Tuesday

 

Pray for Lee Widas and his family as they face the uncertainties of his future.

Pray for the choir as they practice Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights this week in preparation for their presentations Sunday and Monday. Please also pray for those working on the set this week. Pray lives will be touched thought the music and the videos that go along with it.

 

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

Emotions

THE OPTIMIST FELL from the fourth floor sill
And as he passed each window bar,
He shouted to the folks below,
“Doing all right so far…!”

How ridiculous! Yet there are preachers across the land that advocate a lot of feel-good religion without a call to commitment or even a call to reality. A preacher was telling a congregation that if they lived right, God would bless them with health, wealth, popularity, and happiness. Tell that to families who mourn the loss of their loved ones. Tell that to a family who loses their home in a fire. Tell that to one who works for years at a job and then gets laid off in a cut back.

Jesus Himself is described as “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” ( Isaiah 53:3). Jesus calls us to have a balance in life. He wants us to be real, not some kind of phony religious nuts who go around with fake, painted-on smiles. The difference between us and the world is not measured by our lack of problems, but rather by the presence of a constant Friend who helps us through them.

In contrast to those who never appear to have a sad moment, there are some who are under the misconception that to be truly humble, we have to put on a sad look and a sad disposition. Jesus specifically warned against trying to get people to feel sorry for us when we are fasting, giving, or praying ( Matthew 6:1-18).

Neither is spirituality the same as feeling guilty all the time. We believe in the awesome power of the cross of Christ to receive remission of sins and inner healing. If we are truly forgiven, why should we mope around acting pathetic? If we have the promise of eternal life in Heaven, why should we live in worry, fear, or doubt?

The key to a fulfilling Christian life is to learn to live appropriately. We must be open and sensitive to the needs and the feelings of those around us. When one member of the Body is hurting, we should all feel the pain. When one member of the Body has cause to celebrate, we should all join in to enjoy the person’s success and blessing. In doing so, we draw closer and closer each day. We become stronger so that we can better endure our hardships, overcome our obstacles, and enjoy our fellowship even more deeply. (Roger Wright)

“Rejoice with those who rejoice,

and weep with those who weep.”

~ Romans 12:15~

The last few days have been full of emotions for me. The emotions have gone from one extreme to another. I’m thankful to have the happy to go with some of the sad.

As we see people in out daily lives, we don’t always know what is going on in their lives and why they sometimes act the way they do. We haven’t walked in their shoes and often wouldn’t want to do that.

Many people carry their burdens without friends, family, or church support. Pray for those around us to always know they can share their emotional load on us. That’s part of our responsibility as Christians. Most importantly, some people don’t know God and can’t take their burdens to Him. Pray we can lead them in that direction.

Anna Lee

 

Monday Evening

New Baby

I forgot to mention the birth of Noah Titus last Friday. Noah weighed 6 pounds and was 18 inches long. Proud grandparents are Laree and Cliff Titus.

Update on Jesse Dean

Jesse’s surgery went well. He will be moved home or to rehab Thursday. Please keep Jesse and Majel in your prayers.

Update on Baby Aaron Hill

Aaron is doing well after surviving 3 days alone with me…We were lonely this weekend, but we got to catch up on some reading, listen to some sermons and our friend Mary even called us during the song service at PL Madison so we could listen to the worship music. That was nice.

We have still been working hard on feeding. We want to show the drs that we are getting bigger and stronger at Wednesday’s visit. I started feeding Aaron exclusively with a bottle yesterday and I think he is doing better with that method. He seems to have an easier time breathing when eating from a bottle and doesn’t seem to get as exhausted as when he nurses. I hope this will help him gradually begin to eat more. Please pray that it does.

We have started making mental and physical preparations to leave NJ later this week. Pray that God will bring us home if that is what’s best for Aaron and if not, that He will give us the strength to stay here for a while longer.

Please lift up continued prayers for Marshall Sanders. He now has a bacterial infection and is not able to get a new heart until this clears up. He has been on bypass more than 10 days now.

Love from NJ…

Monday – Obituaries

 

 

Thomas Wingate McFerrin, Sr.


(September 17, 1935 – March 9, 2008)

Thomas Wingate McFerrin died Sunday night at 9:25 p.m., at the St. Helena Hospital. Mr. McFerrin died after a long struggle with flu and pneumonia complicated by congestive heart failure. He was the oldest son of Sherman Schley McFerrin and Zera Louise Henderson McFerrin, born on September 17, 1935. He was 72 years old. Mr. McFerrin was a graduate of Greensburg High School, 1953, graduate of Army Specialty Schools, 1956, graduate of Louisiana State University Law School, Juris Doctorate, 1961. He also attended Louisiana State University for Continuing Education, Public Manager I, 1983. He was a notary public in East Baton Rouge Parish, St. Helena Parish, Tangipahoa, and Livingston Parishes. As an attorney he was admitted to all Louisiana State courts, Federal courts, 5th Circuit Court of Appeal, and the United States Supreme Court. He was a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association since June of 1961. While in high school he participated in football, basketball, and other sports. During his education at L.S.U. he did undergraduate work. He also worked on the pipelines, carpenter’s helper and other laborer jobs while in college. 1955-1958 he served in the United States Army completing basic training in infantry and artillery, Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. He received advanced training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and served a tour in Europe stationed in Germany. He was honorably discharged at Fort Hamilton, New York, 1958. 1958-1961 he was a clerk for the State Attorney General’s Office doing research for writing of opinions. 1961-1972 he was an Assistant State Attorney General and handled any assignments as directed by the Attorney General. He represented various boards and commissions of the State, including the State Board of Education, colleges and universities. He handled trials on all State levels, and Federal levels to include the United States Supreme Court. He was appointed by the Attorney General and Governor to be the general counsel for the State’s Labor Management Commission of Inquiry during 1968-1969. He worked with the State and Federal investigative bodies, including the F.B.I., State Police and grand juries. From 1972-1976 he entered into private law practice and worked for and with the Louisiana Manufacturer’s Association, Louisiana Chamber of Commerce, Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce, all counterparts to the now Louisiana Association of Business and Industry and Dow Chemical Company, public and governmental affairs section. From 1976-1980 he was special counsel to the Department of Public Safety, and the Office of State Police. From 1980 – 1984 he was general counsel to the State Divisions of Administration under Governor Dave Treen. He advised and represented the Commissioner of Administration and his deputies and assistants and all sections of the Division. He supervised up to 6 assistants at one time. He oversaw the work of the divisions with primary responsibilities was expenditures and monitoring of the State’s appropriations on a fiscal year’s basis. He oversaw the bidding and awarding of contracts, constructions, and equipment. During 1984-1985 he was special counsel to the Speaker’s Office of the House of Representatives State of Louisiana. He worked on behalf of the Speaker, Governor’s Executive Counsel and Governor’s Office to assist as counsel for the 1984 World’s Fair. He represented a special committee formed by legislative act to monitor and approve operations and expenditures of non-profit corporation formed to administer fairly on a daily basis, enabling fair to complete its assigned operating dates. He also performed any other assigned directives by the Speaker of the House and the Governor’s Executive Counsel. From 1985 – 1987 Mr. McFerrin was the general counsel to the Joint Legislative Capital Outlay Committee. The committee composed of House Ways and Means Standing Committee, Chairman of Appropriations Standing Committee, four appointees of the Speaker of the House, and Speaker tee, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and finally 40 member of the House and Senate. His primary responsibilities of the committee were preparation of the State’s Capital Outlay Budget, Omnibus Bond Bill and ultimate passage of these measures, and the monitoring of the Capital Outlay Budget process. Also he served with the Interim Emergency Board and State Bond Commission. After this Mr. McFerrin retired to St. Helena Parish and established his home with his family. He is survived by wife, Nanette McDonald McFerrin, Greensburg; 2 daughters, Cheri Ann McFerrin and Kimberly McFerrin Fisher and her husband, Shawn Riley Fisher; 2 grandsons, Aaron T. Carter, Jonathon J. Carter. He was preceded in death by his son, Thomas W. McFerrin, Jr.; his mother, Zera Henderson McFerrin; father, Sherman Schley McFerrin; brother, Reginald James McFerrin. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 11 a.m. on Wednesday until religious services at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Services conducted by Rev. Rodney Taylor. Interment Greensburg Cemetery, Greensburg, LA

Mrs. Billie June Havard Cutrer Crawford


(September 6, 1937 – March 10, 2008)

Mrs. Billie June Havard Cutrer Crawford died March 10, 2008 at 12:05AM at JoAnn’s Golden Girls Care, LLC in Pearl River, La. She was 70, a native of Leesville and a resident of Pearl River. Vistation will held at the McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 from 6:00PM until 9:00PM, and after 8:30AM until Religious Services at 9:30AM, Wednesday, March 12, 2008. Service conducted by Rev. LaMarylis Cotten. She is survived by a Daughter, Sherry Ann Cutrer, Slidell, a Son, Terry Lewis Cutrer and his wife Pam, Gulfport, MS, 3 Sisters, Wilma Venable and her husband, Alvin, Baton Rouge, Jo Ann Achord and her husband, Sonny, Denham Springs, Hazel Allen, Greensburg, 2 Brothers, Eddie Lewis Havard, Greensburg, Edward Redmond, Baton Rouge, 3 Grandchildren, Michael Joseph Juneau, Emily Catherine Cutrer, Madeline Grace Cutrer, 1 Great-Grandson, Michael Joseph Juneau, Jr. Preceded in death by, Parents, “Steve” Havard, Marie Loftus, JD & Juanita Redmond, Husbands, Walter Louis Cutrer and David F. Crawford, a Sister, Virginia Redmond. In Lieu of Flowers the family requests donations be made to: Hospice Care of Louisiana/Mississippi 770 Gause Blvd., Slidell, La. 70458, Alzheimer’s Association, 225 North Michigan Ave., Floor 17,, Chicago, IL 60601. Special Thanks to JoAnn Faciane and Nanette Williams of JoAnn’s Golden Girls Care, LLC of Pearl River, La. McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home is located by I-55 & Hwy 16W next to Coggins-Gentry Ford and behind Bond Eye Clinic. An on-line questbook is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com.

Monday

“Then He said to His disciples,

‘The harvest truly is plentiful,

but the laborers are few.

Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest

to send out laborers into His harvest.’”

~Matthew 9:37-38~

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE


INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD


Monday, March 10, 2008

 

 

And He “gave some…pastors…

for the training of the saints

in the work of ministry,

to build up the body of Christ”

(Ephesians 4:11-12, HCSB).

 

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the International Prayer Strategy Office, asking you to pray for national pastors.

In a small, dry and dusty village in Mexico, a young man wakes up early to ride his bicycle an hour to work. Six days a week, he works 10 hours a day in a hot metal building, caring for chickens. He does this to earn money for his family. After he finishes work for the day, he begins studying God’s Word to help lead his church family. At times he feels inadequate for the task.

PT was one of the first Christians among the Tripura in his area of Bangladesh. Soon after he accepted Christ, he began to tell others about Jesus. PT has seen many Tripura baptized, but also knows many who have fallen away from the faith. He has a desire to organize the believers into thriving churches. One of his goals for 2008 is to see Sunday School classes for all ages in the churches.

Pastor C of Mtsala Baptist Church in Malawi was involved in seminary studies but was unable to continue due his lack of English; he was not able to keep up with the classes. Pray that he will not be discouraged but will continue to seek God’s guidance in his ministry, leading a Ngoni congregation.

Spring training has begun for church leaders in Luwingu, Zambia–not baseball teams, but church-planting teams are training specifically in the area of their prayer lives as they study God’s Word together every other week. Why prayer? Because it is the foundation of the work they will begin in the month of April, the work of going out in teams to start new churches in their neighboring villages.

* Please pray for national church leaders as they lay a foundation of personal prayer.

* Ask God to grant these leaders knowledge and wisdom as they invest hours in Bible study.

* Thank the Lord for pastors who faithfully build up the body of Christ.

Don’t forget to pray for Jesse and Majel Dean today as Jesse has knee surgery.

Peyton Alford, our granddaughter in Rome, GA had hit her head on the coffee table at her home. She had a big “goose egg”, but a scan showed her to be okay. Thank God for not allowing this injure to be more serious.

Pray for students all over the state as they take the state LEAP tests today. Pray the testing goes smoothly for everyone and students will be able to show what they have learned without being intimidated by the tests.

The F.B.C, Kentwood WMU will meet at 6:30 tonight. All ladies who are interested in missions are invited to attend.

DEAF OF COLOMBIA. A Colombia Hands for Life Team member shares: “‘Be patient’ is typically not a phrase we like to hear. In 2001, I was able to visit a Deaf school in one of the major cities. Shortly after that first visit, I was told that because we are Christians, we could not come back to visit. For the last seven years, we have been praying, you have been praying, and we have been waiting. Last year, this Deaf school called and asked for copies of the ‘JESUS’ film for their students. Recently representatives from the school came to visit us and asked us to take over the evangelism being done among their students and to give training in job skills. They will provide training and workshops for our teachers! Wow, what an awesome answer to prayer! Pray for us as we continue to work out the details for working together.” http://colombiandeaf.all.peopleteams.org/

HUNGARY. Easter is an important religious holiday in Hungary and is celebrated over the course of two days: Easter Sunday and Monday. On Monday, the men and boys visit their female friends and relatives, greeting them with a poem and a splash of cologne or water. The girls and women reward them with a hand-painted egg, baked goods, or some other treat. Please pray that traditions and rituals will not obscure the true meaning of this holiday. As the people are reminded of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, may they come to a new understanding of how much God loves them and calls them to a personal relationship with Himself through the blood of Christ. http://www.heartforhungary.com

(I think we should have the same desire that people know about Jesus, not just the Easter traditions, here in America.)

LAST FRONTIER. This month, missionary women serving among Last Frontier people groups in two nations will have the opportunity to attend a retreat designed to give them a break from the stress and rigors of living cross-culturally. The women will worship and study God’s Word together, and have various workshop choices designed to meet their specific needs. And they will have time for just relaxing, having fun, talking, and praying together. Pray that both of these retreats will be a blessed time of refreshment and encouragement. Thank God for the volunteers who are making the retreats possible, both with leadership and financial support. Pray that no roadblocks will come up to hinder God’s appointed time for these women.

MISSIONARY PERSONAL NEEDS. Missionaries are looking for a house where they can begin full-time service among their people group. May God’s perfect will be revealed to them.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

 

Ride

HAVE YOU HEARD the story about the family who was moving from the East coat to the West coast…?

It seems that they were going to have to drive in two vehicles. The father was driving one vehicle, and his brother was driving the other. When it came time for the children to choose who to ride with, they chose their fun-loving uncle, to the uncle’s great delight. He was flattered that they had chosen him over their own parents.

However, before they left town, the little boy asked his uncle, “What happens if we get separated from mom and dad?” To which the uncle said, “Don’t worry, we won’t.” But the boy persisted, “Well, what if we do?” The uncle jokingly remarked, “Well, I guess we’ll never see them again.” After a moment of silence, the little boy said, “I think I’m going to ride with my mom and dad.”

This world contains many things that are flashy, fun, and exciting which capture our attention, but when it comes right down to it, I wouldn’t want any of those things if it meant that I would be separated from my heavenly Father forever. Maybe we ought to take a moment and think about the one with whom we are riding. (Steve Higginbotham)

“Do not love the world or the things in the world.

If anyone loves the world,

the love of the Father is not in him.

For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh,

the lust of the eyes,

and the pride of life —

is not of the Father but is of the world.

And the world is passing away, and the lust of it,

but he who does the will of God abides forever”

~ 1 John 2:15-17~

Sunday

Annie Armstrong

Easter Offering

Foods across America

Luncheon

Thanks so much to all of you who helped plan, prepared foods, set up the tables for the luncheon, worked in the kitchen, helped clean up, or helped just by coming and eating. I think this was a good kick-off for our offering. If you took any part at all, thank-you!

The plastic eggs in the baskets represent exactly $13,000.00. We will turn them in Easter Sunday. When all of them are turned in, our goal will be reached!

Annie Armstrong

Easter Offering Eggs

 

$5.00 – Yellow

  • Refrigerator magnets + Evangelistic tracts + Soft drinks for students at a college snack bar + Six meals for homeless people

$10.00 – Orange

  • Two GED study books for use by adults in a literacy program

$25.00 – Pink

  • Bulletins for a week for a new church + Shelter for a mother and two children at a homeless center + Meals for a family of four at a Baptist homeless shelter + Three meals for a homeless person

$50.00 – Lilac

  • Scholarship for two new students to participate in a collegiate retreat

$100.00 – Green

  • Rental of a building for one Sunday for a church start + Wooden cross to mark the location for a worship service at a ski resort + Subway tokens to and from a metro campus for a collegiate minister + Meals for a family of four at a Baptist homeless shelter + Evangelistic tracts to be used at a sports clinic

$250.00 – Blue

  • Refreshments and materials for a community gathering to introduce a new church + 10 books to be used in an outreach Bible study + Meat to feed 125-150 people barbeque, promoting a new church start + Case of drink mix for children’s evangelistic outreach such as a day camp or a Backyard Bible Clubs

 

“This is how God showed his love among us:

He sent his one and only Son into the world

that we might live through him.”

~1 John 4:9, NIV~

 

 

 

NAMB’s Woodalls Minister in Hawaii

 

and See the State’s Less Exotic Side

 

By Mickey Noah


HONOLULU, Hawaii – For most Americans and even for world travelers, Hawaii is the ultimate, exotic tourist destination. After all, it’s paradise.

But for Southern Baptist missionaries Chris and Monica Woodall, Hawaii is not just a paradise, but islands inhabited by the lost and hurting.

While visitors crowd Waikiki Beach in Honolulu for sunning and shopping, surfers invade Oahu’s North Shore for some of the world’s most dare-devil surfing, and tourists enjoy the green flora, dark-sand beaches and blue Pacific waters of Maui, the Woodalls see Hawaii’s underbelly.

“When you get behind the glitz of Waikiki, you find a lot of needs,” Chris says. “When you get away from there and get back into the communities, it’s just like anywhere else in the world. There are real people who have real problems, real hurts and needs. They just happen to live in a place that others like to come to on vacation.

“Yes, the beaches are beautiful. But Hawaii is home to many, many people. These people have names and souls and are in need of the Gospel,” said Woodall, director of prayer and evangelism since 2005 for the Hawaii-Pacific Baptist Convention, headquartered in Honolulu. He also heads up the convention’s disaster relief and chaplaincy teams.

The Woodalls are two of more than 5,000 missionaries in the United States, Canada and their territories supported by the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering® for North American Missions. They will be featured as part of the annual Week of Prayer, March 2-9, 2008, the theme of which is “Live with Urgency: Seize Your Divine Moment.” The 2008 Annie Armstrong Easter Offering’s goal is $61 million, 100 percent of which is used for missionaries like the Woodalls.

Chris’ friend, Robert Wittekind, a pastor at Waianae Baptist Church in Honolulu County on Oahu, knows of the poor and illiterate in the Waianae community.

“There are a lot of broken homes here,” said Wittekind, who the locals call “Kahu,” the Hawaiian word for pastor. “According to statistics, six out of 10 prisoners have relatives in the Waianae area. We have a lot of drugs, a lot of homelessness – people just running the streets. We have a lot of broken families and marriages. Many are not married but just live together. One of the highest populations of teenage pregnancy is on this coast.”

Chris met Monica while they both served the International Mission Board in East Asia. After they returned from overseas, they married and a year later, became the parents of their first child, Moriah, now almost two years old. They’re currently expecting their second child.

“Because of what God has put on my heart,” said Monica, “we wanted to live our lives somewhere where the Gospel’s not being readily accepted or abundantly shared, and not where there’s a church on every corner.

“Although Hawaii is a hard place to live, we want to live where we can be salt and light, and Hawaii is definitely one of those places.”

Monica, who first served in Hawaii as a semester missionary after college, says her experience in Hawaii has taught her that people here are spiritually searching, and to get them to talk about spiritual things is fairly easy.

“But then when you start talking about Jesus and Jesus being the only way, that’s when it gets a little bit more complicated. While it’s easy to get into spiritual conversations, I was heartbroken by how that never meant Jesus.”

Woodall says his and Monica’s roles are to “support pastors in doing what they do.

“There are 115 churches in our convention, worshiping in 15 different languages,” he said. “Our convention is not made up of just Hawaii, but includes American Samoa, 1,000 miles away, and Guam, Okinawa and Saipan, more than 3,800 miles from Hawaii. Of course, we have churches on all of the Hawaiian Islands (Oahu, Hawaii or the Big Island, Maui, Kauai, Molokai and Lanai).”

As if the spiritual challenges were not enough, Woodall and Wittekind agree that Hawaii is very much a closed society among the state’s indigenous residents.

“This community is a tight, local Hawaiian community,” Woodall said. “We just don’t ease our way in after a few short years, or even 10, 15 or 20 years. This is a hard culture to get into. It’s tough. I’m a minority and so is everybody else who comes from the mainland.”

Another challenge is that Hawaii is a very expensive place to live. Usually, a husband and wife both must work because it may take one of their entire paychecks to pay the mortgage on their home. Honolulu, for instance, is one of the most expensive places for housing in the United States. A four-bedroom house worth $303,000 in Atlanta would cost $738,000 in Honolulu.

“In Hawaii, there are people working multiple jobs,” according to Woodall. “You have people working the night shifts, so it’s important to have churches that hold services when the night shift is over. That may be at 4:00 or 5:00 in the morning. Or you have worship services in the middle of the night when people have time to attend.”

Despite these cultural and economic challenges, Southern Baptists have also used the state’s natural disasters and disaster relief as a major way to demonstrate the love of Christ to the local population.

Woodall describes Hawaii as “just a little speck of dirt in the middle of a big ocean.” It’s a geological and meteorological time-bomb. One or more of the state’s six inhabited islands is constantly ripe for hurricanes, flooding, earthquakes, tsunamis or volcanoes.

“The next earthquake here is not ‘if’ but ‘when’,” says Karl Ragan, senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Waimea, and another close friend of the Woodalls. Waimea is on the Big Island.

On Sunday, Dec. 15, 2006, an earthquake – measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale – hit Hawi and Kapaau, small towns on the north Kohala coast of the Big Island around 7:10 a.m. For 45 seconds that must have seemed like an hour, the earthquake rattled local homes. All of the 3,000 homes in the area suffered damage. Most of the homes were jilted off their post- and pier-foundations.

“Since last January, we have been working along side our partners in California to assist families whose homes were either heavily damaged or destroyed by the earthquake,” said Woodall. “This has provided many opportunities to minister to families who have never set foot into a church.”

“Most of the houses shifted about two inches off their foundations,” said Ragan. “We didn’t try to put a house back in its original position, but put in new piers and cement posts. We wanted to do that quickly before the next quake,” he explained, adding that Hawaii records hundreds of little quakes each month.

Ragan said the work was done by Baptist Builders who rushed in from California and Utah. Southern Baptists also have the only feeding unit on the island for assisting volunteers and victims of disasters.

“People were just amazed that Baptists would come over from the mainland, at their own expense, and help,” he said. Ragan said folks were also amazed that Southern Baptists would help anyone, not just other Baptists. It’s opened the doors wide open to share the Gospel.

“Chris has been really wonderful,” said Ragan. “He’s on Oahu, which is 200 miles away so we have to rely on airplanes. He’s been really great in facilitating and connecting with the North American Mission Board. He’s assured us that bills will be paid and has helped us get volunteers from the other islands.”

With such a significant list of challenges and needs, Woodall said the congregations in Hawaii must have the support and financial assistance that the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering brings.

“The Annie Armstrong offering provides a means by which we can help the churches do what God has called them to do – share the Gospel, equip leaders and start new churches all over the Pacific.”

BE COURAGEOUS


At the zoo, a man watched as an attendant entered a wildcat cage through a door on the opposite side. He had nothing in his hands but a broom. Carefully closing the door, he proceeded to sweep the floor of the cage. The onlooker observed that the worker had no weapon to ward off an attack by the beast. In fact, when he got to the corner of the cage where the wildcat was lying, he poked the animal with the broom. The wildcat hissed at him and then lay down in another corner of the enclosure.

He remarked to the attendant, “You certainly are a brave man.”

“No I ain’t brave,” he replied as he continued to sweep.

“Well, then, that cat must be tame.”

“No,” came the reply, “he ain’t tame.”

“If you aren’t brave and the wildcat isn’t tame, then I can’t understand why he doesn’t attack you.”

The man chuckled, then replied with an air of confidence, “Mister, he’s old — and he ain’t got no teeth.”

Some situations don’t require much courage. Others, however, require a great deal of courage. Take, for example, the choice Daniel was given — stop praying to God or face the hungry lions (which weren’t toothless!). Or Moses — live a life of luxury in the king’s palace, or align himself with God’s people. Or Esther — keep quiet and not cause a commotion, or stand up against evildoers at the risk of losing her life.

How we need such courage in our own lives! Courage to stand for the truth regardless of the consequences. Courage to live a life where Christ comes first regardless of what others might think. Courage to confess the name of God to a world which regards us as fools.

“Be of good courage,

and He shall strengthen your heart,

all you who hope in the LORD.”

~Psa. 31:24~


Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Saturday – Obiuaries

Joyce Blades Forrest

(October 31, 1933 – March 7, 2008)

Died at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, March 7, 2008 at Southeast Regional Medical Center in Kentwood. She was a native and resident of Spring Creek. Age 74 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Sunday and at Spring Creek Baptist Church from 9 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. on Monday. Services conducted by Rev. Bill Boulton and Rev. Danny Smith. Interment Spring Creek Cemetery, Spring Creek. She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Dale Forrest, Spring Creek; son, Norman Craig Forrest and wife, Pam Cook Forrest, Spring Creek; 2 grandchildren, Trenton Craig Forrest and wife, Macy Wagner Forrest, Denham Springs and Traci Forrest Jennings and husband, Ryan Jennings, Patterson; 2 great-grandchildren, Connor Trent Forrest and Parker Anthony Jennings; niece, Kim Horning, Franklinton; and a host of friends and other family members including a special cousin, J. C. Blades and his wife Alice Blades. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leamon and Elmise Blades; brother, Chevis Blades; her precious puppy, “Peanut”. The family requests donations to be made to the American Cancer Society.

Arthur Ernest “Ernie” Hayden

(September 6, 1954 – March 8, 2008)

Died at 6:10 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2008 at Hood Memorial Hospital in Amite, LA. He was a native and resident of Amite, LA. Age 53 years. Visitation at Amite-Arcola Presbyterian Church, 501 Walnut St., Amite, from 4 p.m. Sunday until until memorial services at 6 p.m. Sunday. Survived by son, Adam Scott Hayden, Ponchatoula, mother, Hollis Ann Davis Hayden, Amite, brother, Robin Lynn Hayden, Amite, cousin, Billy Hayden, Amite. Preceded in death by son, Aaron Hollis Hayden. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

Saturday

“We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!

For Your wondrous works declare

that Your name is near.”

~Psalm 75:1~

 

 

 

Joan Hagan

Joan Hagan continues to get reports that will allow her surgery to proceed. Pray for her as she again in waiting for a surgery date.

 

 

Cleon Wilburn Blades

A native of Kentwood and a longtime resident of Tunica, he died Thursday, March 6, 2008, at age 76. He was a retired correctional officer at Angola, where he served for nearly 35 years. Visitation at Charlet Funeral Home Inc. in Zachary on Saturday, March 8, from 9 a.m. until service at 11 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Michael Wells Sr. Burial in Rogillio Family Cemetery. Survived by a daughter, Linda Bordelon and her husband, Darren, of Angola; two sons, Wilburn Jesse Blades and his wife Patricia, of Tunica, and Charles Blades and his wife, Cortney, of Smithdale, Miss.; three brothers, Henry Blades, Clovis Blades and Royal Blades; and three grandchildren, Darren Bordelon Jr., Todd Bordelon and Catherine Blades. He was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Mattie Blades; four brothers, James, Joe, Doc and Luther Blades; and his ex-wife, Pearl Anderson Blades. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Share sympathies, condolences and memories online at http://www.charletfuneralhome.com.

 

Correction

OUR TIME CHANGES THIS WEEKEND. PLEASE SET YOUR CLOCKS FORWARD 1 HOUR******NOT BACK AS STATED IN THE NEWS ON THE PRAYER LINK. WE SPRING FORWARD IN THE SPRING AND FALL BACK IN THE FALL.
THANKS

Mary Ann Cutrer

(Thanks, Mary Ann.)

 

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE
INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD
Friday, March 7, 2008

“So Philip began at this place in the Scriptures

and explained the good news about Jesus.,”

~Acts 8:35, CEV~

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the International Prayer Strategy Office, encouraging you to pray for women as they hear God’s Word.

A chance encounter turned out to be a relationship for which to praise God. A woman in South Asia met two Christian women on a South Asian street and asked why they lived in her country. They told her that they were storytellers. “We are followers of Jesus, so our favorite stories to tell are about Him!” On her first visit to their home, after exchanging usual greetings, this woman was in the chair for less than two minutes before she said, “OK, tell me a story about Jesus.” Since then, the women have had ample opportunities to share not only how Christ changed their lives, but also many stories from the Word.

A few Tibetan women in a refugee carpet factory have shown an interest in hearing audio stories from the Bible. On occasion, international Christian workers have played Tibetan praise songs and Bible stories on a CD player for them while they make rugs. The songs and stories resound throughout the factory, and the women listen intently as they sit, weaving the heavy rugs.

Three groups of North African women are meeting weekly to study the Bible. Pray for the women to continue to grow in their faith and for their daughters and friends to join them as they share their faith with others.

A volunteer from Canada has traveled to Turkey to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) to Persians. Pray that many women will come to the classes and will be drawn to God through her sharing and testimony.

* Please pray for women to respond positively to the Good News that they are hearing whether directly from the Bible, through stories and music, or from personal testimonies.

* Intercede for believers that they will share faithfully.

* Ask God to open your eyes to unusual places where you can share His Word.

MISSIONARY PERSONAL NEEDS

This month, two new workers joined the ministry team on a small island nation. They are studying at the local university and have already immersed themselves in the local culture, experiencing many of the wondrous oddities that living in a different country can offer. Please pray for these young people as they strive to be a light for the Lord in the midst of much spiritual darkness. Pray for their safety as they travel by public transport, for understanding of the local dialects, for comprehension of their school studies, for personal strength and growth in the Lord, for adjustment to the new climate, time zone and diet, and for unity with other believers. Praise the Lord for young people willing to step way outside their “comfort zones” to serve Him wherever He calls!

 

 

 

F.B.C. Members:

Don’t forget the community outreach at 10:00 this morning and the missions lunch tomorrow.

 

 

 

Resort Missionary Brad Lartigue

 

Holds Big Job in Big Sky

 

By Mickey Noah


BIG SKY, Mont. – Because his mission field is based in Big Sky, Mont., where Lone Mountain stretches 11,000 feet high, Brad Lartigue reports to work every day sky-high – geographically and spiritually.

For 20 years, Lartigue has served as a North American Mission Board missionary — the last 17 as a resort missionary in Big Sky during the ski season in winter and at Yellowstone National Park in summer. Big Sky is nestled near three interconnected mountains, high in Montana’s Gallatin National Forest.

Lartigue is one of more than 5,000 missionaries in the United States, Canada and their territories supported by the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering® for North American Missions. He is one of eight NAMB missionaries featured as part of the annual Week of Prayer, March 2-9, 2008. This year’s theme is “Live with Urgency: Seize Your Divine Moment.” The 2008 Annie Armstrong Easter Offering’s goal is $61 million, 100 percent of which is used for missionaries like Brad.

“My place of work is basically the outdoors,” he says. “Our sanctuary is in the mountains that rise above us, among the trees and the animals that God has created. That’s where worship happens for us.

“I believe that my area of special ministries in resort and leisure settings is a good place to present the Gospel to people,” he said. “After all, our Lord Jesus Christ gave us the example and foundation for ministering to people outside the walls of the church.

“Jesus spoke to the multitudes from the bow of a boat, from the mountainsides, in the gardens, in the marketplaces. He met people where they were, in times of work and play. It’s a wonderful thing to have the opportunity of using God’s creation as a ministry tool to point people past that creation and toward the Creator.”

Supported and commissioned by NAMB and the Montana Southern Baptist Convention, Lartigue leads worship services and campfire devotionals, marries couples, dedicates babies and even conducts funeral services on the powdery snow of Big Sky. He witnesses to tourists who wouldn’t be caught dead inside the walls of a brick-and-mortar church.

During the peak ski season — between Thanksgiving and Easter — some 5,000-6,000 people a day come to Big Sky to challenge the world-class ski slopes, which get blanketed by 400 inches of new snow each year.

“Every Sunday when I ride the chairlift going up the mountain to do my worship service, I meet people who have no intention of going to a worship service. They’re coming to find a place for recreation and to relax — not for a place of worship or for a minister. But when I ride the chairlift, I never ride without speaking to someone about why they are here and what we are doing here.

“I think it means a lot to people to see a minister snowboarding, skiing, or cross-country skiing, who takes the effort to hone these skills to meet people where they are,” he said.

Citing the Apostle Paul’s admonition to “be all things to all people so that we might reach some,” Lartigue recently invited a couple of young men on college break to his worship service.

“They saw me on my snowboard and said, ‘Oh, you’re the shred chaplain.’ Shredding is ski slang for snowboarding. I think God gives us passions in our lives that drive us to do the things we do. God has given me the passion to snowboard, cross-country ski and go backpacking in the wilderness.

“And each of us can reach one because of the various passions He gives us,” Lartigue said. “People come here to relax, rest and be rejuvenated. And what better place to do ministry than a place where people can be inspired, because God and his creation are inspiring.”

It’s a long way from the sultry summers of Lake Charles, La, where Brad was born and raised, to the crystal-blue skies and frosty air of Big Sky, Mont.

He grew up in a Christian home in Lake Charles, a bayou town in the heart of southwest Louisiana’s Cajun country, where his father serves as pastor of a Southern Baptist church and with a devoted preacher’s wife for a mom. With a French surname and rich family bloodlines of black, Cherokee Indian and Italian lineage, Brad is proud of his heritage. One of five children, he accepted Christ at age 14.

Always interested in adventure and public service, Lartigue was active in the Baptist Student Union at McNeese State University in Lake Charles. While at McNeese, he cut his missions “teeth” while serving as a summer missionary on Hawaii’s Big Island and as a US/C2 resort missionary at Taos Ski Valley in New Mexico.

After graduating from McNeese State, he attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, where he earned a master’s degree in religious education and church recreation. In 1990, he accepted a career missionary position at Big Sky and Yellowstone National Park from NAMB and the Montana Southern Baptist Convention. He’s been there ever since.

“When people think of Big Sky or Yellowstone National Park, they think of the beauty and what a pristine place it is,” said Lartigue. “But people don’t realize that behind the scenes, there are hurting people – people very much disillusioned about who God is. I come across alcoholics, those into drugs, the promiscuous, those whose lives need to change.”

As with any Southern Baptist pastor, Sunday is a long and busy work day for Lartigue.

“I am part of three worship services on Sundays,” he said. “I begin the day with an outdoor worship service at 9:30 a.m. at the Moonlight Basin Ski Resort. Then I drive back down to the Big Sky Christian Fellowship worship at 11 a.m., and back up to Mountain Village to conduct the skier/snowboarder worship service in the snow at 1:30 p.m.,” Brad said.

After a few hours of skiing or snowboarding, he closes out the day by directing a youth ministry for junior high students on Sunday nights. He also is active in Yellowstone Innovator/park employee worship in campgrounds, hotel worship services and home Bible studies.

During summer, he shifts the focus of his ministry to Yellowstone – about 50 miles away — where he supervises college and seminary volunteers called “Innovators,” full-time summer missionaries appointed by NAMB and sponsored by the First Baptist Church of West Yellowstone, who work full-time alongside park employees in a secular environment. They intentionally share their faith in Christ through lifestyle evangelism, Bible studies, hiking, backpacking and “one-to-one” witnessing.

In October, Brad is a swimming instructor and coach for the local elementary school in Big Sky, and a lifeguard instructor in Bozeman, about 45 miles north of Big Sky. With Thanksgiving comes the return of ski season.

Year-round, Lartigue works as a firefighter and chaplain for the Big Sky Volunteer Fire Department. He also is a certified emergency medical technician (EMT), a CPR instructor and a volunteer for the Big Sky Ski Patrol. Regardless of the hat he wears, he ministers to all, all the time.

Dean Hall of Helena, Mont., is a fellow EMT on the Big Sky Ski Patrol team.

“I’ve known him (Lartigue) for five or six years now,” Hall said. “He’s a minister, a youth minister, a resort minister. He’s a very well trained EMT. He’s well-respected and a wonderful, kind, gentle man. The kids love him. He’s a great asset to the community here and to the Big Sky Ski Patrol, both as a chaplain and as a trained EMT.

“I think all resorts need somebody like him,” continued Hall. “This is sort of a la-la land in many respects. There’s lots of alcohol, lots of drugs. Brad is an anchoring force and some of these young people need that.”

What does the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering mean for Brad?

“This offering does things in so many different ways, and offers so many different opportunities that we will never, ever see the results until we’re in heaven. I feel privileged to be able to minister in a place where I can focus on ministry and not worry about how I’m going to sustain myself.

“I love what I do because it is making an eternal difference in people’s lives and I look forward to seeing these people in our heavenly home for all of eternity.”

 

 

 

Devotional Thought

 

The Fern and the Bamboo…..

 

(This was shared by Mr. K.K.Kennedy. I do not know who wrote it.)

One day I decided to quit…. I quit my job, my relationship, my Spirituality.. I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have One last talk with God.

“God”, I said. “Can you give me one good re ason not to quit?”

His answer surprised me…

“Look around”, He said. “Do you see the fern and the bamboo?”

“Yes”, I replied.

“When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, Nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo”.

He said. “In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit.

In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit.

He said. “Then in th e fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant.

But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had Spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave It what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a Challenge it could not handle.”

He said to me. “Did you know, my child, that all this time you have Been struggling, you have actually been growing roots? I would not quit on The bamboo. I will never quit on you. Don’t compare yourself to others.”

He said. “The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern, yet, they Both make the forest beautiful.”

“Your time will come, ” God said to me. ” You will rise high!”

“How high should I rise?” I asked.

“How high will the bamboo rise?” H e asked in return.

“As high as it can?” I questioned.

“Yes.” He said, “Give me glory by rising as high as you can.”

I left the forest and brought back this story. I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you…..

Never regret a day in your life. Good days give you Happiness. Bad days give you Experiences. Both are essential to life. Keep going… Happiness keeps you Sweet, Trials keep you Strong, Sorrows keep you Human, Failures keep you Humble, Success keeps You Glowing, But Only God keeps You Going!

Have a great day! The Son is shining!!

God is so big He can cover the whole world with his Love, and so small He can curl up inside your heart.


AS YE WOULD THAT MEN SHOULD DO TO YOU,

DO YE ALSO TO THEM LIKEWISE.

LUKE 6:31

 

 


Remember, He provides what we need when we need it!


Anna Lee

Friday – Update on Faith and Aaron Hill

Happy Friday to everyone. I understand snow is expected in MS today…how strange. It is hard to believe I have been here in NJ (and PA) for almost 5 weeks now. When mom got home she told me how surprised she was to see all the flowers, grass and spring growth in abundance. I hope the snow leaves quickly so that when Aaron and I get home NEXT WEEK, we can see the spring flowers (or weeds in our yard), too.

Moo went home today, so we are a bit lonely again. Aaron has still been hard on the task of eating well. He has done pretty good adjusting to breastfeeding with an occasional bottle here and there, but he still doesn’t seem to be eating as well as I would like. He doesn’t nurse long enough or seem to take more than 2ish ounces in his bottle. Please pray that he will start doing better and that he will have gained some weight at his visit on Wednesday. Otherwise, they will want to start concentrate his feedings, something we hope to be able to avoid.

Many continued thanks for all of your prayers, cards, emails, calls and posts to the website. My heart is continually warmed in knowing that you all care about Aaron’s heart.