Category: FBC

Friday

“But from there you will seek the Lord your God,

and you will find Him

if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

~Deuteronomy 4:29~

Dukes

Not a whole lot of new news to share today. However, my mother-in-l

aw shared a video with my wife and me that really touched me and was very encouraging. I posted it on my blog.  (http://jasoncdukes.wordpress.com/)  (Get the tissues ready!  Anna Lee)

We will post at you again tomorrow. Keep praying that the neuro-surgeons will communicate with one another and schedule Mom’s surgery to replace the cranium piece. Please keep praying for Dad’s pain, too.

We couldn’t imagine walking through this without all of you.
-jason

Pray for the Canada Mission team as they travel home today.  They will share their experiences Sunday night at 6 P.M.

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

She’s forced to do rituals C lives in Cambodia and is one of the Khmer (kuh-MER) people. Her dad wants her to follow the special rituals of their traditional religion. He isn’t a believer in Jesus Christ and tells C things that confuse her.   C says, “The religion of my father is familiar to me because everyone has been doing the rituals for years. That is what we are used to. I know believers of the Son (Jesus) don’t give incense or spend money to do religious ceremonies. So what DO they do? I believe in the Son. I just don’t understand it all. My father forces me to do the rituals. He threatens that if I don’t follow them, I will have more problems. Inside I don’t feel it is right, but I do it anyway just to please my father.”   It is really hard for C. She wants to obey God and she wants to obey her father. Many Khmer believers face the same problem C faces. Pray for them to be strong in their faith. Pray for C that her father will become a Christian and pray that she will become confident in her faith.

MORE PRAYER REQUESTS FROM MISSIONARY KIDS

Please help my grandma. Thank you. HEATHER, age 6 (East Asian peoples)

Pray I’ll have strength in my walk with Christ as I go to school in an environment that is really sinful and worldly. Pray that the Bible studies that we have will grow and continue to work with Christ.  KAYLA, age 15 (Sub-Saharan African peoples)

Pray for my friend Terron in San Francisco—he just became a Christian but doesn’t want to become baptised. Please pray for him. RICKIE, age 9 (Southeast Asian peoples)

Please pray for people in my school that they will stop saying bad words. Also please pray for the Malagasy people. They believe in ghosts and spirits and that their ancestors live still. CALEB, age 11 (Sub-Saharan African peoples)

Pray for my friend S and her family, and all the Japanese people, and my grandma and cousin to get better! Please and thank you. HANNAH, age 11 (East Asian peoples)

Baptist Press

July 2, 2009

TENNESSEE–At 84, U.S.S. Indy survivor attests to God’s grace. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30825

SOUTH KOREA–PTSD: NAMB chaplains gain biblical training. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30826

FLORIDA–337 baptized at FBC Orlando. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30827

TENNESSEE–CULTURE DIGEST: Benefits of alcohol still debated. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30828

WASHINGTON–India blocks religious freedom watchdog group. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30829

TEXAS–FIRST-PERSON (Chris Plekenpol): Unwanted fireworks on the Fourth. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30830

TENNESSEE–FIRST-PERSON (Sara Horn): Pray for our military this summer. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30831

LOUISIANA–FIRST-PERSON (Kelly Boggs): Examining celebrity worship. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30832

James Edward Harrell
(October 6, 1928 – July 2, 2009)

U.S. Veteran Died at 5:20 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2009 at Kentwood Manor Nursing Home in Kentwood. He was a native of Poplarville, MS and a resident of Kentwood. Age 80 years. Mr. Harrell is a graduate of Gulf Coast Military Academy and Southeastern Louisiana University and is a U.S. Air Force Veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was a member of Kentwood Rotary Club, American Legion, and V.F.W. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 10 a.m Saturday. Services conducted by Rev. Joey Miller. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood. Survived by sister-in-law, Norma Harrell, Kentwood, nephews & nieces, William C. “Bill” Harrell, Hazlehurst, MS, John Hove, Westby, MT, Kathy Hove Wankel, Miles City, MT, Becky Hove Sweat, Broadus, MT, Benjamin C. “Ben” Harrell, III, Ponchatoula, Bruce Harrell, Kentwood, Ronnie Harrell, South Pasadena, CA, numerous great-nieces, great-nephews, and great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews. Preceded in death by parents, Claiborne Harrell, Sr. and Lillie Cuevas Harrell, 2 brothers, Hollis Harrell and Claiborne Harrell, Jr., 2 sisters, Lillie Mae McGlathery and Bonnie Jean Hove, nephew, John Bruce Harrell.

Velton Henly Reid
(December 13, 1928 – July 1, 2009)

Velton Henly Reid

U.S. Veteran Died at 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at his residence in Folsom, LA. He was a native of Uneedus, LA Age 80 years. He was a U. S. Army Veteran of the Korean Conflict and a retired Civil Technician with the U. S. Army Corps. of Engineers with 30 years of service. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 1 p.m. Saturday. Services conducted by Rev. Ronnie Douglas and Rev. Elester Raines. Interment Reed-Raines Memorial Garden, Uneedus, LA. He is survived by his wife, Ella Ruth Wood Reid, Folsom; daughter, Linda Thompson, Slidell; 2 grandchildren, Terry Thompson, Waskom, TX and Stacey Cochran, Bentonville, Ark; 5 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Lillian Morse, Folsom and Bonnie Husser, Folsom; numerous nephews and nieces including special nephews and nieces, Lonnie Morse, Loranger, Karl Morse, Folsom, Eric Velton “Pete” Morse, Loranger, Mary Ellen “Gennie” Hernandez, Folsom and Mary Ann Phares, Loranger; special great-nephews who were thought of as grandchildren, Jared Morse, Jourdan Morse and Jathan Morse, all of Loranger. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Ellen Reid and Ellis Reid, Sr.; sister, Bessie Berry; brother, Ellis “Jiggs” Reid, Jr.

KneEmail

Poor

poverty3.jpgONE DAY, THE father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live…
They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family. On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, “How was the trip?”

“It was great, Dad.”

“Did you see how poor people live?” the father asked.

“Oh yeah,” said the son.

“So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?” asked the father.

The son answered: “I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.”

The boy’s father was speechless.

Then his son added, “Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are.”

Yet He sets the poor on high,

far from affliction,

and makes their families like a flock.”

~Psalm 107:41~

Posted by Mike Benson at July 2, 2009 2:25 PM

God bless America!

Anna Lee

Thursday

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;

establish the work of our hands for us—

yes, establish the work of our hands.”

~Psalm 90:17 NIV~

The East Fork youth made it home from Student Life camp dispite a blowout and having to buy a new tire.  They had a very meaning week.

Canada Mission Trip (FBC) – Reported by Don S.

Another day in Canada working with the kids in Cayley Alberta, Today was Canada day we had bible school in the AM and then off sightseeing WOW!! this place is great!

Pray for the team today as they have their last day in Canada and as they travel home tomorrow.

Dwayne and Trisha’s report on their mission trip

Hi from El Salvador! We´ve shared the gospel at 6 different schools and served at a homeless shelter in San Salvador. Tomorrow, we go into the community to install water filters.

Steve Sanders is home, but will have to schedule surgery for later.  Please keep him in your prayers.

Pray for Mrs. Nadine Council as she prepares for hip surgery on the 13th and Mrs. Wanzie Williams and Mrs. Faye Price as they continue physical therapy.

Mr. I.W. Simmons has been in North Oaks.  Please keep him and the family in your prayers.

Continue to pray for Mr. Orin Davidson and the Tolars as they care for him.

Be Angry and Sin Not.

Jesus taught us a little about anger and how to deal with it. He seemed to say that anger can sometimes be a useful thing, but we are not to let Satan use it as a toehold to get us off on the wrong track.

I must confess that I have had to deal with anger relatively often in recent months. Fortunately

, I have been able to get into my right mind and move on from it quickly. I realize that anger, even acted on, would not change our situation, but there is a strong temptation to try.

My pain, which on some days accumulates to such a degree that I think I cannot stand it, sometimes just makes me angry. However, when I am able to think through it, I realize that my pain does not even come close to measuring up to what Retia is going through. I confess that when I sit in the hospital room and watch her as she is right now in the struggles she is going through and compare that to what she was, my anger burns furiously.

Sometimes the anger is directed at the person who was driving and should not have been. Sometimes it is directed at the alleged law officer who failed so miserably in her duties. And yes, sometimes it is directed at God.

Now, I have been a follower of Christ since 1949. More than that, I have been associated with the church. and the teachings of Christ even longer, so I know that God does not deserve my anger. But do you know what I have learned (by experience)? That God is strong enough to tolerate my anger and still love me.

Like a loving human parent, I have learned that God is able to listen to the rantings of his children and the questions about things that happen and the intervention that does not always come, and yet he is able to continue to be God with all the love and mercy and grace that he has always revealed to us. He is not changed by our anger. He is still love.

I can almost hear him say audibly, “Hey, I understand your disappointment and hurt and anger. But I still love you.” He also reminds me, as he did the psalmist, that in spite of my perceptions of the wrong choices of others whose consequences I suffer, my wrong choices, or even the perceived inaction from him, he will walk with me through the storm and will work good out of horrible circumstances.

So I must confess to him that he is not safe, but he is able to keep me secure. I must confess to him that what bothers me so much is that the love of my life is suffering way too much and I do not believe it is her fault. That makes me mad. The people whose fault it seems to be are going on as usual. Then he reminds me that however much I love her, he loves her even more. He made her and he can take care of her whatever the problem is. So, forgive me for the anger and help me to see through your eyes.

So now you know why I say to Jason don’t try to make me feel better in my misery. Just let me stew for a while.

We had another meeting with the Drs, nurses, and therapists today. The prognosis is that the trends are good, but that does not mean everything will be OK. We just don’t know that yet. We are still hoping and praying for that end, but in the light of what we have learned about God, we are growing into a position where we will see things as he sees them and love her as he loves her whatever the circumstances (even as he does for us all).

Pray for Retia as she struggles with therapy. Pray for the healing of this pernicious bedsore. Pray for her comfort as she struggles to deal with the everyday pain and suffering.

Thanks for standing by us.
-jimmy

THE WAR IS OVER

The story is told about a man in Amsterdam who, not so long ago, was feeling guilty about something he had done, so he went and talked to his preacher.

He said, “I feel terrible because I’ve sinned.  During World War II I hid a refugee in my attic.”

The preacher said, “I don’t believe that’s a sin at all.  I wouldn’t feel bad about that if I were you.”

“But I made him agree to pay me 20 Gulden for every week he stayed.”

The preacher said,  “Well, I admit that wasn’t the most noble thing to do, but you did it for a good cause, so I still wouldn’t worry about it.”

The man said, “Oh thank you, that eases my mind.  I have only one more question to ask you —  Do I have to tell him the war is over?”

We as Christians are engaged in a spiritual warfare — it’s Christianity vs. the world, the forces of good vs. the forces of evil.
And it’s easy to get the idea (especially if you watch the news) that God’s side is losing, and immorality is winning out!

John wrote the book of Revelation for Christians who must have been feeling the same way.  After all, Rome certainly seemed to have the upper hand.  Christians were losing!  But, in reality, the war is over, and we know who wins!

John, looking ahead, writes, “These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” (Revelation 17:14)

There are battles around us daily, and sometimes Satan does indeed seem to be winning, but looking ahead, the war is over and we know that those who are on God’s side will be victorious!  Keep that in mind today when you feel like you’re fighting a losing battle!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

I think the devotional may had helped some of us clean us an issue in our hearts.  Just what we needed!

Anna Lee

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 Evening

On Mission in Canada

Wendell sent word they were beginning VBS today.

Later, Don said they had 11 children for VBS.  The temperature was 75 degrees!

Don Denton is improving, but Diane is stressed by the insurance company not paying for medicine the doctors say Don needs.  Keep them in your prayers.

I’m thankful for the nice rain we had late this afternoon.

Robert R. Lee, Sr.

(January 29, 1942 – June 28, 2009)

Robert R. Lee, Sr. who loved driving and working on race cars, 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, a native and a resident of Amite.

Mr. Robert is survived by his mother, Mrs. Velma C. Rizzo, Abita Springs; a son, Robert R. “Robbie” Lee, Jr. and wife Arvida, Cleveland, TN; daughter, Tracy Jenkins and husband, John, Old Fort, TN; 1st wife Carol Young, Old Fort, TN; 2 sisters, Eileen Letteberg, Abita Springs, and Janice Lee, Hammond; a daughter-in-law, Birgit Lee , Covington; grandchildren, Chris Lee, Chrissy Lee, Kenny Schenck, Brianna Wallace and Holly Wallace; & numerous nieces, nephews & extended family.

He was preceded in death by his father, Wallace D. Lee; and a son, Steven Lee. Visitation will be held at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Wednesday, July 1, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. until Religious Services at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home Chapel at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Mike Foster officiating. Interment at St. Dominic Cemetery, Husser, LA.

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

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

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

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