Monday

God withdrew from Hezekiah

in order to test him

and to see what was really in his heart.

~2 Chronicles 32:31 (NLT)~


Correction concerning Frances Gay:  Frances is in remission, not cancer free.  Thank God for the good news.  Remission is wonderful!

Pray for Petey Harper as he has cancer treatment in South Carolina this week.  His sister, Keri/Cissy is with him.  Pray for her as she travels home later.

Lloyd Hayden continues to need our prayers.  He continues to have problems related to his diabetes and his medicine.  Your prayers for him will be appreciated.

Continue to pray for Jimmy Tolar.  He continues to be plagued with several issues.

TODAY’S PRAYER
IMB
OCTOBER 25, 2010

“But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’” (Matthew 19:14)

WORLD LEADERS. “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Please pray today for Prime Minister Philemon Yang of Cameroon (western Africa, between Nigeria and Chad).

BAOTOU, CHINA (BOW-toh). Thank God that believers have become more numerous in this city. Please plead with the Father to bless His children in Baotou with godly, gifted, faithful, well-rounded leaders who will shepherd His flock with clean hands and pure hearts. Ask Him to bless training events so that participants will grow not only in knowledge and skill, but also in integrity of character.

SHAN OF THE PACIFIC RIM. A worker was able to visit with and encourage T, the believer for whom you have been praying. T realizes now what Jesus meant when He said, “But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown” (Luke 4:24). Pray for T, as he longs to share Truth with those in his hometown and the surrounding villages, but is the only believer right now. P, his younger brother, has not yet decided to follow Jesus, but remains interested. Pray that P will soon choose to follow Him.

Rebooting and Starting Over

Thought For The Day

Alan Smith

The following are some suggested new error messages for Microsoft Windows:


1) Smash forehead on keyboard to continue.

2) Enter any 11-digit prime number to continue.

3) Press any key to continue or any other key to quit.

4) Press any key… no, no, no, NOT THAT ONE!

5) Close your eyes and press escape three times.

6) Bad command or file name! Go stand in the corner.

7) Keyboard not attached. Press F1 to continue.

8) CONGRESS.SYS corrupted… Re-boot Washington D.C? (Y/N)

9) Runtime Error 6D at 417A:32CF: Incompetent User.

10) Error reading FAT record: Try the SKINNY one? (Y/N)

11) WinErr 547: LPT1 not found. Use backup…..PENCIL & PAPER.

12) Backup not found: (A)bort (R)etry (P)anic.

Wouldn’t it be nice if every time we made a mistake in real life, we received an “error message” telling us we did something wrong, along with instructions on how to correct it? And wouldn’t it be nice to keep “backups” so if we did something stupid we could go back and put in the backup, continuing on as if nothing had ever gone wrong? And if things get really bad, wouldn’t it be nice just to be able to “reboot” and completely start all over again from scratch?

In essence, God has given us a way to do just that. Part of the blessing of becoming a Christian is the ability to start afresh. Paul said of the Corinthians:

“Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” (I Cor. 6:9b-11).

Thanks be to God for giving us all a way to “reboot” and start over.

–Alan

Thanks for praying.  Make today a good start to your work week.

Anna Lee

Sunday Afternoon

Sharon Richie Dykes Davis
(April 18, 1954 – October 25, 2010)

Sharon was born on April 18, 1954 in Magnolia, MS. She went to heaven on October 24, 2010 at 1:42AM. Sharon is preceded in death by her mama and daddy, Irene and Richie Dykes of Kentwood. Her paternal grandparents, Mr. And Mrs. Jimmy Dykes of Gillsburg, MS. Her maternal grandparents, Melvin and Carrie Mae McMillan of Kentwood, and Morris and Inez Cutrer of St. Mary of the Pines, and a very special uncle, Dalton “Sac” McMillan of Kentwood. She is survived by her husband, Gerald Davis of Kentwood, one son, Eric Latham and his wife, Kristen of Kentwood, one sister, Sandra and her husband, John Antoon of Kentwood, two grandchildren, Madison and Lakyn Latham of Kentwood, step-son, James Davis and his wife, Barbara of Gainesville, GA, three step-grandchildren, Alyssa, Lauren, and Jamie Davis, three nephews, Justin Hernandez of Kentwood, John Richie Antoon and his wife, Kirstie of Kentwood and James Antoon of Kentwood, one great-nephew, Brayden Hernandez of Independence and one great-niece, Adasyn Antoon of Kentwood. She was a member of New Jerusalem Pentecostal Church. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Monday, October 25, 2010 at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, and from 8 a.m. until funeral services at 11 a.m Tuesday, October 26, 2010. Services conducted by Bro. Eric Latham, Bro. Matt Booty, and Dr. Danny Smith. Interment in Spring Creek Cemetery, Spring Creek, LA.

Sunday

God is always on the alert,

constantly on the lookout for people

who are totally committed to him.

~2 Chronicles 16:9a (MSG)~

Frances Gay received good news Friday.  She is  cancer free!  I’m helping her “yell it from the rooftops”!

CaringBridge

Baptist Press Stories for Oct. 22, 2010
—————————————
  • ELECTION ’10: State ballot initiatives give voters a say
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33927
  • Biblical Recorder editor resigns
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33927#mce_temp_url#
  • WEEK OF PRAYER: Missionary’s visit ends man’s 20-year wait for Gospel
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33927#mce_temp_url#
  • POLL: Pastors sour on Obama’s performance & oppose pulpit political endorsements
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33929
  • TRUSTEES: NAMB’s Ezell: ‘We must do more’
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33930
  • USCIRF: 8 nations, including Russia, failing religious liberty pledge
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33931
  • MARRIAGE DIGEST: Calif. gov., AG races could affect Prop. 8; …
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33932
  • SBC DIGEST: Criswell search leads back to Jerry Johnson; Land at SWBTS
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33933
  • FIRST-PERSON: Juan Williams’ offense? His feelings
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33934
Myra Darouse LaRue
(January 19, 1922 – October 22, 2010)

Myra Smallwood Darouse LaRue of Greensburg, LA, passed away on October 22, 2010. Following her cancer diagnosis five weeks ago, Mrs. LaRue was lovingly cared for at home by her sister, Mary Darouse Pardue and three nieces, Judy Pardue Polidori of Chandler, AZ, Barbara Pardue of Little Rock, AR, and Mary Sue Darouse of Metairie, LA. Mrs. LaRue was born in Hammond, LA, on January 19, 1922, to Frank Francis Darouse and Mary Magdalene Smallwood Darouse. She joined the WAAC in World War II, graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University and earned her Masters degree from Louisiana State University. She was a physical education teacher with the New Orleans Public Schools for more than 30 years. Mrs. LaRue was a Master Gardener and a devoted weekly volunteer at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Hammond. She was predeceased by her husband Robert E. LaRue, her parents, and her brothers, James “Jimmy,” Joseph “JoeJoe,” and Fritz “Tootsie” Darouse. She is survived by her sister, Mary “Libba” Darouse Pardue of Little Rock, AR, brother, Charles Edward Darouse of Houston, TX, and many nieces and nephews and their children. Mrs. LaRue requested cremation with no public service. Memorials may be made to Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center of Hammond, 15728 Paul Vega MD Drive, Hammond, La., 70403. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Saturday Afternoon

Brenda D. Bryant is home and doing well.  Thank-you for keeping her in your prayers the last few days.

Dr. Rod Smith shared something he wrote and gave me permission to share it.  I know it will speak to your heart.

I Saw America Today

I saw America today.

I was among more that 200 people gathered on the tarmac at the Meridian Air Navel Station to welcome Sgt. Eric C. Newman, 30, of Waynesboro, Mississippi, home from Afghanistan.

He did not exit to cheers and hugs but was greeted by respectful silence. Military men and women, bikers, policemen, firemen, all in formation riveted their attention as Sgt. Newman disembarked from the plane carrying him.

He exited in a flag draped coffin, killed in action in Afghanistan.

The family stood near the hearse and as Sgt. Newman’s casket approached he was greeted by his new wife and his mother as they draped their arms around the casket where their beloved husband and son lay. There would be no married life for the newly married couple and another mother had given her son in the name of freedom.

I saw America today.

The procession formed with a police escort in front leading the hearse carrying Sgt. Newman which was followed by his family, more than 100 bikers, including the Patriot Guard Riders, scores of police officers, firemen, and friends. I rode near the front and I never could see the end of the procession as we rolled over the hills from Meridian to Waynesboro.

I saw America today.

On the 60 mile journey truckers, the big rigs, pulled to the side of the road, exited their trucks and put hand over heart in honor of Sgt. Newman and the American flag. Down the road from one big shiny rig was a humble logging truck, driver standing on the ground, hand over heart.

For sixty miles a mixture of people stood by the side of the road, flag in hand as we rolled past. At every junction where a side road entered there were people. At the overpasses there was always a fire truck displaying a large American flag. Every fire department along the way had their fire truck standing by to honor this young American who gave his life for us.

There was a young Boy Scout, in uniform, proudly saluting Sgt. Newman and the American flags that passed him.

A man in bib overalls stood by a ragged old pickup truck giving honor. Just down the road was a man dressed in suit and tie by his expensive SUV.

Something in the bright blue sky above caught my eye. It was two jet fighter planes flying over the procession, the thoughtful action of fellow soldiers.

I could see a woman kneeling, holding something out in her hands. At first I thought it must be a camera but as I passed I could clearly see it was a folded American flag. Just like the one that was given to my mother when my father died. Yes, it was her way of saying, “I lost a loved one as well.”

I saw America today.

As we left the main road and entered Waynesboro two fire trucks were parked in such a way as to form an arch with a giant American flag suspended between the two.

The streets were lined solid with people. No cars were moving. I observed someone in a wheel chair on the side of the road. When we drew closer I saw several in wheel chairs, some on crutches. They were old, and fragile. They were residents of a nursing home. On down the road there was another group from yet another nursing home, all waving tiny American flags.

As we wound our way through town hundreds of people lined the sides of the streets. We passed an elementary school. The children lined the fence three deep, most with flags, some with red, white, and blue balloons which were later released.

Next we passed the high school. Again the students respectfully lined the streets adjacent to the school. All were standing respectfully in honor of Sgt. Newman.

And did I mention the yellow ribbons? They were on trees, mailboxes, fences, and anywhere people could place them.

I saw America today.

When we had finished the escort all the bikers were asked to meet at the First Baptist Church of Waynesboro. There they gathered us up and escorted us to the Western Sizzlen’ where the people of the town treated us to lunch for doing something of which we were proud to be a part.

Today, I saw America and I’m proud to be an American. God bless America.


Pray for this family and for all the families that are apart due to military service. Pray they will seek God to get them through the separation and the trials they face.

Anna Lee

Saturday

Noah did everything just as God commanded him.

~Genesis 6:22 (NIV)~

(We should strive to be more like Noah!)

Myra Darouse LaRue
(January 19, 1922 – October 22, 2010)

A resident of Greensburg, she died on Friday, October 22, 2010 at her home. She was born January 19, 1922 in Hammond and was 88 years of age.

McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

Take time today to make tomorrow less stressful.  You will be glad you did.  God will be pleased too!

Anna Lee

Friday Night

Gwendolyn Marguerite Evans Bel
(November 6, 1922 – October 22, 2010)

A resident of Independence, LA and formerly of Amite, died on Friday, October 22, 2010 at St. Helena Parish Hospital in Greensburg, LA. She was born November 6, 1922 in Sacramento, CA and was 87 years of age. Mrs. Bel was a member of First Baptist Church, Amite, and retired from the Welfare Office in Amite. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9 a.m. on Monday until religious services at 1 p.m. Monday. Services conducted by Rev. Mike Foster. Interment Mulberry Street Cemetery, Amite, LA. Survived by daughter, Betty Jo Toups and her husband, Dick, Baton Rouge, 3 sons, Richard Bel, Metairie, Milton “Buddy” Bel and his wife, Claire, Amite, John Patrick Bel and his wife, Elena, Allen Park, MI, brother, Duaine Evans, Baton Rouge, and 7 grandchildren. Preceded in death by husband, Milton J. Bel, parents, Darling and Mae Evans, brother, Ronald Evans, 2 grandsons, Taylor Bel and Scott Toups.

Kenny Brister
(February 12, 1960 – October 22, 2010)

A resident of Roseland, he died at 4:50 a.m. on Friday, October 22, 2010 Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge. He was born February 12, 1960 in Magnolia, MS and was 50 years of age. Visitation at First Baptist Church of Arcola from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Monday and from 8 a.m. until Religious Services at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Services conducted by Rev. Bob Simpson. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite. Survived by mother, Lillian Creel Brister, Roseland, daughter, Lacey Brister, Woodstock, GA, 2 grandchildren, Aaron and Alyssa, sister, Brenda Edwards and her husband, Chris, Roseland, nephews, Chris Edwards, Jr. and Blake Edwards. Preceded in death by father, Louis R. Brister, Jr. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

Friday

The wise man looks ahead.

The fool attempts to fool himself

and won’t face facts.

~Proverbs 14:8 (TLB)~


Pray for Mr. Malcolm Hastings.  He was released from North Oaks and is back at home.  Pray for his family as they care for him.

TODAY’S PRAYER
IMB
OCTOBER 22, 2010

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 1:29-30)

WORLD LEADERS. “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Please pray today for King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia (southeastern Asia, between Thailand and Vietnam).

HAITI EARTHQUAKE. God is answering your prayers for children in Haiti. The majority of school schedules have been disrupted due to damaged or collapsed buildings. The Woman’s Missionary Union, SBC, has given funds through their Foundation to purchase blackboards and desks and to provide scholarship tuition for students. Other assistance has been given through the combined contributions of the International Mission Board and Global Baptist Response. The Dominican Republic Baptist Convention purchased roofing materials for one church school. Give thanks to God for these contributors who are working in partnership to enable Haitian children to return to their classrooms and a more stable routine. Continue to pray for the emotional healing of Haitian children. Pray for them to receive sincere love and godly guidance from their teachers. praying4haiti@mail.com

JULA OF COTE D’IVOIRE, BURKINA FASO, AND MALI (JOO-luh). The Jula Team writes: “We are really just looking for one believer–the one who will be the key to reaching the Jula. Sister organizations are looking, partnering churches are looking, and we are looking, but nothing will happen until it is God’s time and place. So please pray that we will be in the right place to find what God has for us. Pray that we will have patience and perseverance to work until it is His time.” prayforjula@dtccom.net

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE
IMB
Friday, October 22, 2010

“Let marriage be held in honor among all,” (Hebrews 13:4a, ESV).

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the Office of Global Prayer Strategy, asking you to pray for marriage relationships.

Imagine, if you will, that you are a married Hindu woman living in northern India. This coming Monday, October 25, you would get up around 4 a.m. to begin a strict day-long fast in observance of Karwa Chauth. This Hindu festival gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your devotion to your husband. During the day, you would pray for the long life, wellbeing, and prosperity of your husband. You would also mark the day by visiting friends and family, and exchanging gifts. On this day, you would wear the things that symbolize your status as a married woman: jewelry, bangles, henna (intricate designs dyed on your hands), bindi (a red dot on your forehead), your wedding clothes, etc. Your husband would give you beautiful gifts to show his love and care.

Among the Obie of East Asia, however, there is very little respect for marriage. Usually the husband and wife do not spend time together. Often one spouse will go out with other friends in the evenings to drink tea or to sing while the other stays at home. Also, they often joke about how many girlfriends or boyfriends they have outside of their marriage. They are very open and do not feel any shame in talking about these relationships. It seems that most of the people have accepted this lifestyle and have grown to believe that this is normal and healthy. Pray that the Holy Spirit will convict these men and women of their sin.

* For non-Christian couples, please pray that they discover the all-surpassing love of God and surrender their broken, unhealthy marriages to His restorative power.

* Ask God to strengthen Christian couples to be committed to purity and mutual respect in their marriages.

* Intercede for missionary couples as they strive to model devoted Christian marriages within their adopted culture.

SUCCESS AT ALL COSTS

The story is told of a man named Yussif, the Terrible Turk.  Yussif was a 350-pound wrestling champion in Europe a couple of generations ago.  After he won the European championship, he sailed to America to wrestle our champ, whose name was Strangler Lewis — a little guy by comparison who weighed just a shade over 200 pounds.

Although he wasn’t very big, Strangler had a simple plan for defeating his opponents and it had never failed to work.  He put his massive arm around the neck of his opponent and cut off the oxygen.  Many an opponent had passed out in the ring with Strangler Lewis.

The problem when he fought Yussif the Turk was that Yussif didn’t have a neck.  His body went from his head to his massive shoulders.  Lewis could never get his hold and it wasn’t long that the Turk flipped Lewis to the mat and pinned him.  After winning the championship, the Turk demanded all five thousand dollars in gold.  After he wrapped the championship belt around his vast waist, he stuffed the gold into the belt and boarded the next ship back to Europe.  He was a success!  He had captured America’s glory and her gold!

He set sail on the SS Bourgogne.  Halfway across the Atlantic, a storm struck and the ship began to sink.  Yussif went over the side with his gold still strapped around his body.  The added weight was too much for the Turk and he sank like an anvil before they could get him into a lifeboat.  He was never seen again.

Maybe you think, “What a fool!  He should have had a lot more sense than that!”  But, the truth of the matter is, we all tend to grasp the things of this world and hold onto them even while we’re sinking.

Solomon made this observation:  “Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun:  There is one alone, without companion:  He has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his labors, nor is his eye satisfied with riches.  But he never asks, ‘For whom do I toil and deprive myself of good?’  This also is vanity and a grave misfortune.” (Ecclesiastes 4:8)

Solomon describes a man, like so many today, who doesn’t know how to quit.  He can’t slow down.  He’s driven to succeed,  to achieve, to accumulate.  He works harder and harder to become that successful person he so wants to be.  And never once does he pause long enough to ask the question, “Who am I doing this for?  Why do I feel compelled to run faster and faster in the rat race?”

Success promises a view from the top.  But, without God in the picture, success will drag you down just as it did for Yussif, the Terrible Turk.

“Better is a handful of quietness than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind.” (Ecclesiastes 4:6)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Thanks for praying.  You make a difference in many lives.

Anna Lee