Friday

‎”For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.”

~Isaiah 9:6~

Pray for Mrs. Katherine Sanders. She is scheduled to come home today.

From Judy Fowler

Frances (Gay) is in Lakeview Hospital, Mandeville. She has a blood clot in her leg. Will be in for 2 to 5 days. I am going down today. I will keep you updated.

Pray for my momma. Dot Smith, today as she sees the cardiologist as a follow-up to some tests.

THE FAMILY RESEMBLANCE

The following ideas about science were gleaned from essays, exams, and classroom discussions. Most were from 5th and 6th graders.

* Q: What is one horsepower?
A: One horsepower is the amount of energy it takes to drag a horse 500 feet in one second.

* The law of gravity says no fair jumping up without coming back down.

* When people run around and around in circles we say they are crazy. When planets do it we say they are orbiting.

* South America has cold summers and hot winters, but somehow they still manage.

* Most books now say our sun is a star. But it still knows how to change back into a sun in the daytime.

* Water freezes at 32 degrees and boils at 212 degrees. There are 180 degrees between freezing and boiling because there are 180 degrees between north and south.

* Vacuums are nothings. We only mention them to let them know we know they’re there.

* Some oxygen molecules help fires burn while others help make water, so sometimes it’s brother against brother.

* Some people can tell what time it is by looking at the sun. But I have never been able to make out the numbers.

* We say the cause of perfume disappearing is evaporation. Evaporation gets blamed for a lot of things people forget to put the top on.

* To most people solutions mean finding the answers. But to chemists solutions are things that are still all mixed up.

* I am not sure how clouds get formed. But the clouds know how to do it, and that is the important thing.

* Water vapor gets together in a cloud. When it is big enough to be called a drop, it does.

* Isotherms and isobars are even more important than their names sound.

* It is so hot in some places that the people there have to live in other places.

* Genetics explain why you look like your father and if you don’t why you should.

Oh, the wisdom of children! I especially like that last one. I would say that, in a similar way, the Bible explains why those of you who are Christians look like your Father, and if you don’t why you should!

That’s our goal, isn’t it? To learn to love as He first loved us. To have the kind of patience that He has shown with us through the years. To grow in the wisdom to make right choices, as He is perfectly wise. To be holy, just as He is holy.

“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48).

Here’s a personal question to cause you some reflection: When people look at you, do they see the family resemblance?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Rita Garon Ricks

(June 16, 1924 – December 16, 2010)

A resident of Roseland, she died at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, December 16, 2010 at Tangi Pines Nursing Center in Amite. She was born June 16, 1924 in Independence and was 86 years of age. She is survived by her son, Arthur Ricks, Jr. and his wife, Madeline, Roseland; sister, Bertha Folisso, Hammond; brother, Brownie Garon, Independence; 8 grandchildren including Carrie Ricks, Joshua Ricks, Matt Huckabee, Robert Dyson and Gary Dyson; 6 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Ricks; daughter, Carol Ricks; father, Leon Garon; mother, Beatrice Garon. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 18, 2010. Interment Mixon Cemetery, Tangipahoa.

Have a blessed day!
Anna Lee

Thursday

“Do no fear, for I am with you;

Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,

Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

~Isaiah 41:10, NASB~

Please pray for Betty Allen. She is hospitalized in Amite.

CaringBridge: Callie Cole

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

Blessings for Bangladesh

The Galvins* work in South Asia with the unreached of Bangladesh. Many of the people there have never heard of Jesus. The Galvins are grateful for your gifts to Lottie Moon, which make it possible for them to reach the lost tribal people of Bangladesh:

• $0.50 will buy a songbook of indigenous hymns.
• $1 will provide a meal for one person attending a leadership meeting. Since these are rural farmers, if they don’t work, many don’t have money to eat.
• $1 will buy a complete Bible for a new believer. • $10 will cover the costs of a team taking the JESUS film to remote villages. LMCO gifts from last year bought a portable projector and generator for showing the film.
• $25 helps to cover the monthly travel expenses of trainers as they travel to give Bibles and leadership training to new church leaders.
• $30 will send one village pastor to a week-long training event with seminary-educated and field-experienced instructors.
• $50 will fill a tank of gas, enabling missionaries to travel to leadership trainings in district towns and to remote areas to share the Gospel.
• $50 will cover one month’s tuition for one of the tribal team’s children to attend a local, national school, providing a beacon of hope to their Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist classmates lost in darkness.

Will you continue to give so that more people in Bangladesh can hear the Good News?

*Name changed

IMB

http://www.imb.org/main/give/lmw/Story.asp?StoryID=8752&LanguageID=1709

Darell Ray “Pete” Harper

January 19, 1951 – December 13, 2010

Darell Ray Harper, 59, of Ladson, entered into eternal rest on Monday evening, December 13, 2010 at his residence. The relatives and friends of Mr. Darell “Pete” Ray Harper are invited to attend his Celebration of Life Service, 2:00 PM Saturday, December 18, 2010 at the James A. McAlister Chapel, 1620 Savannah Highway. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until the time of service. Burial will be in Arcola-Roseland Cemetery in Arcola, LA at a later date. Mr. Harper was born on Friday, January 19, 1951 in Hammond Louisiana, to Vera Maxine Primes Harper and the late Walter Green Harper. He served in the National Guard from 1969 to 1973, after graduating from Amite High School. He was employed with Godwin Pumps in North Charleston for the past 13 years.

Darell is survived by his companion and special friend, Gail Millikan of N. Charleston, SC; Mother, Maxine Harper of Roseland, LA; son, Brian Harper of Hanahan, SC; three daughters, Carolina Harper of Hanahan, SC, Kim Parent and husband David of Hammond, LA, and Gwen Pedelahore and husband Kenny of Livingston, LA; two step granddaughters, Amanda and Rebecca Parent of Hammond, LA; sister, Keri Wickham and husband David of Amite, LA; brother Walter “Bo” Harper and wife Linda of Amite, LA. He is also survived by three nephews, Justin Barrilleaux and his wife Amanda of Holden, LA, Blake Barrilleaux and his wife Traci of Columbia, SC, Kevin Harper of Amite, LA, and many extended family. The family would like to give a special thanks to Ricky Baxley, employees of Godwin Pumps, and Piedmont Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Melanoma Research Foundation, 1411 K Street, NW Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005, (800) 673-1290 or (202) 347-9675. Mr. Harper’s guest book may be signed at Jamesamcalister.com. Arrangements are by the JAMES A. MCALISTER FUNERAL HOME, (843) 766-1365

Please pray for the family as they face their grief and the distance from home.

Share Group Meeting @ the cabin @ 6;30 tonight! Ya’ll come.

Have a great day!

Anna Lee

Wednesday Afternoon

Services for my dad will be Thursday night from 5 to 9 at Mckneely Vaughn Funeral Home.. And Friday at 11 in the chapel at the funeral home. Burial will be at Greensburg Cementary. Cannot say thank you enough for the comments about my dad. Love all of you!

Sheriff Eugene Holland

(October 13, 1934 – December 14, 2010)

Sheriff Eugene Holland was born October 13, 1934 and passed away at 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at St. Helena Parish Hospital, Greensburg, surrounded by his loving family. He was 76, a native of Independence, LA and a lifelong resident of Greensburg.

Eugene is survived by his children, Denise and spouse Stormy Lee, Hammond, Chris and spouse Amy Holland, Kentwood, Toni Holland Fitzgerald and companion Jason Kirkland, Greensburg, and Daniel Holland, Amite. The pride and joys of his life, his grandchildren, Rainey & Jacob Lee, Hammond, Shane, Whitney and Kaysey Holland, Kentwood, Morgan and Bubba Creel and Dixie Fitzgerald, Greensburg. Two sisters and brother in law, Kelly and Annette Storey, Walker and Jewel Hanley, Denham Springs and numerous nieces , nephews, friends and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene & Susie Barber Holland, his children’s mother, Betty Holland and numerous brothers and sisters.

“Sheriff” was a friend to all that knew him. He was a proud member of Independence High School Class of 1953. He served on the Greensburg Town Council, St. Helena Parish Constable, District 3, member of the St. Helena Parish School Board and was Sheriff of St. Helena Parish for 12 years. He was also a logging contractor and cattleman before becoming Sheriff.

Visitation at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Thursday, December 16, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Friday, December 17, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. A.W. O’Quinn officiating.

Interment in Greensburg Cemetery, Greensburg, LA

Sheriff Holland will always be remembered for his wealth of wisdom, keen sense of humor and his kind heart to all who he met.

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

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

Wednesday Addition

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Impact on AIDS

Troy Lewis has seen death. He’s also seen lives transformed physically and spiritually in Zambia as an IMB missionary. Troy and his wife, Tracey, were appointed to Zambia with their two boys in 2001.

Troy’s primary focus involves ministering to those impacted by the AIDS crisis. More than 5,500 people die every day from this disease in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Every day people in Zambia are hearing about Jesus Christ, as well—people like Collins. A former street kid, Collins once huffed “petro” and lived in a graveyard. Through local believers and Southern Baptist initiatives, such as True Love Waits, Collins gave his life to Christ. He turned away from a worldly lifestyle that leads many young people to become infected with AIDS.

“I just want to say to Southern Baptists ‘thank you’ for your giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering,” Troy says. It costs Troy about $120 a day to live and minister in Zambia. “Every life that is touched, every life that is saved, every orphan child that is educated is because of the people back home who are giving through this offering.”

How many days will you support a missionary like Troy who is making a difference for this earth and for eternity?

Posted by the IMB at http://www.imb.org/main/give/lmw/Story.asp?StoryID=8755&LanguageID=1709

The monthly meeting at the cabin will be tomorrow at 6:30. Please feel free to join us.

Wednesday

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus . . .

And all went to be registered, each to his own town.”

~Luke 2:1-3, ESV~

“Miss” Annie Bell and “Miss” Katherine both looked like they were feeling better yesterday.

Rev. Gary Wieborg is progressing well and is scheduled to be “back in the pulpit” on December 26th. Please continue to pray for him, his family, and his congregation.

I tripped on a footstool and “tore away some bone” in my right shoulder area. I will be seeing a specialist and would appreciate your prayers for the next few weeks. “Nurse” David will also need some prayers!

Sheriff Eugene Holland was born October 13, 1934 and passed away at 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at St. Helena Parish Hospital, Greensburg. He was 76 and a resident of Greensburg.

Arrangements will be posted after 2:00 p.m.,Wednesday, December 15, 2010.

Denise Holland Lee requests prayer for her family.

Baptist Press Stories for Dec. 14, 2010

—————————————

Unrest in Haiti prompts volunteers’ return to U.S.

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34255

‘Rebuild Haiti’ to help suffering survivors

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34254

Fed. panel: Iraqi Christians need protection

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34256

99 leaving NAMB as part of downsizing

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34257

Poll: Recession catches up to U.S. churches

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34258

Judge rejects mandate in health care law

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34262

Theologian Roger Nicole dies in Fla. at 95

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34259

FIRST-PERSON (David Jeremiah): Let earth receive her King!

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34260

BP Ledger: Dec. 14 edition

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34261

Open doors in the rubble

The South American country of Chile was rocked Feb. 27, 2010, by an earthquake. Then its coastal areas were saturated by the tsunami that followed. Missionaries living in Chile were remarkably safe, but immediately began ministering to those who most needed help, healing and the hope of Christ.

Missionary Trent Tomlinson assessed needs in the hardest-hit areas just two days after the quake. About 50 people representing churches from several denominations met in Tomlinson’s home, forming a plan to fan out and meet needs generated by the disaster. “This is an open door,” said Tomlinson. “We’re earning the right to be heard here.”

Tomlinson knows that meeting the physical needs of hurting people gives him and other Christians opportunity to share the Gospel.

Tomlinson drives an SUV paid for by LMCO funds. Without it, he wouldn’t be able to travel to the areas where he is most needed. Since the earthquake, fuel for one week has been at least $150. Cell phone, land lines and Internet, which are vital to the ministry in Chile, have gone from $90-$100 a month, to $120-$200.

It isn’t cheap to live and minister in times like these, but Southern Baptists understand the importance of giving so that we’re right where we need to be when God needs us.

Thanks for praying daily.

Anna Lee

Tuesday Addition

CaringBridge

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

Pete(y) Harper passed away in South Carolina yesterday. Please be in prayer for the family as they make arrangements and travel home. Arrangements are incomplete at this time. I’ll post them when they are available. In the meantime, please pray for Petey’s children, his mother (Mrs. Maxine Harper), and his sister (Keri “Cissy” Wickham).

Tuesday

“For we fix our attention,

not on things that are seen,

but on things that are unseen.

What can be seen lasts only for a time,

but what cannot be seen lasts forever.”

~2 Corinthians 4:18 (TEV)~

As you pray for Mr. Phillip and Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell, pray for their great granddaughter, Ashley Yarborough. Ashley and another Ashley traveled to Johannesburg, South Africa yesterday. The two Ashleys will serve in an orphanage there for the next month. “Miss” Annie Bell asked for prayer for these two young women. Her prayer is that they will find God’s purpose in their lives.

Pray for Mrs. Katherine to get stronger. She will be having physical therapy twice a day this week.

Ross “Hootie” Robertson

August 25, 1932 – December 13, 2010

A resident of Hillsdale, he died at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, December 13, 2010 at St. Helena Parish Hospital in Greensburg. He was born August 25, 1932 in Greensburg and was 78 years of age. “Hootie” was an avid rabbit hunter and a retired iron worker from Local #623 in Baton Rouge. He is survived by his daughter, Janice Diane Hobbs, Independence; sister, Delois Bergeron, Baton Rouge; 2 grandchildren, Jimmy Singleton, Roseland and Kim Hobbs, Independence; 3 great-grandchildren, Amber Singleton, Brittany Anthony and Justin Anthony; 2 great-great-grandchildren, Dylan Husband and Cass Anthony. Preceded in death by wife, Shirley Pierce “Aunt Nig” Robertson; parents, Arch and Lela Robertson; brother, Archie Robertson; son-in-law, Rocky Hobbs. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Tuesday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 10 a.m. Wednesday, December 15, 2010. Services conducted by Rev. Don Meadows. Interment Hillsdale Cemetery, Hillsdale.

Time is running out

“If you get baptized, there will be no one to carry you to your grave,” Ntate Moholoholo’s son threatens him.

Ntate, an elderly man of the Basotho people in the African country of Lesotho, is a new believer in Jesus. That in itself is a miracle, says Alan Dial, who along with his wife, Babs, is a Southern Baptist missionary. The Basotho are so steeped in ancestor worship, for a man who has lived that way for nearly 80 years to suddenly come to Christ is almost unbelievable.

“You just don’t see it happen,” Alan says.

With $8 worth of diesel fuel, the Dials can make the trip to Ntate’s village in the truck they call “Miss Lottie” because it was bought with gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Every visit sees them labor to bring more Basotho to saving faith in Jesus Christ.

Ntate’s son thinks the Dials are liars, but at Ntate’s persistence, he agrees to listen to them. He hears the truth and also puts his faith in Christ.

Ntate’s story is one of hope, but hope is in short supply for his people. The Basotho live in wretched poverty, enslaved to ancestor worship and demonic oppression. Their HIV/AIDS rate is so high, they are on the road to extinction.

The Dials pray God’s people will reach this dying people while there is still time. When Southern Baptists give, more workers can be sent to this harvest field. How much more will you give so that the Gospel can reach the Basotho before time runs out?

International Mission Board

(http://www.imb.org/main/give/lmw/Story.asp?StoryID=8032&LanguageID=1709)

Pray for people to have sufficient warmth in their homes during the winter months.

Thank God for this day He created for us!

Anna Lee

Monday Evening

David and I visited Mrs. Annie Bell and Mr. Phillip Harrell this afternoon. She was not feeling well. Since then, she has been admitted to the hospital in Greensburg. Please keep her in your prayers.

Our next stop was the hospital where we saw Mrs. Katherine Sanders. She is feeling better and has decided to stay there this week for the physical therapy and other special care she can get there.

Monday Addition

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Even though the week of prayer for international missions has passed and your/my church may have already had a missions march, the offering will still be collected throughout this month.

Worth the risk

God is doing some incredible things in the North African region of Kabylia. Neither Islam nor the heightened level of persecution aimed at believers like Pastor Karim* can stop His desire to bring the Kabyle Berbers to salvation through Jesus Christ. Southern Baptists are privileged to be used by God in this region and to witness the power of the Holy Spirit among this people group. For just $4, Christian workers can buy a New Testament in the Kabyle language. When they read the living Word of God, they are filled with a boldness and strength that comes only from the Lord.

When Karim reads the words of the apostle Paul from his Bible, he identifies with an insight greater than most Christians in the U.S. will ever have. Like Paul, Karim has been beaten, threatened with death and spit upon. He’s witnessed the intense persecution of fellow believers and walked through the ashes and rubble of the building where his church worshipped. Still his faith, and the faith of fellow Christians, remains strong. This is not a church in hiding. This is a church witnessing and evangelizing its own people, even those who persecute them.

For every Bible that’s taken away and burned, they pray that God will provide the means to replace it. Through our faithful giving to Lottie Moon, we provide not only Bibles in the Kabyle language but Christian radio and television programs and an ongoing structure that allows Christian workers to engage Northern African and Middle Eastern peoples.

*Name changed

Please consider giving or giving again.

Monday

“Just tell me what to do and I will do it, Lord.

As long as I live I’ll wholeheartedly obey.”

~Psalm 119:33 (LB)~

Mrs. Katherine Sanders continues to get better. Thanks for the prayers, calls, and visits.

Mr. Gordon Price has now been hospitalized for three weeks. Please continue to pray for him and those caring for him.

The children’s musical, “A King is Coming to Town”, was wonderful last night. God has blessed us with many talented adults and children. The adults musical will be next Sunday morning at 10:30. Y’all come!

CaringBridge: Larkin Dorris

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

Remember families that have memorial services today in this cold weather.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

NO ONE WILL deny that the Bible talks about a church…

But whose church? Which church? What church?

Let us begin by pointing out what it is not. The church as described in the Bible is not Catholic, Protestant, or Jewish. It is not denominational, inter-denominational, or sectarian. It is not a political organization, just another social organization, and neither is it a material meeting house.

The majority of people do not understand the church because they do not know what it is. Consequently, they do not understand the purpose of it, the importance of it, or the work of it. But the Bible plainly tells us what it is. The word church comes from the Greek word ekklesia, which means “the called out.” So the church is a called out body of people, those who have been called out of the world into the kingdom of God’s dear Son (Colossians 1:13). It is the spiritual body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27), made up of those who have obeyed Christ (Hebrews 5:8,9), and therefore saved by Him and added to His church (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:47). Another way of putting it, the church consists of the followers of Christ.

The word church appears in the Bible in two senses. First, it is spoken of in the universal sense. This is what Christ had in mind when he said, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). There are many other verses where the word church is used in the same way, speaking of the church in a universal sense. That is, wherever the church may be found in the world, if it is the Bible church, it is that church which Jesus said He would build. Second, it is spoken of in the local sense. For instance, when Paul was writing to the church at Rome, and speaking of the various congregations, he said, “The churches of Christ greet you” (Romans 16:16). He wasn’t speaking of a number of churches, in the sense of denominations, but rather a number of local congregations of the Lord’s church. J. C. Choate

“To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours” (1 Corinthians 1:2).

Have a great day! Remember, Jesus is the reason for the season. Merry CHRISTMAS!

Anna Lee