Author: Anna Lee

Thursday

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me,

for I am gentle and lowly in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.

For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

~Matthew 1:29-30~

 

Thought for the Day: The trouble with bragging

A North Carolina farmer was talking to a Texas rancher. The Texas rancher was bragging that his spread was soooooo big, that he got in his pick-up in the morning and didn’t reach the end of his spread until nightfall.

The North Carolina farmer replied, “Yup, I had me a pick-up like that once.”

That’s the trouble with bragging — no one seems to appreciate it as much as we do! But how will everyone know how important we are unless we tell them? So we tend to focus on ourselves — we talk about what we have accomplished, we talk about who we know, we talk about what we have just bought.

Can I offer a suggestion? Just for today, forget about yourself and focus on someone else. Take an interest in what someone else has accomplished, or better yet, take an interest in a problem that someone else is experiencing.

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:3-5)

But, if you do this, won’t others fail to realize just how important you are? Perhaps. But, more likely, they’ll recognize true greatness in your humility.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Boone Church of Christ
Boone, NC

There are 1.7 billion lost people in the world.  New IMB missionaries were commissioned in Lake Charles last night.  They will do their part, but can’t win the world without our help.  Do your part or it won’t get done,

Anna Lee

Wednesday Obituary

Jerry Buniff Cutrer
(July 22, 1937 – March 21, 2012)

Jerry Buniff Cutrer was born July 22, 1937 and passed away at 5:35 a.m., Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at her residence surrounded by her loving family. She was 74, a native of New Orleans and resident of Amite.

Jerry is survived by her husband of 55 years, Glenn Cutrer, Amite; 2 daughters, Sharon “Cookie” Cutrer and husband Jay, Amite and Glenda C. Comeaux and husband David, French Settlement; 2 brothers, Cliff Buniff and wife Leila, Amite and Cleve Buniff, Amite; 3 grandchildren, Keith Sumrall and wife Julia, Amite, Jesse Cutrer, Amite and Gerrid Hodges and wife Jessica, Amite; 2 great-grandsons, Jacob & Mason Hodges; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Victor Brown Buniff; son, Mike Cutrer; sister, Billie Westmoreland.

Visitation at McKneely and Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Friday, March 23, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services at 1:00 p.m. in the funeral home Chapel with Rev. Larry Blades officiating. Interment in Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, 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

 

Wednesday

Bless the Lord, O my soul!

“You make springs gush forth in the valleys. . . .

You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate. . . .

The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly,”

~Psalm 104:1a,10a,14a,16a, ESV~

Today, be alert to the rain and possibility of bad weather.  Do something to help/comfort someone nervous/unprepared for bad weather.

 

Don’g forget to prepare your health kits for migrant workers.  They are due to churches later this month.

 

Thought for the Day: A morning prayer

The following prayer came to me author unknown:

Dear God,

So far today,
I’ve done all right.
I haven’t gossiped.
I haven’t lost my temper.
I haven’t lied or cheated.
I haven’t been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish or overindulgent.

I’m very thankful for that.

But in a few minutes, Lord,
I’m going to get out of bed;
and from then on, I’m probably
going to need a lot more help.
In Jesus’ name, Amen

I can relate to that, can’t you? Perhaps you’ve even made it till today with your New Year’s resolutions. But you’ve still got 336 days to go! Maybe it’s been fairly easy so far, but from now on you’re going to need a lot more help.

If so, continue with this prayer of David:

“Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men who work iniquity….My eyes are upon You, O GOD the Lord; in You I take refuge.”
(Psalm 141:3-4a,8a)

May God grant you the strength necessary to live for Him in 2001.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Boone Church of Christ
Boone, NC

Rain doesn’t eliminate the possibility of a good day!

Anna Lee

Tuesday Afternoon

William Burrows “Billy” Carter, native and lifelong resident of Greensburg, Louisiana, passed away on Monday, March 19, 2012, at the St. Helena Parish Hospital with his loving wife at his side. He was 85 and a retired Sanitarian for the State of Louisiana with 32 years’ service. He was a great patriot and served his country in World War II in the South Pacific Theater, U. S. Navy Reserves, in the Boat Group aboard the USS Granville APA 171 as a Coxswain of an LCVP Landing Craft. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 264, the VFW Post 7196, and the First Baptist Church of Greensburg. He also served as a former Mayor of Greensburg and will be remembered as a knowledgeable historian of St. Helena Parish. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betty Anderson Carter; son, William Anderson Carter of Greensburg, La.; daughter Belinda Carter Sanchez and her husband, Dr. Gayle M. Sanchez of Baton Rouge, La.; three granddaughters, Claire Carter Sanchez, Baton Rouge, La., Jill Adrienne Sanchez, New Orleans, La., and Lesley Gayle Sanchez, Austin, Texas; two brothers, Robert T. Carter, Jr., Bogalusa, La., and Burrell J. Carter, Greensburg, La.; and numerous nephews and nieces. Preceded in death by parents, Robert Thompson Carter, Sr., and Elizabeth Johnston Carter. Visitation will be held at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, La., Wednesday, March 21, 2012, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and continuing Thursday, March 22, 2012, at 10 a.m. until religious services at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, La., at 11 a.m. conducted by Rev. Mark Robinson. Interment will follow in the Greensburg Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the World War II Museum, New Orleans, La., or the charity of your choice. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Tuesday

“Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all people.”

(1 Chronicles 16:24~

Thought for the Day – Open My Ears

Here is a collection of humorous headlines, some of which you may have seen before and some of which may be new to you:

* Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Experts Say
* Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
* Red Tape Holds up New Bridges
* Two Sisters Reunited After 18 Years in Checkout Counter
* Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures (duh!)
* Man Struck by Lightning Faces Battery Charge
* New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
* Drunk Gets Nine Months in Violin Case
* Include Your Children When Baking Cookies
* Two Convicts Evade Noose, Jury Hung
* Milk Drinkers are Turning to Powder
* Stiff opposition expected to casketless funeral plan
* Enraged cow injures farmer with ax
* British Left Waffles on Falkland Islands
* Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
* Autos killing 110 a day, let’s resolve to do better
* If strike isn’t settled quickly it may last a while (duh again!)
* Iraqi Head Seeks Arms
* Lingerie Shipment Hijacked – Thief Gives Police The Slip
* Patient At Death’s Door – Doctors Pull Him Through
* Killer Sentenced to Die for Second Time in 10 Years
* 20-Year Friendship Ends at Altar
* Deaf mute gets new hearing in killing

That last headline (“Deaf mute gets a new hearing”) would certainly have a different meaning in the context of the gospels.

“Then they brought to [Jesus] one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him….. Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly.” (Mark 7:32,35)

What a beautiful display of power and love. I can’t begin to imagine what it would be like to be deaf. What would I miss the most? The sound of the wind blowing through the trees? The words “I love you” spoken by a dear friend? The chirping of the birds at the break of dawn? Or the songs of praise lifted up to God’s throne when Christians gather together?

While I can’t imagine not being able to hear any of those beautiful sounds, I can say, with sadness, that I don’t always listen to those things that I have the ability to hear. I don’t always listen to the cries for help that come from those in need around me. I don’t always listen to my children when they are anxious to share the events of the day. And I don’t always listen to God as He speaks to me through his word.

Sometimes I am distracted. Sometimes there is other “noise” which makes it hard to listen. But sometimes I keep my hands firmly over my ears to avoid hearing.

With a need much like the deaf man in Mark 7, I come begging Jesus to “put his hand” on me, to open my ears that I may truly hear.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Boone Church of Christ
Boone, NC

Monday Evening

I trust you will take time to look at the pictures and read this Baptist Press article about the harsh winter in Romania.  Pray for these people.  Thank God you have the opportunity to be part of the answer for them.  Also, thank God the people realize how much Christians are willing to spend and do in order to help them.  May they learn of God’s love through the difficulties of the harsh winter.

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=37419

Monday Afternoon

Address Change

Baton Rouge Neuroscience Rehab 6th Floor

Mrs. Carol Jean Gill #604

10101 Park Rowe Avenue

Baton Rouge,LA 70810

Caroline Cutrer is in Jackson for more chemo.  Continue to pray for her and for her family.

Keith Allen is having back problems.  Pray he gets the attention he needs.

Mr. John “Jack” Birch, brother of Mrs. Jane Duncan, Mrs. Carolyn Easley, and others passed away this morning.  He was also a cousin to Mrs. Shirley Frazier, Mr. Kenneth Birch, and others,  Please keep the Birch family in your prayers.

Allan Stewart Ritchie, Jr.
(July 17, 1927 – March 19, 2012)

Allan Stewart Ritchie, Jr. was born July 17, 1927 and passed away at 1:36 a.m., Monday, March 19, 2012 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. He was 84, a native of New Orleans and a resident of Denham Springs. Mr. Allan served our country during WWII in the US Navy.

He is survived by his son, Francis Ritchie and wife Brenda; 2 grandsons, Robert Allan Ritchie and wife Christine & Daniel Stewart Ritchie and wife Parrish; great-grandson, Dean Ritchie; sister, Theonne Kuykendall; also nieces, nephews and extended family.

Preceded in death by his wife, Ella Mae Crowe Ritchie; parents, Allan S. Ritchie, Sr. and Teddie Fullenbach Ritchie; son, Dennis Michael Ritchie.

Graveside Celebration of Life Services will be held at Shiloh Cemetery (Bell Road) on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Sandy Sherman officiating. Interment in Shiloh Cemetery

Family would like to thank St. Joseph Hospice nurses and staff for their loving care of Mr. Allan and his family.

Family request Memorial donations be made to St. Joseph Hospice, 5215 Essen Ln, Baton Rouge, LA 70809 or any Hospice of your choice.

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

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.

Monday

“But from there you will seek the Lord your God,

and you will find Him if you seek Him

with all your heart and with all your soul.”

~Deuteronomy 4:29~

Mrs. Carol Jean Gill is continuing to make improvement.  Continue to pray for her, for the rehab workers, and for her family.

James: Mercy Triumphs is great.  We have 36 enrolled.  God is blessing us.

Thought for the Day: Reading God’s Word

The story is told of a door-to-door entrepreneur who became rather bored with his job of selling Bibles, so he decided to become a boss, hiring three people to sell Bibles for him. He interviewed three people. The first came in and said, “I want to sell Bibles for you.” “OK, you’re hired. Here’s your kit; go sell!”

The second came in and said, “I want to sell Bibles for you.” “OK, you’re hired! Here’s your kit; go sell!”

The third came in and said, “I-I-I wa-wa-wa-want t-t-t-t-to s-s-s-s-ell to sell, to sell, to sell, Bi -bi -bi -Bibles, sell Bi-Bibles f-f-f-fo-for y-y-y-y you, Bibles for you!”

“No,” shouted the man, “this will never work! You can’t sell Bibles for me!” The applicant replied, “B-b-b-b-but I r-r-r-eall, but I really, really, n-n-n-n-need th-th-th-this, really need th-this job!”

As there were no other applicants, the man said, “OK, I’ll give you one shot at this, but I expect you to PRODUCE!”

At the end of the day, the first applicant comes back and reports, “I sold 8 Bibles today.” The second reports: “I sold 11 Bibles today. The third worker reports, “To-to-to-to t-t-today, I-i-I so-so, I so-, I so-, I so-, I sold 28 Bi-bi-b-Bibles!” “Great,” says the man. “However, I want you to sell lots more Bibles than that, so get out there tomorrow and MAKE ME SOME MONEY!”

At the end of the first day, the first worker comes in and reports, “Today, I sold 32 Bibles.” The second worker reports, “I sold 44 Bibles today.” The third worker reports, “To-to-to t-today, I-i-I so so, I so-, I sold 79 Bi-bi-bi- sold 79, sold 79 Bibles.”

“Fantastic,” said the man, “since you’re doing so well, so much better than these other two guys, why don’t you tell them what your sales technique is.”

Replied the worker, “I-i-I j-j-j-j-ju-ju-ju-just wa, wa, wa, just wal- wa- wa- walk, just walk up to, up to, up to, just walk up to them and, and ask them, and ask them, and ask if th-th-th-th, ask if they w-w-w-w-w-wa-, ask if they want t-t-t-t-o-o-, if they want to b-b-b-b-b, if they want to buy a Bi-bi -, want to buy a Bi–b–, a – a- a bi -, buy a, to buy a Bi-bi-bible, or d-d-d-d-d do th-th-they do they w-w-w-ant me to ***READ*** it to ’em?”

Though the thought of having that third man read the Bible to us seems a little frightening, we are reminded of how important that we all take time to spend time reading God’s Word for ourselves.

“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You! Blessed are You, O LORD! Teach me Your statutes!…I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.” (Psalm 119:9-12,14-16)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Boone Church of Christ
Boone, NC

Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions

http://www.anniearmstrong.com/whoisannie/

Blessing,

Anna Lee