Tuesday

“Those who are living by their natural inclinations

have their minds on the things human nature desires;

those who live in the Spirit have their minds on spiritual things.”

~Romans 8:5 NJB~

CaringBridge

Pray for the many families that have lost loved ones recently.

Pray for those undergoing important medical tests today.  That includes several people I know.

Pray for those who are lost to find Jesus.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

Christians are to look at others through caring eyes.  Traits first perceived as negative may be positive when examined in the light of love.  Without being naive, encouragers should make it a habit to put the best possible construction on any situation.  The discourager sees John as stubborn, but the encourager considers him persistent and determined.  The critic sees Jane as bossy, but the consoler sees her as an assertive person who gets results.  The faultfinder says Bob talks too much, but the the positive person says he is outgoing and friendly, a real people person.

Christians are to look at others through caring eyes.  Traits first perceived as negative may be positive when examined in the light of love.  Without being naive, encouragers should make it a habit to put the best possible construction on any situation.  The discourager sees John as stubborn, but the encourager considers him persistent and determined.  The critic sees Jane as bossy, but the consoler sees her as an assertive person who gets results.  The faultfinder says Bob talks too much, bu the the positive person says he is outgoing and friendly, a real people person.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;

old things have passed away;

behold, all things have become new.”

2 Corinthians 5:17

Have a great day!

Anna Lee

Monday Evening

I forgot to ask you to pray for Mr. Billy Brabham and his family.

Vivian Shelton Kleinpeter
(June 5, 1915 – May 2, 2010)

A resident of Roseland, died at 2:18 p.m. on Sunday, May 2, 2010 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond. She was born June 5,1915 in New Orleans and was 94 years of age. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Andrew Kleinpeter, Jr. and survived by a number of nephews. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Tuesday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 2 p.m. on Wednesday. Interment Hughes Cemetery, Amite.

Monday

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE
IMB
Monday, May 3, 2010

“Let them give glory to the LORD

And declare His praise in the coastlands.”

~Isaiah 42:12, NASB~

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the Office of Global Prayer Strategy, interceding with you for followers of folk Islam.

The Highland Singers of Central Asia blend Ismailism with folk beliefs. There are some new Christians, but no churches exist in their homeland. Religion is woven throughout their lives. They revere the Agha Khan; they look upon him as a living prophet. His word is law, and he may countermand the Quran. Some look upon him as god.

The Non-Turkic Settlers of the Caspian coastlands also practice folk Islam. Special spiritual significance is often placed upon certain trees or locations, and people regularly practice rituals for protection against evil spirits and curses. Rural communities are usually closed, and marriage outside of the clan is discouraged or prohibited. There are very few Settler believers.

Folk religious beliefs and practices have developed as West African women who believe that God doesn’t intervene in their problems have tried to deal with the felt needs and concerns of daily living. It is a major step in faith for a woman to abandon her folk practices and trust that God will protect her. Some of these practices include: using the evil eye as a curse, practicing sorcery, wearing amulets, going to a medium, visiting a saint’s tomb and praying there, trying to divine the future through the use of certain objects or rituals, and the use of special charms or actions to provide personal protection from evil spirits. Discipleship for these women when they become believers includes choosing Bible stories that the Holy Spirit can use to help the new believer see what God’s Word says about these practices.

* Please pray for believers who have left folk Islam to receive the spiritual nourishment and training they need from God’s Word.

* Intercede for those who are resisting salvation and ask God to continue knocking at their hearts’ door.

*Ask the Lord to reveal any false practices in your own life and repent as He leads.

Continue to pray for Jesse and Majel Dean.  Jesse continues to have complications requiring a return to the hospital.

Daddy seems to be getting better.  Thank-you for your prayers for my parents.

Continue to pray for grieving families.  Our area has had a number of deaths in recent weeks.

Devotional: “Death”

http://www.forthright.net/kneemail/2009/02/death.html

Now that May is here, the number of school days for the 2009-2010 school year is coming to a close.  Pray for a good ending and a long, happy summer vacation before 2010-2011 begins.

Have a great day!

Anna Lee

Sunday Afternoon

Flo Shoemaker Sanders
(July 24, 1929 – May 1, 2010)

A resident of Kentwood, LA, died at 8:43 p.m. on Saturday, May 1, 2010 at Hood Memorial Hospital in Amite, LA. She was born July 24, 1929 in Lillie, LA and was 80 years of age. She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church, Kentwood, member of Kentwood Music Club and Garden Club. She was known for her daily three mile walks where she helped to keep Kentwood beautiful by picking up trash. Her favorite past time was her weekly game of dominos. She is survived by her daughter, Debbie Sanders Cross and her husband, Don, Marietta, GA, grandson, Colin Sanders Cross, Washington, DC, 2 sisters, Sybil Fay Shoemaker, Kentwood, Ara Fern Brennan, Kentwood, numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred M. “F.M.” Sanders, Jr., grandson, Tyler Garrett Cross. The family request donations in her memory be made to The Tyler Cross Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Lovett School, 4075 Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta, GA 30327 or First Baptist Church, Kentwood, LA. Visitation at First Baptist Church, Kentwood, from 11 a.m. on Tuesday until religious services at 2 p.m. Tuesday. Services conducted by Rev. Joey Miller. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements

Sunday – 2nd Addition

I would invited you to thank God for those whose lives were spared in Time’s Square last night.  Leroy Wilson’s young granddaughter was there when the bomb was found.  Robert Wilson’s daughter had planned to be there, but the plans were changed.  Thank God these two and many more lives were spared.  Pray for those who want to harm innocent victims.  Pray they accept God and let Him turn their lives around.

Patsy Kay Field Turner of Hammond died on Wednesday, April 28, 2010. She was born to Thorny and Betty Field of downtown Fluker on December 30, 1950 in Baton Rouge. Patsy Kay was well known for her many stage performances as well as her years of teaching at both Southeastern Louisiana University and Baton Rouge Community College. She graduated from SLU in 1993. Then ventured out to her former stomping grounds of Hattiesburg, MS to continue pursuing her passion for telling a good story. She earned her MFA in Theatrical Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1995.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at 2:00pm at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite. There will be a reception immediately following at First Presbyterian Church of Hammond.

She was preceded in death by both of her parents, Thornwell and Betty Field, and her husband, Robert James Turner. She is survived by four children and their spouses: Dylan Field Turner and Ryan McGill, Rosemary “Maggie” Magruder Turner, Susannah Deveil Turner, and Elizabeth “Betty” Byrnes and Ryan Parkinson; three sisters: Betty Ray Field, Donna Lee Mixon, and Judy Lynn Crawford and a rambunctious crew of nieces and nephews. She was the niece of her beloved Mrs. Sue F. Hood.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to AfriKids. (AfriKids, Fundraising Team Haskell House, 152 West End Lane London, NW6 1SD http://www.afrikids.org).

“The measure of a life, after all, is not it’s duration, but it’s donation.” – C.S. Lewis

Sunday Addition

Mrs. Flo Sanders passed away last night.  I’ll post more later.

Richard Edward Brennan
(December 31, 1927 – April 30, 2010)

A resident of Kentwood, died at 9:55 a.m. on Friday, April 30, 2010 at his residence.

He was born December 31, 1927 in Brockton, MA and was 82 years of age. He was secretary of Kentwood Rotary Club for 4 years. Survived by wife, Ara S. Brennan, Kentwood, 2 daughters, Nicole A. Brennan, Framingham, MA, and Cara F. Brennan, Boston, MA, 2 brothers, William Brennan, Falmouth, ME, and John Brennan, W. Dennis, MA.

McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, entrusted with arrangements.

Sunday

We are not our own bosses to live or die

as we ourselves might choose.

Living or dying we follow the Lord.

Either way we are his.

~Romans 14:7-8 (LB)~

Please continue to pray for Jesse and Majel Dean and Mr. Phillip and “Miss” Annie Bell Harrell.

Pray for those working to stop the oil from coming ashore on the Gulf Coast.

Pray for our nation to unite in prayer Thursday, the National Day of Prayer.  Many of the local cities are having special activities for prayer.  Spring Creek Baptist Church will host a lunch and First Baptist Church, Kentwood will host a service Thursday night.  Everyone is invited to participate.







BLESSING OR BAD LUCK?

 The story is told of a man who was walking across the road when he was 
hit by a car.  The impact knocked him on his head which caused him to be 
in a coma for two days before he finally regained consciousness.  When he 
opened his eyes, his loving wife was there beside his bed.  He held her hand 
and said to her:

 "You know, Judy, you've always been right by my side.  When I was a 
struggling college student, I failed again and again.  But you were always 
there with me, encouraging me to go on trying."

 She squeezed his hands as he continued:  "And when I got out of school 
and went for all of my interviews and failed to get any of the jobs, you stayed 
right there with me, cutting out more classifieds for me to check on..."

 "Then I started work at this little firm and finally got the chance to handle a 
big contract.  But I blew it because of one little mistake, and yet you were 
there beside me all the way.  Then I finally got another job after being laid 
off for sometime.  But I never seemed to be promoted and my hard work 
was never recognized.  And so, I remained in the same position from the 
day I joined the company until now... And, through it all, you were right 
there by my side."

 Her eyes brimmed with tears as she listened to her husband:  "And now 
I've been in this accident and when I woke up, you're the first person I see. 
There's something I'd really like to say to you...."

 She flung herself on the bed to hug her husband, sobbing with emotion.

 He said, "Judy, I think you're just plain bad luck!"

 Our attitude makes a big difference in how we see things, doesn't it?  As 
the saying goes, we can either see the glass as half full or half empty.  We 
can either appreciate the good during our times of adversity (the faithfulness 
of God, greater opportunities to develop our faith, the blessing of good 
friends to see us through it) or we can moan and complain about our "bad 
luck."

 The apostle Paul is a great example of someone with a marvelous attitude. 
Through all of his trials, God had been right there by his side.  But never 
once did he blame God for his misfortune.  Instead, listen to the positive 
attitude in Paul's words as he sat imprisoned for preaching the gospel:

 "But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me 
have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel." (Philippians 1:12)

 No moaning, no complaining.  Just a marvelous attitude that brought joy to
 his life.  May it serve as an example to you today.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina


Have a great Lord's Day!
Anna Lee

Saturday

“Father, everything is possible for you.

Please take this cup of suffering away from me.

Yet I want your will, not mine.”

~Mark 14:36 NLT~

Jesse Dean is improving.  Continue to pray for him.

Walter Green Harper

Visitation from 9:00 until the 11:00 service at McKneely Funeral Home in Amite.

Donald Lloyd Thompson
(February 8, 1957 – April 29, 2010)

A resident of Amite, died at 10:55 a.m. on Thursday, April 29, 2010 at his residence. He was born February 8, 1957 in Canton, OH and was 53 years of age.

McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, entrusted with arrangements.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

I WAKE UP, grab my iPhone, turn off the alarm, and update my Facebook status…

On the way to school I scroll through my friends’ status updates, updating mine with the song on my iPod.

At lunch, I take a picture of me and my friends and upload it to Facebook.

Now, I am chatting with my best friend in Tennessee. Status update: “Good night all. I’ll text you in the morning.” Such is the day of a typical American young person.

Facebook has taken the cyber world by storm and our social lives forever in a different direction. Compete.com ranked Facebook as the most used social network in the world

According to Facebook’s own stats page, there are currently more than 350 million active users, and 65 million people are accessing Facebook through their phones/mobile devices. They say that the average user has 130 Facebook friends and spends more than 55 minutes a day on their site.

What if Jesus were on Facebook and he sent you a friend request. We know that such is not possible, but for the sake of illustration pretend.

Would you have to stop and think before you accepted it? Would you have to look through your pictures to be sure that you don’t have any immodest pictures or anything tasteless?

Maybe make sure that you don’t have any pictures taken in inappropriate places? Would you go back over your postings to be sure that you haven’t said anything crude or inappropriate?

Would you scan through your list of favorite movies and music, perhaps deleting a few before you let Jesus on your site? What about the games you play? Quizzes you take?

Is there anything that would make you stop and say to yourself, “I think I’ll delete that before I let Jesus on my site?” If the answer is “Yes,” then why not go ahead and take it off? The fact of the matter is the Lord does look at our Facebook pages!

Proverbs 15:3 says, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place keeping watch on the evil and the good.”

Not only God is watching me on Facebook, but other people are watching. What they see on my Facebook site affects what they think about me, and the church, and Christianity.

What if I have my “religious preference” listed as “church of Christ,” and then I have pictures posted of me at a nightclub, or dancing, or at the beach immodestly dressed, or with an alcoholic beverage?

Or what if my status update has immoral lyrics? Or maybe I’m venting, and running someone else down. We ask, “What effect is it going to have on my non-Christian friend who looks at my site?”

He might say to himself, “I do better than that, and I don’t even pretend to be a Christian!” Or he might think, “What a hypocrite!”

Imagine that you are surfing Facebook, and you see that Jesus has his own site. You are excited, so you send him a friend request. Would he accept it?

Most of us when we receive a friend request have some sort of criteria before we indiscriminately accept someone as our friend.

We want to know if we know the person. We glance at his information, his friend list, where he lives, etc. Does Jesus have criteria for friend requests? Sure he does!

He said, “You are my friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14). Therefore, to be a friend of Jesus, you have to obey him. In light of this,

Christian friend, ask yourself “Would Jesus accept my friend request?”

Before you answer, consider your faithfulness in attending worship, your Bible study habits, your efforts to teach others, your giving, the way you treat other people, etc. Now, with your answers in mind, “Would Jesus accept your friend request?”  Don Blackwell

“You are my friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14).

I may not be a young person, but I enjoy Facebook.  I hope this devotional helps us evaluate how we use it.

Anna Lee