Month: August 2008

Monday

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me,

for I am gentle and lowly in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.

For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

~Matthew 1:29-30~

Judy Easley reports her new grandson, Tyler Easley, had a good first week at home. Pray for Tyler’s family as they continue to give him the special care he requires because of his premature birth. Thank God for the progress Tyler has made so far and for the way God has made His presence known to the family.

Mr. Bobby Raborn continues to do well as he continues to recover from double knee surgery.

Mr. Frankie Gehringer continues to improve. Pray for him as he tries to be patient with the speed of the recovery process.

A request has been made for prayer for Mr. Robert “Bobby” Thompson. Mr. Bobby lives in Amite and is married to Mrs. Ruby Thompson.

Sharon Martin’s dad, Mr. Erlo LaBauve, will be having some heart tests at North Oaks today. Sharon’s uncle will also be in North Oaks undergoing other tests. Please pray for these folks.

Pray for Alice Bankston, a teacher at Sumner, as she deals with newly diagnosed cancer. She’s was able to start school with her students Friday.

Pray for Bucky and Colbye Erwin as the time quickly approaches for the birth of their first child. Colbye is staying with her family in Mississippi to be near her doctor and hospital.

Pray for Karen Miller as she adjusts to a new position – secretary at Roseland Elementary. She is receiving on-the-job training because she was not hired in time to get the training before school started.

Please continue to pray for teachers and students as school will be underway in all area schools today. Pray for a minimum of interruptions so the maximum learning can be accomplished. Pray teachers and other staff members will be able to influence young lives in ways other than just material in a textbook.

Pray for AWANA as it begins next Sunday at FBC, Kentwood. Pray for all involved. Pray for Scriptures to be learned and applied to young lives. Pray for missions to be instilled in these children.

Children’s Choir will begin next month. Plan to add choir to the Wednesday schedule for your children and grandchildren.

Pray for how God would have you involved in On Mission in Kentwood on the 30th. There is an assignment for anyone who wished to participate – young, older, male, or female. Come receive a blessing as you bless someone else.

Big 10 from TeamRomany August 2008

1. FARM students complete their ministry assignments and return home this month. Please pray for them to finish strong. Thank God for the way in which they were able to enhance existing ministry and begin new ministry points. Thank God also for their own spiritual growth as they saw God use them to share His Good News in many communities. Pray also for Katie Steele, an American student summer missionary, who is serving in the Czech Republic. Pray that God will continue to provide opportunities for her to minister in Romany communities.

2. Thank God for the ministry of International World Changers (IWC) teams who served with teamromany in both Romania and Czech Republic this in July. They were able to open doors for ministry in new areas. They provided a positive witness for Christ and shared the Gospel with many. Thank God with us for changed lives as a number of Roma prayed to receive Christ. Pray for teamromany members as they provide follow-up.

3. Please pray for the Silbys as they begin language study, continue to get settled in and adjust to the culture.

4. Daniel’s car was broken into last month and he suffered significant material loss. Please pray for him as he clears up all the details from this event. Pray for him as he is hosting several volunteer teams this month.

5. The Banks family is thankful for God’s goodness to them. They are grateful for their new apartment in Brailia, Romania. The apartment and location are a great match for their needs.

6. Pray for the Banks family as they visit the villages of Viziru and Valea Canepii to follow-up on outreach work started by the Hills and Insuratiei mission pastor. Pray for protection, favor, and boldness to share the Gospel in these villages. Pray for the new believers to open their homes for Bible study and discipleship.

7. Pray for Tamara and Jennie as they begin a new year of homeschooling. Tamara will be teaching Wesley and Coulter and Jennie will be teaching Mallory, Miles, Madison, and Mason. Pray for the Silby children (Ryan, Elizabeth, and Hannah) as they begin new schools in the Czech Republic.

8. Pray for Cornel Tuns as he marries Erica Bartsch this Saturday. This is an answer to Cornel’s prayers. He’s thankful for God’s goodness.

9. Thank God that the Hatchels received their residency visas which are valid for one year. Please pray for the Hills as they begin the visa renewal process in Romania. Pray that the process will go smoothly and swiftly.

10. Pray for the Hills as they take a team of Romany young people on a mission trip to Sighisoara, Romania. Pray for that God will change the lives of both the youth participating in the project and the people they will minister to.

Thank you for praying with us and for us.

Teamromany

Wes and Tamara Banks – Romania

Daniel Byrd – Romania

Boyd and Jennie Hatchel – Czech Republic

Bob and Gayle Hill – Romania

Joe and Julie Silby – Czech Republic

Deacon Hospital Visitation this Week

  • David Alford
  • Jesse Dean

Please contact these men if you know of any need.


Margarette Catha

Margarette Catha, 93, died at her home in Cleveland, Tenn., on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008. She was born on Aug. 5, 1915, in Kentwood, to the family of William Thomas and Mary Ann Catha. She worked as a clerk/stenographer in the Baton Rouge area with Charity Hospital, Federal Emergency Relief Administration, Public Welfare Office, Louisiana State Department, War Manpower Commission, U.S. Recruiting Department and Department of Employment in Cleveland and Chattanooga. In 1949, she began her work in Cleveland, Tenn., as the executive secretary to the Church of God, where she worked for 31 years. She retired at the 1980 General Assembly. She was a longtime member of the North Cleveland Church of God, where she once taught a children’s Sunday school class, was in the Crusaders Choir, was on the board for Women’s Ministries and was a member of the Unity Sunday school class. Survivors include several nieces and nephews in Florida and Louisiana; her special friends, Beulah Mae Murphree and Grace Golden, of Cleveland; and her caregivers, Cathryne Blocker and Ramona Hyberger; along with personal assistants and support from Amedisys Hospice. She was preceded in death by her parents; and four sisters, Leila Catha Langlois, Oris Catha Seefield, Loleat Catha Carlson, Grace Catha Gaines; and two brothers, Advil and Troy Catha. Celebration of Life service at Grissom Funeral Home, Cleveland, Tenn., on Monday, Aug. 11, at 2 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Mitch Maloney. Visitation begins at noon. Interment at the Woodland Memorial Cemetery in her home town of Kentwood, on Tuesday, Aug. 12, at 4 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home, Attn. Margarette Catha Scholarship for Needy Children, P.O. Box 439, Sevierville, TN 37864 or the North Cleveland Church of God, Attn. World Missions Fund or the Building Fund, Cleveland, TN 37311.

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10).
Mike Benson, Editor

Today

BEFORE ENTERING THE broadcasting field, Jim Valvano led the North Carolina State University basketball team to a national championship…

Then cancer developed in his lower back. Invited to address the Duke University squad, Jim had this to say: “Life changes when you least expect it to. The future is uncertain. So, seize this day, seize this moment, and make the most of it.”

God gives us an urgent directive in Hebrews 3:13, “Exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Why is there such a strong insistence on today?

It may be that today, this very day, could be the last one in our time here on earth. Today may be your last opportunity to obey God’s plan of salvation, or to share His love with a friend or loved one.

James has this warning about presuming upon our tomorrows: “You do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (4:14).

Seize the opportunities that God gives you today. That’s sound advice-not just for basketball players, but for all of us. (Vernon C. Grounds)

“You do not know what will happen tomorrow.

For what is your life?

It is even a vapor that appears for a little time

and then vanishes away.”

~Jas. 4:14~


Thank God for the slow, steady rain we are receiving this morning. Have a great week!

 

Don’t forget the associational church council meeting tonight at FBC, Kentwood. It begins with supper at 6 P.M.

Anna Lee

Sunday

“So they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus,

and you will be saved–you and your household.’

Then they spoke the message of the Lord to him

along with everyone in his house.”

~Acts 16:31-32, HCSB~

The following thank-you note is for members of First Baptist Church, Kentwood from Boyd and Jennie Hatchel:

Thank you for the generous gift from Vacation Bible School this year. We are honored to be considered your missionaries. Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support of our ministry among the Roma.

The funds you gave provided for a number of great new initiatives for our team. Some of your funds are helping summer missionaries from Romania and America minister to Romany people in Brno. Some of your funds are helping with block party supplies like face paints, jump ropes, snacks, and sports equipment. Some of your funds are helping with follow-up visits in Ostrava from the work of International World Changers last month. Some of your funds are helping with the costs of a conference next month with our team members.

Prayers, encouragement, gift packages, and this gift are some of the many ways that you have shown your support and cooperation with our efforts. Thank you for your generosity, sacrifice, and service with our team. We are not your ambassadors – we are on the same team!

Blessings from Brno,

The Hatchel Family

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10).
Mike Benson, Editor

 

Attention

 

GOD WAS ANGRY with their careless, shoddy methods of worship…

The animals they brought for sacrifice were not acceptable to Him because they were not the best of the herds and flocks. Instead, they offered stolen, lame, and sick animals.

While we may not be showing this degree of contempt toward God, sometimes we are too casual in our worship. A friend of mine made this observation about herself: “When I shop for simple things like soap or butter, I hardly think about it. But when I’m looking for a blouse to match a skirt, I shop very carefully. I go from store to store until I find exactly what I’m looking for.” Then she added thoughtfully, “I should pay that same attention when I am worshiping God. But sometimes I approach Him as casually as if I were shopping for a box of Kleenex.”

During our worship assemblies, we may fail to give God our full attention. We rush in late. Our thoughts wander. We need to discipline our minds so that we are not focusing on yesterday’s cares or tomorrow’s responsibilities. When we worship the Lord with all our heart, He will be pleased with us. (Dave Egner)

“You bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick. …

Should I accept this from your hand?” says the Lord.”

~Mal. 1:13~

Saturday

“Declare His glory among the nations,

His wonders among all people.”

~1 Chronicles 16:24~

I forgot to mention Joan Hagan’s doctor’s visit Monday. He said she is progressing as expected. Please continue to keep Joan in your prayers.

Pray for Randy Simpson as he continues to have difficulty with speaking and hoarseness.

Please continue to pray for Richard Dunn, Chuck Pittman, and others who are undergoing cancer treatment.

There will be no evening worship services at FBC, Kentwood tomorrow. The regular worship services which have been cancelled for the summer will resume August 17th,

The associational church council meeting will be at 6 P.M. Monday at FBC, Kentwood.

Children’s Choir will begin on Wednesday nights beginning Sept. 3rd. AWANA will begin with a party this week and regular meeting next week.

UNLOCKING THE MYSTERY

I heard recently about a man who filled his car with gas at a self-service gas station. After he had paid and driven away, he realized that he had left the gas cap on top of his car. He stopped and looked and, sure enough, it was lost.

He thought for a second and realized that other people must have done the same thing, and that it was worth going back to look by the side of the road since even if he couldn’t find his own gas cap, he might be able to find another one that fit.

Sure enough, after only a short time of searching, he found a gas cap. He carefully wiped it off and slipped it into place with a satisfying click.

He told his wife as he climbed back into the car, “I may have lost my gas cap, but I found another one that fits and it’s even a better cap than the one I had – it locks…”

Oops! A locking gas cap is a great idea — but only if you have the key that opens it! Understanding the Bible is much the same way. Remember when Jesus first began speaking in parables — his apostles came to him for an explanation. They wanted the “key”, and Jesus gave it to them. Jesus said, “”To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God.” (Mark 4:11).

The book of Revelation is a difficult (some would say impossible) book for people to understand, but it becomes a much easier task when you have the “key” explaining the symbolism of the numbers, colors and images found in the book.

Sometimes the ministry of Jesus is referred to as a “mystery”. Paul wrote often about the “mystery of the gospel” (Eph. 6:19), the “mystery of Christ” (Col. 4:3), or simply “the mystery” (Eph. 3:9). The word “mystery” means that it was something that was “hidden” for a while. All through the Old Testament, God was preparing for Jesus Christ to come to this earth, but no one fully understood what that would mean. The prophets foretold his coming, but they didn’t fully understand (I Peter 1:10-12). Even the angels didn’t know what God had in mind. But we do. We understand the significance of the crucifixion and the resurrection.

Give thanks to God for “the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:26-27)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Blessings,

Anna Lee

Friday Afternoon

Jason Alford fell about ten feet while hiking in Rome, GA with his four year old daugher, Peyton. The ER doctor said Jason shredded the ligaments in his knee. He has a knee brace and crutches for now. A specialist will be contacted to determine what needs to be done next. Thank God for allowing Jason’s injury to not be any worse. Thank God Peyton was not injured. Pray for Jason as he deals with pain in the coming days.

Minnie Newell Hinson
(June 10, 1942 – August 8, 2008)

Minnie Newell Hinson
Minnie Newell Hinson was born June 10, 1942 and passed away at 5:35AM, August 8, 2008 at St. Tammany Hospital, Covington. She was 66, a native and resident of Hillsdale, LA. She was the daughter of the late Robert Alton & Jennie Bennett Newell.

She is survived by a Daughter; Robbin Hinson Capobianco-South Gate, Michigan. 3 Grandchildren; Krystle Sloan Worley-Walker, Jeffery Lynn Sloan, Jr.-Baton Rouge & Victoria Ann Sloan-South Gate, Michigan. 5 Great-Grandchildren; Madison King, Cooper Sloan, Camron Sloan, Cayden Sloan & Kylee Worley. She was also preceded in death by 2 brothers; Robert “Butch” Newell & Herman Clifton Newell.

Visitation will be at the Hillsdale Baptist Church, Monday, August 11, 2008 from 10:00AM until Religious Services at 2:00PM conducted by Rev. Daryl Miller. Interment in the Hillsdale Cemetery.

An on-line Guestbook is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com.

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of local arrangements.


I had a good first day with students at school today. I talked with several teachers and several students who also reported a good first day. Thank God for these good reports.

On Mission in Kentwood will be the last Saturday (August 30th) of the month. Plan now to be a part so you can make a difference in the lives of some people in the Kentwood area. You’ll be greatly blessed as you do so.

Happy weekend!

Anna Lee

Friday

 

 

See how very much our heavenly Father loves us,

for he allows us to be called his children,

and we really are!

1 John 3:1 (NLT) 

School!  Many area children will be beginning school today.  Pray for them as they embark on a new educational year.

 

 

Don’t forget to pray for the important unspoken request from the McCain family.

Today, I want to focus much of The Prayer Link on believers and missionaries around the world.  This give us a little glimpse into their prayer needs.  As you read about each situation, please pray for all the similar situations around the world.

KOMpray

(Kids on Mission Pray)

 August 8, 2008

“Let the little children come to Me, and don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these,” Luke 18:16b

 

TIME FOR THE OLYMPICS

The 2008 Olympic Games have begun! Runners and swimmers, gymnasts and equestrians (they are the ones that ride horses) are all gathering in China. What about you? Are you and your family planning to watch the basketball or soccer tournaments? Everyone in the world is watching to see if their favorite team does well or to see how many medals their country wins. People have been planning a really long time to get ready for the Olympics. New buildings had to be built. Composers wrote special music, and directors planned the opening and closing ceremonies. Hundreds of people have been buying food and planning meals for the athletes. SOMEONE had to put sheets on a lot of beds. Whew, they have worked very hard just to get ready.Every time you watch the Olympics on TV, please pray for the athletes, the planners, and the visitors!

 

Did you know that thousands of Bibles and New Testaments will be given away during the Olympic Games? Fifty thousand copies of the books Matthew, Mark, Luke and John will be given to the athletes too. Please pray that people will read the Word of God and want to know more about Jesus.

 

Pray for Christians who are in China during the Olympics. They will get to tell people how much they love Jesus AND how much He loves them. Ask God to give them courage and the right words. Pray for Chinese Christians. There are about 1.3 billion people in China-that’s 1,319,175,332 and growing every day. Ask God to help Chinese Christians not be afraid but be bold in telling their friends and family about Jesus.

 


YOU SAW IT IN GA WORLD, July 30, 2008

Amanda Williams was featured in GA World/Children in Action magazine, and she had a prayer request. Do you remember praying for her? Here is that request:

Pray that people will know Jesus in our city. Pray that my friends at school will know Jesus, because we are the only Christians here. Pray for new churches. AMANDA, age 11 (Western Europe)

Amanda and her family say thanks for your prayers! Here is a quick update:

They just had an awesome Upwards Summer Basketball Camp with more than 100 children. Pray for all these children and their families. Most of them still do not Jesus.


MORE PRAYER REQUESTS FROM MISSIONARY KIDS

Please pray that national believers will not be shy about sharing their faith with others in their villages. Dillon, age 15 (West Africa)

 

I live in Argentina and many of the people there don’t know Jesus. For example if I’m on a bus with 100 people, only 3 of them know Jesus. Please pray for the people of Argentina. TORI, age 9 (South America)

 

My mom has had surgery. My brother and sister and cousin were in a car accident in America, and my cousin is in a coma. My brother and sister are fine. Please pray for my cousin. Many people that live around me are lost and please pray that I’ll be a good witness to them. Hinduism has many gods and the people believe there is a third eye on their forehead. VIOLET, age 10 (South Asia)

 

Please pray that the youth group at our church would grow. CALEB, age 16 (Pacific Rim)

 

Cyclones are dangerous in Madagascar, some people have died and others have lost their homes. Please pray for those who have been affected by the cyclones. PAUL, age 15 (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

 

Please pray that I can help my parents lead people to Christ. CODY, age 13 (Pacific Rim)

 

Please pray for my friend that is working at a summer camp. Pray for a friend for me in India because all my friends are gone to the U.S. MARINA, age 10 (South Asia)

 

 

Melinda Russell passed these requests on for us to pray.

 As you read the following email – please just begin to pray. Thank you for believing in the power of prayer and trusting our Father with all things.

 

We see how the enemy will use anything to discourage, frustrate or distract us from Kingdom work. Pray for us to be an encouragement to our families even miles away.

Thank you for all your prayers and support. We could not do this without you and our Great God – our Redeemer and Almighty Healer!


No matter what the outcome — May we all continue to give Him Praise, Glory and Adoration for He is our only hope!

Loving God’s Gypsies, Tamara for the Banks family (in Braila, Romania)

A great big “Thank You” to all of you praying friends who have lifting us up in prayer. An important decision has been reached concerning the direction of our ministry, and it has been accomplished because of the faithful prayers of God’s people. If we really knew the affect that our prayers have on us, on others, and on events, we would certainly make more and better use of it. If God’s people don’t or won’t pray—-who will? (Sorry, I slipped into my preacher role, I’m back now). What I mean is—-thank you for praying for us!! The decision has been made that we will move to Craiova, RO. We will join Bob and Diane Wagstaff in ministering to the 300K+ people of Craiova and the many people of the surrounding villages who do not know the Love of God shown by the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross for the sins of the whole world. Our first prayer request is for you to go to the Lord daily for——-the Lost. They have no hope, but Jesus, and they don’t know Him as Savior and Lord, yet. Notice, I said yet. There is still time. “Today…harden not your hearts…. Come unto me…. Whosoever will, may come.”

After praying for the lost, please remember us in prayer:

for all of the CHANGES. We have gone through many big changes this year already, and here we go again for some more. We need HIS grace.

I was going to ask you to pray that God would provide for us with a furnished apartment BUT, before we could publish the need for your prayers, God has already answered. Bob and Diane Wagstaff have been apartment hunting for us in Craiova, and they were successful!!! They found us a large, furnished apartment that we could rent until the middle of December. Then we will stay in Bob and Diane’s apartment while they are on stateside assignment back in Texas.

This reminds me of the verse in Isaiah 65:24—“Before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear.”

When you are on God’s business—you are on God’s time, and He is in charge of every detail. Praise the Lord!!

  • for packing and moving. We will keep our IMB apartment in Bucharest and can leave there whatever we won’t need in Craiova, but what to leave and what to take can get sticky. We need His wisdom.
  • for our fellow missionaries in and around Craiova. They will have the additional tasks of getting us oriented and incorporated into the work. We all will need His patience.
  • and lastly, for Bucharest Christian Academy. Margie was slated to be their Art teacher this next year, but now she will not be able to do that. Please pray that all of the teachers they will need to teach all of the students that will come will be found and enlisted. This school ministers not only to the families of missionaries, but to the children of business and government leaders, etc. This school is like a little U.N., with people from all over the world affiliated. Pray for God’s abundant provision of good teachers.

“With this prayer letter, we will be signing off of Team Bucharest and will be joining Team Romania. You can look for us under that link on this website.”

Everyone we have talked to, who knows the Craiova area, has said that this will be a great challenge. The area has the reputation of being difficult and dark. SO, what does that mean for us and for you? We will need to be fully equipped Prayer Warriors every day or we may get run over. Will you arm yourself for the battle too? We are in a war for the souls of men and women. The kingdom of darkness has them held captive, and Jesus wants to deliver them and destroy the works of the devil. He wants them out of that dark kingdom into His glorious Kingdom of Love and Light. Will you help us in the battles? Will you pray? Thank you fellow soldiers.

 

MISSIONARY PERSONAL NEEDS. Missionaries serving among the Fulbe/Futa Jalon people of Guinea ask: “Please pray for our 15-year-old daughter as she goes off to boarding school for the first time on August 11. She will be joining her older brother, who was there for the spring semester. They will be leaving their youngest brother back in Guinea, which will surely be a lonelier place for him without either sibling around. Please pray that our family will see God’s bigger picture.” 

 

 INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE
INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD
Friday, August 8, 2008

“…a great chasm has been fixed between us and you,

so that those who want to pass over from here to you cannot;

neither can those from there cross over to us”

(Luke 16:26, HCSB).

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the International Prayer Strategy Office, simply encouraging you to pray. Occasionally, a missionary speaker or newsletter will strike a special chord; and I hear the words with sensitivity to the challenges missionaries face on the field.

“God is faithful. When the enemy is exposing and taking advantage of our weakness, when discouragement seems to overwhelm, our Lord is still near. When our reactions to trials are less than Spirit-led, He doesn’t turn His back, but patiently waits for us to notice His presence… and when we do, His grace is overwhelming….When I originally asked you to pray for us, I thought it would be in times like these I would be most determined to reach out, but it turned out … We just didn’t know what to say.”

Another missionary shared the emotions of first arriving on the field. “The Sahara Desert-I saw it and it didn’t look so bad. Of course, I was flying in an airplane high above the heat, drinking a soda, enjoying the air conditioning and watching a movie.” As time progressed, this missionary and his family faced sickness, loneliness, family issues in the United States, exhaustion, extreme heat, burn out, low response-they persevered despite serving the first ten years without a single convert.

Obviously, missionaries deal with emotional strain and discouragement; but hear what else they have to say. “Why do we do international missions? Why do we send men and women off to spend their lives at risk? We do it because being lost, apart from God, is the very worst human condition. Nothing is as bad as being separated from God.“

Missionaries are called of God to cross cultural boundaries and teach eternal salvation through Jesus. Missionaries are going, so what is our part? PRAY. Pray for missionaries to persevere and pray that the lost will accept salvation, crossing from death to God’s abundant life.

 

 

 

Please take time to read this Baptist Press article.  It is an eye-opener!

TURKEY–Iranian couple dies from police attack. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28631

 

 

I hope you have taken time to soak in every word today.  If not, please return to read, learn, and pray.

Anna Lee

Thursday Evening

Beth Brabham just called with the results of Kyle’s appointment this afternoon. Surgery is scheduled for August 14th to remove the place by his eye and September 8th to work on the places on his arm. They are thankful for these surgeries and how quickly they have been arranged. Please continue to pray for Beth and Kyle, as well as other members of the family, during this time. Your prayers will be greatly appreciated.

Thursday

“Declare His glory among the nations,

His wonders among all people.”

~1 Chronicles 16:24~

 

 

I have an unspoken request from Tricia Wall McCain. Please pray as she requested.

Mrs. Barbara Hutchinson is home and progressing nicely. Please continue to pray for her as she heals.

Continue to pray for Kyle and Beth Brabham as they see his doctor this afternoon at 2 P.M.

Jeff Tolar was discharged yesterday. His surgery went well. Please continue to pray for him as he recovers from surgery.

Aubrey Perry is home and will be beginning a new treatment.

Please continue to pray for Mr. I.W. Simmons as he battles cancer.

Mr. Raymond Anthony had hip surgery Tuesday. Pray that after the recovery process he will be able to get around much better.

Please continue to pray for Mrs. Avis Sullivan as she continues to recover from her surgery.

Please continue to pray for Robert Wilson as he battles shingles. Pray for the pain to ease quickly.

Glenda Schilling said her mother, Mrs. Ona Schilling, has had some problems lately, but is basically okay. Please continue to pray for Mrs. Schilling and for Glenda.

Bro. Brady Haynes sent this report of his mission trip taking International World Changers to work with the Roma (Gypsies):

. . . . The Czech trip was amazing. Our main objective was to engage the Roma people through sports and spiritual conversations for the purpose of finding believers in the area who would be willing to start house churches. Boyd said that several key individuals were located in the areas where we worked and assured us that he objective was reached. One of the sights in particular had about 26 conversions (children and adults) and our site had 3-4. It is always cool for me to see the lives of students changed when they go on an international mission trip. The Roma are outcasts…the focus of prejudice and hatred…and God called us to minister to them. Our students have already been discussing ways to do local ministry to the outcasts and forgotten. Please pray for our group and those Roma that were confronted with the Gospel. Also, please pray for Honza and Lenka our translators who are not believers. Several of us have connected with them over Facebook so that we can continue the relationship over the web for the purpose of sharing the Truth of Christ.


Thanks for your prayers!

Brady and “the Bunch”

(Jennie reported the team from Alabama was well trained and did an excellent job with each task assigned to them.)

 

 

A Message to Teens about Profanity

By Phil Boatwright

Baptist Press


KANSAS CITY, Kan. (BP)–Name me a PG-13 film that doesn’t employ profanity (that is, language misusing God’s name). Shoot, even most PG films nowadays contain such language. And when you hear “Jesus” in a movie nowadays, it’s generally not spoken with regard for His Messiah-ship. Christ’s name is used more like an expletive. But let’s face it, by now, we’re pretty used to hearing the irreverent utterances in the movies. So, is the use of profanity that big of a deal?

I’d like to aim this piece at the dominant movie-going demographic: teenagers. My reasoning? I’ve already presented my thesis to oldsters many a time. But you — high schoolers — are who Hollywood aims to please — and teach.

Alas, I’m not one of you. I haven’t been a teenager since before you were born. And because of that age difference, we probably like different movies, different music, different clothes and different slang. But before you dismiss me as simply being a — what’s today’s euphemism for old fogey? — keep the following in mind. No matter the time on earth we call our generation, some things remain the same. Revering and respecting God should be something we have in common. It’s something we’re told to do in the Bible.

“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name” (Exodus 20:7). Honoring God is a command — from God. If it weren’t important to Him, wouldn’t it not be on the list at all?

While we keep hearing that there’s too much violence and sexuality in movies, those are only symptoms of what ails our entertainment mediums. Consider for a moment: If you go to a surgeon and detail the symptoms you are suffering, the doctor doesn’t just treat the symptoms. If he does, the malady will re-manifest itself. Well, when it comes to spiritual matters, defying God is the malady. For it is only when we honor God that we begin to truly care for our fellow man. You with me?

Those who profane God’s name are breaking one of God’s laws. And although we Christians have been turning a deaf ear to the media’s usage of blasphemy for quite some time, should we continue to do so? That also begs the question: If modern-day man wrote their own Ten Commandments, would the misuse of God’s name make the list? Probably not.

There’s no indication in Exodus 20 that a movie storyteller is exempt from following the same commands as the rest of us, yet nearly every actor of this era misuses His name in the movies. Why are they so free with profanity?

I’m not sure if that disobedience of biblical teaching is done out of ignorance, disbelief or just defiance. But I do know from a lifetime of studying Scripture that the Ten Commandments are not just suggestions. They are guidelines for honoring our Heavenly Father and for caring about our fellow man.

Some people may ask: If misusing God’s name is such a big deal, then why aren’t people being smote all over the place? Our God is merciful and patient (2 Peter 3:9), but the Bible indicates that there is a price to be paid for disobedience or mockery. “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (Galatians 6:7). Read Psalm 73 and you’ll see that a time of justice will befall the unrighteous and those who live outside of God’s commands and refuse to make Jesus Lord of their life. Read the whole Bible and you’ll see what Hollywood often doesn’t.

You may not change the media. Just don’t let the media change you. “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

(Phil Boatwright reviews films for previewonline.org and is a regular columnist for Baptist Press.)

I’m thankful for Phil Boatwright’s stance on movies. Pray he will be able to influence people of all ages in making decisions about movies.

Deacon Hospital Ministry this week:

  • Tom Tolar
  • Raymond Cutrer

Nursery Volunteers for Sunday:

  • Gail Brister
  • Sharon Martin
  • Walter & Kathy Dykes

There will be no evening worship services again this week at FBC, Kentwood.

If you have a request for On Mission in Kentwood, please contact the church office or me. Begin praying now asking God if He would want you to minister in Kentwood in His name. There is a task for everone! Sign up to be blessed!

 

 

I CAN DO ALL THINGS?

A 6-year-old girl once asked her father, “What do you have to do to become a doctor?”

Her father said, “You have to do extremely well in school, take a lot of math and science, get into an excellent college, make the highest grades possible, and then go to med school, and follow that with an internship. Then you can start your own practice. Honey, as smart as you are, you can be anything you want to be.”

The little girl thought about that and then asked, “What do you have to do to be queen?”

I hate to be the one to burst your bubble, but I want to let you know that there’s a verse in the Bible that you may have mis-interpreted for many years. I know that I have. You see, many of us have heard lessons which promote positive thinking. We’ve been told, “If you can see it, you can achieve it.” So, if you’re a golfer, visualize getting through the golf course at 4 under par. If you need to lose weight, visualize what your life will be like when you’re 60 pounds thinner. If you want to climb the corporate ladder, visualize yourself with the position and the salary you desire.

And the verse we have often used to give us the strength to achieve these things is Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” There are, no doubt, some Christian athletes headed to Beijing this week to compete in the Olympics who anticipate bringing home a gold medal because “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Now I don’t dispute that there is great value in having a vision of where we want to be and what we want to accomplish. And I don’t dispute that God will bless us with strength in all endeavors that glorify Him. But I believe it is wrong to teach that anyone can accomplish anything because God will give you the strength. Not every little boy with a dream of playing in the NFL or the NBA is going to achieve that. Not every athlete that quotes Philippians 4:13 this week will bring home a gold medal from Beijing. And you can dream about being king or queen all you want to — dreaming it won’t make it happen.

The truth is that for many of us, young or old, life is not always going to turn out exactly like we thought it would. And when people are made to think that if you believe something with all your heart, it will come to pass, then when it doesn’t happen that way, they get discouraged, depressed, feel like failures, get angry, or they give up. Christians may even begin to lose their faith in God. “God, how could you let this happen to me? This is not what I wanted! You promised I could do all things!”

When you look at the context of Philippians 4:13, though, it contains a more powerful message than we ever imagined. In the previous verse, Paul writes, “I know how to be abased and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” (Phil. 4:12).

What is it that Paul can do through Christ? He can be content no matter what the situation — whether he has plenty or he has nothing, whether he comes in first place with a gold medal or he comes in last place, whether he makes the team or he doesn’t make the team. Whatever the circumstance, whatever he may have or not have, Paul learned to be content, to be joyful. Why? Because “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”

May this verse serve as an encouragement to you, not to achieve great victories in life, but to find joy even in the midst of defeat.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

I pray you will take time to think and rethink on the devotional above until the message becomes part of your way of thinking.

Anna Lee

Wednesday

God is the One who made all things,

and all things are for his glory.

He wanted to have many children

share his glory.

~Hebrews 2:10 (NCV)~

 

 

Baptist Press

August 5, 2008

ALABAMA–China emerging as powerful global leader. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28606

ALABAMA–From the Great Wall to the ‘gumdrop mountains.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28607

CHINA–LETTER FROM CHINA (Bertha Smith): ‘Thanking you in advance.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28608

SOUTH DAKOTA–Sturgis biker ministry throttles up. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28609

DALLAS–Criswell College feud goes public. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28610

ATLANTA–Hammond, Hunt address state Baptist leaders. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28611

WASHINGTON–ERLC urges action on indecency bill. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28612

LOUISIANA–FIRST-PERSON (Keith Manuel): The true source of peace. http://www.bpnews.net/BPFirstPerson.asp?ID=28613

 

 

 

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10).
Mike Benson, Editor

Execute

I ONCE HEARD interviews with survivors from World War II…

The soldiers recalled how they spent a particular day. One sat in a foxhole; once or twice, a German tank drove by and he shot at it. Others played cards and frittered away the time. A few got involved in furious firefights. Mostly, the day passed like any other. Later, they learned they had just participated in one of the largest, most decisive engagements of the war, the Battle of the Bulge. It didn’t feel decisive at the time because none had the big picture.


Great victories are won when ordinary people execute their assigned tasks.

Perhaps you sense you’re in a spiritual rut. Stay at your assigned task! Obedience to God offers the way out of our futility. (Philip Yancey)

“What does the Lord require of you

but to do justly,

to love mercy,

and to walk humbly with your God.”

~ Micah 6:8~

 

 

Be faithful to your assigned task.

Anna Lee