Sunday – Father's Day

I pray for them.

I am not praying for the world,

but for those You have given Me,

for they are Yours.

~John 17:9 (NIV)~

Margie Williams was able to return to Line Creek last night after six days in the hospital and surgery. Pray for her as she recovers.

KneEmail

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

Philippians 2:10

Mike Benson, Editor

A TEN-YEAR-OLD who is playing in a living room inadvertently knocks over a lamp and cracks its ceramic base…

He knows that the lamp is highly treasured by his parents, and–based upon past performance–he knows that they will fly into a rage when the crack is discovered. He realizes this in an instant as he surveys the damage. As he plots his next move, he can have no thought of confession. He notices that the lamp can be turned that the crack faces the wall and cannot easily be seen. Rather than face the issue head-on with his unapproachable parents, he elects to cover up the problem.

For weeks, however, the guilty child lives in fear of the day when someone will find the crack. Every time he sees his father or mother go near the lamp to turn it on or off, his body tenses–has the moment of truth arrived? The longer the secret is undisclosed, the more it drives a quiet wedge between him and his parents. He doesn’t enjoy the living room, especially when his parents are in it. Even the objects in the room become his enemies because they are identified with the lamp whose crack is going to betray him one of these days. The anticipated response to the crack has become more significant than the original problem. But unapproachability in bad moments–“when the heart is faint”–has quenched all possibility of keep short accounts.

Why is it hard to grant to children the same forgiveness we adults so desperately desire when we make mistakes? Must there be punishment for something which was done unintentionally–even if the initial act was actual disobedience?

The approachability of fathers in the early years of their children’s lives will reduce the number of defense mechanisms their children will erect. If they experience sledge-hammer reactions in their sour moments, children will create a remarkable facility for passing responsibility, making excuses, or perhaps taking no risks at all. What father wants that? Much better that they find in their fathers–effective fathers–tender responses when their child-sized hearts are faint. Gordon MacDonald, “No Busy Signals Here,” The Effective Father, 132-133

“…Indeed we do come to you. For You are the LORD our God.” Jeremiah 3:22b

Happy Father’s Day!

Pray for families that are not able to be together today.

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE

IMB
Friday, June 18, 2010

“God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne,’” (Psalm 47:8, NKJV).

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the Office of Global Prayer Strategy, encouraging you to pray for clear communication and language acquisition.

Join the Bozo Team in praising God as they write: “Though they could say a total of about six words in the language, two volunteers came to share the Word . . . and share they did! Each night that they stayed in the small Bozo camp, the two college-age young women would take out their English Bible and the Bambara Bible they had been lent and ask permission to read it aloud. They received the blessing of their host to do so, and with the offer to stop when needed, they began to read the Word of God to this family. When stopping for a break, they were urged to continue and soon had the attention of the man who positioned himself close enough to read along. This continued for three nights. The young women came back fulfilled and excited, while the remnant of what was read remains to be pondered by the family. This Bozo family heard the Truth from two young women who couldn’t even say a whole sentence in the language.”

“Learning new languages can be very rewarding and even a fun experience as one begins to communicate with the nationals in their heart language. However, for so many, this can be a very discouraging time. Mature, well-educated and eager missionaries often find themselves barely speaking like a 2 year old after months of studying a language. It is a humbling time for them. Please pray with us for our missionaries in the Zambezi Cluster who continue to work on their language acquisition. It is an ongoing learning process”

* Please pray that Christian workers all will be able to communicate the Gospel in ways that the people truly understand.

* Give thanks for the perseverance of volunteers as the persistently share the Gospel even without language skills.

* Intercede for the nations that God will draw them to salvation and to His holy throne.

Have a great Lord’s Day! Spend some time with your Heavenly Father and your earthly father if possible.

Anna Lee

Friday

“We were therefore buried with him

through baptism into death in order that,

just as Christ was raised from the dead

through the glory of the Father,

we too may live a new life.”

~Romans 6:4~

Don’t forget to pray for Margie Williams today as she has surgery.

Pray for George Dees, husband of Jean Dees. They live east of Arcola. Your prayers will be greatly appreciated.

CaringBridge

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/micah_tolleson/journal?jid=5667827

TODAY’S PRAYER
IMB
JUNE 17, 2010

“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)

WORLD LEADERS. “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Please pray today for Prime Minister Ralph E. Gonsalves of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (eastern Caribbean Sea).

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (DRC). “Thank you for all your prayers concerning the new water-filter factory,” writes the Congo Team. “The container full of equipment finally arrived, and everything in it is being used to start making water filters. Pray that the filters will be made and the visits out to the people will be successful–successful in that the people we visit will desire to buy the inexpensive filters so their families will have better health, and that they will come to know and tell others the Living Water stories from God’s Word.”

MAROON TRIBES OF SURINAME AND FRENCH GUIANA. Please pray for the village of Diitabiki. Wonderful events are taking place in this village in the jungles of Suriname. Many have come to know the saving grace of the Lord, and some have followed in baptism. Please pray for the others who are fearful concerning baptism. Also pray for the friends and family members of the Aukan people who have become believers in Christ. The mother of a boy who was saved said that he is a different guy, with joy in his heart. Please pray that they will continue to see a difference and come to know Christ as their Savior. cbshirey@gmail.com; http://n2allnations.org

OUR ALL-KNOWING GOD

The following questions are actual reference queries reported by American and Canadian library reference desk workers.

* “Do you have books here?”

* “Do you have a list of all the books written in the English language?”

* “Do you have a list of all the books I’ve ever read?”

* “I’m looking for Robert James Waller’s book, Waltzing through Grand Rapids.” (Actual title wanted: “Slow Waltz in Cedar Bend.”)

* “Where is the reference desk?” This was asked of a person sitting at a desk who had a sign hanging above her head. The sign said “REFERENCE DESK”!

* “I was here about three weeks ago looking at a cookbook that cost $39.95. Do you know which one it is?”

* “Which outlets in the library are appropriate for my hairdryer?”

* “Do you have any books with photographs of dinosaurs?”

* “I need a color photograph of George Washington [Christopher Columbus, King Arthur, Moses, Socrates, etc.]”

* “I need to find out Ibid’s first name for my bibliography.”

* “Why don’t you have any books by Ibid? He’s written a lot of important stuff.”

* “I’m looking for information on carpal tunnel syndrome. I think I’m having trouble with it in my neck.”

* “Is the basement upstairs?” (asked at First Floor Reference Desk)

* “I am looking for a list of laws that I can break that would send me back to jail for a couple of months.”

Makes you wonder if folks are out to disprove the saying, “There’s no such thing as a stupid question”! Seriously, though, working at a reference desk has to be a bit intimidating. After all, anyone is allowed to ask you any question, and you are supposed to be able to find the answer! So, I guess one of the qualifications for the job is that you have to be omniscient! That would leave us all out.

But there is someone who is qualified, someone who knows “all the answers”. In Revelation 2 and 3, Christ includes in each of the letters to the seven churches the words “I know your works”. God knows us. He knows our strengths and our weaknesses. He knows our needs. He knows the answer to every question in our heart. He is the ultimate “reference desk worker”. What a great God we serve and worship!

“O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.” (Psalm 139:1-6)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Don’t get too hot today!

Anna Lee

Thursday

“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~

Please pray for Micah Tolleson, his family, and the doctors treating him.

CaaringBridge

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/micah_tolleson/journal?jid=5661530

PLEASE PRAY FOR MY MOTHER LANASUE HORNE FAIRBURN AS SHE IS NOT DOING GOOD AT ALL.ALSO PRAY FOR MY UNCLE WILLIE WESTMORELAND AS HE WILL BE HAVING SURGERY DUE TO BLOCKAGES…..THANKS,LISA (Westmoreland)

KaLeigh Powers

Just got the most wonderful news. The doctor told Debbie that the nodules that were removed from KaLeigh were not malignant and was nothing for her to worry about. Her stitches are to be removed Friday. Praise God for answered prayers and thank you my Christian friends for your prayers. Continue to remember her as she heals after the stitches are removed. Isn’t GOD good!!!
When her Mom told her, she was so happy that she ran to my house to tell me and of course, I was just elated to hear the good news. Thanks again.
In Christian Love,
Mary Ann Cutrer

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE
IMB
Wednesday, June 16, 2010

“If you serve me, my Father will honor you,” (John 12: 26b, CEV).

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the Office of Global Prayer Strategy, joining several engaging churches in prayer as they reach out to people groups in western Africa.

Central Baptist Church of Jonesboro, Arkansas, will be fielding a youth drama team among the K people of Cote d’Ivoire. They ask: “Pray for all necessary preparations to be made, as well as effectiveness on the field. Pray also that we will be able to bring key K people from each village where we have seen salvations to a common meeting place for intense discipleship.”

First Baptist Church of Asheboro, N.C., is working among the U people of Nigeria. “There is a wonderful Nigerian man named H who, with his family, is living among the U people and working with them as their pastor. Pray that our team base will continue to grow so that we can visit the U on a more consistent basis.”

First Baptist Church of Powell, Tenn., ministers among the B people of Nigeria. New believers
“have been experiencing various levels of persecution for their faith in our Father. Our next team to the villages will be in the fall after the rainy season. . . . Continue to pray for our Nigerian brothers and sisters from the local churches in G town. Ask the Father to instill in them a heart for reaching out to the B people.”

HighPoint Fellowship of Splendora, Texas, is working among the P people of Mali. “One team celebrated with a blind woman the freedom she has found in her faith in Jesus. When asked why she loves Him so much, she said, ‘He took away the demons and helps me every day. I love Him and want to follow Him.’”

* Please pray that many will hear the truth of Christ and choose to follow ‘the Jesus Road.’

* Pray for the hearts of engaging church members to be drawn to get involved; especially that they will be faithful to pray.

* Lift up our African co-laborers who are discipling new believers.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

BUSY SIGNALS ON the telephone rank near the top of my own personal list of ordinary, everyday irritants…

That pulsating tone that fills the ear always seems to be an insult, and although I try hard not to, I someties take it personally that someone is not eagerly awaiting my call — and my call alone.

Some businesses, knowing that busy signals drive callers to their competitors, arrange to plug incoming calls into a recording that keeps reminding the callers that they’re on “hold” and will be enthusiastically answered in a moment or two. Some others even switch the line over to the bland melodies by Muzak. But no matter how you look at it, someone at the other end of the line is too “busy” to talk right now.

Children hear frequent busy signals in homes where fathers are less than effective. No home is without some busy signals, of course. But we live in a day when many children are confronted with far too many messages from their fathers which amount to, “Don’t bother me! I’m tied up!”

Leisure, appointments, deadlines, money, and other objects of adult interest seem to outpoint any conceivable concerns a “mere child” might have. The normal response when the concerns of a child conflict with those of an adult is to select the more “mature” use one’s time and attention. We reason: a child has plenty of time; he can always wait a while; put him on hold; give him the old busy signal. He’ll understand.

Why is it then that the child doesn’t understand? Why is it that when he has heard enough busy signals from the same person, he “dials” another number? There are a lot of fathers of teenagers asking that kind of question today. Gordon MacDonald, “No Busy Signals Here,” The Effective Father, 111-112

“The righteous cry out,

and the Lord hears,

and delivers them out of all their troubles.”

~Psalm 34:17~

Have a wonderful day!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“Put on the new self,

created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

~Ephesians 4:24 NIV~

Baptist Press Stories for Jun. 15, 2010

—————————————

SBC messengers adopt GCR report by wide margin

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33150

Wright wins runoff for SBC president

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33149

Hunt sees SBC at its Kadesh Barnea

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33151

Chapman: SBC’s greatest needs spiritual

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33152

Frank Page begins to set forth his vision

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33153

Small church with big CP heart honored with M.E. Dodd award

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33154

Pastors focus on missions, adoption

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33155

Stanleys address Pastors’ Conference

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33156

4 GCR challenges laid before pastors

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33157

Uselessness paralyzing churches, Page says

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33158

FIRST-PERSON: Straight talk to church members about pastors

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33159

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

THE APOSTLE PAUL bluntly warned the Ephesian Christians that life in the world could be a heavy battle…

The enemy of one’s spirit, he said, is not always visible. Rather, he is often invisible, fighting from ambushes whic appear at first glance to be attractive and beneficial. Paul’s advice: be prepared, alert, and equipped to stand firm. To the Corinthians he said that we should never be ignorant of the enemy’s designs. Peter agreed in his epistle, and he described the enemy as one who is like a roaring lion, “seeking whom he may devour.” These men weren’t kidding around. Theirs was no paranoic fantasy. They were well aware that spiritual survival demands a dramatic effort.

The effective father also takes this kind of thing seriously, and he trains his eye to discriminate between those things that will build and those that will destroy his children’s lives. He begins to notice repetitive hostile patterns in various areas of life which demand acute, sensitive awareness, lest from among the good things the destructive elements emerge that erode and tear at his children’s spirits.

A spiritual mine dectector might register a few things capable of exploding in a family’s face. Gordon MacDonald, “It’s Not A Phony War,” The Effective Father, 32-33

“Be sober, be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion,

seeking whom he may devour.”

~1 Peter 5:8~

Billie Webb Stone
(July 25, 1926 – June 15, 2010)

A resident of Greensburg, died at 7:55 a.m. on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at her home. She was born July 25, 1926 in Amite and was 83 years of age. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 10 a.m. until religious services at 1 p.m. Thursday. Services conducted by Rev. Laverne King. Interment Greensburg Cemetery, Greensburg. She is survived by her son, Morris Stone, Baton Rouge; daughter, Natalie Ficklin, Greensburg; grandsons, Bill and Michael Halford; great-granddaughter, Claire Halford; 6 sisters, Natalie McCall, Elaine Webb, Eva Lois Mashon, Joanne Larguier, Dianne Caudill and Brenda Brocato. She was preceded in death by her son, Charles R. “Chuck” Stone; parents, Maurice and Bertha Raborn Webb; sister, Myrtie McCoy; brother, Robert M. “Cotton” Webb.

David and I hope you will join us at the cabin tomorrow night at 6:30. Have a great day!

Anna Lee

Monday

These things I plan won’t happen right away.

Slowly, steadily, surely,

the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled.

If it seems slow, do not despair,

for these things will surely come to pass.

Just be patient!

They will not be overdue a single day!

Habakkuk 2:3 (LB)

I think this verse can be summed up with “In His time”.

Mrs. Judy Liberto was at Sunday School and looking very well. Thank God for her wonderful recovery. So far, all the reports are good. She may learn more Thursday.

Mrs. Alice Faye Lee is doing well. The doctor thinks she will heal without surgery, so she is waiting to see that all is progressing as the doctor thinks.

CaringBridge

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

Pray for the family and friends of Mrs. JoAnn Carter as they celebrate her life today at Kedron Baptist Church.

Devotional: The Old Story – http://odb.org/

There will be a gathering at the cabin Thursday at 6:30. You are invited to join us for a time of fellowship and Bible study after a good meal.

Please feel free to share your praises, requests, and updated so we can pray for you.

Anna Lee

Sunday

Everything on earth has its own time and its own season.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (CEV)

Donald Ray Cutrer

Donald came through the surgery and is doing well. They did not remove his leg, they only did like a 4 inch incision from the top of the knee cap down and removed the necrosis and put in a drain tube with a packing which will be removed several times daily to soak as much infection as possible. The surgeon said that the infection had not gotten to the knee cap bone, but he does not know yet if the infection is amywhere else in the bone. More test scheduled for tomorrow. He is in a lot of pain at this time. I will keep you updated on his condition. Thanks so much for your prayers and please continue to pray for him. He has a long way to go. Thank you so much.
Yours in Christ,
Mary Ann Cutrer

CaringBridge – Callie Cole

Hey,
This is Frances with a little update on Ms. Callie and her progress. We have had a very busy week with rehab everyday, two trips to Jackson for appts., the golf tournament for Callie’s Mission, and her birthday celebration. Everything was a huge success!!
Therapy makes big strides in her strength training. Also, speech is working the vital stem for swallow. She continues to progress with the spelling and reading. She is so ready for a communicative device. We are trying the get her an eval with T.K. Martin in Starkville. Maybe we will know something soon from Dept. of Rehab.
The doctor in Jackson seemed to be impressed with her progress. The MRI showed improvement but you can see the healing without an xray. Just simply look into those eyes and see the spark!!
I can not tell you how much money was raised for Callie’s Mission through the golf tournament, but I can tell you that the hard work and contributions received will send many more hands and feet to spread the gospel. Just think. If Callie had not had the accident, she would only be using her hands and feet. I believe this is a glimpse of our Lord’s big picture and a part of His plan. I have thanked Him for this snapshot; I hope you will do the same.
Callie had a great day with cake and ice cream, fun and fellowship with a few of her friends. She will now say she is 16 but she looks at me with skepticism. Next week she will be 17 years old. How will she handle that? I’m not sure. Perhaps the files labeled 15 yrs. and 16 yrs. will be retrieved next. Who knows?! Until her memory returns, may the Lord hold her close and keep whispering.
Please continue to pray for strength and endurance for her as she strives toward a full recovery.
“Those who trust in the Lord will receive new strength. They will fly as high as eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not grow weak.” Isaiah 40:41
Keep it real.

Love,
Frances

SAFETY

WE ALL WANT to know that we have a safety net…

I don’t mind taking certain risks — I just want to know that, if I fall, there’s a net. When I was a young boy, I lied about my age and got a job as a contruction worker. I was a boilermaker. We built water tanks, housings for nuclear reactors, and other large steel structures. I was terribly afraid of heights, but I was willing to work several hundred feet in the air if there was at least a safety rope. Such is life. We will climb to the greatest heights if we know there is a net waiting below to catch us!

Walking in love is very threatening territory. It is like climbing an extremely high structure. Telling you how I really feel, expressing how your actions are really affecting me, owning my own weaknesses, giving you my heart fully — that is very risky business. The degree of honesty and vulnerability that is required for this kind of relationship is far beyond what most are willing to risk…unless they have a safety net.

This safety net is the degree of trust I have for you. I must know it is safe for me to give you this much of my life before I am willing to take the plunge. On the other hand, most of us expect our mates to blindly leap into our arms. They should know that we love them, and they should just trust us!

Trust, however, is never given; it is earned. The person who gives unearned trust will be hurt repeatedly. Of course, we must always be willing to trust. Agape-love should not look for reasons to withhold trust. But we should trust only to the level that someone has proven trustworthiness. Even God doesn’t ask us to trust beyond the level of love He has proven. Dr. James B. Richards, “The Safety Net,” We Still Kiss, 112-113

“As for God, His way is perfect;

the word of the LORD is proven;

He is a shield to all who trust in Him.”

Psalm 18:30

Posted by Mike Benson

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Friday

“The righteous cry out,

and the Lord hears,

and delivers them out of all their troubles.”

~Psalm 34:17~

Gretchen send this yesterday.

Please be in prayer for me. I have been in some pain for about 4 weeks. Finally they took a mri of my back. They told me that I have a herniated disc. Tomorrow I will go see a surgeon that comes from Baton Rouge to Hammond once a week.

Thanks,
Gretchen V. Simpson

Mary Ann Cutrer shared two requests.

KaLeigh (Powers) had her surgery today and all went well. We will not know the lab report until next week. I am taking her back to her doctor tomorrow for him to change the dressing and take the drain tube out… Thanks for all the prayers.
Love in Christ,
Mary Ann Cutrer & The Powers family

I just received a message from my grandaughter that my son Donald Ray (Cutrer) from Denham Springs is in the hospital in Baton Rouge very ill. What seemed to him like he had a bad case of the gout has turned into something very serious. His leg is swollen and now has cellulitis and his sugar level is very high. If the swelling continues to go upward they will have to amputate his leg. Please pray for him. He is on some strong medications and we are hoping that will slow the infection and the swelling will stop. Please remember him in your prayers.
Thank you so much,
Mary Ann Cutrer

A day in the hospital yesterday revealed that Alisha Estay does not have appendicitis. She has a gall bladder problem and will be scheduled for surgery soon. Keep her in your prayers.

Please continue to pray for Micah Tolleson (22) as he battles HD and a brain tumor.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/micah_tolleson/journal

Yesterday was another busy day for Macy Gueldner and her family.

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

THE ONLY BASIS FOR TRUTH

The native Americans asked their Chief in autumn if the winter was going to be cold or not.

Not really knowing an answer, the chief replied that the winter was going to be cold and that the members of the village were to collect wood to be prepared.

Being a good and wise leader, he then went to the nearest phone booth and called the National Weather Service and asked, “Is this winter to be cold?”

The man on the phone responded, “This winter is going to be quite cold indeed.”

So the Chief went back to speed up his people to collect even more wood to be prepared. A week later he called the National Weather Service again, “Is it going to be a very cold winter?”

“Yes,” the man replied, “it’s going to be a very cold winter.” So the Chief went back to his people and ordered them to go and find every scrap of wood they could find.

Two weeks later he called the National Weather Service again “Are you absolutely sure that the winter is going to be very cold?”

“Absolutely,” the man replies, “the native Americans are collecting wood like crazy!”

Sometimes the one whom we regard as a “source of authority” isn’t such an authority after all. That can have some serious consequences in life, but in the spiritual realm the consequences can be downright deadly. If I rely on the “expertise” of someone who doesn’t know, but who is relying on the “expertise” of someone else who doesn’t know, then my spiritual training has no real foundation in truth.

Jesus prayed to his Father in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” (John 17:17-18).

Therein lies the only basis for understanding that which is true. Where are you going for spiritual advice?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Have a fantastic Friday!

Anna Lee

Friday

“I sought the Lord, and He heard me.”

~Psalm 34:4a~

Pray for Alice Faye Lee. She fell yesterday. She now has a sling for a broken bone near her shoulder. Pray the arm heals properly and no other problems develop.

Pray for VBS (Vacation Bible School). Thank God for the workers who are planning, studying, and decorating for next week. VBS will be held in several churches, including Kentwood and Spring Creek, next week. Contact you local church to learn when your children, grandchildren can attend. Volunteer to help. Good help is always appreciated. Especially pray for children who will be in attendance at VBS. Say a special word of thanks to the person who coordinates VBS. Without them, VBS would not happen each year.

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE

IMB
Friday, June 4, 2010

“As they were going along the road,

they came to a place where there was some water.

The official said, ‘Look! Here is some water.

Why can’t I be baptized?’”

~Acts 8:36-37, CEV~

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the Office of Global Prayer Strategy, expressing joy with you in the baptism of many around the world.

T planned a baptism for a small group in South Asia of about 10. He was going to baptize them very near where they live, but they all complained that the water was “dirty.” T asked them where they would like to go. They agreed that a not-too-far-away temple would be best. T told them that if they were not afraid to go there and be baptized, then he surely was not afraid. They went there and took baptism at the temple’s lake/bathing area as many looked on. Pray that many more in South Asia will obediently follow the Master.

A worker among a Last Frontier people group writes: “I had an opportunity to meet a middle school teacher who is the mother of two children. One day she told me that her older daughter, who had studied overseas, asked for her blessing to believe our Lord. She said that she gave a nod. So I asked her whether she wanted to hear more about Him. She wasn’t interested at that time. That was a year ago. Throughout on and off contact and at our Christmas gathering, she began to open her heart. Finally she decided to follow our Father. It wasn’t only her, though. Her younger daughter also committed herself. They both got baptized on the same day. Who do you think I will turn my attention to next? Yes, you are right–her husband.”

* Please pray for this school teacher’s family so that all of them will have the same heavenly Father.

* Give thanks for bold believers who are willing to proclaim their testimonies of salvation before everyone in their community.

* Intercede for those in your congregation who are currently resisting the Lord’s call to be baptized.

Baptist Press Stories for Jun. 3, 2010

—————————————

Along oil-marred coast, chaplains to deploy

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33052

1st Buckets of Hope clear Haitian customs

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33053

Afghan lawmaker calls for death of converts

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33054

PERSPECTIVE (Morris H. Chapman): The Great Commission Task Force Final Report: An Analysis and Thoughtful Questions

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33055

Yeats to be re-nominated recording secretary

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33058

Wells to be re-nominated regis. secretary

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33059

TRUSTEES: New Orleans fills faculty posts

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33060

Coalition targets Christ-mocking cartoon

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33056

Obama expands benefits to gay partners

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33057

Key figure in Windermere battle dies

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33061

FIRST-PERSON: Making wise use of your time

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33062

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THE NAME WE WEAR

When the 1960s ended, many hippies moved down the coast to Santa Cruz. They got married and had children. But they didn’t name their children Melissa or Brett. People in the mountains around Santa Cruz grew accustomed to their children playing with little Time Warp or Spring Fever. And eventually Moonbeam, Earth, Love and Precious Promise all ended up in public school.

That’s when the kindergarten teachers first met Fruit Stand. Every fall, parents applied name tags to their children, kissed them good-bye and sent them off to school on the bus. So it was for Fruit Stand. The teachers thought the boy’s name was odd, but they tried to make the best of it.

“Would you like to play with the blocks, Fruit Stand?” they offered.

And later, “Fruit Stand, how about a snack?” He accepted hesitantly. By the end of the day, his name didn’t seem much odder than Heather’s or Sun Ray’s.

At dismissal time, the teachers led the children out to the buses.

“Fruit Stand, do you know which one is your bus?” He didn’t answer. That wasn’t strange. He hadn’t answered them all day. Lots of children are shy on the first day of school. It didn’t matter. The teachers had instructed the parents to write the names of their children’s bus stop on the reverse side of their name tags. The teacher simply turned over the tag. There, neatly printed, was the word “Anthony.”

We often hear folks say, “There’s nothing in a name!” But there is very much something in a name. Our name identifies who we are and where we came from (and sometimes where we’re going). That’s why Abram’s name was changed to Abraham (“father of a multitude”), and Simon’s to Peter (“the rock”).

As Christians, we are proud to wear the name of the one who is our Lord, our Savior and our head.

“If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.” (1 Peter 4:14-16)

It truly does make a difference what name we wear. If you don’t believe me, just ask Fruit Stand.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

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Have a fantastic Friday!

Anna Lee

Tuesday

It is God himself who has made us what we are

and given us new lives from Christ Jesus;

and long ages ago he planned that we should spend these lives

in helping others.

~Ephesians 2:10 (LB)~

Please pray for Mrs. Judy Liberto as she has surgery Thursday morning in McComb. She will be very thankful for each and every prayer.

Rusty Williams is now stable at St. Tammany Hospital. Keep him name in your prayers.

Please pray for Daddy. He has follow up appointment from his hospital stay today and tomorrow. Today’s appointment is scheduled for five to six hours. Pray things go well. Daddy has been doing well lately, so we are expecting good reports.

From Margaret Huber

I had a doctor’s appt in Baton Rouge today and I was able to start my treatments again. My Pet Scan report came out good,too. God is always working miracles in my life and I am not about to give up.Keep praying for me!

CaringBridge

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

The obituary for Claude Brumfield is still incomplete. Pray for the family and friends as they meet and make plans.

TODAY’S PRAYER
IMB
JUNE 1, 2010

“Blessed be the Lord, because He has heard the voice of my supplications!” (Psalm 28:6)

WORLD LEADERS. “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Please pray today for Governor George Fergusson of Pitcairn Islands (Oceania, midway between Peru and New Zealand).

Prayer requests from Eddie Cox, director of IMB’s Office of Global Prayer Strategy, to “Today’s Prayer” intercessors:

I recently developed a blog site, which features excerpts from IMB missionary blogs. Click onhttp://missionaryblogdigest.com to discover the hearts and passions of our personnel. You will be deeply blessed, and our missionaries and the peoples will be dramatically impacted through your related prayers.

This is a busy month (as if they all aren’t) here at the IMB. Please lift up the following events and emphases.

June 8: 2011 Budget Task Force meeting

June 14-16: Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando, Fla.

June 18: Commissioning of Field Personnel following the completion of their orientation at the international learning center

June 23: Jerry Rankin’s last President’s Forum with all of the home office staff

June 28 through July 3: Statesiding Missionary Conference at the international learning center

On a personal note, I would appreciate your prayers for my wife, Debbie, as she participates in Pine Lake Music’s Composer’s Symposium, June 14 -17, in Decatur, Ga. May the gifts and talents with which the Lord is blessing her bring honor and glory to His holy name!

In closing, I want to remind you to continue to pray for IMB’s Presidential Search Committee as they seek God’s man to lead the IMB.

Thanks again for your many prayers.

Most sincerely,

Eddie

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

GOD’S CREATION FUNCTIONS on the basis of laws…

It’s true in the physical world as well as the spiritual one. You may deny the fact that what goes up must come down, but if you jump out of a second-story window, the law of gravity will take effect.

We cannot be indifferent or ignore the laws of God. And He tells us very clearly that what we sow, we will also reap.

At least half the problems I encounter during marital counseling were sown during premarital relationship days. Long before they said their vows, they were planting seeds that would sprout in the new soil of marriage.

God’s laws of sowing and reaping are fixed; you cannot ignore them without paying a price. I have grown up hearing about the sexual revolution and the concept of “free love.” Yet in every counseling situation with young people who have involved themselves in immorality, there has been a price to pay. And sometimes a terrible one.

Let me make the modest suggestion that you engrave the following “laws of the harvest” on your spiritual forehead! Everyone will reap exactly what he sows.

It seems that it is always easier to grow weeds than it is to grow vegetables. My mom taught me that if you plant corn, you get corn. If you plant potatoes, you harvest spuds and only spuds…not cantaloupes, not peaches, not turnips. Please remember that your choices will determine your harvest (Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6). Ron Mehl, “Sowing and Reaping,” Just in Case I Can’t Be There, 159-161

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked;

for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”

~Galatians 6:7~

Thank-you for praying today. Your prayers mean so much to those who request the prayers. You make a difference in many lives!

Anna Lee

Sunday

“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked.

“Anything is possible if a person believes.”

~Mark 9:23 NLT~

Pray for Holly K. as she completes a move to a new house down the street from where she has been living. Also, please pray for the team she ministers with as they address the need for co-workers, especially young men. Holly will be stateside Oct. 20th. Pray she completes her assignment well and for Mallory who will be replacing her.

Rev. Bobby Eads, who now servers in Alabama, continues to recover from his heart procedure. Suzie thanks you for your continued prayers.

Mrs. Mathilda Noel Blanchard
(September 27, 1921 – May 29, 2010)

http://www.meaningfulfunerals.net/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=626547&fh_id=11426&s_id=21FE63CEE165E29E113AE0F7F888A3F2

It’s quite a Sunday morning surprise to read of the deaths of a former student and a former classmate!

Claude H. Brumfield,Jr.
(November 25, 1957 – May 29, 2010)

A resident of Kentwood died on Saturday, May 29, 2010. He was born November 25, 1957 and was 52 years of age. He was the husband of Deanie Ricks Brumfield and the son of the late Hank and Cricket Vessier Brumfield.

Arrangements are incomplete at McKneely Funeral Home of Amite and Kentwood, Inc.

Jerry Chadwick
(December 25, 1947 – May 28, 2010)

A resident of Amite, died at 10:26 p.m. on Friday, May 28, 2010 at North Oaks Medical Centery in Hammond. He was born December 25, 1947 and was 62 years of age.

Arrangements are incomplete at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite.

TWITTER

WE ARE LIVING in the Information Age…or should it be called the Useless Information Age…

The three giant social networking Web sites…Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter allow their users to share their thoughts with friends and strangers. If you want to let people half way around the world know that you just saved $8 at Kroger, you can. You can share your deepest thoughts and your shallowest feelings. You can air your political views or cheer your favorite team. Whether or not people actually care your opinions is beside the point. It is all about sharing what is on your mind.

Twitter’s concept is the simplest of all the social sites. Users can give 140-character opinions on any and every issue. These updates are called “tweets.” The author’s subscribers are known as “followers.”

I wonder what the apostle Paul would have tweeted to his followers when he was writing his thirteen preserved epistles. He might have tweeted these thoughts:

Romans: “All have sinned. All deserve death. But there is no condemnation in Christ.”

1 Corinthians: “A divided church is a poor representative of Christ.”

2 Corinthians: “My apostleship and your benevolence are genuine.”

Galatians: “Moses’ law served its purpose. We now live by faith and walk by the Spirit.”

Philippians: “Don’t let circumstances dictate your faith. Live with joy. Be content.”

Colossians: “Human philosophy distorts the gospel. Live for Jesus.”

1 and 2 Thessalonians: “Jesus will return and many people will not be ready. Be prepared for that day.”

1 and 2 Timothy: “Ministry should protect the gospel and serve the needy. There is no better work.”

Titus: “The grace of God teaches us to live godly lives.”

Philemon: “People from all backgrounds can be useful in the church.” James Hayes, “If Paul Had A Twitter Account,” Glad Tidings of Good Things, Vol. 30/January 21, 2010

“How I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house.” Acts 20:20

Posted by Mike Benson

Have a great Lord’s Day! Be sure to make Him a part of His day!

Anna Lee