Category: FBC

Then Jesus said,

“Come to me, all of you who are weary

and carry heavy burdens,

and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you.

Let me teach you,

because I am humble and gentle,

and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke fits perfectly,

and the burden I give you is light.”

~Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)~

Jesse Dean was in the emergency room until a room became available yesterday afternoon. He’s in room 4015 and is feeling much better. Keep praying for Jesse, Majel, and the family as well as the medical staff at North Oaks.

He is doing fine. He will need to be on the blood thinner for 5 days then he can go home. So far everything else is fine. All of his doctors have been by to see him.

Thanks,
Jennifer

Mrs. Jeanette Rhodus came home briefly, but is back at North Oaks. She is scheduled to begin chemo soon. Please put “Miss” Jeanette on you daily prayer list if she is not already there.

Donald Garner’s gall bladder surgery is scheduled for today at Lacombe. Please pray for all involved.

Please continue to pray for the Hill family of the Jackson, MS area as they prepare for the funeral for little Aaron. Once again, if you have not already done so, please check out Aaron’s web page.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/aaronhill1

Joan Hagan’s surgery is scheduled for April 30th. It is not too early to begin praying for that!

Chuck Pittman will have a PET scan today. He only has one more chemo treatment scheduled. Pray for Chuck and his family as they fight this battel together.

Chuck’s mom, Mrs. Bertha Pittman, is still at North Oaks. She is about the same. Please pray for her and for her family as they help the medical staff care for her.

Mr. Henry Harris is feeling better and able to get out some. Please continue to pray for Mr. Henry and “Miss” Emma.

Annie Armstrong Easter Offering

Goal: $13,000.00

Received so date: $9357.85

Big Ten from TeamRomany, April 2008

1. Please pray for Gayle as she makes plans for a ladies’ conference with the women of Isuratei, Romania. The conference will be held in May and Gayle will be busy working out details of the event this month.
2. Please pray for youth who meet for Bible study in the Hill’s home on Monday nights and at Lacul Dulce on Friday nights. Thank God for their faithfulness to attend. Pray that they would grow in their walk with the Lord and that their lives would be a testimony of Christ’s transforming power.
3. Please pray for those seeking the Lord’s will about their place in Romany mission work.
4. Bro. Petrache, a Romany pastor from Lacul Dulce, Romania recently suffered a stroke affecting his left side. He is better and we ask that you pray for his complete healing. Pray also for his family during this difficult time. Pray for his needs to be met. Medicines and healthy foods can be both challenging to access and expensive for Romany families.
5. Pray for the Hills as they are evaluating some of their ministry habits and assessing their goals and objectives. Please pray that God will bless them with wisdom and show them how he wants them to focus their time and efforts.
6. Please pray for the Hill’s 8 year-old granddaughter, Madison. Please pray that God would meet her needs.
7. Please pray for Joe and Julie Silby and their children Ryan, Avery, and Hannah. They are being appointed in Dallas, Texas this week to join teamromany. They will arrive in the Czech Republic in early July. Please pray that their house and car sell.
8. Please pray for the Hatchels as they make plans to host a Disciple Now weekend for elementary aged MKs (Missionary Kids) in the Czech Republic. The event will be in early May, but they are making plans for the Bible studies and activities now.
9. Pray for Boyd as he meets with Romany teenagers on Friday evenings for soccer and Bible study. Pray that the teens would be open to the message he shares.
10. Pray for Jennie as she meets with women on Tuesday night for encouragement, fellowship and discipleship. Pray that the time she spends will help the women grow in their relationships with Christ.

CARPENTER

KneEmail

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

THAT’S PROBABLY WHAT Joseph and Mary’s neighbors said many times…

What was he like as a child? There are some fanciful and apocryphal stories about Jesus performing various miracles as a child. On one occasion, supposedly, he didn’t feel like building the piece of furniture his father had asked him to build, so he enlisted the aid of squirrels and birds to hammer the nails and shape the wood.

But if that was all there was about Mary’s son Jesus, then he wouldn’t have been very special, would he? We get only glimpses of him as a young man. There is the self-assured twelve-year-old who sat with theologians and scholars discussing God’s law (Luke 2:41-49). When his frantic parents scolded him, he made that enigmatic statement about “being in my Father’s house.” Somehow the carpenter’s shop did not seem to be his destiny! His answer verged ever so closely to a scolding in return, and remarkably, his parents let it pass.

They knew there was something about their son.

There is so much that we are curious about. Did he play with neighborhood friends? Probably. Did he go to a local synagogue school and become a bar Mitsvah, a son of the covenant? Yes, all Jewish boys did. The Bible tells us that he grew “in wisdom and stature, in favor with God and man.” Obviously it is vital to grow in favor with God, but it is impressive that he earned the respect of the community, too. Young men seem to work so hard at earning the community’s fear and disrespect these days!

And we wonder when exactly it became clear to Jesus that there was something about him that was unique. When he proclaimed his message as an adult, he was fully conscious of his uniqueness. “Anyone who has seen me has seen the father,” Jesus declared (John 14:9). To see Jesus act, and hear him speak was to catch a glimpse of God himself.

This was no mere magic act. This was God himself, with us (Matthew 1:23). Yes, there really is something about Mary’s son. Come and see him. (Stan Mitchell)

“Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him” (Mark 6:3).

Thanks for being there to pray each day. You and your prayers mean so much to so many! If you have a praise report, a prayer request, or an update to share. please feel free to do so. Others will pray with you!

Anna Lee

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father …

[I pray that] you,

being rooted and firmly established in love,

may be able … to know the Messiah’s love

that surpasses knowledge,

so you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

~Ephesians 3:14, 17-19, HCSB~

Jesse Dean is doing well. He is working to gain back his strength now.

Kentwood Police Officer Donald Garner will have surgery in Lacombe Wednesday. Please be in prayer.

Mrs. Jeanette Rhodus will have surgery this morning at North Oaks. She was just found to have cancer. Please pray for “Miss” Jeanette and her family.

Jennie Stegall and her family continue to need our prayers.

Pray for Tina Cox and her family as Tina undergoes cancer treatment.

Several people have medical procedures or important appointments today. Please be in pray for each situation.

Lee Thomas Bartholomae Sr.
A retired safety and security director for the U.S. government, he passed away Saturday, April 5, 2008, in Baton Rouge. He was 84, a native of Jacksonville, Fla., and resident of Baton Rouge. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in the Normandy invasion. Visitation at Ourso Funeral Home, Gonzales, on Monday, April 7, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitation at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, Whitehall, on Tuesday from 9 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m., with Monsignor Gerald Lefebvre, celebrant. Burial in Whitehall Cemetery. Survived by his wife, Belva Delatte Bartholomae, Baton Rouge; daughter and son-in-law, Loretta B. and William Jeter, Baton Rouge; two sons and daughters-in-law, Lee Thomas “Tom” and Charlene Bartholomae, Kentwood, and James Frederick “Jimmy” and Cindy Bartholomae, Chalmette; and seven grandchildren, Nathan, Katie, Grace, Jamie, Michael, Theresa and Mark. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and NARFD and an avid woodworker. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice of Baton Rouge, 9063 Siegen Lane, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70810.

Deacon Hospital Ministry – April 6-12

• Andy Taylor

• Mike Estay
  

Two Rivers Associational Semi-Annual Meeting

• Monday, April 14
  
• Greensburg F.B.C.
• 6:30 P.M.
  

KneEmail

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

(Philippians 2:10).
Mike Benson, Editor
APOLOGIZING DOESN’T COME easy for some of us…

We sometimes choke on the words, “I’m sorry.” Well, in fact, sometimes we speak the words, but we do so with such animosity, the message is lost.

I can illustrate. Being a parent of four children, I have had to “moderate” a good number of apologies. On many occasions, I have told one of my children, “Now you tell your brother/sister you’re sorry.” What then comes out of their mouth sounds more like a child who is demon possessed than a sincere apology. Teeth clenched…jaw set…and the words, “I’m sorry” are spoken in a forceful and almost growling tone. (If you have children, you know exactly what I’m talking about).

But now, that’s just kid’s stuff right? Adults don’t behave like that, now do we? Well, maybe we’re not so obvious, but we still have ways of speaking those words with less than sincerity. For example, how many times have you heard people say things like…

— If I have done anything to offend you, I’m sorry.
— I’m sorry, but if you wouldn’t have…
— If you’ll apologize to me, I’ll apologize to you.

Isn’t it time we quit pretending to be sorry? Let us discipline ourselves to be humble enough to graciously and freely say we are sorry when we have offended others. When confronted with his sin, King David didn’t make any excuses, but simply admitted his wrong by saying, “I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Samuel 12:13).

Next time you need to say you’re sorry. Humble yourself and do so, and say it like you mean it. (Steve Higginbotham)

“I said, ‘LORD, be merciful to me;

Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.'”

~Psm. 41:4~

Make today a magnificent Monday!

Anna Lee

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock.

If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,

I will come in to him and eat with him,

and he with me.”

~Revelation 3:20, ESV~

Joan Hagan likes to say she keeps “life interesting”. She broke her big toe this week and had a flat tire on her wheelchair yesterday. She needs a new tube (4.0 x 5). She was unable to get one yesterday. Please pray for her. Surgery is only three and a half weeks away.

Jannie Jarreau Allen
Jannie Allen died on Saturday, April 5, 2008, at her residence in Kentwood. She was 50 and a native of New Roads. Visitation at Living Word Christian Centre, Grangeville, on Monday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Tuesday from 8 a.m. until religious service at 10 a.m. She is survived by her husband of 24 years, Roger Dale Allen, of Kentwood; son, Everett Dale Allen, 24 and of Kentwood; granddaughter, Dana Marie Allen, 2 years old and of Kentwood; two brothers, Donald Jarreau, of Central and Joseph Jarreau, of Walker; and sister, Resa Odom, of Central. She was preceded in death by her mother, Vernice Marie St. Romain Jarreau; and father, Joseph Harris Jarreau. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Living Word Christian Centre, 2496 La. 63, Pine Grove, LA 70453. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, is in charge of arrangements. For information, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Baptist Press had some very interesting articles last week. You may want to use the link on the right side of this page to read some of them.

The ladies’ prayer group will meet at 6:30 in the morning at Mojo’s. Please feel free to join us. We will be finished before 7:00 so you will have plenty of time to get to work.

HOW MUCH DO YOU OWN

IN THAT DIRECTION?

George Washington Truett was a preacher in Dallas for 47 years. He once visited a wealthy West Texas rancher and had dinner in his huge ranch home. After dinner, the rancher took Dr. Truett up to a veranda on top of his house, and lit up a big cigar. The sun was setting, and if you’ve ever been to West Texas, you know you can see a long way out there. The man pointed to the south toward some oil rigs and said, “I own everything in that direction as far as you can see.” He pointed east toward some cotton fields and said, “And I own everything in that direction, too.” He pointed north toward a huge herd of cattle and bragged, “And, preacher, I own everything as far as you can see in that direction.” He turned to the west, and said, “And I own everything you can see in that direction, except the sun, of course.”

Dr. Truett turned to the man and pointed straight up the sky and said, “And how much do you own in that direction?”

It’s a sobering question for all of us. We are surrounded constantly by the “things” of this world, and it is so easy to think that these “things” are the things that matter most — a nice car, a nice home, nice clothes (and don’t forget all the necessary electronic gadgets!). And so, if we’re not careful, we may seek to accumulate more and more, without regard to our relationship with God. As the rich fool discovered in Luke 12, we will all one day be forced to recognize that the material things we have accumulated have no eternal value.

Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

How much do you own in that direction?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

“How much do you own in that direction?”

That’s a good question we should all ask ourselves!

Anna Lee

“My voice You shall hear in the morning,

O Lord;

in the morning I will direct it to You,

and I will look up.”

~Psalm 5:3~

Family connection to Baby Aaron Hill explained by Frann Clark:

Marshall is not related to me.

Aaron is the grandson of my 1st cousin, Jerry Risher, who lives in Enterprise, MS. Jerry’s father and my mother were sister & brother.

Marshall’s parents were from Jackson, MS. Aaron’s mother and father, Faith and Scott, work in Jackson & live in Madison, MS. They were friends of Marshall’s parents, Jennifer & Jeremiah.

Thanks for asking & for your concern.

God Bless You
Frann

FBC Deacons for Hospital Visitation this week:

• Bobby Raborn
• Frankie Gehringer

I shared this devotional thought several years ago. Alan Smith sent it again, so I’m sharing it again. It reminds of a a wonderful concept of God.

CRACKED POTS

The story is told of a water bearer in India who had two large pots. They hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck, but one of the pots had a crack in it. While the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots of water to his master’s house.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. “I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.”

“Why?” asked the bearer. “What are you ashamed of?”

“I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don’t get full value from your efforts,” the pot said.

In his compassion, the water bearer said, “As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.”

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.”

It is an amazing thing (but true) that God is able to accomplish some wonderful things through our efforts, in spite of our imperfections. Paul said of his role as a preacher of the gospel:

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” (2 Cor. 4:7).

Though we may often feel inadequate and useless, if we will continue about the task that God has given us, we will produce fruit and influence lives in ways we may not even be aware of.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (I Cor. 15:58).

May your life “abound” this day in the work of the Lord! Though you may feel like a “cracked pot”, your efforts are not in vain.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

It’s a good think we don’t have to be perfect to be used in His service. I certainly wouldn’t qualify! Would you?

Anna Lee

And climbing out of the boat,

Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus.

But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid.

And beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out His hand,

caught hold of him,

and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Matthew 14:29-31 (HCSB)

Aaron Hill

Early Friday morning
Frann Smith Clark

This morning brings more disappointment. We had gotten excited yesterday evening when Aaron got moved to a private room. We saw it as a sign of improvement. However, this morning’s x-ray shows that there is more fluid building up on the left side of Aaron’s chest. They stopped his feeds and are putting a chest tube in his left side this morning. They are also doing another catheterization this afternoon. Another scary procedure and it means Aaron will go on the ventilator again. We want them to find the problem so our Aaron can get better, but we are scared for our little man. Please pray for him and for the doctors as they sort out the questions. Please pray that God will solve the problem and heal Aaron.

Friday Evening

Just a quick update for everyone. Aaron has been out of his cath for a bit. The preliminary report is that there is a hole where they closed his VSD and possibly another hole. Because of the holes, the right side of his heart has been pumping three times as much blood as normal. This is the reason his heart has been working so very hard for the past 9 days. It is doubtful that they will be able to close the holes without doing another surgery, but we await the review from Aaron’s surgeon. Aaron has been such a strong little man throughout this trial. Please pray that he will continue to be strong and that God will do a mighty work and close these holes Himself. We will give Him all the glory.

Baby Rebecca will be buried today. Her family delayed the burial because the pastor, family members, and friends were on a mission trip to Mexico this week. Please be in prayer for them as they bury this precious gift that God loaned them for a short period of time.

Mickey Cade

• 75th birthday party
• 2-4 P.M. today
• FBC, Fellowship Hall
• No gifts

Migrant Kits

• Due Wednesday

DAILY AFFIRMATIONS

The following have been suggested as some ineffective daily affirmations:

– I have the power to channel my imagination into ever-soaring
levels of suspicion and paranoia.

– I assume full responsibility for my actions, except the ones that
are someone else’s fault.

– I no longer need to punish, deceive or compromise myself. Unless,of course, I want to stay employed.

– I honor my personality flaws, for without them I would have no
personality at all.

– I am grateful that I am not as judgmental as all those censorious, self-righteous people around me.

– I need not suffer in silence while I can still moan, whimper and complain.

– The first step is to say nice things about myself. The second, to do nice things for myself. The third, to find someone to buy me nice things.

– All of me is beautiful and valuable, even the ugly, stupid, and
disgusting parts.

– Only a lack of imagination saves me from immobilizing myself with imaginary fears.

– Today I will gladly share my experience and advice, for there are no sweeter words than “I told you so.”

– A good scapegoat is nearly as welcome as a solution to the problem.

– Just for today, I will not sit in my living room all day watching
TV. Instead I will move my TV into the bedroom.

– I will find humor in my everyday life by looking for people I can
laugh at.

– I am willing to make the mistakes if someone else is willing to
learn from them.

There’s obviously not a single one of the affirmations above that provides a foundation for successful living. So what can we “affirm” daily that will give us the strength we need to face the difficulties that each day bring? Allow me to share with you two affirmations from scripture:

“[The accusers] had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.” (Acts 25:19)

“This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works.” (Titus 3:8)

If we will affirm daily (acknowledging God’s power) that Jesus Christ was not left in the tomb, but is a risen Savior, and if we will affirm daily (acknowledging our responsibility) that we ought to live lives of obedient faith, then we truly have the foundation to meet whatever life sends our way.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Your prayers mean so much to so many. Thank you for being there each day. Please feel free to contact me with praises, requests, and updates for The Prayer Link. (You can do so by using the CONTACT button at the top of The Prayer Link screen.)

Anna Lee

“Not all people who sound religious are really godly.

They may refer to me as ‘Lord,’

but they still won’t enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

The decisive issue is whether they obey my Father in heaven.”

~Matthew 7:21 (NLT)~

You are invited to a share group at the Alford cabin tonight at 6:30.

Pray for all those who will travel in the next 7-10 days.

Jesse Dean received two more units of blood. He’s having some problems, but they should not keep him in rehabilitation any extra days.

Larry Bankston of Arcola had three stents put in his heart this week. Pray for him as he needs to make some lifestyle changes.

Ralph E. Owens, Jr.

March 16, 1958 – March 18, 2008

Died at 6:05 PM on Tuesday March 18, 2008 at his residence. He was 50, a native of Baton Rouge and a resident of Mt. Nebo. Visitation at the McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite on Thursday, March 20, 2008 from 6:00PM until 9:00PM and 10:00AM until Religious Services at 1:00PM Friday, March 21, 2008 in the Funeral Home Chapel, Conducted by Rev. Gary Weiborg. Interment at the Dees Cemetery. Survived by his Children-John Lewis, Clifford, & Robin Brooke-Amite, Mother-Gayle D. Owens-Mt. Nebo, Sister-Donna Owens, Mt. Nebo, Brother-John Owens-Petal, MS. Preceded in death by: Father-Ralph E. Owens, Sr., Grandparents-Theopolis & Rosaline Owens and Perry & Lena Mae Dees. Ralph, Jr. enjoyed spending time with his friends & family, cooking, telling stories, but really enjoyed cooking for others (mystery meat was his specialty). He will be sadly missed by many. In lieu of flowers the family request donations to the American Cancer Society or a Charity of your choice. McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home is located on I-55 & Hwy 16W next to Coggins-Gentry Ford. An on-line Guestbook is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com

COMPLAIN OR FISH?

A game warden noticed how a particular fellow named Sam consistently caught more fish than anyone else, whereas the other guys would only catch three or four a day. Sam would come in off the lake with a boat full.

Stringer after stringer was always packed with freshly caught trout. The warden, curious, asked Sam his secret. The successful fisherman invited the game warden to accompany him and observe. So the next morning the two met at the dock and took off in Sam’s boat. When they got to the middle of the lake, Sam stopped the boat, and the warden sat back to see how it was done.

Sam’s approach was simple. He took out a stick of dynamite, lit it, and threw it in the air. The explosion rocked the lake with such a force that dead fish immediately began to surface. Sam took out a net and started scooping them up.

Well, you can imagine the reaction of the game warden. When he recovered from the shock of it all, he began yelling at Sam. “You can’t do this! I’ll put you in jail, buddy! You will be paying every fine there is in the book!”

Sam, meanwhile, set his net down and took out another stick of dynamite. He lit it and tossed it in the lap of the game warden with these words, “Are you going to sit there all day complaining, or are you going to fish?”

Seems to me we have two similar options as Christians — we can spend our time complaining or we can “fish.” Jesus, of course, used the concept of fishing to describe the work of evangelism (“Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” — Matthew 4:19). The method we use does not involve dynamite, but it does involve the word from which dynamite comes to us — “dunamis,” the Greek word for “power.”

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,

for it is the power of God to salvation

for everyone who believes,

for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

~Romans 1:16~

I’ve known some folks in the church who use the “dunamis” of the gospel to fish for souls, and I’ve known other folks content to do nothing but sit back and complain about what everybody else is or isn’t doing. It’s your choice — Are you going to complain or are you going to fish?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

“Just as Christ was raised from the dead

by the glory of the Father,

so we too may walk in a new way of life.”

~Romans 6:4b, HCSB~