I love Scriptures about encouragement. This may not be a “Christmas passage”, but people all around us need “encouragement”, especially at Christmas.
The Senior Adult Luncheon went on as planned despite the weather. The food and service were wonderful. Ladies on the Senior Adult Committee did the wonderful cooking and kitchen work. Teenage girls from the church were our very helpful servers. Aaron DeBlanc beautifully played carols and hymns for us.
Pray for Jane Wickham as she continues to overcome her surgeries at home and for Andy Taylor to overcome his issues so he can be “home for Christmas”. Pray for the “homebound” to receive some Christmas spirit and joy by friends, both neighbors and church people. Pray for all the others in your family, your neighborhood, your S.S. class, etc. who need special Christmas this week.
Today, our thoughts may be focused on weather, but let’s not forget it’s the Christmas season. Plug in the Christmas lights, listen to some Christmas music, wrap some packages, read from Luke and/or any chosen passages.
(We just had a “God wink” at our house. As I finished typing the last sentence, David walked over and let me listen to his phone and “O Holy Night” by a military band.)
Thankfully, the bad weather didn’t come during the night. The reports now show it arriving midday. If we have to experience bad weather, it always seems better if it come during daylight hours.
Stay tuned and aware. Some closures have already been announced. We probably will hear about closures in our area about daylight. Stay safe!
PRAYER FOCUS: Today, let’s pray for people in our area and other areas as the storm comes through. Be extra careful if you have to be out. Remember, God is in control of everything, even the storms.
Read about protection for same sex marriages, recovery for tornado damage (another “God Wink”, college students being baptized, etc.
TheSENIOR ADULT CHRISTMAS MEAL is scheduled for 11:00 this morning. If this is changed and my satellite is working, I’ll post the change. If it remains the same, I’ll also post that.
PRAYER FOCUS: Pray for people in areas the storm has already touched and for areas where the the weather is yet to be dangerous. Pray, pray, and pray some more.
OPPORTUNITY: We are presently in “the calm before the storm”. This weather situation will give you opportunities to call and check. on others, opportunity to share your home, hot meals, showers, etc. Be available and willing to help if help is needed by others today. Of course, stay safe yourself. Let trained personnel deal with emergencies.
It has happened again. I was blessed, yesterday, to talk with another person who reads TPL. You have no idea how encouraging that is! Encouragement is such a blessing for all of us and comes at the time God knows is best for us.
READ and WRITE SCRIPTURE TODAY
Dec. 13 – Matthew 1 : 18-20
READ ONE CHAPTER OF LUKE EACH DAY UNTIL CHRISTMAS
Dec. 13 – Luke 13
Andy Taylor is improving. Let’s pray for continued. mobility improvement.
Lindsay Yent Pike
May 07, 1982 – December 08, 2022
A resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Thursday, December 8, 2022 at her home. She was born May 7, 1982 in Hammond, LA and was 40 years of age. She is survived by her husband, John Pike; father, Lindon “Matthew” Yent; brother, John Roy “JR” Yent; mother-in-law, Deanie Brumfield; 2 sisters-in-law, Kristi Brumfield Hyde and Ali Brumfield; brother-in-law, Dakota Collette; best friend, Darla Dees; her babies, Izzy, Delilah and Bruce; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and family members. She is preceded in death by her mother, Carolyn Kinchen Yent. Visitation at Hillsdale Baptist Church from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Thursday, December 15, 2022. Services conducted by Rev. Don Bassett and Rev. Darryl Miller. Interment Hillsdale Cemetery, Hillsdale, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Sunday, December 11, 2022 at her home in Kentwood, LA. She was born November 19, 1957 in Los Angelos, CA and was 65 years of age. She is survived by her husband, Bill Chesnut; 1 son, Daniel R. Chesnut and Alicia Hardgrave; grandchildren, Payton Hunt and Rhett Chesnutt; 6 sisters, Kay Folse and husband, Randy, Joyce Scanlon and Brett, Karen Hemphill, Debbie Chesnutt and Chris, Susan Chesnutt and husband, Joe, Cindy Husser and Bruce; numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her parents, Jackson and Shirley Nelson; son, Harry William Chesnutt, Jr. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9:00AM until Memorial Services at 11:00AM on Thursday, December 15, 2022. Services conducted by Bro. Jack Chesnutt. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Linda Nelson Chesnutt
November 19, 1957 – December 11, 2022
A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Sunday, December 11, 2022 at her home in Kentwood, LA. She was born November 19, 1957 in Los Angelos, CA and was 65 years of age. She is survived by her husband, Bill Chesnut; 1 son, Daniel R. Chesnut and Alicia Hardgrave; grandchildren, Payton Hunt and Rhett Chesnutt; 6 sisters, Kay Folse and husband, Randy, Joyce Scanlon and Brett, Karen Hemphill, Debbie Chesnutt and Chris, Susan Chesnutt and husband, Joe, Cindy Husser and Bruce; numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her parents, Jackson and Shirley Nelson; son, Harry William Chesnutt, Jr. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9:00AM until Memorial Services at 11:00AM on Thursday, December 15, 2022. Services conducted by Bro. Jack Chesnutt. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Michael “Slim” Dickson
May 13, 1999 – December 11, 2022
A resident of Folsom, LA, passed away on Sunday, December 11, 2022 in Baton Rouge, LA. He was born May 13, 1999 in Hammond, LA and was 23 years of age. He was a graduate of Ponchatoula High School and a member of the Army National Guard. He is survived by his mother, Emily DeKeyzer Loup and husband Wade; father, Mike Dickson and wife Ashleigh; sisters and brothers, Blair Dickson, Gatlin and Gunar Loup, and Hunter and Amelie Stagg; grandparents, Patti Carlin, Dan and Connie DeKeyzer, and Debbie Dickson; aunts, Amanda Miller and husband Jerry and Missy Miller and husband Todd; and numerous cousins. Preceded in death by grandparents, Michael L. Dickson and Carolyn Badon Price; and an uncle, Spencer DeKeyzer. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9:00AM until religious services at 1:00PM on Thursday, December 15, 2022. Services conducted by Bro. Gene Hoyt. Interment Rosaryville Cemetery, Ponchatoula, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
The Christmas Season is certainly upon us – programs, parties, presents, etc. Enjoy the holiday, but please, remember the reason we have this special season. Reread the verse at the top of this post.
The Senior Adult Christmas Luncheon is scheduled for tomorrow at 11:00. I don’t know how the bad weather will affect this, but will let you know if I hear of any change.
Be alert to the weather reports for tonight and tomorrow. Respond as needed. Check on friends and neighbors. Do your errands today, because tomorrow may not be a good day for them.
TODAY’s PRAYER FOCUS – Pray for friends, family, and total strangers to have the right focus concerning the holidays.
Impress commandments on the hearts of children? That’s one of the things our church does well. Yesterday, our church saw that clearly. From children’s church every Sunday morning, to a profession of faith yesterday morning, to a sweet program last night. If you missed yesterday’s services, go to the FBC, Kentwood website or on Facebook and see for yourself. We love our children. We love for them to learn to trust in God.
By the way, mural number four is being painted now. Each one is professional and so interesting you have to look and look to see all the little details painted into the murals. An extra bonus is that a member of our church has the talent to do the paintings. Number four is not the last one, so “stay tuned”.
The senior adult Christmas luncheon will be Wednesday at 11:00. The senior adult committee does this as an annual event. The senior adults on the committee are great cooks!
READ and WRITE SCRIPTURE TODAY
December 12 – Malachi 3: 1-3
READ A CHAPTER OF LUKE EACH DAY UNTIL CHRISTMAS
December 12 – Luke 12
Please pray for Larry Spring of the Mt. Nebo community. He had surgery and developed complications. Your prayers will be appreciated.
PRAYER FOCUS – Today, pray for children. Pray for their involvement in churches as well as homes and families that serve God and TAKE their children to church for the many opportunities to learn about God.
One blink of the lights and I thought I had to start over, but thankfully, I was able to retrieve the beginnings of my post and the settings I use daily for The Prayer Link.
Pray for FBC, Kentwood as the SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT is celebrated this morning at 10:30 and as the CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM IS AT 6 P.M. tonight.
It was nice to be able to celebrate the LOTTIE MOON TEA again with the ladies of Two Rivers Baptist Association.. Spring Creek hosted the special event yesterday. At least seven from Kentwood were able to attend.
I made the event without David. Last week, I attended Sunday School and morning worship while David was busy having Sunday School in a home setting. People at church recognized David was “missing” and helped me. Yesterday, I thought I was on my own, but GOD PROVIDED by having BECKI WILLIAMS waiting to help me. I know she was my special angel yesterday. GOD PROVIDES!
I know God wanted me to be there though. He even had one friend from another church ready with a a $20.00 bill folded in her pocket to give to me to help make purchases for OCC.
I even got a chance to talk with some special friends from other churches. I was BLESSED! I’ve missed these friends and was so thankful to see them yesterday.
Pray for ANDY and BETTY as they have a “weekend getaway” at his rehabilitation facility. Andy’s therapy will resume Monday morning.
Pray for ONE OF MY CLASSMATES, who no longer lives in this area. She is going through a difficult phase of cancer treatment, but is doing so with a smile and God “holding her hand”.
READ and WRITE SCRIPTURE today.
December 11 – Psalm 95: 1-7
READING LUKE in DECEMBER
December 11 – Read Luke 11
PRAYER FOCUS – Opportunities
Pray for us as God presents opportunities for us to bless others and for others to bless us. May our eyes be open to see GOD’S PLAN.
JoAnne Crowe Hendrick of Amite, Louisiana, known and loved as Jo was born on July 26, 1935 and went to heaven on December 8, 2022 surrounded by her loved ones. Jo was a True Southern Lady being born in Panama City, Florida. She retired after 32 years as a loan specialist with the USDA and was a Charter member of the Catholic Daughters. JoAnne is preceded in death by her parents, Lanie and Helena Crowe, her three children, Melissa Easley, Lanie Reed and Gregory Reed; her brother, Bill Crowe; and her deceased spouse, Charles Binder. JoAnne is survived by her loving husband of 23 years, Roy Hendrick, Jr.; two grandchildren, Blair Widas (Clay) and Matt Easley (Chrissy); two step children, Stephanie Hendrick Quick (David) and Jennifer Hendrick Niolet (Scott); five step-grandchildren, Nathan Quick (Andi), Heather Quick Cavalier (Matthew), Grayson, Annalee and Madison Niolet. Eight great grandchildren, Olivia Widas, Sophia Spencer, Eric, Noah, Isabella and Amelia Easley, Henry Quick and Vivian Cavalier; sister-in-law, Nancy Crowe; two nephews, Carl and Lanie Crowe; one niece, Johanne Estes; her two caregivers, Brenda Sanders and Sarah Aubin, and numerous great friends. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9:30AM until 11:30AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 Noon at St. Helena Catholic Church, Amite, on Wednesday, December 14, 2022. Services conducted by Fr. Mark Beard. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, LA. Pallbearers will be Carl Crowe, Clay Widas, Paul Bordelon, Matthew Cavalier, Nathan Quick, Phillip Waguespack, Matt Easley, and Eric Easley. Honorary pallbearers will be Gerald Waguespack and Bruce Bordelon. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
(I taught all three of her children, all deceased long before their mother.)
Cathy Jo Cook
November 25, 1955 – November 27, 2022
Cathy Jo Cook, 67, of Canton, Georgia, passed away Sunday, November 27, 2022, at Cedarhurst of Canton Assisted Living Facility in Canton, Georgia. Cathy was born 11/22/1955 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to C. W. and Jo Ann Conerly Cook of Magnolia, MS She is preceded in death by her father, a sister, Nena Kay Cook Crabtree and her first husband Douglas Noel McDaniel. Cathy graduated from South Pike High School, SMCC, and The University of Southern Mississippi. Even though Cathy endured an eighteen-year battle with ovarian cancer, she lived life to the fullest with great love and passion for everything that matters, and with the kind of courage granted by God himself to face her health challenges. She had a great smile and a big laughter that brightened up the room. She was a huge LSU Tiger fan.Cathy is survived by two children, a son Christopher Ryan Davis and Hannah and a daughter April Nicole Kelly and Chris, all of Canton, Georgia; two granddaughters, Avery Nicole and Logan Grace Kelly; two sisters, Anna Cook Evans and husband Phil Evans Jr. and Amy Cook Caviness of Huntington Beach, California. Visitation will begin at noon until time of service at 2:00 at Terry’s Creek Baptist Church on Saturday, December 10, 2022. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Terry’s Creek Baptist Church Children’s Ministry.
PRAYER FOCUS – International Missionaries
Today, as we prepare for the Lottie Moon Tea and focus on the Lottie Moon Week of Prayer, let’s remember to pray for all our international missionaries. I especially ask you to pray for family relationships of missionaries and their families as we move into the Christmas season.
Today is a great day to share some Christmas spirit. It can be in the form of music, food, TV program, Bible passage, etc. Pass it on.
The “Shoeboxes” from FBC, Kentwood have been sent to the following destinations so far this year.
Ecuador
Phillipines
Uganda
Botswana
Tanzania
Cameroon
Mali
Burkina Faso
Mexico
A Hard to Reach Area
Haiti
I am so thankful we have a part in touching young lives in all these countries! I’m praying many of them learn about Jesus and take Him into their hearts!
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.” ~ Matthew 16:24-27
Thank God for people who share a smile with others.
May that smile help to heal broken hearts today.
May we strive to be one who shares a smile and/or a kind word with everyone we meet. “Christmas smiles” should be extra big if Jesus lives in and through us!
The Prayer Link 
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