Friday

“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord.

See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth,

waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.

You also be patient.

Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”

~James 5:7-8, NKJV~

 

 

Lawyer John Buckley, Sr.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but until all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8. A retired entrepreneur, road service tire repairman and a photographer, Lawyer died at his home on Saturday, March 8, 2008. He was 68, a resident of Baton Rouge and a native of Osyka, Miss. Visiting at Winnfield Funeral Home on Saturday, March 15, from 9 a.m. until religious service at 10 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Dewitt Brock. Interment in Gilbert Memorial Park. Survived by his two sons, Lawyer John Buckley Jr. and Kendrick Shropshire; two daughters, April Donald and Darcelle Shropshire; four sisters, Undean Reed, Maytee Buckley, Martha Shepherd and Dorothy Domingue; four brothers, the Rev. Earl Buckley, Raymond Buckley, Alton Buckley and Larry Buckley; and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margie Buckley; father, Arcell Buckley; mother, Stella Buckley; and three brothers, Melton, Edward and Preston Buckley.

 

 

Easter Worship Musical

“The Risen Christ”

FBC, Kentwood

Sanctuary Choir

Sunday, March 16 @ 6 P.M.

Monday, March 17 @ 7 P.M.

 

 

 

First Baptist Church of Arcola

 

“The Celebration of Easter”

• i-55 Frontage Road, Arcola
• No admission charge
• March 14-15, 2008
• 7:30 – 9:00 P.M.
• Twelve live drive-through scenes of the life of Christ

 

Jena, La. has received a lot of bad press lately. I thought you might want to read these two articles that show a different side of Jena than you have seen in the press:

 

Baptist Press

March 12, 2008

LOUISIANA–This time, Jena makes spiritual headlines. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=27604

LOUISIANA–FIRST-PERSON (Craig Franklin): Good news from Jena, La. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=27609 Thank God for this revival. May it spread to other towns and cities!

 

 

APPOINTED FOR MEN TO DIE ONCE

After buying her kids a pet hamster, after they PROMISED they would take care of it, the mother, as usual, ended up with the responsibility.

One evening, exasperated, she asked her children, “How many times do you think that hamster would have died if I hadn’t looked after it?”

After a moment, her youngest son replied quizzically, “Once?”

Well, that didn’t help make the mother’s point but, technically, their answer was correct — not only for hamsters, but for us as well. The Hebrew writer said, “And as it is apponted for men to die once, but after this the judgment…” (Heb. 9:27).

The fact that we are appointed to die once is both sobering and promising. IOn the one hand, it means that there is no way that we can escape death (“it is apponted for man to die”), but on the other hand it is something that we will have to experience only once. While there are a few notable exceptions in the Bible, everyone who has ever lived on the face of this earth has died, but only once.

But the real point of this passage in Hebrews has nothing to do with us. It has everything to do with Jesus Christ. The Hebrew writer says that Jesus is just like us. He, too, only had to die once. The significance of that is that once was enough. Unlike the sacrifices of the Jews which had to be offered over and over, one sacrifice was sufficient to take away all of our sins — forever! With that knowledge comes this beautiful promise:

“…so Christ was offered as a sacrifice one time to take away the sins of many people. And he will come a second time, not to offer himself for sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” (Heb. 9:28, NCV)

Praise be to Jesus Christ for the effectiveness of his death and for the promise of his return!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Thank you for being there to pray each day. You mean so much to so many!

Anna Lee