Thursday

Now you belong to him …

in order that you might be useful

in the service of God.

~Romans 7:4 TEV~

CaringBridge

• http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/calliecole

Thomas B. Singleton

(December 15, 1930 – October 5, 2010)

Thomas B. Singleton was born December 15, 1930 and passed away at 4:15 p.m., Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. He was 79, a native of Roseland and a resident of Amite. Mr. Thomas was a Veteran of the US Navy.

Mr. Thomas is survived by his wife, Louise Brown Singleton, Amite; 2 sons, Wayne Thomas Singleton and wife, Faye Elizabeth, Amite and Barry Lee Singleton, Manchester, NH; sister, Bertha West, Baker; sister-in-law, Jeanine Singleton, Baton Rouge; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by parents, Tom and Clara Johnson Singleton; son, David Alan Singleton; 4 sisters, Ida Magee, Mattie Thornton, Irene Courtney and Lela Vicknair; brother, Clifton Singleton.

Visitation will be at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Friday, October 8, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Saturday, October 9, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home Chapel with Rev. Larry Blades officiating. Interment in Arcola-Roseland Cemetery, Roseland, LA.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N & Hwy 16W (Exit 46) next to Bill Hood Automotive and behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash and Holiday Inn Express.

Thought for the Day: Be Careful Who You Imitate

The following story is reported to be true:

A new missionary recruit went to Venezuela for the first time. He was struggling with the language and didn’t understand a whole lot of what was going on. Intending to visit one of the local churches, he got lost, but eventually got back on track and found the place. Having arrived late, the church was already packed. The only pew with a seat open was the one on the front row.

So as not to make a fool of himself, this recruit decided to pick someone out of the crowd to imitate. He chose to follow the man sitting next to him on the front pew. As they sang, the missionary tried to follow along. When the man stood up to pray, the missionary recruit stood up too. When the man sat down, he sat down. When the man took the cup and bread for the Lord’s Supper, he took the cup and bread. During the preaching, the recruit didn’t understand a thing. He just sat there and tried to look like that man in the front pew.

Then he perceived that the preacher was giving announcements. People clapped, so he looked to see if the man was clapping. He was, and so the recruit clapped too. Then the preacher said some words that he didn’t understand and he saw the man next to him stand up. So he stood up, too. Suddenly a hush fell over the entire congregation. A few people gasped. He looked around and saw that nobody else was standing, so he sat down.

After the service ended, the preacher stood at the door shaking the hands of those who were leaving. When the missionary recruit stretched out his hand to greet the preacher, the preacher said, in English: “I take it you don’t speak Spanish.”

The missionary recruit replied: “No I don’t. Is it that obvious?”

“Well yes,” said the preacher, “I announced that the Acosta family had a newborn baby boy and would the proud father please stand up.”

There is nothing wrong with imitating godly men and women, but we need to be careful who we imitate, and to what extent. Even the apostle Paul was careful to limit those who sought to follow him:

“Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” (1 Cor. 11:1)

Follow the example of those you know who are living godly lives, but be sure to keep one eye on Christ as the ultimate standard. Otherwise, you may find yourself standing when you ought to be sitting!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Be blessed today!

Anna Lee