Author: Anna Lee

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

	


	





	

		
		
Thursday Evening Obituary
	


	
	
	

		
Vera Lindsey Matherne was born November 28, 1934 and passed away at 1:20 p.m., Thursday, February 16, 2012 at Heritage Health Center, Hammond. She was 77, a native of Kentwood and resident of Amite.


Ms. Vera is survived by her son, Leroy Matherne, Jr. and wife Josephine, Independence; 4 sisters, Pearline Williams, Ft. Pierce, FL, Mary Strickland, LaPlace, Margie Lascaro and husband Anthony, Amite & Lida Coates and husband Warren, Pumpkin Center; 3 brothers, Fred Lindsey and wife Barbara, Wesson, MS, John Lindsey and wife Barbara, Kentwood & Tommy Lindsey and wife Becky, Amite; 4 grandsons, Jessie Matherne, Justin Matherne and wife Jana, Curtis Matherne and wife Sybil, & Timmy Caldwell; great –granddaughter, Olivia Matherne; special friend, Stanley Matherne, Houma; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.


Preceded in death by her husband, Leroy Matherne, Sr.; parents, John & Elaine Brabham Lindsey & daughter, Lynn Cross.


Visitation at McKneely and Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Saturday, February 18, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home Chapel with Rev. Charles Reitz officiating. Interment in New Zion Cemetery, Kentwood, LA.


An on-line-Guestbook is available at http://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.

	


	





	

		
		
Thursday Afternoon Obituary
	


	
	
	

		
Earl Leon Hughes

(May 12, 1927 – February 16, 2012)




A resident of Roseland, he died on Thursday, February 16, 2012 at Hood Memorial Hospital in Amite. He was born May 12, 1927 in Roseland and was 84 years of age. Mr. Hughes was a U. S. Army Veteran of World War II. He is survived by his wife, Betty Jo Hughes, Roseland; daughter, Joyce Hughes Rohner, Amite; sister, Hazel Bennett, Brookhaven, MS; grandson, James “Scooter” Rohner and his wife, Beth, Amite; 2 step-grandsons, Mark Rohner, Holden and David Rohner, Albany; 1 great-grandson, Jayden Rohner. Preceded in death by son, Richard Earl Hughes; parents, Cecil and Willie Hughes; 3 brothers, Thomas, Carl and Sidney Hughes; sister, Linda Hughes; son-in-law, Charles W. Rohner. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9 a.m. until religious services at 12 Noon on Saturday, February 18, 2012. Interment Arcola-Roseland Cemetery, Roseland, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.


 






 

	


	





	

		
		
Thursday Afternoon
	


	
	
	

		
From Debbie Cutrer Powers


Please put my KaLeigh back on the prayer list, we have to go to a ped cardiologist in the morning. She has been having some issues with a rapid heartbeat and elevated Blood pressure. Poor thing when it rains it pours for her. Just keep her in ya’lls prayers




Also, please add Chloe Neyland to your list.  Lisa had to take her back to the hospital today for some problems that had developed.  I don’t know if they are going to keep Chloe or send her home.  Prayer will be appropriate at this time though.

	


	





	

		
		
Thursday
	


	
	
	

		
“Call to Me,


 and I will answer you, 


and show you great and mighty things, 


which you do not know” 


~Jeremiah 33:3~


Pray for Mr. Bobby Simpson and Mrs. Ruby Dillon as they continue their physical therapy sessions.


Pray for Mr. Raymond Anthony as he continues his cancer treatment for the next few weeks.


Pray for Jeff Tolar who is continuing to deal with neck problems.  Jeff lives in Florida.


Continue to pray for Mrs. Shirley Frazier and her brother, Mr Kenneth Birch, as they both seek relief for back problems that are plaguing them.


Pray for Mr. Earlo LaBauve and Mrs. Gail Pittman-McDaniel as they continue to improve in rehab.


Heart to Heart with Holley (Gerth): Joy Feast


http://www.incourage.me/2012/02/joy-feast.html


Third Thursday Meeting (covered dish supper, fellowship, devotional led by Mr. James Rimes, and prayer time)


    

  • 6:30 tonight
    • 

  • Alford Cabin
    • 

  • Call for more information.
    • 



Beth Moore Bible Study: “James: Mercy Triumphs”




    

  • Two groups (Sunday afternoons or Thursday evenings)
    • 

  • Workbooks – $15.00
    • 

  • Contact FBC, Kentwood or me for more information
    • 



Have a wonderful day!


Anna Lee



	


	





	

		
		
Wednesday Afternoon
	


	
	
	

		
Update on Carol Jean Gill from her sister-in-law:


Hi, all. Carol Jean has had a busy couple of days. She is breathing on her own but now has a trach to make her more comfortable. She also has a feeding tube in her abdomen. We are so proud of her. It is so tempting to sneak her little dog, Daisy, into the hospital to see her. Thanks for the prayers and keep them coming.

	


	







	

		
		
Wednesday
	


	
	
	

		
 


“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, . . . 


being confident of this very thing,


 that He who has begun a good work in you 


will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”


~Philippians 1:3-6~


 


 


Frances Gay requests prayer for Lyndy Lewis Kimbrel who is in North Oaks with pneumonia.  She’s in a step-down unit since her lung collapsed.  Additional tests have been done.  She is Becky Gill’s mother and Diane Strickland and Pam Lewis’  sister.  Lyndy is not up to company at this time, but your prayers are very much needed.


Mr. Kenneth Felker said both “Miss” Grace Helen and B.J. are improving at this time.  Please remember them in your prayers.


Lots of people seem to have colds, coughs, sinus problems, headaches, etc. now.  I suppose it might be partially blamed on the many changes in the weather lately.  Pray for everyone to be careful about spreading/sharing and to get past the days of misery these problems present.


Thought for the Day: Prayers of Intercession


I heard recently about a mother and her five-year-old son who were headed to McDonald’s one day when they passed a car accident. Usually when they would see something terrible like that, they would say a prayer for those who might be hurt, so the mother pointed to the cars and said to her son, “We should pray.”


From the back seat, she heard his earnest request, “Please, God, don’t let those cars block the entrance to McDonald’s.”


The honesty of children! But how often have we all been childishly guilty of the same thing? We are surrounded by the needs of so many people, but we often seem to be blind to them in our prayers. Instead, our prayers tend to go something along the line of, “God, please give me what is most important to ME right now. Take away all the inconveniences that make life so difficult for me, and make sure that only good things happen to me.”


When will we learn that prayer was never intended to be the divine equivalent of a vending machine? Prayer is not an attempt to twist God’s arm until he bends Himself to our will, but an opportunity for us to seek His will. We are to share our needs with God, but prayer is also a privilege God has given His children to be able to intercede for others and their needs.


“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.” (I Timothy 2:1)


Who are you praying for today?


Have a great day!


Alan Smith


Two reminders:


    

  1. Third Thursday meeting at the cabin tomorrow at 6:30
    2. 

  2. Beth Moore Bible study beginning Sunday evening and the following Thursday.
    3. 



 Have a wonderful time enjoying the day the Lord has provided!


Anna Lee

	


	





	

		
		
Tuesday Addition
	


	
	
	

		
Rebecca Moak


I wanted to give you an update on my grandma. She is still hospitalized and will have to start dialysis soon. She was looking a little better yesterday but the doctor says her kidneys are not working like they should which is causing her to retain fluid and keep a UTI. We are hoping with her doing the dialysis she will get some of the fluid off and start to get better. She still has pnemonia, they are giving her antibiotics to help with that and some of other medicine to try to break that up. Thank You for all your prayers.


Stephanie McKenzie