Hey friends- There are a few things on my heart today I'd like to share and ask you to pray for as the Lord brings them to mind.
1. Our friends Lainie & Bradley Thomas have dear friends in Knoxville that were in a terrible car wreck last night as they were leaving a restaurant after church. Their names are Tim and Melissa Paul. Their 4-year-old daughter Kaitlin, was also in the car with them. Tim and Kaitlin are fine, but Melissa had not yet put on her seatbelt and was T-boned as they pulled out of the parking lot on her side of the car. She is in very critical condition, with hemorrhaging on both sides of her brain. Also, and of very great concern, is the bruising on her lungs. The doctors are concerned she will not be able to maintain breathing on her own. She is still in a coma and has not been awake since the accident. They were hit by 3 teenagers. One was thrown from the car and killed immediately. The driver made it and is being charged with vehicular homicide. There was drug paraphernalia found all inside the car. This couple is in their 30's and they have lots of support from their church. Tim is the worship associate (instrumental) at FBC Concord. Lainie said the next 72 hours are very important for Melissa...please pray.

2. The youth pastor at Christ Chapel Bible Church in Fort Worth was killed in a car wreck yesterday morning. We don't know him personally,but have friends that attend that church, and I believe he is the same young man that our interim pastor mentioned last night in our service. His in-laws are members of our church and long-time friends of Bro. Bill.

3. My dear sweet friend Karen May. Today is her birthday! She underwent a double mastectomy a few weeks ago and began chemo last Tuesday. Her older daughter, Katie, told me yesterday morning that Karen has been extremely sick this week and has barely been out of bed. Last night in the evening service, Bro Bill (our interim pastor and Karen's father) told us that several years ago Karen had a dream that something terrible was going to happen to her . She had no idea what it meant so she asked the Lord about it. The Lord made it clear to her that something terrible was going to happen to her and it would NOT be from Him. Bro. Bill used this illustration in the context of our testing. Karen feels this cancer is NOT from the Lord, but she has told me that she has a peace that she will be ok when it's all over.

In light of all these requests, I feel the enemy is at work! Let's pray fervently as the Lord leads us against the powers of darkness. Yesterday morning we sang, "A Mighty Fortress is Our God". These words seem very appropriate now..."The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him. His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure...one little word shall fell him!" That word is the name of JESUS! Let's pray in the power of that name that Satan will be defeated in these circumstances.
Thanks for listening!