Category: Baptist Press

Saturday

“Call to Me, and I will answer you,

and show you great and mighty things,

which you do not know.”

~Jeremiah 33:3~


VBS begins Monday at FBC, Kentwood. Children who are four through those who just completed sixth grade are invited to attend. The time will be from 8:30-11:30 each morning. VBS shirts and music CDs ate available in the church office.

Sunday night there will be a singing at FBC, Kentwood. It will be outside on the street at 6 P.M.

Don Denton

Well we made it in finally about 8pm this eveing. It was a very long day. The doctors said by noon we would be leaving the hospital. Well by 3pm we left today.

We are so glad to be home. And John and Mary Ann drove up in our driveway as we were driving up this evening. They helped me unpack the car, which I am so grateful for.

I am so grateful to all of you who just continue to reach out to us. And again, Frank and Anne for taking us in one more time. You saved us again from so much that comes with being gone from home. God bless you in abundance for pouring yourselves out again to us. We are so grateful.

I am so very tired again. It has been a long 8 days. I too am thanking God for Don doing better. He longs to be here for good and to get better more than you can know.

And Joshua ran non stop once we got out of the car. He was celebrating being home again, seeing his toys and his bedroom. His buddy James came for a sleepover tonight. I could not say no. He has been such a trooper again this trip.

On the way out of the hospital today, Joshua road on the wheelchair wheeling Don out. He just needs to be near his daddy again.

It was a rough trip home for Don. But I know he will improve even more now that we are home.

Pray for us. I never thought we would be more than 8 months into this illness and I am having to ask for help again. I feel that this is all that I do these days is ask for help. You all have done so much for us. I don’t mean to be a broken record, but I need help with so much. I am so behind on so many things. I am needing some help with childcare and I am needing some help with the house.

Our fence is down in our backyard. I have someone who has offered to help with it. If some other men could help I would so appreciate it. I could organize a date if anyone could help with that.

Thank you again
Diane

Carl Buster Brown, Jr.
(August 10, 1926 – June 5, 2009)

Carl Buster Brown, Jr.

U.S. Veteran Died at 1:20 a.m. on Friday, June 5, 2009 at Golden Age Nursing Home in Denham Springs, LA. He was a native of Hammond, LA and a resident of Denham Springs, LA. Age 82 years. He is a retired electrician with IBEW and a U. S. Army Veteran of WWII. Graveside Services will be held at Hillsdale Cemetery, Hillsdale, LA at 2 p.m. on Monday. Survived by wife, Lula W.Brown, Denham Springs, and his loving family. Preceded in death by son, Tim Brown, mother, Ollie Johnson Brown, father, William Carl Brown, and sister, Bonnie Ogden. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

Baptist Press

June 5, 2009

TENNESSEE–Ministry brings special needs families ‘out of the woodwork.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30628

TENNESSEE–Draper admitted to hospital ICU. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30638

LOUISIANA–Special needs child points to God. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30629

OKLAHOMA–Best friends: The love of Jesus in a child’s eyes. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30630

TEXAS–WNBA rookie looks to ‘be a light’ for Christ. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30631

WASHINGTON–Senate panel OKs Hamilton on party-line vote. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30632

CALIFORNIA–Apology issued for Bible study threat. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30633

TENNESSEE–CULTURE DIGEST: Internet gambling ban could be overturned. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30634

CALIFORNIA–Planned Parenthood asks Calif. funds be restored. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30635

THE NETHERLANDS–Dutch euthanasia requests increase. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30636

LOUISIANA–FIRST-PERSON (Kelly Boggs): Penumbras and emanations. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30637

KOMpray

Kids on Mission Pray

http://www.imb.org/main/pray/page.asp?StoryID=6686&LanguageID=1709


Have a great day as you prepare for the Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“Let your eyes look forward;

fix your gaze straight ahead.

Carefully consider the path for your feet,

and all your ways will be established.”

~Proverbs 4:25-26, HCSB~

Don Denton

Don is now on the neurology floor. His status has not changed. He is stable, but he is not able to eat nor sit up. His headaches are a constant. There is a possibility that these headaches could be partly from what they call: low pressure on the brain. This can occur from the lumbar drain. They did take the lumbar drain out yesterday.

We did not meet with the neuro team today. They have assured us that they will meet with us tomorrow.

They did another CT Scan last night and they will be doing another MRI in the morning.

Tonight my goal is to get to bed earlier. We have another long day tomorrow.

We continue to give thanks to God for Anne and Frank who have so generously and graciously opened their home to us again.

I am reminded in the midst of all of this difficulty in our life that God tells us to believe like a child. I was reminded of that tonight when my son, Frank and his grandaughter were outside and Josh saw lightening bugs. His eyes lit up and the wonder and awe that flowed from his expressions were a breath of fresh air to me. For those moments I was able to take delight in his delight and enjoy the moment. He caught them, put them in jar and they were his “nightlight” for a few moments tonight.

I have talked often of “perspective” when I write. Tonight was another one of those times that God has reminded me that He delights in us. He loves us in the midst of this terrible thing that has happened to our family, to my husband. He loves us through his people.

So thank you God for your wonder, for your love and your grace and mercy, which we so need. Thank you God for those who reach out to my son, Don and me.

Bless you
Diane

Baptist Press

June 2, 2009

WASHINGTON–Evangelicals frustrated by Obama’s ‘Gay Pride Month’ proclamation. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30597

KENYA–Aid targets famine in Kenya’s Rift Valley. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30598

TEXAS–CP helps ‘reap more than you sow.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30599

TENNESSEE–CP down 2.78%; off ’09 budget by 1.85%. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30600

ALABAMA–FIRST-PERSON (Chris Bonts): Thank you, Southern Baptists. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30601

TENNESSEE–FIRST-PERSON (Kenneth S. Hemphill): Once upon a time.
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30605

ARKANSAS–Ouachita marks 10th anniv. of tragic plane crash. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30602

KENTUCKY–FIRST-PERSON (R. Albert Mohler Jr.): A test for the pro-life movement. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30603

TEXAS–FIRST-PERSON (John M. Yeats): Multi-site? Please press pause. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30604

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor
A FELLOW GOSPEL preacher relates the following story…
“The first year of our marriage was spent on a farm. My wife, though reared on a farm, always allowed her parents to take care of killing as well as preparing frying chickens for the dinner table. Her father would put a chicken over a block and chop its head off. While I, on the other hand, was accustomed to catching a chicken and wringing it neck. After we had been married a while, we had some chickens ready for eating. I picked up a nice plump fryer, handed it to my wife, and told her to wring its neck. (After all, to be a good farm wife, she would need to learn these things.) She took the chicken by the neck and began spinning him around and around. She then dropped him on the ground, where he lay stunned and confused for a moment. Suddenly, the chicken hopped up on his legs and ran out of sight. After 45 years of marriage, the two of us still laugh when we remember that incident!”
If we’re not careful, we can treat sin like this preacher’s wife treated that chicken many years ago. She didn’t kill it; she only disturbed it and ruffled its feathers a bit. The Bible tells us that we must mortify (e.g., put to death) the sin that is in our lives.
If you want fried chicken, somebody must kill the chicken. Likewise, if you want to go to heaven, you must put to death the sin in your life. (Mike Benson)
“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth:
fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire,
and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Because of these things the wrath of God is coming
upon the sons of disobedience.”
~Colossians 3:5-6~
Make today count!
Anna Lee

Friday

“Lord, when doubts fill my mind,

when my heart is in turmoil,

quiet me and give me renewed hope and cheer”

~Psalm 94:19 LB~


Vacation Bible School will be from 8:30-11:30 June 8-12 at First Baptist Church, Kentwood. Pray now for the children who will attend. Share the time and dates with others who might be interested in attending.


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

Eraser of sin
One day, a man called Mr. B got very sick. He is one of the Moko* (MOH-koh) people of the Pacific Rim. When a Christian worker learned that Mr. B was sick, he went to visit him. The family was friendly and invited the worker into their home, but they were not very interested in hearing about Jesus.

The worker shared stories from the Bible when Jesus healed the sick. Then he encouraged Mr. B to “Call out to Jesus for healing.” Mr. B continued to resist, but he didn’t get better either. Finally one night, Mr. B asked God to help him in Jesus’ name. The next day, Mr. B was sitting up, eating, and feeling a lot better. Mr. B told the worker, “A doctor visited me last night—it was Jesus.”

Mr. B is now reading the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) and telling his friends and family the stories. Mr. B calls Jesus the “eraser of sin.”

It isn’t acceptable to be a Christian on Moko Island, and there are no known Moko believers. Mr. B and his family are learning a lot about Jesus but haven’t decided to accept Him as Savior—YET! Please pray for them to let Jesus be their healer, eraser of sin, and Savior. Pray that they will be some of the very first Moko believers.

*people group name changed


MORE PRAYER REQUESTS FROM MISSIONARY KIDS

Pray for Papa, Gramma, and my cousins. God help them not to be sad while we live in Central Asia. JACK, age 6 (Central Asia)

My culture is normal like a typical Americans culture. Please pray for the youth of South Africa. SARAH BETH, age 13 (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

My best friend from school is hindu please pray for her to believe in God so she can get saved.

Every Sunday we go out to a Zulu Baptist church. The roads are very dangerous and we have had several hi-jackings targeted on us. Where we live is very dangerous. Please pray for our safety when we go out to town and go to tell the Zulu people about God. Please pray for the Zulu people to come to Christ. MARIAH, age 14 (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

My prayer is for people who don’t know Jesus to know Him. Help us to be safe traveling. Amen. HP, age 10 (East Asia)

Please pray for me and my friend. I don’t really have any Christian friends. KATIE, age 13 (Northern Africa and the Middle East)

I have two best friends in my preschool class. Three times a week, I ride on my mommy’s bike to go to school. My two best friends sometimes come with their moms to visit us or we play at a playground together. My mom talks to their moms and we all eat yummy treats. Now, one of my best friends is 4. He is moving to another class. I will miss him very much. Pray we can still play together and that I can tell him that Jesus loves him too. Pray that I can continue to make good friends in my second language. Jesse, age 3 (Western Europe)

Catherine D. Conerly
(August 7, 1918 – May 28, 2009)

Mrs. Catherine D. Conerly was born August 7, 1918 and passed away at 9:15 p.m., Thursday, May 28, 2009 at the St. Helena Parish Nursing Home, Greensburg.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time.

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

Baptist Press

May 28, 2009

GEORGIA–Ga. to become 1st state with embryo adoption law. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30568

OKLAHOMA–Sex-selection, cloning bans enacted in Oklahoma. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30569

WASHINGTON–Assisted suicide claims 1st victim in Washington. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30570

ILLINOIS–‘Inland hurricane’ gets D.R. from 10 states. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30571

TENNESSEE–SBC seminaries send forth graduates. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30572

MISSOURI–Family of 4 graduates together. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30573

MISSISSIPPI–19 inmates earn degrees at Parchman. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30574

TENNESSEE–FIRST-PERSON (Richard Land): Justice Sotomayor: more for some, less for others? http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30575

VIRGINIA–WORLDVIEW (Erich Bridges): A world without newspapers? http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30576

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor
A SAN DIEGO minister and his wife claim they were interrogated by a county official and warned they will face escalating fines if they continue to hold Bible studies in their home…
The couple, whose names are being withheld until a demand letter can be filed on their behalf, told their attorney a county government employee knocked on their door asking a litany of questions about their Tuesday night Bible studies, which are attended by approximately 15 people. “Do you have a regular weekly meeting in your home? Do you sing? Do you say ‘amen?” The minister’s wife answered yes. She says she was then told that she must stop holding “religious assemblies” until she and her husband obtain a Major Use Permit from the county, a permit that often involves traffic and environmental studies, compliance with parking and sidewalk regulations and costs that top tens of thousands of dollars. And if they fail to pay for the MUP, the county official warned the couple will be charged escalating fines beginning at $100, then $200, $500, $1000 “and then it will get ugly.”
Dean Broyles of the Western Center for Law & Policy which has been retained to represent the couple, said the county’s actions not only violates religious land-use laws but also assaults both the First Amendment’s freedom of assembly and freedom of religion. “The First Amendment, in part, reads, ‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise therefore,'” Broyles said. “And that’s the key part: ‘prohibiting the free exercise.’ We believe this is a substantial government burden on the free exercise of religion.” He continued, “If one’s home is one’s castle, certainly you would think the free exercise of religion, of all places, could occur in the home.”
Broyles confirmed the county official followed through on his threat. He also said that the minister and his wife are continuing to hold Bible studies in their home.
“And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:18-20


Make today special for someone! They will be blessed. You will be blessed even more!

Anna Lee

Sunday

As we think about the Annie Armstrong Offering for North American Missions, the mission trip for our church members to Canada, and the lost people in North America who need to be told about Jesus, I think this verse is very appropriate.

“Finally, brethren, pray for us,

that the word of the Lord may run swiftly

and be glorified,

just as it is with you.”

~2 Thessalonians 3:1~

Dukes

Blowin Kisses

Yesterday about lunch jason dad and I went to see mom. She was very bright and responsive. She moved all extremities some and her usual nodding her head and smiling. The speech therapist came in just after we arrived and she worked with mom some. Dr. Kelley (Ms) and Ms Vanee were with mom and she was actually already getting some speech therapy. Thanks Ms Rhonda you still have it and she has been practicing some this weekend. Thanks also while I am talking to you for thinking of my family’s food needs this weekend. A thanks to Ms Jane Hunter also. (PS Ms Hunter makes the best pork tenderloin and chicken and sausage gumbo on the planet). Anyway my taste buds digress. Ms Kelly taught me some things mom could practice on. The speech therapist had been with mom earlier that day for a swallowing study and she did ok with thick and solid not real well with liquids especially thin liquids. The therapist will feed her on monday. Yeah more progression. She has had a great weekend I asked her to pucker up and blow dad a kiss and she did. It was great she wouldnot do the triple kiss pucker but it will come. She is for sure positively progressing please keep PRAYING!! Erin and I went back last night to tuck her in and she was again smiles and brightness she enjoyed Erin’s chatter and we had a great visit. She got to see Joshua and James Christofer this am. We went early and she was very bright she responded to them and they were pretty unfazed by her condition. They just saw “Grandma”. They told her they loved her and she responded with a smile. We then took them to the zoo and then pop, Erin and I came back to see her this evening and she was again doing great but tired. Erin told her about dad walking over a half mile today in the student center after our trip to the zoo with the boys, and she rolled her eyes! She is in there people! Her personality is intact. Oh yeah we had voodoo barbaque for lunch. The brisket is great but the corn pudding is divine!! It is on St Charles and if you are here you have to try the corn pudding. Anyway, my taste buds again, Mom is progressing. The Infection Np today stated that her blood was clear but she has Pseudomonas in her lungs but it is sensitive to Levaquin which she has been on for a few weeks. She is running a low grade fever so he will check blood cultures. Please pray for her to have peace and hope and strength as God, the one true God, heals her body and mind and restores her to us. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Pray that they will continue to care for her as well as they have the last few days. Pray that we can move her as soon as possible to a better facility.

Dad is doing great he as I said before he walked over a half mile today and would have walked more but did not want to push it. This morning when I went to get him up and ready he had bathed, had breakfast and was dressed waiting on me. He had already done his home exercise program from therapy. He is doing well and will start rehab week after next. Please pray for his patience and peace for him as this painful process plays out, especially with mom. He has started to work and will teach an internet class if it fills in a few weeks. Jason and I have enjoyed this time with our father tremendously. He is so full of wisdom and generous grace.

Thank all of you for your kindness to us. Thanks to Sandi Byrd for keeping our boys this weekend twice so Erin could go with dad and me to see mom. Thanks for the random starbuck’s cards and other food cards. Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers even people we have never met who stop us in the mall or pull over and get out of the car and introduce themselves to just say they are praying for mom an dad. The church being the church is how we were intended to live. I am challenged to slow down be controlled and be the church in every way I can. Thanks for the challenge and keep it up.



Dentons

Well as you can see I am up very late. Just a quick update. Joshua and I have been at the ER at Cox South from about 8pm this evening till 2am this morning when we all arrived back home.

Don has been more unstable with his walking since he got back from Barnes. And this afternoon Don fell and hit his head on the nightstand.

After talking with a Barnes doctor we took Don down to Cox South for CAT Scan. Don is OK.

We firmly believe that one of Don’s new meds is causing this kind of reaction. We will talk with his neurologist on Monday to see about getting off of this med or changing it.

So, all three of us are exhausted. I am going to bed.

Please pray for Don that we can get this resolved, which I believe we will be able to.

We were so hoping to be in church tomorrow for the first time in a long time. I have so needed to be there. We are going to miss being there again.

We are so thankful that the fall did not injure Don. And hopefully come Monday we will be able to do something about this medication.

I will post soon.
Diane



Baptist Press

May 22, 2009

IRAQ–Chaplain conveys hope in the face of tragedy. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30545

MISSISSIPPI–Trustees affirm NAMB’s ‘crucial’ role in SBC. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30546

COLORADO–101 new missionaries appointed in Denver. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30547

TENNESSEE–Baptist Press, SBC media receive awards. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30548

TENNESSEE–Study called slanted regarding pro-homosexual mainline clergy. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30549

TENNESSEE–MARRIAGE DIGEST: Same-sex laws jeopardize religious freedom, experts say; … http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30550

TEXAS–School district upholds Bible distribution. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30551

TENNESSEE–FIRST-PERSON (Sara Horn): Remember the sacrifices you don’t always see. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30552

LOUISIANA–FIRST-PERSON (Kelly Boggs): Signs of hope. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30553




LOVING SOMEONE YOU CAN’T STAND

Doctor: “I see you’re over a month late for your appointment. Don’t you know that nervous disorders require prompt and regular attention? What’s your excuse?”

Patient: “I was just following your orders, Doc.”

Doctor: “Following my orders? What are you talking about? I gave you no such order.”

Patient: “You told me to avoid people who irritate me.”

Unfortunately, we don’t always have the option of avoiding people who irritate, people who hurt us, people who offend us. In fact, sometimes those who irritate us the most are found right in our home (or in our church building). So how should we deal with them?

Milton Jones has written a wonderful book entitled “How to Love Someone You Can’t Stand” which I highly recommend (you can find it at Amazon.com). In this book, Jones lists six godly principles which are derived from Romans 12:

(1) Manage Your mouth — Bless and don’t curse (Rom. 12:14)

(2) Put yourself in the other person’s place and try to understand their feelings, thoughts and position (Rom. 12:15)

(3) Never, never, never take revenge (Rom. 12:17)

(4) Plan ahead to do something beautiful (Rom. 12:17)

(5) Don’t just win the war, win the peace (Rom. 12:18)

(6) Make room for God (Rom. 12:19)

The bottom line is that we do not overcome evil with evil by retaliating and seeking to “get even”. The only way to overcome evil is with good (Rom. 12:21). It is never easy to respond to those who do us wrong in a way that is godly, but it is only by following the example of Jesus Christ that we can truly have an influence on the world around us.

“But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps…” (I Peter 2:19-20)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Pray for holiday travelers and holiday activities.

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.

For we brought nothing into the world,

and we can take nothing out of it.”

~1 Timothy 6:6-7 NIV~

Baptist Press
May 19, 2009

WASHINGTON–‘Call 2 Fall’ issued for July 5. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30520

OKLAHOMA–Okla., Minn. take stand against cloning. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30521

TENNESSEE–Unhealthy SBC needed ‘shock’ of GCR declaration, Hunt says. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30522

GEORGIA–Church care plan for chaplains unveiled. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30523

TENNESSEE–RESOURCE: Multi-site churches entail challenges, rewards. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30524

KENTUCKY–FIRST-PERSON (Stephen Douglas Wilson): Southern Baptists need methodological diversity. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30525

Mrs. Iris Wood Conerly
(August 24, 1915 – September 19, 2009)

Mrs. Iris Wood Conerly was born August 24, 1915 and passed away at 6:35 p.m., Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. Mrs. Iris was 93, a native & resident of Amite her entire life. She was a member of the First Southern Methodist Church in Amite and also was retired from the Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court Office after 35 years and 11 months service.

Mrs. Iris is survived by her son, Marc Conerly, and wife Nancy, of Amite.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55n & Hwy 16W behind Grand Prix Car Wash & Bond Eye Clinic.

KneEmail

Affluenza

greatphysiciana2.jpgTHE 1918 INFLUENZA epidemic was the most destructive in history…

It is estimated that more than 20 million people world-wide perished of the flu in a few months and more than 50 times as many were sick. In the US, 548,000 died. In India, 12,500,000 people or 4% of the entire population are said to have died.

Medical research and technology now routinely protects us against diseases that wiped out entire families, neighborhoods, and even cities. But another epidemic is taking a tremendous toll on our families. It is not influenza; it is affluenza.

Its symptoms include:
. A reaching for more and more, in spite of what we have.
. An insatiable drive to be successful.
. A chronic lack of contentment.
. A consistent choosing of career over family relationships.
. An overscheduled, overloaded life that leaves no room for significant time with spouse, children and true devotion to God. (Steve and Mary Farrar)

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” 1 Timothy 6:7

Posted by Mike Benson

Don’t forget the fish lunch cooked by Buie tomorrow at FBC, Kentwood. Call the church office for tickets. The cost is $7.00 with the profits going to support a mission trip to Canada this summer. Pray for those who will be ministering and those who will be ministered to.

Have a great day!

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“You can be sure that God

will take care of everything you need,

His generosity exceeding even yours

in the glory that pours from Jesus.”

~Philippians 4:19 MSG~


Mr. Walter Green Harper continues to progress since his heart surgery last week. Plans are being made for rehab when he is ready. The family is hoping he will be in Hammond for that. Continue to pray for Mr. Walter Green and “Miss” Maxine.


Ellen Trappey is taking a group for a former college where she was on staff to Equador. Pray for them as they travel.


Don Denton

Good morning! Sorry for the delay on update with Don. Once we arrived home from St. Louis, I went into “warp” speed mode to get the house ready and the party ready for birthday.

It was an exciting event for us. We had ballons everywhere and Joshua had one of his buddy’s over during the day. The time came for the party and we ended up having about 37 people arrive for the party. It was a celebration in many ways I should say. A celebration most important of Joshua’s birth. And then to see the faces of dear friends was the icing on the cake for me.


We are working toward getting back into routine again. It takes time to finally get unpacked and situated again. Don is very tired as expected. He is very weak with being in the hospital for the length of time that he was.

I hope to get him back into rehab again. His meds are not working to the level that we hope they will. It will take another week or two before that happens. Please pray that these meds will help Don with his dizziness.

I am working at getting more sleep these days. I have allot going on with getting back into routine, working and keeping everything running so to speak.

It is beautiful here. I love Spring and the weather just does something to me. I love it.

We have several doctor appointments this week. Pray that Don will be able to get back into rehab soon.

I will post soon.
Diane

Baptist Press
May 18, 2009

PAKISTAN–Pakistan fighting drives 1 million from homes. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30512

TENNESSEE–Video details torture Chinese Christian endured. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30513

WASHINGTON–Pro-lifers: Obama policies deny ‘common ground.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30514

MISSOURI–Q&A: Huckabee urges pro-life efforts. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30515

ALABAMA–Job Corps training changes lives. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30516

GEORGIA–Baptist Men, RA numbers jump 6 percent in 2008. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30517

TENNESSEE–Disaster relief pioneer Archie King dies. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30518

KENTUCKY–FIRST PERSON (R. Albert Mohler Jr.): Should Christians ‘respect’ other religions? http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30519

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10).
Mike Benson, Editor
NOTHING IS WORSE than the memory of a mistake…
It is like a haunting specter, hovering over your shoulder, constantly whispering one word in your ear: “Shame.” You find it hard to laugh, to hope, to dream. You know what you did. You know the pain you have caused. You cannot believe what you have allowed yourself to become.
Well, God has promised to set us free from our past and allow us to say, “I am JUST-IF-I’D NEVER SINNED!” Read Romans 3 and 4 and focus on this blessing and the two essentials that make it possible. (Dan Winkler)
“But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed,
being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
even the righteousness of God,
through faith in Jesus Christ,
to all and on all who believe.
For there is no difference;
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
being justified freely by His grace
hrough the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood,
through faith,
to demonstrate His righteousness,
because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins
that were previously committed,
to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness,
that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Where is boasting then?
It is excluded. By what law? Of works?
No, but by the law of faith.
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith
apart from the deeds of the law.
Or is He the God of the Jews only?
Is He not also the God of the Gentiles?
Yes, of the Gentiles also, since there is one God
who will justify the circumcised by faith
and the uncircumcised through faith.
Do we then make void the law through faith?
Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.”
~Romans 3:21-31~
Continue to pray for Mrs. Catherine Kuss and her family. Some of them will be traveling today.
Anna Lee

Thursday

“‘Teacher,’ he asked,

‘Which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’

Jesus answered, ”Love the Lord your God with all your heart,

with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

This is the greatest and the most important commandment.

The second most important commandment is like it: ‘

Love your neighbor as you love yourself.””

~Matthew 22:36-39 TEV~



It’s graduation time! Pray for the graduates as important decisions are made in their lives.


Mr. Walter Green Harper had heart surgery yesterday in Lacombe. Pray for him as he recovers and his family as they stay by his side.






Don Denton

Good news! Don will get to go home on Thursday. We have a good rapore with our neurologist. She really is doing everything to help Don. I like her ability to see the big picture for us.

So, Joshua and I will go home earlier and open up the house.

And we will settle in and start to celebrate Don coming home and then of course Joshua’s birthday.

Don home on Thursday and Joshua’s birthday Friday. Joshua’s party will actually be on Saturday. That is cutting it a little close don’t you think. Hey, it is what we prayed for that Don would be able to be home for this.

It means so much to Don to be home for this. WE have allot going on with doctor appointments next week. We are excited that this new drug may work. We will know within the next three weeks.

I will update soon.

Diane




Jimmy and Retia Dukes

It’s amazing what you celebrate when expectations transform into expectancy. It’s true in every relationship and every situation. I admit, that thought is not original to me. The author of The Shack communicated it during one of the conversations between Sarayu and Mack. The relational and circumstantial implications are significant, especially with regard to a very driven man, driving a walker, with a drive to walk again.

Expectancy to see Dad walking again leads to celebration, even when he walks only 286 feet. Expectation to walk two miles would allow someone to be disappointed with a fraction of a mile. Much like our normally inflated, selfish expectations of God and our spouses and friends and our circumstances. But oh to celebrate instead of being disappointed. To approach each relationship and circumstance with selflessness and expectancy. Expectant of what might happen in the next session. On the next date. As a result of the next resolved argument. When the next difficulty comes.

286 feet matter a lot more when there’s expectancy rather than expectation.

That’s how far Dad walked with his walker Monday afternoon. As Caleb declared that evening, “That’s a record, Pop!!!” And it was.

Dad only had one PT session yesterday (Tuesday). Caleb and Dad and I were picked up at 12:30 by the wheelchair van and taken to a Neurology appointment for Dad’s neck. Caleb really enjoyed the van ride, especially when it stopped, and he got to ride on the wheelchair ramp with Pop. When we got delivered back to Dad’s facility, the driver even let Caleb control the ramp with the push-buttons. Pretty cool.

The news delivered by neurology was not exactly what Dad was wanting to hear. One more month in the neck collar. Erik told me why last night. Dad’s records were sent to Erik’s clinic, and he got to look at the CT of Dad’s neck from when Dad was at University. Not good. Pretty much fractured the column in his neck. Like “why wasn’t Dad in a coma or battling paralysis” kind of fracture. For real. Erik wasn’t surprised they said one more month. I saw the XRay yesterday, and it made a lot of sense.

Speaking of XRays, they wanted him to do more of his neck while we were there, too. They will compare them with the ones later when he comes back for the follow-up.

We got back to his facility, and we found out they are expecting to discharge Dad Monday. We were a bit disappointed to hear that. See what expectation does to you. But, we are working on either changing that or making an alternate plan. We are working hard on getting Mom transferred to Orlando. Dad would obviously transfer, as well. We’ll see what the timing of all that is.

Speaking of Mom, she had a really busy day Tuesday. They used a lifting mechanism to safely lift her out of bed and into a special, reclining wheelchair. They wheeled her down to the PT room to enjoy the view and do some exercises. They asked her to do some leg kicks while sitting in the wheelchair. SHE DID TWO SETS OF FIVE!!! The therapists said she did really well. She started sweating a lot, and the nurse asked them to return her to bed. Mom didn’t want to, but she didn’t have much choice. She can’t put up a fight right yet. She doesn’t like to sweat anyway.

She is wearing the Passy Muir Valve full-time now. It partially redirects the air back up through her vocal cords, helping her to get ready to do that all the time. They put the order in for speech therapy, too. I will let you know how that goes. She still hasn’t “said” anything to us. She has been mouthing things, but not “saying” stuff.

She was super tired last night, asleep when we stopped by.

This morning, we got there early enough to see both her ortho doctor and her internal medicine doctor there at the hospital. The ortho doctor told Caleb and me that they would take off her arm cast today. He said she would wear a splint for a little while. The internal med doctor said she is getting better and better, small progressions, but better nonetheless. He is hopeful and wants neurology to give us an idea of the timeline for putting Mom’s skull piece back on her head. He agreed that she would transfer much more safely with it on than without it on. We will let you know.

The infectious disease doctor came by, too. He told me that Mom has an infection in her blood, her urine, and the stuff she is coughing up. Not cool. He did say, though, it is not MRSA. It is something like it, but not as bad – coagulate negative staph. Still sounds negative to me. I’d like to beat it with a staff, and whatever germ caused it. He assured me that the two drugs they are using to treat it should be effective.

The wound care specialist informed me that Mom’s bedsore on her head is getting better. They are not sure hair will grow there ever again. It is about 3 inches by 3 inches on the lower left backside of her head. I am thankful it is getting better. I would rather better with no hair than out-of-control infection.

The news on the bedsore on her bottom is not good. It is deep enough now to expose the bone. It has been excavated (not something you want done on your body, unless you are in Israel), and the wound care specialist began a vacuum treatment on it this morning. Supposed to be the utmost of care – the best thing they can do. She described the bedsore as stage 4. I was hoping that was 4 out of 444. It wasn’t. 4 out of 4. “Very serious,” she stated. Please pray that the vacuum treatment will promote rapid healing. She believes it will. We have been very impressed with the wound care specialist. She has taken great care of Mom.

Please pray for the technicians to be faithful to turn Mom at least every two hours as they have been instructed to. The wound care specialist does not believe they have been. Erik and I do not believe so, either. We have all called it to the staff’s attention. Please pray for the techs and nurses to make it a priority.

We have connected the case worker from Mom’s hospital with the brain center in Orlando, as well as with a MedFlight group. We may not go with that group, because a friend may have another group willing to help us. We are looking into it. It’s great that the case workers are in dialogue, though. It is the next step. Pray for them to have wisdom as they review all the files. Mom’s chart is now very large, so it will take some time for them to give us their answer. We are praying for favor for sure!

Mom and Dad both now have 7 inch digital frames in their rooms. We loaded 71 images of all eight grandkids and our families for them to enjoy five seconds at a time. They both seem to really appreciate it. It is fun to watch them scroll through. Lots of memories.

Caleb and I enjoyed the baseball game last night. The Zephyrs lost 9 to 7 to the Tacoma Rainiers. I am figuring they are from Washington state, or from some place here in Louisiana on the bayou that rains a lot. One of those. Great game, though. Caleb even got to meet Boudreaux, the Zephyrs mascot. And, the catcher threw him a ball coming back into the dugout at the end of a half-inning. He was super excited!

You can view two pictures of Caleb at the game along with several pictures of Dad in therapy on my blog. Click here to see them.

Thanks for your continued prayers and letters and facebook messages and twitters and emails and so much more. We really, really appreciate your love and support.

I will post at you later.
-jason




Edna Strickland Hughes
(January 4, 1920 – May 13, 2009)

Edna Strickland Hughes

Died on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at her home during her sleep. She was a native of Pike County, MS and a resident of Greensburg, LA. Age 89 years. She was a homemaker and was active in genealogy. She loved her family and found “relatives” at every turn.

Visitation will be at Bluff Springs Baptist Church from 10 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 15, 2009. Interment Bluff Springs Baptist Church Cemetery, Magnolia, MS.

She is survived by her son and granddaughter. She was preceded in death by her husband, J. C. Hughes.



Eugene N. Strong
(December 15, 1919 – May 12, 2009)

U.S. Veteran Died at 1:55 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at St. Helena Parish Hospital in Greensburg. He was a native of Roseland and a resident of Hillsdale. Age 89 years. He was a U. S. Navy Veteran of World War II and a member of Kedron Baptist Church. Visitation at Kedron Baptist Church, Amite, from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Thursday. Services conducted by Rev. David Cutrer. Interment Kedron Cemetery, Amite. He is survived by his 2 daughters, Ann Holcombe Brooks and husband, John, Jackson, Sonya Newcomb, Greensburg; 2 sons, Ronald Strong and wife, Faye, Albany and Michael Strong and wife, Penny, Amite; sister, Carrie Desplas, Metairie; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mable Sharkey Strong; daughter, Pam Easley; 2 infant sons, Claude Earl Strong and David Emmitt Strong; 2 grandsons, Scott Holcombe and Timothy Easley; parents, James Nelson Strong and Carrie Jackson Strong; brother, John H. Strong; 2 sisters, Laura S. Durnin and Margaret S. Marquette.



Baptist Press
May 13, 2009

WASHINGTON–White House responds to abstinence uproar. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30483

WASHINGTON–In personal letter, Obama says he wants to overturn ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30484

GEORGIA–God ‘responded’ for Rick Gage crusade. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30485

MISSOURI–Lay Renewal Weekends lift churches to higher level. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30486

TENNESSEE–RESOURCE: Couple recounts parenting ‘adventure.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30487

KANSAS–FIRST-PERSON (Phil Boatwright): A solution to block TV profanity? http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30488




===== Wednesday’s Thought For The Day (May 13, 2009) =====

SEEKING THE LOST

A golfer, playing a round by himself, is about to tee off, and a greasy little salesman runs up to him, and yells, “Wait! Before you tee off, I have something really amazing to show you!”

The golfer, annoyed, says, “What is it?”

“It’s a special golf ball,” says the salesman. “You can never lose it!”

“Whattaya mean,” scoffs the golfer, “you can never lose it? What if you hit it into the water?”

“No problem,” says the salesman. “It floats, and it detects where the shore is, and spins towards it.”

“Well, what if you hit it into the woods?”

“Easy,” says the salesman. “It emits a beeping sound, and you can find it with your eyes closed.”

“Okay,” says the golfer, impressed. “But what if your round goes late and it gets dark?”

“No problem, sir, this golf ball glows in the dark! I’m telling you, you can never lose this golf ball!”

The golfer buys it at once. “Just one question,” he says to the salesman. “Where did you get it?”

“I found it!”

Maybe someday someone will invent a golf ball that can never be lost, but until then we will all have to deal with losing things — golf balls, car keys, glasses, etc. We also have to deal with a lost humanity. I find it interesting that the one term Jesus used most often to describe those who are outside of Christ is the word “lost”.

In Luke 15, Jesus elaborated on this idea by telling three parables — the parable of the lost sheep, the parable of the lost coin, and the parable of the lost (prodigal) son. The point has often been made that those three parables demonstrate three different ways of being lost — through unintentional wandering (the sheep), through the negligence of someone else (the coin), or through willful disobedience (the son).

However, the point of those three parables is not so much about our lostness as they are about the fact that our God is willing to search for us and bring us back into a relationship with Him. If we will truly see the world around us as “lost”, it will change our perspective as well. Think about the last time you knew of a child that was missing. When a child is lost, we don’t ask what race the child is. It doesn’t matter — the child is lost! We don’t ask the child’s economic status. It doesn’t matter — the child is lost! We don’t ask what the child may or may not have done wrong. It doesn’t matter — the child is lost! All that matters is that we find that child and bring him/her home safely.

Seeing a world around us as “lost” will change the way we see them. The scribes and Pharisees looked at the tax collectors and sinners and saw terrible, ugly people. Jesus saw people who were lost. All that mattered to him was that he bring them home safely.

“For the Son of man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)

Father, thank you for diligently searching for me and for bringing me home to you. Fill me with your love so that I may care enough to seek out those around me who are lost. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina




“I once was lost, but now I’m found; was blind, but now I see!”
Anna Lee

Wednesday

“Now may the God of hope fill you

with all joy and peace in believing,

that you may abound in hope

by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

~Romans 15:13, NKJV~

Sarabeth Simpson’s surgery went well yesterday. She was home and resting yesterday afternoon. Marty and Gretchen thank you for your prayers and your concern.



Noah Williams and mom are home and doing well. Pray for Jacob and Kelsey as they make the adjustment to being parents.


Dakota Brooke continues to improve at home. Please remember the family in your prayers as this premie grows.


Don Denton

Well, we were hoping to be home by today. Now it looks like Thursday or Friday they will release Don. We won’t know until tomorrow.

Don is eating better. He looks better. I found out that the tests they are doing now are more for use as marker for future tests. Don’s heart MRI was for that reason because he is currently on a medication that can affect the heart.

The doctors are very cautious and we like that. We are hopeful that these new medications will have good results. Don’s neurologist is very good. She feels good about getting Don to a place where he can function at life again.

She said it may take some tweaking with medications, but she is really positive and hopeful.

As we are winding down our stay here in St. Louis, I find myself reflecting back on our Mayo experience meaning the boarding house for Joshua and I. And our experience here in St. Louis. Tomorrow will be 18 days here.

This experience for Joshua has been a “place of healing for us”. It was painful as a mother to watch our son go through so much regarding seperation, strangers, and a place that did not feel safe to him at that boarding house in Rochester. The good things that came out of that experience was our new found friendships that we will have forever. And of course Mayo was good for us too.

There are times during this long journey with Don’s illness that I have felt that God has left us. I have struggled with the suffering I have seen Josh and Don go through along with my own. AS you know there have been days that I did not know how I was going to make another day.

God has spoken to us loud and clear this 18 day hospital stay.

God has poured out his love on Joshua, Don and I saying to us..”I delight in you my child”.

That is the strong message we have received from Anne and Frank. This precious family has ministered to us in so many ways. I have said I am thankful for the roof over our head and a peaceful place to stay, but so much more than this, the friendship that has blossomed is dear to me. And I again, find myself a changed person. I have learned so much from Anne and Frank about God’s unconditional love. They have poured themselves into our lives in ways that has changed us.

I can see in Joshua an acceptance and understanding of God’s love that he did not know before. This home and family has been a “safe” place for Joshua. Yesterday he said to me on the way to the hospital….”mom I believe in God”.

This family has been a vessel of love to us. They have been an oasis in the desert. They will tell you that this is truly God and not them.

So I am compelled to share with you all how God has blessed us in the midst of some of our most difficult days with Don’s illness. It has been a very rough and scarey part of Don’s illness for us. In the midst of all of this we have been ministered to and loved in a way that only God could have known what we needed.

We will be coming home tired again. We are ready to sleep in our own beds again, and resume life again. But this time coming home, our spirits are lifted. Our hearts are full. We have been loved in a way that has given us strength that we need to continue on the journey with Don’s recovery.

I hope one day that I can be to a family what Anne and Frank have been to us. Wow! How exciting to see our God work. We are so grateful to God for each one of you! I am so grateful to God that you all have reached out to us in such a tangible way. And you need to know that each one of you are part of what God is doing in my life.

Bless you our family and friends for who you are.
Diane

Baptist Press

May 12, 2009

CALIFORNIA–Trump lets Miss. Calif. Keep crown, says media ‘should be ashamed.’ http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30476

GEORGIA–‘Great Commission Resurgence’ fueled by relationship, Blackaby says. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30477

ILLINOIS–Chicago’s diversity is his mission field. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30478

KENTUCKY–Ky. leader to be 1st VP nominee. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30480

TEXAS–EDUCATION BRIEFS: Dallas Baptist Univ., Anderson Univ. and Okla. Baptist Univ. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30481

TENNESSEE–FIRST-PERSON (Jason Cruise): The church’s message for men. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30482

KneEmail

By Mike Benson

Price

WHEN I WAS a boy, I had a bike that I had grown tired of…

There wasn’t anything wrong with it, I just wanted something better…a 10-speed. So I took my fire-engine red, Huffy bicycle, with a white banana seat, and slick back tire to my friend’s house and asked him if he wanted to buy it. He said, “Sure, I’ll give you $5.00 for it.” The bike was worth 10 times that, but I took it. Needless to say, after my parents discovered what I had done, I realized the “error of my way” and regretted my decision, but it was too late. My bike was gone and all I had to show for it was a meager $5.00.

Long ago, Esau sold his birthright to his brother Jacob for just a bowl of soup. After Esau’s hunger subsided, he regretted his bargain, but it was too late to change what had been done. Esau’s birthright was gone and all he had to show for it was an empty bowl.

Then possibly, there’s our story. The God of heaven has called us His children through our obedience to the gospel, and yet, we fail to cherish such a standing and relationship and choose to sell it for what…? The contents of a liquor bottle? A moment of illicit passion? A grade on a test? A grudge that we won’t let go of? Hurtful gossip? And if we engage in this sort of “bargain,” what will we have to show for it in eternity? Such choices lead only to regret.

My bike was worth more than $5.00, and your soul is worth more than anything this world might offer you. Give it some thought. (Steve Higginbotham)

“What shall it profit a man if he should gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:26).

Plan to have a wonderful Wednesday!

Anna Lee

Friday

“When people sin,

you should forgive and comfort them,

so they won’t give up in despair.”

~2 Corinthians 2:7 CEV~


Dakota Brook got to go home from the hospital at day 16. He will have to be kept close to home for a few weeks because he was borm prematurely. Continue to pray for the family as they care for and protect Dakota.


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

THE BEATING OF THE DRUMS
In Zambia and Namibia, they say, “Ni utwile milupa.” Well, I don’t

have ANY idea how to pronounce that one! But it means “I hear

the drums.” Sky Scott and her family moved to their new home

on the Zambezi River. She tells us that she “enjoyed the frequent

music of African drums.” She would listen to the deep, hollow

bumping of the drums and find it very romantic. Her family loved

living in the African bush, surrounded by Lozi (LOH-zee)villages!

They still love living there, but they don’t enjoy the drums as much.

Here’s why. Sky and her family walked through the drying sand

one hot day. They got to a friend’s village and found only the

grandmother and children. The others had gone to dance. The

friend’s family and some others from neighboring villages had gone

to dance to help a man who was at the witchdoctor.

What do the drums echoing along the river mean? The Lozi people

are drinking and dancing, fully believing that this is the only way to

‘help’ someone or to control their fears. The repetitive, quickening

rhythm of the drums is like the fear that still beats in the hearts of

Sky’s friends. Please ask Jesus to help the Lozi people understand

how much He loves them then they won’t have to live in fear. First

John 4:18a (HCSB) says, “There is no fear in love; instead, perfect

love drives out fear.”

MORE PRAYER REQUESTS FROM MISSIONARY KIDS

Eight +/- million reside in Johannesburg. They live in big modern

homes, block homes or squatter areas. People from many parts of

South Africa live here as do many from other countries. They

speak more than a dozen languages. Pray for safety as there is

lots of crime. Pray for leaders to be developed in our small church.

BENJAMIN, age 11 (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

Pray that the people will have enough money and jobs. KARIS,

age 6 (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

Please pray for my friends, Jeano and Daniel. They are my friends

from preschool but they don’t know Jesus. Daniel goes to church

sometimes but they don’t teach about Jesus and Jeano never goes

to church. Soon, I have to go back to America and I will miss

them. I hope that they can hear about Jesus before I leave next

summer. Jesse, age 3 (Western Europe)

Our goal is to have a church in every apartment building. Pray

that it will happen. MG, age 11 (East Asia)

The people are very hospitable and the language is easy enough

for some people. I can’t even take up a general conversation in

Arabic. I really want to be friends and help the people around

me, but I can’t. I need help, so please pray. WILLIAM, age 12

(Northern Africa and the Middle East)

If I was sick, pray to God and my mom and dad will help me.

AVERY, age 7

Please pray for my youth group. MICAH, age 12, (Western Europe)


Baptist Press

May 7, 2009

WASHINGTON–Obama issues prayer proclamation, eschews event.

ttp://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30436

WASHINGTON–D.C. council votes for ‘same-sex marriages.’

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30437

MARYLAND–FIRST-PERSON (Eric C. Redmond): We’re not the

bigoted ones. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30438

MAINE–Mainers will have last word on ‘gay marriage.’

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30439

MISSOURI–Mo. Supreme Court refuses MBC appeal on Windermere.

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30440

ARKANSAS–53 new indecency charges filed against ex-music

minister. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30441

SOUTH CAROLINA–Motorcycle rally helps men ‘get real’ with Jesus.

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30442

TENNESSEE–SBC’s Land: ‘Waterboarding’ never ethical.

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30443

TEXAS–FIRST-PERSON (Malcolm Yarnell): The unchanging

relevance of biblical revival.

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30444

The following devotion was written by Scott Belgard, the son of

friends. He gave me permission to share this. Scott is in his 20’s, but had lots of Christian maturity.

“As is, Where is”

There is a term often used in the real estate industry: As is Where is. This term is used when someone agrees to take possession of a house in its current condition with all flaws both known and unknown. I want to apply this term in regards to our relationship with God.

When we are called by God to enter into His family we are accepted in an “as is, where is” condition.

“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners? On hearing this Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:10-13

God takes possession of our “house” just as we are with every flaw and blemish both known and unknown. The good news is God doesn’t want to keep us in that condition. By His power he prunes our life so that we may be a tree that bears good fruit (John 15:1). One thing to keep in mind is that God is the gardener. He is the one that prunes us. Often times we try to take the role of God as the gardener. We see things growing on our tree that does not bring Glory to God and we start cutting by our own power and authority. After numerous attempts we find ourselves to be beaten down with failure then we have the audacity to ask God, “Why can’t I overcome this?” It’s at that point that God gently reminds you that YOU can’t but he can.

Paul, in Galatians, explains this idea very simply. “For I (Paul) have been crucified (died) in Christ that I no longer live but Christ lives in me and the life that I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20

We no longer live. When God took possession of our lives we died and now Christ lives in and through us. It is God’s power that overcomes the flaws of our worldly condition so that we may live a life on this earth that brings Glory to God.

Jesus told his disciples in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in ME (Jesus) you may have peace. In this world you WILL have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” How comforting is it to know that the God who knows every star by name lives through you so that you don’t have to stay in the same condition you were in when God called you? Stop trying by your own efforts to prune your life. You will be left without limbs. Let God do the pruning.

When Jesus called His disciples he said, “Come, follow me and I (Jesus) will make you fishers of men.” So I am asking you, will you come just as you are? Your house doesn’t have to be in perfect condition when God takes possession. Will YOU die so that Christ may live in, through and for you? Will you let God mold, prune and make you into His fisherman? You can’t follow and not be pruned. You can’t come and not become a fisherman. They go hand in hand.

Scott’s thoughts remind me of the hymn “Just As I Am”. It also means “Just As You Are”. Think about it.
Anna Lee

Thursday

Today is the 58th annual National Day of Prayer. You can go the the official website at http://www.ndptf.org/home/home.html to get more information. Let’s celebrate a country that has honored prayer for many years and practice our wonderful freedom to pray.

“I mean that I want us to help each other

with the faith we have.

Your faith will help me,

and my faith will help you.”

~Romans 1:12 NCV~



Continue to pray for Wanzie Williams as arrangements are being worked out for physical therapy.


Continue to pray for the Melder/Pezant family. Little four year old Haley continues to have kidney issues because of the e-coli.

Tracy Williams is doing well following his surgery. Continue to pray for him.

From Melissa Simpson:

I know this couple in McComb who really needs our prayers. Talmadge is 81 years young and had surgery about 4 weeks ago. He is doing good but the healing of his body is really going a little slow for him. Marvis is really taking good care of him. I spoke to her this morning on the phone to check on them as they only live about 3 minutes from where I work and ask her if she needed anything and she told me to keep on praying for the healing of Talmadge. I told her I would put them on the prayer link. This is a really wonderful couple and they have a church that is there for them. But hey! one more prayer group would be wonderful.

Thanks
Melissa

Don, Diane, and Josh Denton

I got sleep! Today was a day that I was able to rest. I spent the evening with Don this evening. Just a few updates.

Don is on again off again with a private room. His level of headache pain has not changed. The doctor decided to put Don back on steroids starting at a smaller dose to help with his symptoms. Hopefully within the next few days, Don will be able to see some relief from his symptoms.

Don’s veins are not working well. They collapsed today when the nurse tried putting another IV in. Don is having problems with swelling in his hands and arms too. So a “line” has been put in.

The nurosurgeon talked of us being able to go home by Friday. That is not going to happen. Don is not well enough to go home at this point. Hopefully next week.

I am praying that we will be able to be home for Joshua’s birthday. I have planned his little party for Saturday the 16th. And my hope is that we can keep this part of our life as “normal” as possible. So please pray that Don will be well enough to come home.

IF…all goes well and Don shows improvement by Friday, Josh and I will go home. I have to get our pets from the boarding facility. This is taking longer than I had thought that it would.

And I have to get my mail and I am hoping that Joshua will be able to play with some of his friends. We will then go back to St. Louis on Sunday, Mothers Day.

Having an illness like this changes everything. Last year I would have been upset if Don forgot Mother’s Day. This year, all that matters is that Don is with us. I am so grateful to God that we have each other.

So much in that way has changed for me. One learns what is important in life, when someone you love is so ill.

We continue to ask God for his mercy and grace upon us. We continue to hope and believe. Believe for answers and hope that whatever this disease is, it will be treatable and restore Don back to us.


As much as I don’t want to leave Don up here, his parents will be here for him. And I will only leave if I know for sure that it is OK. It is so hard to make decisions sometimes.

Thank you for your continued prayer for Don, Joshua and I. It means everything to us. Thank you for continuing to touch us in the way that you do. People we don’t know just reach out to us and love us in a way that only God could show them.

I believe God uses you all to show us that He has not left us and it encourages and touches me deeply. Bless you.

Diane

Richard Rowley Lipscomb
Richard died Tuesday, May 5, 2009, following a brief illness. He was born May 29, 1911, in Norwood, the son of William “Lynn” F. Lipscomb and Julia Pemble Lipscomb. Richard married Inez Hughes on June 7, 1941, in the home of the Rev. Dearman in Kentwood. Richard and Inez started their life together in Clinton. Richard retired in 1976 as secretary-treasurer of Community Coffee Inc., and he was the past president of the Baton Rouge Association of Accountants. Richard was also a member of the Stuart Cameron McLeod Society, an organization for past national officers and directors of the National Association of Accountants. Earlier in his career he had served in various positions with the Civilian Conservation Corps followed by an appointment by the LSU Extension Services as district secretary to the Bogue Chitto-Pearl River Soil Conservation District with headquarters in Kentwood. Prior to World War II, he was appointed as the project superintendent of the first project between the Soil Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration, overseeing projects in East and West Feliciana parishes. As war appeared eminent, the project closed and Richard joined the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at their Shreveport office. From there. he went to Minden with the Ordinance Department. He was subsequently transferred to the Vicksburg branch of the General Accounting Office, then went to Little Rick, ending up in the Canadian Yukon, where he worked at the Whitehorse, Yukon, office of the Corps of Engineers. Another move led to Watson Lake, Yukon Territory, where he served as administrative assistant to the chief project engineer on the airport construction and a section of the Alaskan Highway. Richard loved classical music and gardening. He spent many enjoyable hours on his patio, which was covered with beautiful flowers and plants. Richard and Inez were members of Broadmoor Presbyterian Church. He, with the help of Inez, spent many years researching the Lipscomb Family history and in 1978 published The Lipscombs of East Feliciana, a Virginia Heritage. They continued their interest in genealogy and researched Inez’s family meeting many people along the journey. He was a great husband, father and provider for his family and a true friend to all who knew him. Richard will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his wonderful and loving wife of 66 years, Inez Hughes Lipscomb, who was a native of Kentwood; his father, William “Lynn” F. Lipscomb; mother, Julia Pemble Lipscomb; three brothers, Wilbur S., Elvis F. and Clarence E. Lipscomb; and two sisters, Mildred Lipscomb James and Ida Lipscomb Jones. Richard is survived by his sons, John Pemble Lipscomb and fiancée Karen M. Holloway, of Brandon, Miss., and Rodney Kent Lipscomb and daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Titterington Lipscomb, of Hammond; a brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Dorothy Hughes, of Kentwood; and sister-in-law, Beatrice Crawford of Vidor, Texas. Surviving nephews and their spouses are Larry W. Jones, of Baton Rouge, David E. and Barbara Lipscomb, of Houston, Kenneth and Diane Lipscomb, of Denham Springs, Jack D. and Mary Hughes, Paul M. and Mary Hughes, and Mark and Dera Hughes, all of Kentwood, and Wayne and Pat Crawford, of Vidor. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Friday, May 8, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., followed by a brief prayer service conducted by the Rev. Hawley Wolfe. Graveside service at Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, on Saturday, May 9, at 11 a.m. Pallbearers will be Jack D. Hughes, Rodney Lipscomb, John Lipscomb, Mark C. Hughes, Mike Larsen and Danny Lamier. Honorary pallbearers are Norman Saurage III, Paul White, Clarence Bourg, Huey Coltharp, R.H. “Jack” Hughes, Luke Elliott Sr., Carlton Varnado, Robert Lewis, Roland Gary and Dr. Tom Graves. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Hospice of Baton Rouge, 9063 Siegen Lane, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70810, Broadmoor Presbyterian Church, 9340 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70815 or a charity of your choice.

IT’S NOT EASY BEING A MOM

Judith Viorst once wrote an essay based on interviews she had with children. The subject was “What’s a good mother like?”

Viorst reports that the children expected their mother to get angry from time to time. “She has to,” said Ted, “or she’ll faint from holding it in.”

“But it’s best to remember,” said Randy, “that when your mother starts to act real weird, you have to look scared and serious. Don’t giggle. When mommies are mad, they get madder if you giggle.”

“My mommy got so mad,” said Megan, “that she yanked the plate off the table and all the mashed potatoes flew into the air.”

“And why,” Viorst asked, pretending she’d never heard of such shocking behavior, “why would a mother do a thing like that?”

“Well,” said Megan, “she told my older brother, Mike, he’s 11 years old, to eat the potatoes on his plate and he said ‘Later.’ And then she told him again to eat the potatoes and Mike said ‘Soon.’ And then she told him he had better eat those potatoes right now and he said, ‘In a minute.’ And then she stood up and Mike finally took a bite and told her, ‘How can I eat them? They’re cold!'”

It truly is not easy being a Mom! But how blessed we were to have our mothers. In this country, we will honor our mothers on Sunday, and I think it’s certainly appropriate. Paul said we as Christians are to “give honor to whom honor is due” (Romans 13:7), and I can’t think of anyone any more deserving of honor than our mothers. I hope that you will honor in a special way those mothers who are like Hannah.

In I Samuel 1, we have recorded the birth of Samuel. Before he was born, Hannah prayed a vow to God. She said, “O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.” (I Samuel 1:11)

The Lord heard her petition and she was blessed with the birth of Samuel. Hannah didn’t forget her vow to the Lord. She took her son Samuel to be trained at the feet of Eli, the priest of God. From a very young age, Hannah made sure that her son was preparing to serve the Lord.

I heard about a preacher a number of years ago who came home after preaching a gospel meeting, and he was asked how it went. Rather discouraged, he said that he had only baptized one young girl who was about 12 or 13 years old — all in all, comparatively speaking, not a very successful meeting. But, after that girl grew up, she married and became the mother of five sons who became gospel preachers. What a great impact that young lady ended up having in the world!

I know that mothers — especially mothers of young children — sometimes get discouraged because they wonder if they’re really accomplishing anything. Let me assure you that if you are instilling within your children a love for God and His Word, you’re accomplishing something. It may be years down the road before you see the results, but you’re having an impact. You’re making a difference.

Give honor this weekend to your own mother — and to those mothers around you — who, like Hannah, have vowed to give their children over to God.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Have a fantastic day!

Anna Lee