Devotional – Page 245 – The Prayer Link

Thursday

For we are God’s workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus to do good works,

which God prepared in advance for us to do.

~Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)~

Christina Cox seems to be feeling better. Doctors at Children’s Hospital will have more information for the family soon. Please continue to pray for Christina and her family.

Pray for Joan Hagan as she awaits her next appointment on July 7th and Jimmy Tolar as he prepares for surgery on July 8th.

Pray for those in the nursing home (Betty Allen, John H, McGehee, Bertie hano, Sadie Hilburn, and Ona Schilling) and those who are homebound (Jimmie Shaw, Charley Kuss, and Yvonne Jones).

On Mission in Kentwood is Saturday. If you know of a project for the volunteers, please contact me or the church office. If you would like to volunteer to work with us, please contact me or the church office.

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

JUNE’S FRIENDS HUDDLED in the hallway of the hospital…

“We’ve got to be positive,” Janice explained, “because June’s condition is very serious. Half of the battle against cancer is attitude, they say, and we’ve got to help her develop a good attitude. Don’t let the shock of her appearance show on your faces. Make this visit an encouraging one!”

So they filed into the dark room where June lay in fear and trepidation. June smiled, and her smile lit up the room. She held out her hands in welcome, and her eyes seemed even larger and prettier now that her hair had gone because of the treatment.

When they left the room, June’s friends realized that she had encouraged them, not the other way around.

The little book of Philippians uses the word “joy” and “rejoice” fourteen times in four chapters, yet Paul penned these words from prison. Roman prisons were rarely mistaken for Sheraton Hotels. Dingy, rat-infested cells were attended by “room service” consisting of grim Roman legionaries.

Yet Paul sought to encourage his readers, not the other way around. How could he be so positive under these circumstances? Perhaps Paul’s contentment didn’t depend on his circumstances! Maybe his attitude stemmed, not from what happened to him, but from who he was. It was Paul, after all, who declared later in the same book that if we thought about whatever was good, and pure, and lovely we could experience the “peace that passes understanding” (Philippians 4:7,8).

So who are you? (Stan Mitchell at: http://www.forthright.net/reality_check/so_who_are_you.html)

“Now I want you to know, brothers,

that what has happened to me

has really served to advance the gospel.”

~Philippians 1:12~

Be sure to take some joy with you today!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,

so walk in Him.

~Colossians 2:6 (NIV/NKJV)~

What a celebration in honor of Mr. “Bully” Schwartz! I’m glad I was there.

Please continue to pray for all those who are undergoing tests or treatment.

Baptist Press

June 24, 2008

WASHINGTON–Land: Candidates should be free, not forced, to share their faith. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28351

COLORADO–Obama distorts Scripture, Dobson says. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28352

WISCONSIN–Disaster relief chaplains bond with flood victims. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28353

GEORGIA–Post-flood mud-out: Dirty, yet rewarding. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28354

TENNESSEE–Balanced worship envisioned at LifeWay conference. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28355

LOUISIANA–Conference highlights ‘Music as Ministry.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28356

TENNESSEE–EDITORIAL (Will Hall): Dobson is right, Obama distorts the Bible & presents a ‘confused theology.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28357

LOUISIANA–FIRST-PERSON (Keith Manuel): Revival begins with me. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28358

Vivian Womack
(November 20, 1908 – June 24, 2008)

Mrs. Womack passed away at her residence in Greensburg, LA on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at the age of 99. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.

Mildred Matthews Johnson
(November 9, 1917 – June 23, 2008)

“I have fought the good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith.” II Timothy 4:7 She went to be with the Lord on Monday morning, June 23, 2008 at Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center, McComb, MS. She was at peace and ready to claim her mansion in heaven. Affectionately known as Aunt Mil to those who knew and loved her, she was born on November 9, 1917 in Tangipahoa Parish, LA and was the youngest of six children born to Lewis Moak Matthews and Mary Dean Matthews. Aunt Mil loved the outdoors, gardening, and especially enjoyed hunting and fishing with her husband, family, and friends. She loved her church, Line Creek Baptist Church. She frequently visited with the sick and bereaved, also reached out to those in need. She was an excellent cook whose cookies and pies were favorites of many in the surrounding area. She is survived by her step-daughter, Sylvia Johnson Reagan, niece, Frances Harrell Wilson, nephew, James Silton Lambert, special nephew and caretaker, Robert E. Phillips, Jr., great-nieces, Linda Price Alford and husband Ronald, Linda Sue Matthews McKinley and husband Bill, great-nephews, Dr. Paschal Wilson and wife, Julie and children Paschal and Caroline Rose, James Curtis Lambert and family, David Wayne Lambert and family, William Lewis Matthews and family, Hal Price and wife Tonia and children, Caroline and Tristan. Preceded in death by her husband, James M. Johnson, parents, Lewis and Mary Dean Matthews, step-grandson, David Leslie Milam, sisters, Bernice Matthews Harrell, Deanie Matthews Lambert, and Pinkie Matthews McDaniel, brothers, Tommy Matthews and William Matthews, niece, Helen McDaniel Price, nephew, Nelson McDaniel. Visitation will be at Line Creek Baptist Church from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, 2008. Religious Services at 1 p.m. Services conducted by Rev. Bobby Holder, Rev. Jimmy Dukes, and Rev. Ken Irvin. Interment at Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. Pallbearers will be Ronald Alford, David Conerly, Paschal Wilson, James Hamilton, Bill Brown, and Willis “Sonny” Addison. Honorary pallbearers will be Robert E. Phillips, Jr., Mason Simmons, Dr. Harry Frye, and Dr. Lucas Lampton. Special thanks to McComb Extended Care and Brenda and James Hamilton for all their love and special care given. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements.

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

I ONCE HEARD interviews with survivors from World War II…

The soldiers recalled how they spent a particular day. One sat in a foxhole; once or twice, a German tank drove by and he shot at it. Others played cards and frittered away the time. A few got involved in furious firefights. Mostly, the day passed like any other. Later, they learned they had just participated in one of the largest, most decisive engagements of the war, the Battle of the Bulge. It didn’t feel decisive at the time because none had the big picture.

Great victories are won when ordinary people execute their assigned tasks.

Perhaps you sense you’re in a spiritual rut. Stay at your assigned task! Obedience to God offers the way out of our futility. (Philip Yancey)

“What does the Lord require of you but to do justly,

to love mercy,

and to walk humbly with your God.”

~Micah 6:8~

Blessings,

Anna Lee

Tuesday

Pray for the students throughout the state who will be taking the LEAP test in the next few days.

The funeral service for Mr. “Bully” will be at 10 A.M. at the funeral home.

KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10).
Mike Benson, Editor
YOU’RE LAZILY FLIPPING through the channels on your new flat screen TV…

Despite the vast array of viewing options, there’s nothing worth watching, at least for the moment. Your thumb stops on a random station. It’s a half-hour long commercial for “Feed the Children.”The broadcast depicts a hungry African child. His arms and legs exhibit no muscle at all. He’s a veritable skeleton with dark brown skin stretched over the bones. Green bottle flies encircle his eyes and ears. His belly is unnaturally distended and swollen. He’s weak, pale, sickly, and frail. He’s had one “meal” in the past seven days. A small cup of rice.

A phone number flashes at the bottom of the television. You’re being asked to donate. Just the change out of your pocket. For the price of a cheap cup of coffee you could support this poor, starving child. You could put food in his growling belly. Your heart and emotions are aroused by this under-nourished youth. “How in the world does he make it?” you ask yourself. “He can’t live on one meal a week.” Determined to help, you pick up the phone and punch in the 800 number.

Stay with me for just a moment.

We all recognize that to be healthy, we must maintain a steady, balanced diet. We can’t skip meals for days on end. We certainly can’t live off of a single meal once a week. And yet, isn’t that exactly what we’re doing when our only source of spiritual nourishment comes from the Sunday morning sermon? When we habitually skip Sunday morning Bible class, aren’t we saying that we can be healthy and strong by eating just one meal a week? When we miss the Sunday evening and Wednesday night assemblies at church, and the only time we take in real, biblical sustenance is the 11 o’clock Lord’s Day message, aren’t we saying — at least by our actions — that a child of God only has to eat one meal every seven days? When we fail to open our Bibles at home and pour through the sacred Word each day, but then manage to “squeak in” at the last minute for that one hour worship assembly on the first day of the week, aren’t we communicating that a Christian requires little food for the soul? A small cup of rice, indeed. What we acknowledge in the physical realm, we tend to forget in the spiritual. Some of us are starving ourselves to death (Hosea 4:6) and we don’t even realize it!

When we go to the New Testament book of Acts, we find a group of folks who understood the correlation between regular Scripture “meals” and a strong, maturing faith. The text says, “Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (Acts 17:11 NIV). Did you catch that? The Bereans were more nobly disposed than the Thessalonians because 1) they received the spoken Word with great eagerness (A. T. Robertson says “eagerness” carries the idea of rushing forward/1), and because 2) they “examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Watch it! The Berean Jews were commended because they personally investigated the Old Testament prophecies to which Paul appealed on a DAILY basis. You might say the Thessalonians had a cup of rice once a week, while the Bereans ate “three squares” a day.

Dear Christian, if the Word is food (Matthew 4:4; cf. Psalm 19:9,10; Jeremiah 15:16; John 6:26,63), and it is, shouldn’t we “pull up to the table” and fill our plates every day? If we can make time for television, sports, shopping at the mall, going to the movies, and a myriad of other fleshly pursuits, we certainly can make time to read and study God’s Word.

When would be the best time for you to delve into your Bible? At the breakfast table? During break at work? Before you go to bed after the kids are asleep? Pick a time that’s best for you and then enjoy the meal! (Mike Benson)

_______
1/ Word Pictures in the New Testament, p. 274.

“These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).

Sunday

“Have you not known? Have you not heard?

The everlasting God, the LORD,

the Creator of the ends of the earth,

neither faints nor is weary.

His understanding is unsearchable.

He gives power to the weak,

and to those who have no might He increases strength.

Even the youths shall faint and be weary,

and the young men shall utterly fall,

but those who wait on the LORD

shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings like eagles,

they shall run and not be weary,

they shall walk and not faint.”

~Isa. 40:28-31~

Please don’t forget to bring toiletries for Kelly Schneeweiss’ mission trip to Honduras. Money will be acceptable too if you forgot to get toiletries. You may give your donations to a member of the Schneeweiss family or to me. Thank-you for supporting this young lady as she goes on a medical mission trip. Please pray for live-changing decision to be made as medical needs are addressed.

Katie Weiburg and her dad, Bro. Gary Weiburg formerly of Roseland Baptist Church, will be going on a mission trip to Central America this week. Please pray for their ministry as lives as touched.

Bro. Chip Sloan, another former pastor at Roseland Baptist Church, will be taking a mission trip to work with the Roma (Gypsies) in Romania during July. Included in those going on the trip will be Bro. Chip’s wife, Martha, and their older daughter, Jennifer and her husband. Again, pray for lives of those going to be touched and for lives of those to whom they minister to be forever changed.

Pray for the mission team from Parkway Baptist Church in McKinney, Texas as they minister to the Roma in Romania this week.

Pray for a search committee from Georgia as they are in Texas this weekend to consider a candidate for worship leader. Our daughter-in-law, Becki, is a member of this team that flew from Georgia yesterday and will fly back home later today.

Don’t forget to pray for Gary Schiro, husband of Peggy Hendry Schiro of Chesbrough. Gary will have a heart valve replacement in the morning at North Oaks.

Pray for the students who attended summer LEAP remediation and who will be testing this week.

The Hatchels and others have safely returned from their Annual General Meeting (AGM). Thank God for the opportunities provided by volunteers from the States who so freely gave of themselves to minister to the needs of our missionaries and MK’s. Jennie always tells me of he Lottie Moon Christmas Offering given at the meeting. I’ll report that later.

Today is Adopt an Annuitant Sunday in Southern Baptist Churches. Donations will be accepted to assist retired ministers and their wives or widows who are having financial needs.

There’s a number of people undergoing tests and treatment for cancer. Please continue to remember each of them daily even when I do not list each one individually.

Jason Tate “Bully” Schwartz
(October 1, 1911 – June 18, 2008)

Died at 12:05 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at St. Helena Parish Nursing Home in Greensburg. He was a native of Kentwood and a resident of Greensburg. Age 96 years. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Kentwood and Kentwood Masonic Lodge. He is survived by his son, James Charles Schwartz, Sr. and wife, Ruby, Kentwood; daughter, Lois “Chee Chee” Dunn and husband, Bubba, Greensburg; grandchildren, Sherry Dunn Schivers and husband, Robert, Greensburg, Brenda Dunn Miller and husband, Randy, Roseland, Maj. James Charles Schwartz, Jr. and wife, Maryanna, Ft. Hood, TX, Michael Collins Schwartz and wife, Sarah, Hammond, Christopher L. Dunn and wife, Kelly, Metairie, Timothy Tate Schwartz and wife, Sharon, Hammond, Paul Scott Schwartz, Kentwood, Carl Blades, Jr. Corpus Christi, TX, Susan Henry, Dallas, TX, Alan Blades, Palmdale, CA, Daniel Blades, Los Angeles, CA, Carolyn Blades, San Bernardino, CA, Gerry Needham Davis, Baker, and Janice Needham Westbrook, Zachary; numerous great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. He was greeted in heaven by his first wife, Myrtle Birch Schwartz and second wife, Inez Greener Schwartz; parents, Charles P. and Lois Tate Schwartz; 2 brothers, Rukins Schwartz and C. P. Schwartz, Jr.; 2 sisters, Eupora Hutchinson and Ora Lee Nelson; great-granddaughter, Breanne Miller. Visitation will be at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Monday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 10 a.m. on Tuesday. Interment will follow in the Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood.

Betty Lambert
(October 23, 1922 – June 19, 2008)

Died at 5:24 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, 2008 at Belle Maison Nursing Home in Hammond. She was a native and resident of Amite. Age 85 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 10 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Monday. Interment Mulberry Street Cemetery, Amite. She is survived by her 5 nieces, Clinton Sue Driscoll and husband, John, Covington, Becky Jelpi and husband, Keith, Metairie, Kitty Beaumier and husband, Ken, Alabama, Kathy Vaughn, Ponchatoula and Lydia Benson, New Orleans; 6 great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Delma Lambert; 3 brothers, Clinton, Maxwell and Donald Earl Gill; a sister, Mary Evelyn Gill Glosson; parents, Hinson Gill and Geneiva Gill Ricks.

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

(Philippians 2:10).
Mike Benson, Editor

THE MOST DRAMATIC moment in human history makes for odd drama…

The hero is center-stage yet silent. His script is only seven lines long, some whispered, some groaned through gritted teeth. He gestures simply and seldom. He is still, pinned as it were to a prop from which neither the audience nor the other actors can easily unfasten their eyes. The stage is stark, the scenery sparse, the props peculiar — hammer, spikes, spear, dice. The action is minimal at best, at worst awkward. The lighting is at first too bright, then too night.

Other actors take the stage. Soldiers hammer and gamble, making light of the weighty moment. Bystanders assuage their boredom with blasphemy. Priests parrot their vain victory, ignorant of the irony: “If you come down, we will believe.” Followers weep and wonder, only a few and from afar. The rest, obvious in their absence, rest off-stage. Ultimately our eyes are drawn back to the main character, still still, and we listen to the seven lines and the sudden silence.

This old drama makes for odd drama. And we find ourselves left wondering less about the hero than ourselves. Where will we stand on the stage, with the deriders or the disciples? Will we stand fearfully but faithfully with the women or will we slip off to the wings unable to see or be seen? And what will we say when the next line is ours?

And if we should decide not to try out for this play, not to take part in this odd, old drama, it’s too late. By coming to this table we have already accepted a role, we have already joined the cast, we have already taken the stage. This meal is which we are invited reminds us that we are privileged to play a part, a part in the most dramatic moment in human history, in the great drama of redemption. (J. Lee Magness)

“And when they had mocked Him,

they took the purple off Him,

put His own clothes on Him,

and led Him out to crucify Him.”

Mark 15:20

That’s a reminder we need to hear.

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Saturday

“Continue earnestly in prayer,

being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.”

~Colossians 4:2~

Thank-you for praying for the Hatchels as they attended AGM and traveled to and from the meeting. They are safely back at home.

LAST FRONTIER. On a recent trip to the countryside, it was quite an adventure for a group of young female teachers to see where their university students really live. Here’s what these workers among this Last Frontier people group had to say: “The place we went was basic, to say the least. There was no electricity, no bathrooms, no showers, and no running water. We even slept outside under a mosquito net. Amid such tremendous poverty, it was incredible to see how much the villagers would spend and sacrifice to make offerings to the spirits. But the poverty wasn’t what was so disheartening about that place; it was the darkness. It seems like the city where we work has a way of disguising the lostness of our people, but in the countryside, it was much more evident.” Pray that those who live in such darkness and fear will hear about the Light of the world. Pray that every village in this country will have a gospel witness.

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE
INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD
Friday, June 20, 2008

My word “shall not return to Me void,

But it shall accomplish what I please.”

~Isaiah 55:11a, NKJV~

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the International Prayer Strategy Office, thanking the Lord with you for His Word.

Workers in Berlin are rejoicing over a man who received a Bible in the mail. Included was an invitation to a Bible study in an immigrant neighborhood of Berlin. He was thrilled that there was a group that met and spoke his mother tongue. Please pray that this man who is seeking will continue to come and learn about Jesus Christ.

J signed up for a Bible raffle during an outreach event in Buenos Aires in late 2007. Over the months, he has developed a friendship with missionary Jason Frealy, and recently he prayed a prayer of forgiveness. This business owner is a man of influence, with many friends, employees and family members. Please pray for J’s new faith, and pray for his influence to bring others to the same saving faith.

In Senegal, a volunteer team gave a Bible to a young girl. The next day, she came back and told them she did not know how to use the Bible because she never had one before. The volunteers showed her how to study God’s Word. They now ask you to intercede for this young girl as the Holy Spirit guides her. Pray that she will trust Jesus as Savior.

There are those in Algeria who have done everything in their power to limit the spread of the gospel. However, there are also many brothers and sisters who are continuing to work despite the resistance. Workers write: “When asked how we could help them continue the work, they replied that they needed more Bibles. … Ask God to find a way for these Bibles to reach the ones who truly need to read the truth of God.”

* Please pray for seekers to accept Jesus.

* Intercede for those boldly distributing Bibles, no matter the risk.

* Thank the Lord that His word will not return void.

Deacon Hospital Ministry – June 22-28

Jimmy Williams
James Rimes

Nursery Volunteers – June 22

Nancy Stokes
Scott & Kristi Womack

Senior Adult Trip to Gatlinburg, TN

“Julilee Conference”
September 29-October 4
Call the church office – 985-229-8111

Beth Moore Living Proof Live Simulcast 2008

August 1-2,, 2008 @ FBC, Kentwood
Tickets: $25.00 @ FBC, Kentwood

CAN THIS MESS BE FIXED?

Customer: “I got this problem. You people sent me this install
disk, and now my A: drive won’t work.”

Tech Support: “Your A: drive won’t work?”

Customer: “That’s what I said. You sent me a bad disk, it got stuck
in my drive, now it won’t work at all.”

Tech Support: “Did it not install properly? What kind of error
messages did you get?”

Customer: “I didn’t get any error message. The disk got stuck in
the drive and wouldn’t come out. So I got these pliers and tried
to get it out. That didn’t work either.”

Tech Support: “You did what, sir?”

Customer: “I got these pliers, and tried to get the disk out, but it
wouldn’t budge. I just ended up cracking the plastic stuff a
bit.”

Tech Support: “I don’t understand sir, did you push the eject
button?”

Customer: “No, so then I got a stick of butter and melted it and
used a turkey baster and put the butter in the drive, around the
disk, and that got it loose. I can’t believe you would send me a
disk that was broken and defective.”

Tech Support: “Let me get this clear. You put melted butter in
your A: drive and used pliers to pull the disk out?”

At this point, he put the call on the speaker phone and motioned at the other techs to listen in.

Tech Support: “Just so I am absolutely clear on this, can you repeat
what you just said?”

Customer: “I said I put butter in my A: drive to get your disk out,
then I had to use pliers to pull it out.”

Tech Support: “Did you push that little button that was sticking
out when the disk was in the drive, you know, the thing called the
disk eject button?”

– Silence –

Tech Support: “Sir?”

Customer: “Yes.”

Tech Support: “Sir, did you push the eject button?”

Customer: “No, but you people are going to fix my computer, or I am
going to sue you for breaking my computer.”

Tech Support: “Let me get this straight. You are going to sue our
company because you put the disk in the A: drive, didn’t follow
the instructions we sent you, didn’t actually seek professional
advice, didn’t consult your user’s manual on how to use your
computer properly, instead proceeding to pour butter into the
drive and physically rip the disk out?”

Customer: “Ummmm.”

Tech Support: “Do you really think you stand a chance, since we do
record every call and have it on tape?”

Customer: (now rather humbled) “But you’re supposed to help!”

Tech Support: “I am sorry sir, but there is nothing we can do for
you. Have a nice day.”

Sounds like the mess we sometimes make of our lives. We don’t consult God’s “instruction manual” (the Bible), we don’t call for assistance (pray), we just try to “fix” the problems in our lives by ourselves and in the process do some pretty stupid things.

But there’s one big difference. When we finally reach the point where we realize we’ve made a mess and we humble ourselves in the presence of God, He doesn’t say, “There’s nothing I can do for you.” Rather, He stands ready to help.

“….Be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (I Peter 5:5b-7)

Made a mess of something lately? The “tech support” line is open and ready to take your call.

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

I’m so thankful that heavenly tech support line is aways working! What about you?

Anna Lee

Thursday

Though one may be overpowered,

two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIV)

Betty Taylor asks tat you pray for her mother, Mrs. Zigler, who is hospitalized in Magnolia with pneumonia.

Johnny Hurst has been experiencing some heart problems. He’s better. Keep him in your prayers.

Iowans Finding Hope Midst Floodwaters
By Mark Kelly

WAPELLO, Iowa (BP)–Southern Baptists are on the front lines of relief efforts in America’s flood-ravaged Midwest and workers on the scene say they are seeing God at work in people’s lives.

Solid Rock Baptist Church in Wapello, Iowa, is one of a half-dozen “Ground Zero” locations in Iowa, where tens of thousands have been forced from their homes by floodwaters that caused more than $1.5 billion in damage.

Solid Rock’s pastor, Dan Doolin, is multi-tasking.

“The Red Cross designated our church as a shelter site and we have about 20 people in residence right now,” Doolin said. “We also have been designated as a Red Cross feeding site. Mud-out teams from Texas and a shower unit from Arkansas got here yesterday. Now we have a laundry unit coming, I believe, from Oklahoma. We have been helping people with their FEMA applications and chaplains from our Iowa disaster relief units are helping people with their spiritual and emotional needs.”

Many families in the town of 2,100 on the Mississippi River had to get out quickly, leaving belongings and even pets behind, Doolin said. Church members responded by purchasing toothbrushes, toothpaste, underwear, T-shirts, deodorant — “all the kind of stuff you need to survive,” he said. Local businesses also have donated personal items and the church converted its nursery into a storage room where displaced families can pick up items. Several churches in town have been collecting clothing at a Methodist church across town.

About 20 members of Solid Rock are trained in disaster relief and they mobilized immediately to open up their feeding unit. Their meal count grew steadily over several days as volunteers flooded into the area to help with sandbagging efforts. The team even delivered meals to a crew reinforcing a levee in Oakville, about 11 miles downriver.

“The people wouldn’t come off to eat, they were so engaged in the fight [against the floodwaters],” Doolin said. “On the third day of feeding our count jumped to 1,000 meals because we started feeding down in Des Moines County, the next county down, as they sandbagged there.”

In Des Moines, Iowa, True Bible Baptist Church, a Regular Baptist congregation, has linked arms with Southern Baptists to help families in the Birdland Park area, where more than 200 homes and 35 businesses were evacuated when a levee gave way.

“A Southern Baptist mud-out team will be setting up shop here,” said Rod Bradley, the congregation’s pastor. “We have been meeting people in the Birdland Park area, telling them about what we will be able to do and making appointments for when the crew gets here. We also had opportunities to share the Gospel and have prayer with people at a shelter. We’re trying to do all we can to make sure their needs are met.”

Bradley said they are seeing God use the disaster to actually help people. One homeless couple had been moving from shelter to shelter and living in a tent. In the aftermath of the flood, however, they will have an opportunity to move into an apartment.

“I thought that was a joy, to be able to know that even in devastation God is still blessing people,” Bradley said. “We can see Him in everything that is going on around us. We just need to get involved in what He is doing.”

Back in Wapello, Doolin also sees God at work amid the devastation.

“We have seen people find hope. Sunday was a very powerful time,” he said. “We came together to worship and at the end I asked people to form small prayer groups. They came together hugging and crying and praying. People are growing in their faith.”

The threat of disaster continues to move southward. Floodwaters have broken through two levees in western Illinois and also threaten river towns in Missouri. The Mississippi River is expected to crest about 15 feet above flood stage at Quincy, Ill., and Hannibal, Mo., close to the level of the devastating flood that swept the area in 1993, the Associated Press reported.

Rick Seaton, the Missouri Baptist Convention’s disaster relief director, said flooding there isn’t too big a problem — yet.

“We are making preparations for a possible call out if there is flooding in Missouri,” Seaton said. “At the present time, we are asking people to let us know if they can respond for mass care, probably in eastern Missouri. The response could begin as early as this weekend and could continue for a period of time.”

Three of Missouri’s disaster relief units have been mobilized out of state, Seaton noted. A mud-out crew is working in Wisconsin and a chainsaw crew is working in Michigan, while a feeding unit has been sent to Wapello, Iowa. A Missouri-based child-care unit also is preparing to deploy to Wapello.
–30–
Mark Kelly is an assistant editor for Baptist Press. With reporting from Brian Koonce of The Pathway (www.mbcpathway.com), newsjournal of the Missouri Baptist Convention.

Pray for the missionaries of the Central and Eastern Europe as they complete their annual meeting with other missionaries from the area and return to their own countries. Thank God for the opportunity they had to gather and learn from each other and from all the volunteers from the States. Thank God for the opportunities the teens and the children had this week to be with other MK’s and to learn from the volunteers through camp and VBS experiences.

There will be a time of food, fellowship, prayer, and devotional study tonight at the Alford cabin. Please feel free to join us at 6:30 tonight.

CAN I TAKE HIS PLACE?

Joe, the Governor’s most trusted assistant, died in his sleep one night. The Governor had depended on Joe for advice on every subject, from pending bills to wardrobe decisions. In addition, Joe had been his closest friend.

So, it was understandable that the Governor didn’t take kindly to the droves of ambitious office seekers who wanted Joe’s job. “They don’t even have the decency to wait until the man is buried,” the Governor muttered.

At the funeral, one eager beaver made his way to the Governor’s side. “Governor,” the man said, “is there a chance that I could take Joe’s place?”

“Certainly,” the governor replied. “But you’d better hurry. I think the undertaker is almost finished.”

I’m sure we can all look around us and find a number of people of whom we have said at one time or another, “I would like to take his/her place.” But I dare say that you have never made that statement of someone who had died, or was about to die. Why would anyone want to trade places with someone like that? It is for that reason that God’s love for us is so difficult to comprehend, for that is exactly what Jesus did for us.

“He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:5-6)

May our lives be forever lived in gratitude for the one who “took our place.”

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Thanks for being there to pray each day. You are greatly appreciated by many people.

Anna Lee

Wednesday

For the grace of God …

teaches us to say “No”

to ungodliness and worldly passions,

and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives.

~Titus 2:11-12 (NIV) ~

Marvelous Mondays in July

7 P.M. each Monday
Theme: “Building on the Firm Foundation”
Former staff members leading worship services
Nursery provided for each service
Worship Guests
- July 7th – Keith Rhodes and Chris Wales
- July 14 – Bobby Eads and Tim Daniels
- July 21 – J.P. Miles & Dennis Walker
- July 28 – Steve Echols and Ronnie Nielson

LAST FRONTIER. People in a Last Frontier people group are going through a hard time, as there is lack of food right now. It is a difficult period of time for people to survive, because there is no food before the new crop is harvested. A worker has plans to start a business of making soy milk to feed them. Ask the Father to provide whatever is needed to make this project successful. The worker wants to start feeding 900 people and then increase that to 1,300 people. He asks you to join him in requesting for our Provider to provide that all he needs to keep the business going. Also pray for people to begin to know the Lord through this act of love.

AIDS. Pray for the hundreds of thousands of unemployed and underemployed people of Durban, South Africa, as well as the tens of thousands who are living with AIDS and related illnesses that are making them physically unable to work regularly. As food and fuel prices continue to rise, single-parent families and those led by teenagers who are children themselves suffer the most. Pray that churches and Christians here will have a vision, a way, and a will to minister to those in need. http://www.imb.org/AIDS/

MUSLIMS: PRAYING BEYOND THE WALL. Praise the Lord for His unfathomable love which stubbornly pursues us when we are lost in sin, deceived by the Satan and even reject His love. Last year, a South Asian Muslim couple who had believed were separated when the wife renounced her faith in Christ. Sometime later, she had a dream of a man in white, warning her that the path she had chosen was dangerous, that she was “on the wrong path”. Later in tears she fearfully admitted she had made a mistake and said that she wanted to be on the right path again. However, as her internal struggle raged she once again lapsed into a stubborn refusal to surrender herself completely to the Lord. God did not give up on her. Believers continued to pray in faith and last month she made a public profession of faith in Christ. She and her husband have been reunited and have renewed their vows. Pray that they will rebuild their marriage and ministry on Jesus Christ, the only firm foundation!

Joseph Anthony “Joe” Ruffino

After a five-year battle with colon and liver cancer, he lost the battle on Tuesday, June 17, 2008, at 4:05 a.m. at his home surrounded by his family. He was a native of Amite and a resident of Baton Rouge for 55 years. He was 79 years young, hoping to live to the age of 97 like his mom, Louise Ruffino. He was born on July 12, 1928. He was a retired welder from Delta Southern with 35 years of service. He later opened his own shop where he made barbeque pits, truck racks, wood racks and garbage can carriers. He really loved his work and continued that work for 20 years. He leaves behind his loving and devoted wife of 58‰ years who didn’t leave his side or stop caring for him, Gwen Carson Ruffino; daughter, Jo Ann Ruffino DiVincenti and son-in-law, Sam W. DiVincenti Sr.; two grandchildren, Stacy Lynn DiVincenti and Sammy W. DiVincenti Jr.; and a great-granddaughter, Karlee Marie DiVincenti, all of Baton Rouge; sister, Mary Checchin, of McHenry, Ill.; three brothers, Louis S. Ruffino II, of Baton Rouge, and Sam Ruffino and Nunzio Ruffino, both of Amite; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis Ruffino Sr. and Louise Inzinna Ruffino, who were both of Sicily, Italy; five sisters, Rose Ruffino, Pamelia Alack, Lucy Costanza, Josie Burrell and Stella Terracina; and two brothers, John Ruffino and Tony Ruffino. Visiting will be at Greenoaks Funeral Home, 9595 Florida Blvd., on Wednesday, June 18, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and in the chapel Thursday from 9 a.m. until religious service at 10 a.m. Interment in Greenoaks Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Louis John Ruffino, Louis Alack, Salvador Costanza, Anthony Ruffino, Louis Joseph Ruffino, Louis S. Ruffino III, Sal Ruffino and Robert G. Ruffino. The family would like to thank Dr. J. Philip Boudreaux and Dr. Yi Zarn Wang at Ochsner of Kenner and the staff of the intensive care unit of Ochsner Medical Center, where he stayed for 52 days; Dr. Fredric Billings and Sandra Knight and all of their caring staff at Mary Bird Perkins, along with the staff of St. Joseph’s Hospice. Special thanks to Rob Frazier for all his help. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, 4950 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809 or St. Joseph’s Hospice, 8923 Bluebonnet Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70810.

KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10).
Mike Benson, Editor
IN RECENT YEARS, a number of psychologists and sociologists have joined the chorus of religious and political opponents in warning about the impact of pervasive pornography…

They argue that porn is transforming sexuality and relationships — for the worse. Experts say men who frequently view porn may develop unrealistic expectations of women’s appearance and behavior, and have difficulty forming and sustaining relationships and feeling sexually satisfied. Fueled by a combination of access, anonymity and affordability, online porn has catapulted overall pornography consumption — bringing in new viewers, encouraging more use from existing fans and escalating consumers from soft-core to harder-core material. Cyberporn is even giving rise to a new form of sexual compulsiveness. According to Alvin Cooper, who conducts seminars on cybersex addiction, 15% of online-porn habitues develop sexual behavior that disrupts their lives. “The internet is the crack cocaine of sexual addiction,” says Jennifer Schneider, co-author of Cybersex Exposed: Simple Fantasy or Obsession? (Tim McLaughlin)

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,

whatever things are noble,

whatever things are just,

whatever things are pure,

whatever things are lovely,

whatever things are of good report,

if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy –

meditate on these things.”

~Philippians 4:8; cf. 2 Tim. 2:2~

Have a great “hump day”!

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“Be anxious for nothing,

but in everything by prayer and supplication,

with thanksgiving,

let your requests be made known to God.”

~Philippians 4:6~

There are several people undergoing tests again this week. Please keep these people in your prayers.

Mrs. Mildred Brooks Easley
(August 6, 1921 – June 16, 2008)

Mrs. Mildred Brooks Easley, died on Monday, June 16, 2008 at 11:58PM at her residence in Amite. She was 86, and a native of Chesbrough. She is preceded in death by Husband, Fleet J. Easley, former Mayor of Amite, and a Daughter, Evelyn K. Easley. Mrs. Mildred was also a former Mayor of Amite filling an unexpired term of her husband. Visitation will be at the McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, Wednesday, June 18, 2008 from 6:00PM until 8:00PM and Thursday, June 19, 2008 from 8:00AM until Religious Services at 10:30AM in the Funeral Home Chapel. Interment in the Amite Mulberry Cemetery.

Other information will be added later Tuesday.

Baptist Press

June 16, 2008

TENNESSEE–Polls: Evangelicals, Southern Baptists back McCain. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28292

IOWA–Iowa residents cope with disaster. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28293

GEORGIA–NAMB: Floods trigger multi-state relief effort. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28294

INDIANA–Crossover’08 reaches Hispanic communities. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28295

INDIANA–‘No one is exempt,’ Rankin tells Hispanics. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28296

INDIANA–NAMB president addresses Hispanic celebration. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28297

INDIANA–Calif. Hispanic couple models Gospel urgency. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28298

INDIANA–Black Servants report growth. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28299

INDIANA–Church needs Jewish believers, Messianics told. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28300

INDIANA–Baptist associations’ key roles underscored across the street. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28301

INDIANA–Don’t presume on God’s grace, Redmond says. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28302

ALABAMA–Alma Hunt, longtime WMU leader, dies. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28304

KENTUCKY–FIRST-PERSON (Charles E. Lawless Jr.): Evangelism & goal-setting. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28303

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

THE STORY IS told of a prosperous, young investment banker who was driving his new BMW on a mountain road during a snow storm…

As he made his way around one particularly sharp curve, he lost control of his car and began sliding off the road toward a steep precipice. At the last possible moment, he leaped from his car, which then tumbled end-over-end to the bottom of the ravine. Though he had narrowly escaped with his life, the man suffered a dreadful injury. It seems his right arm had been caught near the hinge of the door as he jumped and had been yanked off at the shoulder.

A trucker witnessed the accident in his rearview mirror. He quickly brought his rig to a stop and ran over to see if he could help. He found the man standing at the edge of road, looking down at his mangled automobile in the ravine below. “My BMW! My new BMW!” the banker cried, oblivious to his awful wound. The trucker pointed at the banker’s shoulder and said, “Mister, you’ve got bigger problems than that car. We’ve got to find your arm so that the surgeons can sew it back on!” The banker looked where his arm had been and then groaned aloud, “Oh no! My Rolex! My new Rolex!”

While the story is fictitious, it serves to illustrate a sobering truth. Materialism deludes to such an extent that the physical appears to be of greater duration and value than the spiritual. This explains why so many are willing to swap their souls for that which the world has to offer (Matt.
16:26).

Paul warned that, “…those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare (trap)…” (1 Timothy 6:9). The Greek word for snare, pagis reveals the deceptive nature of materialism: “It refers to the way wild animals are caught. A hole is dug in the earth and filled with sharp stakes. Then it is covered with grass. Unawares, the helpless victim plunges in the hidden hole and is transfixed on the stakes. /1

The Psalmist wrote, “They served their idols, which became a snare to them” (Psalm 106:36). Materialism deceives! “And the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Mark 4:19). (Mike Benson)

1/ Mac Layton, “The Burden of Prosperity,” This Grace Also, pp. 136-137.

“And the cares of this world,

the deceitfulness of riches,

and the desires for other things entering in choke the word,

and it becomes unfruitful.”

~Mark 4:19~

Make today a good day no matter what happens to make it a bad day!

Anna Lee

Monday

“I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever;

with my mouth will I make known

Your faithfulness to all generations.”

~Psalm 89:1~

Joan Hagan will be having some medical tests this week. Please keep her in your prayers. Also, Joan asks for prayers for her mother, Mrs. Betty Bethel, who continues to have several health issues.

Kelly Schneeweiss, and possibly her sister-in-law, Sarah Schneeweiss, will soon travel to Honduras for a medical mission trip. You can participate by giving toothbrushes, toothpaste, shanpoo, soap, etc. Small travel size items can be purchased or the extra travel size items from your hotel visits can be used. These items need to be brought to the church by Sunday. You may also make a donation so the needed items can be purchased. Most importantly, pray for the team and those whom the team will minister to in Honduras.

BUCHAREST, ROMANIA (BOO-kuh-rest). International Service Corps workers Floyd and Freda Angeletti ask for prayer for God to call out people to join their Bible studies. They just finished going through the “Five Love Languages for Singles.” Their home was packed each week (averaging around 23-25 per week). God brought new people to join. Pray for Floyd and Freda as they begin a new Bible study with the college-age/singles, asking that God will continue to draw the lost to come and learn more about how they can have an eternal relationship with the Lord and enjoy a God-filled life. From this group, another group is beginning. Over the years, some college-age/singles have gotten married. Pray for Floyd as he begins a Bible study for this particular group. Floyd and Freda feel blessed to see how God is growing these young couples to be more like Himself. Pray for this group to be bold in their witness and to invite their friends to join this group and study God’s Word together. http://www.imbromania.ro/

MISSIONARY PERSONAL NEEDS. As missionary personnel in restricted-access countries attempt to impact a people group or city with the gospel, they have discovered that one of their best resources is the harvest force with the national Christian church. Often they travel to remote areas and offer week-long training to the local believers in evangelism and church-planting methods. Please pray for the men (who are the frequent travelers) as they teach and encourage the believers, but also remember to pray for the wives and children who stay behind in their cross-cultural settings. Pray that they will experience God’s peace in their hearts and protection from people who know they are alone and may try to take advantage of it. Pray for freedom from accidents or illnesses that might prove to be difficult for the wife to handle alone.

There will be a share group meeting at the Alford cabin Thursday at 6:30 P.M. You are invited to attend and share in food, fellowship, and a devotional time.

Pray for Vacation Bible Schools that will be beginning today at some churches. Various churches will be conducting their VBS during June and July.

Pray for school teachers and students who are attending and teaching LEAP remediation classes during the month of June in preparation for retesting. The test will determine whether or not students will be able to move up to the next grade.

Power Point

Dr. Jack Graham

June 16, 2008

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

–Romans 8:37

Do you ever feel like you are just struggling to make it through the day or to the end of the week?

The apostle Paul is living proof that as believers, we can actually thrive… not just survive… in the midst of tough times!

Paul’s life is a great example to us. As we read in the Scripture, he endured hardship, abuse, pain, and persecution. But he never let his circumstances defeat him. In fact, hardships only made Paul stronger as a man and follower of Christ.

You and I know that life can be tough. We all face the pressures of day-to-day living. We all endure stress, uncertainty, fear, and anxiety. Tough times are just inevitable!

But Paul tells us that—through Christ—we can rise above it all. And through his words and his actions, Paul gives us courage that we can be triumphant in tough times!

Paul said in Romans 8:28, “All things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Then he went on to say in verse 37, “We are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

If you’re a follower of Christ, then you are more than a conqueror. You’re a super conqueror!

One of the greatest lessons we can learn from Paul is that a triumphant Christian life begins with a victorious attitude. You see, the difference between the average Christian life and the abundant Christian life is attitude.

We see today that Paul had an attitude that was indomitable. Even when he was chained and in prison, his attitude was always positive… uplifting… joyous… and hopeful.

Paul knew that even in prison his spirit was free. That’s why he declared that he was a prisoner of Jesus Christ, not of Rome… or of his circumstances. That’s why he could sing songs of praise to God in prison. And that’s why he could write the Scriptures from his cell!

So let me encourage you today. If you’re going through adversity… and if you’re facing a problem or a crisis… as a follower of Christ, you’re in the grip of His grace! And you can face anything… and everything… because Jesus Christ is on your side!

GIVE YOUR ATTITUDE A BOOST BY LISTING 5 THINGS YOU CAN BE THANKFUL FOR TODAY!

Please feel free to send praises, requests, and updates to be shared.

Anna Lee

Sunday

“So they said,

‘Believe on the Lord Jesus,

and you will be saved–you and your household.’

Then they spoke the message of the Lord to him

along with everyone in his house.”

~Acts 16:31-32, HCSB~

From James Rimes:

Mike Lee’s mother passed away yesterday morning.
Mike and his wife were in Tennessee but were to get back to Amite last night.

Mildred Lee Barclay

A native and resident of Amite, she died at 8:05 a.m. on Friday, June 13, 2008, at Regency Hospital of Covington in Covington. She was 86. Mrs. Barclay was a member of Wilmer Baptist Church and Walter T. Ott, O.E.S. and was owner and operator of a dairy and cattle farm. She was known for her concern for neighbors, her uplifting laughter and being a avid reader. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Monday and from noon until religious services at 2 p.m. Tuesday, conducted by the Rev. Jason Skipper. Interment in Mulberry Street Cemetery, Amite. She is survived by her daughter, Linda Lee VanWoerkom and her husband, Rick, Waldorf, Md.; two sons, Dr. Jerry Lee and his wife, Pat, Baton Rouge, and Michael D. Lee and his wife, Theresa, Amite; a stepson, Owen Barclay, Amite; four grandchildren; a great-grandchild; devoted caregivers and friends, Bernita Mason and Lisa Henderson. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Burdette Lee; second husband, Dave Barclay; parents, Thomas and Bertha Mulina; and four brothers and two sisters.

Earl G. “Blackie” Bennett

A retired welder and member of Local Union 198, he died Friday, June 13, 2008, in his home in Baton Rouge surrounded by his family. He was 90 and a native of Amite. Survived by his wife, Hazel Hughes Bennett; four daughters and three sons-in-law, Janice Godfrey, New Jersey, Deborah and Benny Langston, Independence, Toni and Darrell Boeneke, Baton Rouge, and Carmen and Mike Henderson, Brookhaven, Miss.; son, Earl N. Bennett, Alaska; 10 grandchildren, Bonnie Ehreneperger and Chandra Kay Balter, both of New Jersey, Ben and Danielle Langston, both of Independence, Jason Lofton, Baytown, Texas, Brandon Lofton, Wallisville, Texas, Courtney and Tiffany Henderson, both of Brookhaven and Maia Weber and Shane Bennett, both of Alaska; and 15 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Clayton and Lois Bennett; nieces, Pasty Woster and Linda Binder; nephews, Bobby Joe Bennett and Rodney Bennett; very special great-nephew whom he helped raise, Taylor Bennett, of Atlanta; many other nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents, Frank M. and Jennie W. Bennett; sister, Merele Fortenberry; and brother, Clyde Bennett. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Sunday, June 15, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Prayer given by the Rev. Bradley McKenzie and a eulogy by Pete Gremillion at 7 p.m. following prayer. Visitation on Monday, June 16, from 8:30 a.m. until religious service at 9:30 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Bradley McKenzie of First Church of the Nazarene. Graveside service at Arcola-Roseland Cemetery, Arcola, at 12:30 p.m. Monday. Serving as pallbearers will be Darrell Boeneke, Mike Henderson, Taylor Bennett, Shane Bennett, Jason Lofton and Brandon Lofton. The Bennett family would like to express a special thank you to the Amedisys Hospice.

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

IN HIS BOOK Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business, Neil Postman warns us of the danger of a world of information overload…

He reminds us of a chilling futuristic vision-Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, which describes a world thoroughly flooded with information. But that data is manipulated so that none of it has any significance.

A glance at the Internet or a magazine rack hints that we are living in just such a culture. We’re drowning in a sea of information often marketed by the unscrupulous. We need discernment to choose wisely whom we will listen to.

In John 6, Jesus delivered His “I am the bread of life” message (v.35). It was a sermon so controversial that, at its conclusion, many of His followers went away and stopped following Him (v.66). They chose to stop listening to the voice of Christ. When Jesus challenged His disciples as to whether they would also walk away, Peter wisely responded, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (v.68).

In a world swamped with confusing and contradictory information, we can, like Peter, turn to Christ for wisdom. He cuts through the words of confusion with words of life. (Bill Crowder)

Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:67-69).

Remember, it is Sunday. Keep the Son in you day!

Anna Lee