Author: Anna Lee

Monday @ Midday

The WMU meeting at East Fork was well attended.  Kentwood was represented by seven ladies.  We enjoyed hearing Rev. Fred and Mrs. Janice Day share.  They are always so informative and pleasant.  If you missed this meeting, please try to join us for the next meeting.

 

Mr. Bill Parsons is in Lakeside Hospital for stents.  Please be in pray for him, the medical staff working with him, and for the family.  Thanks!

 

Mrs. Rebecca Moak is still at North Oaks, but should be moved to a rehab facility soon.

 

Mrs. Pauline Strickland is home and slowly improving.  Keep praying for her and for her caregivers.

 

Billy Carl Strickland is still waiting for approval to begin treatment.  Keep him in your prayers.

 

Continue to pray for Cora Morris and Andy Taylor who have had a bad time with shingles.

 

Cynthia Vining Smith told me this morning that her sister, Susan, who was by classmate is being evaluated for future treatment.  I’ll update you on Susan later.  Begin praying now.

 

Marsha Chambers Bankston is having tests run at North Oaks today.  Her internal bleeding has been stopped, but the cause of her problem has not been clearly identified.  Keep praying for Marsha and her family.

UPDATE ON MARSHA: Marsha has a large mass in her liver.  Marsha has been released to come home, but will need a liver transplant.  In the meantime the liver biopsy will be further diagnosed. 

 

Shelby Seymour Reid, III was born August 24, 1938 and passed away at 2:00 p.m., Sunday March 4, 2012 at Oschner Health Center-Baton Rouge. He was 73, a native and resident of Amite.

Shelby is survived by 4 brothers, Larry Reid and  wife TJ, Amite, Jimmy Reid and wife Marsha, Roseland, Mike Reid, Roseland & Charles M. Reid and wife Cindy, Amite; 4 nieces, Suzette Alack and husband Greg, Hammond,  Laura Lea Benetti and husband Marcello, New Orleans; Taylor Sharkey, Amite & Shelby K. Reid, Amite; 5 nephews, Billy Reid and wife Jeanna, Florence, AL, Brian Reid and wife Monica, Roseland, Brent Reid and wife Cheryl, Ponchatoula, Captain Morgan Reid, Washington, D.C. & Scott Reid, Hammond; numerous great nieces, great nephews and extended family.

Preceded in death by his parents, Shelby S. Reid, Jr. and Doris Gaines Reid; sister, Doris Elizabeth Reid.

Visitation at McKneely and Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home Chapel with Deacon Mike Agnello of St. Helena Catholic Church officiating in the Catholic Funeral Liturgy. Interment in Amite Cemetery, Amite, LA.

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

Monday

 

 

“For the LORD gives wisdom;

from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

~Proverbs 2:6, HCSB)~

Caroline Cutrer

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

 

Sometimes God is taking care of us when we are being obedient tho Him.  Marty Simpson took off work Wednesday to prepare the jambalaya for the SLU BCM students.  His work partner had a wreck and had to be taken to the hospital.  If Marty had not been at SLU, he would have been in the same vehicle.  Thank you, God, for Marty’s service to you and your protection for him because of that service.

The associational WMU will meet at 10:00 this morning at East Fork to learn more about North American missions as we celebrate the Week of Prayer.  Rev. Fred Day, a retired missionary to the Caribbean, will be speaking.  We will share lunch after the meeting.  I hope to see some of you there today.

The North Americans who represent all the other missionaries for our prayer times for yesterday and today:

Day 1: Send North America
Church planting is at the core of the North American Mission Board’s national strategy, Send North America. This strategy is designed to mobilize churches to plant churches, mobilize church planters, and equip church planters and “sending churches” for evangelistic church planting.

Day 2: Shaun and Deshni Pillay, Connecticut
Shaun is church planter and pastor of Cornerstone International Church in Norwich. The church ministers to a large international population and a large homeless community meeting physical needs and directing people to Christ.

Thought for the Day: A prayer as we grow older

The author of the following prayer is unknown to me:

Lord, keep me from the fatal habit of thinking that I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out everybody’s affairs.

Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all – but Thou knowest, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.

Keep my mind from the recital of endless details – give me wings to get to the point.

Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.

I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others but help me to listen to them with patience.

I dare not ask for improved memory but a growing humility and lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memory of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet. I do not want to be a “saint” – some of them are hard to live with – but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil.

Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places and talents in unexpected people. Give me the grace to tell them so.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Growing old can be a frightening thing. We worry about what we will be like in the years ahead. We hope to be wise and gentle and kind and loving. The only way to be that way as an old person, though, is to strive to live that way every day as a young person.

“Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, ‘I have no pleasure in them.’ ” (Eccl. 12:1)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Do something today to help someone of your choice.  Smile while doing your chosen activity.

Anna Lee

Sunday

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

and His ears are open to their prayers;

but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

~1 Peter 3:12~

Lindsey Sanders is now home from the hospital.  Pray she will be able to get proper treatment to help her recover.

Marsha C. Bankston is still in North Oaks.  She has received six units of blood and is better, but she is still undergoing tests to determine why her liver is enlarged.

Continue to pray for the people whose lives have been devastated by the tornadoes this week.

Thought for the Day: WHO INFLUENCES WHOM?

There’s a story that Thomas Wheeler, CEO of the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, tells on himself.  He and his wife were driving along an interstate highway when he noticed that their car was low on gas.  Wheeler got off the highway at the next exit and soon found a rundown gas station with just one gas pump.  He asked the attendant to fill the tank and check the oil, then went for a little walk around the station to stretch his legs.

As he was returning to the car, he noticed that the attendant and his wife were engaged in an animated conversation.  The conversation stopped as he paid the attendant.  But as he was getting back into the car, he saw the attendant wave and heard him say, “It was great talking to you.”

As they drove out of the station, Wheeler asked his wife if she knew the man.  She said that she did.  They had gone to high school together and had dated steadily for about a year. ” Boy, were you lucky that I came along,” bragged Wheeler.  “If you had married him, you’d be the wife of a gas station attendant instead of the wife of a chief executive officer.”

“My dear,” replied his wife, “if I had married him, he’d be the chief executive officer and you’d be the gas station attendant!”

So, which of the two had the greater influence on the other – the husband or the wife?  You see, in any relationship, both parties have an influence on the other.  After 34 years of marriage, I have influenced my wife to be different than she was 34 years ago (she now enjoys playing computer games) and she has influenced me to be different than I was 34 years ago (I eat more vegetables than I used to!).  It would be interesting to consider which of us has had a greater pull on the other through the years.

But an even more important question is this:  Who has the greater influence on the other — you or the world?  That is to say, has the world shaped you and made you what you are today, or have you changed the world around you by your influence on it?

Christians are called by God not to be transformed by the world, but to be a transforming influence on the world.  In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus described our calling in this way:

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?  It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.  You are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16)

Make a decision today not to let the world pull you away from God.  Rather determine to live in such a way that will draw the people around you closer to God.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

The ladies of our association will meet Monday at East Fork Baptist Church to learn more about North American Missions and the Annie Armstrong Week of Pray for American Missions (US and Canada).  It is covered lunch and begins at 10:00.  I hope to see you there.

Week of Pray for North American Missions

2012 Week of Prayer for North American Missions
and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering®

Theme: Whatever It Takes

Scripture: Mark 2:1-5 (HCSB)

“When He entered Capernaum again after some days, it was reported that He was at home. So many people gathered together that there was no more room, not even in the doorway, and He was speaking the message to them. Then they came to Him bringing a paralytic, carried by four men. Since they were not able to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above where He was. And when they had broken through, they lowered the stretcher on which the paralytic was lying. Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

National Goal: $70 million

Dates: March 4-11, 2012

The annual Week of Prayer for North American Missions is March 4-11, 2012. This year, five missionaries representing thousands of missionaries serving throughout the United States, Canada, and their territories are spotlighted. The other three days focus on ways Southern Baptists are reaching the lost in North America.

The Annie of the Offering

http://www.anniearmstrong.com/whoisannie/

Have a meaningful Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Saturday

“If you continue in My word, 

then you are truly disciples of Mine.”

~John 8:31 NASB~

Jadon’s Story

http://jadonsisstory.blogspot.com/

Thought for the Day: He was a stranger

The owner of an old-fashioned corner grocery store in a small country town was fond of quoting a scripture after each sale. He had three old friends that would sit around a pot-bellied stove, playing checkers on a faded board. His ability to produce a scripture for all occasions never ceased to amuse the old timers, and they would listen to see what verse he would come up with that was relevant to the sale made.

A lady purchased some material and he said, “She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.” A man bought a sack of flour and he said, “Man does not live by bread alone, but every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” A little boy bought some candy and as he rung it up he quoted, “Suffer the little children to come unto me.”

It was nearly closing time when the chimes over the door jangled loudly. A well-dressed young man, obviously a stranger from one of the larger towns down the road, entered. “Can I help you?” offered the proprietor.

“I need a blanket for my horse,” said the man. “He’s out in his trailer and it’s too cold for just one. Bring me the nicest one you’ve got!” The store owner went in the back store room and came back with a brown blanket. “That’ll be five dollars.”

“Five dollars? You’ve got to be kidding!”, said the man. “This horse is a thoroughbred. He gets only the best! He wouldn’t stand still for an old five-dollar blanket.” Without comment, the store owner took back the blanket, then merely selected a different color and brought it out. “This one’s $25 dollars.”

“Now, look,” said the young man, “Perhaps I didn’t make myself plain. This isn’t just any old horse! He’s worth thousands! Now I want the best, most expensive blanket you’ve got! Understand?” The owner once more went into the store room, pulled out another color of the same material and brought it back. “This is the only one left, and it’s $100.” “Now that’s more like it!” enthused the fellow as he paid. Throwing the five dollar blanket over his shoulder, he left.

The old timers stared silently at the shopkeeper as they waited to see what possible scripture he could come up with for that sale! Going behind the register, he rung up the hundred dollars and said, “He was a stranger, and I took him in.”

I feel certain that’s not what Jesus meant when he spoke of the need to take in strangers! In Matthew 25, Jesus is very concerned about our attitude (and actions) toward those who are in need. If fact, Jesus connects our concern for the needy with eternal salvation.

Do we make a conscious effort to see the needs that exist around us? What have you done lately to help meet those needs? Just a gentle reminder in the midst of a hectic month.

“For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Deut. 10:17-19)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Do something special for someone today!

Anna Lee

Baptist Press

BPNews.net

Thank God for family and friends who were spared in the tornado outbreak yesterday.  Pray for families who lost homes and businesses.  Say special prayers for families that lost loved ones.

Anna Lee

Friday – Another Obituary

Ralph Eugene Lewis, Sr.
(March 5, 1923 – March 2, 2012)

A resident of Kentwood, LA, died at 3:05 a.m. on Friday, March 2, 2012 at his home. He was born March 5, 1923 in Summit, MS and was 88 years of age. Mr. Lewis was a U.S. Army Air Force veteran of WWII. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Sunday and at Mt. Gilead Primitive Baptist Church, Summit, MS on Monday, March 5, 2012 from 10 a.m. until Religious Services at 11 a.m Monday. Services conducted by Elder Luke Addison & Bro. Harvey Bates. Interment Mt. Gilead Cemetery, Summit, MS. Survived by wife, Delta Deaton Lewis, 2 sons, Ralph Eugene “Gene” Lewis, Jr., Gary Lee Lewis, sister, Geraldine McIndoe, brother, Lynnwood Lewis, 3 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren. Preceded in death by parents, Isaac and Lois Lewis, 2 sisters, Imogene Moak and Frances Young, 3 brothers, Russell, Whitford, and Robert Lewis. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Mr. Lewis was born the same dad as Daddy.  Thankfully, Daddy is here to celebrate his 89th birthday tomorrow (2 days early).  Mr. Lewis will be buried on his 89th birthday.  That doesn’t happy very often.  What a blessing a long life can be!

 

 

Midday Friday

Updated obiturary

Clifford Wade Titus
(October 17, 1959 – March 1, 2012)

A resident of Kentwood, LA, died at 8:40AM on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center in McComb, MS. He was born October 17, 1959 in New Orleans, LA and was 52 years of age. Mr. Titus was a fireman with the City of Kentwood. Graveside Services will be held at Tangipahoa Cemetery at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 4, 2012. Services conducted by Rev. Joey Miller. Survived by his wife, Lauree Morris Titus, Kentwood, 2 sons, Tedd Titus and his wife, Kayla, Kentwood, and Matthew Titus and his wife, Ashley, Kentwood, father, Theophile Titus, Tangipahoa, 2 sisters, Cheryl Titus Strickland, Kentwood, and Gwen Titus Pezant, Hammond, mother-in-law, Hellen Morris, Kentwood, sister-in-law, Rachel Morris, Kentwood, 4 grandchildren, Matelyn Titus, Ory Titus, Noah Titus, and Abigail Titus. Preceded in death by mother, Elizabeth “Libby” Titus, and sister, Belinda Titus. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Marvin L. Higgins
(December 12, 1941 – March 1, 2012)

Marvin L. Higgins was born December 12, 1941 and passed away at 7:15 p.m., Thursday, March 1, 2012 at his residence in Greensburg.

Mr. Higgins requested a private service.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home is located at I-55N (Exit 46) & LA Hwy 16W (60100 Westway Drive)ehind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash, Bond Eye Clinic and Holiday Inn. Express

Hezzie “Pete” Passman, III
(Died February 23, 2012)

Hezzie “Pete” Passman III, 61, resident of Las Vegas, NV, formerly of Loranger, died Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012.

He graduated from Loranger High School and was a Vietnam veteran.

He leaves behind his wife of 39 years Pamela (Bolger) Passman; and two sons Guy Passman (Shawna) and Adam Passman. He also leaves behind six sisters, Pamela Passman Martin (John) of Folsom, Jackie Passman Morgan (Joseph) of Ponchatoula, Connie Passman Albrado (Tommy) of Tickfaw, Julie Davis Gibson of Montpelier, Tracie Passman Pierce (Ronnie) of Summit, Ms., Felicity “Pippie” Passman Davis (Brad) of Montpelier, Donice “Missy” Passman Pierce (Larry) of Murfreesboro, TN, and two brothers, Clint Passman of St. Francisville and Senior Master Sargeant 1st Sargeant Scott Passman of Valparaiso, Fl. He also leaves behind stepmother Arjrie Passman and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Hezzie Passman Jr. and Olga Lee Bahm and siblings Thomas Patrick Passman and Sharon “Sissy” Passman Dunaway.

Pete was a loving husband and father and a great big brother to all of us.

Family and Friends or invited to attend a Celebration of Life Memorial Service on Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home is located at I-55N (Exit 46) & LA Hwy 16W (60100 Westway Drive)ehind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash, Bond Eye Clinic and Holiday Inn. Express

Friday Addition

Mr. Ralph Lewis passed away early this morning.  Please be in prayer for the family.

Despite the deaths in our church and other complications, we still had twenty-eight for the Beth Moore study of James.  Thanks to the ladies who shared groceries and cleaning supplies for students who struggle financially at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.  Your help just might keep a future pastor, counselor, musician, etc. in the seminary and on the road God has chosen for them.  Don’t forget your service project for week two.

Friday

“Then He said to them,

‘Follow Me,

and I will make you fishers of men.’”

~Matthew 4:19~

Baptist Press News

BPNews.net

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 hope you have more faith than “rain” in your life.

Anna Lee

Cliff’s Death Notice

Clifford Wade Titus
(October 17, 1959 – March 1, 2012)

A resident of Kentwood, LA, died at 8:40AM on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center in McComb, MS. He was born October 17, 1959 in New Orleans, LA and was 52 years of age. Mr. Titus was a fireman with the City of Kentwood. Graveside Services will be held at Tangipahoa Cemetery at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 4, 2012. Services conducted by Rev. Joey Miller. Survived by his wife, Lauree Morris Titus, Kentwood, 2 sons, Tedd Titus, Kentwood, and Matthew Titus, Kentwood, father, Theophile Titus, Tangipahoa, 2 sisters, Cheryl Titus Strickland, Kentwood, and Gwen Titus Pezant, Hammond, mother-in-law, Hellen Morris, Kentwood, 4 grandchildren, Matelyn Titus, Ory Titus, Noah Titus, and Abigail Titus. Preceded in death by mother, Elizabeth “Libby” Titus, and sister, Belinda Titus. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to First Baptist Church, Kentwood.