The Salvation We Share

INTRO.- ILL.- Florida Woman to Get Brain Surgery Thanks to ’FOX and Friends’. Friday , July 18, 2008

Insurance provider Aetna will cover a Florida woman’s brain surgery after the intervention of a "FOX & Friends" contributor.

Caitlin White, 19, of Bartow, Fl, suffers from a debilitating brain disorder that could kill her. She was scheduled for surgery when her insurance carrier, Aetna, canceled the family’s coverage just minutes before she was scheduled to go under the knife.

But after hearing her story, FOX News legal analyst Peter Johnson Jr. contacted Florida Gov. Charlie Crist’s office, which was able in turn to reach Aetna through the state’s Office of Citizen’s Services.

Crist’s staff convinced the carrier to cover the surgery and give White 90 days of hospital service thereafter.

"We didn’t know what to do," her mother, Sheila Jackson, told "FOX & Friends" on Friday. "Our hands were tied."

White suffers from Chiari malformation, a brain condition that causes excruciating headaches and fainting spells and can, without treatment, eventually lead to the destruction of motor skills and memory.

White will now have the $113,000 surgery on Monday. "Oh, it’s wonderful," White told FOX. Her mother was also elated. "It’s incredible," Jackson said. "We’ve been on such a rollercoaster and to get such incredible, wonderful news and then to find out how it came about, it’s just better."

Brothers and sisters, sometimes people have to fight for what is right, good and holy. That Fox news analyst did the right thing, as did Florida’s Gov. Charlie Crist. Thank God! Praise God!

There is a time when people have to stand up for what is right! And there are other times when people need to stand up and be counted for that which is right. WHEN?

When it comes to protecting children we need to take a stand.

ILL.- I have a nephew who is 46-47 years old. My sister-in-law said that when he was only 3 years old she could let him run loose in the mall in Joplin, MO, but she was quick to add that no one could do that kind of thing today. ISN’T THAT THE TRUTH?

I love looking at babies in the mall or in shopping carts in the grocery store, etc. but I’m almost afraid to look too closely and speak to a child for fear the parent will think I’m trying to kidnap their child.

ILL.- She’s 3 feet tall, loves her teddy bear and hosts tea parties with her stuffed pig and Elmo doll at a toddler’s picnic table.

The last time her grandma and grandpa saw her, she was moving out of their Lee Vista-area home with her mom. The question is, where is Caylee Marie Anthony? The 2-year-old girl hasn’t been seen in more than a month, and her grandparents are worried. So are Orange County investigators. SOMEONE SHOULD BE WORRIED AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE CAREFUL IN THE FIRST PLACE!

There are some things worth fighting for: children, God, Christ, the church, the faith.

PROP.- Because we have such a great salvation we have some responsibilities in life. Two are listed in this text.

1- We fight the fight

2- We condemn the condemned

I. WE FIGHT THE FIGHT

3Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.

II Tim. 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

Have you been fighting the good fight? And do you have any ’fight’ left in you?

ILL.- Rocky Marciano (September 1, 1923 – August 31, 1969), born Rocco Francis Marchegiano, was the heavyweight champion of the world from 1952 to 1956. Marciano, with forty-three knockouts to his credit (87.8% knockout rate), remains the only heavyweight champion in boxing history to retire having won every fight in his professional career. 49 fights, 49 wins with 43 knockouts. WHAT A RECORD!

How’s your record against evil and the evil one? Have you lost any fights to him lately? Or have you won any fights?

ILL.- You may be like the guy that decided it was time to shed some excess pounds. He took his new diet seriously, even changing his driving route to avoid his favorite bakery. One morning, however, he arrived at work carrying a gigantic coffee cake. Everyone scolded him, but he just smiled. "This is a very special coffee cake," he explained. "I accidentally drove by the bakery this morning and there in the window were a host of goodies. I felt this was no accident, so I prayed, ’Lord, if you want me to have one of those delicious coffee cakes, let me have a parking place directly in front of the bakery.’ And sure enough," he continued, "the eighth time around the block, there it was!"