Friday

“Just as our bodies have many parts

and each part has a special function,

so it is with Christ’s body.

We are all parts of his one body,

and each of us has different work to do.

And since we are all one body in Christ,

we belong to each other,

and each of us needs all the others.”

~Romans 12:4-5 (NLT)~

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

Lillian Josephine Casiano

(September 30, 1937 – January 18, 2011)

A resident of Amite, LA, died at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at her home. She was born September 30, 1937 in New York, NY and was 73 years of age. Memorial Services will be held at First Southern Methodist Church, Amite, LA on Saturday, January 22, 2011. Survived by Children Grace Lopez of Fortson, Georgia; Luis Alfonso Lopez, Joseph Michael Lopez of Belleville, New Jersey and Francis Herlindo Lopez of Ridgefield, New Jersey.Grandchildren: Luis Pagan of Fort Riley, Kansas; Juan Pagan of Chatanooga, Tennessee; Grace Martin of Franklin, New Hampshire and Wayne Martin of Concord, New Hampshire. 10 Great-Grandchildren: Erica Sanford, Gabriel and Lilliana Pagan, Tenarra and Lexi Pagan, Taylor Tilley, Lana White, Dylan and Amaya Marcoux and Aoife Pyke. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

Herlon Cole Taylor

(November 21, 1919 – January 20, 2011)

Mrs. Herlon Cole Taylor was born November 21, 1919 and passed away at 9:35 a.m., Thursday, January 20, 2011 at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. She was 91, a native of Booneville, MS and a resident of Greensburg. Mrs. Herlon was lifelong and a founding member of Darlington Baptist Church.

Mrs. Herlon is survived by 5 sons, Morris and wife Barbara Painter Taylor, Don Taylor, Jimmie and wife Sandy Taylor, Randy and wife Marilyn Taylor, Butch and wife Linda Beauchamp Taylor; 10 grandchildren, Steve Taylor, Debbie Athey, Cathy Peever, Lisa Taylor, Tammy Rick, Clint Taylor, Brantley Taylor, Anna Maria Bullinger, Landon Taylor and Abby Taylor; 18 great grandchildren; 7 great great-grandchildren; sister, Willodean Cole ; numerous nieces, nephews & extended family.

Preceded in death by husband, Roy Taylor; mother, Mertie Lovell Cole; father, Huey Cole; sister, Vister Sagely; brothers Warren G. Cole, Melton Cole, Guy Cole, L. C. Cole and Cecil Cole; daughter-in-law, Dot Carruth Taylor and great granddaughter, Hannah Peever.

Visitation at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Friday, January 21, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Saturday, January 22, 2011 at First Baptist Church, Greensburg from 10:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Worship Services at 12:00 Noon with Rev. Mark Robinson officiating. Interment in Greensburg Cemetery, Greensburg.

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

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

THE GOD OF TRUTH

There once were four preachers who had a series of theological arguments, and three were always in agreement against the fourth.  One day, the odd preacher out, after the usual “3 to 1, majority rules” statement that signified that he had lost again, decided to appeal to a higher authority.

“Oh, God!” he cried. “I know in my heart that I am right and they are wrong!  Please give me a sign to prove it to them!”

It was a beautiful, sunny day.  As soon as the preacher finished his prayer, a storm cloud moved across the sky above the four.  It rumbled once and dissolved.  “A sign from God!  See, I’m right, I knew it!”  But the other three disagreed, pointing out that storm clouds form on hot days.

So the preacher prayed again: “Oh, God, I need a bigger sign to show that I am right and they are wrong.  So please, God, a bigger sign!”  This time four storm clouds appeared, rushed toward each other to form one big cloud, and a bolt of lightning slammed into a tree on a nearby hill.

“I told you I was right!” cried the preacher, but his friends insisted that nothing had happened that could not be explained by natural causes.

The preacher was getting ready to ask for a *very big* sign, but just as he said, “Oh God…,” the sky turned pitch black, the earth shook, and a deep, booming voice said, “HEEEEEEEE’S RIIIIIIIGHT!”

The preacher put his hands on his hips, turned to the other three, and said, “Well?”

“So,” shrugged one of the other preachers, “now it’s 3 to 2.”

It’s a serious problem.  The problem of putting God’s words on an equal level with man’s words.  But spiritual truth is not determined by taking a vote.  In fact, even if 1,000 people agree with us, it makes no difference unless we agree with God.

As Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” (John 17:17)

That’s why Paul was so determined that the Thessalonians know the source of his teaching.

“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.” (I Thess. 2:13)

Father, in the confusion of so many voices telling us what is right and what is wrong, may we look to your word for truth.  Thank you for being a God of truth, one in whom we can place our utmost confidence.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Someone suggested I add Crain Funeral Home to the links at the lower right.  I did.  I even added four more to the ones that were already there.  I hope this is a convenience you will use.

Have a fantastic Friday!

Anna Lee