Saturday

“Ask of Me,

and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance,

and the ends of the earth for Your possession.”

~Psalm 2:8~

Landon Estay said, “preliminary results show no genetic defects. we appreciate your thoughts and prayers.”

World Changers Celebrates Work on 20,000th Home

By Mike Ebert
Baptist Press

SAVANNAH, Ga. (BP)–There’s something special about Eleanor Williams’ home.

Hers is the 20,000th home World Changers has worked on since the Southern Baptist ministry began as a pilot project in 1990.

Each year when the City of Savannah Department of Housing notifies homeowners they have been approved for government-funded home improvements, several respond with a special request: “Please put me on the list of homes to be worked on by the World Changers students.”

Williams is one of those residents, having qualified for funds to replace her leaky roof this summer.

Word has spread through the Savannah area over the years as more than 12,000 students since 1992 have given a week of their summer to help replace roofs, apply a fresh coat of paint and renovate homes while sharing Christ with homeowners and residents.

“I had the World Changers come in 2005 and paint my house,” Williams recounted amid the sound of hammers pounding on the roof and the buzz of activity in her yard.

“It’s been like a fence of love surrounding me this week,” Williams said of the World Changers’ presence.

Every home World Changers students work on is special because the point of the week is not only to work on houses but to connect with homeowners and share the love of Christ and the salvation story. But on July 3, Williams’ home became especially significant because it marked the 20,000th renovation completed by World Changers over the years.

“We have mobilized more than a quarter of a million students and adult leaders since 1990,” said John Bailey, student volunteer mobilization team leader with the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board. “We’re here as a response to our faith,” Bailey said during a brief ceremony in Williams’ backyard. “We’re answering God’s call to go and serve.”

This summer more than 23,000 middle and high school students will participate in 98 World Changers projects in 91 cities throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. World Changers provides the tools and volunteer labor while local governments provide the funding, often utilizing federal government housing dollars.

In addition to working on homes, World Changers participants share their faith with homeowners and others in surrounding neighborhoods. In 2008, participants in World Changers and PowerPlant, a sister ministry geared toward assisting in church planting efforts, made 14,757 presentations of the Gospel resulting in 997 recorded professions of faith.

While World Changers is impacting homeowners and other residents, participating students say World Changers is changing their lives at the same time.

“God has been using this week to show me I’m a lot more fortunate than some people are and I can use my abilities to help people who need it,” said 11th-grader Broderick Turner, a member of First Baptist Church in Eufaula, Ala. “I will definitely come back and do this again.”

Meredith Johnson, a high school junior who attends Florence (Ky.) Baptist Church just south of Cincinnati, said the week had reconfirmed her call to missions.

“It’s been a good experience. I want to do missions when I grow up. I would like to go to Africa or a place like that. This is good practice. God has shown me I can do whatever I can put my mind to with His help. I didn’t really think I could come out here and shingle a roof. I’ve never been on a roof before!” Johnson said she may want to go on an international World Changers mission trip next year.

The practical side of World Changers is what has made the partnership with the city of Savannah and so many other municipalities a success over the years.

Cynthia Holly, loan officer with the city’s housing department, said World Changers helps stretch housing dollars. Holly has worked with World Changers each of the 13 years she has been with Savannah’s housing office.

“It allows us to help out many more homeowners. We wouldn’t be able to do as many houses each year without the free labor. We would have to pay contractors,” Holly said.

NAMB President Geoff Hammond visited with students who were working at the construction site, describing them as “the heroes of World Changers. Think of the time, the effort, the leadership this takes. But they are doing it because of something greater than themselves. They’ve experienced the love of God in their hearts and they want to share that with these families here in Savannah.”

To the students who made up the construction crew working on Williams’ home, NAMB’s John Bailey said, “This is just the beginning for you. You can be a part of the next 20,000 homeowners we’re going to minister to.

“As I look around today, I might be looking at the next Geoff Hammond who will lead the North American Mission Board or the next Jerry Rankin who will lead the International Mission Board,” Bailey said. “That’s one of the things World Changers is about: a beginning point to serve and to minister because of what God has done in our lives.”

(Mike Ebert is publications and media relations coordinator for the North American Mission Board.)

KneEmail

Free

JESUS DOESN’T FORCE us to be His disciples…

Never does He coerce anyone into His service. His invitation is free, His offer of eternal life is free, the opportunity to serve Him is free. He freely took the initiative in giving His life as the substutionary payment for our sin. In obedience to the Father, He gave everything, setting aside His heavenly state to be robed in human flesh. He lived perfectly, died sacrificially, rose again triumphantly and ascended back to heaven gloriously. And He didn’t charge us a thing, which is good because we couldn’t pay the price anyway. However, what we can do is serve Him out of grateful hearts and loving devotion. He has given beyond measure, all at His personal initiative. How can we not as stewards choose willingly to give our all for Him? (Dave Sutherland and Kirk Nowery)

“And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’

And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’

And let him who thirsts come.

And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”

Revelation 22:17

Posted by Mike Benson at July 10, 2009

Have a wonderful day of preparation for the Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Thursday

“Guide me in Your truth and teach me,

for You are the God of my salvation.”

~Psalm 25:5a, HCSB~

Thank-you for all the prayers for Tiffany Bankston Currier. She is doing very well at this time. The family appreciates your prayers so much.

Hollie K. reports she is doing very well in West Africa. She even had a former student to visit and be a “tourist” with her during her break before classes resume again. Hollie is loving

Continue to pray for the youth and chaperones at Mission Fuge in Clinton, MS and for the children and chaperones who will be at children’s camp next week.

Mason and Adam Carter

I would like to thank everyone for praying for Mason. He did well and was home 1:00 Tuesday. He even made it to VBS that night.
Adam is doing a little better too.
Lawana

Mrs. Hellen Morris is having a heart cauterization and possibly a stent today. Keep her and her family in your prayers.

From Lori Rhodes

Also, please pray for my sister and brother-in-law. He is building their house by himself. This morning, he fell from the roof. All of his ribs on the right side are broken, bruised his lung, crushed his collarbone and has a big cut on back of his head. His name is Mark. Thanks!

Landon and Alisha Estay learned their unborn baby son has spinal bifida but are still loving the baby and trusting God. Keep them in your prayers.

Don Denton

It seems like it gets longer and longer in between the times that I post. My life is soooooo full these days.

If you are still following us I thought I would update you on how we are doing.

It has now been over a month since Don has been in the hospital and that in and of itself is a miracle. We are so grateful to God.

Don continues to get stronger. He is still very, very thin, but that will take some time. He is still in physcial therapy five days a week. His physical therapist, Dot H. is amazing and so committed to helping him. We are so blessed to have her here in Bolivar with her credentials.

Don is tappering at a very slow pace. He is doing Ok. Slow and steady is the plan.

Just last week and this week I have spent hours with the insurance company trying to get Don’s nausea meds approved. I have now heard five different stories as to why. The are allowing him less than the daily dosage. One explanation was that the company entered information into the computer wrong. And of course we have been told by them that Don is approved, but when the doctors sends in the request they deny it.

I have written letters to our senator, the National Assoc. for pharmacists, as Medco has pharmacist who basically determines the approval. And I have written letters to a patient advocay group and of course Medco’s coroporate office. Ugh…..

Don doctor continues to work with us and we are grateful for his committment to helping Don in this way.

I think we will celebrate the day that it gets approved.

Last week turned out to be a most challenging and difficult week for me. I was overwhelmed with everything. I found out that I have one car that needs tires, the other broke down on me, the clutch is out. Then backing out of my driveway on the way to a doctor appointment for myself I “slammed” into our sitters car and dented it in three places. I had grass to cut and weedead. I had a mound of laundry, bills to pay, groceries to buy, perscriptions to pick up, house to clean, it looked like a tormado had hit. And then find time to spend with Joshua and on and on. I was a well, lets say feeling very discouraged.

And then something happened. Our sitter has a room mate who had been praying that God would show her someone she could serve. My sitter shared with her some of our situation. And her room mate came over last week to help clean my house and then she brought another friend over the cut grass.

It is at these times, when I am most discouraged that God says to me, ” I have not left you”. I am so grateful for you God’s people who pray for us and bless us in so many, many ways.

There are those days when Don and I feel that we just need to make it through the day. WE don’t know what our future holds, we are so clueless. We have had a few surprises that have taken us back some. But the one thing we know is this. We are a family, we have each other and we love each other. And we continue to pray for God’s mercy and grace upon us.

Joshua still is struggling with some fears. Some are age appropriate and some are fears of losing Don and I. Pray for him in that way.

I continue to learn more of what it is to believe as a child. Our son’s passion and love for his daddy is precious. He prays for him everday. And I find myself focusing on the precious gift of life we have. In the quiet of the evening when everyone is in bed, I for a fleeting moment realize that we can’t take the “stuff” with us when we leave this earth. Finding delight in the lives of people. Valuing who God brings into our life as a gift from God is so important. I saw an amazing example of what “delighting in others” looks like. God taught me an important lesson through this women. I hope to model her love for life and people. It is such a gift to me and a blessing to us to have friends and family bless us in the way they do.

It is late. Pray for Don, he has a CAT Scan tomorrow as a follow up.

Bless you our family and friends.
Diane

Lloyd Gullick

(June 19, 1931 – July 8, 2009)

Died at 7:30AM on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at his residence in Roseland, LA. He was a native of Corinth, MS. Age 78 years. Graveside Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Arcola-Roseland Cemetery, Arcola, LA. Services conducted by Rev. Danny Smith. Survived by Wife, Barbara Gullick, Roseland, daughter, Peggy Fuqua, Roseland, 2 sons, Jerry Gullick, Kentwood, Mike Gullick, Amite, 6 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by son, David Gullick, parents, Eli Gullick and Maudie Ethel Gullick, 1 sister, Willie Ruth Reynolds, 2 brothers, J. E. Gullick and Melvin Gullick, 2 grandchildren, Dusty Gullick and Timothy Gullick. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

Baptist Press

(I hope you find time to read all of these, but if not, at least try to read the two I highlighted in red. Anna Lee)

July 8, 2009

TENNESSEE–Teen sex linked to children’s TV viewing, study says. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30846

ENGLAND–Lab-created babies, no male required? http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30847

MAINE–Maine effort to overturn ‘gay marriage’ near success. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30848

TENNESSEE–‘I Can Only Imagine’ marks 10 years. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30849

NORTH CAROLINA–SBC leader Ernest Mosley dies at 81. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30845

KANSAS–FIRST-PERSON (Phil Boatwright): Fireproof co-producer readies new film. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30850

As our friends and neighbors face the many trials of life, I think this devotional thought shows various perspectives. I pray each one of us will face our trials like Landon and Alisha.

KneEmail

Viewpoint

grand canyon.jpg THREE PEOPLE WERE visiting the Grand Canyon — a painter, a preacher, and a cowboy…

Looking over the massive canyon, each one verbalized his observation:

“Incredible!” the painter said. “I’d love to paint a picture of this!”

The preacher waved his arms and cried, “Glory! Look what God has done!”

The cowboy exclaimed, “I’d sure hate to lose a cow down there!”

What do you see when you look at your situation? An illustration of God’s handiwork, or just someplace to lose a cow? (Stan Towler)

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,

whatever things are noble,

whatever things are just,

whatever things are pure,

whatever things are lovely,

whatever things are of good report,

if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–

meditate on these things.”

Phillipians 4:8

Posted by Mike Benson

Thankful for this Thursday!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“But the basic reality of God is plain enough.

Open your eyes and there it is!”

~Romans 1:19 MSG~

I would appreciate if everyone would keep Nancy Carollo in their prayers. She is a friend of mine and she has breast Cancer. She is in the middle of 39 weeks of Radiation. Her last date will be on July 24th. PLease keep Her in your prayers that this radation treatment will cure the cancer she has. thanks for all your prayers for her

Faye Carney and Nancy Carollo

In New Orleans, Volunteers Still Needed

Posted on Jul 7, 2009 | by Mickey Noah NEW ORLEANS (BP)

–Almost four years after Hurricane Katrina brought New Orleans to its knees on Aug. 29, 2005, Southern Baptists continue to spend a week or so in the Big Easy, volunteering their time and skills to rebuild or refurbish homes devastated by the deadly storm.

But the number of Baptists who are volunteering is no longer enough.

Since May 1, 2006, under “Operation NOAH Rebuild” — a cooperative ministry of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans and the SBC’s North American Mission Board — more than 25,000 Southern Baptist volunteers have assisted in rebuilding 1,801 flood-damaged homes. These volunteers represent some 1,530 SBC churches from every state convention in the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii. Operation NOAH also has assisted in the recovery of 32 churches and 15 other ministry centers or schools damaged by Katrina.

And as a direct result of Operation NOAH, more than 400 professions of faith have been recorded, according to the latest available statistics.

While an agreement has been reached to transition the day-to-day management of Operation NOAH to the Baptist association, the North American Mission Board has committed to extend its support of the ministry until year’s end, said Mickey Caison, NAMB’s team leader for adult volunteer mobilization.

“We will continue to work with [the association] to support and implement their ‘2020 Vision’ strategic plan,” Caison said. “Part of that plan is to address post-Katrina needs of the New Orleans community, and housing is still one of the critical needs there.”

Caison said 70 more homes remain in the Operation NOAH pipeline for reconstruction or renovation, and “we want to complete every one of them.”

“Some of the folks we still want to help have not received any assistance at all from their insurance companies or the federal government, and are the folks who’ve fallen through the cracks,” Caison said, noting that only 60 percent of the residents displaced by Katrina have moved back home.

But as NAMB’s time for involvement ticks down, Operation NOAH is not seeing the number of skilled volunteers the program needs to finish work on the 70 remaining homes, Caison said.

“We desperately need Southern Baptists who are skilled as drywall workers, plumbers, electricians, framing carpenters and finishing carpenters to volunteer to help us,” he said. “We can house up to 145 volunteers a week but we’re not averaging 145 a week. We only had 66 volunteers during May.” Caison said volunteers are housed in a volunteer “village” at Hopeview Baptist Church in nearby St. Bernard Parish.

David Maxwell, a pastor serving as coordinator for Operation NOAH Rebuild, echoed Caison, adding that “we want to do quality work for these last 70 houses — the same quality anyone would want for their own home. You just can’t do that with unskilled labor.”

As to the volunteer shortage, Maxwell attributes it to the fact that almost four years have elapsed since Katrina. Other disasters — like Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, floods in the Midwest and fires in California — have siphoned off some of the volunteer force needed in New Orleans.

“The bad economy and higher gas prices have also had something to do with the smaller number of people who volunteer. People are just staying closer to home,” he said.

“Operation NOAH Rebuild has given people hope where there was no hope,” Maxwell noted, “just like Jesus Christ does for all of us. There are literally thousands of homes and people in New Orleans who still need help. Contrary to what local politicians may say, it’s not over. We’ve just scratched the surface.”

(Mickey Noah is a writer for the North American Mission Board. For volunteer opportunities with Operation NOAH Rebuild, e-mail noah@namb.net or call 1-877-934-0808 (toll-free) or 504-362-4604.)

KneEmail

Carry

FOR THE FIRST time in her life, Western Oregon University’s Sara Tucholsky not only hit a home run in a game against Central Washington University, but she hit it over the fence…

She had passed first base and was on her way to second base when she collapsed. Something had happened to her knee and she couldn’t run. No one on her team could help her around the bases because if they touched her, she’d be out. That’s when her opponents from Central Washington picked her up and carried her around the bases and across the home plate. “My whole team was crying. It touched a lot of people,” says Tucholsky.

“Bear one another’s burdens,

and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Galatians 6:2

Posted by Mike Benson at May 14, 2009 2:13 PM

Have a wonderful day!

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.”

~Matthew 11:28~

Thank God for the rain we received yesterday.

Pray for Lawana Carter’s two boys. Mason is having sinus surgery in McComb this morning at 8 A.M. Adam has a lingering summer cold.

Remember to pray for Shaun Bodin, Judy Easley’s son-in-law, as he sees doctors at Ochsner concerning his fractured neck.

Continue to pray for those at Mission Fuge at Mississippi College and for those having VBS this week.

Baptist Press

July 6, 2009

CALIFORNIA–NEA declines to remain neutral on abortion. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30833

WASHINGTON–Gallup Poll: U.S. adults growing more conservative? http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30834

MICHIGAN–Witnesses assaulted at Muslim festival, team members say. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30835

VIRGINIA–Appalachian Trail hike turns into spiritual journey. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30836

TENNESSEE–Research: Many say income not matching lifestyle. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30837

WASHINGTON–FIRST PERSON (Ken Connor): Bread and circuses: America’s cult of celebrity. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30838

KneEmail

Great

So many celebrities have died recently, it reminds one of the death, in 1715, of King Louis XIV of France, after a reign of 72 years.
He had called himself “the Great.” The monarch had made the infamous statement, “I am the state!” (Grandiose political statements are perennial.) His court was considered the most magnificent in Europe, and his funeral was equally spectacular.

As Louis’ body lay in state in a golden coffin, orders had been given that the cathedral should be very dimly lit with only a single candle set above his coffin, to dramatize his greatness. At the memorial service, thousands waited in hushed silence.

Bishop Massilon rose to speak. Reaching down, he snuffed out the candle and said, “Only God is great.”/1

At the cross, and before the empty tomb, as the rich and famous and powerful wither and die, around the table of the Lord, we declare, “Only God is great!”

Or better, like Thomas who threw himself at the feet of the resurrected Christ, “My Lord and my God!” ( John 20:28). (J. Randal Matheny at: http://www.forthright.net/)

“Yours, O LORD, is the greatness,

the power and the glory,

the victory and the majesty;

for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;

Yours is the kingdom, O LORD,

and You are exalted as head over all.”

I Chronicles 29:11

Posted by Mike Benson at July 6, 2009 11:55 AM

Please share information you would like others to pray about. Have a great day!

Anna Lee

Friday

“But from there you will seek the Lord your God,

and you will find Him

if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

~Deuteronomy 4:29~

Dukes

Not a whole lot of new news to share today. However, my mother-in-l

aw shared a video with my wife and me that really touched me and was very encouraging. I posted it on my blog. (http://jasoncdukes.wordpress.com/) (Get the tissues ready! Anna Lee)

We will post at you again tomorrow. Keep praying that the neuro-surgeons will communicate with one another and schedule Mom’s surgery to replace the cranium piece. Please keep praying for Dad’s pain, too.

We couldn’t imagine walking through this without all of you.
-jason

Pray for the Canada Mission team as they travel home today. They will share their experiences Sunday night at 6 P.M.

KOMpray

Kids on Mission Pray

Prayer Requests

“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

She’s forced to do rituals C lives in Cambodia and is one of the Khmer (kuh-MER) people. Her dad wants her to follow the special rituals of their traditional religion. He isn’t a believer in Jesus Christ and tells C things that confuse her. C says, “The religion of my father is familiar to me because everyone has been doing the rituals for years. That is what we are used to. I know believers of the Son (Jesus) don’t give incense or spend money to do religious ceremonies. So what DO they do? I believe in the Son. I just don’t understand it all. My father forces me to do the rituals. He threatens that if I don’t follow them, I will have more problems. Inside I don’t feel it is right, but I do it anyway just to please my father.” It is really hard for C. She wants to obey God and she wants to obey her father. Many Khmer believers face the same problem C faces. Pray for them to be strong in their faith. Pray for C that her father will become a Christian and pray that she will become confident in her faith.

MORE PRAYER REQUESTS FROM MISSIONARY KIDS

Please help my grandma. Thank you. HEATHER, age 6 (East Asian peoples)

Pray I’ll have strength in my walk with Christ as I go to school in an environment that is really sinful and worldly. Pray that the Bible studies that we have will grow and continue to work with Christ. KAYLA, age 15 (Sub-Saharan African peoples)

Pray for my friend Terron in San Francisco—he just became a Christian but doesn’t want to become baptised. Please pray for him. RICKIE, age 9 (Southeast Asian peoples)

Please pray for people in my school that they will stop saying bad words. Also please pray for the Malagasy people. They believe in ghosts and spirits and that their ancestors live still. CALEB, age 11 (Sub-Saharan African peoples)

Pray for my friend S and her family, and all the Japanese people, and my grandma and cousin to get better! Please and thank you. HANNAH, age 11 (East Asian peoples)

Baptist Press

July 2, 2009

TENNESSEE–At 84, U.S.S. Indy survivor attests to God’s grace. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30825

SOUTH KOREA–PTSD: NAMB chaplains gain biblical training. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30826

FLORIDA–337 baptized at FBC Orlando. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30827

TENNESSEE–CULTURE DIGEST: Benefits of alcohol still debated. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30828

WASHINGTON–India blocks religious freedom watchdog group. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30829

TEXAS–FIRST-PERSON (Chris Plekenpol): Unwanted fireworks on the Fourth. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30830

TENNESSEE–FIRST-PERSON (Sara Horn): Pray for our military this summer. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30831

LOUISIANA–FIRST-PERSON (Kelly Boggs): Examining celebrity worship. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30832

James Edward Harrell
(October 6, 1928 – July 2, 2009)

U.S. Veteran Died at 5:20 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2009 at Kentwood Manor Nursing Home in Kentwood. He was a native of Poplarville, MS and a resident of Kentwood. Age 80 years. Mr. Harrell is a graduate of Gulf Coast Military Academy and Southeastern Louisiana University and is a U.S. Air Force Veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was a member of Kentwood Rotary Club, American Legion, and V.F.W. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 10 a.m Saturday. Services conducted by Rev. Joey Miller. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood. Survived by sister-in-law, Norma Harrell, Kentwood, nephews & nieces, William C. “Bill” Harrell, Hazlehurst, MS, John Hove, Westby, MT, Kathy Hove Wankel, Miles City, MT, Becky Hove Sweat, Broadus, MT, Benjamin C. “Ben” Harrell, III, Ponchatoula, Bruce Harrell, Kentwood, Ronnie Harrell, South Pasadena, CA, numerous great-nieces, great-nephews, and great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews. Preceded in death by parents, Claiborne Harrell, Sr. and Lillie Cuevas Harrell, 2 brothers, Hollis Harrell and Claiborne Harrell, Jr., 2 sisters, Lillie Mae McGlathery and Bonnie Jean Hove, nephew, John Bruce Harrell.

Velton Henly Reid
(December 13, 1928 – July 1, 2009)

Velton Henly Reid

U.S. Veteran Died at 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at his residence in Folsom, LA. He was a native of Uneedus, LA Age 80 years. He was a U. S. Army Veteran of the Korean Conflict and a retired Civil Technician with the U. S. Army Corps. of Engineers with 30 years of service. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 1 p.m. Saturday. Services conducted by Rev. Ronnie Douglas and Rev. Elester Raines. Interment Reed-Raines Memorial Garden, Uneedus, LA. He is survived by his wife, Ella Ruth Wood Reid, Folsom; daughter, Linda Thompson, Slidell; 2 grandchildren, Terry Thompson, Waskom, TX and Stacey Cochran, Bentonville, Ark; 5 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Lillian Morse, Folsom and Bonnie Husser, Folsom; numerous nephews and nieces including special nephews and nieces, Lonnie Morse, Loranger, Karl Morse, Folsom, Eric Velton “Pete” Morse, Loranger, Mary Ellen “Gennie” Hernandez, Folsom and Mary Ann Phares, Loranger; special great-nephews who were thought of as grandchildren, Jared Morse, Jourdan Morse and Jathan Morse, all of Loranger. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Ellen Reid and Ellis Reid, Sr.; sister, Bessie Berry; brother, Ellis “Jiggs” Reid, Jr.

KneEmail

Poor

ONE DAY, THE father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live…
They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family. On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, “How was the trip?”

“It was great, Dad.”

“Did you see how poor people live?” the father asked.

“Oh yeah,” said the son.

“So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?” asked the father.

The son answered: “I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.”

The boy’s father was speechless.

Then his son added, “Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are.”

Yet He sets the poor on high,

far from affliction,

and makes their families like a flock.”

~Psalm 107:41~

Posted by Mike Benson at July 2, 2009 2:25 PM

God bless America!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“Each of you should go on living according to the Lord’s gift to you,

and as you were when God called you.

This is the rule I teach in all the churches.”

~1 Corinthians 7:17 TEV~

From Bill Frazier

Dean Burnett will be having major heart sergery monday 6 Jul at childrens hospital

“Call 2 Fall”

http://www.baptistmessage.com/articledetail.php?articleID=dfff85b8f919eef30a7d1afeebb00fbb

Baptist Press

June 30, 2009

KENTUCKY–Churchill Downs chaplain sees faith blossom. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30802

WASHINGTON–Obama chides ‘old attitudes’ about homosexuality. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30803

KENTUCKY–Korean Baptists reach goal 1 year early. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30804

KENTUCKY–NAMB honors top Annie-giving churches. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30805

OHIO–Kay Kwok: ‘Living life as an act of worship.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30806

CALIFORNIA–Urban missions leader Francis DuBose dies. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30807

KENTUCKY–‘Idol’ concert among SBC family events. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30808

KENTUCKY–Mohler receives Union’s Dodd Award. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30809

LOUISIANA–FIRST-PERSON (Keith Manuel): Eternal life on death row. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30810

KneEmail

Friend

MARK WELLMAN GAINED national attention in the summer of 1989 by climbing the sheer face of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park…

The face that Mark climed is not the remarkable part, but the fact that he did so being a paraplegic. Mark climbed for seven days with the help of his close friend, Mike Corbett. Mike would hold while Mark would pull himself up the granite face.

These two men shared a depth of friendship that is hard to find in our world today.

“As iron sharpens iron,

so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”

Proverbs 27:17

Posted by Mike Benson at June 30, 2009 1:13 PM

Thank you for praying each day. You make a difference in many lives! Please feel free to send any praises, requests, or updates you wish to share here.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!

For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.”

~Psalm 75:1~

Pray for the group from East Fork Baptist Church that is at Student Life camp this week.

Pray for the Vacation Bible Schools this week.

Pray for Dwayne and Trisha and others on that mission trip and our FBC group as they continue On Mission in Canada.

Pray for the IMB personnel as they have returned to their places of service after meeting with co-workers. Several large groups have already met. For those who have not yet met, pray the meeting will be a time of refreshing and vision for the adults, a time of unity and purpose for the youth, and a great time of play and VBS for the children. (Our group has just completed their time together – a highlight of the year for all of them!)

Baptist Press

June 29, 2009

TENNESSEE–GCR chairman issues call for 5,000 prayer volunteers. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30788

KENTUCKY–Ohio’s Kay Kwok dies in Owensboro, Ky. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30787

KENTUCKY–U.S. troops ‘best of this generation,’ top chaplain says. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30789

KENTUCKY–Evangelists underscore revival preparations. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30790

KENTUCKY–DOMs challenged to live as servant leaders. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30791

KENTUCKY–Network renames award to honor Sid Smith. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30792

KENTUCKY–Sid Smith receives award posthumously. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30793

KENTUCKY–Ministers’ wives ponder ‘Quiet Influence.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30794

KENTUCKY–Ministers’ wives honor Shirley Lindsay. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30795

KENTUCKY–Women gain freedom in God’s Word, speakers proclaim. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30796

KENTUCKY–Messianics: ‘Bring the exiles home.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30797

KENTUCKY–Seminary luncheons draw alumni, guests. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30798

KENTUCKY–Mohler: At 150, SBTS a tribute to God’s grace. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30799

TENNESSEE–FIRST-PERSON (Art Toalston): Michael Jackson’s love. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30800

LOUISIANA–FIRST-PERSON: Emergency measures for an economic drought. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30801

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

WITH THE DEATH of Michael Jackson, the media buzzes with details of his popular career and his bizarre life: star of the family group, the Jackson Five, the changes in his music, his marriage to Lisa Marie Presley, his financial woes, his three children, all of whom bear both his names, his cosmetic surgeries, the charges of child molestation…

Death calls us to remember a life, no matter how wonderful or sordid.

In Jesus’ case, it was different. His resurrection calls us to remember his death.

So it was for the disciples, according to John. About Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, he wrote, “His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him” (John 12:16 ESV).

Earlier, when recording the Lord’s cryptic words about rebuilding the temple in three days, he said, “When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken” (John 2:22).

The resurrection validated everything Jesus had said and done.

When Jesus died, the disciples went back to fishing. One might say they forgot his life, because of their expectations. But when he arose from the dead, it all came flooding back.

This is why Paul wrote that, if Christ was not raised from the dead, then our faith and preaching and hope are all in vain.

So as we eat the Lord’s supper today, let us remember that he rose from the dead. And this fact will spur our memories of his sacrifice in death. (J. Randal Matheny at: http://www.forthright.net/)

“…Do this in remembrance of Me.” 1 Corinthians 11:24

Have a great day! Make it count!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“Truly, truly, I say to you,

unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies,

it remains alone;

but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”

~John 12:24, ESV~

Mission Canada Volunteers

Remember the team as they travel to Canada today. Pray for safety and a spirit of unity.

Scott Lindsey

We made it home from the hospital tonight around 8:00 p.m. After all of the test, the doctors are still uncertain as to the cause of the seizures. There is a fluid collection under the recently replaced bone flap. Scott will be taking two anti-seizure medications for the foreseeable future.

He will be having another CAT Scan on Monday to check the fluid under the flap. Worse case scenario is a tap to remove the fluid. Best case scenario is that the medications he is taking will prevent any further seizure activity. Although he is “sick” of hospitals, he is in good spirits. Karibeth, Scott’s youngest sister had to leave on Sunday to go to the Girl Scout camp where she is a counselor this summer. Please keep her in your prayers. As you can imagine, it is hard to be away when you feel someone you love needs you.

Thank you for your continued prayers. Your calls of concern are truly appreciated. Please continue to keep Scott and our family in your prayers.

(Becky Lindsey – Mom)

Baptist Press

June 23, 2009

KENTUCKY–Hunt: ‘There’s gold in them there pews.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30741

KENTUCKY–Chapman: Missions fervor trumps doctrinal divides. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30742

KENTUCKY–Huckabee laments U.S. lack of morality. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30743

KENTUCKY–Pastors’ Conference looks to unity in love, spirit & purpose. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30744

KENTUCKY–EC report underscores financial freedom, cooperative missions. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30745

KENTUCKY–Southern Baptists cease relationship with Texas church over homosexuality. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30746

KENTUCKY–Hunt re-elected SBC president. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30747

KENTUCKY–Repentance a ‘dire need’ in SBC, Hunt tells pastors. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30748

KENTUCKY–WMU envisions changed lives & a changed world. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30749

KENTUCKY–Family festival highlights Hispanic outreach. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30750

KENTUCKY–Doctor-turned-

musician leads worship at SBC. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30751

KENTUCKY–Wedding plans unveiled at Pastors’ Conference. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30752

TEXAS–Jack Graham diagnosed with prostate cancer. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30753

WASHINGTON–Obama signs tobacco regulation bill. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30754

LOUISIANA–FIRST-PERSON (Keith Manuel): Evangelism tools that go ‘vroom.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30755

Know

“IS IT REALLY possible for a person to KNOW the truth…?”

There are so many opinions about what the Bible teaches. “Is truth even attainable in the religious realm?”

These are common questions today. Consider a few observations from Scripture:
How can a person be expected to OBEY ( Hebrews 5:8-9) Christ if he is incapable of knowing what constitutes obedience to Christ?

How can a person be expected to ABIDE IN ( John 8:31) the word of Christ if he is unable to learn and know Christ’s teaching?

How can a person be expected to PROVE ( 1 Thessalonians 5:21; cf. 1 John 4:1) what the Bible says if the truth cannot be distinguished from error?

How can a person be expected to CONTEND ( Jude 3) earnestly for the truth if the truth is unattainable?

How can a person be expected to BEWARE ( Matthew 7:15; cf. 2 John 7) of false teachers if there is no discernible way of telling whether or not they are teaching error?

How can a person be expected to SPEAK ( Ephesians 4:15) the truth in love if he is unable to differentiate between truth and error?

Yes, we can know the truth. (Mike Benson at: http://www.forthright.net/)

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” ( John 8:32; cf. 2 Timothy 3:13-17).

Posted by Mike Benson

Thanks for praying today. You make a difference in many lives.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“This, then, is how you should pray:

‘Our Father in heaven:

May Your holy name be honored.'”

~Matthew 6:9 TEV~

Susie Eads’ mom got a wonderful report – scar tissue! Thank you for praying.

Pray for the mission team from FBC, Kentwood as they prepare to leave in the morning for Canada. May they be a witness in all they say and do. As you pray for them, pray for those they will come in contact with during their ten day trip.

Mt. Nebo Baptist Church started out their VBS week with 106 children. Pray children will learn about the Bible and come to know Jesus. VBS at New Zion last week was interrupted by funerals. Pray the children will still be impacted by what they saw and heard while there.

Baptist Press

June 22, 2009

KENTUCKY–Crossover draws 3,000 volunteers for 95 projects. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30730

KENTUCKY–Southern Baptist EC recommends ceasing relationship with church over homosexuality. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30729

KENTUCKY–Pastors called to God’s glory, love for others, discipleship. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30731

KENTUCKY–Evangelists look to Christ’s return. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30732

KENTUCKY–28 students turn to Christ. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30733

KENTUCKY–Gratitude voiced to Woman’s Missionary Union. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30734

KENTUCKY–New seminary history tells comeback story. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30735

KENTUCKY–Biography relays seminary president’s legacy. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30736

KENTUCKY–Classical ballet at Pastors’ Conference. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30737

KENTUCKY–BP blogging & Twittering from SBC meeting. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30728

TENNESSEE–‘Saddle Ridge Ranch’: 2010 VBS theme. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30738

VIRGINIA–Retirees’ 1,576 years in missions celebrated. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30739

ALABAMA–FIRST-PERSON (Rick Lance): Whatever happened to old-fashioned respect? http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30740

MISSOURI–Royals shy away from ‘everyone is welcome’ policy. http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=30727

Mrs. June Russell was a wonderful Christian, mother, grandmother, and friend. She will be missed by many. Pray for her family as they celebrate her life at the funeral service today.

Cost

A 7-YEAR-OLD GIRL named Jessica was playing outside of her house one day when a pit bulldog came up in her yard…

She went over to pet him and he attacked her–knocking her down and immediately clamping down on her throat. Hearing the commotion outside, her 2-year-old labrador retriever, Sam, came barging out of the house, threw his weight into the attacking dog and knocked it off of Jessica.

After a few days in the hospital, Jessica finally got to go home. When she walked into the house, she started calling for Sam…only he didn’t come. Her parents sat her down and told her how Sam had saved her life, but it cost him his own. (via Mark Burleson, Kensington Woods church of Christ)

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Posted by Mike Benson

Be careful of the heat today!

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“When we went under the water,

we left the old country of sin behind;

when we came up out of the water,

we entered into the new country of grace

—a new life in a new land!

That’s what baptism into the life of Jesus means.”

~Romans 6:3 MSG~

VBS attendance Monday = 201! I look forward to the baptisms we will have after this week.

Adam Carter got his first wasp sting yesterday – on his right eye. Pray this doesn’t give him any problem.

My mother’s bruising continues to swell, but the pain in her face is gone. She does have lingering pain in the rib area and numbness on the top of her head. Please continue to pray for her.

Jennie’s family made the move yesterday. They camped out in the new apartment last night. Pray the furniture arrives on schedule today.

Baptist Press

June 8, 2009

GEORGIA–Hunt responds to GCR critics, predicts SBC will approve task force. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30639

TENNESSEE–Prayer conferences call for intercession. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30640

TENNESSEE–Draper improving during hospitalization. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30641

MISSOURI–His vision: Family zone for ballpark in downtown St. Louis. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30642

ALABAMA–Ala. doubles strength of beer. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30643

MISSOURI–Lawyer upholds ‘Christmas’ on school calendars. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30644

LOUISIANA–FIRST-PERSON (Dennis Swanberg): Kurdish lamb and a rolling stone. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30645

Doodlebug

THE ANT LION is a little insect whose larva (also called a doodlebug) lives in regions of dry or sandy soil…

It digs a pit about 2 inches deep and waits for ants to fall in. It is equipped with a highly sensitive alarm system that picks up the slightest vibration. A single grain of sand falling into its hole can activate it. Anchor-like appendages under its body enable it to grip the soil as it struggles with its victim. Even more remarkable is its complex mouth that forms a kind of “drinking straw,” ideal for sucking fluids. When an ant is trapped, the ant lion injects it with paralyzing drug and then with digestive juices that allows it to feed on its prey.

The eminent French zoologist Pierre-Paul Grasse says that Darwin’s theory of natural selection can’t explain the “avalanche of…chance occurrences” necessary for such a creature to evolve. Grasse’s research keeps pointing toward a Creator, even though he himself remains an unbeliever.

“O LORD, how manifold are Your works!

In wisdom You have made them all.

The earth is full of Your possessions.”

~Psm. 104:24~

Posted by Mike Benson at March 16, 2006 1:25 PM

May you realize some of God’s blessing for you today! They will be there, but will the recognition be there?

Anna Lee