Month: February 2011

Thursday

We love because He first loved us.

~1 John 4:19 (HCSB)~

Hospital in and outs

  • Jimmy Schwartz is home from North Oaks.
  • Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell is home from Lakeview.
  • J. D. Smith is home and being monitored for future problems like he had Sunday.
  • Mrs. Margaret Huber is in North Oaks.
  • Mrs. Kathryn Sanders is to come home from rehab today.

Baby Elias (MK) will have a appointment with the pediatric cardiologist to undergo a heart test.  The doctor wants to see the brothers too to determine if there is a genetic problem.  Pray for the family as their future work situation may have to be changed to accommodate Elias and his needs.

Baby Abigail Wilson

Abigail’s grandmother just called to say that she will probably be in the hospital for about a month.
They are trying to find a formula that she can tolerate. There are some complications that she didn’t go into.
Now more than ever she needs everyone’s prayers.

Thank you,
Mary Criswell

Infant Joleigh Brooke Lynne Bel
(February 15, 2011 – February 15, 2011)

Joleigh Brooke Lynne Bel passed away on February 15, 2011 at Lakeview Regional Medical Center, Covington.

Joleigh is survived by her parents, Joshua and Brittney Besse Bel, Amite; maternal grandfather, Patrick Besse and Ginger Hyde, Amite; paternal grandparents, Keith & Joni Bel, Roseland; paternal great-grandmothers, Joan Watson, Amite & Norma Jean Bel, Amite; maternal great-grandmother, Amiee Besse, Amite; uncle, Shaun Besse, Amite; aunt, Tiffany Bel, Amite; step-mother, Ashley Besse, Amite; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family.

Preceded in death by maternal grandmother, Joyce M. Besse; paternal great-grandfathers, William Brown & JH Bel; maternal great-grandfather, Paul Bernard Besse.

Graveside Celebration of Life Service at Arcola-Roseland Cemetery, Roseland, on Sunday, February 20, 2011 at 2:00 p.m.

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

McKneely& Vaughn Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Pray for the Brister family as they have funeral services for their daughter, sister, cousin, and aunt today at 11:00 at McKneely and Vaughn Funeral Home.

Third Thursday meeting

  • 6:30 tonight at our cabin
  • Bring a favorite dish to share
  • Devotional and prayer time
  • Sweet fellowship

Celebrate a day of beautiful weather sent to us by our Heavenly Father!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples;

I will sing to You among the nations.”

~Psalm 57:9~


CaringBridge: Callie Cole

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

Continue praying for the many people who have a virus, flu, and/or pneumonia.  The list is long.  It seems to have touched most families.  Try to stay away from it if you can.

Baptist Press Stories for Feb. 15, 2011
—————————————
  • 2011 could be defining moment for ‘gay marriage’
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34654
  • Displaced Egyptian Christians want peace
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34653
  • Lila Rose: ‘Tipping point’ may be near on defunding Planned Parenthood
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34655
  • FIRST-PERSON: The Christian divorce rate myth (what you’ve heard is wrong)

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34656

  • GuideStone releases pastor tax guide
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34657
  • FIRST-PERSON: An unforgettable Valentine’s Day
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34658
Kay Brister Taylor
Visitation at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Thursday, February 17, 2011 from 8:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home Chapel with William “Billy” Brister and Rev. Joey Miller officiating. Interment in Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA.
KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2.10
Mike Benson, Editor

AS CONGREGATIONS, WE have tried about everything…

…meetings, lectures, Vacation Bible Schools, “Operation Doorbell,” city-wide

campaigns, television and radio programs, bus ministries, building buildings,

and hiring preachers with sex-appeal.  Some have even followed cultic schemes

of “discipling” and instituted unscriptural tactics of evangelism.  Many have

thought that growth comes naturally, or that, through the employment of slick

media methods or “get if for you wholesale” tactics, the noble purpose of the

Lord could be realized.  Now the time has come, having tried every modern

method known to man and having imitated the “numbers-mad” denominations,

to read the Lord’s instructions!  “When all else fails,” they said, “read the

instructions!”

Here comes our Lord giving us the very specific and powerful means to

penetrate the world: 13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses

its

flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown



out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city


that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it



under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.



16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and



glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5.13-16).

Jesus considered the way to penetrate the world was with light and salt.  These

two avenues, He says, are a demonstration of the most powerful and overwhelming

arguments for Truth: a good life, a life full of good works.  Good Christians, living a

good life and doing good works before men, penetrate the world!  Along with this,

someone has said that there are five powerful things in the world.  The fifth most

powerful thing is an idea.  The fourth most powerful thing is an idea that is true.

The third most powerful thing is the truth of God’s Word.  The second most powerful

thing is the truth of God believed.  But the most powerful thing in the world is the

truth of the Living God believed and put into practice!

For too long, we have been salting ourselves.  We have been lighting the church.

The Lord says salt and light are no good unless they get out into society, into the

world, where lost men and women live and die.  Salt penetrates the food, preserves

the food.  Light penetrates the darkness.  Leaven penetrates the bread to make it

rise and good to eat.

This is our Lord’s way of telling us that every member of the body of Christ is to be

involved in soul-winning, penetrating the world.  We can all live good lives.  We can

all do good works before men so that they can glorify and know our Father in heaven.

He calls us all, not only to be busy doing something, but to be busy being

something.  Mac Layton, “Jesus’ Supreme Goal: Great Outreach,” How to Build a

Great Church, 113-114

Shine for Jesus today!

Anna Lee

Tuesday Afternoon

Pray for Kirstie Birch, daughter of Bill and Sharon Birch.  Kirstie is having a heart procedure at Lakeview Hospital Friday morning.

As you pray for the Brister family, say special prayers for Gail who has had a virus.  She had to make a trip to the ER yesterday evening.

The “Third Thursday Meeting at the Cabin” will be this week.  Hopefully, some of you will be able to come join us at 6:30.  We would love to have you.

Tuesday Additions

Baby Abigail Wilson

Abigail had her thoracic surgery and seems to be on the mend. She is still in Vanderbilt Children’s and probably will stay there for several days. She and her family needs your prayers.

Thasnk you,
Mary Criswell

Mr. Wenous Goings is being admitted to North Oaks for tests on his heart.   Please be in prayer for him.

I had a good workout on my right arm today.  I will continue at home for two weeks and go back for another evaluation.  I want all the usage I can get in that arm!

Tuesday

“Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam”

(this word means Sent).

So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him

begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?”

~John 9:7–8 (NIV)~

It looks like we are going to have another beautiful day.  I’m planning to celebrate with my last day of physical therapy for my broken arm which is healing nicely.  I will have a little more therapy to do at home to have the return of the full range of movement.  I thank God for this beautiful day and the great improvement in my arm!

Baptist Press Stories for Feb. 14, 2011
—————————————
  • Egyptian Christian’s goal: restrictions lifted on Gospel
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34646
  • Poll: Christian-operated businesses have support of American public
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34647
  • ‘Culture of sacrifice’ is church’s goal
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34648
  • Panel passes bill banning abortion funding
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34649
  • Pastors’ Conf. aim: 1,000 church plants
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34650
  • FIRST-PERSON: Have you lost your love for Jesus?
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34651

KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2.10

Mike Benson, Editor

A MAN FELL into a pit and couldn’t get himself out…

A subjective person came along and said, “I feel for you down there.”

An objective person came along and said, “It’s logical that someone would fall down there.”

A Pharisee came along and said, “Only bad people fall into pits.”

A mathematician came along and calculated how deep the pit was.

A news reporter came along and asked for the exclusive story on the pit.

An IRS agent came along and asked if the man was paying taxes on the pit.

A self-pitying person came along and said, “You haven’t seen anything until you’ve seen my pit.”

A Christian Scientist came along and said, “The pit is just in your mind.”

A psychologist came along and said, “Your mother and father are to blame for your being in the pit.”

A self-esteem therapist came along and said, “Believe in yourself and you can get out of that pit.”

An optimist came along and said, “Things could be worse.”

A pessimist came along and said, “Things couldn’t be worse.”

A spiritual man came along, took the man by the hand, and lifted him out of the pit.  Source unknown

“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass,

you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness,

considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”

~Galatians 6.1~

Which man are you?  Which man would you like to be?  What are you going to do to become the man you want to be?

Thank-you for praying for the many people who are listed here.  Your prayers make a difference in many lives!

Anna Lee


Monday Evening Additions

I have two bits of good news to share tonight.  You will want to know this sooner, rather than later.

  1. Mrs. Annie Belle Harrell may come home tomorrow afternoon if all continues to go well with her.
  2. Mrs. Kathryn Sanders may come home Thursday if all continues to go well with her.

I’m so thankful God has allowed these ladies to get better and return home.  Thank-you for praying.  I know they are both very thankful for you!

Monday Evening

Kay Brister Taylor
(January 14, 1961 – February 13, 2011)

Kay Brister Taylor was born January 14, 1961 and passed away at 7:15 p.m., Sunday, February 13, 2011 at her residence surrounded by her loving family. She was 50, a native of New Orleans and a resident of Kentwood. Kay was a US Army Veteran.

Kay is survived by her parents, Tom & Gail Brister, Kentwood; sister, Lori Brister Spayd and husband Jim, Atlanta, GA; 2 brothers, William “Billy” Brister and wife Rosie, Dallas, TX and Robert M. Brister and wife Jennifer Jill, Kentwood; 9 nieces & nephews, Nicholas, Brian and Rachel Spayd, Whitney and Blake Brister, Haley, Hannah, Hope and Evan Brister; step-son, Trent Taylor, Atlanta, GA; step-daughter, Alana Wilson, Atlanta, GA.

Preceded in death by her husband, Allan Taylor; grandparents, Thomas M. & Evelyn Myers Brister, Sr. and Cecil and Thelma Berry Murray.

Visitation at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Thursday, February 17, 2011 from 8:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home Chapel with William “Billy” Brister and Rev. Joey Miller officiating. Interment in Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA.

Family request Memorial Donations be made to Bridget Brewer, 12638 State Line Road, Kentwood, LA 70444.

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

Monday Addition

Jon-Michael Williams

A total of 9,143 letters have been written to Extreme Home Make-Over to get a remodel of the Williams’ trailer.  Before this, 100 letters was the most written for a single make-over.  I know many of you took the time to write a letter. Thanks so much.

Plans are underway for some fund raisers for Jon-Michael.  I’ll let you know more about them later.  In the meantime, donations will be very helpful to his mother.

Thanks so much for caring for a family in great need through no fault of their own.  God has used this accident to bring out a lot of good in many people.  God bless all of you.

Monday

“All the LORD’s ways [show] faithful love and truth

to those who keep His covenant and decrees.”

~Psalm 25: 10, HCSB~

Jadon’s Story: More Great News!!!

First I want to say congrats to my Aunt Rachael and Uncle Michael. My cousin was born on my mommy’s birthday. He was 5 pounds 11 ounces and 19 1/4 inches long. He is absolutely perfect and we are so excited for them. Now on to me. Well its been 2weeks. Yes 2 whole weeks with only 20-40 very small spasms a day. I don’t think I’ve ever gone this long with this few seizures and this less intense. You have to be holding me to know that I’m having them. My eyes aren’t rolling way back in my head either. We still can’t believe it. People this is huge news for me!!! Just when it looked like we would never get control of these things LOOK WHAT OUR GOD has done!!!!!! We were so sad when I got RSV but it has been the best thing that could have happened to me. Between the topamax wean and the steroids I’m doing 100% better. I’m not going to lie and tell you we don’t worry. Each morning when we wake up everyones eyes are on me counting making sure I’m not going to have more seizures than the day before. Yes we are VERY VERY thankful just scared they are going to increase and get more intense. We again are just trusting GOD and we keep reminding ourself that He is in control not us. We don’t know what the next day, week, month, or year will bring but today I can’t even explain the joy we have in our hearts. We go back to the neurologist on March 1. The plan is to start zonegran. We are also going to talk to her about maybe doing another round of prednisolone to try to stop these things completely. Please continue to pray for me as I continue to fight this horrible thing called epilepsy. Right now I’m winning and I’m determined to win in the end. I love you all, Jadon

Continue to pray for Mrs. Birdie Hano and Mrs. Dorothy Ricks.  They are at Beachum Hospital in Magnolia.

KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10

Mike Benson, Editor

IF WE TRULY understood the message of Christ’s love found in the Bible letters, then we would be eager to meet the legal requirements set forth in those same letters…

The New Testament is not just a love letter.  It is not just a legal brief.  It is both! Are love and law mutually exclusive?  Are they incompatible?  Obviously not!  Jesus tied love and lawkeeping together!

I can well remember as a boy, coming home after school to find a note written to me by my father.  The note would almost always have some command written down upon it for me to obey and then close with an expression of love from my Dad.  When I read the note, I saw two elements present.  There was a command for me to obey given by one who had authority over me.  Then there was an expression of love for given by one who had fervent affection for me.  There was law and there was love!  In college I would often receive a love letter from my Mom and Dad with certain requests for me to obey scattered throughout various points.  Imagine that – a love letter with requirements as well.

This is precisely what the New Testament is – a love letter with legal requirements combined.  “Precept and promise, law and love combining, till night shall vanish in eternal day!”  B.J. Clarke, The Bible: Love Letter, Legal Brief, or Both?

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”  John 14:15; cf. v. 21-24

May you share your love and have love shared with you today.  Love is best expressed with actions!  The greatest love is God’s love for us.

Anna Lee