Monday

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,

from whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the LORD,

which made heaven and earth.”

~Psalms 121:1-2 ~

Pray for Mrs. Kathrine Sanders and many others who have that winter cough.  It is very hard to get ride of.

Jadon’s Story

Well mommy and daddy got a new puppy for my brother and I. My brother loves to play with him and me, I love to snuggle. I know this sounds weird but its like he is protecting me. He sits at my feet if I’m in my chair, comes and plays with me in my play area, and sits in my lap. This is a picture of us snuggling. My mommy just loves this picture. She said they mainly got the puppy for my older brother to play with and I’m stealing all the loving..LOL My seizures are still the same. I’m having way to many. Even though I’m having so many, I’m very alert. In fact I’m more alert than I usually am when I’m having this many. Seizures, I will never understand them. We still don’t know what is making them so increased right now. I have to do blood work Monday, so maybe that will reveal something. I did get to have some fun last night. I went to my cousins wedding. Mommy did the hokie pokie with me, and I just laughed. This is so exciting because I used to not be able to handle loud noise at all. Well the music was definitely loud and there were lots of people there. I was very content and we got to stay until almost 9:00. Well I will let everyone know how my blood work goes Monday. Thanks for praying for me. I love you all!!! Jadon

Hunting Season

Pray for safety for all the hunters in our area.  Pray others don’t stumble into hunting areas unaware of the hunters.

Pray for teachers and for students as they have classes for the last couple of weeks before Christmas.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Vietnam – Not yet

In 1975 when communists took over, 16 years of Southern Baptist ministry suddenly stopped.

Or did it?

Thanks to Southern Baptist gifts, Grace Baptist Church, led by a national pastor, held its own deed to building and land. Years later, visiting personnel discovered the church alive and thriving, despite suffering leaders had endured.

“The Lottie Moon offering came through,” an emeritus missionary reflects. “Had we not had a location that we could say ‘This is Baptist, this is where our church is located,’ we might have ceased to exist as Baptists.”

Grace became the mother of many Baptist churches and was officially recognized in 2008. The churches organized into a Baptist convention with a bold vision to train leaders and start churches all over Vietnam.

Today we celebrate a greater opportunity for those in Vietnam to follow Christ.

Have all had the opportunity to hear about Christ? Not yet. Vietnam is still a communist country.  But there is movement, and Southern Baptists’ prayers, gifts, and presence have helped provide a solid base to complete that journey.

Thank you for praying and giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering®.

KneEmail


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

Mike Benson, Editor

IN 1958, A NEW York City father named Robert Lane decided to call his baby son “Winner…”

The Lanes, who lived in a housing project in Harlem, already had several children, each with a fairly typical name.  But, Robert Lane apparently had a special feeling about this boy.  Winner Lane: How could he fail with a name like that?

Three years later, the Lanes had another baby boy, their seventh and last child.  For reasons that no one can quite pin down today, Robert decided to name this boy “Loser.” Robert wasn’t unhappy about the new baby; he just seemed to get a kick out of the name. First aWinner, now a Loser. But if Winner Lane could hardly be expected to fail, could Loser Lane possibly succeed?

Loser Lane did in fact succeed.  He went to prep school on a scholarship, graduated from Lafayette College in Pennsylvania, and joined the New York Police Department, where he made detective and, eventually, sergeant.  Although he never hid his name, many people were uncomfortable using it.  To his police colleagues today, he is known as “Lou.”

As for his brother, the most noteworthy achievement of Winner Lane, now in his late 40s, is the sheer length of his criminal record:  more than 30 arrests for burglary, domestic violence, trespassing, resisting arrest, and other mayhem.

Names can reveal one’s character and even shape it.  Names can provide a goal for which a person may strive to achieve.  Or, one can fail to live up to a name that he has been given.

What’s in a name?   There is conviction in a name that we all wear due to our wrong choices: sinner. “For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

What’s in a name?   There is SALVATION in the Name of JESUS.  “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).  Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins (Matthew 1:21).  When we respond in trusting obedience believing in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turning from our sins in repentance (2 Corinthians 7:9,10), repentance His name before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized (immersed) in His name, Jesus gives us a new name: CHRISTIAN.  Wearing the name “Christian” indicates that we have been forgiven of our sins and it also gives us a goal for which to strive: Christlikeness.  God has promised that as a Christian walks in the light of His Word, that He will continue to cleanse that one of his sins (1 John 1:7).

What’s YOUR name?  Labels can hurt; titles can reward.  But the name above every name is JESUS and He wants to be your Savior so that He can give you a NEW name, a name filled with glory and honor as well as responsibility, the name “Christian.”   Won’t YOU become a Christian today?  Connor McLean and David A. Sargent, Minister

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.”  Proverbs 22:1Do something special today to make the day better for someone!

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Anna Lee

Saturday

“God knew what he was doing from the very beginning.

He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him

along the same lines as the life of his Son ….

We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him.”

~Romans 8:29 (Msg)~

Jadon’t Story

Seizures, Seiaures, & Seizures

I don’t have much to report. My seizures haven’t gotten any better. I’m having them during the night again. I’m also having many intense ones all during the day. We don’t know an exact amount, but we do know its well over 100. It’s just impossible to count them every day. My mommy is off of work for the weekend so she is going to get a good count on them. All I can say is please continue to pray for me. My mommy called our neurologist and they said there isn’t anything that needs to be done right now. We just have to wait. Well waiting is horrible, especially when your having seizures all day and all night. Thank you all very much for praying for me. It’s the only thing that keeps us going.

Callie Cole

Good Morning,
Just wanted to say hello and let you know that we had a good trip to Atlanta.  It was fast and furious, but successful.  Doc was impressed with her intact, cognitive abilities.  Can’t wait to see how she will conquer this school thing.  Pray that this area will show the stamp of God and be glorified!!  There are issues with writing that in turn affect the arithmetic portion of the school work.  But, like all other areas of this recovery we will figure out what will work best for Miss Sunshine.  She desires to go to school with Jackson.  I can see her changing her mind once we were to get started.  Can’t you?  Afterall, she is a teenager.  Right now, homebound is good.
Hope you all are thinking up a great, radical, Jesus kiss for someone this month.  I will continue with the challenge to think outside the ordinary and remember that it is a secret!!  Allow the Lord to be glorified so you may receive rich blessings in Heaven.
Keep it real.

Love,
Frances

Harrell Sharkey is progressing well following his knee surgery.  Pray for him as he continues rehab.

Frances Gay got a good report yesterday after the procedure was done.  Thank God for the good report.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Day 7

The Udmurts of Russia

Imagine loving someone you have never met, in a country 6,000 miles away. It happened to two American couples when God gave them a heart to reach the Udmurts, a minority people group in Russia, more than two years ago.

Charlie and Heather Murphy* met Will and Marie Thompson* while attending seminary in Texas. Today all four are Russian language students in Izhevsk, the capital city of Udmurtia.

“I loved the Udmurt people before I ever took a trip here, before I ever met one of them,” Charlie says. “And that really was just a love that came from God.”

Southern Baptists had prayed for the Udmurts during 2007 Day of Prayer and Fasting for World Evangelization.

Most Udmurts live as outcasts in rural villages where they eke out a meager existence from their family gardens.

“Without a doubt,” Charlie says, “the thing that burdens me the most about this people is just the depression. You can see it on their faces. … Some turn to the animism, some turn to the Orthodox Church, but right now very few are turning to Christ.”

Will echoes these sentiments. Udmurtia, he says, is “a place ready to receive the gospel … Hopelessness is just an open field—open soil for the gospel.”

Pray for Udmurts to put their trust in Christ and boldly share their faith in their villages.

*Names changed
———-

Lottie Moon Tea

East Fork Baptist Church

2:00 Today

All girls and women from 5 – 105 are invited

Mrs. Lucille Pledger

McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood

Visitation beging at noon today.

Service begins at 1 P.M.

THE BLESSING OF A MATE

Someone has compiled the following list of observations about married
life:

*  A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can
spend.  A successful woman is one who can find such a man.

*  Men wake up as good-looking as they went to bed.  Women somehow
deteriorate during the night.

*  A man is a person who will pay two dollars for a one-dollar item he
wants.  A woman will pay one dollar for a two-dollar item that she
doesn’t want.

*  To be happy with a man you must understand him a lot and love him a
little.  To be happy with a woman you must love her a lot and not
try to understand her at all.

*  When women are depressed, they either eat or go shopping.  Men
invade another country.

*  A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn’t.  A
man marries a woman expecting that she won’t change and she does.

*  A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.  A man
never worries about the future until he gets a wife.

*  There are two times when a man doesn’t understand a woman – before
marriage and after marriage.

*  Only two things are necessary to keep one’s wife happy.  One is to
let her think she is having her own way.  The other is to let her
have it.

*  Any married man should forget his mistakes – there’s no use in two
people remembering the same thing.

*  A man has six items in his bathroom – a toothbrush, shaving cream,
razor, a bar of soap, deodorant and a towel. The average number of
items in the typical woman’s bathroom is 437.  A man would not be
able to identify most of these items.

*  A woman always has the last word in any argument.  Anything a man
says after that is the beginning of a new argument.

Although I am sometimes accused of being personally responsible for the deterioration of relations between men and women in this country, my wife and I can joke about such things because, deep down, we realize how much we mean to each other.

Allow me to share some personal thoughts with you.  God has truly blessed me with the most wonderful woman on the face of this earth.  We have shared our lives together for over 33 years.  We thought when we first got married that it couldn’t get any better, but it has (and it continues to do so!).

I hold my wife personally responsibility for anything I may achieve in this life.  She is my source of strength and my encouragement when things are rough.  She is the one who knows me best, with all my shortcomings and failures, and yet still loves me.  She always sees the best in me, and always manages to bring out the best in me.  She is one I most enjoy talking to and spending time with.  She is my best friend.  How blessed I am!

“He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the LORD.” (Prov. 18:22).

“Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth.” (Prov. 5:18).

Those of you who are married, I encourage you to give thanks to God for the blessing He has given you.  Those who are not married (but hope to be), I pray that God will bless you with a mate as wonderful as mine.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Jesus if the reason for the season!

Anna Lee

Friday

“He has kept the promise he made to our ancestors,

and has come to the help of his servant Israel.

He has remembered to show mercy to Abraham

and to all his descendants forever!”

~Luke 1:54-55 (TEV)~

Pray for Frances Gay as she has a medical test today in Covington.

Pray for the Pledgers as they make final preparations for “Miss” Lucille’s service.

From Stephanie (and Joe) Cavanaugh:

Just heard the Beatles song….Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away……
I thought about not posting my feelings right now, but I hope that someone can relate and that others will just be grateful for all that they have right now.  We say that so many times, but then it’s funny how soon we forget it…..I guess it’s just human nature.
This coming Monday will be Adrianna’s birthday and I have just planned myself to pieces, trying to get ready for it.  We are going to have a balloon release, flowers in the church in memory of her on Sunday morning, and then we are planting a beautiful cotton candy pink colored Camellia tree at the cemetary.  Joe and I are going to get out of the house Monday and try to do something fun in honor of her.
But people, let me just be honest…I am a mess!!!
When you haven’t lost anyone close to you, you just don’t realize how awful it is for the ones who have.  Even now as I cry and beg God for mercy, I still think….how do people that have lost a WHOLE FAMILY get through???  It can always be worst…how do those people live through this pain?
I read the Bible and relate to many of the Biblical families who have lost so much and I realize that humans have not changed that much.  It’s still hard as hell to recover..it’s still emotional and crushing to lose your favorite people in this world.
So how do we move on?  That’s the question.
And I know that millions of people before me HAVE moved on.  It’s just HOW??
Every day is different.  Every day brings its own memories, doubts, confrontations, etc.
Joe and I grieve differently, as most men and women do.  That in itself is trying too.
Some days I am so strong that I can’t even believe I am in my own body…other days I wanna be distant from my own body.  The emotions are overwhelming.
But I guess what I want to say is that I do believe everyone gets through it from Jesus Christ and just believing in ourselves and keeping our faith.
I have to remind myself that ALL of the time.  The fact that I don’t have other children even intensifies the situation.  I have no one else that I can engulf myself in.  Other than myself and Joe, but that is not the same…Most of you know how easy it is to put all of your attention on your children.  It makes you feel special and it is a gift from God.
As we move into this weekend, I hope that you will remember us and pray for our strength and faith as always.  I know that the support we’ve been granted has always gotten us through the toughest times.
There are no words for the gratitude I have for each and every one of you….
On another note, I became a bone marrow donor this week in hopes to save another person’s life.  It only took a few minutes and while I was there I learned that nearly 80% of children DIE waiting on a bone marrow match….isn’t that just appaling?  I had no idea that many children were in dire need of a match.  I think if everyone knew that, they’d get off their lazy bums and march to their local blood centers and sign up.
That’s what I’m hoping people will do if they are capable.
I lie awake this week wondering how I would have felt if Adrianna had needed a bone marrow match and we couldn’t find one.  That would have just KILLED me, knowing that someone may could have saved her life…I don’t know how I would’ve lived after that.  Fortunately Adrianna was able to give herself her own bone marrow, but some children are not that lucky.
I found out at the drive that ANYONE can go to a blood center at any location and get their mouth swabbed.  Also, most of us don’t realize how much blood is needed for these cancer patients.  You can give blood each 4 weeks.  PLEASE make it a habit of giving and doing your part to help children…you never know when YOURS may need it!
Anyway, I just want to send a special prayer out to RJ Jackson and his family.  I surely hope they find a match and that they do all they can for RJ and know that they did everything they could possibly do for their beautiful son.  That’s the only way they will be able to get through this horrible situation.
Please keep them in your prayers and thanks for continuing to keep us lifted in prayer.
Adrianna sent me a beautiful butterfly on Thanksgiving day that swarmed around me over and over and even got so close to my eyes that I had to flinch!!  I know that was her sending her love.  It may sound silly, but it’s just a feeling you get in your gut….it’s not a coincidence!  God knows what He is doing!
With love,
Stephanie

Don’t forget the Lottie Moon Christmas Tea tomorrow at 2 P.M. at East Fork Baptist Church.  All ladies from 5 to 105 are invited.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering Week of Payer

Day 6

The Zaza of Turkey

When a devastating earthquake shook northwest Turkey in 1999, more than the ground moved around Dr. Hamit Kaya*, an ethnic Zaza from Turkey’s Tunceli province. As he bandaged the wounds of Turks all around him, God moved Kaya to consider the spiritual devastation of his own people.

Today Kaya is the first indigenous church planter to the Zaza of eastern Turkey. He uses his medical training to minister to villagers’ physical needs, while using his understanding of the culture to communicate God’s love in a language the Zaza can understand—the language of relationships.

Kaya has a long-term vision for reaching the Zaza. Vital to his ministry are the days he spends making personal visits and drinking tea with villagers before he pulls out his medical bag. Then with help from Southern Baptists, he buys and distributes medicine. He is loved and welcomed by everyone, from the mayor to the poorest shepherd. This is the key to sharing the gospel, Kaya believes.

With a handful of believers and one outreach group, Kaya is seeing God work.

Pray for Hamit Kaya as he shares the gospel among the Zaza.

*Name changed

Don’t forget the missions march for the LMCO Sunday at FBC, Kentwood at 10:30.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

THIS PAST WEEKEND, Stevie Johnson, wide-receiver for the Buffalo Bills, dropped a perfectly thrown game-winning pass in overtime against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Because of the dropped pass, the Steelers were given new life and ended up winning the ballgame.  Stevie Johnson was distraught because of his costly mistake.  So following the game, Stevie tweeted the following message: “I PRAISE YOU 24/7!!!!!! AND THIS HOW YOU DO ME!!!!! YOU EXPECT ME TO LEARN FROM THIS??? HOW???!!! ILL NEVER FORGET THIS!! EVER!!! THX THO…”

As you can imagine, this foolish accusation against God has taken a lot of hits by sports and religious commentators.

Stevie made himself an easy mark.  But, lest I commit a “personal foul” by “piling on,” let me take this article another direction.  In the midst of receiving correction from thousands of people, Kurt Warner, former quarterback for the Rams, the Giants, and the Cardinals did a little tweeting himself.  He tweeted to Stevie and said: “I asked same thing when released in STL & benched 3 times, But then God did his thing… Be ready! Enjoy watching you play!”

Wow!  Isn’t that amazing?  Of all the things that have been said or written following Stevie’s tweet, I wonder how many of them were as kind and understanding as Warner’s?  Warner didn’t defend Stevie’s statement.  It was indefensible.  He didn’t try to legitimize it.  There was nothing legitimate about it.  But he did let Stevie know he could identify with the pain and hurt he was feeling, he validated his skills in spite of his costly error, and he gave him hope for the future.

Stevie Johnson spoke rashly and foolishly in his despair, and has since reflected on what he said and retracted it.  I’m glad to hear that; he needed to.  But I’m also glad for Kurt Warner’s response to Stevie Johnson.  Personally, I want to develop my ability to empathize with, affirm, and gently correct the mistakes I see in others.  What about you?  Steve Higginbotham at preachinghelp.org

“And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition…” 2 Timothy 2:24-25a

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Anna Lee

Thursday

“From now on, every generation will call me blessed!

For he, the Mighty One, is holy,

and he has done great things for me.

And God will show his mercy to every generation

who will worship and serve him.”

~Luke 1:48b-50 (NLT/NCV)~

Pray for the Pledgers as them make funeral arrangements and travel plans to Kentwood for “Miss” Lucille’s service this weekend.

THE BEST IS YET TO COME

I first used the following story (author unknown) in a Thought For The Day message several years ago, and have since used it in a funeral service.  It remains one of my readers’ all-time favorites.  I hope you enjoy seeing it again.

The sound of Martha’s voice on the other end of the telephone always brought a smile to Brother Jim’s face.  She was not only one of the oldest members of the congregation, but one of the most faithful.

Aunt Martie, as all of the children called her, just seemed to ooze faith, hope, and love wherever she went.  This time, however, there seemed to be an unusual tone to her words.  “Preacher, could you stop by this afternoon?  I need to talk with you.”  “Of course, I’ll be there around three.  Is that ok?”

It didn’t take long for Jim to discover the reason for what he had only sensed in her voice before.  As they sat facing each other in the quiet of her small living room.  Martha shared the news that her doctor had just discovered a previously undetected tumor.  “He says I probably have six months to live”.  Martha’s words were naturally serious, yet there was a definite calm about her.  “I’m so sorry to….”  but before Jim could finish, Martha interrupted.  “Don’t be.  The Lord has been good.  I have lived a long life.  I’m ready to go.  You know that.”  “I know,” Jim whispered with a reassuring nod.

“But I do want to talk with you about my funeral.  I have been thinking about it, and there are things that I know I want.”   The two talked quietly for a long time.  They talked about Martha’s favorite hymns, the passages of Scripture that had meant so much to her through the years, and the many memories they shared from the five years Jim had been with Central Church.

When it seemed that they had covered just about everything, Aunt Martie paused, looked up at Jim with a twinkle in her eye, and then added, “One more thing, preacher.  When they bury me, I want my old Bible in one hand and a fork in the other”.  “A fork?”  Jim was sure he had heard everything, but this caught him by surprise.  “Why do you want to be buried with a fork?”

“I have been thinking about all of the church dinners and banquets that I attended through the years,” she explained, “I couldn’t begin to count them all.  But one thing sticks in my  mind — At those really nice get-togethers, when the meal was almost finished, a server or maybe the hostess would come by to collect the dirty dishes.   I can hear the words now.  Sometimes, at the best ones, somebody would lean over my shoulder and whisper, ‘You can keep your fork.’  And do you know what that meant? Dessert was coming!  “It didn’t mean a cup of Jell-O or pudding or even a dish of ice cream. You don’t need a fork for that.  It meant the good stuff, like chocolate cake or cherry pie!  When they told me I could keep my fork, I knew the best was yet to come!

“That’s exactly what I want people to talk about at my funeral.  Oh, they can talk about all the good times we had together.  That would be nice.  But when they walk by my casket and look at my pretty blue dress, I want them to turn to one another and say, ‘Why the fork’?  That’s what I want you to say, I want you to tell them, that I kept my fork because the best is yet to come!”

Truly, for a child of God, the best is yet to come.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.” (I Peter 1:3-4)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Jadon’s Story

Nov. 30th

My appointment went great today. The blood work before my appointment not so good. It took them 3 times before they were able to draw blood. Once we were done with that I was much better. My neurologist is back and we are very excited about that. She increased my banzel because my medicine levels showed we could go up on it and because it helped so much when I started it. Hopefully the increase in banzel will help these seizures go down. I’m having about 80 a day now. I’ve been sick so that’s why they are increased. I started another antibiotic yesterday. This is my 3rd one in the last month. This one is suppose to knock all this infection out. Time will tell. My neurologist also said once we are finished increasing banzel we will decrease topamax. I have to get more lab work done next Monday to see if my medicine levels are better. She said that I look great and she can tell I’m doing more. The dietitian saw us while we were there. My ketones were at 1.7 which means they are elevated but still low. She increased my ketogenic diet to the 3:1 ratio. I was on the 2:1 ratio. We are praying that these 2 changes will help control these seizures. They are starting me on carnitine because my blood work showed that mine is low. Carnitine helps the body metabolize fatty acids. Please pray that these changes will help control my seizures. It’s really time for these to go away. If you look at the bottom right hand side of my webpage, you will notice that I have reached over 10,000 views. How awesome is that. That means I have been prayed for thousands of time just from my webpage 🙂

Dec. 1

So today has not been a great day for me. I had about 150 spasms. We really don’t know why. Mommy called my neurologist and she said to give it a couple of days. We did increase my diet yesterday and we increased my banzel. It shouldn’t be the banzel because it decreased my seizures to 40-60. The neurologist said it shouldn’t be the diet but I’m not so sure yet. We will just have to wait and see what the next couple of days bring. I pray that it’s not the diet. I’ve read that about 10% of patients seizures increase on the diet and again I pray I’m not in that 10%. Now you see why I don’t want to try vigabatrin. Yes vision loss is only in 15% of patients but I’m always in that rare category. I had my well check today at my pediatrician’s office. She said my nose looks much better. So the antibiotic is working. I am now 21 pounds and 31 1/2 inches long. Yes I’m very long for my age. We decided not to do any vaccinations. My mommy doesn’t want them done and my pediatrician agreed with her. So no shots for me at this time. I really need your prayers right now. This increase in seizures is very discouraging for me and my family.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Day 5

The people of China

Ray Aker* had spent two years sharing Jesus in a rural area of China, but no one responded.

Then he met Solomon* who lived in an isolated mountain village. Ray told the gospel story, and Solomon immediately believed. But what he said then amazed Ray.

“Twenty years ago, I understood in my heart that there was one God above all,” Solomon said. “But I didn’t know anything about Him. So, I prayed every day that He would send somebody to tell me Who He was. God answered my prayer today when He sent you to me.”

Immediately Solomon began telling others, and several believed. The local witchdoctor took notice.

He said Solomon would die in three days if he didn’t stop. Solomon refused, and on day four, the villagers wanted to know why he was still alive.

Solomon told the whole village about Jesus, and 80 people believed.

“These people live in daily fear of evil spirits,” Ray explains. “The fact that Solomon didn’t die rocked their worldview.”

In the past four years, God has used Solomon’s influence to bring 400 people to faith and start three churches.

“God had been preparing Solomon for 20 years,” Ray says. “I’m just thankful God allowed me to be a small part of it.”

Pray God continues to reveal Himself to Solomon’s people.

*Names changed

Have a great day!

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“For he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.”

Luke 1:48a (NIV)

There will be an associational Lottie Moon Tea Saturday at East Fork Baptist Church at 2 P.M.  If you are a lady between 5 and 105, you are invited to come learn more about this great missionary and enjoy some tea cakes made using her recipe with a cup of hot tea or chocolate.  It will be fun and informative.  Call me if you need more information.  I hope to see you there.

From Action News 17 concerning Jon-Michael Williams

Williams continues to blink his eyes, move his toes, and give other indications that he is potentially aware of both physical and audio stimulus, sources told ActionNews17.com this week.

Friends and family breathed a sigh of relief after Monday’s perfusion tests came back with positive results for the teen, whom doctors say faces a long road to recovery but that with time it is possible.I have three obituaries today.  Please pray for the families.

Thank-you for praying for Jon-Michael as he had the tests yesteray.

I have three death notices today.

Edward Earl Montz, Jr.

(May 24, 1945 – November 28, 2010)

Edward Earl Montz, Jr. was born May 24, 1945 and passed away at 12:37 a.m., Sunday, November 28, 2001 at his residence. He was 65, a native of New Orleans and a resident of Ponchatoula. Edward served our country in the US Army during the Vietnam Conflict.

Edward is survived by his wife, Angela Ryals Montz, Ponchatoula; daughter, Jeanna Montz King, Shreveport; 3 sons, Edward E. Montz, III, Kentwood, Matthew Laros Montz and Jonathan Henry Montz both of Ponchatoula; 4 grandchildren, Joshua Brian King, Jennifer Nicole King, Edward Earl Montz, IV and Alexis Rachea’ Montz; 2 brothers, Larry William Montz and Richard “Rick” Henry Montz and wife, Vicki; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Preceded in death by parents, Edward Earl Montz, Sr. and Blanche Hoffstadt Montz; 2 sisters, Jeanne Marie Montz Meyer and Sandi Elizabeth Montz.

Visitation at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Wednesday, December 1, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Thursday, December 2, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services in the funeral home Chapel at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Johnny Presley officiating. Interment in Hoffstadt Cemetery, Kentwood, LA.

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

McKneely and Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N & Hwy.#16 West (Exit #46) next to Bill Hood Automotive and behind Mr. Tom’s Carwash and Holiday Inn Express.

Adam John Banas
(January 22, 1971 – November 25, 2010)

A resident of Amite, he died at 1:45 p.m. on Thursday, November 25, 2010 at his residence. He was born January 22, 1971 in North Hampton, MA and was 39 years of age. He is survived by his daughter, Tiffany Banas, Amite; father, John Banas and his wife, Karen, Queen Creek, AZ; sister, Karie Vasquez, Apache Junction, AZ. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kim Banas; and mother, Debra Banas. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 4 p.m. until memorial services at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 1, 2010.

James S. Lambert

(October 8, 1936 – November 28, 2010)

A resident of Kentwood, he died at 10:55 a.m. on Sunday, November 28, 2010 at Hood Memorial Hospital in Amite. He was born October 8, 1936 in Kentwood and was 74 years of age. He retired from the Forensic Unit at East Louisiana State Hospital. Survived by, 2 sons, James Lambert and his wife, Gwen, French Settlement and David Lambert and his wife, Delores, Abita Springs; 3 grandchildren, Nicole, Amanda and Randy. Preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie and Deanie Lambert. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 30, 2010 at Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements.

Be alert to the weather reports!  Say a prayer for those who have had homes damaged or destroyed this morning.  Help in any way you can.

Anna Lee

Anna Lee

Thanksgiving

“Giving thanks to the Father

who has qualified us to be partakers

of the inheritance of the saints in the light.”

~Colossians 1:12~

We can rejoice when we run into problems and trials,

because we know that they are good for us –

they help us learn to endure.

And endurance develops strength of character in us,

and character strengthens

our confident expectation of salvation.

~Romans 5:3-4 (NLT)~

CaringBridge

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

Dwayne Wilson was involved in an accident in Texas Tuesday.  Thankfully, he will be okay which is more than can be said for his van.  I don’t know about the person who rear-ended Dwayne.  Dwayne’s parents are in Texas for Thanksgiving.

Heart to Heart with Holley

Pumpkins photo by John-Morgan

When Thanksgiving isn’t the Same: Guest Post by Carol Davis

Posted: 23 Nov 2010 10:00 PM PST

Thanksgiving is a time when we reflect and think of all we have been blessed with.

But, it’s not a celebratory time for everybody. For some of us, it will never be the same.

There will be an empty seat because death came for them too soon.

An empty seat because one found another table at which to celebrate.

A clean plate set but not used that represents the child that has decided family is no longer a priority.

Suddenly, this year…we notice that things will never be the same.

I think back to the Thanksgiving days of my childhood. I would enter through the front door of my grandmother’s house while the wonderful aroma wafted from the kitchen. The house was full. The table was set. We could not begin until every one arrived.

The smell of pecan pie and sweet potatoes tempted you to enter and get a taste of what awaited. But, you waited…knowing it would be worth it. Being the youngest grandchild, I got to fix my plate first and sit at the small table located closest to the food. This was Thanksgiving.

Year after year, the landscape of family changed. New faces were added. We mourned the loss of empty chairs and celebrated the additions of high chairs and card tables for extra seating. Every year different.

Then, I remember the first year that my grandmother was in a rest home. My heart ached that day when we gathered around the table to give thanks. No longer around her table, no longer with the big family, different. I knew it would never be the same.

But, the older I get, the more I realize, that even in the “never be the same” days, there are treasures to be mined out and enjoyed in the midst of different.

True. The faces have changed. But, let’s not miss the faces that are gathered.

True. Life has changed. But, let’s not look forward to the end of the day and miss the living of this day.

True. It will never be the same. However, truth of the matter is, it never has been.

So, let’s squeeze all of the life we can out of today knowing that God has created this day and still has plenty for us to enjoy.

by Carol Davis

Carol Davis is a morning radio co-host on 106.9 the Light in NC. She is a proud single momma to Ella. A Southern gal through and through but, don’t accept an invitation to dinner cause she can’t cook a lick, which is Southern for “we’re getting take-out.”

Visit Carol at cantcookalick.blogspot.com.

Be sure to give thanks for your many blessings today!

Anna Lee


Tuesday

You will be made rich in every way

so that you can be generous on every occasion …

your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

~2 Corinthians 9:11 (NIV)~

CaringBridge

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

Jon Michael Williams was seriously injured in a wreck in Amite last night.  He was airlifted to New Orleans.  Please be in prayer for him, his mother, the medical staff caring for him, and his many friends and extended family members.

Baptist Press Stories for Nov. 22, 2010
—————————————
Major group says it cannot endorse NIV 2011 Bible
Pastor recaps reasons for alcohol motion
Man accused of blasphemy among 5 killed
Pakistani pardoned for alleged blasphemy
Greear encouraged by Indonesia believers
S.C. ups CP %, creates GCR task force
Outreach foreshadows Georgia 2020 plan
SBTC hosts NAMB commissioning
N. Greenville tops Campbellsville in bowl
FIRST-PERSON: A second to die

mail.jpg

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

YOU PLACE A basketball in my hand and we can play a pickup game of basketball…

You place a basketball in Michael Jordan’s hand and you get six NBA championship rings.  It just depends on whose hand it’s in…

You place a football in my hand and I can toss it to my grandson.  You place a football in Peyton Manning’s hand and you get a $19 million dollar contract.  It just depends on whose hand it’s in…

You place a mathematical formula in my hand and you get confusion.  You place a mathematical formula in Albert Einstein’s hand and you get the laws of relativity.  It just depends on whose hand it’s in…

You place a rod in my hand and I can beat an angry dog away from me.  You place a rod in Moses’ hand and he will part the Red Sea.  It just depends on whose hand it’s in…

You place a stone and a slingshot in my hand and you get a kid’s toy.  You place a stone and a slingshot in David’s hand and you slay a giant.  It just depends on whose hand it’s in…

You place two fish and five loaves of bread in my hand and you get a couple of sandwiches.  You place them in Jesus’ hand and 5,000 men are fed.  It just depends on whose hand it’s in…

You place some nails in my hand and you might get a birdhouse.  You place nails in Jesus’ hand and you get the forgiveness of sins.  It just depends on whose hand it’s in.  Paul Ciniraj

“Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying,

“I am willing; be cleansed.”

Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.”

~Matthew 8:3~

I pray you put your hand into the hands of Jesus today if you have not already done so.


Anna Lee

Sunday

You will be made rich in every way

so that you can be generous on every occasion …

your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

~2 Corinthians 9:11 (NIV)~

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

JAMES NG INTENDED to propose to Sonja Bostic while floating in a hot air balloon over a heavily wooded area in Burton Township, Ohio…

He had the engagement ring hidden in a camera bag.  But before he could pop the question, the camera bag fell over the side of the balloon’s basket and disappeared into the trees far below.

Sonja said she’d marry James, but she didn’t think he’d ever find the ring.  “Not in a million years,” she says.

James, 26, searched alone and with friends every day, and on the seventh day, found the lost camera bag.

What if we searched and studied the Scriptures with the same tenacity that James Ng looked for that lost camera bag?

“These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica,

in that they received the word with all readiness,

and searched the Scriptures daily

to find out whether these things were so.”

~Acts 17:11~

Search some Scriptures today!

Anna Lee

Saturday

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give,

not reluctantly or under compulsion,

for God loves a cheerful giver.

~2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)~

CaringBridge

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

E. Norwood Forshag

(November 24, 1929 – November 19, 2010)

Beloved husband father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. A resident of Amite, he died at 3:15 a.m. on Friday, November 19, 2010 at Specialty LTCH in Hammond. He was born November 24, 1929 in Amite and was 80 years of age. He was a graduate of Amite High School where he excelled on the football field and was a former communications Staff Sergeant in the Louisiana Army National Guard. Mr. Forshag was a skilled craftsman in construction, carpentry, and blacksmithing and passed his love of the outdoors to his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Elizabertha “Liz” Miller Forshag, Amite, son, Colonel Russell Forshag, U.S. Army (Ret.) and his wife, Sandie, Amite; 4 daughters, Gay New and her husband, Charlie, Amite, Connie Guzzardo and her husband, David, Youngsville, Diana Petitto and her husband, Anthony “Possum”, Amite, and Ann Stevens and her husband, Brent, Montpelier; 14 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; brother, C. H. “Toby” Forshag and his wife, Betty, Central. Preceded in death by his parents, Elmer Presley Forshag and Ione Norwood Forshag. Visitation at First United Methodist Church, Montpelier, from 9 a.m. until religious services at 2 p.m. Saturday, November 20, 2010. Services conducted by Rev. Donald Young. Interment Montpelier Cemetery, Montpelier, LA.

Ruth Marie Angelette Cernich
(December 30, 1927 – November 19, 2010)

A resident of Greensburg, she died at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 19, 2010 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond. She was born December 30, 1927 in New Orleans and was 82 years of age.

McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor


IT WAS ABRAHAM Lincoln who said, “You can fool all of the people some of the time; you can even fool some of the people all of the time; but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time…”

But there is one person you can fool pretty readily, whenever you like. He is gullible, swallow it hook-line-and-sinker naive. He will buy that bridge in Brooklyn, if you tell him it’s for sale; he will believe in flying saucers; he’ll even accept that World Federation Wrestling is real … if you will just tell him.

And who is this unsuspecting, uh, unvarnished person whom you can get to believe anything you say?

It’s you!

You can fool yourself.

Humans seem to have an infinite capacity for self-deception. How easy it is for us to convince ourselves that our actions were taken with the best of intentions. Blinded by our own pride, we accept the most ridiculous explanations for our motives… if we are the ones explaining them away.

“The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick,” our Maker reminds us. ‘Who can understand it?'” (Jeremiah 17:9).

Heard any whoppers lately from a vacuum cleaner salesman…speaking to you from the mirror.  Stan Mitchell at: http://www.forthright.net/reality_check/whos_fooling_who.html

“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.” Proverbs 21:2

Have a wonderful weekend!

Anna Lee

Friday

“Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice!

Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.”

~Psalm 27:7~

Jadon’s Story

I know I have really been bad about keeping you updated. I just don’t have time anymore. So here is a quick update. My mommy has sent all my diet information to Boston. They are suppose to call us back Thursday or Friday. She also spoke to a Herbologist Monday. The herbologist is sending us some supplements to try. Guess what they have 0 side effects. Yes that’s right no side effects. So I will let you know how I do once I start these supplements. The best part about the herbologist is she believes I can get better. She is the first doctor that has every said we will work on this until I’m better. Mommy really likes her because she believes that I can win this fight. I have to have blood work in the morning. I have been so tired since starting the diet and its only getting worse. I slept for 4 hours this afternoon. I will let you know the results of that. Also my brother is still sick. Mar took him to the doctor yesterday. He had ear infections in both ears and a sinus infection. He had to get two antibiotic shots and is antibiotic now. Now you see why I have no time to update my page. Hopefully things will slow down for us soon.

CaringBridge

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


THE BEAUTY OF THE SCAR

The following story by Lih Yuh Kuo appears in “Chicken Soup For the Soul”:

A little boy invited his mother to attend his elementary school’s first teacher-parent conference.  To the little boy’s dismay, she said she would go.  This would be the first time that his classmates and teacher met his mother and he was embarrassed by her appearance.  Although she was a beautiful woman, there was a severe scar that covered nearly the entire right side of her face.  The boy never wanted to talk about why or how she got the scar.

At the conference, the people were impressed by the kindness and natural beauty of his mother despite the scar, but the little boy was still embarrassed and hid himself from everyone.  He did, however, get within earshot of a conversation between his mother and his teacher, and heard them speaking.

“How did you get the scar on your face?” the teacher asked.

The mother replied, “When my son was a baby, he was in a room that caught on fire.  Everyone was too afraid to go in because the fire was out of control, so I went in.  As I was running toward his crib, I saw a beam coming down and I placed myself over him trying to shield him.  I was knocked unconscious but fortunately, a fireman came in and saved both of us.”  She touched the burned side of her face.  “This scar will be permanent, but to this day, I have never regretted doing what I did.”

At this point, the little boy came out running towards his mother with tears in his eyes.  He hugged her and felt an overwhelming sense of the sacrifice that his mother had made for him.  He held her hand tightly for the rest of the day.

In a similar manner, Jesus Christ bears a scar — many scars, in fact.  There are those who find that somewhat embarrassing (“You mean to tell me you worship a man who was crucified?”).  However, realizing that his ugly scars are the result of his efforts to save me, they suddenly take on a special beauty.

Those scars led Thomas to say, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).  They lead me to say the same thing.  I’m so thankful that something so ugly and horrible has taken on such beauty, because of the great love that Jesus Christ had for me.

“He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed.” (Isa. 53:5).

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Have a great day!  Be safe if you are traveling for the holidays!

Anna Lee