Sunday

“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~

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

POSSESSIONS OF THE powerful, wealthy, or famous, no matter how common, can become extremely valuable, even priceless…

Napoleon’s toothbrush sold for $21,000. Can you imagine paying thousands of dollars for someone’s cruddy old toothbrush? Hitler’s car sold for over $150,000. Winston Churchill’s desk, a pipe owned by C. S. Lewis, sheet music handwritten by Beethoven, a house once owned by Ernest Hemingway. At the Sotheby’s auction of Jackie Kenndy Onassis’s personal belongings, her fake pearls sold for $211,500 and JFK’s wood golf clubs went for $772,500. Not because the items themselves are worthy but because they once belonged to someone significant.

Are you ready for a surprise? We fit that bill too. Think of the value of something owned by God. What incredible worth that bestows on us, what inexplicable dignity! We belong to Him. (Charles Swindoll)

“But you are a chosen generation,

a royal priesthood,

a holy nation,

His own special people,

that you may proclaim this praises of Him

who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

1 Peter 2:9

That means you are special to Him! Have a wonderful Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Saturday

“I know what I’m doing.

I have it all planned out

—plans to take care of you, not abandon you,

plans to give you the future you hope for.”

~Jeremiah 29:11 MSG~

I don’t know why I have not thought to send this to you before now but, it just hit me to send this prayer request.
Cheyenne Hartman is a 5 month old little girl that goes to our church, Mt Nebo. You can read for yourself the story on caring bridge. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/cheyennehartman
Please add Cheyenne and her family to the prayer list. She and her family need our prayers.
Thanks,
Lynda Newman

Background Story

Cheyenne was born on March 3, 2009 at Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge. During our pregnancy at 6 months she was diagnosed with Down Syndrome and congenital heart disease which included a complex heart defect, AV Canal. During the ninth month, she was diagnosed with Duodenal Artresia, which would have to be repaired within 24 hours of her birth.

The Surgeon told us it would be a slow recovery and estimated it wouldl take up to 2 weeks or longer for her to be ready to go home. Cheyenne came out a fighter and proved she was not a child that would be able to predict behaviors on. Cheyenne had a shorter surgery than time than estimated and in record time she recovered and we went home after 12 days.

In April, when she was one month old she aspirated and was hospitalize

d for 10 days while they did yet another surgery and put in a G tube for feeding and also a Nissen to prevent reflux aspiration from happening. Once again she had recovered in record time and we went home.

In late April, Cheyenne started showing signs of heart failure and we decided it was time for her open heart surgery. On May 25th she was admitted to Children’s in New Orleans and in 9 days had open heart surgery and recovered and we went home.

August comes and she appears a bit sluggish to Mom, we took her to her doctors and they saw nothing. Following our own instinct, we took her to the Emergency Room at OLOL in Baton Rouge where they determined she had been aspirating and was again in heart failure.

Thursday, August 13, 2009 8:04 PM, CDT

We made it. Actually Mom beat the ambulance by five minutes. Cheyenne did great during transport and did not require to be paralyzed or additional sedation.

thin minutes of my arrival, Dr. Caspi’s assistant tracked me down and walked me through the admit process and then took me back to see the queen.
When I walked in the Physician team was there waiting to speak with me, all in one accord. What a switch. The cardiologist said her heart function was “fantastic”. The Internist said her vitals looked wonderful and she was not in nearly the shape they had anticipated.

The pulmonologist thinks we may start to back down on the vent tomorrow. They had an X-ray up for me to view and discuss, I was so impressed with their professionalism. Her right lung is clear the aspiration pneumonia is gone. She still has some pulmonary edema in the left but they are confident the medicine will get it off.

Nothing but good news today. Praise God!!! I was so depressed and discouraged. Cheyenne is not totally zonked on pain meds now, they cut her to a much smaller amount. Although her hands are restrained, she was smiling and laughing at me over the vent tube.

I am so thankful for Dr. Caspi and the team at Children’s, and I am confident they can help me build a better care plan for Cheyenne’s future.

Thanks for all the prayers.

Friday, August 14, 2009 11:09 PM, CDT

Cheyenne decided she was tired of the vent and she got her tube out all by herself. Unfortunate

ly, she will need surgery to have her Nissen repaired. Looks like we are in this for a couple more weeks… it is just good to see her and hold her. I will handle tomorrow … tomorrow..

Breath in… Breath out is all I can do today.

Others at Children’s Hospital this week:

Averi Strickland (16 year old who suffered a stroke). Averi is doing well with physical therapy. I saw a picture of him walking with his physical therapist. Keep praying.
Brittney Thomas’ baby – Born with a hole in the heart.
Mrs. Josephine Dyson’s grandson (surgery), L.J.

Thank God for this wonderful hospital in our area to provide the care needed by so many.

Obituaries Einar “Bud” Oxholm, Jr.
(November 15, 1931 – August 10, 2009)

U.S. Veteran Einar “Bud” Oxholm ,Jr. who was known for his wits, humor and practical jokes was born November 15, 1931 and was welcome home by his Lord and Savior at 6:29 p.m. on Monday, August 10, 2009 at the Louisiana Medical Center & Heart Hospital, Lacombe. He was 77, a native of New Orleans, a resident of Kentwood and a former resident of Metairie.He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 30 years, Wilda Fay Oxholm, Kentwood; daughter Tina Marie Anthony and husband, Pete, Husser; 2 grandsons, Hunter and Tanner Anthony, both of Husser; and his loving friend “Cricket”.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Einar and Cecile Hilda LeBlanc Oxholm; a daughter, Susan Clarice Oxholm: a sister, Marcelle Dillion and 5 siblings.

Mr. Bud was a retired Veteran having served in the U.S. Naval Reserve, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army and U.S. Army National Guard and Retired from the U.S. Postal Service. He was also an avid fisherman and hunter. His favorite hobbies were cooking, watching sports and working in his shop.

Visitation will be held at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Thursday, August 13, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and after 8:00 a.m. Friday, August 14, 2009 until Religious Services in the Funeral Home Chapel at 1:00 p.m. conducted by Elder Mason Miley, Elder Doyle Ball, Elder Glynn Ervin , Elder Jesse Johnson and Dr. Danny Smith. Interment in the Beulah Cemetery, Kentwood.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105

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

Anthony Failla
(June 13, 1937 – August 14, 2009)

Anthony Failla was born on June, 13, 1937 and passed away at 7:55 p.m. on August 14, 2009 at the Hammond Nursing Home, Hamond. He was 72.Arrangements are incomplete at this time.

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

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

LEARNING FROM CORRECTION

I read recently about a wife who who frustrated at always being corrected by her husband. She decided the next time it happened she would have a comeback. That moment finally arrived, and she was ready.

“You know,” she challenged, “even a broken clock is right once a day.”

He looked at her and replied, “Twice.”

Nobody enjoys being corrected, even if it’s done in a kind, loving way. But correction may serve a useful purpose. We need to listen to it and, if possible, profit by it.

As someone has said, “We learn much from the disagreeable things people say, for they make us think, whereas the good things only make us glad.”

For Christians, correction should be a stepping-stone to spiritual growth! It’s an opportunity to learn what we’re doing wrong and what we need to do better. It provides us with the motivation we need to change and mature.

But our pride often stands in the way of our gaining anything from correction. We don’t want to admit our shortcomings. We react to admonishment by pouting, retaliating in anger or attempting to rationalize our behavior.

Peter is a good example for us. He had a lot of excellent qualities that made him a great servant of God — his leadership, his frankness, his energy, his devotion. But there’s one quality in particular that helped Peter grow to the great leader that he was. Peter was correctable. And a correctable person is able to learn and grow.

On at least eight different occasions, the Bible tells us that Peter blew it. He sank in the Sea of Galilee. He rebuked Jesus for talking about his death. He spoke out of turn at the transfiguration. He initially refused to let Jesus wash his feet. He went to sleep in Gethsemane. He cut off the ear of Malchus. He denied any relationship with Jesus. And he practiced racial discrimination against his Gentile brothers at Antioch.

And every time he failed, Peter received some kind of admonition, usually verbal — from Paul, from Jesus, from God. And each time, Peter humbly received his admonition, then pressed on in his Master’s service.

“If you listen to correction to improve your life, you will live among the wise. Those who refuse correction hate themselves, but those who accept correction gain understanding.” (Proverbs 15:31-32, NCV)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Have a great day preparing for the Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Friday

“Set your mind on things above,

not on things on the earth.”

~Colossians 3:2, NKJV~

Holly K. had a motoscooter (her form of transportation) accident in western Africa. God provided a mud puddle for a soft landing. Thank God for watching over her.

Mr. Billy Brabham is feeling much better. Thanks for your prayers on his behalf.

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

Please pray for Dr. Jimmy Dukes as her returns home. Also, pray for the family as they have a memorial service Tuesday.

KOMpray

Kids on Mission Pray

Swimming pools were God’s answer

Swimming pools were God’s answer
The mayor of a city in Turkey decided to build swimming pools all over the city. It was a great idea. There are many canals in the city and children used to try swimming in the canals. It was dirty and dangerous. That’s why the mayor built the pools.

And God is using the pools that the mayor built! There is a new pool in a neighborhood where a Christian family lives. They have prayerwalked their streets of their neighborhood once a month for over a year. They asked God and asked God for a way to make friends and get to tell them about Jesus.

You got it—they meet new friends at the pool. The pools are an answer to prayer. This Christian family asks us to pray: “Dear God, we pray that You will help these neighbors in Turkey learn more about You. We pray that they will tell others about Jesus too. God, please help the Christians be good witnesses of Your love.”

Prayer Requests from Missionary Kids

Please pray for my best friend’s mom because she has lung cancer. COOPER, age 7 (European peoples)

Please pray that the L people will grow in faith. Many are church goers, but few are devoted Christians. KAREN, age 12 (East Asian Peoples)

Hi, I am Emily. Please pray that I can make lots of friends with the Bengali people! And witness 2 them. CHARITY, age 12 (South Asian peoples)

Please pray for a safe trip home and for the people in Africa. SAMUEL, age 6 (Sub-Saharan African peoples)

To get more people to come to our church. PRESTON, age 11 (American peoples)

Please pray for my family and me, for us moving to places to tell other people about Jesus. There are lots of poor people there. Please pray that I will be quiet and patient while my parents are teaching the Octa people. ZC, age 7 (Southeast Asian peoples)

Thank you that I can share the Gospel with my Chinese friends (even adults). Also, I’m thankful that I have great friends. JUSTIN, age 12 (East Asian Peoples)

Sandy Cutrer Camarata
(October 12, 1956 – August 13, 2009)

Died on Thursday, August 13, 2009 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. She was a native of Independence, LA and a resident of Spring Creek, LA. Age 52 years. Funeral Arrangements are pending at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite. Survived by husband, Nunzio “Bonzeau” Camarata, Spring Creek, 3 daughters, Jennifer Harris and her husband, Ty, Denham Springs, Kimberly Caramata, Spring Creek, Tracy Camarata, Spring Creek, son, Nunzio Camarata, Jr., Hammond, and his fiancee’, Jenny Gemer, 4 grandchildren, Tyler Harris, Jordan Harris, Landon Camarata, Savannah Camarata, brother, Kenny Partin, Spring Creek. Preceded in death by parents, Harrison and Avos Partin.

Johnny Manliolo, Sr.
(January 30, 1926 – August 13, 2009)

U.S. Veteran Died on Thursday, August 13, 2009 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. He was a native and resident of Independence, LA. Age 83 years. He was a U. S. Army veteran of WWII. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Saturday. Services conducted by Rev. David Cutrer. Interment Colonial Mausoleum, Independence, LA. Survived by daughter, Mary Pierre, Hammond, 3 sons, John J. Magliolo, Jr., Amite, Samuel T. Magliolo, and his wife, Sarah, Tickfaw, John W. Birch, Houston, TX, 5 grandchildren, Kevin Magliolo, Sarah Tate, Bridget Sutarmin, Angela Hudson, Adrienne Magliolo, 8 great-grandchildren, Sarah Sutarmin, Seth Tate, Emma Sutarmin, Jeremiah Magliolo, Johnathan Hudson, Elijah Sutarmin, Bethany Tate, Tyler Magliolo. Preceded in death by wife, Juanita Birch Magliolo, daughter, Louise Smith.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

THE STORY IS told of a father who took his two boys one afternoon to play miniature golf…

The father walked up to the man at the ticket counter and said, “How much is it to get in?”

The young man replied, “Three dollars for you and three dollars for any kid who is older than six. We let them in for free if they are six or younger. How old are your two?”

The father replied, “This one is three and the other one is seven, so I owe you $6.00.”

The young man at the ticket counter said, “Hey mister, did you just win the lottery or something? You could have saved yourself three bucks if you would have told me that the older one was six; I wouldn’t have known the difference.”

The father replied, “Yes, that may be true, but the kids would have known the difference…” (Steve Higginbotham)

“The integrity of the upright will guide them…”

Proverbs 11:3

Praying you end your week well and have a wonderful weekend.

Anna Lee

Thursday

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord!

Call upon His name;

make known His deeds among the peoples!”

~Psalm 105:1~

Mrs. Nadine Council continues to progress at home following her hip replacement. It will be good to see her back at church. Thank God for her progress.

Charles Slade has fully recovered from his copperhead bite. Thank God for his recovery.

Thank God for the life and testimory of Mr. Quincy Chapman. Pray for the family as they have a memorial service today. It should be a wonderful testimony for this man and his special family.

From Cheryl Hughes Green

My youngest son, John, has a half brother, Will. Will is 10 years old and he is having an operation on the 21st. Will has one lung and they are operating on it. He has a 50/50 chance of surviving the surgery. I am asking people to pray for him and would you and your church pray for him. His full name is William “Will” Easley; he is 10 years old. He also just lost his Mom to sugar in March. Could you also put him on the prayer link. I would appreciate it and thanks for the job you do to keep everyone informed.

Cheryl

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

HAD IT NOT been for a confident and encouraging wife, Sofia, we might not have listed among the great names of literature the name of Nathaniel Hawthorne…

When Nathaniel, a heartbroken man, went home to tell his wife he was a failure and had been fired from his job in a customhouse, she surprised him with an exclamation of joy.

“Now,” she said triumphantly, “you can write your book!” “Yes,” replied the man, with sagging confidence, “and what shall we live on while I am writing it.” To his amazement, she opened a drawer and pulled out a substantial sum of money. “Where on earth did you get that?” he exclaimed. “I have always known you were a man of genius,” she told him. “I knew that someday you would write a masterpiece. So every week, out of the money you gave me for housekeeping, I saved a little bit. So here is enough to last us for one whole year.”

From her trust and confidence came one of the greatest novels of American literature, The Scarlet Letter.

When most people who’ve achieved great things tell their stories, they mention those who encouraged him along the way. (David Jeremiah)

“Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem,

and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.

When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad,

and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart

they should continue with the Lord.

For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.

And a great many people were added to the Lord.”

Acts 11:22-24

Be an encourager today!

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“The only accurate way to understand ourselves

is by what God is and by what he does for us,

not by what we are and what we do for him.”

~Romans 12:3 MSG~

Mr. Luther Ricks

After 43 treatments of Radation and a five week wait, our prayers are answered. We are cancer free with a 0.1 P S A. It feels so good to say that word FREE. I can’t say thanks enough to those who said a prayer for me. Thanks, Thanks. Luther Ricks.

Mr. Billy Brabham

Mr. Billy Brabham has been in North Oaks where he had a heart procedure yesterday. All went tell. Continue to pray for him.

Averi Strickland

Averi is the 16 year old high school student who had a stroke and is hospitalized at Children’s Hospital. He is now beginning therapy to continue to regain speech and movement. Please keep Averi and his family and friends in your prayers.

Address for Mrs. Ann Chapman

Mrs. Ann Chapman

c/o Amite Baptist Church

7100 Amite Church Road

Denham Springs, LA 70726

Thank-you from Dr. Jimmy Dukes: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jimmyandretiadukes

Erin Duke’s blog (Recommended by Jimmy Dukes): http://embracingmycup.blogspot.com/

Maggie Lee Henson news releases: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/maggieleehenson

Einar “Bud” Oxholm
(November 15, 1931 – August 10, 2009)

Einar “Bud” Oxholm was born November 15, 1931 and passed away at 6:29 p.m. on Monday, August 10, 2009 at the Louisiana Medical Center & Heart Hospital, Lacombe. He was 77, a resident of Kentwood.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Ginny Chehardy Stegall
(April 4, 1958 – August 10, 2009)

Went home peacefully to be with the Lord on Monday, August 10, 2009 at her home in Kentwood, LA. She was a native of New Orleans, LA. Age 51 years. She is survived by her husband, Robert B. Stegall, Jr.; 3 daughters, Hannah Marie Stegall, Lydia Grace Stegall and Sarah Elizabeth Stegall; a sister, Melanie Navazio, all of Kentwood; 2 brothers, Andrew Chehardy, Ft. Myers, FL and Rene Chehardy, Jr., Houston, TX. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rene and Virginia Chehardy; a brother, George Chehardy. Visitation will be at Eagle Heights Church, Tickfaw, from 3 p.m. until religious services at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. Interment will follow in Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA.

KneEmail

Bridge

PEOPLE USED TO travel between the UP (Upper Peninsula) and LP (Lower Peninsula) of Michigan by ferry until they built a bridge along the Straits of Mackinac…

In 1934, the Michigan Legislature created the Mackinac Straits Bridge Authority to study the feasibility of the bridge and authorized it to sell bonds for the project. Preliminary plans for the bridge featured a three-lane roadway, a railroad crossing on the under deck of the span, and a center-anchorage double-suspension bridge configuration similar to the design of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. From 1939 to 1941, a cause-way of approximately 4,000 feet in length was constructed with concrete road fragments extending from the northern shore. With uncertainty in funding and the initiation of World War II, further building was delayed. In 1950, engineers resumed construction and the state legislature authorized the sale of $85 million in construction bonds on April 30, 1952.

David B. Steinman was appointed the design engineer in January 1953, and the American Bridge Division of United States Steel Corporation was awarded a contract of over $44 million to build the steel superstructure. On November 1, 1957, after two-and-a-half years of construction and the loss of five lives, the bridge finally opened to traffic. It was officially dedicated on June 25, 1958. The bridge is approximately five miles long, the third longest in the United States. Forty years after the dedication, the 100-millionth crossing was celebrated.

Most of us probably look at the construction of this bridge as a feat of modern engineering. True enough, it is. But behind the construction was the need: the need to connect two cultures and two land masses, to expand and improve economic prosperity by bringing people together.

Did the bridge spring up immediately? No.

How did it start? With a vision, a picture in the minds of visionaries of what it might resemble and how it might change the lives of all affected by its construction. When it became clear that ferries were too expensive and too inefficient to accomplish the goals of connecting the two sides, the bridge came to the forefront of everyone’s mind. The old ways of transportation just were not working. Something new had to be put into place.

What it cheap? No.
Was it easy to build? No.
Were human lives put in danger? Yes.
Was it worth the cost, the hardship, the lives lost, the requirements of years of work and commitment to make this bridge happen? For most people connected with the bridge, the answer was an overwhelming yes.

Like suspension bridges built across bodies of water, it takes time, money and risk for bridges of healing to be built between estranged people. Many may feel that the cost is too high to achieve the bridge. It might cost me time or pride. I might have to say I’m sorry. What if the person to whom I am trying to direct my bridge laughs at me, scorns me or refuses my overture–or worse yet, just plain ignores me?

Jesus said that we must count the cost of discipleship (cf. Luke 14:28). Building bridges that result in restored relationships is probably one of the most important costs of being a disciple of Jesus. Christ taught that reconciled relationships are more important to God than any offering we could bring before Him.

Why? Because for God, how we treat others is synonymous with how we treat Him (cf. 1 John 4:20). (H. Norman Wright, Larry Renetzky)

“Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift”( Matthew 5:23-24).

Posted by Mike Benson

May you see God’s love all around you today!

Anna Lee

Monday

“Consider it a sheer gift, friends,

when tests and challenges come at you from all sides.

You know that under pressure,

your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. “

~James 1:2–3 MSG~

Mrs. Faye Price is in North Oaks for a few days, but will soon return to her home in Kentwood. She no longer stays at Kentwood Manor. Keep her and her family in your prayers.

Mr. Morris Easley has been hospitalized in Greensburg. Please pray for him.

Pray for Frances Gay as she has work done on her shoulder next week.

Continue to pray for Mrs. Ann Chapman as she has physical therapy and as final preparations are made for Mr. Quincy’s memorial service. Also, please continue to pray for Krisa and Emma as they continue to heal.

Pray for teachers, staff, and students in the beginning days of a new school year.

Maggie Lee Henson

Dearest Friends-
Words cannot express our gratitude for your generous prayers and concern for the life of our daughter, Maggie Lee. It was remarkable to hear so many of you, friends and complete strangers alike, passionately pray for MLH. She was a light to the world and since I don’t ask questions which have no answers, I will not begin to try to explain to you why she did not survive despite all the prayer. Horrible tragedies happen every day. That is part of life here on earth. Peoples’ lives play out without the slightest hint of a ripple. We are grateful that Maggie Lee’s impact has reached so far and wide. Her life and now death will not be in vain. We will make sure of that. Please do continue to pray for us, we cannot carry on without that support from the Body of Christ.

Maggie Lees service will be archived as of Monday on http://www.fbcshreveport.org
We love you, please keep the faith and know that God is good ALL THE TIME!!!!
In His unexplainable peace and ridiculous joy,
Jinny

Quincy McDaniel Chapman

A resident of Denham Springs, he was welcomed home by his Lord and Savior on Saturday,

Aug. 8, 2009. He was 79 and a former resident of Kentwood. Visitation at Seale Funeral Home,

Denham Springs, on Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visiting resumes on Thursday

from 12:30 p.m. until service in the chapel at 2:30 p.m. The clergy will be Dr. Terry Booth, the

Rev. Clyde Northrup, the Rev. Ragan Courtney and the Rev. Joe Baugh. Burial in Evergreen

Memorial Park. Survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Martha Ann Abernathy Chapman, of

Denham Springs; daughters, Debbie Seale and husband Mickey Seale, of Denham Springs,

and Brenda Pettit and husband Audie Pettit, of Columbus, Miss.; son, Deloy Chapman and

wife Krisa Chapman, of Denham Springs; sisters, Nan Bartholomew and Ann Parsons, both

of Amite; sister-in-law,-Lois Chapman, of Baton Rouge; eight grandchildren, eight great-

grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

Preceded in death by his parents, Amos Kent and Emma Melissa Brumfield Chapman;

daughter, Melissa Jo Chapman; brother, Shelton “Pokey” Chapman; and sister and brother

-in-law, Sybil Courtney and Frances Courtney. He was a devoted Sunday School teacher and

ordained deacon formerly of First Baptist Church, Kentwood, and most recently serving at

Amite Baptist Church, Denham Springs. He was a member of the Louisiana Rabbit Breeders

Association. He retired from South Central Bell with 30 years of service and then worked for

the Louisiana Department of Agriculture. Memorial donations may be made to the Amite

Baptist Church Deacon’s Special Need Fund or the Deacon Scholarship Fund.

KneEmail

Purification

LAST YEAR WHILE hiking in the mountains of North Georgia, I came across a very large unusually shaped brick…

The brick was almost completely covered in green, fur-like vegetation. After I scraped the green goop away, I carefully inspected the brick and discovered that it was a brownish-yellow color instead of the traditional red. I also discovered some unusual markings and identification numbers on the brick. When I returned home, I was able to do some research and found that this particular type of brick was used in the early-to-mid eighteen hundreds to construct smelting ovens. These ovens melted and purified gold after it was mined from the mountains of North Georgia and Carolina. The purpose of the melting process was to remove any impurities that were attached to the gold.

God compares the difficulties and trials that each of us must experience in our lives to the purification or smelting process that gold goes through in order to become valuable. It is kind of like the refining process that the old yellow brick had been a part of over a hundred years ago. The brick had actually facilitated the fire’s ability to remove impurities from the gold after melting, and thereby increased its value. And more than likely some of the very gold which was purified in that particular type of brick smelting oven is still around today, possibly in the form of antique jewelry that has been passed from one generation to another. (Mitch Temple)

“The genuineness of your faith,

being much more precious than gold that perishes,

though it is tested by fire,

may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

I Peter 1:7

Posted by Mike Benson

May you know God’s presence in your walk this week.

Anna Lee

Friday

“You heard the voice of my supplications when I cried out to You.”

~Psalm 31:22b~

Please continue to pray for the young mother and her baby. I did not hear anything this morning.

Pray for the family of Mr. Quincy Chapman today. Say a special prayer for “Miss” Ann.

From Mary Prescott

Jared (Prescott) went to the Dr. yesterday, all the fluid is gone and he has been released. Rusty (Benoit) went today and got some pretty good news. It seems that his medication is working and helping his problem much better than expected. He will be monitored every two months and if things change for the worse he will be sent to the Cleveland Hospital. Some relief but it’s just a wait and see how things are going from month to month.

Please add Shirley Mouledoux to the list. She is scheduled to have kidney surgery 08/20/09 for cancer.

Also, add George Mouledoux for prostate cancer. They are in-laws.

Dukes

Thursday, August 6, 2009 10:47 PM, EDT

< addresses and a video. >
Dad and I are halfway home. We set out together late this afternoon, determined to drive about halfway today and the rest tomorrow. We are on the way to Orlando, stopping to give both of us a rest, but especially Dad’s legs.

The memorial celebration of Mom’s life was so amazing yesterday. The crowd was larger than any of us expected. The words shared were touching. The hugs given were sustaining. The life remembered was beautiful. It was such an infusion of joy and sadness surrounded by so many who loved on us and who loved Mom, that the day after is tough simply because of the loneliness.

The time with Dad has been sweet, though, again, as it has been over these months. We’ve talked with Erik and other family members by phone or in person today, as well. Thanks to all who loved on us yesterday. It meant so much.

Please check out my blog (http://www.jasoncdukes.com/) to see the video we showed as a tribute to Mom at the memorial service. Several people asked if I would post it. So, there you go.

Also, people asked Dad about two addresses. First, people wanted to know where to send donations in lieu of flowers. These donations will be added to the Dukes Recovery Fund that the Seminary set up for Mom and Dad. What Dad and his boys have decided is that the money in this fund will be dedicated to a scholarship for a selected Seminary couple each year in memory of Mom and in honor of Dad. If you desire to contribute, make checks payable to “New Orleans Baptist Seminary” with “dukes recovery fund” noted by letter or on the memo line. Here’s the address:

New Orleans Baptist Seminary
ATTN: Dr. Chuck Kelley
for the Dukes Recovery Fund
3939 Gentilly Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70126

The other address people asked Dad about was his home address. That address is:

Jimmy Dukes
14356 Bridgewater Crossings
Windermere, FL 34786

His email address is JimDukes@mac.com.

We can’t thank you enough for your love and support. If you are able to make it to Mom’s second memorial service in Orlando on August 18th on the campus of First Baptist Church Sweetwater in Longwood, FL, we will see you there.

We’ll post soon.
-jason

KOMpray

Kids on Mission Pray

Dangerous places

FOUR THOUSAND—that’s a really big number. You can probably count that high; but it would take awhile, wouldn’t it? Well, 4,000 people have had to leave their country in Southeast Asia and go live in another place. They are called refugees, and they left their homes because it wasn’t safe. They moved to several refugee camps—in one of those camps, there are more than 800 children and pregnant mothers.

Their home country told the refugees to come back immediately; but at the last minute, the United Nations stepped in. They agreed it wasn’t really safe right now, so the country and the world leaders at the United Nations are talking about what to do.

Praise the Lord that these men, women and children didn’t have to go back while it was dangerous. And ask God to help all the leaders to find a peaceful answer to this big problem. There are still many people living where there is warfare and kidnapping. Pray for the refugees that are Christians. Pray that they will not be afraid but will tell others about the love of Jesus.

Prayer Requests from Missionary Kids

Pray for the people in Hungry because not many people believe in Christ. Also help all the deaf in Hungry including my parents to tell the gospel about Jesus. ANDREW, age 10 (European peoples)

My Dad has some spine problems . . . and the doctors can’t fix it. He is in pain a lot of the time. I know this sounds cheesy, but I really need a friend right now. I live in a small town and I can only reach friends by e-mail or phone. So all I’m asking is for you to pray for me and my dad. Thanks! I pray for you too. AMANDA, age 11 (East Asian Peoples)

Pray for the Deaf. And the people in my country. And for my friends. TAYLOR, age 10 (American peoples)

I pray for the D people. My family just met some D people. M. E., age 11 (East Asian Peoples)

Please pray for me to not be mean to my brother and to play even when I do not want to. NAMON, age 11 (Sub-Saharan African peoples)

Charlie. She is my best friend. She believes in a cat god. Her parents believe that everything just evolved. Plees pray for Charlie. MAGGIE (South Asian peoples)

Pray that while we are in our area that many will come to Christ. Please pray also that my relationship with God will be closer. TIMOTHY, age 16 (East Asian Peoples)

I want to ask for prayer with my schooling next year. For the last two years I have fallen behind and ended up pushing myself to the extreme for the last couple of months. I get it done, but it is really hard. CLARA, age 16 (East Asian Peoples)

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

A CENSUS TAKER walked up to a woman who was sitting on a porch…

After introducing himself, he said, “May I ask how many children you have, Ma’am?”

“Sure,” the woman answered, “I have four.” To which the census taker replied, “May I have their names, please?” The woman replied, “Eenie, Meenie, Minie, and George.”

The census taker smiled and chuckled a little, but when the woman didn’t laugh, he meekly asked, “Really?” “Yes, really” said the woman, somewhat annoyed.

After a brief pause, the census taker couldn’t pass the opportunity to satisfy his curiousity, “May I ask why you named your fourth child ‘George’?”

“Surely,’ said the woman, “because we didn’t want any Moe!”

“A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.”

Prov. 17:22

Posted by Mike Benson

Have a fantastic Friday!

Anna Lee

Thursday

“Blessed be the Lord,

because He has heard the voice of my supplications!”

~Psalm 28:6~

Update on Greg Tanner

He is doing much better. He went back to work today. Got a long way to go, but he’s healing alot faster than the docs expected.

Chapmans

Good day/bad day. Good: Emma is now home, just can’t jump around or play hard for 6 weeks. Bad: Dad went from active hallucinations to quiet sleep to stopping breathing. They shocked his heart into starting, but he is now on life support. Had to break the news to Mom, who just began therapy today. Don’t know what happened or why. My sisters and I meet with doctors tomorrow to discuss options. Please pray.

Pray for Jimmy Schwartz as he makes a decision about knee replacement surgeries.

Pray for the Dukes family as they have the memorial service for Mrs. Retia Dukes today in Florida. Pray for all of them in the coming days as they make the necessary adjustments from the life they have had for the last four months since the accident.

Pray for the Henson family, church family, and friends as services are held today for Maggie Lee at 1 P.M. You can go to http://www.fbcshreveport.org/ at 1 P.M. today to view the live celebration of Maggie Lee’s life.

Earl Dennis Becnel, Jr.

(August 3, 1940 – August 5, 2009)

Died at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at Kentwood Manor Nursing Home in Kentwood, LA. He was a native of New Orleans, LA and a resident of Kentwood, LA. Age 69 years. Graveside Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7, 2009. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. He is survived by his 3 sons, Michael Becnel and wife, Gina, Kentwood, David Becnel and wife, Tanya, Slidell, and Mark Becnel and wife, Laurie, Picayune, MS; mother, Frances Becnel, New Orleans; 2 sisters, Patsy Fox, New Orleans and Catheline Becnel, New Orleans; a brother, Ronnie Becnel, New Orleans; 5 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Earl Dennis Becnel, Sr. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Lula Mae Will

Visitation will be at the McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Thursday, August 6, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. until Religious Services in the funeral home Chapel at 11:00 a.m.

LEAVING COLLATERAL

I accompanied my husband when he went to get a haircut. Reading a magazine, I found a hairstyle I liked for myself, and I asked the receptionist if I could take the magazine next door to make a copy of the photo.

“Leave some ID, a driver’s license or a credit card,” she said.

“But my husband is here getting a haircut,” I explained.

“Yes,” she replied. “But I need something you’ll come back for.”

We are familiar with the concept of collateral. Perhaps many of you have been in a situation, as I have in time past, where you pumped your gas or bought some groceries but then realized that you didn’t have any cash. The cashier wanted something (usually a driver’s license) as collateral to serve as proof that you would return to pay the full amount.

In the Old Testament, the word that is most often used to describe collateral is “pledge”. You may recall the story of Jacob and Tamar in Genesis 38, where Judah had sex with Tamar, thinking that she was a prostitute. As payment, he offered to return home for a goat, but Tamar wanted collateral: “What will you give me a pledge till you send it?” (Gen. 38:17).

Under the Law of Moses, if you needed collateral, you could take a person’s garment, but “If you ever take your neighbor’s garment as a pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down.” (Exodus 22:26) because that’s what he used to keep warm at night.

In the New Testament, the word that is most often used to describe the idea of collateral is “guarantee”. Three times (2 Cor. 1:22; 2 Cor. 5:5; Eph. 1:14), the apostle Paul says that God has given us His Holy Spirit as a “guarantee” that there is more to come. We can be assured that God will keep all of His promises and give us great blessings (including a home in heaven) because we have the Spirit to serve as collateral.

“For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.” (2 Cor. 5:4-5)

Trust me, that’s something God is definitely coming back for!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Wednesday

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

Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.”

~Psalm 27:7~

Mrs. Nadine Council is doing much better. She is up and about a little. Please pray for her continued progress.

Deloy’s Update on the Chapman Family

Pretty tired today. Here’s a quick update.
Dad – the same, but did get several hours sleep today (1st since Wed. night).
Mom – transferred to room 375, rehab floor at Our Lady of the Lake. As of 9:00 tonight no hallucinations. Rehab begins tomorrow, will be here about 3 weeks.
Krisa – doctor said she needs more bed rest, so she’s gotta stay home more and take it easy.
Emma – in room 307 now, but being DISCHARGED tomorrow. She’ll have plenty of limitations, but she’ll get to be with her momma!
Thanks for praying, please keep it up!

Thank God for his watchcare over the Chapmans.

Maggie Lee Henson

Tuesday, August 4, 2009 3:20 PM, CDT

We are back in Shreveport now and making preparation

s for Maggie Lee’s Celebration of Life, which will be this Thursday at 1:00 pm in the Sanctuary of First Baptist Church, Shreveport.

Alan Hendrix from Broadmoor Baptist Church of Shreveport has graciously offered to have a camera crew there to provide a live feed of the service at 1:00pm Central.

To access the live feed at that time, visit First Baptist Church’s website on Thursday and you will find instructions.

Once again, Jinny, Jack and I are so grateful for your Guestbook entries, your prayers and your constant encouragement.

Retia Dukes

There will be two memorial services for Mom, as you may have read on an earlier post. Here are the details:

NEW ORLEANS
Wednesday, August 5th, 2009
11:00am @ the Leavell Chapel on the
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary campus
(family greeting at 10:00am)

ORLANDO
Tuesday, August 18th, 2009
3:00pm @ the main auditorium on the
First Baptist Church Sweetwater campus
in Longwood, FL
(family greeting at 1:30pm)

Baptist Press

August 4, 2009

PAKISTAN–Pakistan Islamist riots leave 14 Christians dead. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31012

WASHINGTON–Sotomayor vote near; ERLC urges ‘no.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31013

TENNESSEE–CULTURE DIGEST: Moviegoers reject boundary-crossing ‘Bruno.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31014

OKLAHOMA–Tulsa church gives building to another congregation. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31015

LOUISIANA–Retia Dukes dies after 4 month battle. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31016

TENNESSEE–FIRST-PERSON (Lisa Huddleston): Growing pains. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31017

Anne Cittadino Guzzardo
(December 4, 1916 – August 3, 2009)

On August 3, 2009, Anne Cittadino Guzzardo, born December 4, 1916 in Addis, LA, went to be with the Lord. She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, George Thomas Guzzardo; parents, Silvestro “Sam” and Vincenzo Tortorice Cittadino; 7 brothers; 2 sisters; and 2 grandchildren, Julie Anne Patanella and Mark Anthony Mannino. She is survived by her four loving daughters Antonino Mannino and her husband, Mike, Walker, Virginia Patanella, Independence, Joan Arnone and husband, Pete, Independence and Georgiana Guzzardo, Baton Rouge; 9 grandchildren, Michael J. Mannino, Philomena Martrain, Dennis Mannino, Matthew Mannino, Jo Ellen Marten, Rhonda Jo Martin, Roxanne Ridgel, Rebecca “Becky” Gonzales and Larry Touchet, Jr.; 24 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren. She was a retired employee of Lallie Kemp Hospital, a member of Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church, Eucharistic Minister, member of the Dominican Laity professed for life, member of St. Joseph and St. Mary Societies. She and her husband owned and operated the Liberty Theatre and later Guzzardo’s Grocery in Independence. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Thomas Aquinas, Holy Ghost, Mater Dolorosa Catholic Schools or Generations Hospice. A special thank you to the employees of Heritage Health Care Center of Hammond for the love and support shown to our mother and the family during this difficult time. Visitation will be at Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church, Independence, from 9 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 6, 2009 conducted by Fr. Howard Adkins. Burial will follow in the Colonial Cemetery, Independence. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

KneEmail

Value

POSSESSIONS OF THE powerful, wealthy, or famous, no matter how common, can become extremely valuable, even priceless…

“But you are a chosen generation,

a royal priesthood,

a holy nation,

His own special people,

that you may proclaim this praises of Him

who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

I Peter 2:9

Posted by Mike Benson at August 4, 2009

Thank you for praying today. Your prayers mean so much to so many. Please feel free to share praises, requests, and updates.

Anna Lee

Monday

“Pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the message,

to speak the mystery of the Messiah …

so that I may reveal it as I am required to speak.”

~Colossians 4:3-4, HCSB~

Elizabeth H. Cooper

Elizabeth received an injury for a ball a couple months ago. She looks great and will be able to return to teaching this month. Thank God for the progress she has made.

Rusty Benoit

Rusty has a thickening of the heart wall and will be having additional tests soon. Please add Rusty, Jana, and their family to your prayer list.

Dot Smith

Pray for my mother as she has oral surgery this morning in Hammond.

Several people will be having check-ups for various problems tomorrow. Among these are Jared Prescott, Mason Carter, and Faye Price. Please remember them in your prayers.

Don Denton

Sunday, August 2, 2009 10:36 PM, CDT

Here we are at the first of August. And now it has been almost 8 weeks since Don has been in a hospital. This is such a good thing! Thank you God.

This September will be one year since Don got ill. Life has changed in so many ways. And we are so praying that Don will continue to get well. We are beginning to do some things we have not done in almost a year. WE had supper at the park tonight and then watched the sunset.

We will see Don’s doctor for a follow up in St. Louis this week. She will be key to getting us to Mayo sooner. Hopefully we will know something soon.

Joshua will start school the 17th of the month. He is excited. We would love to be back from Mayo by then. It does not look like we will even get there before then, unless something changes.

We had a surprise visit from my brother Steve and his wife Lynn. Not completely a surprise….we spoke a few days ahead. I loved every minute of our time together. Joshua just loves his uncle Steve and aunt Lynn. He has a special bond with them. They have been here several times this year to see Don and help out. Steve worked on both the cars while he was here and helped so much.

My other brother said that we should not drive our car to Mayo. It has allot of miles on it and needs even more work to it. He may be the “over protective brother”. Actually having my brothers support means so much to us during this time. It is precious to me.

I have yet to make a “lemonaide stand” this summer. I have good intensions. I am going to make that happen before school starts or do my best.

I am tired. Life is so busy. I need to find work soon. Please pray for us as we try to make decisions for our future. We keep talking about having to sell our house. We will be making a decision soon. Pray that we will have wisdom and discernment.

We are so grateful to you our friends and family.

– Pray for Don that he continues to get better.
– Pray that we will get an appointment at Mayo soon.
– Pray that we will have wisdom and discernment regarding our future.
– Pray that Joshua will transition to pre-school easily.

Diane

Retia Dukes

Sunday, August 2, 2009 11:45 PM, EDT

Keeping you informed and asking for your prayers – Mom has had another tough go the last two days. After a tumultuous Saturday, Dad and Erik and Mom’s sister were hoping to awaken this Sunday morning to find Mom doing much better. She was not. In fact , tonight, after Dad had left the hospital to go to his room to rest for the night, the nurses called him back to the hospital due the worsening of Mom’s condition. Even with the help of oxygen, they were only able to get her SATs up to a little over 80.

Still not a lot of information, yet. We just wanted to communicate it with you to ask you all to be praying. They are going to transfer Mom out of the 5th floor Long-Term-Acute-Care hospital she is in now and move her downstairs to the ICU. We will keep you posted of any new developments.

Thanks so much for your prayers.
-jason

Mrs. Lula Mae Needham Will

(February 25, 1925 – August 2, 2009)

Mrs. Lula Mae Needham Will was born February 25, 1925 and passed away at 6:43 p.m., Sunday, August 2, 2009 at the St. Helena Parish Hospital, Greensburg. She was 84, a native and resident of Kentwood.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N and Hwy 16W behind Mr. Tom’s Express Car Wash & Bond Eye Clinic

I hope you have had this sorrow in your life.

KneEmail

Repentance

WHEN BABIES ARE born prematurely, one of the most common critical problems is with their underdeveloped lungs…

In September 1996, the New England Journal of Medicine reported the results of a pilot study that offered hopeful treatment. The treatment is surprising. In the study, doctors filled the lungs of critically ill premature babies with liquid — an oxygen-rich liquid. Through this liquid the babies actually “breathe.”

Normally, when fluid fills the lungs, people drown. But this special oxygen-filled fluid actually saves lives.

In a similar way, there is a sorrow that kills and another sort of sorrow that brings life. Sorrow because there are consequences for my sin drowns my spirit and brings death;godly sorrow that produces repentance brings life.

“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation,

not to be regretted;

but the sorrow of the world produces death.”

2 Cor. 7:10

Posted by Mike Benson

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

Anna Lee