Category: Disaster Relief

Monday

“God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” 

~Matthew 5:7 NLT~

 

 

 

Scripture Writing Plan – “Patience and Perseverance” – Deuteronomy 31:6

 

 

 

Please continue to pray for Mr. Frank and “Miss” Barbara Erwin.  They are improving.  Your prayers will be greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

Kenneth Birch is recovering from hip surgery.  Keep him in your prayers,

 

 

 

The WMU meeting scheduled for this morning at Spring Creek has been postponed.  You will be notified when it is rescheduled.

 

 

 

Yesterday, I noticed a door hanger I have that says “Give Thanks”.  November is not the only time to be thankful!  Storm Barry can be described in many ways.  This morning, I want to give you some examples of how people are giving thanks concerning Barry.

First, most people in Baton Rouge and New Orleans are thankful water was diverted from the Mississippi River preventing flooding in the cities.  Meteorologists  made some educated predictions that were helpful in people being prepared for the storm.   Based on information available to them, some experts decided not to call for evacuation from areas that have previously flooded.  This seemed risky at the time, but was apparently the correct call and avoided thousands of people from leaving their homes and cities unnecessarily.

Many people were first responders.  I’m thankful for them and for not being one in the story named Barry.  I thank God for their willingness to help and their safety as they helped others.

I personally know a number of people who elevated their furniture, but didn’t flood.  One family that did that is Roy and Diane Turner.  The work was hard.  Their home did not flood,  but they were prepared.  They are thankful their home was spared and that they were able to prepare “just in case”.

I told David the route I was choosing to travel to church and back yesterday based on the number of trees that could have potentially fallen.  Later, we saw Sherry Gill Simpson and her parents.  They witnessed a tree falling across a highway, but they were still far enough away to be safe.  They were thankful they were spared.

I know people who had camps to flood, but homes that are not flooded.  I think they have to be thankful for a place to live that did not flood.

I know Louisiana Baptists will be working hard in the coming weeks to help those who had flooding.  I’m thankful to be a part of this group, even though I cannot personally help this year.  I know the home and business owners will be thankful for people who are willing to help them.  I remember all the trips David and others made to the lower ninth ward of New Orleans following Katerina.  People were thankful for help.  David and the other volunteers were thankful to be able to help out.  This is also true for the more local flooding in August 2016.  Thanks to all those who help with disaster relief in any way.

Our power went off twice, Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.   I’m thankful for the local men who work for Demco who got out in the bad weather and returned service to us.  We were prepared to be without service for a longer period of time, but so thankful when it came back on.

I’m thankful for store employees who had to deal with lots of people wanting bread, snacks, etc.  The delivery drivers we saw were working diligently for all the customers who would be purchasing food within a short period of time.

Who and what are you thankful for?  Did you take time to thank God for your safety and that of your property, your church, your neighbors, etc?  Did you think about the hours of family time people gave up to make life more convenient for us.  We all benefitted from time and effort of many others.  Were we polite and appreciative when we saw the people working?

Today is a good day to count our blessings!  Where will you start?  Who will you thank when you see them in the coming days?  Does God know you are thankful?  Did you tell Him?

We are receiving a hard rain right now.  We are dry.  The lights, television, etc are working.  We are in our own home.  Our neighbors are too.    We’re thankful!  How about you?

Anna Lee

 

 

Sunday

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

There is no commandment greater than these.”

~Mark 12: 30-31~

 

This day will be a good day to practice these verses.

 

 

 

Fay Chadwick Todd is doing well following surgery.  She thanks those who prayed for her.

 

 

 

The storm, Barry, is still around and still forecasted to bring us a lot of rain today.  I know some churches have cancelled services for today.  Other churches have adjusted schedules.  Some churches will have church as usual.  Other churches have not made a decision yet.  Be sure you are aware of your church’s schedule.

I don’t know of any flooding or serious problems in our area.  I do know that the Baptist Disaster Relief will be busy helping people who have damage.  I did read about one church that had roof damage.

Are you able to help?  Are you willing to help?

 

 

Scripture Writing Plan – “Patience and Perseverance” – I Peter 2: 19-23

 

 

 

Need some interesting reading today?  Try Thom Rainer’s blog.

https://thomrainer.com/blog/

 

 

 

Thankful to have electricity this morning!  Thankful to have water!  Thankful to have a roof!  Thankful to be safe and dry!

Anna Lee

 

 

 

Monday

“Look out for one another’s interests,

not just for your own”

~Philippians 2:4 GNT~

 

 

Please continue to pray for safety for everyone in our continuing weather storms.  Be thankful and appreciative to those who help keep us stay safe and comfortable and to those who come help clean up, Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief and others.

 

 

 

Sue Mason Hawkins

April 24, 1937 – May 18, 2019

A resident of Amite passed away on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born April 24, 1937 in Carthage, TX and was 82 years of age. She is survived by 6 children, Mark Hawkins and wife, Sandra, Susan Miller, Davey Hawkins and wife, Rashael, Elizabeth Hawkins, Stacey Slay and husband, Shane, and Tracey McKenna and husband, Duane; 12 grandchildren, Anthony Hawkins and wife, Katelynn, Jordan Hawkins, Sarah and Hannah Miller, Brittany Foley and husband, Michael, Nicholas and Lea Ann Hawkins, Dale and Vivian Slay, Mason, Mitchell, and Mattie McKenna; great-granddaughter, Ava Lynn Hawkins; brother, Robert Earl Mason. Preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Billy Frank Hawkins; grandson, Matthew Blake Hawkins; parents, James Robert Mason and Cecil Arnold Mason; brothers and sisters, Ouida Faye Morris, Ovie Nell O’Dell, and Bela Ray “Bud” Mason; infants sisters, Maxine Mason and Carlyn Ann Mason. Visitation at Kedron Baptist Church, Amite, from 10:00AM until religious services at 1:00PM on Monday, May 20, 2019. Services conducted by Rev. Byron Humphrey. Interment Killian Chapel Cemetery, Amite. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

 

 

 

Reading and Write the Bible today – “Abiding in Christ” – James 4: 7-8

 

 

 

My personal request today is that David be able to sleep at night, not just during the day.  Medication doesn’t seem to help.  Please pray with me,  Thanks!

Anna Lee

Saturday

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”  ~Luke 19:10 (NIV)~

 

 

 

Operation Christmas Child is the program that sends “shoeboxes” filled with clothing, toiletries, school supplies, and toys to children around the world.  By taking your gifts out of the bulky packaging, you can put more items in the “shoeboxes”.  I have a tote on the organ at church that contains some suggestions for purchases.  I hope you will check it out and have a great trip shopping.  If you attend another church in our area, feel free to go to the office during office hours and ask someone to show you where to look.  These are not the only items, but are good ideas of some of the things that can be purchased year-round.

You may want to craft some items: tote bags, jump ropes, bean bags with plastic pellets or small pebbles, pencil pouches, shirts, dresses, pillowcases, lap blankets, etc.  You can check Pinterest for many ideas.

Boxes will need $9.00 for postage.  Printed materials to introduce the children to Jesus will be added.  The printed materials are in the language of the country where the children live.  It is not a good idea to send printed materials written in English.

In early November, the boxes can be sent to a collection site.  FBC, Kentwood is one of the more local sites for many of you.  You can check the OCC site on the computer for more information about sites, packing, deadlines, etc.

 

 

 

Read & Write the Bible Today – Psalms 40: 1-3

 

 

 

Pray for the many people in Ruston and other areas who had tornado damage.  Below is a partial list of items you may want to contribute.

 

Image may contain: text

Meg is  currently on site in Ruston.  You can contact her in a few days or the missions office in Franklinton (Bro. Stan).

 

 

 

While I was reading about “No Clothing”, I thought of the Hope Center in Roseland.  They accept donations of various kinds, including clothing, Tuesday through Friday 9 A.M. – 5 P.M.

 

 

 

I hope you have received some ideas of how you can minister here in Louisiana and around the world.  Missions has many faces.  Learn to look for opportunities.

Anna Lee

 

 

Friday

“The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds.

All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds!

But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.” 

~Galatians 6:7-8 The Message~

 

 

 

 

Joanne Seymour  has been battling cancer.  Her recent scans were all clean.  That’s a whole year of good reports.  Please thank God for the good report.

 

 

 

Rick and Krystal Slaven Campbell are the proud parents of Abigail Olivia who was born yesterday morning at 8:55.  She weighed 7 pounds 14 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long.  Pray for them as they raise their precious daughter in a loving, Christian home.

 

 

 

Mary Criswell sent word that Hazel Allen passed away yesterday afternoon, but did not know any arrangements yet.  I will post them when they become available.

 

 

 

Thursday, May 2,  will be the annual National Day of Prayer.  Keep your eyes and ears open for ways you can participate.  The theme this year is  “Love One Another”.

 

 

 

Read and Write the Bible Today – Psalm 37: 5-9

 

 

 

Trained Disaster Relief Workers are needed in Ruston.  Also, items are being collected to distribute in Ruston.  You may be able to help.  Contact the BASELA office, Bro. Stan Statham, if you are able to help in any way.    985-515-4368

 

 

 

Thanks for reading and praying today.

Anna Lee

 

Tuesday

“I am the door;

if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved.” 

~John 10:9 NASB~

 

 

 

 

Pray for Mike Lambert who is hospitalized again.  Your prayers will be appreciated by his family and friends.

 

 

 

Read and Write the Bible Today – Hebrews 6: 16-18

 

 

 

If you have beads and other nice throws from recent parades, those items can be used in packing shoeboxes.  Also, small to medium size stuffed animals are also good.  You can leave these items in the church office or in the classroom next to the choir room.  Thanks for sharing your freebies.

 

 

 

Baptist Press – http://www.bpnews.net/

 

 

 

Disaster Relief provides help in many forms.   The Gospel is shared with people in times of need in addition to meeting physical needs.  You can become one of those who go and serve as needed when needed.

SBDR shines ‘ray of hope’ after southern storms

by David Roach, posted Monday, April 15, 2019 (14 hours ago)

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was updated April 15 at 3:25 p.m. with information from Louisiana.

ALTO, Texas (BP) — Southern Baptist Disaster Relief units have deployed across the South following a weekend of storms that caused at least eight deaths, injured dozens more and left damage from Texas to Georgia.In east Texas, DR units from both Texas Baptist Men and the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention deployed after an EF-2 and an EF-3 tornado touched down. At least four people in Texas died, according to media reports, including two children who were killed when a pine tree fell on the car carrying them near Pollok, Texas.

“When things seem really bad, we’re able to come in and just introduce that ray of hope for them to take the next steps,” Texas Baptist Men spokesman Rand Jenkins told NBC’s Dallas affiliate.

Texas Baptist Men, a ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, deployed DR teams to the hart-hit towns of Franklin and Alto, Texas, April 14, according to a BGCT news release. Their ministry has included feeding units, chainsaw crews, shower and laundry units, temporary roof installation, assessment and chaplaincy.

SBTC volunteers were headed toward Franklin with a quick-response mobile kitchen within two hours of an April 13 tornado, the North American Mission Board told Baptist Press. Self-contained like a food truck, the quick-response mobile kitchen is designed to serve a few hundred simple meals quickly before a larger feeding operation can be established. The unit also focuses on evangelism, the SBTC said.

A second SBTC DR team dispatched to Alto and focused on feeding and recovery.

“Lots of [church] members have gone out with chainsaws helping to clear the trees and the debris,” said Gary Pridemore, pastor of First Baptist Church in Alto, where the SBTC team has established a base of operations. Locals and outside volunteers “have been working like beavers getting all the trees cut up and roads cleared.”

In Mississippi — where at least one person died according to media reports — six local chainsaw teams deployed along with three teams focused on chaplaincy and assessment, NAMB said.

In Alabama, a DR team did chainsaw work in the city of Troy while another team did chainsaw and roof tarping work in Etowah County, Alabama Baptist DR director Mark Wakefield said.

At least one county worker died near Birmingham, Ala., when a vehicle struck him as he attempted to clear fallen trees from a roadway, according to media reports.

In Louisiana — where at least two deaths were reported — a DR team from Blanchard performed tree removal and roof repair work, according to Louisiana’s Baptist Message newsjournal. The team also distributed Bibles and water.

At one point on April 14, nearly 90,000 people across the South were without power because of the storms, the Associated Press reported.

Pridemore, of Alto, Texas, requested prayer for the safety of DR workers, the recovery of injured people and the spread of the Gospel.

“Pray that [DR work] will open doors to the ministry of the churches,” Pridemore said.

 

 

Thanks for reading and praying today.  As you pray, also remember those whose names have been listed lately and those whose names were not listed, but who have  spiritual, physical, emotional, medical, or financial needs.

Anna Lee

 

 

 

 

Wednesday

“Protect me, God, because I trust in you.

I said to the LORD, ‘You are my Lord. Every good thing I have comes from you.’” 

~Psalm 16:1-2 NCV~

 

 

 

Some prayer requests for today:

  • Fay Chadwick Todd is having a biopsy.
  • Jewel Y. Cutrer is in OLOL.
  • Heath Rohner is having cardiac issues.

 

 

Please continue to pray for:

  • Sylvester Humphrey of Amite
  • Phillip Strickland’s family
  • Eric Lee’s family

 

 

Things to be thankful for:

  • God’s love
  • Salvation
  • Medical personnel
  • Family
  • Friends
  • Prayers
  • Warm place to spend these cold nights
  • Spring flowers

 

 

Pray for the Baptist Disaster Relief Teams working in Alabama.  Pray for the families who experienced the loss of a family member and for those who will have many months of time recovering from the physical damage of the recent tornadoes.

 

 

Read and Write the Bible Today – Deuteronomy 15: 7-11

 

 

 

Georgia Barneette Offering for North American Missions – Day 4 

IT TAKES TIME

CHINESE CHURCH PLANTER

WESTERN, U.S.

https://www.anniearmstrong.com/chinesechurches/

 

 

 

In the busy life we all lead, take time to thank God for some of your many blessings from God.

Anna Lee

Thursday

 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

~Colossians 3:17~

 

 

Read the Bible

  • Hosea 3-4
  • Psalm 136
  • Luke 22

 

 

Pastor’s Wife Tragically Killed in New Orleans Carjacking

http://baptistmessage.com/pastors-wife-tragically-killed-in-new-orleans-carjacking/?fbclid=IwAR0_yofIwBLRycukSqR2lWDpb2W5PDWUhT98UxeSsL8IVMCDj5T_Rqujnqo

83-year-old travels globally for Great Commission

http://www.bpnews.net/52030/83yearold-travels-globally-for-great-commission

 

 

 

Minn.-Wis. Baptists continue CP climb

http://www.bpnews.net/52032/minnwis-baptists-continue-cp-climb

 

 

DR efforts continue in Carolinas, across U.S.

http://www.bpnews.net/52027/dr-efforts-continue-in-carolinas-across-us

 

 

Tebows ‘called’ to ‘Run the Race’ film

http://www.bpnews.net/52025/tebows-called-to-run-the-race-film

 

 

Reconsider Roe v. Wade, brief urges Supreme Court

http://www.bpnews.net/52018/reconsider-roe-v-wade-brief-urges-supreme-court

 

 

I hope these reading suggestions are “food for thought” today.

Anna Lee

Lord’s Day

”The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me—to tell people the Good News about God’s grace.”

 ~Acts 20:24 NCV~

Who Will Be in Heaven Because of You?

 

 

Mr. Jimmy Tolar and family watched the LSU game from his hospital room.  They made the most of the day at OLOL.  Mr. Jimmy is continuing to improve with the rehab therapy he is receiving.  Please continue to pray for Mr. Jimmy and “Miss” Naomi.

 

 

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief people are on location and working to help the people who have so many needs caused by Hurricane Michael.  Pray for each volunteer that they are able to help in many ways, especially spiritually, in the coming months.  The need is great.  The volunteers are numerous and trained for the responsibilities they are assuming.  May God be glorified because of work done in the wake of the hurricane.

 

 

 

Tonight,  the Two Rivers Annual Associational Meeting will be held at Montpelier.  Most area Baptist churches will not have regularly scheduled activities so members can be at Montpelier.  Monday morning, the Two Rivers WMU will meet at FBC, Kentwood for a quarterly meeting focusing on mission projects.  I hope many of you will be able to be in attendance at both of these meetings.

 

 

 

I did some shopping for OCC school supplies.  Although I found a plentiful supply of many items, I came home with only one $1.00 calculator.  I hope you will be more fortunate than I was with calculator shopping.  After Monday, I’ll be setting a day for us to work on the new school supplies and get them packed in shoeboxes.  Stay tuned for that date.  The November collection dates will be here before long.  Let’s have our work finished so we can box our boxes the first week of November.  The national collection week is November 12-19.  If you have not returned the boxes you packed, please get them to the church in the next couple of weeks.  Thanks for your help with this project.If you have any questions about Operation Christmas Child, I will do my best to answer them.  If I can’t do that, I know several people who I can refer you to.

 

 

 

Our area churches will soon be collecting stamped Christmas cards for the inmates at the Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parish jails.  They will be due to the first Sunday of December.  I know of some people who have received a Christmas card that we have given.  Both the sender and the receiver were blessed by the cards.  The more cards we turn in, the more people who can/will be blessed.

 

 

Read the Bible

  • Jeremiah 17-18
  • Psalm 119: 97-104
  • Revelation 5

 

 

“God is So Good” is a simple song with a great message.

I included a children’s version and and adult version.

I hope this song will be repeated over and over in your heart and mind today.

Anna Lee

 

 

 

 

Saturday

”The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me—to tell people the Good News about God’s grace.” 

~Acts 20:24 NCV~

 

 

Please continue to pray for all the people whose lives are forever changed because of Hurricane Michael this week.  This includes the victims and those who are there now and will be there in the future to help the people recover.  I know we all relate to their problems because of hurricanes we have experienced.  We can’t changes the storms of our lifetime, but we certainly can find ways to help those who have been in the storms.  One advantage of being a part of this recovery is to know that many of the volunteers there are Christians who have a special message of Christ’s love for the people.  Christian volunteers help others meet physical and spiritual needs.
“Let Others See Jesus in You”

Kenneth O’Brian

January 21, 1935 – October 08, 2018A resident of Roseland, La, passed away on Monday, October 8, 2018 at Lake Pines Hospital in Kenner, La. He was born January 21, 1935, in Roseland, LA and was 83 years of age. He is survived by his son, John O’Brian and wife, Darolyn; 2 grandchildren, Serenity and Lawrence O’Brian; brother, Alvis O’Brian and wife, Melvalene; sister, Imogene Ridgedell; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his wife, Melanie Dufrene O’Brian; parents, Johnnie O’Brian Sr. and Mattie Sandifer O’Brian; and 4 brothers, Johnnie O’Brian Jr., J.W. O’Brian, Werlein O’Brian and Ray O’Brian. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Thursday, October 18, 2018. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

 

 

 

Read the Bible

  • Jeremiah 15-16
  • Psalm 119: 89-96
  • Revelations 4

 

 

 

Don’t forget to make plans to attend the Two Rivers Associational WMU meeting Monday at FBC, Kentwood.  The leadership team will meet at 9:00 before the 10:00 meeting.  The program will be about mission opportunities.  A covered dish lunch will conclude the gathering.  You’ll be blessed by being there and miss out if you are not in attendance.

 

 

Special need – We have some shoeboxes that are short on school supplies, so I am asking you to help us with highlighters, large erasers, glue sticks, and pens.  These items will be needed within the next week or so.  Thanks, in advance, for helping with these needs.

 

 

Today, I want to share another quote that is hanging in Mrs. Barbara Watson’s S.S. classroom.

“Faith is not knowing

what the future holds,

but knowing who holds the future!”

 

With that knowledge comes a peace you could not have otherwise.
Anna Lee