Author: Anna Lee

Friday

“Whoever loves his brother abides in the light,

and in him there is no cause for stumbling.”

~1 John 2:10, ESV~

Jadon’s Story

My computer is broken so that’s why I haven’t updated this week. I’m
sorry to have to say this but we are weaning me from the ketogenic
diet. I was having about 90 seizures a day before the diet. Each time
we went up on the ratio my seizures got worse. I was having over 200
spasms a day. We spoke with our doctors in Boston and new Orleans.
They both suggested that we wean the diet. Boston said it’s uncommon
for this to happen but that they have had several children that had to
stop the diet for that reason. You know I always do the opposite of
what I’m suppose to. So now what? We don’t know. Once I’m completely
off the diet we will decide. Please continue to pray for me. We are
very upset that the diet wasn’t our answer. My seizures are better
today. I’ve stayed around 100. Wow I never thought I would say 100 is
better. Ugh I hate seizures. I don’t understand how I’ve been fighting
these for 1 year and still have little control. We are just trying to
stay positive right now and praying that God will lead us to the next
step in my journey.

From Justin Kennedy’s mon, Edna

“Justin is staying next to the medical facility for a few days. He has a concussion, a hurt left leg (but can walk on it), and other scrapes, abrasions and bruising. The other 4 guys are injured. Justin was the least serious. God truely was watching over them all. Justin will stay there for a few more days and they will do some physical therapy on his leg.”

Maggie Lee Henson

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

FRUGAL ME?

Mary’s fourth grade homework assignment was to make sentences using the words in her spelling list, along with the definition. Coming across the word “frugal” in the list, she asked her father what it meant. He explained that being frugal meant you saved something.

Her paper read:

Frugal: to save

Sentence:  Maid Marion fell into a pit when she went walking in the woods so she yelled for someone to come get her out.  She yelled “Frugal me, Frugal me!”

It’s easy see how a fourth grader could confuse the words, but while the word “frugal” and the idea of saving are closely related, they are miles apart when it comes to Christianity.  The New Testament speaks often of our reconciliation with God as “salvation”.  Jesus himself said:

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)

But God was far from frugal in His efforts to save us.  Centuries of preparation, the sacrifice of His only Son, the heartache of being rejected, God’s patience in waiting for us to respond — there was nothing frugal in any of it.  Quite the contrary, God lavishly poured out all that He had in the hopes of saving us.  “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Cor. 9:15)

Praise be to God both for His willingness to save us and His unwillingness to be frugal about it!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Reminder: The Mug ‘n’ Muffin Saturday will be tomorrow at FBC, Kentwood at 10:00.  Bring your favorite mug to drink from and a dozen breakfast muffins to share.  You will be blessed by you participation.

Have a fantastic Friday!

Anna Lee

Thursday

We see, then,

that they were not able to enter the land,

because they did not believe.

Hebrews 3:19 (TEV)

Two updates on Justin Kennedy

  • Today Edna posted on facebook that she and her husband received word
    that Justin was released from the hospital, and returned to his unit,
    then later they got a conflicting report that he was still in the
    hospital.  They don’t know if he is in a hospital or not.  Justin has
    not been able to call home yet.  I tried to call Edna on the phone,
    but she was unable to answer.  I’m sure that she is getting many
    calls, but only wants to talk to Justin at this point.  I can’t
    imagine how difficult this is for her and her husband, Barry!  They
    are sweet Christians; prayer warriors!  Edna is an RN, and Barry is
    also in the medical field.  Justin has an older brother, and a twin
    brother.

    Thanks for your prayers!
    Julie

  • Justin was able to call his parents. He and the others in the vehicle are okay! Thanks for praying for them!

Mrs. Kathryn Sanders will be moved to an extended care facility at some point.  She appreciates your prayers as does her family.

I saw the specialist again about my arm.  The bone is still in the proper position.  I will begin physical therapy tomorrow.  A decision about surgery will be made when the bone is healed.

Wanda Lanier Newman, 83 years old of Hammond, died Tuesday, January 4, 2011, in Richard Murphy Hospice House.

She was born on October 7, 1927, in Amite, daughter of the late Jack Lanier and the late Lena White Lanier.

Mrs. Newman was a homemaker and a long time teacher. She taught at Mandeville High, Loranger High, Hammond High, and retired from Ponchatoula High School. Mrs. Newman was a faithful member at Immanuel Baptist Church in Hammond where she taught the Ruth Sunday School Class and vacation bible school. She was beloved by many and will be missed by all her family and friends.

Surviving are her son, Edwin Newman Jr.; daughter, Joanna Newman; 7 brothers and sisters, Jackie Reed, Therold Lanier, Jon Lanier, David Lanier, Rachel Mixon, Martha Lanier, and Mary Adams.

She is preceded in death by husband, Edwin Marion Newman Sr.; brother, Harry Lanier; sister, Elaine Floyd; and stepmother, Belle Lanier.

Friends will be received at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home in Hammond, Friday, January 7, 2011, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Visitation will continue Saturday, January 8, 2011, from 8:00 AM until the funeral service at 10:00 AM in the funeral home chapel.

Interment will follow in the Magnolia Cemetery in Magnolia, Mississippi.

Contributions may be made to the Richard Murphy Hospice Foundation, 16013 Halbert Road, Hammond, LA 70403.

KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2.10

Mike Benson, Editor

AMONG OTHER THINGS, actress Elizabeth Taylor is known for her love of diamond jewelry…

On one occasion, she was attending a social gathering where one of the guests noticed the large diamond that she was wearing.  “That’s a bit vulgar,” the woman remarked.  Unabashed, Taylor offered to let the woman try the ring on.  As the woman gazed at the ring on her own finger, Taylor commented, “There, it’s not so vulgar now, is it?”

Sometimes, when the ring is on our finger, it doesn’t seem as gaudy as when it is on someone’s else’s finger.  For example, when other people buy a nice house or a new car, they are covetous.  However, when we do it, it is simply good stewardship.  In like manner, when other people’s children misbehave, they are brats.  However, when our own children misbehave, they are simply high-strung or energetic.  The faults of others often appear big, while our own appear small or not at all.

We need to make sure that when we judge, we are fair.  In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declared, “Judge not, that you be not judged.  For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the same measure you use, it will be measured back to you.  And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck our of your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?  Hypocrite!  First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck out of your own eye” (Matthew 7.1-5).  Although many people interpret Jesus’ words as condemning all judgment, that was not at all what He was doing.  He was rather condemning unrighteous and unmerciful judgment.  I know this because on another occasion He commanded men to judge (John 7.24).  He simply wanted men to judge righteously (John 7.24) and mercifully (James 2.13).

Let’s make sure that we judge faults in our own lives with the same standard that we judge faults in the lives of others.  Sin is sin whether it is in the lives of others are in our own life.  It is wrong whether it is in the life of a foe or friend, family or stranger.  Wade Webster, Vulgar,The Searcher, 11.14.10, 1

“For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy.

Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

~James 2.13~

Don’t forget to plan to attend Mug ‘n’ Muffin Saturday morning at 10:00.  You’ll be blessed.

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“Therefore I am well content with weaknesses,

with insults,

with distresses,

with persecutions,

with difficulties,

for Christ’s sake;

for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

~2 Corinthians 12:10, NASB~

Be careful if you have to get on the wet roads today.

Pray for the many who are on our prayer list.  I’ll not name them individually.

Thought for the Day: The People Behind You

A teenager, Elizabeth, was nervous as she took the wheel for her first driving lesson. As she was pulling out of the parking lot, the instructor said, “Turn left here, and don’t forget to let the people behind you know what you are doing.”

Elizabeth turned to the students sitting in the backseat and announced, “I’m going left.”

Though it may not have been understood properly, the instruction of the teacher was a valuable piece of advice: “Let the people behind you know what you are doing.”

In Hebrews 2:10, Jesus is referred to as “the author of our salvation” (NKJV). The RSV, though, translates that phrase as “pioneer of our salvation” because the Greek word used in this verse (“archegos”) was a word sometimes used for a pioneer or trailblazer who opened up a territory so that others could follow.

I love the Appalachian Mountains. When I lived in Boone, I often wondered what it would have been like in the early 1700’s to cross those mountains — no interstates, not even any dirt roads, just trees and bushes. There were mountain men who had braved the frontier, but there was no safe and reliable way to get settlers over the mountains. What was needed was for some brave man, a “pioneer”, to open the west by finding the best mountain passes and building a passable road to the west.

The idea of the pioneer is an appropriate image of Christ. He went before us and opened up the way so that we can follow.

But you, too, are called to be an “archegos”, a pioneer who blazes the way for others to follow. There are those who work with you and live around you who are looking to you as they struggle to find the way in their own lives. You may have children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and countless others who will be influenced by the legacy you leave behind. Choose your path carefully. And let the people behind you know what you are doing.

May we be able to say with Paul: “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” (I Cor. 11:1)

Have a wonderful, but wet, Wednesday!

Anna Lee

Tuesday Update

Stacey and Pat Scarle

Surgery is over and we are home. She did fine and they were able to repair the area without removing the implant. She is resting now. Thanks for all the prayers. Pat  ( my son) had retina surgery, he is better today  although he has a slight shadow on the right eye. He will have surgery on the other eye next week. Keep him in your prayers too please.

Joan (mom)

Mrs. Katherine Sanders is doing better.  She has less pain and is progressing with physical therapy.  Keep praying for her and her family.

Tuesday

By our baptism, then,

we were buried with him and shared his death,

in order that, just as Christ was raised from death

by the glorious power of the Father,

so also we might live a new life.

~Romans 6:4 (TEV)~

My sister, Julie, requests prayer for a friend’s family.

Edna Bailey Kennedy, a long time friend of mine, posted this Monday night on Face Book: “Please pray for our son, Justin, and his platoon. His vehicle hit an IED today. Justin is in a medical facility in Afghanistan with a concussion. We were notified by the U.S. Army notification center tonight. Information was scarce.”

Thanks,

Julie

Edna is from the Franklinton area.

Ashlyn Neal is able to attend school for half a day as she continues to improve.  She has another doctor’s appointment later this week.  Please continue to pray for Ashlyn, her family, and her friends.

Pray for Stacey Scarle today.  She is not healing well and will have to have additional surgery today.  Radiation and additional surgery will follow.

Thought For The Day: Small Town Atmosphere

You know you live in a small town when…..

* Third Street is on the edge of town.

* You don’t use your turn signals because everyone knows where you’re going.

* A baby born on June 14 receives gifts from local merchants as the first baby of the year.

* You speak to each dog you pass by name and he wags his tail at you.

* You dial a wrong number and talk for 15 minutes anyway.

* You can’t walk for exercise because every car that passes you offers you a ride.

* In order to paint traffic lines, the road has to be widened

* The Mayor is also the Sheriff, Town Council and street sweeper.

* There is no town idiot — everybody has to take turns.

* You can name everyone you graduated with.

* You have to drive an hour to buy a pair of socks.

* You get a whiff of manure and think of home.

* You fix yourself up to go buy groceries lest anyone starts the rumor that you have gained weight or quit taking care of yourself.

* Friday nights fun consisted of standing in line for the one-screen theater and when it is sold out, watching truckers and drinking coffee at the truck stop (the only place open after 10).

* Someone asks you how you feel and listens to what you say.

There are certainly some disadvantages to growing up in a small town, but some advantages as well. Especially when it comes to having people around you who truly care. In a large city, it’s easy to find yourself surrounded by a sea of nameless faces. That is something that we dare not allow to happen in the church.

The 16th chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans is important, though you may have previously overlooked its significance. The chapter consists of a series of greetings, most of them to people whose names we can’t even pronounce. No less than 28 members of the church in Rome are mentioned by name. Why? Perhaps Paul wanted to remind this group of Christians in a large city that they were not nameless faces — they were part of God’s family. We not only mean something to God, we mean something to one another. It’s a “small town atmosphere” even in a “large city church.”

“Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them. Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.” (Rom. 16:14-16)

–Alan Smith

I like small towns.  We are able to pray for the needs of others, often people we know well.  Also, when needed, people can pray for our needs.

Anna Lee

Monday

Whoever accepts and trusts the Son gets in on everything,

life complete and forever!

~John 3:36a (Msg)~

Please pray for Howard Melancon who is married to David’s niece, Janet.  Howard is in North Oaks with an infection and has been found to be diabetic.

Please continue to pray for Mrs. Shirley Frazier as she continues to deal with a broken foot.

Mr. “Cete” Dillon is having an issue with his health.  Pray for Mr. “Cete” and “Miss” Ruby.

Continue to pray for Mrs. Katherine Sanders who is in North Oaks and Mr. Gordon Price who is at the Kentwood rehab.

Saturday, all females from 5 t0  105 are invited to FBC, Kentwood at 10 A.M. for Mug ‘n’ Muffin.  That means you bring your favorite mug to drink from and a dozen breakfast muffins to share.  We will have lots of fun including eating, a craft activity, a missions activity, and much more.  Come and be blessed.  You do not have to be a member of FBC, Kentwood to come.  Contact me if you need more information.

Thought For The Day: An Amazing Love by Alan Smith

Here is the entire text of a love letter intercepted by a second grade schoolteacher, passed on to a parent:

“Dear Billy, if you don’t say you love me and walk to the bus stop with me I will kill myself and beet you up. I love you and wan to marry you soon. Suzy”

The little girl was eight at the time. The parent showed the preacher the letter at the rehearsal dinner the day before Suzy married Billy. Suzy was twenty-four. During the wedding service, he shared the letter with the guests, and in her vows, had Suzy repeat these words: “I, Suzy, promise you, Billy, never to kill myself or beat you up.”

He later said, “If the marriage lasts as long as her love, and her love is as large as the laughter in the ceremony, the odds are good for a happy ever after.”

We’ll do some amazing things in the name of love, won’t we? And the deeper our love, the more extreme our willingness is. That’s why a mother is willing to stay up all night tending to a sick child. It’s why a godly husband will sacrifice all that he holds dear to care for his wife (Eph. 5:25-28). And, in the most extreme example, it’s why Jesus Christ was willing to give up his very life for us when we least deserved it.

“Look at it this way: At the right time, while we were still helpless, Christ died for ungodly people. Finding someone who would die for a godly person is rare. Maybe someone would have the courage to die for a good person. Christ died for us while we were still sinners. This demonstrates God’s love for us.” (Romans 5:6-8, GOD’S WORD)

May God’s example of love motivate us to have a stronger love in our marriages, our families, our churches and all of our other relationships.

–Alan

Have a great day and a wonderful week!  Mark your calendar for Saturday’s Mug ‘n’ Muffin event.

Anna Lee

Sunday Afternoon

Mary Alice Fox called to say Marilyn (Mrs. Lowery) Fox passed away yesterday. Graveside services will be held at a later time at the Lee Cemetery in Gillsburg.  I’ll post more when arrangements have been completed.  Please be in prayer for the family.

Dennis Mitchel “D.J.” Jackson, 18 years old of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, died January 1, 2011, in Ponchatoula

He was born on June 26, 1992, in Hammond,

Surviving are mother and step-father Lisa Simmons and Mitchel Simmons, father, Dennis Jackson, sisters, Jessica D. Jackson and Christa Champagne, brothers Jacob Simmons, and Jeremie Simmons and James H. Jackson nephews Cass Anthony and Maddox Graham, grandmother, Sylvia Jackson, grandfather, Boykin Jackson.

Friends will be received Monday, January 3, 2011 from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home in Hammond.

Services will be held at Funeral Home Chapel – Hammond, Tuesday, at 1:00 PM.

Interment will follow in the Parklawn Memorial Gardens Hammond, Louisiana.

Sunday

:“I’ve tried everything and nothing helps.

I’m at the end of my rope.

Is there no one who can do anything for me?

The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does”

~Romans 7:24-25 MSG~

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KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10

Mike Benson, Editor

I READ OF a TV program aired on PBS on the most staid of subjects—a library…

This, however, was the Library of Congress, and the PBS’s former chairman, Sir Hue Weldon, was standing in a forest of card index files.  The program had all of makings of a slow-moving, dull documentary until…about halfway through, Dr. Daniel Boorstin, the Librarian of Congress, bought out a little blue box from a small closet that once held the library’s rarities.  The label on the box read, “Contents of the President’s Pockets on the Night of April 14, 1865.”

Since that was the fateful night Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, every viewer’s attention was seized.  Boorstin then proceeded to remove the items in the small container and display them on camera.  There were five things in the box:  a handkerchief, embroidered “A. Lincoln”, a country boy’s pen knife, a spectacles case repaired with string, a purse containing a $5 Confederate bill, and some old worn newspaper clippings.  “The clippings,” said Boorstin, “were concerned with the great deeds of Abraham Lincoln.  And one of them actually reports a speech by John Bright which says that Abraham Lincoln is “one of the greatest men of all times.”

Today, that’s common knowledge. The world now knows that British statesman John Bright was right in his assessment of Lincoln, but in 1865 millions shared quite a contrary opinion.  The President’s critics were fierce and many.  His was a lonely agony that reflected the suffering and turmoil ripped to shreds by hatred and a cruel, costly war.

Everybody needs encouragement . . .

“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly,

comfort the fainthearted,

uphold the weak,

be patient with all.”

~1 Thessalonians 5:14~

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

1-1-11

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered,

“you are worried and upset about many things,

but only one thing is needed.

Mary has chosen what is better,

and it will not be taken away from her.”

~Luke 10:41-42 (NIV)~

From Mary Prescott

Please add a friend of ours to the Prayer Link.  His name is Austin Fath.  He was involved in an accident last night and he has a severe brain injury.  He is in University hospital in ICU.  Please lift him and his family up in prayer during this very difficult time.  Thank you so much.  Mary

Be careful in this bad weather!

Thought For The Day: What Do You Hear?

A Native American and his friend were in downtown New York City, walking near Times Square in Manhattan. It was during the noon lunch hour and the streets were filled with people. Cars were honking their horns, taxicabs were squealing around corners, sirens were wailing, and the sounds of the city were almost deafening. Suddenly, the Native American said, “I hear a cricket.”

His friend said, “What? You must be crazy. You couldn’t possibly hear a cricket in all of this noise!”

“No, I’m sure of it,” the Native American said, “I heard a cricket.”

“That’s crazy,” said the friend.

The Native American listened carefully for a moment, and then walked across the street to a big cement planter where some shrubs were growing. He looked into the bushes, beneath the branches, and sure enough, he located a small cricket. His friend was utterly amazed.

“That’s incredible,” said his friend. “You must have super-human ears!”

“No,” said the Native American. “My ears are no different from yours. It all depends on what you’re listening for.”

“But that can’t be!” said the friend. “I could never hear a cricket in this noise.”

“Yes, it’s true,” came the reply. “It depends on what is really important to you. Here, let me show you.”

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a few coins, and discreetly dropped them on the sidewalk. And then, with the noise of the crowded street still blaring in their ears, they noticed every head within twenty feet turn and look to see if the money that tinkled on the pavement was theirs.

“See what I mean?” asked the Native American. “It all depends on what’s important to you.”

What’s important to you? What do you listen for? Are there times that you fail to listen to God or see what God is doing in your life because you are focused on other things that are more important to you?

Jesus said, “For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear.” (Matt. 13:15-16)

Father, we pray at the beginning of this new year — amidst all the distractions of the world all around us, may our ears always be open to your voice, and our eyes open to your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.

–Alan Smith

Please feel free to share requests, updates, and praise reports.

Anna Lee