Prayer requests and updates

The shortest distance between a problem and a
solution is the distance between your knees and the
floor.

My cousin Dodie is having "spells" with her blood pressure. She has an appointment next week with a heart doctor. Her thyroid is still not right, the doctor is hoping that if they could get that under control, her blood pressure would get better. So far it isn't good enough yet. Please keep her in your prayers.

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Phil. 4:13

Please remember my friend Hoppa, our Music Minister, Chip - had surgery on his shoulder yesterday, he is doing well, Hollis Davis, husband of our good friend Jeanette Davis, he had brain surgery last night. Also, our friend Ed - recovering from hernia surgery yesterday, Michelle with the loss of her dad. My daughter Alanna and the granddaughter she is carrying, my neice Holley and her unborn son she is carrying.


Mayson Foster, Michelle Aycock and her husband Dan ( a campaign photo)

Michelle Aycock - the loss of her husband and her campaign - www.michelleaycock.com My Mom, Dick Williams - prostrate cancer, There are so many but God knows all of our needs and promises they will be met if only we leave them at the foot of the cross.

Three Things In Life:

Three things in life that, once gone, never come back -
Time, Words & Opportunity

Three things in life that may never be lost -
Peace, Hope & Honesty.

Three things in life that are most valuable -
Love, Self-confidence & Friends

Three things in life that are never certain -
Dreams, Success & Fortune

Three things that make a man -
Hard work, Sincerity & Commitment

Three things in life that can destroy a man -
Wine, Pride & Anger

Three things that are truly constant -
Father, Son and Holy Ghost

I ask the Lord to bless you, as I pray for you today;
to guide you and protect you, as you go along your way.
His love is always with you, His promises are true.
And when you give Him all your cares, you know
He'll see you through.

Written by:Jane Maddox-Newton

On a lighter note, if any of you are planning travel please visit my little sisters website:

www.travelbyrussanne.com

she is a sweetheart and will help you in any way possible. Tell her I said to treat you right! She is a sweetie and an insurance agent in Alabama and is just starting her own travel business. She is ready and willing to help plan vacations and trips large and small!

Have a great week in the Lord, enjoy this Sunday, the Lord's Sabbath

David Platt Compilation

August 2007 catch up

Alanna and my newest granddaughter, August 18,2007

How exciting!! Only a few more weeks to go!

Our newest granddaughter will be here on October 10. Alanna is looking really good and her daughter has popped forward all of a sudden. We are still praying for the hurricanes to stay away so she doesn't have to deal with barometric pressure changes. Matt and Alanna have received so many wonderful gifts for the new baby and I would like to thank all of you for them.

My Mom, Sister, and Aunt came to visit last weekend and it was great to see them. My Mom took her last chemo this Monday. She looked great this weekend . Please continue to pray for her. My cousin, Vicky Boddie, 53, died Tuesday evening from Ovarian cancer. She has 3 sons and 6 grandchildren. Please pray for her family as they try to heal from her loss.

Don't you just love Sunday, The Lord's Day! It seems as though everything is bright on His day. I got to visit for a minute with my friend Hoppa from Sunday school Class. He is still taking Chemo for his benign brain tumor. He started having bad headaches as a reaction to his chemo but he told me that he thinks that is all under control now. Hoppa is an upbeat, strong, caring person. He told me today that he has to take the chemo for about another year so please continue to pray for him. This guy is so real it just makes everyone love him. I know he is ready to get back well and busy!



The Andrew Ogea Band

Al and I were privileged to attend the Out Of Range Conference this weekend at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. The worship band was the Andrew Ogea Band, the conference speaker was Dr. David Platt of Birmingham Alabama, and the Conference Band was Leeland from Baytowne Texas. It was awesome. Our own Brett Allen is the bassist for this group and I think they are talented enough to do a great service through music for our Lord.

August 29, 2007
I wish that there were more of these conferences that would fit in our schedule. Dr. Platt gave an awesome teaching on prayer. The whole night was a blessing. I put a compilation video of his on here so you could get an idea of how good he is and he works for our Lord!

You can see that I started this post a few days before I am finishing it. Life keeps us busy, no complaints though.

Please continue to pray for my friends Michelle in the loss of her husband and as she continues to campaign for office, Lee, Robin's Dad, Mark's parents, the Fletcher family, our church secretary, Michelle, in the lost of her Dad, our pastor search committee, and Alanna as she is on bed rest.




Hurricane Katrina August 29, 2005
Today is the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina coming ashore. Please continue to pray for those whose lives have been affected by this storm. I praise God that we have not had to deal with a similar situation this year. That has been one of my prayer requests since June 1 when Hurricane season began. I worry about Alanna and where she lives and having to deal with barometric pressure drops while pregnant.


Yesterday, August 28th was my sister Russanne and her husband Chip's 25 Wedding Anniversary. I thought I would share a little story in honor of them:

MARRIAGE SEMINAR...
While attending a Marriage Seminar dealing with communication, Tom and his wife Grace listened to the instructor, "It is essential that husbands and wives know the things that are important to each other." He addressed the man, "Can you describe your wife's favorite flower?" Tom leaned over, touched his wife's arm gently and whispered, "It's Pillsbury, isn't it?
The rest of the story gets rather ugly so I'll stop right here.

And this one is for you specifically Russanne, make sure your husband reads it and knows it is from his favorite sister-in-law:

QUICK THINKING WOMAN...

A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word.
An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to
concede their position. As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and
pigs, the husband asked sarcastically, "Relatives of yours?"
Yep," the wife replied, "in-laws."

HA HA!

I hope everyone has a great week and a joyful week in the Lord.

Louisiana, Alabama

YOU KNOW YOUR FROM LOUISIANA IF:
1. You measure distance in minutes.
2. You've ever had to switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day.
3. You use "fix" as a verb. Example: "I'm fixin to go to the store "
4. All the festivals across the state are named after a fruit, vegetable, grain, insect or animal.
5. You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked.
6. You know what a "DAWG" is.
7. You carry jumper cables in your car...for your OWN car.
8. You only own five spices: salt, pepper, tony chachere's, tabasco and ketchup.
9. The local papers cover national and international news on one page, but require 6 pages for local gossip and sports.
10. You think that the first day of deer season is a national holiday. (you mean it's not)
11. You find 100 degrees Fahrenheit "a little warm".
12. You know all four seasons: Almost Summer, Summer, still Summer and Christmas. (Don't forget the 5th season... Hurricane season)
13. You know whether another LOUISIANIAN is from NEW ORLEANS, north or south as soon as they open their mouth.
14. Going to Wal-mart is a favorite past time known as"goin' Wal-martin" or off to "Wally World"....Mall Mart
15. You describe the first cool snap (below 70 degrees) as good Gumbo weather.
16. A carbonated soft drink isn't a soda, cola or pop...it's a Coke, regardless of brand or flavor. Example: "What kinda coke you want?"
17. Fried catfish is the other white meat.
18. We don't need no stinking driver's ed....if our mama says we can drive, we can drive.
19. You understand these jokes and tell them to your friends from LOUISIANA (and those who just wish they were). Not EVERYONE can be a LOUISIANIAN, it's an art form and a gift from God!

This Saturday we are having a baby shower for Alanna and my newest granddaughter. She will arrive by C-Section on October 10, 2007. We covet you prayers for her and her parents. She now weighs 2 pounds and 13 ounces. She had a 3-D ultrasound and was keeping her hands in her face so they her parents couldn't get a perfect view. The girl wants some surprise in October!

School started today here today and for the first time in 20 years I did not have the infamous greeting from my husband last night of ...Schooool Tomorrow! It is a nice change. We are enjoying being together. We are having to get used to not having a time schedule. We went to the grocery store last night. At night! That was a new experience!

I heard last night that there is a depression in the gulf and something forming around the Carribean....here we go. We will just pray them away!

I feel like since I started this blog with a tribute to Louisiana and may need to end it with a tribute to my birthstate: Alabama!



This picture is for you Colton and you my brother-in-law Chip!

101 Good Reasons to Live in Alabama
1. Cheese Grits
2. We're the reason God created Football.
3. World's last outpost of good manners.
4. Humidity eliminates need for expensive home sauna.
5. You can put a license tag on anything, drive it down the road, and no one will stop you.
6. Sweet Tea
7. Barbecue
8. Unlike less-fun Yankee states, it only takes one snowflake to create a statewide holiday.
9. Supermarkets have cute names like Piggly Wiggly, Jitney Jungle and Winn-Dixie
10. No official limit on height of hair-dos.
11. Children address adults using Sir and Ma'am.
12. Police! Officers greet you by name when pulling you over.
13. Cultural trends take hold at a leisurely pace so everyone can get on board
14. Crocuses come up before the last Christmas decorations come down.
15. New York and California not taken seriously.
16. Gulf Beaches.
17. Everyone knows how to tell a good story.
18. Politics are more entertaining.
19. Auburn-Alabama Game
20. Front porches
21. Back porches
22. Corn on the Cob
23. We have our own way of tawkin'.
24. We have our own music.
25. More family reunions than any other state.
26. Best joke tellers in the world.
27. Plenty of elbow room.
28. Fried Apple Pie (or peach, or pear, or pecan).
29. People still know how to dress up.
30. At every get together there is always someone who can pick a guitar.
31. Unlike hum-drum Yankee supper tables, there's no skimping on side dishes.
32. Vintage automobiles are given the respect they deserve.
33. Highest per capita cosmetic skills in the nation.
34. More books and songs written about Alabama than any other state.
35. Azaleas
36. Fried Okra
37. Cornbread
38. Farmer's Markets
39. Flea Markets
40. Neighbors rarely come over empty handed.
41. If you break down on the side of the road, someone will always stop to he!p.
42. Soda pop brands have colorful names like Nehi and Grapico.
43. No part of a pig ever goes to waste.
44. Church suppers
45. Citizens generally know the difference between right and wrong.
46. Wild Blackberries
47. Bluebirds in the Spring
48. Children use the quaint expressions "Please" and "Thank You."
49. Tent Revivals
50. River Rats
51. People don't generally pass through -- they come to stay.
52. Small talk skill level highest in nation.
53. Handshakes still effective in business dealings.
54. We might fight but we always make up.
55. Fishing that borders on religious experience.
56. Knowing someone will always hold the door for you.
57. 364 day golfing season (every day except Christmas).
58. Palm Trees, Dogwoods, Sycamores, Live Oaks, Fig Trees, Sweet Gums and Magnolias.
59. Never a shortage of advice on any subject.
60. Traffic laws subject to individual interpretation.
61. Central Air
62. Sweet Potato Pie
63. Misty mornings in the mountains (or on the beaches).
64. Wild Muscadines
65. Dirt Track Racing
66. Family Recipes
67. Sunsets in November
68. Red Tail Hawks
69. Homemade Ice Cream
70. Peach Cobbler
71. Snow flurries on Thanksgiving.
72. Heat waves on Thanksgiving.
73. No legal limit on quantity of exterior Christmas lights per household.
74. There are still people who talk without cussing.
75. For those who must cuss, wide array of original expletives available.
76. Backyard Gardens
77. Sawmill Gravy
78. Neighborhood block parties.
79. Volunteer Fire Departments.
80. Mayors who conveniently also sell insurance and used cars.
81. Camellias blooming in February.
82. 'Nanner Puddin'
83. Maw-maw's Coconut Cake
84. Pa-paw's Tomatos
85. Folks who know your Mamma and Daddy and their Mammas and Daddies.
86. Bluegrass Festivals
87. Going barefoot in March
88. Butterbeans
89. Fried Catfish
90. Certain homemade beverages (like Root Beer!)
91. Cockroach species guaranteed to scare the wits out of unsuspecting Yankees.
92. High ratio of morning radio shows with hosts named Bubba.
93. Siestas on summer afternoons.
94. Strangers say hello on the street, and instead of running in the opposite direction, you say hello back.
95. Home to one of the seven wonders of the world: the infield at
Talladega on race day.
96. Misguided national news coverage of state keeps obnoxiously heavy, environmentally damaging tourist traffic to a minimum.
97. Children grow up bilingual, speaking both English and Southern.
98. State leads the way in culinary presentation of the peanut.
99. Women named Velma
100. Men named J.B., J.R., J.D., J.P., J.C., J.T., or J.W.
101. You can leave Alabama, but you'll always come back home

Y'all have a nice day, now! YA HEAH!!

Sweet Home Alabama
Mac Powell of Third Day and some boys goofing off at summer camp!





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Hit the play button!
My grandson sings this to me!

Please pray for safe travel for everyone, my Mom, Tokie, dealing with her cancer and chemo, my friend, Hoppa, dealing with chemo, Alanna and my neice Holley - pregnancies, all of the school children and employees. Our Pastor Search Committee, our church and staff. All who are ill. All of the people who do not yet know Christ as their personal Savior.

Corporate Sin and the PBR

That is probably a funny title but I am going to talk about those two totally different subjects.
We had a guest preacher yesterday and he preached out of Joshua 6 and 7. He explained that sin turns us against or away from God's instruction. He also said that sin's consequences always go far beyond the person who sins. The Bible frequently discusses generational sin. The truth and right way of living is so much easier. The story he used in Joshua is abour when the Israelites went into Jericho and were told not to plunder for themselves. One Israelite did and God made the nation of Israel "pay" for that one man's sin until it was brought to light and consequences were meted out. He used this to tell us that God will not bless our churches until the churches deal with the sin that is within their "camp." His 3 points were:
1. Sin brings humiliation. Joshus 6:1-9
2. Sin requires punishment. Joshua 6:10-12
3. Sin demands punishment. Joshua 7:19, 21, 24-26
Sin effects you, your family, your church, and your community.
He who conceals his sins does not prosper,
but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
New International Version © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society
This is something to think on and ponder. Sometimes we do not realize the repurcussions of our "little" sins.
Al and I went to the Chris Shivers Invitational PBR event. It was wonderful. If you have never been to Professional Bull Riding I suggest that you go. It is good clean fun. They call themselves the original extreme sport. Everyone was polite and well-behaved. It is really exciting to watch.

I am saddened that another New Orleans politician has been arraigned in Federal Court. He was a well liked person. New Orleans City Councilman Oliver Thomas is expected to plead guilty to two felony counts involving bribery after his arraignment in federal court Monday morning. Sources said the charges against Thomas involved money he allegedly received from a Stan "Pampy" Barre, who owned a company that operates a number of city-owned French Quarter parking lots. Thomas was given money for illegal payments for the parking contract, according to sources. Please pray for that City. The Katrina money is not going where it should be. The average business owner cannot afford to pay bribes and shouldn't be required to.

August Catch Up

Thank you to all of you who have written me or posted on my alcohol comments. I think by discussing "hot" topics we all can grow. For those of you who would like to read Dr. Adrian Roger's sermon on Alcohol, it can be found in Microsoft word format on the following page:
http://www.tworivers.org/default.aspx?pid=104

I feel I must pull a quote from his sermon to fit my feelings: "One other thing I want to say, oh dear friend, I hope you feel my heart tonight. I am not talking down to the drunkard. I don't hate the liquor dealer. WE must love all people, all people. We hate the liquor, we love the liquor dealer. We hate the pornography, we love the pornographer, we hate the adultery, we love the adulteress and the adulterer." In no way was I attempting to judge. I have very strong feelings on this subject that I feel can be backed up scriptually.



Now on to more exciting news. Alanna had a 3D Ultrasound and Lilac is beautiful! She would not take her hands out of her face, she wants there to be some suprise. I could tell that she looks like me though. She will be delivered by C-Section on October 10 at 7:30 a.m. We are so excited. She weighs 2 pounds and 13 ounces now.

Alanna and Matt's friends gave them a nice shower in Florida last weekend and Lilac made out good. Her sister is giving her a shower next weekend on the 18th from 10-12 noon in the annex of our church here in Louisiana. I am sure it will be fun!

My Starshine went to his first soccer meeting and my Sunshine attended her first dance class. They are growing up! Puddin talks to me on the phone now!

Their Dad, whom I shall call King James and his wife are the Blog Police! They told me I could not put any of their pictures on here! I understand their thoughts as a parent...it is sad what some people will do. I told them that they were crushing my heart and not to expect any birthday presents from me! They know I still love them and respect their rights as a parent. I love this grandparent thing...all of the fun and none of the responsibility!

Please add this when you are reading the previous post

I had the previous posted for about 15 minutes when I realized that I did not put in it that I am not offended by someone who has not been convicted that drinking is a sin and I do not judge someone's relationship with Christ by this. I believe that if we have a personal relationship with our Father then we also have seperate timelines and are dealt with seperately about different actions. No timeline is better or worse. In my life I have been shown that it would be a sin for me to drink alcohol knowingly.

I think what moved me the most to post this blog is all of the instances where our rights as Christians are riduculed and stepped on. So many people think that not drinking is a Baptist thing. I think it is a God thing. I do not think SBC leaders should promote the drinking of alcoholic beverages.