Wesley Harty Update 9

Wesley's mother posted this about an hour ago:

bolt is out...doing well...plan to remove tube tomorrow! Keep praying...God is moving through Wesley to show us all his mighty power! I give God ALL the glory & praise!

Wesley Harty Update 8

Wesley's mom wrote this a couple earlier today.

okay...plan is taking bolt out today...vent out 2mor...he is improving every day...keep praying & spread the word of God's miracles!

Maggie Lee Henson update

This was posted to the CaringBridge site, by Maggie Lee Hensons parents. I think this is a great idea. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/maggieleehenson/journal

Good evening,friends! I wanted to tell you about something called, "Maggie Lee...For Good." As Kelli Alamond suggested, we are attempting to get 1,300 people to do one good deed on Maggie Lee's 13th birthday on October 29th and then let us know how it turns out! The group is on Facebook, simply because that's a super easy way to keep track of members and for people to post the experiences they have. Log on to Facebook,Go to groups and search forMaggie Lee...For Good And join!Whether it's something simple like buying a meal for a needy person, sponsoring a Child through World Vision or just committing to intentionally being present and listening to your children on October 29th, think and pray about one way that you can make the world a better place.

Wesley Harty Update 7

Good Morning, here is the latest post from Wesley's mom. Continue to pray.

Wes opened his eyes several times throughout the night...is moving, weak on left side...wait another day, if ICP stays level will remove bolt...vent tube not quite yet...will have scan in a few days if no swelling will put bone flap & do reconstr...uctive surgery on his skull. God is healing him...one day at a time!

Prayer

As I read my Sunday School lesson this morning before church, I was surprised to see that it was on praying for those in need of healing. James 5:1-25. This week has been one of "Much" prayer. My wife and I found ourselves not just praying for one person, but several. Monday night we started with one and as the week progressed our prayer list grew exponentialy. Some needs were more immediate than others, but all were important to God and those involved. Little Wesley wasn't given much of a chance of making it after having a 4 wheeler accident and having a pipe imbedded 3 inches into his head. We see God doing mightily in that. Another person had emergency cancer surgery, and yet while he may be just starting a journey with this the news in my estimation was much better than it had started out to be. In fact he was singing in the choir with us this morning. In both situations, God has shown what he can do. Prayer is the answer. I heard a story one time of a woman in the hospital and the Doctor came to her and said, well we have done all we can do, now it is up to God. She looked horrified and said, "Oh no, has it come to that?" Although I believe God has given us doctors and we should use them, God is the Great physician. I would trust Him with my life. I have trusted Him with my eternal life. Have you? "MyGod'sBeenGood"

Wesley Harty Update 6

Here is the latest update I have from Wesley's mom from about 2 hours ago. Keep praying for complete healing.

Wes opend hs eyes several times throughout th nite...Rob ask hm 2 gv hm thumbs up if he rememberd th books of th bible...we got a BIG THUMBS up!!!! We told hm Joseph gv hm hs PSP & hs eyes popped open BIG! They completely hv him off the paralyt...ic & are slowly takin him off sedative...hv ventilation on just a little 4 support...if does well today wl remove breathin tube.Read More

Wesley Harty Update 5

Latest post from Wesley's Mother on facebook.

Wes opened his eyes...held my hand...did thumbs up!!!!!!! Keep praying we are seeing God work his miracles!!!!

Locked in the Bathroom

I thought we needed a little humerous story, after this week. True story. A few weeks back I was eating at a restaurant and the manager came back and asked how everything was. I said, "Fine, how's thangs with you?" That's how I talk, cause I am from the south. But anyways, he said, "Better now." I says, "what do you mean"? He says, "Well this morning I was in the bathroom for my usual morning time, and tried to get out and the door knob stripped out." I says, "what did you do?" He says "well noone was home but me and I didn't have a phone in there, and my cell phone was in the bedroom." I says, "Howd you get help?" He says, "well I had my laptop in the bathroom with me, so I emailed my wife at work, she called her father and he came and got me out." I thought it was humerous. Hope you enjoyed it.

Wesley Harty Update 5

This was posted this morning on facebook by Wesley's Aunt.

wesley harty update from angelia and robert ...icp pressure back to 9-10...blood pressure is a little high...heart rate still 99...he is stable...heavily sedated...keep praying for my baby!

Wesley Harty Update 4

Like I said, conditions change quickly. I am always happy to report good news though. Right after I posted my last post, I got another update, posted on facebook by my wife. Here it is (My God's Been Good)

latest Wesley updates . ICP pressure 4~5 , swelling down looks good. took off sedation medication for a bit and was a little active. Praise the Lord. God is so good. hear blood drive was good over 70 people gave. how wonderful. i was at work couldnt... go. my husband tried but was unable to give. tried anyway.

Wesley Harty Update 3

Well here is the latest update I have. It may not be the up to datest, but it is the best I got. Word is the cranial pressure is down to 9 (praise God). And I assume no other news besides that is good news. I met this kid about a month ago at our VBS. He didn't know what to think of me as I was dressed as a Roman Senator. His parents are some of the best. A blood drive was set up in Farmerville in honor of him today. I guess I got bad blood, they turned me down. :( There is also an account set up for them at Community Trust bank. Thanks to all for prayers and continue praying.

Phillipians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything...present your requests to God. And the peace of God...will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Okay after I posted the above, I got this update from my wife. This is what she wrote on facebook a few minutes ago.

latest Wesley updates . ICP pressure 4~5 , swelling down looks good. took off sedation medication for a bit and was a little active. Praise the Lord. God is so good. hear blood drive was good over 70 people gave. how wonderful. i was at work couldnt... go. my husband tried but was unable to give. tried anyway.

Wesley Harty Update 2

The following is from a facebook update. To add to this I understand that he will be sedated for a few more days. Of course this is a roller coaster deal, and things change. Keep praying.

angelia & robert - wesley harty update - they prayed that they would see a significant change and when they woke up that his pressure would be 11...guess what robert woke angelia up and told her that wesley's pressure was 11. people get rea......dy...god about to show us a miracle!! for anyone that has any doubt about god may this open your eyes! god is mighty!

Wesley Harty Update 1

The last report I received, the pressure in his brain was back down and his heartrate was back down. Keep praying, he is heavily sedated. God does answer prayers. My facebook page has been all abuzz, if there is such a word. We also are able to keep track almost instantly of anything going on.

Psalm 120:1, NIV. I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me.

Prayer Request for Wesley Harty

Please pray for 7 Year Old Wesley Hartey. He had a 4 wheeler accident last night and got a piece of pipe or something stuck in his head. He had surgery last night and came through it. Tonight he is having more surgery to install a bolt to relieve and monitor swelling of the brain. It is an amazing thing to see facebook all lit up with prayers from so many people. Technology is great in cases like this. This is a similar situation with Maggie Lee Henson. He is at LSU in Shreveport. Thanks.

Are You Ready to Pray?

Are you ready to pray? In an instant we may be called upon to pray. I am not talking about a public prayer for the meal or to dismiss class at church. I am talking about praying for someone in need of prayer NOW. I am constantly running into folks who need prayer NOW. The problem is we need to have our hearts right with God for Him to hear those prayers. Talking with a woman the other day and the conversation turns to something that is breaking her heart, I offer to pray for her. NOW. Another woman I am talking with and the conversation turns to the loss of a loved one. You can hear the anguish in their voice. I offer to pray with her. NOW. I know lots of prayers went out NOW for Maggie Lee Henson and her family after their accident. Last night, I got an email as I got to class, "pray for my husband who is having emergency cancer surgery tomorrow. I do then and after class I call him and pray for him. NOW. About an hour ago we get told about a young neighbor kid who had a 4 wheeler accident and is airlifted to LSU. Pray NOW. The thing is if my heart is not right, then I have to spend time getting my heart right. These people need prayer NOW. These people don't have time to wait for me to get ready to pray. I need to be in a constant state of prayer, so it just comes naturally. Sadly I am not always that way. Be prepared. NOW

Something New!!!

Wow, sometimes you read a passage over the years and then one day you see something you hadn't noticed before. That happened to me this morning. Check it out and I will underline something.

Luke 18:9-14 (KJV) 9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Note, self, self, self. They trusted in themselves. They felt they were righteous. This led them to despise others as you can see in the prayer. And lastly who did they pray with, self, not God. Ouch! My Life Appication Bible pointed out that he went to the Temple to proclaim his righteousness before man. That got me to thinking about a previous post about why do we go to church. Do some of us go to church to show our righteousness to man. The only righteousness that counts should be the righteousness that Christ gives to us when we accept Him as our Lord and Saviour. I don't want to go to church to impress men.

Satan's Tool

I was glad the neighbor was passing by when he did. Satan was headed for my house. Three foot long, 6 rattlers, and one button. I have seen more rattlers on the roads this year. I will sure be watching my step from now on. I wander if he was headed to my shop to catch some bats?

The Bible 1

God's Word, the Bible, is amazing. I wanted to list some facts taken from my workbook on the study of the Bible.

1. None of the other world religions have a single line of predictive prophecy. The only exception is Mohammad who only gave one self-fulfilling prophecy, that he would return to Mecca.

2. There are over 2000 Old Testament prophecies alone which have already been fulfilled in history. In fact, if these prophecies are broken down into all of their individual elements, rather than each being considered as a whole, there are over 10,000 fulfilled Old Testament prophecies.

3. A full 1/4th of the Bible was predictive prophecy when it was written.

4. One half of these prophecies have already been fulfilled. The rest concern things yet future, which will all be fulfilled just as accurately as past prophecies have been.

Taken from my workbook from Faith Bible Institute.

Redneck Church

You Know Your Church Is A Redneck Church if... the finance committee refuses to provide funds for the purchase of a chandelier because none of the members knows how to play one.

You Know Your Church Is A Redneck Church if... people ask, when they learn that Jesus fed the 5000, whether the two fish were bass or catfish, and what bait was used to catch 'em.

You Know Your Church Is A Redneck Church if... when the pastor says, I'd like to ask Bubba to help take up the offering, five guys and two women stand up.

You Know Your Church Is A Redneck Church if... opening day of deer season is recognized as an official church holiday.

You Know Your Church Is A Redneck Church if... a member of the church requests to be buried in his 4-wheel-drive truck because It ain't never been in a hole it couldn't get out of. (Love it!) You Know Your Church Is A Redneck Church if... the choir is known as the OK Chorale.

You Know Your Church Is A Redneck Church if... in a congregation of 500 members, there are only seven last names in the church directory.

You Know Your Church Is A Redneck Church if... Baptism is referred to as branding.

You Know Your Church Is A Redneck Church if... high notes on the organ set the dogs on the floor to howling.

You Know Your Church Is A Redneck Church if... people think rapture is what you get when you lift something too heavy.

You Know Your Church Is A Redneck Church if... the baptismal pool is a #2 galvanized washtub. You Know Your Church Is A Redneck Church if... the choir robes were donated by (and embroidered with the logo from) Billy Bob's Barbecue.

You Know Your Church Is A Redneck Church if... the collection plates are really hub caps from a '56 Chevy.

You Know Your Church Is A Redneck Church if... instead of a bell, you are called to service by a duck call.

You Know Your Church Is A Redneck Church if... the minister and his wife drive matching pickup trucks.

You Know Your Church Is A Redneck Church if... the communion wine is Boone's Farm Tickled Pink

You Know Your Church Is A Redneck Church if... Thou shalt not covet applies to hunting dogs, too.

You Know Your Church Is A Redneck Church if... the final words of the benediction are, Y'all come back now!! Ya Hear

Bats

Well I went out to the shop the other day to get some parts for a job. I opened the door to the dark cinder block room and stepped inside and turned on the light. Whoosh, something dark flew by my head and I immediately knew what it was and a chill went up my spine and caused the remaining hair on my head to standup. A BAT!! I ducked as it made another pass and considered screaming and running out of there to return with a bat of my own to do some batting practice. But I thought better and remembered, bats don't attack and bite like they are shown in the movies. Where had this apprehension of mine come from.? TV, books, culture all had influenced the way I felt about bats. I began to think about how God created the bat, for a purpose. Thanks for all those mosquitoes they eat at night. Satan has turned everything good that God has created into something bad. I will leave the imagination to you. About 6000 years ago when God finished creation, the Bible says that everything was good. But since the fall, it has all been going downhill. But thank God for creating us to have a relationship with Him.

What would your life be like if you gave up.... 2

Well I posted a question previously that asked the question, What would life be life if we gave up a lot of things, such as TV, Games, etc.... I said I would return to this and finish it up. Well a while back we watched a movie called, "Saving Sarah Cain". I listed it one my movie section. Very good movie. Anyways, part of it is based in the Amish country and has a lot of there beliefs in the movie. We are looking at going up there next year. I heard a radio program recently on AFR about a family that took a couple weeks and lived in an Amish community in upper Tennessee. After leaving there, they continued to live in that way. They say their kids are better off for it. Even smarter. Someone gave us some of the Amish friendship bread and my wife made some. Big mistake, it was too good. Can't lose weight with that stuff around. So I jokingly told my 12 year old daughter that since everywhere we turn the Amish life keeps coming up it must be God telling us to live that way. So I told her we were going to live that way. We were going to give up TV, Cell phones (which she does not have), the WII, Nintendo DS, computers. You could have thought the world was about to end. Of course I was only joking and she wasn't really sure, but I assured my family I hadn't lost my mind yet. But it did get me to thinking, What would we do if we didn't have all those electronics. For me, I would hope that I would read my Bible more and spend more time in prayer and walking with God more. Or would I find something else to take up my time. I do plan to cut back on things and try to spend more time with God. I hope you do to. God Bless.

Oh, if you want the recipe for the Amish friendship bread, let me know.

John 3:16 and Maggie Lee Henson

I started to post this today and almost changed my mind for something else then I read an artice at http://www.ktbs.com/news/maggie-lee-hensons-final-gift . So now here it is. It is part of a sermon I preached one time.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

1. "For God" The Greatest

2. "So loved the world" The greatest truth

3. "That He gave" The greatest act

4. "His only begotten Son" The Greatest Gift. Note Jesus is speaking these words about himself.

5. "That whosoever" The greatest invitation that leaves out "Noone".

6. "Believeth in Him" The greatest plan. No man could come up with such a great and perfect plan.

7. "Should not perish". The greatest promise.

8. "But have" The greatest certainty.

9. "Everlasting life" The greatest destiny.

You know you're from Lousiana if...

You know you're from Louisiana if.......
A. Your idea of a traffic jam is ten cars waiting to pass a tractor on the highway. (or waiting for a train!)
B. Vacation means going to the family reunion.
C. You measure distance in minutes.
D. You know several people who have hit a deer.
E. Your school classes were canceled because of cold.
F. Your school classes were canceled because of heat.
G. You've ever had to switch from heat to A/C in the same day.
H. Stores don't have bags; they have sacks.
I. Stores don't have shopping carts; they have buggies.
J. You see people wearing bib overalls at funerals.
K. You use fix as a verb. Example: I am fixing to go to the store.
L. All the festivals across the state are named after a fruit, vegetable, grain, or animal.
M. You carry jumper cables in your car ... for your OWN car.
N. You know what cow tipping and snipe hunting is.
O. You only own three spices: Tony's, ketchup, and Tabasco.
P. The local papers covers national and international news on one page but requires 6 pages for sports.
Q. You think that the first day of deer season is a national holiday.
R. You know which leaves make good toilet paper.
S. You know all four seasons: Almost Summer, summer, Still Summer, and Christmas.
T. You know whether another Louisianan is from southern or northern Louisiana as soon as they open their mouth.
U. There is a Dairy Queen in every town with a population of 1000 or more.
V. Going to Wal-Mart is a favorite past time known as goin wal-martin or off to Wally World.
W. You describe the first cool snap (below 70 degrees) as good gumbo weather.
X. A carbonated soft drink isn't a soda, cola, or pop...it's a Coke, regardless of brand or flavor.
Y. You can be satisfied with a meal consisting only of a hunk of bread with flavored flour and water (a delicacy known as biscuits n' gravy)
Z. You understand these jokes and forward them to your friends from Louisiana.

Maggie Lee Henson's Legacy

I was praying this morning and as my prayers turned to Maggie Lee Henson and her family some thoughts came to mind. First how great it is to know your child is in heaven. I know the grief must be tremendous and this is a comfort for Christians. About 2 years ago and a young man died in Iraq as a result of a roadside bomb. I had coached him in baseball from about 11 years old. He was a good friend to my son and had dated my daughter. In the years before heading to Iraq and joining the service he would come over to visit with me and get advice. He was like a son to me. But as with many of my conversations with people, I would talk with him about his salvation. He would tell me about his salvation experience. I called and talked to his mom about our conversations and was sure he was saved and was in heaven. At the graveside I was told by his dad just how much that meant to them. That night 2 boys in my class were led to the Lord because of his sacrifice. I understand that because of Maggie Lee Henson's death and organ donation, 2 more people will have a new lease on life. Because of Jesus' death on the cross we can have eternal life with Him. Thank you Maggie Lee and the Hensons for the testimony of your lives. My prayers are still with you.

If you are looking for truth, don,t look within yourself. You are the one who is confused.

Maggie Lee Henson

I just read on caringbridge where Maggie Lee Henson went home to be with Jesus. For a christian there is sorrow and celebration. On the one hand she will be sorely missed by her family and friends. To the family and those closest to her, I can't imagine what you are going through, and my prayers go up for you. On the other hand a christian truly knows we are only strangers here in this land and unimaginable joy awaits us when we see our Lord and Savior. We also know we will see our loved ones who were christians, if we are christians, again. God Bless the family.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/maggieleehenson

http://wonderingthoughts.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/07/its-been-a-week-now.html

Making Decisions

Ok, you have to make a decision. Is it the gator or the car? Sometimes life decisions are like this. God knows the answer though.

Lost Christians

A Good friend of mine wrote the following Poem. I wanted to share it with all.

Lost Christians by Boomer Steven Cates.

A member of a church that has been fooled.

Tricked into believing that they are good.

My heart cries for these people, Its really a shame.

In my eyes some are good, just havent called on His name.

Families in church, because its the thing to do.

Not because they want to be there, but their family expects them to.

My great great grandfather built this church; he was a fine christian.

So i'll be back Sunday after Sunday to keep our family tradition.

Or how about the rich man, now thats a good thought.

Still no matter, he could never purchase; what Christ has allready bought.

Attention all preachers, deacons, sunday school teachers and good people alike.

Are you truly blood bought or saw opportunity for the worlds spotlight?

Lost christians dont fully understand the church to be a bride.

That Christ will come and get us one day to be by His side.

He calls us to be clean, holy and without any blame.

If you were the groom; wouldn't you want the same?

So no matter how much you sin or try to hide.

Saturday night drinking, sex, selfishness or pride.

Please remember one thing about your spiritual condition.

God can see the heart of all men, even the heart of lost christians.

God is Great

Praise God for answered prayers and a man who said yes to God. We have prayed for souls to be saved in revival services in Livingston. Lavelle, my former pastor informed me that 7 souls were snatched from the flames of hell this week. Thanks brother for your willingness to go and preach.

Here is an email I received from Brother Lavelle.

Well, praise the Lord. It's Saturday night and Diane and I just got back home from Livingston Louisiana, where we have been since Tuesday. We were at Faith Baptist Church singing, Diane was singing not me, and preaching God's Word. And I want to let everyone know that the Lord is still on His throne and in the business of saving people. Even in the midst of some of the worst Catholic opposition that I, personally, have ever been around, God was working and answering the prayers of His people. In a church that averages about 25 people in Sunday morning worship the Lord saved 7 people this last week and the pastor, Bro. Trey Cowell, and I made several productive visits.

The revival began on Tuesday night and ended on Friday night. I'll be honest. I had my doubts after only about ten people showed up on Tuesday night, but the Lord gave Bro. Trey and I some very good visits Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. No one accepted Christ as their Savior during any of those visits, but we had several people promise us that they would come to the services.

One lady, her name is Shela, came Wednesday night and told me after church that I had her very close to coming down and "Doing what she knew that she needed to do." However, we all know that it wasn't me that almost had her, but the Holy Spirit. We called several people on Thursday to ask prayer for her, but she didn't come on Thursday night. Her daughter and son-in-law said that she probably wouldn't come back. However, she did show up on Friday night and when I took the congregation through the Roman Road during the invitation she prayed and asked Jesus to be her personal Lord and Savior. Please be in prayer for Mrs. Shela because she faces a lot of opposition, at home, from her husband. Please be in much prayer for him also. His name is Bobby, I think. More than likely, he is lost.

Three of those who accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior also asked to follow Jesus in believer's baptism. Two of them, Ron and Charlie, will be baptized Sunday morning. The third one, Miss Shela, wanted to talk with Bro. Trey some more about believer's baptism, but she, at least, made her profession of faith public. Praise the Lord!

Diane and I are tired, but we are also filled with joy; joy for those who were saved this week, joy for the pastor, Bro. Trey, and his wife, Holly, joy for the members of Faith Baptist Church, and joy because the Lord chose to allow us watch Him work in an awesome way this week. Thank you Lord Jesus.

The Lord confirmed the Great Commission this week. We can pray for the lost and we can give money to missions, but the most important thing we can do is be obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ and GO, GO, GO. Then when we get tired GO some more. When we get to the point where we just don't think we can go another step, GO some more. If God's people do not carry the Good News of Jesus Christ to the Lost and dying world, it will not be given to them and they will perish for all of eternity.