2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

We had a wonderful fellowship last Sunday at our Baptist Retreat Center, Camp Living Waters. There was a water slide, huge swimming pool, food, and plenty of people. It is wonderful to get to visit with your church family in a relaxed "holiday" atmosphere. It was a like a family reunion or a Christmas or Thanksgiving where you get to see everyone and just talk and catch up.

This is something that was on my mind this morning. 6:30 am, and I don't even do mornings????


May our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who loved us ... comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.

~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, NLT

The love of God in Christ Jesus, is the spring and fountain of all the good we have or hope for. There is good reason for strong consolations, because the saints (those who have accepted Christ)have good hope through grace. The free grace and mercy of God are what they hope for, and what their hopes are founded on, and not any worth or merit of their own. The more pleasure we take in the word, and works, and ways of God, the more likely we shall be to persevere therein. But, if we are wavering in faith, and of a doubtful mind, halting and faltering in our duty, no wonder that we are strangers to the joys of life and love.
Everlasting(forever) console and good hope are ours, we should be seeking this in the word and in prayer, this is part of salvation. It takes work and effort on our part, it's there and available, let's fight laziness and seek God for console and good hope.
A great part of our duty depends on prayer seriously performed. There is nothing that will keep us as close to God as maintaining communion between us and God as a daily sense of our emptiness, and God's both fullness and readiness to supply all our wants.
'And God, even our Father.' God is a word of power; Father expresses his good-will and love. God stands in both relations to us, as he did also to Christ: John 20:17 'I go to my God and your God, my Father and your Father.' Both joined together signify his power and readiness to do good. He that is our Father is true God also, and he that is true God is also our Father; and therefore we may depend on him. That which we are to open is the term Father, which speaks both comfort and duty to us.
Comfort. For God's dealing with us will be very fatherly; as a father loves his children, so will God love his people: 2 Cor. 6:18, 'I will be a father to you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord.'
In order for any of us to be effective, we need to have a base of comfort (or security). Without this, we will never endeavor to act on our faith (through God-honoring actions and words). This is why the Apostle Paul encourages the believers to know that they are loved by Him; and that they have received hope and grace in Christ.

If you are in Christ today, you are in a blessed position--whether you feel like you are, or not. May God make His face shine on you today.

When you are depressed don't try to measure your progress based on how you "feel." A depressed person is already pessimistic and has a negative opinion of themself. Instead of asking yourself if you're "feeling better," think of these questions:
Am I crying less?
Am I sleeping better?
Do I like myself more?
Am I more hopeful?
These questions will help you measure your progress much more than going by your feelings.

Men and Women

TRYING TO MAKE A POINT...
A husband read an article to his wife about how many words women use a day... 30,000 to a man's 15,000. The wife replied, "The reason has to be because we have to repeat everything to men...
The husband then turned to his wife and asked,
"What?"

WHO'S THE IDIOT?...

A man said to his wife one day, "I don't know how
you can be so stupid and so beautiful all at the same time."

The wife responded, "Allow me to explain. God made
me beautiful so you would be attracted to me; God made me stupid so I would
be attracted to you!

MEN CAN'T WIN THE ARGUMENT, EVER...

A man and his wife were having an argument about who should brew the coffee each morning. The wife said, "You should do it, because you get up first, and then we don't have to wait as long to get our coffee."
The husband said, " You are in charge of cooking around here and you should do it, because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee."
Wife replies, "No, you should do it, and besides, it is in the Bible that the man should do the coffee."
Husband replies, "I can't believe that, show me." So she fetched the Bible, opened it and showed him at the top of several pages, that it indeed says..."HEBREWS"

Most of you know we are the proud parents of a new granddaughter who was born last week. We were in the elevator with her 3 siblings (the oldest is 4 1/2), and we were discussing something about getting out of the elevator first. My husband told the oldest "Ladies first" meaning that him and Grandpa would get off last. My grandson said no Grandpaw, the Bible says the last shall be first. I laughed and told him that "someday the last will be first but today is Wednesday and the girls shall be first."

Speaking of Grandchildren....I have something for all parents to read:

To My Child

Just for this morning, I am going to smile when I see your face and laugh when I feel like crying.
Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to wear, and smile and say how perfect it is.
Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.
Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.
Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles..
Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one if he comes by. Or an ICEE if you so desire.....
Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.
Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.
Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys..
Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.
Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.
Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.
Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.
Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given.
I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can't handle it anymore.
And when I kiss you goodnight I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask him for nothing, except one more day...

This is my prayer list today, Please Pray:
June 22, 2008
Praises!!
Josh Authement - and all who came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ during Bible school this past week.
The birth of our newest granddaughter, Julia Faith Morrison.
Hoppa Authement - Good MRI and wonderful attitude...he is still compliant!
Mrs Rouse - Good PET scan, no cancer found! She was at church today.
Mrs. Iris Murray's Health - she has been to church the past 2 Sundays.
Bethany Allen - accepted into Law School!
Mrs. Orelia - She has her wonderful great grandson down for the summer.

Prayer Requests:
Jeanette Pevey – Young woman in our church with cancer – strength for chemo and radiation, she looked great today and her "baby" gave his life to Christ today!
Kim Russell- grieving and taking care of a household alone. Lawnmower issues.
Marcy – Karen Hill’s sister, cancer, June 17 she received bad news from her CAT scan. She has finished the radiation, and back on chemo for 4 months. She has 4 tumors in her liver. They are not sure if the colon cancer spread to the liver (which is the most likely case) or if the pancreatic cancer spread to the liver (3 of the tumors are on the side the pancreas was on). There is really no way to tell at this time. It has been a tremendous shock for the entire family. She is still positive - but was rather depressed the 17th. Her husband is still in complete denial. She plans to finish her chemo but will not do radiation again. She needs to have surgery to remove the tumors, but she has lost so much weight, they cannot operate now and she is not sure she wants to go through another abdominal surgery (since she had 3 in 2 months time). If she does decide to have the surgery, it will be later on please ask the Lord to be with her and for her to feel His presence.
Thelma – Karen’s Mom, her Dad has Alzheimer’s and Mom is the caregiver.
Joyce – Bobby Hill’s Mom is in the hospital in Gulfport MS going through tests, high bp and thyroid numbers.
Lindsey Hill – 11 year old still trying to get appropriate amount of medication in system for her newly discovered diabetes. She is a "brittle diabetic" and takes 5 shots a day. She has a busy summer planned - GA Camp, Diabetic Camp, and Centrikid. Please pray for her and her family as she transitions into the right meds to control her diabetes.
Patty Willie - throat cancer
Vicki Allen’s niece – diabetes
Remember Robin Gray and her entire family, especially her Mom (Juanita) in the loss of Robin's Dad, Jimmy.
Lloyd Ballard's family grieving his death.
Jean Anne Warren – liver failure, new Christian
Lisa Watts - left knee problems
Cathy Watts – Strength and peace
Debbie, Heather, Damien and Gage – Cathy Watts relatives death of Greg, husband and father of Debbie, Heather, Damien and Gage.
Russell Holley – Kelley’s Dad grieving.
Our newest granddaughter, Julia-has high bilirubin numbers and has to go to the hospital everyday to get her blood drawn. Please pray for that number to get right and for all of their family to be able to rest and get the required amount of sleep.
Hope - Our Grandaughter - runny nose, head cold, her Mom Alanna (our daughter) has it too.
Russell Rouse - leaves for Marines June 29.
Brett Allen - Mission work in New Orleans
Tommy and Jennifer Yeager - Mission work in Mongolia
Wally Parent - Cancer spot on lung
Our Church's youth and chaperones - Centrifuge at Ridgecrest this week.
Emily Allen - ACT
Vicki Allen's Mom - Peace with the weather around her home.
Steve Lowry's family - in the loss of Steve's mother
Tammy Earles family - in the loss of Tammy's grandmother.
Our Presidential election and government
1st Baptist Church Pastor Search Committee
School Children - out for summer
Tangipahoa Parish School Board - correct decision making regarding NAACP law suit
Please pray for our Pastor search committee

Please pray

Please pray for Robin Gray in the death of her Dad this morning.
Please pray for my newest granddaughter she has a bilirubin count of 15 and is having to be put under a light.

Focus

Whatever we focus on, we become. Wherever we put our energies or attention, those things develop. Where the mind goes, the man/woman follows.
If we focus on only the negative things in our lives, we become negative people. Everything, including our conversations become negative! We lose our joy and live miserable lives, and it all starts with our own thinking!
Sometimes we create our own problems by thinking them and letting them possess us! We need to think about what we are thinking about. It can make us discouraged, depressed and then we wonder why we are, Negative thoughts are fuel for discouragement, depression, and lots of unpleasant emotions.
We need to choose our thoughts carefully. We can think about what is wrong with our lives or what is right with them. We can think about the negative in people or look for the good in them. The Bible teaches us to believe the best. When we do that, it makes our own lives happier and more peaceful.
I have a great life, a loving husband, children and grandchildren. My church family is awesome and supportive. I want to focus on God's grace and give thanks for all of the good things in my life. I have chosen to try to distance myself from negative thoughts and negative people.
Our thoughts also determine our destiny. Proverbs 23:7 states: For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Thoughts are powerful, they aren't just words that flow through our minds. It is very important for US to decide what we will ALLOW to rest inside of our minds.
We can't have a positive life and a negative mind. Our thoughts, or focus, is what determines where we end up. Pray for thoughts that are clean, pure, and uplifting.

I'll step off of my soapbox now. Hope our 8 month old granddaughter is pulling herself up, she will be walking soon. She is a happy girl. She is going to take care of her cousins this week!

Please pray for Jimmy, Robin Gray's Dad as he is beginning hospice.
Also:
The family of Lloyd Ballard, who went to Jesus this week.
Francesco of Italy accepted Christ please pray that he starts to grow and that
he will come to church, that he will be an active part of the body, and that
he would not fear to live his faith in the midst of a culture that mocks
Jesus. Usually, following a decision of this kind, most Italians come under
severe attack.
Federica of Italy beginning to really question for herself
Believers in Italy who are ministering to the people.
Kennedy Hall had a CT scan last week and everything is healing normally.
The Texans as they adjust to the growth in their family.
The Floridians as they travel.

A New Princess!

This shows a "little" of Grandpaw's excitement at the birth of our 4th Princess. She is beautiful, healthy, 8 pounds and 15 ounces, bundle of JOY! She arrived on June 11 at 3:11pm in room 311 (God's sense of humor). Her Mom and the rest of her crew are doing great. Her Dad needs to start saving money, this makes 3 princesses and one King...uh I mean Prince, that he will be dreesing for the next few? years.

26 Years Ago - Hold On Tighter -

Hold on Tighter - by Chonda Pierce
I love you Alanna!
This is when her daughter left for college, mine left for Florida.
His strength is always near.

Happy Birthday Alanna!

Alanna the Chonda Pierce video is for you. Hold on Tighter. Hope will be leaving before you know it. Enjoy every moment. I know you do. Your Dad and I did with yall.
Here are some lyrics from American Tail that help me too.

Somewhere out there

Somewhere out there beneath the pale moonlight
Someone's thinking of me and loving me tonight

Somewhere out there someone's saying a prayer
That we'll find one another in that big somewhere out there

And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star

And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky

Somewhere out there if love can see us through
Then we'll be together somewhere out there
Out where dreams come true

And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star

And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky

Somewhere out there if love can see us through
Then we'll be together somewhere out there

I love you baby!


AS SERVANTS OF GOD WE COMMEND OURSELVES IN
EVERY WAY: IN GREAT ENDURANCE, IN TROUBLES,
HARDSHIPS AND DISTRESSES. FOR OUR LIGHT AND
MOMENTARY TROUBLES ARE ACHIEVING FOR US AN
ETERNAL GLORY THAT FAR OUTWEIGHS THEM ALL.
( 2 Cor 6:4 ) & ( 2 Cor 4:17 )

Now we all, from time to time, have problems or troubles
in our life. After all life is not a piece of cake, or is it? So
the next time you feel troubled why not have a piece of.....

God's Cake

Sometimes we wonder, "What did I do to deserve this", or
"Why did God have to do this to me". Here is a wonderful
explanation!

A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going
wrong, she's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her
and her best friend is moving away.

Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her
daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says,
"Absolutely Mom, I love your cake."

"Here, have some cooking oil," her Mother offers.

"Yuck" says her daughter.

"How about a couple raw eggs?"

"Gross, Mom!"

"Would you like some flour then?

Or maybe baking soda?"

"Mom, those are all yucky!"

To which the mother replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad
all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right
way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!

God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He
would let us go through such bad and difficult times. For God
knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they
always work for good! (Romans 8:28) We just have to trust Him and,
eventually, they will all make something wonderful!

Always remember, God is crazy about you.
He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning.
Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in
the universe, and He chose your heart.

Now I hope your day is a "piece of cake!" After all, Life may
not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might
as well dance.

Prayer List 06/09/08
David Showalter - Dallas Baptist Theological student and Missionary to Italy:
Prayer needs:

· Please pray that first and foremost Jesus Christ would be the passion and singular focus of my heart and life.

· Please pray that God would have His way in the hearts of the Vision Milan team.

· Please pray for Jana and me as we seek the Lord for his perfect will in our relationship and future together.

· Please pray that God would continue to raise up men and women to go into the harvest in Italy to build His Kingdom there!

· Please pray for revival in Italy—more than 99% of Italians do not know Jesus in a personal way!

Jeanette Pevey – Young woman in our church with cancer – strength for chemo and radiation, Jeanette is very tired but still is mother and wife. If someone would like to cook a meal for them please call Jeanette and set it up. It would be very appreciated.

Lauren Pevey - Jeanette's daughter - she is trying to step up and mother her younger siblings to help Mom, please pray for her in this role. She doesn't know how to cook.

Kim Russell

Marcy – Karen Hill’s sister, cancer, through with radiation still has more chemo, please ask the Lord to be with her and for her to feel His presence.

Thelma – Karen’s Mom, her Dad has Alzheimer’s and Mom is the caregiver.

Joyce – Bobby Hill’s Mom must move out of FEMA trailer. Still hasn't agreed to go anywhere.

Lena – Karen Hill’s Sister, diabetes and heart problems

Lindsey Hill – child still trying to get appropriate amount of medication in system for her newly discovered diabetes. She is a "brittle diabetic" and had to add another shot this week, she is up to 5 a day. She has a busy summer planned - GA Camp, Diabetic Camp, and Centrikid. Please pray for her and her family as she transitions into the right meds to control her diabetes.

Patty Willie - throat cancer

Vicki Allen’s niece – diabetes

Remember Robin Gray’s Mom (Juanita) and Dad (Jimmy) – Dad is presently out of hospital, he needs dialysis 3 times a week and is battling pneumonia, Mom is the primary caregiver

Lloyd Ballard – cancer, now has hospice, still fighting.

Jean Anne Warren – liver failure, new Christian

Dana Allen – pray for her to get the Lord’s direction for graduate school

Cathy Watts – Strength and peace

Debbie, Heather, Damien and Gage – Cathy Watts relatives death of Greg, husband and father of Debbie, Heather, Damien and Gage.

Dodie Switzer – Kelley’s Cousin – shingles. Husband Charles, (Chick) is having Cancer Surgery this week.

Russell Holley – Kelley’s Dad, has some sort of growth in groin area.

Our daughter, still awaiting the birth of a princess 9+ months, still contracting...............

Her husband - catching a cold.

Our grandson has appointment to get allergy tests run today at 10 am.

Our Grandaughter - runny nose and new baby sister due.

Our newest granddaughter – please pray for a safe and healthy delivery and birth.

Fay Our Daughter’s sister in law, under attack on her health, in charge of VBS at their church in Texas next week.

Spoken 4 – church youth choir recovering from stomach virus.

Aaron Robertson - stomach virus.

Glenn Allen, Jr. - MCAT test June 13

Russell Rouse - leaves for Marines June 29.

Kennedy Hall - 3 yr old in Destin who fell out of 2nd story window - CT scan this week.

Brooklyn Edwards - new allergist

Brett Allen - Mission work in New Orleans

Tommy and Jennifer Yeager - Mission work in Mongolia

Southern Baprist Convention being held

Our Presidential election and government

1st Baptist Church Pastor Search Committee

School Children - out for summer

Tangipahoa Parish School Board - correct decision making regarding NAACP law suit


Praises

Mrs. Iris Murray was at church yesterday and looked good!

Vicki’s Mom – problem with left eye, doctor thinks he can fix it!

Hoppa – He is compliant!

Alanna’s 26th birthday 06-09, TODAY

Alanna and Matt’s 5th Anniversary 06-14

Matt’s 27th birthday 06-17

Janice is in Louisiana!!!!!

Praise from Vicki Allen:

I have a praise to report!! My nephew, John (Chip) Woodward, had a successful surgery. They removed 12" of colon, had it biopsied and when the results came in, there was no more cancer cells!! He still has a rough recovery ahead and may have to have an illeostomy (bag) but we are praying that he doesn't. He's 43 years old ( I told you 45 earlier but I was wrong) and has two young boys. He' will not be able to work for awhile and he doesn't get paid when he doesn't work so his job laid him off so he can draw unemployment. His wife cleans houses and is taking a few weeks off to take care of him. They are facing a rough few months ahead so pray that God will provide.

God Is Good, ALL THE TIME!!!