Month: January 2011

Sunday Afternoon

Jeff Birch’s surgery will be tomorrow morning in Laplace.  Keep praying.

Ferrin Hendry is still in PICU at Our Lady of the Lake.  Keep her and her family in your prayers.

Mrs. Sadie Hilburn is still at Hood Memorial.  Add her to your prayer list if she is not already there.

Mr. Gordon Price is now home.  Pray for continued improvement and for his caregivers.

Mrs. Kathryn Sanders is progressing at the extended care facility across from North Oaks.  Keep her and her family in your prayers.

Add Mrs. Margaret Huber to your pray list.  As you pray for her, pray for her family.

My Texas cousin, Micah Tolleson, got a good report on his brain tumor.  Keep him on your prayer list.

Sunday

We plan the way we want to live,

but only God makes us able to live it.

~Proverbs 16:9 (Msg)~

Baptist Press Stories for Jan. 14, 2011
—————————————
Staggering: U.S. passed 53 million abortion mark in 2010
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34441
Ultrasound machines ‘save babies’ lives’
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34442
Novels help convey pro-life perspective
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34443
SANCTITY OF LIFE: A Scent of Jasmine, a novel, Chapter 1
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34444
INTERNATIONAL DIGEST: Chavez digs in against less-friendly congress; …

SPORTS: Ravens receiver points to ‘the best thing’ a person can do
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34446
FIRST-PERSON: ‘Eggsploitation’ on college campuses
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34447

Thought for the Day: BACK TO THE BASICS


One of the world’s most famous merchant captains died, having long been admired by his crew and fellow officers.

They remained puzzled, however, over a strange ritual he performed daily.  While at sea he would lock himself in his cabin and open a small safe, take out an envelope with a note inside and read it.  After locking the paper back in the safe, he would return to his duties.

For years this went on, and his crew became very curious.  Was it a treasure map?  Was it a letter from a long lost love?  Everyone speculated about the contents of the strange envelope.

After laying the captain’s body to rest, the first mate led the entire crew back to the ship and into the captain’s quarters.  He opened the safe, got the envelope and read the words aloud to an astonished crew:

“Port: Left,  Starboard: Right.”

Sometimes we need to be reminded of the basics!  That’s true of those of us who are Christians as well.  We would all do well to lock away the basics of Christianity in a safe and get away to ourselves daily and go over them once again.  So that we never forget.  So that we don’t get so caught up doing a million different things that we forget the most important and the most basic rules of life.

What belongs in the safe?  We don’t have to wonder.  Jesus himself told us:

“’You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'” (Matthew 22:37-39)

That’s what’s in the safe — “Love God.  Love others.”   Don’t ever forget.  If you need to, put those words in a secret place and go to that spot daily.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Loving God and loving others,

Anna Lee

Saturday – Urgent Requests

A wreck near Winn Dixie in Amite has sent someone to the hospital via helicopter.  Pray for whomever is involved.. . .The person airlifted is an Amite Police Officer.

Also, Ferrin Hendry, young daughter of Justin and Dana Hendry of the East Fork area is being taken to Our Lady of the Lake after a stop at Hoods because of seizures.  Your prayers will be appreciated.

Saturday Afternoon

Araminta “Polly” Bennett Travis

June 12, 1929 – January 13, 2011)

A native and resident of St. Helena Parish, she died at 5:35 a.m. on Thursday, January 13, 2011 at St. Helena Parish Hospital in Greensburg. She was born June 12, 1929 and was 81 years of age. She is survived by, 3 daughters, Connie Jenkins and husband, Jerry, McComb, MS, Valerie Lane and husband, Bobby, Ponchatoula, and Barbara Carter and husband, Clay, Franklinton; a son, Huey B. “Bubba” Travis and wife, Lorie, Greensburg; a sister, Eloise “Nan” Johnson, Clinton; a brother, James D. “Teen” Bennett, Greensburg; 12 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by husband, Huey Marvin Travis; parents, Curlie and Rosalie Bennett; 2 brothers, Harry and George Bennett. Visitation at Pine Ridge Methodist Church from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 15, 2011. Services conducted by Bro. Matt Booty. Interment Pine Ridge Cemetery, Pine Ridge. Pallbearers will be her grandsons. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pine Ridge Methodist Church. The family would like to thank the staff of St. Helena Parish Hospital and Nursing Home for their kindness. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements.

Edwin “Ed” Eugene Courtney

April 13, 1931 – January 15, 2011)

A resident of Amite, he died at 12:46 a.m. on Saturday, January 15, 2011 at St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington. He was born April 13, 1931 in Amite and was 79 years of age. He was a U. S. Army Veteran of Korea, 32nd Regiment, 7th Division where he served in the Battle of Pork Chop Hill and was a retired foreman with South Central Bell with 36 years of service. He is survived by his wife, Jean Wilson Dees Courtney, Amite, daughter, Rhonda Courtney Montgomery, Covington, son, Dennis E. Courtney and his wife, Barbara, Jacksonville, FL, 2 brothers, Robert Courtney, Baton Rouge and Wayne Courtney, Las Vegas, NV, step-daughter, Kerri Dees Ardillo and her husband, Jay, Amite, 3 step-sons, Wallace H. Dees and his wife, Amber, Amite, Richard Dees, Amite and Brian Dees and his wife, Michelle, Amite, 4 grandchildren, Chad, Chris, and Curt Montgomery and Desiree Courtney, 2 great-grandchildren, Tyler Montgomery and Jace Montgomery. Preceded in death by parents, James N. and Lula Davis Courtney, brother, Jim Courtney. Visitation at Kedron Baptist Church, Amite, from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Monday, January 17, 2011. Services conducted by Bro. Jake Williams. Interment Hillsdale Cemetery, Hillsdale. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kedron Baptist Church, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, or to the charity of your choice.

Saturday Addition

I learned of this death yesterday.  Mary Evelyn taught at KES for many years.  Her husband had family roots in our area.

Mary Evelyn Phillips, 61, of McComb, died Jan. 9, 2011, at Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center.

Visitation is 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Hartman-Sharkey Funeral Home in McComb and continues 10 a.m. Thursday until services at 11 at the funeral home. The Rev. Ed Sudduth will officiate. Burial will be in Hollywood Cemetery.

Mrs. Phillips was born Oct. 17, 1949, in McComb. She was the daughter of Nell Polk Newman of McComb and the late H.D. Newman.

She retired from the Tangipahoa Parish School System, where she taught for 37 years in Kentwood, La. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Magnolia.

Survivors include her husband, Stroud Phillips of McComb; her mother, Nell; a daughter, Melessa P. Walker of McComb; a son and daughter-in-law, Daniel and Malissa Phillips of Nashville; a brother, Leslie D. Newman; a granddaughter, Sarah Beth Walker; four sisters-in-law, Sandra Bothwell, Dr. Lessa Phillips, Anne Worley and Nancy Newman; a brother-in-law, Chris Phillips; and a nephew, Matthew Newman.

Share condolences at Hartman-Sharkeyfuneralhome.com.

Saturday

“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses.

For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought,

but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us

with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

~Romans 8:26~

I’m sure you remember praying for Ashlyn Neal after her fall during a basketball game.  I’m happy to report she is back playing basketball and doing well.  Thank God for her progress and freedom from headaches.

Thanks to Lynda Newman for sharing this.

Specialist Christian Romig, 24 years-old, was killed on January 5th by an IED while fighting for his country in Afghanistan. He is survived by his parents, Rebecca Perez Romig and Leaman M. Romig Sr.; sister Gabrielle; brothers, Eric, Phillip and Lee Jr.; grandfathers, Joseph Perez Jr. and Donald Romig and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He is preceded by his grandmothers, Earllea Hoffstadt Perez and Elizabeth Hood Romig. Christian graduated from GKHS in 2005. He was enlisted in the Army from May 2008 and was scheduled to fulfill his commitment in June but opted to stay with his platoon overseas until completion of their deployment. Christian will be remembered for his big heart and big laughs. A Hero’s Return Home will be Friday afternoon at Belle Chasse Naval Air Station for the immediate family. Visitation will at Leitz Eagan Funeral Home, 4747 Veterans Blvd, near Clearview Pkwy., Metairie, LA on Friday evening, January 14, 2011 from 7:00 PM until 10:00 PM and on Saturday, January 15, 2011 at Divine Mercy Church, 3325 Loyola Dr., Kenner, LA 70065 beginning at 9:30 AM with a Funeral Mass to follow at 11:00 AM. Burial with full military honors will follow in Kentwood, LA at Hoffstadt Family Cemetery located at 251 Hoffstadt Rd, Kentwood, LA. If you would like to make a donation in the soldier’s name, the family asks that you consider Soldiers Angels, 1792 Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104 or online at soldiersangels.org/honorary-donations.

You may want to go to http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Christian-Romig&lc=7186&pid=147733206&mid=4508894&locale=en-US

for more information including lots of pictures.

Thank God for Christian and all the other young men and women who serve our country.  We are thankful for all of you!

Pray for the other families that are having funerals and graveside services today.

The associational WMU will meet Monday at FBC, Kentwood.  The meeting will honor WMU ladies who passed away in the past year.  Bring your favorite food to share and join us at 10 A.M.

KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2.10

Mike Benson, Editor

GIVE THE PROCESS enough time…

Do not rush it.  The dream must be carefully wrapped in the foil of creativity and baked slowly, often very slowly, in the oven of time.  In short, be patient.

It is true that some visions pop full-blown into a leader’s head within a very short period of time.  This seems to be the case in the Old Testament with Nehemiah who, according to Nehemiah 1, received his vision in a matter of days (1.4).  While the chronology of the text is not entirely clear, Nehemiah was praying an envisioning prayer of confession and petition for his people when, apparently, God provided the vision.  At the close of the prayer (1.11) he indicates that he has God’s vision for his people, the Jews in captivity, because he asks for success as he approaches King Artaxerxes with that vision.

My experience with the church, however, is that Nehemiah’s experience is the exception rather than the norm.  Most visions are made up of bits and pieces collected from various sources over a significant period of time.  Add to this the fact that dreams work very closely with creativity, which cannot be rushed.  Most often they are several years cooking on the back burner of the visionary’s mind.  Then, when the time is right, they take shape.

But  how much time is necessary to develop a significant vision?  The answer to that one is easy: whatever time it takes. Aubrey Malphurs, “The Vision Process,” Developing a Vision for Ministry in The 21st Century, 77

4 Then the king said to me, “What do you request?”

So I prayed to the God of heaven.

5 And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king,

and if your servant has found favor in your sight,

I ask that you send me to Judah,

to the city of my fathers’ tombs,

that I may rebuild it.”

~Nehemiah 2.4-5~

Have a blessed day.  Be a blessing to someone!

Anna Lee

Friday

Mrs. Shirley Frazier

Mrs. Shirley Frazier continues to have trouble with her broken foot.  Pray for her to be able to endure the next few weeks with less pain.

Mrs. Kathryn Sanders

“Momma Kat” continues to progress at rehab.  She is doing well with therapy.  Continue to pray for her.

Her birthday is February 4th.  There will be a birthday celebration on the 5th at the rehab in Hammond.  I’ll post more information later.

Pray for the mission team from Amite.  They safely landed in Vera Cruz last night.  Pray they make a difference in many lives.

Jadon’s Story: Neurologist Appointment

Our appointment went really well today. They are taking me off of Topamax. We are very excited about this. It will take 7 weeks to wean me off this medicine. Please pray that my seizures will not increase. We really need to get me off some of these medicines. Once I’m off the topamax we will start a new medicine. It will either be zonegran or lamictal. I can’t be on topamax and zonegran at the same time. So if we are able to totally wean the topamax, we will try zonegran. If not, we will try lamictal. So we are very excited about trying these two medicines rather than the others with the more severe side effects. It’s basically try a medicine and if it doesn’t work take me off and try another. Hopefully we will find a medicine that works quickly. My neurologist was amazed at the progress I’m making. She said I look better each time she sees me. Thanks for praying for me. Even though we don’t have seizure control, I’m doing way better than expected 🙂

Robert E. “Bob” Allworth

(April 25, 1937 – January 11, 2011)

Robert E. “Bob” Allworth was born April 25, 1937 and passed away at 7:40 p.m., Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at Lane Memorial Hospital, Zachary, LA. He was 73, a native of Battleground, WA and a resident of Greensburg. Mr. Bob was a US Navy Veteran of WWII.

Bob is survived by his wife, Patsy Harvey Allworth, Greensburg; 4 daughters Terrilyn Roshay and husband, Michael, OR, Wanda Allworth, OR, Dianna “Dee” Schneider, Denham Springs, and Susan Jenison and husband Randy, Mt. Hermon; 3 sons, Robert M. Allworth and wife Kathy, OR, Jeffrey Allworth, OR, Michael Breland, OR; 15 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; sister, Barbara Browning and husband, Irvin, OR; brother, George Allworth, OR; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Preceded in death by parents, 2 brothers, Alfred Allworth & Norman Allworth.

Visitation at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Saturday, January 15, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Worship Service at 1:00 p.m. in the funeral home Chapel. Interment in Seal-Tullos Cemetery, Stateline, LA.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home is located at I-55N (Exit 46) and Hwy 16W next to Hood Chevrolet and behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash, Bond Eye Clinic and Holiday Inn Express.

Rev. Eddie Morgan

Celebration of Life Memorial Service at Amite First United Methodist Church, Amite, LA on Saturday, Janury 15, 2011 at 1:00 p.m.

Mrs. Marilyn Fox

Graveside services at Lee Cemetery in Gillsburg Saturday at 1 P.M.

Baptist Press Stories for Jan. 13, 2011
———————————-
World Changers makes difference, impacts lives
Westboro: a hate group, not a church
Q&A: An interview with Bryant Wright
Transformational Church training begins
Study: Contraceptives raise abortion rate
FIRST-PERSON: Will we listen to Muslim warnings about Iran?

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2.10
Mike Benson, Editor

BOB BURST FROM the sterile delivery room wearing a white gown around his body, a big grin on his face, and “It’s a boy!” on his lips…

Rushing over to anxious grandparents and joyous friends, he repeated the news over and over amid backslaps and pumping handshakes.  But the communication of the joyous event did not stop there.  After all the hugs and handshakes, the exuberant father with a roll of coins in his pocket moved to a nearby phone for a round of calls.

Why all the commotion?  the birth of a child is a joyous, momentous occasion.  It is a time to celebrate and communicate the joy of new life and what God has done.  How could anyone not announce such a wonderful event?

The birth of a child parallels in many ways the birth of a churches’ vision.  Both are exciting, momentous occasions that demand communication of their existence to all those in the natural family or ministry community.  To birth a vision without conveying the vision would be as strange as birthing a child and not sending out birth announcements.  Yet this happens in some well-meaning ministries.  They develop and birth the vision but miss the importance of passing on the vision, thus frustrating themselves and risking the premature burial of the entire process.  Aubrey Malphurs, “It’s a Vision!” Developing a Vision for Ministry in the 21st Century, 84

I intend, therefore, to build a temple for the Name of the LORD my God,

as the LORD told my father David, when he said,

‘Your son whom I will put on the throne in your place

will build the temple for my Name.’

~1 Kings 5.5~

We coming closer to this period of cold weather, but you have another opportunity to check on someone who might need assistance.  Have a great day!

Anna Lee

Thursday

Let love be your highest goal.

~1 Corinthians 14:1a (NLT)~

Jadon’s Story:  We finally got a PT!!!

So we finally got a PT. Of course we have to do the paper work with early steps before she can come see me. We are very excited about this. We had a wonderful PT several months ago but she got sick and was unable to service me. We have missed her tremendously. Now we finally got a new one. My seizures are between 60-80 spasms a day now. So not much change but as long as I’m not increasing we are ok with this. It’s still way to many spasms to be having a day. We have a neurologist appointment tomorrow afternoon. I will let you know what she says. Please pray my doctors and I as we continue on my journey. I’m a fighter and I’m not giving up yet. Love you all, Jadon

Be careful in the cold weather.  Help someone else stay warm if you can.

David and I visited Mr. Phillip and “Miss” Annie Bell Harrell yesterday.  She is looking better, but has been told she will need another heart procedure.  She will be evaluated next week to see if she is a candidate for the procedure.  Please keep these dear friends and special Christians on your prayer list.

Baptist Press Stories for Jan. 12, 2011
—————————————
Former Planned Parenthood director releases book
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34424
P. Parenthood: affiliates must do abortions
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34425
HAITI EARTHQUAKE 1 YEAR LATER<br>Haiti worker prays people won’t forget
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34422
Haitian witch doctor turns to new life
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34423
Haiti gaining hope ‘one life at a time’
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34426
SPORTS: Dental students connect to inner-city football teams
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34427
FIRST-PERSON: The real issue behind the Ariz. tragedy
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34428
FIRST PERSON: A ‘transformational’ Sunday School
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34429
Mary Margaret Lee
(December 30, 1929 – January 12, 2011)

A resident of Kentwood, she died on Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at St. Helena Parish Nursing Home in Greensburg. She was born December 30, 1929 in Lafayette and was 81 years of age. Visitation at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Kentwood, from 9 a.m. until religious services at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 14, 2011. Services conducted by Fr. Joe Camilleri. Interment New Zion Cemetery, Kentwood. Survived by, 2 sons, Edwin Scott Lee & wife, Michelle and Joseph Nesom Lee & wife, Madeline, both of Kentwood; 1 sister, Jo Ann LeBlanc Delaun, Greensborogh, NC; 1 granddaughter, Jessica Lee Kabel and husband, Brett; 1 great-granddaughter, Audrey Michelle Kabel. Preceded in death by, husband, William Truman Lee; parents, Clayus & Elma LeBlanc; 2 brothers, Claude & Nathan LeBlanc.

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2.10
Mike Benson, Editor

NOT MUCH HAPPENS without an inspiring, compelling vision…

Not much was happening in Nehemiah’s day.  The people had no vision.  Jerusalem lay in ruins, and no one was motivated to do anything about it (Nehemiah 1.3). Then along came Nehemiah with a vision to rebuild the gates and wall of the city.

Visions are exciting and energize people.  They strike a spark – the excitement that lifts a ministry out of the mundane.  They supply the fuel that lights the fire under a congregation – leaders are able to stop putting out fires and start igniting a few themselves.

A vision has the potential to turn a maintenance mentality into a ministry mentality.  And when your vision resonates with your values and mission, it generates the energy that fuels the accomplishment of the task.  Aubrey Malphurs, “Developing a Vision”

“So we built the wall,

and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height,

for the people had a mind to work.”

Nehemiah 4.6

Your prayers make a difference!

Anna Lee