Author: Anna Lee

Thursday Evening

Wayne Criswell

Wayne is progressing well after his surgery. He will probably be released Saturday to come to Blake’s house until his post-op appointment with his surgeon in a week to ten days. He will have a pet scan to be sure all the air is cleard around the area between his lung and the chest cavity. Once that is clear he will be able to fly home. He has set his goal to return home by March 15th. Thank s to everyone for the prayers and calls. Keep up the good thoughts.
Mary

Darbi Tolar and Emilie McKenzie will both be at home in Kentwood tonight.

Mattie Henderson
(December 17, 1948 – February 24, 2010)

Died at 10:20PM on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at her residence near Independence, LA. She was born December 17, 1948 in Independence, LA and is 61 years of age. Visitation at Lighthouse Baptist Church, Independence from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Friday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Saturday. Services conducted by Rev. Carl Rushing. Interment Lighthouse Cemetery, Independence, LA. Survived by 2 daughters, Cynthia Simmons, Natalbany, Marsha Fairburn, Spring Creek, mother, Flora Russell Henderson, Independence, 5 grandchildren, Ashley Megge, Samantha Simmons, Marcy Brumfield, Michael Cuccia, Jr., Dillon Fairburn, 6 great-grandchildren, Zackary Underwood, Kaylee Hale, Hunter Underwood, Darrel Underwood, Tara Brumfield, Sarah Cuccia. Preceded in death by father, Nicholas Scariana, adopted father, W. T. Henderson, granddaughter, Michelle Cuccia. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements

Thursday

“In the day of my trouble I will call upon You,

for You will answer me.”

Psalm 86:7

Continue to pray for Mrs. Faye Price and her family.  Include prayers for Leslie and Stephanie as they adjust to being a family of four.

CaringBridge:  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/larkindorris/journal

Holly K. says it is extremely hot where she lives.  Poor electrical service means no fans!   Pray for Holly and others who live where the weather is very warm now.

Baptist Press Stories for Feb. 24, 2010
—————————————
Remaining 2 Baptist volunteers in Haiti to be freed
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32359
GCR Task Force process discussed
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32361
WRAP-UP: EC actions include 1-year seminary reallocation to aid NOBTS
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32362
Baptist youth injured in school shooting
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32363
Volunteers carry compassion to Haiti, but have ‘no bottled answers’
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32364
Volunteers from 16 states in Haiti so far
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32365
ERLC: Obama plan has abortion funding
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32366
OLYMPICS: Olympian says there’s ‘no atheist at the top of a bobsled run’
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32367
OLYMPICS: Pac, Meyers in 2nd after 2 heats
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32368
FIRST-PERSON: Changing how we view Terri Schiavo
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32369

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor

LARRY AND JANE HUDSON are dear friends from the Main Street church in Calhoun, Kentucky…
A few years ago invited me to Sunday dinner following the AM worship assembly. This special couple was celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary and so they asked me to go along and commemorate the happy occasion.

Our destination…? Owensboro, Kentucky and Moonlite Bar-B-Q.

Everybody in that neck of the woods knows about Moonlite. Think “casual dining.” Think “family feel.” Think “all-you-can-eat” BBQ buffet. Underline the word “all.” Hungry guests stand in line with a plate and then help themselves to a smorgasbord of tasty, home-style dishes.

Buffet. Choose what you want. Skip what you don’t want. Go back as many times as you wish. This is gastronomical heaven. I loaded my plate with country favorites — mashed potatoes, pulled pork, and green beans, but then skiped the macaroni and cheese, gravy and rolls.

I left the restaurant full as the proverbial tick. Okay, maybe not full — I stopped just one bite shy of gluttony.

The meal was great. The Christian company was even better.

It occurs to me that many preachers treat the Word like a trip to Moonlite. They fill their theological dinner-ware with perennial favorites. They “eat” what their doctrinal belly desires (Philippians 3:19), but then pass over those food items which their denomination deems unpalatable. For instance, some heap their plate with faith, but then consciously omit what the Scriptures teach about baptism. They select SOME of God’s word but not the SUM of God’s word. They claim to be “Bible-believing,” but then do a “Moonlite” on those passages which teach the necessity of immersion.

Does the New Testament require baptism? No? Look again. According to Matthew 28:19-20 baptism is involved in my becoming a disciple of Christ. According to Mark 16:15-16 baptism is something I must engage if I want to be saved. According to Acts 2:37-38 baptism is something I must undergo in order to be forgiven of my sins. According to Acts 8:12-13, 38 baptism is something I must submit to, even if it means changing my religion. According to Acts 10:48 baptism is something I must obey because it has been commanded. According to Acts 16:14-15, baptism is something I will yield to — immediately — in order to be faithful to the Lord. According to Acts 22:16 baptism is something I must do if I desire my past sins to be taken away (cf. Acts 9:6). According to Romans 6:3-7 baptism is that which makes a difference (slave of sin vs. slave of righteousness) in my life. According to 1 Corinthians 12:13 baptism is the means by which I enter the body or church (cf. Ephesians 1:22-23). According to Galatians 3:26-27 baptism is the way that I become a child of God. According to 1 Peter 3:21 baptism saves.

Got your Bible handy? Read through Jeremiah 36. Jeremiah prophesied during the closing days of the Southern kingdom of Judah. On one occasion, the prophet received a divine message from God and then had the words written on a scroll (vv. 1-3). This inspired document was later read to king Jehoiakim by Jehudi (vv. 21). When Jehudi read that the kingdom-nation would be overthrown by the Babylonian empire, Jehoiakim decided he couldn’t “stomach” anymore. The arrogant ruler took a scribe’s penknife, cut up the scroll, and then cast it into the fire until it was consumed (vv. 22-24).

Jehoiakim would have liked Moonlite. Eat what you want. Skip what you don’t want. Mashed potatoes “yes,” dinner rolls “no.” Authoritarian rule “yes,” servile bondage “no.” Faith “yes,” baptism “no.”

Dear reader, the Bible is not a self-serve restaurant. We can’t pick out the parts that we like and then reject or cut out the portions that don’t strike our fancy. We must declare and consume (Jer. 15:16) the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27; cf. 2 Timothy 4:2-4), including those passages which teach the necessity of baptism.

Is your preacher offering some of God’s Word, or the sum of God’s Word?  Mike Benson

“The sum of your word is truth,
and every one of your righteous rules endures forever”
~Psm. 119:160~
Count your blessing, not your problems!  Remember, today is Terrific Thursday!
Anna Lee

Wednesday Afternoon

Bennie Maurice Ricks
(February 24, 1936 – February 23, 2010)

Bennie Maurice Ricks was born February 24, 1936 and passed away at 10:31 p.m., Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at Hood Memorial Hospital, Amite. He was 73 (1 day short of his 74th Birthday), a native of New Orleans and a resident of Roseland.

Bennie Maurice is survived by 2 daughters, Nicole Rene’ Ricks, Orlando, FL and Holly Noel Kitzmiller and husband, Paul, Manchester, PA; son, Kevin Maurice Ricks, Manchester, PA; 6 sisters, Mary Louise Russell and husband Kirk, Roseland, Mithilda R. Mize, Arcola, Thelma R. Simmons and husband, John Hillary, Kentwood, Carrol Ann R. Corona and husband, Thomas, Denham Springs, Ruby Ricks, Roseland and Jewel R. Hudspeth and husband, Charlie, Bolivar; 2 brothers, Alfred Ricks, Greenwood, FL and Robert Ricks and wife Pat, Roseland.

Preceded in death by parents, Bennie W. and Pearl Bond Ricks.

Visitation at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Friday, February 26, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Saturday February 27, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. until Religious Services at 11:00 a.m. Interment in Arcola-Roseland Cemetery.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N and Hwy 16W behind Bill Hood Automotive and Mr. Tom’s Car Wash.

Wednesday

“. . . I . . . do not cease to give thanks for you,

making mention of you in my prayers:

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of glory,

may give to you the spirit of wisdom and

revelation in the knowledge of Him.”

~Ephesians 1:16-17~


Wayne Criswell (by Brent Criswell)

I wanted provide more information than before. They ended up having to make a larger incision due to the location and the fact that it covered parts of two lobes. Everything went well and all of the doctors are optimistic pending final pathology exam that this should be it. The larger incision means more pain and possibly a day or two extra in the hospital. Overall things are going very well and we are all thankful for the prayers and calls.

Please continue to pray for Roger Pittman.  He is not going to be able to wait a few weeks before going back to the doctor.  Pray for the Pittman family as they conduct the memorial service for Chuck today.

Pray for Mrs. Faye Price and her family.  I understand the plans are to bring “Miss” Faye home.

CaringBridge: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/calliecole

Winter Olympics from a Christian viewpoint:

http://www.bpnews.net/BPCollectionNews.asp?ID=166

WAIT

clock2.jpg

SOMETIMES GOD SEEMS to take forever…

You wait and wait and wait. But when He finally moves, He does more in one hour and you could accomplish in a lifetime. So it’s your choice: be busily consumed with your paltry attempts or wait on God until He moves in the fulness of His glory and purposes. God’s sense of timing is like this: He waits forever and then moves suddenly and instantaneously. There’s only one way to even begin to tune into God’s sense of timing, and that is through waiting. Waiting transports us out of the temporal, out of our time-zone, and into His time-zone.

God can out-wait anybody. He just waits and waits, while the crisis looms larger and larger, and He waits some more. He waits until the crisis becomes an impossible predicament. And then He waits some more! Finally, when the remotest chance of escape is completely gone, God intervenes suddenly. A good example of this is Abraham.

God promised Abraham a son when he was 75 years old, even though Sarah was barren. And then God waits five years, ten years, fifteen years, twenty years. By now it’s too late. Even if Sarah were not barren, she is now too old, and so is Abraham. Twenty-five years. Count them. Twenty-five interminable years. Finally, when all natural hope was exhausted, God provided and Sarah became pregnant! God is the king of wait. (Bob Sorge)

“Rest in the LORD,

and wait patiently for Him;

do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,

because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.”

Proverbs 37:7

Posted by Mike Benson

I don’t usually mind waiting as much as some people, but I think I will begin to enjoy waiting more when I realize I’m getting in God’s time schedule.

“Count Your Blessings” today.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“Bear one another’s burdens,

and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

~Galatians 6:2~


Wayne Criswell (written last night)

We will report to the Univ. of Co. Medical Center in Aurora at 7:30 am tomorrow. The surgery is scheduled for 9:30. I will try to let you know something tomorrow evening. Brent should arrive around 8:00 tonight. Keep us in your prayers.
Thanks. Mary

I know you will want to remember Wayne and Mary in prayer throughout the day today.

Both Chuck Bahan and Jacob Duke have had surgery.  Pray for their recovery from their accident.

Continue to pray for the Pittman family.

Larkin Dorris

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/larkindorris/journal

Baptist Press Stories for Feb. 22, 2010
—————————————
Former Haiti detainee calls story about note ‘fabrication’
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32341
GCR Task Force releases progress report
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32352
TRUSTEES: NAMB president search to gear up, chairman reports
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32342
11th-hour salvation places judge in heaven
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32343
Welch puts face on SBC’s global relations
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32344
Empowering Kingdom Growth emphasis is ‘a quiet movement of the Holy Spirit’
South Texas church gains Kingdom focus
OLYMPICS: Chaplain nurtures Gospel seeds
OLYMPICS: Hedrick to retire from speedskating

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor

EAGER TO TRY out our navigation system, I programmed in our daughter’s address…
I chose the shortest route.  Everything was fine, until the system said to make several turns.  Thinking it was keeping me from fighting downtown traffice, I argued.  After passing up severalmore chances to turn, I continued to argue.  When I passed the last chance to turn, it told me to make a legal u-turn.  I argue, before turning it off.  It had routed me onto a high mountain road!  Checking the map, it was the shortest way.  This road was high and narrow, and being terrified of heights, I was not going that way.  I had argued, but the system was right.
We have a navigation system for our lives, the Bible.  It gives us instructions and gives us choices, to follow instructions or not.  We may argue with it, but God knows best.  If we take some bad detours or decide to do it on our own, it can help us get back on track.  Make that u-turn! Gaynelle Thomas
“Enter through the narrow gate.
For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction,
and many enter through it.”
Matthew 7:13
Thanks for praying for these requests and others that are not listed.  Your prayers make a difference.
Anna Lee

Monday Afternoon

Makynna (Keller) came home and she is doing wonderful…Thank you all so much for your prayers! God Bless!  Monica Smith

If you would could you plese put my granddaughter Olivia Grace Prescott on the prayer list. Her soft spot is closing up too soon and is having a CT scan and lab work done this Wednesday 7:00 a.m. at North Oaks. They also found a heart murmur. She is 3 months old. Thank you Cheryl Prescott

Sim Bankston is doing well.  He should be able to go home Tuesday or Wednesday, but will go back in a few weeks for surgery.

“Chuck” Dudley Gregory Pittman

(September 9, 1958 – February 22, 2010)

“Chuck” Dudley Gregory Pittman, 51, died peacefully in his sleep, Monday, February 22, 2010 at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond, LA. He was born September 9, 1958 in Independence, LA, a son of Bertha Lou Gill and Bobby Ray Pittman, Sr. He was a native and resident of Kentwood, LA. Chuck is survived by his wife, Lucy “Gayle” Clark Pittman, and their two sons, Chuck “Gregory” Pittman and Rodney Clark Pittman and his wife, Jennifer Jones Pittman, and their two children, Rangle Coy Pittman and Roper Cale Pittman. He is also survived by three sisters and three brothers, Marie and her husband, Milton Kimble, Roger and his wife, Lois Pittman, Janet and her husband, Bobby Tigner, Bobby Ray Pittman, Jr., Jimmy Pittman, JoEtta and her husband, Terry Miller. He was preceded in death by his parents and a nephew, Jacob Crow. He worked at Deltak Manufacturing in Pine Grove, LA. Visitation will be at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m on Tuesday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 24, 2010.

A photo is available at http://www.mckneelys.com/index.cfm

Wade Franklin “Frank” Welch
(January 24, 1961 – February 21, 2010)

Wade Franklin “Frank” Welch was born January 24,1961 and passed away at 4:25 p.m., Sunday, February 21, 2010 at his residence. He was 49, a native of Clinton and a resident of Amite.

Frank is survived by 2 daughters, Crystal Welch, Independence and Cheryleita Welch, Dallas, OR; 4 sons, Joseph Welch, Independence, Brandon Holden, New Orleans, Wade Welch, Jr., New Orleans, and Jordan Welch, New Orleans; father, Bonner Welch, Bradenton, FL; 3 brothers, Curtis Welch, Denham Springs, William Welch, Independence and Edward Welch, Bradenton, FL; step-sister, Melissa Stokes, Brandenton, FL; and grandson, Jacob Wheat, Independence.

Preceded in death by his mother, Belle Herbert Welch.

Visitation will be at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Friday, February 26, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. until Religious Services at 1:00 p.m. with Bro. Bobby Carroll officiating. Interment will be at a later date.

An on-line Guestbook and to view a Video Tribute is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N and Hwy 16W behind Bill Hood Automotive and Mr. Tom’s Car Wash.

Monday

“For the Lord hears the poor.”

~Psalm 69:33a~

Pray for the Criswell family as Brent travels to meet them in Colorado today and Wayne has surgery tomorrow.  They will appreciate your prayers.

Marsha Bankston shared that Chuck Baham had to have surgery yesterday.  Please continue to pray for him.

Please continue to pray for my Texas relatives.  Several of them have health issues that at ongoing and gradually progressing.

Death notice:  http://www.mckneelys.com/index.cfm

SING WITH THE UNDERSTANDING

I heard once about a woman who spent some months serving as a missionary in South Africa.  On her final visit to a remote township she attended a medical clinic.  As the Zulu women there began to sing together, she found herself deeply moved by their hauntingly beautiful harmonies. She wanted to always remember this moment and try to share it with friends when she arrived home.  With tears flowing down her cheeks, she turned to her friend and asked, “Can you please tell me the translation of the words to this song?”

Her friend looked at her and solemnly replied . . . “If you boil the water, you won’t get dysentery.”

How many times have we been guilty of the same thing in our worship to God?  Not of singing that particular song, but of singing without being aware of the meaning of the words we were singing.

It seems to me that singing songs of praise is like driving a car.  If you drive, you’ve learned that if you follow the same route day after day, it is possible for you to make the trip without even thinking about what you’re doing.  We’ve all had the scary feeling of arriving at a location realizing that we “zoned out” en route and made the trip while our mind was on “autopilot.”

Many of us have had the same experience in our worship.  We sing all the songs (like we’ve done countless times before) but our mind is on “autopilot” and after we’ve finished, we don’t have a clue what we just sang about.

Paul said, “I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding.  I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.” (I Cor. 14:15)

For those of us who are easily distracted, it requires a bit more effort, but may we resolve to strive to pay attention to the words that we are singing.  May the songs of praise we sing truly come from a heart that exalts God!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Thank-you for praying today and everyday.  Your prayers mean so much to so many.

Anna Lee