Mrs. Nadine Bridges is doing well at North Oaks following surgery. She expects to get lab results tomorrow and come home Wednesday. Pray for her as she recovers from surgery.
Monday
Let us think of ways to motivate one another
to acts of love and good works.
And let us not neglect our meeting together,
as some people do,
but encourage one another,
especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT)
Saturday’s On Mission in Kentwood was another busy day of helping others. The workers and the home owners were all blessed.
A week from today, January 19, the quarterly associational WMU meeting will be held at FBC, Kentwood. Gloria Wheat Thompson will be the speaker. Join us at 10 A.M. for the meeting which will be followed by a covered dish lunch.
Friendship Circle Sunday School Class will provide Soup & Salad for Senior Adults the last Sunday of February.
Holly K. shared a photo of her new home in West Africa. She is dealing with the dust and loving the people. Please continue to pray for Holly.
There will be a share group meeting at the Alford cabin Thursday night at 6:30 P.M. Join us for food, fellowship, and a devotional time.
KneEmail
Knees
ON FEBRUARY 26, 1829, A Jewish boy named Loeb Strauss was born in a cottage in the Bavarian village of Buttenheim…
As a young man, Loeb changed his name to Levi and wound up in California where he opened a textile company in San Francisco. One day a gold miner walked into Levi’s shop and assailed the young merchant. “Look at these,” said the miner, pointing to the pants. “I bought ’em six months ago, and now they’re full of holes!”
When Levi asked why, the miner explained, “We work on our knees most of the time.”
What you need is some really strong material,” replied Levi. “We have some canvas. It’s used to make tents. If we make your trousers out of canvas, I’m sure they won’t get holes.”
A tailor was called, and presently the miner had a set of trousers — and the rest is history. Soon minors across the West were wearing Levi Strauss’s jeans. (Stephen Van Dulken)
Christians should have the same problem that plagued that miner — pants with worn-out knees — for we ought to do most of our kingdom work on our knees.
“For this reason I bow my knees
to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Sunday Evening
Big 10 from teamromany January 2009
1. On January 13 teamromany members Boyd, Joe, Gayle, and Daniel will meet with International World Changers volunteers in Prague. After a few days of planning and training, the volunteers will travel with the teamromany members to their fields of service. They will spend several days making plans together for the large groups of students who will serve with teamromany this summer through International World Changers. Pray for the leaders as they make decisions about the ministry opportunities this summer.
2. Bob and Gayle will spend most of the month of February in Prague for team leader training. Pray for them as they complete assignments this month. Pray that the training will help better prepare them for their role in ministry.
3. In December we asked you to pray for Daniel as he directed a live nativity. Twenty youth participated and were able to share the gospel. Thank God for the witness of these youth and pray for those who heard the message of the Savior.
4. Teenagers from 4 villages will participate in a winter retreat this month. Pray for Daniel as he leads this event.
6. Pray for Cornel Tuns as he returns to Romania to teach in the Romany Bible Institute.
7. Pray for Romany believers to grow in their faith, to have strong testimonies in their communities and to be bold to share Christ with their friends and family.
8. Pray for Boyd, Jennie, and their children as they face some transitions this year. As the IMB is restructuring, Boyd was asked to take on the responsibility of leading Romany ministry throughout Europe. This role will begin in March. The Hatchel family will be moving to Prague in the summer.
9. Pray for volunteer Lisa Kail as she makes plans for the Romany Summer Youth Camp in Romania.
10. Pray for those who are considering serving with teamromany as summer missionaries.
Thank you for praying with us and for us.
teamromany
Daniel Byrd – Romania
Boyd and Jennie Hatchel – Czech Republic
Bob and Gayle Hill – Romania
Joe and Julie Silby – Czech Republic
Kitty Bennett Lapreyrolerie continues to need our prayers. Her condition doesn’t seem to be improving. New problems are arising. Your prayers will be greatly appreciated.
Mrs. Faye Price in now in a room at North Oaks. She no longer has a vent. Plans are being made for a future transfer to rehabilitation. Thanks for your prayers for her, the medical staff, and the family. Keep on praying.
Aubrey Perry, brother of Karen Miller, will have surgery tomorrow. Karen said Aubrey needs a miracle. Karen and her family will appreciate your prayers for Aubrey and his entire family.
Mrs. Alice Faye Lee requested prayer for her nephew’s wife. Amy Hood Conti is undergoing tests in Baton Rouge for a heart issue.
Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell is home, but still having some continuing health issues. Pray for her as she sees a different doctor this week.
Jared Prescott and David Gullota are both still recovering from their accident. Please continue to pray for them.
Mr. Charley Kuss seems to be much better. The doctors have given him a good report. He is appreciative of visitors.
Sunday
“Come to Me,
all you who labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28, NKJV
Debbie Miller asks us to pray for Tracy Williams of Bolivar. He is hospitalized at North Oaks.
Too dangerous for the gospel?
“The Commission”
Shawn Hendricks
International Mission Board
Weary travelers stand alongside a river somewhere in South America’s Amazon Basin.
After three hours of trying to maneuver upstream by motorboat to a remote village, a group of International Mission Board missionaries grudgingly accepts the realization that the journey for that day has ended. Shallow waters, exposed rocks, tree limbs and a rough current that nearly capsized the boat won’t allow the group to go any farther.
Score a victory for the Amazon.
Jungle creates daunting ‘wall’
Thousands of miles of dense jungle create a daunting “wall” for those wanting to take the Gospel to this area. For some of the people groups in remote areas, their only hope to hear about Jesus is through faithful Christians praying the Gospel message will reach them.
“A lot of people don’t realize how big the Amazon Basin and the jungle really is,” says Terry*, an IMB missionary who leads work among indigenous peoples in portions of South America.
“It covers a huge area the size of the United States,” adds the Texas native. “You have massive areas where there are no airstrips, no roads. The only way to get there would perhaps be by helicopter or boat.”
More than 400 people groups
More than 400 people groups – roughly 26 million people – live in the Amazon Basin. Of that number, 270 people groups are less than 2 percent evangelical Christian with no IMB missionaries living among them. In addition, about 85 people groups survive completely isolated, deep in the jungle.
“We know they exist,” says Terry, pointing out some of these groups have been spotted only by satellite.
“We know very little about them – except they live in primitive situations. They’re (understandably) suspicious of outsiders.”
Two key factors keep these groups unreached by the Gospel. The government prohibits missionaries from having access to them. And most of these groups live in areas considered too dangerous for outsiders. Dangers include guerilla fighters, hostile tribes, poor flying conditions, crumbling or nonexistent roads and unpredictable waters.
Many have lost their lives
Over the years, many missionaries have lost their lives attempting to take the Gospel to these isolated peoples. One of the most well-known incidents occurred in 1956 – recounted in the 2006 movie, “The End of the Spear” – when a group of Huaorani Indians in eastern Ecuador killed Jim Elliot, Ed McCully, Roger Youderian, Pete Fleming and their missionary jungle pilot, Nate Saint.
But not all was lost among the Huaorani.
Some responded with prayer
“When [those five missionaries] died, it really raised up a host of prayer warriors [who] began to pray for the Huaorani,” says Russ Bare, another Texas native and IMB missionary who leads work among indigenous people in Ecuador.
“Today we have many Huaorani believers. There is power when God’s people pray.”
More than 50 years later, prayer is still needed if the Gospel is to penetrate the isolated corners of the Amazon Basin.
Missionaries continue to explore ways to reach Amazon peoples. One option is training local believers to go into the remote areas; another involves sharing the Gospel with those who venture from their isolated villages into cities or areas along the rivers.
Believers endure persecution
Some indigenous believers endure persecution to share their faith among their people. Pablo,* who leads a church among his Kogi people, works with a missionary to translate portions of the Bible into his language. Christian workers estimate there are only 100 believers among the 11,000 Kogi, who are located in remote areas of Colombia.
“The Kogi live a sad life,” Pablo says. “It’s just full of fear. They’re never really at peace.”
Lives spent pacifying spirits
The Kogi spend their lives seeking to pacify the spirits by offering payments for everything they do – whether they are cutting down trees or harvesting crops. Pablo says some of them wonder, “If I don’t make this payment, what’s going to happen? Will my child die if I don’t make the payments correctly?”
Life for the few believers also has been difficult. Some Kogis have threatened the lives of Pablo and fellow Christians. Still, these believers continue to share the Gospel among their people.
“[The Kogi] see a big difference in our life,” Pablo says. “[They] have lived in fear, (repeatedly) paying the spirits and not seeing any results. And when we tell them Jesus has paid all for us, they really like that.”
People as museum pieces
Not all, however, are happy with indigenous people like the Kogi turning their lives over to Christ.
Many anthropology and government organizations don’t welcome change among indigenous people. Warning signs or government officials guard protected territory in some areas.
“They don’t want them to hear the Gospel,” Terry says. “The government a lot of times sees indigenous peoples as museum pieces – something they can show. They are actively against indigenous peoples being educated … having choices.”
Prayer may be the only route
The only way many of them will be reached is through prayer, Terry stresses.
“Baptists have been working in South America for 150 years, and … I would ask them to pray that God [will] open [these people’s] hearts to understand who the one and true God is through Jesus Christ.”
*Names changed or last names removed for security reasons.
Act
• Learn how you can be a part of missions in the Amazon Basin
You can aid this work by contributing to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.
Have a wonderful Lord’s Day!
Anna Lee
Saturday
Work hard to show the results of your salvation,
obeying God with deep reverence and fear.
For God is working in you,
giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
Philippians 2:12-13 (NLT)
Read the first three news articles from Baptist Press to get a modern day example of God using a young man who is very well know and still a servant witness for Him. You may have heard his name – Tim Tebow!
Baptist Press
January 9, 2009
FLORIDA–Scripture & faith were ‘secrets’ to parenting Tim Tebow, mom says. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29633
FLORIDA–Pastor calls Tebow ‘servant leader.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29634
FLORIDA–Tebow’s faith takes center stage. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29635
GEORGIA–Recession prompts NAMB to enact spending slowdown. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29636
TENNESSEE–SPLASH people with God’s love. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29637
TENNESSEE–INTERNATIONAL DIGEST: India’s Christians celebrate Christmas in peace. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29638
CALIFORNIA–Missions thrust readied for San Diego & Tijuana. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29639
TEXAS–FIRST-PERSON (O.S. Hawkins): God’s economy in 2009. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29640
ISRAEL–FIRST-PERSON (Jim Sibley): The news from Jerusalem. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29641
Mrs. Nadine Bridges’ surgery went well yesterday. The doctor was very optimistic about the results. Please remember to pray for “Miss” Nadine as she recovers from surgery.
Quinton West is home. Doctors told him to stay in for a few days. Pray for him and his family in the next few days.
On Mission in Kentwood will be this morning at 8:00. Come out and join others as they minister in Kentwood. Pray the rain does not keep the needed work from being done.
Don’t forget AWANA and children’s choir will be resuming after a Christmas break. Pass the word. Pray for both ministries to be effective in influencing you lives in a positive Christian way during the coming months.
Margaret Constantino DiVincenti
(December 4, 1926 – January 9, 2009)
Died at 9:52 a.m. on Friday, January 9, 2009 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. She was a native of Independence, LA and a resident of Amite, LA. Age 82 years. Visitation at St. Helena Catholic Church, Amite, from 8:30 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 12, 2009. Services conducted by Fr. Joe Camilleri. Interment Colonial Mausoleum, Independence, LA. She is survived by her 2 daughters, Phyllis DiVincenti, Amite and Mary Margaret DiVincenti, New Orleans; son, Louis G. DiVincenti, Jr., New Orleans; sister, Mary Rose Tarsney, Metairie; She was preceded in death by her husband, Louis G. DiVincenti, Sr.; parents, John and Mary Constantino; 3 sisters, Catherine Fasullo, Elizabeth Gagliano and Frances Barcelona; brother, Leo Constantino.
KneEmail
Tell
I HEARD ABOUT a baby camel that asked, “Mom, why do I have these huge three-toed feet…?”
The mother replied, “To help you stay on top of the soft sand while trekking across the desert.”
“And why the long eyelashes?”
“To keep sand out of your eyes on our trips through the desert.”
“Why the humps?”
“To store water for our long treks across the barren desert.”
The baby camel considered that and then said, “That’s great, Mom. We have huge feet to stop us from sinking, long eyelashes to keep sand out of our eyes, and humps to store water, But Mom…”
“Yes, son?”
“Why are we in the zoo?”
That’s a question for all of us to consider. If we’ve been given all the resources we need to carry our Lord’s message far and wide, and if we’re completely equipped to fulfill the Great Commission, why do we keep it within the four walls of our church buildings? The Gospel isn’t something we come to church to hear; it’s something we go from church to tell. (David Jeremiah)
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all things
that I have commanded you…”
( Matt. 28:19-20a).
Friday
“Declare His glory among the nations,
His wonders among all people.”
~1 Chronicles 16:24~
Mrs. Murphy (Nadine) Bridges is in North Oaks and will be having surgery today. Please be in prayer for her today and in the days to come. Thank-you.
Quinton West is the child who has been hospitalized in New Orleans. He is better and may be able to come home soon. Thank-you for praying for him.
Don Denton
We have taken several steps back. I have not posted as I have been pretty depleated myself. I am at a loss for words these days.
The doctors are telling us that unless Don gets better over the next few weeks that we will have to wait till the steriods are tappered off again and “wait for the disease to show itself.”
He has a MRI next week and ongoing tests. He suffers from elevated dizziness and nausea, which has not gotten better.
We have had doctor appointments everyday this week. We are confident in our doctors. They are wonderful and we feel heard and feel that we are getting excellent care. Pray for them as they continue to help Don.
Honestly this is so hard and I am holding onto the Hope that we have in Christ with a thread. Please continue to pray for a miracle, pray that this will be treatable and that Don will get better.
I know that God says we can keep asking, don’t quit asking and I am not going to give up. I BELIEVE these steps back for us are only a new place of HOPE for new eyes to see Don’s case.
I am asking each one of you to pray for answers and answers that are treatable. I know our God has brought us this far and His hand is upon us.
I will update you after we get results fromMRI next week unless Don were to get sicker.
Blessings to you our family and friends
Diane
Emily Panter
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Memories
On this date back in 2000 mom and I were just a little busy. We were checking last minute arrangements, scheduling deliveries and pick-up times with the florist, dress place and the wonderful woman who made my beautiful (original) wedding cake to match my unique unity candle (I also rebelled and had red velvet instead of the traditionalJ.) Luke was I am sure just as busy making his arrangements for after the weddingJ. Tomorrow, because of God’s wonderful mercy, we will be celebrating our 9th year together. In that time we have lived in 7 different houses or apts. We have seen many end meeting jobs and have gone through 4 vehicles. We have also been honored to spend three of those years here at Bridgeview Baptist Church. Luke will be graduating in May, and we have been blessed with the addition of five amazing people to our family and this world. A lot can happen in 9 years and I pray God grants us many, many more (years not childrenJ.)
On January 4th, 2005 I was going in to see my OB and get ready for my induction on the 5th. I went in and one of the three Dr. who practiced there came in (the one I didn’t like) and said: “So you are scheduled to be induced tomorrow…” “yes” I replied with a grin from ear to ear. “Well, we are going to have to cancel that” she said flatly. I laughed thinking she was kidding, but she did not smile. “Are you serious?” I asked. “Yes, we have had too many naturally started labors come up and we don’t have room for you induction.” I was crushed. I left the room and as soon as I saw Luke in the waiting room, also smiling from ear to ear, I buts into inconsolable tears. He asked me what was wrong and was furious when I finally managed to get it out. He tried to comfort me and when that didn’t work, he took me to Culvers for the best frozen custard around.
Well, we both decided we were too ready to have this baby so we went out to eat spicy Mexican (he made me eat tons of hot sauceJ) and then we went speed walking at the mall for as long as I could stand. And you know what? It worked (or I like to think so.) That night at 1am I felt the first contraction. His mom made it to the house by 2 and we were at the hospital by 3. The nurse set me up and said they would monitor me for a few hours and see if they would keep me or send me home. Well at 5 when she checked me we were admitted and the epidural was ordered. At 8:10 am our beautiful Abigail Joy was born. She weighed 7.11 and was 20 ½ inches long. I will never forget. They put her in the warmer and she stared at me for an hour. It was so special. That was 4 years ago this past Monday, and she has lived up to her name which means ‘fathers joy.’ She has a wonderful sense of humor and is always making us smile. ‘We love you Abigail!!’
I thank God, not only for the memories, but for every day He gives me to make more. ‘Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.’ James 1:17
Oh yeah! I’ve added blog sites to my blog. Best of Becky is obviously my aunt (the one who kept up this blog for so long.) Gleanings is my mom’s blog and the rest are my brother’s and his wife (the ones in full time missions in Germany.) Feel free to check them out and keep up the communications that began during this journey.
MISSIONARY PERSONAL NEEDS. Missionaries serving among the peoples of the Mpumalanga province of South Africa write: “Please pray that the children of missionaries Kyle and Vicki Quarterson will meet some friends in their new location of White River. They are meeting a couple of American families this week. Pray that some new friendships will begin and that our MKs (missionary kids) will feel connected with others here.”
KOMpray
Kids on Mission Pray
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
SHOWING KINDNESS AND LOVE
There are some countries in the world where moms and dads don’t want their children to learn about Jesus.
Some Christians in Indonesia meet in “house churches.” One of those house churches invited Muslim children to study stories from the Bible. The Muslim children have different beliefs and a few of the parents got angry. They did not want their children to learn what the house church members had to say.
The church members keep on showing kindness and the love of Jesus to their neighbors. They are praying that the children will be allowed to come and learn Bible stories again. They also pray that the moms and dads will come to church.
MORE PRAYER REQUESTS FROM MISSIONARY KIDS
Please pray for me and that I could get better grades. JARED, age 8, (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)
I need prayer to help with math. And help my Mom and Dad teach about Jesus. CALEB, age 8, (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)
I pray for all the Muslims in the country where I live that they will look up to Jesus. I pray that all my friends will come to Jesus and trust Him will all of their heart. I pray that my parents and my family will continue sharing in Northern Africa and the Middle East. TAMARA, age 11 (Northern Africa and the Middle East)
Pray for my family as we go to an unreached people group. Pray for successful first greeting and meeting of our people. And a place to stay and make our Home. TUCKER, age 13 (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)
Please pray for my Mom’s allergies and that she will feel better. Pray for the people who don’t know Jesus. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. JL, age 6 (East Asia)
Please pray that I will be a good witness to the people around me. And please pray that I will do good in my schoolwork. ROSE, age 11 (Pacific Rim)
My prayer request is the Asians to come to Christ! All my Asian friends say that the only God is Krishna. We want them to believe in God. We are having trouble getting them to believe. They won’t believe. One did, her name is MJ. She came to Christ when my mom asked her “do you want to come and believe? That is an answer to prayer. Please pray for the Asians to come to Christ.
SARAH, age 12 ½ (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)
Dear God, Please help the people that are sick and that have been in accidents. Help us to be brave. Help us to understand about Jesus. Help David, my friend. JL, age 6 (East Asia)
Pray for my friends, Hally and Noel. She’s in 6th and 5th. Pray that they will have a good time with friends and pray for my brother Kenyon. ROCKY, age 7 (South Asia)
Please pray for the people where I live. They don’t know Jesus as Lord. CADEN, age 8 (Pacific Rim)
There’s plenty to pray for today. Thank-you for your prayer time for the needs listed here and the needs that are not listed here for one reason or another.
Anna Lee
Thursday Addition
From the IMB:
MISSIONARY PERSONAL NEEDS. Remember the mother who is pregnant with twins? She has had a roller-coaster pregnancy. First she thought she had miscarried. Then she was having twins and progressing well. However, today she went for an ultrasound and the technician could not hear any heartbeats. Both babies and mother need immediate medical attention. She needs to fly to a neighboring country for her care. Give thanks to the Lord for the worker who is flying with her. Please pray for her and for her family staying behind. Her husband has a visiting team and new team members who arrived the same day!
MISSIONARY PERSONAL NEEDS. Holly Kliesch shares: “I spent three years of my childhood as an MK (missionary kid) in West Africa. Now as I get ready to return to West Africa as an adult, I feel fairly prepared for life there, and I am eager to return. But as the time for my departure draws near, I am beginning to realize what the task before me entails. I gave up a teaching job in one of the best school districts in Mississippi, a great apartment, and a comfortable church to teach four MKs in West Africa. Many people have asked me, ‘Why are you doing this? Why are you giving up your comfortable lifestyle to go to Africa?’ I remind myself and them that God called me to this job, it is His will, and I am doing it for His glory. I have given up some things, but I am gaining so much more. I am privileged to return to West Africa as a former MK and to minister to current MKs. What a blessing! Please pray for me as I transition back into the West African culture and into a new teaching job in January. Previously I taught high school French and now I will be teaching all subjects, from kindergarten to eighth grade. Also pray for my MK students as they transition to a new teacher.”
Thursday
“But from there you will seek the Lord your God,
and you will find Him
if you seek Him with all your heart
and with all your soul.”
~Deuteronomy 4:29~
Mrs. Faye Price continues to slowly improve. The doctors are now talking about being able to move her from ICU soon. Thank you for your prayers. Continue to pray.
Jimmy Schwartz has been to the doctor this week and is doing better. Continue to pray for Jimmy.
Quinton West, the son of a KHS secretary, is hospitalized in New Orleans. Please pray for him and his famiy.
Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell continues to have problems that have sent her to the hospital again. Please continue your prayers for her and for Mr. Phillip.
Continue to pray for Mr. Tut Young and his family as he makes decisions about treatment.
Pray for Mrs. Parmys Stegall as she continues to recover from her fall and surgery. Pray for her caregivers too.
We have a request to pray for a mother and two young sons as the family goes through a divorce.
Gaza Pastor Gives Update from War Zone
By Staff
RICHMOND, Va. (BP)–No Christians in Gaza have been injured despite living in hard-hit areas, a Baptist pastor there reported to Baptist Press late in the afternoon Jan. 6.
News staff at Christianity Today, meanwhile, were reporting three Christians have died since the hostilities began in Gaza Dec. 27 but Baptist Press has not yet independently confirmed the circumstances of those deaths. One death was attributed to a heart attack but no supporting information was provided about the deaths of the other two individuals named.
Lack of food, water and electricity is a major concern for the population, the Baptist pastor said.
The pastor (name withheld for security reasons) asked that Southern Baptists pray for a quick and peaceful resolution of the strife between Israeli and the Palestinian Hamas faction.
Israel tentatively welcomed a proposal Jan. 7 from Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and French President Nicolas Sarkozy calling for a Gaza cease-fire to allow aid to reach Palestinian civilians, the Associated Press reported.
The temporary cease-fire took place in the “whole of the Gaza Strip” Jan. 7, Israeli Defense Ministry spokesman Peter Lerner told CNN. The truce is scheduled to take place every other day for a three-hour time span until a permanent resolution is formed.
Israel will continue its discussions with Egypt and France about how to achieve an extended cease-fire.
(Reported by the Richmond, Va., bureau of Baptist Press.)
FBC, Kentwood
* Deacons for the Week – Robert Wilson & Tom Brister
* “Miracle on Main Street” DVDs available for $5.00 in church office
* AWANA begins again Sunday at 4:45 P.M.
*WMU association meeting at FBC Monday, Jan. 19 at 10:00; Gloria Wheat Thompson – speaker; covered dish lunch
* Adult discipleship resumes Sunday @ 5 P.M. with “How to Pray for Your Family”.
*On Mission in Kentwood – Saturday at 8 P.M.
*Baby shower for Lauren H. Fowler @ 2 P.M. Jan. 18
*So far $14,220 has been given toward the $18,500 goal for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.
After seeing “Fireproof” Sunday, this devotional may act as a reinforcement or reminder to you.
SEVEN AGES OF A MARRIED COLD
I first saw today’s bit of humor a number of years ago in Bulletin Digest, which relayed an article that first appeared in Saturday Evening Post a number of years before that. It reveals a sequence of actions where a husband reacted to his wife’s colds during seven years of marriage.
1st year cold: The husband said, “Sugar dumpling! I’m really worried about my baby girl! You’ve got a bad sniffle and there’s no telling about these things with all the strep going around. I’m putting you in the hospital this afternoon for a general check-up and a good rest. I know the food is lousy there, so I’ll be bringing you food from Tosini’s. I’ve already got it all arranged with the floor superintendent.”
2nd year cold: “Listen, darling! I don’t like the sound of that cough! I’ve called Dr. Miller to rush over here. Now you go to bed like a good little girl just for Poppa.”
3rd year cold: “Maybe you better lie down, Honey. Nothing like a little rest when you feel lousy. I’ll bring you something. Do you have any canned soup?”
4th year cold: “Now look dear, be sensible! After you’ve fed the kids, washed the dishes and finished vacuuming, you’d better lie down.”
5th year cold: “Why don’t you take a couple of aspirin?”
6th year cold: “If you’d just gargle or something, instead of sitting around barking like a seal!”
7th year cold: “For Pete’s sake, stop sneezing! Are you trying to give me pneumonia!?”
Things do change over the years, don’t they? But they don’t have to. May I encourage those of you who are married to do something special for your spouse today. Write a sweet note or buy a card. Pick up some flowers or a small gift (yes, I know, be prepared for a response like, “What did you do now, wreck the car?”). Just make a conscious effort not to take one another for granted.
Those of you who aren’t married, sorry, I have no words of wisdom for you today. But, print this out and save it. Who knows when it may come in handy! 🙂
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it.” (Ephesians 5:25)
“…admonish the young women to love their husbands….” (Titus 2:4)
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Thank you for praying. You impact many lives! Have a terrific Thursday!
Anna Lee
Wednesday
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
Mrs. Faye Price is improving. Continue to pray for her, the medical staff caring for her, and the family. (Her surgery was five weeks ago today.)
Mr. Raymond Anthony seems to have had one problem after another the past few months. Pray for him and his wife, “Miss” Velma, as she cares for him.
Joshua Reece
Thank you for praying for Joshua. Read the great news below but continue to pray for his complete healing.
Love,
Melinda
Dear Prayer Partners,
We just got off the phone with our daughter, Heidi Reece, and she told us that Joshua is being released from the hospital. This is an amazing recovery sent down from above by our loving Heavenly Father. Joshua was taken to the hospital in Hannibal on Jan. 1st. Several hours later he was air-lifted to St. Louis by helicopter because he was in such terrible shape. Now, after only 5 and a half days of hospitalization, he is well enough to go home. Miracle!!
Of course, there are follow up visits and things that they want to see much improvement in, but for now, it is back home. Caleb, the big brother, will be waiting for his family to arrive. He has been in the care of David’s parents, out on the farm.
Thank you is not near enough to say to all of you faithful, praying friends. When we heard what the situation was, the only things we could do was to pray, and to ask others to pray. Since we asked, many of you have told us you were praying, and that you were asking your friends, church families, and prayer networks to pray. Only God knows how many people were praying for one little boy.
I am learning about the powerful answers that come from our powerful God, when we all unite in prayer on the same subject. May God richly bless you for what you have done for us.
Your grateful brother and sister in Christ, Bob and Margie Craig, Craiova, Romania
Mr. I. W. Simmons takes his last treatment Thursday. Pray for him as he completes this process.
Holly K. has safely arrived in West Africa. Thank you for praying. She is staying a a guest house and making purchases of items she will need in her new home. Please continue to pray for her as she continues to make adjustments and learn about what her responsibilities will be.
After a courageous battle with cancer, she passed away at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center on Jan. 5, 2009, at 3 a.m. She was born June 6, 1949. Paula was surrounded by loving family and friends. As a native and resident of Baton Rouge, she was an educator, business woman and Realtor. Visitation at St. Jean Vianney Catholic Church on Wednesday, Jan. 7, from 11 a.m. until funeral Mass at 1 p.m., with the Rev. Tom Ranzino, celebrant. Burial in Amite Cemetery, Amite. A celebration of Paula’s life will be held after the burial on Wednesday at the home of Paul and Diana Burns, 7381 Woodstock Drive, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Survived by her children, John Paul “J.P.” Guzzardo, Chad Nicholas Guzzardo and Erin Katherine Myers Guzzardo; father of children, Nick J. Guzzardo; grandchild, Ainsley Katherine Marie Hammack; mother, Edith Gainey Braud; and brothers, John J. Braud, Steven J. Braud and Charles R. Braud. She was predeceased by father, Paul H. Braud; and brother, Gary P. Braud. She was a graduate of Redemptorist High School and LSU with a master’s in education and history. Paula studied under the Jesuit Order at Millsaps College. A lover of great friends and family, she was a proud mother of three. Please send donations to The Sister Dulce Foundation, P.O. Box 77526, Baton Rouge, LA 70879. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.
WEDNESDAY WINDOW ON THE WORLD – January 7, 2009
CARIBBEAN YOUTH. Team West writes: “We asked you to pray that a new work would be started in a neighborhood in Barbados. We are happy to announce that it began in November, had its second gathering in December, and will have the third on Jan. 11. God has opened many doors for sharing testimonies and doing acts of kindness in this neighborhood. Please continue to pray for His Spirit to move over this place and to do wondrous and mighty things in the lives of the residents.” http://www.macregion.org/
NEAPOLITANS OF ITALY (nee-uh-PAHL-uht-n). The Harvesting Naples Team writes: “There is already a small evangelical presence in Napoli (Naples); however, there has not been an emphasis on evangelism until recently. Churches are beginning to offer English Second Language (ESL) classes, Italian lessons and music lessons, as well as feeding the homeless as a way to reach others with the gospel. As we partner with the churches, we will have an opportunity to teach English lessons and feed the homeless. Please pray that the church members will support these new ministries, that there will be an interest in the language classes, and that the partnership between our team and the churches will prosper.” paulandmackenzie@gmail.com
CITY H, EAST ASIA. January is an important time in City H as families gather to celebrate the new lunar year. However, for new believers who made a recent decision to follow Christ, it is a spiritually difficult time. Many are sharing with their families for the first time that they have decided to follow Christ. And they will be ostracized, mocked and even beaten for their newfound faith. As a result of this persecution, some will fall away from Christ while others will bear this crushing burden alone. Pray for the strengthening and encouragement of these new brothers and sisters during this “spiritual dead zone” in the month of January. Pray especially for non-believing family members to come to faith in Christ when these believers share their testimonies and the gospel. prayfor.cityh@gmail.com
Baptist Message
January 6, 2009
TENNESSEE–Radio network gives Obama ad money to pro-life groups. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29612
ECUADOR–Unlikely church planters prove effective. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29613
ECUADOR–Former gang members now share Christ. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29614
ECUADOR–Changed man uses rap to spread the Word. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29615
ECUADOR–Ecuadorian house churches support own missionary. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29616
KENTUCKY–FIRST-PERSON (David E. Prince): A lesson about work over sausages. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29617
THINGS WE KNOW FOR SURE
A newspaper editor was instructing a new reporter in some of the important details of his job. “Never state as a fact anything you are not absolutely sure about,” said the editor. “To avoid putting the paper in the position of stating something which it may not be able to prove, you should always use the words ‘alleged,’ ‘claimed,’ ‘reputed,’ ‘rumored,’ and so on, unless you know positively that everything is true as stated.”
The reporter was sent out to get society items, and soon thereafter the following paragraph appeared in the society column:
“It is rumored that a bridge party was given yesterday by a number of reputed ladies. Mrs. Smith, it is said, was hostess. The guests, it is alleged, with the exception of Mrs. Brown, who says that she comes from Illinois, were all local people. Mrs. Smith claims to be the wife of Alexander Smith, who is rumored to be doing a thriving business in town.”
It is important to know those things that we are absolutely sure of. That’s one of the reasons why the letter of I John was written. John had some things to say to those Christians who referred to themselves as “gnostics”. The Greek word “gnosis” means “knowledge” and these Christians thought they had more knowledge than “normal” Christians. John writes this letter to say (1) The Gnostics didn’t know nearly as much as they thought they knew; and (2) All Christians know those things which are of greatest importance (“I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it.”, I John 2:21)
Among the things which we can “know”:
“Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.” (I John 2:23)
“…We know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (I John 3:1)
“And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.” (I John 3:5)
“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us.” (I John 3:16)
“By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.” (I John 4:13)
“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life…” (I John 5:13)
“We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.” (I John 5:19)
“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.” (I John 5:20)
Take confidence in those things which you know to be true!
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Anna Lee
Tuesday
“We give thanks to You, O God,
we give thanks!
For Your wondrous works
declare that Your name is near.”
Psalm 75:1
Joshua and Paula Splane
Paula Splane asked that you put her nephew, Joshua Splane, age 22, on the prayer link. He is in ICU at Tulane. He has a shunt in his head and is having problems.
also, Paula fell last night a tore a tendon behind her knee and will be out of school this week and perhaps next week. Please put her on link also. Thanks,
Janet A. Hammons
Pray for Mrs. Catherine Yarborough as she continues to work to work to get pain relief. She is hopefully on the road to improvement.
Joshua Reece
Thank you so much for praying for Joshua. As you will read he is doing better but still has a ways to go in his recovery.
Melinda
Dear Prayer Partners,
God is answering your prayers for Joshua Reece, our grandson. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Like firemen, you heard the plea for help, and you ran to the rescue. Our Heavenly Father is full of mercy and grace, which He delights to pour out on His children. I talked with our son-in-law David, and received this report. Joshua has taken a 5 ounce bottle of formula, and has eaten about an ounce of solid food—the first intake by mouth in days. His IV for fluids has been disconnected, but is still in place just in case it is needed. The oxygen tube on his nose is still in place but has been reduced to almost no flow at all, since he is breathing on his own. He is coughing more now, which hurts his chest, which he does not like, but this is a sign that the congestion is beginning to break up in his lungs. His father, David, was playing some “peek-a-boo” with him, and he was chuckling, a little, so that is a sign that he is feeling some better.
Heidi and David have been able to get some rest and wish to thank all for their prayers for Joshua and for them. The different specialists are already making plans for follow up visits so they can analyze his development issues—-underweight, never crawled yet, fluid on the brain, etc. Because of this, please pray for wisdom from on high, that God would lead them to know how to help his little body grow. We all are so grateful for the excellent care given to him at Cardinal Glennon Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. We highly recommend their services.
I knew that God had led us to gather the best Prayer Partner Network available, and once again, I want to thank you. We could do nothing from here but pray, and to ask others to pray. God was very faithful to us and His grace was more than sufficient. Please, communicate with your prayer networks our gratitude. We would consider it a privilege if you would give us your prayer requests and allow us to hold you up in prayer, too. All praise and glory and honor goes to our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. Bob Craig—missionary
Don Denton
Don Update:
Don came home from the hospital on Friday. We again find ourselves so grateful to God for his mercy upon us. It was a long exhausting very tireing week. I am so grateful to my brother Steve and his precious wife Lynn for flying in from Texas to help out. We are so blessed. Joshua justs continues to be blessed by his family. We are so grateful to them for their generosity to us. We could not have made it through the week without them and I am most grateful to them.
We need more prayer. Don has numerous doctor appointments this week. Hopefully we can get to the bottom of why he continues to be so sick. We will have a few new “eyes” looking to help us. We are thankful for a doctor from Mayo who called me this week, a Dr. Whineshakker. He believes we need to continue asking questions. We are so thankful for Dr. Trotman for his passion and tenacity in not letting go of this. He is one of the finest doctors we have encountered. We know we are in excellent hands. And we know more than ever that God’s hand is upon us and directing us in a way that we know we will get answers.
Please pray for wisdom and discernment for these doctors and for us as we continue to ask the important question that need to be asked.
Sorry for the delay in the update. I literally got maybe three hours a night of sleep this last week. This next week will be a good week.
I will post as soon as we get more information.
Blessings to you our family and friends.
Diane
From the IMB:
PALESTINIAN ARABS OF THE MIDDLE EAST. Once again war is ravaging Gaza. Palestinian believers tell workers that it has never been as bad as it is right now. Hundreds have already been killed. There has been no electricity for a week. Food and water are in short supply. No one can sleep because the bombs fall all night. Ordinary people are terrified. Please pray that the violence will stop and that no more people on either side will be injured. Pray for those on both sides of this conflict whose hearts are hardened by hate and fear. Pray especially for those who are followers of Jesus. Pray that they will experience God’s peace in the midst of turmoil. Pray that they will find opportunities to share His peace with others.
LAST FRONTIER. Workers focused on a Last Frontier people group are planning a training conference for national partners. Join them in asking the Father to lead them to the right people to be invited. Ask that the learners will understand the information shared and will then be able to use the information to share with many members of the people group. Whenever there is an opportunity like this, there is always the challenge of gathering safely. Ask our Father to protect all the participants as they study together.
MISSIONARY PERSONAL NEEDS. In early December, you were asked to intercede for J, who is carrying twins. She writes: “On Christmas Eve, we went in for a follow-up ultrasound and we could easily see two healthy babies with strong heartbeats! It’s been quite an emotional roller coaster after having lost a baby, then going for an ultrasound, expecting to see nothing, then seeing two instead! Most likely, the doctors think there were triplets and we lost one. The last couple of weeks we’ve been waiting and hoping that those two have been growing steadily and remaining healthy. Today’s ultrasound confirmed just that. We’re ecstatic that mother and babies seem perfectly healthy now and chances for another miscarriage continue to drop with each passing day. We’re scared to death of being the parents of five, but we also feel extremely blessed and fortunate. Thanks for your prayers!”
Larry Roberts
(August 27, 1944 – January 4, 2009)
I have fought the good fight and kept the faith. Mr. Roberts died at 9:55PM on Sunday, January 4, 2009 at Lallie Kemp Regional Medical Center in Independence, LA. He was a resident of Kentwood, LA. Age 64 years. Visitation at Greenlaw Baptist Church, Kentwood, from 8 a.m. on Tuesday until religious services at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Services conducted by Rev. Joseph Warden. Interment Roberts Cemetery, Osyka, MS. Survived by uncle and aunt, Wiltz Roberts, Sr. and Joan Roberts, Osyka, MS, numerous cousins, friends, and church family. Preceded in death by mother, Golda Davis, uncles, Lawrence, Bilbo, Alton, and Clyde Roberts, aunts, Jessie Hilbun and Tina Rodriguez. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Greenlaw Baptist Church, 14407 Greenlaw Baptist Church Road, Kentwood, LA 70444. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements.
Baptist Press
January 5, 2009
TENNESSEE–Gaza Baptist Church damaged in air strike. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29605
WASHINGTON–Survey: Large majority favors abortion limits. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29606
CALIFORNIA–Rose Parade outreach yields Kingdom results. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29607
TENNESSEE–Rural church is missions ‘greenhouse.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29608
TENNESSEE–CP giving 4.99% behind ’08 pace. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29609
TENNESSEE–FIRST-PERSON (Rebecca Powell) Spend more time around the table. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29610
FBC, Kentwood
– On Mission in Kentwood will work Saturday @ 8 A.M.
– AWANA will resume Sunday evening at 4:50.
Command
JUST BEFORE JESUS went to Calvary He said to His disciples, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” ( John 13:34, 35)…
Is it right for God to command us to love one another?
Imagine a young man on a college campus who sees and falls in love with a young lady. But she’s not the least bit interested in him. So, he goes up to her one day and says, “I command you to love me!” Can a man do that to a young lady? Of course not.
It’s important that we understand that Christian love is not an emotional feeling that we manufacture. But it means we treat each other the way God treats us. Christian love is not a matter of feeling, it’s a matter of willing. “For God so loved…that he gave” ( John 3:16). God’s love wasn’t a sentimental feeling, but it expressed itself in action.
How does God treat us? God forgives us, so we forgive one another. God is kind to us, so we are kind to one another. God receives us, so we receive one another. We may not have the same personalities, or we might not even have the same interests; but we willingly and deliberately treat each other the way God treats us. This helps us to understand what it means to love one another.
I’m going to have a difficult time washing your feet if I don’t love you. I’m going to have a difficult time forgiving you if I don’t love you. The interesting thing is this: the more we deliberately will to love one another, the more our feelings begin to change; and lo and behold, we even start to like one another. You may not want to spend a week’s vacation with some people, but you can still treat them the way God treats you. As we love one another more and more, we learn to like one another. We can get along with one another.
God commands us to love one another because He revealed to us His love. He said, “Greater love has no one than this, that a man lay down one’s life for his friends” ( John 15:13). “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us…For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” ( Rom. 5:8, 10). Jesus gave us the perfect example of what it means to “love one another” by His life and by His death. His command to love one another shouldn’t be looked upon as a burdensome commandment ( 1 John 5:2, 3), but a joy. (Howell Ferguson)
KneEmail: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” ( John 13:34, 35).
Finally brothers, whatever is true,
whatever is honorable,
whatever is just,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is commendable—
if there is any moral excellence
and if there is any praise—
dwell on these things.
Philippians 4:8
Anna Lee
The Prayer Link 
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