Daily Focus, May 9, 2018

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”  James 4:8

Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 27:1-27 (“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.)

This Week’s Memory Verse:The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.“ (1 Timothy 1:15)

Remember These In Prayer:

Suzanne Gunter remains at Franklin Woods Hospital as she is treated for dehydration.  There is no word yet on when she will be returned to Lakebridge Health Care for further rehab.  If you wish to visit, please keep your visit brief.

Sherrell Shepard came through his pacemaker implant surgery on Tuesday.  He was kept overnight at Johnson City Medical Center for observation.  If all goes well, he will be discharged today to go home.

The family of Ben Shew, cousin of Scott Chisam, is mourning his tragic death at his workplace on Monday night.  Ben is the son of Nyoka and J.W. Shew, long-time members of the Cherokee Church of Christ; Ben was a member of that congregation, too.  He leaves behind a wife, Caitlin, and two young children.  Funeral plans will be made today, and we will pass those along as we learn them.

Shane Nixon and his family continue to mourn the passing of his grandmother, Mary Barr, on Saturday night.  Burial will be today; Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  Pray especially for Shane’s mother, Judy Nixon, the daughter of Mary.

Evie Koen, 3-year-old daughter of Heather and Daniel Koen, is now under the care of Vanderbilt Medical Center as they work to bring her seizures under control.  Pray that their decisions will be guided by God’s wisdom, and that Evie will be given recovery of her strength and health.

Bryce Crum’s grandmother was to have undergone surgery on Tuesday after she broke her hip on Monday.  We have received no update; keep her in your prayers.

Becky Gross, sister of Cheryl Whitted, is now at home after being discharged from a rehab facility; she is recovering from a broken leg a little over a month ago.  If you’d like to send a note of encouragement, her address is 91 Wandering Drive, Chuckey, TN, 37641.

Jesse Crabtree, father of Brian Crabtree, is despressed after having been admitted to a skilled nursing facility for health problems.  If you’d like to send him a note of encouragement, send it to Parker Health Care & Rehabilitation Center, 359 Randolph Street, Parker City, IN,  47368, Attn; Jesse Crabtree, Room 12.

Residents of certain areas in Hawaii are facing disastrous consequences with the eruption of a volcano.  Streams of lava and poisonous gases are destroying houses and putting lives at risk.  Pray that God will strengthen those who are working to keep people safe.

Open The Word With Us: This evening at 7:00 many of your Central family will gather at the building for Bible study.  Will you make the good choice to nourish your soul?  We pray that you will!

Greetings From Wanda: Wanda Lewis called the office on Tuesday to relay her new email address so her friends from Central can stay in touch.  Send your emails to wanlewis30@gmail.com; she hopes to hear from you soon. Stacey and Ren Rice recently visited with Wanda at her new home in Florida, and found Wanda doing well.

We Appreciate Our Teachers: Thursday evening at 6:30 we will honor all who have taught, assisted, or helped to prepare curriculum in our annual Teachers’ Appreciation Dinner.  Meet at The Side Porch in Gray; spouses are invited, too.  Call Brandi or Brandon Quesinberry if you have any questions.

Is That Really Me?!  *  “Most passport pictures are good likenesses, and it is time we faced it.”  (Katharine Brush)  *  “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”  (James 1:22-25)