Monday

“God reigns over the nations;

God sits on His holy throne.”

~Psalm 47:8~

From Sue Minor/Tucker

I am emailing to ask prayer for my Mom and my step-father (Ruby and Aubrey Stokes), both of them are in North Oaks Medical Center. They had a incident on Saturday morning where Mr. Aubrey started to fall and Mama tried to help him and they both ended up on the floor and couldn’t get up and were not found for several hours when my nephew went to check on them. Mr. Aubrey was taken to the hospital and admitted for tests but Mama refused to go, then my brother and sister came home from Houston and talked my Mom into going to the E. R. this morning and she was found to have pneumonia and admitted to the hospital (both of them have been sick this week and Mama was found to have bronchitus on Wednesday and now it has turned into pneumonia). So I would appreciate all of your prayers for them both. Thanks.

Pray for Mrs. JoAnn (Thomas) Carter. She will have surgery tomorrow at Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge.

Pray for Mrs. Faye Price as she is at Kentwood Manor for a while.

Orin Davidson is at home with Naomi Tolar again. Pray for her as she cares for her dad daily.

Continue to pray for Mrs. Annie Belle Harrell as she hopefully learns something helpful as a result of recent tests.

Mike and Kelly Graham Prescott have a new baby born Friday at Woman’s Hospital. Allie Mikel Prescott has a dislocated hip, but otherwise is fine. Pray for them as this problem is addressed.

My niece has a new baby that was born Friday at North Oaks. Ashlyn Jade Stuart was born to Josh and Casey Stuart. Ashlyn has a big brother Aaron. They are at home in Independence. Josh will resume duties as a Marine very soon.

Tickets are now available at the church office for The Power of the Cross which will be presented in two weeks. Contact the church office (229-8111) for more information.

Pray for others as they have various appointments scheduled today or in the coming week.

Jared Prescott

Ruby Dillon

Frank Erwin

Miranda M. Erwin

Grant Smith

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

I HAVE TO confess that initially this passage made me scratch my head…

Based upon what is recorded earlier in Matthew 3, John’s question to the Lord in Matthew 11 really didn’t make sense. It appeared, at least on the surface, as something of a biblical contradiction.

Chapter 3 says Jesus came to John for baptism (3:13). John objected at first, but Jesus convinced him otherwise and the immersion took place (3:16a). Scripture then records that the heavens opened up and the Spirit descended in the likeness of a dove. At that same moment, the Father declared, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (3:16b-17; cf. Mark 1:10-11).

Whatever doubts John might have had about Jesus prior to this occasion, they must have been erased, for he was in the presence of the Godhead (Romans 1:20; Colossians 2:9) and had incontrovertible evidence as to the identity of Jesus. And yet, when you get to chapter 11, John (now in prison) sends a rather puzzling question to the Lord. He asks (via a messenger), “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” (11:3).

What?! Wait a minute! “Are You the Coming One…?!” How can Jesus not be the One?! John, have you somehow forgotten about what you saw and heard back at the baptism? Are you suffering from some type of self-induced amnesia? Has imprisonment clouded your mental faculties? Of course Jesus is the Coming One!

Evidently John, like many of his Jewish peers (Acts 1:6), held certain preconceptions about the Messiah. He was looking for a king like David of old. He was looking for a military figure who would overthrow the yoke of Roman tyranny and oppression. He was looking for a political entity who would restore the kingdom to its former glory.

From John’s skewed vantage point, Jesus didn’t exactly fit with his Messianic expectations. Instead of initiating zealous political rallies and instigating a coup against Caesar, the Lord humbly moved among the common people of His day, teaching them and healing their sick. Instead of courting the Jewish hierarchy, Jesus bumped elbows with the unsavory elements of society (9:10; 11:19; 21:32). Instead of delivering his cousin and forerunner (John 1:23, 30, 33-34) from incarceration, He–for some unknown reason–allowed him to languish in a first-century jail cell! John embraced the tradition view of the Messiah and couldn’t reconcile the Lord with his longstanding bias.

“Are You the Coming One…?” I hear doubt and confusion in John’s question, despite what he had seen and heard back in chapter 3 at Jesus’ baptism.

It occurs to me that John is not the only person who has ever looked at the Lord through the lens of prejudice and predisposition. Often times I hear statements to this effect, “Jesus NEVER called names. (He didn’t? John 8:42-47). “Jesus was NEVER blunt with folks.” (He wasn’t? Matthew 8:22; 15:16; 21-28; Mark 2:1-5; 9:14-32; Luke 17:11-19). “Jesus NEVER got angry.” (He didn’t? John 2:13-16; Luke 19:45-46; Mark 3:6). “Jesus NEVER taught baptism was necessary for salvation.” (He didn’t? Hebrews 1:1-2; Matthew Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Romans 6:1-4; 1 Peter 3:21). Folks view the Lord in light of how they’ve been raised or what their “pastor” or parents have taught them, and not in harmony with what the Word actually says about Him. He’s a product of long-standing oral tradition and not the actual Coming One revealed in the Bible.

Dear reader, I urge you to carefully study what Scripture says about Jesus. Cast off the shackles of preconception and get to know (1 John 2:3, 4; 5:20; John 1:10; 14:7; Acts 13:27; Philippians 3:10) the real Messiah. What you want Him to be, what you expect Him to be, and what He IS may not be the same thing. (Mike Benson at: http://www.forthright.net/)

“Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” (11:3).

Have a marvelous Monday!

Anna Lee

Monday

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart

and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

This is the first and greatest commandment.”

~Matthew 22:37-38 NIV~

Frank Smith

. . . . He will be having neck surgery March 16th at Brookwood Hospital here in Birmingham, Al. He will have 2 disc removed and a steel plate inserted. Hopefully everything will go okay for him. . . .

Sue

Miranda Erwin injured her rotator cup skiing Saturday. Pray for her as she has this evaluated today.

Mr. Frank Erwin in hospitialized at North Oaks. Pray for him as he undergoes testing to determine the exact problem.

Robbie Lynn C. Kirby is home, but experiencing lots ot pain. Pray the pain level lessens today and the extensive back surgery will have a positive result.

Shirley Bates Rushing
(September 29, 1947 – March 14, 2009)

Died on Saturday, March 14, 2009 at Glenwood Regional Medical Center in West Monroe, LA. She was a native of Kentwood, LA and a resident of Greensburg, LA. Age 61 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Tuesday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Services conducted by Rev. Heath Rohner. Survived by husband, Terry L. Rushing, Greensburg, daughter, Gail Housley and her husband, Kenny, Walker, son, Wayne Rushing, Greensburg, 3 grandchildren, Kevin Housley, Dustin and Rayleigh Rushing, 4 sisters, Barbara Hall, Amite, Sylvia Stielper, Baltimore, MD, Avis Carmical, Jackson, MS, and Willie Bell Strickland, Osyka, MS, 3 brothers, Donald Ray Bates, Kentwood, Hugh Bates, Kentwood, and Arthur “Odessa” Bates, Jackson, MS. Preceded in death by parents, Willie and Bertha Bates, brother, Howard Lee Bates, Father-in-law and mother-in-law, C. E. And Ruth Rushing, brother-in-law, Ricky Keith, sister-in-law, JoAnn Whitfield, and nephew, Patrick Bates.

Annie Armstrong Easter Offering

Annie Armstrong was the Corresponding Secretary of the Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) from its establishment in 1888 until 1906. Her letters to Sunday School Board Corresponding Secretaries J.M. Frost and T.P. Bell reveal close cooperation between the Sunday School Board and the WMU as well as close personal relationships between the correspondents. At a time when many Southern Baptists opposed the existence of the Sunday School Board, Armstrong’s keen sense of both public relations and business matters proved valuable in the campaign to establish legitimacy and support for the new Board. Despite the fact that female leaders of the WMU were not paid for their work during this period, it is clear that Armstong’s leadership position was a full-time career in which she exercised significant influence over male leaders of the various Boards of the Convention. The official status of the WMU was as an auxiliary to the Foreign Mission, Home Mission, and Sunday School Boards, but the significant fundraising conducted by Southern Baptist women, along with the bureaucratic talents of Annie Armstrong, gave the WMU a level of power in the Convention that went beyond its status as an officially subordinate auxiliary. Interestingly, Armstrong alternately accepted and challenged the limited social roles of Victorian womanhood. She was willing to remain behind the scenes in the workings of the Convention, as exemplified by requests in her letters that the author of her tactical suggestions remain anonymous. On the other hand, Armstrong was willing to challenge the bounds of the “woman’s sphere” not for the sake of social equality but for greater efficacy in the mission work that was her passion.

Deacons for the Week at FBC, Kentwood

Smiley Conerly

Roy Turner

There will be a share group meeting Thursday night at 6:30 at the Alford cabin. Feel free to join us for food, fellowship, and a devotional.

IN ONE ACCORD

The following bit of humor comes from Roy Rivenburg:

“Most people assume WWJD stands for ‘What would Jesus do?’ But according to Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle, the initials are shorthand for ‘What would Jesus drive?’

“For centuries, theologians have squabbled over the type of transportation the Lord would use: Public transit or private car? Stick shift or automatic? A sport-utility vehicle roomy enough for all 12 apostles or an economy model?

“One of Ostler’s readers theorized that Jesus would tool around in an old Plymouth because the Bible says God drove Adam and Eve out of the garden of Eden in a Fury.

“But our research department found several other scenarios. In Psalm 83, for example, the Almighty clearly owns a Pontiac and a Geo. The passage urges the Lord to ‘pursue your enemies with your Tempest and terrify them with your Storm.’ (We’re not sure how a Geo Storm could be considered terrifying, unless it had those scary shooting flames painted on the sides.)

“Another scripture indicates that Yahweh favored Dodge pickup trucks. Moses’ followers are warned not to go up a mountain until ‘the Ram’s horn sounds a long blast.’

“Some scholars insist that Jesus drove a Honda, but didn’t like to talk about it. As proof, they cite a verse in John’s gospel where Christ tells a crowd, ‘For I did not speak of my own Accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say.’ However, there is debate over whether the vehicle had bumper stickers such as ‘Save the Humans,’
‘My other car is a flaming chariot’ or ‘Honk if you love me.’

“Ostler has uncovered several other religious theories: [One of them is that] Moses rode an old British motorcycle, as evidenced by a Bible passage declaring that ‘the roar of Moses’ Triumph is heard in the hills.’ ”

Someone else has suggested the apostles following Jesus’ lead and carpooled in a Honda because Acts records that “the apostles were in one Accord”.

Rivenburg’s article is intended only to make you chuckle. But allow me to think with you seriously about the fact that “the apostles were in one accord.” The phrase “one accord” appears 12 times in the book of Acts. Most of those passages refer to the unity of the early Christians. There was a harmony that existed in the early church, the result of Jesus’ prayer in John 17. We all know the value of such unity. As David said long ago, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1). But seldom do we know the reality of that unity.

One thing I have noticed over the years is that unity is often the result of great adversity. We all saw it vividly in this country on a grand scale on September 11, 2001. A nation divided quickly became a nation united. Petty squabbles were set aside and the people of the United States stood hand in hand — “one nation under God.”

I’ve seen the same things happen in families, and in churches. Sadly, sometimes it takes a disaster to help us to put things into perspective, to help us to realize that the insignificant things which we tend to argue about are not nearly as important as the things which bind us together. Wouldn’t it be great if we could come to that realization without having to go through disastrous times?

May you all seek to “Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” (Phil 2:2)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Enjoy the rain the Lord has provided to wash away some of the pollen.

Anna Lee

Saturday

“In response to all he has done for us,

let us outdo each other

in being helpful and kind to each other

and in doing good.”

~Hebrews 10:24 TLB~

Don and Joshua Denton

We met with ENT for Joshua this morning. The ENT said that he does not usually recommend surgery for a child this age with broken nose, but he is strongly recommending surgery for Monday morning for Joshua.

This ENT is not a pediatric and when asked he does not have allot of experience preforming surgery on one so small. So we have a surgical consult at Childrens Hospital in St. Louis on this Monday. If this pediatric ENT surgeon recommends surgery is will happen this next week. So we will head up to St. Louis on Monday.

Also the specialist at Washington University wants to admit Don in the hospital up there for one week. Once we have all of records from every doctor and hospital, we will call her and she will start the admit process. They will bring specialist in to investigate the level of dizziness that Don has that does not diminish. So we will go this Monday for Joshua and then wait till all records come in for Don.

We feel really good about this. We believe we will find answers and feel there may be some resolve.

Please pray for Joshua. This is a very scarey thing for all of us if the doctor at Childrens says he needs surgery. It will be a somewhat simple procedure and he will be home from hospital within a day if all goes well.

I am really feeling like Job these days. Please pray that the surgeon for Joshua will have wisdom he needs.

Bless you all our family and friends.

Diane

Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions

NAMB Missionaries—On Mission To Share Christ

More than 5,500 missionaries serve through the North American Mission Board in the United States, Canada, and their territories. Though their areas of service differ, they are all on mission together to share the love of God with all people.

Church Planting

The largest number of missionaries are starting new Southern Baptist churches, more than 1,450 churches were started in 2007. Mission pastors serve English-speaking and language churches in rural and urban settings.

Evangelism

Sharing the gospel by ministering to people’s needs in church and community settings, including senior adults, nonreaders, non-English-speaking people, substance abusers, families, people in the criminal justice system, homeless people, disabled people, migrant workers, and even vacationers.

Mission Service Corps (MSC)

These missionaries serve more than two years and provide a majority of their own funding although they may receive some NAMB support through the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering^®.

Chaplains

In addition to missionaries, Southern Baptist endorsed chaplains minister in many of the same ways as do missionaries. Almost 2,500 Southern Baptist Convention chaplains serve in the military, institutions such as prisons and hospitals, and in corporate settings.

Mission Volunteers

Our mission efforts are also supported by more than 450,000 missions volunteers each year, including adult and youth mission teams, and World Changers groups.

Pastor’s Widow Points to ‘Celebration Day’

By Martin King
Baptist Press

MARYVILLE, Ill. (BP)–Cindy Winters, widow of slain Illinois pastor Fred Winters told 1,900 people who attended his funeral that Sunday, March 8, was “celebration day” for her husband and that she refuses to harbor hatred.

“Fred and I talked so many times about how God is at work here in this church doing incredible things,” she said during Winters’ March 13 funeral at First Baptist Church in Maryville, Ill. “Nothing has changed. Our vision and purpose are the same. I refuse to let Satan win. He is not going to steal my passion and my joy.”

Winters was fatally shot while preaching at the 1,500-member Southern Baptist church east of St. Louis.

Speaking for 20 minutes during a two-hour funeral service, Cindy Winters said, “Our vision and our purpose still remains the same. … I refuse to let Satan win. … He’s not going to steal my joy. He’s not going to steal my passion. He’s not going to steal my desire to spread God’s Word. I’m not going to hate.

“And I will work to carry out the mission of this church and I know all of you will too,” she said. “And I’m not going to survive this thing; I’m going to be a better person because of this thing.”

She quoted one of her two daughters, ages 13 and 11 years, as saying, “I want to be just like my daddy. I hope the man who did this learns to love Jesus.”

Winters refuted a note the man accused of the shooting left on his calendar labeling March 8 as “death day.” She said, “Sunday was not death day, but celebration day — the best day of Fred’s life. On Sunday, my husband did not die, but got a promotion,” as she pointed upward to heaven. Then, the words of the theme song from the television show “The Jeffersons” — referring to “movin’ on up” — played throughout the church building as the congregation stood and applauded.

She told those in attendance in the 900-seat sanctuary and another 1,000 overflowing into the gymnasium as well as those viewing the service on the Internet a number of humorous stories about Winters that illustrated his reputation for being thrifty, athletic, intelligent and passionate about his ministry.

“Fred loved being a pastor. He had a pastor’s heart. When you hurt, he hurt, and when you were happy he was happy. He never got tired of being your pastor,” she told the First Baptist members attending the funeral.

Winters brother and father-in-law also spoke during the service, while three former staff members brought messages.

Bob Dickerson, pastor of First Baptist Church, Marion, Ill., who met Winters in seminary, held his Bible aloft and said, “If Fred were here, he would speak from the Word of God, so that’s what I will do.” Dickerson read from Genesis 50:20 quoting Joseph speaking to his brothers, “What you intended for harm, God intended for good to accomplish the saving of many lives.”

“Fred was intense about sharing Christ. He wanted everybody to know Jesus, and good will come if 100 people, or 1,000 people or 10,000 people, will help others find God” because of what has happened, Dickerson said.

“Evil did not take Fred Winters life because he gave it to Christ many years ago. Evil did not stop the message that Jesus saves,” Dickerson said.

Adam Cruse, pastor of First Baptist Church in Mt. Zion, Ill., another former staff member at First Baptist Maryville, said Winters “was always there for us. He was a rock for us. He cared for us. I know you are hurting and sad, but this is not a time of defeat or surrender because the mission that we shared with him is still our mission.”

The service ended with a video Winters had made several months before his death answering the question, “Why do you exist?” as a way to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the videotape, which had been on the church’s website during the week, Winters gave the “A-B-Cs of salvation” and ended with an invitation to pray to accept Christ.

Following another presentation of the Gospel by First Baptist’s minister of worship, Mark Jones, the service ended on what Jones called “a note of praise” as they sang “My Savior Lives.”

(Martin King is editor of the Illinois Baptist, newsjournal of the Illinois Baptist State Association.)

Vyette Baham Reid
(August 20, 1928 – March 13, 2009)

We will miss our wonderful mother, Nanny, and friend who died at 9:00AM on Friday, March 13, 2009 at St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington, LA. She was a native of Folsom, LA and a resident of Loranger, LA. Age 80 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Sunday and at Lee Valley Baptist Church, Uneedus, from 10 a.m. Monday until religious services at 2 p.m. Monday. Services conducted by Rev. Johnny Shaw. Interment Noah Cemetery, Loranger. Survived by children, Richie Reid, Husser, Patsy Husser, Omaha, AR, Weda O’Keefe, Bush, Kimberly Gray, Moffatt, CO, Cherrie Humphries, Bush, sister, Inez Pelitere, Madisonville, 13 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by husband, Hulon Reid, parents, Forrest Baham and Bella Baham, brothers, Virgil Baham, Ernest Baham, Wade Baham, Arlee Baham, Ancil Baham, sisters, Weda Willie, Phine Couget, Dorothy Rainey.

Lillian Williams Harper
(October 25, 1921 – March 12, 2009)

Died at 8:52 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2009 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. She was a native of Red Bay, AL and a resident of Amite, LA. Age 87 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, 9 a.m. on Monday until religious services at 12 Noon Monday. Interment Killian Chapel Cemetery, Amite, LA. Survived by daughter, Ivies Fay Harper, Amite, son, Charles Harper, Amite, 5 grandchildren, Michael Harper, St. Amant, Crystal Brown, Amite, Shannon Husser and husband, Shelby, Husser, Kimberly Bankston and husband, Josh, Husser, Blake Harper and wife, Jessica, Tickfaw, 6 great-grandchildren, nephew, Carlton Williams and wife, Audrey, Greensburg. Preceded in death by husband, Doris “Buddy” Harper, son, Johnny Lee Harper, parents, Sam and Nellie Williams, brother, Dossie Williams.

Pray for Mansell’s family.

Jessie Mae Wells
(July 14, 1929 – March 9, 2009)

Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9 a.m. on Saturday until religious services at 10 a.m. Saturday. Services conducted by Rev. Butch Revere. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, LA.

Pray for “Miss” Ann’s family.

Ann L. Schilling

Visitation will be held at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 1 p.m. until religious services at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2009. Interment will be at the Mulberry Street Cemetery in Amite.

Set construction for the Easter drama at FBC, Kentwood will begin this morning. Work if you can, if not pray for those working, those who will participate in the drama in any way, and for those who will worship with us by viewing the drama.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Anna Lee

Monday

“Our fathers trusted in You;

they trusted, and You delivered them.

They cried to You, and were delivered;

they trusted in You, and were not ashamed.”

~Psalm 22:4-5~

Continue to pray for Mrs. Faye Price. Last week was another week of ups and downs. “Miss” Faye may be moving to Kentwood Manor in the near future.

Mr. Clifton Womack has had some health issues lately. Please be in prayer for him.

Robbie Lynn C. Kirby will have back surgery Thursday in Jackson. Please begin to pray for her now.

Ora Lee Wilson is home and doing well. Pray for her as she continues to recover from receiving a pacemaker.

Pray for our granddaughter, Peyton Alford, as she sees a specialist today to evaluate her situation from her injuries last week at church.

Pray for Erlo LaBauve and his family as he has a biopsy tomorrow. Erlo is Sharon Martin’s dad.

Sowing Together for Harvest

by Geoff Hammond

Dr. Geoff Hammond

View/Download Video

You’ve probably experienced it. The storm rolled in without warning. You made a dash for inside. Maybe you were too late and got soaked. Maybe you made it with seconds to spare. Either way, you moved with urgency, knowing what would happen if you didn’t!

Try to imagine the consequences that face more than 251 million people in North America who are lost. Very few would debate that North America is a mission field. Open today’s newspaper or your Web browser to a news page, and you’ll see evidence of lives in sin and sorrow.

People need Jesus Christ! Jesus died on the cross for each person living in this land, but so many have never heard or responded to the good news of Jesus Christ. Many are putting their trust in money and in man, and are learning the disappointment of doing so. They are truly caught in a great storm—hopeless—unless we tell them about Jesus and they decide to run into His loving arms. Christians know our trust and hope is in Jesus alone. We must sow down the gospel together to ensure that there is a harvest of souls won for Christ.

The task before us requires urgency. No procrastination. No excuses. Just bold and determined dedication in word and deed. This is a spiritual battle that we cannot lose!

Jesus gives us the mandate to go, but He also says we need to do it together. We must sow together for harvest, sharing the gospel with everyone, everywhere, and by every means possible. More than 5,600 North American missionaries are working alongside your church in the field, sowing with a passion and commitment to serve Christ in all they do. They are reaping a great harvest; however, more missionaries are needed if we are to fulfill the Great Commission.

Your generous gifts to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering® allow us to saturate the fields with seeds of the gospel for God’s glory. Our goal this year is $65 million—a truly God-size goal, but one that can be reached as Southern Baptists see the mission field that is North America and join us in living with urgency, sowing together for harvest.

As you participate in this North American Missions Emphasis, I urge you to do more than just watch and listen. Please pray fervently for North American missionaries. Please give generously to North American missions through the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. Please join us this urgent mission of sowing together for harvest!

FBC Deacons for the Week

James Miller

Harrell Sharkey

Migrant Health Kits (Due April 1st)

Place the following items in a gallon size zip-loc bag.

Shampoo

Comb

Deodorant

Soap

Washcloth

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

The church will provide a Bible.

“The Power of the Cross”

Easter Drama Musical

April 5-7, 2009

FBC, Kentood

Tickets will be available soon.

Initial construction work day – March 14th

Mission Canada

June 24-July 3

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

DR. PEDRO ARA Sarria perfected a technique for preserving the body and applied it to Argentina’s Eva Peron…

The embalmed body was kept intact but, for political reasons, was moved from place to place. It went from his laboratory in Buenos Aries to a military camp, to a dusty storeroom in Bonn, Germany, to a secret grave in Milan, Italy, to an attic in Madrid, back to a chapel in Argentina, and finally to a family tomb.

What happens to our bodies after we die may not be very important. What happens to the spirit is very important. Whether our bodies are buried, cremated, lost in an explosion, or buried at sea, it makes no difference. The real concern is that the soul be at home with God.

“And many of those who sleep

in the dust of the earth shall awake,

some to everlasting life,

some to shame and everlasting contempt.”

~Daniel 12:2~

Thanks for being there and praying. Your prayers mean so much to so many. Please send any requests you wish to share here. Have a wonderful week.

Anna Lee

Saturday Addition

Annie Armstrong Easter Offering

FBC, Kentwood Goal: $14,000.00

Day 7

Paul Biswas: Reaching Hindus, Muslims for Christ in New England

By Mickey Noah

WALTHAM, Mass. – “Absurd.”

That one word is how Southern Baptist missionary Paul Biswas sums up Hinduism – the religion in which he was born and indoctrinated as a boy growing up in a conservative, higher-caste, ultra-religious family in his native Bangladesh. While still in elementary school, he learned the religion at his grandfather’s knee.

“It is only by the grace of God I was able to overcome all the hardships and persecutions of my life,” says Biswas, now 56, the oldest son in his family. Among Hindus, being the oldest son brings extra respect and responsibilities. Rejecting Hinduism as the oldest son brings absolute family rejection, legal disownment and persecution.

Biswas – 21 years old at the time – could no longer believe in a religion based on reincarnation, 300 million gods and goddesses – three major ones – predestination, and “Karma.”

“From the Bible I came to know that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone,” Biswas says. “It is by faith only. I don’t need to do Karma. I don’t need to show my good works and prove them.”

Paul’s father became furious with his son when – after becoming a Christian – Paul decided to change his last name from “Vishnu” (one of the major Hindu gods) to “Biswas,” which means ‘faith’ in his native language. It was 1973.

Disowned by his father and kicked out of the house, Biswas would endure years of persecution, humiliation, hardship and even physical torture because of his Christian faith.

“Before I left my father’s home, I told my father he could disown me, but that my Eternal Father would not disown me.” He and his father have since reconciled but even today, his parents won’t hug him because he’s considered an outcast.

Biswas today ministers to other Hindus and Muslims as a church planting missionary and founding pastor of the Boston Bangla Church in Boston, Mass.

Biswas is jointly supported by the North American Mission Board (NAMB), the New England Baptist Convention and the Greater Boston Baptist Association.

Paul and Elizabeth Biswas are two of some 5,500 missionaries in the United States, Canada and their territories supported by the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering® for North American Missions, and are among the NAMB missionaries featured as part of the annual Week of Prayer, March 1-8, 2009. This year’s theme is “Live with Urgency: Sowing Together for Harvest.” The 2009 Annie Armstrong Easter Offering’s goal is $65 million, 100 percent of which benefits missionaries like the Biswas’s.

According to Biswas, about 1 million Bengalis live in the United States but there are only four SBC-Bengali churches nationwide to serve them. Some 20,000 Bengalis live in New England, where there’s only one Bengali Baptist church. About 7,000 Bengalis live in Greater Boston – 4,000 in the Cambridge area. He said 88 percent of Bengalis from Bangladesh are Muslim; the other 11 percent are Hindus and Buddhists. Christians are only one percent.

“The biggest challenge for my ministry here is to mobilize the local churches,” said Biswas. “We have more than 150 people groups here in the Boston area and the American churches are getting a new experience. They don’t know how to reach out to the vast number of Muslims and Hindus.”

Is it difficult to reach out to Muslims and Hindus with the Gospel?

“As for Hindus, that’s my culture and background so it’s not too difficult. Hindus think of Jesus as a god.

“I don’t find it difficult to reach out to Muslims, especially in the U.S.,” he says. “It’s much harder back in Bangladesh, a country of 150 million people. But here, Muslims hear and are responsive. It depends on your approach. It’s important to speak to them in their own heart-language and to know and understand their culture.”

Language is not a problem for Biswas. He understands Hindi and Urdu, and speaks Bengali and English fluently.

“Muslims have a high regard and respect for Jesus. They consider him as one of four Major Prophets. The Qur’an has 22 different titles for Jesus – ‘Messiah,’ ‘Spirit of God,’ ‘Word of God,’ etc. Muslims cannot deny what’s in their own book!” Biswas says with a laugh. He uses the Qur’an as a bridge to reach Muslims.

Biswas prefers to preach Christ and not Christianity because the word “Christianity” is a politicized word with a strongly negative connotation for Muslims, who associate it with the Crusades and the Western world.

A key problem with witnessing to Bengalis in Boston is merely finding a time to coincide with their busy work schedules.

“It’s hard to reach the Bengali immigrants because they work so hard – seven days a week. We have one group that meets at midnight because that’s when the people come home from work. At midnight or 1 a.m. they have their Bible study meeting, eat together, go home by 3 a.m., sleep a few hours and then get up and go to work again,” he said.

Biswas said he is partnering with three local churches, but needs the prayer and financial support of four more churches in 2009. Biswas’ two biggest partners in sharing the Gospel are his wife, Elizabeth, and Abu Mansur, a converted Muslim he first knew back in Bangladesh.

“The great joy in my ministry is my wife. We have worked together, serving the Lord as a team since 1974.” That same year, Paul and Elizabeth, also from Bangladesh, were married, and today have two grown children and two grandchildren.

In 1976, Biswas was called into the ministry and ordained one year later. Until coming to the U.S. in 2001, he worked in Bangladesh as an evangelist, church planter, pastor, pastoral superintendent, director of missions, writer, translator and teacher at different Bible colleges and seminaries.

Biswas holds an A.B. degree in economics from Rajshahi University in Bangladesh, an M. Div. degree from Philippines Baptist Theological Seminary, Philippines, and a Master of Theology degree in Missions from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, Mass. He is currently working on his Ph.D.

“Many times we had to go through hardship and suffering but my wife always is with me and encourages me. She’s does a lot of prayer and fasting.”

His other ministry partner is Mansur, who actually left Bangladesh before Biswas did.

“Mansur is a wonderful guy with a great passion to reach out to his own people because he himself came from a Muslim background,” said Biswas. “I came from a Hindu background so that’s a good combination. I can reach the Hindus and Mansur can reach the Muslims.

“He came from an upper-class Muslim family so he has a very good knowledge about the Qur’an. He also was persecuted and at one time, his life was in danger so he had to leave Bangladesh.” Biswas said Mansur, like himself, is bi-vocational and needs extra financial support.

That’s where the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering® comes in handy.

“We started our ministry in 2003 without the help of NAMB or the Annie Armstrong offering,” recalls Biswas. “Today, their support is a real blessing for us.”

While Biswas receives assistance from the Baptist Convention of New England and the Greater Boston Baptist Association, he is also a NAMB Mission Service Corps missionary and raises additional financial support through local churches.

“Paul brings a lot of expertise because he basically functioned as a director of missions in Bangladesh,” says Al Riddley, director of missions for the local Boston association. “He brings a lot of ability and is very respected. He has a real working knowledge of Muslims and Hindus alike.

“Among Southern Baptists, there are few experts like Paul, who has not only the academic background but also the experience,” Riddley said. “That’s what Paul brings. Plus, he has such a strong commitment. He’s really an evangelist at heart.”

UPDATE: A Word from Paul

We deeply express our gratitude to the North American Mission Board for featuring us and our ministry during the 2009 Week of Prayer. We are thankful to NAMB for their prayer and financial support. We know all of our Southern Baptist churches in North America will be praying for us and NAMB is acting as a channel of blessing for us. We praise God for NAMB and all of the staff for their great encouragement. We look forward to continued support and encouragement from Southern Baptists as we work in our frontier missions area in New England.

Current Prayer Requests:

Discipleship training for the new believers from Muslim backgrounds.
Two more new church plants among South Asians in 2009.
More church partners and a steady support for us.

Sunday

Though he was God,

he did not demand and cling to his rights as God,

but laid aside his mighty power and glory,

taking the disguise of a slave and becoming like men.

Philippians 2:6-7 (LB)

Floyd and Freda Angeletti (Budapest, Hungary)

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you so very much for going before the throne of God on our behalf. Unfortunately we have been unable to send regular updates, but as each of you have written encouragements, you received a reply with your questions answered and an update given. The exception is those of you who have written in the past couple of days. Below we have listed the answers to your prayers.

On Friday evening the 13th, Freda had the opportunity to ride in a ambulance in Budapest expanding her list of adventures. She was admitted to the neurology hospital and you can be sure she could write several interesting chapters of her opportunities to be a servant and exhibit Christ likeness. The hospital provides nothing much except a bed and medical care. Your level of expectations will change quickly in such a place and therefore your level of appreciation when you begin to have need of such things such as water and toilet paper. The hospital was also under quarantine because of the flu epidemic in Budapest and there were times no one could get in to visit her. She was blessed to have a cell phone provided by our member care staff, and therefore she could call to make her needs known but often it could not be arranged in time to fill her needs. It was not until Wednesday that they did a brain stem electrode test and on Thursday evening she finally was given the long promised MRI.

On Friday morning, February 20, colleagues and I were able to take her clean towels, wash cloth, bed clothes, and other needs. Upon returning to the Eden House we received a call from Freda saying that she had been released. I was unable to go with the colleagues to pick her up or to go to the clinic for a evaluation visit with a neurologist at 5:30 PM and the general doctor at 6 PM. The second doctor said, “I understand that after two days you were up assisting other patients in your ward”. That was true and one day Freda may have an opportunity to tell you how God burdened her heart and used love to communicate when there was no common verbal language. In the middle of the night Freda was found to be helping a elderly lady with Parkinson’s down the hall to the bathroom when she had been told to not get out of bed herself. Freda made many trips each day with that lady and even gave her a warm water foot soak and washed her feet when she complained of her feet hurting. I will leave additional stories of this lady and the others to Freda to share with you.

The results of the evaluation are that Freda had a light stroke – that the Lord apparently healed except for a little balance problem that should resolve itself in time. It could be a few weeks or a few months before she is back to normal balance. We believe that this is a direct result of your prayers. It was determined that the pain in the side of her head and the very sore spot under her jawbone is a stopped up saliva gland and she has a scan scheduled for that on Monday the 23, unless she can clear it with lemon and sucking as saliva flows.

As previously shared, Freda got excellent reports on all other test except for having a very low iron level, and the problem with the Trolov Cysts on her spine. She has an appointment at Johns Hopkins Medical Center on April 23 to do a final evaluation to determine the steps they will take in correcting the problem.

My surgery was not the normal procedure but much more extensive. The doctor had said that he would only do half so much and that the remainder would have to take place a few months from now, but the doctor decided to go for 90% of the process and it was almost too much. Last Tuesday I had a follow up visit and the same evening began to pass huge amounts of blood and had the presence of mind to take pictures of the results keeping the reputation of taking pictures of unique subjects. On Wednesday I went to the clinic for a blood count test but the doctors wanted to quiz me first and upon seeing my pictures got very serious. The surgeon was called and Thursday morning at 8 AM, I met the surgeon at the hospital where I was examined with a scope and it was determined that during the surgery and in the hours following the surgery I had accumulated a great deal of blood in my colon. I was told that to expect blood (in much lesser amounts) for up to six weeks. I continue to experience pain, discomfort and inconvenience. The surgeon discharged me but suggested that I spend a week in the city before departing and try to restore my system to normal as healing takes place. Now I suspect that there might have been a hidden thought that something could still go wrong, but trust that the Lord will continue the healing process. This has been a very humbling experience and I have grown through it in many ways. Not only will I have better health but will have grown as a person. “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Cor. 5:7)

We praise God for our good health because we actually are healthy and able to serve Him. Thank you for keeping us lifted before His throne.

Please pray for continued healing; opportunities to witness; that we will know His will for our lives and that all our decisions will honor Him and His perfect will.

Praise Him for the blessing of confidence in His promises; For the healing and protection He has provided; That we are allowed to call Him “LORD“, and have the opportunity to serve Him: Praise Him for the many ways He reveals Himself; Praise Him for the assurance that He hears and listens when you pray and for answering your prayers.

May He bless you with His joy.

In Christ’s love,

Floyd and Freda

Soup & Salad for senior adults after morning worship at FBC, Kentwood (Provided byFriendship Circle Sunday School Class)

TWO VERY DIFFERENT KINGDOMS

A number of years ago, I received the following letter from one of my subscribers in Great Britain. Since many of you were not subscribers at the time, I thought you might appreciate this “repeat TFTD”:

To the citizens of the United States of America,

In light of your failure to elect a new President of our former colonies, known more recently as the U.S.A., in order to govern yourselves and that which you habitually refer to as the free world, irrespective of his ability to govern himself, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your independence, effective today.

Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will assume monarchical duties over all states, commonwealths, former colonies and other territories (including New Jersey).

To aid in the transition to a British Crown Dependency, please comply with the following acts:

1. Look up “revocation” in the now official Chambers English
Dictionary.

2. Start spelling (and pronouncing) correctly all English words.

3. Learn at least the first 4 lines of “God Save The Queen.”

4. Start referring to “soccer” as football and admit that American
football isn’t.

5. Immediately declare war on Quebec (and France). You may use our
air space.

6. Enjoy all cold beverages at room temperature and insist that your
tea be served hot.

7. Learn to enjoy delicacies such as steak and kidney pudding and
Marmite.

8. The Fourth of July is no longer to be observed as a public
holiday. This has been replaced with 5th November, also known
as Guy Fawkes Day (he was the roguish chap who tried to blow up
the Houses of Parliament).

9. All members of this British Crown Dependency will be required to
take 6 weeks annual holiday and observe statutory tea breaks.

10. Driving on the left is now compulsory – recall all cars to effect
the change immediately.

11. Car parts will be referred to by their proper names (bonnet,
boot, etc.) and a more healthy level of tax will be applied to
petrol and diesel fuels.

12. All citizens are to report to our Consulate General in NY for the
issue of new passports and work permits. Please ensure that
orderly queues are maintained.

13. Add the Royal insignia to the top of the Washington Monument.

14. Assemble a national cricket team in preparation for a world tour
next summer.

15. Stop referring to a “World Series” of baseball and instead call
it the National Series of USA, Cuba and Japan.

16. Recall all currency and replace with new coins and notes bearing
an image of monarch’s head.

17. Increase all domestic power supplies to 240 volts with immediate
effect.

Tax collectors from Her Majesty’s Government will be with you shortly to ensure the acquisition of all revenues due (backdated to 1776 with interest).

Thank you for your cooperation and have a nice day!

Aside from the humor (which I enjoyed immensely), the above letter served to remind me of the great difference between our two “kingdoms”. Transferring from one to the other would indeed involve a lot of changes.

In a similar manner, those of us who are Christians have changed kingdoms. In the Colossian letter, the apostle Paul describes what God has done for us:

“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.” (Col. 1:13)

Allow the significance of that statement to settle in. We used to be a part of Satan’s kingdom; now we are a part of God’s kingdom. We used to be “aliens” (Eph. 2:12); now we are “fellow citizens with the saints” (Eph. 2:19). Things are different now. Very much different!

With no disrespect intended toward Great Britain, I consider it a blessing to be a citizen of the United States. But that blessing doesn’t begin to compare with the great privilege that God has provided in allowing me to be a part of HIS kingdom.

Have a jolly good day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Have a wonderful Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Friday

“But know that the Lord

has set apart for Himself him who is godly;

the Lord will hear when I call to Him.”

~Psalm 4:3~

Continue to pray for some who have been on our prayer list.

Caroline Williams – surgery yesterday

Alice Faye Lee – cath. yesterday

Floyd and Lauren Fowler – baby

Aubrey Perry – Alabama

Riley Penney – needs a miracle by tomorrow

Don Denton

Something pretty amazing happened yesterday…..

Don told me that for “a brief moment” yesterday he did not have any dizziness. He thought that maybe he was just imagining it. It only happened once yesterday.

Today I brought Don back into the office – He was there for 7 hours today.

During that time at the office, he experienced intermittent times of less dizziness and times of extreme dizziness. I can’t help but believe that the nerve endings are beginning to heal.

Don will taper down to 25mg of prednisone this Saturday. He will be on that for 2 weeks. WE are taking this much slower in hopes that he will not relapse.

Keep praying……I believe that we may have turned the corner here. This is exciting and a little scarey.

Don still has not heard results or follow up as of yet for the specialist in Kansas City.

We should get results about our dog tomorrow too.

Keep praying please. This would be a miracle if this dizziness would subside.

Please also pray for me as I try to work through all that needs to be done in dealing with the insurance company and providers. It is a “full time job”. As you can imagine, we have now 85 days of hospital stays and dozens and dozens of doctor visits and diagnostice tests from many different facilities. I am having to sort through what feels pretty overwhelming. Trying to find the time to fit this into our schedule makes it very tough. Pray that I will have the wisdom I need as well.

Bless you our family and friends

Diane

Sami Dobre

Hello all,

Sami is still in the hospital in Ploiesti, but he is doing better. He did not have fever today and is getting his appetite back. There is a possibility that he may get to go home tomorrow, Friday. Ovidiu and Monica want to thank everyone for their prayers.

Blessings,

Donna Brown

Mrs. Ruby Dillon – Appointment Monday

Mrs. Faye Price – Covington

Ronald Putman – coming home today

Numerous people with colds, flu, sinus problems, & pneumonia (including Mr. Ed and “Miss” Jeanette McGhee

Robert Lee Young
(April 16, 1930 – February 18, 2009)

Died at 8:33PM on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at St. Helena Parish Nursing Home in Greensburg, LA. He was a native and resident of Kentwood, LA. Age 78 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 9 a.m. on Saturday until religious services at 11 a.m. Saturday. Survived by 4 sisters, Ernestine Blades, Baton Rouge, Shirley Turner and her husband, Jimmy, Walker, Betty Hunt and her husband, Lionel, Gillsburg, MS, Rita Phillips and her husband, James, Walker, 1 brother, Richard Young, Baton Rouge, a number of nieces and nephews, Preceded in death by parents, Melton and Eva Day Young, brother, Earl Young.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

IMAGINE YOU’RE SITTING in your living room, enjoying a peaceful afternoon while reading the paper…

Suddenly, a baseball flies into the room, shattering your window. Obviously, your first question wouldn’t be, “How did it get here?” It would be, in a highly bothered tone, “Who did this?!” The baseball didn’t just smash through your window for no reason. Some agent acted upon it, causing a “disturbance in the force” that ruined your perfectly good afternoon.

The universe couldn’t have just “arrived” without a force behind it. And unlike the remote possibility that a pitching machine spat a baseball into your living room instead of an actual person, it’s impossible that a universe was just spat out by an inanimate force. It took a Person, a Someone. Holding the Bible at its word, we Christians believe that Someone to be God, the Great Cause. (Alex McFarland)

“This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens” (Genesis 2:4).

Don’t forget the Friendship Circle Sunday School class is preparing Soup and Salad for Senior Adults Sunday.

Have a great weekend! Feel free to share your praises, requests, and updates.

Anna Lee

Friday

So then, my friends,

because of God’s great mercy to us

I appeal to you:

Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God,

dedicated to his service and pleasing to him.

This is the true worship that you should offer.

~Romans 12:1-2 (TEV)~

John Schaffner is the pastor of Roseland Baptist Church and the BMC director at SLU. His wife’s sister, Roaryn (?) Beck recently had a baby that was born two months premature. Please pray for the mother and the baby as they deal with medical issues. This family is in southwest Louisiana.

Don Denton

Today was a busy day in that Don had appointment in Springfield with ENT so he could get referral to doctor in Kansas City. That went well for Don and he was encouraged. Thank you so much to Larry Hodges for taking Don to Springfield and back. It was most helpful to us.

And we are most grateful to Dr. Nutt for coming to our home to fit Don’s glasses. He came by on his lunch hour yesterday to help so that Don would not have to go into the office. We are blessed and we give thanks.

Don has another test tomorrow in Springfield. He has a MRA. This is to look at the dissection in the Carotid Artery. Our hope is that the hole is closed up and that he will no longer have to be on a blood thinner.

I can’t seem to catch up on feeling rested. Please pray that I will get the rest that I need. I am still so tired these days.

We continue to pray for healing with the dizziness and are in hopes of relief for Don.

Bless you our family and friends

Diane

Floyd and Freida Angeletti

Thank you for praying for Floyd’s surgery. Below is Freda’s note she wrote last night but sent out today. Please continue to pray for Floyd as he recovers and as they prepare to return to the US in April.

Melinda

From yesterday:

I am writing this at the hospital and will be spending the night here, but it will be tomorrow before I can send it. Floyd’s surgery went well but the surgeon had to do more than he had anticipated. He is comfortable and not having too much pain yet. We thank you for praying with us and covet your continued prayers for rapid healing.

We will be returning to Bucharest as soon as the doctor says it is okay for Floyd to travel. Then we will only have a few weeks to finalize ministry, office transformation, selling what we can and packing. With my back problems and Floyd’s soreness, we will be a pair.

We praise God for His loving mercy, for listening to our petitions, giving us assurances of His presence and His unfathomable love.

Again, thank you for your sustaining love and prayers.

Love, Joy and Blessings,

Floyd and Freda

Eva Mae White Strickland
(February 16, 1935 – February 11, 2009)

Died at 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at her daughter’s home in Magnolia, MS. She was a native of Independence, LA and a resident of Kentwood, LA. Age 73 years. 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 11 a.m. Saturday. Services conducted by Dr. Danny Smith. Interment Spring Creek Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. She is survived by her 2 daughters, Barbara Gale Gill Ardillo, Amite and Kathy Sue Gill McClendon, Gillsburg, MS; 3 sons, Stanley “Junebug” Gill, Jr., Kentwood, David Mike Gill, Kentwood and Heath Chambliss, Kentwood; 11 grandchildren, Jamie, Tabatha and Britany McClendon, Ashton, Whitney, Stan, and Chris Gill, Aaron Ardillo, Aaron, Destinee and Austin Chambliss; 3 great-grandchildren, Colton McClendon, Braylon Hammonds and Kassidy Tastet; 3 sisters, Ruby Santangelo, Independence, Ruth Catalano, Bay St. Louis, MS and Audery Vadrine, Pineville; 1 brother, Ray White, Kentwood. She was preceded in death by her husband, Troy Strickland; parents, Ellis and Maudie White; sister, Anne Mae Temple; 3 brothers, Clyde White, Hewitt White and Mut White; son-in-law, Michael McClendon.

Joseph S. Divincenti Sr.

Holly K’s February Newsletter

Thank God for:

– Language skills and lessons

– Good beginning to homeschooling

– Housekeeper to attack the dust daily

Ask God for:

– Conversation partner

– Operation Christmas Child (Shoeboxes) delivery in March

– People group

– Building of relationships

Funny

– Street-side salesmen selling carrot peelers (Holly thought they were selling the carrots they were demonstrating with.)

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

WHY DOES A person enter military service…?

Some want to travel and see the world. Others are thrill seekers who find the adventure (and danger) exhilarating. Quite a few choose a career in the service for financial rewards (college tuition, home loans, medical coverage and early retirement).

Then there are the patriots: farmers, teachers, factory workers and businessmen who are not career soldiers, yet these honorable citizens can be counted on in a time of crisis. These are men and women who serve their country out of loyalty rather than personal gain. They enlist, not because they love a good fight, but because they believe in defending what is right! They are peacemakers, not pleasure seekers or profiteers.

Similarly, God’s patriots are people with high spiritual aims. They are ordinary Christians who are reluctant to fight yet prepared to stand and be counted for truth when duty demands it. To the contrary, false teachers are motivated by things like notoriety, paychecks, selfish agendas or the intoxicating smell of battle. (Aubrey Johnson)

“Woe to them!

For they have gone in the way of Cain,

have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit,

and perished in the rebellion of Korah.”

~Jude 11~

Valentine Banquet

Tonight at FBC, Kentwood @ 7 P.M.

Youth fundraiser for summer activities

KOMpray (Kids on Mission Pray)

http://imb.org/main/pray/page.asp?StoryID=6686&LanguageID=1709

This will bring a smile to your hear. 🙂

Have a great day!

Anna Lee

Saturday

Reminder: Tomorrow, FBC, Kentwood will be celebrating Lauree Titus’ thirty years as church secretary with a covered dish meal after morning worship. You are invited to participate in showing your appreciation to her.

Friday (early)

God has reserved a priceless inheritance

for his children.

It is kept in heaven for you,

pure and undefiled,

beyond the reach of change and decay.

1 Peter 1:4 (NLT)

Mrs. Ruby Dillon called to say Carl Wayne Stevens made it through surgery well. The upper right lobe of his lungs was removed. He will not require additional treatment. Thank God for this good report.

Ronald Putman is doing much better. He may be able to come home as soon as he accomplishes his rehab goals. Please continue to pray for him.

Don Denton

Don was admitted to the hospital at Cox South this morning. He woke up about 1:30 Thursday morning very sick to his stomach, low grade fever and headache. I called doctor on call she said if he gets sicker bring him in to the ER. So about 3:30 this morning I started to prepare to find someone to come and stay with Joshua, so I could take Don in to the ER.

Don is severely dehydrated and his potassium level is critically low. At this point his doctors are treating this as a separate illness. His body is so immune-compromised that he is susceptible to illness easily.

The good news in all of this is that he has not had a relapse at this point. As a matter of fact, if they can get him hydrated, fever under control and get him eating, he may get to come home tomorrow or Saturday.

He is very discouraged, so please pray for him. He just needs encouragement. I have been up since about 1:30am this morning, so I will close for now.

I will keep you all posted once I know. I will be back at the hospital in the morning. Joshua is having a very, very hard time with this hospital stay. He wants to be with Don and I and he does not want to stay home or be with friends.

Pray that Don will be well enough to come home tomorrow.

Bless you our family and friends.

Diane

Mrs. Jewel Allen Easley
(February 4, 1924 – February 5, 2009)

Mrs. Jewel A. Easley a loving mother, wife, sister, and grandmother, was born on February 4, 1924 and passed away at 10:37AM on Thursday, February 5, 2009 at Southwest Regional Medical Center, McComb, MS. She was 85, a native of Liverpool and a resident of Kentwood.

Mrs. Jewel is survived by a daughter, Carolyn Geter Troquille and husband, John, Jackson,LA; a son Joe Allen Easley and wife, Jean Clark, Kentwood; a sister, Sybil Allen Marcantel, Clinton; 3 sisters-in-law, Mary Joyce Allen, Baton Rouge, Willie Jean Allen, Jackson, & Jeannette Allen, Clinton; a son-in-law, Michael Bracy, Spring Creek; 9 grandchildren, Walt Geter, Julie Geter Netterville, Vonda Geter Cain, Jody Easley Davidson, Stacy Easley Cassel, Buddy Lynn Easley, Joe Allen Easley II, Byron Bracy and Chris Bracy; 14 great grandchildren, Ron Netterville, Lindsey Netterville, Orry Cain, Olivia Lynn Cain, Trenton Scott Bailey, Thomas Trey Bailey, Drew Allen Davidson, Matthew Bridges, Ethan Michael Cassel, Isabella Fisher, Carter Douglas Easley, Kennedy Marie Easley, Brennan Bracy, Abigail Bracy and a great-great grandchild, baby Bailey to be born in June 2009.

Preceded in death by her husband, Walter “Buddy” Easley; parents, Charlie & Minnie Hurst Allen; a daughter, Donna Lynn Easley Bracy; 2 sisters, Lorena Allen Weegan & Robbie Allen Bueche; 4 brothers, Charlie Ray, John Freeman, Felix Warren “Pete”, & Billy Roy “Woodsie” Allen.

Visitation will be held at The Lord’s Church, 1936 Hwy 440, west of Tangipahoa, on Friday, February 6, 2009 from 6:00PM until 9:00PM and on Saturday, February 7, 2009 after 8:00AM until Religious Services at 11:00AM with Rev. Don Meadows officiating. Interment in the New Zion Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Walt Geter, Buddy Easley, Joe Easley II, Byron Bracy, Chris Bracy, Billy Allen, Jr. and Al Travis.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

Nancy Sue Morgan
(May 18, 1948 – February 3, 2009)

Nancy Sue Morgan

Nancy Sue Morgan was born on May 18, 1948 and passed away at 8:51AM on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at her residence. She was 60, a native of Parchmen, MS and a residence of Independence.

She is survived by her husband, Windle B. Morgan, Independence; a daughter, Wendy S. Nunez and husband, Donald, Independence; a step-daughter, Lisa Gillam, Slidell; a son, Michael D. Morgan, Independence; 2 step-sons, Harry J. Morgan, Slidell & Darryl Morgan, Mississippi; 2 sisters, Linda K. Brown & Stella M. Swaim both of Mississippi; a brother, David W. Sanders of Texas: 15 grandchildren & a great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James K. & Lavora Goodwin Sanders; a son, James Adrian Jones, Sr.; 4 brothers James K., Stephen J., William P., & Charles Sanders.

Visitation will be held at the First Baptist Church of Independence on Saturday, February 7, 2009 from 12:00NOON until Religious Services at the church at 1:00PM with Rev. Mitch Williams officiating.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

Movie

“Fireproof”

6:30 P.M. Friday

FBC, Kentwood

On Mission in Kentwood

Saturday @ 8 A.M.

Help someone in our community.

A DIFFICULT WORD

I heard about an office whose answering machine was set up to instruct callers to leave their name and address, and to spell any difficult words.

Early one Monday, when the secretary was reviewing the weekend messages, she heard an enthusiastic young woman recite her name and address, and then confidently offer, “My difficult word is reconciliation. R-E-C-O-N-C-I-L-I-A-T-I-O-N.”

Reconciliation can be a difficult word. It’s not that it’s difficult to understand. Webster defines the word “reconcile” as “to restore to friendship or harmony, to settle or resolve.” The word can be used in a variety of ways, but when it’s applied to people it basically means to get two separated people back together again. So we talk about a husband who wants to be reconciled to a wife who has left him. A father who wants to be reconciled to a wayward son. And a lost sinner who needs to be reconciled to God.

While not difficult to understand, reconciliation can be a difficult word to put into practice. It can be very difficult to get two family members who are at odds to be reconciled. And it can sometimes seem very difficult for us (or for others we know) to be made right with God.

A man once went to a preacher because he was having some family problems. He wasn’t a very well-educated man and sometimes got his words confused. He said, “Me and my wife need a re-cancellation.” What he meant to say was reconciliation, but the word re-cancellation wasn’t a bad choice. Because there can be peace for those who have been separated only when sin has been canceled. As sinners before a righteous God, we need a “re-cancellation”. And that’s exactly what Jesus made available when he died on the cross.

“….by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.” (Col. 1:20-22)

Thanks be to God for making this difficult word a reality in our lives.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

May you be able to count numerous blessings in your life today.

Anna Lee