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

Wednesday Afternoon

Tincie Strickland Swearingen
(December 16, 1913 – March 30, 2010)

A resident of Kentwood, LA, died at 3:52 p.m. on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center in McComb, MS. She was born December 16, 1913 in Magnolia, MS and was 96 years of age. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Thursday and from 9 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. on Friday. Services conducted by Dr. Danny Smith. Interment Spring Creek Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. She is survived by her son, Norman Lionel “Pete” Swearingen, Kentwood; 5 grandchildren, Barry Swearingen, Kentwood, Dee Johnson, Florida, Julie Williams and her husband, David, Gillsburg, MS, Amanda Deaton and her husband, Larry, Kentwood and Richard Swearingen and his wife, Shannon, Denham Springs; 9 great-grandchildren, Darris Deaton, Kentwood, Nikki Swearingen, Livingston, Jocelyn Glass, Kentwood, Dalton Bridges, Gillsburg, MS, Jordan Glass, Kentwood, Katelyn Bridges, Gillsburg, MS, Madison Swearingen, Denham Springs, Jeffrey Swearingen, Denham Springs and Maddox Williams, Gillsburg, MS; 2 great-great-grandchildren, Jayden Swearingen and Duely Deaton; numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Velo Swearingen; son, Jerry Swearingen; 2 sisters, Thelma Ricks and Clyde Forrest; 1 brother, Dallas Strickland, Sr.; parents, Luther and Pearlie Strickland.

Wednesday

“Don’t think only about your own affairs,

but be interested in others, too.”

~Philippians 2:4, TLB~


Trisha Wilson thanks you for supporting the Good News Bible Clubs they conducted at the local school.  They have already been approved for next year.  Pray they will be allowed to have more students next year.  She also thanks you for praying for her as she spoke at MOPS.  Her request for this week is for the Easter party she will host at her home for the children in school with her two older children.  So far, she’s expecting to have 22 children Friday.  Pray for good weather so they can go outside but mainly for little hearts to be open to the message of Easter.

Linda Hughes Benfield has been released by her doctor so she is free to drive and even return to work.  Thank God for her good progress.  Thank God for her family who helped take good care of her.

Wanda Cage is now home.  Pray for her as she continues to recover and makes plans for treatment.

Pray for my sister, Carolyn, as she and her daughter fly to visit her other daughter and family tomorrow.  This will be Carolyn’s first flight.  She is very nervous.

CaringBridge

Please take time to read this Baptist Press article.  It gives insight into losing a parent and insight into gaining  a heavenly home while losing earthly family.

http://www.bpnews.net/BPFirstPerson.asp?ID=32601

UNDERCOVER BOSS

I don’t know how many of you have watched the TV show “Undercover Boss”, but it is one that intrigues me.  The show features a CEO of any given company who decides to go undercover and work as one of his men on the front lines.  The purpose is to find out what problems there are and what the CEO can do to make it better.  Now to some extent, this show seems a bit staged to me as the workers are almost always more than thrilled to be working for the company and they have unique, difficult situations that they open up about to this “stranger” filming a documentary, whether it be about dialysis or losing their home to a flood. But that aside, it is interesting to watch the reactions of people at the end of the show when they learn that the man that they serve, that they’ve never met, has spent the day working beside them.  And everything they did and said was being observed by the man who pays their salary.

More often than not, the CEO is touched by how hard his employees work and they are rewarded.  Some are rewarded with bigger job opportunities within the company.  Some are given raises, some sent to school, some have foundations set up in their name.  It reminds me so much of the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25.  The show for me, makes that passage come alive.  I think a lot about God revealing himself to us at the end of our time and saying, “I was with you.  I was watching you work and heard what you said.  I was impressed with your work ethic.  You work very hard.  I know it hasn’t been easy, but I’m going to make things better for you now.  You do an excellent job where you are at, but I would like you to take on more responsibility.”

This show is helpful in getting me to understand that passage.  I’m afraid too often that I relate far too easily with the steward with one talent.  I hope that God finds me neither afraid or lazy, but can warmly greet me in his “office” and say “Well done good and faithful servant!”

Charity Thomas
Johnson City, TN

(Charity Thomas is the daughter of Alan Smith who usually writes this devotional.)

Share the message of Easter this week.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“Call to Me, and I will answer you,

and show you great and mighty things,

which you do not know.”

~Jeremiah 33:3~


Mrs. Mary Young’s surgery went well yesterday.  She was able to go home to recuperate.  Pray for this time to go well too.

Sim Bankston was able to leave North Oaks and is now home.  Pray for him as he continues to recover.

Wanda Cage also was able to go home from the hospital.  Keep her in your prayers too.

Carl F. Reed, Jr.
(October 11, 1922 – March 29, 2010)

Mr. Carl F. Reed, Jr. was born October 11, 1922 and passed away at 8:24 a.m., Monday, March 29, 2010 at Lane Regional Medical Center, Zachary, LA. Mr. Carl was 87, a native of Bastrop, LA and a resident of Jackson, LA.

He is survived by his brother, A. W. Reed and wife, Sandy, Kentwood and their children; Ken Roberts and wife, Kasey, Baton Rouge, and their children, Preston & Hallie; Cyndi Miller and husband, Eddie, Denham Springs, and their children, Darby, Tess & Reed; Brent Reed and wife Tara, Beaumont, TX and their child, Reagan.

Preceded in death by his parents, Carl F. Reed, Sr. and Rose Mizell Reed: sister, Dorothy Reed Dowling.

Masonic graveside funeral service will be held at Christ Church Cemetery, Bastrop, LA on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 2:00 p.m.

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

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


“But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel:  ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.’   (Isaiah 43:1)

Thanks for praying today.  Your prayers mean so much to so many.

Anna Lee

Monday

“So we are always confident,

knowing that while we are at home in the body

we are absent from the Lord.

For we walk by faith,

not by sight.”

~2 Corinthians 5:6-7, NKJV~

Please add Mrs. Mary Young to your prayer list.  She’s having gall bladder surgery in Hammond today.

Continue to pray for Mr. Harrell Sharkey as he continues to have issues with his back.

Mrs. Betty Simpson was at church yesterday.  Thank God for her progress since surgery.

Continue to pray for Frances Gay as she continue to recover from her problems last week.

Have a great Monday!

Anna Lee

Sunday

I pray that you may have your roots and foundation in love,

so that you, together with all God’s people,

may have the power to understand how broad and long,

how high and deep, is Christ’s love.

~Ephesians 3:17-18 (TEV)~

Please pray for Rev. Percy Frazier.  He will be having surgery April 5th.

Frances Gay was able to come home about 8 P.M. last night.  Thank God for her improvement so she could return to Kentwood.

Continue to pray for my Texas relatives.  Micah (22) will have surgery to remove most of his brain tumor in a couple of weeks.  His aunt, my cousin Sharla, is about the same.  Pray for the family as they have a number of people with serious illnesses that will only be cured when they get to heaven.


Saturday

Keep your eyes open,

hold tight to your convictions,

give it all you’ve got,

be resolute,

and love without stopping.

~1 Corinthians 16:12-15 (MSG)~

Frances Gay is doing better and may be able to come home tomorrow.  Keep praying for her.

Mr. Billy Brabham got a good report.  He will continue the treatment in Hammond that was started earlier in the week.

Rev. Butch Reviere is doing well now.  He will not need any additional treatment.  Thank God for answering many prayers on Bro. Butch’s behalf.

The state WMU meeting in Covington was great last night.  We heard two wonderful speakers.  The meeting continue today.  Pray for those dedicated to sharing the Good News and for those who still have not heard and accepted the Good News.

Nelwyn M. Hendrickson
(November 14, 1930 – March 25, 2010

Mrs. Hendrickson was a resident of Kentwood, LA and died at 12:35PM on Thursday, March 25, 2010 at her residence. She was born November 14, 1930 in Orange County, CA and was 79 years of age and was a retired Register Nurse. Visitation at East Fork Baptist Church, East Fork, LA from 10 a.m. on Monday and until religious services at 2 p.m. Monday. Services conducted by Rev. Michael Shumuck. Interment East Fork Cemetery, East Fork, LA. Survived by 3 daughters, Amanda Hendrickson, Magnolia, MS, Abbi Hendrickson, Kentwood, Wendy Morris and her husband, Mike, Kentwood, 2 sons, David Hendrickson, Kentwood, Randy Hendrickson and his wife, Darlene, Zachary, 12 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by husband, Cecil Hendrickson, parents, H. E. and Lillie MacArthur, sister, Bettye Alderson, 2 brothers, Ed MacArthur and Frank MacArthur, and a grandson, Scott Sterling. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements.

Pray for the faculty and students of KHS as well as the family of Ebony Williams as her life will be celebrated this morning.

CALMING ANGER DOWN

In a west Texas town a few years ago, employees in a medium-sized warehouse noticed the smell of gas.  Sensibly, management evacuated the building, extinguishing all potential sources of ignition — lights, power, etc.

After the building had been evacuated, two technicians from the gas company were dispatched.  Upon entering the building, they found they had difficulty navigating in the dark.  To their frustration, none of the lights worked.

Witnesses later described the vision of one of the technicians reaching into his pocket and retrieving an object that resembled a lighter.  Upon operation of the lighter-like object, the gas in the warehouse exploded, sending pieces of it up to three miles away.

Nothing was found of the technicians, but the lighter was virtually untouched by the explosion.  The technician that was suspected of causing the explosion had never been thought of as “bright” by his peers.

Years ago, Jim Croce, in his song, “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim”, used to sing about things that you don’t dare do (pull the mask off the Lone Ranger or tug on Superman’s cape, for example).  He might have done well to add, “You don’t flick your Bic inside a building with a gas leak”!  In an explosive situation, the last thing you want to do is provide the spark.

We’ve all been around those kinds of situations (not literally, but figuratively) — where someone was angry and it wouldn’t take much to create an explosion.  We have two choices in that setting, described by Solomon in this way:

“A gentle answer will calm a person’s anger, but an unkind answer will cause more anger.” (Prov. 15:1, NCV)

How I admire those people I know (and my wife is one of them) who have a calming effect on those around them (including me), gently stifling the flames of anger before they burst in flames.

“Wise people calm anger down.” (Prov. 29:8b, NCV)

May God help us all to be wise.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Have a great day today as you prepare for the Lord’s day!

Anna Lee

Friday

“You also must help us by prayer,

so that many will give thanks on our behalf

for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.”

~2 Corinthians 1:11, ESV~

Mr. Billy Brabham started treatment Monday in Hammond.  He’s doing well.  Continue to pray for him and his family.

Pray for the Louisiana WMU as they meet at FBC, Covington tonight and tomorrow.  May the WMU continue to have a big influence!

CaringBridge

Today’s devotional will give all of us an opportunity to think about those we meet and whether or not we take advantage of opportunities we have.  I think this is true both stateside and “across the pond”, although it is probably more true there than here.

“The Second Setting” by Jennie A. Hatchel

http://larrymccrary.com/

Continue to pray for those who have been mentioned lately that have continuing needs and for those who are not listed, but who would benefit from your prayers.  Have a fantastic Friday!

Anna Lee