Category: Inspirational

Monday

“The King will reply,

‘I tell you the truth,

whatever you did

for one of the least of these

brothers of mine,

you did for me.’

~Matthew 25:40~

During the holiday season, most of us will be doing special things for others.  Doing and giving is wonderful and one of the lessons that God wants us to learn early and do for many years.  I’m thankful when I hear of all those who are being blessed by our gifts of food, time, transportation, etc.  I hope this will continue all year long for all of us.

 

Mr. James Miller will be going to his doctor today for an update.  Pray for Mr. James and “Miss” Mary as they travel today and as they hear the report.  As you pray for them, don’t forget to pray for her son-in-law who is having a heart procedure this morning in Jackson.

Arie Annabelle Beulah Varnado Jennings of the East Fork community in Kentwood, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s residence on December 5, 2015.

She was born November 30, 1928 in Kentwood, LA. She was the daughter of John W. and Alma Dykes Varnado.

She was retired from the State of Louisiana where she worked for 38 1/2 years at the I-55 weigh station. She was a member of East Fork Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wallace Preston Jennings Sr.; two brothers and four sisters.

Survived by her children Mildred and Elder Douglas Graham, John and Shelia Jennings, Wallace Jr. and Veronica Jennings, Elsie and Tim Sharkey, and special friend Sam Agnello, grandchildren Harry and Darlene, Darrin and Bridget, Preston Sr. and Pam Graham, Joseph and Yolanda, and Christopher Jennings, Natalie and Dan’l Sr. Johnson, Sarah and John Campbell, Michael and Jaime Jennings, Laura and Maverick Guidry, Danny and Kylie Sharkey, Jessica and Daniel Venable, Taylor and Haileigh Sharkey, and step-grandchildren Tommy and Scott Thornhill, Billy and Sarah, Alan and Summer and Christopher Reeves; great- grandchildren Rebekah and Chris Burkes, Esther and Nathan Davis, Aaron Graham, Caleb and Kelsie, Jesse and Shelby Graham, Brittany Graham and Cody Coniglio, Precious and Presley and Preston Jr. Graham, Tyler and Corbin Jennings, Dan’l Jr, Skye, Charlotte, Summer, and Duke Johnson, Lucy Jennings, Rilee and Allee Sharkey, Lakelynn, Preston, Annabelle, and Peyton Venable; step-great-grandchildren Cody and Ava Thornhill, Brittany, Bailey, Alana, and LeeAnn Reeves, Kayla and Trent Seabrook, Abbie Jones; great-great-grandchildren, Elijah, Peyton, and Chase Graham, and was anticipating the arrival of great granddaughter, Jade, and a great- great –granddaughter, Aubrey Kate. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Harry Graham, Jr., Darrin Graham, Preston Graham, Joseph Jennings, Christopher Jennings, Michael Jennings and Danny Sharkey. Honorary pallbearers will be Preston Graham, Jr., Dan’l Johnson, Duke Johnson, Tyler Jennings, Corbin Jennings, Caleb Graham, Jesse Graham, Aaron Graham, Rilee Sharkey, Preston Venable and Peyton Venable.

Visitation is Monday at East Fork Baptist Church on 17280 Hwy. 1054 from 5PM until 9PM and continues Tuesday from 10AM until services at 11AM with Elder Douglas Graham, Elder Doyle Ball, Dr. Danny Smith and Bro. Gibbie McMillan Burial will be in the church cemetery under the direction of Sharkey Funeral Home in Summit, MS.

Share condolences at catchingsfuneralhome.com

Joey Feek

Joey’s faith is glowing!  Read why she said she would go through this cancer ordeal again.

http://www.godvine.com/read/she-s-fighting-for-her-life-and-says-it-s-all-worth-it-because-of-this–1140.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=fbpage&utm_campaign=gvupdate

 

All the area churches are having holiday programs, caroling, meals, and other activities.  I hope you will spend as much and more time in celebrating the birth of Jesus and doing for others as you do shopping for gift for people who already have more than they need.

 

Read the Bible in 2015

Scripture Writing

 

Food for Families 

David and I made the food delivery yesterday afternoon.  Once again, the food was greatly appreciated.  Thanks to the ladies who contributed frozen food this month.

Friday Morning Bible Study

  • Beginning the book of John with the introduction to the book
  • Please feel free to join us at 10 A.M.

 

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – Day 8

 

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

 

Show your Christian Christmas spirit today!

Anna Lee

Monday

“Finally, brethren, pray for us,

that the word of the Lord may run swiftly

and be glorified,

just as it is with you.”

~2 Thessalonians 3:1, NKJV~

( I thought this was an appropriate scripture for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering week.  It sounds like what missionaries would say to us if they visited in our homes/churches.)

Gloria Gill had a conversion of her heart.  It is back in rhythm.  If all went well last night, she will be back at home today.

Elaine Tolar Doucette will be having surgery Wednesday morning.  Please keep her and her family in your prayers.

Joey and Rory let us follow some very difficult days.  Your heart will be touched when you read this.                                 http://thislifeilive.com/braver-than-me/

Week of Prayer for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and International Missions: Day 2

“Water of Life” for Central Asians” – http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/details.asp?StoryID=13786#.Vlwkc2SrTx4

Scripture Writing

Starting tomorrow, I will give you a new option, scripture writing.  You’ll need a new notebook or journal.  I will give you a list of verses to write each day.  The first one is only four verses and takes about half a page/less than ten minutes.  I think you will enjoy reading and writing the December scriptures about the birth of Jesus.  Be ready to write tomorrow.

Read the Bible in 2015 – Deuteronomy 20-22

Devotional, Scripture, and a Hymn

 

Thankfulness: Day 30

Today, I’m thankful I don’t have to worry about coming “face to face” with Jesus one day.  I hope that as I step up that day that someone like Tennessee Ernie Ford is singing a solo such as “Face to Face with Christ, My Savior”.

How do you feel about coming face-to-face with Jesus?

Anna Lee

Sunday

Give thanks to the LORD,

for he is good;

his love endures forever.

~1 Chronicles 16:34~

 

 

 

Frieda Jones is having some pain issues following surgery that have affected her heart issues.  Please keep her in your prayers.

 

Fifth Sunday Singing at NZBC tonight at 6:30.  Among those singing tonight will be Bubba Roberts and Destiny Martin.  You are invited to come.

Today is day we have set aside to turn in stamped Christmas cards.  I will be delivering them to the jail tomorrow.

Next Sunday in our day to collect Frozen Food for Families.  If you have not already done so, you still have all week to put some food up to share next week.

 

Read the Bible in 2015 – I John 1-3

 

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

 

Thankfulness: Day 29

Many people are depressed at one or more times of their lives. especially the holiday season.  God is always there and hoping they will reach for “Higher Ground”.  He’s always willing to lift them up.

May this Lord’s Day be special to you.

Anna Lee

Saturday

“All of us should …

enjoy what we have worked for.

It is God’s gift.”

~Ecclesiastes 3:13 GNT~

 

Pray for Gloria Gill.  She has A-fib and is hospitalized for treatment.

 

Read the Bible in 2015 – Acts 19-20

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

 

Thankfulness: Day 28

Today, I want to describe some of the people who have been a blessing to my life.

  • The G.A. teacher who faithfully taught me about missions
  • The Training Union teacher who taught me to pray and care for the lost
  • The choir teacher who deepened my love for music at an early age
  • The new friends who recognized a loss caused by the death of a loved one
  • Church friends who cared for my family in the time of a more recent loss
  • Two young men who led the way for many opportunities to serve at an early age
  • A husband willing to do almost anything to assist in caring for others
  • An elderly deacon who bragged on my children, “not kids”
  • Children who served along side of me in numerous ways
  • A mother who taught me to “give” to others
  • A father who taught me to work and enjoy accomplishments
  • Faithful Christian friends who support many church projects
  • And many more….

Who has been a positive influence in your life?

Anna Lee

 

Friday

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him

and praise his name.

~Psalm 100:4~

Rivers Wilkinson is scheduled to be released from the hospital today.  Let’s pray for the growing family.

Macy Gueldner was taken to the ER later yesterday afternoon because of fever.  The family needs our continued prayers.

Lisa Whitner Carruth is hospitalized with her husband, Danny, close to her side.  Keep them  in your prayers.

Mr. James Miller continues to need our prayers, support, and encouragement.

Read the Bible in 2015 – Malichi

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

  • God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

                                                                                                     ~1 John 3:20~

Thankfulness: Day 27

Today, I’m thankful for those who gave their Thanksgiving Day to provide service even it it meant being away from family.  The list is long: military, law enforcement, emergency workers, food service, store employees, etc.  I’m also thankful to those who open their homes to elderly neighbors, buy a meal for a man having his first Thanksgiving without his wife, caring for young couples far away from family, helping families spending the holiday in a hospital, etc.  These people remind me of the the hymn, “Others”.  I think these people make life better/happier for others.  What a blessing they are!

Anna Lee

Thanksgiving

I posted early this morning, but in pages, not posts.  I’m sorry I’m late correcting this mistake.  We haven’t been home.

If my people, who are called by my name,

will humble themselves and pray and seek my face

and turn from their wicked ways,

then I will hear from heaven,

and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

I think this is surely the proper verse for us today!

Macy Gueldner

We had a good visit in Memphis last week. Macy’s counts were good, so she had a lumbar puncture and chemo. Oh, and she started the dreaded dex (steroids.) She had a rough weekend, but she’s slowly getting better. She has leg pain from the vincristine, and suspected overall bone pain from the dex. Her mouth is FULL of tiny sores, and her doctor thinks that they’re probably down her throat, as well. So we’ll continue with the magic mouthwash, in addition to starting some nystatin.

We’re in Baton Rouge today for clinic. Her counts are good, so she’s about to get her chemo. They also gave her some extra morphine, because she’s miserable. But, no matter how she feels, she’s always in the mood to eat. So, I’m sure she’ll have a good day tomorrow. Happy Thanksgiving!

Please add Nyla Price to your prayer list.  She is in North Oaks with a problem with her esophagus.

Karie Winstead Blades

Born: June 19, 1935
Died: November 24, 2015

http://www.mckneelys.com/home/index.cfm?action=public:obituaries.view&o_id=3391390&fh_id=10545

Lance Stewart “Stew Meat” Woodard

Born: August 15, 1978
Died: November 24, 2015

        http://www.mckneelys.com/home/index.cfm/obituaries/view/fh_id/10545/id/3391710

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

Read the Bible in 2015 –  Ecclesiastes 11-12

Devotional, Scriptures, and a Song

Thankfulness: Day 26

I am thankful to Jesus for all He has done for me, my family, my friends, my country, etc.  I’m just thankful.  Yesterday, a number of my friends shared their favorite songs. Each time, I thought to myself, “Yes, that is my favorite”.  As I thought about it some more, I think my thankful goes back to God.  Thanks to Will Ricks for reminding me of “Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart”.

Spend as much time being thankful today as you do eating!

Anna Lee

Tuesday

For everything God created is good,

and nothing is to be rejected….

~1 Timothy 4:4~

 

New baby: Rivers Wilkinson…7 lb. 11 oz…22 in. ..Born Sunday

Parents: Jacob and Hannah Shockley Wilkinson

Big brother: Brooks

Dan Turner

As you have already read, my spasticity affects my left leg and left hand. I’ve noticed that the improvement is more noticeable in my left leg than in my left hand. There’s a reason for this and it’s because of simple physics. The specific gravity of Baclofen is greater than the specific gravity of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This causes intrathecal Baclofen to “settle” in the lower CSF space, rather than it being evenly distributed throughout all of the CSF that surrounds my spinal cord. Because of this “settling”, intrathecal Baclofen works better for the lower extremities than it does for the upper extremities. This doesn’t mean that Baclofen does not help relax muscle spasticity in upper extremities; the benefits are just more noticeable in the lower extremities. I developed this little specific gravity theory during my research prior to the surgical implantation of my intrathecal Baclofen pump and knew this was a possibility. Now, I can tell you it is for real—my leg is winning the “less spasticity” race. I think it’s cool how we can’t escape physics, although, it would be nice if I could escape it this time.

Frances Gay received a wonderful health report yesterday!  I’m so glad she called with the results before she left Hammond.  God is good!

Mr. James Miller went to St. Tammany again and began the treatment that was scheduled for December 4th.  Keep him high on your list.

Operation Christmas Child report from Mary Alice Fox (Gastonia, N.C.)

Greetings from NC.  Hope you are doing well and are looking forward to a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I have followed with interest your Operation Christmas Child activities and thought you would like to hear what we are doing here.
Our church serves as a relay station for churches in 3 counties.  Frank and I have worked there during collection week since we retired – he longer than I since he retired earlier.  When I walked in Monday I was amazed at the number of boxes – never seen that many there that early.  It seems that when they were setting up the building Sunday they received almost 800 boxes and they weren’t even open for collection.  Across the course of Monday – our first day – we packed 1416 shoeboxes into cartons to be shipped to Charlotte.  That was a record number.  So I thought Tuesdaywould be slow.  Not so.  1463 boxes came in that day.  We stayed busy all day – so much for a slow day.  I didn’t work again until today which is the final day.  Don’t have a count but for the first time ever we had to have a 5th cargo trailer to carry all the boxes.  We average 25,000 boxes when you include those that were boxed when they came to us from other relay stations.  We are certain that we did better this year so there was much excitement at the end of the day.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Mary Alice
Read the Bible in 2015: Ezra 6-10
Baptist Press – bpnews.net

Today at 11:00  – “Young” Ladies’ Birthday Party at The Cafe in Kentwood

There will be NO Bible Study this week due to the holiday.

Some churches are not having prayer meeting Wednesday.  Check with your local church.

We will be collecting stamps to affix to Christmas cards donated by Miss Fay Shoemaker which are being sent to prisoners at the parish jail.  This will enable them to write to family members this Christmas season.  The deadline is Sunday, November 29th.

 

 

Today’s devotional will be different.

Joey and Rory – http://thislifeilive.com/enough/ (written about a month ago)

Think on that word “Enough”.  To say it means so much.  It means “Peace”!

“It is Well with My Soul” can only come with God’s peace.

http://tasteofcountry.com/joey-feek-it-is-well-with-my-soul/ (Watch the video.)

Now, is a good time to make your list of what you are thankful for this year.  I doubt new cars, houses, boat, jobs, etc. will be on your list after you read and watch these links.

Song of the Day – “When Peace Like a River” 

 

Thankfulness: Day 24 – Peace in my soul

 

I trust you can also say you have that peace.  If not, seek a person who can help you reach that point.

Anna Lee

 

Monday

For this reason,

ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus

and your love for all the saints, 

I have not stopped giving thanks for you,

remembering you in my prayers.  

~Ephesians 1 : 15-16~

 

Thankfulness: Day 23

I’m thankful for each of you who read my thoughts each day and encourage me.

Mrs. Betty Catherine Hatcher asks us to keep praying for her sister-in-law, Mrs. Flo Hatcher.

Kathryn Meadows continues to need our prayers too.

Pray for all those who had surgery last week as they have follow-up appointments this week.

 

Kevin Egnew

Born: December 05, 1972
Died: November 21, 2015

        http://www.mckneelys.com/home/index.cfm/obituaries/view/fh_id/10545/id/3389214

Blood Drive – David Wickham

The Memorial Blood Drive for DAVID WICKHAM is tomorrow (Nov 24) from 3 PM until 7 PM at TPFD 1 Station 1! This is the fire station by the railroad! (210 NE Central Avenue) Please help make this a success!

 

Operation Christmas Child

https://www.facebook.com/OCCshoeboxes/?fref=nf

Read the article with the picture lots of balloons and children.  This would certainly be a  wonderful idea.

 

Joey and Rory

I found this page this morning while looking for the latest post.  I didn’t find it, but thought you might enjoy reading some of these stories.

http://thislifeilive.com/scenes/

 

 

Read the Bible in 2015 – Deuteronomy 16-19

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

 

We need to be sure our prayer time is a two-way communication.

Anna Lee

Friday

“Now we who are strong

have an obligation to bear the weaknesses

of those without strength,

and not to ours selves.”  

~Romans 15:1, HCSB~

 

Thankfully, Jane Wickham is better and home again.  Pray that she will now be free of infection.

Jill Brister continues to do well following her neck surgery.  Pray she will endure the neck brace well for the remainder of the treatment time.

Keith Womack will be going to Shreveport for kidney stone surgery Monday.  Pray for relief from pain and no complications from surgery.

Mrs. Anne Hurst was in prayer meeting Wednesday.  It was so good to see her again.  She is thankful for her hospital stay because she feels so much better now.

Mr. James Miller is so much stronger than he was a week ago.  Pray for him as he begin treatment December 4th at St. Tammany.

 

 

Jerry Keith Porter

Born: October 17, 1955
Died: November 18, 2015

http://www.mckneelys.com/home/index.cfm?action=public:obituaries.view&o_id=3385397&fh_id=10545

Third Thursday at the cabin was great last night.  We had a large crowd and musicians/singers from five different churches as well as Bro. Gibby to share some comments with us.  Third Thursday is my favorite day/night of the month!  Thanks to everyone who attends and makes it all so special..

 

Read the Bible in 2015 – Zechariah 8-14

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

 

Women’s Ministry

  • Bible study this morning at 10:00  (We will begin a study of the book of John in a few weeks.)
  • Books of stamps are needed so we can stamp some Christmas cards for parish prisoners.  Deadline: Sunday, November 29th
  • We have achieved out Georgia Barnett Offering goal for 2015.  It will soon be time to begin the drive for funds for international missions.

 

Monthly Breakfast at Pine Ridge

Sunday morning at 8:00 the members of Pine Ridge United Methodist Church will host their monthly breakfast buffet.  Donations this month will go to a lady who has had a lengthy health issue.  You are invited to join them on the fourth Sunday each month.  A different person/cause is the beneficiary each month.

 

Devotional, Scripture, Quotes, and a Song

 

Thankfulness: Day 20

Expectations are wonderful.  Sometimes we live to meet our own expectations and sometimes for those of others.  Many have an expectation of Jesus’ return “One Day”.  I’m thankful to be in that number looking forward to that day and trying to make sure others have the same thing to look forward to.

I hope and trust you have a similar expectation.

Anna Lee