Saturday

But the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. Luke 2:10 (NLT)

This is an update on Dustin Rosamond: Dustin was moved to Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans and has undergone a procedure to draw fluid from his lung and may have to undergo surgery to that lung to clean out “infection pockets”. He would like to be at home but the doctors have informed him that he would rather go ahead and take care of these problems rather than go home and have to turn right around and come back. Both of his parents are staying at the hospital around the clock so please continue to pray for Dustin and for his parents, Chris and Sherry and for the rest of his family as they anxiously await his recovery.
Please remember my Mom and Step-Dad, Ruby and Aubrey Stokes as they have been without phones and electricity for 2 days now and Aubrey is going through some continuing medical tests of his own which we pray for a good outcome and my Mom for her strength and health. Thank you for your continued prayers.
Sue Minor/Tucker

Emily Panter
Friday, December 12, 2008
It’s Hard for Emily
Emily called me this morning and told me she is having a hard adjustment. SHE CAN DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!! And this is per doctor’s orders—but she also feels it. She can do nothing. They still have a huge need. Emily cannot be left alone–at all! If any of you are available to help her by coming and staying with her, helping with kids, etc.—please sign up on the calendar. (We were getting hit by spammers on the calendar, so there may be an extra step in posting on the calendar)
Please, please pray for this family’s adjustment. It’s a struggle right now. I’m sure the kids are so excited to have mommy home–but just don’t realize mommy’s still not completely well.
Thank you!

Psalm 63:7
“Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.”

Don Denton
Wow….what a week! Today marks one week that Don has been home. It is still sinking in as we embrace life as we know it.

We have been welcomed in a warm, wonderful way by this community of believers. I was just talking with a colleague of Don’s about the outpouring of love and support that we have received. It is truly the church expressing Christ’s love in a beautiful way. We as a family continue to receive support in amazing ways. We are so grateful! We are so blessed. We see God in such a powerful way.

We could have never expected how helpless it feels to come home and realize that we have been so needy. This certainly continues to be a place where God is teaching me about His amazing love and my ability to accept from others.

I have been humbled to realize that I can’t do this all by myself. I continue to learn from this experience as well.

We have so much to give thanks for this week. I have some prayer requests and want to give times for visitation with Don. I hope to have pictures of Don’s flight soon on the sight.

Prayer requests and answered prayer:

* Equipment Don has needed has been loaned to us, which we are so thankful for.
* Others continue to provide food for us, and delicious home cooked food, yeah!
* My brother and dear friends of his came in to spend the day with us today. It is so good to see their faces and spend special time with them.

Prayer requests:

* Don’s parents left this morning back for Louisiana. We needed them a few extra days. Pray for a safe trip for them.
* Pray for Joshua as he adjusts to daddy being home and daddy not feeling himself. This is still very hard for him.
* Pray for me as we adjust. I am realizing that I can’t do it all.
* Pray for Don as he continues to improve. Today was a day where is was most tired and did not feel well. This has been busy week for him.

We continue to give thanks to our God for the body of Christ who has reached out to meet our needs. WE are most grateful!

Don will be taking visitors starting this week. This Sunday from 2 – 4pm. Please call ahead of time: 417-777-6612

Tuesday Dec 16th 2-4pm

Friday Dec 19th 1 -3pm.

Call me if you have questions.

Blessings to you our family and friends

Diane

George H. Will
(October 4, 1917 – December 11, 2008)

U.S. Veteran Mr. George H. Will passed away at 5:10AM, Thursday, December 11, 2008 at the St. Helena Parish Hospital, Greensburg. He was 91, a native of Lockhart, TX and a resident of Kentwood.

Mr. George is survived by his wife of 22 years, Lula Mae Needham Will, Kentwood; a brother, Ludwig Theodore Will, and wife, Jeanne, Denver, CO; 2 nieces, Dr. Patricia Wells, and husband, Jim, Sacramento, CA & Charlene Wright, Houston, TX; a nephew, Thomas Will, and wife, Donna, Houston, TX.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ludwig & Nellie Will; first wife, Iverina Will; & a sister, Louise Wright.

Visitation at the McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Saturday, December 13, 2008 from 9:00AM until Religious Services at 11:00AM in the Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Percy ‘Mac’ Frazier officiating. Interment in the Needham Cemetery, Kentwood, LA.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N & Hwy 16W next to Coggins-Gentry Ford.

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE
INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD
Friday, December 12, 2008

“Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call His name JESUS” (Luke 1:31, HCSB).

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the International Prayer Strategy Office, encouraging you to pray for others as we move through this holiday season.

The lyrics, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. . . “ and “It’s the most wonderful time of the year . . . ,” keep floating through my mind. We all have a mental image of the ideal holiday season. Americans have a distinctly cultural view of Christmas that includes presents, snow, and nativity scenes.

But Christmas looks quite different in Saudi Arabia! There are no Christmas trees for sale, and it is hard to find Christmas decorations–certainly no snow. Pray a special blessing for Christians living there. Many come from countries all around the world and they spend the holiday away from families. Others face persecution from fellow countrymen. Pray that their celebration will be rich as they focus on the real reason for Christmas.

In Durban, South Africa, international, national and local holidaymakers are visiting beaches and other attractions. Pray for safety for all, in what is not considered to be such a safe environment these days. Pray that missionaries and Christian groups will find opportunities to share Jesus without fear as they mingle with holiday-goers at a time when many are curious as to the reason for the season.

The Xhosa tribe of South Africa does not really celebrate Christmas. Since it is in the middle of summer, many of the church programs are suspended and many pastors take the whole month off–there are no Christmas plays, musicals or indigenous Christmas songs. Please pray for team members as they minister in the different communities, teaching the significance of Christmas.

* Please pray that the love of Jesus will shine and believers in Saudi will share the hope they have in Jesus with friends and coworkers.

* Pray for the Durban holiday crowd that they will call on the name JESUS!

* Intercede for believers in South Africa to find biblically and culturally appropriate ways to celebrate the Christ child.

Baptist Press
December 12, 2008

WASHINGTON–Obama & new Congress could set back pro-life movement decades. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29503

WASHINGTON–Quick order would belie Obama’s call for abortion reduction. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29504

WASHINGTON–Pro-life policies likely Obama targets. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29505

WASHINGTON–Cizik resigns after controversial interview. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29506

WASHINGTON–Land: Bush not ‘theologian-in-chief.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29507

VIRGINIA–Hispanics aim for $1M Lottie Moon offering. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29508

TENNESSEE–INTERNATIONAL DIGEST: Orissa Christians fear violent Christmas. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29509

ALABAMA–FIRST-PERSON (Wanda S. Lee): The importance of missions giving. http://www.bpnews.net/BPFirstPerson.asp?ID=29510

LOUISIANA–FIRST-PERSON (Kelly Boggs): We need a character bailout. http://www.bpnews.net/BPFirstPerson.asp?ID=29511

EVERY SECRET THING

At the end of their first date, a young man takes his favorite girl home. Emboldened by the night, he decides to try for that important first kiss. With an air of confidence, he leans with his hand against the wall and, smiling, he says to her, “Darling, how ’bout a goodnight kiss?”

Horrified, she replies, “Are you mad? My parents will see us!”

“Oh come on! Who’s gonna see us at this hour?”

“No, please. Can you imagine if we get caught?”

“Oh come on, there’s nobody around, they’re all sleeping!”

“No way. It’s just too risky!”

“Oh please, please, I like you so much!!”

“No, no, and no. I like you too, but I just can’t!”

“Oh yes you can. Please?”

“NO, no. I just can’t.”

“Pleeeeease?…”

Out of the blue, the porch light goes on, and the girl’s sister shows up in her pajamas, hair disheveled. In a sleepy voice the sister says: “Dad says to go ahead and give him a kiss. Or I can do it. Or if need be, he’ll come down himself and do it. But for crying out loud, tell him to take his hand off the intercom button!”

How embarrassing to realize that a conversation you thought was being held in secret was known to everyone in the house! There are some things we say that we don’t want others to hear and some things we do that we don’t want others to know about (sometimes with good reason). But, the truth is, much of what we try to keep hidden from others is because we know that what we are saying and doing is wrong and we don’t want others to know about it.

If there’s something in your life that you’re trying to hide from others, you’d better be careful. And be reminded that there are no secrets we can keep from God. He sees all, He knows all, and He appreciates the person who is honest enough to allow God into every aspect of his life. For those who want to live in secret, the day is coming when those secrets will be revealed.

Paul spoke of “the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.” (Romans 2:16)

Solomon spoke of a time when “God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:14)

May your live your life every day with the confidence that your hand is on the intercom button, God is on the other end, but you have nothing to be ashamed of.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Don’t forget the Lottie Moon Christmas Tea at 2 P.M. today at New Zion Baptist Church. It is for all girls and ladies! It doesn’t matter your age, size, church, or knowledge of Lottie Moon. Come, enjoy some tea (or hot chocolate) and some tea cakes made by Lottie’s recipe. You’ll learn more about her and her support of missions. Then, you will realize why our annual offering for International missions is named in her honor.
Anna Lee