Category: Devotional

Sunday

From now on, 

 if you listen obediently to the commandments that I am commanding you today,

love God, your God, and serve him with everything you have within you,

he’ll take charge of sending the rain at the right time ….

~Deuteronomy 11:13-14 (MSG)~

 

 

 

Eric Pritchard

Please keep Eric on the prayer list. it’s not looking promissing, But with Jesus,all things are possible. Keep praying for a miracle.

Lloyd and Alcyon Hayden

 

Wagstaffs

Here’s our latest on the medical front.  We have a complication.  Bob just had his x-rays and doctor’s visit, and  unfortunately the doctor did not release us to make reservations to come home on Feb.6, as we had hoped.  He wants Bob to have a CT Scan on Tuesday because he is having so much pain.  If he doesn’t find the problem and Bob is still in pain he will have an MRI as soon as it can be scheduled.
   We are getting weary of being away, but Bob couldn’t do anything there anyway while he is having this much pain.  Please do continue to pray.  It seems that Bob’s backbone is healing nicely, but the doctor said there may be a bloodclot or hemorrhaging that is pressing on a nerve.  Doctor Ha (Yes, that is really his name.) is not sure what is causing this pain, that’s why Bob will have more tests.
  Our prayer request is for Bob to be pain free and to be released to come home.  We would love for that to happen by Tuesday.  Anyway, God has a reason for allowing our hardships.  Pray that we will understand why this is happening.  But, even if we don’t, we praise God that He is in charge.
     We love you guys,
                             Diane

 

Adrianna Cavanagh

Today was a rough day for Adrianna and for us.  Yet God blessed us with another miracle and now she is sleeping peacefully on the couch.
Early this morning I could tell Adrianna was very confused.  She kept saying she wanted to go to Mommy’s room, but we were already in there.  Finally we brought her into the living room to the couch, because she wanted to be moved.  She threw up a lot last night and all through the morning, but kept wanting to drink more water and milk.
Around 11:30 she began to start straining for breath, just as she did last Saturday night- a week ago.  We all sat around her, talking to her, telling her she did not have to fight anymore and she could go be with God…and not to be scared. 
She then had what seemed like 3 different seizures, so we kept giving her Ativan to calm her down.  Thankfully, the hospice nurse was here to help.  We also switched her pain meds because her leg, feet, and arm pain have been getting worse.
As she finally regained some strength and started breathing normally, we were all in awe again.  Simply a miracle!  We just kept shaking our heads in disbelief, thinking, “Wow!  This kid is tough!  She just doesn’t want to give up yet!”
After a while, I took a long bath and thought of Abraham in the Bible who was supposed to sacrifice his son, Isaac.  Though Abraham couldn’t bear to do this to his son, he followed God’s orders until God said for him to stop, and saved Isaac from being sacrificed.
I kind of felt like we had done something similar today–tell ing God to take her so she wouldn’t suffer anymore, and God giving us a miracle. 
Adrianna has woken up off and on, asking for water nonstop.  She has kept down all of her medicine and fluids tonight and is finally sleeping, without pain.
God bless all the people who’ve been praying for all of us, for the people who’ve been holding a candlelight vigil outside our home every night, and for all the people who’ve been bringing us delicious food to eat all week.
We are truly blessed with amazing family, friends, and acquaintances. 
We are tired, but happy that our baby girl is still here with us, fighting like the true fighter she is.
And we’re trusting in God, who is the ONLY one who can give us the real strength we need and the peace that passes ALL understanding.
Hoping to have more precious moments with our baby girl tomorrow, and that she will be pain-free tonight and tomorrow. 
Taking it day by day, hour by hour….
Keeping the faith and believing in miracles,
Stephanie, Joe, & Adrianna

 

Roy Russell has been moved to North Oaks Rehab.  He is getting some help he needs to recover f rom his stroke.  Please keep him in your prayers.

 

 

My cousin, Sharla, is doing much better at rehab.  She still has some issues the medical staff is working on, but is definately better.  Please keep her and her family in your prayers.

 

 

Daddy had his first cataract surgery and is doing well.  Please continue to pray for him as he progresses and for us as Momma and Daddy have four appointments with doctors this week.

 

 

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor

 

 

 

 
THERE IS A certain convict that I have been corresponding with for several years down in Texas that recently got a “new” typewriter…
 
He had completely worn out the old one.
 
It was not very easy to correct his errors on the old machine and the letters he would type were full of typos most of the time.  I was taken back by the cost of the new one…$110…quite a price to pay for anything in prison, and it was very elevating to my own soul to hear how joyful he was at being able to buy it.
 
I wrote him a letter and told him that every once in a while all of us need a little new in our lives.
 
Makes me wonder…
 
Why don’t we sweep out the old grudges from our lives, rip the pages of regret out of our life book, focus on how much good God has done for us, plant a seed of hopefulness in our neighbors, write a special memory on the wall paper of someone’s heart?  Replace the fears of tomorrow with the good we can do today.  Make a difference where we stand.  Do the little things that matter.  Hope more, love more, find new ways to serve, get out of ourselves and into the lives of others.
 
What stirs you?  What is your passion?  What makes you get up early, go to bed late, work harder, stay longer, risk more, cry less, laugh more?  What if there was no way for you to lose?  No way to be disappointed, no “on the other hand,” nothing but good consequences at the end of the day?
 
What if you could “buy” a dream, make a wish come true, be the person you’ve always known you could be?  How hard would it be to put some “new” in your life by changing just one simple thing – your attitude?
 
What if we looked forward to helping others instead of considering it a chore, that’s right a chore, don’t think I’m the only one that ever had the thought, “I could be doing something I want to do instead of helping so and so.”  I’m not.  Neither are you.
 
What kind of “new” could you and I put in our lives that would give us the joy that this convict feels with a new typewriter?  Could it be as simple as looking each day for someone to serve in some way even if it is small?  Yep that would do it for me.  I could get up for some “new” in my own life, a change in my attitude, an opportunity to serve others and the good part is those “others” are all around me.
 
I think perhaps we are so conflicted about what we should be doing and dont do that it makes us all start searching for something different or new to put joy in our lives whwen all along the “new” is simply to write on our own internal typewriters a “new name” to serach each day.  I must do better.  Ken Upchurch (Ken is a shepherd with the Kensington Woods church of Christ in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.)

 
“Therefore, as we have opportunity,

let us do good to all,

especially to those who are of the household of faith.” 

Galatians 6:10

 

 

 

I’ll post some other updates this afternoon.

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

 

Saturday

A man’s heart reflects the man.

~ Proverbs 27:19 (NIV)~

 

Today’s devotional thought is dedicated to Dr. Joe Baugh.  If you have heard him preach, you’ll know why.

 

 

 

 

 

 DON’T FORGET THE “PUNCH LINE”

    The story is told of a preacher who attended a seminar with many well known motivational speakers. One of these speakers boldly approached the pulpit and, gathering the entire crowd’s attention, said, “The best years of my life were spent in the arms of a woman that wasn’t my wife!”  The crowd was shocked!

    He followed up by saying, “And that woman was my mother!”  The crowd burst into laughter and he gave his speech which went over well.

    Several weeks later, this minister who had attended the seminar decided to use that joke to introduce his sermon.  As he shyly approached the pulpit one Sunday morning, he tried to rehearse the joke in his head, but it seemed a bit foggy to him.  Getting to the microphone he said loudly, “The greatest years of my life were spent in the arms of a woman that wasn’t my wife!”  His congregation sat shocked!

    After standing there for almost 10 seconds trying to recall the second half of the joke, the preacher finally blurted  out “…and for the life of me, I can’t remember who she was!”

    Remembering the “punch line” is important in sharing a joke.  It’s also important in relating the gospel message.  We tell the story of Jesus coming to this earth and becoming a man.  We tell the story of Jesus being crucified for our sins.  We tell the story of Jesus being buried in a borrowed tomb.  But, if that’s all we remember, then we truly have no reason to rejoice.  There’s more to the story!

    As Paul begins his letter to the Romans, he focuses on the “gospel of God”, but he makes it very clear from the outset that the gospel is not just that Jesus “was born of the seed of David according to the flesh”, but also that he was “declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” (Romans 1:3-4)

    The gospel, the “good news,” is not only that Jesus died to offer us salvation from sin, but that he rose to give us hope of eternal life.  Don’t forget the “punch line”!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

 

May you know the real punch line of God’s salvation plan for each of us.  If now, ask someone what the bottom line of salvation is.

Anna Lee

Thursday

Your hands shaped me and made me.

~Job 10:8 (NIV)~

 

Rev. Butch Reviere

David and I visited Bro. Butch yesterday evening.  He is progressing with his recovery, but doesn’t yet have a date to leave the hospital.  The biopsy results will be back in a couple days.  Keep praying.

 

Kathy Wales

David and I visited Kathy Sunday afternoon.  She was in good spirits and minding the doctors so she will be able to get around better as soon as possible.  Chris is taking good care of her.

Kathy went to the Doctor today, Wednesday January 20, and had her cast removed after 5 weeks. The doctor agreed to put her in a “boot” but insisted on continuing another 3 weeks total non-weight bearing. X-rays looked great. We will return to the doctor in 3 weeks to hopefully start partial weight bearing. We appreciate your prayers, cards and phone calls.
Thanks,
Chris

  

Adrianna Cavanagh’s CaringBridge page has been updated.  Please continue to pray for this family.

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

 

Stephanie,Joe and Adrianna, you continously are in my prayers. Adrianna is such a beautiful baby she has eyes like granny (LOL). Keep praying as God answers all prayer. Love you very much.

Phyllis McCraney

 

 

Mrs. Faye Price

Hi, Just wanted to let you know Faye has been moved to Kentwood rehab! We are all very excited, pray she will do well here!
Thanks to everyone for all of your prayers,continue to pray for a full recovery.
Laura

 

Grant Smith

Pray for my daddy as he has cataract surgery today in Hammond.

 

Jeanette L. Viola
(August 1, 1936 – January 19, 2010)

A resident of Amite, LA, died Tuesday, January 19, 2010. She retired from Shelby County Government and Macy’s Dept. Store, both in Memphis, TN. She is survived by her two daughters, Debbie Pingno and her husband, Emile, Amite, Theresa Simmons and her husband, Ted, Loranger, LA; a son, Ricky Viola, Amite; Five grandchildren, Charles Engeron, Loranger, Stacy Morris and her husband, Josh, Loranger, Jason Pingno and his wife, Heidi, Amite, Andy Perez and Joseph Perez, Amite; Six great-grandchildren: Nicholas and Abigail Engeron, Ashton and Colton Morris, Jason and Hunter Pingno. Also survived by four brothers: Richard Lee and his wife, Anna, Memphis, TN, Charles Lee and his wife, Helen, Senatobia, MS, Jerry Lee and his wife, Millie, Greer’s Ferry, AR, and Joe Lee, Memphis, TN; Three sisters, Elizabeth Morgan and her husband, Milton, Mountainburg, AR, Geneva Porter, Memphis, TN, and Zelpha Arnold and her husband, Craig, Fountain Inn, SC. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews including a niece in particular, Elizabeth Lee Ann Porter, Bethesda, MD, who has been here for the family every step of the way. In addition to a multitude of friends, she leaves behind four very close and dear friends, Charles and Rozell Reeves, Mountain View, AR, Cathy Martin, Memphis, TN, and Viral Patel, Amite.

The family would like to take this opportunity to thank the following medical personnel and facilities for their kind, professional and compassionate care given to our loved one in her time of need: Dr. Joe Sharma and Dr. Juan Sarmiento and the staff of Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA; Dr. Rhea Jones and his staff; Dr. David Oubre, Wendy M. Gill, MSN ANP-C and staff at Pontchartrain Hematology Oncology, Inc.; Dr. Robert Fields and staff of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center; Dr. Gregory Linarello and staff; Dr. Alan Manning and staff, and the entire staff of North Oaks Hospital. Also a special thank you for the excellent care provide by Generation Hospice.

Visitation will be at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 23, 2010. Services conducted by Deacon Roger Navarra. Interment will follow in Tangipahoa Cemetery, Tangipahoa, LA.

The Memorial Video will be available for viewing on Friday.

 

 

 

Baptist Press contains articles about Haiti, the Mass. election, and other current topics of interest.

https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inbox/1264df845dae78a9

 

 

 

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor

 

 
SOME HANDS ARE used to play piano, some to mold clay, others to sign for those who cannot hear…
 
Some hands are used to cook for others.
 
Look at your hands.  What do you see?  I see veins popping up, brown spots, wrinkles and unpolished nails.  I see only the blemishes, but God sees them as instruments for serving others.  If I choose, they can be used like the woman who “extends her hand to the needy” (Proverbs 31:20).
 
Paul tells us to “work with our hands” (1 Thessalonians 4:11).  Solomon states that “lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth” (Proverbs 10:4).  Isaiah begs for strength for his feeble hands (Isaiah 35:3).  David also admonishes us to have “clean hands and pure heart” (Psalm 24:4).  Gaynelle Thomas

 
Let him who stole steal no longer,

but rather let him labor,

working with his hands what is good,

that he may have something to give him who has need.” 

 ~Ephesians 4:28~

  

  

Remember to pray for these and for other needs today.  Your prayers will be greatly appreciated.

Your hands shaped me and made me.

~Job 10:8 (NIV)~

Anna Lee

 

 

Wednesday

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord.

“They are plans … to give you a future and a hope …

You will find me when you seek me,

if you look for me in earnest.”  

Jeremiah 29:11, 13 (LB)

 

Adrianna Cavanaugh

Tuesday, January 19, 2010 8:57 AM, CST  

It is Tuesday morning and Adrianna had a decent night. She ate a LOT last night and slept pretty well. Today she has a chiropracto r visiting her that will try to give her some relief in her neck. He is really nice and is showing her on a stuffed animal what he is going to do. She is watching and considering it like a good girl, so we will see if she lets him adjust her for more comfort. She and her parents slept pretty well and Betsy and I slept in the next room in case they needed us. Just thought you all would like to know that she slept well. We can feel your prayers and love. Thanks for checking on us!
Kristi

Tuesday, January 19, 2010 11:18 AM, CST

 

Thanks to my sister, Kristi, for updating earlier for me. 
Just wanted everyone to know that Adrianna has been doing a lot of sleeping, but a lot of eating, too.
I also updated some photos from the last few weeks so that everyone could see how well she looks. 
Thanks to all of the thousands of prayers, Adrianna has stopped having seizures and we’ve been able to have conversatio ns with her.  This was an answered prayer for me, after seeing my baby go through so much on Saturday night and Sunday morning.
We’ ve been watching lots of movies and letting her “boss” us around.  So glad she has an appetite.
Now we just pray that she can stay as pain-free as possible and that the hallucinations she has been having will stop.
And as always, we are continually praying for a miraculous healing that only God could bless us with.
We thank the 100 or more people who stood outside our house last night, with candles, singing and praying for our sweet Adrianna.  It was so touching to all of us.
And for all of you who were doing the same at your home, and from miles and miles away.
We are taking it day by day, hour by hour, and soaking in all that we can possibly get with Adrianna.
She is such a fighter……we continue to be, as always, the proudest parents of this girl.
Love to all!
Believing in God’s will and in miracles,
Stephanie

 

 

 

 

From Caleb Estay’s grandmother, Annette

Little Caleb weighs 9 lbs and 5 oz and is doing just great according to the doctor. He is a precious little man.

 

 

 

 

Chris Primes of Amite was recovering from surgery, but now has an infection and is hospitalied again.  Chris and his family would be very appreciative of your prayers.

 

TODAY’S PRAYER
IMB
JANUARY 20, 2010


“I waited patiently for the Lord;

and He inclined to me, and heard my cry.”

~Psalm 40:1~

 

HAITI. Southern Baptist bi-vocational pastor Tim Dortch from Camden, MS, probably never imagined that he was preparing for an earthquake when he built a compound in the Dominican Republic, about an hour from the Haitian border.  His plan was to use the facility to help start churches among Haitians and Dominicans.  After hearing the devastating news reports, Dortch broke down in tears—and prayer.  “That night I prayed to God that He would show me what to do,” Dortch said. “God’s given me a heart for Haiti.” Dortch made his compound available to an IMB media team and traveled in with them, carrying medical supplies and donations. Visit http://imb.org to read the full story “A Miracle” of how God connected Dortch with two orphanages that were desperate for supplies. “I just did what God told me to do,” said Dortch.

(I just heard on television there was another quake about 6 A..M. this morning in Haiti.  Please continue to pray for the people who live there and those who are there to provide help!) 

 

 

 

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 Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany (central Europe).

 

GUANGZHOU, CHINA (gwong-JOH). Rejoice that God has drawn J to Himself! When a friend shared the Gospel with this young woman who has been treated terribly by her family, she eagerly accepted the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. Thank the Lord for another answered prayer, and ask Him to grow J’s faith strong and steadfast in Him.

 

KANURI OF NORTHERN NIGERIA (kah-NUH-ree). God continues to answer your prayers concerning the work of the missionaries in the village of K. They have been allowed to resume their well drilling in spite of those in the village who still oppose their being there. As the missionaries prayed for God to show them “good deeds” that they could do for the villagers in order to soften their hearts toward the missionaries and their message, God began to answer immediately. Within only 24 hours, they were able to do numerous small welding repair jobs for some of the people and to give rides to and carry loads for several others. A missionary writes: “It has been amazing to see how many more people have warmed to us. Pray that these good deeds done in the love and name of Jesus will bear fruit and, indeed, bring glory to our Father and to His Son. Continue to pray for the drilling of a good well and the planting of a strong body of believers in this town.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Jimmy Dukes and Rev. Jason Dukes, as well as the rest of the family, can be bery proud of Caleb Dukes.  Who knows, there may be a next generation preacher in the family!  Caleb certainly has a heart for people learning about God.  Jason posted a recent conversation with Caleb.  “thoughts” when his parents were hospitalized in New Orleans.

my resident 8 year old theologian
Posted: 18 Jan 2010 06:18 PM PST

So I’m lying down last night with my son, my 8 year old theologian son, Caleb. We have been talking a lot about the Haiti earthquake the past few days. The topic came up again. The room was dark. It was late, because we were out together enjoying the comedian Tim Hawkins followed by a late-night, help-Mommy-out grocery run to the Millenia Target (cause they are open later than the one at the Winter Garden Village). He was quiet, because his wheels were turning. The silence was broken with the following question:

Why did God let that happen to the people of Haiti? I mean, they were already a poor people who didn’t have much? Why did He do that?

Of course, I pulled out my iPhone on which I had prepared a media presentation, accented with 3-D effects, highlighting the system I had created to contain the knowledge of an understandable God who opened up the earth with a vengeful wrath terrorizing an ignored people who sold their souls and country to the guy with a pitch fork. Of course, that last sentence is NOT TRUE.

What I did say, though, was very profound. Profoundly transparent.

I don’t know, bud. I don’t think He caused that. He certainly allowed it. Why? I have no idea.

“But why? He can do anything, Dad,” he rebutted. “He didn’t have to let that fault line move.”

He was right. And all I could say is that I trust God. While I don’t think He made that earthquake happen, I know He allowed it. Why, I don’t know. I won’t know. I told Caleb that we live on a planet that God made in a created order, and we see His created order play out in so much of creation. From the food chain to weather patterns to the formation of rock and islands and more. And in that order, the earth moved that day. And now, as a follower of Jesus, as a believer in the almighty God, I don’t need to ask “why” as much as I need to ask “now what?”

And then I was quiet.

And then he said:

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, if that had not happened, some of those people would not have known that God is with them.

But now they will. Now they will know God is with them in how we help them.

“That’s right buddy. They will know Him and see Him by our love,” I affirmed him.

“If I was boss,” he asserted, “I would bring as many people from Haiti as we could here to help them heal and let the ones who wanted to stay and help the rebuild stay.”

An administrator and a theologian. Wow. That’s my boy.

 

Have a wonderful day! 

Anna Lee

Monday

“Indeed we count them blessed who endure.

You have heard of the perseverance of Job

and seen the end intended by the Lord—

that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.”

~James 5:11, NKJV~

 

Ora Lee Wilson said her sister, Barbara Clark, is doing better.  Please continue to pray for Barbara, the medical staff caring for her, and for her family.

 

Continue to pray for Chuck Pittman as he continues to wage a bettle against cancer.

 

 

The associational WMU meeting will be this morning at 10 o’clock at FBC, Kentwood.  The meeting will be followed by a covered dish luncheon.  All ladies are invited.

 

 

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor

 
IT WAS JANUARY 13 and Frank and Cindy had gone outside to look around after the ice storm was over…
 
The night was clear and very cold. Returning to the cozy confines of their den and sipping on hot cups of coffee, the couple began sharing their recent observations. Frank said, “Did you see those trees that were uprooted by the weight of the ice? I bet we will have some roof damage, and I sure hope the pipes under the house don’t freeze tonight.” Almost oblivious to her spouse’s grumblings, Cindy exclaimed, “Weren’t the stars beautiful?”

They both were standing in the yard surrounded by the same icy devastation, but there was one key difference. Frank was looking at the damage, while Cindy was looking at the stars.

Exactly the same thing happened, when the twelve spies entered Canaan shortly after they were freed from Egyptian bondage. All of them saw the same beautiful, productive land, but ten of them focussed on the giants that inhabited the land. Only Caleb and Joshua were able to see God and His power waiting to give them the land of promise.

Our challenge for 2010 is to look for the blessings of God rather than the problems of the world. May we spend our time walking through the doors that He opens for us rather than complaining about the ones that are closed.  Don Loftis

 
“Then Caleb quited the people before Moses, and said,

 ‘Let us go up at once and take possession,

for we are well able to overcome it.” 

Numbers 13:30

Saturday

Do your own work well,

and then you will have something to be proud of.

But don’t compare yourself with others.

~Galatians 6:4 (CEV)~

 

 

Continue to pray for  Bro. Butch as he prepares for surgery Monday.

Adrianna Cavanaugh – http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/adriannacavanagh

Finally some positive news, thanks to the Lord above who is watching over us!!

We are not giving up hope yet.  Our beloved doctors in New Orleans are not giving up hope yet, either.  We drove to Touro for radiation today, which will alleviate A drianna’s back pain and possibly shrink the tumors on her left lung, and compressing on her heart muscle.  We will do 7 days of radiation that will only last about 5 minutes and will not cause any damage to her organs.

Praying for another treatment that can give us the most time with our daughter as possible, without causing her to suffer….

We are taking one day at a time, but are more than ecstatic to think that we have more time with our sweet Adrianna than we had thought.
Thanks so much for all of you who gave us such a heart-warming homecoming.  From the crowd at the airport that watched our Red Rocket plane land, to the line of people on the highway near our home, to the family and friends who welcomed us at our house….we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Praying every minute of the day for a miracle!!

So happy to be given some hope, and to think that Adrianna will not suffer.  Yet we know we need to be carefully optimistic.  We don’t want to put her through anything she can’t handle.

One day at a time….God will lead us in the right direction.

Feeling truly blessed and believing in miracles with all our might,
Stephanie, Joe, & Adrianna


 

 

 

https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inbox/12634596d11d3f09

You can read more about Haiti through the prespective of missionaries and other interesting topics if you use the like above to go to the Baptist Press site.

 

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor

 
ON MARCH 10, 1974, Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda, who had been a Japanese lieutenant in the Philippines during World War II, became the last Japanese soldier to surrender…
 
The war ended in 1945, but Onoda hid in the jungles of the island of Lubang for almost three decades, sucessfully avoiding all efforts to find him.
 
The Japanese and Philippine authorities, aware of his presence, repeatedly broadcast reports of this war in the Japanese language and left Japanese newspapers on the beach where he could find them.  But Onoda thought all these were ruses to lure him to surrender, so he continued his one-man war.
 
Onoda’s situation is similar to that of the sinner’s condition before God.  Christ’s death on the cross does not automatically bring him peace and save him anymore than the peace concluded between Japan and the Philippines brought peace to Onoda.  Onoda had to believe that peace had been made, then he had to surrender and accept it.  In a similar fashion today, Jesus makes peace available to us, but we can only enjoy it when we surrender to the Lord, and and then accept it in faith and obedience to the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Hebrews 5:8-9).  Arnold Wallenkampf
 
“For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle way of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace.”  Ephesians 2:14-15

 

May your weekend be a time of peace and love….

Anna Lee

 

Thursday

 

 

But you—who do you think you, a human being, are,

to answer back to God?

Something that was made, can it say to its maker:

why did you make me this shape?

~Romans 9:20 (NJB)~

 

 

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor
 
THE VERB “BEWARE” is used in the New Testament 31 times…
 
That in itself shows that there is constant danger in living the Christian life.
 
The prophet Ezekiel warns of the same danger mentioned here.  God’s people were in danger of being over run by physical enemies because of their sins.  God informs the prophet He is calling Ezekiel to the task of warning people.  They needed to repent and return their commitment to God.
 
The same spiritual danger is confronting every child of God.  It is true that false teachers often present themselves as being very faithful to God and His Word, but–as Jesus Himself said, “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16).
 
Each of us must be on guard lest we led astray by what may sound good and appealing, but we must constantly be aware of what is being said.  We must carefully study what is being said in light of the written word of God which is only found in the Bible.  Leon Crouch
 
“Beware of the false prophets,

who come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” 

Matthew 7:15

 

 

 

Deborah “Debbie” Catalanotto Wallace
(January 16, 1955 – January 13, 2010)

Deborah “Debbie” Catalanotto Wallace was born on January 16, 1955 and passed away at 10:10 a.m. Wednesday, January 13, 2010. She was 54, a native of Magnolia, MS and resident of Greensburg.

Debbie is survived by 2 daughters, Casey Wallace, Kentwood and Jamie Wallace, Amite; father, Emile Catalanotto and wife Brenda, Amite; 2 sisters, Peggy C. Chenault and husband Robert, Amite, and Christy Catalanotto, Amite; 3 brothers, Michael Catalanotto, Garfield, AR, Mark Catalanotto and wife Frances, Amite, Charles “Chuck” Catalanotto and wife Jennifer, Pensacola, FL; 5 grandchildren, Michael Wayne Crouch, Julian Tyler Crouch, Austin Ballow, Darien Ballow and Reese Ballow.

Preceded in death by mother, Ann Gayle Rother Catalanotto; daughter, Kirke Wallace Crouch; 2 sisters, Cindy C. Ballard and Karen Catalanotto; maternal grandparents, Bub and Gladys Rother; paternal grandparents, Charlie Catalanotto and Lucy Alessi.

Visitation will be at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Saturday, January 16, 2009 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with Religious Services at 6:00 p.m. with Deacon Mike Agnello officiating. Interment in the Amite Memorial Gardens at a later date.

An on-line Guestbook and to view a Video Tribute is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com

Sunday

Surrender yourself to the Lord,

and wait patiently for him.

~Psalm 37:7 (GW)~

Continue to stay as warm and safe as you can during this cold weather.

Walter H. Bryant
(March 16, 1936 – January 10, 2010)

Walter H. Bryant

Walter Harrison Bryant a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother passed away at 2:30 a.m., Sunday, January 10, 2010 at his residence surrounded by his family. He was 73, a native of Tangipahoa Parish and a resident of Amite.

Walter is survived by his wife of 53 years, Betty Gill Bryant, Amite; 3 daughters, Jo Ann Bryant, Amite, Rita Rutland, Amite, and Donna B. Callihan and husband Gary, Kentwood; 2 sons, Randy Bryant, Denham Springs and Jimmy Bryant and wife Vicki, Amite; 2 sisters, Catherine Murphy, Albany and Josephine Fedele and husband Pete, Albany; a brother, Olen Bryant and wife Joyce, Slidell; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren.

Preceded in death by his parents, Johnny Monroe, Sr. and Effie Clark Bryant; sister, Louise Popwell; 2 brothers, Johnny Monroe Bryant, Jr. and Henry Earl Bryant; and a grandson, Mark Cowart, Sr.

Visitation will be at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. until Religious Services at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Darryl Miller officiating. Interment in the Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA.

An on-line Guestbook and to view a Video Tribute is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N & Hwy 16W behind Bill Hood Automotive and Mr. Tom’s Car Wash.


KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor

A STORE MANAGER heard his clerk tell a customer, “No, ma’am, we haven’t had any for a while, and it doesn’t look as if we’ll be getting any soon…”
Horrified, the manager came running over to the customer and said, “Of course we’ll have some soon!  We place an order last week.”  Then the manager drew the clerk aside.  “Never,” he snarled, “Never, never, never, say we’re out of anything; say we’ve got it on order and it’s coming.  Now, what was it she wanted anyway?”
The clerk said, “Rain…”
“Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD:
but they that deal truly are His delight.”
Proverbs 12:22


Saturday

Jesus told him,

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.

No one can come to the Father except through me.

~John 14:6 (NLT)~

Frances Gay got a good report this week.  Pray that she continues to do well with her treatments and tests.

From Lloyd and Alcyon Hayden

Mark Hughes will have surgery on Jan.18 in Atlanta,Ga. Serious.

CaringBridge

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor

BUILDING A GOOD marriage and building a good log fire are similar in many ways…

You build a fire with paper and kindling, and all at once it goes up in a brillilantly burning blaze.  Then the primary blaze burns down and you wonder if the fire will fizzle out and leave you in the dark.  You blow on it and fan it for all you are worth.  Sometimes smoke billows out and almost chokes you, but if the materials are good and if you invest enough energy and interest in maintaining it, soon the big solid logs catch, and your fire takes on new qualities.  Readers Digest, 1980, 137
“Now Jacob loved Rachel;
so he said,
‘I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.”
Genesis 29:18
Hang in there staying warm.  This extremely cold weather won’t last forever!
Anna Lee

Friday

“Blessed be the Lord,

because He has heard the voice of my supplications!”

~Psalm 28:6~

Pray for Linda Hulkaby as she has surgery this morning.

Pray for the family and friends of Mrs. Wanzie Williams today as her life is celebrated at 11:00.


James Lee passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010, at the St. Helena Parish Hospital. He was 87, a resident of Greensburg and a native of McComb, Miss. He retired from Transco-Williams Pipeline, where he had been employed for 33 years. Visitation will be held at Red Bluff Baptist Church, Greensburg, on Thursday, Jan. 7, from 6 p.m. until service time on Friday, Jan. 8, at 12:30 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Joseph Day. Interment at Red Bluff Baptist Church Cemetery. He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Barbara Lee Aaron and Jack Aaron, of Jackson; and grandchildren, Jason and wife Liz Aaron, of Slaughter, Dana Aaron and Stacey Vice, both of Jackson. He also leaves behind six great-grandchildren that he loved and who made him proud, Caleb Aaron, Trevor Vice, Jared Thompson, Dakota Thompson, Emily Vice and James Elliot “Cowboy” Aaron. He was preceded in death by his father, James “Jimmy” Lee; mother, Lela Newsome Lee; great-grandchild, Aaron Cheyenne Thompson; first wife, Imogene Frazier Lee; and second wife, Rita Hyde Lee. Pallbearers will be Jason Aaron, Caleb Aaron, Trevor Vice, Dakota Thompson, Bo Staples, Brad DeBlanc and James Elliott “Cowboy” Aaron. Honorary pallbearers are Homer Carter, Jerry Dedon and Charles Frazier. Leland was a proud World War II veteran having served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Tangier. He was an avid fox hunter, leaving behind many old friends. Special thanks and appreciation to Primecare Health Services and the doctors and staff at St. Helena Parish Hospital.
THE PAINS OF CHILDBIRTH

Here are the answers to some questions that you may have had about pregnancy:

Q. Should I have a baby after 35?
A.  No, 35 children is enough.

Q.  I’m two months pregnant now.  When will my baby move?
A.  With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Q.  How will I know if my vomiting is morning sickness or the flu?
A.  If it’s the flu, you’ll get better.

Q.  What is the most common pregnancy craving?
A..  For men to be the ones who get pregnant.

Q.  What is the most reliable method to determine a baby’s sex?
A.  Childbirth.

Q.  My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she’s borderline irrational.
A.   So what’s your question?

Q.  My childbirth instructor says it’s not pain I’ll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?
A.   Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Q.  When is the best time to get an epidural?
A.  Right after you find out you’re pregnant.

Q.  Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A.   Yes, pregnancy.

Q.  Does pregnancy cause headaches?
A.   Pregnancy causes anything you want to blame it for.

Q. Our baby was born last week.  When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?
A.  When the kids are in college.

The joy of pregnancy and childbirth!  Mothers are quick to tell me that those two words don’t belong together with the word “joy”.  And here’s a helpful tip (from personal experience) for you fathers.  When your wife is in labor and the needle on the graph is showing her contractions, don’t ever say, “Is that the highest you can make the needle jump?”  At that point, she will not see the humor in the situation.  It will only make her angry.  (Trust me!)

The Bible refers often to pregnancy and childbirth.  But it never speaks of it as a time of joy.  Rather, it refers accurately to the “pains of childbirth.”

In Romans 8, Paul draws a parallel between what an expectant mother experiences and what we (and all of creation) experience as we await the return of Jesus Christ:

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us…..We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.  Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” (Romans 8:18,22-23, NIV)

A mother in labor may feel the pain will never end.  With what you are going through right now in your life, you may feel the same way.  Someday, though, for God’s children, the pain will pass and the joy will be greater than we ever imagined.  For that day we “wait eagerly”!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Stay safe and warm though this extremely cold weather.

Anna Lee