It looks like Old Man Winter is about to take center stage again. Everyone around here is getting more firewood ready for another round of cold weather. Four or five degrees above zero are not exactly the heat wave temperatures that we’ve been dreaming of lately. Well, like I told my husband, “It could be worse. At least we haven’t had to deal with flood waters, mud slides or wild fires such as some have been suffering through lately, that destroys everything in their paths. We need to count our blessings and thank God for them all.
Illness was a main factor for a lower church attendance at Red Bank Sunday. Several of our church family has been quite ill with the regular flu and the stomach flu. Our pastor and his family have not been feeling well for over a week. Little Zori Maggard has been seriously ill with the stomach flu. The last that I heard, she is now on the mend. Bill Holland has also had a rough bout with illness, but is doing much better now. Some have even had to visit the ER in Springfield. Our church prayer chain has been very active lately. In every case, prayers have been answered. Praise God for his faithfulness in listening to us, and answering our prayers.
Church service at Red Bank began with Brother Gary Lirley leading the morning song service. Our pastor gave the morning welcome in absence of Brother Jerry Huff who, also, had the flu and could not be with us. A special welcome was extended to guest that came to worship with us. We missed all those who were too ill to attend and look forward to worshipping with them next Sunday. Our prayers are for their healing.
Brother Les brought a short message from Romans 8:28-39. “We, as Christians,’ said, Brother Les, ‘may not feel like the situation we are in is a good one, but we can rely on God to work everything out for our good when we put our trust in Him.” The Apostle Paul wrote in verse 28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” A Christian can say, “I have no fear because Jesus is near.”
After the morning message, Brother Les turned the rest of the service over to a guest speaker. LeAnn Crum was invited to speak to us about the Options Pregnancy Clinic, its purpose and its needs. The Red Bank Church is so happy to support the special work that goes forth through this clinic not only with our prayers, but also with monetary help.
Visiting with Maxine Lirley Sunday afternoon was Gary and Alice Lirley. On Tuesday of this week, Alice and Gary stopped by to visit with Maxine again because they didn’t get to spend as much time with her as they wanted on Sunday. They found Maxine and her sister, Willene, engaged in playing a game of Bingo when they arrived. To give them time to finish their game, Alice and Gary took some time to visit with Larry Hampton and Bonita Stafford. Both are convalescing at the Healthcare Center for a short time. Larry’s lung problem, we hope will soon be much improved. Bonita is restricted to stay in bed or at least to put no weight on her broken leg and ankle for at least three months, I understand. She has a better attitude about her situation than I probably would. I remember when I was about seven years old; I was restricted to my bed for one month because my body had been stricken with Rheumatic Fever. One day I begged the one watching over me to just let me get out of bed and sit quietly on the back step and watch the other kids play. I promised that I would not move from there if I was allowed to go outside for a while. Well, I did sit there for a long time, but, eventually, I crept closer and closer to where the other kids were playing, and, yes, you guessed it, I got up and started to take part in their games. Of course, when I was caught missing from my assigned place, I was popped right back into bed where I had to stay for the rest of the month. I never could stand to even take an afternoon nap, let alone stay in bed for a month. I still do not take afternoon naps unless I am too ill to lift my head off the pillow. I’m sure it would be healthier for me if I did take naps. Like most kids, I was spunky and perhaps a little self-willed, but thank God for great parents that did not let me get by with doing wrong.
Take care and stay warm. Remember, God is only a prayer away.
