Saturday

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.
To him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.

~Psalm 136:1-4 (NIV)~

At the end of a Passover meal, they sang a hymn.

They sang the same hymn at the end of every Passover meal

and they’ve done it for thousands of years.

It is Psalm 136.

URGENT PRAYER
IMB
April 22, 2011

MISSIONARY PERSONAL NEEDS. Praise God for bringing healing to the East Asian Peoples worker who has been gravely ill in recent weeks. His medical condition has been upgraded to stable. He will return to the U.S. this weekend for further recovery. Pray for God’s hand to be upon him and his wife as they travel homeward. As we celebrate Resurrection Day this weekend, we can also thank the Father for answering prayers for the restoration of health to this faithful servant of our Lord. Thank you for your faithful prayers.

Update distributed March 4, 2011

MISSIONARY PERSONAL NEEDS. Praise God that the East Asian worker for whom we have prayed in recent days is now conscious and breathing on his own; however, he is still very weak. Even as you had prayer for him in recent days, please continue to uphold him with your prayers. Please remember his wife as well, asking God to give all that she needs during this difficult ordeal.

Original distributed March 1, 2011
MISSIONARY PERSONAL NEEDS. Please pray fervently for a Christian worker among the East Asian peoples who is seriously ill in a location away from his regular place of assignment. He is on a ventilator and is in critical condition. These next hours are crucial. Ask the Great Physician to bring swift and complete healing to His servant and to give peace to him and his wife.

KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2.10

Mike Benson, Editor

MUHAMMAD ALI IS considered the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time…

He won 56 out of his 61 professional fights and knocked out 37 opponents. His most famous catchphrase was, “I am the greatest.!”

One day, Ali was seated in an airplane when the flight attendant came up the aisle to make sure that all the passengers had their seatbealts fastened. Reaching Ali’s seat, she asked him to buckle up.

“Hmph!” the champ sneered. “Superman don’t need no seatbelt!”

The flight attendant smiled sweetly and replied, “Superman don’t need no airplane, either.”

Ali fastened his seatbelt.

The greater our success, the greater the risk of us thinking too highly of ourselves. Os Hillman, “The Success Test,” The Upside of Adversity, 109

“For I say, through the grace given to me,

to everyone who is among you, not to think of himselfmore highly than he ought to think,

but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”

Romans 12.3

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Anna Lee

Thursday

Taking bread, he blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, saying,

“This is my body, given for you. Eat it in my memory.”

He did the same with the cup after supper, saying,

“This cup is the new covenant written in my blood,

blood poured out for you.”

~Luke 22:19-20 (Msg)~

Chloe Neyland had surgery yesterday to implant a feeding tube. Please continue to pray for Chloe, the family, and the medical staff.

From Trudy M. Shockley

Please be in prayer for Eddie (Muse). He is in North Oaks and will be undergoing a surgical procedure at noon today. Our family is thankful for all the prayers, visits and other acts of kindness shown by so many caring people.

Please add Mrs. Kathryn Kuss to your prayer link. She has shingles.

The Brevity of Life

The court jester was overcome with grief. His world was at an end! For a long time he had served the Caliph at Baghdad and his court, keeping them amused whenever they called upon him. But in a moment of thoughtlessness he had displeased his ruler who had ordered that he be put to death.

“However,” said the Caliph, “in consideration of the merry jests you’ve told me all these years, I will let you choose how you are to die.”

“O most generous Caliph,” replied the jester, “if it’s all the same to you, I choose death by old age!”

I suppose, if given a choice, that’s the choice all of us would make. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately), though, that choice is not ours to make. We know (all too well) the fragile nature of life. And perhaps it is for the best. If we were guaranteed 90 years on this earth, we would be mighty tempted to wait until the last year or so to get serious about God (just like putting off those term papers in college!). With a realization of the uncertainty of life, we recognize the need to be prepared at all times.

“LORD, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor.” (Psa. 39:4-5).

May you be prepared for the joys that await when this life is over!

Alan Smith

Thought for the Day

Join us at the cabin tonight at 6:30 for our regular Third Thursday meeting. We will have food, fellowship, and Bible study.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“I am the Lord,

and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.

I will free you from being slaves to them,

and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm

and with mighty acts of judgment.

I will take you as my own people,

and I will be your God.”

~Exodus 6:6-7a (NIV)~

Mr. Phillip Harrell broke his wrist. Please add him to your prayer list.

Others on our prayer list

Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell
Mrs. Avis Sullivan
Rufus and Margie Williams
Stacey Scarle
Margaret Callihan
Robbie Lynn Callihan Kirby
Chole Neyland
Roger Pittman
Harley Kliesch
Cora Morris
Mrs. Bill Hughes
Frankie Gehringer
Kathryn Sanders
Catherine Yarborough
Dot Smith
Jon-Michael Williams
Joan Hagan
J.D. Smith
Joe and Othell Williams
Wenous Goings
Susie Wales
Bernie Gill
Grieving families
Easter drama

Baptist Press

http://www.bpnews.net/

What Keeps You Going?

The following is reported to have been seen in the window of an English company:

“We have been established for over one hundred years and have been pleasing and displeasing customers ever since. We have made money and lost money, suffered the effects of coal nationalization, coal rationing, government control, and bad payers. We have been cussed and discussed, messed about, lied to, held up, robbed, and swindled. The only reason we stay in business is to see what happens next.”

As I read that sign, I couldn’t help but think of the apostle Paul who listed all the trials that he experienced in his Christian life:

“I have worked much harder than they. I have been in prison more often. I have been hurt more in beatings. I have been near death many times. Five times the Jews have given me their punishment of thirty-nine lashes with a whip. Three different times I was beaten with rods. One time I was almost stoned to death. Three times I was in ships that wrecked, and one of those times I spent a night and a day in the sea. I have gone on many travels and have been in danger from rivers, thieves, my own people, the Jews, and those who are not Jews. I have been in danger in cities, in places where no one lives, and on the sea. And I have been in danger with false Christians. I have done hard and tiring work, and many times I did not sleep. I have been hungry and thirsty, and many times I have been without food. I have been cold and without clothes. Besides all this, there is on me every day the load of my concern for all the churches.” (2 Cor. 11:23b-28).

You almost expect Paul to say, “The only reason I keep serving Christ is to see what happens next.” But, a more accurate statement would be: “The reason I keep serving Christ is out of appreciation for all he has done for me.”

I raise the simple question: Why do you keep serving Christ, even in the midst of trials and hardships? When things get tough and nobody seems to understand why you persist in your commitment, what keeps you going? Just something for you to think about!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

I suppose that devotional asks us to check our attitudes. I did. Did you?

Anna Lee

Monday

My morning post did not post for some reason. Sorry!

School Of Hard Knocks

By Joe Stowell

Of all my childhood memories, one stands out above the others. While I have no idea what my teacher said, I clearly remember telling her to “shut up.” She sent me home, so I got up and left my kindergarten class to walk the half-block home. Walking down the sidewalk, I saw my mother weeding in the garden behind our house. I was now faced with a strategic decision—continue on my way and tell my mother why I was home early from school, or turn around and go back to face my teacher.

When I returned to the classroom, I was immediately escorted to the restroom where my teacher washed my mouth out with soap. That kind of discipline probably wouldn’t happen today, but take it from me, it was effective! To this day I am acutely sensitive about the impact of my words.

God is passionately interested in our positive growth as His children. At times He needs to confront us with unpleasant circumstances to catch our attention and reorient our lives to more consistently produce the “peaceable fruit of righteousness” (Heb. 12:11).

Don’t resist God’s corrective hand. Respond to His reproofs with thankfulness that He loves you enough to care about what kind of a person you are becoming.

Because our Father’s heart is grieved
Each time we go astray,
He lifts His chastening hand in love
To help us to His way. —D. De Haan

God’s correction is our hope for a better life.

There are two more performances of the Easter drama at FBC, Kentwood. If you are interested, please call the church office (229-8111) for tickets for 7:00 tonight or tomorrow. Pray for the drama to be meaningful to those participating and to those viewing.

If you are available Thursday night at the cabin at 6:30, join us for a delicious meal, sweet fellowship, and a devotional. I think you’ll be blessed.

Have a great week!

Anna Lee

Sunday

My sheep recognize my voice and follow me.”

~John 10:27 (NLT)~

From Becky Graham Purvis

Our son, Jeremy Purvis, and his wife, Sarah, just had their second child, Isaac Graham Purvis, Thursday night, April 14, in Chattanooga. Isaac was 8# even and 21 inches long. Mom and Baby are doing well. Big sister is Kendra Nicole. Grandparents are Rusty and Becky Purvis and the great-grandparents are Edsel and Mary Ann Graham and Dr. Ben and Judy Purvis.
Also, another bit of good news. Jeremy is Minister to Students at Hixson First Baptist Church outside of Chattanooga but has just accepted a call as Minister to Students at Parkview Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, LA, so he will be back in the area.

The Easter Drama at FBC, Kentwood begins today. Tickets are $2.00 and available at the church office (229-8111). Sunday afternoon and night performances are already sold out, but 7 P.M. presentations for Monday and Tuesday still have some tickets available.

Please be in prayer for the drama to be a good outreach ministry and for the bonding of the choir and cast. May God be honored and glorified by this presentation~

Heart to Heart with Holley: What are the warning signs?

The map flashes red on the television screen. “Take shelter immediately,” the weatherman says, “There is a severe storm in your area.”

It’s spring in the South and pronouncements like this are quite common. So frequent, in fact, that {confession} sometimes I ignore them.

I can act the same way when it comes to my emotions. A hard day or a difficult circumstance makes my heart flash with the potential for a coming storm. But often I just keep going–and that’s when I find myself in the middle of my own personal tornado.

I’m slowly learning there a few questions I can ask myself to see if it’s time to take shelter for awhile.

Am I sad about something? Grief comes in many different forms. We can feel sadness over the loss of a job, loved one, dream, or even the plans we had for the day that aren’t going to happen.

This emotion is normal–it’s when we bury it and “fake it until we make it” that a cyclone of emotion may build and catch us by surprise. We can acknowledge our emotions with words like, “I’m disappointed” or “God, I feel hurt–please help.”

Am I trying too hard? Oh, friends, I can be a perfectionist and a half. When I find myself in that mode it always leads to a storm of some sort–and often the people in my life get rained on too.

When we find ourselves doing this, we can trace it back to the unrealistic expectation that’s putting us under pressure and replace it with one that has more grace instead.

Am I overwhelmed by life? All of us have a limit to what we can handle mentally, physically, and emotionally. When we push past that point, chaos often erupts.

We can take shelter by finding some time to restore order to our lives–whether that’s through a few minutes of quiet or reworking our schedule. Even Jesus took breaks at times and He was perfect–we need them too.

Am I personally isolated? While we sometimes need to withdraw, that’s not the way we’re intended to live all the time. We’re more vulnerable when we’re alone. It seems tornados often form quickly on wide open plains. The same can happen with our hearts minds.

We can surround ourselves with people who will encourage and support us. Hint: the best way to find those people is to be one.

When it comes to weather, storms are unavoidable. But when it comes to our lives, we can often stop them before they become destructive. Whew. That’s good news.

{And for those of you who are now worried about me–I promise to go to the closet with my hubby and the dog next time the weatherman tells me to do so. I’ll bring cookies with me too. Want to come?}

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Saturday

So reach out and welcome one another to God’s glory.

Jesus did it; now you do it!

~Romans 15:7 (MSG)~

Two of David’s former co-workers died this week. First, it was JoAnn Ponder, Now, Miss Kopfler.

Arva Lynelle “Suetee” Kopfler
(September 21, 1918 – April 15, 2011)

A resident of Amite, she died at 12:26 p.m. on Friday, April 15, 2011 at her home. She was born September 21, 1918 in Amite and was 92 years of age. Aunt Suetee was devoted to her family, having lived much of her life with her father and mother. She was actively involved with each niece and nephew from the time of their birth and continued this interest with great-nieces and great-nephews, etc. As the matriarch of this large family, she will be sorely missed. She is survived by her 5 nieces, Karen Lynn Robbins, Baton Rouge, Kay Lark Matthews, El Campo, TX, Dean E. Kopfler, Lafayette, Nancy G. Bass, Huntsville, AL and Anne K. Montelaro, Baton Rouge; 3 nephews, Edwin Lyle Kopfler, Jr., Slidell, Joseph G. Kopfler, Houma and James E. Gremillion, Jr., Keller, TX; 13 great-nieces and nephews; 3 great-great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edwin Joseph and Dixie Varnado Kopfler; sister, Katherine Anne Gremillion; brother, Edwin Lyle Kopfler, Sr. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Sunday and at St. Helena Catholic Church, Amite, from 9 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Monday, April 18, 2011. Services conducted by Fr. Joe Camilleri. Interment Mulberry Street Cemetery, Amite.

CHUCK NORRIS, MEN AND MAN-LAWS
by Trey Morgan

A few of us guys were visiting about man-laws after church recently and the importance of teaching them to our sons. For those women who might not know, man-law is an unwritten code which men live by. I’m not a man-law expert, but I do think I know a man-law when I see one. For example here are a few man-laws that real-men live by that might not make sense to women, but totally make sense to us …

. . .

* Man-law states that grilling, no matter the weather, is always the first choice of cooking.

* Man-law clearly states that under NO circumstance do two men EVER share an umbrella.

* Man-law says that men can watch chick-flicks on occasion, BUT they are never to be watched without the presence of a girlfriend or wife. And they should NEVER be seen crying.

. . .

* There is NO reason for a man to EVER watch ice skating or men’s gymnastics. Man-law!

* Man-law states that while walking with a group to the car, a soon-to-be occupant may reserve the front passenger seat by calling out “Shotgun.” All passengers must honor and respect the calling of shotgun. On those occasions where there is a tie while calling shotgun, a race to the car decides who gets the front.

* Men can comment on how much they enjoy manly smells of things like a baseball glove, a new set of tires, the smell of gunpowder, campfire, sawdust and bar-b-que grills.

. . .

* The man-law official start date of the male shopping season is December 23rd, as compared to the female season, which opens on the day following Thanksgiving.

* And under NO circumstances shall a man EVER defer control of the television remote to a female.

As much as I love man-laws, I must never forget that “God-laws” always trump all “man-laws.” And men who follow God-laws, such as the following, are ALWAYS the most manly-men of all …

* A real man loves his wife and is faithful to her sexually, emotionally and mentally.

* A real man prays with his wife.

* A real man is involved in his children’s lives.

* A real man puts his family before his job, hobbies and buddies.

* A real man is the spiritual leader in his home.

* A real man isn’t ashamed of his faith and puts God first in his life.

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.” (Ephesians 5:25).

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Baptist Press Stories for Apr. 15 2011

—————————————

BIBLE STORYING: Ancient art form helps relay the Gospel

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=35067

BIBLE STORYING, Article 3: Bible truths leading to salvation

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=35068

Japan relief: ‘Let’s do it together!’

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=35069

Senate defeats attempt to defund Planned Parenthood

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=35070

TV ‘Family Movie Night’ re-launches Sat.

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=35071

INTERNATIONAL DIGEST: Cuban pastor freed, told not to preach

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=35072

FIRST-PERSON: Another head-scratching gov’t decision

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=35073

MOVIES, ETC.: Was I too rough on Soul Surfer?

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=35074

Wednesday

“The LORD is near to all who call on him,

to all who call on him in truth.

He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;

he also hears their cry and saves them.”

~Psalm 145:18-19, ESV~

Jadon’s Story: The start of week two on steriods

I slept all night last night. Yes all night!!!! I’m having anywhere
from 40-60 spasms a day. Still way to many:( I’m doing several new
things though. I’m saying ma not mama but ma. Mommy said that’s good enough for her. I’m also saying hey. We were eating at a restaurant today and someone walked through the door. I immediately said hey. I leave the y sound off but its still great news that I’m learning new words. I’ve definitely perfected da da and bye bye. I say those several times a day 🙂 If you ask me where is Mickey mouse, I look at the tv and laugh. I’ve learned to push myself to the sitting postion from my tummy. So we really aren’t where we want to be with seizure control but we are very excited about the new things I’m doing. Please pray that we can get better control. We have cut these spasms in half with this steriod and look at the new things I’m doing. Mommy says she can’t tell you how frustrating it is to know the potential your child has and to have to watch the seizure monster take that away. We just have to be thankful that I’m developing, even if it is slow. We also have to believe that one day we will get control of these. I’m a fighter and I will win in the end.

From Sherry Rosamond

McNabb Family

I would like for everyone to pray for them. Durning this time of lost.My Aunt Peggy and her kids, just lost her husband and kids there daddy.Now her daddy and kids Pawpaw. May God bless the McNabb Family and give them strenght during there lost.

Also, the wake will me in Amite, not Kentwood.

Elizabeth J. Hilbun
(May 24, 1925 – April 11, 2011)

Elizabeth Jane Roberts Freeman Hilbun, 85, passed away on April 11, 2011 at the Liberty Community Living Center in Liberty, MS.

Visitation will be Friday from 8 a.m. till services at 11 a.m. at Hartman-Sharkey Funeral Home in McComb. Rev. Ken Irvin and Rev. Woody Rimes will officiate; burial will be in Zion Hill Cemetery in Liberty.

She was born on May 24, 1925 in Liberty, MS. She was the daughter of the late Wiley Lamar and Ella L. Felder Roberts.

Elizabeth was a retired bank teller and a member of the First Baptist Church of McComb and also was a member of the Eastern Star Lodge #84 of Kentwood, LA. She was a member of the Senior Adult Choir and served as Associational Director of WMU.

Elizabeth was an exceptional woman, at the age of 16 she started teaching Sunday school and taught God’s word for the next 60 years. “I love to teach God’s word and I Love to teach it correctly’ was her motto. She was given a hero’s write up in the local paper which praised her for her love of God and the scriptures and yet she exclaimed to her family “I don’t feel like a hero.” She will be sadly missed and loved by her family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, Clinton Freeman and Hollis L. Hilbun, one grandson, Levi Freeman, two brothers, W.L. Roberts and Norwood Roberts, two sisters, Velma Roberts and Annadora Roberts Caston.

She is survived by her three daughters and their husbands, Beverly and Charles Calcote, Sandra and Jesse Singleton and Wanda and Tommy Simmons, one son, Wendell L. and wife, Joyce Freeman, two sisters, Rose Marie Finch and Novella George, six grandchildren, Jackie Smith and husband, Roy, Kristin Perry and husband John, Stan Simmons and wife, Bethany, 1st Lt. Jacob Singleton, Michael “Dooley” Simmons and Stacey Simmons, two great-grandchildren, Jackson Perry and Riley Simmons with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

Pallbearers will be Roy Simmons, John Perry, Stan Simmons, Michael Simmons, 1st Lt. Jacob Singleton and Clifton George.

Aftershocks keep Japan’s disaster survivors on edge

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=35033

KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2.10

Mike Benson, Editor

STEPHEN COVEY TELLS of an experience he had one Sunday morning while riding a subway in New York…

People were sitting quietly–some reading their newspapers, some lost in thought, some resting with their eyes closed. It was a calm, peaceful scene. Then suddenly, a man and his children entered the subway car. Then suddenly, a man and his children entered the subway car. The children were so loud and rambunctious that instantly the whole climate changed.

The man sat down next to me and closed his eyes, apparently oblivious to the situation. The children were yelling back and forth, throwing things, even grabbing people’s papers. It was very disturbing. And yet, the man sitting next to me did NOTHING.

It was difficult not to feel irritated. I could not believe that he could be so insensitive as to let his children run wild like that and do nothing about it, taking no responsibility at all. It was easy to see that everyone else on the subway felt irritated, too. So finally, with what I felt was unusual patience and restraint, I turned to him and said, “Sir, your children are really disturbing a lot of people. I wonder if you couldn’t control them a little more?”

The man lifted his gaze as if to come to a consciousness of the situation for the first time and said softly, “Oh, you’re right. I guess I should do something about it. We just came from the hospital where their mother died about an hour ago. I don’t know what to think, and I guess they don’t know how to handle it either.”

Suddenly, I saw things differently, and because I saw differently, I thought differently, I thought differently, I felt differently, I behaved differently. My irritation vanished. I didn’t have to worry about controlling my attitude or my behavior; my heart was filled with the man’s pain. Feelings of sympathy and compassion flowed freely… Everything changed in an instant.

Has this ever happened to you? It’s easy to make a snap judgment without knowing all of the facts. You can’t always tells what’s going on inside a person or know why of what they’re doing unless you ask. Listen with your eyes as well as your ears and refrain from thinking the worst. H. Norman Wright, “Love Gives the Benefit of the Doubt,” Before You Say “I Do” Devotional, 19-20

“He who answers a matter before he hears it,

It is folly and shame to him.”

~Proverbs 18.13~

I’ll post a completed obituary for Bryan Dykes this afternoon. In the meantime, pray for the family as they face Bryan’s sudden death.

Anna Lee

Saturday

“Then Jesus said to her,

‘Your sins are forgiven. …

Your faith has saved you;

go in peace.”

Luke 7:48, 50 (NIV)

Josh Yarborough arrived from his military base in Japan. Join with the family in thanking God for his arrival in Kentwood. Thank God for taking care of him.

Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell is back in the Greensburg hospital. Keep on praying for her and for her family.

Baptist Press: Good reading to keep you informed.

http://www.bpnews.net

KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2.10

Mike Benson, Editor

THERE IS AN old tale, attributed to Aesop, concerning a man who had two wives…

One was old; one was young.

The man was getting gray.

His younger wife did not want to be confused for his daughter, so when he was with her, while he was sleeping, she would pluck out his gray hairs.

The older wife welcomed the gray hairs. She was tired of being confused for his mother, so when he was with her, while he was sleeping, she would pluck out the dark hairs.

Soon, he was completely bald.

If you try to please everyone, you will please no one.

“Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more,

just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God.”

~1 Thessalonians 4.1~

Enjoy another beautiful day and prepare for the Lord’s Day! Thank God for Alan Benson and others who write devotionals that touch our heart with gentle reminders.

Anna Lee

Friday

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

. . . being confident of this very thing,

that He who has begun a good work in you

will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

~Philippians 1:3-6~

Cora Morris is doing well following her heart surgery in Baton Rouge. Please continue to pray for her.

Ora Lee Wilson had her first physical therapy for her arm that was dislocated. Pray for her as she goes back today and continues to work to regain movement.

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE

IMB
Friday, April 8, 2011

“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” ~Romans 10:13, HCSB~

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the Office of Global Prayer Strategy, celebrating salvation with you.

The circle of eight people moved from casual conversation to a sudden deep discussion. “So what is baptism anyway?” A Bozo Team member said, “K, since you want to be baptized, do you want to answer?” After K finished giving a very good answer, the team member posed a question to root out a common misunderstanding. “After a person is baptized, if they sin, can they be saved?” After a few seconds of silence, the entire group said, “No, they cannot.” He asked, “But if baptism is an outward symbol of what has happened in someone’s heart, then what difference does that make in his or her salvation? When Jesus died as a sacrifice for our sins, He took all of our sins on Himself. He died for our past sins, present sins, and future sins. So if a person sins after that person is baptized, then Jesus died for that sin too.” The group sat amazed by Jesus’ love and sacrifice. They said, “So baptism is a symbol of what has already happened in your heart?” With the clearer understanding of baptism, K was baptized in the river the very next morning!

Not that long ago, our prayer for the Jahanka was to see even one person come to faith. Over the past year, the Lord has been faithful and there have been multiple Jahanka who have placed their faith in the Savior. Recently, the first-ever gathering of Jahanka believers took place. A handful came together to study the Word of God and to grow in their understanding of His will.

* Please praise the Lord for His work among the Jahanka people.

* Give thanks for K who, when baptized, said, “People cannot see what is in another person’s heart, but now people know what has happened in mine.”

* Plead for your loved ones who do not know the Savior that they will surrender to His forgiveness.

Megan Elizabeth Stevens
(March 20, 1997 – April 6, 2011)

Megan Elizabeth Stevens was born March 20, 1997 and passed away on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at her residence. She was 14, a native and resident of Hammond.

Megan is survived by mother, Karen Kedney, Hammond; father, Gregory Stevens; brother, Cody Stevens; maternal grandmother, Mary Marchand; maternal great-grandfather, Dave Marchand; paternal grandparents, Julius and Barbara Stevens; paternal great-grandmother, Frances Lambert all of Amite; 5 uncles, Terry Stevens and wife, Tracey, Richard Hayden and wife Fran, Timmy Hayden and wife Donice, Carl Kedney and wife Dawn, all of Amite and Johnny Kedney and wife Sam, Diamondhead, MS; 2 aunts, Allyson Cook and husband Robbie, LaGrange, GA and Lynda Vance and husband Bill, Natchitoches; niece, Amber White; nephew, Andrew White.

Preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Everett and Genevia Stevens; paternal great- grandfather, Vic Hayden; maternal great-grandmother, Barbara Marchand; great uncle, Lloyd Marchand.

Visitation at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Friday, April 8, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at Wilmer Missionary Baptist Church, Wilmer, from 9:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Mike Foster, Bro. Joe Lott, Bro. Jason Skipper, Bro. Glen Erwin and Bro. Richard Magee officiating. Interment in Wilmer Cemetery, Wilmer, LA.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N & Hwy 16W next to Hood Automotive and behind Mr. Tom’ Car Wash and Holiday Inn Express.

THE STORMS OF LIFE

The following quote comes from Kim Sherer:

“One night while my young son, Ryan, was sleeping, a storm began brewing outside. After a loud clap of thunder, I heard him wake up so I headed toward his room to comfort him. He asked me to stay with him until he fell asleep. As I lay there I realized he hadn’t asked me to make the storm go away, but to stay with him. How many times, I wondered, have I asked God to take away the storms of life, when instead I need to ask him to stay with me and help me weather them more peacefully?”

What a beautiful thought!

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our tribulation,

that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble,

with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

~2 Corinthians 1:3-4~

Father, we do indeed pray for your comforting presence in the storms of our lives. As much as we might desire for the storms to go away, it is much important to us that you remain with us and see us through the storms. Thank you for your assurance that you will do that for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

That devotional touched my heart so much I had a hard time waiting until today to post it. I pray it will touch your heart too.

Tickets for the Easter presentation at First Baptist Church, Kentwood are available in the church office or by calling 987-229-8111. The cost is $2.00. The dates are April 17 (two times), April 18, and April 19. Come and have your heart “touched.

Anna Lee

Thursday

“As she stood behind Jesus at his feet weeping,

she began to wet his feet with her tears.

Then she wiped them with her hair,

kissed them and poured perfume on them.”

~Luke 7:38 (NIV)~

Chloe Neyland

Our baby girl Chloe is doing very well and making progress. She came off the vent Tuesday morning and they began feeding her with a feeding tube today. I was able to hold her this afternoon for the first time in 5 days. Feeling very blessed!!

Stacey Scarle

Stacey sees the Radiology oncologist today Please say a prayer for her.

Please continue to pray for Mrs. Bill Hughes as warmer weather approaches. She has more difficulty breathing when the hot summer weather.

KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2.10

Mike Benson, Editor

A FLORIDA COUPLE A made the news some time ago for the extraordinary job they were doing instructing their teenagers on the ins and outs of the family business…

The family business, however, happened to be armed robbery.

Husband and wife were schooling their sons in such tools of the trade as AK-47 rifles, police scanners, escape routes, surveillance and surivial gear, etc. They carefully taught them hand-to-hand combat, and expected them to memorize police codes and map layouts. After each robbery the boys were debriefed, and their mistakes were spotted and corrected.

Are we serious about teaching and training our children about living for God? Raising godly children is perhaps the most challenging task God bestows upon parents.

“Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul,

and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.

You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house,

when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”

~Deuteronomy 11.18-19~

Thank-you for praying today. Your prayers mean so much to so many!

Anna Lee