Category: Inspirational

Thursday

“Don’t worry about anything,

but in everything,

through prayer and petition with thanksgiving,

let your requests be made known to God.”

~Philippians 4:6, HCSB~

Yesterday, when I offered to do something for Jane Wickham, she only asked for prayers.  So many people need to know the power of prayer and then use it.

Jane Wickham is at North Oaks.  Her request is for prayer.

Freida Jones went home yesterday afternoon.  Keep her in your prayers as she heals.  The  surgery went well.  Now, pray for the healing process.

Kendall Ott is doing well.  He was also able to come home yesterday.  He will get good care at home.  Pray for his healing.

Jesse Dean has had some difficult days following his neck surgery.  Pray for him as he sees this doctor today.

Mrs. Anne Hurst was able to be at prayer meeting.  She is thankful for the progress she has made.  Keep her on your prayer list.

Both Kenneth Birch and Kenny Ray Gill had surgery Tuesday at Our Lady of the Lake.  Pray for the recovery process and for long-term healing.

Boyd Hatchel’s new position – http://us7.campaign-archive1.com/?u=111f752deefc7515c101c86fb&id=a10964f3b9

Read the Bible in 2015 – Ecclesiastes 9-10

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

Third Thursday at the Cabin – Tonight at 6:30

Women’s Ministry

  • Friday Morning Bible Study begins at 10:00.
  • Books of stamps are needed for the Christmas cards for prisoners.  Please get your stamps to me by Sunday, November 29th
  • Next Associational WMU meeting will be in January at East Fork Baptist Church.  It will be our annual meeting to honor WMU ladies who have passed away during 2015.
  • “Young Ladies’ Birthday Party – Tuesday at The Cafe at 11:00 A.M.

 

Thankfulness: Day 19

Today, I’m thankful for all the ways others have shown love to me throughout my life – family, school teacher, church members, school mates, co-workers, etc., the all their love together does not come near to the love God has for me.  That doesn’t excuse us from expressing our love through works or actions though.  Lord, help me to do a better job of showing my love for others by my words and my actions.

Anna Lee

 

Wednesday

The LORD is slow to anger and great in power;

the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished.

His way is in the whirlwind and the storm,

and clouds are the dust of his feet.

~Nahum 1:3~

 

 

I’m thanking God for watching over all of us last night.  The weather got bad as that big wind hit about 11:00, but the reports I have heard are only of minor damage.

Please continue to pray for all the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes that are being collected around the world this week.  Our shoeboxes were turned in at Franklinton.  A member of that church said they packed 700 shoeboxes this year!  I know God will bless each of the 700 children who receive one of those shoeboxes.

 

 

Charles Preston Stevens

Born: October 01, 1932
Died: November 16, 2015

http://www.mckneelys.com/home/index.cfm?action=public:obituaries.view&o_id=3381285&fh_id=10545

Article on adoption written by Victoria Nielsen

http://theodysseyonline.com/mississippi-state/college-student-change-childs-life/218318

 

Third Thursday at the Cabin 

  • Tomorrow night at 6:30
  • Come see what God has for us!

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

Friday Morning Bible Study (10 A.M.)

  • “Salome, Mother of the Zebedees”
  • Matthew 20: 20-24; 27:56;  Mark 15:40-41; 16:1-2

Read the Bible in 2015 – Psalm 131-133

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

 

Thankfulness: Day 18

Today, I’m thankful for my husband who loves me and protects me daily.  This is evident in so many ways.  I so thankful that as a young person God guided me to make a big decision about my future that included him.  I’m thankful God gave me a Christian husband who exhibits his love for God and others on a daily basis.

 

 

Walk in the SonLight today!

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“I call to You for help, LORD;

in the morning my prayer meets You.”

~Psalm 88:13, HCSB~

I enjoy the quiet of the early morning where I can search out different Scriptures for different reasons.  I always can find something that is appropriate for my need.

 

Kendall Ott had a kidney removed at North Oaks yesterday.  The surgery went very well. Please keep Kendall and his family in your prayers as he recovers.

Joey Feek – http://www.countryliving.com/life/a36892/joey-feek-cervical-cancer-hospice-care/

 

Daniel W. Bianco

Born: November 07, 1984
Died: November 11, 2015

http://www.mckneelys.com/home/index.cfm?action=public:obituaries.view&o_id=3380798&fh_id=10545

Frances Josephine Costa

Born: February 13, 1925
Died: November 14, 2015

http://www.mckneelys.com/home/index.cfm?action=public:obituaries.view&o_id=3380991&fh_id=10545

Third Thursday – We will gather at the cabin Thursday at 6:30.  Come get a blessing.

Read the Bible in 2015 – Ezra 1-5

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

 

Thankfulness – Day 17

Today, I’m thankful for hugs.  I get more of them now than ever before in my live.  I treasure each one.  A hug represents love and/or protection.  I high value both of those.  Some days, a hug seems like the best medication for the problems/troubles I’m facing.  A physical hug helps, but sometimes I need to “feel” God’s love.  Songs like “Safe in the Arms of Jesus” and “God Will Take Care of You” are worth more than all the medication any doctor can prescribe.

 

I trust you know you know what makes you feel those “special hugs from God”.

Anna Lee

Monday

In my Father’s house are many rooms;

if it were not so, I would have told you.

I am going there to prepare a place for you. 

And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come back and take you to be with me

that you also may be where I am.

You know the way to the place where I am going.”

~ John 14:2-4~

 

Please pray for Angie Nielsen’s mom as she has surgery today in Baton Rouge.

Bro. Ronnie Nielsen has taken a position on the staff of FBC, Center Star, AL.  Angie and the children will be staying in Mississippi until the school year ends.  Pray for them as they go through the next few months.

Mr. James Miller is feeling better after the blood he received Friday.  Please continue to pray for him.  He is at home.

 

The Lottie Moon Christmas Tea was wonderful yesterday.  Thanks to all who attended and to all who worked so hard for the event.  There were a hundred ladies of all ages present.  I’m already taking notes on what we can do next year.

 

Operation Christmas Child

Today, many of us will be delivering our shoeboxes to the collection sites.  With great joy, our boxes will be delivered to FBC, Franklinton.  Boxes will be collected all week at each site.  Before long, they will be in the hands of children.  In each box, we will also be sending “Jesus”.

From Operation Christmas Child:

Here’s one example why including a soccer ball in a shoebox is a GREAT idea…

Allow us to introduce you to “The Greatest Journey” football team in the Island of Ukara. This team is very interesting because one boy got a soccer ball in his shoebox gift. When the children were invited back to the church to start The Greatest Journey follow-up discipleship course, they started playing ball when they would finish their lessons. Then they invited other boys who were not saved to join their team. As they played together, the TGJ students shared about Jesus with them. 30 children received Christ as a result of this! Now they have formed one big team from all the Ukara Churches who participate in TGJ. The whole community is praising God for The Greatest Journey because it has brought a big impact in the lives of the children with great love and unity. Even non-Christian families are now allowing their children to come to the church and through this the gospel is being preached not only to children, but to the families as well – and it all started with a soccer ball in a shoebox gift!

The Third Thursday gathering at the cabin is this week at 6:30.  You are invited to participate.

 

Missions Project: We provide Christmas cards for inmates of the St. Helena and Tangipahoa parish jails each year so they can write to family members.  I need your cards by Sunday, November 29th in order to deliver them.  You may choose to do the delivering yourself.  You can help in several ways:

  • Stamped Christmas cards
  • Stamps for Christmas cards I have
  • Money for stamps ($10.00 per book of stamps)

 

 

Read the Bible in 2015 – Deuteronomy 13-15

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

 

Thankfulness: Day 16

Preparation is a good thing!  I learned that in teaching, cooking, cleaning, gatherings, meetings, etc.  As good as preparation in or daily lives is, it is much greater when it   comes to preparing for eternity.  I’m thankful my immediate  family is ready to face eternity, but continue to pray for some of the members of my extended family.  Is your family “Ready”?  How about your friends, neighbors, and those you do not know, but who live all around you or even far away?  Be prepared to “Pray, Give, Go, and Send”!

Anna Lee

Sunday

“[God] shows how to distinguish right from wrong,

how to find the right decision every time.”

~Proverbs 2:9 TLB

 

Upcoming Surgeries

  • Monday – Angie Nielson’s mom
  • Tuesday – Freida Jones, Kenny Ray Gill, & Kenneth Birch

 

Joey and Rory Feek – http://thislifeilive.com/a-bus-full-of-joy/

 

Read the Bible in 2015 – I Peter 4-5

Waylon Bailey – http://waylonbailey.com

Thom S. Rainer – ThomRainer.com

 

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

 

Thankfulness: Day 15

“[God] shows how to distinguish right from wrong,

how to find the right decision every time.”

~Proverbs 2:9 TLB

What I do is them my decision.  I’m thankful He is there to offer guidance in the large and small decisions of my life.  

It’s Lottie Moon Christmas Tea Sunday.  I can only  invite you and encourage you to attend.  You have to make the final decision.  (God helps with decision making.  See the verse above.  Ask Him if you and yours should attend the tea.)

 

Saturday

Surely goodness and love

will follow me all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

~Psalm 23:6~

 

Ketera McMillan is doing well following knee surgery in Baton Rouge.  Pray all continues to go well with her.

Jesse Dean should be able to come home today.  Pray for his continued recovery at home.

Dan Turner’s Update

I’m at 26-28 hours since my last dosage-change and can tell a pretty dramatic difference in the spasticity of my left leg. Not as much improvement is noted in my left hand, but it’s a little better too. My left leg feels so odd, not being tight all day. It actually feels like someone else’s leg has been put in the place of mine—I know, that’s weird. If things stay on this trajectory, I plan to start working out my legs in 4-5 days. I’m just giving myself a few days to adjust to the relaxation of my muscles. What a welcome feeling of progress to be thinking and planning my lower-body workout!

Sylvia Thornhill Wales

Born: March 27, 1938
Died: November 11, 2015

http://www.mckneelys.com/home/index.cfm?action=public:obituaries.view&o_id=3378701&fh_id=10545

 

Friday Bible Study – We have two more lessons in Women of the Bible.  Then, we will begin a study of the book of John.  If you are interested in being in on this from the beginning, please mark your calendar for the second Friday of December.  We meet at 10 A.M.

 

Operation Christmas Child – Shoeboxes that have been pack will be delivered to the collection centers beginning Monday.  I’m so excited to know we have a part in such a meaningful project.  Pray for each child who will be receiving a shoebox in the coming months.

 

Lottis Moon Christmas Tea

Thanks to the following ladies for working yesterday to get ready for the tea: Theople Hurst, Judy Liberto, Velma Anthony, Eleanor Morris, Sue Connelly, Virginia McKenzie, Margaret Olliver, Sharon Martin, Linda Frazier, and Bessie Hayden.  The room looks very nice.

Now, let us pray for a room full of people tomorrow.  I know that God will send those He wants to be there.  Let’t pray heart will be receptive to all that is shared there.

Don’t forget to being Christmas cards with stamps or a book(s) of stamps that can be used with some cards that have already been shared.  If you need more time, you have until Sunday, November 29th to get them turned in.

 

Read the Bible in 2015 – Acts 15-16

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

 

Thankfulness: Day 14

Today, I’m thankful for growing up in a Christian home.  What a difference that made my whole life.  I’m also thankful for other Christian homes and the guidance they provide to many of you.  Let’s pray for more and more homes to be providers of the Christian guidance children need and deserve.

 

I think it is unspoken today, but let’s pray for the people of Paris.  Let’s pray that more people will learn what happened “At the Cross” and understand the significance to our lives both today and in the future.

Anna Lee

Friday

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness

and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

in whom we have redemption,

the forgiveness of sins.

Miles Hatchel has a splint on his broken wrist and will get a cast Monday.  The next day, the younger brother, Mason, sprained his right arm/wrist (?) and also has a splint.  That makes three of my six grandchildren injured is a week and a half.  Please pray for healing for all.

Mose Guzzardo, Amite, will have a complete shoulder replacement today in Baton Rouge.  Pray for him during the surgery time, but also during the long recovery he is facing.

Mr. James Miller will be going to St. Tammany today.  Pray for him and “Miss” Mary.

Continue to pray for Jesse Dean following his surgery.

Dan Turner’s latest update:  

Well, my last 20% dosage increase on 11/2/15 did not yield any improvement. I wasn’t any better; however, I wasn’t any worse, either.

Today (11/12/15), I had another appointment. The good news: although, subjectively, I have felt no improvement over the last 10 days and the objective data gathered while testing my H and M reflexes, today, also showed no improvement from 10 days ago, the subjective assessment by my nurse practitioner (NP) revealed improvement in my deep tendon reflexes (DTRs) and improvement in the abnormal propensity for my left foot to invert or turn inward. My DTRs have been abnormally hyper-reflexive until now. Today, my DTRs of both legs were normal and equal—that was encouraging to hear, for sure.

I will return on 11/30/15 to repeat the process. So, I have 18 days of tracking progress before going back.

I’m getting close to finding my “magic dose,” but still need a little more tweaking. My dosage is now at 289 mcg/day after the 20% increase today. The researchers and my NP are confident that we will find it. As you know, the act of breathing is possible because of the accessory muscles of the rib cage and the muscle, known as the diaphragm—breathing muscles can be affected by Baclofen just like the muscles in my left leg and arm. So we don’t want to overdo it. But laughingly, the researcher, Tony, said that knowing they could give me enough Baclofen to make me stop breathing, he felt sure they were going to be able to relax the remaining spasticity in my left arm and left leg. I thought that was a funny way to inspire confidence, but it worked!

Also, after talking to Tony today, I think I have a shot at winning the award for the most resilient H & M Reflexes ever seen at Mississippi Methodist Rehabilitation Center. I’m not real sure that I want that award.

Thanks for reading and God bless you all.

 

Read the Bible in 2015 – Zechariah 1-7

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

 

Women’s Ministry

  • Friday Morning Bible Study – today at 10:00 followed by decorating for Lottie Moon Tea
  • Lottie Moon Christmas Tea – Sunday at 2:00 at FBC, Kentwood
    • If you are female and between the ages of 3 and 103, you are encouraged to participate.
    • If you are male and interested in missions, come ahead and join us.  The missionary speaker will be interesting for all of us.
  • Stamped Christmas Cards for Prisoners – 2 ways to help
    • Bring your stamped cards to the tea Sunday or get them to me in the by November 29th.  I will deliver them for you.
    • Bring books of stamps.  I will place them on cards that were shared with me.
  • “Young” Ladies’ Birthday Party
    • November 24th at 11:00 A.M. at The Cafe
    • Honoring ladies with November birthdays
  • Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes
    • Shoebox collection being Monday
    • Contact me if you need information about where your boxes can be taken.  Our boxes will go to Franklinton, FBC.
  • Coming Soon – Lottie Moon Week of Prayer and Christmas Offering for international missions.
  • Potato Bar (Donations Only) – Sunday, November 15 at New Zion Baptist Church at 12 Noon

 

Devotional, Scripture, and a Prayer

 

Thankfulness: Day 13

Today, I’m thankful for the love of my church families.  They love, support, encourage, etc. me in so many ways.

 

Thank you for loving others enough to pray daily.

Anna Lee

 

 

Thursday

Cry out, “Save us, O God our Savior;

gather us and deliver us from the nations,

that we may give thanks to your holy name,

that we may glory in your praise.

~1 Chronicles 16:35~

 

Continue to pray for Mr. James Miller and those who love him.

Please continue to pray for Jane Wickham who is hospitalized again.  Pray she will be well soon.

Pray for Jesse and Majel Dean.  Jesse had to report in for surgery at 5:30 this morning.

Jill Brister is continuing to feel free of some of the pain she has dealt with for a long time.  Pray for her as she wears a hard cast and enjoys some pain relief.  Thank God she had her procedure Monday.

Mrs. Anne Hurst is home and all-over-the-place doing the things she loves most.

Keith Womack is home for a while before going back to a Shreveport  hospital again.

Our oldest grandson, Miles Hatchel, broke his wrist at PE yesterday.  We’re hoping for a good report on his care at the local hospital.

Chinero’s dad, Buddy Harrison, continues to be in University Hospital where various surgeries/procedures are being done.  Pray for his children as they  check on him there.

Johnnie “Lil Man” Santangello is hospitalized again.  Some of the recent treatments seem to have helped a little.

 

Read the Bible in 2015 – Ecc. 7-8

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

Thankfulness: Day 12

I’m thankful for music that I grew up with and continues to serve a great place in lives today.  The song above was my go-to song as I grew up and faced little problems that seemed like mountains at the time.  I received comfort in knowing God was there all the time, no matter the location, to take good care of me.  My earthly parents cared for me; My heavenly Father did an even better job.  

Thanks for reading and praying.

Anna Lee

 

 

Tuesday

No one who denies the Son has the Father;

whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

 

Our granddaughter, Peyton Alford, had a good half-day of school yesterday, so she will get to go a full day today and to begin to do all that make-up work that comes with missing a week of school.

 

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

Read the Bible in 2015 – 2 Chronicles 33-36

 

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

Thankfulness: Day 10

Today, I’m thankful for all of God’s creation, including the sun.  I am not one who enjoys the heat of the year or getting a sunburn, but have an appreciation for the light. I love the order of the days and seasons.  I’m thankful for the sunshine that returns each day.  Even more than that, I’m thankful for the “Sonshine” in my life.

Women’s Ministry

  • Lottie Moon Christmas Tea – Sunday at 2 P.M. at FBC, Kentwood.  This is for ladies from 3-103 and throughout the association.  Contact me for more information.
  • Friday Morning Bible Study – 10 A.M. at FBC, Kentwood.  We will be studying the Syrophonecian Woman who is discussed in Matthew 20 and Mark 15.  We are almost finished with our study of Women of the Bible.  We are choosing our next topic now.
  • Stamped Christmas Cards for Prisoners – Each year the women of Two Rivers Baptist Association collect these to give to the parish prisoners of St. Helena and Tangipahoa parishes.  I have a supply of card that were given to me, so all you have to do to help is bring a book(s) of stamps.  I will deliver them to the jail at the end of the month.  You can bring your stamps to me at the Lottie Moon Tea Sunday or any time before the end of the month.  If you choose, you can stamp your own cards and decide between delivering them yourself or having me deliver them for you.  I’m sure the family members who receive cards at Christmas are thankful for them and appreciative of those who provided them.

 

Let the Son shine through you today!

Anna Lee

 

 

Sunday

 Humble yourselves, therefore,

under God’s mighty hand,

that he may lift you up in due time.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

 Be self-controlled and alert.

Your enemy the devil prowls around

like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

~1 Peter 5:6-8~

 

Jill Brister will be having neck surgery tomorrow.  Please pray for Jill, the family as they wait, and the medical staff caring for her.  Let’s also pray the results of the surgery make like much more bearable for her.

Angie Nielson’s mom will be having surgery the following Monday.  Let’s also pray for this situation.

 

Read the Bible in 2015 – I Peter 1-3

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

  • “Bringing Our Friends to Jesus” – http://odb.org/

  • When Jesus saw their faith,                                                                                                                  he said to the paralyzed man,                                                                                                           “Son, your sins are forgiven.”                                                                                                                                                          ~Mark 2:5~
  •  “Have Faith in God”

I’m thankful for God’s Word/message and for those who can present it to us musically.  The truths of my faith were reinforced as we opened those Broadman hymnals is a small church and sang from our hearts.  I love to take time to focus on the words of each verse and each line.

 

Waylon Bailey – http://waylonbailey.com/

Thom S. Rainer – thomrainer.com/blog/ 

 

Make this day count for something eternal!

Anna Lee