Month: February 2011

Thursday

“And they continued steadfastly

in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship,

in the breaking of bread,

and in prayers . . .

and the Lord added to the church daily

those who were being saved.”

~Acts 2:42-47~

Rene Deck is doing well following her back surgery.  She was able to be at church Sunday and again last night.  Keep her in your prayers as she continues to heal.

Pray for the Hatchels as they are at Malta for the next week and a half.  Pray for Boyd and Jennie as they lead a conference for their coworkers.

Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell’s heart procedure is scheduled for 1 P.M.  Let have many prayers now and right through her surgery time.

There have been a number of young people in wrecks lately.  Thank God for protecting the drivers.  Be careful on the wet roads.

Mrs. Bertie Hano is in Beachum Hospital in Magnolia.  Pray for her to return to her good health so she can return to the nursing home and be an ambassador for the Lord there.

Meagan Strickland had her surgery yesterday.  Pray for her as she heals at home and for her baby daughter as she gains weight.

Jadon’s Story: Mild, but More

My seizures have increased the last three days. I’m having about 40 spasms a day now. Even though they have increased they are still very mild. We are still thankful that they are mild. I’m still very happy and doing new things. We found out the other day that I’m not getting a PT. The PT that was going to come is not servicing this area anymore. So no PT for now. My mommy is trying really hard to find me one. I really need PT. Other than thing, things have been nice around here. It’s amazing how much easier things have been the past week. Thanks for praying for me 🙂

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

THERE WAS A daddy who had nine big strapping sons that formed the starting lineup of the best team that ever played baseball…

The daddy was the manager, and always found fault with anything his sons did.  Let one of  his sons hit a home run and he would say something like, “Boy, he put the ole’ apple right down the middle, didn’t he?  Blind man coulda hit that one.  Your grandma coulda put the wood on that one.  If a guy couldn’t hit that one, there’d be something wrong with him, I’d say.  Wind practically took that one out of here, didn’t even need to hit  it much.”

And if you think that was bad, you should have heard him when one of them made a mistake.  It was obvious that this wasn’t “home on the range,” because there was always a discouraging word.  His sons could never please him, and if they did, he forgot it.  When his oldest son, Edwin Jim, Jr., turned and ran to the centerfield fence for a long fly ball and threw his glove forty feet in the air to snag the ball and caught the ball and glove, his daddy said, “I saw a man in Superior, Wisconsin, do that a long time ago, but he did it at night and the ball was his a lot harder.”

Those boys could have used some encouragement.  What is true of sons in general is true of sons of God.

19 “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,

20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,

21 and having a High Priest over the house of God,

22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,

25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Hebrews 10:19-25

What does the Lord have planned for you today?  Make it a great day as He reveals His plans for you!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“But you shall receive power

when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;

and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem,

and in all Judea and Samaria,

and to the end of the earth.”

~Acts 1:8~

Money, letters mount for Jon-Mike Williams

http://www.hammondstar.com/articles/2011/02/08/top_stories/education/

5677.txtINTERNATIONAL

It is not too late to write an email!

MISSIONS PRAYERLINE

IMB
Wednesday, February 9, 2011

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance,” (James 1:2-3, NASB).

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the Office of Global Prayer Strategy, praying with you for those facing persecution.

Workers among Iranian Arabs struggle to impact the local church in the face of intensifying persecution. Ask the Father either to offer new strategies that are effective or to allow current strategies to transcend the hostilities to the Gospel. Pray for leaders to be trained, allowing them to multiply healthy churches inside the country.

Local believers of Coal City, China, have been facing an increase in persecution. Although this has not been widespread, there have been reports of believers being questioned by various authorities, people not being allowed to travel to meetings, and at least one leader being asked to leave the area. It is not unusual for the authorities to confiscate tracts and other printed materials. Our brothers and sisters persevere despite opposition and courageously spread the message of Christ. Pray that the local church will be strengthened and refined by these trials.

The Berber people worshipped in both French and their native Kabyle dialect. Men were singing praises, dancing, and praying to the Father. It was amazing! After about an hour of singing, the Word was brought forth. Then the leader called forward those who wanted prayer. Several walked to the front, and the congregation encircled them with outstretched arms. At the end, one young woman believed–it was a glorious day! Many of these believers can never go home to North Africa due to the threat hanging over their lives. They are willing to give up family and familiarity in order to serve the Lord.

* Please lift up those who are being persecuted for righteousness sake, and ask that those who believe will continue to praise Him.

* Intercede for workers that they not allow hostilities or discouragement to overwhelm their call.

* Give thanks to the Father that believers are being added to the family despite various trials.

KneEmail

At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow.  Philippians 2:10

Mike Benson, Editor

JOHN R.W. Stott, an English theologian, states, “Vision begins with a holy discontent with the way things are…”

It is possible to become so content with our church that we become complacent.  We are busy building homes, families, and careers, while trying to live in a chaotic, change-filled world.  Sometimes the last thing church members want to see changed is their congregation.  They like the stability of church being the same week after week.  Unfortunately, that sameness can breed complacency and weak ministry.

Discouragement may set in, even bitterness.  And the lighthouse God called into existence only emits a weak light.  But with vision, the future begins to grow and become clear and larger than the past and present.  Discouragement and complacency are replaced with hope.  J. David Schmidt

“For as the body without the spirit is dead,

so faith without works is dead also.”

~James 2.26~

Thanks for praying today.  Your prayers mean so much to so many!

Anna Lee


Tuesday

“Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”

~John 16:24~

Pray for members of the military, police, firefighters and others who serve to help us maintain our way of life with all the freedoms we have.

Pray for Mrs. Kathryn Sanders as she had begun three hours of physical therapy daily at North Oaks Rehab.  She plans to willingly do all that is asked of her so she can get home as soon as possible.

Pray for Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell as she makes preparation to enter the hospital tomorrow for Thursday’s heart procedure.  Pray for Mr. Phillip and other family members during this time.

IMB Weekly Prayer Highlights

February 9, 2011

* Pray as IMB personnel host a sports training conference in the Ukraine involving representatives from Upward Sports (U.S.A.) and Ukrainians who are presently involved in developing sports as an ongoing evangelistic ministry in their settings.

* Pray that personnel in Europe will find favor as they attempt to live and work in their countries of service while dealing with visa problems and the paperwork of different government agencies.

* Give thanks to God that several churches in a province in Mozambique have banded together to share the Gospel and plant churches among the Nyungwe people in three neighboring areas.

* Pray for those missionaries in Sub-Saharan Africa whose “beautiful feet” go with great effort to those who need to hear the Gospel, yet are met with rejection of the message they carry.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

THE BIBLE IS not a book for our convenience…

It speaks about commitment and sacrifice and going the second mile, leaving all

to follow Jesus.  It talks about putting on the armor of a soldier and “enduring

hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”  Commitment is written across its

pages from Genesis 1.1 through Revelation 22.21.  Charles Stanley, “Commitment,”

Confronting Casual Christianity, 41

“When He had called the people to Himself,

with His disciples also, He said to them,

“Whoever desires to come after Me,

let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

Mark 8.34


Enjoy a couple days of warmer temperatures and God’s daily blessings on our lives.

Anna Lee

Monday

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

~Romans 12:2 (NIV)~

Today, I ask you to pray for caregivers.  I have known and know of  people who have dedicated 24 hours a day 7 days a week to caring for a relative.  Pray God keeps them physically strong and healthy.  Pray they can find time to do the things that provide refreshment to their body, mind, and soul.  Also, as their caregiving years come to an end, pray they can return to a life of meaning for themselves.

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE
IMB
Monday, February 7, 2011

“This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations,” (Matthew 24: 14a, HCSB).

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the Office of Global Prayer Strategy, encouraging you to pray for national believers who are learning to share their faith.

Michelle, a member of the Oral Peoples Strategy Konyanke Team, reports: “I want to tell you about N, a Sunny man who can tell you almost everything there is to know about the Sunny people. He can speak 14 languages, and speaks them all well. He is not married and has no children. N has been a believer for more than a decade, but no one in his family knows that because of the persecution that N knows he (and they) would endure. N works as a translator for our team, so we have become pretty good friends with him. Recently it has started to seem like he is ready to share his faith with others. Our strategy is to spread the Gospel through chronological Bible storying. We have been learning the language and culture and building relationships with that intention. N is excited to help with the stories. He is growing in his relationship with Christ, and these stories will continue to disciple him. We believe that God is going to use N in amazing ways to do things that only God can do. Please pray that N will be filled with boldness to share his faith, and that in a short time, he will be telling the stories–not just translating them.”

The first four believers of the Pa people group of Colombia who were baptized in late 2010. Pray that they, too, will guide others in their community to Christ. Recently other religious groups have begun to visit in the area and are teaching false doctrine.

* Please pray that these groups will not be successful and that their teachings will be recognized as false.

* Intercede for believers to be courageous in facing persecution and bold to share their faith.

* Proclaim the Good News of the kingdom to all in your circle of influence.

Thank God for the varying weather conditions He has provided.  Join me and many others as we look forward to the first signs of spring.


Anna Lee

Sunday Afternoon

C.B. Russell

May 31, 1925 – February 5, 2011

City: Roseland

State: LA

Funeral Home:  Seale Funeral Service

1720 South Range Ave.
Denham Springs, LA 70726
225-664-4143
Seale@sealefuneral.com

Visitation and Services:  Visitation will be at Seale Funeral Home in Denham Springs, Louisiana on Monday, February 7, 2011 from 5PM until 9PM. Visitation will resume at the funeral home on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 from 11AM until services at 1PM. Conducted by Bro. Bob Morrow. Burial will be in Denham Springs, Louisiana in the Denham Springs Memorial Cemetery on Range Avenue.

Obituary: Cara Beasley “CB” Russell passed away on Saturday, February 5, 2011, at 11:15 a.m. He was 85 years old and born on May 31, 1925 to Aleen Lambert Russell and Bolivar Ray Russell in Rural Roseland, Louisiana, known as Russelltown. He left high school at the age of 17 to serve our country during World War II and served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Hamlin in the Pacific Ocean. When he returned from WWII he attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and received a degree in electrical engineering. After working 30 years at IBM in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he retired and became involved in pine tree farming, growing muscadines, enjoying his grandchildren, and spending time with his brother, Cleo. All his life he was an active member of the Church of Christ. He helped to build four different church buildings, was an elder in the church, helped establish an annual “Crusade for Christ” meeting and always took an opportunity to talk to others about Christ. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Lois Elayne Mayeux Russell; three daughters, Karen McGibboney and husband Pat McGibboney, Emily Hartman and husband Jack Hartman, and Linda Wascom and husband John Wascom; his brother, Cleo B. Russell of Ponchatoula, Louisiana; seven grandchildren, Patrick McGibboney and wife Kellye, Sarah McGibboney, Timothy McGibboney, Monica Hartman, Matthew Hartman, Aaron Wascom, and Drew Wascom; one great grandchild, Patrick (Tripp) Earl McGibboney III; and numerous nieces and nephews. Special thanks to nephew Richard Pevey for time spent and the special interest he took in his “Uncle CB”. It meant so much to him. He was preceeded in death by his father, Bolivar Ray Russell, mother, Aleen Lambert Russell, brothers, Royce Russell and Dale Grey Russell, and sisters, Belle Russell Lanier, and Sadie Russell Pevey.

Sunday

“Everything in the heavens and earth is yours,

O Lord … we adore you as being in control of everything.”

~1 Chronicles 29:11 (LB)~

Callie Cole

Good Morning,
Thought I would post a new bit of news about Miss Callie.  She continues to dislike therapy at this time.  She wants to walk, so if she thinks that her therapy is not going to pertain to walking she tells the therapist no.  Which means she is refusing to do an activity.  We can eventually get her to participate by explaining that all the activities pertain to body strengthening which in turn will go a long way toward the goal of walking.  We do not know how to turn this around for her.  Please pray for her miracle.  Believe it will happen.  Wait knowing that the Lord will heal her brokenness and make her whole.
All of this is taking a toll on everyone involved.  I keep praying for sunshine and a breakthrough for her.  There are still small steps of progress materializing for her.  She has learned to use her computer more efficiently, her voice is some better, she can stand more texture to her foods, and she is having an opinion about more events going on around her.  This is progress.  I do appreciate these steps which He has allowed for her and I continue to look forward to what is to come.
We have decided that we need to look at a handicapped vehicle.  We need something bigger than a regular size van, as well as the capability for one person to load and unload Miss Callie.  There are 9 people that live under our roof.  A car seat and a wheelchair are necessities.
Another need to meet is to change up Callie’s therapy.  Callie has always loved water.  She enjoys swimming.  She has not been in a pool since her accident.  She has not met criteria to get into the public, therapy pools.  So, I want to fix my pool at home for her to have access.  She doesn’t have to meet any criteria here.  But, I do have to have a safe way to place her in the pool and to get her out.  I have been checking on special lifts, stairs, and ramps.  I am overwhelmed when looking at options and the expense.
I want to thank you all for being faithful to cleanse your spirit and to pray for us.  Please continue to pray specifically for these things mentioned and for her complete recovery.

Much love,
Frances

KOMpray (Kids on Mission Pray)

February 4, 2011
“Let the little children come to Me, and don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these,” Luke 18:16b

WHERE GOD WANTS US TO LIVE

On his way to school one morning Clint* turned to his parents and said, “I want to live in America.” When asked why he wanted to live in America he said that it was “less noisy and looked nicer.” Well, these things are true but it saddened his parents to hear Clint speak this way. He normally does not complain though this third-world, overpopulated megacity definitely has a lot of obvious issues that even a 5-year-old notices. Dad asked him a wise question. “Clint, where does God want us to live?” Clint answered, “South Asia.” He then went onto school and did not bring it up again…
Go to http://kompray.imb.org to read more of this story and find prayer requests from Missionary Kids (MKs) around the world! If the link does not work, you will find the complete story by going to imb.org then click on the PRAY tab and then the KOMpray link.

Have a great Lord’s Day.  Be sure to give Him His share of the day!

Anna Lee

Saturday Evening

Benjamin W. “Ben” McDonald was born July 12, 1941 and passed away at 3:39 p.m., Friday, February 4, 2011 at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. He was 69, a native of Hammond and a resident of Loranger. Ben served our country in the US Navy.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Helen Baham McDonald, Loranger; 3 daughters, Mary Lou McLain and husband Roger, Loranger, Shirley McCahill, Satsuma and Diane Hutchins and husband Jack, Raymond, MS; a son, James Warren, Loranger; 14 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren.

Preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin W. and Willie Mae Baham McDonald, Sr.

Visitation at House of Prayer and Praise, Loranger on Monday, February 7, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Service at 12:00 Noon at the Church with Sister Lorena Wilson officiating. Interment at St. Roch Cemetery.

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

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

Saturday

“God clothes the grass in the field,

which is alive today but tomorrow is thrown into the fire.

So you can be even more sure that God will clothe you.

Don’t have so little faith!”

~Matthew 6:30 (NCV)~

Today’s a big day!

  • Pajama party for ladies at FBC, Amite at 9:00 this morning
  • Baby shower for Kristi Womack at 2:00 this afternoon
  • 92nd birthday party for Mrs. Kathryn Sanders at the long term care hospital at 2:00

Please say a prayer for Mrs. Betty Catherine Hatcher.  She has been having back problems this week.

Baptist Press Stories for Feb. 4, 2011
—————————————
  • Tebow, Bradford, McCoy benefit from spiritual mentors
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34591
  • Johnny Hunt prays Cairo will become ‘major hub’ for spreading of Gospel
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34590
  • Sex slavery targeted during Super Bowl
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34592
  • For Chinese, ‘red envelope’ Bibles special
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34593
  • CULTURE DIGEST: Tebow Super Bowl ad prompts woman to choose life
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34594
  • 2010: IMB photos reveal world in need
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34595
  • Obama prays for humility, ‘closer’ walk
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34596
  • FIRST-PERSON: Nerf guns, public schools & common sense
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34597
Enjoy a little sunshine and slightly warmer temperatures today.
Anna Lee

Friday Addition

James Tommy Slocum, 65 , a resident of Gillsburg, MS, died February 3, 2011 at Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center in McComb.  He was born May 24, 1945 in Mt. Hermon, LA.  He was the son of T.C. and Omie Lou Miller Slocum.  He was a retired cattleman having worked for numerous stockyards in Louisiana and Mississippi.  He was a member of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church.  Mr. Slocum loved the outdoors, working with his cattle and was very active in his church.

He is preceded in death by his parents; a son, Marion Tommy Slocum; a granddaughter, Jaylen Grace Slocum; three brothers, David, Paul and Samuel Slocum and two sisters, Marie Burch and Mary Slocum.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Betty Copeland Slocum of Gillsburg; his children and their spouses, Tammy and Eugene Tackett and Jamie and Kelly Slocum, all of Kentwood, Bryan and Shiloh Slocum of Center, TX and Stephanie and Rev. Larry Blades of Roseland, LA; six brothers and their spouses, Ray and Ann Slocum of Phoenix, AZ, T.C. Slocum, Jr. and Carolyn of Denton, TX, Joe and Maggie Slocum of Independence, LA, Dan and Diane Slocum, Donald Slocum and Phillip Slocum, all of Mt. Hermon, LA, three sisters, Ruth King of Jayess, Betty Magee of Nashville, TN and Martha Burk of Grand Rapids, MI; ten grandchildren, Heather Forrest and husband, Brock, Taylor Slocum, Kaden Slocum, Travis Tackett, Mandy Tackett all of Kentwood, Pvt. Hunter Blades of Camp Pendelton, CA, Gracie, Alexandria and Addison Slocum and Cole Mooney, all of Center, TX; two great-grandchildren, Jaxon and Madox Forrest of Kentwood and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation is Friday at Hartman-Sharkey Funeral Home in McComb from 5PM until 8PM and continues Saturday at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church from 1PM until services at 3PM with Rev. Jerry Causey and Rev. Larry Blades officiating.  Burial will be in Old Gillsburg cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Johnnie Booty, Alton Booty, Karl Beatty, Ronnie Strickland, Rowdy Fitzgerald and Darin Newman.  Honorary pallbearers will be Mr. Slocum’s brothers-in-law and men of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church.

Memorials may be sent to Baptist Children’s Village, P.O.Box 27, Clinton, MS 39060 or Mt. Vernon Baptist Church Memorial Fund, 4923 Mt. Vernon Road,  Liberty, MS 39645.

Share condolences at Hartman-Sharkeyfuneralhome.com