Month: February 2012

Monday

For the word of the Lord is right and true;

He is faithful in all the does.  

~Psalm 33:4~

 

Mrs. Rebecca Moak and her family need our prayers today.  Mrs. Moak is Stephanie F. McKenzie’s grandmother.

Mrs. Carol Jean Gill was a little better this weekend.  Continue to keep her and her family near the top of your prayer list.

Mrs. Gail Pittman-McDaniel is now at home.  She will continue her therapy for a while.

Mr. Raymond Anthony started chemo last week.  Pray for him as he receives treatment in Hammond.  Also, pray for those who are taking him to Hammond for treatment.

Mike Price will soon be going for more tests to evaluate his lungs.  Pray for Mike and Nyla.

Continue to pray for Caroline Cutrer as she goes through her treatments.  Pray for the whole family as so many things are different for them now.

Pray for Kenneth Birch and Shirley B. Frazier.  They are both fighting back issues that seem to be getting the best of them.  Pray for relief for both of them.

The new Beth Moore Bible study began last night.  It was very good and touched my heart and my family situation just by watching the first video which was about James’ (and Jesus’) family.  The other group will begin Thursday at 6:00.  It’s not too late to join.  Let me know by today or tomorrow if you can.  Also, Beth challenged us to push ourselves to put more into the study than in previous studies.  Thankfully, I believe most of the ladies there last night are willing and will find the time to go deeper into the Bible with this study.  Pray for each lady as they apply the life and book of James to their lives.

All boys and men are invited to supper (cooked by Mike Estay) and a movie Thursday night.  It’s the movie “Courageous”, which shows the story of a man who courted and married his wife twice.  The second time was after a wreck that caused her not to remember him at all.  This will be at FBC, Kentwood at the lighthouse (old post office) at 6:00 P.M.

Pray for the youth from our church and other churches as they are at the winter retreat for a few days.

Thought for the Day: Watch out for Lucille

I heard recently about someone who works in the customer service call center of a national pager company. He deals with the usual complaints regarding poor pager operation, as well as the occasional crank caller demanding to be paged less often, more often, or by more interesting people.

The best call came from a man who repeatedly complained that he keeps being paged by “Lucille.” He was instructed that he would have to call her and tell her to stop paging him.

“She don’t never leave no number, so I can’t call her back,” he said.

After three such calls, someone thought to ask how he knew it was Lucille if she didn’t leave a number.

“She leaves her name” was the reply.

After establishing that the customer had a numeric-only pager, the light bulb came on. “How does she spell her name?” the service rep asked.

“L-O-W C-E-L-L”

When things start to bother us, the problem may simply be that we need to get “re-charged”. Keeping our schedules overbooked, staying busy “doing things”, going here and there — it takes a toll after a while. Before we get stressed out and burned out, we need to learn to take some time to unwind and recharge. Turn off the radio and the television. Oh, and the computer, too! Unplug the telephone if you need to, or better yet, get away from the house. Spend some quiet time with God in prayer and reflection on His Word.

Notice what Jesus did as he was surrounded by a crowd of people, all demanding a piece of his time:

“Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.” (Matthew 14:22-23)

Watch out for Lucille! Don’t forget to recharge.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

 

Do you need recharging?  Jesus can do that.  Visit your local church for  more information.

Anna Lee

Sunday Evening

Elaine Simmons Holden
(June 23, 1949 – February 18, 2012) 

Elaine Simmons Holden was born June 23, 1949 and passed away at 11:30 p.m., Saturday, February 18, 2012 at Hood Memorial Hospital, Amite. She was 62, a native of Independence and a resident of Amite.

Elaine is survived by her daughter, Sabrina Polezcek and husband Ronnie, Amite; son, Billy Brabham, Amite; 4 step-daughters, Brenda Arnone and husband Michael, Osyka, MS, Linda Smith and husband Donald, Amite, Glenda Cox and husband Troy, Amite & Mary Thauex, Amite; 3 sisters, Dorothy Montgomery and husband James, Denham Springs, Ara Jane Westmoreland and husband Alton, Denham Springs & Ruth Simmons, Amite; 3 brothers Boyce Otis Simmons, Amite; James C. Simmons and wife Vernia, Amite & Wayne Simmons and wife Bobbie, Ponchatoula; 19 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Preceded in death by her husband, Dewitt Holden, parents John & Audrey Miller Simmons; brother, Gerald Simmons & step-daughter, Flora Mae Miley.

Visitation at McKneely and Vaughn Funeral Home Amite, on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home Chapel with Rev Wayne Miley officiating. Interment in Arcola-Roseland Cemetery, Roseland, LA.

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

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

Floy “Dell” Sanders Phillips
(December 25, 1938 – February 19, 2012)
Jesus took her peacefully from her home in East Fork on February 19, 2012 at 5:28 a.m. She was born December 25, 1938 in Kentwood and was 73 years of age. Dell retired from Carter’s Insurance after 19 years. She came home to devote her time to her growing family. She loved being a grandmother and especially a great-grandmother. She is survived by one son, Wilson Phillips of Natchez, MS, two daughters, Sharon Phillips of Kentwood, and Charlene Blades and her husband, Dewayne “Skip” of Kentwood, four grandchildren, Jim Willson and J. J. Willson of Houston, TX, Monica Smith and her husband, David of Kentwood, and Roseanne Needham and her husband, J. B. of Kentwood, two step-grandchildren, Daniel Blades and Katherine Blades of Kentwood, three great-grandsons, Trea Smith, Jake Smith, and Jed Needham, one step-great-granddaughter, Raven Blades, two brothers, Layne Sanders and his wife, Virginia of Kentwood, and Bobby Dykes of Kentwood. Preceded in death by her loving husband of 27 years, John Irvin “J.I.” Phillips and her parents, Sally Alma Dykes and Harold McCoy Sanders. Pallbearers will be Travis Day, Terry Travis, Brantley Taylor, Michael Sanders, Will Sanders and Ryan Norrell. Visitation at Pine Ridge Methodist Church, Kentwood, from 8 a.m. until religious services at 12 Noon on Monday, February 20, 2012. Services conducted by Bro. Vince Estes, Bro. Mike Shumock, & Bro. Don Meadows. Interment Pine Ridge Cemetery, Kentwood. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Marian Louise Varnado Phillips
(Died February 18, 2012) 

A resident of Kentwood she died on Saturday, February 18, 2012 at her home.

Arrangements are incomplete with McKneely Funeral Home, Amite.

 

 

 

 

Sunday

“Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice

is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. “

~Matthew 7:24 NIV~

Beth Moore Bible Study –  James: Mercy Triumphs

FBC, Kentwood

Two groups to choose from

  • Sundays at 4:30 in the church basement (Begins today)
  • Thursday at 6:00 (Begins later this week)
Workbook – $15.00

Baptist Press News

http://www.bpnews.net/

Heart to Heart with Holley: What success really means

Define it with titles.

Step on the scale.

Climb up the ladder.

We chase it until we’re exhausted.

Success.

What does it really mean?

I look through the sacred pages one day looking for an answer.

And I find, all the way through, it really comes back to one word.

Obedience.

Not results.

Not awards.

Not exceeding expectations.

Just obedience.

We are servants who bring our Master joy when we do what he asks.

No more, no less.

Success isn’t as complicated as we make it.

And it’s attainable. For all of us. Every day. Wherever we are.

Even this week.

Doesn’t that make your heart feel freer?

Woo-hoo!

–Holley

Thought for the Day: Summed up in one word
Ole and Lena’s bull took sick and died, so they needed to go to the auction to buy a new one. Ole had to get the crops in and couldn’t leave the farm, so Lena took the train to the city to buy a bull. If she was successful, she would take the train back to the farm, then she and Ole would go to town with the truck to pick up their newly purchased bull.

The bidding was furious at the livestock auction, and Lena found herself bidding on the last remaining bull. It took everything she had but ten cents, but she was finally the successful bidder.

Unfortunately, the train home was fifty cents. “Please, Mr. Conductor, couldn’t you make an exception just once?” pleaded Lena. “Sorry lady,” he replied, “but you can send your husband a telegram to tell him your problem. The office is just down the street.”

At the telegraph office, Lena asked, “Mister, how many words can I send to my husband for a dime?” “It’s ten cents a word,” the clerk answered. Lena pondered her dilemma, then finally said, “OK, here’s the
message: COMFORTABLE.” (Got it? No? Read it again, s-l-o-w-l-y.)

Condensing a lengthy message into one word can be quite a challenge. How would you condense the message of the gospel into one word? Love? Grace? When the New Testament summarizes the preaching of the gospel, it does it in this way:

“Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this scripture, preached Jesus to him.” (Acts 8:35)

Philip’s message to the Ethiopian eunuch, summed up in one word, was Jesus. No doubt, Philip had much to say on the subject. I’m sure he spoke of why Jesus came, what Jesus did for us, and what our response to Jesus needs to be. His message obviously even included a mention of baptism, since the eunuch was led to ask further about that.

But, if the essence of our teaching ever becomes anything other than a focus on Jesus, it is no longer the gospel. All that we say and do is of significance only as it relates to our Lord and our Savior.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Have a great Lord’s Day!
Anna Lee

Saturday

“I have hidden your word in my heart

that I might not sin against you.”

~Psalm 119:11 NIV~

Mr. Kenneth Felker is taking “Miss” Grace Helen back to the hospital today for more attention to her knee.  As you pray for her, please also pray for B.J. who also seems to have an infection.

Please say prayers for the ladies who will begin a Beth Moore study Sunday or Thursday.  May we push ourselves to put more effort into this study than we have ever done before so that our results will be the best yet.  Currently, there are 38 planning to attend.  The study will be James: Mercy Triumphs.  Please contact me if you need information about the study.  Pray hearts will be changed by this study.

Pray for those who much be out in this rainy weather today.  Also, pray the weather causes no tornadoes that do massive damage to property or take any lives.

Heart to Heart with Holley Blog: Taken by Surprise (Guest Writer)

I run. Whenever I can. But no longer do I run along the gorgeous streets in Australia. Oh how I miss those… Instead I am running around in circles in Indonesia. Literally.

It’s a little dull. In fact, incredibly monotonous. As I bound around a track where I live, I see the same guards, people, plants, buildings…every run. The most exciting part is passing the lobby every lap, because I get to dodge taxis, buses, cars, guards and dozens of school children. But it’s always the same.

So I was astounded this week when something looked different. Right next to the grey path. I could see a haze of bright pink on the grass. It was stunning. And surprising.

I looked for the source of this beauty. Under the leaves of a rather simple looking tree, were the most beautiful flowers. I don’t think I had ever seen such a flower before. They captivated me.

How had I missed them? They must have been under the canopy for some time, yet it wasn’t until the petals dropped to the ground that I noticed. I would have missed this moment of beauty otherwise. Which made me wonder.

What are you missing? What beauty is before you that you are failing to see? Everything feels the same but you have missed something gorgeous. In a person who is familiar? Maybe your husband, or your child. Are you still looking for the beauty in them? I want to be looking. Or perhaps, like me, you make assumptions about your environment. Fail to see the new, the surprising.

And can you see what remains after that blur of pink dresses the green below? Exquisite cups of grace. Left to enchant us.

What is left behind by you? When you brush alongside people every day of your life. Is there residual beauty? A word of encouragement? Of sympathy? Or Joy? Possibly subtle, but unmistakable and beautiful.

Perhaps the biggest question. Does your impact on others cause them to look up? You leave some shredded pink on the ground and they have to find the source of that. They don’t want to miss out.

When Jesus lived on this earth he gave extraordinary, vibrant, surprising love. To his closest friends. To strangers. He still does. And people wanted to know him. Because that source was intriguing. Worth stopping. Gazing up. Being captivated by.

There would be no grey, no green left in Jesus’ wake. Just pink.

What colour is on the ground surrounding you today?

Look beyond the grey. If someone is placing pink mist before you, give thanks. And as you surge through another ‘ordinary’ day, leave something exquisite.

May all around you be compelled to look up. To the giver of all good things. To the source.

By Pauline, Six Good Figs

Have a great day despite the weather.

Anna Lee

Friday Death Notice

Infant Lige Leslie Hendry was born February 16, 2012 passed away at 11:15 a.m. on February 16, 2012 at Lakeview Medical Center, Covington, LA.

Lige is survived by his parents, Travis L. & Hannah Lopinto Hendry, Amite; a sister, Emily Hendry, Mt. Hermon; maternal grandparents, Frank & Mary Lopinto, Amite; paternal grandfather, Patrick Hendry, Chesbrough; maternal great-grandmothers, Carolyn Bel, Bolivar, MO & Josie DePhillips, Amite; numerous aunts, uncles, and extended family.

He was preceded in death by 2 sisters, Mary-Margaret Hendry & Leslie Marie Hendry; paternal grandmother, Margaret Welch Hendry.

Private funeral services will be held at a later date.

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

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


Friday

“’Go back to your home, and tell all that God has done for you.’

And off he went, proclaiming throughout the town all that Jesus had done for him.”

~Luke 8:39, HCSB~

Baptist Press: Linsanity, Tebow-mania & the evangelistic witness

Bryan Cribb
pnews.net/BPFirstPerson.asp?ID=37195


Thought for the Day: Encourage one another


You will likely recognize the name of Jackie Robinson as the first African-American to play Major League baseball. In his first season with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Robinson faced hatred nearly everywhere he traveled. Pitchers threw fastballs at his head. Runners spiked him on the bases, ugly insults were written on cards and spoken from the opposing dugouts. Even the home crowds in Brooklyn saw him as an object of reproach.


During one game in Cincinnati, the taunts and racial slurs seemed to reach a peak. To make matters worse, Robinson committed an error and stood at second base humiliated while the fans hurled insults at him. Another Dodger, a Southern white man by the name Pee Wee Reese, called timeout. He walked from his position at shortstop toward Robinson at second base, and with the crowds looking on, he put his arm around Robinson’s shoulder. The fans grew quiet. Robinson later said that arm around his shoulder saved his career.


That reminds me of a similar story in the Bible. Saul was a most unlikely candidate for Christianity. I doubt if he was on anybody’s soul-winning list. Except God’s. The reason is that you would have been locked up or killed before you got through the first Bible study. The words Saul and persecution were synonymous. So, Saul had a bit of a problem when he became a Christian. Everybody was afraid to get close to him. The members of the Jerusalem church thought that Paul was pulling a fast one, that he was only pretending to be a disciple (verse 26).


After all, that was a perfect plan — pretend to become a member of the church, get the names of all of the members, call the Sanhedrin and then take the whole bunch to prison. Sounds like a spy story, doesn’t it? But, they weren’t about to fall for that one! But Barnabas accepted him.


There are a couple of things about Barnabas that we need to imitate. First of all, he was a man who insisted on believing the best in others. When others suspected Saul of being a spy, Barnabas insisted on believing he was genuine and real. The world is largely divided into people who think the best of others and people who think the worst of others. “[Love] doesn’t keep track of wrongs….never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up.” (I Corinthians 13:5,7, GOD’S WORD).


Barnabas was also a person who didn’t hold a man’s past against him. It happens so often that whenever a man makes a mistake, he is forever condemned in our eyes. It is a wonderful characteristic of God that he doesn’t hold our past sins against us. We, too, should never condemn a man just because he has failed in the past.


What a great example! We’ve all been there — standing in need of someone to face our problems with us. And we have those around us who need the encouraging arm around the shoulder.


“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (Galatians 6:1-2)


Have a great day!


Alan Smith




Have a great Friday.  Take time to encourage someone today.


Anna Lee