the Centrist

Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.

Dear friends and family:

Character cannot be contrived; it is earned and revealed. With that in mind, I ask what kind of character (or lack of such) it takes for our President to allow Air Force One and a fighter escort to buzz, unannounced, NYC merely for a photo op… in a post 911 society? This not only caused panic in the streets, but also untold air traffic delays. He just doesn’t get it… does he?

Prayer Requests and Updates:

First from our grandson Scott and granddaughter Chelsea… they had a close call and almost lost the baby last weekend. But as of today, after consulting with her Ob-Gyn and having an ultrasound, the baby is still healthy. Bed rest was prescribed for Chelsea to prevent any further problems. We covet your prayers for them and our great grandchild. (Scott has had a previous bout with Bells Palsy… he is experiencing the same pre-conditions he did with the last episode… please pray.)

From My cousin Tony about his Mom (and cousin Rev. Sam), our Aunt Della:

Please pray for Mom. She fell yesterday and broke her ankle and hit her head. She is fine but at Sam & Debs (so pray for them to be able to help her and still work their schedule, along with Sam working toward his surgery). At this time Mom is at Sam and Debbie’s home. Thank you for your prayers and passing the word.

Anthony

We have been praying for Joanna, a missionary who has three children and recently undergone brain surgery for tumor removal. Here is an update from her husband Curtis (by way of Marilyn W):

Joanna has been home now for 6 days, and she is starting to feel better finally. Her recovery is definitely slower this time, with more pain and drug related problems. She got her stitches out today and her blood work is improving which is good. They were talking about her needing a transfusion.
I’m really hoping to get her off all medications soon, so that we can try some other treatments. Unfortunately the drugs all drag her down and are hard on her blood.

Mentally, this has been very tough on all of us. I’ve never felt so completely helpless and dependent before. I don’t know if Joanna will be going home to heaven soon, or if she will battle this for a while. I know God could heal her, but I don’t know if He will. I don’t even know if we can stay in the States, or if we’ll have to leave soon. We wanted to be missionaries, but now only God knows what’s in store for us. I suppose this is where God wants me and to trust Him day by day, but I’m not very good at it. Thankfully He is faithful to us,

Thank you to so many of you who pray for and support us
Curtis for Joanna, Natalie, Reuben, & Kaylie

From Jamestown Patti:

My neighbor, Joyce, is at Cleveland Clinic and will have her kidney removed
tomorrow (last Thursday). They’re doing it with a laparoscope, not done in this area for this kind of surgery.
Please keep her and her family in prayer and you and all your special
intentions are always in mine. I’ve been laid up with the flu for the last week
and am just starting to feel like I’m going to make it.

Love to you and Marilyn,
Patti

One more specific prayer request from Tricia; An eighteen your old girl, Janna, is unmarried and pregnant and has stage three cervical cancer. They wanted her to abort her baby but she won’t. As soon as the baby is 5 pounds they plan to do a C-section and then a complete hysterectomy. Janna has had a difficult family life and is probably not a believer. We are trying to reach out to her and her boyfriend, Kevin. Pray for us to have wisdom.
May the glory of God be shown in this situation.

Aloha,
Tricia

Our Brother Pat (liver transplant) is back in the hospital with more problems both liver and kidney issues at this time. Please Pray.

Pastor Neil S. (long time close friend) has submitted his resume to 3 churches in the WNY area… we continue to pray for God’s Will in his ministry. Please continue to pray

We have been praying for one of my prayer partners and good friend Bill M. He is now in physical therapy and is having other medical problems. He will undergo a biopsy this week. The CT Scan was not definitive. Please continue to pray.

Jamestown Patti asks us to pray for a near friend and neighbor just diagnosed with kidney cancer (see above update). She does not have a strong faith and is a good and loving mother and friend.

Our daughter Deanna (David) is having a particular hard time with her pregnancy, please continue to pray.

Cousin Sam (Prostate Cancer) will be seeing a surgeon this coming week-please continue to pray for guidance and healing… He is seeking a second surgical opinion. Keep praying please. He has not made a decision as of this date.

Niece Rhonda is still weak but continues to work… continue to pray for strength and healing.

Former patient and good friend, Mary C. was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. No update, please continue to pray.

Mary-Ann, has been undergoing some medical tests and at the moment the probability of lung cancer seems great- no update.

Pastor Mark’s wife – breast cancer

Barbara – substance abuse, still not doing well

Keith – mental illness… update he has been placed in a great facility and is receiving the help he needs

David S. neighbors objecting to zoning of his business… he won this case and can continue his business in the present location… PTL! New update, neighbor is now harassing with another suit.

Brother Les is about the same, but gets disheartened. The burden is heavy and he has lost about 40 lbs. Please keep both Val and Les in prayer.

Transplants: Good Friend Keith – liver, Brother Pat – liver (see above); Good Friend Jim – kidney … please keep praying for their well being.

Sister Jane, Cousins Janet and Karen for strength. All suffering from MS. Janet is now in a nursing facility.

Unity for our family

Tolerance, Christ’s Love, and Understanding for our families, friends, and enemies

Newlyweds: Son Rand and wife Erin, niece Kassy and husband Tom, niece Julia and Steve, and grandson Scott and Chelsea for long happy and prosperous relationships centered on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Bonnie Erbie (author accusing Christians of being knuckle draggers), prayer for salvation.

Pray for wisdom and spiritual guidance in rearing children for our family as well as the renewal of the nuclear family; pray that marriage stays as one man, one woman, but rights are extended to same gender unions.

Pray for truth in education… i.e. AIDS, abortion, evolution, and American History

Pray for our troops each evening at 9:00 pm. every night … pray that America wakes up to evil before it is too late

Nephews John and Ryan – Ryan in Iraq and John in Virginia (both in the Navy) and grandson Scott (see above) who is a Marine stationed in Beauford Marine Base.

Prayer partners Bill, John, and Ron … for continued blessings

Please continue to pray for health issues for five of our nieces, sister Jane, and Marilyn.

Pastors: Dan, John, Tom, Lyell, Steve D, Ben, Estes, Gail, Sam, Whittikers, Neil, and Steve T for their ministries, ease of stress, and courage to spread the gospel; wisdom for all leadership at Yates, Greater Toledo 1st Baptist, Clermont Baptist.

A Note from Norma… Some Carrots Not Good For You?

Check this on Snopes…it’s true…

Get out the old carrot peeler! The following is information from a farmer who
grows and packages carrots for IGA, METRO, LOBLAWS, etc.
The small cocktail (baby) carrots you buy in small plastic bags are
made using the larger crooked or deformed carrots which are put
through a machine which cuts and shapes them into cocktail carrots – most people probably know this.

What you may not know and should know is the following:
Once the carrots are cut and shaped into cocktail carrots
they are dipped in a solution of water and chlorine in order to preserve them)
this is the same chlorine used in your pool). Since they do not have their skin or natural protective covering, they give them a higher dose of chlorine. You will notice that once you keep these carrots in your refrigerator for a few days, a white covering will form on the carrots. This is the chlorine which resurfaces. At what cost do we put our health at risk to have esthetically pleasing vegetables?
Chlorine is a very well-known carcinogen, the question is, are these carrots really good for us?

Val reminds us that: GOD HAS A POSITIVE ANSWER:

You say: ‘It’s impossible’ God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)
You say: ‘I’m too tired’ God says: I will give you rest ( Matt hew 11:28-30)
You say: ‘Nobody really loves me’ God says: I love you (John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 )
You say: ‘I can’t go on’ God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: ‘I can’t figure things out’ God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5- 6)
You say: ‘I can’t do it’ God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)
You say: ‘I’m not able’ God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: ‘It’s not worth it’ God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28 )
You say: ‘I can’t forgive myself’ God says: I Forgive you (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: ‘I can’t manage’ God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)
You say: ‘I’m afraid’ God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)
You say: ‘I’m always worried and frustrated’ God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)
You say: ‘I’m not smart enough’ God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)
You say: ‘I feel all alone’ God says: I will never leave you or forsake you

Marilyn asks us to Remember:
1. There are at least two people in this world
that you would die for.

2.. At least 15 people in this world
love you in some way.

3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you
is because they want to
be just like you.

4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone,
even if they don’t
like you.

5. Every night,
SOMEONE thinks about you
before they go to sleep .

6. You mean the world to someone.

7. You are special and unique.

8. Someone that you don’t even know exists loves you.

9. When you make the biggest mistake ever,
something good comes from it.

10. When you think the world
has turned its back on you
take another look.

11. Always remember the compliments you received.
Forget about the rude remarks.

Clermont Sunday School

Our class will be breaking up… we wish them all the best in their new classes.

Debbie’s son received a blessing at the right time. Pray for Debbie’s grandson as he goes in for more tests and for Debbie (inner ear balance problem and arthritis).

Donna is having knee replacement surgery the day after Mother’s Day. Pray for both her and Bill.

We have been praying for Chuck’s half brother. He died last week. Chuck and Raye will be leaving next week for the funeral.

Traveling mercies for Chris, Bob, Debbie and Dave.

Bob – high blood pressure, meds are not working.

Chris’s sister’s is on her last chemo treatment, pray for her.

Linda – tests

Jim – friend of Wayne and Christine- looking for work after moving to Atlanta, and losing his job. Pray he will be led to a job.

Pray for all those who were unable to be at church today. Pray for those who have to decide which Sunday School Class to attend.

Be Blessed and Be a Blessing,

Dr. B