Tuesday

“Blessed be the Lord,

because He has heard the voice of my supplications!”

~Psalm 28:6~

 

Thank God for:

  • His Son who provided salvation for us
  • Life
  • Health
  • Home
  • Food
  • Family
  • Friends
  • Jobs (past, present, and future)
  • Changes of the weather
  • Etc.

 

 

 

Pray for:

  • Those who are lost
  • Those who are grieving
  • Those who are away from families
  • Those who are undergoing medical tests/treatment
  • Homebound
  • Caregivers
  • Military
  • Government leaders
  • Graduating seniors (college and high school)
  • Church staff
  • Missionaries

 

 

 

MUSLIMS: PRAYING BEYOND THE WALL. The father of a Muslim family who has befriended some young international Christians recently left on what he called a “spiritual journey.” This journey is part of a Muslim missionary movement that began several decades ago. He will travel for a season to preach and encourage Muslims to be more devout in their practices. The Christians are wondering if his journey is a result of questions that have come up because of the presence of Christians in his life. Is he searching for truth and grasping tightly to the only thing he knows as truth, or is he planting his feet and standing firmly in resistance against the Truth he has heard? Please pray fervently that his experiences on his spiritual journey will demolish his tight grip on false teachings and cause him to search for truth in Jesus Christ. Pray for the Christians as they continue to share Bible stories with the family each week. Ask God to enable the entire family to understand that Jesus is the only one who can present us faultless before the throne of grace. Pray for them to place their faith in Him alone! http://btw.imb.org/

 

 

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

One year ago, people around the world were stunned by a shooting rampage that left 32 victims dead on the campus of Virginia Tech University…

In the aftermath, the mother of one critically wounded student who survived said she did not want the ordeal to become the defining moment in her son’s life. Instead, she hoped it could be “something positive, some great celebration of his life.”

When the unthinkable happens, it may seem impossible to believe that anything can overcome the emotional scars. Yet, the life of Joseph offers a powerful illustration of God’s transforming power (Gen. 37-50). The brothers who sold him into slavery were sure he would take revenge on them (50:15-17). But Joseph told them, “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive” (v.20).

When we place our desire for revenge in God’s hands, we become participants in the remarkable process described by Paul: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:21).

The defining moments of our lives are not determined by the evil done to us, but by our response such events. (David C. McCasland)


“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:21).


I hope this devotional speaks to some of you today. I know these verses have helped me through difficult times.

Anna Lee

 

Monday Afternoon

Pamela Kay McBride


(March 5, 1960 – April 13, 2008)

Died on Sunday, April 13, 2008 in Baton Rouge, LA. She was a native of Baton Rouge, LA and a resident of Denham Springs, LA. Age 48 years. Visitation at First Baptist Church, Kentwood, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Tuesday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Services conducted by Rev. Joey Miller. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. Survived by parents, J. L. and Wanzie Williams, Kentwood, son, Cory Harold and wife, Jessica, Walker, 3 brothers, Lathan Williams and wife, Wendy, and sons, Jamie and Derrick, Stan Williams and son Chad, Mandeville, Gary Williams and wife, Renee, and children, Chloe and Zach, Baton Rouge, great-niece, Sydnie Williams, a special aunt and uncle, Roy and Julee Frazier, Baton Rouge. Preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Felix and Daisy Sharkey, paternal grandparents, Jim and Dora Williams, step-grandfather, Eddie Williams. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements.

Monday

“Youths may faint and grow weary,

and young men stumble and fall,

but those who trust in the LORD

will renew their strength;

they will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary;

they will walk and not faint,”

~Isaiah 40:30-31, HCSB~

Curt Martin will be having another test to check the blood clot in his leg. Pray for it to be healed. Pray for Curt to have be able to stay off of it as long as necessary.

Be in prayer for the many grieving families in the Kentwood area.

From the International Mission Board:

A retired pastor walks the mountainous countryside for hours each day. He stops at homes and along the way to tell everyone he meets the good news of Jesus. Last year he made 2,640 visits, all on foot, to share the Gospel. That is an average of 220 visits per month, and about seven visits per day-and he is 88 years old! “Pray that the Lord will lengthen my life, to be able to keep working in the Lord’s service,” he asks.

(Does that testimony make you feel like you are coming up short? It certainly does me!)

Since Easter, the Baptists on this island nation have been asking God to enable them to reach 1 million of their people in the next three years, and to start many churches for His glory. If the passion for prayer does not surprise you, perhaps the location will. This pastor walks the rugged roads of Cuba.

“Pray that Cuba might be won to Christ,” he pleads. As Cuban Baptists are in the midst of the “50 Days of Prayer for Cuba” emphasis, please ask the Lord for 1 million Cubans to come to Christ, and for a church to be started within walking distance of each one during the next three years. Pray for others, like this retired pastor, who daily share their faith with those in Cuba who do not know Jesus.

* Please pray that God will pour out the power of the Holy Spirit on Cuban Christians, giving them daily strength and joy in their labor of prayer.

* Ask God to give them love and compassion for the lost so they will personally share the Gospel.

* Join this 88-year-old pastor in praying “that Cuba and the whole world might be won to Christ.”

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10).
Mike Benson, Editor
THE BLOG TITLE read, “Moron turns in $140,000.00…”

What this title has reference to is the news story that broke last month. Eli Estrada, a 40 year-old Palm Beach resident found a bag containing $140,000.00 in unmarked $20.00 bills.

Mr. Estrada certainly could have used the money. About six months ago, he opened a landscaping and artificial-grass business and is in debt; he says his child support payments are tough to make; and he supports his mother, who moved in with him last year after she lost her house to a fumbled refinancing plan. Yet, Mr. Estrada went straight to the police and turned in all $140,000.00.

Apparently a Brinks armored truck somehow lost the money. Brinks rewarded Mr. Estrada for his good deed by giving him $2,000.00.

So now, was Mr. Estrada a really a “moron?” Only if one views such values as honesty, integrity, and the “golden rule” as foolish. But what about the cheap reward that was offered? Some on this blog said that if they knew the reward for turning in the money would have been so small, they would have kept it. But do we have to be financially rewarded for doing the right thing? Are our values so degraded that we feel we deserve a “reward” for doing what we’re supposed to do?

A moron? Hardly. Here’s a man who has demonstrated that he sufficient intelligence to know that some things are more valuable than money…things like integrity, honesty, and doing the right thing. Thank you, Mr. Estrada, for your example. May your tribe increase!

Now then, truthfully, what would you do if you found them money? Give it some thought. (Steve Higginbotham)

“Take double money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was an oversight” (Gen. 43:12).

May our moral values be worthy of the name we carry – Christian!

Anna Lee

Sunday Night

Jesse Dean will not be coming home from North Oaks tomorrow. He is having problems with his heart when he moves around. Pray for Jesse, Majel, the other family members, and for the medical staff as they care for Jesse.

Pam McBride, daugher of J.L. and Wanzie Williams, passed away. Please be in prayer for her family. I’ll post an obituary when one is available.

Sunday Afternoon

Luther Kennon Womack


(September 29, 1929 – April 12, 2008)

Died at 1:17 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2008 at St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington, LA. He was a native of Tinus, LA and a resident of Kentwood, LA. Age 78 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 9 a.m. on Tuesday and until religious services at 2 p.m. Tuesday. Services conducted by Rev. Joey Miller. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. Survived by wife, Mary Katherine Boyd Womack, Kentwood, 1 daughter, Delores Diane Womack Seal, Denham Springs, 2 sons, William Clifton Womack and wife, Wanda Candace Ravencraft Womack, Kentwood, Mark Allen Womack and wife, Tresha Womack, Booneville, AR, 1 brother, William Clifton Womack, Kentwood, 4 grandchildren, David R. Seal, Nathan A. Womack, Sr., Charles Kennon Womack, and Wendi Crystal Womack, 6 great-grandchildren, Nathan Allen Womack, Jr., Nataline Alyse Womack, Braedon Ashton Seal, Braxton Aiden Seal, Taylor Autumn Laszko, Hailey Nichole Laszko, and Maillon Bob Lillie. Preceded in death by parents, William and Zola Womack, brother, Shelby Womack, sister, Marguerite Cutrer, 2 great-grandchildren, Matthan Wyatt Womack and Micha Layne Womack

Sunday

“But He said to them, ‘Where is your faith?’

And they were afraid, and marveled,

saying to one another, ‘Who can this be?’

For He commands even the winds and water,

and they obey Him!”

~ Luke 8:25 ~

 

 

 

GOLLUM’S RIDDLE

 

In the book “The Hobbit” by JRR Tolkein, Bilbo Baggins meets Gollum for the first time. Bilbo is lost and needs to find his way out of Gollum’s cave. Gollum will show him the way out if he can answer a riddle. The riddle is this:

This thing all things devours,
Birds, beasts, trees, flowers;
Gnaws iron, bites steel;
Grinds hard stone to meal;
Slays king, ruins town,
And beats high mountain down.

Bilbo is stumped. Do you know the answer? Take a moment to try to figure it out before looking at the answer below.

The answer to the riddle is “time”. It’s so true. Time will devour all living things, as well as everything else. If you live long enough, you can see some of the effects of time. Drive through a rural area sometime and take a look at the barns, sheds and possibly even houses that are deteriorated with time. What you see there is taking place all around you. Some things perish quickly (maybe even were designed to do so). Other things, like the great Egyptian pyramids, seem to stand the test of time. But, given enough time, everything will crumble. And when Jesus returns, we’ll be made aware of just how temporary the the things of this life are.

“All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the LORD endure forever.” (I Peter 1:24-25).

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

I trust you will soon be up and getting ready for Bible study and worship. Have a very special Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Saturday – Obituary

Bertha Gill Pittman


(December 15, 1928 – April 12, 2008)

Died at 8:40AM on Saturday, April 12, 2008 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. She was a native of Spring Creek, LA and a resident of Kentwood, LA. Age 79 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Sunday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 10:30 a.m. Monday. Services conducted by Rev. Danny Smith. Interment Spring Creek Cemetery, Spring Creek, LA. Survived by 3 daughters, Marie Kimble and husband Milton, Slaughter, Janet Tigner and husband Bobby, Baton Rouge, JoEtta Miller and husband Terry, Kentwood, 4 sons, Roger Pittman and wife Lois, Kentwood, Chuck Pittman and wife Gayle, Kentwood, James Pittman, Kentwood, Bobby Pittman, Pride, 1 brother, Fred B. Gill, Jr., Millington, TN, 16 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by husband, Bobby Ray Pittman, parents, Fred B. Gill and Henrietta Blake Gill, 3 brothers, John Major Gill, Dudley Gill, Rodney Gill, 2 grandsons, Jacob Crowe and Chris Pittman.

Saturday

“Our fathers trusted in You;

they trusted,

and You delivered them.

They cried to You,

and were delivered;

they trusted in You,

and were not ashamed.”

~Psalm 22:4-5~

Jesse Dean had a good day yesterday. If all continues to go well, he might be able to go home Monday. Thank God he was able to get help and is improving. Continue to pray for him and his family.

Curt Martin’s leg is less swollen now. Pray for him as he tries to be still so his leg will improve. Thank God it is improving.

KOMpray

April 11, 2008

“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~

HE’S A LOT LIKE YOU…

One of our MK (missionary kid) boys in West Africa is very outgoing. He loves to play soccer and do flips on the trampoline. He has many local friends, but not one of them is a Christian. This MK can talk to his young friends in a way his missionary parents can’t. His age and the fact that he likes the same things as his friends really help!

One night this 10-year-old MK who was born in West Africa prayed during family devotions. “Dear God, help us not to be shy to tell our friends about You. We love You and we want them to love You too.”

Please pray for MKs. Ask God to make them strong in their faith and courageous enough to tell their friends about Jesus. Pray that West African children and youth will listen and learn that Jesus wants to be their closest friend.

What about you? Do you like to play sports? Do you have friends who don’t know Jesus? Pray for our MKs, but why not pray for yourself too? “Dear God, help us not to be shy to tell our friends about You. We love You and we want them to love You too.”

MORE PRAYER REQUESTS FROM MISSIONARY KIDS

I play American football and my friends are not Christian. Please pray for the salvation of my friends Jorge, Pedro, Alvaro, Frank, Frankie and Cabandi. MICHAEL, age 17 (Middle America and Caribbean)

I want you to pray for my family and friends, and pray for our family to tell more people about Jesus. SR, age 8 (East Asia)

Pray that MI will get over the death of her husband. I hope that other people will believe in Christ instead of a false god-they call him Buddha. I hope they will believe in Christ someday. ZA, age 11 (Pacific Rim)

My name is Rebekah and I am about to go back to the United States. I haven’t been in the States for 4 years, so it will be quite a shock. Then I’ll get a little more shock when I start college. Please pray for my family and for me as we try to adjust back to living in the States. I’m very nervous about college! Please pray that God will give me wisdom to see what He wants me to do with my life. Please pray for the people in South America that the Christians will be strong in their faith and that they will tell the message of Jesus to the poor. REBEKAH, age 18 (South America)

Pray for me to learn to control my mouth so I won’t hurt someone with my words. MICHAL, age 15 (Pacific Rim)


MISSIONARY PERSONAL NEEDS. Please pray for missionaries Tom and Judi Kent as they begin their final stateside assignment this month before their retirement. Intercede for them as they adjust to living in the United States, prepare for and share about what God is doing in Paraguay and the needs there, spend time with family, and rest a little. Pray for needed strength and stamina as they travel and share. Ask the Father to provide a home for them in Louisiana that will meet their needs. May they be able to make new friends and continue to minister to others in the new place of ministry to which God is leading them.

Shirley Ann Gilliland Graham


A worker at Judson Baptist Church daycare in Walker, she died at 8:22 p.m. Thursday, April 10, 2008, at St. Tammany Parish Hospital, Covington. She was 61, a resident of Amite and a native of Walker. Visitation at Seale Funeral Home, Denham Springs, on Saturday, April 12, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitation resumes Sunday, April 13, from 11 a.m. until service in the funeral home chapel at 2 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Russell Hinson. Burial in Judson Baptist Church Cemetery, Walker. She is survived by her husband, Russell K. Graham; daughter, Amanda Graham; two sons, Charles and Carlton Woodward; four stepchildren, Linda Nevels, Bernita Smith, Rusty Graham and Deeanna Fontenot; three sisters, Clemmie Massey, Lou Nell Courville and Sandra Wainwright; three brothers, Glenn, Paul and Robert Gilliland; very special friend, Betty Hull; and numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her parents, Charles M. and Lutie Badon Gilliland. Pallbearers will be Wayne, Ty and Cordell Hull, Adam Jones, Dusty Glascock and Ben Ballard. Honorary pallbearer is Casey Shaw. She was a member of Judson Baptist Church, Walker. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Cerebral Palsy Foundation, 1805 College Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808.

WASHING YOUR SINS AWAY

The following true story comes from the “Kids of the Kingdom” section of Christian Reader (July/August 2000):

As a couple drove home from church one afternoon, they were talking about a friend who was going to be baptized that day. As they were saying how proud they were of him, their three-year-old daughter Elizabeth asked, “What does it mean to be baptized?”

Their 5-year-old son Joshua spoke up, “Oh, baptism — that’s when the preacher washes all your senses away.”

Well, that’s not quite what the scriptures teach. I’m sure what that little boy meant (at least, I hope so) is that the scriptures teach that baptism washes our “sins” away. Ananias said to Saul (later to be known as the apostle Paul):

“And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16)

Don’t misunderstand. It’s not that there’s magical power in the water. In fact, the power is not in the water, but in the blood of Jesus Christ. But as baptism demonstrates a death (to sin), burial (in water) and resurrection to new life, it expresses a faith in Jesus Christ who died, was buried and who rose again the third day (Romans 6:3-4). And the end result is not a washing of the body, but a washing of the soul — remission of sins (I Peter 3:21; Acts 2:38).

Have you taken this step of faith?

“And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina


If your sins have not been “washed away”, please attend a local church tomorrow and ask for more information on being cleansed by the blood of Jesus. You’ll never regret your decision. You’ll never be the same!

Anna Lee

Friday

Mrs. Lois Easley Miller


(May 10, 1919 – April 11, 2008)

Mrs. Lois Easley Miller died at 1:51AM, Friday, April 11, 2008 at Heritage Health Care of Hammond. She was 88 years old, a native of Easleyville and a resident of Hammond. Visitation at the Hillsdale Baptist Church, on Saturday, April 12, 2008 from 10:00AM until Religious Services at the Church at 12:30PM. Service conducted by Jaimie Autin. Interment in the Hillsdale Cemetery. Survived by: Daughter & Son-in-law: Sylvia M. Hastings & Malcolm G., Amite, 5 Grandchildren: Gwen Autin & husband, Johnny; Malcolm L. “BO” Hastings & wife, Glenda; Ken Hastings & wife, Mary; Ben Hastings & wife, Brittany; Brynn Campo & husband, Sam. 12 Great-Grandchildren, 6 Great Great-Grandchildren. 3 Sisters- Mrs. Bennie Mae Smith, Zachary, Mrs. Annie Thompson, Hillsdale, Mrs. Rita Jacobs, Baton Rouge. Preceded in death: Husband: Albert Newman Miller, Parents: Jeffie & Allie Woodard Easley, Son: Albert Gary Miller, Brother: Wilton Easley, Grandson: Malcolm L. Hastings, Jr. Mrs. Lois was Member of the Hillsdale Baptist Church for more than 60 years. In Memory of Mrs. Lois Easley Miller donations will be accepted by Syliva or Gwen to assist in funeral expenses. McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite is in charge of arrangements. An on-line Guestbook is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com.