Monday

“As the deer pants for the water brooks,

So pants my soul for You, O God.

My soul thirsts for God,

for the living God.”

~Psalm 42:1-2a, NKJV~

The Storms of Life

The following quote comes from Kim Sherer:

“One night while my young son, Ryan, was sleeping, a storm began brewing outside. After a loud clap of thunder, I heard him wake up so I headed toward his room to comfort him. He asked me to stay with him until he fell asleep. As I lay there I realized he hadn’t asked me to make the storm go away, but to stay with him. How many times, I wondered, have I asked God to take away the storms of life, when instead I need to ask him to stay with me and help me weather them more peacefully?”

What a beautiful thought!

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Father, we do indeed pray for your comforting presence in the storms of our lives. As much as we might desire for the storms to go away, it is much important to us that you remain with us and see us through the storms. Thank you for your assurance that you will do that for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

 

 

 

Start the week off on the right foot.

Anna Lee

Sunday Evening

Delton Emanuel Davis was born on January 29, 1923 and passed away at 10:40 a.m., Saturday, August 27, 2011 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. He was 88, a native of Tangipahoa and a resident of Kentwood.

Mr. Delton is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lynette Morgan Davis, Kentwood; 4 daughters, Ann Bolton and husband Johnny, Tickfaw, Barbara Hatcher and husband Jimmie, Kentwood, Theresa Smith and husband Billy, Amite, Denise Gill and husband, Mike, Kentwood; sister, Bertha Stanton, Los Alamos, CA; 2 brothers, James Davis and wife Nell, Kentwood and Devoyal Davis and wife Mary Ellen, Coushatta; 8 grandchildren, Vikki Booty, Brian Diddon, Blane Diddon, Brad Diddon, Major Hatcher, Justin Hatcher, Stan Gill & Chris Gill; 2 great grandchildren, Journey Diddon and Landon Dufrene; also numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Preceded in death by his parents, Perry and Velma Varnado Davis; 4 brothers, Herman Davis, J.Q. Davis, Arthur Davis, & Paul Davis; grandson, Ricky Booty.

Pallbearers will be Brian Diddon, Blane Diddon, Brad Diddon, Major Hatcher, Justin Hatcher, Stan Gill & Chris Gill.

Visitation at the McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Monday, August 29, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Tuesday, August 29, 2011 from 8:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home Chapel with Dr. Danny Smith officiating. Interment in the Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA

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

Sunday

Since everything around us is going to melt away,

what holy, godly lives you should be living!

~2 Peter 3:11 LB~

 

Mr. Kenneth Felker’s wife and daughter are both doing better.  Thank you for your continued prayers for them.

 

Jadon’s Story:I’m 2, I’m walking with my walker, and the plan for Detroit 🙂 http://jadonsisstory.blogspot.com/2011/08/im-2-im-walking-with-my-walker-and-plan.html

I’m 2!!! My 2nd birthday was August 25. My family came over and we had cake and ice cream. It was alot of fun. My Aunt Mendy made me a Mickey Mouse cake and I loved it. My favorite part of the party was playing in my playroom with my cousins. Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate with us.

I’ve been doing really well lately. My seizures are still the same but I continue to do new things. Just this week I began to walk some using my walker. My mommy has to stand there but hey I’m doing it. It’s AMAZING. I attached the video for you to see. I don’t like it but I’ll get use to it.

Ok so we have our dates for Detroit. They originally told us that it would be November before we could get an appointment. Well they called and my appointment is at the end of September. We are so excited that we do not have to wait until November. We will leave September 20. I will have a PET scan on the 21st, a AMT PET on the 22nd, and then an appointment with the neurologist on the 23rd. I will not have to have another 48 hour VEEG since I just had one in Boston…Yay!!!!! My mommy and daddy will be going with me this time. My brother is going to stay home with my MiMi. We were able to find a nonstop flight from New Orleans to Detroit for a reasonable price. I am 2 now so my mommy and daddy had to pay for my flight for the first time. Not fun but we will have more room on the flight..LOL We were able to put in a request for the family housing in Detroit, so hopefully they will have availabilty. We should know sometime next week. Please begin to pray for my trip. We feel like this is our last chance at finding someone that can help get my seizures under control. We believe this is the next step we should take and we are trusting that God will continue to guide us on this journey.

I’ll post the arrangements for Mr. Dalton Davis when they are available.

Shawn Paul Edwards passed away last night.  I will also past his obituary later.

 

Small Town Atmosphere

You know you live in a small town when…..

Third Street is on the edge of town.

You don’t use your turn signals because everyone knows where you’re going.

A baby born on June 14 receives gifts from local merchants as the first baby of the year.

You speak to each dog you pass by name and he wags his tail at you.

You dial a wrong number and talk for 15 minutes anyway.

You can’t walk for exercise because every car that passes you offers you a ride.

In order to paint traffic lines, the road has to be widened

The Mayor is also the Sheriff, Town Council and street sweeper.

There is no town idiot — everybody has to take turns.

You can name everyone you graduated with.

You have to drive an hour to buy a pair of socks.

You get a whiff of manure and think of home.

You fix yourself up to go buy groceries lest anyone starts the rumor that you have gained weight or quit taking care of yourself.

Friday nights fun consisted of standing in line for the one-screen theater and when it is sold out, watching truckers and drinking coffee at the truck stop (the only place open after 10).

Someone asks you how you feel and listens to what you say.

There are certainly some disadvantages to growing up in a small town, but some advantages as well. Especially when it comes to having people around you who truly care. In a large city, it’s easy to find yourself surrounded by a sea of nameless faces. That is something that we dare not allow to happen in the church.

The 16th chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans is important, though you may have previously overlooked its significance. The chapter consists of a series of greetings, most of them to people whose names we can’t even pronounce. No less than 28 members of the church in Rome are mentioned by name. Why? Perhaps Paul wanted to remind this group of Christians in a large city that they were not nameless faces — they were part of God’s family. We not only mean something to God, we mean something to one another. It’s a “small town atmosphere” even in a “large city church.”

“Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them. Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.” (Rom. 16:14-16)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

 

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Saturday Evening

Delton Emanuel Davis

Emanuel Davis
(January 29, 1923 – August 27, 2011)

Delton Emanuel Davis was born on January 29, 1923 and passed away at 10:40 a.m., Saturday, August 27, 2011 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. He was 88, a native of Tangipahoa and a resident of Kentwood.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time.

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

Saturday

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

with my mouth will I make known

Your faithfulness to all generations.”

~Psalm 89:1~

 

According to Par, the Felker ladies are doing okay this morning,

Momma will be coming home Wednesday after two months of hospitalization! Pray for the family as we plan to care for her.

My new medication is working very well.  The pain is almost gone.

Pray for the Conleay family as they celebrate the life of Mr. Bell this morning.

The Silent Witness

Devotional for Sunday, August 14, 2011 by Allan Smith

Ezekiel 3:18-19 – When I say to a wicked man, “You will surely die,” and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself. (NIV)

I often hear from Christians that they are satisfied to be just a silent witness. But is that enough?

Let’s listen in on a court case involving the questioning of a witness.

Clerk: Mr. Jones, please take the Bible in your right hand. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
Witness: Yes I do.
Attorney: Now, on the evening of the alleged crime, you were very close to the crime scene. Is that right, Mr. Jones?
Witness: Yes, sir, I was.
Attorney: And would you please describe to the court what you observed.
Witness: Well, I always take my dog for a walk in that area. I believe that it is important for upright citizens to walk their dogs regularly.
Attorney: True, Mr. Jones, but did you see anything of importance to this case?
Witness: Yes, but I’m not at liberty to share what I saw at this time.
Attorney: I see; you witnessed the crime and choose to remain silent about it?
Witness: Yes, that’s right.
Attorney: Then, you are of no use to this court. You may step down. My next witness, please!

It’s obvious from this court dialogue that the witness had valuable information for the case but was reluctant to share it.

If we are satisfied with just showing others around us what a good person we are, without sharing salvation through Jesus, I feel we miss the boat.

There are lots of unsaved people that we know who live good lives and serve their community well. But they are not required to share the gospel — we are.

Yes, we must exhibit a godly life in service to those around us and pray for the Holy Spirit to open their hearts. But let’s be sensitive to God’s leading and open our mouths to share Jesus with them. Let us not be silent witnesses.

Prayer: Father, many times, we reluctantly hold back from speaking to others about Jesus’ great salvation. We who have surrendered our lives to Him have the blessed assurance of heaven when we die; may we not keep it to ourselves. Holy Spirit, revive the desire in us to see souls saved so that their blood will not be on our hands. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Allan Smith
Innisfil, Ontario, Canada

 

Friday

“For the word of the LORD is right,

and all His work is trustworthy.

He loves righteousness and justice;

the earth is full of the LORD’s unfailing love.”

~Psalm 33:4-5, HCSB~

Continue to pray for the Felker family.  As of last night, B.J. was doing better and could possibly leave North Oaks today, but her mother was no doing well. She was still in ICU.  Pray for this family with two sick ladies.  Pray for Mr. Felker who hasn’t been out of the hospital too long.

Heart to Heart with Holley

5 Ways to Get Rid of an Emotional Hangover

Has someone ever said to you {or perhaps you’ve said to yourself}, “just get over it”?

As a life coach, people often tell me that advice is far easier said than done. And they usually feel guilty that’s the case. But our inability to “get over it” quickly isn’t a failure. It’s actually part of how God wired our minds.

When we have a negative experience, our brains release certain chemicals that correlate with what’s happening. Those chemicals act like helpful little messengers that tell us about what’s going on in our world.

Yes, our thoughts have influence on what we feel but there is a decidedly physical aspect too. That shouldn’t surprise us–with almost everything intangible God ties a physical manifestation to it {ex: the Word made flesh}.

So long after you’ve decided that you will indeed “let it go” there are still those chemicals floating around in your body. It’s like you have an emotional hangover.

Fortunately, there are some ways to speed up the process of moving past negative emotions…

1) Take a walk – Actually, any kind of exercise helps because it releases endorphins, the “feel good” chemicals God put in our brains. Those endorphins replace the negative chemicals and give our moods a boost. Even ten minutes of exercise can help.

2) Listen to upbeat music – Music also impacts us physically in some mysterious ways. It helps release endorphins as well. And if you move around to your favorite tune, even better.

3) Find flow – The state of “flow” is described as when you do something that’s enjoyable, challenging, and makes you lose track of time. You are completely “in the moment” and everything else is forgotten {including that experience you just had}. Flow might come for you by cooking, writing, painting or any other activity where you mind is fully engaged.

4) Pray honestly – When we have negative emotions, we can pray some pretty cliche prayers. It’s okay to say, “God, I’m really mad/hurt/disappointed.” Throughout the Psalms David fully and deeply expressed ALL of his emotions–we can too.

5) Spend time with a positive person – If you’re down in the dumps, find someone who’s a little closer to cloud nine. Research has shown that because we’re created to be social, we often “catch” each other’s moods much like we would catch a cold {but in a good way}. Being with someone uplifiting really can make a difference.

If you try all of the above and there are still some traces of negativity hanging around, then it’s time to wait it out. As you do, give yourself grace. It’s okay for it to take time to get over hurt or frustration. It’s simply a reflection that you are human {and a wonderfully made one too–even in those moments}.

What helps you move past negative emotions?

 

I hope you are not dealing with an emotional hangover today, but if you are maybe these words by Holley will be helpful.

Anna Lee

Thursday

Your attitude must be like my own,

for I, the Messiah,

did not come to be served,

but to serve,

and to give my life.

~Matthew 20:28 LB~

 

 

Tripp Roth

http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/

 

 

From Pam Sellers

Brent (Miller) is doing a little better. He is eating one meal a day. The doctors put him back on his original medicine. He is still very depressed, but we are praying the original medicine will bring Brent out of it. Thanks for praying and please keep Brent and his family in your prayers.
Pam

Please continue to pray for all the grieving families.  May they turn to God.

 

Baptist Press

http://www.bpnews.net/

 

 

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

I heard about a man who was drafted into the army.  While in the army he developed a very strange habit.  As he walked along each day he kept picking up pieces of paper, saying to himself aloud, “That’s not it!”  He would pick up one piece of paper after another and say, “That’s not it. That’s not it!”

This went on for about six months.  His bizarre behavior was finally brought to the attention of his superiors.  They ordered him to report to the base psychiatrist.  The psychiatrist asked, “What is wrong with you? What is the problem?”

The man had a baffled expression on his face as he said, “What problem?  I don’t have a problem.”

The psychiatrist said, “Well, there’s got to be something wrong with you. It has been reported to me that you keep going all over this base picking up pieces of paper and saying, ‘That’s not it, that’s not it!”  So, tell me, just what is it you are looking for?”

The man said, “I don’t know.  I just don’t seem to be able to find it.” The psychiatrist consulted some of his colleagues, then told the man, “I think your problem is serious, and I’m going to give you a medical discharge from the Army.”

When the psychiatrist handed him the discharge papers, the man jumped up and shouted excitedly, “This is it!  This is it!  This is what I’ve been looking for!”

This story reminds me of an incident in the gospel of John where two men were asked the same question.

“The next day John was there again with two of his followers.  When he saw Jesus walking by, he said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’  The two followers heard John say this, so they followed Jesus.  When Jesus turned and saw them following him, he asked, ‘What are you looking for?'” (John 1:35-38a, NCV)

It’s an important question for all of us.  What are you looking for?  On occasion, we may stumble across something we weren’t searching for, but most of the time we have no hope of finding something unless we’re looking for it.  For example, I understand that there is a lot of ginseng in the mountains of North Carolina.  When we lived in Boone, I knew a lot of people who found ginseng, but I never did, and I’m sure a big reason for that is that I never looked for it.

Spiritually speaking, what are you looking for?  So many people miss out on much that God has to offer simply because they don’t have hearts that are searching.  Are you searching for a right relationship with God?  Are you searching for a congregation of God’s people?  Are you searching to know God’s will in a difficult decision you’re facing?  What Jesus promised is true:  “Seek and you will find.” (Matthew 7:7)

By the way, those two disciples in John 1 found exactly what they were looking for.  “‘We have found the Messiah.” (John 1:41).

What are you looking for?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

 

 

When your problems seem big, remember, God is bigger!

Anna Lee

Wednesday Night

Willie Carruth “Bill” Conleay was born March 7, 1928 in Jackson, LA. He was 83, and a lifelong resident of Greensburg, LA, who passed away Tuesday, August 23, 2011at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. He was an automobile salesperson for 55 years. During his career he was named a member of the prestigious Chevrolet Legion of Leaders Honor Club for 36 years. He was a veteran of the United States Army.

Mr. Bill is survived by his wife of 34 years, Diana Walker Conleay, Greensburg; daughter Deborah Lynn Browning, Wilmer; sons, Gary Vance Conleay and wife Emily, McDonough, GA, Randy Lynn Conleay, Greensburg, and Stephen Mark Browning and wife Amy, Walker; grandchildren, Justin Lehmann and wife Courtney, St. Charles, MO, Carlin Conleay Dixon and husband John, Savannah, GA, Gary Michael Conleay and wife Katie, Savannah, GA, Kenneth Allen Conleay, Harrisburg, PA, Joshua Conleay and wife Haley, Greensburg, Sarah Conleay, Greensburg, Austin Browning, Camp LeJuene, NC, Ashley Perck and husband Josh, Walker, Nicholas Browning, Walker and Lindsey Bickham, Walker;  special cousin, Yvonne Pecoraro, Hammond, 11 great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Preceded in death by parents, John and Willie Allen Conleay; daughter, Audrey Conleay Lehmann; great grandson, Aaron Cole Lehmann; special aunt, Nancy Allen Carruth; sisters, Amy Mae McNabb, Addie Allen, Minnie Fleming; brothers, Nathan “Bilbo” Conleay, Dillon Carruth, Nicholas Elton Carruth, William Carruth, O.D. Carruth and Nettles Carruth

Visitation at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Friday, August 26, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Saturday, August 27, 2011 at the Greensburg United Methodist Church from 8:00 a.m. until the Celebration of Life Worship Services at 11:00 a.m. in the Church with Rev. Kenneth Reed officiating. Interment in Greensburg Cemetery, Greensburg, LA.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons; Honorary Pallbearers will be Randy Konzelman, Jackie Konzelman, Bill Hood, Larry Carruth, Daryl Carruth and Leo Easley.

Family request Memorial Donations be made to Greensburg United Methodist Church, 6349 Highway 10 Greensburg, LA 70441, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial and Honor Program, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or The Jason Foundation, Inc., 8 Volunteer Drive, Hendersonville, TN 37075

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home is located at I-55N (Exit 46) and Hwy 16W next to Hood Chevrolet and behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash, Bond Eye Clinic and Holiday Inn Express.

 

Diane Strickland Woodard
(November 28, 1944 – August 23, 2011)

A resident of Hammond, she died at 1:41 p.m. on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond. She was born November 28, 1944 in Amite and was 66 years of age. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 10 a.m. until religious services at 2 p.m. on Friday, August 26, 2011. Services conducted by Rev. Mike Woodard. Interment Arcola-Roseland Cemetery, Roseland. Survived by 6 children, George Sartar, Charles Sartar, Sarah Lee Sartar, Regina Sartar, Avery Logue, and Paul Holden, 6 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren, sisters, Maggie Holden and Shirley Sanders, brothers, Frank Strickland, James Strickland, and Luther Ray McAllister, special niece, Brandy Hayden. Preceded in death by husband, Woody Woodard, parents, Frank and Dorothy Strickland, and sister, Judy Strickland.