Category: Baptist Press

Wednesday

“Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

~Luke 2:15b, ESV~

Jesse Dean seems to be having a problem with his cumadin level.  Pray for him as another adjustment is made.

FBC, Kentwood will go Christmas caroling tonight.  As they do so, they will distribute gift bags.  May they bless many lives tonight.

I don’t normally mention birthdays and anniversaries, but I think we should take note of one today.  Mr. and Mrs. Joe (Othell) Williams are celebrating their 70th anniversary today.  What a blessing!

FBC, Kentwood will be receiving the gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering at the special 10 A.M. service Christmas morning.  Here is an example of how funding is needed in Europe.

Abundant Gospel Sowing among European Peoples
Overview: Simply put, this project is about abundantly sowing God’s word among the European peoples. The overwhelming majority of Europeans have never held a Bible or heard it proclaimed. We will not see a great moving of God’s Spirit among Europeans apart from His word being heard, believed, and shared. Missionaries and partners will facilitate publication of Scripture, personally distribute and share Bibles, the Jesus film, MP3 oral format Bibles, and gospels.

Strategic Ministries: Internet, Radio, Literature, Orality, Discipleship, Church Planting

Baptist Press had several very good articles yesterday.  Spend a little time reading at http://www.bpnews.net 

WHAT WAS ELIJAH DOING?

A couple of stories to illustrate how our children explain what happened in the Bible:

A Sunday school teacher asked her class why Joseph and Mary took Jesus with them to Jerusalem.  A young girl answered:  “Because they couldn’t get a babysitter.”

Another Sunday school teacher was carefully explaining the story of Elijah the prophet and his contest with the false prophets of Baal.  She explained how Elijah built the altar, put wood upon it, cut the bull in pieces and laid it upon the altar.  Then Elijah commanded the people of God to fill four barrels of  water and pour it over the altar.  He had them do this three times.  “Now,” said the teacher, “Can anyone in the class tell me why the Lord had Elijah pour water over the bull on the altar?”  A little girl in the back of the room raised her hand with great enthusiasm.  “To make the gravy.”

It was a good question.  Why DID the Lord tell Elijah to pour the water over the altar?  The answer is obvious (and it has nothing to do with gravy).  The Lord wanted to exhibit His power in an absolutely incredible manner.  When God was finished, no one was going to say, “Well, maybe Elijah used a flame he kept tucked away in his cloak.”  No!
The fire from the Lord burnt up the wet sacrifice, the soaked wood, and even the rocks used to build the altar!

If there is any lesson to be learned in this story, it is that our God is a powerful and awesome God!

Though we ourselves may not see displays of God’s power like what happened on Mount Carmel, it is comforting to know that the God who hears and answers our prayers is the God who has such power.

“Be exalted, O LORD, in Your own strength!  We will sing and praise Your power.” (Psalm 21:13)

Praise be to our all-powerful and truly awesome God!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Give of yourself today!

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

~Luke 2:14~

Pray for Mrs. Pauline Strickland who is in Baton Rouge General and very sick. Pray for her family and all those caring for her.

Pray for Carol New today as she sees her doctor again and learns if she can have the next surgery yet.  She hopes so, because she is ready to begin walking again.  Pray all goes well at today’s appointment.

Mrs. Mickey Cade has surgery today.  Pray for the medical staff, “Miss” Mickey, and her family and friends.

Susan Rimes will be in OLOL on the large kidney stone that has been resistant to previous attempts to remove it.  Pray for success today and for a good recovery period for Susan.

Baptist Press: ‘Isaiah’ surprises seminary with chapel message

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=36820

What a lesson in preaching!  I know the students will always remember the fine example set forth by the NOBTS professor.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – Pray!

YANGON, MYANMAR. Throughout history, religious pilgrims have come to Yangon’s hilltop pagoda, bringing offerings and hoping for enlightenment. Black markets, karma, bamboo huts, paying homage to golden images define the daily routines of 6 million residents. Yangon is being intentionally engaged with God’s Word. Although, spiritual strongholds loom as high as the walls of the pagoda, these barriers can be broken. *Living Lord, may Your Spirit bring people to Your saving grace. *Creator God, reign in hearts of individuals so that You are worshiped as the One and only God.

Heart to Heart with Holley: The best gift this year

Hello Friend!

Have you been to the stores lately? I’ve seen the shelves piled high with gadgets, new styles, and the latest-whatever-you-want.

And I’m telling you, I think I’ve found the best gift this year.

It’s not available in retail locations, online or for $29.95 plus shipping and handling.

Can you lean in and listen close while I whisper this secret?

Psst…it’s you.

Or, really, Jesus in you.

Yes, my friend, you offer Him to the world in a way no one else can.And no one else ever will.

You are a one-of-a-kind original. Not replaceable or exchangeable.

Beautiful just as you are because of your Maker.

Designed just as He intended.

More amazing than you even realize.

Loved, needed and more valuable than all those fancy things in all the stores in the world.

Yes, ma’am.

You’re the real deal and don’t you forget it. Promise?

With love,

Holley

 The gift bags for the nursing home residents and the homebound people will be packed with much love and excitement today.  Thanks to all who have given, baked, or shopped.  Pray for those who will be caroling and delivering the bags tomorrow and those who will receive one.  May the true meaning of Christmas be clear to all involved in this ministry!

Christmas is not Christmas without Jesus!

Anna Lee

Saturday

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord!

Call upon His name;

make known His deeds among the peoples!”

~Psalm 105:1~

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering at work in Africa and the Middle East

http://www.imb.org/main/give/lmw/Story.asp?StoryID=8038&LanguageID=1709

Baptist Press – Could you do what this man has done?

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=36806

FBC, Kentwood Schedule for Christmas Holidays

  • Dec. 18th – The choir will present a musical, “A Song in the Air” during the 10:30 worship service.
  • Dec. 18th – Dinner and candlelight service @ 5 and 6 P.M.
  • Dec. 20th – Breakfast muffins needed for gift bags which will be distributed on the 21st.
  • Dec. 21st – Church-wide caroling at 6 P.M.; Gift bags will be distributed.
  • Dec. 25th – Morning worship only – 10 A.M.

Thought for the Day: The greatest gift

I heard recently about a 90-year-old lady who one Christmas found buying presents a bit much, so she wrote out checks for all of her family and friends, and decided she would put them in with her Christmas cards. She wrote out her Christmas cards and put “Buy your own present” after her name, then sent them off.

But after the Christmas festivities were over, she found the checks in her desk! Everyone had got a Christmas card from her with “Buy your own present” written inside but without the checks!

We all like gifts. We like to receive them from those that we love. And we also enjoy giving them. What Jesus said is certainly true: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35). I used to think that the greatest joy of Christmas belonged to children because they get to experience the excitement of opening their presents. But I’ve learned that the real excitement of Christmas comes in being able to give to those who mean so much to you.

Unfortunately, our gift list is always so limited. If you’re like me at this time of the year, you always have a lot of people you would like to get something special for, but you just don’t have the money. We can’t give to everyone. But God can, and God has, and there’s no one who’s been left off of his gift list.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) 

This Christmas, enjoy giving gifts and enjoy receiving them. But be especially thankful for the greatest gift of all that came to this earth in the form of a baby in a stable in the little town of Bethlehem, and be sure that you respond by receiving that gift through obedient faith.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Yes, it is true!  Jesus is the reason for the season!

Anna Lee

Thursday

“Only those who give away their lives for my sake

and for the sake of the Good News

will ever know what it means to really live.”

~Mark 8:35 TLB~

 

Lottie Moon Stories to Share with Your Children or Grandchildren

http://www.imb.org/main/give/lmw/Story.asp?StoryID=8034&LanguageID=1709

Baptist Press

http://www.bpnews.net/

Heart to Heart with Holley: God’s Heart for You This Christmas

In the middle of all the hustle and bustle of the season I keep forgetting.

I keep forgetting that it’s not about being busy but being blessed.

I keep forgetting that it’s not about pleasing but being loved.

I keep forgetting that it’s not about who I am but whose I am that matters most.

Then God taps me on the heart and seems to whisper, “You don’t have to try so hard. Rest. Remember. Enjoy what you’ve already given and received.”

I slow, smile. Yes, that’s right. This is what Christmas is all about.

Jesus.

And the beautiful love that compelled Him to come all the way here for me, for you.

It’s about the little things too.

And what’s smaller than a baby in a manger?

One gift I can offer back this season is simply to remember what’s already true.

I am loved.

In Him, I am enough.

Because of His grace, I am blessed beyond measure.

This is God’s heart for us this Christmas season–and always.

—Holley

Don’t forget the meeting at the cabin at 6:30 tonight.  Join us for food, fellowship, prayer, and a devotional.

Have a terrific Thursday!  Remember, Jesus is the reason for the season!

Anna Lee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday

“Be friendly with everyone.

Don’t be proud and feel that you are smarter than others.

Make friends with ordinary people.”

~Romans 12:16 CEV~

 

CaringBridge: Caroline Cutrer

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/carolinecutrer

Carol New is looking forward to getting her new knee in two weeks.

Baptist Press: Missions-minded grandma confronts thief — and wins

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=36774

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

What is the average cost to support an individual missionary?

• $46,700 a year
• $3,890 a month
• $900 a week
• $128 a day
• $5.30 an hour
• $.09 a minute

Reported April 2011. Support includes housing, salary, children’s education, medical expenses, retirement and more.

http://www.imb.org/main/give/page.asp?StoryID=4426&LanguageID=1709

Devotional: Is There Room?

You may have heard the story about Wally. Wally was big for his age — seven years old. Everyone wondered what role the teacher would give him in the annual Christmas play. Especially considering the fact that he was also a slow learner. Perhaps he could pull the curtain. To everyone’s surprise the teacher gave Wally the role of the innkeeper. The boy of course was delighted. After all, all he had to learn was one line: “There is no room in the inn.” He had that down in no time.

Then came the night for the program. The parents took their places. Every seat in the auditorium was filled. The children entered singing “Oh come all ye faithful.” The lights dimmed. A hush moved over the audience. The curtain opened on Scene One. Mary and Joseph entered the stage and walked up to the inn. “Please sir, my wife is not well. Could we have a room for the night?”

Wally was ready for his line. He had rehearsed it all night. He began, “There is…” and he hesitated. He started over again, “There is…” and again his mind went completely blank. Everyone was embarrassed for him, but poor Wally just didn’t know what to do. Joseph thought he would improvise and started walking away toward the stable on stage left. Seeing him walking away, Wally called out in desperation: “Look, there’s plenty of room at my house, just come on home with me.”

The important question — not only at this time of year but all year round — is, “Do we have room in our lives for Jesus?” Our lives are so busy — with things that are good and things that are not so good. By the time we’ve filled our lives with time at work, time with the family, going to football games and the children’s recitals, shopping, watching television and the latest movie, our lives are so very crowded. I don’t know anybody who has “spare time” on their hands. The cry I hear from all around me is, “I wish I had a few more hours every day to get done when I need (or want) to get done.”

Looking back, we may find ourselves thinking that if the innkeeper had known that Mary was about to give birth to the Savior of the world, he would have made room. But I’m not so sure. The reason I question that is because I see what happens when we are faced with a question similiar to one that was asked of the innkeeper. Jesus wants to know of us, “Do you have room in your life for me?” And I see how often in our busy, hectic lives — even though we know who Jesus is — we allow other things to crowd Him out.

Will we open our hearts to Jesus, or will we allow the busy-ness of life to crowd Jesus out? The answer we WANT to give is easy to come up with; the answer we give by the way we live is sometimes disturbing. May we have a heart that desires to speak with the tenderness of Wally’s heart when he said, “”Look, there’s plenty of room at my house, just come on home with me.”

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Rev. 3:20)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Jesus is the reason for the season!  Does the season make your heart warm with love, peace, and joy?  Share Jesus with others today!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?

Even sinners love those who love them.”

~Luke 6:32 NIV~

Eva Smith (89), my aunt in Alabama, fell  and has a compacted disk.  Pray for her and the family as they learn more today.

Mr. Kenneth Felker’s wife has been down due to her broken hip.  Now, he is also sick.  Please pray for this family.

Caring Bridge

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/adriannacavanagh

A project suggested by a member of my Sunday School class Sunday and now by Baptist Press:

This Christmas, give a Bible

http://www.bpnews.net/BPFirstPerson.asp?ID=36731

Week of Prayer for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – Day 5

http://www.imb.org/main/pray/page.asp?StoryID=9341&LanguageID=1709

Volunteers Needed for Victory Baptist Mission Church

The slab is poured and material is on order to start building a 12,000 sq. ft. multi-use facility for Victory Baptist Mission Church in Walker, Louisiana. The building will include an auditorium, education space, and fellowship hall. Volunteers of all crafts, from carpenters, roofers, brick masons, electricians, plumbers and HVAC people are needed to help assemble the building starting in January 2012.

Volunteer groups are needed for the weeks starting:

Jan 23, Jan 30, Feb 20, Feb 27, March 19, March 26, April 9, April 16, April 23,
April 30, May 7, May 14, May 21, and May 28.

To volunteer, please contact Jim Wyble at ljwyble@bellsouth.net  or 225.939.6842. He is the associate project coordinator assigned to the project and is responsible for coordinating the volunteers for the project.

To learn more about Victory Baptist Mission Church, visit:www.victorybaptistwalker.com.

Thought for the Day: Neither poverty or riches

Linda was on vacation, playing the slot machines. It was her first time in a casino, and she wasn’t sure how the machines operated.

“Excuse me,” she said to a casino employee. “How does this work?” The worker showed her how to insert a bill, hit the spin button, and operate the release handle.

“And where does the money come out?” she asked.

He smiled and motioned to a far wall before saying, “Usually at the ATM.”

That’s the trouble with gambling and other “get rich quick” schemes. There’s only one person getting rich, and it’s not you! The lure is strong, though. The temptation to come away with that big jackpot, to go home with your pockets full without putting forth much effort. It’s easy to see that Paul was right when he said, “Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare….” (I Tim. 6:9a)

Considering the constant temptation of money, it’s not surprising that Jesus had much to say about the subject. It is significant, though, that Jesus didn’t talk as much about what to do with our money as he talked about the right kind of attitude we ought to have toward it.

Agur, in his pearls of wisdom contained in Proverbs, also had much to say about our attitude toward wealth. One of my favorite verses on the subject is this one:

“Give me neither poverty nor riches — Feed me with the food allotted to me; lest I be full and deny You, and say, “Who is the LORD?” Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God.” (Prov. 30:8b-9)

May you be sufficiently blessed. But may your riches (or your desire for them) never diminish your sense of need for God.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Anna Lee

Saturday

“God reigns over the nations;

God sits on His holy throne.”

~Psalm 47:8~

Lottie Moon Tea

FBC, Greensburg

Today @ 2 P.M.

Ladies, bring your daughters, granddaughters, or neighborhood daughters as well as your friends and female relatives.

See you there!

Baptist Press: Why we serve the poor (one church’s uplifting story)

http://www.bpnews.net/BPFirstPerson.asp?ID=36710

Thought for the Day: A gift that doesn’t need to be exchanged

Admit it, you’ve been there (and you may be there again in just a few days). You receive a gift that makes you grimace — an orange tie with purple stripes, perhaps, or a battery-operated radish peeler. You can’t be impolite and say, “I don’t like it. I want to exchange it.” So what do you say? Fortunately someone has come up with “The Top Ten Things to Say About a Christmas Gift You Don’t Like”:

10. Hey! Now there’s a gift!
9. Well, well, well …
8. What a shame! If I hadn’t recently shot up 4 sizes, this would’ve fit.
7. This is perfect for wearing around the basement.
6. I hope this never catches fire! It is fire season though. There are lots of unexplained fires.
5. If the dog buries it, I’ll be furious!
4. I love it — but I fear the jealousy it will inspire.
3. Sadly, tomorrow I enter the Federal Witness Protection Program.
2. To think — I got this the year I vowed to give all my gifts to charity.
1. “I really don’t deserve this.”

Whatever you say, you know you’ll be standing in line at Wal-Mart for hours with everyone else who received gifts that were just as horrible.

There’s a beautiful story in 2 Corinthians 8 about a gift that the churches of Macedonia gave to Paul to help out needy Christians in Jerusalem. It was a gift that Paul was reluctant to receive. Not because there was anything wrong with it. Quite the opposite — it was a generous gift. Perhaps too generous. The Christians who gave it were not at all wealthy, so the gift seemed excessive.

“For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.” (2 Cor. 8:3-4)

The reason that their gift was so generous and so special, though, was because of another gift they had given: “And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.” (2 Cor. 8:5)

Want to give a gift that will never need to be exchanged? Give yourself wholeheartedly to the Lord. It’s certain to be exactly what He wnats this year!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Anna Lee

Thursday

“Carefully consider the path for your feet,

and all your ways will be established.”

~Proverbs 4:26 HCSB~

Billy Graham has pneumonia, ‘responding well’

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=36695

Next ‘Family Movie Night’ film airs Friday

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=36687

Heart to Heart with Holley: Good enough

Hello Friend!

I sometimes look in the mirror or at my life and I see all I am then say,

“Not good enough.”

You too?

And yet…

God saw all that he had made {that means people too} and then He said,

“Very good.”

It seems scandalous to believe that’s true. And yet who am I to argue with the One who spoke the stars into place, who spread the seas as far as we can see, who numbered every hair on my messy, imperfect head?

It’s not because of who we are but Whose we are.

Not because of what we’ve done but what Love has done for us.

Not temporary but forever-and-ever because He doesn’t change.

I’m going to try to stop saying “not good enough” and instead dare to agree with the Love that will not let me go.

Want to join me?

With love,

Holley

 

Pamela Ann Boudreau “Maman” King

She was a retired inside salesperson and a native and resident of Baton Rouge. She died at 8 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, at Ochsner Medical Center of Baton Rouge. Pamela was 65. She was an avid football and baseball fan and a supporter of Denham Springs High School athletics. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Friday, Dec. 2, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitation will resume at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Denham Springs on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory. She is survived by her two daughters, Deborah Ann Bond and husband Joe, and Marie Louise Featherston and husband Chuck; two sons, Paul David King and wife Lisa, and Michael Sanders King and wife Angela; special daughter, Diane Vollenweider and husband Eddie; four sisters, Margaret B. McGee and husband Larry, Paulette B. Drake, Elizabeth B. Black, and Janet B. Landry and husband Bobby; 11 grandchildren, J.P., Jared and Justin Bond, Rachel and Ryan Featherston, Josh McKean, Victoria and Tyler King, Nicole LeGlue, Emily and Eric Vollenweider; and numerous nieces and nephews. Pamela was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Dale King Jr.; parents, Paul Sr. and Janet LeBlanc Boudreau; and a brother, Paul “Bubba” Boudreau Jr. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association .

 

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Anna Lee

Saturday

“Blessed be the Lord,

because He has heard the voice of my supplications!”

~Psalm 28:6~

Renee Deck is much better than she was earlier in the week.  She will be hospitalized a couple more days to allow her to regain some strength.  She’s in room 520 now.

Jason Dean is improving at home.  He’s had a lot of pain, but progressing well.  Please continue to pray for him and his family.

Greg Tanner’s mother passed away.  I’ll post an obituary when one is available.

Baptist Press: New IMB missionaries see beyond excuses

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=36604

Heart to Heart with Holley:When you’ve had one of those weeks….

It’s been one of those weeks.

You know the kind that tempt you to pull the covers back over your head?

I’m recovering from recent travel, a cold, an unexpected medical issue.

It’s the everyday things that throw us off the most sometimes.

They make us forget who we are, who we belong to, where we’re going.

Maybe that sometimes happens to you too?

If so, I want to lean in close in the middle of all those little things and whisper some BIG truth to us…

Yes, you are loved. More than you know. More than you see. Deeper than you’ve dared to dream. {Ephesians 3:16-19}

Yes, you are really part of a good plan and you belong to a God who will make sure it happens. {Jeremiah 29:11}.

Yes, you are going to make it through this not just somehow but victoriously. {Philippians 4:13}

When life gets hard the lies get loud.

But in the middle of all the noise, there is still what’s true.

Especially when it been one of those weeks.

–Holley Gerth

 {p.s. I actually wrote this last week and I’m feeling better but we still all need those reminders, don’t we?}

Pray for all those who will be traveling this week. Pray for family gatherings to be a time of love and making new memories.  Say a special prayer for those who will be celebrating alone.  If possible, take them in to celebrate with your family.

Thankful!

Anna Lee

Friday

“And let us not grow weary while doing good,

for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

~Galatians 6:9, NKJV~

Pray for James and Susan Rimes as they travel to Baton Rouge again today so Susan can hopefully get some relief from her kidney stones.

Renee Deck is better and in a regular room at Southwest.  Thank the Lord she is better.

Chloe Neyland is doing well at home.  Her family is so thankful to have her home again.

Baptist Press: Amid famine, life-and-death decisions grip Africa aid workers

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=36589

Thought for the Day: I will do the same thing

Here is a “bonus” Thought For the Day. It’s not a humorous story, but one
which made a strong impact on me. It came to me through a paper entitled
“Pulpit Helps.”

The story is told of a man in Massachusetts many years ago who found his
neighbor’s horse in the middle of his field. He was so angry about it that
he took the horse to the public pound.

Meeting the owner soon after this, he told him what he had done and added,
“If I catch him there again, I will do the same thing.”

The neighbor replied, “Well, the other night I looked out of my window and
saw your cattle in my field. I took your cattle and drove them over to
your house, and put them in the barn, and fixed the gate. If I catch them
there again, I will do the same thing.”

The man was reportedly so struck with his neighbor’s soft reply that he at
once took the horse out of the pound and paid the charges himself.

Perhaps the most difficult commands given to us by Jesus and his apostles
involve our attitude toward those who are our enemies. It is hard to
restrain ourselves when we have been mistreated or when a hateful attitude
has been shown toward us. The natural response is to repay evil for evil.
But we will only be able to make an impact on the world around us if, by
following the example of Jesus Christ, we are willing to repay good for
evil.

“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.  Therefore ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17-21).

Have a great weekend!

Alan Smith
Boone church of Christ
Boone, NC

Enjoy the little cold snap as a gift from God.

Anna Lee