A Word from Kirk Cameron on the National Bible Bee

Take time to click on this link and hear a message from Kirk Cameron on this thoughts on the National Bible Bee that is coming up in November 5-6 in Washington, D.C.

Living with Scoliosis

Our daughter has Scoliosis and will be having surgery very soon to correct her 43 degree curve in her thoracic portion of her spine. I have it as well. However, I didn't learn of my curve until age 18. Although one never desires to have their child go through surgery. We're thankful that medical technology has improved in this area and she has the opportunity to have a healthier spine.

If you have a child who needs to have their spines evaluated, we strongly encourage you to do so. Secondly, here is a great link for you to bookmark to educate yourself or to give to someone who may have to have surgery.

Please click here for the SpineKids website.

Meanwhile, we covet your prayers for this new journey in our family's life. Knowing our Heavenly Father is fully aware of every detail and will meet all our needs in Christ Jesus. Please note, God doesn't intend for His children to bear their burdens alone. We will need all our brothers and sisters in Christ each step of this journey.

Our goal is to keep family and friends updated via Facebook, a Caring Bridge page, and email.

[clipart courtesy from www.heartlight.org]

Today's Reading from Streams in the Desert

"I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction." (Isaiah 48:10).

Does not the Word come like a soft shower, assuaging the fury of the flame? Yes, is it not an asbestos armor, against which the heat has no power? Let the affliction come---God has chosen me. Poverty, thou mayest stride in my door, but God is in the house already, and He has chosen me. Sickness, thou mayest intrude; but I have a balsam ready---God has chosen me. Whatever befall me in this vale of tears, I know that He has chosen me.

Fear not Christian; Jesus is with thee. In all thy fiery trials, His presence is both thy comfort and safety. He will never leave one whom He has chosen for His own. "Fear not, for I am with them," is His sure word of promise to His chosen ones in "the furnace of affliction."

C. H. Spurgeon

Pain's furnace heat within me quivers,

God's breath upon the flame doth blow;

And all my heart in anguish shivers

And trembles at the fiery glow;

And yet I whisper, "As God will!"

And in the hottest fire hold still.

He comes and lays my heart, all heated,

On the hard anvil, minded so

Into His won fair shape to beat it

With His great hammer, blow on blow;

And yet I whisper, "As God will!"

And at His heaviest blows hold still.

He takes my softened heart and beats it;

The sparks fly off at every blow;

He turns it o'er and o'er and heats it,

And lets it cool, and makes it glow;

And yet I whisper "As God will!"

And in His mighty hand hold still.

Why should I murmur? for the sorrow

Thus only longer-lived would be;

The end may come, and will tomorrow,

When God has done His work in me;

So I say trusting, "As God will!"

And, trusting to the end, hold still.

Julius Sturm

The burden of suffering seems a tombstone hung about our necks, while in reality it s only the weight which is necessary to keep down the diver while he is hunting for pearls. Richter

source: Devotions for Morning and Evening with Mrs. Charles E. Cowman,

The Complete Daily Devotions of Streams in the Desert

and Springs in the Valley (complete in one volume), pages 419-420.