Month: November 2011

Wednesday

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” ~Luke 19:10~

I’m very thankful for the rain last night and for God’s protection over all of us, especially for the family that had the tornado visit them south of Tangipahoa Baptist Church.

http://www.wafb.com/story/16051473/tornado-watch-remains-in-effect-until-10-am

Please remember Mrs. Ruby Dillon in your prayers.  Her hip problem is healing slowly preventing some of “Miss” Ruby’s normal activities.

Remember those who have been sick such as Renee Deck, those who have surgery such as Jason Dean, and those who have had a family member to pass away such as Mrs. Bill Hughes family.  Be an encourager to others in these and similar situations.

Baptist Press – a continuing story we have been following

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=36578

Thought for the Day: Missed Opportunities

The story is told of a young man who wished to marry the farmer’s beautiful daughter. He went to the farmer to ask his permission. The farmer looked him over and responded, “Son, go stand out in that field and I’m going to release three bulls, one at a time. If you can catch the tail of any one of the three bulls, you can marry my daughter.”

The young man stood in the pasture awaiting the first bull. The barn door opened and out ran the biggest, meanest-looking bull he had ever seen. He decided that one of the next bulls had to be a better choice than this one, so he ran over to the side and let the bull pass through the pasture out the back gate.

The barn door opened again. Unbelievable. He had never seen anything so big and fierce in his life. It stood – pawing the ground, grunting, slinging slobber – as it eyed him. Whatever the next bull was like, it had to be a better choice than this one. He ran to the fence and let the bull pass through the pasture, out the back gate.

The door opened a third time. A smile came across his face. This was the weakest, scrawniest little bull he had ever seen. This one was his bull. As the bull came running by, he positioned himself just right and jumped at just the exact moment. He grabbed… but the bull had no tail!

Life is full of opportunities. Some will be easy to take advantage of, some will be difficult. But once we let them pass (often in hopes of something better), those opportunities may never again be available.

The same thing is also true of opportunities to serve Christ. God often opens doors — opportunities to speak up for Him, opportunities to minister to someone who is hurting or in need, opportunities to make an influence on the world around us. If we allow them to pass by (perhaps because we are waiting for something easier to come along), we may miss out on them altogether.

“Continue praying, keeping alert, and always thanking God. Also pray for us that God will give us an opportunity to tell people his message.” (Col. 4:2-3a, NCV)

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Gal. 6:10).

May you take advantage of the doors God opens for you this day!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Try to take advantage of the opportunities God gives you.  You won’t be disappointed!

Anna Lee

Tuesday

Jesus said,

“Watch out and guard yourselves from every kind of greed;

because your true life is not made up of the things you own,

no matter how rich you may be.”

~Luke 12:15 (GN)~

Pray for me as I see my gamma knife surgeon for my two week check-up.  Pray for us as we travel.

Heart to Heart with Holley: What makes you beautiful?

As a little girl, I believed anyone related to you automatically thought you were beautiful. The kids at school might tease me but aunts and grandmas gushed, “Look at those cheeks! Look at that hair!”

Over time, I realized my little theory might not quite be true. I just happened to belong to an especially gracious (and very southern) family who chose to see the best in me.

But for the longest time I thought blood ties made you beautiful.

Pushing a vaccuum through the hall the other day, hair in a messy ponytail, I felt anything but lovely. I thought of my sweet relatives and wished someone were there to gush over me–even in my unsightly state.

Then I realized that Someone in my life did see me as beautiful right here, right now.

“Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

I paused for a moment in my cleaning, leaned back against the wall and smiled.

Aha!

It turns out I’d been right all along…

Blood ties do make us beautiful. 

Perhaps not always the kind that flow through family trees but forever the kind that flowed down a tree made into a cross.

Yes, He takes all of our unloveliness and turns it into what only He can…

all beauty. 

–Holley

Baptist Press: Condoleezza Rice voices faith & optimism

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=36567

Thank God for the rain He is providing today.

Anna Lee

Midday Monday

Pray for Rufus, Malone, and other members of the Williams family.  Their brother, Terry from Monroe, passed away.

...
In Loving Memory
Clifford Terry Williams
2/18/1931 – 11/12/2011		 ...

Funeral services for Clifford Terry Williams, 80, of Monroe, will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, November 15, 2011, at North Monroe Baptist Church with Dr. Bill Dye, Rev. Warren Eckhardt, and Rev. David Worthington officiating. Interment will follow at Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home, Sterlington Road, Monroe.

Mr. Williams went to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 12, 2011, after a brief illness. He was born on February 18, 1931 in Kentwood, LA. Cliff served his country in the U. S. Army during the Korean War, 1952 – 1954. He received a B. S. Degree with honors in 3 years in Agriculture at Southeastern Louisiana University and a Masters Degree from LSU in Wildlife Management graduating in 1957.

Cliff was a District Supervisor for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for 32 years. He received the Paul Martin Sportsman Award and was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Mr. Williams was preceded in death by his parents, Ethel and Marion Williams; and his brothers, Thomas and Marion.

Survivors include his loving wife of 57 years, Betty Rhodus Williams; three children, Donna Benes and husband Bob of Coppell, TX, Terri Gullatt and husband Patrick of Haughton, LA, and Doug Williams and wife Kasia of Lafayette, LA; six grandchildren, Ellen and Emily Benes, Natalie Brixey and husband Nathan, Taylor Gullatt, and Zachry and Connor Williams; brothers, Howard Williams of Ferriday, LA, Rufus Williams and wife Margie of Kentwood, LA, and Malone Williams and wife Becky of Kentwood, LA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Monday from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Mulhearn Funeral Home, Sterlington Road, Monroe.

The family wishes to extend their thanks to the MICU nursing staff and doctors at St. Francis Medical Center as well as the Encouragers Sunday School Class at North Monroe Baptist Church.

Online Registry/Condolences: http://www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com

Monday

“We must support believers who go on trips like this

so that we can work together with them in spreading the truth.”

~3 John 1:8 (GW)~

If you did not get your Operation Christmas Child Shoebox turned in at FBC, Kentwood yesterday, you will still have about two more days before they are delivered to the collection center.  Complete your box and take it to the church office with a check for $7.00 to cover shipping.  You’ll be blessed!

Another blessing you can have this week is to attend our Third Thursday Share Group at the cabin.  We meet at 6:30 for a time of food, fellowship, devotional, and prayer.  Nobody is ever put “on the spot”, so feel free to come check it out.

Pray for Carol New as she has knee replacement surgery today.

Continue to pray for the many who have lost loved ones recently as well as those who are not well.

Pray for safety for those who will be traveling in the coming weeks.

Pray for boldness for those who have family members and friends who have not accepted God into their hearts.

Be thankful for all the blessing you and yours have received.

Baptist Press

http://www.bpnews.net/

Thought for the Day: He will provide

One Saturday Ken Erickson’s wife cleaned out leftovers from the refrigerator. She gave the one remaining portion of tortellini to their 6-year-old son, Jeremy. Their 8-year-old son, Matthew, also wanted some, so bickering ensued. After several unsuccessful attempts to mediate the dispute, Ken decided on a theological approach. Hoping to convince Jeremy to share his portion with Matthew, he said, “Jeremy, what would Jesus do in this situation?”

Jeremy immediately responded, “Oh, Dad, He would just make more!”

What a beautiful truth — Jesus will provide! I’m not saying that he would have provided for his own personal need (because he never did that in a miraculous way), but time and time again Jesus showed both his willingness and his ability to provide for those who were around him.

It was a truth the apostles needed to learn. Surrounded by thousands of people, Jesus said to them, “Give them something to eat.” (Matthew 14:16). Their answer indicated their recognition that Jesus had asked the impossible. They didn’t have the resources. But Jesus did.

It is a truth we all need to learn. Whatever your need may be, whatever crisis you may be going through, whatever strength you need to cope with the struggles in your life, Jesus will provide. He has both the willingness and the ability to provide for those in need.

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

He will provide!  Sometimes that’s all people can say about their situation in life.  I pray God will use you to “provide for others”.

Anna Lee

Sunday

“Be generous: Invest in acts of charity.

Charity yields high returns.

Don’t hoard your goods; spread them around.

Be a blessing to others.”

~Ecclesiastes 11:1-2a (MSG)~

Thought for the Day: Appreciating God’s Blessings

Two old friends bumped into one another on the street one day. One of them looked forlorn, almost on the verge of tears. His friend asked, “What has the world done to you, my old friend?”

The sad fellow said, “Let me tell you. Three weeks ago, an uncle died and left me forty thousand dollars.”

“That’s a lot of money.”

“But you see, two weeks ago, a cousin I never even knew died, and left me eighty-five thousand free and clear.”

“Sounds like you’ve been blessed….”

“You don’t understand!” he interrupted. “Last week my great-aunt passed away. I inherited almost a quarter of a million.”

Now he was really confused. “Then, why do you look so glum?”

“This week… nothing!”

That’s the trouble with receiving something on a regular basis. Even if it is a gift, we eventually come to expect it. Someone once suggested to me a way to test someone’s character. Give him (or her) $5 a day for a month. Then stop, and see what his reaction is. The natural tendency is that if we receive a gift long enough, we come to view it as an entitlement. We feel hurt, even angry, if we don’t receive it any longer.

It’s the same way with the blessings God gives us every day. I don’t deserve the comfortable home I live in, the beautiful scenery around me, the clean water that I drink. But after receiving these gifts (and a multitude of others) for years, I sometimes fail to be grateful. I’ve come to expect these good things. And when one of them is removed for a short while (like the water being cut off), I get upset.

Make an effort today to recognize the blessings you’ve come to take for granted. Focus on what you have rather than on what you don’t have, and see if it doesn’t improve your attitude.

“Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:8)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Make this Lord’s Day meaningful to others and yourself.

Anna Lee

Saturday Afternoon

Darla Lynette McNabb Woodard
(February 2, 1961 – November 12, 2011) 

A resident of Kentwood, LA, died at 9:09AM on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, LA. She was born February 2, 1961 in Magnolia, MS and was 50 years of age. Visitation at New Zion Baptist Church, Kentwood, from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m., Monday, November 14, 2011, and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, November 15, 2011. Services conducted by Rev. Bill Galloway and Rev. Richard Sandberg. Interment New Zion Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. Survived by husband, Ronald Woodard, 4 daughters, Courtney Woodard, Mallory Brabham and her husband, Joseph, Brittany Norwood and her husband, Josh, and Shelby Woodard, parents, John H. McNabb and Monnie B. McNabb, mother-in-law, Betty Woodard Coley, sister, Monica McNabb Miley, brother, Mike McNabb, aunt, Ann Huff, grandchildren, Isabella Brabham, Danica Woodard, Branson Norwood, Drew Brabham, and Jaxton Norwood. Preceded in death by, father-in-law, Lanice Woodard, Jr. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Saturday

“When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them.

Always be eager to practice hospitality.”

~Romans 12:13 (NLT, second edition)~

Jana C. Creel is home from the hospital.  Thank God her her improvement.

Jason Dean is in pain, but walking a little.  Pray for him as he continues to recover from back surgery.  He should be released Sunday,

Chloe Neyland is doing better.  She may be strong enough to move to a regular room later today.

I shared this website before, but think it might encourage us to do more for others, so I’m posting it again.

http://www.joeyshopeforhungrychildren.bbnow.org/index.php

Thought for the Day: Missed opportunities

The story is told of a young man who wished to marry the farmer’s beautiful daughter. He went to the farmer to ask his permission. The farmer looked him over and responded, “Son, go stand out in that field and I’m going to release three bulls, one at a time. If you can catch the tail of any one of the three bulls, you can marry my daughter.”

The young man stood in the pasture awaiting the first bull. The barn door opened and out ran the biggest, meanest-looking bull he had ever seen. He decided that one of the next bulls had to be a better choice than this one, so he ran over to the side and let the bull pass through the pasture out the back gate.

The barn door opened again. Unbelievable. He had never seen anything so big and fierce in his life. It stood – pawing the ground, grunting, slinging slobber – as it eyed him. Whatever the next bull was like, it had to be a better choice than this one. He ran to the fence and let the bull pass through the pasture, out the back gate.

The door opened a third time. A smile came across his face. This was the weakest, scrawniest little bull he had ever seen. This one was his bull. As the bull came running by, he positioned himself just right and jumped at just the exact moment. He grabbed… but the bull had no tail!

Life is full of opportunities. Some will be easy to take advantage of, some will be difficult. But once we let them pass (often in hopes of something better), those opportunities may never again be available.

The same thing is also true of opportunities to serve Christ. God often opens doors — opportunities to speak up for Him, opportunities to minister to someone who is hurting or in need, opportunities to make an influence on the world around us. If we allow them to pass by (perhaps because we are waiting for something easier to come along), we may miss out on them altogether.

“Continue praying, keeping alert, and always thanking God. Also pray for us that God will give us an opportunity to tell people his message.” (Col. 4:2-3a, NCV)

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Gal. 6:10)

May you take advantage of the doors God opens for you this day!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

 

 

Have a super Saturday!

Anna Lee