Daily Focus, December 17, 2018

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

Daily Bible Reading: Matthew 9:1 – 10:42 (“And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.”)

This Week’s Memory Verse:Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”  Proverbs 16:18

Remember These In Prayer:

Henrik Kouvas, a 4-year-old boy with Down Syndrome, remains in PICU at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, after complications developed following surgery.  His condition has worsened, according to a report Sunday evening through Kathy Torgerson; she said he is now on ECMO, which does the work of his lungs and heart.

Emma Harrod remains at Johnson City Medical Center as doctors work to bring stability to her body.  It is believed she has some kind of infection.  Our continued prayers have been requested.

Cheryl Chernesky is scheduled to undergo hip replacement surgery today at Johnson City Medical Center.  If all goes as planned, she will be discharged to go home on Tuesday.

Claudette Rhea is scheduled to undergo hip replacement surgery today.  She would appreciate our prayers for all to go well.

Tom Ellis is scheduled to undergo a heart catheterization on Wednesday.  Please pray that all will go well.

Nannie Webb, mother of Christa Wright, has been hospitalized with a severe kidney infection.  She may have gone home, but Christa asks that we continue our prayers for her improvement.

Dave Clark is continuing to progress in his rehab following a stroke just over two weeks ago.  His discharge date from HealthSouth Rehab Hospital has been moved up to December 18.  Once he is home he will continue to receive home health therapy.

Annie, one-month-old great-granddaughter of June and Fred Selby, is recovering from a fall on Saturday.  She received impact to her head, and there is still swelling present.  Her grandmother, Ena Carol Selby, also suffered bruising on her face in the fall, with one eye nearly swollen shut.  Keep both of these in your prayers.

Robert Tate, former preacher for the Cherokee Church of Christ, has learned that the nodule on his thyroid gland is not cancerous.  He is still facing surgery soon to repair damage done to his upper spine in a recent fall.

Help Is Needed: We need someone to volunteer to pick up communion cups and papers from the pews following Sunday morning worship in January.  If you can take on this service, call the church office to let us know.

Worship During A Snowstorm: How did Central members worship when all public assemblies were cancelled last Sunday?  Click here to read comments from some who didn’t let several inches of snow keep them from their appointment with God.  You’ll also see a few photos of the snow.

Do We See Them?  *  “I wonder how many people I’ve looked at all my life and never seen?”  (John Steinbeck)  *  “Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.’”  (Luke 7:44-47)