Death Notice(s) – Page 247

Death Notice

Bernice Monts Simmons
(September 4, 1925 – April 11, 2009)

Died at 8:33AM on Saturday, April 11, 2009 at Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center in McComb, MS. She was a native of Maben, MS and a resident of Kentwood, LA. Age 83 years. Visitation at her residence Kentwood, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Monday and at Line Creek Baptist Church, from 9 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Tuesday. Services conducted by Rev. Ken Irwin. Interment Line Creek Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. Survived by Daughter and son-in-law, Charlotte and Larry Raborn, Kentwood, son and daughter-in-law, Tommy and Wanda Simmons, Kentwood, Kelly and Donald Hart, Summit, MS, 8 grandchildren, Wayne Raborn, Jeremy Raborn and wife, Ashley, Miranda Raborn, Stan Simmons and wife, Bethany, Dooley Simmons, Stacey Simmons, Heidi Hart, Hannah Hart, 2 great-grandchildren, Tanner and Laney Raborn, and 2 expected, 2 brothers, Grady Monts, Starkville, MS, J. D. Monts, Jr. And wife, Shirley, Maben, MS, numerous nieces and nephews, Preceded in death by, husband, Thomas Stanley Simmons, Sr., Brother, Thurman Monts, infant brother. She was a member of Line Creek Baptist Church and O.E.S. of Osyka, MS, and was a retired teacher at Kentwood High School. She was a member of Line Creek Baptist Church and O.E.S. of Osyka, MS, and was a former teacher at Kentwood High School. She was owner and operator of Kentwood Oil Company and Simmons Texaco since 1969 and Simmons Gulf from 1958 until 1969. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements.

Tuesday Afternoon

Mrs. Frances Bell had hip surgery yesterday afternoon. Please continue to pray for her.

Donald Guy Burnthorn

Died on Monday, April 6, 2009 at River Parishes Hospital in LaPlace,
LA. He was a native of Independence, LA and a resident of Loranger, LA.
Age 49 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 p.m.
until 9 p.m. on Thursday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11
a.m. Friday. Interment Lawrence Memorial Gardens, Loranger, LA. He is
survived by his wife, Connie Poolson Burnthorn, Loranger; daughter,
Chelsea Brooke Burnthorn, Loranger; 3 sisters, Shirland Smith and
husband, Ken, Denham Springs, Brenda McNeal, Maurepas and Lanell
Sanders and friend, Tom Jacocks, Zachary; mother, Dorothy Rodriguez
Burnthorn, Loranger; numerous nieces nephews and other family members.
He was preceded in death by his father, Luke Burnthorn; step-father,
Tim Burnthorn. He will be sadly missed by his family and many, many
friends.

There are three updates on the Dukes. I was going to shorten these updates, but decided you need to hear the physical condition of those in the accident and the spiritual and emotional condition of those who are at their bedside. The key word now is PRAYER!

10:19 A.M. EDT

Hello all,

The family is super super thankful for all the love
and support that they are receiving. Jason mentioned that he wept over
the tremendous outpouring of love that you all have given.

Things
are still very hectic with the hospital care, so the family has asked
for everyone to stay tuned through this web site to relieve some of the
chaos. We will most definitely let you know how you can serve when the
time comes. For now, prayer is absolutely HUGE!!!

Jimmy’s
surgery went well yesterday. They were able to get everything done that
they needed to in his legs and feet. He has rods in his legs and pins
in his feet. He will have surgery tomorrow to repair the breaks in his
left arm and wrist. The biggest thing to pray for there is a successful
surgery tomorrow, but he is in a tremendous amount of pain. Please pray
for grace and comfort in that area.

Good news on his neck. The
doctors said that he should just have to wear a neck brace for 5-6
weeks rather than the halo that they thought he would have to wear for
a longer period of time. The fractures there should heal on their own.

Unfortunately,
it is still not looking good for Retia. They’ve determined that at
least a quarter of her brain is bruised. They also said that if she
wakes up, there will be significant long term issues. So, we simply need to be praying for a MIRACLE there. We serve an awesome God and He is fully capable!!!

Again,
thank you so very much for your love and support and prayers. How
amazing is it that God created us to walk and journey together through
the good and the tough times and that we don’t have to be alone? God is
good!!!

12:10 P.M. EDT

Wow – first I have to write to tell all of you that Erik and I and our wives and kids are so blessed and so overwhelmed
by the love you all have poured out to us and our mom and dad since
Saturday night. Too many to mention, so please let this suffice as at
least a first of hopefully many thank you’s that will come. Secondly,
we have been so touched by the number of people who have responded to
this tragic situation with our parents and have been praying in their
local communities for mom and dad and our family. We so appreciate it and love you all so much.

This
has been hard. Just being honest. I have even been thinking a lot in
the last year about how Jen and I and Erik and Erin are entering a
season of life where walking with our parents toward death is a
reality. This situation has brought it into full attention. That is ok,
because death is inevitable, at least from these mortal bodies.
The sorrow that causes for all of humanity angers me, a bit like Jesus
was angered by it in John 11, because the havoc wreaked from what
happened in the Garden continues to wreak havoc in the lives of the
people God loves so much all over the world. Oh for the day when
restoration is ultimately completed. Nonetheless, this has been hard.

It’s
been hard simply processing that mom and dad were run over by an SUV.
It kills me inside to think of the horror and hurt of that moment. The
driver did stop. He is very disturbed. Please pray for him, too.

It’s
been hard looking at a woman who was once a stunning beauty and who at
68 looked 45 now be reduced to a mostly shaved head and a large piece
of her skull missing to relieve the pressure from the swelling of her
brain. It’s been hard speaking to and singing to Mom and not hearing
her beautiful voice or feeling her love pats that she became famous for
among the people who know her well. It’s been hard watching dad hurt so
much from multiple fractures and hurt when he breathes. It’s been hard.

It’s
been hard talking on the phone to Jen and the kids back in Orlando and
Katey asking me to ask Ammaw if she can come over soon to watch Tom and
Jerry. It’s been hard hearing Abby ask for her “Big Bird” (what she
calls Pop right now – she loves to pretend) and for her Ammaw to come
over to play. It’s been hard knowing that Caleb knows what’s going on,
and Katey somewhat, and the thought of them not interacting with
Mom the same way again. It’s been hard knowing all those boys of Erik’s
who have been eagerly looking forward to Pop and Ammaw’s visit that
would have happened next this Friday (April 10th) will be disappointed.

It’s
been hard thinking about the stuggle Dad will have to walk again. It’s
been hard thinking about whether Mom will even wake up again. It’s been
hard.

But it’s been good.

It’s been good being with
friends and family. It’s been good watching the church be the church in
so many places – praying, responding, caring, believing. Being a community of people who deeply love each other the way we were intended to love each other.

It’s
been good hearing the stories from people whom Mom and Dad have touched
and loved and impacted. So many. I told Erik last night, “We swim in
the large ocean of Mom and Dad’s faithfulness and love and credibility that has given refreshing water to so many.”

It’s been good knowing that, barring some complication with Dad, that he and I will enjoy a coffee and conversation together again at House Blend Cafe or the Starbuck’s at the Winter Garden Village.

It’s
been good, the support Erik and I both have gotten from those we work
with, giving us the freedom to be with Mom and Dad, providing resources
to help make it happen.

It’s been good knowing that, because of that support, I will have so much intense time with my dad and mom helping them recover.

Thank you for your cards and texts and voice mails and facebook messages and twitters and hugs and support. It’s been good.

Please pray for Mom to respond in some fashion that demonstrates interaction and isn’t just potentially a motor-sensory reflex. The next two days are crucial. Wednesday night will have been 96 hours since the accident, and the neuro-surgeon said that will be a bit of a landmark time.

Please
pray for Dad to be able to be comforted in his pain. Pray for his
surgery tomorrow to fix his left arm – broken in 3 places. He is
left-handed, so it will be a long road on that one. Both legs had
rods placed in from knee to ankle yesterday afternoon. He won’t be able
to walk on it for a month, they said. He has to wear a neck collar for
5 to 6 weeks. They said the fracture in his neck should heal in that
time. Several broken ribs punctured his lung, making it hard to
breathe. Pray for that to heal well, too. And a long road of rehab.

By the way – please pray for my friend, Kris DenBesten. His 9 year old daughter still is waiting for a heart transplant. He sent a text of prayer and support. That meant so much, considering all he is walking through.

Thanks again to all of you. We love you. I will try to update again soon.

-jason

4:45 P.M. EDT

As of this afternoon Mom/Retia is doing about the same. One
doctor has described her condition as a deep coma. She is not getting
worse. Another doctor encouraged us to not give up hope.

Thanks so much for the prayers. Please keep it going.

Friday

“Do not fear, little flock,

for it is your Father’s good pleasure

to give you the kingdom.

Sell what you have and give alms;

provide yourselves money bags

which do not grow old,

a treasure in the heavens that does not fail,

where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.

For where your treasure is,

there your heart will be also.”

~Luke 12:32-34~

Don Denton

We made it home this afternoon and we all are so glad to be home again. It is true that there is no place like home and the comfort, peace and rest that it can bring to one.

I am coming to you all again. I am broken and empty. Don has had a headache most of the day and it has gotten worse tonight. It is the first time he has needed a narcotic since January.

The doctors at Barnes told us that if Don should relapse between now and the surgery in three weeks that we should take him immediately to the ER in Springfield and have the hospital there transfer Don to Barnes Jewish. They will be waiting for his arrival and they will do immediate emergency surgery. So seeing Don’s headaches increase is very hard.

Joshua has a cold. The usual Spring cold that happens.

It seems as though we are loosing ground that we felt like we had gained with Don doing better.

Tonight Joshua brought a book to his daddy and Don was unable to read it to him. Josh climbed up in the chair and the look on his face was that of hopelessness and saddness. When I came over to him and just nelt beside him, Joshua had tears streaming down his face. Silent tears. He was so sad.

Don, Joshua and I just talked about our saddness and how we all have cried during this difficult time and it is OK to cry.

I just held him. Then the cat and dog decided they were going to put on one of their shows for us. It can be very commical.

We also got word from the insurance company responding to my appeal. They are going back on everything they said they would do with Mayo reimbursement. They are not honoring what they agreed to. So now I have to somehow figure out how we are going to be able to do this. I just have to find a place to put this on the burner until Don is better.

I continue to pray for healing. I continue to pray that this will be treatable. Tonight I am so discouraged.

WEll as you can see, I so need your prayers. WE all do again. WE find ourselves not understanding. It will be seven months soon, and three different hospitals. It seems so surreal.

Pray for Don that we can control his headaches with meds until he is off of the steroids.

Pray for Joshua. He is a child, not an adult. Some people think children should act like adults and that is the saddest thing when I encounter that. They just don’t get it.

Here I am being honest again. I could use some prayer myself. It is so hard to watch the ones you love suffer.

Oh my soul needs filling with hope.

Diane

From Mary Margaret Kundler:

I have 2 kids to be put on your prayer list. I have a driver his grandson has leukemia his name is Tyler Mc Clendon he is only two months old and they are at Childrens in New Orleans. We also got a note yesterday from school that a sixth grader also has leukemia. Her name is Jenna Van Dan and she will be in Jackson, MS getting her treatments at University Medical Center. Please lift these kids and there families in your prayers.

Please continue to pray for all involved in state testing in the school system.

Bertie Jane Greenhill Kilpatrick
(March 17, 1930 – April 1, 2009)

Native of Clarksville, Tennessee and resident of Amite, Louisiana, born March 17 –St. Patrick’s Day — of 1930; died Wednesday evening, April 1st, 2009. She is the daughter of Margaret Jane Perkins Greenhill and James Edward Greenhill. Bertie Jane, preceded in death by her father, her stepfather, William Richard Hellmers, her mother, and her sister Linda Ann Greenhill Simms.Bertie Jane leaves here John Herbert Kilpatrick, her husband of 59 years, her three sons, John Stephen Kilpatrick, and wife, Elaine and their two daughters, Morgan and Christina, of Shreveport Louisiana; James David Kilpatrick, residing abroad; and Richard Ross Perkins Kilpatrick, and wife, Kathleen, of Denham Springs, Louisiana.With Bertie Jane now are all her cherished dogs — most assuredly Samuel and little Pete Block.Forever missed here below, Bertie Jane now rests in ineffable peace with God and those above.Before her death, Mrs. Kilpatrick requested that in lieu of flowers, any donations be made to either of the following:The Humane SocietyDepartment GABHGP2100 L Street NWWashington, D.C. 20037Doris Day Animal League227 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Suite 100P. O. Box 96084Washington, D.C. 20090-6084++++++++A brief graveside service for relatives and close friends will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, April 4th, at the old Amite Cemetery, Amite, officiated by The Reverend Dennis Walker of Amite First Baptist Church. A viewing will be held at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 10:00 A.M.. until 10:45 A.M.

Baptist Press

April 2, 2009

IRAQ–JOURNEY TO IRAQ: Christ’s story still told in historical land. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30190

IRAQ–JOURNEY TO IRAQ, Part 2: Soldier’s baptism speaks volumes. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30191

WASHINGTON–In Iran, ‘crackdown’ on Christians heightens. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30192

IOWA–‘Gay marriage’ on docket in Iowa, NY. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30193

FLORIDA–‘Quiet influence’ focus of ministers’ wives. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30194

TENNESSEE–Pistol Pete’s faith gets new spotlight. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30195

TENNESSEE–Terri Schiavo’s death is documentary’s focus. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30196

TENNESSEE–Pro-lifers send red envelopes to Obama. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30197

VIRGINIA–FIRST-PERSON (Jerry Rankin): When is the last time you lived with urgency? http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30198

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

IN 490 BC, THE Persians landed at a place called Marathon with the hope of capturing Athens…

Greatly outnumbers, the Athenians dispatched Pheidippides to Sparta for help. Pheidippides is reported to have run one hundred and fifty miles in two days. Then, when he returned and learned that the Athenians had already defeated the Persians, he ran another twenty-two miles to Athens. There, he shouted, “Rejoice… We conquer,” and collapsed to his death in exhaustion.

The first Olympics (1896 AD), retraced Pheidippides’ steps with a twenty six mile race in his honor. Today, “marathons” are still run and every step of every race pays silent tribute to a hero that was faithful to the very end of his life. In keeping with that same spirit, Hebrews chapter three challenges us to “hold fast” [literally, “stay the course”]…firm to the end (3:6, 14; cf. 4:14; 6:18; 10:23). (Dan Winkler)

“But Christ as a Son over His own house,

who house we are if we hold fast the confidence

and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.”

~Heb. 3:6~

May Friday be the “topping on the cake” for this week the Lord has provided for us.

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“As for me, I will call upon God,

and the Lord shall save me.

Evening and morning and at noon I will pray,

and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice.”

~Psalm 55:16-17~

Miranda M. Erwin will begin physical therapy Thursday for her shoulder injury. Pray she will soon be 100%.

Carl Wayne Stevens was able to go home yesterday – the first time in two months. Pray for him and Nora as they adjust to being at home again.

Mrs. Faye Price continues to need our prayers. As you pray for her, pray for her family and the medical personnel caring for her.

Pray for students (and teachers) as statewide testing begins today and continues for the next week.

Betty Jo Jarreau
A retired nurse for many, she also was a night watchman at Dixon Correctional Institute. A resident of Plaquemine, she died at 5:40 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2009, at River West Medical Center in Plaquemine surrounded by her family. She was 64 and a native of Jackson. Visiting at Wilbert Funeral Home in Plaquemine on Wednesday, April 1, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visiting will continue at Victory Baptist Church in Plaquemine on Thursday, April 2, from 10 a.m. until religious service at 2 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Donald Ray. Interment in Grace Memorial Park. She is survived by her mother, Bessie Alford; husband, Harold J. Jarreau; a daughter, Kirsten Ray and husband Dr. Derris Ray, of Amite; stepdaughters and stepsons, Toni Hudson, Sherry Hodges, Quanita Ellot, Jack Jarreau, Ricky Jarreau and Tommy Travis; a son, Chris Travis; a sister, Sonya Alford; a brother, Kenny Alford; and grandchildren, Steven and Trenton Warren, Joseph Jarreau, John Cole and Sarah Cole. Pallbearers will be Dr. Derris Ray, Ronnie Rockforte, Mark Angeron, Chris Sterling, Jack Jarreau and Kevin Keith. She was preceded in death by her father, Clifford “Tip” Alford; and granddaughter, Kaitlyn Warren. Betty was an active member of Victory Baptist Church, serving her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, by doing what she did best: acting as a caretaker to many. She sang and played the tambourine for the music group, Victory Baptist Singers. Betty was an active participant of the Women’s Missionary Union and along with her husband, they were witnesses to many lost souls. She not only served Victory Baptist Church, but her calling was to reach out to various communities to serve those less fortunate. Please share sympathies, condolences and memories online at www.wilbertservices.com.

My Son Zane

Baptist Press

By Darin Wales

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (BP)–I love all three of my kids equally. I wouldn’t want any of them not to be in my life. But for this column, I will talk only about my 6-year-old son, Zane.

I can’t imagine life without Zane. I find myself always wanting to love on him, whether it’s a little hug, a love tap on the back, a quick kiss on the head, or just checking in on him while he is sleeping. I just can’t get enough of my boy!

Zane is utterly amazing to me. Some days he has the energy of five kids. He runs all through the house shouting at the top of his lungs “Dad! Dad! Mom! Mom!” — trying to get our attention to say something to us or show us something, which usually only has meaning to him.

Or Zane dances, as only he can dance, endlessly to The Wiggles or some other show on TV. Or we have “wrestling” matches which usually are just extended tickle bouts — Zane doesn’t want to tickle so much as he wants me to tickle him. And that laugh, it is so wonderful, infectious and funny.

Every once in a while, Zane will look over at my wife or me and will keep his gaze on us until we look at him. And when our eyes meet, the biggest toothy grin comes over his face.

And when he tells me he loves me, I just melt and think, “Anything you want son — anything!”

Zane is the world’s best when it comes to cuddling. He always tries to let you know exactly what he wants. Zane will forcefully whap his hand on the chair or bed when he wants you to sit or lie down with him.

When he scoots over next to me and I put my arm around him and we cuddle, I think I could sit there forever! And Zane loves to give kisses, and sometimes they are the very wet variety. For some reason he likes to give them to me on the back of the neck. Go figure.

To say Zane lives life with reckless abandon is an understatement. If he is not going all out then he is asleep. (We have added deadbolt locks high up on our outer doors just to make sure he doesn’t invade the neighborhood).

Zane’s enthusiasm knows no bounds. He is also very loving, forgiving and compassionate. He has this knack for winning over people’s hearts in no time. All his teachers at school and church just adore him. I have to admit: He is hard not to love.

Alas, Zane is not perfect. He can be whiny and difficult to deal with when he doesn’t get his way — typical for a 6-year-old. For some reason, he struggles with daily transitions: TV time to dinner time, dinner time to homework time and then bedtime. We trust that he will grow out of it.

I never imagined that a child could bring me such joy, laughter and love. But Zane manages to pull it off every day. He inspires me. And obviously, I love to brag on my boy.

While I love all three of my children equally, I have to admit that Zane is special. You see, Zane was born with Down syndrome.

Nine out of every 10 Down syndrome babies are aborted. Zane was a number 10. Zane was born with Down syndrome and we love him just the way he is. Do we wish he hadn’t been born with DS? Of course. Do we ask God to heal him every day? You bet. Can I imagine life without him? No way.

My wife and I don’t think we are better than anyone else, but the thought of aborting our baby never crossed our minds. We didn’t have an amniocentesis done because of the possibility of it causing a miscarriage. But we thought, “What difference does it make? We plan to keep this baby even if there is some birth defect.”

We did not learn of Zane’s condition until the moment of his birth. It was one of the happiest moments of my life while at the same time it was also one of profound sadness. I knew immediately, short of a supernatural healing from God, my newborn would never do many of the things “normal” kids grow up doing.

Over time, we got over the “normal” versus “handicapped” thing. Zane is our son — period. And we love him like crazy.

There are lots of evil things in this world. A kid with Down syndrome, or other physical or mental challenges, isn’t one of them. But abortion is.

Deep down in our hearts, we know, as people, as humans, as creatures fashioned in God’s image, we know that abortion is the taking of an innocent human life. It isn’t right and we know it.

While some in our country may not want to admit that abortion is the taking of innocent life, I believe they inherently know that it is wrong. And if they have ever experienced a Down syndrome child — really spent time with one — then they know in a very real and profound way that abortion is evil.

Zane is my son. He has Down syndrome. I cannot imagine life without him. <!–
D([“mb”,”nu003cbr /u003enZane is utterly amazing to me. Some days he has the energy of five kids. He runs all through the house shouting at the top of his lungs u0026quot;Dad! Dad! Mom! Mom!u0026quot; — trying to get our attention to say something to us or show us something, which usually only has meaning to him.u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enOr Zane dances, as only he can dance, endlessly to The Wiggles or some other show on TV. Or we have u0026quot;wrestlingu0026quot; matches which usually are just extended tickle bouts — Zane doesn’t want to tickle so much as he wants me to tickle him. And that laugh, it is so wonderful, infectious and funny.u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enEvery once in a while, Zane will look over at my wife or me and will keep his gaze on us until we look at him. And when our eyes meet, the biggest toothy grin comes over his face.u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enAnd when he tells me he loves me, I just melt and think, u0026quot;Anything you want son — anything!u0026quot;u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enZane is the world’s best when it comes to cuddling. He always tries to let you know exactly what he wants. Zane will forcefully whap his hand on the chair or bed when he wants you to sit or lie down with him.u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enWhen he scoots over next to me and I put my arm around him and we cuddle, I think I could sit there forever! And Zane loves to give kisses, and sometimes they are the very wet variety. For some reason he likes to give them to me on the back of the neck. Go figure.u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enTo say Zane lives life with reckless abandon is an understatement. If he is not going all out then he is asleep. (We have added deadbolt locks high up on our outer doors just to make sure he doesn’t invade the neighborhood).u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enZane’s enthusiasm knows no bounds. He is also very loving, forgiving and compassionate. He has this knack for winning over people’s hearts in no time. All his teachers at school and church just adore him. I have to admit: He is hard not to love.u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enAlas, Zane is not perfect. He can be whiny and difficult to deal with when he doesn’t get his way — typical for a 6-year-old. For some reason, he struggles with daily transitions: TV time to dinner time, dinner time to homework time and then bedtime. We trust that he will grow out of it.u003cbr /u003e”,1]
);

//–> <!–
D([“mb”,”nu003cbr /u003enI never imagined that a child could bring me such joy, laughter and love. But Zane manages to pull it off every day. He inspires me. And obviously, I love to brag on my boy.u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enWhile I love all three of my children equally, I have to admit that Zane is special. You see, Zane was born with Down syndrome.u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enNine out of every 10 Down syndrome babies are aborted. Zane was a number 10. Zane was born with Down syndrome and we love him just the way he is. Do we wish he hadn’t been born with DS? Of course. Do we ask God to heal him every day? You bet. Can I imagine life without him? No way.u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enMy wife and I don’t think we are better than anyone else, but the thought of aborting our baby never crossed our minds. We didn’t have an amniocentesis done because of the possibility of it causing a miscarriage. But we thought, u0026quot;What difference does it make? We plan to keep this baby even if there is some birth defect.u0026quot;u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enWe did not learn of Zane’s condition until the moment of his birth. It was one of the happiest moments of my life while at the same time it was also one of profound sadness. I knew immediately, short of a supernatural healing from God, my newborn would never do many of the things u0026quot;normalu0026quot; kids grow up doing.u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enOver time, we got over the u0026quot;normalu0026quot; versus u0026quot;handicappedu0026quot; thing. Zane is our son — period. And we love him like crazy.u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enThere are lots of evil things in this world. A kid with Down syndrome, or other physical or mental challenges, isn’t one of them. But abortion is.u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enDeep down in our hearts, we know, as people, as humans, as creatures fashioned in God’s image, we know that abortion is the taking of an innocent human life. It isn’t right and we know it.u003cbr /u003enu003cbr /u003enWhile some in our country may not want to admit that abortion is the taking of innocent life, I believe they inherently know that it is wrong. And if they have ever experienced a Down syndrome child — really spent time with one — then they know in a very real and profound way that abortion is evil.u003cbr /u003e”,1]
);

//–> <!–
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KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

THEODORE ROOSEVELT’S CHILD once jabbed, “Father always had to be the center of attention…

When he went to a wedding, he wanted to be the bride. When he went to a funeral, he was sorry that he couldn’t be the corpse.”

Although we may find humor in this illustration, it reflect a harmful “me-first” philosophy. This philosophy can best be defined by the motto, “Look out for number one.” Self is enthroned as king; people, circumstances, and life are subjects that must bow down.

Embracing this philosophy, self becomes the epicenter of the world. But according to God’s Word, self is not to be the focal point of our lives. God’s plan is for us to focus our thoughts, time, and energy on loving Him and others (Matthew 22:36-39)..

If you were to write your life motto, what would it say? Look out for number one? Or look out for the needs of others? (David Jeremiah)

“Let each of you look out

not only for his own interests,

but also for the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:4

Thank-you for praying today.

Anna Lee

Saturday

“For the grace of God…

teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness

and worldly passions,

and to live self-controlled,

upright and godly lives.”

~Titus 2:11-12 NIV~

“The Power of the Cross”

Musical/Drama Presentation

April 5th @ 2:30 P.M. and 7 P.M.

April 6th and 7th @ 7 P.M.

Tickets available at the church office

985-229-8111

Baptist Press

March 27, 2009

NEW YORK–Welch heartens 10th Mountain Div. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30155

NEW YORK–Military chaplaincy ‘an awesome experience.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30156

WASHINGTON–U.N. council targets ‘defamation of religions.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30157

TURKEY–Turkish Christians plan appeal of ‘illegal funds’ fine. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30158

TEXAS–Round 2: Conservatives get evolution win in Texas. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30159

NORTH DAKOTA–Fargo area braces for record flood. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30160

TENNESSEE–Americans open to invitations to church. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30161

MASSCHUSETTS–Pitt coach brings everyday faith to Elite Eight. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30162

WASHINGTON–MARRIAGE NEWS: Is ‘gay marriage’ becoming Dems’ ‘default’ position? http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30163

WASHINGTON–MARRIAGE NEWS: Former McCain strategist backs ‘gay marriage.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30164

LOUISIANA–FIRST-PERSON (Kelly Boggs): Fear of God or government. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30165

CALIFORNIA–FIRST-PERSON (David Jeremiah): Why study prophecy? http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30166

Louise Montet Lee
Louise Montet Lee passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 25, 2009, while visiting her family in Batavia, N.Y. She was born in Kentwood in 1921 and had made her home in Baton Rouge since the age of 5. Visitation at St. Aloysius Catholic Church on Monday, March 30, from 9 a.m. until the service at 10 a.m. Interment in Roselawn Cemetery. Survived by her brother, Charles Montet, of Gonzales; her daughter, Bonnie Lee Hall, of Batavia; grandchildren, Angele Hall, of Batavia, James Evan Hall and wife Marie Murphy Hall, of Hornell, N.Y., and Carter Lee Hall, of Buffalo, N.Y.; four great-grandchildren; and special friends and neighbors, Jean and Bill Lowrey and their children, Justin and Maggie Lowrey. Preceded in death by her husband, Carter Russell Lee; parents, Charles and Agnes Montet; sister, Vera Montet Addison; and brother, Bud Montet. She was active in the Baton Rouge community as a member of many clubs and organizations. She especially enjoyed more than 20 years of volunteer work at the St. Aloysius School cafeteria and watching the children grow. She was an expert seamstress, always buying fabric and making clothes for herself and others. She also loved flowers and her gardens. She will be greatly missed by her surviving family and welcomed home by those who have passed. Pallbearers will be Bill Lowrey, Justin Lowrey, James Hall, Carter Hall, Evan Hall and Mark Montet. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge, 550 Lobdell Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70806.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

ARISTARCHUS, MARK AND Justus were the only Jewish Christians who stood with Paul…

The others may have been those of whom Paul wrote, “The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains” (Philippians 1:15-16). Yes, only three!

There were only a few saved in the ark (1 Peter 3:20-21).

Only two of those twenty old and upward, who came out of Egypt, entered the promise land (Numbers 32:11-12).

Sardis had only “a few names” who had not defiled their garments (Revelation 3:4).

Jesus said, “Many are called, but few chosen” (Matthew 20:16).

He also said “there are few who find” the difficult way and narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14).

May the Lord help us to stand among the few. (Wendell Winkler)

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

Enjoy this day as you prepare for the Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Friday

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels,

but have not love,

I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”

~1 Corinthians 13:1, ESV~

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

WHAT IS COMMON TO YOU?

Lots of us get our ears pierced—after you get over that first sting and let your ear lobes get used to it, pierced ears can be fun and beautiful. But have you ever wondered? Who was the first person to pierce his or her ears? Why did they do it?

The Jur Modo women in Africa don’t just pierce their ears—they pierce their bottom lips! What is beautiful in one culture might be considered unusual in another.

Ear or lip piercing is cultural—it’s common in some countries, not common in others. In America, it’s common to eat peanut butter but it’s not common in every country. In some churches, it is common for girls to wear pants; but in other churches girls wear a dress every Sunday. Maybe you can think of other ideas that are common in once place but not common in another.

We can do some things differently; but when it comes to things about God, there is only one Truth. Jesus is the Savior. The Jur Modo people don’t have anyone teaching them about Jesus. Please ask God to send someone to Africa to teach them about His great love.

MORE PRAYER REQUESTS FROM MISSIONARY KIDS

My brother and I have been sharing with our friends about Jesus. We don’t talk about Jesus a lot because our friends try to change the subject. They have seen the Jesus film, but afterwards they haven’t said a word about Jesus or God. I would like you to pray that our friends’ hearts will be opened to what we have to say and that my brother and I will have the language to share with them. SETH, age 14 (West Africa)

Please ask God to help my parents to know what they are doing and concentrate on their work. I pray that soon the whole world will know God. JL, age 9 (East Asia)

We live in a huge city, full of crime. Please pray for our safety as we travel different places around the city for work and school. Pray for my dad’s ministry in the township of

Soweto. Many people are in cults and many worship their ancestors. There are 4 million people in Soweto and many areas do not have any evangelical churches! Pray that God will open their hearts to the gospel so that they can know Jesus as Savior, Lord and friend! JOSHUWA, age 5 (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

Safety. JOEL, age 13, (Northern Africa and the Middle East)

My name is Adrian and I am a junior in high school. I live in northern Thailand with my family. I want the Lord to do a work in me so that I can be a mature witness by the time I go to college. Please pray for my self-discipline in all areas of my life: spiritual, emotional, and physical. ADRIAN, age 15 (Pacific Rim)

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE
INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD
Friday, March 27, 2009

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1, ESV).

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the Office of Global Prayer Strategy, encouraging you to pray for the process of language learning.

Learning another language is difficult physically as well as mentally. Workers among the Lake People of Western Europe ask you to pray for ears that will hear and minds that will understand grammar, vocabulary and nuances of the language being studied. Pray with them for adequate rest at night and strength for the day. Ask God to provide native speakers who will come alongside personnel to encourage them in language learning.

The Central Thai language has 44 consonants, 32 vowels and five tones. It has a Sanskrit-like alphabet, not a Roman alphabet. Southern Thai Team members Robert and Kay H. are going to school to learn the Central Thai language before coming south. Besides learning the language, they are also learning and adapting to culture. They will need to learn enough language in about one-and-a half years to be able to go to a more permanent assignment.

Many missionaries “hit the wall” in language study and wonder if it is really worth it. Pray that they will keep the goal in mind–the image of a seeker’s smile of pure joy upon hearing of Jesus’ love in his own heart language. Specifically pray for Sub-Saharan African missionaries, as many must learn two new languages: a trade language and the heart language of the people group to whom God has sent them to tell the story of Jesus.

* Please pray for missionaries to understand their respective languages quickly, accept the culture gracefully, and have fun doing it.

* Pray that God will be glorified in each person’s efforts to be good communicators of the gospel.

* Ask the Lord to fill each one with love even as He fills their minds with new words.

Baptist Press

March 26, 2009

HAWAII–Christians credited for Hawaii gay unions defeat. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30140

TEXAS–Conservatives lose Texas evolution vote. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30141

WASHINGTON–Pro-lifers, at White House, discuss reducing abortions. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30142

MISSISSIPPI–Wedding plans hijacked by Miss. tornado. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30143

NORTH DAKOTA–Snow hampering Dakota flooding relief. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30144

ILLINOIS–Mexico violence affects volunteers’ plans. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30145

GEORGIA–Tighter budgets, expanding ministry challenge SBC churches. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30146

TENNESSEE–Union’s Lady Bulldogs win 4th national title. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30147

TENNESSEE–FIRST-PERSON (Art Toalston): Attention marijuana users. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30148

VIRGINIA–WORLDVIEW (Erich Bridges): The rise of the ‘nones.’ http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30149

Cpl. Jeffrey Scott Hammond

Scottie Hammond, 39, passed away Wednesday, March 25, 2009, at his home in Prairieville. He went to claim his heavenly healing after a two-year battle with brain cancer. He was a 20-year veteran of the Baton Rouge Police Department, where he was a corporal in the motorcycle division. He was a member of the Baton Rouge Union of Police and the Fraternal Order of Police. He was an avid competitor in the motorcycle competitions nationwide, an LSU fan and loved NASCAR races. Visiting at Parkview Baptist Church on Friday, March 27, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visiting resumes at the church on Saturday from 9 a.m. until religious service at 11 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Russ Kuyrkland. Interment in Magnolia Cemetery, Magnolia, Miss. Scottie was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Hammond and Glenda Gatlin May; and grandparents, Walter and Connie Hammond and H.R. and Eva Gatlin. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Esther Hammond, of Prairieville; a stepson, Mitch Nordstrom, of Prairieville; son, Landon, of Lake Charles; stepdad, Glen May, of Baton Rouge; brother, Lamar Hammond, of Magnolia; half brother, Timothy May, of Prairieville; stepsister, Susan Talbot, of Houston; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bert and Brenda Schenk, of Kentwood; brother-in-law, Cain Schenk, of Walker; special grandmother, Maryetta Morris, of Magnolia; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Also survived by his brothers and sisters in the Baton Rouge Police Department along with countless motor officers throughout the country. Special thanks to St. Joseph Hospice, Dr. Patrick Stagg, Dr. Judd Paten, Mary Bird Perkins and Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center’s fifth floor nurses. A heartfelt thanks to our devoted friends, Carl and Carla Dabadie and to two of his angels, Emma Turner and Mekisha Earl. Active pallbearers will be Carl Dabadie, David Wallace, Todd Bourgyone, Tyrone Honore, Marco LeBlanc and Mike Richard. Honorary pallbearers are Gary Traylor, Jimmy Vernon, Todd Weisher, Jules Lockett, Brian Harrison, Gerrick Nelson, Ken Albarez, Rob Grimsley, Kolin Burmaster and Scott Montgomery.

Do you see the timeliness of the following devotional?

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

FEW GREAT LEADERS are accomplished without obstacles or opposition…

Nehemiah encountered both. The officials in Jerusalem ridiculed and opposed Nehemiah’s efforts to rebuilt the wall. Tobiah the Ammonite chortled, “What they are building–if even a fox climbed up on it, he would break down their wall of stones.” And Sanballat the Horonite chimed in, “What are those feeble Jews doing? …Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble–burned as they are?” (Nehemiah 4:2-3). Which just goes to show you that if your purpose is good and worthwhile, you will probably have some vocal opponents.

Nehemiah knew that he alone could not accomplish his purpose of rebuilding the wall; he needed to strengthen the purpose of the entire team. This he did by reminding them that they were not just rebuilding a wall, they were rebuilding and defending their families and a nation. He posted them by families, with their swords, spears, and bows. “After I looked things over, I stood up and said to…the people, ‘Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.'” (Nehemiah 4:14). (Lorin Woolfe)

“So we built the wall,

and the entire wall was joined together

up to half its height,

for the people had a mind to work.”

~Nehemiah 4:6~

I thank God for the rains and pray for your safety through the thunderstorms we are experiencing as well as the “storms” in your life. God is present with us through each thunderstorm and each “storm”.

Anna Lee

Thursday

“He has shaped each person in turn;

now he watches everything we do.”

~Psalm 33:15 MSG~

Daddy’s procedure went well yesterday. Thank-you for praying for him.

Baptist Press

March 18, 2009

WASHINGTON–U.S. endorses U.N. homosexuality declaration. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30090

WASHINGTON–Obama’s first judicial nominee once ruled against Christ’s name in prayers. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30091

WASHINGTON–Boxer urges U.S. to OK controversial kids treaty. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30092

ALABAMA–‘What if?’ focuses Pastors Conf. on Great Commission. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30093

ALABAMA–Seafarers & campers get youthful ministry. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30094

TENNESSEE–FIRST-PERSON (Michael Foust): When discussing cloning, let’s be honest. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30095

Elva Mae Townsend Tycer
(July 21, 1922 – March 18, 2009)

Died at 8:10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at The Hospice House in Hammond. She was a native of Columbia, MS and a resident of Montpelier. Age 86 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 10 a.m. until religious services at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2009. Services conducted by Rev. Reggie Ogea. Interment Amite Cemetery, Amite. She is survived by her 3 sons, Arthur Ray Tycer, Meridianville, AL, James Herndon Tycer, Montpelier and Lindsay Townsend Tycer, Mechanicsville, VA; 3 sisters, Iva Lee Dunaway, Spartanburg, SC, Nell Lanier, Hammond and Dorothy Forshag, Hammond; 8 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, William A. Tycer; parents, Carl and Mary Powell Townsend; 2 brothers, Shelby Ray Townsend and James Townsend. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Richard Murphy Hospice Foundation, 16013 Halbert Lane, Hammond, LA 70403.

Frederick Andrew Yarborough passed away on Tuesday, March 17, 2009, at St. Helena Nursing Home. He was born Dec. 18, 1924, to Joseph and Rebecca McKinney Yarborough. He is survived by sons, James and William Yarborough, of Greensburg; daughters, Jody Yarborough, of Hammond, Norma Travis, of Denham Springs, and Becky Richhart, of Mooresville, Ind.; brother, Roulan Yarborough, of Greenwell Springs; 14 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. He was a member of Day’s Methodist Church, an alumni of LSU, a dairyman and former manager of Kentwood Dairy Co-op and Gulf Dairy Inc. He was also a proud Merchant Marine. Visitation at Day’s Methodist Church, Liverpool, on Sunday, March 22, from noon until memorial service at 2 p.m. Preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie Wilkinson Yarborough; two sons, Ricky and Franklin Joseph Yarborough; parents, Joseph and Rebecca Yarborough; and sisters, Louise Batte and Marguerite Travis. Special thanks to Community Care Hospice and St. Helena Nursing Home staffs. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Cancer Society, Community Care Hospice in Hammond or Day’s Cemetery Fund.
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KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

REMEMBER “LONESOME DOVE,” television’s blockbuster mini-series…?

It was the saga of two men, Woodrow Call and Gus McCray. Both strong. Stronger together. Men with rock solid commitments to each other. To be sure, both were stubborn eccentrics. They called each other into question regularly, but they never questioned the friendship. They knew, at the soul level, the one would gladly die for the other. They’d ride through any storm for each other. Come **** or high water. “Ah giv’ him mah word,” became the bottom line of the relationship. And a big chunk of America watched–fascinated, tainted perhaps with cynical disbelief, but touched with unspoken longing–as Woodrow Call dragged the body of Gus McCray three thousand miles to bury him “‘neath the pecan trees at the picnic place ’cause…Ah giv’ him mah word.” Period.

America may have questioned it. Jacob wouldn’t have. Seems to me I recall the old patriarch asking his son to swear he’d bury his bones back over the long miles to bury him at home “with my fathers.” And Joseph did it without flinching. Even though it took and act of Congress (okay, Pharaoh) to do it (see Genesis 47:29-31, 50:1-14). There’s something to it, isn’t there? There was something between two men who understood each other. And others stood around in awe, watching one man move a whole community, “a very great company,” just to fill out a relationship. Joseph might have been heard to declare in Western Hebrew, “Ah giv’ him mah word.” I find myself longing for that kind of commitment in a friendship. To give it and receive it. Don’t you? (Stu Webber)

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17).

Enjoy a little sunshine provided by the Son.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“I sought the Lord, and He heard me.”

~Psalm 34:4a~

Mrs. Faye Price was scheduled to be moved to Kentwood Manor from rehabilitation in Covington. I don’t know if this happened as scheduled. Continue to pray for “Miss” Faye and her family. It’s been a long time since December 3 when she had surgery.

Mrs. Ruby Dillon got a good report. Join her and her family in thanking God for this good news.

Ronald Putman continues to do well at home. He still has a ways to go, so keep praying.

Carl Wayne Stevens was being moved from Jackson to a long term care facility in Hattisburg. Please continue to pray for him and his family.

Pray for Frank Smith. He was to have had back surgery in Alabama. I didn’t get an update yet, but will share one when it is received.

Joshua Denton saw specialists yesterday.

Diane called me this afternoon to tell me good news! Joshua was seen by two pediatric ENT doctors in St. Louis who both agreed that he does NOT need surgery! The three of them are elated and are celebrating this good news tonight. They did not have their computer with them but wanted people to know this good news as soon as possible so I am updating their site.

Thank you for all of your prayers on their behalf. Good news is truly good medicine.

Arwen Gustafson (a friend from Rochester, MN)

June Carline Holden
(June 17, 1950 – March 15, 2009)

June Carline Holden

Celebrating the Homegoing of June Carline Holden

June C. Holden was born on June 17, 1950 in Independence, LA. Died at 4:27PM on Sunday, March 15, 2009 at Earl K. Long Medical Center in Baton Rouge, LA. She was a resident of Greensburg, LA. Age 58 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9 a.m. on Wednesday and until religious services at 2:00PM Wednesday. Services conducted by Rev. Bruck McKenzie. Interment Amite Cemetery, Amite, LA. Se leaves behind her mother and step-father, Helen and Danny Ebarb, Greensburg, her life-long partner, James Cormier, Greensburg, 3 sons, Thomas Holden, Greenbrier, AR, Daryl Holden, Amite, and Randall Raybourn, Addis, 3 sisters, Betty Hagan, Greensburg, Louise Brown, Amite and Nancy Cox, Loranger, 3 brothers, Raymond Holden, Loranger, Larry Holden, Arcola, and Edward Holden, Easleyville, 2 stepsisters and 2 step-brothers, 4 grandchildren, Brandon Holden, Ronney Williams, Jayden Holden, and Sarai Holden along with a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her father and step-mother, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Holden, maternal grandparents, Joseph and Vernie Premo, paternal grandparents, Calvin and Maudie Holden, and her great-grandparents, Mr. And Mrs. M. D. Pittman. She was loved by all and gave her all to everyone. The family would like to thank the hospital and it’s staff for their care. We would also like to thank all of our friends and everyone else for their prayers and concern. Thank You! Sincerely, The Holden Family.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

IN 1995, OUTSIDE THE Bulgarian Embassy in Washington, D.C., the son of a former embassy employee lost his life…

Walking with his friends, he was confronted by muggers. Apparently, however, his murder could have been avoided. The thieves only wanted his jacket, but he resisted and fought until one of the agitated criminals killed him.

I wonder what was so special about that jacket? What made it worth a human life to its owner–its age, design, brand, or material? Why didn’t he just give it up? It seems to have meant too much to him.

THOUGHT:

Lots wife gave up her life for a single glance back at Sodom.

Korah gave up his life for a run at power.

Achan gave up his life for a few items of clothing and a little wealth.

Samson gave up his life for relief from the nagging of a wicked woman.

Absalom gave up his life for a seat on a throne.

Abab gave up his life for a grape vineyard.

Haman gave up his life for a bow from Mordecai.

Judas gave us his life for approximately $30.

Ananias and Sapphira gave up their lives for an infinitesimal percent of the world’s riches. (Neal Pollard)

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).

Enjoy the sunshine and the Son today!

Anna Lee

Monday

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart

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

This is the first and greatest commandment.”

~Matthew 22:37-38 NIV~

Frank Smith

. . . . He will be having neck surgery March 16th at Brookwood Hospital here in Birmingham, Al. He will have 2 disc removed and a steel plate inserted. Hopefully everything will go okay for him. . . .

Sue

Miranda Erwin injured her rotator cup skiing Saturday. Pray for her as she has this evaluated today.

Mr. Frank Erwin in hospitialized at North Oaks. Pray for him as he undergoes testing to determine the exact problem.

Robbie Lynn C. Kirby is home, but experiencing lots ot pain. Pray the pain level lessens today and the extensive back surgery will have a positive result.

Shirley Bates Rushing
(September 29, 1947 – March 14, 2009)

Died on Saturday, March 14, 2009 at Glenwood Regional Medical Center in West Monroe, LA. She was a native of Kentwood, LA and a resident of Greensburg, LA. Age 61 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Tuesday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Services conducted by Rev. Heath Rohner. Survived by husband, Terry L. Rushing, Greensburg, daughter, Gail Housley and her husband, Kenny, Walker, son, Wayne Rushing, Greensburg, 3 grandchildren, Kevin Housley, Dustin and Rayleigh Rushing, 4 sisters, Barbara Hall, Amite, Sylvia Stielper, Baltimore, MD, Avis Carmical, Jackson, MS, and Willie Bell Strickland, Osyka, MS, 3 brothers, Donald Ray Bates, Kentwood, Hugh Bates, Kentwood, and Arthur “Odessa” Bates, Jackson, MS. Preceded in death by parents, Willie and Bertha Bates, brother, Howard Lee Bates, Father-in-law and mother-in-law, C. E. And Ruth Rushing, brother-in-law, Ricky Keith, sister-in-law, JoAnn Whitfield, and nephew, Patrick Bates.

Annie Armstrong Easter Offering

Annie Armstrong was the Corresponding Secretary of the Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) from its establishment in 1888 until 1906. Her letters to Sunday School Board Corresponding Secretaries J.M. Frost and T.P. Bell reveal close cooperation between the Sunday School Board and the WMU as well as close personal relationships between the correspondents. At a time when many Southern Baptists opposed the existence of the Sunday School Board, Armstrong’s keen sense of both public relations and business matters proved valuable in the campaign to establish legitimacy and support for the new Board. Despite the fact that female leaders of the WMU were not paid for their work during this period, it is clear that Armstong’s leadership position was a full-time career in which she exercised significant influence over male leaders of the various Boards of the Convention. The official status of the WMU was as an auxiliary to the Foreign Mission, Home Mission, and Sunday School Boards, but the significant fundraising conducted by Southern Baptist women, along with the bureaucratic talents of Annie Armstrong, gave the WMU a level of power in the Convention that went beyond its status as an officially subordinate auxiliary. Interestingly, Armstrong alternately accepted and challenged the limited social roles of Victorian womanhood. She was willing to remain behind the scenes in the workings of the Convention, as exemplified by requests in her letters that the author of her tactical suggestions remain anonymous. On the other hand, Armstrong was willing to challenge the bounds of the “woman’s sphere” not for the sake of social equality but for greater efficacy in the mission work that was her passion.

Deacons for the Week at FBC, Kentwood

Smiley Conerly

Roy Turner

There will be a share group meeting Thursday night at 6:30 at the Alford cabin. Feel free to join us for food, fellowship, and a devotional.

IN ONE ACCORD

The following bit of humor comes from Roy Rivenburg:

“Most people assume WWJD stands for ‘What would Jesus do?’ But according to Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle, the initials are shorthand for ‘What would Jesus drive?’

“For centuries, theologians have squabbled over the type of transportation the Lord would use: Public transit or private car? Stick shift or automatic? A sport-utility vehicle roomy enough for all 12 apostles or an economy model?

“One of Ostler’s readers theorized that Jesus would tool around in an old Plymouth because the Bible says God drove Adam and Eve out of the garden of Eden in a Fury.

“But our research department found several other scenarios. In Psalm 83, for example, the Almighty clearly owns a Pontiac and a Geo. The passage urges the Lord to ‘pursue your enemies with your Tempest and terrify them with your Storm.’ (We’re not sure how a Geo Storm could be considered terrifying, unless it had those scary shooting flames painted on the sides.)

“Another scripture indicates that Yahweh favored Dodge pickup trucks. Moses’ followers are warned not to go up a mountain until ‘the Ram’s horn sounds a long blast.’

“Some scholars insist that Jesus drove a Honda, but didn’t like to talk about it. As proof, they cite a verse in John’s gospel where Christ tells a crowd, ‘For I did not speak of my own Accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say.’ However, there is debate over whether the vehicle had bumper stickers such as ‘Save the Humans,’
‘My other car is a flaming chariot’ or ‘Honk if you love me.’

“Ostler has uncovered several other religious theories: [One of them is that] Moses rode an old British motorcycle, as evidenced by a Bible passage declaring that ‘the roar of Moses’ Triumph is heard in the hills.’ ”

Someone else has suggested the apostles following Jesus’ lead and carpooled in a Honda because Acts records that “the apostles were in one Accord”.

Rivenburg’s article is intended only to make you chuckle. But allow me to think with you seriously about the fact that “the apostles were in one accord.” The phrase “one accord” appears 12 times in the book of Acts. Most of those passages refer to the unity of the early Christians. There was a harmony that existed in the early church, the result of Jesus’ prayer in John 17. We all know the value of such unity. As David said long ago, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1). But seldom do we know the reality of that unity.

One thing I have noticed over the years is that unity is often the result of great adversity. We all saw it vividly in this country on a grand scale on September 11, 2001. A nation divided quickly became a nation united. Petty squabbles were set aside and the people of the United States stood hand in hand — “one nation under God.”

I’ve seen the same things happen in families, and in churches. Sadly, sometimes it takes a disaster to help us to put things into perspective, to help us to realize that the insignificant things which we tend to argue about are not nearly as important as the things which bind us together. Wouldn’t it be great if we could come to that realization without having to go through disastrous times?

May you all seek to “Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” (Phil 2:2)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Enjoy the rain the Lord has provided to wash away some of the pollen.

Anna Lee

Sunday

“Surely your goodness and unfailing love

will pursue me all the days of my life,

and I will live in the house of the LORD

forever.”

~Psalm 23:6 NLT~

Mrs. Ora Lee Wilson continues to improve as she recovers from her heart procedure. Thank God for the progress she has made so far.

Carl Wayne Stevens has been moved to a room. Pray for him, his family, and the medical staff as they address new issues.

Mrs. Ruby Dillon does not have a biopsy report yet, Pray for her as she has an appointment Monday.

Annie Armstrong (and Lottie Moon) have Facebook pages. The NAMB (and IMB) have found a way to use technology these ladies never dreamed of to connect them to the present world. If you belong to FB, you may be interested in inviting these ladies to be your friends.

Melinda Ballow

A native of Amite and a resident of Denham Springs, she passed away at 8:50 p.m. Friday, March 13, 2009, at Our Lady of The Lake Regional Medical center in Baton Rouge. She was 44. Visitation at Seale Funeral Home, Denham Springs, on Monday, March 16, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitation at Victory Temple Church, Greensburg, on Tuesday, March 17, from 10 a.m. until funeral services at noon, conducted by the Rev. A.W. O’quinn. Burial in Greensburg Cemetery, Greensburg. She is survived by her husband, Edwin Ballow; mother, Marjorie Criswell; daughters, Stacy Bertelsen and husband Robert Thompson II, and Tiffany Johnson; sons, Alex Allan Bertelsen and Edwin Dewayne Ballow; brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Melissa Hagan; grandchildren, Hayden Reed Thompson, Gage Rylee Thompson, Madison Noel Bertelsen, Kayleigh Nicole Johnson, Destiny Atkins and Cason Atkins; best friend for 40 years, Becky Dionora; friend, Donna Halphen; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ray and Nancy Gibson. She was preceded in death by her father, Nathaniel Travis Hagan.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

PEOPLE USED TO travel between the UP (Upper Peninsula) and LP (Lower Peninsula) of Michigan by ferry until they built a bridge along the Straits of Mackinac…

In 1934, the Michigan Legislature created the Mackinac Straits Bridge Authority to study the feasibility of the bridge and authorized it to sell bonds for the project. Preliminary plans for the bridge featured a three-lane roadway, a railroad crossing on the under deck of the span, and a center-anchorage double-suspension bridge configuration similar to the design of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. From 1939 to 1941, a cause-way of approximately 4,000 feet in length was constructed with concrete road fragments extending from the northern shore. With uncertainty in funding and the initiation of World War II, further building was delayed. In 1950, engineers resumed construction and the state legislature authorized the sale of $85 million in construction bonds on April 30, 1952.

David B. Steinman was appointed the design engineer in January 1953, and the American Bridge Division of United States Steel Corporation was awarded a contract of over $44 million to build the steel superstructure. On November 1, 1957, after two-and-a-half years of construction and the loss of five lives, the bridge finally opened to traffic. It was officially dedicated on June 25, 1958. The bridge is approximately five miles long, the third longest in the United States. Forty years after the dedication, the 100-millionth crossing was celebrated.

Most of us probably look at the construction of this bridge as a feat of modern engineering. True enough, it is. But behind the construction was the need: the need to connect two cultures and two land masses, to expand and improve economic prosperity by bringing people together.

Did the bridge spring up immediately? No.

How did it start? With a vision, a picture in the minds of visionaries of what it might resemble and how it might change the lives of all affected by its construction. When it became clear that ferries were too expensive and too inefficient to accomplish the goals of connecting the two sides, the bridge came to the forefront of everyone’s mind. The old ways of transportation just were not working. Something new had to be put into place.

What it cheap? No.

Was it easy to build? No.

Were human lives put in danger? Yes.

Was it worth the cost, the hardship, the lives lost, the requirements of years of work and commitment to make this bridge happen? For most people connected with the bridge, the answer was an overwhelming yes.

Like suspension bridges built across bodies of water, it takes time, money and risk for bridges of healing to be built between estranged people. Many may feel that the cost is too high to achieve the bridge. It might cost me time or pride. I might have to say I’m sorry. What if the person to whom I am trying to direct my bride laughs at me, scorns me or refuses my overture–or worse yet, just plain ignores me?

Jesus said that we must count the cost of discipleship (cf. Luke 14:28). Building bridges that result in restored relationships is probably one of the most important costs of being a disciple of Jesus. Christ taught that reconciled relationships are more important to God than any offering we could bring before Him.

Why? Because for God, how we treat others is synonymous with how we treat Him (cf. 1 John 4:20). (H. Norman Wright, Larry Renetzky)

“Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar,

and there remember that your brother

has something against you,

leave your gift there before the altar,

and go your way.

First be reconciled to your brother,

and then come and offer your gift.”

~Matthew 5:23-24~

May this Lord’s Day bring blessings in your life. May you also be a blessing to others today.

I leave you with this thought – Be a “bridge builder”.

Anna Lee