Today’s Bible Verse

Read the Bible in 2025

• November 18
• Jeremiah 26-29

Thankfulness

Today, I am thankful to Samaritans’ Purse for creating Operation Christmas Child with the goal of sharing the Good News of Jesus with children in the poorest and often least connected areas of the world.

I’m a thankful for the individuals, families, and classes who have worked all year so items can be purchased, prepared for shipment, boxed, and postage paid.

Yesterday, was our first day of drop-off week (eight days). I cannot tell you how hard the volunteers worked and what an attitude was apparent that was both sweet, helpful, caring, and cheerful.

Yesterday’s statistics:

• Five churches
• 961 shoeboxes
• Packed into 61 cartons
• Eight volunteers
• Two hours

That’s both a mouthful and a very productive two full hours. We had a prayer time for the shoeboxes, the recipients, and others. God blessed us greatly by giving us the opportunity to work on the shoeboxes all year and again this week.

Updates

• Trey Harrison has improved. Yesterday, his mother shared the “latest information”. Doctors are in a process of eliminating possible causes and working to pinpoint the exact problems. In the meantime, he is able to respond and communicate better than when he first became ill a week ago. Keep praying for Trey, the medical staff, and his family.
• Bobby Simpson is not progressing as well as hoped for. He is not ready for rehab. Pray for more strength and the ability to follow commands. Pray for his family as they continue to stay by his side at North Oaks.

Christmas Card Project

Stamped Christmas cards are taken to the jail and distributed to the inmates so they can write Christmas messages to family members. You can give your cards to me or place them in the green basket near the front doors of First Baptist Church, Kentwood. You will be helping to bless families in a simple, but special way.

• Purchase Christmas cards, religious ones if possible.
• Place the cards in the envelopes
• Place a stamp on each envelope
• Turn in. (I’ll make the delivery to the jail.)
• Deadline – December 7th

Churches tend to be mission minded and involved in a number of projects. Get involved and find the one(s) that you want to support with you time, funds, etc.

Baptist Press

• The articles are new five days a week.
• I love the variety of the news articles.
• Choose what suits you best.
• https://www.baptistpress.com/

Quote by Avery D. Miller

“To be subjected to God’s will is not only to give Him priority in our lives, it is but to give Him complete control.”

Thanks for reading and praying. You impact many others with you words, actions and prayers!

Anna Lee

God has provided us another day.

Scripture Focus

Read the Bible in 2025

• November 25
• Jeremiah 23-25

Prayer Focus

Bobby and Betty Simpson – Prayers are appreciated.

Trey and Christy Harrison

(She surprised many of us by being in Sunday School and church yesterday leaving his mother at the hospital with Trey.) Please continue to pray.

Drop Off Week for Shoeboxes

Area churches are reminded to check here or with Samaritan’s purse to see what hours we will be available to receive and document your shoeboxes. I am thankful for those who will be volunteering to work for some or all of these eight days.

Baptist Press

I think you will enjoy several of the articles posted on https://www.baptistpress.com/.

Funeral Service

The service for Eddie Danley will be late this afternoon at FBC, Ponchatoula.

Devotional by Rev. Charles Spurgeon

“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen“

Romans 11:36

Thankfulness – Day 17

Today, I am thankful for all those who volunteer to pack “Shoeboxes” for the Samaritan’s Purse ministry, Operation Christmas Child. It takes so much time to train, shop, sort, document, fill, ship, and pray over and over again for the shoebox items, the lengthy process at each church, and from each church, through several important destinations before they reach the hands of the boys and girls. God really had a great plan to involve many people in missions. If you talk with a few people who are involved in the process, you will be amazed by their dedication and enthusiasm.

It’s only one way to “tell about Jesus”, but it is a great one that impacts many young lives each year. I hope that if you, your church, your school, your business will get involved if you are not already in this missions ministry.

Until tomorrow . . . .

Anna Lee

Today’s Bible Passage

Thankfulness

Today, I am thankful for all the church youth in my life. They mean so much to David and me.

Read the Bible in 2025

• November 16
• Jeremiah 18-22

Prayer Focus

Today, pray for those on your prayer list and thank God he allows us the wonderful privilege of talking with Him at any time we choose.

“Always be Ready”

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. ² Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. ³ Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, ⁴ but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. ⁵ But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

⁶ “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom ^[a]is coming; go out to meet him!’ ⁷ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ ⁹ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ ¹⁰ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

¹¹ “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ ¹² But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

¹³ “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour ^[b]in which the Son of Man is coming.

Matthew 25:1-13, NKJV

Have a Wonderful Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Today’s Verse

Thankfulness

Today, I am very thankful so many around me are saved. (I will be even happier if/when I can say everyone I know has a home waiting for them in heaven where they can live forever with Jesus.)

Obituary

Patricia Sanders Dixon

July 2, 1951 – November 14, 2025

A resident of Greensburg, LA, passed away on Friday, November 14, 2025 at Landmark Nursing Home in Hammond, LA. She was born July 2, 1951 and was 74 years of age. She was a retired school teacher and a loving Mom and Grandma. She is survived by her son, William “Billy” Charles Dixon, Jr.; daughter, Patty Dixon Wall and husband, James; brother, Burt Sanders and wife, Veronica; sisters-in-law, Crystal Watson and Carol Collins; mother-in-law, Nila Dixon; granddaughter, Caitlin Wall; great-granddaughter, Xelaya Adams; and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by husband, William Charles Dixon; parents, John and Cora Sanders; sister, Elizabeth Wallace; brothers, Travis Sanders, Donald Jerry Sanders, and Daniell Sanders. Visitation at First Baptist Church of Greensburg from 9:30AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Monday, November 17, 2025. Services conducted by Rev. Shawn Ostoj. Interment Greensburg Cemetery, Greensburg, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Read the Bible Today

• Nov. 15
• Jeremiah 14-17

Religious Christmas Cards and Religious Stamps for Prisoners

If you are out-and-about today, maybe you can purchase Christmas cards for inmates that we will deliver to the jail for you. You are requested to put the cards in the envelopes and stamps on the envelopes. Please turn the cards in at the December 6th WMU meeting at Spring Creek or by December 7th at FBC, Kentwood. The cards will be promptly delivered to the jail so they can be sent out to family members in time to Christmas. I know families will be thrilled to hear from a family member unable to attend Christmas family gatherings.

Operation Christmas Child

I often talk about churches packing large numbers of shoeboxes, but I want to invite you to pack boxes on your own too. They can be dropped off at FBC, Kentwood just like the others. Be sure to check back on here or in the Samaritan’s Purse site for the times to turn them in. Boxes packed by individuals receive the same treatment and travel along with those in large groups. Ar the end of their journey, they will be in the hands of a boy or girl somewhere to tell the child and extended family about Jesus and to provide the child with toys, school supplies, etc. For each box you pack you are being a missionary who tells approximately ten others about Jesus.

Don’t forget to prepare your Sunday School lesson from Deuteronomy 28th.

Today, I want to share a quote by Avery D. Miller.

“Hope is patiently waiting espectantly for the intangible to become reality.”

Sometimes a person has to wait a long time. Be patient and wait anyway.

“Verse of the Day”.

May you be both blessed and a blessing to others today!

Anna Lee

Thankfulness

Today, I want to begin with something else I am thankful for. I am thankful for the many Bible studies I have been through and many opportunities to learn more and more through reading the Bible and hearing sermons. I was going through some books yesterday and found lots of Bible studies I have completed. I wish I could remember every fact I have studied, but that was never a reality. I’ll continue to read and study.

Obituary

Frank Edward “Eddie” Danley, Jr.

March 28, 1952 — November 10, 2025

Folsom

Eddie was born March 28, 1952, in New Orleans, and passed peacefully, surrounded by family, and has gone to his eternal home with God on November 10, 2025, in Covington, Louisiana. He was a resident of Folsom. Eddie was a member of First Baptist Church, Ponchatoula, where he served on the Board of Deacons and was a dedicated choir member where singing was his ministry, and he used his voice to praise God. He was also a member of Red Stick Sound, a men’s acapella group that met weekly. He was a graduate of Acadia Baptist Academy in Eunice and attended Southeastern Louisiana University. Eddie retired as a supervisor with the Louisiana State Department of Children and Family Services. He recently said that his children were his best friends, but he had a special joy for time spent with his grandchildren. His hobbies included singing, traveling and following any LSU sport (Geaux Tigers!). Eddie had too many friends to count because he’s never met a stranger. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Pam Swede Danley; children, James Adam Danley, Sr. (Carrie), Sarah Frannon Hicks (Scott), Blake Edward Danley, Sr. (Elizabeth), Eric Alexander Danley (Sierra), and Philip Eli Danley (Hannah); grandchildren, James Danley, Jr.(Hailey), Teddy Dupré, Frannon Dupré, Madison Danley(Tori), Blake “Beaux” Danley, Jr., Ethan Danley, Dera-se Hicks, Elvin Hicks, Franklin Hicks, Molly Hicks, Stevie Jolene Danley, Samantha Falgout(Jacob), and Breanna Matherne(Ryder); mother, Elsie McElveen Danley; and sisters, Ruth Stagg (Robert), and Molly Travis (Brian);Brother-in-law, Ron Swede. Visitation will be held at First Baptist Church, 325 East Pine Street, Ponchatoula, Monday, November 17, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. until funeral services at 6:00 p.m. conducted by Dr. David Cranford.

In Lieu of flowers the family request donations to be made in his name to First Baptist Church of Ponchatoula for the choir ministry or the Honduras Medical Mission trip.

Verse of the Day

Prayers Appreciated

• Trey Harrison
• Andy Taylor
• Bobby Simpson
• Barbara Erwin
• Taylor Buckley
• Ferrie Gene Blackmon
• Eddie Keith Schwartz
• J.C. Miller
• Robert and Ora Lee Wilson
• Bro. Joe and Barbara Baugh
• Keith Allen
• Laurie Miller
• Ruby Schwartz
• Gail Brister
• Dorothy Wall
• Glen and Bobbie Magee
• Theople Hurst

‘This Is the Truth!’ 

But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

Acts 24:14-16 NKJV

Sunday School Lesson for 11-16-25

(Explore the Bible Series)

• “Covenant Relationship”
• Deuteronomy 28:1-6 and 15-19

Reading the Bible in 2025

• November 14
• Jeremiah 10-13

Don’t Forget Christmas Cards

• Will be given to parish inmates
• Religious cards and religious stamps, if possible
• Apply the stamp to the envelope and place the card inside the envelope, please.
• Deadline – December 7th

OCC Drop-off Week

FBC, Kentwood is the area drop-off location.

Be sure to check here or on the OCC link for times.

You have eight days to turn in your shoeboxes!

Thank-you for helping to bless so many people with knowledge of Jesus and the opportunity to be saved as well as a box it items for a child somewhere around the world.

Thank-you to Franklin Graham and others for providing this opportunity for us. May we always take advantage of OCC!

Enjoy another beautiful fall day.

Anna Lee

Verse of the Day

Thankfulness – Day 13

Today, I am thankful to be a local in small town America. I love knowing how to get around without a map and for knowing people who own and/or employed by many and varied businesses. I like to see green grass and trees, not buildings and highways everywhere. I like knowing people who are first responders, medical workers, clerks in many stores, teachers, and being able to worship God with many people I know. I enjoy knowing neighbors and knowing many people who would be willing to help me, if called upon. I love being able to check on people I know and knowing people when their names are on a prayer list. Yes, I am very thankful to live in my portion of America.

Prayer Needs

• Trey Harrison and family
• Bobby and Betty Simpson
• Andy and Betty Taylor
• Ferrie Gene Blackmon
• Robert and Ora Lee Wilson
• Bro. Joe and Barbara Baugh

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Obituaries

Michaela Renee’ Gray

April 10, 2002 – October 25, 2025

A resident of Walker, LA, passed away on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at Ochsner Medical Center in Baton Rouge, LA. She was born April 10, 2002 in Baton Rouge, LA and was 23 years of age. She is survived by her mother, Lisa Davidson Gray; daughter, Analise Marie Gray; grandmother, Mary Davidson; aunt, Cynthia Renee’ Simoneaux Douglas; and a cousin, William Walter “Billy” Simoneaux. Preceded in death by her father, Gary Michael Gray; and grandfather, William Dewitt “Billy” Davidson. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 10:00AM until Memorial Services at 11:00AM on Monday, November 17, 2025. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Alma Maureen Simmons Downey

October 28, 1946 – November 11, 2025

A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at her home. She was born October 28, 1946 in Baton Rouge, LA and was 79 years of age. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, William Downey; 2 daughters, Morgan Downey Pierce and Rebecca Ann Downey; sister, Marilyn Simmons Yaun; brothers, John Hillary Simmons and wife, Thelma and Ted Alex Simmons and wife, Theresa. Preceded in death by her parents, John Hillary Simmons, Sr. and Margie Ricks Simmons; brother, Jeffery Scott Simmons. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 10:00AM until Religious Services at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, November 15, 2025. Services conducted by Bro. Don McGee. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Eddie Danley – I have been unable to locate this obituary.

Read the Bible in 2025

• November 13
• Jeremiah 7-9

Quote by Charles H. Spurgeon

Morning Thought

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain.

John 15:4 NIV

Reminder

Don’t forget to purchase some religious Christmas cards and stamps to send to parish inmates. Leave your cards in the entry of FBC or your local church. Deadline at FBC, Kentwood is December 7th.

Be appreciative of someone today. Tell them in person, a call, or a visit.

Thanks for reading TPL and praying today.

Anna Lee

Thankfulness

Today, I am thankful for friends. David and I know and love many people because of many different connections – families, neighborhoods, schools, churches, jobs, children’s schools, friends, etc. You do too! You don’t have to be a neighbor to stay connected. We treasure our friends for many reasons. They have been influential to our lives.

Let’s turn that around. We have been friends to many people. We have impacted lives in many ways. Were we a good influence? Let’s hope we were.

Verse of the Day

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Read the Bible in 2025

• November 12

• Jeremiah 4-6

Prayers Please

Pray for for Trey Harrison. He is hospitalized in Baton Rouge. His family requests prayers.

Please for the the Danley Family in the sudden loss of Eddie.

Drop-Off Week for OCC

• November 17-24
• Several area churches have completed their packing.
• There is still time to pack a few shoeboxes on your own.

Christmas Cards for Prisoners to Write & Send to Family

Please purchase some religious Christmas card and religious Christmas stamps that you apply to the envelopes. Place your cards in the green basket at church, give them to me any time OR take them to the association meeting of WMU at Spring Creek Baptist Church on December 6th.

Additional Bible Reading

‘Protectively Caring for His
Faithful Friends’

He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap;

he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor.

1 Samuel 2:8-9 NKJV

Have a great day! Help make today a great day for someone else!

Anna Lee

Obituary for Don’s Brother

Henry F. Schneeweiss, Jr.

https://www.bell-hennessy.com/obituary/Henry-SchneeweissJr?fbclid=IwY2xjawOBUp5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFrQ3E4R05xVDk5ZjhDZm9Tc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHuYmJku3ZtloxuHLuCnWIvfXuCgQ9aLi7NCy0fYvFHfomjLnz93wh7QNgd9I_aem_BucSK1UFPxztNzfp_OyUZw&brid=p8K3xJoSROTO8KsuydJJEA

https://www.bell-hennessy.com/obituary/Henry-SchneeweissJr?fbclid=IwY2xjawOBUp5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFrQ3E4R05xVDk5ZjhDZm9Tc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHuYmJku3ZtloxuHLuCnWIvfXuCgQ9aLi7NCy0fYvFHfomjLnz93wh7QNgd9I_aem_BucSK1UFPxztNzfp_OyUZw&brid=p8K3xJoSROTO8KsuydJJEA

Verse of the Day

Read the Bible Today

• November 11
• We’re beginning a new book of the Bible today. (Jeremiah 1-3)

Baptist Press

Please take time to read these articles today.

Texas pastor with legal status returns to home country amid yearslong visa backlog

‘God has put us in this place,’ says missionary couple

VETERANS DAY: The priceless debt we owe

VETERANS DAY: Scripture provides guide for healing after trauma

Thankfulness

Today, I am thankful for the ability to read. When I think of all the ways I read, I realize how different my life would be without reading.

Operation Christmas Child

Shoebox Collection Begins Next Week!

Your prayerfully packed Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes can be used by God to make an eternal difference in a child’s life! Start gathering gifts today for a child in need—National Collection Week, Nov. 17-24, is just one week away.

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Shoeboxes Open Doors for the Gospel

Johan was given a shoebox stuffed with goodies when he was 12. His favorite gift was a soccer ball. As he learned that the gift was a tangible expression of Christ’s love for him, he was eager to discover more about the Savior. He then participated in The Greatest Journey—our discipleship course for shoebox recipients—and that’s when he gave his life to Jesus. Now 18, Johan volunteers with Samaritan’s Purse at Operation Christmas Child outreach events. “You can find happiness and joy through a simple box,” he said. “I want kids to know that they can trust God no matter what.”Read Johan’s Story

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If you’re unsure what to pack, check out our gift suggestions and then find the nearest drop-off location where you can take your boxes. You can also Build a Shoebox Online.

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Declare His glory among the nations!
Psalm 96:3

Many area churches have completed packing their boxes and are ready to deliver to the drop-off location. That’s fantastic!

All sites will be open Monday, the 17th through Monday, the 24th. Be sure you know the hours to deliver your boxes because the hours are not the same each day and at different sites. The set hours will be staffed and prepared for your arrival.

See you soon if you deliver to Kentwood.

Devotional

He Rekindles Burned-out Lives’ 

⁸ He raises poor people up from the trash pile.

He lifts needy people out of the ashes.

He lets them sit with princes.

He gives them places of honor.

“The foundations of the earth belong to the Lord.

On them he has set the world.

I Samuel 2:8 NIV

CHALLENGE

Do something to make today a special day for someone. You don’t have to give a report to anyone. God will know!

Anna Lee

Good morning, November 10th. It’s cooler this morning and will be even cooler in the morning. I trust you had a wonderful Lord’s Day. We certainly did.

Verse of the Day

Read the Bible in 2025

• November 10
• Isaiah 64-66

Thankfulness

Today, I am thankful to be able to communicate with God and to know He listens for me and hears my prayers.

Prayer Requests

Please add Ricky Russell of Chesbrough to your prayer list. He has been in Lakeview hospital. Also, please pray for his wife, Brenda, and daughter, Jeana.

Continue to pray for Bobby and Betty Simpson, Andy and Betty Taylor, and others on your personal prayer list.

Baptist Press

In a deer stand, God calls widower to launch church cancer ministry at 76

With people suffering, Tennessee church SNAPped to attention

Have a wonderful day. Help make it a wonderful day for someone else.

Anna Lee

Thankfulness

Today, I am thankful for company. That may sound strange, but sometimes seeing other people is “good medicine”, especially if they are relatives.

Verse of the Day

Update

Robbie Lynn is back at her home. Thank you for prayer for her and her family.

Prayer Request

Please pray for Ricky Russell of Chesbrough. He is at Lakeview. His diagnosis is incomplete.

Read the Bible in 2025

• November 9
• Isaiah 59-63

Today’s Quote by a lady who has been a leading business advisor

“Faith is realizing that I am useful to God not in spite of my scars but because of them.”

— Pamela Reeve

NO NEW OBITUARTES

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee