Author: Anna Lee

Tuesday

 

 

“He has rescued us from the domain of darkness

and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves,

in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

~Colossians 1:13–14 (HCSB)~

Pray for baby Aaron Hill as he has a heart procedure today. Pray for his family and he medical staff caring for him.

Pray for a baby at North Oaks that is not doing well. Pray for the family as they face the loss of this child.

Conner Corkern is the toddler from Amite that needs medical treatment that is only available in China. You can read more about him at http://www.connorsquestforsight.com. The family requests your prayers on his behalf.

I Have an appointment with Dr. Rubino, neurosurgeon, Tuesday at 2 pm to discuss the procedure for my back. Please pray that this will be a productive consultation.

I am eager to have the procedure performed to relieve the pain in my legs.

thanks for your prayers
Frann Smith Clark

Today in the BCA’s monthly newsletter we received an update on Darci. Most of you will remember she taught at BCA for 1 ½ years. After returning to the US she learned she had cancer. Please continue to pray for Darci as she undergoes chemotherapy.

Thank you!Melinda

News from Ms. Karpovck… As many of you know, in January Darci was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Here is the most recent update we have received from her (on March 16):

“Last week I had a bone marrow biopsy-and praise God- It came backclear meaning the cancerous cells appear to just be in the lymphatic system! So this week I started chemo therapy, it has been…rough. They say the first time is usually. The ‘treatment plan’ is chemo once every other week for 24 weeks then possibly radiation. Now it seems long and painful but I know it is for a season-people around me continually remind me of this. So for those who are praying, I just thank you so much because through each painful moment I do know he’s here and it sustains me. Thanks.”

Please continue to pray for her. And, if you’d like to send her a note of encouragement, her email address is: breezinthetrees@hotmail.com.

Kara Sellers and Wesley Corkern are engaged to be married in June of 2009. You are requested to pray for them as they make career decisions and wedding plans.

Carlton George Bond Sr.

A native of Amite, he died Sunday, March 9, 2008, at his home near Amite. He was 60. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, on Wednesday, March 19, from 9 a.m. until religious service at 11 a.m. Interment in Shiloh Cemetery, Pine Grove. Survived by a son, Chris Bond; sister, Carmen Hughes; twin brother, Carl Bond; and nephews, Kevin Hanks, Daman Bond and Mathew Hughes. Preceded in death by his wife, Bobbye Randall Bond; son, Carlton “Chip” Bond; parents, Carlton C. and Meda Bond; dear friend, Joyce Harrington; and sister, Dot Bond Hanks. For more information, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Constance F. Lupo Giardina

A resident and native of Amite, she died at 3:30 a.m. Monday, March 17, 2008, at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. She was 86. Visitation at St. Helena Catholic Church, Amite, on Tuesday from 9 a.m. until religious service at 11 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Joe Camilleri. Interment in Mulberry Street Cemetery, Amite. She is survived by her daughter, Pam Triolo, Amite; son, Sal Vince Giardina and wife Deanna, Amite; three grandchildren, Mike Triolo, Greg Triolo and wife Marissa Blades Triolo, and Duane Giardina and wife Dana; four great-grandchildren, Danielle Giardina, Tyler Triolo, Alex Triolo and Ryan Triolo; two brothers, Pete Lupo, Amite, and Johnny Lupo, Hammond; four sisters, Rosalie Carter, Hammond, and Mary Hyde, Natalbany, Josie Stevens, Chesbrough, and Frances Durio, Amite; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her husband, Sam Giardina; three brothers, Sam, Joe and Gil Lupo; sister, Ella Catalanotto; and son-in-law, Carlo Triolo. For more information, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

KneEmail

 

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10).

Mike Benson, Editor

Job

 

HE WASN’T EXACTLY a great prospect…

His resume had some rather obvious “gaps” in it. He was an uneducated (Acts 4:13) fisherman (Matthew 4:18). He was quick-tempered (John 18:10; Matthew 26:50-51), impetuous and impulsive. He was prone to break his word (Mark 14:29; Matthew 26:74). He made promises that he didn’t keep; in fact, he lied. He started things that he didn’t finish (Matthew 14:28-30). He was prone to fear and doubt (Matthew 14:30-31). He couldn’t always be counted on in a pinch (Mark 14:53-54). He could be cowardly (Luke 22:54-60a) and undependable (Matthew 26:40-41; Mark 14:37). He couldn’t always control his tongue (Mark 14:71). He couldn’t always see the “big picture” (Matthew 16:23; John 18:11), but was often preoccupied with the urgent and immediate. He was a narrow-minded racist (Acts 2:39; 10:13-14; Galatians 2:11-14) and a male chauvinist (John 4:27).

Let’s be brutally honest—Simon Peter (Matthew 16:17; John 21:15-17) wasn’t “the right man” for leading the early church. Right? The Lord needed an entirely different breed of man. He required an uncommon stock—a man with minor blemishes, a near-perfect specimen, a spiritual giant. He needed a man with a long track record of spirituality and maturity—or did He (Luke 6:12-14a)?

At Pentecost following the resurrection of Christ, there was Peter—boldly preaching the first Gospel sermon with his fellow apostles (Acts 2:14, 38)! Yes, Peter! However, it didn’t stop there. The very same man who fled for his life when he was identified as a disciple of the Lord was the very same man who, despite the threat of imprisonment, fearlessly proclaimed the risen Lord (Acts 3:11-4:20, 29-31). When the counsel commanded him not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus, this once reluctant disciple replied, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (cf. Acts 5:29).

Think for just a moment; how can we account for this incredible transformation? How did this milque-toast Galilean fisherman become a notable force in the kingdom of the first century? How did he get from catching fish to catching men? How did Simon get to be Cephas (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:22; 9:5; 15:5; Galatians 2:9) the Aramaic for “stone” (John 1:42)? How did this common man with an unsubmissive personality become a rock-like leader—one of the greatest preachers among the apostles and in every sense the dominant figure in the first twelve chapters of Acts? Most significantly, what does Peter tell us about ourselves? Consider the following:

1. No matter what your previous background, the Lord can use you as a vessel in His service. Our faults can be molded and fashioned into virtue. Failure yesterday is not necessarily fatal tomorrow. Weakness can become strength. “Mustard-seed faith” (Matthew 17:20; Mark 4:31; Luke 13:19; 17:6) can be enhanced to move mountains. “[The Lord] specializes in transforming hearts, redirecting our selfcentered energy, and reshaping our raw talent and abilities to achieve His purposes in the world” [Gene A. Getz, “Peter,” The Apostles, 21- 22]. This He did for Peter, and this He can do with/for you. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10; cf. Isaiah 64:8).

2. It takes time to become the person Jesus wants you to become. Evolving a Christ-like spirit is a l e n g t h y process (1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18; cf. Hebrews. 5:12ff). No one is shaped into a leader overnight. Peter certainly wasn’t. In fact, approximately twenty years after his service during the Lord’s personal ministry, Peter as an apostle, a Gospel preacher and an elder (1 Peter 5:1) still needed some “internal refinement” (Galatians 2:11-12). Whenever the Jews came to visit, Peter only ate with the Jews. However, when the Jews went home, he practiced open fellowship with his Gentile [uncircumcised] brethren and ate with them. Paul immediately recognized Peter’s hypocrisy and rebuked his fellow-apostle to his face (Galatians 2:14). Isn’t that ironic? In Acts 2, on the birthday of the church, Peter had taught, “…For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off [i.e., Gentiles]…” (v. 39). Then some eight-to-ten years later it took a vision from heaven (Acts 10:9-16) to convince him that God, in fact, accepted all men—including Gentiles—into the faith (Acts 10:34-35; 11:18). Later yet [perhaps another eight-to-ten years] in Galatians 2, Peter still struggled with the concept of the Gentile equality. He was a slow learner. You might say he suffered from SADD—spiritual attention deficit disorder. Growth was an incremental element for Peter. The same is true for each of us today.

3. Jesus seeks a willing spirit. Peter’s problem wasn’t his lack of desire and zeal; it was how he employed these qualities that often got him into trouble. One of the reasons Jesus chose Peter was because he was a man of devotion, determination and passion.* Granted, his passion was misdirected at times, but once Peter came to terms with the concept of the risen Lord (1 Peter 1:3), that same fervency was channeled in a very constructive and powerful way.

The good news is—the Lord sees beyond what we are to what we can become. We see spiritual resumes that are tarnished by transgression, failure and neglect (Romans 3:23). We see rank sinners; Jesus sees holy saints. We see humiliation; Jesus sees exaltation. We see despair; Jesus sees a living hope. We see Simon the crumbling disciple; Jesus saw Peter the rock-solid leader who would help stabilize the first century church.

Dear friend, are you looking for a job? Do you feel incapable? Is your work-history marred by defeat? Yes? Great! You automatically qualify. The Lord is hiring new laborers at this very moment! You can start your new work now (Acts 2:38; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 4:16). (Mike Benson)

* “…With all his brashness, Peter had the raw material from which a leader could be made. Better to work with a man like that than to try to motivate someone who is always passive and hesitant. As the familiar saying goes, it is much easier to tone down a fanatic than to resurrect a corpse. Some people have to be dragged tediously in any forward direction. Not Peter. He always wanted to move ahead. He wanted to know what he didn’t know. He wanted to understand what he didn’t understand. He was the first to ask questions and the first to try to answer questions. He was a man who always took the initiative, seized the moment, and charged ahead…” [John MacArthur, “Peter,” Twelve Ordinary Men, 42].

“And the Lord said, ‘Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat’” (Luke 22:31; cf. Matthew 16:23).

 

 

Perfection isn’t a requirement for service! That means we all qualify!

Anna Lee

 

Monday

 

“Come to Me,

all you who labor and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28

Thank God for the beautiful weather we have been having. Get out and enjoy it. Plant a garden or a few flowers. Spend some time with God while you are outside.

Jesse Dean continues to improve as he has rehabilitation at North Oaks. He should be able to come home next weekend. Pray for him as he goes trough this week of intensive therapy.

The monthly share group meeting will be at the Alford cabin Thursday at 6:30 P.M.. You are invited for a time of food, fellowship, and Bible study. Please let me know if you need additional information.

FBC, Kentwood Deacons of the Week

Jimmy Harrell

Donald Duncan

Associational WMU Meeting

Hillsdale Baptist Church

Thursday, March 20th

10:00 A.M.

North American Mission Study

Covered Dish Luncheon

Nursing Home Visitation

Tuesday, March 18

10:00 A.M.

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE
INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD
Monday, March 17, 2008

“We do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal,” (2 Corinthians 4:18, NKJV).

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the International Prayer Strategy Office, asking you to pray for those sensing God’s guidance in uncommon ways.

A South Asian believer was approached by a stranger who asked if he was a follower of Christ. Praise God that he courageously admitted his faith. When the stranger’s son was 5 years old, he saw a cross on the front of a church. The son said, “That is where I need to be. I want to follow that cross.” For the next five years, his son was fascinated by the cross. The boy refused to go to the temple with his parents, he made a wooden cross that he wore around his neck, and he threw fits when his parents told him that he could not follow Christ. Finally his parents relented and let him make his own choice. The national believer was invited to teach the son more about Jesus. He accepted Christ that day!

A Moroccan couple stayed with a family of believers who live closer to an office where the woman needed to complete some paperwork. The paperwork took longer than expected, resulting in a longer stay. While at the home, in the midst of kitchen conversations, the woman revealed that she had dreamed of her deceased father entreating her to believe in Jesus the Messiah. Through a seemingly unspiritual event (needed paperwork) and an inconvenient situation (houseguests staying longer than anticipated), we can have a peek into the unseen work of the Spirit. Please pray for this young woman and man as they continue their spiritual journeys, and ask for wisdom for the believing family as they continue their interaction with this pair.

Please pray that the South Asian parents will soon choose to follow their son’s example and accept Jesus as Savior.

Intercede for Moroccan believers to speak willingly of their faith.

Ask God to help you see past the temporary things on to those which are eternal.

 

 

KneEmail


“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10).

Mike Benson, Editor

I WAS AT the White House for a garden tour a few years ago, and I’ll never forget walking by a woman that looked totally overwhelmed…

I had just passed through security on the way in, and she was on the way out. Following in her wake was a large group of teenage girls, and I could tell by the look on her face that she was their chaperone. For whatever reason, as we passed each other, she said to me: “Keeping track of seventy-nine girls is impossible!”

I know what she means. I can hardly keep track of our three kids at Chuck E. Cheese.

And then I think about God.

How do you keep tract of six billion people at the same time? (Mark Batterson)

“Can you search out the deep things of God?
Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?”
~Job 11:7~

 

 

May you have a wonderful day today!

Anna Lee

Sunday Evening

Betty Taylor fell as she was leaving the choir this morning during the worship service. After about four hours in the emergency room, she learned she did not break any bones, but she did tear some ligaments/tendons. She will be sore for a while and have difficulty getting around. Being the trooper she is, she was soon back at church to do the make-up for the Easter program. Pray for Betty as she heals.

Please pray for Aaron and his family as they prepare for the procedure to be done Tuesday.

Frann Smith Clark

Following message on Aaron’s web site:

Because of this buildup of pressure, the doctors are concerned that leaving his heart like this might cause damage to his lungs over even a short period of time. Given this danger, Aaron will undergo a heart cath on Tuesday at CHOP where the doctors will evaluate the heart and lung pressure and gauge the overall function and capacity of his heart.


Please pray for me as we contact Dr. Rubino, neurosurgeon who will do the Kyphoplasty on me. The nurse called Friday at 11:55 a.m. but it was too close to their noon closing time to make any arrangements. My daughter Connie will call them Monday. Hopefully, the doctor will schedule a consultation to prepare for the procedure.

thanks for your prayers
Frann Smith Clark

The Easter program was very good. If you missed it tonight, you have an opportunity to experience it tomorrow night at 7 P.M.

Sunday

 

Easter Presentation

First Baptist Church, Kentwood

Tonight @ 6 P.M.

Monday @ 7 P.M.

 

Annie Armstrong Easter Offering® (AAEO)

Fast Facts

The reason we give to AAEO:
To help our missionary force reach for Christ an estimated 251 million lost people in the United States and Canada; that’s three of four people.

AAEO national goal for 2008:
$61 million

Amount given to AAEO in 2007:
Year-end figures totalled $59.3 million

Amount of AAEO used to support missionaries and their work:
100%

Number of NAMB missionaries:
5,271. Generally, a third of the number represents career missionaries, a third are short-term funded missionaries, and a third are Mission Service Corps missionaries.

Total 2007 NAMB budget:
$124,000,000

Amount of NAMB budget that comes from Annie:
46%

Amount of NAMB budget from Cooperative Program:
37%

Year offering started by WMU:
1895

Amount given in 1895:
$5,000 +

Year offering named for Annie Armstrong:
1934

What do AAEO-supported missionaries do?

  • Start new churches

  • Engage in student evangelism on college campuses

  • Serve the physical and spiritual needs of people through inner-city Baptist centers

  • Serve in local Baptist associations as associational missionary or other mission staff

  • Provide training and ministry in apologetics (interfaith witness) evangelism

  • Minister in resort settings such as campgrounds and ski areas

KneEmail

 

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10).

Mike Benson, Editor

IT WAS SATURDAY morning, January 11…

The temperature outside was absolutely frigid. The Weather Channel had just announced that it was eleven degrees in our part of southwest Indiana, not including the wind chill. The bright sunshine filtering through the windows of my house gave a false impression of what it was actually like to be “in the elements.”

My children and I were inside enjoying the warmth and peace of a quiet weekend. Then there was a knock at the door. I thought to myself, “Who in the world would be out in this kind of weather?!” As I opened the door, I noticed two elderly women standing at the front steps. Both were shivering from the piercing cold; both were carrying small satchels at their side. I quickly spied one of the satchels. I could make out the letters on the front cover of a small publication —- “Awake!” The lady nearest to the door pulled the scarf away from her mouth, then spoke in cheerful tones, “Hello! We’re with …” Without thinking, I finished her sentence. “You’re with the Jehovah’s Witnesses.” She smiled and said, “Yes.” I tried to let her know kindly that I was not interested in her offer. They both then turned and headed for my neighbor’s house.

The more I pondered that brief encounter, the more it struck me. “How many children of God would be willing to sacrifice their Saturday to go door-knocking? How many Christians would brave sub-zero temperatures to tell others about their faith in the risen Savior?” Those questions haunted me. They still do.

Brethren, I certainly don’t endorse the error that members of the Watchtower Society espouse (2 John 9-11), but I can’t help but admire their zeal (Romans 10:2). Their faith is not merely a cognitive thing, it is heartfelt and active. Folks don’t give up their weekend and trudge around town in below-freezing weather trying to introduce their neighbors to their religious ideology unless they have some abiding conviction. The sad irony is that we have the good news (2 Kings 7:9), but often lack the passion which the Witnesses exhibit.

Someone once said, “If a man has a soul, and he has, and if that soul can be won or lost for eternity, and it can, then the most important thing in the world is to bring a man to Jesus Christ.” Amen! Saving souls ought to be our FIRST priority (Luke 19:10)! Period!

In his book, Hearts on Fire, Don Humphrey exposes our spiritual passivity. He notes:

“The average member of the church of Christ has heard 4,000 sermons, sung 20,000 songs, participated in 8,000 public prayers … and converted zero sinners” [p. 3]. … God never intended for Christianity to be church-building centered. The message from God in the New Testament is that He intends for us to go to the lost (Matthew 28:19,20; Acts 26:16-18; Romans 1:14,15; 2 Timothy 2:2). Instead, our usual evangelistic program involves having a nice building and nice services to which the lost can come. And if they don’t come, they are not reached. If our church-building evangelism method could win America, it would already have done so” [p. 7]. … Our problem is that we have become spiritually lethargic. We are like a car stuck in a snow-drift —- the wheels are spinning and the motor is racing, but there is no forward motion. Congregations have full calendars with lots of programs and activities but no forward direction that will keep the main thing the main thing —- growth. We have become indifferent. It doesn’t really matter to us that we are not growing. People are lost, and we are evangelistically inactive. … Perhaps the Devil learned a lesson [from first-century Christianity] … Today he is not persecuting us; he is lulling us to sleep…” [pp. 12-13.]

Beloved, when was the last time you tried to teach someone? When was the last time you fervently prayed for the Lord to lead you to some lost soul that you could help teach? When was the last time you demonstrated the depth of your faith and told another about Jesus Christ (Philemon 6)?

Consider your priorities.

Examine your heart.

Repent of your apathy and start knocking on the door of someone’s heart today.

Jesus said healthy branches produce much fruit, while barren limbs will be cut off and burned in the fire (John 15:2,6). Think about it. (Mike Benson)

KneEmail: “Then they said to one another, “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent. If we wait until morning light, some punishment will come upon us. Now therefore, come, let us go and tell the king’s household.” (2 Kings 7:9).

Saturday

Carl Wayne Stevens has completed rehabilitation and is home. He has made a lot of progress since his stroke, but is still working to get better. Pray for his wife, Nora, and other family members as they work with Carl Wayne.

Tsuyako had surgery last night and she is doing okay. Apparently her appendix was about to burst. So praise the Lord she got to the doctor in time. Pray for her complete recovery and that she would know whose hand is in control.

Again, thank you for praying.
Love to you all,
Freda (Romania)

Big Ten from Teamromany – March 2008

1. Pray for Cornel as he is in the United States. Pray for him as he seeks a job and makes plans for his fall wedding. Pray for Cornel and Erica as they begin their new life together.
2. For the past three years Cornel has worked to establish church-based training modules. In Arad, he as worked with Pastor Damian to hold the modules in three locations. Please to pray for the lay leaders who have been trained in these areas. Pray that they would continue to minister faithfully.
3. Please pray for the that will again se participants of our FARM (Far Away Romany Missions) projectnd short-term missionaries from Romania to minister in areas of need this summer. Pray for the Hills as they are assuming much of the responsibility for this project. Pray for them as they select and train participants.
4. The Hatchels have been back in the Czech Republic for a week now. Pray for them in their transition. Pray for Boyd has he attends meeting in Budapest later this week. Pray for Jennie and the children as they homeschool. Pray for the Hatchels as they look for how God wants them to invest their time and efforts in this new term.
5. Thank God with us for Joe and Julie Silby who are responding to God’s call to missions. They are planning to join teamromany later this year. They will be presented to the IMB trustees for approval for appointment on the 9th of next month. Please pray for Joe and Julie and their children Ryan, Avery, and Hannah as they make plans to leave their home in Texas in obedience to God’s call.
6. Thank God for Jiri, a Czech lawyer who has been faithfully ministering in the Brno Romany community during the Hatchels’ absence.
7. Please pray for Hugo, a Romany believer in Brno who is raising his nephew due to the imprisonment of his brother and sister-in-law. Pray that as Hugo shares Christ’s love with his nephew and other family members, their lives will be transformed.
8. Daniel is serving on staff of a church in Virginia. Pray for him as he ministers to people in need and makes plans to return to Romania in June.
9. Pray for Rob and Jess Dixon in Nashville, Tennessee as they work with teamromany to develop small-business models for church planters in Romania.
10. Pray for our field. We are going through several transitions. Pray for Mark Edworthy as he provides leadership during these changes.

Hatchels Back in Brno

 

We’re back! We had a rough trip getting here with cancelled flights, bad weather delays and a malfunctioning plane that had to be replaced after we were already in line for take-off. We were exhausted, but glad to get back to “our” house. Our neighbor didn’t get the message asking her to turn on our heat so the first night back was COLD!!!! We piled under lots of blankets and slept in layers of clothing. In the last week we’ve unpacked, gotten our utilities re-connected, received our car tags and insurance and lots of other details of life.

Mallory and Miles’ Czech teachers have been very willing to work with us. Mallory and Miles are going to Czech public school a few hours a week for art, PE, and music. Mallory’s class has swimming for PE once a week. For everything else we’re homeschooling. Madison and Mason are also at home doing some preschool activities, coloring, and getting out as many toys as the possibly can.

The weather has been cold and dreary so we haven’t gotten to go to the park or get out very much. It’s been so damp that my clothes are taking forever to dry. I have about six loads hanging up that I’m still waiting on to dry.

Boyd is in Budapest for meetings for a few days. He’ll be back Friday.

We went to Czech church on Sunday and Boyd went to Romany Bible study. Lots of people were glad to see us. It was nice to have been missed.

Please pray for us as we continue to adjust and settle in. I’ve been sick several days and that’s made it a little harder.

Speaking of family, pray for Becki and the children, Braden and Peyton, as they drive from Roma, GA to Kentwood today. They will be spending the next week between Kentwood and Gonzales. Pray as Jason as he fends for himself at home.

Chrisy Haynes and the children, Abe, Aris, and Audrey will be in Kentwood visiting for a few days. They will be at church tomorrow, so many of you will be able to give them a hug and admire the beautiful children. Bro. Brady will not be with them. He will be in Alabama holding down this church position. Pray for him as he will also be fending for himself for the week.

 

Cleve Jerry Travis

(September 20, 1926 – March 12, 2008)

Died at 4:50AM on Thursday, March 12, 2008 at Veterans Administration Medical Center in Biloxi, MS. He was a native of St. Helena Parish, LA and a resident of Kiln, MS. Age 81 years. He was a WWII veteran of the U.S.M.C. serving with the 1st Marine Division on Palau and Okinawa Islands. Visitation at New Zion Baptist Church, Kentwood, from 9 a.m. on Tuesday and until religious services at 11 a.m Tuesday. Services conducted by Rev. Gibby McMillan. Interment New Zion Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. Survived by nieces, Cynthia Caparole, NY, Patricia Konopka, NY, Judy Easley, Prairieville, LA, nephews, Dennis Travis, Montpelier, LA, Cary Travis, Montpelier, LA, Brian Travis, Greensburg, LA, Anthony Konopka, NY, Walter Konopka, NY. Preceded in death by parents, Walter “Bud” Travis and Maude B. Travis, sister, Norma Konopka, brothers, Ray Travis and Kenneth Travis, nephew, Kenneth Travis, Jr. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New Zion Baptist Church. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements.

DOES GOD KNOW ABOUT THIS?

 

There’s a couple in Arkansas who have given their six-year-old son strict instructions to come home from playing every afternoon no later than 5 p.m. He is allowed to play with his friends, but his parents are quite serious about his curfew. If he is not home by 5 p.m., they begin to worry and call around the neighborhood to find out where he is. The boy knows this, though, and is careful to arrive every day on time.

One April Monday, however, the day after Daylight Saving Time went into effect, the boy was late coming home. When he finally arrived, a few minutes before 6 p.m., his mother scolded him for being late. “You know you are to be home by five,” she said, “and here it is nearly six.”

Puzzled, the little boy pointed out the window. “But the light,” he protested, “the light; it’s the light that tells me when to come home.” Realizing what had happened, his mother smiled and gently explained that the day before the time had been changed, that everyone had reset their clocks and, now, the daylight lasted longer.

The boy’s eyes narrowed. “Does God know about this?” he asked suspiciously.

It’s easy to see why a young boy would ask such a question, but no matter what the circumstance prompting the question, the answer to “Does God know about this?” is always, “Yes, He knows.” David reflected on this quality of God in Psalm 139:

“Lord, you have examined me and know all about me. You know when I sit down and when I get up. You know my thoughts before I think them. You know where I go and where I lie down. You know thoroughly everything I do. Lord, even before I say a word, you already know it. You are all around me — in front and in back — and have put your hand on me. Your knowledge is amazing to me; it is more than I can understand.” (Psalm 139:1-6)

At times, it is a bit frightening to realize that God knows so much about me, but ultimately it is a comforting thought — that someone knows so much about me, yet still loves me. Because God knows me so well, He knows my deepest needs. May you take comfort this day in the realization that God knows everything about you there is to know.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

He knows all about us, our strengths, our wants, our needs, etc. He knows, but He also want us to tell him. Be sure to do so today.

Have a great weekend.

Anna Lee

Friday

“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord.

See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth,

waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.

You also be patient.

Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”

~James 5:7-8, NKJV~

 

 

Lawyer John Buckley, Sr.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but until all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8. A retired entrepreneur, road service tire repairman and a photographer, Lawyer died at his home on Saturday, March 8, 2008. He was 68, a resident of Baton Rouge and a native of Osyka, Miss. Visiting at Winnfield Funeral Home on Saturday, March 15, from 9 a.m. until religious service at 10 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Dewitt Brock. Interment in Gilbert Memorial Park. Survived by his two sons, Lawyer John Buckley Jr. and Kendrick Shropshire; two daughters, April Donald and Darcelle Shropshire; four sisters, Undean Reed, Maytee Buckley, Martha Shepherd and Dorothy Domingue; four brothers, the Rev. Earl Buckley, Raymond Buckley, Alton Buckley and Larry Buckley; and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margie Buckley; father, Arcell Buckley; mother, Stella Buckley; and three brothers, Melton, Edward and Preston Buckley.

 

 

Easter Worship Musical

“The Risen Christ”

FBC, Kentwood

Sanctuary Choir

Sunday, March 16 @ 6 P.M.

Monday, March 17 @ 7 P.M.

 

 

 

First Baptist Church of Arcola

 

“The Celebration of Easter”

  • i-55 Frontage Road, Arcola
  • No admission charge
  • March 14-15, 2008
  • 7:30 – 9:00 P.M.
  • Twelve live drive-through scenes of the life of Christ

 

Jena, La. has received a lot of bad press lately. I thought you might want to read these two articles that show a different side of Jena than you have seen in the press:

 

Baptist Press

March 12, 2008

LOUISIANA–This time, Jena makes spiritual headlines. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=27604

LOUISIANA–FIRST-PERSON (Craig Franklin): Good news from Jena, La. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=27609 Thank God for this revival. May it spread to other towns and cities!

 

 

APPOINTED FOR MEN TO DIE ONCE

After buying her kids a pet hamster, after they PROMISED they would take care of it, the mother, as usual, ended up with the responsibility.

One evening, exasperated, she asked her children, “How many times do you think that hamster would have died if I hadn’t looked after it?”

After a moment, her youngest son replied quizzically, “Once?”

Well, that didn’t help make the mother’s point but, technically, their answer was correct — not only for hamsters, but for us as well. The Hebrew writer said, “And as it is apponted for men to die once, but after this the judgment…” (Heb. 9:27).

The fact that we are appointed to die once is both sobering and promising. IOn the one hand, it means that there is no way that we can escape death (“it is apponted for man to die”), but on the other hand it is something that we will have to experience only once. While there are a few notable exceptions in the Bible, everyone who has ever lived on the face of this earth has died, but only once.

But the real point of this passage in Hebrews has nothing to do with us. It has everything to do with Jesus Christ. The Hebrew writer says that Jesus is just like us. He, too, only had to die once. The significance of that is that once was enough. Unlike the sacrifices of the Jews which had to be offered over and over, one sacrifice was sufficient to take away all of our sins — forever! With that knowledge comes this beautiful promise:

“…so Christ was offered as a sacrifice one time to take away the sins of many people. And he will come a second time, not to offer himself for sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” (Heb. 9:28, NCV)

Praise be to Jesus Christ for the effectiveness of his death and for the promise of his return!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Thank you for being there to pray each day. You mean so much to so many!

Anna Lee

Thursday Evening

Elliott Yarborough had surgery last week on the eye that had glass in it. The surgery showed hope for improvement. He will have another surgery in five weeks. In the meantime, he seems to be able to have more movement in the eye. Please continue to pray for this toddler.

Jesse Dean is getting a pint of blood. After that, he hopes to get moved to rehab at North Oaks later tonight. Please keep him in your prayers.

Melinda Russell sent these requests:

  • Please be in prayer for a Japanese woman named Tsuyako. She has been to the ladies’ bible study Freda Angeletti teaches but not regularly. She is fixing to go into surgery to have her appendix removed. Pray for her as she has the surgery that all will go well. Pray for the doctors and nurses as they perform the surgery. Pray for Tsuyako’s family as they wait to hear how the surgery goes. Tsuyako knows a lot about the Bible but has a hard time believing it. Pray for her heart to be open to hearing God’s call and truly understanding about Jesus wanting to be her Savior.
  • Eiko, another Japanese woman in our bible study was sharing yesterday that eight Japanese families are preparing to return to Japan or go to other countries. None of them are Christian. Eiko is a light for the Lord in the Japanese community here. She desires for her husband and other Japanese to understand how much the Lord loves them and wants them to be a part of his family. Please take a moment and pray for these families that the Lord will bring other Christians into lives that will water the seeds Eiko has planted in their lives. Pray for their eyes to be open to the truth in the Lord and understand how important it is to make a commitment to the Lord.

Thursday

“Who knows,

perhaps you have come to the kingdom

for such a time as this,”

~Esther 4:14b, HCSB~

McComb Bank Tragedy

Pray for all the families involved in the tragedy at the bank in McComb yesterday.

Cancer Free!

Smiley Conerly and Sammy Broyles are now cancer free! Than-you for your prayers for them. Please continue to pray for them and their families.

Jesse Dean

Today is the day set for Jesse to be released to rehab or home. Thank God for the progress he has made since surgery.


Lauree and Cliff Titus

Pray for Lauree and Cliff. It seems like they have gone from one health issue to another lately.

Baby Aaron Hill

Well, God does not want Aaron to head home to MS just yet. Today’s echo and visit with Dr. Szwast have yielded another plan. First the good news–Aaron now weighs 7 ½ lbs and is 20 inches long, so he is gaining weight and growing longer. (I was so proud!). His echo, however, was cause for some concern. There still appears to be some problem with the mitral valve, as it doesn’t look like it is opening wide enough to allow proper blood flow from the left atrium into the left ventricle. While Aaron has some pulmonary stenosis (that was cause for concern early on for opposite reasons), apparently there is so much blood flow through his heart that there is pressure building up in his left atrium. Because of this buildup of pressure, the doctors are concerned that leaving his heart like this might cause damage to his lungs over even a short period of time. Given this danger, Aaron will undergo a heart cath on Tuesday at CHOP where the doctors will evaluate the heart and lung pressure and gauge the overall function and capacity of his heart.

Our surgeon, Dr. Spray, does not feel like the possible mitral valve problem will prevent a two-sided repair procedure. Therefore, if the heart cath goes well and yields positive findings, Dr. Spray will perform surgery in the immediate future to move Aaron’s aorta over to his left ventricle and repair the other problems with his heart. If the surgeons begin the surgery and determine the mitral valve will not sustain his heart, they will place a band on his pulmonary artery to reduce the amount of blood flow through his heart and stop there, leaving us to return for the first single ventricle repair surgery when Aaron is between four and six months of age.

As you can see, so much still remains uncertain. I am grieved that we will not be going home this week. Scott and I had so wanted to be home even for a little while with Aaron and Levi. We miss everyone terribly. However, we are both glad that the pressure problem has been discovered now rather than after our return home. Please continue to pray for us (especially Aaron) as we get ready for the heart cath and prospective surgery. Scott will head home tomorrow then back on Monday for the cath. My mom and sweet Levi will also return soon—I have missed both of them a lot. Please say an additional prayer for my dad while my mom is here giving me support. We are blessed with wonderful family and friends. We love you all.

BCM Lunch

The BCM lunch at Southeastern yesterday was a big success. The were about 125 students there o enjoy the jambalaya and other foods. Thanks to all who contributed and all who went. Special thanks to Marty and Gretchen for cooking the jambalaya.

Donald J. “Buster” Dieterich

A retired senior purchasing agent of Barnard & Burk Engineering, a U.S. Air Force veteran, a resident of Baker and a native of Amite, he passed away Saturday, March 8, 2008, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. He was 69. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Friday, March 14, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a memorial service at 6 p.m. He is survived by his wife, Shirley M. Dieterich; daughters, Marie Angel’ Tetrick, Smyrna, Ga., Monica Brian and husband Tracy, Zachary, Sharon Price, Baton Rouge; stepdaughters, Natalie Roussel, Geismer and Jennifer Lay, Oklahoma; son, John Scott Dieterich and wife JoAnna; step son, Richard “Ricky” Lay and wife Debbie, Walker; sisters, Patsy Dieterich Norton, Gretna, and Jean Dieterich Mitchell, Metairie; brother, Thomas Dieterich, Jackson, Miss.; 16 grandchildren, Casey Lee, Cody Tetrick, Lindy Babin, Laird, Aubin and Jude Brian, Mazie and Mary Dieterich, Tori, Megan, Joshua and Christina Lay, Amber Guzzardo, Kimberly Sanchez, Maranda and Taylor Ree; and a great- grandchild. Preceded in death by his parents, Peter Gemeth and Ora Mae Dunnington Dieterich; brother, Earl Dieterich; and grandson, Thomas Devin Lay. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Tony Gene King

Tony King died at 3:55 a.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2008, at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond. He was 44 and a resident of Amite. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, on Thursday, March 13, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., followed by graveside service at Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite. Survived by his daughter, Jessica Goudy, Randolph’s Air Force Base, Texas; four brothers and sisters-in-law, Ronnie and Ashley McDonald, Amite, and Mike and Carol King, Jeff and Khris King and Tracy and Beth King, all of Cleveland; and sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Jerry Hughes, Amite. Preceded in death by his father, Ted King; and mother, Cinderella Williams King. For more information, visit http:// www.mckneelys.com.

 

KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10).

Mike Benson, Editor

Storm

JESUS TOLD THE twelve to get into a boat on the Sea of Galilee…

As they started across the sea, everything was smooth and calm, and Jesus went to sleep. Suddenly a huge wind blasted on the sea and the boat began to be swamped with water. They awakened Jesus in great fear and said, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” (v. 24). They believed they were going to die right there on the water. Jesus woke up and told the wind and water to be still, and instantly the sea was as smooth as glass. At this point Jesus turned to the disciples and asked, “Where is your faith?” (v. 25). The disciples were now terrified, not of the storm that had stopped, but of the One who stopped the storm.

Why were they suddenly afraid? They had already witnessed so much power from Jesus. What was different on this occasion? The difference was that is was their storm. They were the ones in the boat this time. It was their lives on the line. They knew Jesus could take of the storms in someone else’s life, but it was an entirely different issue when it was personal. People tend to do this all the time. Spiritual lives are destroyed because of the storm of family problems, or the storm of past sin, or the storm of sickness, or the storm of money troubles, ad infinitum. It is easy to tell someone else that they need to trust God to take care of them, but what about when it is my boat that is sinking? What do we do?

If Jesus is with you, outside influences cannot enslave you, nor can they sink your boat (Rom. 8:31-39). Outside influences cannot take away eternity as long as you weather the storm. They may make life more difficult here, but they will not defeat you unless you allow them to do so. Jesus Himself suffered more than any of us, yet He was victorious because His focus was on God’s eternal plan, not the immediate storm of life. The next time you are facing a storm, remember that He needs to be in the boat first, and then you will be successful in weathering whatever storm you are facing. (Terry Frizzell)

“But He said to them, ‘Where is your faith?’

And they were afraid, and marveled,

saying to one another, ‘Who can this be?’

For He commands even the winds and water,

and they obey Him!”

~ Luke 8:25~

 

 

We all have “storms” in our lives. When they come, we need to remember Jesus is walking along with us, just like he does on all the other days. Going through the “storms” of life is not always pleasant or easy, but we can get through them.

Anna Lee

 
     
 

Wednesday Afternoon

Bertha Watts Blades


(June 19, 1920 – March 12, 2008)

Died on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at Hood Memorial Hospital in Amite, LA. She was a native of Monroe, LA and a resident of Kentwood, LA. Age 87 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Thursday and at Spring Creek Baptist Church from 9 a.m. Friday until religious services at 11 a.m. Friday. Services conducted by Rev. Danny Smith. Interment Spring Creek Cemetery, Spring Creek, LA. Survived by daughter, Melba Etheridge, Pine Grove, son, Ronnie Blades, Kentwood, sister, Carolyn Marie Rimes, Magnolia, MS, 2 brothers, Walter Lee Watts, Bastrop, Earl Watts, Pascagoula, MS, 14 grandchildren, 31 great- grandchildren, 1 great-great-granddaughter. Preceded in death by husband, N. R. “Dub” Blades, 2 sons, Nillard and Wayne Blades, 1 sister, Virgie Pollard, 3 brothers, Perry, Robert, and James Watts, granddaughter, Lisa Blades, grandson, Michael Etheridge.