Category: Devotional

Tuesday

“We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!

For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.”

~Psalm 75:1~

Pray for the group from East Fork Baptist Church that is at Student Life camp this week.

Pray for the Vacation Bible Schools this week.

Pray for Dwayne and Trisha and others on that mission trip and our FBC group as they continue On Mission in Canada.

Pray for the IMB personnel as they have returned to their places of service after meeting with co-workers.  Several large groups have already met.  For those who have not yet met, pray the meeting will be a time of refreshing and vision for the adults, a time of unity and purpose for the youth, and a great time of play and VBS for the children.  (Our group has just completed their time together – a highlight of the year for all of them!)

Baptist Press

June 29, 2009

TENNESSEE–GCR chairman issues call for 5,000 prayer volunteers. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30788

KENTUCKY–Ohio’s Kay Kwok dies in Owensboro, Ky. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30787

KENTUCKY–U.S. troops ‘best of this generation,’ top chaplain says. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30789

KENTUCKY–Evangelists underscore revival preparations. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30790

KENTUCKY–DOMs challenged to live as servant leaders. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30791

KENTUCKY–Network renames award to honor Sid Smith. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30792

KENTUCKY–Sid Smith receives award posthumously. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30793

KENTUCKY–Ministers’ wives ponder ‘Quiet Influence.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30794

KENTUCKY–Ministers’ wives honor Shirley Lindsay. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30795

KENTUCKY–Women gain freedom in God’s Word, speakers proclaim. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30796

KENTUCKY–Messianics: ‘Bring the exiles home.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30797

KENTUCKY–Seminary luncheons draw alumni, guests. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30798

KENTUCKY–Mohler: At 150, SBTS a tribute to God’s grace. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30799

TENNESSEE–FIRST-PERSON (Art Toalston): Michael Jackson’s love. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30800

LOUISIANA–FIRST-PERSON: Emergency measures for an economic drought. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30801

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

WITH THE DEATH of Michael Jackson, the media buzzes with details of his popular career and his bizarre life: star of the family group, the Jackson Five, the changes in his music, his marriage to Lisa Marie Presley, his financial woes, his three children, all of whom bear both his names, his cosmetic surgeries, the charges of child molestation…

Death calls us to remember a life, no matter how wonderful or sordid.

In Jesus’ case, it was different. His resurrection calls us to remember his death.

So it was for the disciples, according to John. About Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, he wrote, “His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him” (John 12:16 ESV).

Earlier, when recording the Lord’s cryptic words about rebuilding the temple in three days, he said, “When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken” (John 2:22).

The resurrection validated everything Jesus had said and done.

When Jesus died, the disciples went back to fishing. One might say they forgot his life, because of their expectations. But when he arose from the dead, it all came flooding back.

This is why Paul wrote that, if Christ was not raised from the dead, then our faith and preaching and hope are all in vain.

So as we eat the Lord’s supper today, let us remember that he rose from the dead. And this fact will spur our memories of his sacrifice in death.  (J. Randal Matheny at: http://www.forthright.net/)

“…Do this in remembrance of Me.” 1 Corinthians 11:24
Have a great day!   Make it count!
Anna Lee

Monday

“And I tell you more: whenever two of you on earth
agree about anything you pray for,
it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.
For where two or three come together in my name,
I am there with them.”
~Matthew 18:19-20 TEV~

Steve Sanders has been hospitalized in Hammond since last Wednesday.  Please keep him in your prayers.

Mrs. Ferrie Gene Blackmon was at Sunday School yesterday.  Thanks for your prayers for her last week.

Mission Canada Team

. . . .  Thanks to all for the prayers.   We have felt God’s hand on us during these days in Canada.  We took some time on two days to see some of God’s great creation here and have been in awe at the beauty of Canada and the awesome creative works of our God.  We have also been preparing for Childrens Events that will start tomorrow.  In addition to that we have been leading worship for some renewal worship services(kinda like a revival) here in Nanton and Cayley.  In the three worship services so far, we have seen God work in lives.  Bro. Butch leads the worship, Brett Thornton does the MC stuff, some of our people have sang and shared testimonies, and Bro. Joey and Bro. Bucky have been preaching.

This morning the two teams were separated so that we could worship with two different churches.  The Cayley team was in Nanton and the Pincher Creek team was at Heartland Fellowship in Pincher Creek.  Tonight we all worshipped at Cayley Christian Fellowship.

Beginning tomorrow the Cayley team will so a Children’s VBS Kid’s Camp in the mornings and will lead the renewal services at night.  We will also participate in the Canada Day activities including a gospel service on Wedesday.  Canada Day is like our 4th of July.  The Pincher Creek team will lead a Sports Adventure Camp in Pincher Creek Monday through Thursday afternoons.  After spending some time together for the last few days, the two teams will not see one another again until we meet at 4:00 am on Friday to head to the airport.

Please pray for the team members as God uses us to encourage and build up the body of Christ in this part of Alberta, Canada.  Pray for physical strength, rest from the fatigue, and spiritual insight to know how to minister to those with whom we come in contact.  Pray also the the children that come to the activities.  Pray for the revival services and for anointing on the singing and preaching.  Pray that God would encourage the Christians in this area.

We miss home and are grateful for the family of God that He has given us.  We look forward to seeing you all and will share more when we get home.

God Bless!
Bro. Joey

From Jimmy Dukes

Another Week in New Orleans

We have spent another interesting week in New Orleans. It has been wonderful in many ways, and not so wonderful in a few ways. The wonderful has occurred because I got the opportunity to preach last Sunday at First Baptist Marrerro, a wonderful church on the west bank where I had the privilege of serving as interim for about a year several years ago. The people there have been so generous and so loving to my family. I am forever thankful to them.

Our stay on the campus of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary has also been wonderful for several reasons. One reason is the hospitality of the Drs Kelley (Chuck and Rhonda) and the staff and faculty of the Seminary. We have been cared for royally and we have been welcomed with open arms. I cannot imagine what we would have done if this accident had been in some unknown place. But our long time friends here have made it possible for us to keep moving on the road to recovery while not having to worry about how we would live or where we would stay. Thanks to all the NOBTS folks who have made us feel welcome. The manager and staff at Providence Guest House have been especially helpful. Every need had been met without ever having to make a request. Thanks, Linda and staff. We also have had the privilege of visiting with many friends and students in Cafe New Orleans. This cafe is the source of the best coffee in the world. It is a place where they never put too much water in the coffee. Thanks, Loretta and staff. We also have enjoyed some of the best grits and eggs in New Orleans in the NOBTS Cafeteria, bar none. Thanks Sheila and staff for that. Finally we have had a wonderful week eating in good New Orleans restaurants

, thanks to the generosity of a number of friends who have played host to us. Let’s see, II Tonys (thanks Clay and Carol), Copeland’s (thanks to a number of friends), Zea’s (thanks Taylors), Drago’s (the oyster place, thanks to Dan and Tom) and a few others. We even had a visit to Emeril’s (Bam) thanks to Mike and Ginger. In addition, we had Bud’s Broiler hotdogs a couple of times at lunch. We are still trying to catch up on the great New Orleans eateries. I recommend them all.

Then, the week has been wonderful because all eight of our grandchildren and our two wonderful daughters-in-love were here for Father’s Day. The best ever. Four of the grandkids (Jason and Jen’s were here all week. You have not had real fun until you watch four kids from 7 and one half down to six months travel through the Insectarium. It was great.

Then, I would have to say one of the most wonderful experiences has been spending the week with Jason during the weekdays and Erik on the weekend. The experiences, conversations, and food have been priceless. Watching them serve their mom and dad, especially watching them care for Retia in the hospital, has been a phenomenal experience.

There have been many other wonderful experiences as well, like meeting people, hearing about people praying for us, watching the church be the church, and many other things. Thanks to you all for that.

The not-so-wonderful has been watching Retia suffer pain and difficulty. She is fighting hard through the therapy and other treatments. We continue to pray that her thinking, focus, memory, and physical ability, especially in her left arm and leg, will continue to get better. We have trying hard to watch patiently, but we feel helpless as we watch. We are grateful to doctors, nurses, and therapists who are working so hard to make her better. We are longing for the time when we will be able to get back to Orlando and home to see what the new normal will be. While we appreciate our friends here in New Orleans and all they do for us, we miss our friends in Orlando as well and want to get back there. As I say, we are trying to be patient.

Thanks again to all of you who are continuing to be generous with your financial support and your prayer for us. Please keep it up. We need you desperately.  Thanks for being true friends.

I am going tonight to eat with Ken and Jordan Taylor and a friend from Orlando who is a student at NOBTS. (We are going to Copeland’s, one of our favorites). Erik just left a little while ago to return to his family and his work for the week. He will be back on Friday. Jason has a speaking engagement in Florida on his way back here tomorrow. He will be back tomorrow afternoon and will be here for the week. My brother Dan will take me to eat tomorrow morning. Someone will show up to get me to lunch tomorrow. I will get to work in Cafe New Orleans, drink some good coffee, and see some wonderful friends during the day. My thanks to them all. Isn’t it great how God uses his people to provide for his people? He is doing that every day for us. We are grateful

Thanks again to you all for praying and supporting. Please keep up your intercession to our gracious Father for Retia’s healing. It will be so wonderful to see her get out of bed and walk again.

I love you all.

blessings
jdukes

Robert R. Lee

(January 29, 1942 – June 28, 2009)

Robert R. Lee was born on January 29, 1942 and passed away at 6:15 p.m., June 28, 2009 at the Ochsner Medical Center of Baton Rouge. He was 67 and a resident of Amite.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time.

KneEmail

Bandage

aaabandage.jpgWHEN I WAS a little kid, I got a pretty nasty burn on my leg…

The doctor applied a bandage designed to adhere to the burned skin. The bandage was made of a material that had a healing ointment in it, and as the burn healed and the skin began to grow, the bandage and the skin fused. It worked almost like a skin graft, and it was very effective in the process of healing.

This is a picture of what the local church should be. We are not to be a band-aid that provides a small amount of healing and protection for the hurting people around us, only to be taken off and once again made separate. The church should be fused with those who have been “burned,” working as a unit to bring about healing. Part of our strategy is to become a vital part of life in our region, not just to be a place for people to visit on the weekends but truly to be a healing place for a hurting world. We want to be involved, to be part of the cure, and to be a resource for rehabilitation and spiritual restoration. (Dino Rizzo)

“And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude;

and He was moved with compassion for them,

and healed their sick.

Matthew 14:14

Posted by Mike Benson

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

Anna Lee

Sunday

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth,

to show Himself strong

on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”

~2 Chronicles 16:9a~

Dukes

cornbread, calamari, and caviar

Last night I had some Killer cornbread, some calamari and of all things some caviar.  It was excellent.  We (BAM) ate with (BAM)
Mike and Ginger, and (BAM) Clay and Carol and had (BAM) a great time.  It was a great time of food and fellowship.

Things are about the same.  Mom had a good day today.  She had a black iced tea and some soup from Mccalister’s. We did some PT. She is still having some cognitive issues.  Pray for her: pray for her mind to not get off track, to stay focused, to not have off moments, pray for her movement that she will rehab well and walk again, pray she wont get an infection and can get her skull cap replaced soon.  Pray she will recover fully.

Pray for dad that he will have wisdom as he prepares to do whatever is needed to take care of mom.  Pray for his pain level and his rehab that he may improve and heal well. Pray he will continue to get used to what ever the new normal is.  Pray for all of us in that.

Thanks again to all of you.  Thanks for all you have done for the prayers, the support in every way.  Thanks again to Mike and Ginger for treating dad and me.  We enjoyed the fellowship.  Dad will probably post tomorrow.  Have a great sunday.

Continue to pray for the FBC, Kentwood mission team in Canada, Dwayne Wilson’s mission team in El Salvador, and all the other mission teams serving around the world.

Daddy

little-girl-crying-300x201.jpgIT LOOKED AS if the rain would never stop…

The clouds were laden and heavy. The thunder rumbled across the sky, and there was even an occasional flash of lightning. The day was gloomy enough, but the funeral that I was about to preach made it even more depressing.

I was the new preacher in town and this was my first week at work. The young man lying in the casket was in his early thirties. An automobile accident had cut his life short. Standing beside me were his wife and five-year-old daughter. The parents and other loved ones stood nearby.

As we stood there I felt a small hand slip into mine and tug downward. Kneeling down, I looked into the tear-stained blue eyes of a beautiful blonde-haired little girl. The pathetic look on her face was enough to make the angels weep. She whispered, “May I ask you a question?” I assured her that it would be okay. As he eyes looked pleadingly into mine and through uncontrollable sobs, she asked, “Did Daddy go to heaven?”

Tearfully I explained to her that we are not the judge in such matters, but only God will be our judge. Then I inquired as to why she had asked such a question. She replied, “Daddy never went to church with us; he was never baptized and I’m worred that he didn’t go to heaven.” I believe she knew the answer.

Death is ugly. Such a wound in this little girl is so deep that no amount of time will ever entirely heal the hurt within her. Almost every time a mother or father dies and leaves children behind, the question is asked, “Did Mommy/Daddy go to heaven?” Even though we cannot be the judge, we do know that Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” ( Mark 16:16), and “…Be faithful unto death and will give you the crown of life” ( Revelation 2:10). These words are just as true now as they were when given some 2,000 years ago.

Fathers and mothers, if you were to die suddenly, would there be any question in your children’s minds as to the place of your eternal abode? Will they be asking, “Did Mommy/Daddy go to heaven?” Don’t leave this life with your children knowing that you lived in rebellion to God. Teach them that the Christian life is the greatest life in the world. If we are true Christians, not only will our children have confidence in where we spend eternity, but they will want to follow. (via Randal Jones)

“When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you,

which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice,

and I am persuaded is in you also.”

~ 2 Timothy 1:5~

Posted by Mike Benson
Have a great Lord’s Day!
Anna Lee

Saturday

“If you forgive others the wrongs they have done to you,

your Father in heaven will also forgive you.

But if you do not forgive others,

then your Father will not forgive the wrongs you have done.”

Matthew 6:14-15 TEV

Dear Teammates,

Thank you so much for coming alongside of us on this journey to El Salvador.

. . .

Our flight leaves for Houston tomorrow (Saturday) at 12:45p.m., and then we leave for El Salvador at 5:45p.m. El Salvador is one hour behind Central Standard Time. We will return late Monday evening, July 6th.  I just read today that El Salvador is a land of volcanoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes…..this may prove to be a great adventure! We are most thankful for your partnership and faithful prayers.

Tricia and Dwayne
Pray for the team from Kentwood doing mission work in Canada.


Convenience

COME WITH ME to worship service in Zimbabwe…

It could be anywhere. It is desperately hot and this year the country was hit by a devastating drought. The children are hungry. Many haven’t had a meal in two days. Everyone walks to church, some as far as 15 miles. The lucky church members have an extra change of clothes to wear just for Sunday. Children pad in bare feet along the highway, its tarmac blistering hot.

The church meets outside a school building, under the questionable shade of a baobab tree (which for 10 months a year is bare). The heat rises to well over 100 degrees. The people sit on rocks and sing from memory. Only the song leader has a hymn book, tattered and dog-eared. Often he sings a phase, and the members repeat it in responsive fashion. Only three Bibles are found in this crowd of close to 100 people. They sit in the heat, listening to a sermon that will last up to an hour after the man at the Lord’s Supper has already spoken for 45 minutes.

After services, the people gather around a fire and a blackened cast iron pot. They are cooking sadza, a corn-meal mush, and will add covo, a green, spinach-like relish to help the taste. Several weeks ago someone actually brought a scrawny chicken to supplement the meal. Children watch as the elderly eat first. If there is anything left in the plates, they will clean the plates themselves (and I don’t mean with dish detergent). A fellowship meal? Not exactly. For many, this is the only meal they will eat for another two days.

How convenient is your Christianity? (Stan Mitchell)

Woe to you who are complacent in Zion,

and to you who feel secure in Mount Samaria,

you notable men of the foremost nation,

to whom the people of Israel come!”

Amos 6:1

Does that make you think?

Anna Lee

Friday

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.”

~Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV~

From James Rimes

Please pray for Susan. She has rapid moving strep throat and is very uncomfortable. Thanks for praying.

My sister, Julie, asks that as we pray for the family of Mr. Phillip Gray that we especially for for his son’s family.  Julie lived near Phil and Leanna for many years.  Now, Leanna is battling cancer.

From Dwayne Wilson

Tricia and I leave on a 10 day mission trip to El Salvador on Saturday. Sharing the gospel with school kids, giving out clothes and care packs, and 2 days installing water purification systems in homes. I’ll miss being in the USA for the 4th but duty calls!

From Jason Dukes
< reality setting in. >
I’ve watched Dad this past weekend and through this week absolutely enjoy having his grandkids here. This past weekend, all eight were here. Through this week, my four were here. We leave tomorrow. I’ll be back Monday without them. Erik comes in for the weekend.

As you read in an earlier post from Dad himself, he also was overjoyed to hear that he didn’t need his boot anymore, could bear weight as he wanted on his left arm and left leg, and could move from his walker to a cane. That’s what he hoped for. That’s what he got. He threw his boot in the back of the truck, similar to what he did with the neck collar.

His grandkids and grand news definitely brought a lot of smiles and relief this week. But Mom’s condition and the difficulty she faces on the road ahead set in this week more than ever. Especially for Dad. Mostly because of a meeting we had with her doctor, nurse, case manager, and therapists Wednesday morning.

It was a refreshing change. To actually be in on her plan of care. To actually talk to a doctor openly who isn’t retreating out of the room. To actually dialogue with the nurse proactively. We didn’t get much of that at Mom’s other place, if at all. That was refreshing to actually be invited to the meeting of all of them, which happens every Wednesday.

They told us that they wanted to begin to get the neuro-surgeons talking about replacing the cranium piece. That would be the surgeon that actually did the original taking off, as well as one from Ochsner and one from Orlando who may put it back on. Not sure yet – whether it will happen before Mom transfers to Orlando or after. Probably before. Would be the best for Mom.

They told us that her swallowing should get better and better. It seemed to be more of an attention thing than a physical thing. She gets distracted if there are a few people in the room or if the TV is on, etc. She has been doing better since the meeting and since we have been trying to cut out distractions during feeding time.

They told us that her bedsore will take at least three to six months to fully heal. It is showing progress and new growth, but it is still one and a half inches deep. That is hard to imagine, having a one and a half inch hole in your body. A magnet for infection. She has several bugs in it. It is not even along enough in its healing that they could do a graft to move it forward. They are treating it aggressively. It is a major holdup to her therapy and to her comfort.

They told us about her left arm and left leg. They may never be the same.  There has been an onset of stiffening in them over the last week, especially in her wrist and arm, in spite of heavy attention given in therapy. Will she be able to walk? Will she be able to hold with that left hand? Too early to tell. Difficult news to hear.

They told us she will probably be here for at least three more weeks, if not longer. They fully understood the goal of getting her back to Orlando, and we are thankful they are working with us to that end. There are a lot of factors to consider that must be addressed before we can even act on moving her anywhere. Please pray for her.

On a very cute and positive note, Abby and Jen took Mom some mashed sweet potatoes Wednesday night (last night). Mom loved it. She had had mashed sweets before. But not from a two year old. Abby loved it. Mom did, too.

Abby sang Mom “You Are My Sunshine.” Mom was delighted. Abby told Mom to get better so they could play together at Mom’s house. Mom said she wanted to, too. Soon. Mom told Abby she really missed her and her Mommy (my wife, Jen). That meant a lot to Jen. They ate and talked for a bit. Mom was very with it. Abby and Jen were great medicine.

Mom has her good days and her bad days. Both cognitively and physically. We are just thankful to have her alive, but it is not easy to hear her talk with such lack of clarity as she does from time to time. Please pray for her healing.

Reality has set in. Gonna be a long process, longer than any of us prepared for. The inconvenience on us is nothing compared to the inconvenience on Mom. The inconvenience of being hit by a man who shouldn’t have been driving. The inconvenience doesn’t matter. Walking alongside the woman who gave her life for her husband and two boys, no matter what. That’s what matters.

Reality has set in. The reality is we have the blessing of getting to know Mom all over again. We have the blessing of watching a miracle happen before us. We have the blessing of seeing a beautiful woman blossom again. And I’m not just writing that to try to sound positive or super spiritual or anything fake like that. It’s for real. It’s reality. It is what it is, and how we walk in it is key.

Father, please help us to continue to trust your love and goodness, help us see the beauty of what you are doing in restoring Mom, and may we walk through this loving Mom and listening for Your cues along the way.

And may Your reality settle among our reality. Thanks for being so near.
-jason

KOMpray

Kids on Mission Pray

Prayer requests

“Let the little children come to Me, and don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these,” Luke 18:16b

My house helper and my friend Here’s a special story from East Asia. I hope you like it!   It seems as if it’s been forever and a day since I met our house helper. She has a name, but to me she’s just Ayi, which means “aunt”. I met her a year ago and we gradually became friends. She comes to our house five days a week to cook, clean, and help us learn the language.   Ayi is petite—about 4’10”, with black curly hair. She also has a beautiful singing voice. Our landlady told us about her and she has helped us ever since. At first, my language was pretty limited and I didn’t understand Asian culture at all. Ayi took a liking to me and she was a great help in answering questions for me. She took me with her to the meat market and the vegetable store when I didn’t have school.   I really wanted Ayi to be a Christian. SO…I showed her my bilingual Bible. That’s a Bible with two languages on the same page. Ayi taught me the characters from her language and I could read the letters in mine.    Ayi always said, “We don’t believe this in this country” and changed the subject. I was very sad, but I kept praying for Ayi. I prayed and I kept on studying her language.    A friend came to our city and talked with Ayi about Jesus and she became a Christian that day.  I was so happy! All I could do was cry and thank God for being such a loving God. I hugged Ayi and told her I was very happy.   Now, Ayi is a happier woman and she reads the Bible and prays every day. Her beautiful voice now sings hymns and spiritual songs in our home. I just thank God every day that I met Ayi.   Please pray for house helpers and language helpers—pray that they will come to love Jesus just like Ayi does.

MORE PRAYER REQUESTS FROM MISSIONARY KIDS

Dear God, Please help my friend get better. Please help the Japanese people believe in you God. JOSEPH, age 7 ½ (Pacific Rim)

Please pray for my mom and dad, and my brother. And help the Germans know Christ. Thank you. VICTORIA, age 6 (Western Europe)

Please pray for Michael. He’s in the Iraq war. ANNABELLE, age 6 (Central Asia)

Please pray for the people of Madagascar.  Even the ones who believe in Jesus have beliefs tied to their ancestors.  It is very hard for my family and quite frightening in October, when the people parade the bones of their ancestors around town.  None of my friends at school are Christians, and it is very difficult to be a light in the darkness.  Thankfully, more and more missionaries seem to be coming to Madagascar.  LYDIA, age 13 (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

FINDING OUR SELF-ESTEEM

A story is told about William “Speedy” Morris, who was head coach at La Salle University from 1986 to 2001.  As the story goes, during a year in which LaSalle was having a pretty good season, Coach Morris was shaving one morning when the phone rang.  His wife answered it and called out to him that Sports Illustrated wanted to talk to him.

Coach Morris was excited that his team was apparently about to receive national recognition in this famous sports magazine.  As a matter of fact, he was so excited that he cut himself with his razor.

Covered with blood and shaving lather and running downstairs to the phone, he tripped and fell down the stairs.  Finally, bleeding and bruised, he made it to the phone and breathlessly said, “Hello”?

The voice on the other end asked, “Is this Speedy Morris”?

“Yes, yes!” he replied excitedly.

Then the voice continued, “Mr. Morris, for just seventy-five cents an issue, we can give you a one-year subscription to Sports Illustrated.”

We are often disappointed to find out that someone else doesn’t think we are as important as we think they ought to!  Paul had something to say about this:

“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3)

We’ve heard a lot in the past couple of decades about the importance of boosting the self-esteem of children in school, with the idea that getting rid of low self-esteem will help children to be happier and have better grades.  And I fully appreciate the fact that some children (as well as some adults) do have poor self-esteem and view themselves as worthless, which is a bad thing.  Paul doesn’t say that we need to have a poor view of ourselves, just that we need to have a “sober” or “sensible” view of ourselves.

But it seems to me that a bigger problem in our society is high self-esteem – people who think of themselves as more important than they truly are.  Strangely enough, I don’t hear anyone talking about that problem!  But Jesus did.  He spoke a lot about the need to develop an attitude of humility, and he let us know that we find a right view of ourselves by seeing ourselves as servants.  Jesus not only taught that view of self-esteem, but he demonstrated it.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5)

Father, help me to find my self-esteem in you.  Because of your sacrifice on my behalf, I understand my great value in your eyes.  But forgive me when I try to elevate myself over others around me who are equally as valuable.  Help me to develop the humble attitude of a servant.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Have a great Friday!  Thanks for praying.  Your prayers mean so much to so many!

Anna Lee

Thursday

“Or what man is there among you who,

if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?

Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,

how much more will your Father who is in heaven

give good things to those who ask Him!”

~Matthew 7:9-11~

Thank you, God, for the rain! Of course, You knew how much we needed it!

Mrs. Ferrie Gene Blackmon is home and recovering.  Please keep her in your prayers.

Mt. Nebo had 117 in VBS last night.  Keep up the good work for the Lord and for the precious children.

Pray for the students who will be taking LEAP and GEE tests between now and next Tuesday.

Jimmy Schwartz was able to be at church without his walker Sunday.  Pray he continues to improve.  Pray he doesn’t have any additional health issues while Ruby is on the mission trip.

Elizabeth H. Cooper continues to improve,  but will require more plastic surgery.  Pray for her as she goes through this long process step-by-step.  Thank God that her injuries were not any greater than they were.

Pray for Mrs. Hellen Morris and Lauree Titus as they continue to deal with back problems.

Continue to pray for Mrs. Blanch Wheat, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Williams, and Mrs. Faye Price.

Remember the Canada Mission Team today.

http://www.imb.org/main/news/details.asp?StoryID=7878&LanguageID=1709 I hope you will find time to read this story, look at pictures, and view the video.  You will learn a lesson in religions freedom in addition to the lesson on political freedom you have been viewing on television.

Lost

IN 1937, AMELIA Earhart set out on a 29,000-mile flight around the world…

With only 7,000 miles remaining, she took off from Lae, New Guinea, in search of Howland Island, 2,556 miles distant in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Her last radio reports were received by the Coast Guard Cutter Itasca positioned just offshore the mile-and-a-half long island. At 7:42 a.m., the ship picked up the message, “WE must be on you, but we cannot see you. Fuel is running low. Been unable to reach you by radio. We are flying at 1,000 feet.” One hour later they heard the final words, “We are running north and south.” Rescue efforts commenced immediately, but the $4,000,000 operation covering 250,000 square miles ended in disappointment. Amelia Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, were lost at sea.

Spiritual lostness involves a dangerous disorientation of the spirit. When a person is lost, it means he has lost touch with truth and reality. Important values have vanished from his radar screen. He is misguided in his beliefs and off course in his behavior. Lostness is losing one’s way in life, morally, ethically and spiritually. And unless one repents, the repercussions are everlasting. (Aubrey Johnson)

“For what advantage is it to a man if he gains the whole world,

and is himself destroyed or lost?”

~Luke 9:25~

Posted by Mike Benson

Have a terriffic Thursday!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“Truly, truly, I say to you,

unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies,

it remains alone;

but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”

~John 12:24, ESV~

Mission Canada Volunteers

Remember the team as they travel to Canada today.  Pray for safety and a spirit of unity.

Scott Lindsey

We made it home from the hospital tonight around 8:00 p.m. After all of the test, the doctors are still uncertain as to the cause of the seizures. There is a fluid collection under the recently replaced bone flap. Scott will be taking two anti-seizure medications for the foreseeable future.

He will be having another CAT Scan on Monday to check the fluid under the flap. Worse case scenario is a tap to remove the fluid. Best case scenario is that the medications he is taking will prevent any further seizure activity. Although he is “sick” of hospitals, he is in good spirits. Karibeth, Scott’s youngest sister had to leave on Sunday to go to the Girl Scout camp where she is a counselor this summer. Please keep her in your prayers.  As you can imagine, it is hard to be away when you feel someone you love needs you.

Thank you for your continued prayers. Your calls of concern are truly appreciated. Please continue to keep Scott and our family in your prayers.

(Becky Lindsey – Mom)

Baptist Press

June 23, 2009

KENTUCKY–Hunt: ‘There’s gold in them there pews.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30741

KENTUCKY–Chapman: Missions fervor trumps doctrinal divides. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30742

KENTUCKY–Huckabee laments U.S. lack of morality. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30743

KENTUCKY–Pastors’ Conference looks to unity in love, spirit & purpose. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30744

KENTUCKY–EC report underscores financial freedom, cooperative missions. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30745

KENTUCKY–Southern Baptists cease relationship with Texas church over homosexuality. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30746

KENTUCKY–Hunt re-elected SBC president. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30747

KENTUCKY–Repentance a ‘dire need’ in SBC, Hunt tells pastors. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30748

KENTUCKY–WMU envisions changed lives & a changed world. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30749

KENTUCKY–Family festival highlights Hispanic outreach. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30750

KENTUCKY–Doctor-turned-

musician leads worship at SBC. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30751

KENTUCKY–Wedding plans unveiled at Pastors’ Conference. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30752

TEXAS–Jack Graham diagnosed with prostate cancer. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30753

WASHINGTON–Obama signs tobacco regulation bill. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30754

LOUISIANA–FIRST-PERSON (Keith Manuel): Evangelism tools that go ‘vroom.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30755

Know

know3.jpg“IS IT REALLY possible for a person to KNOW the truth…?”

There are so many opinions about what the Bible teaches. “Is truth even attainable in the religious realm?”

These are common questions today. Consider a few observations from Scripture:
How can a person be expected to OBEY ( Hebrews 5:8-9) Christ if he is incapable of knowing what constitutes obedience to Christ?

How can a person be expected to ABIDE IN ( John 8:31) the word of Christ if he is unable to learn and know Christ’s teaching?

How can a person be expected to PROVE ( 1 Thessalonians 5:21; cf. 1 John 4:1) what the Bible says if the truth cannot be distinguished from error?

How can a person be expected to CONTEND ( Jude 3) earnestly for the truth if the truth is unattainable?

How can a person be expected to BEWARE ( Matthew 7:15; cf. 2 John 7) of false teachers if there is no discernible way of telling whether or not they are teaching error?

How can a person be expected to SPEAK ( Ephesians 4:15) the truth in love if he is unable to differentiate between truth and error?

Yes, we can know the truth. (Mike Benson at: http://www.forthright.net/)

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” ( John 8:32; cf. 2 Timothy 3:13-17).

Posted by Mike Benson

Thanks for praying today.  You make a difference in many lives.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“This, then, is how you should pray:

‘Our Father in heaven:

May Your holy name be honored.'”

~Matthew 6:9 TEV~

Susie Eads’ mom got a wonderful report – scar tissue!  Thank you for praying.

Pray for the mission team from FBC, Kentwood as they prepare to leave in the morning for Canada.  May they be a witness in all they say and do.  As you pray for them, pray for those they will come in contact with during their ten day trip.

Mt. Nebo Baptist Church started out their VBS week with 106 children.  Pray children will learn about the Bible and come to know Jesus.  VBS at New Zion last week was interrupted by funerals.  Pray  the children will still be impacted by what they saw and heard while there.

Baptist Press

June 22, 2009

KENTUCKY–Crossover draws 3,000 volunteers for 95 projects. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30730

KENTUCKY–Southern Baptist EC recommends ceasing relationship with church over homosexuality. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30729

KENTUCKY–Pastors called to God’s glory, love for others, discipleship. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30731

KENTUCKY–Evangelists look to Christ’s return. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30732

KENTUCKY–28 students turn to Christ. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30733

KENTUCKY–Gratitude voiced to Woman’s Missionary Union. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30734

KENTUCKY–New seminary history tells comeback story. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30735

KENTUCKY–Biography relays seminary president’s legacy. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30736

KENTUCKY–Classical ballet at Pastors’ Conference. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30737

KENTUCKY–BP blogging & Twittering from SBC meeting. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30728

TENNESSEE–‘Saddle Ridge Ranch’: 2010 VBS theme. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30738

VIRGINIA–Retirees’ 1,576 years in missions celebrated. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30739

ALABAMA–FIRST-PERSON (Rick Lance): Whatever happened to old-fashioned respect? http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30740

MISSOURI–Royals shy away from ‘everyone is welcome’ policy. http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=30727

Mrs. June Russell was a wonderful Christian, mother, grandmother,  and friend.  She will be missed by many.  Pray for her family as they celebrate her life at the funeral service today.

Cost

A 7-YEAR-OLD GIRL named Jessica was playing outside of her house one day when a pit bulldog came up in her yard…

She went over to pet him and he attacked her–knocking her down and immediately clamping down on her throat. Hearing the commotion outside, her 2-year-old labrador retriever, Sam, came barging out of the house, threw his weight into the attacking dog and knocked it off of Jessica.

After a few days in the hospital, Jessica finally got to go home. When she walked into the house, she started calling for Sam…only he didn’t come. Her parents sat her down and told her how Sam had saved her life, but it cost him his own. (via Mark Burleson, Kensington Woods church of Christ)

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Posted by Mike Benson

Be careful of the heat today!

Anna Lee


Monday

Talk

talk.jpgWHEN A MAN says…

When a man says “IT WOULD TAKE TOO LONG TO EXPLAIN”
He means: “I have no idea how it works”

When a man says “TAKE A BREAK, HONEY. YOU ARE WORKING TOO HARD”
He means: “I can’t hear the game over the vacuum cleaner”

When a man says ‘THAT’S INTERESTING DEAR.’
He means: “Are you still talking?”

When a man says: “IT’S A GUY THING”
He means: “There is no rational thought pattern connected with this, and you have no chance at all of making it logical”

When a man says “CAN I HELP WITH DINNER”
He means: “Why isn’t it ready yet?”

When a man says “UH HUH, SURE HONEY,” or “YES, DEAR”
He means: Absolutely nothing – It’s a conditioned response.

When a man says “YOU KNOW HOW BAD MY MEMORY IS.”
He means: ” I can remember the theme song to ‘Hogan’s Heroes’, the phone # of the first girl I ever kissed & the vehicle identification numbers of every car I ever owned – but yes, I forgot your birthday”

When a man says ‘OH, DON’T FUSS, I JUST CUT MYSELF. IT’S NO BIG DEAL”
He means: “I have probably severed a limb, but I will bleed to death before I admit I’m hurt, so get over here and help me!”

When a man says ‘I CAN’T FIND IT.”
He means: “It didn’t fall into my outstretched hand, so I’m completely clueless”

When a man says “I HEARD YOU.”
He means: “I haven’t the foggiest clue what you just said and I am hoping desperately that I can fake it well enough so that you’ll not spend the next 3 days yelling at me.”

When a man says “YOU KNOW I COULD NEVER LOVE ANYONE ELSE”
He means: “I am used to the way you yell at me and realize it could be worse.”

When a man says “YOU LOOK TERRIFIC!”
He means: “Oh please don’t try on one more outfit, we’re late and I’m starving.”

When a man says “I’M NOT LOST. I KNOW EXACTLY WHERE WE ARE.”
He means: “No one will ever see us alive again.”

When a man says “I don’t think I can go today.”
He means: Shopping is NOT a sport, and no, I am never going to think of it that way.

When a man says, “I don’t remember saying that.”
It’s because he means: “Anything I may have said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all past comments become null and void after 7 days.”

When a man says, “that’s not what I meant.”
He means: “If something I said can be interpreted two ways, and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, I meant the other one.

If your husband says, “honey, what color is this?”
He means: ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. I have no idea what “taupe” is

“So then, my beloved brethren,

let every man be swift to hear,

slow to speak,

slow to wrath.”

James 1:19


Posted by Mike Benson

Sunday

“And, ye fathers,

provoke not your children to wrath:

but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

~Ephesians 6:4~


The following information is from http://www.history.com.

The History of Father’s Day

The first known celebration of Father’s Day was on July 5, 1908 in Fairmont, West Virginia, where it was commemorated at William Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church South – now known as Central United Methodist Church. Grace Golden Clayton is believed to have suggested it to her pastor after a deadly explosion in nearby Monongah in December, killing 361 men.

In the Store!

Find the perfect Father’s Day Gift!

Officially licensed Major League Baseball DVDs!

It was also during a sermon in 1909 that Sonora Smart Dodd became inspired by Mother’s Day. After the death of her mother, Sonora and her siblings were raised by their father William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran. Sonora wanted to show how thankful she was to her father and, because William was born in June, she worked to have the first Father’s Day celebrated on June 19, 1910.

In 1924, President Coolidge recommended that Father’s Day become a national holiday. President Johnson designated the third Sunday of June to be Father’s Day in 1966. It was not until 1972 that President Nixon instituted Father’s Day as a national observance.

Did You Know – Roses are the official flower on Father’s Day, red for fathers who were still living and white for those who have passed on.

Father

MARCH OF THE Penguins follows the Emperor Penguins of Antarctica on their incredible journey through ice and snow to mating grounds inland…

This beautiful documentary captures the drama of these three-foot-high birds.

Once the penguins have made the trek and the females have produced their eggs, a remarkable exchange occurs. Through an intricate dance, each mother swaps her egg into the father’s care. At this point the father becomes responsible for the egg and must keep it warm and elevated off the ice for weeks on end.

The camera shows the father securing the eggs on top of their feet and sheltering them against the cold. Morgan Freeman narrates: “Now begins one of nature’s most incredible and endearing role reversals. It is the penguin male who will tend the couple’s single egg. While the mother feeds and gathers food to bring back for the newborn, it is the father who will shield the egg from the violent winds and cold. He will make a next for the egg atop his own claws, keeping it safe and warm beneath a flap of skin on his belly. And he will do this for more than two months… By the time their vigil on top of the egg is over, the penguin fathers will have gone without food for 125 days and they will have endured one of the most violent and deadly winters on earth, all for the chick.” (Leadership)

“And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).

Posted by Mike Benson

Provoke

STUDIES SHOW THAT entire families who begin the day with hot food, encouraging words, and affection do their respective tasks more efficiently during the time they are apart…

The unfortunate ones who leave each other after a quarrel do not fare as well. Unhappy or stressed students make poorer grades in school and do not get along with others as well as children who leave home with a positive attitude. It is the responsibility of parents to instill in their children positive attitudes, as well as a depth of love and forgiveness that make for peace in families. This is best done by example. Be before them what you want them to become. (Frances Parr)

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works…” (Heb. 10:24).

Posted by Mike Benson

Father

GENERAL DOUGLAS MACARTHUR once said, “By profession I am a soldier and take pride in that fact…

But I am prouder – infinitely prouder – to be a father. A soldier destroys in order to build; the father only builds, never destroys. The one has the potentiality of death; the other embodies creation. . . . It is my hope that my son, when I am gone, will remember me not from the battlefield but in the home repeating with him our simple daily prayer, ‘Our Father who art in Heaven.'”

You can not just accidentally be a good father; you’ve got to be proactive about it. You’ve got to plunge into the task of fathering with the same kind of energy and drive you apply to your corporate goals, your business goals – or your golf game. It’s great to try to influence the culture, but the best way of influencing the culture is to influence the home and raise your children in the nurture and instruction of the Lord.

Is there something you need to cancel in order to be with your kids this week?

Small boys become big men through the influence of big men who care about small boys. (Anonymous)

“And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).

Posted by Mike Benson

Cheryl Hughes Green shared the following:

F.A.T.H.E.R.S.:

“F”aithful

“A”lways there

“T”rustworthy

“H”onoring

“E”ever-loving

“R”ighteous

“S”upportive

Author Unknown

Thank God for Fathers!

Anna Lee