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

Daily Bible Reading: Romans 9:1 – 10:21 (“As it is written, ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.'”)

This Week’s Memory Verse: “Then Jesus told His disciples, ‘If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.‘”  Matthew 16:24

Remember These In Prayer:

Lynda Gray is scheduled to undergo outpatient surgery on Wednesday to repair a ruptured tendon in the knee that was recently replaced.  She asks that we pray for success and healing.

Mary Lou Cooper has been hospitalized at Vanderbilt Medical Center since surgery last Thursday to remove cancerous spots that had been found.  Lab results from biopsies should be back soon; pray that the news will be good.

Shatoya Bagley has been dealing with difficult vertigo symptoms in recent days.  Prayers have been requested.

David Forrester, brother of Mary Nell Lilly, has been hospitalized after experiencing severe nausea and breathing difficulties last week.

Verda Smith, known to several here at Central, was diagnosed as having a glioblastoma in her brain.  She has chosen not to pursue treatments, and will be sent home with hospice care.  She is not expected to live very long.  Tammy Williams sends this request: “Prayers for comfort and peace would be most appreciated, and of course, for miraculous healing if God sees fit to do so.  His will, always.”

Alice Torgerson, mother of Dave Torgerson, has been hospitalized in California after being found unresponsive on Sunday with a high fever.  She has been found to have an intestinal infection, and will remain in the hospital for several days.

Don Russell, brother of Charlie Russell, is hospitalized in Roseburg, Oregon.  An angiogram was planned for Monday evening, and possible implantation of stents in his heart arteries.  He recently came through a hard case of C-Diff that lasted a couple of weeks, and is very weak from that.  Don and his wife Anita are members of the Church of Christ in Canyon City, Oregon.

Mike Horvath, father of Rachele Hamilton, has had a recurrence of the kidney cancer he battled two years ago.  Paul Hamilton reported on Sunday that Mike is having some difficult symptoms; he lives in New Jersey.

Joe Stewart, father of Clayton Stewart, is at the Community Living Center (CLC) of Mountain Home VA Medical Center.  He underwent surgery on Thursday to address a serious infection in his foot.  He will remain at the CLC for a few days to receive therapy before going home; he is doing some better.

Wendy Clark, sister-in-law of Gay Clark, is scheduled to go home today after three weeks of intensive therapy following a frightening health event.  Gay doesn’t know many details, but knows this is good news.  Wendy and her husband Jerry live in Texas.

Memorial Plantings: Lastweek James Hunt planted two trees in memory of Dave Clark, and one in memory of our neighbor Carl Walker.  These are located near the memorial garden for Frank Chapo.  We continue to be thankful for the excellent work James Hunt provides for our landscaping, and for these ways of remembering dear loved ones.

Remembrance With Joy:  *  “Perhaps the day may come when we shall remember these sufferings with joy.”  (Virgil)  *  “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”  (Romans 8:18)