Wednesday

Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions. 1 John 3:18 (NLT)

(This verse reminds me of the hymn, “Be Ye Doers of the Word”.)

Carl Wayne Stevens, a former resident of this area, is in ICU in Laurel. He has improved since being admitted. Please remember him in your prayers.

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE
INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD
Wednesday, November 26, 2008

“I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders” (Psalm 9:1, NASB).

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the International Prayer Strategy Office, thanking the Lord with you for His great wonders.

The turkey may be a chicken and the pies may be baked in a toaster oven, but many Americans living in China will most certainly celebrate Thanksgiving. They will thank the God of bounty who provides for them and their families in every way and who has called them into partnership with Him.

Team Corsica is hosting four traditional Thanksgiving meals. They have invited non-believing friends into their homes for food and fellowship. Corsicans love learning about the United States and her holidays. Last year, the team hosted three meals which led to a deepening of friendship with friends.

Missionaries serving in Lilongwe, Malawi, share, “We have so many things for which to be thankful. The government offers many freedoms, we have Christian friends and colleagues among nationals who are co-laborers in the task, and we have prayer partners who are faithful. Ask God to use this special holiday time to remind us of the greatest reason to give thanks and the reason to be about the Father’s business: that Jesus Christ is the one and only Way for us to have life abundant and eternal. Pray that we will see the opportunities God gives each day and have the courage to speak boldly about our Lord Jesus.”

Missionaries in the Central and Western Tanzania Cluster are having a prayer retreat. Pray for safe travel for all the missionaries who are attending. Also pray for the volunteers from Nevada who are working with the missionary children. Pray that the fellowship will be refreshing, the teachings challenging, and the preaching encouraging.

* Please pray that missionary homes be filled with the Spirit of God and His wisdom as guests ask questions.

* Praise God for abundantly providing protection, guidance and enabling to all who serve Him.

* Our missionaries humbly thank you for your prayers during this time of Thanksgiving!

If you know of young adults who are interested in being a part of International World Changers, the might want to consider an opportunity such as the one found at http://thetask.org/students/Projects/ProjectDetails.asp?JobID=89674.

Holly K sent her latest newsletter. She has complete five weeks of her eight weeks of training. God is using her in many ways, including making me rethink persecution of Christians. She has talents and a special heart that will make her as asset for her people group. Pray for her as she completes her training and returns to this area for Christmas. Then, she will be off to West Africa to serve as a MK teacher.

John “Johnny” Walter Hurst II

John “Johnny” Walter Hurst, II, age 53, passed away on November 22, 2008 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Hurst was a part-time well operator with the Tangipahoa Water District.

He leaves to cherish precious memories, his wife of 28 years, Lynne LeBlanc Hurst; sons, Ryan, Joshua, and Tanner Hurst; mother, Anne Hurst of Kentwood, LA; sisters and brothers-in-law, Nedra & Rick Carter of Laurel, Mississippi and Bonnie & Marc Impastato of Madisonville, LA; and other relatives and numerous friends. Preceded in death by his father, John Walter Hurst and niece Rebekah Carter.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend visitation at Harry McNeely & Son Funeral Home in Hammond on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 from 8:30 a.m. until the service at 11:00 a.m. Officiating the service will be Bro. Joey Miller, pastor of Johnny’s home church, First Baptist in Kentwood and Bro. Rick Carter, associate pastor of First Baptist Church in Laurel, Mississippi. Interment will follow at Inspiration Park Memorial Gardens in Kentwood, LA. An on-line Guestbook is available at http://www.harrymckneely.com

(The time of the graveside service should be approximately 12:30.)

Margaret Elizabeth McCann Abbott
A resident of Kentwood, she died at 11:15 a.m. Monday, Nov. 24, 2008, at Kentwood Manor Nursing Home. She was 83 and a native of Sheffield, Ala. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, on Wednesday, Nov. 26, from 9 a.m. until religious service at 11 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Greg Stewart and the Rev. Danny Smith. Interment in Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood. She is survived by four daughters and three sons-in-law, Ovelene and Ernest Spears and Jean and Jimmy Powers, all of Kentwood, Janice and Steve Hutchinson, of Cedarville, Ill., and Charlotte White, of Kentwood; two sons, James and Joseph Abbott, both of Kentwood; 23 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her first husband, Columbus Abbott; second husband, Charles Abbott Sr.; three sons, Timothy, Paul and Charles Abbott Jr.; daughter, Gennie Willie; and parents, Ellis and Jennie McCann. Pallbearers will be Steven Spears, Eric Brumfield, David Spears, Scott Abbott, Joseph Willie Jr. and Jimmy Powers Jr. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Robert Maslias “Bayboy” Rogers
A resident of Slaughter, he died Monday, Nov. 24, 2008, at his home. He was 58 and a retiree from the town of Slaughter with 26 years of service. Visiting at First Baptist Church, Slaughter, on Wednesday, Nov. 26, from 9 a.m. until religious service at 11 a.m. Burial in the Rogers Family Cemetery, Norwood. Survived by his wife of 16 years, Donnis Rogers; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Phillip and Mandy Rogers, Kentwood, and Tyler Rogers, Slaughter; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Janice Belle and Joseph Beavers and Robbie and Charles George, all of Slaughter; and three grandchildren, Ethan Scott Rogers, Chelsea Renee Tatum and Blake M. Thibodaux. Preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Lesia Rogers. Pallbearers will be Jeremy Beavers, Joseph Beavers Jr., Chris George, Jacob Beavers, Benny Lindsey and Jerry Beavers. Honorary pallbearers are Phillip Rogers, Tyler Rogers, David Miller and Jason Causey. Memorial donations may be made to Charlet Funeral Home Inc. to defray funeral expenses. Share sympathies, condolences and memories at http://www.CharletFuneralHome.com.

Ray Tompkins
A retired machine operator with Paxon Polymer and a resident of Greensburg, he died at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008. He was 66, a native of Paradise, Mont., and a U.S. Air Force veteran. Graveside service at Days United Methodist Church Cemetery, Greensburg, on Saturday, Nov. 29, at 1 p.m. Survived by his wife, Katherine Tompkins; mother, Maxine Tompkins, of Plains, Mont.; three daughters, Sheila Simmons, of Osyka, Miss., Karen Barkman and husband Ken, of Picayune, Miss., and Amanda Hilton and husband Chris, of Greensburg; three sisters, Nancy Bradshaw, of Morgantown, N.C., Martha Good, of Paradise, and Rose DeNu, of San Jose, Calif.; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by his father, Roy W. Tompkins; two brothers, Frank and Gary Tompkins; a sister, Betty Coy; and biological mother, Mona Sharp. He founded the North Helena Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Unit and served for eight years as fire chief. After retirement he ran his own bulldozer and backhoe business. Arrangements by McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Kentwood.

Last night, I was talking with a special older friend. We mentioned the numerous deaths in our community. I hope that as each family goes through the grieving process they will be able to call on God to be with them in their time of great need. The following devotional seems most appropriate, not only because of the holiday, but because of the many needs around us. I’m sure Mike Benson would be honored to know you retold his devotional to help someone at this season of their life.

Squeal
by Mike Benson

WE RAISED PIGS…

We raised about a thousand pigs a year. In one field we had two or three hundred little oinkers running around. Every day, at four in the morning, as I’d walk into the field to feed those guys, they’d scatter.

Once a little pig came up and began to chew on my foot, so I picked him up and began to pet him. Soon he wanted down. I said, “No, I’ll let you down when I’m ready.” At that moment, he let out a squeal such as I had never heard. In about two seconds, thirty mama pigs weighing five to six hundred pounds each were headed my way. I put him down and headed for the fence. I barely made it over, and all the mama pigs were snorting and walking back and forth, daring me to come back over and bother one of their kids. I look back at that and realize the little rascal wasn’t intimidated. He was out of control, but he wasn’t intimidated. Why? Because one squeal away he had resources. (Rod Cooper)

We can “squeal” (e.g., pray) and know that the God of the universe will employ His resources to meet our needs.

“Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer” (Psm. 61:1).

(Posted by Mike Benson at November 25, 2008 2:46 PM)

It’s okay to “squeal” for help. God is waiting to hear your call!
Anna Lee