Monday

“It shall come to pass that before they call,

I will answer;

and while they are still speaking,

I will hear.”

~Isaiah 65:24~

The grands returned from Glorieta today. They were tired but excited. My daughter-in-law Rhonda and her daughter Stacy returned to TX. Rhonda has been with me this past week and she was a great help.

Please pray for Riley as he adjusts to the VA home in Jennings and for me as I am now alone and adjust to the new medications and physical problems.

Thank you for always being there to pray.
Frann Smith Clark

Joseph M. Sitman Jr.
A native and resident of Greensburg, he died at 11:59 a.m. Saturday, June 28, 2008, at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond. He was 88 and a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, having served in England and France. Upon his discharge from the Army, he joined his father and mother in running the family business, Joseph M. Sitman General Merchandise store. Later he, his brother, Alphy, and his brother-in-law, Holland Addison, took over the business when his father and mother retired. He was active in their business until a few years ago when he retired. Visitation at Greensburg United Methodist Church, Greensburg, on Tuesday, July 1, from 11 a.m. until religious service at 2 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Lamrylis Cotten. Interment in Greensburg Cemetery. Survived by his wife, Iris Tillery Sitman, Baton Rouge; daughter, Diane G. Sitman, Baton Rouge; sister, Evelyn S. Addison, Jackson, Miss.; niece, Kay Sitman Morgan, Amite; and two nephews, Richard “Dickie” Sitman, Greensburg, and Dr. H.M. “Mac” Addison Jr., Jackson, Miss. Preceded in death by his parents, Joseph M. Sr. and Betty Burton Sitman; brother, Alphy F. and wife Odette Easley Sitman; nephew, John Randall “Randy” Sitman; and brother-in-law, H. M. Addison. Pallbearers will be Richard “Dickie” Sitman, Dr. H.M. “Mac” Addison, Joe Morgan, Lee Morgan, Boone Sitman and Leslie Bryer. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Greensburg United Methodist Church or a charity of choice. Arrangements by McKneely Funeral Home of Amite. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Danny Miller, 73, a resident of Magnolia and the Lewiston community near Kentwood, La., died June 27, 2008, at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond.

Arrangements are incomplete with Hartman-Sharkey Funeral Home of McComb in charge.

MB Leaders Remember

Missions Champ Alma Hunt

IMB leadership warmly remembered missions champion Alma Hunt, 98, following her death June 14. The retired executive secretary of Woman’s Missionary Union had worked with the IMB as a full-time volunteer encouraging Baptist women’s ministries overseas, helping establish missions-support programs and encouraging missionaries. “She deeply loved missionaries,” said Gordon Fort, vice president for the IMB’s overseas operations. “There was nothing she wouldn’t do if she thought it would be helpful for our missionaries.”

That included standing in for Fort’s parents when he was appointed a missionary and they were unable to travel from Africa to be with him. “She had promised me years before that if I was ever appointed as a missionary that she would be there, and she kept that promise,” he said. “Miss Alma … had a global vision that inspired women around the world to take responsibility for leading Baptists in giving priority to missions,” said IMB President Jerry Rankin. In 1997 the IMB gave Hunt the title of “Honorary Emeritus Missionary” for her years of dedicated and selfless missions support.

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10).
Mike Benson, Editor
THE BUILDERS OF the Titanic were remiss in several areas and doomed the mighty vessel to the bottom of the ocean…

Their failures mimic our steps to apostasy. Their lessons are ours as we discover how Christians leave the Lord (Hebrews 6:4-6; Hebrews 10:26-31).

We examined how their pride and inattentive safety measures felled the great ship.

Third, they had a weak foundation. Experts who study the Titanic’s hull tell us that it was excessively brittle. It was very high in sulfur content, which means that today, the Titanic “would never get out of the yard.”

While the shipbuilders constructed the Titanic out of the best materials available to them, it was still insufficient for the impact of the iceberg. While they were not negligent in the utilization of the steel, the point remains that when it faced the dangers before them, it failed to protect them.

Christians often fail to establish a firm foundation so when the storms arise their defenses are inadequate. By their standards, their armor is sufficient. However, the spiritual condition of our lives invalidates our standards.

Paul discusses the spiritual armor in Ephesians 6:11-17. However, he begins in the previous verse laying the foundation of what would follow. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10). We “gird our waists with truth,” put on a “breastplate of righteousness” and the “helmet of salvation” and take up the “shield of faith” and the “sword of the spirit” (Ephesians 6:11-17).

Inadequately suited, we render useless the armor of God. When we go into battle with a lackluster faith, knowledge and Christian walk, we cannot expect our armor to protect us. Our own abilities will be insufficient to make up the difference. Therefore, we must be secure in the Lord’s armor or our best intentions or abilities will be futile. Rationalizations are useless to stop the “fiery darts of the wicked” (Ephesians 6:16).

Fourth, they ignored the warnings. The Titanic crew had received several transmitted warnings about icebergs in the North Atlantic. They failed to heed them.1

When we are weakening spiritually, we hear warnings from Scripture, sermons and other Christians, but we rationalize them away because we can handle it alone.

Fifth, small leaks sunk the Titanic. Six small slits that totaled less than twelve square feet sunk the mighty vessel.2

Likewise, no one leaves the Lord in one motion. Instead, we leave incrementally. The tears in our armor are small but Satan’s arrows still find their openings (Hebrews 3:12). Remember, small steps soon become miles.

Sixth, the pleas of the Titanic failed to bring help. The nearest ship had her radio off. Later, the Carpathia came after the ship had sunk.

When people are wasting away spiritually, we must be attentive to their needs. Their cries for help, often silent, are there for those who will listen and perceive (Philippians 2:4).

Seventh, the series of failures of the owners and crew of the Titanic led to the death of 1,523 people. When we apostatize, we lead others away from God. In truth, no one goes to heaven or hell alone. Our examples speak volumes to others following our steps (1 Corinthians 11:1; Ephesians 4:17-24).

Christians can leave God and be lost. Nothing sadder can occur in the life of a Christian. The loss is staggering. However, it never happens in a vacuum. We consciously cause the apostasy through neglect and sin. May we always remain attentive to prevent faith decay. (Richard Mansel)
_______
1/ http://www.titanic-titanic.com/warnings.shtml
2/ http://www.titanic-online.com/index.php4?page=334

“Above all, taking the shield of faith

with which you will be able to quench

all the fiery darts of the wicked one.”

~Eph. 6:16~

Thank you for being there to pray each day. Please let me know how we can pray for you.

Anna Lee