“For God loved the world
so much that he gave his one and only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him
will not perish but have eternal life.”
~John 3:16 NLT~
Mrs. Jimmie Shaw is hospitalized with pneumonia. Pray sbe is comfortable.
This seems to be pneumonia weather. Take care of yourself and your family.
Renee Deck was at church yesterday. Pray her shoulder heals well.
Baptist Press: http://www.bpnews.net/
Blessed!
Anna Lee
SEASON’S GREETINGS
I’m sure you’ve heard a lot of talk about the fact that some retailers seem to be getting away from saying “Merry Christmas!” and instead are substituting phrases like “Season’s Greetings!” or “Happy Holidays!” in their decorations and their advertisements. Someone has even written this politically correct Christmas greeting:
“Best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral, winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most joyous traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, but with respect for the religious persuasion of others who choose to practice their own religion as well as those who choose not to practice a religion at all.”
Many Christians are outraged at this shift and view this as one more attempt to remove all references to Christ from our culture. In response, a group has been organized called the “Committee to Save Merry Christmas”. Here are some of their thoughts:
“This deliberate and intentional substitution of ‘Merry Christmas” with un-celebratory phrases are thoughtless, condescending and hurtful. Should you — the purchasing public — who honors the American tradition and culture of Christmas, continue to purchase Christmas gifts from these stores when they deliberately and intentionally refuse to acknowledge Christmas? Our committee believes you should not! We, instead, encourage you to shop where the values and meaning of Christmas are cherished.”
I have some concerns. On the one hand, I am concerned about attempts (sometimes blatant attempts) to remove all references to God or Christianity from our society. But, on the other hand, I have to remember that God did not give Sears (or any other store) the responsibility of telling people about Christ. He did not give our American government that responsibility. He gave it to those of us who are Christians.
I think it’s ironic that a lot of Christians are upset that Target doesn’t greet them with “Merry Christmas!” when they walk through the door, but they will make no attempt to talk about Christ in their own lives. We prefer to say “It’s a beautiful day!” instead of “What a beautiful day God has given us!” We prefer to say, “I’ve been lucky or fortunate” instead of saying “God has blessed me.” We would never dream of saying “Christ is the only way of salvation.” for fear of being labeled a fanatic. But then we’ll get upset at a store which has a banner proclaiming “Happy Holidays” and refuse to do business with them.
Folks, let put the responsibility where it belongs. God has given those of us who are Christians the task of sharing Christ with a world that doesn’t know him. God “has given us the ministry of reconciliation…and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” (2 Cor. 5:18-19). If we’re going to get upset, let’s start getting upset about the fact that WE’VE not been doing that like we should!
Have a great day (oh, and have a merry Christmas)!
Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Susan Rimes is continuing to recover from her last surgery. Continue to pray for Susan and her family.
Mr. Kenneth Felker’s wife, Grace Helen, fell Wednesday right after we saw her. She received a number of bumps and bruises. Pray she will recover well and cease falling.
Mr. Cete and “Miss” Ruby Dillon are better, but not well yet. Continue to pray for them.
Missions March at FBC, Kentwood at the 10:00 A.M. service!
Every penny given to Lottie Moon is used to support Southern Baptist missionaries as they share the Gospel overseas. The offering represents 57 percent of the International Mission Board’s total income.
Find dollar examples of how your gifts are used, including stories, photos and videos at Lottie Moon @ Work.
• $46,700 a year
• $3,890 a month
• $900 a week
• $128 a day
• $5.30 an hour
• $.09 a minute
Reported April 2011. Support includes housing, salary, children’s education, medical expenses, retirement and more.
“Then you will experience God’s peace,
which exceeds anything we can understand.
His peace will guard your hearts and minds
as you live in Christ Jesus.”
~Philippians 4:7 NLT~
(May you truly know that peace today and each day of your life.)
Renee Deck is home after having rotator cuff surgery. Pray for recovery and healing to go well.
Carol New’s “permanent” knee replacement surgery will be on the 28th. Pray all continues to go well. Carol is ready to be able to walk again.
Thursday afternoon’s weather front sent a tornado through Rome, GA where Jason lives and works. He and his family are fine, but 20 homes are gone and another 120 damaged. I forgot the numbers he gave me for businesses, but some are gone and others are damaged. Cars on the highway were overturned, windows were blown out of cars, etc. Nobody was seriously injured. Thank God for protecting people despite the material damage. Pray for Rome as they work to recover from this tornado. You may remember Rome took in lots of families from New Orleans after Katrina. Now, Rome will be on the receiving end.
Merry CHRISTmas Eve!
Anna Lee
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called Wonderful,
Counselor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.”
~Isaiah 9:6, NKJV~
Pray for safe traveling for all those who will be traveling in the next two weeks. Pray for students who are out of school for the holidays. Pray for safety of children as they play with new gifts.
Ways to Give (including Lottie Moon Christmas Offering)
http://www.imb.org/main/give/default.asp
Baptist Press (Sometimes it is too hard to select only one story to share.)
Many churches are having special services tomorrow and/or different schedules for Christmas. FBC, Kentwood will have worship service only at 10 A.M.
Thought for the Day: He became one of us
On February 15, 1921, there was a doctor who performed an appendectomy. The doctor performing the surgery was Dr. Evan Kane who over his 37-year medical career had performed nearly 4,000 appendectomies, so this surgery was not at all unusual except for two things.
First of all, this was the first time that local anesthesia had ever been used in major surgery. Dr. Kane believed that local anesthesia was safer than putting a patient completely to sleep. Most of his colleagues agreed with him in principle, but they wanted to see first if it would actually work.
So Dr. Kane searched for a volunteer, a patient who would be willing to undergo surgery while under local anesthesia. It wasn’t easy to find one. Most people are squeamish at the thought of being awake during their own surgery. Others are fearful that the anesthesia might wear off too soon.
Finally, though, Dr. Kane found a volunteer, and on Tuesday morning, February 15th, the operation began. The patient was prepped and wheeled into the operating room. A local anesthetic was applied. And as Dr. Kane had done thousands of times before, he cut open the tissues and removed the appendix. The patient had only minor discomfort and recovered quickly, dismissed two days later.
Dr. Kane had proven his theory. Thanks to the willingness of a brave volunteer, Dr. Kane demonstrated that local anesthesia was an alternative, even a preferred alternative.
But I said there were two facts that made this surgery unusual. I’ve told you the first: the use of local anesthesia. The second unusual thing was the patient — the patient was Dr. Kane. You see, in order to prove his point, Dr. Kane operated on himself. The doctor became a patient in order to convince the patients to trust the doctor.
As unbelievable as that may seem, it is insignificant compared with what Jesus Christ did for us. The Great Physician voluntarily became one of us. He placed himself in our shoes. He left the glories of heaven to live on this earth as one of us — to suffer our pains and feel our fears. Why? So that when you hurt, you will know that you have someone who understands — your Great Physician — and you will have confidence to go to him for healing.
“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same….For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” (Hebrews 2:14a,18)
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee
Jesus is the reason for the season!
Anna Lee
Mr. “Cete” Dillon has been sick since Sunday. He thought it was a virus, but found out this morning it was also pneumonia. Add him and “Miss” Ruby to your prayer list.
Be alert in this weather. We just lost several small trees.
Mrs. Lorna Smith called to ask me to add Mr. J. D. Smith to The Prayer Link. Mr. J.D. was admitted to Hood Memorial Tuesday night with pneumonia and congestive heart failure. He seems to be a little better this morning. As you pray for Mr. J.D., please pray for his family.
“[God’s] intent was that now,
through the church,
the manifold wisdom of God should be made known …”
~Ephesians 3:10 NIV~
Jadon’s Story: Two more weeks!
http://jadonsisstory.blogspot.com/2011/12/2-more-weeks.html?spref=fb
Mrs. Pauline Strickland is now in ICU at Baton Rouge General. Her condition is still very serious. The family requests your continued prayers. Doctors fell they will be able to give the family more information Friday.
Susan Rimes is home and continues to do much better than expected. She has been sick for several months, but hopefully will make good progress now.
Keep Renee Deck in your prayers as she faces another hospital stay and surgery.
Baptist Press (Always great reading)
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering: Balkan Platforms
Strategic Ministries: Seminary, Non-Government Organization, Education, Health, Church Planting
‘Tis the season for giving and sharing! Make Christmas special for someone who is not a relative!
Anna Lee
“Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
~Luke 2:15b, ESV~
Jesse Dean seems to be having a problem with his cumadin level. Pray for him as another adjustment is made.
FBC, Kentwood will go Christmas caroling tonight. As they do so, they will distribute gift bags. May they bless many lives tonight.
I don’t normally mention birthdays and anniversaries, but I think we should take note of one today. Mr. and Mrs. Joe (Othell) Williams are celebrating their 70th anniversary today. What a blessing!
FBC, Kentwood will be receiving the gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering at the special 10 A.M. service Christmas morning. Here is an example of how funding is needed in Europe.
Strategic Ministries: Internet, Radio, Literature, Orality, Discipleship, Church Planting
Baptist Press had several very good articles yesterday. Spend a little time reading at http://www.bpnews.net
WHAT WAS ELIJAH DOING?
A couple of stories to illustrate how our children explain what happened in the Bible:
A Sunday school teacher asked her class why Joseph and Mary took Jesus with them to Jerusalem. A young girl answered: “Because they couldn’t get a babysitter.”
Another Sunday school teacher was carefully explaining the story of Elijah the prophet and his contest with the false prophets of Baal. She explained how Elijah built the altar, put wood upon it, cut the bull in pieces and laid it upon the altar. Then Elijah commanded the people of God to fill four barrels of water and pour it over the altar. He had them do this three times. “Now,” said the teacher, “Can anyone in the class tell me why the Lord had Elijah pour water over the bull on the altar?” A little girl in the back of the room raised her hand with great enthusiasm. “To make the gravy.”
It was a good question. Why DID the Lord tell Elijah to pour the water over the altar? The answer is obvious (and it has nothing to do with gravy). The Lord wanted to exhibit His power in an absolutely incredible manner. When God was finished, no one was going to say, “Well, maybe Elijah used a flame he kept tucked away in his cloak.” No!
The fire from the Lord burnt up the wet sacrifice, the soaked wood, and even the rocks used to build the altar!
If there is any lesson to be learned in this story, it is that our God is a powerful and awesome God!
Though we ourselves may not see displays of God’s power like what happened on Mount Carmel, it is comforting to know that the God who hears and answers our prayers is the God who has such power.
“Be exalted, O LORD, in Your own strength! We will sing and praise Your power.” (Psalm 21:13)
Praise be to our all-powerful and truly awesome God!
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Give of yourself today!
Anna Lee
Mr. Jimmy Tolar is home and looking forward to Christmas with family. Thank God for good care that has him at home again.
Susan Rimes’ surgery went well, but she will still send the night at OLOL. Thank God for removal of this last kidney stone.
Mrs. Shirley Frazier will begin treatment with a new doctor. Pray this solves her problem and do so quickly.
Dorothy “Dotsy” Binder Konzelman
(September 16, 1932 – December 19, 2011)
Dorothy “Dotsy” Binder Konzelman was born September 16, 1932 and passed away at 4:33 p.m., Monday, December 19, 2011 at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. Mrs. “Dotsy” was 79, a native and resident of Amite.
Mrs. Dotsy was survived by 2 sons, Jackie Konzelman, Amite and Randy Konzelman and wife Ruth, Kentwood; 2 daughters, Julie K. Bennett and husband, Wayne, Amite and Carroll Jo K. Miller and husband, Lane, Kentwood; daughter -in-law, Cynthia Konzelman, Amite; 7 grandchildren, Kim Webb and husband Wil, Flora, MS, Brandon Blades, Amite, Mark Konzelman and wife Elizabeth, Osyka, MS, Shellie Miller, Kentwood, Lanny Miller, Kentwood, Sarah Konzelman, Kentwood and Matthew Konzelman, Kentwood; 3 great-grandchildren, Baylor Travis, Flora, MS, Emilee Webb, Flora, MS. and Manning Rhett Konzelman, Osyka, MS; brother, Fenwick Binder and wife Candy, Gonzales, LA; 2 sisters Veronica Kirby and husband Shelby, Greensburg and Gail Whitener and husband W.H., Amite; lifelong special family friend, Pete and Ann Danna, Amite; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, John “Jack” Emile Konzelman, Jr.; son, Dennis Marshall Konzelman; parents Joseph H. and Nina Husser Binder; 4 brothers, Charles Binder, Sr., Leland Binder, Joseph Binder, Jr and Albert Binder.
Visitation at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and at the St. Helena Catholic Church on Thursday, December 22, 2011 from 8:30 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. with Father Mark Beard officiating. Interment in Amite Memorial Gardens.
Family request memorial donations be made in Mrs. “Dotsy” Memory to St. Helena Catholic Church Parking Lot Fund, 122 S. 1st Street, Amite, La 70422.
McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
An on-line Guestbook is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com
Mary Samson Ditcharo
(December 5, 1971 – December 19, 2011)
Mary Samson Ditcharo was born December 5, 1971 and passed away at 11:02 p.m., Monday, December 19, 2011 at her residence surrounded by her loving family. She was 40, a native of St. Louis, MO and a resident of Pine Grove.
Mary is survived by 2 children, Megan Ditcharo and Andrew Ditcharo both of Central; mother, Gwen Samson, Pine Grove; 2 sisters, Lindsay Carter and husband Matt, Denham Springs and Kristen McNanus and husband Chad, Ft. Worth, TX; brother, Chris Samson and wife Lisa, Gonzales; aunt, Toni Samson and husband Wick, Central; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
Preceded in death by her son, Nicholas Ditcharo; sister, Sharon Bush; father, Charles Ray Samson
Visitation at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Friday, December 23, 2011 from 11:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services at 1:00 p.m. in the Funeral Home Chapel with Deacon Mike Agnello officiating. Private Interment at a later date.
An on-line Guestbook is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com
McKneely and Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N & Hwy16W next to Hood Automotive and behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash and Holiday Inn Express.
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
~Luke 2:14~
Pray for Mrs. Pauline Strickland who is in Baton Rouge General and very sick. Pray for her family and all those caring for her.
Pray for Carol New today as she sees her doctor again and learns if she can have the next surgery yet. She hopes so, because she is ready to begin walking again. Pray all goes well at today’s appointment.
Mrs. Mickey Cade has surgery today. Pray for the medical staff, “Miss” Mickey, and her family and friends.
Susan Rimes will be in OLOL on the large kidney stone that has been resistant to previous attempts to remove it. Pray for success today and for a good recovery period for Susan.
Baptist Press: ‘Isaiah’ surprises seminary with chapel message
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=36820
What a lesson in preaching! I know the students will always remember the fine example set forth by the NOBTS professor.
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – Pray!
YANGON, MYANMAR. Throughout history, religious pilgrims have come to Yangon’s hilltop pagoda, bringing offerings and hoping for enlightenment. Black markets, karma, bamboo huts, paying homage to golden images define the daily routines of 6 million residents. Yangon is being intentionally engaged with God’s Word. Although, spiritual strongholds loom as high as the walls of the pagoda, these barriers can be broken. *Living Lord, may Your Spirit bring people to Your saving grace. *Creator God, reign in hearts of individuals so that You are worshiped as the One and only God.
Heart to Heart with Holley: The best gift this year
Hello Friend!
Have you been to the stores lately? I’ve seen the shelves piled high with gadgets, new styles, and the latest-whatever-you-want.
And I’m telling you, I think I’ve found the best gift this year.
It’s not available in retail locations, online or for $29.95 plus shipping and handling.
Can you lean in and listen close while I whisper this secret?
Psst…it’s you.
Or, really, Jesus in you.
Yes, my friend, you offer Him to the world in a way no one else can.And no one else ever will.
You are a one-of-a-kind original. Not replaceable or exchangeable.
Beautiful just as you are because of your Maker.
Designed just as He intended.
More amazing than you even realize.
Loved, needed and more valuable than all those fancy things in all the stores in the world.
Yes, ma’am.
You’re the real deal and don’t you forget it. Promise?
With love,
The gift bags for the nursing home residents and the homebound people will be packed with much love and excitement today. Thanks to all who have given, baked, or shopped. Pray for those who will be caroling and delivering the bags tomorrow and those who will receive one. May the true meaning of Christmas be clear to all involved in this ministry!
Christmas is not Christmas without Jesus!
Anna Lee
The Prayer Link 
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