Author: Anna Lee

Tuesday

“Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

~Luke 2:14~

Pray for Mrs. Pauline Strickland who is in Baton Rouge General and very sick. Pray for her family and all those caring for her.

Pray for Carol New today as she sees her doctor again and learns if she can have the next surgery yet.  She hopes so, because she is ready to begin walking again.  Pray all goes well at today’s appointment.

Mrs. Mickey Cade has surgery today.  Pray for the medical staff, “Miss” Mickey, and her family and friends.

Susan Rimes will be in OLOL on the large kidney stone that has been resistant to previous attempts to remove it.  Pray for success today and for a good recovery period for Susan.

Baptist Press: ‘Isaiah’ surprises seminary with chapel message

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=36820

What a lesson in preaching!  I know the students will always remember the fine example set forth by the NOBTS professor.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – Pray!

YANGON, MYANMAR. Throughout history, religious pilgrims have come to Yangon’s hilltop pagoda, bringing offerings and hoping for enlightenment. Black markets, karma, bamboo huts, paying homage to golden images define the daily routines of 6 million residents. Yangon is being intentionally engaged with God’s Word. Although, spiritual strongholds loom as high as the walls of the pagoda, these barriers can be broken. *Living Lord, may Your Spirit bring people to Your saving grace. *Creator God, reign in hearts of individuals so that You are worshiped as the One and only God.

Heart to Heart with Holley: The best gift this year

Hello Friend!

Have you been to the stores lately? I’ve seen the shelves piled high with gadgets, new styles, and the latest-whatever-you-want.

And I’m telling you, I think I’ve found the best gift this year.

It’s not available in retail locations, online or for $29.95 plus shipping and handling.

Can you lean in and listen close while I whisper this secret?

Psst…it’s you.

Or, really, Jesus in you.

Yes, my friend, you offer Him to the world in a way no one else can.And no one else ever will.

You are a one-of-a-kind original. Not replaceable or exchangeable.

Beautiful just as you are because of your Maker.

Designed just as He intended.

More amazing than you even realize.

Loved, needed and more valuable than all those fancy things in all the stores in the world.

Yes, ma’am.

You’re the real deal and don’t you forget it. Promise?

With love,

Holley

 The gift bags for the nursing home residents and the homebound people will be packed with much love and excitement today.  Thanks to all who have given, baked, or shopped.  Pray for those who will be caroling and delivering the bags tomorrow and those who will receive one.  May the true meaning of Christmas be clear to all involved in this ministry!

Christmas is not Christmas without Jesus!

Anna Lee

Monday

“Don’t be afraid, for look,

I proclaim to you good news of great joy

that will be for all the people:

today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born

for you in the city of David.”

~Luke 2:10-11, HCSB~

Yesterday was a special day at FBC, Kentwood.  The musical, A Song in the Air, really put forth the real Christmas spirit.  Our church is blessed to have so many people with musical talent.  The dinner and candlelight service last night added to the joy of the day and the season.  I feel so blessed to have been in church yesterday.  What a difference that little baby Jesus made to the world when He was born and still today!

Susan Rimes has surgery tomorrow in Baton Rouge.  Renee Deck has surgery Thursday.  Please be in prayer for these two ladies.

Jason Dean is now able to work half a day.  Continue to pray for him as he heals and returns to normal activities.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering at work in Europe

http://www.imb.org/main/give/lmw/Story.asp?StoryID=8037&LanguageID=1709

Thought for the Day: Kid’s view of love

I have enjoyed these thoughts from kids, though I do not know the original source:

CONCERNING WHY LOVE HAPPENS BETWEEN TWO PARTICULAR PEOPLE

“I think you’re supposed to get shot with an arrow or something, but the rest of it isn’t supposed to be so painful.” –Manuel, age 8

ON WHAT FALLING IN LOVE IS LIKE

“Like an avalanche where you have to run for your life.”
–John, age 9

“If falling in love is anything like learning how to spell, I don’t want
to do it. It takes too long.” –Glenn, age 7

ON THE ROLE OF BEAUTY AND HANDSOMENESS IN LOVE

“If you want to be loved by somebody who isn’t already in your family, it doesn’t hurt to be beautiful.” –Anita, age 8

“It isn’t always just how you look. Look at me. I’m handsome like anything and I haven’t got anybody to marry me yet.”
–Brian, age 7

CONCERNING WHY LOVERS OFTEN HOLD HANDS

“They want to make sure their rings don’t fall off because they paid good money for them.” –Gavin, age 8

CONFIDENTIAL OPINIONS ABOUT LOVE

“I’m in favor of love as long as it doesn’t happen when ‘Dinosaurs’ is on television.” –Jill, age 6

“Love is foolish … but I still might try it sometime.”
–Floyd, age 9

“Love will find you, even if you are trying to hide from it. I been trying to hide from it since I was five, but the girls keep finding me.” –Dave, age 8

“I’m not rushing into being in love. I’m finding fourth grade hard
enough.” –Regina, age 10

SOME SUREFIRE WAYS TO MAKE A PERSON FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU

“Tell them that you own a whole bunch of candy stores.”
–Del, age 6

“Don’t do things like have smelly, green sneakers. You might get attention, but attention ain’t the same thing as love.”
–Alonzo, age 9

Those of us who are older smile because we know that children have such a limited understanding of what love is (although Alonzo has learned something that many adults haven’t yet learned!). And yet, our own view of love is limited as well. And certainly our expression of love is limited and faulty.

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (I John 4:7-8)

May you look to God for the ultimate example of love as you seek to be more loving toward others today.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Jesus is the reason for the season and each and every day!

Anna Lee

Sunday Addition

Mary Lee Potts Brown
(January 11, 1926 – December 18, 2011)

Mary Lee Potts Brown, 85, died Sunday, December 18, 2011. She was born in Tangipahoa Parish on January 11, 1926 and was a longtime resident of Kentwood. She is survived by four daughters, Charlotte Rhodus, Suzanne Wall, Cynthia Weems, and Priscilla Raborn; a son, Bill Brown; eleven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren; a sister, Ira Mae “Potsy” Potts Vinet. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford James Brown; a son, Jesse James Brown; parents, Albert and Lillie Schilling Potts; a grandson, Christopher Slater Brown; three brothers, Edward Potts, Clifton Potts, and James Potts. She is a member of East Fork Baptist Church. Visitation at East Fork Baptist Church, Kentwood, on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 from 9 a.m. until religious services at 1 p.m. Interment at East Fork Cemetery, Kentwood. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children in Shreveport. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, go to http://www.mckneelys.com.

Sunday

    “Be exalted, O LORD, in Your own strength!  

We will sing and praise Your power.”

~Psalm 21:13~

FBC, Kentwood Schedule for Today

  •  The choir will present a musical, “A Song in the Air” during the 10:30 worship service.
  •  Dinner and candlelight service @ 5 and 6 P.M.
Lottie Moon at Work – Asia and the Pacific Rim
May the Christmas spirit invade you life this week making you realize it all began in a manger and lives on through our actions of love!
Anna Lee

Saturday

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord!

Call upon His name;

make known His deeds among the peoples!”

~Psalm 105:1~

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering at work in Africa and the Middle East

http://www.imb.org/main/give/lmw/Story.asp?StoryID=8038&LanguageID=1709

Baptist Press – Could you do what this man has done?

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=36806

FBC, Kentwood Schedule for Christmas Holidays

  • Dec. 18th – The choir will present a musical, “A Song in the Air” during the 10:30 worship service.
  • Dec. 18th – Dinner and candlelight service @ 5 and 6 P.M.
  • Dec. 20th – Breakfast muffins needed for gift bags which will be distributed on the 21st.
  • Dec. 21st – Church-wide caroling at 6 P.M.; Gift bags will be distributed.
  • Dec. 25th – Morning worship only – 10 A.M.

Thought for the Day: The greatest gift

I heard recently about a 90-year-old lady who one Christmas found buying presents a bit much, so she wrote out checks for all of her family and friends, and decided she would put them in with her Christmas cards. She wrote out her Christmas cards and put “Buy your own present” after her name, then sent them off.

But after the Christmas festivities were over, she found the checks in her desk! Everyone had got a Christmas card from her with “Buy your own present” written inside but without the checks!

We all like gifts. We like to receive them from those that we love. And we also enjoy giving them. What Jesus said is certainly true: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35). I used to think that the greatest joy of Christmas belonged to children because they get to experience the excitement of opening their presents. But I’ve learned that the real excitement of Christmas comes in being able to give to those who mean so much to you.

Unfortunately, our gift list is always so limited. If you’re like me at this time of the year, you always have a lot of people you would like to get something special for, but you just don’t have the money. We can’t give to everyone. But God can, and God has, and there’s no one who’s been left off of his gift list.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) 

This Christmas, enjoy giving gifts and enjoy receiving them. But be especially thankful for the greatest gift of all that came to this earth in the form of a baby in a stable in the little town of Bethlehem, and be sure that you respond by receiving that gift through obedient faith.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Yes, it is true!  Jesus is the reason for the season!

Anna Lee

Friday Afternoon

We saw Naomi Tolar’s brother and sister in Amite.  They told us Jimmy Tolar has been hospitalized in Baton Rouge this week.  If he improves, he may get to come home the first of next week.  Please keep Mr. Jimmy in your prayers.

 

Jackie Nell Williams
(April 10, 1959 – December 14, 2011)

A resident of Greensburg, she died at 9:01 p.m. on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at her home. She was born April 10, 1959 in Baton Rouge and was 52 years of age. She retired from her only job at East Louisiana State Hospital in Jackson. She is survived by her daughter, April Boyd Eaton, Greensburg; son, Jason Boyd and his wife, Brittany, Clinton; father, Charles E. Williams, Greensburg; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. She is preceded in death by her mother, Opal McElveen Williams; brother, Charles Andrew “Andy” Williams; her grandparents, Bernard and Florence Williams, Houston McElveen and Iona Mae Hunt Frazier. Pallbearers will be Adam Boyd, Jesse Boyd, Ralph Boyd, Ronald McMillan, Sidney Frazier, Homer Ellis, Jr. and Joey Duncan. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Sunday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 19, 2011. Interment Grangeville Cemetery, Grangeville. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

 

Friday

“She gave thanks to the Lord,

and spoke of Him to all those

who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”

~Luke 2:38, NKJV~

Thought for the Day: Christ at the center

A few years ago Fast Lane magazine conducted a survey to find out whose lives its readers would most like to emulate. Lt. Colonel Oliver North placed first. President Ronald Reagan placed second. Clint Eastwood was third. Fourth place was a tie between Lee Iacocca and Jesus Christ. That’s a sad commentary on our society!

I heard about a young woman who went into a Denver jewelry store and told the clerk she wanted to purchase a gold cross on a chain to wear around her neck. The clerk turned to the display case and asked, “Do you want a plain one, or one with a little man on it?”

We live in a world where Jesus ties for fourth place with Lee Iacocca and is referred to as a little man on a piece of jewelry. But, for Christians, Jesus Christ can be nothing less than the very center of our lives. Paul wrote:

“For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” (I Corinthians 2:2)

Are we truly consumed with knowing Jesus Christ? Oh sure, we understand the necessity of the cross and the resurrection, we understand its connection with salvation and forgiveness from sin. But do we really recognize the importance of Jesus Christ continually in our lives?

Do we see Christ as the Lord of our lives, telling us what to do? Do we see Christ as the model of our lives, showing us how to do it? Do we see Christ as the power in our lives, giving us the ability to do it?

May Christ have his rightful place at the very center of our lives.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

 

In our modern world to technology, I’m including ways to learn how the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for Internation Missions works in Central and South America.  I hope you enjoy there and share them.

http://www.imb.org/main/give/lmw/Story.asp?StoryID=9866&LanguageID=1709

As families get busy with all the secular events of Christmas, I hope you will still have time to learn more about the LMCO and how it introduces people around the world to Jesus.

FBC, Kentwood will have an emphasis on the LMCO Christmas morning.  I hope you find it in your heart to bring an offering that morning and that your offering for the LMCO is greater than your gift to any individual on your Christmas list!

Anna Lee

Thursday Afternoon

From James Rimes

Susan’s surgery is scheduled for Tuesday,December 20 at 11:00 A.M. at OLOL. This is to remove the large stone in her left kidney. Please pray.

 

Jesse Allen Sanders
(August 6, 1935 – December 14, 2011)

Mr. Jesse Allen Sanders was born on August 6, 1935 and passed away at 5:31 p.m., Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. He was 76, a native and resident of Amite.

Mr. Jesse worked as a car salesman for many years and also a detective for the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Department.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Janet Sue Blackburn Sanders, Amite; 2 daughters, Christina Ann Mayeux, Amite and Andree Bordeaux Headings, Jacksonville, FL; son, Allen Lee Sanders, Hammond; sister, Joanne Sanders Furr; 2 cousins, Dennis Sevens, Prairieville and Alma Stevens LaMarca, Independence. Preceded in death by his parents Hines B. and Loney Stevens Sanders.

Private Mass of Christian Burial with Fr. Mark Beard officiating will be held at a later date.

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

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

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

 

Thursday

“Only those who give away their lives for my sake

and for the sake of the Good News

will ever know what it means to really live.”

~Mark 8:35 TLB~

 

Lottie Moon Stories to Share with Your Children or Grandchildren

http://www.imb.org/main/give/lmw/Story.asp?StoryID=8034&LanguageID=1709

Baptist Press

http://www.bpnews.net/

Heart to Heart with Holley: God’s Heart for You This Christmas

In the middle of all the hustle and bustle of the season I keep forgetting.

I keep forgetting that it’s not about being busy but being blessed.

I keep forgetting that it’s not about pleasing but being loved.

I keep forgetting that it’s not about who I am but whose I am that matters most.

Then God taps me on the heart and seems to whisper, “You don’t have to try so hard. Rest. Remember. Enjoy what you’ve already given and received.”

I slow, smile. Yes, that’s right. This is what Christmas is all about.

Jesus.

And the beautiful love that compelled Him to come all the way here for me, for you.

It’s about the little things too.

And what’s smaller than a baby in a manger?

One gift I can offer back this season is simply to remember what’s already true.

I am loved.

In Him, I am enough.

Because of His grace, I am blessed beyond measure.

This is God’s heart for us this Christmas season–and always.

—Holley

Don’t forget the meeting at the cabin at 6:30 tonight.  Join us for food, fellowship, prayer, and a devotional.

Have a terrific Thursday!  Remember, Jesus is the reason for the season!

Anna Lee