Tuesday

Do not merely listen to the word,

and so deceive yourselves.

Do what it says.

~James 1:22 (NIV)~

 

Please pray for our young friend Layton Bankston of Roseland who is leaving for Afghanistan today.

 

Baptist Press Stories for Mar. 21, 2011

—————————————

Abortion rights supporters find new target: crisis pregnancy centers     http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34884


Japanese layman undertakes evacuation effort, buses 31 from danger zone     http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34883


Japan missionaries relocate, vow to return

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34885

 

Rural church’s windfall plowed into missions     http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34886


Porn gains its .xxx Web domain

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34887


Iorg ponders a Spirit-filled seminary

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34888

Elliff, in teleconference, answers questions

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34882


BP Ledger, March 21 edition

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34889


FIRST-PERSON: The pain — and hope — after a loved one’s death     http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34890
—————————————

Kneemail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2.10
Mike Benson, Editor

SOLOMON TOLD IT right when he said, “Of making many books there is no end” (Ecclesiastes 12:12)…

The number of books extant today would dwarf any library Solomon ever saw or imagined. We have old books, new books, reprints, classics, even e-books. Now you can purchase a hand held device and wirelessly download entire books to it for reading anywhere, at your convenience–a virtual library in your pocket. If we were to take time to count all the volumes in our homes, we might be surprised how many books accumulate over the years. As a preacher, my religious library has grown with time, including hundreds of volumes of greater and lesser value (though it is still small compared to many). Some I would hate to part with. Others just occupy shelf space. In younger days, I was driven to build up a library, thinking that more books translated into more advantage to a preacher. These days, it is only occasionally that a book is added to the collection and I am more motivated to actually read what is on the shelf, rather than be on the lookout for something new to place on the shelf. Good books can aid immeasurably in Bible study, depending on the caliber of their content, and assuming they are read with a discerning eye, educated in the Scriptures. Though a fan of helpful books, I was, nevertheless, struck by an observation that Alexander Campbell made about his father:

“In my boyhood, when entering into his study, in which he had a large and well-assorted library, I was wont to wonder on seeing, with a very few exceptions, only his Bible and Concordance on the table, with a simple outfit of pen, ink, and paper. Whether he had read all these volumes, and cared nothing more for them, or whether he regarded them as wholly useless, I presumed not to inquire, and dared not to decide. But such was the fact” (Memoirs of Elder Thomas Campbell, p. 271).

Isn’t that really what it ought to come down to? For all that can be said in favor of things like commentaries (bad examples of which can do much harm), there is nothing to take the place of a man alone with his Bible. It is easy for our perceptions to be colored by something read elsewhere, and we may end up missing what the Bible actually says because we have been helped into a misunderstanding by an unhelpful book (or article, preacher, etc.). Whatever benefit we reap from other sources, we will always need open Bibles, prayerful hearts, and minds keen on learning exactly what God wrote. And, perhaps, the church would be in better shape if, along with having his honesty of heart, more of our preachers had desks like Thomas Campbell’s.  Weylan Deaver at: http://wdeaver.wordpress.com/2011/03/21/of-making-many-books/
“I will delight myself in Your statutes;I will not forget Your word.”  Psalm 119:16

 

Thanks for praying today.

Anna Lee

Monday Evening

Mr. Frankie Gehringer is beginning his physical therapy at home.   Pray for him as he goes through the therapy needed to get him back to walking.

 

Ora Lee Wilson just called to tell me about her arm.  She fell on her carport and dislocated it.  Thankfully, it is her left arm and she has a daughter and a granddaughter close by to help her.  Ora Lee is in a lot of pain, so pray for that to get better.  She needs to keep her arm immobilized and will have it checked weekly to see that it is still in position.

Ladies, just because Alice Faye, Mary, Ora Lee, and I have fallen and injured an arm, don’t think for a minute it is fun or anything you want to join in and do yourself.  Alice Faye is fine now, the the other three of us could use your continued prayers.

 

 

Monday Addition

Bernie Gill was able to have heart surgery this morning.  He had four bypasses and is doing well.  Keep Bernie and his family in your prayers.

 

 

Paul L. Cobb, Jr.
(July 27, 1939 – March 20, 2011)

Paul L. Cobb, Jr. a loving husband, father, grandfather & great- grandfather was born July 27, 1939 and passed away at 9:40 a.m., Sunday, March 20, 2011 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. He was 71, a native of Franklin, TX and a resident of Amite.

Paul was a retired Louisiana State Police Crime Lab Director, member of Southern Association of Forensic Science, part-time lecturer at Southeastern Louisiana University for 28 years, former employee at Hood Automotive, served as secretary for the Tri State Rodeo Association of which he enjoyed a lifelong association & he served our country in the US Air National Guard.

Paul is survived by his wife of 49 years, Glenda Dearman Cobb, Amite; son, Tobin Cobb and wife Lora, Amite; 2 daughters, Debbie Cobb Sceroler and husband Rev. Randy, Henderson, TX and Sherri Cobb Brady and husband Darden, Liberty, MS.; 6 grandchildren, Todd Sceroler and wife Tiffany, Brendan Sceroler and wife Michelle, Jordan Brady, Blake Brady, Sarah Cobb & Evan Cobb; 8 great-grandchildren, Addison, Anslee, Tyler, Lexie, Carson, Christian, Hayden & Catibeth; cousin, Charlsey Utley and husband O. B., Fairfield, TX.

Preceded in death by his parents, Paul L. and Lillian Beatrice Hughes Cobb, Sr.

Visitation at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 from 8:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home Chapel with Rev. Randy Sceroler and Rev. Rusty Durand officiating. Interment in Montpelier Cemetery.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N & Hwy 16W next to Hood Automotive and behind Mr. Tom’ Car Wash and Holiday Inn Express.

 

Monday

“And take the helmet of salvation,

. . . praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,

. . . that utterance may be given to me,

that I may open my mouth boldly

to make known the mystery of the gospel,

. . . that in it I may speak boldly,

as I ought to speak.”

~Ephesians 6:17-20~

 

Mr. Johnny and “Miss” Juanita Pritchett were involved in an wreck in Amite on their way home from church yesterday.  They are home, but banged up.  Please keep them in your prayers.

 

 

North American Mission Board Missionary says thanks for gifts to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering

I was thinking about the freedom I have to meet with unchurched people at starbucks, celebrate birthdays with apartment managers, and coach guys who are passionate about fulfilling their ministry purpose by leading a church. Then I realized very little of that would happen without you and your church giving through the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. Your gifts afford me the living and thus the time to invest in these people’s lives. You are helping me give back and develop the next generation of leaders. I want to take this time to personally thank each of you who has missions so deeply embedded in your soul that you give your dollars to support a work you may never see. People are being changed for eternity, hope for the hopeless, peace for the restless, and Jesus is being lifted up because you are cooperating together with us in the field. Thank You!!!

Louis Spears
Church Planting
Valley Rim Baptist Association
1235 E. Evergreen
Mesa, Arizona 85203


 

I’ll update the obituary for Mr. Paul Cobb when it is available.

 

 

Have a great day!

Anna Lee

Sunday Afternoon

Paul L. Cobb, Jr.
(July 27, 1939 – March 20, 2011)

Paul L. Cobb, Jr. was born July 27, 1939 and passed away at 9:40 a.m., Sunday, March 20, 2011 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. He was 71, a resident of Amite.

Arrangements will be added Monday, March 21, 2011.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N & Hwy 16W next to Hood Automotive and behind Mr. Tom’ Car Wash and Holiday Inn Express.

 

Sunday

You have begun to live the new life,

in which you are being made new

and are becoming like the One who made you.”

~Colossians 3:10a NCV~

We are “becoming brighter and more beautiful

as God enters our lives and we become like him.”

~2 Corinthians 3:18b Msg~

 

Heart to Heart with Holley

http://www.holleygerth.com/

Please take time to read some of Holley’s devotionals.  She touches my heart when I take time to read her writings.  I hope you will feel the same way.

 

Pray for our world.  It seems like there is war and other problems in so many areas.

God sees the big picture!  Trust Him to get us through whatever we face as a nation and whatever we face in our individual lives.

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee


Saturday

 

“O Lord, God of my salvation,
I have cried out day and night before You.
Let my prayer come before You;
incline Your ear to my cry.”
~Psalm 88:1-2~
THE SEARCH IS ON

The boss of a big company needed to call one of his employees about an urgent problem with one of the main computers.  He dialed the employee’s home phone number and was greeted with a child whispering, “Hello?”

Feeling put out at the inconvenience of having to talk to a youngster, the boss asked, “Is your Daddy home?”  “Yes”, whispered the small voice.

“May I talk with him?”, the man asked.  To the surprise of the boss, the small voice whispered, “No.”

Wanting to talk with an adult, the boss asked, “Is your Mommy there?” “Yes”, came the answer.  “May I talk with her?”  Again the small voice whispered, “No.”

Knowing that it was not likely that a young child would be left home alone, the boss decided he would just leave a message with the person who should be there watching over the child.

“Is there anyone there besides you?”, the boss asked the child.  “Yes”, whispered the child,  “A policeman.”

Wondering what an officer would be doing at his employee’s home, the boss asked, “May I speak with the policeman?”  “No, he’s busy”, whispered the child.  “Busy doing what?”, asked the boss.  “Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the fireman”, came the whispered answer.

Growing concerned and even worried as he heard a loud noise through the earpiece on the phone, the boss asked, “What is that noise?”

“A hello-copper”, answered the whispering voice.  “What is going on there?”, asked the boss, now alarmed.

In an awed voice the child answered,  “The search team just landed the hello-copper!”

Alarmed, concerned and more than just a little frustrated the boss asked, “Why are they there?”

Still whispering, the young voice replied along with a muffled giggle, “They’re looking for me!”

It reminds me of how we act toward God at times.  When we have done something that we know is wrong, we sometimes, like Adam and Eve in the garden, try to hide from God.  Not physically, of course.  But we try to distance ourselves from God by neglecting worship with God’s people, Bible study, prayer.  We try to avoid God, hoping He won’t notice.

But like the little boy in the story, we know that God is searching for us, doing everything in His power to bring us back.  And even at times when I’ve done something I’m ashamed of, I appreciate that so much.

“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?….Or what woman, having ten coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?” (Luke 15:4,8)

Is Somebody looking for you today?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina


Baptist Press News
Have a great day of preparation for the Lord’s Day!  Thank God for the many blessing He has provided for you.  Petition Him for the needs on your heart.  Then, listen!
Anna Lee

 

 

Friday

“We are God’s workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus to do good works

which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

~Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)~


….please add Charles Rowland to the prayer list, he is experiences health issues right now and in the hospital in New Orleans.
Thanks
Debbie Powers

Mrs. Martha Dykes Traylor went home from the hospital yesterday.  Continue to pray for her improvement.

 

UPDATE: IMB missionaries in east Japan to relocate

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34860

 

Pray for the world situation this morning and pray for those who can make a difference.


THE SEARCH IS ON

The boss of a big company needed to call one of his employees about an urgent problem with one of the main computers.  He dialed the employee’s home phone number and was greeted with a child whispering, “Hello?”

Feeling put out at the inconvenience of having to talk to a youngster, the boss asked, “Is your Daddy home?”  “Yes”, whispered the small voice.

“May I talk with him?”, the man asked.  To the surprise of the boss, the small voice whispered, “No.”

Wanting to talk with an adult, the boss asked, “Is your Mommy there?” “Yes”, came the answer.  “May I talk with her?”  Again the small voice whispered, “No.”

Knowing that it was not likely that a young child would be left home alone, the boss decided he would just leave a message with the person who should be there watching over the child.

“Is there anyone there besides you?”, the boss asked the child.  “Yes”, whispered the child,  “A policeman.”

Wondering what an officer would be doing at his employee’s home, the boss asked, “May I speak with the policeman?”  “No, he’s busy”, whispered the child.  “Busy doing what?”, asked the boss.  “Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the fireman”, came the whispered answer.

Growing concerned and even worried as he heard a loud noise through the earpiece on the phone, the boss asked, “What is that noise?”

“A hello-copper”, answered the whispering voice.  “What is going on there?”, asked the boss, now alarmed.

In an awed voice the child answered,  “The search team just landed the hello-copper!”

Alarmed, concerned and more than just a little frustrated the boss asked, “Why are they there?”

Still whispering, the young voice replied along with a muffled giggle, “They’re looking for me!”

It reminds me of how we act toward God at times.  When we have done something that we know is wrong, we sometimes, like Adam and Eve in the garden, try to hide from God.  Not physically, of course.  But we try to distance ourselves from God by neglecting worship with God’s people, Bible study, prayer.  We try to avoid God, hoping He won’t notice.

But like the little boy in the story, we know that God is searching for us, doing everything in His power to bring us back.  And even at times when I’ve done something I’m ashamed of, I appreciate that so much.

“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?….Or what woman, having ten coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?” (Luke 15:4,8)

Is Somebody looking for you today?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

 

Be a blessing to someone today!

Anna Lee

Thursday

Please add Rufus Williams to your pray list.  He is experiencing some heart issues.  I know he would appreciate your prayers.

 

 

From Bro. Stan (Director of Missions)

Please be in prayer for Bro. Jeff Phillips, Associate Pastor of Milldale Baptist. He was injured in Haiti and is in a hospital in Miami. He was involved in a bus accident on his way leaving Haiti and has sustained significant facial injuries and possible contusion on his brain. His wife, Charity, has pnuemonia and is not able to be with Jeff at this time.-Bro. Stan

Thursday

“All nations whom You have made

shall come and worship before You,

O Lord,

and shall glorify Your name.”

~Psalm 86:9~

 

Continue to pray for Frankie Gehringer.  He should be able to come home today and to get started on physical therapy soon.

Mr. Wenous Goings had a fall at the nursing home and is back in North Oaks.  Pray for peace and comfort for him.

Mrs. Martha Dykes Traylor is continuing to improve.  Her family is most appreciative of your prayers for her.

NAMB Missionaries—On Mission To Share Christ

More than 5,300 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 1,400 churches were started in 2009. 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.

 

Pray fervently for the Japanese people as they continue to come to grips with the death and destruction caused by the horrific 9.0 earthquake and ensuing tsunami of last week. Ask that Christians will turn to God for refuge and that nonbelievers will seek to know Him. Claim Psalm 46:1-2 on their behalf, asking God to give them peace. “God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble. Therefore we will not be afraid, though the earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the seas, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with its turmoil.” Ask for His hand of protection and provision to be upon missionaries, rescue and relief workers, and the 450,000 Japanese who are in temporary shelters. Pray for godly wisdom and protection for those who are seeking to stem the nuclear meltdown and radiation leaks. http://eastasianpeoples.imb.org/pray/

You are invited to come to the cabin tonight at 6:30 for a covered dish supper and a time of Bible study and prayer.  The fellowship is always great!


May you find time today to count the blessings God has given to you and yours!

Anna Lee