Category: Devotional

Monday

“All the LORD’s ways [show] faithful love and truth

to those who keep His covenant and decrees.”

~Psalm 25: 10, HCSB~

Jadon’s Story: More Great News!!!

First I want to say congrats to my Aunt Rachael and Uncle Michael. My cousin was born on my mommy’s birthday. He was 5 pounds 11 ounces and 19 1/4 inches long. He is absolutely perfect and we are so excited for them. Now on to me. Well its been 2weeks. Yes 2 whole weeks with only 20-40 very small spasms a day. I don’t think I’ve ever gone this long with this few seizures and this less intense. You have to be holding me to know that I’m having them. My eyes aren’t rolling way back in my head either. We still can’t believe it. People this is huge news for me!!! Just when it looked like we would never get control of these things LOOK WHAT OUR GOD has done!!!!!! We were so sad when I got RSV but it has been the best thing that could have happened to me. Between the topamax wean and the steroids I’m doing 100% better. I’m not going to lie and tell you we don’t worry. Each morning when we wake up everyones eyes are on me counting making sure I’m not going to have more seizures than the day before. Yes we are VERY VERY thankful just scared they are going to increase and get more intense. We again are just trusting GOD and we keep reminding ourself that He is in control not us. We don’t know what the next day, week, month, or year will bring but today I can’t even explain the joy we have in our hearts. We go back to the neurologist on March 1. The plan is to start zonegran. We are also going to talk to her about maybe doing another round of prednisolone to try to stop these things completely. Please continue to pray for me as I continue to fight this horrible thing called epilepsy. Right now I’m winning and I’m determined to win in the end. I love you all, Jadon

Continue to pray for Mrs. Birdie Hano and Mrs. Dorothy Ricks.  They are at Beachum Hospital in Magnolia.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

IF WE TRULY understood the message of Christ’s love found in the Bible letters, then we would be eager to meet the legal requirements set forth in those same letters…

The New Testament is not just a love letter.  It is not just a legal brief.  It is both! Are love and law mutually exclusive?  Are they incompatible?  Obviously not!  Jesus tied love and lawkeeping together!

I can well remember as a boy, coming home after school to find a note written to me by my father.  The note would almost always have some command written down upon it for me to obey and then close with an expression of love from my Dad.  When I read the note, I saw two elements present.  There was a command for me to obey given by one who had authority over me.  Then there was an expression of love for given by one who had fervent affection for me.  There was law and there was love!  In college I would often receive a love letter from my Mom and Dad with certain requests for me to obey scattered throughout various points.  Imagine that – a love letter with requirements as well.

This is precisely what the New Testament is – a love letter with legal requirements combined.  “Precept and promise, law and love combining, till night shall vanish in eternal day!”  B.J. Clarke, The Bible: Love Letter, Legal Brief, or Both?

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”  John 14:15; cf. v. 21-24

May you share your love and have love shared with you today.  Love is best expressed with actions!  The greatest love is God’s love for us.

Anna Lee

Saturday

“I am convinced that God,

who began this good work in you,

will carry it through to completion.”

~Philippians 1:6 GWT~

Eddie Muse

Please be in prayer for my brother Eddie as he will be seeing specialists at The Mayo Clinic in Arizona. We are hopeful that he will be able to get definitive answers to health issues that have developed in recent months.
Trudy Muse Shockley


I’ve been doing great the last two days. I’ve had about 30 spasms if Jadon’s Story
that each day. The good thing is I’m only having them when I wake up.
So I have anywhere from 5-10 each time I wake up and then none
throughout the day. We decreased my topamax again Wednesday night.
It’s so awesome to only have to take 1 topamax pill at night. I can’t
wait to get off of it completely. We think the topamax was making my
seizures worse. You see we started it right after ACTH. We assumed my
seizures were going up bc I was done with the steroid. It’s heart
breaking because I’ve been on topamax almost a year and we didn’t know
it was making things worse. We know there was no way of knowing this
but it doesn’t make it any easier. We are very thankful that I’m
getting some relief though. God is in control and we have to remember
that. Guess what? Tomorrow I’m getting a new cousin. My Aunt Rachael
is having her baby. I can’t wait to meet him or her. I’ll keep you all
updated. I love you and all your prayers 🙂

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

IN ATTACKING THE existence of God, many atheists have attacked the biblical account of the resurrection…

The Apostle Paul himself said the resurrection itself is central to the truth of Christianity. He wrote:

“But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. ( 1 Corinthians 15:13-16 ESV).

The most certain proof for anything is eyewitness testimony. In criminal trials, a conviction is almost certain if eyewitness testimony is given. While it is true that people alive today have never seen anyone raised from the dead, it is most certainly true that the resurrection of Christ has been seen by many.

The most certain proof for anything is eyewitness testimony. In criminal trials, a conviction is almost certain if eyewitness testimony is given. While it is true that people alive today have never seen anyone raised from the dead, it is most certainly true that the resurrection of Christ has been seen by many.

In the same chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul wrote the eyewitnesses to Christ in his resurrected body numbered more than just himself and the other apostles.

“… that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me,” ( 1 Corinthians 15:4-8 ESV).

The eyewitness of Paul is of great importance because when he saw the resurrected Savior, he was 100 percent opposed to Christ. At the time Jesus appeared to Saul in Acts 9, the future apostle was traveling from town to town putting Christians in prison and killing some of them.

But, Saul saw Jesus alive after he himself knew Christ was dead. The eyewitness account was repeated to Roman rulers. Paul appeared before Felix and Festus, Roman governors, and to Herod Agrippa, one of the Idumean kings (Acts 24-26).

Eyewitness testimony does not lose its truthfulness over time. One cannot discount the testimony of so many just because one does not want to believe it. If one looks at the objective testimony of the hundreds of witnesses of Jesus in his resurrected body, one must admit God does exist and that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God.  John Henson at: http://www.forthright.net/christian_evidences/cases_for_the_resurrection.html

” Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time” (1 Corinthians 15:8).

The Valentine banquet at church last night was great.  The food was very good.  The activities were great.  If you missed it, plan to attend next year.

Have a wonderful Saturday.  The sun is shining and will warm things up in a little while.

Anna Lee



Friday

“And we …

are being transformed into his likeness

with ever-increasing glory,

which comes from the Lord,

who is the Spirit.”

~2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)~

Baptist Press Stories for Feb. 10, 2011
—————————————
  • WORLDVIEW: Youth in Egypt, elsewhere cry, ‘Enough!’

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34632
  • Egyptian crisis helps believers build bonds

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34626
  • Groups urge DOJ to prosecute porn makers

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34627
  • Shi Weihan, Christian bookstore owner, released from Chinese prison

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34628
  • PROFILES: NAMB’s 4 new vice presidents

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34629
  • FIRST-PERSON (Denny Burk): America’s abortion schizophrenia
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34631

THE GREAT PHYSICIAN

The following statements are reported to have been found on patients’ charts during a recent review of medical records. These statements were written by various health care professionals including doctors at several major hospitals:

“The patient had waffles for breakfast and anorexia for lunch.”

“She stated that she had been constipated for most of her life until 1989 when she got a divorce.”

“The patient was in his usual state of good health until his airplane ran out of gas and crashed.”

“She is numb from her toes down.”

“While in the emergency room, she was examined, X-rated and sent home.”

“The patient was to have a bowel resection.  However, he took a job as a stockbroker instead.”

“When she fainted, her eyes rolled around the room.”

“Patient has been married twice, but denies any other serious illnesses.”

Dictated:  “Patient had a Pap smear today”
Transcribed: “Patient had a Pabst Beer today.”

“Patient experiences difficulty swallowing tires easily.”

“History:  Patient was shot in the head with .34 caliber rifle.  Chief complaint — headache.”

“Healthy appearing decrepit 69-year-old white male, mentally alert but forgetful.”

“The patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year.”

“On the second day the knee was better, and on the third day it had completely disappeared.”

Though we often complain about such things as the expense of doctor visits and the amount of time spent in the waiting room, we are greatly indebted to our doctors for the care they have given us over the years.  Many of us (myself included) owe them our very lives.  How appropriate that Jesus would use that imagery to describe his relationship with us.

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.  I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Luke 5:31-32)

All of us are sick (though some may not yet realize it or admit it), and spiritual healing comes from only one source.  Thank you, Father, for sending the great Physician in our time of deepest need!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Have a wonderful day!

Anna Lee

Thursday

“And they continued steadfastly

in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship,

in the breaking of bread,

and in prayers . . .

and the Lord added to the church daily

those who were being saved.”

~Acts 2:42-47~

Rene Deck is doing well following her back surgery.  She was able to be at church Sunday and again last night.  Keep her in your prayers as she continues to heal.

Pray for the Hatchels as they are at Malta for the next week and a half.  Pray for Boyd and Jennie as they lead a conference for their coworkers.

Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell’s heart procedure is scheduled for 1 P.M.  Let have many prayers now and right through her surgery time.

There have been a number of young people in wrecks lately.  Thank God for protecting the drivers.  Be careful on the wet roads.

Mrs. Bertie Hano is in Beachum Hospital in Magnolia.  Pray for her to return to her good health so she can return to the nursing home and be an ambassador for the Lord there.

Meagan Strickland had her surgery yesterday.  Pray for her as she heals at home and for her baby daughter as she gains weight.

Jadon’s Story: Mild, but More

My seizures have increased the last three days. I’m having about 40 spasms a day now. Even though they have increased they are still very mild. We are still thankful that they are mild. I’m still very happy and doing new things. We found out the other day that I’m not getting a PT. The PT that was going to come is not servicing this area anymore. So no PT for now. My mommy is trying really hard to find me one. I really need PT. Other than thing, things have been nice around here. It’s amazing how much easier things have been the past week. Thanks for praying for me 🙂

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

THERE WAS A daddy who had nine big strapping sons that formed the starting lineup of the best team that ever played baseball…

The daddy was the manager, and always found fault with anything his sons did.  Let one of  his sons hit a home run and he would say something like, “Boy, he put the ole’ apple right down the middle, didn’t he?  Blind man coulda hit that one.  Your grandma coulda put the wood on that one.  If a guy couldn’t hit that one, there’d be something wrong with him, I’d say.  Wind practically took that one out of here, didn’t even need to hit  it much.”

And if you think that was bad, you should have heard him when one of them made a mistake.  It was obvious that this wasn’t “home on the range,” because there was always a discouraging word.  His sons could never please him, and if they did, he forgot it.  When his oldest son, Edwin Jim, Jr., turned and ran to the centerfield fence for a long fly ball and threw his glove forty feet in the air to snag the ball and caught the ball and glove, his daddy said, “I saw a man in Superior, Wisconsin, do that a long time ago, but he did it at night and the ball was his a lot harder.”

Those boys could have used some encouragement.  What is true of sons in general is true of sons of God.

19 “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,

20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,

21 and having a High Priest over the house of God,

22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,

25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Hebrews 10:19-25

What does the Lord have planned for you today?  Make it a great day as He reveals His plans for you!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“But you shall receive power

when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;

and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem,

and in all Judea and Samaria,

and to the end of the earth.”

~Acts 1:8~

Money, letters mount for Jon-Mike Williams

http://www.hammondstar.com/articles/2011/02/08/top_stories/education/

5677.txtINTERNATIONAL

It is not too late to write an email!

MISSIONS PRAYERLINE

IMB
Wednesday, February 9, 2011

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance,” (James 1:2-3, NASB).

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the Office of Global Prayer Strategy, praying with you for those facing persecution.

Workers among Iranian Arabs struggle to impact the local church in the face of intensifying persecution. Ask the Father either to offer new strategies that are effective or to allow current strategies to transcend the hostilities to the Gospel. Pray for leaders to be trained, allowing them to multiply healthy churches inside the country.

Local believers of Coal City, China, have been facing an increase in persecution. Although this has not been widespread, there have been reports of believers being questioned by various authorities, people not being allowed to travel to meetings, and at least one leader being asked to leave the area. It is not unusual for the authorities to confiscate tracts and other printed materials. Our brothers and sisters persevere despite opposition and courageously spread the message of Christ. Pray that the local church will be strengthened and refined by these trials.

The Berber people worshipped in both French and their native Kabyle dialect. Men were singing praises, dancing, and praying to the Father. It was amazing! After about an hour of singing, the Word was brought forth. Then the leader called forward those who wanted prayer. Several walked to the front, and the congregation encircled them with outstretched arms. At the end, one young woman believed–it was a glorious day! Many of these believers can never go home to North Africa due to the threat hanging over their lives. They are willing to give up family and familiarity in order to serve the Lord.

* Please lift up those who are being persecuted for righteousness sake, and ask that those who believe will continue to praise Him.

* Intercede for workers that they not allow hostilities or discouragement to overwhelm their call.

* Give thanks to the Father that believers are being added to the family despite various trials.

KneEmail

At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow.  Philippians 2:10

Mike Benson, Editor

JOHN R.W. Stott, an English theologian, states, “Vision begins with a holy discontent with the way things are…”

It is possible to become so content with our church that we become complacent.  We are busy building homes, families, and careers, while trying to live in a chaotic, change-filled world.  Sometimes the last thing church members want to see changed is their congregation.  They like the stability of church being the same week after week.  Unfortunately, that sameness can breed complacency and weak ministry.

Discouragement may set in, even bitterness.  And the lighthouse God called into existence only emits a weak light.  But with vision, the future begins to grow and become clear and larger than the past and present.  Discouragement and complacency are replaced with hope.  J. David Schmidt

“For as the body without the spirit is dead,

so faith without works is dead also.”

~James 2.26~

Thanks for praying today.  Your prayers mean so much to so many!

Anna Lee


Tuesday

“Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”

~John 16:24~

Pray for members of the military, police, firefighters and others who serve to help us maintain our way of life with all the freedoms we have.

Pray for Mrs. Kathryn Sanders as she had begun three hours of physical therapy daily at North Oaks Rehab.  She plans to willingly do all that is asked of her so she can get home as soon as possible.

Pray for Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell as she makes preparation to enter the hospital tomorrow for Thursday’s heart procedure.  Pray for Mr. Phillip and other family members during this time.

IMB Weekly Prayer Highlights

February 9, 2011

* Pray as IMB personnel host a sports training conference in the Ukraine involving representatives from Upward Sports (U.S.A.) and Ukrainians who are presently involved in developing sports as an ongoing evangelistic ministry in their settings.

* Pray that personnel in Europe will find favor as they attempt to live and work in their countries of service while dealing with visa problems and the paperwork of different government agencies.

* Give thanks to God that several churches in a province in Mozambique have banded together to share the Gospel and plant churches among the Nyungwe people in three neighboring areas.

* Pray for those missionaries in Sub-Saharan Africa whose “beautiful feet” go with great effort to those who need to hear the Gospel, yet are met with rejection of the message they carry.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

THE BIBLE IS not a book for our convenience…

It speaks about commitment and sacrifice and going the second mile, leaving all

to follow Jesus.  It talks about putting on the armor of a soldier and “enduring

hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”  Commitment is written across its

pages from Genesis 1.1 through Revelation 22.21.  Charles Stanley, “Commitment,”

Confronting Casual Christianity, 41

“When He had called the people to Himself,

with His disciples also, He said to them,

“Whoever desires to come after Me,

let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

Mark 8.34


Enjoy a couple days of warmer temperatures and God’s daily blessings on our lives.

Anna Lee

Thursday

“Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged!

I am the Lord your God,

and I will be there to help you wherever you go.”

~Joshua 1:9 (CEV)~


Maggie Lee Henson was the young girl who died as a result of a blown out tire while on a church bus.  Her mother, Jinny, has shared her heart at the eighteen month anniversary of Maggie Lee’s death.

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

Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell’s procedure has been changed to Thursday.  At this time, she will be admitted to the hospital Wednesday.  Continue to pray for her and her sweet family.

Mrs. Micky Cade is now in Kentwood and staying with Teri.  Continue to pray for a full recovery for “Miss” Micky.

Bro. Joe Baugh shared how his daughter and granddaughter shared their faith at the time of Bro. Joe’s mother’s funeral services.  Be sure to ask him about them. Thank God for people who bravely witness to unsaved family members!  Those are usually the hardest ones to share with.

In Egypt, Christians Hoping, Praying for Greater Freedom

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34573

“That we won’t blink. That we will find ways to join the Lord in the midst of this chaos and let the Good News ring out in ways that will help people find true freedom in Christ. That’s what I want to see more than anything else. I want people to know Him — and in knowing Him, to know what it’s like to really be free.”

THE MOST EXPENSIVE MEAL IN HISTORY

Did you hear about the expensive meal at Burger King in Palmdale, California?  George Beane ordered two Whopper Jr.s and two Rodeo cheeseburgers when he pulled up to the drive-through window. The cashier forgot that she had entered the $4.33 charge on his debit card, and she punched in the numbers again without erasing the original ones — creating a total bill of $4,334.33!  The electronic charge went through to George’s checking account and left him penniless.

It was promoted as “the most expensive meal in history.”  That seems a little extreme to me.  I’m sure there are many other meals which have brought a higher tab than that.  But, I would like to cast MY vote for the most expensive meal in history.

In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve ate some fruit which turned out to be extremely expensive.  It cost them their home in the Garden of Eden.  It cost them their relationship with one another.  It cost them their relationship with God.  And additional costs have been passed down to every man and woman who have lived on the face of this earth ever since.

The truth of the matter is that sin always has consequences.  We play games in our mind and try to deny it because we like to play with fire thinking that we’ll never get burned (even though everybody else has).  We like to flirt with sin thinking that “I can do this and it won’t hurt anything” but it always does.  Sometimes, like Adam and Eve, sin affects our relationship with others around us — husbands, wives, children, parents, church family, friends.  And sin always affects our relationship with God.  And if our sin remains unforgiven, it can cost us our eternal home.  It’s a high price to pay for a few moments of selfish enjoyment.

Listen to this warning from James:  “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’  For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.  Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers.” (James 1:13-16)

Don’t be deceived!  Partaking of sin will result in a bill far greater than you ever could have imagined.  Even greater than the cost of burgers in California these days.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Stay in and keep warm today.  Help your neighbor if they are not prepared for this weather.

Have a blessed day!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“This poor man cried out,

and the Lord heard him

and saved him out of all his troubles.”

~Psalm 34:6a~

My broken arm

I’ve been making good physical therapy progress with my broken arm.  Today, I see the orthopedist again.  Pray that I get a good report there too.

Jadon’s Story:  I’m feeling better!

I went for my checkup today. My pediatrician said I wasn’t wheezing anymore. Thank God I’m not wheezing anymore. I can now stop the breathing treatments. She did put me on another antibiotic. I still have alot of congestion in my chest. Hopefully the antibiotic will help get rid of all this yucky stuff. My seizures are still great. I’m not having very many at all. I don’t have a good number for you because they are so little you have to be holding me to even know I’m having one. We did stop the steroids yesterday so we will see how I do the rest of the week. Please pray that they will stay down. I can’t tell you how much better life is when my seizures are down. I’m much happier, I’m stronger, and I babble so much more. My mommy also doesn’t have to worry about me hitting my head. I can’t begin to explain the joy it brings to my family. I will keep you updated. I got my computer back so it will be much easier. Thanks for praying for me 🙂

Jon-Michael Williams and his mother, Brenda Gill Williams

Please continue to pray for Jon-Michael Williams, his mother, and many friends.  Thank God for all the friends and strangers who have stepped up to help.    Thousands of emails to Extreme Home Makeover have been written.  It’s not too late to write your email or to get everyone in your class, club, or home to write.

Cold weather

Take care and stay warm.  Help someone else who might not be warm enough.

Baptist Press: 2-1-11

  • Chick-fil-A stands firm during gay clamor, gains support
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34564
  • Church planting ‘a significant priority,’ seminary leader says
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34563
  • As CP giving rebounded, so did congregation
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34565
  • CP: 3.19% below previous year’s pace
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34566
  • Health care ruling most significant one yet

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34567

  • SUPER BOWL: Steelers’ chaplain benefits from coach’s, team’s support
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34568
  • SUPER BOWL: Packers’ chaplain a ‘resource’ for players in spiritual need
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34569
  • CBF budget shortfall: 13 positions eliminated
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34570
  • ‘A Scent of Jasmine,’ a novel, Chapter 12

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34571

  • FIRST-PERSON: Creating a culture of character in your company
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34572
Johnnie W. Tidwell
(November 5, 1933 – February 1, 2011)

Johnnie W. Tidwell was born November 5, 1933 and passed away at 9:39 a.m., Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at his residence. He was 77, a native of Booneville, MS and a resident of Greensburg.

Johnnie is survived by a sister, Bernice T. Cade, Livingston; 3 brothers, Bill Tidwell, Livingston, Jimmy Tidwell, Greensburg and Charles “Cleve” Tidwell and wife Sybil, Greensburg; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie and Annie Rogers Tidwell; sister, Clynese T. Phillips; and brother, Hubert Tidwell.

Visitation at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Wednesday, February 2, 2011 from 11:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services at 3:00 p.m. in the funeral home Chapel with Rev. Larry Stewart officiating. Interment in the Greensburg Cemetery.

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

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

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2.10
Mike Benson, Editor

HENRY FORD HAD an incredibly large dream…

He envisioned an affordable automobile for every family at a time when automobiles were only luxurious novelties.  The average person traveled by foot, horse, train, or boat.  People in his day were at first skeptical of his dream, but Ford’s development of the assembly line and mass production of automobiles changed forever world manufacturing and the American way of life.

How can the dreamer know if his vision is big enough?

Several factors can help in assessing the size of the vision. First, the vision has to be bigger than the envisioner in the sense that it goes far beyond him and his abilities to accomplish it.  If he or she feels that it is within his or her grasp to accomplish the vision, then it is probably too small and limits God.  When Christians develop visions that go beyond their abilities, they are forced to bring God into the picture and begin to trust him to play the major role in realizing the vision.  When this happens, in a sense, the sky becomes the limit…  Aubrey Malphurs, The Vision Process, Developing a Vision for Ministry, 66-67

5 Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. 6 So he said to them, “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: 7 There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.” 8 And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. 9 Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, “Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.” 10 So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?” 11 And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind. Genesis 37.5-11

May you be able to count new blessings in your life today.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“Don’t worry about anything …”

~Philippians 4:6a (LB)~

A friend who lives in the Texas Panhandle shared this on facebook:

Snowing, 12 degrees & falling to a low of 2 tonight, high of 9 tomorrow, 25-30 MPH winds with gust up to 50 MPH tomorrow, white out & blizzard conditions. Don’t you wish you were here?

As we prepare for a lot of 27 tonight, let’s pray for those who are facing much colder temperatures.  For them, we can pray they continue to have heat, that they have stored up enough food and medicine that most of them will not have to try to travel, safety of utility crews who are in location anticipating a problem, for no broken pipes, etc.

From my son-in-law:

Thank you for your prayers for Sunday.
More than 60 Romany adults + children attended the first weekly meeting of ‘Cacipen’ (‘Truth’ in Romany language) Church Prague.  The Roma were originally from Poland, Bulgaria, Slovakia, and Czech Republic, but all now reside in Czech Republic.  Rafal and Janek Gil (long-term Romany missionaries from Poland) led music, prayers, and preaching.  There were additional non-Roma present from two international churches.  A lady from the local Czech Baptist church directed a children’s program.  Leaders even collected an offering, very unusual in early Romany church plants.
I always appreciate prayers for my family as they serve God and minister to the Roma.  Thanks to the 5,000+ missionaries who serve through the IMB and people like you in churches who support missions through the Cooperative Program and especially the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.
KneEmail
"At the name of Jesus every knee should bow..." Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor

DO YOU REMEMBER Bubba Smith...?

 

He retired from professional football a few years ago. Then, after he retired from playing football, Bubba Smith started making beer commercials. He was the guy who tore the top off of beer cans, and engaged in the argument about whether it is less filling or tastes great. You remember him now, don’t you?

 

In a magazine article about him, Bubba Smith said that he has never had a beer. Drinking any kind of alcoholic beverage just isn’t a part of his life. But he advertised it and felt good about his job. It was an easy job. It was an enjoyable job, and it paid a good salary.

 

Until one day when he went back to Michigan State, his alma mater, as the Grand Marshal of the Homecoming Parade. As he was riding in the limousine at the head of the parade, he heard the throngs of people on both sides of the parade route shouting. And what were they shouting? "Hail to Michigan State?" No! One side was shouting, "Tastes great!" and the other side was shouting, "Less filling!"

 

Bubba Smith suddenly realized that he and the beer commercials that he made had had a tremendous impact on the students at Michigan State. And the message that they had gotten was that "It is all right to drink light beer."

 

Later, Bubba was in Ft. Lauderdale during Spring Break, and he saw drunken college kids up and down the beaches, shouting "Tastes great! Less filling!"

 

And when it came time to renew his contract, he refused to sign because he said that he didn’t want his life to count for something like that. He said that his conscience kept telling him, "Stop, Bubba. Stop."

 


You see, everybody’s life counts for something.  Melvin Newland


 




 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot." Matthew 5:13

 

Have a great day!  Be sure to give God a portion of your day!

Anna Lee

Saturday

“In the day of my trouble I will call upon You,

For You will answer me.”

~Psalm 86:7~

Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell will have the needed procedure on January 7th.  Please pray for her in the meantime.  Also, pray for her family and for the medical staff that will be working with her.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

MONDAY, APRIL 13, 1970, dawned as a quiet day in the news…

None of the news stories had an particular sense of urgency–a small plane crashed in Iowa, the anti-war movement continued to grow, people blamed John and Yoko’s marriage for the breakup of the Beatles, the Senators beat the Red Sox 6-5, the Brewers swept a doubleheader with the White Sox 5-2, 16-2, and Apollo 13 rocketed its way to the moon.

This ho-hum day received a powerful jolt at 10:08 p.m. (EST).  The Apollo 13 flight–two days, seven hours, and 54 minutes into a routine mission–experienced a terrible mishap.  Moments later, from a distance of 203,980 miles, the now immortal words of astronaut Jack Swigert crossed the void of space and crackled over the speakers of Mission Control: “OK, Houston, we’ve had a problem here.”  In disbelief, the controllers radioed back, “This is Houston, Say again please.”  Jim Lovell then spoke five words that confirmed the alarm: “Houston, we’ve had a problem.”

Apollo 13’s five-word message galvanized NASA into action and arrested the attention of an otherwise distracted public.

Amazingly, the next day, both the House and Senate passed resolutions calling on the American people to pray.  At St. Peter’s Square, the pope led 50,000 people in prayer for the safe return of the astronauts.  In New York City, thousands of people gathered to read the news headlines and to pray in Times Square.  Walter Cronkite summarized everyone’s concern: “Perhaps never in human history has the entire world been so united by such a global drama.”  As the world watched and prayed, NASA raced to find a solution and eventually did succeed in returning the crew of Apollo 13 safely to Earth.

The words “Houston, we’ve had a problem” communicated powerfully in 1970.  Today we need to articulate an even greater dilemma, “Christians, we have a problem.”  Many of us are going about our lives, ignoring the millions of desperate, unrecognized cries for help.  We’re letting an increasing number of our neighbors and friends die without the life-giving news of Jesus Christ.  Our words may affirm our concern, but our behavior indicates that that we really don’t care. Tom Clegg and Warren Bird, “Reaching People Who Don’t Believe They Are Lost,” Missing in America, 50-51

1 “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.

2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.”

Romans 10.1-2

Have a great day!  Make preparations to be in the Lord’s House tomorrow.

Anna Lee