Month: October 2011

Monday

“Or what man is there among you who,

if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?

Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,

how much more will your Father who is in heaven

give good things to those who ask Him!”

~Matthew 7:9-11~

Melissa Reed Easley
(February 4, 1956 – October 8, 2011)

A resident of Amite, she died at 6:25 p.m. on Saturday, October 8, 2011 at her home. She was born February 4, 1956 in Ruston, LA and was 55 years of age. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from from 8:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, October 11, 2011. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Helena Catholic Church, Amite, at 11 a.m. Tuesday. Services conducted by Fr. Mark Beard. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, LA. Survived by husband, Van W. Easley, son, Matthew Easley and his wife, Chrissy, daughter, Blair Easley, mother, JoAnne Crowe Hendrick and her husband, Roy, father, A. W. Reed, 5 grandchildren, Eric Easley, Noah Easley, Amelia Easley, Isabella Easley, and Olivia Easley, and extended family and friends. Preceded in death by sister, Laney Carol Reed, brother, Gregory W. Reed, and grandparents, Lanie and Helena Crowe.

Thought for the Day: These aren’t my boots

It was the usual muddy day in the country. The first grade teacher, Miss Brown, had just finished putting the 36th boot on the 18th pair of little feet and was anxious to finish the last pair so she could go to lunch.

The last pair of boots was for little Johnny Smith, a quiet boy. Miss Brown had a very difficult time getting his boots on as they were a bit too small for his growing feet, but she finally won the battle.

To her dismay, little Johnny looked blandly up into her face and announced, “Teacher, these boots aren’t mine.” In a hurry, but
wanting to be kind, Miss Brown groaned, but with grim gentleness removed the boots and straightened her aching back.

Whereupon Johnny continued, “They’re my little brother’s, but Mommy said I could wear them to school today.”

I feel like little Johnny because I, too, can say, “These aren’t my boots. These aren’t my clothes. This isn’t my house. This isn’t my car.” As a child of God, I recognize that everything in my possession belongs to Him, and He has merely allowed me to use them for a while.

“For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.” (Psa. 50:10)

The word the Bible often uses to describe this relationship is the word “steward.” In the first century, a steward was a servant who was left in charge of the household. Everything in the house was his to use, but he was also held responsible and had to give an account for what had been done with it.

It makes a tremendous difference in my perspective to realize that all I have belongs to God. He has merely given me these things to use for a while (and then I have to give an account). Listen to these words by William How which we often sing:

“We give Thee but Thine own,
Whate’er the gift may be:
All that we have is Thine alone,
A trust, O Lord, from Thee.”

“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, and of Your own we have given You.” (I Chron. 29:14-15)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

 

Have a great week!

Anna Lee

 

Sunday Afternoon

Mike Nason, brother of Bobbye Magee and Theople Hurst, is in ICU at North Oaks.  Please keep this kind, gentle, and fun man in your prayers.  Mike never wants to draw attention to his health issues, but having more people pray for him can be a good thing.

“Miss” Bill Hughes is at North Oaks while her sister “Miss” Anne Hurst is hopitalized in Greensburg.

Billy Carl Strickland is home from the hospital, but has a lot of treatments ahead.

Keep Frances Fowler Allen on your prayer list.  Her cancer seems to have spread.

Continue to pray for Mrs. Mickey Cade.  She has been an encouragement to others, so let us encourage her.

Lots of you have asked about Momma.  She is about the same, but does seem to have more times when she is very alert and participates in conversation.  Pray for Daddy as you pray for her.  He continues to be a real “trooper”.

Pray for me as I see a neurosurgeon who specializes in radiation Tuesday at Ochsner in New Orleans at 1:30..  His office called the same day I increased my medication to relieve facial pain that was returning.  Increasing my medicine had already been approved, as needed, but it also meant more sleeping.  I’m thankful David has been such a good caregiver.

 

Sunday

I have no greater joy

than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 

~3 John 4 NIV~

 

Jadon’s Story: Getting Better!

http://jadonsisstory.blogspot.com/2011/10/getting-better.html?spref=fb

 

Another one of my former students has passed away.

Melissa Reed Easley
(Died October 8, 2011

A resident of Amite, LA, died at 6:25PM on Saturday, October 8, 2011 at her home. Funeral arrangements are pending at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, and will be posted Sunday afternoon.

Thought for the Day: Learning from Trees

The following article is entitled “All I Need To Know About Life I Learned From Trees” (author unknown)

It’s important to have roots.

In today’s complex world, it pays to branch out.

Don’t pine away over old flames.

If you really believe in something, don’t be afraid to go out on a limb.

Be flexible so you don’t break when a harsh wind blows.

Sometimes you have to shed your old bark in order to grow.

If you want to maintain accurate records, keep a log.

To be politically correct, don’t wear firs.

Grow where you’re planted.

It’s perfectly okay to be a late bloomer.

Avoid people who would like to cut you down.

Get all spruced up when you have a hot date.

If the party gets boring, just leaf.

You can’t hide your true colors as you approach the autumn of your life.

It’s more important to be honest than poplar.

Those are some good lessons. They reminded me of some other lessons taught in Psalm 1:

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” (Psalm 1:1-3)

The godly man, like a tree, is planted — he’s got his roots put down deep, he’s fortified, stable. Second, he bears fruit — he develops godlike qualities in his character and life. Third, he doesn’t wither — he is able to survive under all circumstances, even days of difficulty.

May your spiritual life take on the qualities on a tree this week.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

More Obituaries

It saddens my heart to add two more obituaries this afternoon.

Mrs. Georgia Gaines Zachary passed away about midnight.  Her body will not be released until Tuesday because of the accident of which she was a victim.  I’ll post an obituary notice when one is available.

Georgie Gaines Zachary
(Died October 7, 2011

A resident of Amite, she passed away on Friday, October 7, 2011 at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, FL. She was 78 years old.

Arrangements are pending at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite.

Josephine “Jo” McCoy Williams
(April 1, 1923 – October 8, 2011)

A resident of Amite, LA, died at 12:15PM on Saturday, October 8, 2011 at her home. She was born April 1, 1923 in Atlanta, TX and was 88 years of age. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Sunday and at First Baptist Church, Amite, from 8 a.m. until Religious Services at 11 a.m. Monday. Services conducted by Rev. Mike Foster. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, LA. Eastern Star services will be held at the funeral home on Sunday evening. Survived by daughter, Shirley Humphrey and her husband, Sylvester, Amite, grandchildren, Byron Humphrey and his wife, Jeanna, Jodi Manton and her husband, Jackie, Tammy McDonald and her husband, Gerald, Jamie Humphrey and his wife, Leslie, and Brandee Pittman and her husband, Ronnie, great-grandchildren, Gabe Humphrey, Jonah Manton, Kriston Orifice, Peyton Humphrey, Coleton Humphrey, Jarred Stewart, Brennin Pittman, Allen McDonald, and Vance McDonald, and great-great-granddaughter, Rosalie Orifice. Preceded in death by husband, Alvis S. Williams, son, Edwin J. Williams. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

When I told David “Miss” Jo passed away, he asked if that was “our ‘Miss’ Jo”.  She was special to our family in many ways.  I remember going to her house when I was growing up.  Her son was one of my classmates.  She was a faithful member of FBC, Amite which included being a supporter of missions and missionaries.  What an encourager she has been to our family!

 

 

 

Obituary Update

Patricia “Patsy” Gill Lee
(December 20, 1946 – October 7, 2011) 

 

PATRICIA “PATSY” GILL LEE, AGE 64

And a resident of St. Helena died at 7:05 PM Friday, October 7, 2011 at Specialty LTAC in Hammond, Louisiana.

She was a DHIA milk inspector for 30 years and a member of Spring Creek Baptist Church.

Survived by:

Husband: Lewis Lee of St. Helena

Son and daughter in law: Keith A. and Jennifer Lee of Spring Creek

Daughter: Kelly Lee Gehringer of Spring Creek

2 Grandchildren: Gavin Gehringer and Lauren Elizabeth Gehringer

2 Brothers: Ray Gill and Pete Gill both of Spring Creek

She was preceded in death by a son Sgt. Kenneth E. Lee (U.S. Marine Corps), her parents Jewel and Minnie Blake Gill, 1 sister and 2 brothers.

Visitation will be at Spring Creek Baptist Church after 10 AM Monday, October 10, 2011 until time of funeral service to be held at 12 noon at the church with Rev. Danny Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations in her memory to Spring Creek Baptist Church Building Fund.

Obituaries can be viewed online at http://www.crainfh.com

 

 

 

 


Midday Saturday

Patsy Lee (From Gloria Gill)

 Kelly ask me to email you and ask if you would put Patsy’ funeral services on your prayer link. They are using Crain in Franklinton so the news will not reach everyone.  The wake will start at 10:00 Monday morning at Spring Creek Baptist Church. Funeral to follow at 12:00 and burial in Spring Creek Cem. They are asking if you would like to make a donation please make it to the Spring Creek Baptist Church Building Fund. Thank you the Patsy Lee family.

Crain does not have the obituary posted at this time.  I’ll post one later.

 

Charlie Ray Tate, Sr. was born October 20, 1952 and passed away at 6:10 p.m., Friday, October 7, 2011 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. He was 58, a native and a resident of Independence.

Charlie is survived by 2 daughters, Regina Tate and husband Chris Johnson, Houston, TX & Julie T. Salazar and husband Ben, Ponchatoula; son, Charlie Ray Tate, Jr. and wife Heather, Seattle, WA; companion, Diane Robertson, Independence; mother, Edna Ruth Smith, Poplarville, MS; 2 sisters, Linda Nicolosi and husband Tony, Poplarville, MS & Brenda Balbero and husband Paul, Poplarville, MS; brother Clayton Tate and wife Catherine, Independence; 7 grandchildren, Meleena Tate, Logan Johnson, Sara Johnson, Cody Houk, Tyler Salazar, Tristan Salazar & Lillian Tate; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Preceded in death by his father, Clayton Tate, Sr.

Visitation at McKneely and Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Monday, October 10, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 from 8:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home Chapel with Bro. Frederick Brumfield officiating. Interment in Loranger Cemetery.

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

Saturday

Don’t hoard treasure down here

where it gets eaten by moths

and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars.

Stockpile treasure in heaven,

where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars.

It’s obvious, isn’t it?

The place where your treasure is,

is the place you will most want to be,

and end up being.

~Matthew 6:19-21 MSG~

 

Sherry Simpson requested prayer.  She will be having surgery in Nashville on October 20th to correct surgery she had in Covington April 22nd.

 

Dylan Ray Elliott
(June 22, 1999 – October 6, 2011)

Dylan Ray Elliott was born June 22, 1999 and passed away at 7:05 a.m., Thursday, October 6, 2011 at his residence. He was 12, a native of Hammond and a resident of Independence.

Dylan is survived by his parents, Ray J. & Gay Lynn Elliott, III, Independence; step-brother, Tobey Williams, Independence; paternal grandparents, Wayne & Lou Ballard, Ponchatoula, Wilford Lee and Florence Anthony, Kentwood, Ray J. and Barbara Elliott, Jr., Cumming, GA; great- grandparent, Allie Dragg, Ponchatoula; numerous extended family members.

Preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Arthur David and Icie Elizabeth Bissell; great grandparents, Leona Prine & Bull & Barbara Anthony.

Visitation at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Monday, October 10, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services in the Funeral Home Chapel at 1:00 p.m. with Bro. Bobby Carroll officiating. Interment in Briar Patch Cemetery, Loranger.

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.

 

Appreciating Our Blessings

Two old friends bumped into one another on the street one day. One of them looked forlorn, almost on the verge of tears. His friend asked, “What has the world done to you, my old friend?”

The sad fellow said, “Let me tell you. Three weeks ago, an uncle died and left me forty thousand dollars.”

“That’s a lot of money.”

“But you see, two weeks ago, a cousin I never even knew died, and left me eighty-five thousand free and clear.”

“Sounds like you’ve been blessed….”

“You don’t understand!” he interrupted. “Last week my great-aunt passed away. I inherited almost a quarter of a million.”

Now he was really confused. “Then, why do you look so glum?”

“This week… nothing!”

That’s the trouble with receiving something on a regular basis. Even if it is a gift, we eventually come to expect it. Someone once suggested to me a way to test someone’s character. Give him (or her) $5 a day for a month. Then stop, and see what his reaction is. The natural tendency is that if we receive a gift long enough, we come to view it as an entitlement. We feel hurt, even angry, if we don’t receive it any longer.

It’s the same way with the blessings God gives us every day. I don’t deserve the comfortable home I live in, the beautiful scenery around me, the clean water that I drink. But after receiving these gifts (and a multitude of others) for years, I sometimes fail to be grateful. I’ve come to expect these good things. And when one of them is removed for a short while (like the water being cut off), I get upset.

Make an effort today to recognize the blessings you’ve come to take for granted. Focus on what you have rather than on what you don’t have, and see if it doesn’t improve your attitude.

“Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:8)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

 

Counting my blessings today,

Anna Lee

Friday

“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness,

the power and the glory,

the victory and the majesty;

for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;

Yours is the kingdom, O Lord,

and You are exalted as head over all.”

~1 Chronicles 29:11~

 

 

Billy Carl Strickland

Please continue to pray for Billy. He is still in the hospital with a postop infection and will be having chemotherapy and radiation after the infection clears and he regains strength. Thanks for your prayers. Firma Kay

CaringBridge:CallieCole

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/calliecole

Please continue to pray for Kelly Gehringer’s mother, Mrs. Patsy Lee.  She is very sick.

Also, pray for Mrs. Georgia Gaines Zachary and her family.  Today, the doctors plan to try an operation they were unable to do yesterday.

Shirley Humphrey’s mother, Mrs. Williams, a lady who was a great prayer warrior, is not doing well.

Thought for the Day: The last day of your life

The following quotes are reported to come from an actual newspaper contest where entrants ages 4 to 15 were asked to imitate “Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey”:

Give me the strength to change the things I can, the grace to accept the things I cannot, and a great big bag of money. –Age 13

It sure would be nice if we got a day off for the president’s birthday, like they do for the queen’s. Of course, then we would have a lot of people voting for a candidate born on July 3 or December 26, just for the long weekends. –Age 8

Democracy is a beautiful thing, except for that part about letting just any old yokel vote. –Age 10

For centuries, people thought the moon was made of green cheese. Then the astronauts found that the moon is really a big hard rock. That’s what happens to cheese when you leave it out. –Age 6

As you make your way through this hectic world of ours, set aside a few minutes each day. At the end of the year, you’ll have a couple of days saved up. –Age 7

Often, when I am reading a good book, I stop and thank my teacher. That is, I used to, until she got an unlisted number. –Age 15

The only stupid question is the one that is never asked, except maybe “Don’t you think it is about time you audited my return?” or “Isn’t it morally wrong to give me a warning when, in fact, I was speeding?” –Age 15

If we could just get everyone to close their eyes and visualize world peace for an hour, imagine how serene and quiet it would be until the looting started. –Age 15

I believe you should live each day as if it is your last, which is why I don’t have any clean laundry because, come on, who wants to wash clothes on the last day of their life? –Age 15

Who can argue with that last statement? But it raises an interesting question. If you knew (with full certainty) that this would be your last day on this earth, how would you live it? Would you spend the day in Bible study and prayer? Talking with people about Christ? Relaxing with your family? Or would you spend it washing clothes, cleaning the house, going to work and doing all the “mundane” things that you do every day?

We are told to “watch” at all times, knowing that the second coming of Christ will be as unexpected as a “thief in the night” (I Thess 5:1-6). It could be within the next few hours! And since none of us are promised a certain number of years, this may well be our last day of life on this earth. So how should that affect the way we live?

If we really believed that, it would cause us to rearrange our priorities. It would cause us to ask ourselves, “Is what I am doing important from an eternal viewpoint?” Mundane tasks such as washing our clothes remain necessary, but we all find ourselves spending much of our time doing things that seem to be important at the moment (from an earthly perspective), but which have no eternal significance.

“Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober……For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” (1 Thess. 5:6,9-11)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

 

Have a great Friday.  Be sure to include the important things in your day!

Anna Lee

Thursday

“And . . . they shall abide,

for now He shall be great to the ends of the earth;

and this One shall be peace.”

~Micah 5:4b-5~

CaringBridge:CarolineCutrer

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/carolinecutrer

My former student, Julie Thompson Lessard, is still hospitalized with a blood clot.  Keep her in you prayers now and when she goes home again.

Pray for families whose strong mother figures are broken and frail now.  I can count several without much effort.  My prayers go out to these families.

Pray for Becki, Brayden, and Peyton Alford as they are already traveling back to Georgia this morning.

Tripp Roth

http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/

Courtney Roth

http://mom.babble.com/mom/mominations/mominations-winner-courtney-roth/

Thought for the Day: Faith when the rains begin

A newcomer to Seattle arrives on a rainy day. She gets up the next day and it’s raining. It also rains the day after that, and the day after that. She goes out to lunch and sees a young kid and, out of despair, asks, “Hey, kid, does it ever stop raining around here?” The kid says, “How should I know? I’m only 6.”

Residents of Seattle don’t tan — they rust!

I hear it only rains twice a year in Seattle — August through April and May through July.

Q: What do you call two straight days of rain in Seattle?
A: A weekend.

Q: What does daylight-saving time mean in Seattle?
A: An extra hour of rain.

Seattle may have a reputation for having a lot of rain, but it’s impossible to think about much rain without Noah and the flood coming to mind. The story of Noah is well-known, even among children, and its lessons are deep. Through this brief narrative, we are reminded of all of the essential elements of our relationship with God: God’s hatred of sin and the assurance of His judgment, God’s grace in providing a way of salvation, and Noah’s faith which led him to obey God completely.

“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” (Hebrews 11:7)

May your faith sustain you when the rains begin!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

I’ve been blessed.  What about you?

Anna Lee