Please offer prayers on behalf of Steve Riley. Steve has been coordinating a large community outreach effort at the congregation where my parents work and worship in Tennessee. He is scheduled to preach in this event April 6-9. He hand wrote and sent over 300 letters to friends and neighbors of the members of the congregation. There has been a very favorable response in the community, including from my mother-in-law who raved over the letter she received. My parents have 13 people coming just from their own friends and others are reporting similar response.

Steve is scheduled for open heart surgery on Monday, April 14. The doctors have told him his condition is very serious. They have given him the go-ahead to preach in this event but have warned him to not get "all worked up". He plans to go forth and proclaim God's word regardless.

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--Laura

O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
Jeremiah 10:23 (NKJV)

It is a blessing to see his faith at work, believing God will take care of him while he does God's work.

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In Christ,
brother Sonnie

May God bless, protect him and guide the hands of the doctors. In Jesus' name.

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"that in all things he might have the preeminence." Colossians 1:18

May our Lord give him strength.

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Forthright Magazine - Forthright Press - BrotherhoodNews.com - Cheer, Poetry, Essays

I thought I would provide a quick update on at least what happened yesterday during the gospel meeting. That congregation averages about 100 people on Sunday morning and 60 on Sunday evening. Yesterday, they had a full house on Sunday morning. They are estimating between 250-275 people, where the visitors outnumbered the members. Some visitors brought their entire families. Sunday evening they had about 120 with a lot of returning visitors. In addition to praying for Steve's surgery and successful recovery, I am praying that many hearts will be opened and converted to the kingdom.

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--Laura

O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
Jeremiah 10:23 (NKJV)

May our Father grant every effort at your congregation, Laura.

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"that in all things he might have the preeminence." Colossians 1:18

We will pray for Bro.Steve Riley. He is a model for many who are in His service.

I just received word that Bro. Riley made it through his surgery. The next 48 hours are critical. Thanks to all who have prayed and keep the prayers coming!

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--Laura

O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
Jeremiah 10:23 (NKJV)

Very happy to hear, Laura. Sorry for the late note. This week has been very busy.

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"that in all things he might have the preeminence." Colossians 1:18

Indeed excellent news!

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In Christ,
brother Sonnie

Thanks guys. As I understand it, Steve's heart is working fine. Thanks be to God. He was having some other problem, however, so the hospital was going to keep him for another 2 days. Huh? Since when does a patient go home that quickly after open heart surgery? Used to be you would stay 2 weeks!

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--Laura

O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
Jeremiah 10:23 (NKJV)

I was in for four days, but a friend of mine in Indiana was in only about two. He had robotic surgery.

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"that in all things he might have the preeminence." Colossians 1:18

Wow! That is super quick to be released. Technology has sure come a long way.

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In Christ,
brother Sonnie

Hi all. Steve is still in the hospital. While his heart appears to be working great, his digestive system isn't working at all. He is bloated and being fed intravenously. So he still needs a lot of prayers.

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--Laura

O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
Jeremiah 10:23 (NKJV)

Prayers for Steve and his family.

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John 6:67-68: "Jesus said therefore unto the twelve, 'Would ye also go away?' Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.'"

Our prayers are with Steve that he has a complete recovery.

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For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Tim 2:5 (U-NASB)

All, thank you SO much for your prayers for Steve. Our prayers have been answered. Steve was to go home today.

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--Laura

O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
Jeremiah 10:23 (NKJV)

wonderful!

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John 6:67-68: "Jesus said therefore unto the twelve, 'Would ye also go away?' Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.'"

Awesome news! Steve was able to worship with the saints on Sunday morning, not quite two weeks after his surgery. He insisted on getting out. It did tire him a lot, and he went home to bed, but wow!

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--Laura

O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
Jeremiah 10:23 (NKJV)

This is great news indeed.

This reminds me of the lesson we heard last night during our meeting. The title of the lesson was "Are you serious about being a Christian?" One of the points he made was some people will go to a ballgame and love it when it goes to overtime... they want more, but let the lesson at services go over just a few minutes and notice what happens. The same folks will go to that ballgame with it 20 degrees outside, but complain about it being 5 degrees to hot or cold in the assembly hall. Then there are those who will use any excuse they can come up with to miss the assembling of the saints. To the contrary, Steve sounds like one of those who does not want anything to stop him from being at the assembly. Kudos...

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In Christ,
brother Sonnie

The power of prayer is awesome!

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For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Tim 2:5 (U-NASB)

Our providential God is good. Praise him for his love and care for all of us. It's wonderful news, Laura!

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"that in all things he might have the preeminence." Colossians 1:18

I wanted to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for the prayers offered on Steve's behalf. His strength has improved to the point that he was not only able to worship with the saints this past Sunday, but he was also able to get out after worship and share a common meal with my parents. Hopefully he will be back in the pulpit very soon! All glory and praise to God.

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--Laura

O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
Jeremiah 10:23 (NKJV)

Amen

Wonderful news!