Author: Anna Lee

Monday Evening

Barbara Stevens works at the Tangipahoa Parish School Board office. She is requesting prayer for her daughter-in-law, Karen.

Karen has been moved to Ochsner in Kenner. They did surgery yesterday and had to remove some bone. It has gotten infected. She has two choices as of yesterday either remove her leg below the knee or try to handle the pain. Right now she has chosen to try to handle the pain. I really don’t think she can because so many nerves are exposed, but I can’t say. They will go back in today I don’t know if they will put the rods and pins back in or just another wash out. They weren’t supposed to do until tomorrow but she called last night and said they wanted to go in today. She will be there on antibiotics for a month and then come home on them by mouth if things should go well.

Thanks again for the prayers and asking about her. Please remember her and our family in your prayers.

Thanks,

Barbara

Update on J.D. Smith:
Dad wanted me to email you and let you know that he is in the hospital. He was admitted to North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond on Friday. He will most likely be there another couple of days. He is having atrial fibrillation of the heart (his heart is beating way too fast).
Tomorrow he will have a stress test done to evaluate the arteries around the heart. He is feeling pretty good and is in very good spirits. He does easily become short of breath.
If you would like to call him, I’m sure he would like that. The no. to his room is (985) 230-4008.
Debbie

Monday Afternoon

Emily Panter is much better. Thank God for a along list of miracles. Read for yourself.
http://www.emilypanter.blogspot.com/

Ronald Alford will have outpatient surgery in McComb Wednesday. Linda said they would appreciate all the prayers they could get.

Clyde Wallace Harrell, Sr.
(December 5, 1926 – November 17, 2008)
U.S. Veteran Died at 1:25 a.m. on Monday, November 17, 2008 at his residence near Greensburg. He was a native of St. Helena Parish, LA. Age 81 years. He was a member of Carpenter’s Local Union “1098, St. Helena Masonic Lodge #96, Greensburg Order of the Eastern Star, St. Helena Parish Honorary Deputy Sheriff, Red Bluff Baptist Church, former board member of St. Helena Parish Hospital, a veteran of the U. S. Merchant Marines during World War II, member of the State and Local Democratic Committee and a recipient of the Good Citizenship Award in Greensburg. “Mr. Clyde” never had a dollar that he was not willing to give away. He never met a person to whom he could not relate. He lived his life to help others. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by wife, Audrey Wagner Harrell, Greensburg; 2 daughters, Belinda Moreland and husband, Don, Kerens, TX and Melanie Harrell Sharp, Prairieville; 3 sons, Clyde Harrell, Jr., Gloster, MS, Brent Harrell, Greensburg and Lake Harrell, Greensburg; 11 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; sister, Christine Harrell, Clinton; brother, Charles Harrell, Clinton. He was preceded in death by his father, Frank Harrell; mother, Ola Bryant Harrell; brother, Wallace Ray “Pete” Harrell. Pallbearers will be Riley Harrell, Dakota Harrell, Cody Thornton, Mason Thornton, Dennis Harrell and Ernest “Phil” Harrell. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Tuesday with a Masonic Service at 8 p.m. and at Red Bluff Baptist Church, Greensburg, on Wednesday from 9 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Services conducted by Rev. Larry Stewart and Rev. Vince Estes. Interment Red Bluff Cemetery, Greensburg, LA.

Monday

“Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony of God in them.” (1 John 5:10a GW)

Emily Panter is improving slowly. Read the latest posts on Emily Panter
http://www.emilypanter.blogspot.com/

Debbie Miller continues to improve. Thank-you for your many prayers for her.

Pray for Mr. J.D. Smith. He’s in North Oaks with some heart problems. Your prayers will be appreciated.

The church will still be accepting Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes today if you didn’t turn yours in yesterday.

KneEmail by Mike Benson

Jackpot

WHO HASN’T DREAMED of hitting the jackpot and buying a new car and taking the vacation of a lifetime…?

Not all that long ago, Nevada was the only place you could legally play the slots or poker, and New Hampshire had the only legal lottery.

By 1999, thirty-seven states had lotteries, and gambling was legal in some form in all but three states (Utah, Tennessee, and Hawaii). Collectively, we Americans now spend more on gambling then we do on movies. Gross revenues for gambling exceeded fifty billion dollars just nine years ago.

However, the cost to society is even greater. A University of Illinois study found that the social and criminal cost to states is three times as high as the profits gained from gambling. Between fifteen and twenty million of us are now in danger of becoming problem gamblers. (Brad Knickerbocker)

“Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need” (Eph. 4:28).

Posted by Mike Benson at October 10, 2008 10:59 AM

Have a wonderful day!
Anna Lee

Sunday Evening

I have a long list, so I thought I would work on it tonight rather than waiting until tomorrow.

Tyler Easley – Judy Easley’s preemie grandbaby is growing and doing very well.

Mr. and Mrs. Steven Achord – Steven and Charlotte got married last week.

Brett and Susan Frazier’s baby will be born Thursday in Baton Rouge, if not before.

Operation Christmas Child – Wonderful response (well over 100)! I’ll get a final count for you later. Imagine the joy the children will experience as they open their boxes!

Johnny Hurst – Having surgery at North Oaks tomorrow

Nedra H. Carter – Having surgery Wednesday.

Pray for “Miss” Anne Hurst as two of her children have surgery the same week!

Fay Price – Heart surgery Wednesday in Hammond

Church Pittman – Last report was not as good as hoped for

Jennifer Pittman – Port in place for treatment

Orin Davidson – Progressing at rehab in Kentwood

Margaret Callihan – at North Oaks, but hoping to come home soon

Charles Houeye – at North Oaks again

“Hutch” – Felt better today; still at North Oaks

Kathy Dunn – Home from surgery; doing well

Barbara Gaines – On bed rest following surgery

Glen Magee, Jr. – Back surgery was very successful!

Share Group – meets at 6:30 Thursday at the cabin; Plan to attend.

Sunday

“But how can they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe without hearing about Him?” (Romans 10:14a, HCSB)

One way children will “hear” is through the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. Our church is collecting them this morning and dedication them to “speak” to young hearts through the gifts and the printed words that Samaritan’s Purse will include in each one. Thank-you to those who have packed a box already. It’s not too late for those of you who have not done so already. Please let a church staff member or me know today if you wish to turn in a box later than today. You may go to http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/occ/ to learn more about Operation Christmas Child. If you didn’t participate this year, you can begin to make plans to do so next year.

The Georgia Barnette Offering for state missions is doing well. So far, we have collected $6,109.00 toward our goal of $7,500.00. If you have not given, please try to do so today. If you have already given, you might want to give more. It’s never too late to contribute. Be sure to mark your check and envelope with “Georgia Barnette”. The need to build and rebuild after recent hurricanes is great.

Bobbie Raborn and Frankie Gehringer will be the deacons of the week this week. If you have a need or know of a need, please contact one of these men.

Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell is doing better. Pray for her and Mr. Philip as she continue to work to overcome this health issue she has been dealing with this year. Thank God for the medical personnel who have worked so diligently to help her.

The WMU of FBC will meet at 4 P.M. today in the heritage room. If you are interested in missions, please try to attend.

The next two projects for our associational WMU will be stamped Christmas cards for the prisoners at the Tangipahoa Parish Jail and new toys for the children of migrants. You may begin bringing them to the church office at FBC, Kentwood.

Billy Thomas Whitaker
(September 14, 1934 – November 15, 2008)
Billy Thomas Whitaker born on September 14, 1934 and passed away at 9:55AM, Saturday, November 15, 2008 at his residence in Amite. Mr. Billy was the son of the late George B. & Viola Burks Whitaker. He was 74 and a native of Baton Rouge.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Edna Jones Whitaker, Amite; 4 daughters, Rhonda Knippers and husband, Chris, Loranger, Judy Miller and husband, Ronnie, Amite, Carolyn Spiess and husband, William, Independence, & Robin Clark and husband, Wayne, Bay Minette, AL; a son, Dennis White and wife, Susan, Lake Charles; 3 sisters, Loraine Ayer, Zachary, Irene Rogillio and husband, Ellis, Clinton, & Ola King, Baker; a brother, Edwin “Hunky” Whitaker and wife, Joyce, Zachary; 30 grandchildren & numerous great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, 3 sons, Ray Whitaker, Kenny Whitaker & Lloyd Whitaker; 2 granddaughters, Lizzie Whitaker & Lacey Whitaker.

Visitation will be at the McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Sunday, November 16, 2008 from 6:00PM until 9:00PM and on Monday, November 17, 2008 after 8:00AM until Religious Services at 10:00AM in the funeral home Chapel with Rev. Mike Hegwood officiating. Interment will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery, Baker, LA.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N & Hwy 16W next to Coggins-Gentry Ford.

KneEmail by Mike Benson
Manual

HAVE YOU EVER tried to figure out the remote control for your television set…?

I find myself calling our cable company at least once or twice a year to say, “Hey, how do I make this thing work?” Inevitably, some techie on the other end of the line asks, “Well, Sir, did you read the instruction manual?”

You’re probably like me — you either can’t bring yourself to actually read an owner’s manual or you can’t decipher the hieroglyphics if you do read it. There is nothing more irritating than a manual for whatever gadget, gizmo, or appliance you might have.

During my research, I discovered one group of professionals tha apparently isn’t into owner’s manuals. A sign in an engineering firm’s reception area read: “Real engineers don’t read owner’s manuals. Reliance on a reference book is a hallmark of the novice and coward.” Another wall held the following sign: “Real engineers don’t seek technical support. To do so is a sign of weakness.” Engineers may be the only ones in our society who can comprehend gadgets and devices without some kind of manual. The rest of us need help to figure out all the buttons, blinking lights, and electronics that overwhelm us.

As frustrated as we might become with electronic devices, there’s something far more important we need help with: our lives and the problems we face, the challenges we encounter, and the sorrows we endure. Since we are created beings with a free will and a purpose for our lives, there must be some instructions for us somewhere that ensure we will function at optimal capacity. I would like to suggest that the Bible is just such a book, put here so you and I can live up to our maximum potential. In fact, if I were given the assignment of coming up with a new title for the Bible, it might very well be:

LIFE: AN OWNER’S MANUAL
Your Tiime-Honored, Time-Tested Guide to the
Here and Now
and the
Then and There. (Mike Macintosh)

“As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” ( 2 Pet. 1:3).

Posted by Mike Benson at October 9, 2008 10:57 AM

Have a special Lord’s Day!
Anna Lee

Saturday

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Emily Panter (new format)
http://www.EmilyPanter.com

NOT ENOUGH CHAIRS

The new preacher loaded his car with his large family and visited an old deacon on the farm. After the introductions there was an awkward pause as the unexpected guests looked for chairs upon which to sit. The parlor had only two chairs.

“Brother, I don’t believe you have enough chairs,” suggested the preacher.

“That ain’t it,” muttered the old man. “I got plenty of chairs — just too much company!”

Some Christians make it clear they don’t want to spend too much time with other Christians, but how important is our fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ! Living in a hostile environment, we need the encouragement that comes from those who share the same hopes and goals that we do.

God knew that we would need each other, that the Christian life would be difficult if not impossible to live in isolation. That’s what the church is all about. The early Christians certainly recognized the value of being together:

“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.” (Acts 2:46, NIV)

Take time today to spend a few moments with a fellow Christian, encouraging and being encouraged. Just be sure to have plenty of chairs ready!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Have a wonderful weekend!
Anna Lee

Friday

Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31 (NLT)

Please pray for Emily Panter and her famiy.
http://www.emilypanter.blogspot.com/

Dr. Council is finally overcoming his cough and cold or whatever he has had lately. Pray he is much better and able to get back to his routine.

Pray for my niece’s husband, Josh, and his family as he leaves Sunday for Marine boot camp.

Frann Clark shared this:

I just learned this afternoon that I will be having an IVIG at Beauregard Memorial Hosp. from 8 a.m. until about 4:30. Please pray that everything will go smoothly.

My daughter Krista talked to Riley today and he sounds fine. He told her it was cool outside and he wasn’t doing much.

My back pain returned earlier in the week but it is better today.

God Bless You
Frann Smith Clark

Pray for Holly K. as she continues her training to become a MK teacher. She will be home December 18th.

KOMpray
(Kids on Mission Pray)

“Let the little children come to Me, and don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these,” Luke 18:16b

40 DAYS/40 NIGHTS

Missionaries in Central, Eastern and Southern Africa go to a very special program when they move from the United States to Africa. It’s called 40 days and 40 nights. For forty days, they learn how to ride African public buses and bargain in the market. In the U.S., there is a price tag on everything and that’s what you pay. In Africa, the price tag may say one dollar; but if you bargain, you might get it for sixty or seventy cents. The missionaries also show the love of Jesus by working with African pastors, telling Bible stories to children, and helping beggars.

This week, the 40/40 missionaries AND their children will go and live in a Zambian home. They will eat African food, work with the Zambians, sleep in the hut, and go to church with them. Some of the families are nervous about staying with people they don’t really know, but they are excited to give it a try. Pray for the children of missionaries that have fun learning about their new culture. Pray for the adults to be very patient with their children and with each other. Pray for the Zambian families. They are sharing their love and time and homes with the missionaries. Pray they will all be blessed with new friendships that will last their whole lives.

MORE PRAYER REQUESTS FROM MISSIONARY KIDS

I pray that our band “Call of Fire” will be a great influence to people’s lives. ZACH, age 15, (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

Please pray I will have fun in childcare and pray I will read the Bible. MARC, age 7 (South Asia)

Dear God, thank you for our friends and our family. Please help us to make more Christians in our country. Thank you for the food and thank you for our teachers. I hope we can get along with friends. Amen. GM, age 8 (East Asia)

I need pray for my brother, who is 28 and in the Army. I would appreciate it if you pray for Nathan’s safety. NATALIE, Age 11 (Northern Africa and the Middle East)

I want you to pray for the Balinese that they will come to know God. JOSHUA, age 11 (Pacific Rim)

Pray that Christians in my closed country will be strong and will be safe, so they will be able to tell others about God without being persecuted. LYNSIE, age 12 (Central Asia)

We have a (household) helper named SC. Her Mom died a couple of days ago. Could you please pray for her? CL, age 10 (East Asia)

My brother and I have been sharing with our friends about Jesus. We don’t talk about Jesus a lot because our friends try to change the subject. They have seen the Jesus film, but afterwards they haven’t said a word about Jesus or God. I would like you to pray that our friends’ hearts will be opened to what we have to say and that my brother and I will have the language to share with them. SETH, age 14 (West Africa)

J.P. is a Gadariah man. We preached and he accepted Christ. And he has already shared with family and friend. Pray they will accept Jesus too. ALEXANDRA, age 11 (South Asia)

Well, I moved to Botswana awhile ago and was scared that no one would like me. So that was a prayer that people would like me and that the move would go well—and it did so I am happy. MICAH, age 14, (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

Baptist Press
November 13, 2008

TEXAS–WRAP-UP: IMB reports cautionary finance news. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29323

GEORGIA–Ga. Baptist policy impacts churches with female pastors. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29324

OKLAHOMA–Okla. elects 1st Native American president. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29325

TEXAS–SBTC celebrates 10th anniversary. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29326

TEXAS–BGCT postpones name change, trims budget. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29327

NORTH DAKOTA–Dakota convention coincides with blizzard. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29328

TENNESSEE–Trespassing activists arrested at Union Univ. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29329

SOUTH CAROLINA–FIRST-PERSON (Melanie Spinks): Forever changed. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29330

KneEmail

*

Letters

JOHN KASS, A columnist for the Chicago Tribune, wrote about a waiter he met named Bouch, who worked at a tavern in Chicago…

Bouch decided to write to the king of his homeland, Morocco. King Mohammed VI is immensely popular because he often interacts with his subjects in public, he had freed political prisoners, and he helps the poor and disabled. When Bouch wrote to him from the United States, King Mohammed VI, true to form, wrote back.

“Look at the letters,” Bouch told Kass. “These are letters from the king. If I meet him, I’ll be so happy.”

In his column, Kass mused, “How many guys hauling burgers in a Chicago tavern have a correspondence going with a royal monarch?”

The journalist was intrigued, so he talked to Morocco’s deputy consul general in Chicago. Kass was told that it isn’t unusual for the king to write personal letters to his subjects abroad.

“It happens a lot,” the official told him. “The king loves his subjects.”

We fancy the idea that a king would correspond with a commoner. But there’s something far more incredible. The King of kings, the Creator of the universe, has chosen to correspond with us. He has given us an entire book full of letters, stories, and poetry. (Mike Macintosh)

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” ( 2 Tim. 3:16).

Posted by Mike Benson at October 8, 2008 12:45 PM

Make today a great day! Take time to read some letters from the King of Kings!
Anna Lee

Thursday

Regarding life together and getting along with each other, you don’t need me to tell you what to do. You’re God-taught in these matters. Just love one another! 1 Thessalonians 4:9 (MSG)

Glen Magee, Jr. is home following his surgery in Florida. All seems to be going well. Keep him in your prayers.

James Lee “Hutch” Hutchinson is now in rehab in Hammond. Please continue to pray for him and “Miss” Barbara.

Mrs. Margaret Callihan is in North Oaks. Pray for her and her family as she works to get better.

Mrs. Lucille Pledger fell and broke a hip. Pray for her peace and comfort during this time.

Be sure to read the latest updates on Emily Panter. Emily had several good medical reports yesterday. A tracheotomy is scheduled for this afternoon. Continue to pray for Emily, her family, the medical staff, and the many friends who are supporting and encouraging the Panter family throughout this difficult situation. If you have time, read some of the comments on the blog. You’ll be blessed.

WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE

Though skeptical of his teenage son’s newfound determination to build bulging muscles, one father followed his teenager to the store’s weight-lifting department, where they admired a set of weights.

“Please, Dad,” pleaded the teen, “I promise I’ll use ’em every day.”

“I don’t know, Michael. It’s really a commitment on your part,” the father said.

“Please, Dad?”

“They’re not cheap either,” the father said.

“I’ll use ’em, Dad, I promise. You’ll see.”

Finally won over, the father paid for the equipment and headed for the door. After a few steps, he heard his son behind him say, “What! You mean I have to carry them to the car?”

The comparison to our Christian lives is all too obvious. We can be told how much commitment is involved in being a Christian. We can be told how much will be required of us when we become a Christian. We say that we understand all that is involved and we are still willing to give our “all” to Christ. But, often, we are barely dried off from our baptism before we are complaining about what is expected of us — “Surely you don’t expect me to spend that much time, that much money, that much effort!”

The truth is, those of us who are Christians rarely see Christianity as much of a struggle. Christianity is an easy way of living for most of us. Perhaps too easy. I think there’s enough in scripture to label Christianity as a struggle for our faith. In Luke 13:24, Jesus said, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” We don’t just walk through the narrow gate; we have to strive to get through. That word suggests there is to be a great deal of effort on our part.

In Ephesians 6:12, Paul describes the Christian life in this way: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” The picture Paul paints for us is a picture of struggling, a picture of constant battle.

The Hebrew writer constantly alludes to the fact that we need to put a great deal of effort into our Christian lives. The word diligent is frequently used. “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest….” (Hebrews 4:11).

It has been said that our favorite hypocrisy is to make a choice and then to refuse to pay for it. We have a word for that in this country — it’s called credit! Thanks to credit, I can go to the store and pick out something I want, and then not have to pay for it now. In fact, some stores go so far as to say, “Come in and buy our furniture and make no payments until January 2010!” But how many people do you suppose have gotten themselves into severe financial difficulty because they made a choice that they were not really willing to pay for?

But that truth applies to far more than just financial matters; it applies to all of life. Rudyard Kipling once said that if anyone did not get from life what they really wanted, it was because either he didn’t really want it or because he began to quibble about the price. That may be a bit of an overstatement, but I do think there’s a great deal of truth there. We must be willing to pay the price for what we want.

The price for the Christian life is high, and Jesus wants us to count that cost as part of our decision to follow him.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Have a fantastic day!
Anna Lee

Wednesday

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:11 (NIV)

More updates on Emily Panter:
http://www.emilypanter.blogspot.com/
If you haven’t read this blog before, please start from the oldest and work to the newest updates.

Thank God for the rain that is coming our way today.

Baptist Press
November 11, 2008

SOUTH KOREA–Chaplains impart support & strength to soldiers in combat. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29307

SOUTH KOREA–Chaplain looks for “God-fearing” soldiers. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29308

SOUTH KOREA–Chaplain ‘giving back’ near Korea’s DMZ. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29309

SOUTH KOREA–Army hospital keeps chaplain challenged. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29310

SOUTH KOREA–Chaplain’s gift helps airman & wife reconnect. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29311

SOUTH KOREA–Senior chaplain underscores value of prayer. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29312

TEXAS–Vet pursues chaplaincy after close call in Iraq. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29313

VIRGINIA–Battle-scarred vet says college rescued him. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29314

VIRGINIA–FIRST-PERSON (Adam Cole): A sailor’s journey. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29315

KneEmail
Rules
(A good reminder for athletes of any age!)

ANCIENT WRESTLING MATCHES weren’t for the squeamish or timid…

Hoping to see some clean takedowns, reversals, and figure-four leg locks? Better look elsewhere. During the time of the Roman Empire, little things like kicking, biting, and scratching were perfectly acceptable tactics in the world of wrestling. However, there was one way to be disqualified…one hard and fast rule…one boundary you just didn’t cross in the fun and games of wrestling. You were never allowed to poke someone’s eye out. (Gary Stanley)

KneEmail: “And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules” ( 2 Tim. 2:5).