Thursday

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT)

Mrs. Faye Price continues to be in ICU at North Oaks. This is day 15. Please continue to pray for God’s will to be done3.

Holly K. will be returning to this area today after completing her missionary orientation. Pray for her as she speaks in various churches for the next few weeks.

You are invited to join us at the cabin for food, fellowship, and a devotional tonight. We meet at 6:30. Call if you need directions to the cabin.

Dot Marlett-Allen
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8. Dot was a retired administrative secretary with the state of Louisiana, Division of Administration. She was 76, a native of Kentwood and resident of Denham Springs. Dot died 6:20 p.m. Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at her residence. Visiting will be at Greenoaks Funeral Home, 9595 Florida Blvd, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visiting resumes Friday Dec. 19, 2008, 9 a.m. until religious services at 10:00 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. Services will be conducted by the Rev. Don Hoy. Interment will follow in Greenoaks Memorial Park. Dot is survived by her three children, Sheila Menck, Gracie M. and Patrick Dias and Robert “Keith” and April Menck; two sisters, Bettie G. Conley and husband Neal and Sylvia G. McBride and husband John; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Dot was preceded in death by her husbands, Robert A. Menck, Joseph Marlett and Wallace Cooper Allen; parents, Grace Gibson Hanks and Wilmer E. Gibson and a sister, Evelyn Gibson. Dot was an active member of Brookstown Baptist Church.

The Birth of Jesus
Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2

The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and said, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” (TNIV)

An Angel Visits Mary

One day about 2,000 years ago an angel named Gabriel appeared to a young Jewish woman named Mary. Gabriel told Mary she would have a son, Jesus, who would be the Son of God! Mary was confused and worried about this sudden news, but she had faith in God and said, “I am the Lord’s servant; let it be as you say.”

Journey to Bethlehem

Mary and her husband-to-be, Joseph, lived in a town called Nazareth. But they had to travel to the city of Bethlehem to register for a census ordered by the Roman emperor, Caesar Augustus. Both Nazareth and Bethlehem are in the country now called Israel. It is about 65 miles (105 km) from Nazareth to Bethlehem, and the trip probably took them several days.

When Joseph and Mary got to Bethlehem, there was no place for them to stay because the inn was already full. They ended up spending the night in a stable, a place where animals were kept. There was probably fresh hay on the floor that they used for beds.

That night, Jesus was born. There was no crib, so they laid baby Jesus in a manger, a feeding trough for animals. The manger probably had fresh hay in it and made a nice bed for the baby.

Shepherds Visit Jesus

Jesus was born in a stable and laid to sleep in a manger. The shepherds came to see firsthand the things the angel had told them.
That night, some shepherds were in the fields near Bethlehem, keeping watch over their flocks of sheep. An angel appeared to them and gave them the good news that a Savior, the Messiah, had been born. The angel told the shepherds they could find Jesus lying in a manger. Suddenly a whole group of angels appeared saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

The shepherds hurried into Bethlehem and found Jesus in the manger, just as the angel had told them. After they had seen Jesus, they spread the news, and everyone who heard was in awe.

Wise Men Visit Jesus

Wise men from the East came to worship Jesus, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Some time later, wise men, or magi, from eastern countries saw a star in the sky that signaled the birth of a new king. They came to Judea, the region around Jerusalem and Bethlehem, to worship Jesus, the new king.

A man named Herod was the king of Judea. He called the wise men to a meeting and told them to find the new king so he could go and worship him, too.

The wise men continued on to Bethlehem and followed the star until it was directly above the house where Jesus was. They found Mary and Jesus in the house and knelt down to worship Him. They brought Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, some of the finest things in the ancient world. Frankincense was burned to make a sweet smell, and myrrh was an expensive perfume.

After visiting Jesus, the wise men had a dream that warned them not to go back to King Herod, so they took a different route home.

Journey to Egypt

King Herod lied when he told the wise men he wanted to worship Jesus. He was afraid this new “king” would replace him as king of Judea. He did not understand that Jesus would grow up to be king of God’s spiritual kingdom, not king of Judea.

What Herod really wanted was to find Jesus and kill Him! Herod was furious when he realized the wise men had not come back to tell him where to find Jesus. He sent his soldiers to Bethlehem to kill all the children under two years old, thinking Jesus would certainly be one of the ones killed.

But God had told Joseph in a dream to flee to Egypt. Joseph took Mary and Jesus to live in Egypt where they would be safe from Herod. Joseph, Mary and Jesus stayed in Egypt until Herod had died, and then they returned to Nazareth.

Question

Was Jesus born on Christmas day? We celebrate Jesus’ birth on Christmas, but no one really knows what day Jesus was born, or even exactly what year. In 336 A.D., the Western Church, based in Rome, chose December 25 to celebrate as Christmas, meaning “Christ’s Mass.” The Eastern Church chose January 6. The day was named Epiphany, meaning “appearance.” Eventually the period from December 25 to January 6 became known as the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Lessons

The stories of Jesus’ birth link to both the past and the future. The circumstances of Jesus’ birth show He fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies of a Messiah (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23). He was born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:5-6). He was called out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1, Matthew 2:15).

Jesus was born in a stable – the most humble of circumstances. Similarly, Jesus showed us how God’s favor rests with the poor and downtrodden. The Gentile wise men came to worship Jesus. Later, the Gentiles would make up most of the Christian world. Herod’s attempt to kill Jesus foreshadows His crucifixion about 33 years later.

Take some time to this about the statement “Jesus is the reason for the season”.
Anna Lee

Wednesday

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name ‘Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us'” (Matthew 1:23, NKJV).

I missed seeing this update Sunday.
Update on Dustin Rosamond: Dustin is in ICU at Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans. Dustin had surgery to his lung yesterday (Saturday) to try to remove some of the “infection pockets” from his lung, he also has some bleeding and may have to have a transfusion, please continue to pray for him and his parents as they stay with him round the clock and for the rest of his family and friends as we all anxiously await his recovery. We know that God has a reason for allowing this to happen. Dustin is 13 and has his 14th birthday coming up in just days. Thank you for praying. I will keep you updated.

This is Tuesday’s update.
Update on Dustin Rosamond: Dustin is slowly continuing to get better followng surgery to his lung on Saturday. He still has a drain tube into his side and hopefully will get that out soon, they thought he would get that out yesterday but he keeps spiking a fever. He of course really wants to come home but pray for him to get really strong and healthy before he gets to come home and his patience so that he doesn’t end up having to turn around and go right back if he gets out too soon. Thank you all for all of your prayers. Please continue to pray for Dustin and for all of our family. Thank you again.

Mr. Cete Dillon’s medical procedure went well yesterday. The results also seem to be good. Thanks for praying for him.

Mrs. Faye Price continues her “roller coaster” ride to recovery. Please continue to pray.

Emily Panter is well enough to writer for herself now!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Hello World!

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him.

Nahum 1:7

Dearest Family and Friends in Christ,

How wonderful it is to be able to write to you. I apologize it has taken this long. I am trying to read the entire blog before I really express my heart to you, but I simply could not wait. We have dial-up so you know how that is, and there is just so much to read! (I am only to November 2nd.)

You all have blessed me more than you can know and I want to thank you for all of your thoughts, kindness, generosity, and above all for your prayers. “…and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” James 5:16b. I have felt your loving prayers and know that God has answered and shown Himself powerful and merciful, all for His glory. There were no circumstances or luck involved in this event, only the hand of our sovereign Father, lovingly answering the prayers of His people.

Please do not stop your prayers for me yet, as I face a long recovery and am very limited in the activities I am able to do. Pray that I am able to meet my children’s needs, and praise God for my wonderful husband who, through God’s grace, has been a rock through this whole ordeal.

I go for a follow-up cat-scan and visit with the infectious disease doctor, Dr. Spak, this Monday to see how effective the ONE antibiotic they have me on has been successesful at killing the infection in the left over liquid in my abdomen. Other than that it will just be a matter of regaining muscle tone, energy and an appetite.

Even through all the pain and frustrations, this has been a surreal and wonderful experience. What a privilege to be a tool that unites so many in one accord, agreeing in prayer. What a joy to see just how big my God is and how nothing surprises Him or can stand in His way! He has protected me and my family and touched many lives in the process. Nothing He does is without purpose, even if it does not make sense to us.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth, and making it bear and sprout, and furnish seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So shall My word go forth from My mouth. It shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the mater for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:8-11

I love you all and thank you again. I will write again very soon. ~Emily

P.S. I would like to thank Becky for all her hard work at keeping up this blog, It has been such a blessing, and will be a written account for my children when they are old enough to understand. Thank you, I love you.

Don Denton is now at home and having rehab three times a week. Please continue to pray for him and his family.

Ray Edwin Brock
(April 14, 1956 – December 14, 2008)
Ray Edwin Brock a wonderful, kind and loving father, son, brother, uncle and friend was born April 14, 1956 and passed away at 1:26PM, December 14, 2008 as a result of a massive heart attack. Ray was 52, a native of Magnolia, MS and a resident of Hammond.

He is survived by a son, James Barker Brock, Gardnerville, NV; his mother, Lina Brock Bernard, Amite; 3 sisters, Bettie Johnson and husband, Charlie, Thibodaux, Carolyn Helms and husband, Vernon, Schriever, Robbie (Ray’s twin) Davenport and husband, Ricky, Jonesville; a brother Lat “Bubba” Brock, Jr. and wife, Ceil, Hammond; 8 nieces & nephews and 7 great nieces and nephews.

Ray was preceded in death by his father, Latimer A. Brock, Sr.; his grandparents, Margaret & Holland Brock and Sally & Pierre Warren.

Ray graduated from Amite High School in 1974 where he played basketball, baseball and football. He attended Northeast LA University for two years before transferring to SLU. He graduated with a degree in Physical Education and Chemistry. He was a mud engineer for Magabar for several years before moving to Lake Tahoe, NV. He worked at Harvey’s and Harrah’s Casinos as a pit boss and dealer for many years. He moved back to Louisiana in 2006 to be closer to his family.

Ray loved watching all sports, especially LSU. He was a talented pianist and guitar player. He enjoyed entertaining the guest at the Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Hammond with his music.

Ray will be deeply missed by his family.

A private funeral service will be held at a later date at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite.

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

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

Baptist Press
December 16, 2008

WASHINGTON–Abortion bailout: Obama urged to use taxpayer funds for abortion. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29520

ALASKA–Palin’s church targeted by arsonist. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29521

TENNESSEE–Black leaders explore church growth strategies. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29522

TENNESSEE–Adapt to reach adults, speakers say. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29523

TENNESSEE–500 women’s leaders gather for training. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29524

VIRGINIA–FIRST-PERSON (Ken Connor): Attention Wal-Mart shoppers. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29525

If you are a interested in sports, you might want to bookmark this link and refer to it periodically.
http://www.bpsports.net/

KneEmail
Balance

WHEN THE RINGLING Brothers Circus went to New York City in April 2004, thousands of people jammed Madison Square Garden to see the greatest show on earth…

What they saw instead was a terrifying accident. A performer named Ernado Rangel Amaya, a thirty-four-year-old Venezuelan high-wire daredevil, lost his balance and plummented to the ground. The crowd gasped in horror as emergency workers rushed to his side. Rangel somehow survived the fall, but he taught us a valuable lesson: life is all about keeping your balance. (David Jeremiah)

During this holiday season, work on keeping your balance — financially (don’t over-spend), emotionally (don’t over-stress in purchasing and preparing), physically (don’t over-eat), and spiritually (don’t neglect your worship, personal study and focus on God).

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” ( Luke 2:52).

Posted by Mike Benson at December 3, 2008 12:11 PM

Have a wonderful Wednesday remembering “Jesus is the reason for the season”.
Anna Lee

Tuesday

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)

Continue to pray for the Price family during difficult days. The last two weeks have been difficult for “Miss” Faye and for her family as they stayed close to the ICU.

Mrs. Catherine Yarborough will have a procedure on nerves in her back today to ease constant pain. Pray for her as she goes through the procedure and for good results from the procedure.

Mr. Cete Dillon will have a medical test today in McComb. Pray for him and for “Miss” Ruby as she waits.

Mr. Tut Young, father of Wanda Miller, is in the Louisiana Heart Hospital. Pray for him, his family, and the medical staff.

Pray for the KHS family as we continue to adjust to the aftermath of the fire and the news of the arrest of two of the students.

I attended the Living Christmas Tree presentation under the leadership of Dennis Walker at FBC, Amite last night. It surely had to be one of the very best of the thirteen years they have done this. If you have not attended this year and are available, please attend the last performance which is at 7 P.M. tonight. You’ll be richly blessed.

I’m including the quiz below to remind you of some of the details of the Christmas story. I hope reading this gets to to focus of what happened long ago and realize how significant it is in our lives today. If you do not have Jesus in your heart, please seek him at a church, through Bible study, or from talking with a Christian friend.

Christmas Scripture Quiz
http://www.makedisciples.com/Christmas/quiz.htm

Take this short quiz to test how well you know the Nativity stories in Luke and Matthew. How much of our traditional celebrations of Christmas is actually found in the scripture text and how much is tradition built up over the centuries?

1. How many wise men were there?
a. 3
b. 4
c. The Bible does not say.

2. Did Joseph meet the wise men?
a. Yes
b. No
c. The Bible does not say.

3. What animal did Mary ride to Bethlehem?
a. Donkey
b. Small horse
c. Llama
d. The Bible does not say.

4. The Holy Family named the child “Jesus” because:
a. An Angel told Mary to use the name.
b. An Angel told Joseph to use the name.
c. All of the above.
d. None of the above.

5. What type of building was Jesus born in?
a. Stable
b. Cave
c. Inn
d. The Bible does not say.

6. What animals were present at the Nativity?
a. Cattle
b. Sheep
c. Doves
d. All of the above
e. The Bible does not say.

7. Who besides the wise men saw the star?
a. The shepherds
b. King Herod’s astrologers
c. The Bible does not say.

8. How did the star compare in brightness with the other stars?
a. Brighter
b. Equivalent
c. A faint glow over the horizon.
d. The Bible does not say.

9. How soon after Joseph and Mary reached Bethlehem was Jesus born?
a. Within minutes.
b. That night
c. The Bible does not say.

Answers to Christmas Scripture Quiz

1. How many wise men were there?

c. The Bible does not say.

Although tradition suggests there were three wisemen, as in the carol “We Three Kings of Orient Are,” the Bible actually does not give the number of Magi. (Go to Biblical account of the Magi in Matthew).

2. Did Joseph meet the wise men?

c. The Bible does not say.

Matthew writes that the magi found the Child with Mary, but makes no mention of Joseph. Matthew 2:9-11. Of course, as a good parent, we would probably expect Joseph to have been there.

3. What animal did Mary ride to Bethlehem?

d. The Bible does not say.

Although it would be a long walk for a pregnant woman from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the Bible does not mention what animal, if any, Mary rode. Luke 2:4-6

4. The Holy Family named the child “Jesus” because:

c. All of the above.

In Luke, the Angel Gabriel tells Mary to use the name “Jesus.” Luke 1:30-31 . In Matthew, an angel tells Joseph to use the name. Matthew 1:20-21

5. What type of building was Jesus born in?

d. The Bible does not say.

Although Luke tells us that the baby was placed in a manger, there is no mention of where the manger was located. Luke 2:6-8

6. What animals were present at the Nativity?

e. The Bible does not say.

Despite the line in Away in a Manger that “the cattle were lowing, the poor baby wakes,” there is no mention of which animals were present at the Nativity. Luke 2:6-8

7. Who besides the wise men saw the star?

c. The Bible does not say.

Check Matthew’s account.

8. How did the star compare in brightness with the other stars?

d. The Bible does not say.

Check Matthew’s account.

9. How soon after Joseph and Mary reached Bethlehem was Jesus born?

c. The Bible does not say.

Although every Sunday school Christmas pageant has Mary deliver a baby moments after Mary and Joseph are turned away from the inn, the Bible does not specify a time period. Check Luke’s account.

May you be a blessing in someone’s life today!
Anna Lee

Monday

She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus — “God saves” — because he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21

In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! Luke 1:42

Mrs. Faye Price continues to be in ICU. Her kidneys are functioning a little better. The medical staff continues to try to take her off the ventilator. Keep on praying.

Mrs. Annie Belle Harrell continues to have the same health issue that has bothered her for several months. She spent a couple days in the hospital last week because of this. Please continue to remember her in your prayers.

Pray for the faculty and staff of Kentwood High as they make adjustments because of the fire. Thank God for the quick response of the fire department which surely saved the whole building.

Thank God for the many men who are here to work on the power lines. Most of the people I have talked with now have electricity. Hopefully, the area’s power will soon be 100% restored.

FBC, Kentwood was the setting for two wonderful services yesterday. If you missed them, talk to someone who was there. Thank you to all who made the day so meaningful.

Today’s question:

2. Did Joseph meet the wise men?
a. Yes
b. No
c. The Bible does not say.

c. The Bible does not say.

Matthew writes that the magi found the Child with Mary, but makes no mention of Joseph. Matthew 2:9-11. Of course, as a good parent, we would probably expect Joseph to have been there.

MARY VISITS ELIZABETH
Because she was so excited and could not wait to see Elizabeth and share her own news,
Mary sets off to visit.

Mary in Hebrew means bitter.

Mary was to become the wife of Joseph and the mother of Jesus.

Both Mary and Joseph were from the line of David.

Background Reading:
Luke 1:39-40
Mary visits Elizabeth

39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.

ELIZABETH GETS A VISIT FROM MARY

Elizabeth welcomes Mary her cousin to her home.
Elizabeth is pregnant and the baby leaps for joy at the sound of Mary’s voice.

Elizabeth in Hebrew means God is my Oath.

Elizabeth is the wife of Zacharias

Background Reading:
Luke 1:41-45
Mary visits Elizabeth

41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.45 Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”

More Information:
Elizabeth

Elizabeth (God is my Oath) like her husband, Zechariah (Jehovah remembers) were from the tribe of Levi.
Elizabeth was told to call her son John the shorten form of Jehohanan which means Jehovah’s gift or God is gracious. John was to become John the Baptist.

The Southern Baptist Convention collects an annual offering to support international missions. The offering is named in honor of Lottie Moon. Here’s her story:

LOTTIE MOON

Southern Baptist Missionary to China

Lottie Moon was born in 1840, third in a family of five girls and two boys, on the family’s fifteen-hundred-acre tobacco plantation known as Viewmont. Her father, Edward Moon, was the largest slaveholder (fifty-two slaves) in Albemarle County; he was also a merchant and a lay leader in the Baptist church. But Lottie was only thirteen when her father died in a riverboat accident.

The Moon family valued education, and at age fourteen Lottie went to school at the Virginia Female Seminary [e.g. high school] and later the Albemarle Female Institute, where she earned both her bachelor’s and Master of Arts degree in teaching. A spirited and outspoken girl, Lottie was indifferent to her Southern Baptist upbringing until her late teens, when God touched her heart during a spiritual revival at Albemarle.

There were precious few opportunities for educated females in the mid-1800s, though her older sister Orianna became a physician and served as a Confederate doctor during the Civil War. Lottie helped her mother maintain Viewmont during the war, once hiding the family silver in a field from approaching Union soldiers, but when the threat evaporated, she was unable to find it again.

After the Civil War, Lottie taught at female academies first in Danville, Kentucky, and later helped set up Cartersville Female High School in Georgia. The school was thriving academically (though not financially) under her leadership as associate principal when she felt a quite different call: to go to China as a missionary.

Single women on the mission field? Most mission work at that time was done by married men. But the wives of China missionaries T. P. Crawford and Landrum Holmes had discovered an important reality: Only women could reach Chinese women, and they needed help. To everyone’s surprise, Lottie’s younger sister Edmonia accepted a call to go to North China in 1872. Lottie followed a year later. She was thirty-three years old.

Edmonia didn’t last as a missionary, but Lottie did. She was a petite woman, only four foot three, but she had stamina, a lively spirit, vision, and a passion to win souls for God. Mission policies of the time limited what ministry women could do. But Lottie waged a slow, respectful, but relentless campaign to give women missionaries the freedom to minister and have an equal voice in mission proceedings. A prolific writer, she corresponded frequently with H. A. Tupper, head of the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board, informing him of the realities of mission work and the desperate need for more workers—women and men. She encouraged Southern Baptist women to organize mission societies in the local churches to help support additional missionary candidates—and to consider coming themselves. Many of her letters appeared as articles in denominational publications. Catching her vision, Southern Baptist women organized Women’s Missionary Unions (WMU) and even Sunbeam Bands for children to promote missions and collect funds to support missions. The first “Christmas offering for missions” in 1888 collected over $3,000, enough to send three new missionaries to China.

Raised in a family “of culture and means,” Lottie at first thought of the Chinese as an inferior people, and insisted on wearing American clothes to maintain a degree of distance from these “heathen” people. But gradually she came to realize that the more she shed her westernized trappings and identified with the Chinese people, the more their simple curiosity about foreigners (and sometimes rejection) turned into genuine interest in the Gospel. She began wearing Chinese clothes, adopted Chinese customs, learned to be sensitive to Chinese culture, and came to respect and admire Chinese culture and learning. In turn she was deeply loved and revered by the Chinese people.

Lottie began her tenure as a missionary by teaching in a girls school—but while accompanying some of the seasoned married women on “country visits” from village to village outside the bigger cities, she discovered her passion: direct evangelism. But there were so many hungry, lost souls, and so few missionaries! For forty years she kept up her not-so-gentle pressure for the Southern Baptists to become giving, sending, missions-minded people.

Lottie’s home base as a missionary was Tengchow (today Penglai) in Shantung Province in North China. T. P. Crawford was the senior missionary there, but he had a reputation among both missionaries and the Chinese as an inflexible, contentious personality. Lottie often functioned as a peacemaker, able to see both sides of a dispute. She had her own strong opinions about different things, but she always worked respectfully with the Foreign Mission Board and with her fellow missionaries. Eventually Crawford resigned from the mission and formed the independent Gospel Mission, taking several Southern Baptist missionaries with him. After Crawford’s death, however, Lottie encouraged the board to receive the remaining GM missionaries “back into the fold.”

Lottie extended her work into the interior, especially P’ingtu and Hwangshien, until additional missionaries arrived to carry on the work. Only then did she allow herself to take a much-needed furlough, the first in 1892, and the second in 1902. Lottie was very concerned that her fellow missionaries were burning out from lack of rest and renewal and going to early graves. The mindset back home was “go to the mission field, die on the mission field.” Many never expected to see their friends and families again. Lottie argued that regular furloughs every ten years would literally extend the lives and effectiveness of seasoned missionaries. (Today missionaries get a furlough roughly every four years.) She also took a month of rest during the year.

The War with Japan (1894), the Boxer Rebellion (1900), and the Nationalist uprising (that overthrew the Qing Dynasty in 1911) all profoundly affected mission work. Famine and disease took their toll, as well. When Lottie returned from her second furlough in 1904, she agonized over the suffering of the people who were literally starving to death all around her. She pled for more money and more resources, but the mission board was heavily in debt and could send nothing. Mission salaries were voluntarily cut. Unknown to her fellow missionaries, Lottie Moon—the Southern belle who was once described as “overindulged and under-disciplined”—shared her own meager money and food with any and everyone around her, severely affecting both her physical and mental health. In 1912, she only weighed fifty pounds. Alarmed, fellow missionaries arranged for her to be sent back home to the United States with a missionary companion, but she died on Christmas Eve on board ship in Kobe Harbor, Japan. Her body was cremated and the remains returned to loved ones in Virginia for burial.

Since her sacrificial death at the age of seventy-two, Lottie Moon has come to personify the missionary spirit for Southern Baptists and many other Christians, as well. The annual Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for Missions has raised a total of $1.5 billion for missions since 1888 and finances half the entire Southern Baptist missions budget every year.

I hope you learned something through reading this brief account of Lottie Moon’s life. Have a great Monday. (Don’t forget the Living Christmas Tree at FBC, Amite tonight and tomorrow night at 7 P.M.)

Anna Lee

Sunday

30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1

Mrs. Faye Price continues to be in ICU at North Oaks. She may be a little better. As you pray for her, continue to pray for her family as they “hang close”.

There are still a number of people without electricity. The crews from the power company are working long hours to restore power. Pray for their safety as they work and for those without electricity to be understanding.

The Lottie Moon Christmas Tea was nice. If you missed being there, I hope you will attend next time.

The children of FBC, Kentwood will present their Christmas program at 6 P.M. tonight. You are invited to attend even if you don’t have a child or grandchild participating.

FBC, Amite will have four presentations of The Living Christmas Tree. The first performance is at 2 P.M. today followed by presentations Sunday through Tuesday nights. Bro. Dennis Walker and the choir always do a wonderful job. The lighting is spectacular.

Norma Marie Costanza
(November 1, 1923 – December 12, 2008)
Died at 9:38 a.m. on Friday, December 12, 2008 in Chesbrough, LA. She was a native of Picayune, MS and a resident of Amite, LA. Age 85 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Monday. Services conducted by Rev. Mike Foster. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, LA. She is survived by her daughter, Amy Smith, Kentwood; 2 sons, Louis Costanza, Amite and Anthony Costanza, Amite; 5 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Louis Costanza; mother, Amy Rosto; father, James T. Taylor.

Christmas Scripture Quiz
http://www.makedisciples.com/Christmas/quiz.htm

How many wise men were there?
a. 3
b. 4
c. The Bible does not say.

(Answer below)

How has the shrinking dollar impacted missions?

Over the past year the U.S. dollar has lost as much as 15 percent of its value in the world marketplace. That means Southern Baptists must give $1.15 to the Lottie Moon offering in 2008 in order to match the buying power of every dollar given in 2007. Though 15 cents may not sound like much, in the scope of the International Mission Board’s $300 million budget, those extra pennies add up to $45 million.

Why does this matter? Because God continues to call record numbers of Southern Baptist missionaries to reach the lost. This year we anticipate sending out more than 900 new missionary personnel. They are faithfully responding to God’s call to carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Will we be faithful to send and support them?

How many wise men were there?

c. The Bible does not say.

Although tradition suggests there were three wisemen, as in the carol “We Three Kings of Orient Are,” the Bible actually does not give the number of Magi.

Luke 1:26-38
The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.28The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.37 For nothing is impossible with God.”

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

Jesus is the reason for the season!
Anna Lee

Saturday Morning

Norma Marie Costanza
(November 1, 1923 – December 12, 2008)
Died at 9:38 a.m. on Friday, May 12, 2008 in Chesbrough, LA. She was a native of Picayune, MS and a resident of Amite, LA. Age 85 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Monday. Services conducted by Rev. Mike Foster. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, LA. She is survived by her daughter, Amy Smith, Kentwood; 2 sons, Louis Costanza, Amite and Anthony Costanza, Amite; 5 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Louis Costanza; mother, Amy Rosto; father, James T. Taylor.

Saturday

But the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. Luke 2:10 (NLT)

This is an update on Dustin Rosamond: Dustin was moved to Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans and has undergone a procedure to draw fluid from his lung and may have to undergo surgery to that lung to clean out “infection pockets”. He would like to be at home but the doctors have informed him that he would rather go ahead and take care of these problems rather than go home and have to turn right around and come back. Both of his parents are staying at the hospital around the clock so please continue to pray for Dustin and for his parents, Chris and Sherry and for the rest of his family as they anxiously await his recovery.
Please remember my Mom and Step-Dad, Ruby and Aubrey Stokes as they have been without phones and electricity for 2 days now and Aubrey is going through some continuing medical tests of his own which we pray for a good outcome and my Mom for her strength and health. Thank you for your continued prayers.
Sue Minor/Tucker

Emily Panter
Friday, December 12, 2008
It’s Hard for Emily
Emily called me this morning and told me she is having a hard adjustment. SHE CAN DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!! And this is per doctor’s orders—but she also feels it. She can do nothing. They still have a huge need. Emily cannot be left alone–at all! If any of you are available to help her by coming and staying with her, helping with kids, etc.—please sign up on the calendar. (We were getting hit by spammers on the calendar, so there may be an extra step in posting on the calendar)
Please, please pray for this family’s adjustment. It’s a struggle right now. I’m sure the kids are so excited to have mommy home–but just don’t realize mommy’s still not completely well.
Thank you!

Psalm 63:7
“Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.”

Don Denton
Wow….what a week! Today marks one week that Don has been home. It is still sinking in as we embrace life as we know it.

We have been welcomed in a warm, wonderful way by this community of believers. I was just talking with a colleague of Don’s about the outpouring of love and support that we have received. It is truly the church expressing Christ’s love in a beautiful way. We as a family continue to receive support in amazing ways. We are so grateful! We are so blessed. We see God in such a powerful way.

We could have never expected how helpless it feels to come home and realize that we have been so needy. This certainly continues to be a place where God is teaching me about His amazing love and my ability to accept from others.

I have been humbled to realize that I can’t do this all by myself. I continue to learn from this experience as well.

We have so much to give thanks for this week. I have some prayer requests and want to give times for visitation with Don. I hope to have pictures of Don’s flight soon on the sight.

Prayer requests and answered prayer:

* Equipment Don has needed has been loaned to us, which we are so thankful for.
* Others continue to provide food for us, and delicious home cooked food, yeah!
* My brother and dear friends of his came in to spend the day with us today. It is so good to see their faces and spend special time with them.

Prayer requests:

* Don’s parents left this morning back for Louisiana. We needed them a few extra days. Pray for a safe trip for them.
* Pray for Joshua as he adjusts to daddy being home and daddy not feeling himself. This is still very hard for him.
* Pray for me as we adjust. I am realizing that I can’t do it all.
* Pray for Don as he continues to improve. Today was a day where is was most tired and did not feel well. This has been busy week for him.

We continue to give thanks to our God for the body of Christ who has reached out to meet our needs. WE are most grateful!

Don will be taking visitors starting this week. This Sunday from 2 – 4pm. Please call ahead of time: 417-777-6612

Tuesday Dec 16th 2-4pm

Friday Dec 19th 1 -3pm.

Call me if you have questions.

Blessings to you our family and friends

Diane

George H. Will
(October 4, 1917 – December 11, 2008)

U.S. Veteran Mr. George H. Will passed away at 5:10AM, Thursday, December 11, 2008 at the St. Helena Parish Hospital, Greensburg. He was 91, a native of Lockhart, TX and a resident of Kentwood.

Mr. George is survived by his wife of 22 years, Lula Mae Needham Will, Kentwood; a brother, Ludwig Theodore Will, and wife, Jeanne, Denver, CO; 2 nieces, Dr. Patricia Wells, and husband, Jim, Sacramento, CA & Charlene Wright, Houston, TX; a nephew, Thomas Will, and wife, Donna, Houston, TX.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ludwig & Nellie Will; first wife, Iverina Will; & a sister, Louise Wright.

Visitation at the McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Saturday, December 13, 2008 from 9:00AM until Religious Services at 11:00AM in the Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Percy ‘Mac’ Frazier officiating. Interment in the Needham Cemetery, Kentwood, LA.

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.

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE
INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD
Friday, December 12, 2008

“Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call His name JESUS” (Luke 1:31, HCSB).

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the International Prayer Strategy Office, encouraging you to pray for others as we move through this holiday season.

The lyrics, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. . . “ and “It’s the most wonderful time of the year . . . ,” keep floating through my mind. We all have a mental image of the ideal holiday season. Americans have a distinctly cultural view of Christmas that includes presents, snow, and nativity scenes.

But Christmas looks quite different in Saudi Arabia! There are no Christmas trees for sale, and it is hard to find Christmas decorations–certainly no snow. Pray a special blessing for Christians living there. Many come from countries all around the world and they spend the holiday away from families. Others face persecution from fellow countrymen. Pray that their celebration will be rich as they focus on the real reason for Christmas.

In Durban, South Africa, international, national and local holidaymakers are visiting beaches and other attractions. Pray for safety for all, in what is not considered to be such a safe environment these days. Pray that missionaries and Christian groups will find opportunities to share Jesus without fear as they mingle with holiday-goers at a time when many are curious as to the reason for the season.

The Xhosa tribe of South Africa does not really celebrate Christmas. Since it is in the middle of summer, many of the church programs are suspended and many pastors take the whole month off–there are no Christmas plays, musicals or indigenous Christmas songs. Please pray for team members as they minister in the different communities, teaching the significance of Christmas.

* Please pray that the love of Jesus will shine and believers in Saudi will share the hope they have in Jesus with friends and coworkers.

* Pray for the Durban holiday crowd that they will call on the name JESUS!

* Intercede for believers in South Africa to find biblically and culturally appropriate ways to celebrate the Christ child.

Baptist Press
December 12, 2008

WASHINGTON–Obama & new Congress could set back pro-life movement decades. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29503

WASHINGTON–Quick order would belie Obama’s call for abortion reduction. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29504

WASHINGTON–Pro-life policies likely Obama targets. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29505

WASHINGTON–Cizik resigns after controversial interview. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29506

WASHINGTON–Land: Bush not ‘theologian-in-chief.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29507

VIRGINIA–Hispanics aim for $1M Lottie Moon offering. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29508

TENNESSEE–INTERNATIONAL DIGEST: Orissa Christians fear violent Christmas. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29509

ALABAMA–FIRST-PERSON (Wanda S. Lee): The importance of missions giving. http://www.bpnews.net/BPFirstPerson.asp?ID=29510

LOUISIANA–FIRST-PERSON (Kelly Boggs): We need a character bailout. http://www.bpnews.net/BPFirstPerson.asp?ID=29511

EVERY SECRET THING

At the end of their first date, a young man takes his favorite girl home. Emboldened by the night, he decides to try for that important first kiss. With an air of confidence, he leans with his hand against the wall and, smiling, he says to her, “Darling, how ’bout a goodnight kiss?”

Horrified, she replies, “Are you mad? My parents will see us!”

“Oh come on! Who’s gonna see us at this hour?”

“No, please. Can you imagine if we get caught?”

“Oh come on, there’s nobody around, they’re all sleeping!”

“No way. It’s just too risky!”

“Oh please, please, I like you so much!!”

“No, no, and no. I like you too, but I just can’t!”

“Oh yes you can. Please?”

“NO, no. I just can’t.”

“Pleeeeease?…”

Out of the blue, the porch light goes on, and the girl’s sister shows up in her pajamas, hair disheveled. In a sleepy voice the sister says: “Dad says to go ahead and give him a kiss. Or I can do it. Or if need be, he’ll come down himself and do it. But for crying out loud, tell him to take his hand off the intercom button!”

How embarrassing to realize that a conversation you thought was being held in secret was known to everyone in the house! There are some things we say that we don’t want others to hear and some things we do that we don’t want others to know about (sometimes with good reason). But, the truth is, much of what we try to keep hidden from others is because we know that what we are saying and doing is wrong and we don’t want others to know about it.

If there’s something in your life that you’re trying to hide from others, you’d better be careful. And be reminded that there are no secrets we can keep from God. He sees all, He knows all, and He appreciates the person who is honest enough to allow God into every aspect of his life. For those who want to live in secret, the day is coming when those secrets will be revealed.

Paul spoke of “the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.” (Romans 2:16)

Solomon spoke of a time when “God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:14)

May your live your life every day with the confidence that your hand is on the intercom button, God is on the other end, but you have nothing to be ashamed of.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Don’t forget the Lottie Moon Christmas Tea at 2 P.M. today at New Zion Baptist Church. It is for all girls and ladies! It doesn’t matter your age, size, church, or knowledge of Lottie Moon. Come, enjoy some tea (or hot chocolate) and some tea cakes made by Lottie’s recipe. You’ll learn more about her and her support of missions. Then, you will realize why our annual offering for International missions is named in her honor.
Anna Lee

Friday Evening

David and I were able to get out some this afternoon. We learned there’s a large number of people without electricity and/or phone service. Pray for these people as they make changes in their routines to stay warm and dry. Thank God for those who have been generous by providing for others during this time.

Mrs. Della McDaniel is doing much better. Thank-you for continuing to pray for her during her recovery period.

Mrs. Faye Price has been having more dialysis. Continue to pray for her, the medical staff, and her family as they stay close by.

Jesus is the reason for the season! It’s not a season to be selfish and think of ourselves.
Anna Lee