Author: Anna Lee

Tuesday

A new command I give you:

Love one another.

As I have loved you,

so you must love one another.

By this all men will know that you are my disciples,

if you love one another.

~John13:34 (NIV)~

Flood Vols Keep Priorities Right
By Geoff Hammond

Baptist Press

EDITOR’S NOTE: As of Monday (June 30), Southern Baptist disaster relief volunteers in the Midwest had worked 4,500 volunteer days; prepared more than 240,000 meals, completed 200 mud-out and chainsaw jobs, provided almost 1,300 showers for flood victims and workers, completed 436 laundry loads, and recorded 2,007 chaplaincy contacts, 17 professions of faith and other decisions, 141 Gospel presentations and 763 ministry contacts. (Statistics provided by the national disaster relief operations center at NAMB in Alpharetta, Ga.)


CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (BP)–“Are you working in Cedar Rapids?” the girl at the McDonald’s drive-through window asked as we purchased our lunch. She had seen the large Southern Baptist disaster relief decal on our vehicle and recognized our yellow shirts.

“My sister’s house was flooded and they are cleaning it out today,” the girl continued.

“Well, do they have anyone to help with the clean-up?” asked Terry Henderson, the North American Mission Board’s (NAMB) disaster relief coordinator.

“They have already pulled the floor up,” she replied.

“What about spraying for mold? We will help them do that. Just tell them to go to Immanuel Baptist on ‘F’ avenue and they can sign up for help,” Terry said, encouraging her to tell her sister.

“Thank you, I’ll tell her,” she said. “Oh, I almost forgot to give you your order,” she said as she passed the bag of food through the window.

As I listened to that two-minute conversation from the passenger’s seat, I thought to myself, “Now that sums up the situation here in Iowa during this flooding. Thousands of homes have been damaged, families are pitching in to help, homeowners are busily doing everything they can to recover what is left, but they still need our help.”

Last week, I was able to see first-hand how Southern Baptists are helping in Iowa. The day started in an incident command center in Des Moines with a briefing at 8 a.m. Seasoned disaster relief veterans from six state conventions gathered for prayer and a devotion before they began assessing all incoming information to determine how best to utilize volunteer resources.

“Now here is Southern Baptist cooperation at its very best,” I thought to myself, as I looked around the room. People who had never met before today were serving together. The Cooperative Program is not just the name of the giving plan for missions; it is the way we do missions together.

We made the two-hour journey to Cedar Rapids in a diesel truck. Along the way, the driver told me a generous donor leases trucks to SBC disaster relief for $1 a month along with a half-dozen other trucks. God is raising up generous people over and over again to give sacrificially to our relief efforts.

As we drove through downtown Cedar Rapids, I saw the original Quaker Oats factory nestled along the river banks, as it has been since 1883. The buildings were intact, trees were not uprooted and power lines were still overhead. But floods are different from hurricanes. On the outside, everything looks fine until you look closely and see the brown watermarks two or three feet above the foundations. Then as we turned the corner, there were the familiar piles in the street — appliances, furniture and personal possessions. The terrible smell was so strong that families trying to clean up were wearing masks over their noses. Just a week or so ago what is now considered items of “trash” were neatly arranged belongings inside these homes. Everything was functioning and in place. What a difference a few days makes!

We saw the Red Cross emergency response vehicles driving slowly through the neighborhoods, delivering food prepared by Southern Baptist volunteers. At Immanuel Baptist Church, we met volunteers from Texas as they were cleaning up after preparing 3,700 lunches in just a few hours. Now they were getting ready to prepare supper. I asked how it was going.

“Oh this is great!” the group of ladies replied, “We are enjoying ourselves!” There was no mention of long hours, inconvenience or sleeping on cots in the church. I met a younger couple who told me that they had been in Cedar Rapids for two weeks already and were just glad to have an opportunity to serve the Lord. Not a complaint anywhere. I wanted to shout out loud.

We spent a cheerful few minutes chatting with a couple who was running the shower/laundry unit, washing clothes for volunteers and people in the community. They were not even sure when they would get to go home because they could not leave until their replacements arrived. Now that the water had subsided, SBC mud-out crews were on their way in.

We stopped at a Korean Southern Baptist church in Iowa City — All Nations Baptist Church pastored by Rev. Jong-Lee — that had housed 50 volunteers from Alabama for more than a week. The pastor shared how the volunteers had learned to pray every day with the Korean congregation, and the Koreans had learned about service from the volunteers. “Isn’t that just like my Heavenly Father,” I thought to myself. “As we go on mission and give ourselves, we become the greater beneficiaries.”

As the day drew to a close, I stopped to pray for the gracious Baptist Convention of Iowa leadership who had turned almost all of their offices into an incident command center. I prayed for the volunteers serving and traveling. I gave thanks for the privilege of being a part of God’s family called Southern Baptists. I prayed for some people I heard about who had come to Christ through the disaster relief efforts. I prayed for the dozens of mud-out teams needed over the next few months.

“Oh, I almost forgot to get supper,” I said to myself. Like the girl at the drive-through window, I was thinking about more important things. And then the words of Jesus came to me: “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me.” (John 4:34).

A day in the life of a disaster relief volunteer will help anyone get their priorities right.

(Geoff Hammond is president of the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board.)

This article reflects the blessings received by ministering to others. On Mission in Kentwood provides the same kind of blessings.

Anna Lee

Monday

“It shall come to pass that before they call,

I will answer;

and while they are still speaking,

I will hear.”

~Isaiah 65:24~

The grands returned from Glorieta today. They were tired but excited. My daughter-in-law Rhonda and her daughter Stacy returned to TX. Rhonda has been with me this past week and she was a great help.

Please pray for Riley as he adjusts to the VA home in Jennings and for me as I am now alone and adjust to the new medications and physical problems.

Thank you for always being there to pray.
Frann Smith Clark

Joseph M. Sitman Jr.
A native and resident of Greensburg, he died at 11:59 a.m. Saturday, June 28, 2008, at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond. He was 88 and a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, having served in England and France. Upon his discharge from the Army, he joined his father and mother in running the family business, Joseph M. Sitman General Merchandise store. Later he, his brother, Alphy, and his brother-in-law, Holland Addison, took over the business when his father and mother retired. He was active in their business until a few years ago when he retired. Visitation at Greensburg United Methodist Church, Greensburg, on Tuesday, July 1, from 11 a.m. until religious service at 2 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Lamrylis Cotten. Interment in Greensburg Cemetery. Survived by his wife, Iris Tillery Sitman, Baton Rouge; daughter, Diane G. Sitman, Baton Rouge; sister, Evelyn S. Addison, Jackson, Miss.; niece, Kay Sitman Morgan, Amite; and two nephews, Richard “Dickie” Sitman, Greensburg, and Dr. H.M. “Mac” Addison Jr., Jackson, Miss. Preceded in death by his parents, Joseph M. Sr. and Betty Burton Sitman; brother, Alphy F. and wife Odette Easley Sitman; nephew, John Randall “Randy” Sitman; and brother-in-law, H. M. Addison. Pallbearers will be Richard “Dickie” Sitman, Dr. H.M. “Mac” Addison, Joe Morgan, Lee Morgan, Boone Sitman and Leslie Bryer. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Greensburg United Methodist Church or a charity of choice. Arrangements by McKneely Funeral Home of Amite. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Danny Miller, 73, a resident of Magnolia and the Lewiston community near Kentwood, La., died June 27, 2008, at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond.

Arrangements are incomplete with Hartman-Sharkey Funeral Home of McComb in charge.

MB Leaders Remember

Missions Champ Alma Hunt


IMB leadership warmly remembered missions champion Alma Hunt, 98, following her death June 14. The retired executive secretary of Woman’s Missionary Union had worked with the IMB as a full-time volunteer encouraging Baptist women’s ministries overseas, helping establish missions-support programs and encouraging missionaries. “She deeply loved missionaries,” said Gordon Fort, vice president for the IMB’s overseas operations. “There was nothing she wouldn’t do if she thought it would be helpful for our missionaries.”

That included standing in for Fort’s parents when he was appointed a missionary and they were unable to travel from Africa to be with him. “She had promised me years before that if I was ever appointed as a missionary that she would be there, and she kept that promise,” he said. “Miss Alma … had a global vision that inspired women around the world to take responsibility for leading Baptists in giving priority to missions,” said IMB President Jerry Rankin. In 1997 the IMB gave Hunt the title of “Honorary Emeritus Missionary” for her years of dedicated and selfless missions support.

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10).
Mike Benson, Editor
THE BUILDERS OF the Titanic were remiss in several areas and doomed the mighty vessel to the bottom of the ocean…

Their failures mimic our steps to apostasy. Their lessons are ours as we discover how Christians leave the Lord (Hebrews 6:4-6; Hebrews 10:26-31).

We examined how their pride and inattentive safety measures felled the great ship.

Third, they had a weak foundation. Experts who study the Titanic’s hull tell us that it was excessively brittle. It was very high in sulfur content, which means that today, the Titanic “would never get out of the yard.”

While the shipbuilders constructed the Titanic out of the best materials available to them, it was still insufficient for the impact of the iceberg. While they were not negligent in the utilization of the steel, the point remains that when it faced the dangers before them, it failed to protect them.

Christians often fail to establish a firm foundation so when the storms arise their defenses are inadequate. By their standards, their armor is sufficient. However, the spiritual condition of our lives invalidates our standards.

Paul discusses the spiritual armor in Ephesians 6:11-17. However, he begins in the previous verse laying the foundation of what would follow. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10). We “gird our waists with truth,” put on a “breastplate of righteousness” and the “helmet of salvation” and take up the “shield of faith” and the “sword of the spirit” (Ephesians 6:11-17).

Inadequately suited, we render useless the armor of God. When we go into battle with a lackluster faith, knowledge and Christian walk, we cannot expect our armor to protect us. Our own abilities will be insufficient to make up the difference. Therefore, we must be secure in the Lord’s armor or our best intentions or abilities will be futile. Rationalizations are useless to stop the “fiery darts of the wicked” (Ephesians 6:16).

Fourth, they ignored the warnings. The Titanic crew had received several transmitted warnings about icebergs in the North Atlantic. They failed to heed them.1

When we are weakening spiritually, we hear warnings from Scripture, sermons and other Christians, but we rationalize them away because we can handle it alone.

Fifth, small leaks sunk the Titanic. Six small slits that totaled less than twelve square feet sunk the mighty vessel.2

Likewise, no one leaves the Lord in one motion. Instead, we leave incrementally. The tears in our armor are small but Satan’s arrows still find their openings (Hebrews 3:12). Remember, small steps soon become miles.

Sixth, the pleas of the Titanic failed to bring help. The nearest ship had her radio off. Later, the Carpathia came after the ship had sunk.

When people are wasting away spiritually, we must be attentive to their needs. Their cries for help, often silent, are there for those who will listen and perceive (Philippians 2:4).

Seventh, the series of failures of the owners and crew of the Titanic led to the death of 1,523 people. When we apostatize, we lead others away from God. In truth, no one goes to heaven or hell alone. Our examples speak volumes to others following our steps (1 Corinthians 11:1; Ephesians 4:17-24).

Christians can leave God and be lost. Nothing sadder can occur in the life of a Christian. The loss is staggering. However, it never happens in a vacuum. We consciously cause the apostasy through neglect and sin. May we always remain attentive to prevent faith decay. (Richard Mansel)
_______
1/ http://www.titanic-titanic.com/warnings.shtml
2/ http://www.titanic-online.com/index.php4?page=334

“Above all, taking the shield of faith

with which you will be able to quench

all the fiery darts of the wicked one.”

~Eph. 6:16~

Thank you for being there to pray each day. Please let me know how we can pray for you.

Anna Lee

Sunday

 

“Finally, brethren, pray for us,

that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified,

just as it is with you.”

~2 Thessalonians 3:1~

On Mission in Kentwood had another rewarding day. Each person who participated was richly blessed. Several projects were completed for members of our church, but most were for people who are not members. What a fantastic outreach!

Pray for Mrs. Parmys Stegall as she continues to heal from a broken shoulder. She has a good attitude concerning her present limitations.

Pray for Mrs. Susie Wales as she continues to have tests checking for heart problems. She hasn’t let that slow her down and as her usual fun spirit.

Pray for Richard Dunn. He has a two week wait before more tests and treatment. As you pray for Richard, pray for Cathy and the other family members.

Coming soon: Baby shower for Colby Erwin on July 13th



Joy Ann Moore
(February 16, 1935 – June 28, 2008)

Died at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 28, 2008 at her residence in Independence. She was a native of Grenada, MS. Age 73 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 8 a.m. on Monday until religious services at 11 a.m. Monday. Services conducted by Rev. David Cutrer. Interment Arcola-Roseland Cemetery, Roseland. She is survived by her 6 children, Ottress E. Moore, Jr. and his wife, Debbie, Nancy Mannino and her husband Angelo, Michael Moore and his wife, Betty, Linda Moore, Vickie Moore, and Cindy Moore, all of Independence, 13 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, sister, Ann Delvisco, Baton Rouge. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ottress E. Moore, Sr., parents, Godfrey and Katherine Smith, twin great- granddaughters, Lillian and Leah, 2 sisters, Shirley Giroir, and Jean Costanza. Pallbearers will be Bryan Mannino, Brandon Santangelo, Scottie Mannino, Tommy Brumfield, Buffa Moore, Cliff Moore and an honorary pallbearer, Brett Brumfield.

Decision Magazine Weekly E-mail Devotional
June 24, 2008


“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.

Do what it says. …

The man who looks intently

into the perfect law that gives freedom,

and continues to do this,

not forgetting what he has heard,

but doing it-he will be blessed in what he does”
(James 1:22,25, NIV).

 

A Word From Billy Graham »

Solomon had religion. He built the greatest temple the world has ever known. … But God warns through Isaiah the Prophet, “Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies–I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting” (Isaiah 1:13).

Some of you have religion, but you … do not know Christ for yourself. You have depended on your parents’ religion, or you have depended on a church relationship, or you have depended on a religious exercise that you went through. But somehow, deep in your heart, you know that you are a long way from God and that sin is in your heart. Religion without a personal encounter with Christ will not save your soul or bring the peace that your soul longs for.

… Solomon said, “Fear God and keep His commandments. — For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). … His experience and experiments led him back to God. He said, “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth” (Ecclesiastes 12:1). You need to find real pleasure, real joy, real satisfaction, in Jesus Christ.

I hope you have the real pleasure, real joy, and real satisfaction that is found in Jesus Christ.

Anna Lee

Saturday

“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;

it shall not return to Me void,

but it shall accomplish what I please,

and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent.”

~Isaiah 55:11~

I hope you are participating with On Mission in Kentwood. If you are not, please be in prayer for those who will be working this morning and those we will minister to.

AIDS. An article appeared in the Pietermaritzburg paper in South Africa, telling of yet another baby dumped in the bushes of a township. Many babies are born to very young girls and they do not want to keep them, so many are killed or dumped somewhere where, it is hoped, someone will find them. Tabitha Ministries has a “Moses box” in one area and does school presentations, telling girls to leave their babies in the box and the ministry will care for them. Currently the ministry has 30 orphans, most of whom are HIV-positive. Pray that as volunteers raise these children, God will provide for their needs. Pray for them to continue to receive anti-retroviral drugs so they may remain as healthy as possible for as long as possible. http://www.imb.org/AIDS/

FOCUS ON SOUTH ASIA: ENDS OF THE EARTH.Pray for the Baraigi people, numbering approximately 2 million in West Bengal, India, alone. They are also found in many other areas of India. In West Bengal they are known as Baishnab or Bostom and speak the Bengali language. Today they are usually found running small businesses, performing service-type jobs, or singing religious songs (seeking for alms). They follow the Hindu religion and have regional- as well as community-specific folksongs, folklore and folktales. The vast majority of them have never heard of Jesus. http://www.go2southasia.org/

MUSLIMS: PRAYING BEYOND THE WALL. The Republic of Dagestan in southern Russia is the home of the 650,000 Avar people. This area was world famous for its Muslim training centers until the Russians occupied the area in the mid-1800’s. Today Islam is enjoying a resurgence due to poor living conditions, rising minority nationalism, and corruption. In spite of this, many Avar are open to spiritual discussions with Christians, especially in the context of a trusted friendship. Pray for the Avar to have an opportunity to know believers, to hear their testimonies, and to hear/read the Word of God. Ask God to open their hearts to His truth. http://btw.imb.org/

Pray for the Hatchels as their already busy schedule becomes busier in about a week. They will have summer missionaries, new missionary family arriving for the first time, International World Changers, and Romanian/Roma missionaries arriving te same week. Your prayers for each group would be greatly appreciated.

DYING TO SELF

Note: The following piece came to me “author unknown.” It is not humorous, but is designed to cause us to reflect. I hope you appreciate the change of pace.

When you are forgotten, or neglected, or purposely set at naught, and you don’t sting and hurt with the insult or the oversight, but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ, that is dying to self.

When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take in all in patient, loving silence, that is dying to self.

When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, any impunctuality, or any annoyance; when you stand face-to-face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility — and endure it as Jesus endured, that is dying to self.

When you are content with any food, any offering, any climate, any society, any raiment, any interruption by the will of God, that is dying to self.

When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or to record your own good works, or itch after commendations, when you can truly love to be unknown, that is dying to self.

When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy, nor question God, while your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances, that is dying to self.

When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself and can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart, that is dying to self.

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:24-25)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Have a wonderful Saturday!

Anna Lee

Friday Afternoon

Gary Schiro is progressing well following his heart valve replacement at North Oaks. Please keep Gary and Peggy in your prayers as Gary continues to recover from surgery. Thank God for Gary’s progress so far.

Mrs. Lula Mae Will is now home and wearing a back brace. Pray for her and her caregivers in the next few weeks. Continue to thank God her injuries were not any worse. (Mrs. Will is Beth Brabham’s aunt.)

Leo Hurst
(December 15, 1924 – June 26, 2008)

Died at 9:30PM on Thursday, June 26, 2008 at his residence at Look Out, LA near Greensburg, LA. He was a native of Osyka, MS. Age 83 years. Visitation at Red Bluff Baptist Church, Greensburg, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Services conducted by Rev. Starrett Cleveland. Interment Red Bluff Cemetery, Greensburg, LA. Survived by son, Macky Hurst, Henrietta, TX, 2 sisters, Eunice Gill, Greensburg, Louise Miller, Greensburg, brother, Ray Hurst, Greensburg, 4 grandchildren, Cody Hurst, Henrietta, TX, Wacey Hurst, Henrietta, TX, Clint Hurst, St. Francisville, and Jessica Hurst, Queensbury, NY, 2 great-grandchildren, Kayden Hurst and Sally Hurst. Preceded in death by parents, Lucy Lee and mcKinley Hurst, brother, Kennon Hurst. Pallbearers will be Jack Anderson, Mike Fitzhugh, Kenny Hurst, Jimmy Miller, Louis Gill, and Terry Smith. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements.

Friday

 

Each of you should look not only to your own interests,

but also to the interests of others.

~Philippians 2:4 (NIV)~

Mrs. Lula Mae Will is out of intensive care and in a room. Pray for her as she continues to recover from her accident.

Chuck Pittman has completed his round of treatment. Pray for him as her waits three months before tests to determine the effectiveness of the treatment. Waiting is harder than doing something for most of us. Pray for Chuck as he waits.

Pray for the eight new parish principals as they move into their schools and begin the transition process.

On Mission in Kentwood will be tomorrow. It’s not too late to sign up to work or for work to be done at your home. Either way, you will be blessed! You can contact me or the church office.

Albert Edward Buras, Jr.
(March 18, 1951 – June 25, 2008)

Died at 9:35PM on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at Lallie Kemp Regional Medical Center in Independence, LA. He was a native of New Orleans, LA and a resident of Amite, LA. Age 57 years. Mr. Buras was manager of Florida Parish Co-Op in Amite. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday and from 5 p.m. on Monday until memorial services at 6 p.m. Monday. Services conducted by Rev. Mike Hegwood. Survived by spouse, Judie Anne Hunter Buras, Amite, son, Trey Buras and his fiancee’, Kassandra, New Mexico, brother, Larry Buras, Chalmette, grandson, Kaxton Buras, New Mexico, step-daughter Amber Hardy and her husband, Tommy, Loranger, step-son, Jason Cook and his fiancee’, Michelle, Hamilton Ontario, CA, close family friend, Mary Zaumbrecker, Simmsport. Preceded in death by son, Brandon “Binki” Buras, parents, Albert E. Buras, Sr. and Bertha Buras, and granddaughter, Bryntly Buras. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society.

Vivian Womack
(November 20, 1908 – June 24, 2008)

Died at 9:00AM on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at her residence in Greensburg, LA. She was a native and lifelong resident of St. Helena Parish. Age 99 years. Mrs. Womack had 43 years of service with the St. Helena School System as a teacher and supervisor of teachers. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9 a.m. on Saturday until religious services at 2 p.m. Saturday. Services conducted by Rev. Joe Baugh. Interment Greensburg Cemetery, Greensburg, LA. Survived by nieces and nephews, Preceded in death by her husband, Richard Lee Womack, parents, N. Hayden and Lena Morgan Singleton, 4 sisters, Leota Singleton Hornsby, Estelle Singleton Bond, Lora Singleton Lindsey, and Ruth Singleton Highbaugh, 1 brother, Nelson M. Singleton, niece, Victoria Singleton, 5 nephews, James H. Bond, Nelson Lindsey, Douglas Hornsby, Charles “Butch” Hornsby, and Randy Singleton.

KOM pray

(Kids on Mission Pray)

 

June 27, 2008

“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

HER GIFT TO GOD

There are a lot of Chinese people living in Canada. I went to http://www.peoplegroups.info and found out that 568,453 people from China live in thirteen Canadian provinces. A province is kind of like a state here in the US.

One of those half a million Chinese is a young girl who told her mother that she wanted to give an offering at church. She’s a Christian. After adding up all her money, she had $2.24. The girl told her mom that she would give one half. How much is that? Half of $2 is $1; half of 24 cents is 12 cents-so she was going to give $1.24. Okay, enough math!

The very next week, the little girl told her mother she wanted to give another offering. Mom asked, “How much will you give this week?”

To her mother’s surprise, the girl responded, “I want to give it all!” Then she told her mom about a memory verse she had learned, “The wildflower doesn’t need to spend money and the birds-God gives them food.” Find Luke 12:22-28 in your Bible to read what Jesus said.

Chinese Christians in Canada are sometimes tempted by money and all the nice stuff they can buy. That’s just like you and me. We can be tempted to want the newest game or clothes. Pray for the Chinese Christians at Truth Baptist Church and Abundant Life Chinese Baptist Church that they will come to God with the faith of a child. Pray that all of us will be willing to “give it all” to God.


MORE PRAYER REQUESTS FROM MISSIONARY KIDS
Right now, people are very open. So, one of my prayer requests is that all the people in our city will hear before they stop being so open. There about 7 million people in our city. And also, pray that I would not be so embarrassed to tell people about God.
MICHELLE, age 10 ½ (East Asia)

Please pray that I will have courage to tell my best friend about Jesus.
ADRIANN, age 8 (East Asia)

Pray for my friend who lives right by me. She is 14, and I want to share the gospel with her, but I don’t know the story of Christ in Pulaar yet. I plan on getting a Pulaar Bible, so I can learn and eventually share with her.


Help me to know Jesus better. Pray for me to have a good friend in our town. Help me to learn Thai. DAWSON, age 7 (Pacific Rim)

Dear God,
Thank You for my family, my country, and my friends. I ask you to work deep in my brother’s heart. Please help my friend know what to do about dating. I pray that her boyfriend will love You too. In Jesus’ name, Amen. MARISSA, age 11 (South America)


DWELLING IN GOD’S HOUSE

I read recently about a lady who had just moved from an apartment to a house in the same small town. One day at the grocery store, she used the last of her personalized checks bearing her old address. The cashier examined the check and asked if all the information on it was correct. The shopper assured her that it was correct, and the cashier started to put the check in the cash drawer. But then she inquired again if everything was accurate.

“Why do you ask?” the shopper responded.

“Because,” she replied, “my husband and I moved to this apartment yesterday, and I don’t remember seeing you at breakfast.”

Busted! This woman could have gone to any other store in the town and told them that was still her address and no one would have suspected a thing. But there was no way to fool this cashier because she lived there herself.

It’s much the same way with our spiritual lives. It’s easy to fool a lot of folks. “How’s your prayer life?” Couldn’t be better! “How’s your walk in Christ?” It’s fine. No problems at all!

But I wonder if there are times when we’ve moved away from God without telling anyone. They don’t know we’ve moved. For all they know, everything’s fine. But we can’t fool God. “Things are great? That’s funny, because I don’t remember seeing you at breakfast.”

One of the most well-known of all scriptures is Psalm 23. You’ve heard it recited hundreds of times, as have I. But I wonder if all these years I’ve misunderstood the very last phrase. You see, I’ve always understood David to take assurance in the knowledge that there is an eternal home waiting for him. But could it be instead that David was making a promise of his commitment to stay close to God?

“I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6b)

Others may think we still dwell there. But has God seen us around lately? May God strengthen us in our resolve to dwell with Him all the days of our lives, so that we may dwell with Him for all eternity.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

I have a similar story to that of the cashier. About thirty years ago David and I asked a man about where he attended church. He told us Roseland Baptist Church, not knowing that was our church. When asked again, he still said Roseland Baptist Church and added that he sang in the choir. I played the piano and David sang in the choir. He wasn’t at Roseland!

May we all be able to give honest answers when questioned about our faith and our church attendance. I have often thought about that man. He knew he should be in church and knew which one was closest to his house, but he didn’t attend there or anywhere else. I wish we could have helped to cause a change in his life, but I don’t think that happened.

Anna Lee

Thursday

For we are God’s workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus to do good works,

which God prepared in advance for us to do.

~Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)~

Christina Cox seems to be feeling better. Doctors at Children’s Hospital will have more information for the family soon. Please continue to pray for Christina and her family.

Pray for Joan Hagan as she awaits her next appointment on July 7th and Jimmy Tolar as he prepares for surgery on July 8th.

Pray for those in the nursing home (Betty Allen, John H, McGehee, Bertie hano, Sadie Hilburn, and Ona Schilling) and those who are homebound (Jimmie Shaw, Charley Kuss, and Yvonne Jones).

On Mission in Kentwood is Saturday. If you know of a project for the volunteers, please contact me or the church office. If you would like to volunteer to work with us, please contact me or the church office.

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


JUNE’S FRIENDS HUDDLED in the hallway of the hospital…

“We’ve got to be positive,” Janice explained, “because June’s condition is very serious. Half of the battle against cancer is attitude, they say, and we’ve got to help her develop a good attitude. Don’t let the shock of her appearance show on your faces. Make this visit an encouraging one!”

So they filed into the dark room where June lay in fear and trepidation. June smiled, and her smile lit up the room. She held out her hands in welcome, and her eyes seemed even larger and prettier now that her hair had gone because of the treatment.

When they left the room, June’s friends realized that she had encouraged them, not the other way around.

The little book of Philippians uses the word “joy” and “rejoice” fourteen times in four chapters, yet Paul penned these words from prison. Roman prisons were rarely mistaken for Sheraton Hotels. Dingy, rat-infested cells were attended by “room service” consisting of grim Roman legionaries.

Yet Paul sought to encourage his readers, not the other way around. How could he be so positive under these circumstances? Perhaps Paul’s contentment didn’t depend on his circumstances! Maybe his attitude stemmed, not from what happened to him, but from who he was. It was Paul, after all, who declared later in the same book that if we thought about whatever was good, and pure, and lovely we could experience the “peace that passes understanding” (Philippians 4:7,8).

So who are you? (Stan Mitchell at: http://www.forthright.net/reality_check/so_who_are_you.html)

“Now I want you to know, brothers,

that what has happened to me

has really served to advance the gospel.”

~Philippians 1:12~

Be sure to take some joy with you today!

Anna Lee