Getting to know the enemy is vital

Religion

January 25, 2013

Getting to know the enemy is vital

By Steve Ellison, Guest columnist The Picayune Item Picayune Item Fri Jan 25, 2013, 08:00 AM CST

PICAYUNE — The past few weeks have been difficult for me. I saw enough tears to last me a lifetime (and shed a few of my own). My father has been very ill recently. I was not his primary care giver but I was heavily involved. I experienced things I never wanted to experience. I saw that which I had hoped to never see. Seven days ago, I drove him to a regularly scheduled doctor’s appointment, one to evaluate the effect of ten radiation treatments followed by one chemotherapy treatment. He was admitted directly into hospice care on-site at the hospital. He passed away exactly 48 hours after arriving for the appointment. On the day that I drove him to the hospital, I intended to visit a man who was Dad’s lifelong friend and neighbor. He was in a different hospital in the same city. I am lifelong friends with that man’s children. I was too late. To make a long story short, I officiated two funerals last week, one of which was my own father’s and the other for our lifelong friend.

Psalm 23:4-6 says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” NASU These two men had a common enemy: Death. Both men faced this enemy with confidence because they had placed their faith in Christ, assuring themselves of adoption into God’s family for all eternity. Their names have been written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Upon their deaths, they were ushered into the presence of God and the book was brought out. Their names were found and they took their places in heaven.

Each one of us has that same Enemy. We all face death. The statistic is that one out of one dies. Some people receive special grace in seeing death draw near like these two who were so dear to me. That serves as a warning. Others do not receive that special grace. Death strikes them seemingly without warning. Of course it is not without warning. They have already been warned. It simply comes at a time not expected. I did not pick up a newspaper and read all the obituaries this week, but I have done that in the past. What I found in my reading is that many people experience unexpected death, sometimes at a young age.

It is my hope and prayer that you will examine yourself making sure of your own relationship with God, ensuring that you indeed are a child of God, that you are on your way to heaven. If you have asked God to forgive your sins based on Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross, you have a relationship with Him. Also, let me encourage you to have a serious and in-depth conversation with your friends and loved ones about their eternal destiny. You never know when it will be too late. Waiting too late would be the greatest of all tragedies.

pastorsteve8800@gmail.com

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Religion

The strange victory by liberal religion
By Terry Mattingl/Syndicated columnist

The most recent Jewish Community Study of New York held few surprises for those who have followed the sobering Jewish trends of recent decades

April 5, 2013
Movies on Canal begins March 9
The Church at Picayune is hosting a free community event called “Movies on Canal”, on the second Saturday of each month, beginning Saturday March 9, 2012.
A family friendly movie will be projected onto the side of the building at 120 West Canal St in Picayune. Bring a lawn chair and the entire family and enjoy fun-jumps, pop-corn, food, and lots of entertainment at Movies On Canal.

March 8, 2013
Pope resigns on his terms
By Terry Mattingly/Syndicated columnist

In the spring of 2009, Pope Benedict XVI stopped in Aquila, Italy, to pray at the shrine of St. Celestine V.
The pope left his pallium — a wool garment that resembles a yoke, symbolizing bonds between a shepherd and his flock — on this medieval pope’s tomb. Then, 15 months later, he visited a cathedral outside Rome to pray before the relics, once again, of St. Celestine V.

February 22, 2013
Pope Benedict VXI resigning
VATICAN CITY (AP) — With a few words in Latin, Pope Benedict VXI did Monday what no pope has done in more than half a millennium, announcing his resignation and sending the already troubled Catholic Church scrambling to replace the leader of its 1 billion followers by Easter.
Not even his closest associates had advance word of the news, a bombshell that he dropped during a routine morning meeting of Vatican cardinals. With no clear favorites to succeed him, another surprise likely awaits when the cardinals elect Benedict’s successor next month.
“Without doubt this is a historic moment,” said Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn, a protege and former theology student of Benedict’s who is considered a papal contender. “Right now, 1.2 billion Catholics the world over are holding their breath.”

February 12, 2013
It’s great to be involved with ‘Upwards’ basketball
By Gwen Williams/AKA MS Chocolate/Guest Columnist

I’m not a sports person, but every year I look forward to sharing with the children involved in the Upward Basketball program. First through sixth graders come together to experience their first sports encounter playing basketball. Boys and girls play together with the hope of building character and values for life. Excitement floods the gym as parents, grandparents, and aunts gather with various electronic gadgets waiting to film their children. The program is also a means of reaching parents with children who are unchurched.

February 8, 2013
The heart attack
By Steve Ellison, Interim Pastor/First Baptist Horatio, Ark.

January was a big month for me. It actually started in December and seeped over into February. I spent a few weeks helping to care for my father who was very ill, in fact near death from the combined effects of lung cancer, radiation of the brain, and chemotherapy. I officiated the funerals of a close family friend, my father, and my father’s sister.

February 8, 2013
An offering
By Kelcie Kinchen/Guest Columnist

Through life, no matter where we are, we face times that leave us with just a handful of understanding and a trunk full of confusion. Circumstances leave us standing in the road, not sure which way to turn.
It seems like everyone around you has something to offer in abundance and yet all you believe you have is not worthy of offering. In our minds, all we see is the lack but God sees the abundance around the corner of surrender.

February 1, 2013
Last call, ya’ll!
This is The final call for articles and photos for
this year’s Pearl River County Today “Progress” edition. all churches and religious organizations can email their articles and photos to…
picayuneitem@bellsouth.net.

January 25, 2013
Getting to know the enemy is vital
By Steve Ellison, Interim Pastor/First Baptist Horatio, Ark.

The past few weeks have been difficult for me. I saw enough tears to last me a lifetime (and shed a few of my own). My father has been very ill recently. I was not his primary care giver but I was heavily involved. I experienced things I never wanted to experience.

January 25, 2013
Why be included in Pearl River County Today edition?
What would you say to others about your church or regligious organization?

Do you want to increase participation in your activities, or services?
If you had a free venue you could use to present your information not only to local citizens but to visitors, would you use it?

January 18, 2013
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