Good morning. Welcome to another day, a gift from God. Use your the gift of this day well.
Inspirational Verse
Where can you write this verse?
Who can you share it with?
How many times can you read/say this verse today?
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Read the Bible in 2026
- Starting a new book today
- Februaty 12
- Acts 1-3
No Local Obituaries This Morning
Obituary – Terry’s Creek (Amite County)
John Milton Bond
February 16, 1933 – February 5, 2026
Visitation
Friday, Feb 13, 2026
10:00 AM-1:00 PM
Funeral Service
Friday, Feb 13, 2026
1:00 PM
John Milton Bond
February 16, 1933 – February 5, 2026
John Milton Bond, who was born into a 2nd generation farming family of Amite County on February 16, 1933, left his earthly home for a heavenly one, February 5, 2026…11 days shy of his 93rd birthday, both coming and going on the same farm, which was so dear to him.
Visitation will be Friday February 13th, 2026 at Terry’s Creek Baptist Church from 10:00 AM until Services at 1:00 PM. Burial will follow at Bond Family Cemetery under the direction of Hartman Jones Funeral Home. Rev. David Fortenberry and Rev. Kent Campbell will officiate. In lieu of flowers the family request contributions be made to The Gideons International “Bibles” PO Box 140800 Nashville, TN 37214
His loved ones who’ve gone before him were his Daddy and Mama, Turner Wilson and Rosa Lee Cummings Bond; his sister Tempie Williams, and 3 brothers: T.W. Bond, Bobby Bond, and Joe Bond. Also going on before him were his twin infant daughters; son-in-law, Clark Wilson; and grandson, Jacob Turner Wilson.
Still here, somehow moving forward without him, are his beloved family, first and foremost, his wife of 66 years, Inez Wilson Bond; daughters LaLinda Fortenberry (David), Denise Wilson, Michelle Madison, Betty Oltremari (Jerry), and Jeanne Tate (Chuck). And Grandchildren… Brandon Fortenberry (Brittany), Jonathan Fortenberry, Allison Wilson Miller (John), Lana Wilson Weeks (Shelby), Luke Wilson (Sarah), Levi Wilson (Anna), Jonah Wilson (Grace), Rachel Wilson Weeks (Dan), Seth Wilson, Daniel Wilson, Nathan Madison (Destiny), Jordan Madison, Elaina Madison, Jacqueline Madison, Shelby Gast, Paula Gast, Cpl. Christopher Gast (Isabella), Hannah Tate Schrock (Andrew), Rebekah Tate Schrock (Enos), Elizabeth Tate, AMT3 Benjamin Tate, Sharon Tate Bloom (Kade), Abigail Tate Charleston (Jeremiah), Joshua Tate, Laura Tate, Emily Tate, and Joanna Tate. Forty-one great grandchildren and three more to be born this year, and one great-great grandchild.
John went to serve his country in the Air Force at the age of 20 during the Korean Conflict, where he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. In addition to his duties, he also was a barrack’s barber, and he enjoyed his deployment to France very much. He made lifelong friends on both sides of the pond. After service, he married the love of his life, and together they began their family. He was a hard-working farmer who understood both the value of labor and the gift of rest.
He trusted the Lord in every season, planting seeds in the soil and in the hearts of his family. In the midst of long days, he made time for what mattered most, spending time alone seeking the Lord and time with his family. As a family they enjoyed picnics by the creek, Sunday afternoon drives, meals shared with others, and memories made traveling together to beaches, the Smokey mountains, out west, and even a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Europe. He included his children, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and anyone that visited the farm, in his daily chores, teaching valuable lessons as they worked, ever so patiently, a quality for which he was known and admired.
Johnny and Inez worked hard, side by side to build up the old farm, and turned the homestead into a pristine dairy farm, once even receiving Mississippi’s Master Dairyman award. They “retired” 38 years later, then planted pines, raised beef cattle, and sold hay to bring in income and continue working the way they loved. If he picked on you, it was a sure sign he loved you. He loved a good adventure, to have fun and usually had a smile. But he had a more serious side, too. He heard the Bible read from a young age and trusted it to be true. Through everything that life challenged him with, the Power of God within him brought him courage and strength to rise above temptation and sorrow, with a quiet, sense of peace and joy.
These attributes drew many people of all walks of life, as friends. It was his main desire, that all would know his Jesus, especially his children and their children. His love of scriptures showed in his participation in the Bible distribution ministry, known as Gideons International. He often shared these little bibles with those he met. For 64 years, he served as a deacon at Terry’s Creek Baptist Church and was very involved where he could be a blessing, there as well.
He never met a stranger, welcoming everyone with warmth and kindness that reflected his faith. His life was a quiet testimony of God’s love, lived out through service, generosity, and devotion. We take comfort knowing he has finished his race and now rests in the presence of his Savior, hearing the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant…Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”
(Because Jeanne, his youngest daughter, was our daughter’s good high school friend, we had the opportunity to know and love some of this wonderful family.)
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The First Words of the Day
How did your day start?
I’ve long encouraged people to rise a little earlier than they really have to in order to start the day with God. That practice may be the most meaningful part of my day.
Starting the day with God can take several forms. You can pray, read Scripture, meditate and memorize Scripture, or simply sit quietly acknowledging God and His goodness. All of these are helpful. I recommend them all.
Today my day began with a wonderful surprise. On my phone screen from the YouVersion Bible App were these words:
“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10, NASB).
Those words were given by the prophet to the people of Israel in exile. God had big things for them to do. They were to leave the only land most of the people had ever known to return to Jerusalem and the land of Israel to rebuild and to follow God.
They had plenty to fear and be anxious about, but they also had the promises of our Righteous God. God was encouraging them to be righteous and obedient.
You have plenty to make you anxious and obedient.
What would God say to you today? The Word of God speaks loudly to me today: “Do not be fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.”
When I begin my day in this way, I always have a good day. I pray the same for you.
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Thanks for reading, praying, and acting on these thoughts today.
Anna Lee
The Prayer Link 
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