Friday Afternoon

Helen Phillips Wascom
(August 13, 1977 – February 4, 2010)

Died on Thursday, February 4, 2010 at her residence near Kentwood. She was a native of Independence, LA. Age 32 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Sunday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Monday. Services conducted by Rev. Kevin Smith. Interment Pine Ridge Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. Survived by husband, Bradley Wascom, Kentwood, 2 daughters, Destinee Reanne Wascom, Kentwood, Haley Elizabeth Wascom, Kentwood, son, Steven Scott Wascom, Kentwood, parents, Larry Stevens Phillips and Betty Faye Walker Phillips, Kentwood, 2 sisters, Kelly Phillips Lambert, Kentwood, Blaine Phillips Gillam, Kentwood, mother-in-law, Nancy Wascom, niece and nephew, Emma Lambert and Will Lambert, Khaliegh Gillam and Kaleb Gillam, sister-in-law, Denise Brumfield and her husband, George, brother-in-law, Wayne Wascom and his wife, Jennifer, father-in-law, Roger Wascom. Preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Jimmy Phllips and Helen Pauline Phillips, maternal grandmother, Mary “Pauline” Walker.

Friday

“Carry one another’s burdens;

in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

~Galatians 6:2, HCSB~

CaringBridge

Baptist Press Stories for Feb. 4, 2010
—————————————
Baptist volunteers in Haiti charged with kidnapping
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32213
SUPER BOWL: Even with Dungy gone, faith still the foundation for Colts’ coaches
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32214
Obama calls for restoration of civility
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32215
VBS at ‘Saddle Ridge Ranch’ previewed
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32216
Xbox 360 gains a Bible app
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32217
FIRST-PERSON: An Xbox dream
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32218

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

AMY CARMICHAEL HAS a note in her little book If…

“A cup brimful of sweet water cannot spill even one drop of bitter water, however suddenly jolted.”

If it is full of sweet water and is jolted, what will come out of the cup?  Sweet water.  If you gave it a harder jolt, what’s going to happen?  More sweet water.  If someone is filled with sweet water and someone else give him a “jolt,” what will come out?  Sweet water!  Jolts do not turn sweet water into bitter water.  That is done by something else.

Jolts only bring out of the container what’s already in the container.  If you’re filled with sweetness and light, and you get jolted, you’re going to spill sweetness and light.  If you’re filled with honey, the honey will come out.  If vinegar comes out, what does that prove?  It shows what was already in the container.  In other words, bitterness is not based upon what the other person did at all.  It is the result of what we do and are.  Jim Wilson

“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking

be put away from you, with all malice.”

Ephesians 4:31

I’m so thankful for Mike Benson and his wonderful devotionals.  He has blessed me tremendously through his writings.

Have a fantastic Friday!

Anna Lee

Thursday Afternoon

Mrs. Karl Ann Smith
(April 22, 1940 – February 4, 2010).

Karl Ann Smith was born April 22, 1940 and passed away on Thursday, February 4, 2010 at Landmark Nursing Center, Hammond. She was 69, a native of New Orleans and a resident of Greensburg.

Mrs. Karl Ann is survived by her husband, Clarence H. Smith, Jr., Greensburg; daughter, Karla Jean Webb, Chino Valley, AR; son, Jeffery Mark Smith and wife Lois, Greensburg; 2 sisters, Frances Mae Allen, Greensburg and Betty Lane, Zachary; numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceded n death by her parents, Karl and Katy Teston Harvin; brother, Mark Edward Harvin.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time.

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

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

Leroy Travis “Pete” Lee
(April 20, 1945 – February 3, 2010)

Leroy Travis “Pete” Lee a loving father, grandfather and brother was born on April 20, 1945 and passed away at 9:26 a.m., Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center, Baton Rouge. He was 64, a native of Clinton, LA and a resident of Kentwood.

Pete is survived by his daughter, Vickie Lee & Vince Bass, Kentwood; a son, Leroy T. “Petey” Lee, Jr., Kentwood; 2 grandsons, Lee Aron & wife Malissa, Kentwood and Hardy Hayden, Roseland; 4 step-grandchildren, Mark & Mason McMichael, Nicky Hayden & wife Brittany, Jessica Blades and husband Barry; 2 sisters, Georgia Yarborough, Kentwood and Ethel Felker & husband Neal, Baton Rouge; special friends, Katie Blades, Sheldon Blades & Billy Brabham; mother-in-law, Mildred Birch, Kentwood; brother and sister-in-laws, Pasty Lee, Greensburg, Sarah Lee, Zachary, Mary Lou Lee, Amite, Maurice Jay & Judy Bridges, Kentwood, Bill Birch & wife Sharon , Kentwood, Beth Brabham, Magnolia, MS, Allen McGehee & wife Rhonda, Watson, and Benny Lane & wife Sue, Watson.

Preceded in death by his parents, Hardy and Zylpha Allen Lee, wife, Sandra Birch Lee, 4 brothers, Luther Lee, James Lee, Reuben Lee and Ray Lee, father-in-law, Clovis Birch, 2 bother-in-laws, Jack Yarborough and Kyle Brabham.

Visitation at New Zion Baptist Church, Kentwood, on Friday, February 5, 2010 after 5:00 p.m. until Religious Services on Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Clay Spinks officiating. Interment at New Zion Cemetery.

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

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

Thursday

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, f

or it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,

for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

~Romans 1:16~

Rev. Butch Revier will be meeting with his doctor to determine if he needs some form of addition treatment.  Pray for the doctor as he makes a decision and for Bro. Butch as he continues to heal.

Rev. Bill Ichter, former minister of music at FBC, Amite and longtime music missionary to Brazil, us undergoing a series of daily cancer treatments.  He is about half way through the scheduled treatments.  Pray he will continue to be able to sustain his energy level and endure the remaining treatments.

Continue to pray for my cousin, Sharla T. Hodges, in Texas.  Please add another cousin, David Tolleson, who recently began his military career.  He has had health issues that have caused him to be hospitalized in California.  His dad is flying out to be with him and to hopefully bring him home in a few days.

HAITI. Pray that IMB missionaries currently doing relief work in Haiti and the Dominican Republic will be able to focus on the best thing to do in the midst of massive need and great chaos. They have been working non-stop for days. Please pray that the Lord will give them strength to carry on their tasks today and to trust that He will provide their every need for tomorrow. Relief workers, missionaries and media teams have seen more than their minds can grasp and far more than they would want to remember. Intercede for them as they seek ways of coping with the images.

Michael V. “Mike” Guillot
(August 9, 1939 – February 2, 2010)

He was born on August 9, 1939 and went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, February 2, 2010. Mike was 70, a native of Thibodaux and a resident of Loranger. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Sherry Currier Guillot; 2 daughters, Heidi Guillot, Loranger and Danielle Guillot, Loranger; his beloved grand-dog, Buster; also survived by his brother, Ed Guillot and wife, Linda; sister, Evelyn Vidrine and husband, Ray, all of Thibodaux; brother-in-law, Stanley Currier and his wife, Sheila; sisters-in-law, Pat Barrilleaux and her husband, Vernon, Paula Cleland and her husband, Carl, Robbie Orsi and her husband, Ron, Cindy Alston and husband, Sam, all of Loranger, and Chris Blunck and husband, Carl of Mobile, Ala. numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Marie Guillot; sister, Beverly Andrus of Thibodaux. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday and at St. Dominic Catholic Church, Husser, from 9 a.m. until religious services at 10:30 a.m. Friday. Services conducted by Fr. Paul Yi. Interment St. Dominic Cemetery, Husser, LA.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL and straightforward way of winning with people is to give them a compliment — a sincere and meaningful word of affirmation…

If you want to make others feel like a million bucks, you’ve got to master this elementary skill.  And it’s essential that you learn to give your compliments in front of others as well as one-on-one.  Why?  Because that private compliment turned public, instantly and dramatically increases in value.

As commander of a $1 billion warship and a crew of 310, Mike Abrashoff used grassroots leadership to increase retention rates from 28 percent to 100 percent, reduce operating expenditures, and improve readiness.  How did he do it?  Among other things, he placed supreme importance on public compliments.

“The commanding officer of a ship is authorized to hand out 15 medals a year,” he wrote.  “I wanted to err on the side of excess, so I passed out 115.”  Nearly every time a sailor left his ship for another assignment, Captian Abrashoff gave him or her a medal.  “Even if they hadn’t been star players, they got medals in a public ceremony as long as they had done their best every day.  I delivered a short speech describing how much we cherished the recipient’s friendship, camaraderie, and hard work.”  Abrashoff wanted to make them feel good by complimenting them in front of others.

Whenever you have an opportunity to publicly praise another person, don’t let it slip by.  You can create those opportunities, as Captain Abrashoff did, but you can also find countless opportunities if you look for them. John Maxwell

“And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles

(which is translated Son of Encouragement),

a Levite of the country of Cyprus.”

Acts 4:36

Have a great day!  Be extra careful if you get out today.

Anna Lee

Wednesday Afternoon

Rufus Bennie “Butch” Cutrer, III
(April 29, 1953 – February 3, 2010)

Rufus Bennie “Butch” Cutrer, III a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother passed away at 6:18 a.m., Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. He was 56, a native of Kentwood and a resident of Amite.

Butch is survived by his wife of 29 years, Renee Varnado Cutrer, Amite; 2 daughters, Danna C. McDaniel & husband Jim, Franklinton and Shelby C. Simpson & husband Chad, Loranger; 5 grandchildren, Wade McDaniel, Wyatt McDaniel, Jordan McDaniel, Chelsi Simpson and Tyler Simpson; mother-in-law, Evelyn Varnado, Amite; sister, Peggy Fortinberry & husband Kenneth, Kentwood; 2 special nieces, Christy May & Nikki Varnado and other nieces & nephews; brother-in-law Paul Varnado & wife Lauren, Houston, TX. and sister-in-law, Sue Norretto & husband John, Amite.

Preceded in death by his parents, Rufus and Juanita Fuller Cutrer, Jr.; father-in-law, Ed Varnado.

Visitation will be at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Thursday, February 4, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Friday, February 5, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. until Religious Services at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Jason Lupo, Bro. Joe Warren and Bro. Ray Werline officiating. Interment in the Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, LA.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to NASCAR Victory Junction Camp, Victory Junction, 4500 Adam’s Way, Randleman, NC 27317

An on-line Guestbook and to view a Video Tribute is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N & Hwy 16W behind Bill Hood Automotive and Mr. Tom’s Car Wash.

Wednesday

And I am certain that God,

who began the good work within you,

will continue his work until it is finally finished

on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

~Philippians 1:6 NLT~

I hope you find time to read the last post (s) on these CaringBridge journal.

Please continue to pray for my cousin, Sharla Hodges, and her mother who is spending lots of time helping to care for Sharla.

Baptist Press Stories for Feb. 1, 2010

—————————————
  • So. Baptists detained in Haiti on mission to aid children
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32180
  • Senate OKs tougher sanctions on Iran
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32181
  • Christian opposition (again) credited with defeat of Hawaii gay unions bill
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32182
  • SUPER BOWL: CBS’ James Brown to keep an open mic for Christians, non-Christians alike
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32183
  • PRO BOWL: Players say God is in control
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32184
  • Missions ‘prime time’ for revitalized church
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32185
  • CP .63 percent behind 2009 pace
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32187
  • FIRST-PERSON: Putting a face on Facebook
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32186
I hope you enjoy Mike Benson’s devotionals as much as I do.  I appreciate his thoughts and his gift in writing them for us.
KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor
MOST PEOPLE FIGHT against change, especially when it affects them personally…
As novelist Leo Tolstoy said, “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”  The ironic thing is that change is inevitable.  Everybody has to deal with it.  On the other hand, growth is optional.  You can choose to grow or fight it.  But know this: People unwilling to grow will never reach their potential.
In one of his books, Howard Hendricks asks the question, “How have you changed…lately?  In the last week, let’s say?  Or the last month?  The last year?  Can you be very specific?”  He knows how people tend to get into a rut when it comes to growth and change.  Growth is a choice, a decision that can really make a difference in a person’s life.
Most people don’t realize that successful and unsuccessful people do not differ substantially in their abilities.  They vary in their desires to reach their potential.  And nothing is more effective when it comes reaching potential than commitment to personal growth.  John Maxwell
“But grow in the grace
and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To Him be the glory both now and forever.”
2 Peter 3:18

Wednesday can be wonderful!  Doesn’t that sound better than “hump day”?

Anna Lee

Tuesday

As for God, his way is perfect;

the word of the LORD is flawless.

He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.

~2 Samuel 22:31 (NIV)~

Caring Bridge

From Tricia Wilson:

Friends,

I just wanted to tell you about the Good News Club (see www.cefdallas.org) we are beginning at our elementary school. In the fall, I prayed about women who might come alongside me in this, and God has put together a great group. There are 6 of us on the team….maybe in the future, we will expand? This Friday, February 5th at 3:45 we will begin this adventure! Preparing to start this up, has been much more work than I ever anticipated. I also have thought several times that I wish someone else was the leader of this team, and I could just play my small part, but God has given me this privilege, and I pray I’ll be faithful to the task. Will you please pray for our team of moms who are volunteering to do this? Their names are: Angie, Jessica, Yulanda, Kimberly, and Susan. Please pray we will be flexible as we have no idea how many kids will even come or if the schedule we’ve created will  work. I am responsible for teaching the lesson each week. Can you believe I get to share the Gospel in a public school for 7 weeks?

Please pray:

©       Team unity

©       Creativity

©       Quick thinking on our feet

©       Supernatural love for these kids

©       Filled with the Spirit

©       Wisdom

©       We will move out of the way and let God work

©       We will be able to see what works and what doesn’t work and be able to quickly adjust

©       Kids will come

©       Fun

©       Kids and families will begin a relationship with Christ

©       Whatever else you can think of!

Thank you,

Tricia

HAITI. Access to airports and shipping docks remains highly restricted. Intercede for IMB, NAMB, state convention, Baptist Global Response, and governmental organizations, asking that they will be able to work together efficiently, providing direly needed assistance to the broadest number of people in the shortest period of time. While everyone wants to go immediately, director of the Florida Baptist Convention’s mission division, Cecil Seagle, said, “At this point, all we can sleep safely in Port-au-Prince is 55.” Ask God to assist teams as they coordinate additional logistics for others to come and offer aid. Our hearts break and long to “do something.” Please give as the Lord leads you (http://www.imb.org), offer loving support to Haitians in your community who themselves are not able to get home to see their families, and do not cease to pray.

Rueben Wayne Rogers
(August 23, 1985 – January 30, 2010)

A photo is available athttp://www.mckneelys.com/index.cfm.

A resident of Amite, died at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 30, 2010 in Amite. He was born August 23, 1985 in Hammond and was 24 years old. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9 a.m. until religious services at 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 4, 2010. Services conducted by Rev. Mitch Williams. Interment Natalbany Cemetery, Independence. He is survived by his parents, Kenneth and Ginger Rogers, Amite; sister, Amanda Bankston and her husband, Chad, Loranger; niece, Brianna Bankston; grandparents, Charles and Jennie Rogers, Amite and Gloria and Ken Dyer, Columbus, MS; several aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his brother, Jeremy Rogers; nephews, Caleb and Chase Bankston; great-grandmother, Florence Rushing. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family to assist with expenses.

Baptist Press Stories for Feb. 1, 2010
—————————————
So. Baptists detained in Haiti on mission to aid children
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32180
Senate OKs tougher sanctions on Iran
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32181
Christian opposition (again) credited with defeat of Hawaii gay unions bill
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32182
SUPER BOWL: CBS’ James Brown to keep an open mic for Christians, non-Christians alike
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32183
PRO BOWL: Players say God is in control
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32184
Missions ‘prime time’ for revitalized church
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32185
CP .63 percent behind 2009 pace
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32187
FIRST-PERSON: Putting a face on Facebook
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32186

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor
IN A SERIES of very difficult technical reviews conducted in a foreign country, the company representatives with whom I was meeting became extremely upset about the products from my company…
I had a translator for the meeting, hired from an outside firm.  I had asked him to translate the words exactly, and with the same emotion as they were spoken.
Unhappy with my reply to a question, an engineer across from me began to speak with great emotion.  My translater looked at me with sad eyes, told me he was sorry, and then began to deliver a translation filled with wrath and anger directed solely at me.  When he finished, he apologized for the verbal beating.  I thanked him for his kind work, for he only reflected the speaker, as I had asked.  He was just the instrument.
We reflect the image of our Lord.  We are the translators of God’s Word to those who do not pick up a Bible.  Others can see Christ in us and He will be glorified.  There is no need to apologize when the translation of our life reflects the Word of God. Pete Nash
“But we all, with unveiled face,
beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord,
are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory,
just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
~2 Corinthians 3:18~
I trust the words of this post will speak to you and encourage you today.  I pray you will find time to pray before continuing your day.
Anna Lee