Monday Early Afternoon

Gretchen Simpson is doing well following her surgery.  She will soon find out if the healing is doing well enough for the neck brace to be removed.

CaringBridge – Callie Cole

My aunt asks for prayers for Mitch Orr (28), a young husband and father of two, with one more on the way.  Mitch had a heart attact in Austin, TX and is having surgery.  The family will be most appreciative for your prayers.

Ruby Lorraine Laurent Seal
(April 22, 1964 – August 1, 2010)

A resident of Kentwood, died at 2:31 a.m. on Sunday, August 1, 2010 at her residence. She was born April 22, 1964 in New Orleans and was 46 years of age. She is survived by her husband, Wallace “Winston” Seal, Kentwood; parents, Joella Lewis Laurent and Melvin J. Laurent; 2 sisters, Barbara Laurent and her husband, Herbert D. Ballew, Round Rock, TX and Hilda Laurent, Bogue Chitto, MS and her fiancé, Charles Smith, Baton Rouge; 2 brothers, Melvin Laurent, III, Round Rock, TX and Paul Laurent, Independence; a niece, Lakin Laurent. She was preceded in death by her brother, Barney Larry Laurent. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 10 a.m. until religious services at 1 p.m. Wednesday, August 4, 2010. Services conducted by Rev. David Cutrer. Interment Corkern Cemetery, Franklinton.

Monday

“Love knows no limit to its endurance,

no end to its trust,

no fading to its hope.

It can really outlast anything.”

~1 Corinthians 13:7 (Phillips)~

Please pray for Carolyn Nettles.  She has been having problems with maintaining her sugar level in an acceptable range.  Pray she gets better soon.

Frances Gay got another good report last week.  Join her in celebrating this lab report and in retiring again from being a school librarian,

Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell has been hospitalized in Covington.  Pray for her, her family, and those taking care of her.

Robbie Lynn Callihan Kirby got the lab results from her recent surgery.  She has a problem that will require seeing an oncologist this week.  Please pray for her and her family.

Mrs. Catherine Yarborough continues to be in Our Lady of the Lake, but hopes to be home soon.  Continue to pray for her.

Mrs. Katherine Sanders is still feeling “under the weather”.  Pray her her and those caring for her.  Some of her days are better than others.  Yesterday was a good day.

The members of FBC, Amite who went to Mexico on the mission trip made it home safely.  Thank God for their willingness to go and for the people them ministered to. May their trip make a heavenly difference for many.

The mission team that included some members of FBC, Kentwood is scheduled to return tomorrow.  Pray for them as they complete their work and return home tomorrow.

CaringBridge

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/maggieleehenson/journal?jid=5885181

TODAY’S PRAYER
IMB
AUGUST 2, 2010

“Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You.” (Psalm 67:5)

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 Head of Government Foua Toloa of Tokelau (central Pacific Ocean, between Hawaii and New Zealand).

Prayer requests from Eddie Cox, director of IMB’s Office of Global Prayer Strategy, to “Today’s Prayer” intercessors:

Today I would like to focus your thoughts and prayers on our numerous statesiding IMB missionaries. They will deeply appreciate your prayers.

Thank God for their commitment to the Lord, faith-filled response to His call on their lives, reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit, and determination to do everything possible to reach their people group for Christ.

Please pray for them as they have opportunities to share about their overseas ministries in churches throughout the summer months. Ask God to burden the hearts of Southern Baptists for the unengaged and unreached peoples. May many answer God’s call to go, to pray, and to give.

Intercede for MKs (missionary kids) who are in the States this summer either for stateside assignment or for vacation. Thank God for their faithful ministries overseas. Ask God to richly bless their time with friends and family.

Join in prayer with a portion of IMB’s statesiding missionaries who are seeking a word from the Lord concerning future overseas ministry. Concerns for the care of aging parents, child education issues, personal health matters, etc., have caused them to wonder if God is calling them to remain in the States at this time. Your prayers for clear direction from God would be greatly appreciated.

May God richly bless you as you kneel before Him today.

Most sincerely,
Eddie Cox

Have a great week.  Be very careful in this hot, humid weather.

Anna Lee

Sunday Addition

Petey Harper

I am leaving tomorrow morning to drive my mother to South Carolina. Pete came through the surgery very well, but he must have someone to stay with hm before they will discharge him. The tumor was melanoma and he has two other spots that have shown up that will need to be removed as soon as he is strong enough to go through another surgery. They are on his intestine and on his lung.

Petey’s sister, Kari “Cissy” Wickham, sent this yesterday.  Please pray for Petey, Miss” Maxine, and other family members.  It has not been very long since Mr. Walter Green went to his heavenly home following a long illness.  Pray for “Miss” Maxine as she cares for Petey.  Pray for Cissy as she travels.

Sunday

Everyday Light

Written by Selwyn Hughes

Never Soar as High Again?
For reading & meditation – 1 Peter 1:3-9
“These have come so that your faith … may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (v. 7)

We turn now to examine some of the ways in which our lives become fractured, and what we can do to become “strong at the broken places.” We begin by looking at the brokenness which comes about through failure. Probably someone reading these words is caught up in a vortex of gloom due to a failure. You may be feeling like the man who said to me: “I am stunned by my failure. My life is shattered into smithereens. I read somewhere that ‘the bird with the broken wing will never soar as high again.’ Does that mean I can never rise to the heights in God which once I knew?” I reminded him of Simon Peter – a man with one of the worst track records in the New Testament. He was prejudiced, bigoted, stubborn, and spiritually insensitive. Again and again he got his wires crossed, such as the time when he attempted to divert Christ from going to His death in Jerusalem (Matt. 16:22), or his insistence that they should stay on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt. 17:4). Then, on the eve of Christ’s crucifixion, he denied and even cursed his Lord. I can imagine Satan whispering in his ear: “Now you’re finished. Burned out. A failure. You’ll be forgotten … replaced.” But by God’s grace, Peter rose from failure to success. He became “strong at the broken places.” Because he refused to live in the shadow of his bad track record, his two letters are enshrined forever in the Scriptures. Failures, you see, are only temporary tests to prepare us for more permanent triumphs.

Prayer:

O Father, I see so clearly that no failure is a failure if it succeeds in driving me to Your side. All things serve me – when I serve You. Amen.

For Further StudyExod. 2; 3
1. How did Moses fail God?
2. How did God deal with him?

Saturday Afternoon

Beth Brabham called to say her mother, Mrs. Mildred Birch, got into rehab at the hospital.  This should speed up her recovery.  She will be coming home in about a week.

From Mrs. Ann Chapman

I want to share an update with all of you. I did start therapy, but had to discontinue it. The deep massaging caused the inner ear crystals to get out of line, and this caused severe dizziness. I am not able to do the exercises to re-alien the crystals due to the limited movement of my neck. Needless to say for several days I was incapacitated, but praise the Lord he re-aliened those messed up crystals. I am now doing home exercise given to me by the therapist. I am so grateful that I can move my head a little more.  God has brought me through another trying time.
It has been a year on July 29 since our accident. It seems impossible. It will be a year, August 8, since God took Quincy home to be with Him. Our Anniversary was July 17…62 years. God has walked every step of the way with me through this past year. He even lets me feel Quincy’s presence in the house. I hear him breathing during the night. People God is so good! He gave me you to lift me up in prayer. May I again thank you for your many prayers.
Have a blessed weekend,
Ann Chapman

Saturday

God feeds the birds and

you are far more valuable to Him than any birds!

~Luke 12:24 (NLT)~

That means he cares very much about you!  Isn’t that great!

Continue to pray for Robert Frohn of Amite.  He is still in ICU at North Oaks.

Mr. Billy Brabhan is having good days.  Keep praying for him.

Also, continue to pray for Mrs. Catherine Yarborough, Mrs. Katherine Sanders, and Mrs. Mildred Birch.

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING

One evening six-year-old Bobby asked his father for a pet.  “Sorry, son,” his father said, “not now.  But if you pray real hard for two months, perhaps God will send you a baby brother.”

Bobby prayed faithfully for a month, but it seemed futile to pray longer so he gave up.

How surprised he was, when a month later, a little boy arrived at their home, or so Bobby thought when he saw a squirming bundle beside his mother.  His proud father drew back the cover and Bobby saw another baby.  Twins!

“Aren’t you glad you prayed for a baby brother?” asked his father.

“I sure am,” said the boy.  “But aren’t you glad I stopped praying when I did?”

Sometimes, like Bobby, we are tempted to give up prayer when it doesn’t seem to be “working”.  Like the souls under the altar in Rev. 5 9-10, we cry out, “How long, O Lord [before you answer our prayers]?  And we sometimes don’t like the answer given by God, “…..a little while longer….” (Rev. 5:11).

But there is not a prayer uttered by one of God’s children that God does not hear and that does not touch his heart.  That’s doesn’t mean that we are guaranteed to receive everything we pray for, but prayer changes things — it truly does make a difference — and so we need to be careful not to get discouraged and give up.

“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much”  (James 5:16b)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Have a wonderful weekend!

Anna Lee

Friday

The mountains and hills may crumble,

but my love for you will never end,

so says the Lord who loves you.

~Isaiah 54:10 (TEV)~

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE
IMB
Friday, July 30, 2010

“Since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh . . . let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith…Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:19-23, ESV).

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the Office of Global Prayer Strategy, celebrating with you in prayer over new beginnings.

Missionaries serving in the Huasco River Valley, Chile, request prayer as they begin a community Bible study in the rural village of La Compania. A recent volunteer team made up of university students prayerwalked and held a community-wide Vacation Bible School as well as a women’s evangelistic tea. The Lord opened many doors, and the community is very receptive.

The Fulakunda Team rejoices that there are 10 new believers in villages of Senegal, Guinea-Bissau and the Gambia. When a volunteer team came in February, they were faithful to share stories from the Word, and in doing so, they found one man who accepted the Truth. The team prayed for this man over the next few months, and recently more volunteers came and reconnected with him. They found that he had been sharing what he knew with his family and friends. Pray for these 10 new believers, asking that they will be convicted to meet together consistently to study. Also pray that Fulakunda team members and other local believers will have opportunities to mentor and disciple these new brothers and sisters in the next few months.

Approximately one year ago, a Mandinka pastor, SD, relocated to a town in southern Senegal. It has been challenging for him and his family to leave their friends and family, but they are building new relationships and witnessing every day.

* Please pray that SD and his family will persevere through the subtle and sometimes blatant persecution they encounter.

* Intercede for new Fulakunda believers and seekers in Chile, asking God to reveal His truth daily.

* Hold fast to your confession of hope, knowing that He who promised is faithful!

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KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

ONE OF THE biggest news stories of the summer broke on July 28th with the temporary injunction set down by U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton, stopping several measures in an immigration bill signed into law by Governor Jan Brewer and set to go into effect today…

Effectively, this injunction prohibits law enforcement from more easily detecting those who are in this country illegally.


For many, this is an issue they cannot divorce from politics or race.  But, how should a Christian view the matter of illegal immigration?  That is a different question than whether or not we should embrace those who seek to lawfully enter our nation from other nations around the world.  Bible truth is truth, recognizing no political party of skin color.  To ask how a Christian views any matter is also to ask what the Bible may have to say about it or issues involved with it.  While there is no verse that explicitly deals with illegal immigration, there are biblical principles to consider.

Lying is sinful.  There are no situations that make lying OK.  Paul urged the Ephesians to lay aside falsehood and speak truth (Eph. 4:25). The end for liars is most undesirable (Rev. 21:8).  If one claims something to an employer, landlord, or law enforcement officer that is not true, that one is lying.  How often do those hiring and harboring illegal immigrants knowingly lie or deceive?

Disobeying a nation’s laws is disobeying God.  Romans 13:1-4 says, “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.”  Many people go through the proper channels for applying for citizenship.  Even if a nation is lax in enforcing its laws, a Christian will not knowingly subvert the governing authorities in either harboring illegal immigrants or attempting to be in a nation illegally.  A Christian should be averse to being a party to anything rightly labeled “illegal.”

One is to submit to every human, governmental institution (1 Pet. 2:13ff).  Obviously, the only exception is if that entity seeks to get us to disobey the Lord’s commands (cf. Acts 5:27-29).  Otherwise, we must submit to them and in so doing we are “doing right” (1 Pet. 2:14-15).


I would never want to defend or advocate something that, objectively viewed, is termed “illegal.”  Perhaps the desire of some to rationalize on this issue is a product of a greater problem our culture has with law and authority.  The child of God, however, will be reminded “to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men” (Titus 3:1-2).  Neal Pollard, “How Should A Christian View Illegal Immigration?,” Preacherpollard’s Blog, July 29, 2010

“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘

We ought to obey God rather than men.”

~Acts 5:29~

Have a fantastic day!

Anna Lee


Thursday

“Trust in Him at all times, you people;

pour out your heart before Him;

God is a refuge for us.”

~Psalm 62:8~

Mrs. Catherine Yarborough’s surgery will be at 10:00 A.M.  Please pray for her, the medical staff working with her, and her family and friends.

Mr. Billy Brabham is doing better.  Please continue to pray for him and his family.

Robbie Lynn Callihan Kirby is slowly improving from her surgery.  Pray for her during this time.

Rachel Morris Muth will have surgery Friday at North Oaks.  Please remember her in your prayers.

From Eleanor Morris

Ellen’s procedure was this afternoon ( Wed.) She returned home about 5:30pm still a little sedated.
The Dr. said everything went well. She should see some results soon. Thank you for your prayers.

CaringBridge

I sorry the weatherman didn’t get it right about cooler weather.  Be careful not to get too hot!

Anna Lee