Saturday

“An honest answer is the sign of a true friendship.”

~Proverbs 24:26 (GNT)~

Pray for the people of Chile as they deal with the aftershocks of the 8.8 earthquake they received a few hours ago.   Pray for those affected by the quake, the aftershocks, and the tsunami.

Be thankful the snow that is falling  in Kentwood is not sticking and should not be a problem.

CaringBridge

Emilie Faye Gelain McKenzie

Just letting everyone know that we were home and doing well, thanks everyone for the prayers.

Thank You,

Leslie, Stephanie, Erica & Emilie
McKenzie

Ernest “Cete” and Ruby Dillon

“Miss” Ruby is progressing well now.  Thank-you for praying for her.  Mr. “Cete” has been having an eye problem since the fall and has had procedures done to correct the problem.  He will have another surgery in the near future.  Continue to pray for him.

Wayne Criswell

Wayne should be able to leave the hospital in Denver and go to Blake’s home until he is able to fly back this way.  Pray for him and his family as he makes the big move following Tuesday’s surgery.  Brent has already come home.

Sim Bankston, Chuck Baham, & Jason Duhe

Sim: He came home from the hospital on Thursday afternoon. He is feeling a good bit better. He is now taking antibiotics by mouth and will be followed closely by the doctor. Once the infection in his colon is cleared, he will have surgery. Keep him in your prayers that his infection responds to this antibiotic so he can receive the necessary medical attention that he needs.
Chuck: Chuck went into a regular room on Thursday afternoon. He is undergoing some physical therapy. They got him up 3 times today. The doctor that did the colon surgery wants him to get up as often as possible. Lessie will be checking with the orthopedist tomorrow to see if the leg should be moved that much at this time. She feels that it may be a bit much on chuck because it hurts him so to move his foot and leg. If the bone doc okays the moving around, then she will feel better about all of it herself. Chuck is jaundiced. The doctor said that it could be because the liver was so badly bruised in the wreck, or it could be because of the trauma of the surgery he has had. Either way, we need to pray that the liver heals itself and causes him no more problems. Lessie said she counted his staples on his stomach today. He has 43. 43 people – that seems like a lot to me…lol. this afternoon they told chuck that he can begin eating most everything that he wants. he is happy about that, but he is nervous about eating. He was so sick for so long, when he ate, that he is scared that he will become nauseated.
Jacob Duhe: fairly good news on him. he may get to leave the hospital tomorrow. pray for him because he is so upset over causing the accident that he can’t seem to move on…everytime larry or i go to check on him, he asks us to please tell chuck that he is sorry….it makes me so sad to see him beating himself up for what was truly an accident. He is still facing a long recovery. time

Marsha Bankston

Good News Club (Texas)

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Thanks for your prayers. Things went well today despite the fact that one child threw up just before the Bible lesson, the custodian ran the cleaning machine pretty much the entire time I was speaking , and  two of our leaders received parking tickets. The sacrifices we make to share the Gospel! Ha! I do so appreciate your prayers. This is so fun!

Love,

Tricia

Three More Christians Killed in Northern Iraq

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32377

Michael Perez
(September 16, 1918 – February 25, 2010)

A resident of Amite, died at 11:33 p.m. on Thursday, February 25, 2010 at Belle Maison Nursing Home in Hammond. He was born September 16, 1918 in Tickfaw and was 91 years of age. Visitation at St. Helena Catholic Church, Amite, from 9 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 Noon Saturday conducted by Fr. Joe Camilleri. Interment Mulberry Street Cemetery, Amite, LA. He is survived by his sister, Josephine Currier, Amite and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Salvatore and Emanuela Perez; 3 sisters, Angelina D’Antoni, Mary Misita and Lena Bravata; 5 brothers, Sam Buccere, Frank Buccere, Henry Perez, Dominick Perez and Anthony Perez.

Pray for the Ricks family as they have services for Maurice today.

KneEmail

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

A LADY WOKE one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed that she had only three hairs on her head…

“Well,” she said, “I think I’ll braid my hair today.”  So she did, and she had a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed she had only two hairs on her head.  “Hmmm,” she said, “I think I’ll part my in the middle today.”  So she did, and she had a great day.

The next day, she woke up, looked in the mirror, and noticed that she had only one hair on her head.  “Well,” she said, “I think I’ll wear my hair in a ponytail.”  So she did, and she had a grand day.

The next day, she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that there wasn’t a single hair on her head.  “Yea,” she exclaimed.  “I don’t have to fix my hair today!”

Attitude is everything!  www.housetohouse.com


Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,

whatever things are noble,

whatever things are just,

whatever things are pure,

whatever things are lovely,

whatever things are of good report,

if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–

meditate on these things.”

Philippians 4:8

Have a great preparation day for Sunday!

Anna Lee

Friday

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly

above all that we ask or think,

according to the power that works in us,

to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus

to all generations,

forever and ever.”

~Ephesians 3:20-21~

Three More Christians Killed in Northern Iraq:

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32377

Picture and obituary for Maurice Ricks:

http://www.meaningfulfunerals.net/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=540585&fh_id=11426&s_id=646E1B9B8E779782AE5F07FFF65A890D

WATCH OUT FOR LUCILLE

I heard about someone who works in the customer service call center of a national pager company.  He deals with the usual complaints regarding poor pager operation, as well as the occasional crank caller demanding to be paged less often, more often, or by more interesting people.

His favorite call came from a man who repeatedly complained that he keeps being paged by “Lucille.”  He was instructed that he would have to call her and tell her to stop paging him.

“She don’t never leave no number, so I can’t call her back,” he said.

After three such calls, someone thought to ask how he knew it was Lucille if she didn’t leave a number.

“She leaves her name” was the reply.

After establishing that the customer had a numeric-only pager, the light bulb came on.  “How does she spell her name?” the service rep asked.

“L-O-W C-E-L-L”

When things start to bother us, the problem may simply be that we need to get “re-charged”.  Keeping our schedules overbooked, staying busy “doing things”, going here and there — it takes a toll after a while. Before we get stressed out and burned out, we need to learn to take some time to unwind and recharge.  Turn off the radio and the television. Oh, and the computer, too!  Unplug the telephone if you need to, or better yet, get away from the house (without the cell phone).  Spend some quiet time with God in prayer and reflection on His Word.

Notice what Jesus did as he was surrounded by a crowd of people, all demanding a piece of his time:

“Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.  And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.” (Matthew 14:22-23)

Watch out for Lucille!  Don’t forget to recharge.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Several times this week, I said my life was “busy, but good”.  I know this devotional was meant for me.  Was it meant for you too?

Anna Lee

Thursday Evening

Wayne Criswell

Wayne is progressing well after his surgery. He will probably be released Saturday to come to Blake’s house until his post-op appointment with his surgeon in a week to ten days. He will have a pet scan to be sure all the air is cleard around the area between his lung and the chest cavity. Once that is clear he will be able to fly home. He has set his goal to return home by March 15th. Thank s to everyone for the prayers and calls. Keep up the good thoughts.
Mary

Darbi Tolar and Emilie McKenzie will both be at home in Kentwood tonight.

Mattie Henderson
(December 17, 1948 – February 24, 2010)

Died at 10:20PM on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at her residence near Independence, LA. She was born December 17, 1948 in Independence, LA and is 61 years of age. Visitation at Lighthouse Baptist Church, Independence from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Friday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Saturday. Services conducted by Rev. Carl Rushing. Interment Lighthouse Cemetery, Independence, LA. Survived by 2 daughters, Cynthia Simmons, Natalbany, Marsha Fairburn, Spring Creek, mother, Flora Russell Henderson, Independence, 5 grandchildren, Ashley Megge, Samantha Simmons, Marcy Brumfield, Michael Cuccia, Jr., Dillon Fairburn, 6 great-grandchildren, Zackary Underwood, Kaylee Hale, Hunter Underwood, Darrel Underwood, Tara Brumfield, Sarah Cuccia. Preceded in death by father, Nicholas Scariana, adopted father, W. T. Henderson, granddaughter, Michelle Cuccia. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements

Thursday

“In the day of my trouble I will call upon You,

for You will answer me.”

Psalm 86:7

Continue to pray for Mrs. Faye Price and her family.  Include prayers for Leslie and Stephanie as they adjust to being a family of four.

CaringBridge:  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/larkindorris/journal

Holly K. says it is extremely hot where she lives.  Poor electrical service means no fans!   Pray for Holly and others who live where the weather is very warm now.

Baptist Press Stories for Feb. 24, 2010
—————————————
Remaining 2 Baptist volunteers in Haiti to be freed
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32359
GCR Task Force process discussed
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32361
WRAP-UP: EC actions include 1-year seminary reallocation to aid NOBTS
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32362
Baptist youth injured in school shooting
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32363
Volunteers carry compassion to Haiti, but have ‘no bottled answers’
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32364
Volunteers from 16 states in Haiti so far
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32365
ERLC: Obama plan has abortion funding
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32366
OLYMPICS: Olympian says there’s ‘no atheist at the top of a bobsled run’
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32367
OLYMPICS: Pac, Meyers in 2nd after 2 heats
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32368
FIRST-PERSON: Changing how we view Terri Schiavo
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32369

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor

LARRY AND JANE HUDSON are dear friends from the Main Street church in Calhoun, Kentucky…
A few years ago invited me to Sunday dinner following the AM worship assembly. This special couple was celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary and so they asked me to go along and commemorate the happy occasion.

Our destination…? Owensboro, Kentucky and Moonlite Bar-B-Q.

Everybody in that neck of the woods knows about Moonlite. Think “casual dining.” Think “family feel.” Think “all-you-can-eat” BBQ buffet. Underline the word “all.” Hungry guests stand in line with a plate and then help themselves to a smorgasbord of tasty, home-style dishes.

Buffet. Choose what you want. Skip what you don’t want. Go back as many times as you wish. This is gastronomical heaven. I loaded my plate with country favorites — mashed potatoes, pulled pork, and green beans, but then skiped the macaroni and cheese, gravy and rolls.

I left the restaurant full as the proverbial tick. Okay, maybe not full — I stopped just one bite shy of gluttony.

The meal was great. The Christian company was even better.

It occurs to me that many preachers treat the Word like a trip to Moonlite. They fill their theological dinner-ware with perennial favorites. They “eat” what their doctrinal belly desires (Philippians 3:19), but then pass over those food items which their denomination deems unpalatable. For instance, some heap their plate with faith, but then consciously omit what the Scriptures teach about baptism. They select SOME of God’s word but not the SUM of God’s word. They claim to be “Bible-believing,” but then do a “Moonlite” on those passages which teach the necessity of immersion.

Does the New Testament require baptism? No? Look again. According to Matthew 28:19-20 baptism is involved in my becoming a disciple of Christ. According to Mark 16:15-16 baptism is something I must engage if I want to be saved. According to Acts 2:37-38 baptism is something I must undergo in order to be forgiven of my sins. According to Acts 8:12-13, 38 baptism is something I must submit to, even if it means changing my religion. According to Acts 10:48 baptism is something I must obey because it has been commanded. According to Acts 16:14-15, baptism is something I will yield to — immediately — in order to be faithful to the Lord. According to Acts 22:16 baptism is something I must do if I desire my past sins to be taken away (cf. Acts 9:6). According to Romans 6:3-7 baptism is that which makes a difference (slave of sin vs. slave of righteousness) in my life. According to 1 Corinthians 12:13 baptism is the means by which I enter the body or church (cf. Ephesians 1:22-23). According to Galatians 3:26-27 baptism is the way that I become a child of God. According to 1 Peter 3:21 baptism saves.

Got your Bible handy? Read through Jeremiah 36. Jeremiah prophesied during the closing days of the Southern kingdom of Judah. On one occasion, the prophet received a divine message from God and then had the words written on a scroll (vv. 1-3). This inspired document was later read to king Jehoiakim by Jehudi (vv. 21). When Jehudi read that the kingdom-nation would be overthrown by the Babylonian empire, Jehoiakim decided he couldn’t “stomach” anymore. The arrogant ruler took a scribe’s penknife, cut up the scroll, and then cast it into the fire until it was consumed (vv. 22-24).

Jehoiakim would have liked Moonlite. Eat what you want. Skip what you don’t want. Mashed potatoes “yes,” dinner rolls “no.” Authoritarian rule “yes,” servile bondage “no.” Faith “yes,” baptism “no.”

Dear reader, the Bible is not a self-serve restaurant. We can’t pick out the parts that we like and then reject or cut out the portions that don’t strike our fancy. We must declare and consume (Jer. 15:16) the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27; cf. 2 Timothy 4:2-4), including those passages which teach the necessity of baptism.

Is your preacher offering some of God’s Word, or the sum of God’s Word?  Mike Benson

“The sum of your word is truth,
and every one of your righteous rules endures forever”
~Psm. 119:160~
Count your blessing, not your problems!  Remember, today is Terrific Thursday!
Anna Lee

Wednesday Afternoon

Bennie Maurice Ricks
(February 24, 1936 – February 23, 2010)

Bennie Maurice Ricks was born February 24, 1936 and passed away at 10:31 p.m., Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at Hood Memorial Hospital, Amite. He was 73 (1 day short of his 74th Birthday), a native of New Orleans and a resident of Roseland.

Bennie Maurice is survived by 2 daughters, Nicole Rene’ Ricks, Orlando, FL and Holly Noel Kitzmiller and husband, Paul, Manchester, PA; son, Kevin Maurice Ricks, Manchester, PA; 6 sisters, Mary Louise Russell and husband Kirk, Roseland, Mithilda R. Mize, Arcola, Thelma R. Simmons and husband, John Hillary, Kentwood, Carrol Ann R. Corona and husband, Thomas, Denham Springs, Ruby Ricks, Roseland and Jewel R. Hudspeth and husband, Charlie, Bolivar; 2 brothers, Alfred Ricks, Greenwood, FL and Robert Ricks and wife Pat, Roseland.

Preceded in death by parents, Bennie W. and Pearl Bond Ricks.

Visitation at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Friday, February 26, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Saturday February 27, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. until Religious Services at 11:00 a.m. Interment in Arcola-Roseland Cemetery.

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

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

Wednesday

“. . . I . . . do not cease to give thanks for you,

making mention of you in my prayers:

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of glory,

may give to you the spirit of wisdom and

revelation in the knowledge of Him.”

~Ephesians 1:16-17~


Wayne Criswell (by Brent Criswell)

I wanted provide more information than before. They ended up having to make a larger incision due to the location and the fact that it covered parts of two lobes. Everything went well and all of the doctors are optimistic pending final pathology exam that this should be it. The larger incision means more pain and possibly a day or two extra in the hospital. Overall things are going very well and we are all thankful for the prayers and calls.

Please continue to pray for Roger Pittman.  He is not going to be able to wait a few weeks before going back to the doctor.  Pray for the Pittman family as they conduct the memorial service for Chuck today.

Pray for Mrs. Faye Price and her family.  I understand the plans are to bring “Miss” Faye home.

CaringBridge: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/calliecole

Winter Olympics from a Christian viewpoint:

http://www.bpnews.net/BPCollectionNews.asp?ID=166

WAIT

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SOMETIMES GOD SEEMS to take forever…

You wait and wait and wait. But when He finally moves, He does more in one hour and you could accomplish in a lifetime. So it’s your choice: be busily consumed with your paltry attempts or wait on God until He moves in the fulness of His glory and purposes. God’s sense of timing is like this: He waits forever and then moves suddenly and instantaneously. There’s only one way to even begin to tune into God’s sense of timing, and that is through waiting. Waiting transports us out of the temporal, out of our time-zone, and into His time-zone.

God can out-wait anybody. He just waits and waits, while the crisis looms larger and larger, and He waits some more. He waits until the crisis becomes an impossible predicament. And then He waits some more! Finally, when the remotest chance of escape is completely gone, God intervenes suddenly. A good example of this is Abraham.

God promised Abraham a son when he was 75 years old, even though Sarah was barren. And then God waits five years, ten years, fifteen years, twenty years. By now it’s too late. Even if Sarah were not barren, she is now too old, and so is Abraham. Twenty-five years. Count them. Twenty-five interminable years. Finally, when all natural hope was exhausted, God provided and Sarah became pregnant! God is the king of wait. (Bob Sorge)

“Rest in the LORD,

and wait patiently for Him;

do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,

because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.”

Proverbs 37:7

Posted by Mike Benson

I don’t usually mind waiting as much as some people, but I think I will begin to enjoy waiting more when I realize I’m getting in God’s time schedule.

“Count Your Blessings” today.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“Bear one another’s burdens,

and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

~Galatians 6:2~


Wayne Criswell (written last night)

We will report to the Univ. of Co. Medical Center in Aurora at 7:30 am tomorrow. The surgery is scheduled for 9:30. I will try to let you know something tomorrow evening. Brent should arrive around 8:00 tonight. Keep us in your prayers.
Thanks. Mary

I know you will want to remember Wayne and Mary in prayer throughout the day today.

Both Chuck Bahan and Jacob Duke have had surgery.  Pray for their recovery from their accident.

Continue to pray for the Pittman family.

Larkin Dorris

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/larkindorris/journal

Baptist Press Stories for Feb. 22, 2010
—————————————
Former Haiti detainee calls story about note ‘fabrication’
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32341
GCR Task Force releases progress report
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32352
TRUSTEES: NAMB president search to gear up, chairman reports
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32342
11th-hour salvation places judge in heaven
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32343
Welch puts face on SBC’s global relations
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32344
Empowering Kingdom Growth emphasis is ‘a quiet movement of the Holy Spirit’
South Texas church gains Kingdom focus
OLYMPICS: Chaplain nurtures Gospel seeds
OLYMPICS: Hedrick to retire from speedskating

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor

EAGER TO TRY out our navigation system, I programmed in our daughter’s address…
I chose the shortest route.  Everything was fine, until the system said to make several turns.  Thinking it was keeping me from fighting downtown traffice, I argued.  After passing up severalmore chances to turn, I continued to argue.  When I passed the last chance to turn, it told me to make a legal u-turn.  I argue, before turning it off.  It had routed me onto a high mountain road!  Checking the map, it was the shortest way.  This road was high and narrow, and being terrified of heights, I was not going that way.  I had argued, but the system was right.
We have a navigation system for our lives, the Bible.  It gives us instructions and gives us choices, to follow instructions or not.  We may argue with it, but God knows best.  If we take some bad detours or decide to do it on our own, it can help us get back on track.  Make that u-turn! Gaynelle Thomas
“Enter through the narrow gate.
For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction,
and many enter through it.”
Matthew 7:13
Thanks for praying for these requests and others that are not listed.  Your prayers make a difference.
Anna Lee