’t budge on late-term abortion questions. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30889

OHIO–Asian family’s legacy stirs new missionaries. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30890

NEW MEXICO–Fuge camps: On the ‘move.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30891

NEW MEXICO–X-Fuge on Mission aids retirees. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30892

KENTUCKY–FIRST-PERSON (R. Albert Mohler Jr.): A ‘clean sweep’ for the Episcopal liberals. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30893

TENNESSEE–FIRST-PERSON (David Francis): What’s your Sunday School strategy? http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30894

Truth

aaaicecream.jpgIN AMERICA, TRUTH in religion is considered an oxymoron…

There is no truth in religion, we are told. It’s all a matter of taste or opinion. You like chocolate, I like vanilla. You like Christianity, I like Islam. If Buddhism works for you, then it’s true for you. Besides, you ought not to judge me for my beliefs! (Norman L. Geisler and Frank Turek, “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist,” 21).

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

John 14:6

Posted by Mike Benson at July 15, 2009
Have a great day!
Anna Lee

Wednesday Afternoon

From Landon Estay –

just left TCH. Caleb’s spina bifida is either at T8 or T10, and it looks as if there’s only one kidney. Caleb is moving his feet, which surprised the doctor.

I have a prayer request from my Texas relatives, ‘Please pray for dear friends of ours’.

Mrs. Nadine Council continues to have minor after-surgery problems.  She has already been approved for Sage Rehab which is near Our Lady of the Lake Hospital.  She should be moved there tomorrow.  She is very appreciative of your prayers.

Wednesday Addition

Dukes

< trending well. >
Unlike most stocks, unemployment, the future of Honduras, the rebound of GM, and the chance that Starbucks coffee will get cheaper, Mom’s recovery is trending well. Don’t get me wrong, now. She has had some very difficult days, but she has had some good days, too. A trend doesn’t mean she is having a hunky-dory recovery. It just means the direction is positive rather than negative, even though the incline on the line graph is only about 0.00003675 degrees.

Yesterday was more like 2 degrees, though.

They have taken Mom off that medicine that they suspected was causing most of her confusion, and so far it seems to have been the cause. Not that she is completely lucid 100% of the time, now. But she is at least not telling me she is laying on Joshua (Erik’s son) or that she thinks the lady holding the TV on her head across the room is getting tired.

Yesterday was so much better than the day before, in my opinion. I can’t explain it, but the day before was hard to endure. Mainly because of one moment. We were in Mom’s room. Dad was sitting off to the left resting his legs (he’s trying to get them elevated at least once or twice a day), and I was standing by Mom’s bed. The door was closed, and the haze of the cloudy-afternoon sky was darkening the sterile-lit room. Mom was asleep, or so it seemed. I was just watching her. She was somewhat curled up, rolled onto her left shoulder, arms pulled close, a pillow resting between her legs, and the most relaxed frown on her face I have ever seen. One of those sleepy frowns that either means the person is asleep so soundly even their earlobes are relaxed, or they’re having a bad dream, or both. I wasn’t sure, but the depth of Mom’s condition hit me again like a ton of bricks. And I was sad.

I was mostly thinking of the grandkids, because I get unspeakable joy watching them play with Mom. It is still hard to accept that at 7:25pm on April 4th, she was still capable of being an interactive and healthy grandmother. Just five minutes later, she was not. She may recover to the point of being interactive again. I hope so.

Even at the current slow pace, I am hopeful. After all, she is trending well.

The medicine thing – we can chalk it up as another answered prayer of “YES” that so many of you wrote in and said you were praying. The answer hasn’t been “YES” for everything, and so we need to be thankful for the “NO’s” we get, too, I guess. But after about two days of being off of it, I think we can say this answer was a “YES.”

We are hoping to hear today when the surgery for Mom’s cranium piece will be. The surgeon’s assistant has yet to call back to inform the case manager of when the doctor could fit Mom in. The goal continues to be to do the surgery, let Mom recover a few days, and then get her back to Orlando.

I am beginning to suspect that Dad has some form of memory-loss. THIS IS COMPLETELY A JOKE – NOT TO ALARM ANY OF YOU. I suspect this, because he has gone to see a movie with me about once every other week since being out of the hospital. We do it as a chance to take a deep breath and release a little at the almost-too-late show after we feed Mom supper and leave her to rest for the night. We have seen some good ones and a few not-so-good ones.

Here’s the real crazy thing, though. The one that shows that the apocalypse must be upon us. Dad went this past weekend, while neither Erik nor I were here, and saw one BY HIMSELF!!! For real. BY HIMSELF!!! This is a man whom we have had to drag to see a movie once a year on Christmas Eve (kind of a family tradition we still do when we are with the Dukes side of the family for Christmas). When we would do that, Dad would go willingly but not wantingly. Until now.

Either I am rubbing off on him (because I really enjoy seeing movies), or he is suffering from some form of personality-change induced by the metal rods in his legs interacting with his cell phone signal transmitting movie previews and show times through a rogue iPhone App causing a shift in preferences from wanting to sit in his Lazyboy to sitting in a theater where you can’t pause the movie and have to miss stuff to go to the bathroom and can’t pull your shoes off for fear of losing skin on the sticky floor and all that.

Or maybe he is starting to like movies…NAHHHHHHH! Couldn’t be.

Seriously, Dad seemed encouraged by Mom’s condition yesterday, as well. He still is dealing with a whole lot of pain in his legs. But I am confident he will get better over time as those bones keep healing. Please pray he won’t do too much too quickly and hinder his progress.

I just had to share with you a part of an email Dad received. I don’t want to embarrass the person who sent it, so I won’t mention any names. Suffice it to say that a young woman who knows our family who has at least one daughter sent it to us. Their family walked through a tragedy a little over two years ago. Insight and encouragement from her meant a whole lot to Dad. Here it is:

Dr. Dukes,

Just wanted to let you know that you have been in our thoughts and prayers regularly.  I can relate to your recent posts about having to deal with anger and frustration and not understanding God’s purpose in our trials.  I remember hearing one of Steven Curtis Chapman’s sons (after the death of their daughter/sister) saying that these feelings actually helped him realize how real his belief and relationship with God was.  We question God because we know He is real and can do anything. It doesn’t make it any easier some days though!

I thought I would tell you of a recent act by my youngest daughter, to help encourage you.  They announced at Sunday worship gathering that they were taking up a love offering for you and Retia.  My daughter was sitting next to me.  She had just received a card that morning with some money in it for her birthday.  I watched as she took the money she had just been given and put it in the offering plate for you both.  Our family loves you both dearly and we hope and pray for your healing soon.  It seems it is going to be a long process –  that frustrates me also.  But we will not stop praying.

______________________
WOW!!! Thank you. And thank all of you for your continued love and support and prayers. And thank you to the God who hears our prayers and answers us, whose love is so near. We are trending well because of you and because of Him.

Post at you later.
-jason

Wednesday

In His Time!

“But these things I plan won’t happen right away.

Slowly, steadily, surely,

the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled.

If it seems slow, do not despair,

for these things will surely come to pass.

Just be patient!

They will not be overdue a single day!”

~Habakkuk 2:3 LB~

Mary Lee Hinson

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/maggieleehenson/photos (more pictures)

1:49 A.M. Wednesday

With the coma-inducing medication removed, Maggie Lee is showing off with some incredible brain waves. We know that she is very, very, very much here with us.

I relieved John bedside a little after midnight and have been reading all of your precious words and scriptures to Maggie Lee since then. I know she can hear it and because I am SO LOUD, this entire END of the Critical Care Unit is, as well 🙂 God’s word is going out in this place thanks to you, the nurses and drs. hear your prayers for them as well.
We are all amazed at the outpouring of love from the body of Christ all over the world…many total strangers and cling to your encouragement. From prayer services at FBCS to Catholic Masses, our entire outh group is so covered in prayer.
Please pray:
-For her ICP to go down. We’re in the 30’s
-For her brain swelling to subside.
-For her lungs to stay inflated
-For her heart to continue to be strong
-For Lauren Murchison’s continued improvement. She has been moved to a private room in ccu
-For continued improvement for Sarah Smith
-For the parents of Brandon Ugarte as they mourne his loss.
-For God to glorify Himself in all of this wretched tragedy.

Words cannot express our appreciation but please KEEP ON!!!!!
jin

Please continue to pray for our church children at camp this week and for those for all the children and youth at other camps.  Pray for those serving internationally too in world changers.

Three cottage prayer meeting in Kentwood tonight to pray for our country.  They all begin at 6:30.  Chose one from Mrs. Mary Young’s, Mr. and Mrs. Gaylon Cutrer, and the Alford’s cabin.  For more information or directions call the church office (985-229-8111).

Leland J. Durbin, Jr.

(May 27, 1946 – July 13, 2009)

Born on May 27, 1946 died at his home in Amite, La. Monday night July 13, 2009 surrounded by His family. Arrangements are incomplete at McKneely Funeral Home of Amite & Kentwood, Inc., Amite, LA

Purpose

purpose1.jpgWHERE DID WE come from…?

Who are we? Why are we here? How should we live? Where are we going?

The answers to each of these questions depend on the existence of God. If God exists, then there’s ultimate meaning and purpose to your life. If there’s real purpose to your life, then there’s a real right and wrong way to live it. Choices you make now not only affect you here but will affect you in eternity. On the other hand, if there is no god, then your life ultimately means nothing. Since there is no enduring purpose to life, there’s right or wrong way to live it. And it doesn’t matter how you live or what you believe–your destiny is dust. (Norman L. Geisler and Frank Turek)

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God and keep Hhis commandments,

for this is the whole duty of man.”

Ecclesiates 12:13

Posted by Mike Benson at July 14, 2009

Tueday Afternoon Update

Latest update on Maggie Lee Henson (Tuesday Afternoon)

Tubes have been inserted to inflate her lungs.  The tubes that were put on Sunday were temporary and have been removed.  Maggie Lee is getting good air return from this procedure.  Medicine has been turned down to ease her out of medically induced coma.  Her heart is stable.  We are still watching cranial pressure.  It is creeping up to 30.  Please pray for swelling to subside.