Category: Devotional

Thursday

“Be anxious for nothing,

but in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving

let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

~Philippians 4:6-7~

Today, we will focus on good news/answered prayers.

  • Our six year old grandson, Mason, had suffered with allergiers all his life.  Yesterday, he had some allergy tests at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans.  Mason is no longer allergic to peanuts.  He celebrated with peanut butter and salted peanuts.  Today, he wants a Snickers. Tomorrow, he will get a Recees Cup.                                                                   This reminds me of all the simple pleasures of life we take for granted each day.
  • Momma is doing a little better and has made some progress in regaining her strength to stand up.                                                                     That is something that seems easy to most of us and something we think little of.  I think these two things alone will make us thankful today.
  • Andy Taylor was able to be at prayer meeting last night.  I know he is counting his blessings.
  • Ruby Schwartz is doing better with her walking.  I know she is thankful to have less pain now.
  • Frank Erwin is home from North Oaks.  There’s no place like home!
Thought for the Day: Appreciating Our Blessings

Two old friends bumped into one another on the street one day. One of them looked forlorn, almost on the verge of tears. His friend asked, “What has the world done to you, my old friend?”


The sad fellow said, “Let me tell you. Three weeks ago, an uncle died and left me forty thousand dollars.”

“That’s a lot of money.”

“But you see, two weeks ago, a cousin I never even knew died, and left me eighty-five thousand free and clear.”

“Sounds like you’ve been blessed….”

“You don’t understand!” he interrupted. “Last week my great-aunt passed away. I inherited almost a quarter of a million.”

Now he was really confused. “Then, why do you look so glum?”

“This week… nothing!”

That’s the trouble with receiving something on a regular basis. Even if it is a gift, we eventually come to expect it. Someone once suggested to me a way to test someone’s character. Give him (or her) $5 a day for a month. Then stop, and see what his reaction is. The natural tendency is that if we receive a gift long enough, we come to view it as an entitlement. We feel hurt, even angry, if we don’t receive it any longer.

It’s the same way with the blessings God gives us every day. I don’t deserve the comfortable home I live in, the beautiful scenery around me, the clean water that I drink. But after receiving these gifts (and a multitude of others) for years, I sometimes fail to be grateful. I’ve come to expect these good things. And when one of them is removed for a short while (like the water being cut off), I get upset.

Make an effort today to recognize the blessings you’ve come to take for granted. Focus on what you have rather than on what you don’t have, and see if it doesn’t improve your attitude.

“Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:8)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

 

My mother-in-law, Bessie Russell, was the best example I had of appreciating the little blessings of life.  She appreciated every little aspect of nature as she rode with family along the familiar roads of our area.  She felt so blessed to watch a child do everyday things, like run across her porch.  A new dish towel at Christmas was appreciated as much as a million dollars (which she never had).  She always fed Jason red beans from an old, heavy ironstone bowl.  I’m thankful for my daughter-in-law, Becki, who has that old ugly bowl hanging in a shadow box in her kitchen.  It brings back sweet memories of “Miss” Bessie and thankful thoughts of Becki who recognized the importance of that bowl that is priceless to Jason.

Blessed and thankful,

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16b)

Prayer for See You at the Pole at schools around the world this morning.  Thank God for students proud enough to stand and be counted as Christians.

Remember, FBC, Kentwood WILL have prayer meeting tonight despite the crusade going on in Amite.  You can make your choice.

Jadon’s Story: Vigabatrin Update

Posted: 26 Sep 2011 05:51 PM PDT

I have been an vigabatrin for 3 days now. My seizures are better. They are not nearly as intense as they have been. I’m also not having as many. I’m having about 80 a day instead of 150. Though we are seeing improvement, we have a long way to go. I need you to pray that these seizures will continue to decrease. We also need this medicine to continue to work. I’ve had success at first several times but the seizures have found a way around it. So please pray that the seizures stay down and continue to get better and GO AWAY forever.. Thanks for your support and prayers.
Remember the many who are hospitalized or who have been hospitalized lately.
Do What is Right Anyway

People are often unreasonable,
Illogical, and self-centered;
Love them anyway.

If you are kind,
People may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful,
You will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank,
People may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building,
Someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness,
They may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today,
People will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have,
And it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis,
It is between you and God;
It never was between you and them anyway.

–Kent Keith

There is a tendency for us to live our lives with an eye on “the other
guy.” We’ll do what’s right to him as long as he does what’s right to us.
But Jesus does not allow us to live our lives as a reaction to others. We
must determine to do what is right regardless.

“Peter, seeing [John], said to Jesus, ‘But Lord, what about this man?’
Jesus said to him, ‘If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to
you? You follow Me.'” (John 21:21-22)

If others around you are making it difficult to do what is right, don’t
allow yourself to be distracted. Do what is right anyway.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Boone Church of Christ
Boone, North Carolina

“Do what is right anywat!”

Anna Lee

Tuesday

And I pray that you,

being rooted and established in love,

may have power,

together with all the saints,

to grasp how wide and long and high and deep

is the love of Christ,

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—

that you may be filled

to the measure of all the fullness of God. 

~Ephesians 3:17–19 NIV~

CaringBridge:LarkinDorris

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

 

We will have prayer meeting at church Wednesday Evening for those not going to the crusade.  If planning to go to the crusade, feel free to do so, but please pass the word along that Prayer Meeting will be held as usual at the church.
The crusade has been going well with decisions being made for Christ.  Continue to pray for the Tangipahoa Crusade for Christ.
God bless!
See you Wednesday,
Bro. Joey                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Prayer from Zambia: Two families . . . four adults . . . seven children. Three Sundays in a row, they’ve met to sing and hear stories from the Word. They’ve chosen a name for themselves: Litoma Baptist Church. Litoma is the traditional name of the small rocky island in the Zambezi River just across from where the little church group meets on land. The word itself–”Litoma”–means “to stand firm, to stand resolutely.” Pray that this new fledging church will stand firm. Ask our Lord Jesus Christ to build this church upon Himself, the Solid Rock. “On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand!” Let this church be a witness rock of salvation to all the community.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Thought for the Day: Blaming Others

“Johnny, where’s your homework?” asked the teacher, more in hope than expectation.
“Sorry,” said Johnny, “I couldn’t do it, there was too much noise at home.”
“Noise? All evening? What kind of noise?” asked the teacher.
“It was the television, ma’am, it was just too loud. I couldn’t do my homework.”
“Now Johnny,” said the teacher patiently, “you could have asked them to turn the sound down, surely?”
“No, I couldn’t. There was no one else in the room!”
We are quick to place the blame on others, to talk about what “they” didn’t do. “I think the church should spend more time visiting the sick!” “I think the church should do more evangelizing!” “I think the church should do more to encourage our missionaries!”
There may well be some truth in those statements. But, often, we make such statements without asking the questions, “What am I doing?” or “What can I do?” The reason is obvious. Thinking about we aren’t doing makes us feel guilty, thinking about what others aren’t doing doesn’t bother the conscience much at all.
“And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:3-5)
Television too loud? Get up and turn it off yourself!

Have a great day!
Alan Smith

 

Blessed,                                                                                                                                     Anna Lee  

 

Monday

 

“God, create a clean heart for me

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

~Psalm 51:10, HCSB~

 

Please say a special prayer for Caroline Cutrer. She is having a really rough time right now. She is back at the hospital in Jackson, Ms. Her fever has spiked and she is going to have some more transfusions. Thanks, Tammie

 

CaringBridge:LardkinDorris

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

 

Pray for Chloe Neyland and her family as Chloe is admitted to the hospital for Wednesday’s surgery.

 

 

Pray for Majel’s family.  Jesse is better, but her cousin. Joe, is still hospitalized in Jackson, and her sister goes in for knee replacement surgery on Wednesday at Baptist Hospital in Jackson, MS.  It’s been two weeks since Joe’s surgery.  He had been dealing with complications.  Jason‘s back surgery is scheduled so you can begin to pray for him.

 

Alice Faye Lee asked us to pray for her sister, Frances Allen, who has ovarian cancer and will have surgery at St. Dominiques in Jackson.  Frances and Frankie Fowler were twins.

 

Mr. Frank Erwin continues to be at North Oaks.  Pray for him and his family as they treat him for pneumonia and other concerns.

 

 

Thought for the Day: A Tribute to Missionaries

Preacher

You know you’ve been a missionary too long if……

1. You can’t answer the question, “Where are you from?”
2. You read National Geographic and recognize someone.
3. You have a time zone map next to your telephone.
4 You consider a city 500 km away to be “very close”.
5. You watch nature documentaries, and think about how good that animal would taste if it were fried.
6. You can cut grass with a machete, but can’t start a lawnmower.
7. You speak with authority on the subject of airline travel.
8. You read the international section before the comics.
9. You have friends from or in 29 different countries.
10. You sort your friends by continent.
11. Fitting 15 or more people into a car seems normal to you.
12. You refer to gravel roads as highways.
13. You haggle with the checkout clerk for a lower price.
14. You don’t think that two hours is a long sermon.
15. You marvel at the cleanliness of gas station bathrooms.
16. You think you’ve died and gone to heaven when you go into a foreign grocery store.
17. You think a “foreign school” conducts classes in English.

Before I get a flood of letters, let me assure you that I realize that not all missionaries work in conditions described above. But what an important role is filled by those willing (and able) to fulfill Jesus’ commission to carry the gospel to “all the world” (Mark 16:15)! I never cease to be amazed at the dedication and willingness to sacrifice that I see in the missionaries I know, as well as their obvious love for Jesus Christ and for people.

“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:14-15)

May God grant a special blessing today to those of you who have such beautiful feet! And I encourage all of my readers to offer a special prayer to God on behalf of the missionaries you know.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Boone Church of Christ
Boone, NC

 

Pray for our son-in-law as he travels back to his family in New Orleans today.

 

Stand in the storm.  When it gets rough, make adjustments, but keep standing.  

Blessed,

Anna Lee

 

Sunday

“Call to Me, and I will answer you,

and show you great and mighty things,

which you do not know.”

~Jeremiah 33:3

I think Momma has an infection again.  Pray for my family as we try to get this verified and something done to help Momma feel better.

Pray for my son-in-law, Boyd, as he speaks in Virginia today.  My his words be the words God has for the church there.  May the church be receptive to the words God has for them.

Thought for the Day: The Value of Experience

“Sir, What is the secret of your success?” a reporter asked a bank president.

“Two words.”

“And, sir, what are they?”

“Right decisions.”

“And how do you make right decisions?”

“One word.”

“And, sir, what is that?”

“Experience.”

“And how do you get experience?”

“Two words.”

“And, sir, what are they?”

“Wrong decisions.”

There’s a measure of truth in that. Though we can (and should) learn from the mistakes of others, experience truly does seem to be “the best teacher.” The experience of making wrong decisions in the past should help us to learn so that we make better decisions in the future. But are we willing to learn?

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man….” (I Timothy 1:12-13)

Paul is a great example of someone who learned from his past mistakes and, as a result of that experience, made better decisions in his effort to serve God.

Father, once again I come asking forgiveness for the many times I’ve let you down. As I confess to you my transgressions, I pray that you will help me to learn from my mistakes — to recognize the consequences of following my stubborn will, to realize the heartache you feel when I turn a deaf ear to you, to learn from my error the need to follow your word more closely. I have made wrong decisions, but I pray that the experience of doing so will help me to develop the wisdom necessary to make better decisions in the future, as I strive to draw closer to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Thursday

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,

as though you were working for the Lord

and not for people. 

~Colossians 3:23 TEV~

The Landon Estay family is thankful to have two children who have successfully completed surgery and are both doing well.

is scheduled to leave ICU today.  Thank God for the progress he has made since liver transplant surgery.

Timothy Schwartz was able to being his mother, Ruby, home yesterday afternoon.  Pray that Jimmy and Ruby are well enough to stay at home for a while.

Mr. Frank Erwin went to North Oaks yesterday because of pneumonia.  Pray for a swift recovery for Mr. Frank.

Lloyd Hayden is not feeling his best.  He is at home.  Prayers for him would be very appropriate.

Pray for Caroline Cutrer and her family as they continue the battle before them.

Continue to pray for Chloe Neyland as she faces hospitalization Monday and surgery Wednesday at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans.

Sherry Day and Adrian Phillips are both doing well and are back to normal schedules.  Thank God for their progress.

You are invited to participate in the Tangipahoa Crusade for Christ which will be Sunday night through Wednesday night at the Florida Parish Arena in Amite.  Services begin at 6:45 each night.  The pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church and Vice-President of the Southern Baptist Convention, Dr. Fred Luter, Jr. will be preaching.  Local Gospel groups will lead the singing.

AWANA as started for the new year.  It is now under the direction of Stephanie McKenzie.  FBC, Kentwood is glad to be able to provide this opportunity to our children again this year.

Thought for the Day: Planning Ahead

The story is told of Morris, a Russian man, who saves his rubles for twenty years to buy a new car. After choosing the model and options he wants, he’s not the least bit surprised or even concerned to learn that it will take two years for the new car to be delivered. He thanks the salesman and starts to leave, but as he reaches the door he pauses and turns back to the salesman. “Do you know which week two years from now the new car will arrive?”

The salesman checks his notes and tells the man that it will be two years to the exact week. The man thanks the salesman and starts out again, but upon reaching the door, he turns back again.

“Could you possibly tell me what day of the week two years from now the car will arrive?”

The salesman, mildly annoyed, checks his notes again and says that it will be exactly two years from this week, on Thursday.

Morris thanks the salesman and once again starts to leave. Halfway though the door, he hesitates, turns back, and walks up to the salesman.

“I’m sorry to be so much trouble, but do you know if that will be two years from now on Thursday in the morning, or in the afternoon?”

Visibly irritated, the salesman flips through his papers yet another time and says sharply that it will be in the afternoon, two years from now on Thursday.

“That’s a relief !” says Morris. “The plumber is coming that morning!”

We often have to make plans far in advance so as to avoid any conflicts. Before making any commitments — you know the routine — we have to pull out the date book. “The kids have got a soccer game that night at 7:00, but the next night is free.” Planning ahead isn’t wrong; in fact, it’s a scriptural principle. What makes it wrong, though, is planning ahead without any thought of God.

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.’ ” (James 4:13-15).

Go ahead! Make your plans! Fill in that date book! Just make sure that God hasn’t been left out.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Boone Church of Christ
Boone, NC

Stand in the storm.  When it gets rough, make adjustments, but keep standing.

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“And this I pray,

that your love may abound still more and more

in knowledge and all discernment.”

~Philippians 1:9~

Dennis Travis is now out of ICU and in a regular room.  I know the family is most appreciative of your prayers.

Caring Bridge: Larkin Dorris

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

 

Charles B.W. Palmer, II

Charles B.W. Palmer, II
(June 10, 1928 – September 20, 2011)

1st Lieutenant Charles B.W. Palmer, II a loving husband, father and brother went peacefully in the early hours of the morning on Tuesday, the 20th day of September, 2011 at the St Tammany Parish Hospital having reached the age of 83 on June 10, 2011. He was born on Amite, LA to Major Charles B.W. Palmer and Maud Ellis Palmer and both of his parents preceded him in death.

He went to grammar school in La Lima Honduras and in Amite, LA, attended high school in Amite, the teacher’s training school at Southeastern LA College and Sewanee Military Academy. He then earned an LLB law degree from LSU Law School.

Charles B. W. then enlisted in the Air Force where he served with honor for four years during which he married his surviving devoted wife and welcomed his beloved son to their home. After this, he returned to live in Amite, LA and practiced law for over fifty years.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Rina Marshall Palmer, Amite; son, Charles B.W. Palmer, III, Amite; 2 brother, Robert E. Palmer, Ponchatoula and Everard Digby Palmer and wife Lois, Fernwood, MS; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

Lieutenant Palmer was a devout communicant at the Church of the Incarnation of the Episcopal Diocese of Easter LA to which Church gifts in Memory of Charles B.W. Palmer are requested by the family.

Visitation at the Church of the Incarnation Episcopal Church of Amite on Thursday, September 22, 2011 from 12:00 Noon until Celebration of Life Services at 2:00 p.m. at the Church. Interment in the Ellis Cemetery, Amite. An on-line guestbook is available atwww.mckneelyvaughnfh.com

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

 

Thought for the Day: Rules for Stray Cats (and Sin)

The following is a list of STRICT UNBENDING RULES for dealing with stray cats:

1. Stray cats will not be fed.

2. Stray cats will not be fed anything except dry cat food.

3. Stray cats will not be fed anything except dry cat food moistened with a little milk.

4. Stray cats will not be fed anything except dry cat food moistened with warm milk, yummy treats and leftover fish scraps.

5. Stray cats will not be encouraged to make this house their permanent residence.

6. Stray cats will not be petted, played with or picked up and cuddled unnecessarily.

7. Stray cats that are petted, played with, picked up and cuddled will absolutely not be given a name.

8. Stray cats with or without a name will not be allowed inside the house at any time.

9. Stray cats will not be allowed inside the house except at certain times.

10. Stray cats will not be allowed inside the house except on days ending in “y.”

11. Stray cats allowed inside will not be permitted to jump up on or sharpen their claws on the furniture.

12. Stray cats will not be permitted to jump up on, or sharpen claws on the really good furniture.

13. Stray cats will be permitted on all furniture but must sharpen their claws on the new $114.99 sisal-rope cat-scratching post with three perches.

It’s a humorous progression, but it reminds me of what happens spiritually (which is not at all humorous). We don’t want to sin, so we establish boundaries. “I’m not going to go here, look there, think about that.” But, before long, we’ve crossed the line. We think, “That’s all right. I still haven’t done anything wrong. I’ll just re-establish my boundaries and not be quite so strict.” And slowly but surely, sin works its way further and further into our lives until we find that we’re no longer in control of the situation.

“But each one is tempted

when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

Then, when desire has conceived,

it gives birth to sin;

and sin, when it is full-grown,

brings forth death.”

~James 1:14-15~

Father, far too often I have allowed sin to slowly work its way into my life. I didn’t want it to. I didn’t mean for it to happen. But it did, and I’m sorry. Please help me to keep my eyes focused on you as I strive to keep it from happening again. Give me strength as I resolve not to allow impure thoughts and motives to find a home in my heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

A pray you recognize the blessings of this day.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

 

“A woman, when she is in labor,

has sorrow because her hour has come;

but as soon as she has given birth to the child,

she no longer remembers the anguish,

for joy that a human being has been born into the world.


Therefore you now have sorrow;

but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice,

and your joy no one will take from you.”

~John 16:21-22~

 

Baptist Press: http://www.bpnews.net/

 

 

Thought for the Day: In God We Trust

Having served as a police chaplain and knowing many police officers, I
especially enjoyed reading these (reportedly) actual police quotes, though
I do not know the source:

“The handcuffs are tight because they’re new. They’ll stretch out after
you wear them awhile.”

“If you run, you’ll only go to jail tired.”

“So, you don’t know how fast you were going. I guess that means I can
write anything I want on the ticket, huh?”

“Yes sir, you can talk to the shift supervisor, but I don’t think it will
help. Oh, did I mention that I am the shift supervisor?”

“Warning! You want a warning? O.K., I’m warning you not to do that again
or I’ll give you another ticket.”

“The answer to this last question will determine whether you are drunk or
not. Was Mickey Mouse a cat or dog?”

“Yeah, we have a quota. Two more tickets and my wife gets a toaster oven.”

“Life’s tough, it’s tougher if you’re stupid.”

“No sir, we don’t have quotas anymore. We used to have quotas, but now
we’re allowed to write as many tickets as we want.”

“In God we trust, all others are suspects.”

Having associated with a lot of police officers, I know that there is some
degree of truth in that last statement. As a whole, police officers tend
to be a rather suspicious group of people and it takes quite a while to
build up a level of trust with them. It’s the very nature of their job.
They are constantly lied to, and as a result they end up not trusting
anyone.

We’ve all experienced the same thing, to some degree. Someone we looked up
to let us down. They promised something but failed to deliver. They
weren’t there when we really needed them. And, as a result, we find it
difficult to trust anyone else ever again.

Fortunately, when we feel there is no one who can be trusted, we still have
God. When others let us down, God will always keep his word. When others
fail to keep their promises, God will always keep his promises. When
others have left us, God will always be there. His faithfulness stands out
as one of his essential qualities.

“If we are faithless, He remains faithful…” (2 Tim. 2:13a)

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” (Heb. 10:23, NIV)

The faithfulness of God is what makes us certain that we can trust our
lives to him. Praise be to the God on whom we can always count!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Boone church of Christ
Boone, NC

 

Stand in the storm.  When it gets rough, make adjustments, but keep standing.

Today, I’m thankful for the prayer warrior who said they were  standing beside  me in the storm.

 

Still standing!

Anna Lee

The Lord's Day

Caring Bridge: Logan Watts

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

Randy Relan‘s liver transplant went well.  According to the last report I had, Randy was still sleeping, but the doctors were not alarmed.  Pray for Randy, the family, and the medical staff caring for him.

Jesse Dean is in some pain due to Tuesday’s back surgery, but it is bearable. Continue to remember Jesse and Majel in your prayers.

Ruby Schwartz is in a lot of pain at North Oaks.  Please pray for her and for her family.

Mr. Luther Ricks had a stroke Thursday.  Please be in prayer for Luther, this family, and the medical staff caring for him.

John Levi Reid, Jr.
(September 25, 1937 – September 17, 2011)

John Levi Reid, Jr.

A resident of Greensburg, he died at 9:35 a.m. on Saturday, September 17, 2011 at St. Helena Parish Hospital in Greensburg. He was born September 25, 1937 in Amite and was 73 years of age. He is survived by his sister, Katie Reid, Prairieville; brother, Joe Moore, Albany; 2 nieces, Sandra Turner, Denham Springs and Melanie Moore, Ponchatoula; 3 nephews, Nola David Longmire, Jr., Central, Joseph Moore, III, Amite and Scott Moore, Amite; great-nephew, Kenneth Joseph Landry. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Sunday and from 9 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. on Monday, September 19, 2011. Interment Killian Chapel Cemetery, Amite.

Thought for the Day: Life Isn’t Easy

Unfortunately there are some things that children should be learning in school, but don’t. Not all of them have to do with academics. For the benefit of our high school and college graduates, here are some basic rules that may not have found their way into the standard curriculum. Some (perhaps all) of these should be credited to Charles Sykes, author of “Dumbing Down Our Kids.”

Rule #1: Life is not fair. Get used to it.

Rule #2: The world won’t care about your self-esteem. It will expect you to accomplish something before you feel good about yourself.

Rule #3: Sorry, you won’t make $40,000 a year right out of high school. And you won’t be a vice president or have a car phone either. You may even have to wear a uniform that doesn’t have a Gap label.

Rule #4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait ’till you get a boss. He doesn’t have tenure, so he tends to be a bit edgier.

Rule #5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping. They called it opportunity.

Rule #6: If you mess up, it’s not your parents’ fault, so don’t whine about your mistakes. Learn from them.

Rule #7: Before you were born, your parents weren’t as boring as they are now. They got that way paying your bills, cleaning up your room and listening to you tell them how idealistic you are. And by the way, before you save the rain forest from the blood-sucking parasites of your parents’ generation try cleaning out your bedroom.

Rule #8: In some schools they have abolished failing grades. They’ll give you as many times as you want to get the right answer. This, of course, bears not the slightest resemblance to anything in real life.

Rule #9: Life is not divided into semesters, and you don’t get summers off. They expect you to show up every day. For eight hours. And very few employers are interested in helping you find yourself. Do that on your own time.

Rule #10. Television is not real life. Your life is not a sitcom. Your problems will not all be solved in 30 minutes, minus time for commercials. In real life, people actually have to leave the coffee shop to go to jobs.

Rule #11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you’ll end up working for one.

Rule #12: Enjoy this while you can. Sure, parents are a pain, school’s a bother, and life is depressing. But someday you’ll realize how wonderful it was to be a kid. Maybe you should start now.

You’re welcome.

I think there are some good points to be learned by students in the material above. The message I see repeated throughout is “don’t expect for life to be easy.” Interestingly enough, that’s one of the messages that Jesus left with his disciples. Life for a Christian will not always be easy. At times, it will be very difficult. And sometimes it helps just to know that in advance.

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” (1 Peter 4:12-13).

The good thing is, though, that even when life is not easy, God has promised to provide the strength we need to get through it.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Boone Church of Christ
Boone, North Carolina

Stand in the storm.  When it gets rough, make adjustments, but keep standing.

Anna Lee

Friday

Georgia Barnette Week of Prayer – Day 6 – Walker: Another area close to us

http://georgiabarnette.org/GBO/Day6/

Georgia Barnette Week of Prayer – Your dollars at work

http://georgiabarnette.org/GBO/Default2.aspx?id=8222

 

NOBTS Project

Archaeological team moves 230 tons of Israel dig debris

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=36120

When You Care Enough to Send the Very Best

Someone has composed the following list of “Cards You’ll Never See at Hallmark”:

“Looking back over the years that we’ve been together, I can’t help but wonder….
What was I thinking?!”

“I’ve always wanted to have someone to hold, someone to love….
After having met you, I’ve changed my mind.”

“As the days go by, I think of how lucky I am….
that you’re not here to ruin it for me.”

“As you grow older, Mom, I think of all the gifts you’ve given me…..
Like the need for therapy.”

“You look great for your age….
Almost life-like!”

“When we were together, you always said you’d die for me….
Now that we’ve broken up, I think it’s time you kept your promise.”

“We have been friends for a very long time….
What do you say we call it quits?”

“I’m so miserable without you….
It’s almost like you’re here.”

“You are such a good friend that if we were on a sinking ship and there was only one life jacket….
I’d miss you heaps and think of you often.”

Somehow those cards truly don’t seem very appropriate for a card company that advertises with the slogan, “When you care enough to send the very best.” Greeting card companies certainly have made it easy for us to let our friends and relatives know that we care about them.

The apostle Paul didn’t have the benefit of going into a card store, but many of the words he wrote to congregations and individuals are filled with sentiment and worded in such a way that perhaps they should be used in greeting cards. Listen to these words written to the Christians in Philippi:

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always with every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy….it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart….For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:3-4,7,8).

Warren Wiersbe outlines this section with these phrases: “I have you in my mind”, “I have you in my heart” and “I have you in my prayers.” That sums up well the affection that Paul had for those brethren.

Is there someone that you care greatly about? Send them a card. Better yet, drop them a line of your own creation and let them know that they are on your mind, in your heart and in your prayers today. Only do it, though, if you care enough to send the “very best.”

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Boone church of Christ
Boone, NC

Have a fantastic Friday!

Anna Lee