Thursday

“The Lord has heard my supplication;

the Lord will receive my prayer.”

~Psalm 6:9~

The Alford baby passed away. I’ll post an obituary when one is available.

Editorial, Hammond Daily Star

Wednesday, August 27, 2008 9:15 AM CDT

As Hurricane Gustav approaches, now is the time for families to review their emergency plans in the event they may have to put them into effect. Now, as always, is also a good time for prayer.

Poignant are the words of the Most Rev. Maurice Schexnayder (1895-1981), second bishop of Lafayette, who authored a prayer for safety against hurricanes many years ago:

“O God, Master of this passing world, hear the humble voices of your children. The Sea of Galilee obeyed Your order and returned to its former quietude. You are still the Master of land and sea. We live in the shadow of a danger over which we have no control: the Gulf, like a provoked and angry giant, can awake from its seeming lethargy, overstep its conventional boundaries, invade our land, and spread chaos and disaster.

“During this hurricane season we turn to You, O loving Father. Spare us from past tragedies whose memories are still so vivid and whose wounds seem to refuse to heal with passing of time…Amen.”

 

Hurricane Gustav

You may use the link below to track the hurricane and get needed information.

http://media.myfoxtampabay.com/myfoxhurricane/

On Mission in Kentwood will be this Saturday. Meet at the church at 8:00 A.M. for a quick breakfast and an assignment. If you would like to volunteer, please contact First Baptist Church or me. If you know of a project for the volunteers, you may also contact the church or me. Come join in and receive a blessing.

Dr. and Mrs. Steve Bryan have just moved to Austin, Texas where their daughter Anna lives. Pray for the Bryans as they make the adjustment to living in a new area.

Baptist Press

August 27, 2008

COLORADO–While Denver parties, witnesses impact eternity. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28784

WASHINGTON–Pro-lifers decry APA denial of abortion-depression link. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28785

UGANDA–Gospel message met with joyful ‘trill.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28786

UGANDA–Senior duo adds to 70-plus mission trips. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28787

LOUISIANA–Katrina, after 3 years, remains mission opportunity. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28788

(Friday is the three year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.)

FLORIDA–FIRST-PERSON (Christine Sneeringer): No longer lesbian. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28789

KneEmail

Mike Benson

Storm

JESUS TOLD THE twelve to get into a boat on the Sea of Galilee…

As they started across the sea, everything was smooth and calm, and Jesus went to sleep. Suddenly a huge wind blasted on the sea and the boat began to be swamped with water. They awakened Jesus in great fear and said, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” (v. 24). They believed they were going to die right there on the water. Jesus woke up and told the wind and water to be still, and instantly the sea was as smooth as glass. At this point Jesus turned to the disciples and asked, “Where is your faith?” (v. 25). The disciples were now terrified, not of the storm that had stopped, but of the One who stopped the storm.

Why were they suddenly afraid? They had already witnessed so much power from Jesus. What was different on this occasion? The difference was that is was their storm. They were the ones in the boat this time. It was their lives on the line. They knew Jesus could take of the storms in someone else’s life, but it was an entirely different issue when it was personal. People tend to do this all the time. Spiritual lives are destroyed because of the storm of family problems, or the storm of past sin, or the storm of sickness, or the storm of money troubles, ad infinitum. It is easy to tell someone else that they need to trust God to take care of them, but what about when it is my boat that is sinking? What do we do?

If Jesus is with you, outside influences cannot enslave you, nor can they sink your boat (Rom. 8:31-39). Outside influences cannot take away eternity as long as you weather the storm. They may make life more difficult here, but they will not defeat you unless you allow them to do so. Jesus Himself suffered more than any of us, yet He was victorious because His focus was on God’s eternal plan, not the immediate storm of life. The next time you are facing a storm, remember that He needs to be in the boat first, and then you will be successful in weathering whatever storm you are facing. (Terry Frizzell)

“But He said to them, ‘Where is your faith?’

And they were afraid, and marveled,

saying to one another, ‘Who can this be?’

For He commands even the winds and water,

and they obey Him!”

~ Luke 8:25 ~

Be prepared for the possible storm.

Anna Lee