DOUBT-FREE FAITH

SCRIPTURE

Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.”

QUOTE

Some people feel guilty about their anxieties and regard them as a defect of faith but they are afflictions, not sins. Like all afflictions, they are, if we can so take them, our share in the passion of Christ.

~C.S. Lewis

I have to confess that I do not have doubt-free faith. I think I was born a doubting Thomas. I am much like the father in Mark 9:24, who prayed– “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” I would love to have pure faith with no mixture of doubt but I don’t think I have ever seen that demonstrated in another human. I’ve known some folks who had great faith but I can’t recall any one who had perfect faith with no doubt. I have some mountains that need moving but they are so huge and have been there so long that I don’t pray with any degree of faith.

What do you do when your faith is imperfect? You keep believing with the faith that you have. Faith is like a muscle; it grows with exercise. Jesus called twelve disciples and none of them had perfect faith which is why He nick named them “Little-faiths.”

• Well, another successful TRUNK-A-TREAT. I want to think our 24 vendors. It is the most we have had in recent history. I didn’t count but I am guessing 300 or so. I think the most we have ever had is around 450. Hey, the rain doesn’t stop them.
• REVIVAL begins today. This revival is an annual thing and it’s always the first week in November but folks have planned hunting trips, cruises, Smokey Mountains trips and everything else. Folks don’t seem to understand our desperate need for REVIVAL and it certainly will not happen with us putting other things before HIM. 
• Todays Schedule: Deacon’s at 7:45, Biscuits and donuts at 8:30, LCBS at 9:15, Revival Service at 10:15 and 6:00. No Visitation or AWANA’s.

In Absolute Control

SCRIPTURE

 “As you know, Passover begins in two days, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”

~Matthew 26:2, NLT

QUOTE

Some people probably think of the Resurrection as a desperate last moment expedient to save the Hero from a situation which had got out of the Author’s control. {Nothing could be further from the truth}

~C.S. Lewis

In Matthew 26:2, Jesus tells His disciples that he will be crucified on Passover, but read the next three verses…At that same time the leading priests and elders were meeting at the residence of Caiaphas, the high priest, plotting how to capture Jesus secretly and kill him. “But not during the Passover celebration,” they agreed, “or the people may riot.” Jesus said, “I will be crucified on Passover” and the Jews said, “not on Passover.”

The Jews tried their best to discredit Jesus in public but He baffled and amazed them with His answers. They were left is shock, wonder and awe but it did not melt their cold hearts. Jesus popularity was growing whereas the Jewish religion establishment were getting more unpopular by the day. Jesus came into their stronghold, cleansed the temple, destroying their money making scheme, threatening their power and their way of life. They were very concerned about losing face with the public so they were planning to avoid any arrest or execution on Passover. Jesus turned things around so fast, it left their heads spinning. The Jewish religious leaders thought they were taking Jesus life when all the while, He was laying it down. They were tripping over their own feet and so Jesus gave them some help. Remember, He was condemned by His own testimony. They would never have pulled it off without His help.

The irony is: the Jewish leaders thought they were in control and Jesus the victim but in reality, Jesus was always in complete control and the Jewish religious leaders were the victims. Unrepentant Jews have been victims for the last 2,000 years and it is because they rejected the Messiah. “Lord, open the eyes of the Jewish people, let them see Jesus as the Christ. We need their help in getting the gospel to the world.”

• Who would have dreamed: Sports Illustrated, John Parker Wilson, WHNT, WAFF, and the United States Marines were at the Danville/Falkville game last night. Big Mama and I got cold and left after the awards were given to Kane. It was a wild game, no defense. I remember one punt. It was 24-20 when we left.
• REVIVAL beginning Sunday with Wade Morris. Only five services and they will soon pass–make a commitment not to miss a single service. Your presence is vitally important.
• We do have a baptism lined up for Sunday our third week in a row. I love closing the service with a baptism.
• Tonight, we get an extra hour of sleep–hallelujah!

The Old Miser Within

SCRIPTURE

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.”

~Matthew 6:19-20, NLT

QUOTE

Everything is safe which is committed to Christ and nothing is safe which is not.

~A.W. Tozer

Living down deep inside of all us is an old miser: a self-centered, self-preserving nature. If this is true, how can we explain generous people. The difference between the generous and miserly is that the generous recognize the old miser but they have learned that he can be crucified by giving. The way to attack greed is to give. You will never become a generous person until you understand this truth.

C.S. Lewis says, “The only thing we keep is what we give away.” Worldly logic declares this principle stupid: obviously, the more we keep for ourselves, the more we have. It would seem that way but that is not reality. Because we are merely trustees of God’s wealth, everything eventually goes back to HIM. He will reward us according to what we gave, not what we saved. Jesus said, “Give and it shall be given unto you.” The secret to getting is giving. Either you overcome your greed or your greed will overcome you. Generous people attack their greed by giving. They have a deep determination that the old miser will not get his way. Remember, old misers do not have a bright future because their greed is never satisfied and in the end they lose everything.

• Went by to check on Gary Garner yesterday: he is scheduled for a pet scan today if all goes well. Pray that his sugar will be low enough for them to do the scan and put in the port. If they get these two things done today, he starts his treatment next week. He is anxious about it and so am I.
• Every offering we take at DBC is a free will offering. We challenge you to give but we don’t make anyone give. The offering this Sunday is intended to keep our general fund at an operating level. If no one gives Sunday, we can cover the expense of the parking lot but we will have nothing left. The deacons did not think this was a good idea and neither did I. If we work together, we can do more than pave the parking lot. Personally, June and I are excited. We talked about it and set our goal and the Lord has enabled us to reach that goal. I want to give. I can’t wait to give.
• I had 15 to preach to last night and I enjoyed it. Holly wants to go back to Wednesday night suppers but I don’t think it is feasible, we may do pizza once a month. I just wish our folks had a desire to GATHER but that will take a REVIVAL. I am OK with Revival, how about you?
• What about this weather? I don’t remember anything like it in August. We have not been able to take down the back fence from the BP. Too wet to drive the truck across the playing field.
• Pray for me, I have to get up at 5:30 and help JD cook B’fast for the football team. I can’t get over the physical demands of the BP and then Mandy worked the dog out of me Tuesday. I was sluggish all day yesterday. I may stay up all night and that way I want have to get up. When I get retarded, I will probably read all night and sleep all day.
• Bobby sent us another classic pic.

Squeaky Clean, Not!

SCRIPTURE

But I, the LORD, search all hearts and I examine secret motives.

~Jeremiah 17:10, NLT

QUOTE

No one does anything from a single motive.

~Samuel Taylor Coleridge

One of the things I dread about flying is going through all the security. In the old days, boarding a plane was simple and the family or friends could accompany you to the gate but no more. You have to take off your shoes, empty your pockets, and run any thing with metal through the scanner and that includes your electronic devices. After you put your stuff on the conveyer belt to be scanned, you have to walk through a scanner. If you have anything concealed, it will detect the object and you will be searched. You cannot slip anything through. They dumped one ladies suit case right in front of us: it can get humiliating.

Yesterday I read this verse in Romans 2, And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life. There are five other verses in the bible that state the same truth:

• Psalms 90:8–You spread out our sins before you—our secret sins—and you see them all.
• Eccl. 12:14–God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.
• Matthew 10:26–But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.
• Mark 4:22–For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light.
• Luke 8:17–For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.

There is a scanner at the pearly gates and you or I will slip nothing through: every sin will be detected.  On that day, you will see the real me and you are in for a shock. Perhaps I will be shocked to see the real you but my concern right now is me. Read Romans 2 in the New Living Translation and see if you get convicted. Romans two is addressed to those who past judgment on those in Romans one; if you get my drift.

C.S. Lewis calls this judgment for Christians the Baptism of Shame. I think this baptism will accomplish at least three things

1. We will be focused on our sin and not the sins of others.
2. We will stop looking down on others.
3. We will enter heaven with great humility realizing we do not deserve to be there.

• I am getting back into the groove: Mandy updated me on the BP; everything is going good. She worked out a deal with Pepsi today. I will try to get the fireworks lined up today. Funnel Cake mix is in: so to this point, things are looking good.
• John Wydner had double knee replacement while I was gone. I visited him yesterday at Health South in Huntsville and he was in a lot of pain. He has a lot of swelling in both knees. Pray for John.
• We will be going to Athens this evening for a memorial service for my great-great-niece Charlotte Mae Deffenbaugh.
• Short story from Bob that reminds me of one of my mentors: James Martin Newby. During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one: “What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?” Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50’s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. “Absolutely,” said the professor. “In your careers, You will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say “hello.” I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her Name was Dorothy. 
• Felton told me yesterday that he read a Dear Abby that went like this…Dear Abby, I have been married to a two timing cheating jerk for 40 years. He has had multiple affairs, too many to count and 14 years ago he lost his job and I now  have to support him and his habits. On top of that, he is accusing me of being a lesbian. What should I do? Dear Abby’s response, “Dump him Hillary.”

Rebels By Nature

SCRIPTURE

All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him [Jesus].

~Isaiah 53:6, NASB

QUOTE

“We are not merely imperfect creatures who must be improved; we are rebels who must lay down our arms.”

~C.S. Lewis

When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, they lost their submissive nature. Adam and Eve had a ‘self’ and ‘self consciousness’ but it was very small. It was so small that they ran around naked and it didn’t bother them. The fall changed everything: self became huge and Adam and Eve became egocentric whereas they had be theocentric. It was not longer natural for them to obey God. Submission and obedience became a struggle and remains so until this day. Obedience would be our delight, our greatest joy if we could make it our practice. How do we recover this self-surrendering nature that Adam lost?

The first step would be to acknowledge the truth, “All we like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way.” Going a head and admit it, “You want what you want when you want and you will pitch a fit or pout if you don’t get it.” But we can’t stop at confession. Repentance and confession are two different things. All who repent confess but not all who confess repent. The answer to our dilemma may be found in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” We furnish the weakness and Christ provides the grace. Hallelujah, what a SAVIOR! When I was growing up we sang a song that went something like this– “Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him, how I have proved HIM over and over. Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus, oh for grace to trust HIM more.”

• Reagan Bowling came home yesterday. I think Johnny Burnett’s sister has surgery tomorrow at HH. I haven’t heard from Preston Grammer. I didn’t visit yesterday but I assume Bufford Burgess is still in ICU DGH. He is very sick.
• No Deacon’s meeting today. LCBS at 9:15 and Celebrate Jesus in worship at 10:15. I hear rumors that everyone is gone to the lake or the beach but I was told that the last two Sunday’s and we had great crowds so I am going to wait and see.
• Joe David and crew are spending a week with Rita Lindsey in Coco Beach. Her husband’s name is Larry but I don’t remember his last name. Anywho, Rita is a great hostess. Joe David is driving back next Saturday alone. He is like his dad in that he does not mind traveling alone. Ty, Josie, and Lori are flying back with Rita on Monday.
• My Daddy was promoted 20 years ago today if my math is right!

Eugene Luther Bailey

• Robert E. Lee was a Christian and a gentleman which is why we lost the war. He fought in the traditional manor, never stooping to acts of terrorism. When Lincoln realized he could not win the war any other way, he sent a terrorist by the name of William Sherman to burn and loot every town he came to. Don’t kid yourself, Lincoln knew exactly what he would do which is why he sent him.We could have done the same but we had a civilized leader and one we can be proud of which is more than I can say for the aggressors. If I was Obama and the blacks, I would chill on the Rhetoric. We don’t need a second civil war and we sure don’t need a racial war. We have done enough reconstruction of history; they need to leave this issue alone.

Terrorist, William T. Sherman

Robert E. Lee

Undulation! What?

SCRIPTURE

In His hand are the deep places of the earth; The heights of the hills are His also.

~Psalms 95:4, NKJV

QUOTE

The important thing is not to be in a certain state, but to be a certain kind of person in whichever state you find yourself.

~Michael Ward

If you have read the Screwtape Letters, you may recall the “Law of Undulation.” God created the deep places, the valleys and high places, the mountain peeks. What we see in nature is true in life, we have our highs and our lows. Michael Ward is a graduate of Oxford. He is a native Brit with conservatives views. He loved his time at Oxford and aspired to do great things but after graduation, he fail into deep depression. He dreamed of being a writer but soon discovered he could not make a living writing. He experienced three years of failure; going from one thing to another and finding no success. He did bounce back and the pass quarter of a century has spoken to over 100 Colleges and Universities in the U.S. alone and that includes Harvard, Yale, Princeton and Athens State. {Kidding about ASC, just wanted to get your full attention} He is an ardent student of C.S. Lewis and Winston Churchill.

If God allowed us to succeed in every endeavor, we would become proud and arrogant. In His divine wisdom, He mixes failure with success: enough failure to keep us humble, enough success to keep us going. There is a majestic view from the mountain top but the water is in the valley. Enjoy the view when your on the mountain top and partake of the water in the valley. A good attitude will always trump bad circumstances.

• Another great day at VBS. I don’t know what to say: the kids are doing great, the youth are fantastic workers and our Master Teachers and Directors are the best in the world. PTL for 197! Opps, I bet we forgot to count the Sparkman Triplets, that makes 200.
• REMEMBER: No mid-week services tonight.
• Friday is Little Ceasar’s Pizza Day at 11:00
• Sandy Cochran needs you to bring items for MILESTONE MINISTRIES: The Xers are going there Thursday. I thinking clothes and yard sale items. MILESTONE has a thrift store on Hwy 31. I’m supposed to do a phone message tomorrow so don’t let me forget.
• VBS COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM Sunday Night at 5:00; followed by a T & T Hamburger Supper.
• Don’t stop praying for Keri and Kane: Stop and say a prayer right now. It is important!

Slavery

SCRIPTURE

Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it.

~I Corinthians 7:21, NLT

QUOTE

No creature that deserved Redemption would need to be redeemed.

~C.S. Lewis

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.”

In 1 Corinthians Paul is talking to those who were literally slaves. In the Roman world, there were more slaves than free men. Paul is simply saying, “Don’t worry about your slave status, the label, people looking down on you, because in reality, you are free in Christ.” If you were a slave, the Lord has saved you and set you free from the power of sin. For those who were free when you got saved, you are now slaves to Jesus Christ. Every one is a slave to something, it is better to be a slave to Jesus than a slave to the world. Remember, God redeemed you at a very high price, the blood and life of His Son.

• Today the MISSION OFFERING goes to Disaster Relief and Tom and Edith Bennich are our special Guest.
• Today we pray for SENIOR ADULTS. We had a good turn out yesterday for the GOLDEN GIRLS. Sarah and Jean were out of town and Mrs. Jewel sleep in but we still had nine.
• The Mission OFFERING for the rest of February 15 and 22 will be in memory of Kenny Holladay and will go to building houses in Guatemala. We have enough for two right now but I am shooting for 20. Some of the LCBS classes are saying they are not physically able to do a project: you could give $400 to build a house in Guatemala.
• The SENIOR ADULT LADIES did their project yesterday. Take time today for intercessory prayer and fill out a prayer sheet. Talk about your project and party: today would be a good time to do it.

Hindrances to Revival #7–PRIDE

Day 10 of 24/24

SCRIPTURE

“God, how I thank You that I am not on the same level as other people—crooks, cheaters, the sexually immoral—like this tax collector over here. Just look at me! I fast not once but twice a week, and I faithfully pay my tithes on every penny of income.”

~Luke 18:11-12, The VOICE

QUOTE

You can have no greater sign of confirmed pride than when you think you are humble enough.

~C.S. Lewis

Pharisees like to pray in public but like the one in Luke 18, their prayers are ineffective because they come from a heart filled with pride. It is always a mistake to inform God of our goodness when He can see the dark crevices in our heart which are hidden from us. What on earth inspires men to brag in the face of God and call it prayer? You know the answer: it is pride. I’m sure you have noticed the proud unbent “I” is in the middle of pride and sin. There is no question that pride is a huge hindrance to revival. If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves…

• Deacons meeting at 8:00 [Confirmation for Jeff Bass].
• LCBS at 9:00 and worship at 10:15 and 6:00.
• FRONT PEW SHOWER for Sav-A-Life [Baby things] [JUDEA]
• SECOND PEW SHOWER for Mission to the Park [Blankets and old coats and jackets, SAMARITAN PROJECT]
• International Mission Offering goes to Guatemala unless otherwise designated.

The Infinite Jesus

DAY THREE OF 24/24

SCRIPTURE

They all ate and were satisfied.

~Mark 6:42, NASB

QUOTE

Human beings must be known to be loved; but Divine beings must be loved to be known.

~Blaise Pascal

Lucy

Very close to the conclusion of C.S. Lewis Chronicles of Narnia THE LAST BATTLE…Lucy and Tumus are peeping over the walls looking down into the garden…Lucy says…”I see at last, I see now that the garden is like the stable, far bigger on the inside than the outside.” Tumus’ response: “Of course, daughter of Eve, the further up and the further in you go, the bigger everything gets.” Our glorious Christ, our Creator and Redeemer is infinite. Not only can we not exhaust His resources, we will never touch bottom or find the edge, not even in eternity. The disciples gave Him two fish and five loaves and from that He feed thousands but He did not simply feed them, He filled them, He satisfied them. The Greek word Mark used can mean ‘ to fulfill every longing.’

If you attempt to get every thing your heart desires here on earth; you will bring misery and shame upon yourself and your children. Some things are worth the waiting. Psalm 37 gives us great advice…”Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it….Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.”

I hope you have the patience to wait: Adam and Eve did not and look at the misery and shame they brought upon themselves. You may think you understand what is needed to fulfill your life but you don’t have a clue.  You can ignore Psalm 37 and do it your way; don’t wait on Christ to give you the desires of your heart–go ahead and eat the forbidden fruit. Try to fulfill your lust with the devil’s husk and a decade from now, if you have the courage to be honest, you will confess your pathetic emptiness. Two things you have to keep in mind: [1] The devil is a liar and [2] Your heart will deceive you. I guarantee that nothing else other than Jesus Christ can fulfill your deepest needs and give you eternal satisfaction.

• Today we pray for STUDENTS. Pray first for their safety as they help cut wood for our WOOD FOR WIDOWS Jerusalem project. Pray for Revival to break out among them. Several of the college kids are on the prayer wheel. We have some good kids…lets left them up in prayer.
• If you did not get on the PRAYER WHEEL, go ahead and begin your prayer time at whatever hour you choose but be sure and turn your name into Mandy on Sunday and she will get you plugged in. Someone will tag you with a text and then you will tag the next intercessor. I will not lie, I am struggling a bit because I got into a habit of staying up late. This morning was my best time. My prayer time is 3:30-4:00. Jeff tags me and I tag Gregg…so far so good! Don’t give up! If you get discouraged, call me and we will work something out. Let’s keep the wheel turning. If you are not getting tagged, you need to let us know.
• No DEACON’S MEETING in the morning. LCBS at 9:00, Worship at 10:15 and Cookout at 5:00. Bean Bag tournament at 4:00.
• I worked on the LCBS lesson for hours and then the Charter went out and I lost it. I tried to do the rerun from memory but the quality is not as good. Hopefully, it will be a help to teachers. It helps me.

BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

CONNECTED THROUGH PRAYER

Key Question: What do you miss most when the power goes off? {I miss my fan}

When you ask a Missionary or a Christian in a restricted country what they need most: they always say prayer. Why is this?

SCRIPTURE FOR LIFE

 ¹⁸Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

¹⁹ And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.

²⁰ I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.

HERE PAUL SAYS A LOT ABOUT PRAYER

1. PRAYER IS SPIRITUAL “Pray in the Spirit”. Prayer may be the most difficult of Christian disciplines which explains why so few Christians have a solid prayer life. We can not be faithful in prayer without spiritual assistance. There is a story in O.T. where Moses interceded for Israel as they battled Amalek [flesh]. As long as Moses hands were lifted [prayer], Israel prevailed. When he grew weary and drops his hands, Amalek prevailed. Aaron and Hur ascended to the hill where Moses was standing and lifted up his hands for him. They represent our two prayer helpers in Romans 8…The Holy Spirit who intercedes in the heart and Jesus who intercedes at the throne.
2. PRAYER IS PERSONAL…”Pray for me”. How many people in your circle of influence covet your prayers. We pray for those we know.
3. PRAYER IS TO BE PERSISTENT…”Pray always”. Jesus said literally, “Ask and keep on asking…” We call this the law of prayer. Prayer is a mystery. No one understand exactly how it works. We pray because Jesus told us to pray. He would not have commanded us to ask if it were not important.
4. PRAYER IS TO OPPORTUNISTIC…”Pray on all occasions”. Have you ever prayed in a restaurant? When ever you have a meal, there is an opportunity to pray.
5. PRAYER IS TO BE EVANGELISTIC…”Pray that I keep on speaking boldly for Christ.”

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. Why do we no longer pray for the lost?
2. How do we determine what we should pray for; how do we prioritize our prayer concerns?
3. What did Paul means when he said, Pray without ceasing? Is it possible to pray 24 hours a day?
4. What are we attempting to do right now, as a body, that no individual could possibly do?
5. Paul said, “Pray on every occasion,” are we missing opportunities to pray?
6. Does God hear all prayer?
7. Does prayer change things?
8. Do you see a connection between prayer and evangelism?
9. Is there a connection between knowing what is going on in a person’s life and praying for them? Are we likely to pray for people we know nothing about?
10. Which is the most effective: a short prayer or a long prayer?

 

No To Satan and Yes To Suffering

SCRIPTURE

Get away from Me, Satan. I will not serve you.

~Matthew 4:10, The VOICE

QUOTE

Try to exclude the possibility of suffering which the order of nature and the existence of free-wills involve, and you find that you have excluded life itself.

~C. S. Lewis

Although the temptations of Christ were three-fold: physical appetite, pleasure and power, the basic temptation was to avoid suffering. Jesus was hungry so the devil suggested turning stone into bread: why should the Son of God suffer from hunger. Why should He suffer at all and why should He serve? It was well within the grasp of Jesus to be an earthy king. The devil was tempting Jesus to shun the cross and the suffering that is attached. I really like the way Jesus answers the diabolical one…Get away from Me, Satan. I will not serve you. I like it, “Get our of My face, you are such a disgrace and My Father’s will I do embrace.” {JEV}

Are you shunning your cross?

• Huge turn out for AWANA…50 Sparks….10 Puggles….9 Cubbies…9 bus riders. We had between 90 and 100 in AWANA alone. We need a bus driver by next Wednesday night. I enjoy doing it but I can’t do two things at once. Youth were also up: Joe David had about 50. Everyone was up except my group. It will take a revival to get my group to show up.
• Golden Girls this Saturday morning at 9:00 at Cracker Barrel.
• I’m not sure about today’s schedule: I may have to go back to dentist and if my jaw goes to hurting, I may go home and go to bed. I will be at the office if I feel up to it. I doubt seriously that I will be able to do any hospital visitation today. Bill Wilborn is not doing well.
• Clara will possibly be coming home Friday.
• Today is our Day of Prayer for those having trials: If you don’t have names, I will share some of mine. Most of them are battling physical problems…Kenny Holladay, Larry Garner, Barney Sessums, Dee Eady, Bill Wilborn, Clara Miller, Angie Blackburn, Martha Newby, Steve Tanner and Jackie Steele.

Prayer For The Sick

Father we lift up our friends who are suffering. You have instructed us to call on our church leaders and ask for prayer when there is sickness. We gather in spirit today to intercede for those who are battling physical issues. Your word promises that the prayer of faith can raise them up and even bring them into right relationship with you. We prayer for everyone on our list: may You give them peace and courage; may you forgive their sins; may each and everyone of them look to You today as their Savior and Physician. Knowing that we will not dwell permanently in these bodies of clay, we exalt the spiritual needs above the physical. Father grant each what You deem needed most. In Jesus name we pray, Amen!

Senior Adult Ladies Prayer

“Dear Lord: The last four or five years have been very tough. You have taken my favorite actor – Paul Newman; my favorite actress – Elizabeth Taylor; my favorite singer – Andy Williams, my favorite author -Tom Clancy, and now my favorite comedian – Robin Williams. I just wanted you to know that my favorite politicians are Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, and I have a special place in my heart for Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton….Amen”