Saturday

An intelligent person aims at wise action,
but a fool starts off in many directions.
Proverbs 17:24 (TEV)

BAPTIST PRESS

October 29, 2008

MEXICO–Pastor still missing after Tijuana kidnap. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29222

SOUTH DAKOTA–ELECTION 08: S.D. again at center of abortion debate. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29223

WASHINGTON–Biotech firm hopeful for embryonic stem cell trials. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29224

TENNESSEE–IN THEIR OWN WORDS: Obama & McCain on humanitarian crises. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29225

PAKISTAN–Pakistan earthquake assessment underway. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29226

VIRGINIA–How are Lottie Moon dollars used? http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29227

TENNESSEE–FIRST-PERSON (John Revell): When Christians fail to vote. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29228

October 30, 2008

CALIFORNIA–Prop 8 supporters raise $5 million in one week. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29229

TENNESSEE–Poll reports on pastors & ballot box. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29230

ALABAMA–Study: Missions education lifts stewardship. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29231

GEORGIA–Baptists enhance missions learning options. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29232

GEORGIA–FIRST-PERSON (Jim Burton): Salad bar discipleship. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29233

ARKANSAS–Ark. Baptists focus on children, youth. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29234

TENNESSEE–RESOURCE: 7 ‘words of worship.’ http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29235

CALIFORNIA–FIRST-PERSON (David Jeremiah): Where in the world are you? http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29236

October 31, 2008

TENNESSEE–ELECTION 08: Calif. Prop 8 headlines a host of initiatives nationwide. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29237

WASHINGTON–FCC may impede churches’ wireless microphones. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29238

WASHINGTON–FCC bans some wireless microphones. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29239

ECUADOR–Former ranchers nurture Andean churches. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29240

ECUADOR–Cows, sheep & pigs help their outreach. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29241

ECUADOR–Airwaves reach hearts in Ecuadorean villages. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29242

ECUADOR–Barn rejuvenated in Andean village. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29243

TEXAS–GuideStone adds property & casualty ins. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29244

LOUISIANA–FIRST-PERSON (Kelly Boggs): Lay those experts end-to-end! http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29245

KENTUCKY–FIRST-PERSON (Russell D. Moore): ‘Judgment house’ evangelism. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29246

Sadie Russell Pevey
(July 17, 1923 – October 30, 2008)
Died at 12:02 p.m. on Thursday, October 30, 2008 at Willis Knighten Pierremont Health Center in Shreveport, LA. Age 85 years. Mrs. Pevey was a current resident of Shreveport, LA, previously of Grand Prairie, TX, Baton Rouge, LA and Roseland, LA. She was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ. She formerly worked as Recording Secretary for the Board of the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana. She is survived by her 2 daughters, Eileen Pevey Vennum, Grand Prairie, TX and Carolyn Francis Pevey and her husband, Thomas J. Jones, Montgomery, AL; 4 sons, Joseph E. Pevey, Jr., Prairieville, LA, Cary R. Pevey, Holden, LA, Richard W. Pevey, Shreveport, LA and Jonathan B. Pevey, Brownsville, TX; 2 brothers, Cara “CB” Russell, Denham Springs, LA and Cleo Russell, Ponchatoula, LA; 9 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph E. Pevey, Sr.; father, Boliver Ray Russell; mother, Allene Lambert Russell; sister, Belle Russell Lanier; 2 brothers, Royce Russell and Dale G. Russell. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Sunday and at Big Creek Church of Christ, Russelltown, on Monday from 12 Noon until religious services at 1 p.m. Monday. Interment Big Creek Cemetery, Russelltown, LA.

NAMING THE SHEEP

The following story comes from Julie Helms in Christian Reader, “Lite Fare”:

My husband and I, with our two daughters, operate a small sheep farm. One day a non-farming friend asked, “How can you bear to slaughter those cute little lambs?”

My husband explained, “We don’t want to get emotionally attached to the ones we plan to eat, so we don’t give them names.”

Not satisfied, the friend probed, “What about your kids?”

Her husband quickly replied, “Oh, we name them!”

While very few of us are personally familiar with sheep and shepherds, the relationship between the two is one of the most powerful images in the Bible used to describe the relationship between Christ and his followers. The loving care shown by shepherds to their flock, and the willingness of sheep to utterly depend on what the shepherd can provide offer a glimpse of our personal relationship with the good shepherd. While it may seem to be a small thing, our name plays a significant role in that relationship.

“He who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” (John 10:2-3)

“He calls his own sheep by name.” Though there are many disciples of Christ around the world, we are not just “one of the masses”, not just a number. We are intimately known and loved by the good shepherd. He knows us by name. It tells us not only that he cares about us, but that he plans for his relationship with us to be a lasting one.

May the fact that your shepherd knows your name give you comfort this day.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

REMINDER:
Don’t forget to set your clocks back tonight or you’ll be late for church.

Make something of this beautiful day from the Lord.
Anna Lee