Saturday

“Hear my prayer, O Lord;

listen to my plea!

Answer me

because you are faithful and righteous.”

Psalm 143:1

(Holy Bible, New Living Translation)

Update on Mrs. Marie Sims from Mary Criswell:

. . . . Marie was having problems with fluid building up in her lungs and had to be placed on a ventilator. This was an unexpected turn. Judy needs special support during this time.

Please continue to pray for Grant Matherne, six year old great grandson of Mrs. Hazel Smith, as he continues his treatments.

Ritchie, husband of my cousin Suzan in Texas, got a better report on his colon cancer than he did previously. Pray for them as Richie continues treatments.

FBC will have no Sunday night worship this month due to Marvelous Mondays which will be held at 7:00 during July.

From Mrs. Ann Chapman:

. . . . my brother, Charles Abernathy, Pearl River, LA passed away
last night. His wife Betty Ruth Breeland grew up in the Roseland &
Spring Creek area. Charles was an Amite High School graduate. He was 79.
His funeral will be Monday. Arrangements are as follows:
First Baptist Church, Pearl River, LA
Wake: 9:00 – 12:00 noon
Funeral: 12:00 noon
Burial: 3:00 pm at Roseland-Arcola Cemetery
Please pray for Betty and their children, Russell and Barbara and our
family. Our Heavenly Circle is getting larger.
God bless each of you.
Ann Chapman

Gary McNabb
(September 2, 1964 – July 2, 2008)

Gary McNabb
Gary “Suede” McNabb, 43, passed away at 8:59PM, on Wednesday, July 2, 2008 at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge. He was a native of Brandon, MS and a resident of Pine Grove. He was the son of Gene and Sara McNabb of Pine Grove. He was a Member of the Pipeliners Union Local #798. Visitation will be at the McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Sunday, July 6, 2008 from 6:00PM until 9:00PM and on Monday, July 7, 2008, at the Shiloh Baptist Church, Pine Grove, from 9:00AM until Religious Services at 11:00AM. Services conducted by Rev. Laverne King. Interment in the Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery. Survived by: Wife, Vicki Oliphant McNabb-Loranger, Step-Son, Chance Tycer-Loranger, Parents, Gene & Sara McNabb-Pine Grove, Sister, Gail Domingue & husband, Edward-Greensburg,. 4 Brothers, Calvin McNabb-Pine Grove, Bryan McNabb & wife, Beverly-Albany, Waylon McNabb-Pine Grove, and John McNabb & wife, Paula-Montpelier. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, & friends. Preceded in death by: Brother, Alton “Bud” McNabb. An on-line Guestbook is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com. Funeral Home is located at I-55N & Hwy 16W next to Coggins-Gentry Ford.

Bobby McDaniel, Sr.
(Died July 3, 2008)

Mr. Bobby McDaniel, Sr. died at 11:35AM, July 3, 2008 at the Flannery Oaks Guest House in Baton Rouge. Arrangements are incomplete but the guest book may be signed at this time.

Mrs. Marie H. Wallace
(March 17, 1929 – July 4, 2008)

Mrs. Marie H. Wallace, 79, passed away at 9:15AM, July 4, 2008 at the Tangi Pines Nursing Home in Amite. She was a native of Tangipahoa Parish and a resident of Independence. Visitation will be at the McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, from 9:00AM, Monday, July 7, 2008 until Religious Services at the Funeral Home Chapel at 2:00PM, conducted by Bro. Felix Howell. Interment in the Howell Cemetery (west of Natalbany). She was the daughter of the late Avery & Bertha Stafford Holden. She is survived by her Daughter, Margie Nell Howell-Independence, 2 Sons: Billy Roy Wallace, Sr.-Amite, Larry Wallace, I-Amite, 18 Grandchildren, 42 Great-Grandchildren, and 3 Great Great-Grandchildren. Mrs. Marie was preceded in death by her Parents Avery & Bertha Stafford Holden, Husband: Clyde Wallace, Son: Marvin Dale Wallace, Sr., Daughter: Peggy Jean Wallace Hose An on-line Guestbook is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com. The Funeral Home is located at I-55N & Hwy 16W next to Coggins -Gentry Ford.

 

The Meaning of the 4th in 3 Words

Baptist Press

By Rick Lance

A silly story is told about a little boy asking his father a question, “Dad, do they have the Fourth of July in England?” “Yes, oh yes, son they do have a fourth of July in England. They just don’t celebrate it.” In a way, that apocryphal teasing exchange between a father and his son summarizes the uniqueness of the Fourth of July for Americans. It is a uniquely American holiday.

The Fourth of July in all other countries is a date on a calendar, just like any other. There is no reason at all for the British or French or Chinese or Russians or Brazilians to celebrate the Fourth of July. But in America there are many reasons. I can think of at least three of them.

The Fourth of July reminds us of our history, or at least it should. It is the day set aside as the punctual moment in history when the United States of America declared its independence from the British crown. It was not the beginning of the story or the actual end of the relationship, but it is a point in time when Americans can celebrate their birth as a nation.

Every Fourth of July in Charlottesville, Va., the largest number of people on a single day take the oath of allegiance as American citizens. This must be a sight to behold, and it would have made the founders proud. They would nod and say, “Now that is America.”

Our history is not a perfect story. There was a Civil War fought between the states over differing perspectives concerning what freedom means. Lincoln would call the nation back to the Declaration of Independence to remind Americans that all people are created equal by God.

In the 20th century, following two world wars, America would examine itself the hard way and come to the conclusion that liberty and justice are for all people. There would be ugly scenes where some radicals would not accept this view as a vision of what the nation should become. Now that sentiment lingers in the minds and hearts of a fading number of citizens who cannot understand the true meaning of freedom.

The Fourth of July has come to mean more than a day to celebrate a historical event. It is more than just about history; it is a focus on liberty. The American narrative, although not a perfect one, is really about liberty and freedom. With all of our outcries of dissent today and with the personalities literally shouting at each other on talk shows, we sometimes forget that we live in a country where this kind of expression can be offered.

One night recently, I was remoting through the channels on my television and parked a few minutes to listen to the debate between two rather animated guests on a talk show and found myself amused by the sparring between them. As the program was coming to a close for this particular segment, the host thanked the guests and they both smiled at each other and shook hands as if they had just played a round of golf together.

This is just one illustration of something people outside our nation sometimes cannot understand. In America, dissent is almost a sport. Most of the time — not all times for sure — it is good-natured and a reflection of the citizens in a high-tech dialogue. The Fourth of July underscores that freedom. It is precious indeed!

For Christians, true freedom is found in Christ Himself. “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” That is a higher and holier concept of freedom we should celebrate every day of our lives. But on the Fourth of July, we can pause and thank God for liberty that comes from the laws of the land, no matter how imperfect they may be.

Yes, the Fourth of July is about history, our history. It also about liberty, our liberty, but is also is about responsibility. Reportedly, following the Constitutional Convention, the irascible old Ben Franklin was asked what kind of government had been created. He replied, “A republic, if you can keep it.” Our history and our liberty carry a heavy sense of responsibility.

Every generation has a price to pay for the liberty we enjoy. Sadly, for some it was the ultimate sacrifice of the giving of one’s life, such as in World War II, in the Pacific or in Europe. For most Americans, the price is exercising responsible citizenship such as voting. I still have trouble understanding why some people never bother to register and vote. It is almost un-American.

History, liberty and responsibility are the three words which come to my mind as we celebrate the Fourth of July. Americans aren’t better than any other people in the world. But for providential reasons, we have been blessed with a history that tells our story, a story of liberty and responsibility. Perhaps Viktor Frankl was right when he said, “Americans need a Statue of Responsibility on the west coast to balance the Statue of Liberty on the east coast.” That was one European who may have understood us better than we understand ourselves.

Rick Lance is executive director and a state missionary with the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions.

Be sure God has a special place in your activities this weekend.

Anna Lee