Author: Anna Lee

Sunday

“Be generous: Invest in acts of charity.

Charity yields high returns.

Don’t hoard your goods; spread them around.

Be a blessing to others.”

~Ecclesiastes 11:1-2a (MSG)~

Thought for the Day: Appreciating God’s 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

Make this Lord’s Day meaningful to others and yourself.

Anna Lee

Saturday Afternoon

Darla Lynette McNabb Woodard
(February 2, 1961 – November 12, 2011) 

A resident of Kentwood, LA, died at 9:09AM on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, LA. She was born February 2, 1961 in Magnolia, MS and was 50 years of age. Visitation at New Zion Baptist Church, Kentwood, from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m., Monday, November 14, 2011, and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, November 15, 2011. Services conducted by Rev. Bill Galloway and Rev. Richard Sandberg. Interment New Zion Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. Survived by husband, Ronald Woodard, 4 daughters, Courtney Woodard, Mallory Brabham and her husband, Joseph, Brittany Norwood and her husband, Josh, and Shelby Woodard, parents, John H. McNabb and Monnie B. McNabb, mother-in-law, Betty Woodard Coley, sister, Monica McNabb Miley, brother, Mike McNabb, aunt, Ann Huff, grandchildren, Isabella Brabham, Danica Woodard, Branson Norwood, Drew Brabham, and Jaxton Norwood. Preceded in death by, father-in-law, Lanice Woodard, Jr. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Saturday

“When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them.

Always be eager to practice hospitality.”

~Romans 12:13 (NLT, second edition)~

Jana C. Creel is home from the hospital.  Thank God her her improvement.

Jason Dean is in pain, but walking a little.  Pray for him as he continues to recover from back surgery.  He should be released Sunday,

Chloe Neyland is doing better.  She may be strong enough to move to a regular room later today.

I shared this website before, but think it might encourage us to do more for others, so I’m posting it again.

http://www.joeyshopeforhungrychildren.bbnow.org/index.php

Thought for the Day: Missed opportunities

The story is told of a young man who wished to marry the farmer’s beautiful daughter. He went to the farmer to ask his permission. The farmer looked him over and responded, “Son, go stand out in that field and I’m going to release three bulls, one at a time. If you can catch the tail of any one of the three bulls, you can marry my daughter.”

The young man stood in the pasture awaiting the first bull. The barn door opened and out ran the biggest, meanest-looking bull he had ever seen. He decided that one of the next bulls had to be a better choice than this one, so he ran over to the side and let the bull pass through the pasture out the back gate.

The barn door opened again. Unbelievable. He had never seen anything so big and fierce in his life. It stood – pawing the ground, grunting, slinging slobber – as it eyed him. Whatever the next bull was like, it had to be a better choice than this one. He ran to the fence and let the bull pass through the pasture, out the back gate.

The door opened a third time. A smile came across his face. This was the weakest, scrawniest little bull he had ever seen. This one was his bull. As the bull came running by, he positioned himself just right and jumped at just the exact moment. He grabbed… but the bull had no tail!

Life is full of opportunities. Some will be easy to take advantage of, some will be difficult. But once we let them pass (often in hopes of something better), those opportunities may never again be available.

The same thing is also true of opportunities to serve Christ. God often opens doors — opportunities to speak up for Him, opportunities to minister to someone who is hurting or in need, opportunities to make an influence on the world around us. If we allow them to pass by (perhaps because we are waiting for something easier to come along), we may miss out on them altogether.

“Continue praying, keeping alert, and always thanking God. Also pray for us that God will give us an opportunity to tell people his message.” (Col. 4:2-3a, NCV)

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Gal. 6:10)

May you take advantage of the doors God opens for you this day!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

 

 

Have a super Saturday!

Anna Lee

Friday Afternoon

Emma Hendry Davoll
(January 20, 1913 – November 10, 2011)

A resident of Roseland, LA, died at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. She was born January 20, 1913 in New Orleans, LA and was 98 years of age. She was a retired High School English teacher for Amite High School and was an active member of the Episcopal Church where she played the organ for many years, and was a former board member of the Arcola-Roseland Cemetery Association. Visitation at Church of the Incarnation – Episcopal, Amite, from 11 a.m. until religious services at 1 p.m. on Monday, November 14, 2011. Interment Arcola-Roseland Cemetery, Roseland, LA. Survived by daughter, Janet Ivy Smith and her husband, James, Hammond, Preceded in death by, husband, William Davoll, parents, Ivy and Janet Hendry, sister, Laura Hendry Brantley. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

 

I always remember know “Miss” Davoll and went to school with her daughter Ivy.  Her mother and my grandmother were in the same nursing home when I was a child.  I remember her substituting in some of my elementary classes and reading to us all day.  I have lots of memories of her and her family.  Memories are sweet.

Friday

“I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God;

incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.”

~Psalm 17:6~

Jadon’s Story :  Seizures, sick, neuro appointment, prayer request

My seizures haven’t been the best lately. I’m having about 80 a day again. Surprise surprise. We are praying that they will just stay at 80 until surgery date. I can a least function at 80. When they increase to 150-200 is when the regression starts. I think this is just a reminder of why we need to do the surgery. My mommy and daddy say they have to try surgery. It’s only fair to me so that I can have a chance. Even though I can’t talk you can hear it in my cry ” Mommy please make them stop, mommy what’s going on, help me mommy”. So yes I’m saying the seizures that make me cry are back. On top of all this I’ve been sick. Mommy brought me to the doctor Monday and they put me on antibiotic for a sinus infection. Then Tuesday afternoon I started running a high fever. We thought it was related to the sinus infection but no I broke out in a horrible rash today. I also have ulcers in my mouth and fever blisters on my mouth. The doctor said it was hand, foot, and mouth disease. I probably picked it up in the doctors office when I went to get my antibiotic for my sinus infection. I can’t catch a break right now. Hopefully this rash will go away soon and I can get better. Ok so enough of the bad stuff. I went to see my neurologist in NOLA Tuesday. She did receive the paper work about my surgery. She agreed with the surgery. She said she has done everything possible for me. She also agreed that I can’t continue to develop unless we stop these seizures. She also said I have lots of potential if we could only get them to stop. She said that she would talk to the head of neurology about doing my therapy after surgery in NOLA. Well she walked out to write my new prescriptions and guess what the head of neurology was in the clinic. She agreed to let us do therapy in NOLA. She also agreed with the surgery. She then introduced us to the lady in charge of therapy in the hospital who also just happen to be in the clinic. So yes God was definitely looking out for us that day. My mommy was very nervous about the appointment and everything was perfect. Since we are going to do the therapy in NOLA we may only have to stay in Detroit 3 weeks. It all depends on how I do after surgery. When I’m stable enough to transfer we will transfer. We are very excited about this. Please continue to pray for us. We are definitely feeling your prayers. Everyone is being so helpful to us and we are so thankful to have all of you in our lives. I’m attaching a picture of a little boy that was just diagnosed with infantile spasms in our area. Please pray for him. He is the same age that I was when I was diagnosed. My mommy has been talking to his mommy. We are praying that the ACTH that he is on now will stop his seizures. One last thing. We are in the process of making a prayer blanket for me to take to Detroit. If you would like email my mommy at monica.pailet@gmail.com with your prayer and we will put it on my blanket. Thanks again for the prayers. Love you, Jadon

 

Operation Christmas Child (Shoeboxes of gifts for children)

  • Boxes are due at local churches Sunday (13th)
  • Call your local church or FBC, Kentwood for more information
  • Bless some unfortunate children during the holidays

Baptist Press: Misplaced priorities & the tragedy of Penn State

http://www.bpnews.net/BPFirstPerson.asp?ID=36546

Samaritan’s Purse Refugee Camp is Bombed

A few days ago I visited a refugee camp in South Sudan, where Samaritan’s Purse is helping care for some 23,000 refugees who have fled the atrocities of the government of Sudan. The camp has been a safe haven for these suffering people. But Thursday, the violence followed them when the camp was bombed by the very government they have been fleeing.

Four bombs were dropped. Praise God, we have confirmed that all of our staff are safe and accounted for, and as of now there are no reports of people injured on the ground.

These people are in need of immediate prayer.  Please pray for safety for the refugees, and for our staff. Pray for peace to come to this troubled region. Most of all, please pray that the people we are helping will find lasting hope in Jesus Christ.

Thank you, and may God bless you.

Sincerely,


Franklin Graham
President, Samaritan’s Purse


Veterans, thank you for your service to our country. I’m proud to be an American.

Last night, I noticed an advertisement for veterans to get a free meal at Applebee’s today.  We have our own local businessman with a benefit for veterans.  Robert Brister posted this and said to pass it on.

In honor of all our military servicemen and women on Veteran’s Day, Mr Tom’s Car Wash will once again be giving free washes to all veterans. Our Amite and McComb locations will be participating on Friday November 11 from 7:30am – 6pm. Spread the word! God bless our troops and God bless America.

As proud of veterans as we are, there’s someone who paid a great price for us two thousand years ago.

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

Thank a vet today!  Thank God today!

Anna Lee

Thursday Evening

I just talked with Ora Lee Wilson and asked for an updated on her sister-in-law who had cancer surgery.  The report is good; the doctors think they got it all.  Pray for the family as they rejoice over the good report.

Ora Lee said the family had bad news today.  Ora Lee’s first cousin’s son and daughter-in-law had their first child today.  Shortly after they baby boy was shown to his mother she had problems and died.  Pray for the family. especially this young man with a new baby boy to raise.

 

Thursday Afternoon

Jason Dean’s surgery went well.  He’s now in room A109 at Cypress Pointe and scheduled to come home Sunday if all goes well.  Pray for good days between now and then.  Also, pray for the family.

Jana C. Creel is hospitalized in McComb with acute divroticulitious   Add her to your prayer list even though she is hoping to go home tomorrow.

John David Ponder, Sr.
(September 28, 1930 – November 9, 2011)

A resident of Amite, he passed away at 9:08 p.m. on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at Mid Jefferson Extended Care Hospital in Nederland, TX. He was born September 28, 1930 in Amite and was 81 years of age. Mr. Ponder was a U. S. Coast Guard Veteran of the Korean War and a graduate of Tulane Law School. He is survived by four children, Julie T. Ponder of Roseland, Amos L. Ponder of Amite, Katy Ponder Taylor and husband, Mark, of Orange, Tx., and Phillip Ponder of Amite; eight grandchildren, David and Elena Walker, Julia Walker, John and Kim Bittola, Devin Walker, Tara Ponder, Mark Glen Taylor, Annmarie Taylor, and Matthew Taylor; and three great-grandchildren, David and Christopher Walker, and Charlotte Bittola. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Jo Ann Leatherman Ponder; two sons, John David Ponder Jr. and George W. L. Ponder; parents, Justice Amos L. Ponder, Sr. and Amanda McMichael Ponder; 2 brothers, Amos L. Ponder, Jr. and George M. Ponder; 1 sister, Julia Ponder Doane. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 12 Noon until religious services at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 12, 2011. Services conducted by Bro. John Fulda. Interment Amite Cemetery, Amite, LA.

Thursday

“Commit your work to the Lord,

and then your plans will succeed.”

~Proverbs 16:3 (NLT)~

 

Quote for Dr. Tom Higginbotham’s sermon last night:  “The attitude of those in the early church was what’s mine is yours! I’m afraid too often we have an attitude of what’s yours is mine!”

Relying on God

The following two news stories come from Reuters:

“A Ukraine businessman who bought a pager for each member of his staff as a New Year gift was so alarmed when all 50 of them went off at the same time that he drove his car into a lamp post. The unnamed businessman was returning from the pager shop when the accident happened,” the Fakty daily newspaper reported. “With no more than 100 metres to go to the office, the 50 pagers on the back seat suddenly burst out screeching. The businessman’s fright was such that he simply let go of the steering wheel and the car ploughed into a lamp post. After he had assessed the damage to the car, the businessman turned his attention to the message on the 50 pagers. It read: ‘Congratulations on a successful purchase!’ ”

“Normally accidents like this shouldn’t happen,” reasoned a Caputh, Germany, police spokesman. “A motorist following driving instructions on the satellite navigation computer in his BMW drove down a ferry ramp into the Havel River without realizing the only way he could cross the river was to wait for the ferry. The 57-year-old driver was not injured. This sort of thing can happen when people rely too much on technology.”

We do rely a lot on technology, don’t we? From pagers and satellite navigation systems to cell phones and fax machines, we have become more and more dependent upon our world of technology. It is important, though, that we step back every now and then and remind ourselves, “We can survive without all these gadgets, but we cannot survive without God.”

In Psalm 20, David expressed it this way:

“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.” (Psalm 20:7)

Chariots and horses were certainly not wrong; no more so than modern gadgets. But it was necessary to reinforce the truth that our faith in not in such things, but in God Almighty.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Put your faith in God, not the technological toys of today’s modern world.

Anna Lee