The Prayer Link

Sunday

“Watch therefore, and pray always

that you may be counted worthy

to escape all these things

that will come to pass,

and to stand before the Son of Man.”

~Luke 21:36~

One of the pros of being a P.K.

by Emily Panter

This past Sunday night we had our monthy mission meeting at church. As the good Baptists that we are, we met in the fellowship hall and had food. There is a room of to the side where the kinds can play during the meeting. Noah came up to Luke while we were eating and said: “Dad, Becca is doing ….(I can’t remember).” As usual, when Noah taddles od someone Luke sent him away with a “go on son.” But then Luke happened to be walking by the room just as Noah went back in and he overheard Noah say: “Becca, I told the pastor!” Ha! I thought that was priceless:)

On a more serious note, please contine to pray for my kiddos, especially the older two. I got the stomach bug that has been going around this past week and I could see the concern of Hannah’s face. She asked me if I was sure I would be ok, and then she apparently had a very vivid and scary dream of me screaming and the whole ordeal happening again. It has really been hardest on her to deal with. She understood the implications of what might have been. I appreciate the prayers.

I continue to get stronger, and learned this week that a plus of this whole thing is that it has helped me deal with my obsesive dread of throwing up. I can now handle it much more gracefully.

Lawrence Dale “Larry” Sibley
A native of Holden and a resident of Pride living in Zachary Manor Nursing Home, he passed away at Lane Regional Medical Center at 7 a.m. Friday, Jan. 16, 2009. He was 86, born on Dec. 5, 1922. Self-employed in the finance and railroad maintenance business for many years, he was past master of Plains Lodge No. 135, a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Acacia Shrine Temple in Baton Rouge. Visiting at Charlet Funeral Home Inc. in Zachary on Sunday, Jan. 18, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with a Masonic service at 7 p.m. Visiting resumes at the funeral home on Monday from 11:30 a.m. until religious service at 1 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Greg Davis. Graveside service at Pine Grove Methodist Church Cemetery in Pine Grove at 3 p.m. Monday. Survived by his daughter, Laura E. Sibley, of Pride; and a brother, Lemuel “LeRoy” Sibley, of Denham Springs. Preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Frances Dutsch Sibley; father, Lemuel Sibley; and mother, Lessie Phenald Brown Sibley; half sister, Ellen Sibley Smith, who was of Kentwood; half brother, Elvin Sibley, who was of Central; half brother, Walter Brown; half sisters, Tincey Marie Brown Booker and Flossie Brown Vickers Sibley; and adopted brother, James “Junior” Sibley, who was of Pride. Pallbearers will be Thomas Harrison, Kelvin Johnson, Lee Smith, Mark Mitchell, Henry Baxter and Robert Snider. Honorary pallbearers are Richard Harrison and Arthur Schabla. Share sympathies, condolences and memories at www.CharletFuneralHome.com.

Today is set aside as Santity of Life Sunday. I thought you might enjoy reading some of these Baptist Message articles:

Baptist Press

January 16, 2009

TEXAS–ADOPTION: Couple advocates adoption in word & deed. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29675

GEORGIA–‘Sanctity of Human Life Sunday’ set for Jan. 18. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29676

KENTUCKY–ADOPTION (Russell D. Moore): Finding Jesus in a Russian orphanage. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29677

TENNESSEE–ADOPTION (Michael Foust): Journey through infertility was worth it. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29679

TENNESSEE—ADOPTION (Dwayne Hastings): Celebrating God’s gift of life during Chinese New Year. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29678

VIRGINIA–ADOPTION (Shawn Hendricks): A few fatherly thoughts for daughter Laura. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29680

TEXAS–ADOPTION (Thomas White): The heart of the Gospel. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29681

WASHINGTON–Bush: Acted for U.S. ‘best interests.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29682

WASHINGTON–LIFE DIGEST: ‘Culture of life’ made progress, Bush says; … http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29683

NEW YORK–Planned Parenthood cuts HQ staff. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29684

EL SALVADOR–Open doors abound in El Salvador. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29685

LOUISIANA–FIRST-PERSON (Kelly Boggs): Heroes for life. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29686

Don’t forget:

-the baby shower for Lauren H. Fowler today at 2 P.M.

– WMU meeting at 4 P.M.

-Soup Drive

– Lottie Moon Chirstmas Offering

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

HAVE YOU EVER felt truly alone…?

After my father died, I gathered with our family at a funeral home to choose the casket and arrange specifics for the memorial service. As I drove away from the funeral home, I made it only about two hundred yards before I broke down and wept, and had to pull the car over and stop.

This wasn’t the first time I’d cried after my father’s death, but it was the first time I’d cried alone, and the tears and the grief were so strong. Cars streamed past me, their passengers and drivers unaware of what was taking place in my car, and I vividly remember how alone I felt.

But in truth I wasn’t alone, because only two hundred yards away were people who loved me with all their hearts. To be comforted, all I needed to do was turn around and go back to the funeral home. I felt alone–but I really wasn’t.

For me, personally, the sense of aloneness in that moment was overwhelming; yet I know that many others have experienced far worse than anything I went through. Many have wept as I did, but could never be assured there was someone nearby they could turn to for comfort, whether two hundred yards away or two hundred miles.

And yet, even in comparison to such unbearable experiences, there’s Someone else whose pain of isolation and abandonment goes infinitely deeper.

Before being nailed to the cross, Jesus already knew what it meant to be forsaken; He had become intimately acquainted with being rejected or abandoned by men. Yet whenever it happened, He could always say, “Though forsaken by men, I am not alone, for My Father is always with Me.”

But not now.

He who for all eternity has never been alone is now wholly abandoned. Such utter desolation has never existed before in all eternity, because of the infinite love and fellowship of the Godhead, which can never be broken. But not the incarnate Son must be forsaken by the Father…because the Father is holy, and there in the Father’s sight is “the most grotesque display of ugliness imaginable.” It’s the monstrous sight of the unbounded totality of human sin resting upon one Man.

Therefore that Man must be utterly removed from the presence of the holy God, utterly separated, as far as the east is from the west.

Jesus didn’t just feel forsaken; He is forsaken. (C.J. Mahaney)

“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?'” (Matt. 27:46).

Have a special Lord’s Day today.

Anna Lee

Saturday

“So we must not get tired of doing good,

for we will reap at the proper time

if we don’t give up.”

~Galatians 6:9, HCSB~

Mrs. Faye Price continues to make improvement in Covington. Pray for her and her family as they continue this process.

Pray for the Smith/Clark family today as they have the memorial service for Riley Clark today in Deridder. Pray for Frann, his wife, as her health is not good. Frann has been my internet encourager for several years. I know she was the same to many others too. I miss her sweet words. This devotional reminds me of her. She used the “twenty-six soldiers” in such a positive way.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

KARL MARX DEVOTED his entire life to writing about the demise of capitalism and the coming of communism…

He, along with Friedrich Engels, wrote onen of the most well-known pollitical treatises in all of history, the Communist Manifesto. As evidence of his kneen understanding of the great power of words, Marx is credited with saying: “Give me twenty-six lead soldiers and I will conquer the world!” Who are the twenty-six lead soldiers Marx referred to? They are the twenty six letters of the alphabet on a printing press.

All words of have power and meaning (Isa. 55:11). Jesus said we would be held accountable for even our idle words (Matt. 12:36-37), and Proverbs says that that words have the power of life and death (18:21). So the question is not whether words have power. The question is, “What power am I releasing with my words?” If you have sent froth words that hurt, take them back with an apology and replace them with words that heal. The greatest untapped source of healing in life is “pleasant words.”

You may not consider yourself a physician, but you should–as along as you are dispensing words of life. (David Jeremiah)

“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones” (Prov. 16:24).

Have a great day!

Anna Lee

Friday Afternoon

Jim Miller had a work accident yesterday. He is hospitalized in McComb. Pray for him as he heals.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?section=magazine&id=3789373

Jason had a link to this article on his website. It is soooooo inspiring. I hope we can all get some ideas from this and apply them in our little worlds. Let’s pray we will use our opportunities to make a difference.

(Jason, I’m glad you shared this. It was a great article.)

Friday

“With men this is impossible,

but with God all things are possible.”

~Matthew 19:26~

Kitty Bennett Lapreyrolerie got to go home yesterday. She will have lots of care by home health. Pray she continues to improve.

Quinton West also got to go home. Pray his asthma problem is under control now.

Don Denton

Don Update:

WE received the results from Don’s MRI he had earlier this week. He has Hydrocephalus which is higher than what they would like. We will meet with a Neurosurgeon on Monday. It looks like Don will enter back into the hospital for this surgery sometime next week, although we won’t have that information until we meet with the surgeon. He will have to be off of some of his meds and that monitored before surgery. This surgeon will place a “shunt” at the base of the brain and run a tube into the stomach. This will drain the pressure from the brain.

This could be a theraputic thing for Don possibly relieving the dizziness he is having. At the same time they may collect further data from this such as fluid and possible tissue to do further research.

So we see this as an opportunity for further relief for Don.

The neurologist is unsure as to why this is happening. If could be from scare tissue that has set in from having miningittis. We hope to have further answeres next week.

I had my procedures today. They scoped my stomach and I had a colonoscopy today. So far so good. No answers as of yet.

Please pray for Joshua, until life resumes to somewhat normal, he will continue to have separation anxiety issues. He is so glad to see daddy improving. The look on this childs face when he saw his daddy for the first time get up from a sitting position without the use of some kind of support was pretty amazing. Joshua was so excited he said mommy look, daddy is getting better. Maybe next daddy will be able to make my chocolate milk for me. These are huge places where “normal” is beginning to happen for Josh.

Joshua is so keenly aware of his daddys step backs and his daddys improvement and it brings hope and excitement to Joshua’s day when he sees his daddy making improvements.

In the background of all of this, our dishwasher had caught on fire, as we discovered there was a recall, which we had not been notified about. So for two weeks we are washing dishes by hand, as the process for repair is extremely slow. Our car broke down again in Springfield last week and we just found that there are 5 different things wrong with the car. And we also discovered that our kitchen is not safe with how the contractors set up our circuit breakers.

I sometimes sit and think, wow, what else could happen. Then I get perspective somehow and realize that all of these incidents are “just things” that happen in life, especially when compared to life with one another. Life with one another as we know it. When all of this happened with Don back on September 20th, we were leading a new Sunday School class called “The Journey” – We were starting to teach from the book: “Life Together” by Bonhoffer. We have been compelled to do this study about what life together looks like among believers. What does walking together really look like as Christ taught about it.

We are now experiencing what that looks like as you the church walks with us. I could have never imagined. I am still learning.

We continue to be so thankful to God for bringing Don home to us.

Please pray for Don, he is working in the direction of going back to teaching. He is so hopeful, yet this next week will determine how much better he will be after the surgery.

I will keep you posted. Thank you for your continued love and support and wonderful words of support to us. We have been so encouraged by your cards, your letters and emails.

One more important request:

My sister in law Lynn has her 4th reoccurrence of cancer. This one is on the T4 of the spine. She and my brother Steve were just here helping us out this last time Don was in the hospital. Please pray for her that they will be able to treat this area with radiation. Pray for her husband, STeve and their children. She is a beautiful person. When she was here with us, she gave of herself tirelessly and her spirit is precious. She blessed us in this precious way and we are so grateful to her and my brother for their time spent with us.

Blessings to you our family and friends

Diane

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

OF THE DOZENS upon dozens of funerals that I have conducted, I have never conducted one where the casket was occupied by anyone who had anything in his hand…

And none of the suits wrapped around those bodies required pockets. “You can’t take it with you.”

Solomon forces us to face that moment we all tend to ignore — the moment of death. He backs up three spaces and looks at the crash and says, “This is the grievous evil: Those who have clutched can quickly crash.” Put another way, “Those who grabbed and rose to the top will ultimately release and drop to the bottom.”

Can you imagine the scene? I envision a man who hoarded what he had and then lost it through a bad investment. I can see another who fights and wins his way to the top, only to have the bottom drop out of his life as the stock market plunges. And how about the individual who spends himself in a maddening pursuit of some financial goal, who drops dead of a heart attack? It happens every day. In Solomon’s words, he “toils for the wind.” He departs exactly as he entered life…naked and without a thin dime to his name. (Charles Swindoll)

“There is a severe evil which I have seen under the sun: riches kept for their owner to his hurt. But those riches perish through misfortune; when he begets a son, there is nothing in his hand. As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, to go as he came; and he shall take nothing from his labor which he may carry away in his hand” (Eccles. 5:13-15).

Prayer requests

“Let the little children come to Me, and don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these,” Luke 18:16b

SIMPLY TELL THE STORY

One day after a Bible class, some Christian friends went out to lunch. They had just learned how to tell one of the Bible stories to others. One of the Filipino men (people from the Philippines) asked the waiter if he would like to hear a story. The waiter said, “Yes.” He even went to another room and got the workers in that room to come and listen. The Filipino man told the story he had just learned with his friends. It is called “Jesus Calms the Storm.” All the waiters listened and then answered questions about the story. Everyone listening said they understood the story.

The Filipino man then asked them if they knew Jesus. They all said no. That Filipino man told them all about how Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave. He told them they could go to heaven if they followed Jesus. He told the people at the restaurant, “Repent of your sins; just pray these words aloud.” Wow! They bowed their heads and four people accepted Jesus as Savior that day!

MORE PRAYER REQUESTS FROM MISSIONARY KIDS

Please pray for me. I have had a LOT of change in my life. Right now, I need to learn how to speak French and Malagasy. We live in a neighborhood with lots of very poor children. Please pray for me and my family while we work with very poor children in our neighborhood. GRANT, age 5, (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

Please pray for the people of Philippines; and more than that, pray that the people of the world will know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. JAMES, age 11 (Pacific Rim)

Please pray for God to show me if I should go to a country in the Pacific Rim to help. BRENNA, age 8 (South Asia)

Please pray for my grandfather to know God. CHANG, age 9 (Pacific Rim)

Pray for my school. JONATHAN, age 9 (Pacific Rim)

We live in Tanzania in a small village half an hour away from Morogoro (moh-roh-GO-roh). Our village is mostly full of mud houses (that is quite common around there.) Our village has many religions—Muslims, African Traditional Religion, Roman Catholic’s, and Christians. We have 3 witch doctors in our village and they have a strong grip on our village. Please pray for; KR a new Christian, FR—my sister and have told them about Jesus.

LAURYNN, age 12 (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

Please pray for MD, an African friend who does know Jesus. Pray for MM too. She braids her hair but does not know Jesus. Pray that my Muslim friends will get to know Jesus

REBECCA, age 7 (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

Pray for our people group that they may know Jesus. PG, age 12 (East Asia)

I want to pray for my brother and sister and my parents. Also, please pray for the people in the town where I live that they will worship that God and be in heaven. PEYTON, age 8, (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

Thursday

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

1 John 4:16 (NIV)

Pray for Carol (Mrs. Edward)Bridges who has had heart surgery and Nadine (Mrs. Murphy) Bridges who will be leaving the hospital and facing treatment choices.

Quinton West (13) was doing better while hospitalized. Pray he will be able to come home without another relapse due to asthma.

Pray for the Nunnery family of Kentwood who lost their home and contents in a weekend fire. Some of the family is staying with local relatives and some at a hotel in Hammond.

Mrs. JoAnn Carter continues to deal with her health issue. Pray for strength for her as she continues her battle.

Mrs. Faye Price is now in Regency Rehabilitation in Covington. Hopefully, as she improves she will be able to be moved closer to home. Please continue to pray for her, the medical staff, and the family.

Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell has a new doctor and is undergoing tests. Pray for a diagnosis and treatment that will be effective in improving her quality of daily life.

Continue to pray for Mr. Raymond Anthony as his health has not been good lately.

Aubrey Perry, brother of Karen Miller, had surgery Monday. Pray for him and his family as they wait to see if it will be helpful in his treatment.

Cliff Titus continues to have health issues. Pray for Cliff and Lauree as they deal with these problems on a daily basis.

Help the children of the AWANA group by bringing in cans of chunky soup which will be delivered to some of the senior adults in our community. The collection will continue through the end of the month.

Buy a ticket ($15) from a youth for the Valentine Banquet and support them as they plans for a summer mission trip. The banquet will be February 13th at FBC, Kentwood.

Pray for the Smith and Clark families as they plan a memorial service for Riley and deal with Frann’s health issues. Pray the family will see God’s love in this difficult time.

KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT

The Arizona Republic reported this story (so I’m assuming this story really is true!):

“As Terry Mikel was speeding toward Tucson, he passed a car, an unmarked Arizona Highway Patrol car. The officer pulled Terry over. When Terry explained that he was late for a class he was teaching at the University of Arizona, the officer took pity on him and let him off with a warning. Before he went back to his car he said, `Slow down and drive safe.’

“Terry felt obligated to correct him. `Excuse me, Sir, but it should be “Slow down and drive safely. You said, “Drive safe.”‘

“The officer walked back to his car and wrote him a $72 speeding ticket.”

We can’t do it, can we? We just can’t seem to keep our mouths shut! Looking back, we know we shouldn’t have said a word, but at the time we felt so compelled to speak.

Maybe you didn’t get a ticket as a result, but you’ve done something just as foolish, haven’t you? Maybe even this morning, before reading this message. Maybe even before leaving your house! James was so right when he wrote,

“If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body….. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue.” (James 2b,7-8a)

That’s not an excuse, incidentally, to let our tongues run wild. Rather, it’s a challenge. As hard as it may be to control our tongues, it is essential that we as Christians strive to do just that. We stand to lose more than $72 if we fail to do so.

“He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.” (Proverbs 13:3)

“Lord, we truly want to use our tongues to Your glory this day. As difficult as it may be, help us to guard our mouths as we resist the temptation to speak at those times when we ought to keep quiet. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Don’t forget the share group meeting at the cabin tonight at 6:30. Everyone is invited.

Be careful in the cold weather this week. Stay safe!

Anna Lee

Wednesday Afternoon

Riley and Frann Smith Clark (daughter and son-in-law of Mr. George R. and Mrs. Myrtle Smith)

Just received word that Riley passed away in his sleep last night. Frann was sent to a Dallas hospital yesterday. She is in ICU there now. I understand that she is in critical condition herself. Don’t know the arrangements but think the funeral will be Sat. Vivian is to let me know after she talks to Connie or Krista this afternoon. They all definitely need our prayers.

Mary Alice

Shelby Joseph Poolson,Jr.
(January 2, 1956 – January 10, 2009)

A resident of Morgan City and former longtime resident of the Loranger/Amite area, he passed away on Saturday Jan. 10, 2009, at his sister’s home in Sweetwater. He was 53, born Jan. 2, 1956, a native of New Orleans. He was the beloved father of Shelby J. Poolson III and Michelle Lynn Poolson; and grandfather of James Blevins. He is survived by three brothers, Keith, Sweetwater, Paul and his companion, Rae Saurage, Folsom, and Gary and his wife, Loretta, Laurel, Miss.; three sisters, Catherine Yerger and her husband, Paul, Sweetwater, Connie Burnthorn and her husband, Don, and Charlynn Whitehead, Houston; 10 nieces and nephews; five great-nieces and great-nephews; a great-great-nephew; former stepmother, Marty Kay and her husband, Ron, Clinton, Mont.; and former mother-in-law, Leona Dillman. Preceded in death by his parents, Shelby J. Poolson Sr. and Hazel Yvonne Sanders Whitehead; grandparents, Daniel and Madeline Anthony Sanders and William Franklin Poolson and Ethel Farve Poolson Jewel; and his ex-wife and children’s mother, Cindy Leaber Cathalounge. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, on Tuesday, Jan. 13, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 8 a.m. until religious service at 11 a.m., conducted by Brother Elester Raines. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Keith Derrick Poolson
(April 13, 1957 – January 12, 2009)

Keith Derrick Poolson

A resident of the Loranger/Amite area passed away on Monday, January 12, 2009 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond. He was 51, born April 13, 1957, a native of New Orleans. He was the beloved father of April Danielle Poolson. He is survived by two brothers, Paul of Folsom, and Gary and his wife, Loretta of Laurel, Miss; three sisters, Catherine Yerger and her husband, Paul of Sweetwater, Connie Burnthorne and her husband, Don of Sweetwater and Charlynn Whitehead, Houston, TX; his ex-wife and daughter’s mother and friend, Donna Stafford; two whom he loved as his own, Trever and Miranda Arnold; former step-mother, Marty Kay and her husband, Ron, Clinton, Mont.; also, 10 nieces and nephews, 5 great-nieces and nephews and 1 great-great-nephew. He was preceded in death by his brother, Shelby Poolson, Jr.; parents, Shelby Poolson, Sr. and Hazel Yvonne Sanders Whitehead; grandparents, Daniel and Madeline Anthony Sanders and William Franklin Poolson and Ethel Farve Poolson Jewel. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Thursday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Friday. Interment Briar Patch Cemetery, Loranger, LA.

Please be in prayer for these families during their time of loss.

Wednesday

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!

You have relieved me in my distress;

Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

~Psalm 4:1 (NASB)~

Debbie Miller called to say Tracy Williams has been moved to Tulane Hospital when he is undergoing additional tests. Tracy has received eleven units of blood. Please pray for Tracy.

Quinton West (13) has been readmitted to the hospital. He is in Lakefront in Covington. Pray he is soon better.

Ronald Putman is hospitalized in McComb with heart problems. Pray for him and his family.

Update on Don Denton

Today Don had MRI of the brain. We will await the results of this. We also saw many doctors last week including an oncologist.

At this point we are waiting again. Waiting to see if the steroids will do its job.

We are also waiting for doctors to discuss possible further treatment if necessary.

At the same time, I need to say that I have noticed that just within the past two days, Don’s dizziness and nausea have improved. He is looking better. He is getting stronger.! Thank you to God our Father!

These are the specific things I am asking for prayer:

That these steroids will continue to do its job and that Don continues to get better.
That as the steroids are tappered off, Don not relapse.
The improvement we see now only continue.
We will not have to go back to Mayo or another facility outside of Missouri.
Complete healing for Don.
I have outpatient tests in Springfield on Thursday. Doctor thinks I may have an ulcer.
Pray for Joshua that he starts sleeping better. He wakes up every night crying.
Pray for Don’s parents as they continue down this path with us.

I believe in our Father who says that all things are possible. I believe in “what I can not see”. I am holding onto the hope that is in Christ. Christ in me the hope of Glory.

The waiting is a most difficult thing. Since September 20th we have been walking down this path, this season in our life and we will continue to wait and hope and trust. And in the waiting I have found that I am changed. I look forward to each new day with my family. Even in the everyday responsibilities of this life and in the exhaustion. I am getting more sleep. More than ever I find myself learning to laugh more, try not to take myself too seriously, and be present with my family and friends.

I will keep you posted. God bless you for continuing to walk with us. For being Christ to us. For praying for us, loving and supporting us. For speaking words of encouragement. For showing us the church in action in a beautiful way.

Bless you our friends and family

Diane

Pray for the families who are grieving. Pray they will find the peace in their grief.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

TWO MONKS WERE walking together through the country-side…

Both had taken the vow of silence and the vow of cleanliness, which meant they were not to speak to or touch anyone. Their journey brought them to a shallow stream, but the water was moving rapidly. As they prepared to cross the river, they noticed a woman stranded there on the bank’s edge. She was obviously afraid of the water and just stood there, petrified and helpless.

One of the monks just ignored her and began to cross the river. However, the second monk saw the woman, sensed her fear, and his heart went out to her. He knew that the law of his religion told him not to speak to her and not to touch her, but he also knew that a higher law told him to love and help people. So he picked the woman up and gently and carefully carried her across the swollen waters. On the other side, he tenderly put her on solid ground. She thanked him profusely. He smiled and waved, and then caught up with the other monk.

The other monk was disgusted with him for helping the woman. The two monks walked along in silence for several miles, and the first monk became angrier and angrier with the second monk. How could he have done that? How could he have broken his vow of cleanliness to help that woman? Finally, the first monk could hold it no longer. In total frustration, he turned to his fellow monk and shouted, “How could you have done that?! How could you have broken your vow like that? How could you have touched that unclean woman?”

“She was afraid. She needed help,” replied the second monk.

“That’s no excuse,” said the first monk. “You broke your vow!”

The second monk paused for a moment, and then answered, “Oh my good Brother, I dropped that woman off ten miles ago. What are you still carrying her?” (James W. Moore)

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).

“Moving on” is often very hard. We have a tendency to want to “stay” where we do not need to be. Pray to stay focused on God and let Him lead your body and your thoughts to where He would have you to be.

Anna Lee

Tuesday Evening

Nathan Joe McElveen
(October 16, 1945 – January 13, 2009)

Nathan Joe McElveen

Nathan Joe McElveen a devoted husband, father, grandfather & brother was born October 16, 1945 and passed away surrounded by his family at 1:40PM, Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at his residence in Kentwood. He was 63 and a native of Washington Parish. He loved the outdoors and playing pranks on any & everybody at any given time. His children, grandchildren & foster children defined his life completely.

Joe is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Judy Langford McElveen, Kentwood; 3 daughters Debbie McElveen Simeon, and husband Luke, Kentwood, Sonia McElveen Blalock and husband, Jeremy, Kentwood & Jeanine “Jeannie” McElveen, Natchitoches, LA; 3 sons, Michael McElveen, and wife, Jennifer, John “Jay” McElveen, and wife Rachel, Kentwood, & Will McElveen, Kentwood; 2 sisters, Bonnie Brabham, Kentwood & Annie Pevey, and husband Wilson, Pine Grove; 2 brothers, Gaylon McElveen, Mt. Hermon & Truman McElveen, and wife Anna, Mt. Hermon; brother-in-law, Bobby Langford, Kentwood; sister-in-law, Beth Potts, and husband, Dennis, New Orleans; 11 grandchildren, Riley, Hannah, Brodie, Dawson, Anthony, Jayde, Emily, Brayden, Julianah, Lathan & Sawyer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilmer & Eunice Duncan McElveen; a sister, Virginia Strickland; & sister-in-law, Mavis Sue McElveen.

Visitation will be held at the McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 from 6:00PM until 9:00PM and at the Mt. Hermon United Pentecostal Church, Mt. Hermon, on Thursday, January 15, 2009 from 9:00AM until Religious Service at the church at 10:00AM with Rev. Randall Garcia & Rev. Gene Simpkins officiating. Interment in the Mt. Hermon United Pentecostal Church Cemetery.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N & Hwy-16W next to Coggins-Gentry Ford.

Tuesday Afternoon

Wendy Fowler and Selena Morgan emailed to ask for prayer for the family of Mr. Joe McElveen. He passed away today.

Darrel “Red” Clauer, Sr.
(July 20, 1917 – January 12, 2009)

Darrel

U.S. Veteran Darrel “Red” Clauer, Sr. a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great great-grandfather, & brother was born July 20, 1917 and passed away at 6:21AM, Monday, January 12, 2009 at his residence in Amite, LA. He was 91 and a native of Linden Township of Iowa County, Wisconsin. Mr. Red was a former resident of Delafield, WI of 28 years & also of Clinton, AR for 28 years before living in Amite, LA for the last 3 years. He was a bricklayer and retired in 1977 from Milwaukee, WI Bricklayers #8 and also was a WW II Veteran in the U.S. Army.

Mr. Red is survived by his wife, Evelyn Paullin Clauer, Amite, LA; 3 sons, David Schaefer, Rockford, IL, Darrel Clauer, Jr. and wife, Pam, Clinton, AR, Frank Clauer, and wife Susan, Helenville, WI; 4 daughters, Loretta Goetsch, and husband Vincent, Coker Creek, TN, Wanda Van Den Heuvel, and husband Kirk, Germantown, WI, Susan Kemmerling, and husband Bruce, Watertown, WI, & Kathleen Davis, and husband Dickie, Amite, LA; a sister, Nahldan Kneble, Dodgeville, WI; a sister-in-law, Lorraine Clauer, Ft. Myers, FL; 21 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren & 3 great great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Gertrude Slaght Clauer, 2 sisters, 4 brothers, 1 daughter & 1 granddaughter.

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.

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

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

Tuesday

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me,

for I am gentle and lowly in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.

For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

~Matthew 1:29-30~

Marjorie “Joyce” Russell
(December 13, 1928 – January 11, 2009)

Marjorie “Joyce” Russell, 80, was born in Tylertown, Miss., on Dec. 13, 1928, and died peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009, at the Landmark Nursing Home, Hammond. She was preceded in death by her parents, Odis and Inez Hope Dier and her only two siblings, Odis Dier Jr. and Mary Dier. Surviving are her husband of 46 years, Cleo Russell; son, Kevin Russell; daughter, Marianna Ursin and husband Ed; stepdaughter, Cynthia “Cindy” Payne and husband Bill; four grandsons and a great-granddaughter. Marjorie worked at various jobs after completing high school in Kentwood in 1949, the first year, incidentally, the completion of high school required 12 grades rather than 11. Marjorie’s long work record included employment with Olan Mills Photography, accounting for various car dealerships, banks, the Roseland Wirebound Box Factory and last but not least, Accountant for School Food Services for the Tangipahoa Parish School Board. She passed the required test and became a certified Notary Public. Marjorie was a member of the Church of Christ and worked for years with her husband in teaching Sunday School classes for the children, participated in singing groups, assisted in the production of Church plays, etc. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, on Wednesday, Jan. 14, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Thursday in the chapel from 8 a.m. until religious service at 11 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Kenneth Istre. Interment in Russelltown Cemetery, located at Big Creek Church of Christ, east of Arcola.

Baptist Press

January 12, 2009

TENNESSEE–Homeschooling numbers on the rise. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29647

TENNESSEE–Homosexual bishop to pray for Obama. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29648

GHANA–Volunteers help sustain medical center in Ghana. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29649

GHANA–‘Trailblazer’ hospital changes lives in Ghana. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29650

GHANA–Public health ministry serves rural Ghana. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29651

INDIANA–FIRST-PERSON (Dwight Mabury*): Horrific sights in Orissa. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29652

TENNESSEE–FIRST-PERSON (Richard Land): Your prayers can change our country. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29653

LOUISIANA–FIRST-PERSON (John L. Yeats): When inflation accelerates. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29654

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

WHENEVER YOU FIND yourself going through times of testing, there is always a reason…a very good reason…

In fact, there are several reasons. Testing times are to:

UNCOVER something: When God allows pressures and trials, it is so that you might uncover something in your life He wants to deal with. Hardships reveal areas of weakness and vulnerability. God wants to strengthen us in those very areas, and better equip us not only to stand strong in the storms ourselves, but also to be a shelter for others.

RECOVER something: God allows us to be tested so that we might recover something we’ve lost over the months and years. Perhaps it is our delight in the Word of God, a habit of daily prayer, or the delight of regular fellowship with those of like-precious faith. Trials may force us back to that “first love” walk with the Lord that has slipped away from us.

DISCOVER something: Even though it’s a test you may not like or enjoy, you discover that He’s your God, you’re His child, and that He loves you. He’ll care for you and see you through.

I hear people talk about this trial and that trial, this test and that test. People will say, “Pray for me, I’m going through a trial in my marriage (or in my job or in my finances or in my relationships at home).” But in reality, those aren’t the things being tested at all. What’s being tested is our faith, whether we will really trust Him to work in and through our circumstances.

That’s what’s really at stake. When the heat’s on…when the shadows fall…when disappointment rips through my heart…am I going to trust Him? Am I going to wait on Him, worship Him, and give my anxieties to Him? Or am I going to turn away from Him in my doubt and discouragement? (Ron Mehl)

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Rom. 5:3-5).

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Anna Lee