Tuesday

“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

~James 5:16b~

CaringBridge

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

SHE WAS A Christian woman with whom I’d been acquainted for many years…

In recent months her husband battled some serious ailments. In that time, she developed some conditions of her own. It seemed she was doing better. But her husband woke up one morning, and she did not. She was 81 years old.

But on the last day of 2006 he suffered a heart attack and died. He was 23 years old.These two sketches of real people illustrate a principle we’ve come to know all too well: life is fragile. Though it may seem we’re in the prime of life, enjoying excellent physical health, conditions can change with blinding speed.

An undetected illness surfaces, and carries a poor prognosis. An oncoming car fails to negotiate a curve and veers into our lane. A freak accident occurs on the job. Just when we thought life was going smoothly, the end comes.

James didn’t use the word “fragile” in describing the temporal nature of life, but his image carries the same idea. He wrote:

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:13,14, NKJV).

“A little time” may mean ninety years, but it may not. In view of eternity, any number of years begins to look puny. Even if we lived to be 500, it would be “a little time,” and then we would vanish away.

The lesson to be learned was not forgotten by the inspired writer: “Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that” (James 4:15).

His point: We need to live in view of God’s will. And God’s will is that we be reconciled to Him and live according to His will – every day.

This package contains items that can be easily broken. That’s why I’m asking the postal worker to handle it with care. Similarly, God warns us that our souls are enveloped in fragile containers. Before they break and spill our spirits into eternity, let’s make sure we’re ready.

Let’s live in a constant state of readiness. And if we vanish away today or twenty years from now, we’ll welcome the appointment, knowing we’re heading home!  Tim Hall at:http://www.forthright.net/heavenly_connections/fragile_-_handle_with_care_1.html

“Come now, you who say,

‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city,

spend a year there,

buy and sell,

and make a profit’;

whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow.

For what is your life?

It is even a vapor that appears for a little time

and then vanishes away.”

~James 4:13,14~

Make today count!

Anna Lee

Monday Evening

Rev. Ernest Graham who grew up in Kentwood will be moving to Amite Baptist Church in Denham Springs where he served before his time in Oklahoma.  His family will be so glad to have him close again.  His title is Minister of Education.

Ora Lee Wilson’s sister was taken back to the hospital yesterday morning.  Please continue to pray for Barbara and her family as well as the medical staff caring for her.

Frankie Lester Gehringer, III

(May 19, 1965 – April 5, 2010)

A resident of Kentwood, died at 8:55 a.m. on Monday, April 5, 2010 at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge. He was born May 19, 1965 in Baton Rouge and was 44 years of age. Visitation at First Baptist Church, Kentwood, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Wednesday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Thursday. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA.

More information will be posted on Tuesday.

Jessie M. Smith
(December 16, 1916 – April 2, 2010)

A resident of Kentwood died at 12:02 a.m. on Friday, April 2, 2010 at Southeast Regional Medical Center in Kentwood. She was born December 16, 1916 in Gulfport, MS and was 93 years of age. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 10 a.m. until religious services at 12 Noon Tuesday. Services conducted by Dr. Danny Smith. Interment Spring Creek Cemetery, Kentwood, LA.

Monday Afternoon

Infant Leslie Marie Hendry
(April 4, 2010 – April 4, 2010)

Infant Leslie Marie Hendry was born April 4, 2010 and passed away on April 4, 2010 at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond.

She is survived by her parents, Travis L. & Hannah Lopinto Hendry, Amite; a sister, Emily Hendry, Mt. Hermon; maternal grandparents, Frank & Mary Lopinto, Amite; paternal grandfather, Patrick Hendry, Chesbrough; maternal great-grandmothers, Carolyn Bel, Bolivar, MO & Josie DePhillips, Amite; numerous aunts, uncles, and extended family.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Mary-Margaret Hendry; paternal grandmother, Margaret Welch Hendry.

Private funeral services will be held at a later date.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

Frank Gehringer passed away today.  Arrangements are tentative now.  I will post them later.  Please continue to pray for Frank’s family.

Monday

There’s far more here than meets the eye.

The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow.

But the things we can’t see now will last forever.

2 Corinthians 4:18 (MSG)

Trisha Wilson thanks you for praying for the Easter party at her home Friday.  It went well.  Trisha was able to explain the real meaning of Easter to the children.

CaringBridge

Continue to pray for the Gehringer family.

Continue to pray for Roger Pittman.  His pain continues, but it’s not time to go back to the doctor yet.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

I AM NOT a hunter…

In fact, no one could be more removed from that world than I.  However, a couple of years ago a friend took me to his hunting club to check on the “food plots.”  Of course, I had no idea what these were, but I quickly realized that they existed to lure unsuspecting deer to the shooting area by using their need for food.  Wow!  Who knew that eating could get you killed?  (Unless, of course, you have watched any of the Godfather trilogy…)

The idea is not original.  Anyone ever read Genesis 3?  The serpent introduces Eve and Adam to the concept of self-will and, through it, the failure of humanity.

The adversary is still at it today, and he uses the same strategy.  Why would he need something new when the original works so well?  Most of our disappointments, failures and shortcomings are the result of this same trap.  I have never met a person who gets up one morning and says, “Today, I will make a mess of my life!”  Life destruction should never be a conscious choice.  That said, why do we so often find ourselves caught and entangled in the web of sin?  Scripture tells us that the adversary “prowls the earth looking and watching…”  To makes matters worse, he understands our weaknesses and knows how to exploit them.

Jesus prayed in Matthew 6, “lead us not into temptation” (v. 13).  This has always been a curious verse to me.  Would God purposefully do that to God’s children?  No, but through our basic needs and desires, we often do it to ourselves.  And the adversary is glad to give us a little shove.  When we walk with the Lord, He can through Scripture show us the traps (i.e., food plots), even when they look appetizing and inviting…  (Shane Standford, Ronnie Kent)

“Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.  But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” James 1:13-14

Have a productive Monday!

Anna Lee

Sunday Additions

From Tammie Roberts

Please be in prayer for Mark Douglas Hutson (nephew of Abear and Donna Yarborough) who has been diagnosed with MS this week. He is 25 years old. Pray for Josh Yarborough as well since he is in Japan serving our country and can’t be home with his family upon hearing this news. Mark Douglas and Josh are more like brothers than cousins and it’s very hard on Josh being away at this time. More tests will be done and I will let you know as soon as I hear any results and the extent of this disease on Mark Douglas.

I also had an email from Lisa McKenzie  about Frank Gehringer II and his children, Gavin and Lauren.  They were in a one vehicle accident last night.  The children are okay, but Frank has a very serious head injury.  He’s in Our Lady of the Lake.  Prayers are needed for this family at this time.

Easter

“For God so loved the world,

that He gave his only Son,

that whosoever believeth in Him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life!”

-John 3:16-

That everlasting life is mine!  If you need to learn more about the meaning of Easter and of John 3:16, please ask me or someone else who can explain it to you.  Only then will you have a reason to celebrate Easter and a heavenly home forever!

Anna Lee

Saturday

TODAY’S PRAYER
IMB

“I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere,

lifting up holy hands,

without wrath and doubting.”

~1 Timothy 2:8~

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 President Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar (island off southeastern coast of Africa).

BOZO OF WEST AFRICA (BOH-zoh). “During our last visit to F-village, for which you have been praying, the gentleman who had quietly asked many questions in the privacy of our hut sought us out again,” writes a Bozo Team member. “This time, he boldly came to our group and asked for prayer for healing. He had developed an infection over his eye, resulting in a large cyst. We gently laid hands on this friend and prayed to the Great Physician for healing. The next day, not seeing much of a difference, we offered a ride to the nearest doctor. “No,” he responded. “The prayers of the Christians work. It is already starting to feel better.” Praise the Lord that God is showing His power in amazing ways to this man and that the man is willing to give the glory to our Father!”

WESTERN PUNJABIS OF PAKISTAN (pun-JAH-bees). Give thanks that in answer to your prayers, God has opened doors among university students across Lahore in different avenues in the past year. One avenue involves a team member’s teaching at a local university. After the final exam this month, one student commented to this team member, “Since I was a kindergartener, I have been taught to work hard and make lots of money, and then I will have a nice car, a big house, etc. For the first time in my life, one of my teachers (the team member) has told me that it is more important to love God and live to please Him all my days. I learned in this class that we should ‘Do unto others as we would have them do unto us.’ Thank you for teaching me about really important things in life.” Thank you for making this work possible. Please continue to pray for students across Lahore to see that truth is found in Jesus Christ!http://www.go2southasia.org/

CaringBridge

Smith, Jessie M.

A resident of Kentwood died at 12:02 a.m. on Friday, April 2, 2010 at Southeast Regional Medical Center in Kentwood. She was born December 16, 1916 in Gulfport, MS and was 93 years of age.

McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

LET’S CONSIDER THAT prized trophy or treasured car…

Would you consider leaving it outside in the open, exposed to the elements of nature, animals, dirty-fingered kids, and inconsiderate neighbors?   Probably not.  More likely you would shield it from these elements.  You might make sure it has a special place in the garage or on an out-of-reach shelf.  You would likely cover it with glass and polish it often, or park at the far end of the parking lot to avoid dings in your doors.  You would do your best to protect your treasure.

Do you best to shield and protect your spouse from things that may be harmful to him or her.  This may mean providing adequate housing and a safe car to drive.  It may mean standing up against those who may be cutting your spouse down (even if they are your family).  It may mean walking together in a dark parking lot or hold him or her close during a storm.  Maybe it means protecting your spouse from negative aspects of yourself (i.e., mean words, irresponsible behaviors) by working hard to overcome those behaviors.  As you focus on treating your spouse like the priceless gift that he or she is, many of  those negative aspects of yourself will disappear.  Yes, you can control these.  You probably already do when you are at work, church, or a new acquaintance’s house.  But it seems the more comfortable we feel with someone, the  more we let down these controls.  Don’t let comfort do away with appropriate control.  All of these positive behaviors are protective in nature and will help your spouse feel treasured by you. (Debbie L. Cherry, Discovering the Treasure of Marriage, 72-73).

“Love always protects…”

~1 Corinthians 13:7~

!

That’s why Jesus went to the cross.  He was protecting us in/for eternity!

Anna Lee

Good Friday

“Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table;

and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart,

because they did not believe

those who had seen Him after He had risen.

And He said to them,

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”

~Mark 16:14-15, NKJV~

Mrs. Mary Young is doing well as she recovers from her surgery.

Frances Gay continues to improve. but I sure it is not as quickly as she would like it to be.

CaringBridge

Baptist Press Stories for Apr. 1, 2010
—————————————
  • Did Jesus rise from the dead?
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32621
  • CULTURE DIGEST: Barna survey: Easter’s meaning unclear to many Americans
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32623
  • Md. churches, via GPS, share Gospel
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32624
  • Saturday outreach is key to GPS
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32625
  • Cooperative Program’s results resonate at missions-minded Living Hope Baptist Church
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32627
  • CP 1.21% behind 2009 pace
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32628
  • Floyd replies to ‘3 questions’ article
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32629
  • Ala. Senate approves electronic bingo
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32630
  • WORLDVIEW: Little Easters
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32631
  • FIRST-PERSON: To the cross
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32632

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor
FOR A MOMENT, stretch your imagination…
The manger was near Bethlehem’s sheep pastures, and the shepherds were summooned by heaven.  They were Jews, caring for sheep.  At the same time the priests had their eye on breeding a particular quality of lambs, those without spot or blemish.
Now fast forward thirty-three years.  When Jesus is making His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the shepherds are bringing in the sheep, and particular attention is paid to the candidates for the Passover sacrifices.  As Jesus is being tried by Pilate, the priests are carefully examining those sheep.  As they are satisfied they are saying, “I see no blemish in this one…”  Perhaps about that time Pilate is saying, “I find no fault in Him.”  As the blade is put to the throats of the lambs, the nails are driven into the hands of Jesus.  He was, after all, the perfect Lamb of God.  Glenn Colley
“Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things,
like silver or gold,
from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,
but with the precious blood of Christ,
as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
1 Peter 1:18-19
Jesus is the reason for Good Friday!
Anna Lee

Thursday

“… You will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem,

in all Judea,

in Samaria,

and everywhere in the world.”

~Acts 1:8, CEV~

My cousin, Micah Tolleson (22)

Micah will be having surgery April 15th to remove a tumor that is located deep within the left side of his frontal lobe. The tumor was discovered just 4 weeks ago, the brain biopsy did show the tumor is benign, but the tumor must be removed nonetheless to relieve the pressure on his brain that has caused some major personality changes. Only 90% of the tumor will be removed, the tumor is too deeply imbedded in his brain to remove the entire tumor. He will be followed by a neurosurgeon for the rest of his life to follow the course of the tumor. Please pray for our family–Micah in particular–we are acting so brave, but our hearts are terrified. He will have residual side effects of right side weakness and a speech impediment. (Brenda Tolleson, Micah’s mother)

If you haven’t already been doing so, start today to focus on the meaning of the holiday we are celebrating.  The Easter buttons distributed at church say “Easter means HE LIVES”.  I pray each person who reads that will know that, but if you don’t, I pray you learn that now.  Jesus is the reason for the Easter season!

Anna Lee