Month: February 2012

Sunday Afternoon

Roy S. Ardillo, II
(May 29, 1951 – February 11, 2012)

An Amite native and resident of Franklinton, he died at 2:50 p.m. on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at Louisiana Medical Center & Heart Hospital in LaCombe. He was born May 29, 1951 and was 60 years of age. Arrangements are incomplete with McKneely Funeral Home, Amite.

Sarah “Ann” Smith Ballard
(July 21, 1935 – February 11, 2012)

“MeMe”

A loving wife, mother and grandmother passed away on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at her residence in Kentwood. She was born July 21, 1935 and was 76 years of age. She was a retired dairy farmer, a devoted Christian and a member of Chesbrough Baptist Church. She is survived by 2 daughters, Helen B. McNabb and husband, Barry, Kentwood and Nellin B. Webb and husband, Ronny, Greensburg; 2 sons, Ishmel “David” Ballard, Greensburg and Walter E. Ballard, Kentwood; 9 grandchildren, Bridgette McNabb Hughes and husband, J.D., Beth McNabb Day and husband, Jeff, Brooke McNabb, “Lil” Ronny Webb and wife, Laura, Ballard Webb, Ann D’lyn Webb, Ishalyn Ballard Broussard and husband, Jon, Tarra Ballard and Cally Ballard; 5 great-grandchildren, Preston Day, Parker Hughes, Annabel Hughes, Ashton Broussard and Annsley Broussard; 1 sister, Clarette Bennett, Trussville, AL; best friend of 55 years, Mary Spears Raimondo; caregiver, Carrie Rout. Preceded in death by her husband, Ishmel E. Ballard; parents, Walter and Bertha Smith; 1 brother, Emmit Smith; 1 sister, Hazel Smith; 1 grandson, Justin Ballard. Visitation at Chesbrough Baptist Church, Chesbrough, from 9 a.m. until religious services at 12 Noon on Tuesday, February 14, 2012. Services conducted by Bro. Calvin Crowe. Interment Hyde Cemetery, Roseland, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

 

 

 

 

Sunday

“All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord,

and all the families of the nations shall worship before You,

for the kingdom is the Lord’s,

and He rules over the nations.”

~Psalm 22:27-28~

 

Heart to Heart with Holley Gerth: What’s Growing

 

I stand in the grocery store line and tap my toe with impatience. The check out girl seems impossibly slow today and the woman in front insists on paying three different ways. As the minutes tick by I stare at the food on the conveyer belt.

Beautiful red apples. Oranges that look like sunlight. Peppers that started as seeds far away.

And I begin to think about time differently. How much time would it have taken me to have this abundance a hundred years ago? Months of work, cultivation, nurturing.

Now I roll my eyes after waiting for five minutes.

Why is that?

I realize it’s because I’m used to production not growth.

Producing something is quick, easy.

Growth is intentional, done with care.

God isn’t impatient like me. He’s committed to working the soil, watering, harvesting, going through the process, all in the right time. His plans are better than mine. Time is not an obstacle to him. Instead it’s an opportunity for what’s truly best to come forth in my life.

And in yours.

God is growing beautiful things in us, friends.

The longer it takes, the sweeter the reward will be.

–Holley

Stay warm and protect your plants, pets, and pipes!

Anna Lee

Saturday

Mug & Muffin

This morning at 9:30 at FBC, Amite

Ladies, don’t forget we have a Mug ‘n Muffin (our WMU meeting for the month) tomorrow morning!! 9:30 am VERY casual! Our guest speakers will be Cheryl and Ernest Breaux with Fill the Gap. We will learn how we can help reach hurting families in our community. See you there!

 

 

 

Thought for the Day: The highest ransom ever paid

A few years ago there was a true story about a man in New York City who was kidnapped. His kidnappers called his wife and asked for $100,000 ransom. She talked them down to $30,000.

The story had a happy ending: the man returned home unharmed, the money was recovered, and the kidnappers were caught and sent to jail. But don’t you wonder what happened when the man got home and found that his wife got him back for a discount?

Calvin Trillin was the writer of this story. He imagined what the negotiations must have been like: “$100,000 for that old guy? You have got to be crazy. Just look at him! Look at that gut! You want $100,000 for that? You’ve got to be kidding. Give me a break here. $30,000 is my top offer.”

I can sympathize with the kidnapped man because I wonder how much the people in my life think that I’m worth. But I am flattered beyond description to realize that I was worth enough to God that He was willing to pay the ultimate price for my ransom, my redemption. As Peter put it:

“You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” (I Peter 1:18-19)

Ultimately, the value of something (or someone) is determined by how much someone is willing to pay for it. A piece of art that may be worth millions of dollars to someone else may be worth less than a hundred dollars to me. The worth of something is determined by how much we’re willing to pay for it.

What that means is that we are of tremendous value to God. He didn’t quibble about the price, but was willing to pay the full ransom amount — the highest ransom ever paid!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

 

Friday Addition

Please continue to pray for Annie Bell Harrell.  She has been fighting a health battle for a long while.  One problem seems to lead to another.  Please pray for this sweet, Christian lady who is a friend to many.

Nyla Price said her husband, Mike Price, has an appointment on the 28th in Jackson to check out some concerns.  She would be thrilled if you would pray for him.

Friday

“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save;

nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.”

~Isaiah 59:1~

 

Lee (from Wisconsin)

I know that you have a lot of things to pray about, and I live in Montana so I do not go to your church, but would you please consider prayer for my father-in-law. His name is Lee, and he lives in Wisconsin. He has been losing alot of weight (without trying), and has extremely high glucose levels (diabetic). Now the doctors are saying he has lots of problems and are believing that he has pancreatic (or some other type of) cancer. They have not found it yet, but believe he has. Please pray for this wonderful man, if you will. Thank you, and may God continually bless you.

Melinda

Andy Taylor

Everything good with gall bladder. Still a little sore. Needs to let inside heal good. Shingles a little better.
Hearing test on the 15th, wrist dr on the 20th,cataract surgery on march 21st.then we go from there. Thank you for all your prayers.
Betty

Pray for Andy and Betty as they continue to see many doctors.  The body has been weak, but the faith has been strong!

Carol Jean Gill

A few changes have been made, but basically she is the same.  Pray for Mr. Fernie Ray as he stays long hours each day.

Thought for the Day: My least favorite parable

A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan, in which a man was beaten, robbed and left for dead. She described the situation in vivid detail so her students would catch the drama.

Then she asked the class, “If you saw a person lying on the roadside all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?”

A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence. “I think I’d throw up!”

I have to confess that the parable of the Good Samaritan is one of my least favorite parables. You may be thinking: “It’s a beautiful story that teaches a strong lesson. What’s there not to like?” But that’s the problem. It teaches a very strong lesson and one that I can’t escape. There’s no way to explain this parable away, no way to come up with any fanciful interpretations that soothe my conscience.

Every time I read this parable, I realize my shortcomings in the area of meeting the needs of those around me. And the fact that I can relate so well to the priest and the Levite in the story leaves me squirming in my seat. Perhaps you understand what I mean. Allow the words of Jesus to pierce your heart once again:

“But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’ Then Jesus answered and said: ‘A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, “Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.” So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?’ And he said, ‘He who showed mercy on him.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.'” (Luke 10:29-37)

“Father, in a world where I am surrounded by pain and suffering, it is so easy to turn my head and shut my eyes. Please forgive me of the times when I have done just that. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

That really makes us think.  May we all “put feet” to our concerns today.

Anna Lee

Thursday Afternoon

Mug & Muffin

Ladies and girls, don’t forget to join us at FBC, Amite Saturday morning at 9:30.  Bring a dozen muffins to share and a mug to use.  Plan to have a good time and learning something while enjoying the company of other ladies and girls.  Pass the word.

 

Wilkie Moak Blades

(March 7, 1942 – February 8, 2012)

A homemaker, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend passed away in Barling, AR on February 8, 2012 at the age of 60 years old. She was born March 7, 1942 in Mt. Hermon, LA, was a current resident of Barling AR and former resident of Kentwood, LA. Wilkie is survived by her 4 daughters and 1 son, Teresa Lovell and husband, Bob, McComb, MS, Elsie Stewart and husband, Robert, Greensburg, LA, Janet Sharp and friend, Kenneth Womack, Kentwood, LA, Clyde Travis, Jr. and wife, Tammy, Pearl River, LA and Trish Givens and husband, Jason, Lavaca AR; 3 sisters, Patricia “Annie” Allen and husband, Joe, Magnolia MS, Peggy Sue Tate and husband, Roger, Kentwood, LA and Linda Gail Riggle, Vacherie, LA; 4 brothers, Woody Moak, Franklin, LA, Kenneth “Scooter” Varnado, McComb, MS, Buford “Boonie” Blades, Jr. and wife, Rosie, GA, Herman Blades and wife, Donna, TN; 4 grandchildren, Amy Carver and husband, Richard, Brandon Sharp and wife, Chrystal, Tracie Marie Travis, Jessie Lovell, Dakota Blades, Colton Blades, Tyler Givens and Savannah Givens; 3 great-grandchildren Jacob Carver, Brandon Sharp, Jr. and Elizabeth Sharp. She was preceded in death by her husband, Nelson Eugene “Skeet” Blades; her parents, Mr. Colla “Collie” Moak and Mrs. Evie M. Moak; 2 brothers, Stanley Earl Varnado and Paul Moak; a daughter, Sherry Ann Travis; and 2 sons, Collie Columbus Travis and Clyde Columbus Travis. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., Sunday, February 12, 2012, and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 10 a.m., Monday, February 13, 2012. Services conducted by Rev. Greg Stewart. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

 

A God-Sized Accident

http://missionaryblogdigest.wordpress.com/2012/02/09/a-god-sized-accident/

Thursday

 

“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;

it shall not return to Me void,

but it shall accomplish what I please,

and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent.”

~Isaiah 55:11~

 

CaringBridge: LoganWatts

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

Logan is still continuing to improve at a very fast rate. He went back to Dr Karlin today for a follow up after his botox injections and his range of motion in his right leg is much better than before. He is still a little tight so he may repeat the injections in 3 months, depending on his next visit. Logan is using a walker now, pretty much as his means for transportation. Either the walker or crawling, the only time we have been using his wheel chair is for school purpose or for master’s club at church. We appreciate all the prayers for Logan but there is something specific we would like to request prayer for. Logan’s Dr suggested for us to bring him to Birmingham to participate in CI (constraint-induced) therapy. This is because that he tends to neglect his right hand. Since the injury his left side is stronger and he was left handed before  so he does what he can with his left hand, he won’t use his right hand unless he’s forced too. At this point he is neglecting his right hand/arm which could cause it to retract and draw up to his body, be very weak, and not grow in size as the rest of his body does. His brain is still re-wireing itself so they say its a good time to do this right now because there can come a point where it will be to late. Once the muscles shorten they can not be fixed. The bad part is that this intensive therapy is for 3 weeks in Birmingham, Al and just the therapy part is 8k dollars. That’s not costing our stay or Jonathan missing 3 wks of work. Please pray that we make the right decision and for God’s will to be done. We are so grateful for the amazing progress he has made thus far.

Pray for Rafe Cutrer as he sees a neurologist today.  Pray for Rafe to continue to make progress.

 

Ms. Frances Strickland is better and was able to be in prayer meeting last night.

 

Pray for Mrs. Catherine Yarborough as she has a MRI today to gather more information on a recent problem.

 

Stephanie McKenzie’s grandmother, Mrs. Rebecca Moak, is hospitalized and undergoing tests.  Please pray for her.

 

Continue to pray for Mr. Raymond Anthony as he sees more doctors this week as he begins chemo and radiation for a lung problem.  Pray for his family as they transport him back and forth to Hammond daily for the next six weeks.

 

Pray for Kenneth Birch who is having back problems.  Pray for his sister, Mrs. Shirley Frazier, who continue to have back problems that have kept her home for months now.

 

New Beth Moore Bible Study – James: Mercy Triumphs

Coming soon to FBC, Kentwood

Two sessions to choose from – Sunday or Thursday Evenings

Please notify the church office or me if you are interested in attending.

Workbooks will be $15.00

Thought for the Day: Looking at things differently

A teenage boy lost a contact lens while playing basketball in his driveway. After a fruitless search, he told his mother the lens was no where to be found. Undaunted, she went outside and in a few minutes returned with the eyepiece in her hand.

“How did you manage to find it, Mom?” the teenager asked.

“We weren’t looking for the same thing,” she replied. “You were looking for a small piece of plastic. I was looking for $150.”

It is so true that our passion and persistence in doing something will be largely determined by its value in our eyes. For example, evangelism will never be a top priority as long as you see your next-door neighbor as simply a middle-aged guy with a pot belly. When you see him as an valuable soul whose eternal destiny will be determined by his relationship with God, suddenly things are different.

If you see your involvement at church as simply cleaning out a baptistry or corralling a herd of 4-year-olds for an hour, you will quickly lose heart. When you see your involvement as an essential element in the building up of the kingdom of God, you will not “grow weary while doing good” (Gal. 6:9).

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Col. 3:2)

Looking at earthly things from a heavenly perspective will change the value of things in our mind. And that, in turn, will change how diligently we seek to do the things of God.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

You will influence others today in either a positive or negative way.  Make a choice to be a positive influence.

Anna Lee

Wednesday Addition

Two reminders:

  • Mug & Muffin
    • Saturday
    • FBC, Amite
    • 9:30 A.M.
    • Bring a doz. breakfast muffins to share and your favorite mug to use.
  • Beth Moore Bible Study – James: Mercy Triumphs (8 weeks)
Jadon’s Story

 

Wednesday

“Finally, brethren, pray for us,

that the word of the Lord may run swiftly

and be glorified, just as it is with you.”

~2 Thessalonians 3:1~

 

 

From Charlene Blades

Update on my mom (Dell Phillips) she is home now. However we are making lots of adjustments. We now have nurses etc… coming in and out. A room full of medical equipment. It is a big change for us.
She felt pretty good yesterday but is very weak and tired today.
Please keep her and her caregivers in your prayers.

Mrs. Avis Sullivan is back at home and doing well.  She is an amazing lady!

Jadon Pailet is doing very well four weeks after surgery.  He has had some ups and downs, but has been seizure free for four weeks!   Yesterday, he added a new phrase to his vocabulary – “Go bye bye”.  He’s a miracle in so many ways!

CaringBridge: AdriunnaCavanaugh

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

Mildred Ann Bass Spence
(June 7, 1949 – February 7, 2012)

Mildred Ann Bass Spence, 62, passed away at 10:05 a.m., Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at her residence surrounded by her loving family. She was a native of New Orleans and a resident of Amite.

She was born June 7, 1949 to George and Vickie Baham Bass. She was a lover of learning and education where she attended Southern Mississippi University.

In 1980 Mildred “Millie” married Lowell Spence and together they raised their five children. Millie adored and loved her children and especially her 3 grandchildren. Millie was very committed and close to her husband and family. She enjoyed gardening and helping others with family plans.

Ms. Millie is survived by her husband of 31 years, Lowell R. Spence; children, Greg L. Spence, John S. Tucker and wife Beth, Darby W. Tucker and wife Gabby & Amy L. Tucker; brother, George Bass, Jr. and wife Pat; sister, Shirley Ellzey; 3 grandchildren, Devon Tucker, Jacob Spence Langford & Nicholas Spence Langford.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George & Vickie Baham Bass, Sr.; son, Lowell Spence, Jr.; sister, Victoria Wilkins and husband Charles.

Visitation at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Thursday, February 9, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services at 10:00 a.m.at Chappapeela Baptist Church with Rev. Joe Weaver officiating. Interment in the Spring Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers family request Memorial Donations be made to Chappapeela Baptist Church Building Fund, 61407 Vining Road, Amite, LA

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

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

 

Thought for the Day: Enjoy the grape

I read a parable recently that bothered me when I read it the first time. It is a story that was
reportedly told by Buddha: A traveler, fleeing a tiger who was chasing him, ran till he came to
the edge of a cliff. There he caught hold of a thick vine, and swung himself over the edge.

Above him the tiger snarled. Below him he heard another snarl, and behold, there was another tiger,
 peering up at him. The vine suspended him midway between two tigers.

Two mice, a white mouse and a black mouse, began to gnaw at the vine. He could see they were
quickly eating it through. Then in front of him on the cliffside he saw a luscious bunch of
grapes. Holding onto the vine with one hand, he reached and picked a grape with the other. How
delicious!

That's the end of the parable. That's it??? If you're like me, you want to know how the story
ends. Does the man get eaten by one of the tigers? Does he manage to find a way of escape? We
don't know. And how can a man possibly stop to enjoy eating a grape while in the midst of such
a crisis???

I can't tell you for sure what the parable was intended to teach, but after giving it considerable
thought, here's the lesson that I gained from it. We are sometimes so focussed on wanting to know
what's going to happen in the future that we fail to enjoy what we have right here, right now.

What is the doctor going to find when I go in for these tests? How can I possibly meet the
deadline my boss has given me since I have more work to do than I can possibly get done? How will
my wife react when I talk to her about the need to go see a counselor to deal with the deep-rooted
problems we're having? How am I going to pay the bills that are due next week when there's not
enough money in the bank to cover them? How should I react to the racial prejudice that's causing
students to say ugly things to me at school?

None of those things are unimportant (nor are the countless other trials and difficulties you
could add to that list from your own experience); some may even be life-threatening But today,
all day long, I am surrounded by countless blessings from God -- a beautiful sunrise, the changing
autumn leaves, a child's kiss, a bunch of grapes, a warm bed, hot water, and the list goes on and
on. Is it possible to focus on the blessings at hand even when we are surrounded by difficulties
and we don't know how the story will turn out? For a child of God, it is not only possible, it is
essential that we learn to do so.

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever 
the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have 
plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether
well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." (Philippians 4:11-12)
Are you surrounded by tigers today? Take a moment to enjoy the grape that God has placed right in
front of you.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith


It's easy to see the miracles in Jadon's life, but do we see them in our own lives?  


Today is a great day to pay attention and see what God is doing in our own lives.


Anna Lee