Call upon Me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you,

and you shall glorify Me.

~Psalm 50:15 ~

This continues to be a time to pray for babies!

Just received an e-mail & checked the site.

Frann Clark

Hey everyone!

Have received word from Philadelphia that our little man did great with his heart cath. The doctors have scheduled Aaron’s surgery for tomorrow and are going to attempt the two-sided repair procedure. Please pray that everything will go well with this and our little man will continue to be the little trooper he has been throughout all of this. Please pray for the doctors as they work on little Aaron. We know ultimately he is in the Great Physician’s hands but we pray for the doctor’s hands to be ready to shape his little heart into what it should be. Also, please pray for Faith and Scott to give them a sense of peace as they anxiously prepare for tomorrow. Faith will post later tonight hopefully. They are still at the hospital and unable to use the telephone or computers.

Christi

Woke up & decided to check the web site. Glad I did. I know most of you are asleep but please pray for Aaron & his family when you wake up Wednesday morning. Info from site is below is from his mother, Faith Risher Hill.

Frann Smith Clark

We have had a long day at the hospital with Aaron, but he has been a wonderful little patient. He was in recovery from the cath until nearly 7 p.m. and now we are in a private room. After completing the cath, Dr. Gillespie and Dr. Szwast talked with Dr. Spray (our surgeon) and all concurred that we should proceed with the two-sided repair procedure. His mitral valve is somewhat abnormal, but in the opinion of the doctors would sustain Aaron’s heart. Because Dr. Spray had an opening tomorrow for surgery, we were provided this option and decided to proceed with surgery tomorrow to get Aaron headed toward his new heart. Aaron will be the second surgical case, so we aren’t sure what time they will start on him, but it should be before noon.

Understandably, we are worried about what tomorrow holds. After hearing what must be done to Aaron and all the complications that could arise, including his death, we are inexplicably frightened at what his body will face. When you pray for Aaron and his strength and the wisdom and strength of the surgical team, please pray for strength for Scott and I to get through this trial. We must take care of Aaron as God intended us to be his parents long before we knew him. We won’t make it without the prayers of our friends and family.

We love you all.

Rebecca is the child at North Oaks I asked you to pray for. My sister, Carolyn, wrote this request.

Amy and Eddy met with three doctors last week who all agreed to unplug Rebecca ‘s respirator last Wednesday, but Amy and Eddy didn’t have a peace about it so they didn’t unplug it. Sunday night Rebecca contracted an infection. The doctors took her off her heart medication and put her on an antibiotic. Monday afternoon her oxygen had dropped to 40% the nurses said it would continue to drop, Amy read the Bible to Rebecca and Eddy held her in his arms, she turned blue and cold. God heard the prayers again, her oxygen went up to 62%, she got her color back and never had so much energy. What an extreme emotional roller coaster they are on!!! Thousands are praying for them!

Jeffrey (my nephew at Loranger High) has a music festival tomorrow, one song they will play is “A Child’s Embrace”, written by a composer when his wife had a baby. The band was playing it with no emotion. Jeff feeling so much for Rebecca told them about her, then they played awesome! Afterward a student said “We played good Mr. Jeff, tell us that story again.” Another student ask if they could dedicate it to Rebecca tomorrow. Of course they will! KEEP PRAYING !

Update from Betty Taylor:

. . . . I am better today, I am walking a little on sone crutches,not much ,but some .Thank you for your prayers. Yes I am sore.Thank GOD I am ok.It could have been worse.Continue to pray for me and Andy .

thanks again
Betty

Please pray for the Owens family, especially his mother, Gail. Ralph was 50.

Ralph Owens Jr passed away this evening. Please keep Gail and the family in your prayers.

Gary Wieborg

Ralph E. Owens Jr.

(March 16, 1958 – March 18, 2008)

Died at 6:05 PM on Tuesday March 18, 2008 at his residence.He was 50 years old. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.

KneEmail

Mike Benson

Tears

I HAD JUST finished preaching on the heartaches of life, when a couple approached me at the front of the church building…

The woman told me about the burden they bore as a family. Their young son had severe physical problems, and the strain of the constant care of this needy little guy, coupled with the heartache of knowing they couldn’t improve his situation, sometimes felt unbearable.

As the couple shared, with tears in their eyes, their little daughter stood with them—listening and watching. Seeing the obvious hurt etched by tears on her mother’s face, the girl reached up and gently wiped the tears from her mother’s cheek. It was a simple gesture of love and compassion, and a profound display of concern from one so young.

Our tears often blur our sight and prevent us from seeing clearly. In those moments, it can be an encouragement to have a friend who cares enough to love us in our pain and walk with us in our struggles.

Even though friends can be a help, only Christ can reach beyond our tears and touch the deep hurts of our hearts. His comfort can carry us through the struggles of our lives until that day when God Himself wipes away every tear from our eyes. (Bill Crowder)

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes;

there shall be no more death,

nor sorrow,

nor crying.

There shall be no more pain,

for the former things have passed away.”

~Rev. 21:4~

Once again, thank-you for being there to pray each day. You have a big assignment today, but I know God and you are up to the challenge.

Anna Lee

“He has rescued us from the domain of darkness

and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves,

in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

~Colossians 1:13–14 (HCSB)~

Pray for baby Aaron Hill as he has a heart procedure today. Pray for his family and he medical staff caring for him.

Pray for a baby at North Oaks that is not doing well. Pray for the family as they face the loss of this child.

Conner Corkern is the toddler from Amite that needs medical treatment that is only available in China. You can read more about him at http://www.connorsquestforsight.com. The family requests your prayers on his behalf.

I Have an appointment with Dr. Rubino, neurosurgeon, Tuesday at 2 pm to discuss the procedure for my back. Please pray that this will be a productive consultation.

I am eager to have the procedure performed to relieve the pain in my legs.

thanks for your prayers
Frann Smith Clark

Today in the BCA’s monthly newsletter we received an update on Darci. Most of you will remember she taught at BCA for 1 ½ years. After returning to the US she learned she had cancer. Please continue to pray for Darci as she undergoes chemotherapy.

Thank you!Melinda

News from Ms. Karpovck… As many of you know, in January Darci was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Here is the most recent update we have received from her (on March 16):

“Last week I had a bone marrow biopsy-and praise God- It came backclear meaning the cancerous cells appear to just be in the lymphatic system! So this week I started chemo therapy, it has been…rough. They say the first time is usually. The ‘treatment plan’ is chemo once every other week for 24 weeks then possibly radiation. Now it seems long and painful but I know it is for a season-people around me continually remind me of this. So for those who are praying, I just thank you so much because through each painful moment I do know he’s here and it sustains me. Thanks.”

Please continue to pray for her. And, if you’d like to send her a note of encouragement, her email address is: breezinthetrees@hotmail.com.

Kara Sellers and Wesley Corkern are engaged to be married in June of 2009. You are requested to pray for them as they make career decisions and wedding plans.

Carlton George Bond Sr.

A native of Amite, he died Sunday, March 9, 2008, at his home near Amite. He was 60. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, on Wednesday, March 19, from 9 a.m. until religious service at 11 a.m. Interment in Shiloh Cemetery, Pine Grove. Survived by a son, Chris Bond; sister, Carmen Hughes; twin brother, Carl Bond; and nephews, Kevin Hanks, Daman Bond and Mathew Hughes. Preceded in death by his wife, Bobbye Randall Bond; son, Carlton “Chip” Bond; parents, Carlton C. and Meda Bond; dear friend, Joyce Harrington; and sister, Dot Bond Hanks. For more information, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Constance F. Lupo Giardina

A resident and native of Amite, she died at 3:30 a.m. Monday, March 17, 2008, at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. She was 86. Visitation at St. Helena Catholic Church, Amite, on Tuesday from 9 a.m. until religious service at 11 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Joe Camilleri. Interment in Mulberry Street Cemetery, Amite. She is survived by her daughter, Pam Triolo, Amite; son, Sal Vince Giardina and wife Deanna, Amite; three grandchildren, Mike Triolo, Greg Triolo and wife Marissa Blades Triolo, and Duane Giardina and wife Dana; four great-grandchildren, Danielle Giardina, Tyler Triolo, Alex Triolo and Ryan Triolo; two brothers, Pete Lupo, Amite, and Johnny Lupo, Hammond; four sisters, Rosalie Carter, Hammond, and Mary Hyde, Natalbany, Josie Stevens, Chesbrough, and Frances Durio, Amite; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her husband, Sam Giardina; three brothers, Sam, Joe and Gil Lupo; sister, Ella Catalanotto; and son-in-law, Carlo Triolo. For more information, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

Job

HE WASN’T EXACTLY a great prospect…

His resume had some rather obvious “gaps” in it. He was an uneducated (Acts 4:13) fisherman (Matthew 4:18). He was quick-tempered (John 18:10; Matthew 26:50-51), impetuous and impulsive. He was prone to break his word (Mark 14:29; Matthew 26:74). He made promises that he didn’t keep; in fact, he lied. He started things that he didn’t finish (Matthew 14:28-30). He was prone to fear and doubt (Matthew 14:30-31). He couldn’t always be counted on in a pinch (Mark 14:53-54). He could be cowardly (Luke 22:54-60a) and undependable (Matthew 26:40-41; Mark 14:37). He couldn’t always control his tongue (Mark 14:71). He couldn’t always see the “big picture” (Matthew 16:23; John 18:11), but was often preoccupied with the urgent and immediate. He was a narrow-minded racist (Acts 2:39; 10:13-14; Galatians 2:11-14) and a male chauvinist (John 4:27).

Let’s be brutally honest—Simon Peter (Matthew 16:17; John 21:15-17) wasn’t “the right man” for leading the early church. Right? The Lord needed an entirely different breed of man. He required an uncommon stock—a man with minor blemishes, a near-perfect specimen, a spiritual giant. He needed a man with a long track record of spirituality and maturity—or did He (Luke 6:12-14a)?

At Pentecost following the resurrection of Christ, there was Peter—boldly preaching the first Gospel sermon with his fellow apostles (Acts 2:14, 38)! Yes, Peter! However, it didn’t stop there. The very same man who fled for his life when he was identified as a disciple of the Lord was the very same man who, despite the threat of imprisonment, fearlessly proclaimed the risen Lord (Acts 3:11-4:20, 29-31). When the counsel commanded him not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus, this once reluctant disciple replied, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (cf. Acts 5:29).

Think for just a moment; how can we account for this incredible transformation? How did this milque-toast Galilean fisherman become a notable force in the kingdom of the first century? How did he get from catching fish to catching men? How did Simon get to be Cephas (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:22; 9:5; 15:5; Galatians 2:9) the Aramaic for “stone” (John 1:42)? How did this common man with an unsubmissive personality become a rock-like leader—one of the greatest preachers among the apostles and in every sense the dominant figure in the first twelve chapters of Acts? Most significantly, what does Peter tell us about ourselves? Consider the following:

1. No matter what your previous background, the Lord can use you as a vessel in His service. Our faults can be molded and fashioned into virtue. Failure yesterday is not necessarily fatal tomorrow. Weakness can become strength. “Mustard-seed faith” (Matthew 17:20; Mark 4:31; Luke 13:19; 17:6) can be enhanced to move mountains. “[The Lord] specializes in transforming hearts, redirecting our selfcentered energy, and reshaping our raw talent and abilities to achieve His purposes in the world” [Gene A. Getz, “Peter,” The Apostles, 21- 22]. This He did for Peter, and this He can do with/for you. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10; cf. Isaiah 64:8).

2. It takes time to become the person Jesus wants you to become. Evolving a Christ-like spirit is a l e n g t h y process (1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18; cf. Hebrews. 5:12ff). No one is shaped into a leader overnight. Peter certainly wasn’t. In fact, approximately twenty years after his service during the Lord’s personal ministry, Peter as an apostle, a Gospel preacher and an elder (1 Peter 5:1) still needed some “internal refinement” (Galatians 2:11-12). Whenever the Jews came to visit, Peter only ate with the Jews. However, when the Jews went home, he practiced open fellowship with his Gentile [uncircumcised] brethren and ate with them. Paul immediately recognized Peter’s hypocrisy and rebuked his fellow-apostle to his face (Galatians 2:14). Isn’t that ironic? In Acts 2, on the birthday of the church, Peter had taught, “…For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off [i.e., Gentiles]…” (v. 39). Then some eight-to-ten years later it took a vision from heaven (Acts 10:9-16) to convince him that God, in fact, accepted all men—including Gentiles—into the faith (Acts 10:34-35; 11:18). Later yet [perhaps another eight-to-ten years] in Galatians 2, Peter still struggled with the concept of the Gentile equality. He was a slow learner. You might say he suffered from SADD—spiritual attention deficit disorder. Growth was an incremental element for Peter. The same is true for each of us today.

3. Jesus seeks a willing spirit. Peter’s problem wasn’t his lack of desire and zeal; it was how he employed these qualities that often got him into trouble. One of the reasons Jesus chose Peter was because he was a man of devotion, determination and passion.* Granted, his passion was misdirected at times, but once Peter came to terms with the concept of the risen Lord (1 Peter 1:3), that same fervency was channeled in a very constructive and powerful way.

The good news is—the Lord sees beyond what we are to what we can become. We see spiritual resumes that are tarnished by transgression, failure and neglect (Romans 3:23). We see rank sinners; Jesus sees holy saints. We see humiliation; Jesus sees exaltation. We see despair; Jesus sees a living hope. We see Simon the crumbling disciple; Jesus saw Peter the rock-solid leader who would help stabilize the first century church.

Dear friend, are you looking for a job? Do you feel incapable? Is your work-history marred by defeat? Yes? Great! You automatically qualify. The Lord is hiring new laborers at this very moment! You can start your new work now (Acts 2:38; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 4:16). (Mike Benson)

* “…With all his brashness, Peter had the raw material from which a leader could be made. Better to work with a man like that than to try to motivate someone who is always passive and hesitant. As the familiar saying goes, it is much easier to tone down a fanatic than to resurrect a corpse. Some people have to be dragged tediously in any forward direction. Not Peter. He always wanted to move ahead. He wanted to know what he didn’t know. He wanted to understand what he didn’t understand. He was the first to ask questions and the first to try to answer questions. He was a man who always took the initiative, seized the moment, and charged ahead…” [John MacArthur, “Peter,” Twelve Ordinary Men, 42].

“And the Lord said, ‘Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat’” (Luke 22:31; cf. Matthew 16:23).

Perfection isn’t a requirement for service! That means we all qualify!

Anna Lee