He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.

~Psalm 40:3~

Donna Fay Miller is home from the hospital . Please continue to pray for her as she progresses through her recovery. Thank you

Firma Kay

Pray for my cousin Scott, who lives in Shreveport. He has Huntington’s disease. The past few days he has been hospitalized and has developed an infection. Pray it can quickly be cleared up. I usually call him my Texas cousin, but the family has moved east a little bit. Pray for Scott’s wife, Brenda, as she carries a big load for Scott and others in the family.

Read the Bible in 2020: Day 12

Genesis 26:17-27:46
Matthew 9:1-17
Psalm 10:16-18
Proverbs 3:9-10

Join me in thanking God for protection for our area during the storm.

Pray for our country as we face another difficult week. Ask God to guide the politicians and other people in a way that they can work together again.

Anna Lee

Saturday – Posting early due to weather conditions.

“Don’t just do what you have to do to get by,

but work heartily,

as Christ’s servants doing what God wants you to do.”

~Ephesians 6:6 The Message~

I’m posting early because my satellite may not work in the morning if the weather they are predicting makes it to Kentwood.

Donald Alford is back at St. Tammany for a few days. Keep him in your prayers.

Jodi and Scott Ratliff’s 13 year old son, Christian, has been dealing with meningitis. The good news is that he is a little better. Keep praying. Christian is hospitalized in Baton Rouge.

Do you remember Jadon, the young boy who had half of his brain rep\moved to prevent seizures? Today, he celebrated eight years of being seizure free! Go, God!

Read the Bible in 2020 – January 11th

Genesis 24:52-26:16
Matthew 8:18-34
Psalm 10:1-15
Proverbs 3:7-8

Stay safe. Check on your friends/neighbors who may need some help tonight or tomorrow.

Anna Lee

Friday

I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.

~Ezekiel 11:19~

I don’t plan to turn this site into a daily weather report, but know we can possibly have some bad weather in the next few days. Stay alert. Pray for all the people who will be affected by this front moving through our area.

Mrs. Annaliese Neal – Corrected information. Mrs. Annaliese was taken to Hood Hospital for tests and released to go home.

Donna Fay Miller is now a patient at Ochsner on O’Neal in Baton Rouge. Please add her to your prayer list.

Buddy Bel, Amite’s mayor, fell night before last and is now hospitalized at North Oaks with a concussion. Please pray for him.

Larry Bankston is doing better and may be released from North Oaks to go home Saturday or Sunday. Pray for him to continue to improve.

Read the Bible in 2020 – December 10th

Genesis 23:1-24:51
Matthew 8:1-17
Psalm 9:13-20
Proverbs 3:1-6

It’s beginning to look a lot like . . . Operation Christmas Child! David and I missed out on so much last year when he was not healthy, but are making up for lost time this year. We have had some good help already this year. If you have a couple of hours to give, please let us know. We’ll plan to meet with you and work together. If you are available to shop, check the list on the bulletin and happy shopping. Thanks to those of you who shopped the first week and already turned in some items. I pray this is our best year of shoeboxes ever! Last year’s 415 boxes X 7 people each one influences = 2,905 people who had an opportunity to learn about and grow to love Jesus. The possibility for more people being influenced is up to each of us!

Quote from Andy Stanley:

“You have no idea the number of people that God may want to influence through you.”

Anna Lee

Thursday

I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them;

I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.

~Ezekiel 11:19~

First, let me tell you I gave you the wrong number for David‘s blood level this week. It was 8.5, which is still strong compared to where he has been in the last year. We are so amazed at the improvements we have seen in his health and thank God.

Ferrie Gene Blackmon‘s surgery Monday went well. So did Katie Brabham‘s surgery yesterday. Keep these two ladies in your prayers as they heal.

Kristi Alford in trying a new treatment because the previous one was not helping. Remember to pray for Kristi and her family.

Freddy Bales is undergoing cancer treatment in Hammond. Pray for him and his family as they make adjustments in their daily routine.

Annalyce Neal was involved in a traffic accident with a garbage truck yesterday. The report I heard was that she is now in North Oaks.

Our daughter and granddaughter have spent the last week preparing their European home for them to move. Today, they will sell many of their possessions and all their furniture. Pray for energy as they complete their task and return to the states.

Christian Ratliff, 13 year old son of Scott and Jodi Ratliff, is hospitalized at OLOL with meningitis. Please pray for all involved in his care.

Read the Bible in 2020 – January 9

Genesis 20:1-22:24
Matthew 7:15-29
Psalm 9:1-12
Proverbs 2:16-22

There will be several showers at church in the next month. Be excited for newlyweds and new babies.

Check on a friend you haven’t seen or heard from lately. They may need your encouragement.

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“People who promise things they never give

are like clouds and wind that bring no rain.”

~Proverbs 25:14 GNT~

Please add Larry Bankston of Roseland to your prayer list. He is in ICU at North Oaks.

David‘s blood level was 9.1 yesterday. He got his Procrit injection and is lined up for another one last week. That number is lower than it has been in recent weeks, but higher than it was for many months. David surprised another nurse practitioner who saw him in the hallway. She was shocked to see him with a cane, not a walker! God has been so good to us! Thanks for your many prayers.

Read the Bible – Day 8 of 2020

Genesis 18:16 – 19:38
Matthew 6:25 – 7:14
Psalm 8: 1-9
Proverbs 8:6-15

https://oneyearbibleonline.com/nltaudio/?nltdt=0108

As we consider the problems in the Middle East today, let us focus on Joshua 1:9.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” NIV

This lets us know that NOW is a good time to pray for our country!

Our trips to Ochsner in Baton Rouge have allowed us to stop and shop some for Operation Christmas Child. That’s like “taking lemons and making lemonade”!

Enjoy the change of temperatures today!

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“Today I am giving you a choice.

You can choose life and success or death and disaster.

I am commanding you to be loyal to the LORD, to live the way he has told you, and to obey his laws and teachings.

You are about to cross the Jordan River and take the land that he is giving you.

If you obey him, you will live and become successful and powerful.”

~Deuteronomy 30:15-16~

Randy and Melody Walker are asking for prayers as they await results of a MRI to be done tomorrow. Their 16 year old daughter, Leah Grace, who has already had a brain tumor removed will be the patient. She had not problems following the original surgery.

There is much sickness and several procedures happening for friends and family. Please be thankful if you are healthy and prayerful for those who have problems.

Sunday morning, we stayed home to miss the big crowd due to David’s fragile health, but were watching the live broadcast. We are thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the service that way. We are thankful for another couple joining our church Sunday. Next Sunday, the service will begin with another baptism. Way to go, God!

Read the Bible in 2020 – January 7

Genesis 16:1 – 18:15
Matthew 6: 1-24
Psalm 7: 1-17
Proverbs 2: 1-5

Thanks to the Sunday School classes/individuals who have made their plans and started to shop for Operation Christmas Child. I hope the participation will help people understand how they can be missionaries to children/families in other parts of the world.

I realize many people don’t sleep at night. Let’s pray for them to get the rest they need at night to function as necessary during the day.

Anna Lee

Saturday

“May [God] keep us centered and devoted to him, following the life path that he has cleared, watching the signposts, walking at the pace and rhythms he laid down for our ancestors.”

~1 Kings 8:58 The Message~

Daily Bible Readings for Saturday, January 4

Genesis 5:1 – 10: 32
Matthew 4: 12-25
Psalm 4: 1-8
Proverbs 1:20-23

A large number of people at FBC, Kentwood picked up a daily Bible reading guide. There were only a couple left yesterday, so more were printed and are now available. I’m thankful that many are interested in reading together this year. Let’s keep it up for the entire year. If you miss a day, just read extra the next day. If you didn’t start yet, it’s not too late, You can get a copy of the plan Sunday and make Sunday day one or read a little extra each day for about a week and be caught up by this time next week. It doesn’t even matter if you choose to read at a slower pace as long as you choose to read your Bible. Remember, extra copies are available at church for those who didn’t get one yet.

My sister, Julie, and I worked on cutting and sewing the cutest wash cloths I have ever seen yesterday. We made 182 before running out of fabric. I’ll be purchasing more soon. Who would want a plain wash cloth when they can have a colorful one with dogs, balls, etc.? We also made them in varying sizes for the three different age groups. I think they will be a big hit! We will be working again in two weeks to make more so we will have enough for all the “shoeboxes” we pack.

I also was able to make a number of matching games yesterday. I didn’t get a count yet. I love the idea of working together to make items that will lead to boys and girls learn about Jesus. Isn’t it wonderful how God can use simple things like washcloths, games, tooth brushes, school supplies, and even soap to help introduce children around the world to Jesus? Remember, each “shoebox” impacts and average of seven lives for Jesus!

You can be a part of this ministry too. Let me know how you want to contribute – items, shopping time, labor, funds. I will also be happy to show any of you our project/storage room. It will bring a smile to your face. I know it did for my sister yesterday. It is very rewarding to us to realize the eternal value of this mission project.

Please be in prayer for this ministry of Samaritan’s Purse. It has grown so much and now reaches out to more and more people each year. It’s easy and very rewarding to be a tiny part of sharing Jesus with others. If you know of anyone who needs help getting started packing “shoeboxes”, I will be glad to help them get started.

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/

Bro. Joe Baugh has a saying he uses to encourage people to get involved. It goes something like this: “If you are not excited about ________. your firewood must be wet!”

I love telling others about Jesus. Our mission is to go and tell. I think “shoeboxes” do an excellent joy of giving us an unlimited opportunity to go and to tell.

Anna Lee

Friday

It’s smart to be patient.”

~Proverbs 14:29 CEV~

Donald “Red” Alford is home again after spending several more days in St. Tammany. His oncology visit has been postponed for a couple weeks. Please pray for Donald and his family as they make adjustments at home for him.

God Is Using a Small Texas Church to Bless Many Thousands of Children

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/god-is-using-a-small-texas-church-to-bless-many-thousands-of-children/?utm_source=OCCFacebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=m_YOCC-20SM&utm_content=010220_link_ARTICLE_brumbelows&fbclid=IwAR2NtVE4ERoPjsbkQFxFTEu2qQpqBI-b70DE7kRfmuSrpAi1aBkdteqOA50

The Greatest Journey

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/tgj-game-app/?utm_source=OCCFacebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=m_YOCC-20SM&utm_content=10220_link_APP_greatest-journey-announcement&fbclid=IwAR28h1EI0sPRVXx8CbxnjjZCEvzVHWQnmYHJ4GFQqPW6zg4e54MnuVfP69A

Read the Bible in 2020 – Day 3

Genesis 5:1 – 7: 24
Matthew 3: 7 – 4: 11
Psalm 3: 1-8
Proverbs 1: 10-19

I pulled out an old Bible to use for my readings this year and purchased some fine-point colored pins to underline, circle, star, etc. That method keeps me fully involved in reading and learning.

David and I shopped briefly yesterday and found some 2019 calendars. I will cut the pictures and place them inside the cover of the shoeboxes. If you are capable of cutting and gluing paper, let me know when you are available to help. Today, my sister and I are planning to make washcloths for all the shoeboxes. I’m looking forward to our work today.

It’s smart to be patient.”

~Proverbs 14:29 CEV~

How are you wisely and patiently using your time for others?

Anna Lee

Thursday

“Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.”

~Proverbs 3:27 NLT~

K.K.’s update on Josiah Huckaby

Happy baby
Weaning off some of his medications
Soon to be three
Starting school when he turns three
Happy and smiling

Little Adrian Strickland will soon be home. Doctors at CHNO took care of his dental issues.

Jules Tanksley is home from CHNO. She received beads representing all she has been through at the hospital.

Donald Alford does not fit the same age category as they three I already listed. Donald was called back to the hospital Tuesday and has been undergoing texts and observations there. He should be able to return home today. Please continue to pray for Donald and his family.

Read the Bible in 2020

January 2

Genesis 3: 1-4, 26
Matthew 2: 13 – 3:6
Psalm 2: 1-12
Proverbs 1: 7-9

I’m stopping now because of the weather. Hopefully, this will post.

Anna Lee

Monday

Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.

~Psalm 119:165~

Scripture Writing for December 30th – Titus 3: 3-7

Read the Bible in 2020 – You can pick up your copy of the Scripture references for January through April at FBC, Kentwood. Ask for the yellow copies in the church sanctuary. Get your paper now so you will be ready to read on the 1st. I will be posting each day for those who choose not to get a paper of their own. How many of us will complete the readings this year? I know I have finished some years and other years dropped off during the year. Even then, I was glad I had read the portion of the Bible I read. There is never a failure when you read God’s Word!

Please continue to pray for Donald “Red” Alford. His next scheduled appointment is January 7th.

Pray for Dennis “Big D” Price. He is fighting some blood clots and a-fib. Your prayers will be appreciated.

Thank-you for reading and praying.

Anna Lee