Category: Devotional

Good Friday

“Since we were restored to friendship with God

by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies,

we will certainly be delivered from eternal punishment by his life.”

~Romans 5:10 NLT~

Family members report that Mrs. Carol Jean Gill will be coming to Kentwood in about two weeks.  Thank God for healing her to this point.

Jimmy Schwartz has returned home to Kentwood.  Thank God the blood he received has made him feel better.

Delanie Dean continues to improve.  She should be back to normal real soon.

Jude Fowler is home after his procedure and is doing well.  He too should be back to normal soon.

Baptist Press

http://www.bpnews.net/

Today’s devotional  – Thought for the Day: Celebrating Easter

http://tftd.faithsite.com/content.asp?CID=18299

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Sunrise Service at Inspiration Park – 6:30 A.M. Breakfast will be provided.

FBC, Kentwood Easter Schedule

8:15 – Early service

9:15 – Sunday School

10:30 – Second Service

No afternoon/evening activities/services

Photographs for a new church directory at FBC, Kentwood

Wednesday – Saturday April 18-21

Call the church office (229-8111) to schedule your time.

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Anna Lee

Thursday

“When you were dead in your sins…

God made you alive with Christ.” 

~Colossians 2:13~

 

Scott Flamm

Great news, they think they got all of the cancerous roots!!! He was actually back at work this week.
THANKS FOR PRAYING
Pam (Sellers)

Jadon Pailet is doing better.  Keep praying until he is without any fever and back to learning new things.

Smiley Conerly’s back surgery is scheduled for Tuesday.  You can begin praying today.

Madison Alvin “Pete” Neyland

Died Sunday, April 1 at Lane Memorial Hospital. He was 81. Born October 17, 1930 in Amite County, MS, he moved to Central in 1942 where he resided until his death. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Bobbie Bennett Neyland; two daughters, Patti Morgan, Central, and Betty Neyland, Laguna Beach, CA; one son, Mike and wife Lisa McKenzie Neyland, Kentwood; four grandsons, Jamie and wife Kris Creel Neyland, Franklinton; Matt and wife Amanda Touchard Neyland; Eli and Max Neyland, one granddaughter, Chloe Madison Neyland, all of Kentwood; sister, Mildred Neyland Bennett, Central; dear friends he considered his family, Steve Naquin and Sharon Knight, Central, and Russ and Amy Watts, Zachary. Preceded in death by his parents, Brew and Molly Lindsay Neyland; and a son-in-law, Michael J. Morgan. Pete was retired from Gulf States Utilities, and was a charter founding member of Central Private School. He was a veteran of the Korean War. Visitation at Rabenhorst East Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 4, from 9am with memorial services at 11 am conducted by Rev. Percy Mac Frazier, Kentwood United Methodist Church. A private inurnment for the family will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Children’s Hospital in New Orleans.

Thought for the Day: Looking heavenward

The temporary Sunday school teacher was struggling to open a combination lock on the supply cabinet. She had been told the combination, but couldn’t quite remember it. Finally she went to the preacher’s study and asked for help.

The preacher came into the room and began to turn the dial. After the first two numbers he paused and stared blankly for a moment. Finally he look serenely heavenward and his lips moved silently. Then he looked back at the lock, and quickly turned to the final number, and opened the lock.

The teacher was amazed. “I’m in awe at your faith, preacher,” she said.

“It’s really nothing,” he answered. “The number is on a piece of tape on the ceiling.”

What a great definition of the concept of faith! The essence of faith truly is to look heavenward. It is to look toward heaven for our guidance, our motivation, and our very reason for existence.

We are surrounded by the things of this world, and it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that what we can see all around us is what is “real.” Faith is the ability to set our eyes on that which is above, the true reality.

“By faith [Abraham] dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob….for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” (Heb. 11:9-10)

May you live by faith this day, and don’t forget to look up!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Take some time Saturday morning to come to Mug & Muffin at FBC, Kentwood.  Come enjoy some muffins and morning beverages and talk with Jennie A. Hatchel and her daughter, Mallory and Madison.  You can get to know them better and ask questions about life as a missionary.  The Hatchel family will be returning to Prague in a little more than a month.  We hope to see you at 10:00 A.M.  Bring your favorite mug is you want to use it during the meeting.

 

Jesus is the reason for the Easter season!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“Give ear to my words, O Lord,

consider my meditation.

Give heed to the voice of my cry,

my King and my God,

for to You I will pray”

~Psalm 5:1-2~

Pray for people across our area as they continue to face bad weather.  Pray for those who lost homes in the tornadoes.  Thank God for protecting lives in the midst of all the bad weather.  Especially pray for the New Orleans area today as they experience flooding.

Jadon Pailet continues to battle pneumonia.  Keep him and his family in your prayers.

Delanie Dean had ear surgery yesterday.  The, she had a reaction to her medication.  Pray she is better today.

Jimmy Schwartz was given more blood yesterday.  Pray for the doctors as they search for a cause for the current problems.

Pray for the young lady as she prepares for a mission trip to Ethiopia. Pray for the family as they support her calling.

http://shine4thechildren.blogspot.com/

Continue to pray for Mr. Kenneth Felker and for Mrs. Grace Helen.  They are both having a difficult week.

Thought for the Day: Unusual mergers

The last few years have seen many company mergers. Here are some possible mergers to expect in the future:

1. Xerox and Wurlitzer: They’re going to make reproductive organs.

2. Fairchild Electronics and Honeywell Computers: New company will
be called Fairwell Honeychild.

3. Polygram Records, Warner Brothers and Keebler: New company will
be called Poly-Warner-Cracker.

4. Hale Business Systems, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Fuller Brush, and W.R. Grace
Company: New company will be called Hale Mary Fuller Grace.

5. 3M & Goodyear: MMMGood

6. John Deere & Abitibi-Price: Deere Abi

7. Honeywell, Imasco, and Home Oil: Honey, I’m Home

8. Denison Mines, Alliance, and Metal Mining: Mine, All Mine

9. Zippo Manufacturing, Audi, Dofasco, Dakota Mining: Zip Audi Do-Da

10. Knott’s Berry Farm & National Organization of Women: Knott NOW!

11. Netscape & Yahoo: Net ‘n’ Yahoo

12. Fed-Ex & UPS: FedUp

There’s another “merger” that took place years ago even more unbelievable than any of those listed above. What do you get when you merge the omnipotent God of the universe with human flesh and blood? Jesus Christ, the only being who ever lived who could rightfully wear both the title “Son of God” and the title “Son of Man”. Understanding why God, in loving humility, would be willing to stoop so low for our benefit remains a mystery, but it is the foundation of our hope.

“….Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!” (Phil. 2:5b-7, NIV)

Praise be to God for the “merger” that offers us life!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Stay safe and dry.  Don’t take any unnecessary chances with the weather today.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“And let us not grow weary while doing good,

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

~Galatians 6:9, NKJV~

 

From Heather McLeod

pray that when a go back to the doctors my abnormal cells are gone or havent gotten any worse,

prayer for healing in jesus name AMEN,

conversions for dad, brothers and partner that they may come to know god

 

Jadon Pailet

(Monday) How sweet is he? He went to lake after hours yesterday and they sent us to the ER because he had pneumonia. He spent most of the night in the ER. Not only was he saying this (Praise God) at the ER but he has been saying it this morning and raising his hand. Oh I love hime so much!!!! Let’s all praise God with him today 🙂

(Monday Evening) Please pray for Jadon. He has pneumonia and is only getting worse. His fever is up to 105 even though I’m alternating Tylenol and motrin. Plus he started vomiting bc of the high fever. I really do not want to go back to the ER. Please pray he will get better soon!!

Awaken – Wave of Prayer in Louisiana for Tuesday (today)

Meet at the flag pole.

St. Helena – 10:00 a.m. – Courthouse
Tangipahoa – Noon – Courthouse
Washington – 2:00 p.m. – Courthouse

Mrs. Frances Currier passed away last night.  She worked in the same office as David for many years and was a special friend to him.  Please pray for her family.

 

 

Awaken – Wave of Prayer in Louisiana for Tuesday (today)

St. Helena – 10:00 a.m. – Courthouse
Tangipahoa – Noon – Courthouse
Washington – 2:00 p.m. – Courthouse

 

Thought for the Day: Looking like a Christian

A little old Jewish lady is flying out of New York City on her way to Miami Beach. She looks at the businessman sitting next to her and asks him, “Excuse me sir, but are you Jewish?”

The man responds politely, “No, ma’am, I’m not Jewish.”

After a little while she again queries him. “You’re really Jewish, aren’t you?”

Again he responds, “No, ma’am, I am not Jewish.”

Barely 10 minutes later, the little old lady asks him once more, “Are you sure you’re not Jewish?”

To which, in exasperation and in a final effort to shut her up, he replies, “OK. Yes, ma’am, I am Jewish.”

“Funny,” she says, looking puzzled. “You don’t look Jewish!”

Makes me wonder. If anyone approached me and asked me, “Are you a Christian?” and I answered, “Yes”, would they be inclined to say, “Funny, you don’t look like a Christian”?

I’m not talking about looking like the world’s stereotype of a Christian — a sour-looking guy with a scowl on his face, not enjoying life at all. I merely wonder if my Christianity is something that can be seen by the people who see me every day. I know what I believe, but is that belief translating into action? Can anyone tell?

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

Do you look like a Christian?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Have a terriffic Tuesday!

Anna Lee

Monday

“But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly;

the Lord will hear when I call to Him.”

~Psalm 4:3~

Pray for Patsy Benefield who is hospitalized at North Oaks and undergoing tests.

Pray for Jimmy Schwartz who is back in North Oaks.

Sadie Goad Worley

(May 16, 1917 – March 31, 2012)

A resident of Greensburg, she died at 11:15 p.m. on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at her home. She was born May 16, 1917 in Hickory Flat, MS and was 94 years of age. She is survived by her 2 sons, Jerry Lynn Worley, Wilmer and Ellis Kyle Worley, Kentwood; 5 sisters including a special sister, Mary G. Capace, Baton Rouge, Elsie Johnson, Denham Springs, Shirley Seal, Jackson, Lafolia Davis, Silver Creek, MS and Elbie Brumfield, Norwood; a brother, Paul Allen McCreary, Denham Springs; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles E. Worley; parents, Ellis and Era Goad; son, Charles D. Worley; 2 sisters and a brother. Visitation at Community Baptist Church, Greensburg, from 9 a.m. until religious services at 12 Noon on Tuesday, April 3, 2012. Services conducted by Rev. Larry Stewart and Rev. Sidney Johnson. Interment Center Cemetery, Greensburg. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Mug & Muffin

All ladies and girls are invited to attend Mug & Muffin at FBC, Kentwood morning at 10:00.  You are invited to bring a dozen muffins to share and a mug to use that morning.  Special guests will be Jennie, Mallory, and Madison Hatchel who will share about missions and answer your questions about their mission experienced as they work with the Roma (Gypsies).  You don’t have to be a member of FBC, Kentwood to attend.

Thought for the Day: As old as the Hills

The census taker knocked on the lady’s door. She answered all his questions except one. She refused to tell him her age.

“But everyone tells their age to the census taker,” he said.

“Did Miss Maisy Hill, and Miss Daisy Hill tell you their ages?” she asked.

“Certainly,” he replied.

“Well, I’m the same age as they are,” she snapped.

The census taker simply wrote on the form, “As old as the Hills.”

You may have heard that our nation’s oldest person, a 113-year-old woman who witnessed the aftermath of the great San Francisco earthquake, died in April. The world’s oldest person in the world, according to the Gerontology Research Group, is a Japanese man, who is 115. The oldest person ever on record was a Frenchwoman who was 122 when she died in 1997. All of these could easily be described with the phrase, “As old as the hills.”

But they are all babies when compared with Methuselah. You recognize his name. He’s known in the Bible for one thing — being the oldest person mentioned. 969 years old! That’s a lot of years. And I think it’s sad. Not that he was so old, but because that’s what he is known for. He’s not known for his great faith, for his moral courage, or for his righteousness. He’s known for being old.

In fact, if you do the math, you come up with an interesting fact — Methuselah died the year it started flooding. Was it just a coincidence, or was Methuselah one of the many who perished in that judgment of God? We don’t know.

I just pray that some day I’ll be remembered, not for the number of years I lived upon this earth, but for the way that I lived while I was here.

“The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness.” (Proverbs 16:31)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Sunday

“Never stop praying.”

1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT

Mrs. Carol Jean Gill is back at rehab and doing well.  Thanks for your continued prayers for her.

Mrs. Shirley Frazier is with her sister, Joyce, for a while.  Keep praying for her.

Mr. Kenneth Birch is looking forward to his surgery this month and the relief it should bring.

Thought for the Day: Are you too slow or too hasty?

The story is told of five doctors went duck shooting one day. Included in the group were a GP, a pediatrician, a psychiatrist, a surgeon and a pathologist. After a time, a bird came flying overhead. The first to react was the GP who raised his shotgun, but then hesitated. “I’m not quite sure it’s a duck,” he said. “I think that I will have to get a second opinion.” And of course by that time, the bird was long gone.

Another bird appeared in the sky thereafter. This time the pediatrician drew a bead on it. He too, however, was unsure if it was really a duck in his sights and besides, it might have babies. “I’ll have to do some more investigations,” he muttered, as the creature made good its escape.

Next to spy a bird flying was the sharp-eyed psychiatrist. Shotgun shouldered, he was more certain of his intended prey’s identity. “Now, I know it’s a duck, but does it know it’s a duck?” The fortunate bird disappeared while the fellow wrestled with this dilemma.

Finally, a fourth fowl sped past and this time the surgeon’s weapon pointed skywards. BOOM!! The surgeon lowered his smoking gun and turned nonchalantly to the pathologist beside him: “Go see if that was a duck, will you?”

We’ve all been guilty at times of shooting first and asking questions later. That’s why we have the proverb, “Look before you leap.” Of course, we also have a proverb which tells us of the danger in delay: “He who hesitates is lost.” So which is it? Which is the wiser advice?

If you look to God’s Word for the answer, you may end up just as confused:

“How long will you lie there, you lazy person? When will you get up from sleeping?” (Proverbs 6:9. NCV)

“….Those who act too quickly become poor.” (Proverbs 21:5b, NCV)

The truth is, there’s danger in both extremes. It is necessary to look ahead and plan before taking action (Jesus called that “counting the cost”), but we have to be careful not to procrastinate so much that we never get anything accomplished. It is a wise man indeed who can find the proper balance.

Heavenly Father, I freely confess there have been many times in my life when I have been paralyzed by analyzing the situation, and have fail to step forward in faith as you would have me to. And I also recognize the many times I have wildly plunged ahead without giving much thought to what I was doing, and later regretted my actions. Bless me with the wisdom to live with the proper balance in my life. In the name of Jesus Christ (who always knew what to do and when to do it), amen.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Saturday

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations,

and then the end will come.”

~Matthew 24:14~

Courtney Roth

http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/2012/03/you-just-cant.html?spref=fb

Mrs. Grace Helen Smith is home from Hood’s, but will be going to North Oaks Monday.  Pray she has a good weekend.  Mr. Kenneth Felker is not feeling his best.  Please pray for them.

Barrett Travis

Thanks for the phone calls and prayers for Barrett .We are at home ,he has a case on his right arm and leg ,he is having to use a walker,but everything is going to be better now.Dr. Robinson is the best.  (Ruby Travis)

Dr. Derry Magee

Derry is doing well.  A couple of weeks ago, he had an ischemia colitus which required a colonoscopy at the CS Medical Center.  He does not have any cancer in the colon and the diverticuli looks the same as it did in 2007.  He is now back at the Isle and is in therapy full swing.  He is able to hold a ball in his left hand and can squeeze it with each finger.  His left arm and hand are being restored.  The focus in OT is to strengthen the arm so that he can pick up things, etc. Speech therapy works on his face which strengthens his facial muscles.  At times you cannot tell that he had a stroke that  affected his left side in the face.

Derry and I are so excited that my sisters, Bobbie, Elaine, and Jan are coming next Thursday and stay until Sunday.  The Isle is giving Derry a three-day and two nights pass beginning next Friday morning.  My sisters will be able to visit with him at length and provide assistance for me.  Patrick and Jennifer are cooking a wonderful meal for Saturday which includes Derry’s favorite, crawfish etoufee (sp.)   We plan to have a wonderful celebration and family time at our home.  I will return him to the Isle Sunday evening.

 Derry gave Steve his green truck.  Steve and Nita are flying to CS on April 20  and remain a few days before starting their journey back to Miami.

 The Isle will let us know in a week or so when he will be discharged–maybe 2-3 weeks.  He is making such large strides in his recovery that it might be sooner.  He walked on the walker yesterday for 12 minutes.  He rode the Nu-step for 24 minutes using the left hand and arm for three minutes.

In Christ!

Dora

 Rickey Elton Barnes
(January 13, 1973 – March 30, 2012)

Rickey Elton Barnes was born January 13, 1973 and passed away at 12:40 p.m., March 30, 2012 near Cranky Corner, LA. He was 39, a native of Independence and a resident of Amite.

Rickey is survived by his wife Nickole Holton Barnes; 2 sons, Chase Barnes & Trevor Barnes; daughter, Allyson Barnes; father, Elton Barnes and wife Sandy; 3 sisters, Crystal Barnes, Brandy Baham & Randi Graves; brother, Landon Barnes; father-in-law & mother-in-law Thomas and Elizabeth Holton; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Tiphani and Jason Foy; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

Preceded in death by his mother, Opelia E. Baham; grandparents, Jessie and Ophelia Baham; brother, Thomas “Tom Tom” Baham

Visitation at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Sunday, April 1, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Monday, April 2, 2012 from 8:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home Chapel with Rev. L.C. Hoover officiating. Interment in Shiloh Cemetery, (Bell Road) Amite, La.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N (Exit 46) and Hwy 16W behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash and Holiday Inn Express.

Mrs. Esther Elizabeth Frazier Perrin, 65 years old of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, passed away Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at her residence.

She was born on Monday, August 5, 1946, in McComb, Mississippi, daughter of the late James Walter Frazier and the late Thelma Brumfield Frazier.

Surviving are her daughter, Marilyn Gail Perrin, and her brother, James Walter Frazier, Jr.

She is preceded in death by her husband, William Edwin Perrin, and daughter, Elizabeth Ann “Beth” Perrin.

A Memorial Service will be held at French Corner Baptist Church on April 21, 2012 at 11:00 am. There will be a “Pot Luck” luncheon immediately following.

Interment was held in the Ponchatoula Cemetery.

Contributions may be made to the French Coroner Baptist Church Building Fund, 39715 Teal Rd., Ponchatoula, LA 70454.

 Thought for the Day: A faithful saying
  A FAITHFUL SAYING

WIFE:          “There’s trouble with the car. It has water in the
carburetor.”

HUSBAND:  “Water in the carburetor?  That’s ridiculous.”

WIFE:          “I tell you the car has water in the carburetor.”

HUSBAND:  “You don’t even know what a carburetor is.  I’ll check it
out.  Where’s the car?”

WIFE:          “In the pool.”

That gives a whole new meaning to the term “flooding the engine”!  There are some things that are so obvious you don’t have to be an auto mechanic to be certain of them!  And there are some things in the Bible that are so obvious that you don’t have to be a brain surgeon to be certain of them!

Five times in the “Pastoral Epistles”, Paul uses the phrase “faithful saying”.  It indicates something you can be absolutely certain of, without question, beyond a shadow of a doubt.  Here’s one of them:

“This is a faithful saying:
For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him.
If we endure, we shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him, He also will deny us.
If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny
Himself.”
(2 Timothy 2:11-13)

Praise be to our God who not only gives us “faithful sayings”, but who himself is “faithful”, one who can be trusted to keep his word, and in whom we have the ability to place all our confidence!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Do something special today to celebrate this beautiful day the Lord has provided.
Anna Lee

Friday

“So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;

it shall not return to me empty,

but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,

and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it”.

~Isaiah 55:11, ESV~

WE ARE HOME!!!!! She did wonderful. Her tonsils were big and had puss pockets on them. Also the doctor had to pull her two front teeth, because both of them were loose. Instead of singing All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth she will be singing All I Want for Easter is my two front teeth.

Thanks for the prayers!

Marty, Gretchen, Micah & Sarabeth Simpson

 

Landon Estay’s friends have updated their blog.  You’ll want to read the latest post and pray for the Pauls.

http://www.thepaulfamilyjourney.blogspot.com/

 

I’m enjoying reading the book of John one chapter each day as suggested by Bro. Joey.  It is meaningful at any time, but seems more meaningful at Easter.
I’m also enjoying my study of James by Beth Moore.  I have learned so much about him that I did not already know.  I think studying the whole book rather than a chapter here and there has been good for me.  My appreciation for him and his work has really grown during the last few weeks.  I’m on the last chapter and will miss this study when it is completed.

 

Thought for the Day: Becoming

The famous actor Gregory Peck was once standing in line with a friend, waiting for a table in a crowded Los Angeles restaurant. They had been waiting for some time, the diners seemed to be taking their time eating and new tables weren’t opening up very fast. They weren’t even that close to the front of the line. Peck’s friend became impatient, and he said to Gregory Peck, “Why don’t you tell the maitre d’ who you are?”

Gregory Peck responded, “No, if you have to tell them who you are, then you aren’t.”

There’s a great deal of wisdom in that statement. There’s a big difference in who we think we are, who others think we are, and who we really are. Someone has well said that, “Reputation is who others think we are. Character is who we really are.” As Christians, we ought to be more concerned with character than with reputation. Christianity is more than just knowing the right facts. It’s more than going through the right motions. It begins in the heart; it’s who we are.

There is a continual process of growing and adding Christ-like virtues to our lives. Peter wrote, “Add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance brotherly kindness, and to brother­ly kindness love.” (2 Peter 1:5-8). We never stop “becoming”; it’s an ongoing process. There’s always some­thing positive to add to our lives, always something negative to try to get rid of.

We have different ways of measuring growth. When Sueanne and I would take our children to see the pediatrician, the nurse would always check their height and weight. Then that information was written onto a chart that gave us a picture of how they were growing. When we get to be adults, we measure our growth by whether or not we can fit into last year’s pants.

But how does a person measure his growth in Christianity? In Ephesians 4:15-16, Paul says, “…but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into him who is the head — Christ — from whom the whole body…causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” Paul says that it’s time for us to grow up, it’s time for us to mature. But what is the goal of our growth? Jesus Christ is!

My favorite picture of the growth of Christianity is found in 2 Corinthians 3:18: “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” Paul says it’s as if we’re holding a mirror in our left hand, and a picture of Christ in our right hand. Now when we look in the mirror and see our reflection, and we then we look at Christ, they don’t look much alike. But every day as we mature, we grow up, we become more like Christ, striving for the day when we look in the mirror and see the reflection of Jesus Christ.

Knowledge, conduct, and character must always go together. We learn God’s will so that we might obey it; and in obeying it, we serve him and grow in Christian character. While none of us is perfectly balanced in these three areas, we ought to strive for that balance.

May God bless you as you seek to “know” His will better, “do” more in service to Him, and “become” more like Jesus Christ!

Alan Smith

 

Be sure to thank God for the rain.  Just think of all the home-grown vegetables and ornamental flowers that were glad to see the rain.

Anna Lee

 

Thursday

“Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!

You have relieved me in my distress;

have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.”

~Psalm 4:1~

Let pray for our children/youth today.

  • Pray for safety as they have school holidays.
  • Pray they will be in God’s house as much as possible.
  • Pray for Sarabeth Simpson as she has surgery at one this afternoon.
  • Pray for Jude Fowler as he has surgery next week.
  • Pray for Taylor Breeland as she continues to battle cancer.
  • Pray for Caroline Cutrer as she also fights daily.
  • Pray for Evan Brister as he heals from a four-wheeler/barb wire accident.

Enjoy this story of Jadon Pailet.

http://hammondstar.com/articles/2012/03/26/community/community_news/339.txt

Thought for the Day: Kid’s view of love

I have enjoyed these thoughts from kids, though I do not know the original source:

CONCERNING WHY LOVE HAPPENS BETWEEN TWO PARTICULAR PEOPLE

“I think you’re supposed to get shot with an arrow or something, but the rest of it isn’t supposed to be so painful.” –Manuel, age 8

ON WHAT FALLING IN LOVE IS LIKE

“Like an avalanche where you have to run for your life.”
–John, age 9

“If falling in love is anything like learning how to spell, I don’t want
to do it. It takes too long.” –Glenn, age 7

ON THE ROLE OF BEAUTY AND HANDSOMENESS IN LOVE

“If you want to be loved by somebody who isn’t already in your family, it doesn’t hurt to be beautiful.” –Anita, age 8

“It isn’t always just how you look. Look at me. I’m handsome like anything and I haven’t got anybody to marry me yet.”
–Brian, age 7

CONCERNING WHY LOVERS OFTEN HOLD HANDS

“They want to make sure their rings don’t fall off because they paid good money for them.” –Gavin, age 8

CONFIDENTIAL OPINIONS ABOUT LOVE

“I’m in favor of love as long as it doesn’t happen when ‘Dinosaurs’ is on television.” –Jill, age 6

“Love is foolish … but I still might try it sometime.”
–Floyd, age 9

“Love will find you, even if you are trying to hide from it. I been trying to hide from it since I was five, but the girls keep finding me.” –Dave, age 8

“I’m not rushing into being in love. I’m finding fourth grade hard
enough.” –Regina, age 10

SOME SUREFIRE WAYS TO MAKE A PERSON FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU

“Tell them that you own a whole bunch of candy stores.”
–Del, age 6

“Don’t do things like have smelly, green sneakers. You might get attention, but attention ain’t the same thing as love.”
–Alonzo, age 9

Those of us who are older smile because we know that children have such a limited understanding of what love is (although Alonzo has learned something that many adults haven’t yet learned!). And yet, our own view of love is limited as well. And certainly our expression of love is limited and faulty.

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (I John 4:7-8)

May you look to God for the ultimate example of love as you seek to be more loving toward others today.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Give some of your time to the kids around you.

Anna Lee

Wednesday

 

“I cried to the Lord with my voice,

and He heard me from His holy hill.”

~Psalm 3:4~

 

Mrs. Minnie Lou Hutchinson

Haven’t seen Ms. Minnie Lou listed. Our pastor @ Tangipahoa Methodist (and Pine Ridge) announced Sunday that Ms. Minnie Lou Hutchinson was at daughter, Monte Sue (Mitchell?)’s this past wkend and fell and broke her hip. She is in a BR hospital. I think he said Lady of the Lake, but could be mistaken.

Sylvia Day

Carol Jean Gill

HI! Just talked to Carol Jean on the phone and she sounded great. Ray was there with her. She is still at OLOL but they expect her to go back to the Neuromedic center any day now. They think the infection was coming from her PIC line so that has been removed. They’ve also started giving her liquids by mouth and have removed the catheter in her bladder. She seems to be sleeping better and hurting less. God HAS performed a miracle and we do give him the praise. Hallelujah! I guess he still needs her to be the librarian at Spring Creek Baptist Church. We are all ready to get her home!
Margaret Creel
Stacey Scarle
Just wanted to let everyone know the Stacey’s CT’s and bone scan were very good. Thanks for all the prayers they really worked. She still has good and bad days but is doing okay. We all appreciate your concern during the past 2 years.
Joanie Scarle
Mrs. Shirley Frazier is having back surgery today.  She has been “down”  for most of the past year.  Pray she has found the solution she needs.
The Sunday School lesson Sunday was about taking time to thank God more.  We are wearing embroidery thread bracelets for a week as reminders to thank God more.  I hope today’s devotional will encourage you to think more about thanking God.
Devotional – Petition with Thanksgiving by Joyce Meyer
Today, I want to thank God for blessing me with ladies in my church who are very special to each other.  I am blessed by the way they serve God and minister to each other.  Thank-you, God, for my Christian friends at church.
Anna Lee