Lost....and Found - Jim Leaptrot

We received word late Monday evening that our friend, Jim Leaptrot, had left home that morning, and had not returned. He suffers from Alzheimer's. He has continued to drive locally, but evidently this time became greatly confused and could not find his way back. He was finally located in a hospital in Savannah, GA this evening (Tuesday) with moderate injuries sustained from rolling his pick-up truck. While details are sketchy, we know that he was at one time as far west as Tuskegee, AL, and as far south as Fortson, GA (near Jacksonville, FL).
We, as well as so many others, have agonized in prayer for the past 36 or more hours, longing for some good news of Jim's discovery. Many hearts were lifted to hear of God's provision and protection for His lost lamb. We wish him a speedy recovery, and will pray to that end.
The past days' incident has caused me to think, "when have I so agonized over THE lost?". I could hardly eat today, even being somewhat ashamed that I did. My friend was lost. I had trouble thinking about my duties at work. My friend was lost. Jesting and light-heartedness escaped me. My friend was lost. But I can't tell you when the spiritually lost have left me so troubled. Why not?
The spiritually lost, condemned and hell-bound, are in far worse condition than my friend Jim. Often, they too are running pillar to post, seeking what they cannot find. Peace. Rest. Home. And I have the answer. The Savior came to seek the lost (Luke 19:10). How can I not do likewise?

Kansas City Outreach October 3, 2009

In the will of the Lord, the saints in Shawnee, Kansas intend to reach out with the gospel to various communities within the Kansas City metropolitan area. Numerous young people from the mid-west will also be traveling to Kansas City to assist with the effort. Some methods include literature distribution, open air preaching, park ministry, door to door work and a parade float campaign. We hope to distribute 20,000 pieces of literature in this community of approximately 2 million people. This gospel effort will take place on Saturday, October 3. We appreciate the prayers of the Lord's people as we endeavor to see souls saved and souls discipled.on behalf of the Bible Chapel of Shawnee,
Danny Chavez
email: djchavez1@sbcglobal.net
http://www.shawneebiblechapel.org/

Train Wreck

Last Saturday morning, I saw the remains of failure. About 8AM, I received a call to go take a few pictures of a train derailment. A half-hour later, I was dumbfounded by, not a simple derailment, but a genuine train wreck. Some 45 cars were smashed, accordion-like, into each other. They were all "hopper" cars, the kind that carried non-perishable dry goods - these were loaded with assorted sizes of crushed stone. No passengers, no chemicals, no gases. Praise the Lord. Just 5,000 tons(!) of twisted metal and rock.
A culvert had failed. Torrential rain had eroded away the foundation of it, and after the engine and a number of cars had safely passed, it gave way, and car after car first plunged, then successively crashed into its predecessor on the rail bed, the track itself being torn from the cross ties.
I'm reminded of Paul's words to the Corinthians: "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." (1 Cor 9:27). The danger was not just that Paul might fail, but how much catastrophe would be done to the churches he ministered to had he yielded to temptation and permanently damaged his testimony. How many hearts would be discouraged, how many under conviction might spurn the gospel, how many enemies of the Cross would laugh! And how much further reaching is such sin than we ever realize at the first.
May I be ever careful to, as Paul, keep myself under discipline, that I not yield to careless sin, and become disqualified for the task that is set before me! How many following behind might be "wrecked" because of my failure!

Larry Price Update

Received news this morning on my most recent lab work. The word is “UNDETECTABLE”! My viral load is undetectable. This is what is hoped for. I am again overwhelmed at God’s mercy to me. My hemoglobin still hovers around 11 and white count is down a bit but not “critical”. Energy level about the same as last month.

I have 32 more weeks of treatment to go. Again, the reason for this is it has been shown that there is a high relapse rate among those who don’t continue the 48 week course of treatment.

Thanks so much for all who have been praying for me.

In His service,
Larry R. Price

We Would Remember Thee

Lord Jesus Christ, we would remember Thee,
As on the table, we the emblems see;
Thy holy body, shadowed in the bread,
The precious blood is in the cup portrayed.

Lord, we adore Thee for Thy matchless grace,
That Thou, for us, didst take the servant's place;
From Godhead's glory, to the shameful tree,
From wealth, so vast, to abject poverty!

O, Lamb of God, we join to bless Thy name,
That Thou, on Calv'ry, bore our sin and shame;
And, by Thy death, didst put our guilt away,
Triumphant rose, our night to turn to day.

We see Thee now, at God's right hand enthroned,
Vested with honor, and with glory crowned;
Blessed Redeemer, Savior, Lord, to Thee
Be all the glory, pow'r and majesty! - A. P. Gibbs

The link below is the tune to this hymn -
http://nethymnal.org/mid/e/l/l/ellers.mid