Category: Inspirational

Thursday

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you;

not as the world gives do I give to you.

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

~John 14:27, NKJV~

 

Macy Gueldner

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/macygueldner

My aunt, Naomi, was moved back to Sulphur Springs, TX Wednesday.  Please be in prayer for her family during this difficult time.

I want to share some news of a former staff member.

Brady Haynes received his doctorate from Samford Wednesday.

Daily Devotional – Our Daily Bread – “Get Your Wanter Fixed”

http://odb.org/

Moral Stories – “Enjoy Your Life at Every Moment”

http://academictips.org/blogs/enjoy-your-life-at-every-moment/

Hymn of the Day – “Angels We Have Heard on High”

http://academictips.org/blogs/enjoy-your-life-at-every-moment/

Annie Armstrong Easter Offering – Day 5

http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/weekofprayerview.asp?PageNavID=112&StoryID=11773&LanguageID=1709

My “wanter” wasn’t in bad shape, but I will keep a good watch on it.  What about your “wanter”?

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord!

Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving . . .

For the Lord is the great God,

And the great King above all gods.”

~Psalm 95:1-3, NKJV~

 

Baby John Varnado

Little John update: They took the breathing tube out today and the
nurse said that he is breathing good on his own and that his vital
signs are looking good right now! This news made my day! Praise The
Lord! I give him all of the honor and the glory! Still praying for
little John’s full healing and recovery! Thank you all so much for
keeping him and the family in your prayers!

Clint Smith

Clint, Lea’s son, is home and doing well.  The family is most appreciative of all your prayers.

Macy Gueldner

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/macygueldner

Naomi Orr

Naomi, my aunt in Texas, is not doing well.  She is being placed on hospice care.

Daily Devotional – Our Daily Bread – “Eureka Stone”

http://odb.org/

Moral Stories – “Military – A Beautiful True Love Story”

http://academictips.org/blogs/military-a-beautiful-true-love-story/

Hymn of the Day – “By and By”

http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/r/trusting.htm

Week of Prayer for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – Day 4 – “A Matter of a Tithe”

http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/weekofprayerview.asp?PageNavID=112&StoryID=11772&LanguageID=1709

Dana Hendry gave me permission to share a Facebook post she shared Tuesday.

Borrowed this quote from Sharon Brown
Do you want to keep Christ in Christmas? Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, forgive the guilty, welcome the unwanted, care for the ill, love your enemies, and do unto others as you would have done to you~~Dr. Steve Maraboli~

It really got me to thinking!!!
Everyone speaks of the way things have gone and how far away from the real meaning we have gotten. You want it to change?? It starts with you! Lets all work and do our best to put Christ back in everything!

How about helping restore Christ to Christmas?

Jesus IS the reason for the season!

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“All humanity will come to You,

the One who hears prayer.”

~Psalm 65:2~

“Behold what manner of love

the Father has bestowed on us,

that we should be called children of God!”

~1 John 3:1~

Susan Rimes

Continue to pray for Susan as she battles kidney stones.

Macy Gueldner

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/macygueldner

FBC Senior Adults

The annual Christmas lunch will be Wednesday at 11:00 in the fellowship hall.  Wear something a big smile and something red or green.  This is optional, but it will help you be in the holiday spirit.

Baptist Press

BPNews.net

Daily Devotional – Our Daily Bread – “One Stretch”

http://odb.org/

Moral Stories – “The Story of a Woodpecker”

http://academictips.org/blogs/the-story-of-a-woodcutter/

Be sure to read the “reflection” at the end and apply it to your life if necessary.

Hymn of the Day – “It Came upon a Midnight Clear”

http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/t/itcameup.htm

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions

Day Three – Karachi, Pakistan

https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10100149689548107

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Anna Lee

Monday

“Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace,

goodwill toward men.”

~Luke 2:14, NKJV~

 

Jesse Dean is continuing to heal.  He, like several other friends, is going through therapy.

Larry Hendry is home and enjoying seeing the ourside world after a week in the hospital.

Yvonne Birch was back at Sunday School.  Please pray for her continued recovery from back surgery.

Mrs. Norma Harrell passed away yesterday.  Please be in prayer for the Harrell family.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – Day 2

http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/weekofprayerview.asp?PageNavID=112&StoryID=11770&LanguageID=1709

Daily Devotional – Our Daily Bread –    “Integrity League”

http://odb.org/

Moral Stories – Motivational Stories – “A Short Story on Self-Confidence”

http://academictips.org/blogs/a-short-story-on-self-confidence/

Hymn of the Day – “Tread Softly”

http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/r/treadsof.htm

Senior Adults will be honored with a Christmas lunch Wednesday at 11:00 at FBC, Kentwood.

I appreciate and totally enjoyed my opportunity to tell the story of Lottie Moon to the children at TeamKid at FBC, Kentwood.  How they blessed my heart!

Anna Lee

Sunday

“Some people naturally obey the Law’s commands,

even though they don’t have the Law.

This proves that the conscience

is like a law written in the human heart.

And it will show

whether we are forgiven or condemned.”

~Romans 2:14-15 CEV~

 

Larry Hendry

Larry Hendry did not come home today, but expects to come home tomorrow.  Pray for him to continue to improve at home.

Week of Prayer for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions

December 1-8, 2013

This year’s Week of Prayer for International Missions includes stories of missionaries, their partners and U.S. churches who are committed to being totally His.

Committed to God, first to love Him and then to love others, as Christ commands in Matthew 22:36–39. Doing whatever it takes and giving no less than their all.

Are we – all of us – up to the challenge to do what is required of us as believers in Christ?

This isn’t your average give-a-few-bucks-on-Sunday morning, pray-every-now-and-then kind of challenge. This is giving your everything so people can know the love of Jesus.

It may seem like a lot of absolutes — “all,” “everything,” “whatever it takes.” But that’s what being totally His requires: constantly going deeper and pouring ourselves out to be His heart, hands and voice — individually, as a church, as Southern Baptists working cooperatively to reach all the nations.

Day 1 – Divine Appointment

http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/weekofprayerview.asp?PageNavID=112&StoryID=11769&LanguageID=1709

Daily Devotional – Our Daily Bread – “God Waiting”

http://odb.org/

Moral Stories – “Chopsticks”

http://academictips.org/blogs/chopsticks/

Hymn of the Day – “Joy to the World”

http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/j/o/joyworld.htm

For those of you at FBC, Kentwood this morning, you will find this song is going to be special to us this Christmas season.

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Anna Lee

Saturday

Oh give thanks unto The Lord;

for He is good:

because His mercy endureth forever.

Psalms 118:1

 

Beverly “Doodle” Williams Watson

“Doodle” learned she is cancer free.  When one medicine quit working, her doctor always tried another one.  Now he says to her to come back for scans periodically for the rest of her life.  What a blessing!

Larry Hendry

If all goes well, Larry man get to go home today.  I’ll let you know later.

Macy Gueldner

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/macygueldner

Floyd Lewis’ Funeral

LEWIS Floyd Wallace Lewis Sr., 88, went to be with the Lord on Monday, Nov. 25, 2013 in Maryville, TN joining his oldest son Floyd who preceded him. Born Sept. 23, 1925 in Union County, MS to T.C. and Lizzie Lofton Lewis, Floyd served in the US Navy at the end of WWII then received his law degree from Tulane. He worked for Middle South Utilities (now Entergy) in various capacities, from corporate lawyer to CEO, for more than 36 years. His numerous accomplishments and awards can be found in Who’s Who in America. Living in New Orleans for the majority of his life, Hurricane Katrina prompted their move to Maryville, TN where he enjoyed the beauty of the mountains and seasons, and his friends at Shannondale and Good News Sunday school class for the past 8 years. Floyd is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Jimmie, and his children Gail and George Ratzlaff of FL, Julie and Mark McElroy of Birmingham, Ann and Kent Satterlee of LA, Carol Lewis and Tim Moses of FL, Mike and Cindy Lewis of Knoxville, 15 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Memorial service will be Wed., Nov. 27 at 2:30 pm at First Baptist Church of Maryville. Receiving friends prior. Funeral will be Sat, Nov. 30 at 3 pm at First Baptist Church, Kentwood, LA, receiving friends prior. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, http://www.SmithMaryville.com. – See more at: http://obits.nola.com/obituaries/nola/obituary.aspx?pid=168188766#sthash.CSaNFw5k.dpuf

Daily Devotional – Our Daily Bread – “Attending To Our Words”

http://odb.org/

Moral Stories – “Let Go of Your Stresses”

http://academictips.org/blogs/let-go-of-your-stresses/

Hymn of the Day – “Near  to the Heart of God”

http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/n/e/neartoth.htm

I think this hymn should calm our stresses!  Can you imagine any other place that would be more calming?

Thankfulness – Day 30 – Thankful People

Today, I’m thankful for those of you who “Count (ed)Your Blessings” this month.  I’m glad you realized all the blessings God has sent your way and took the time to let Him know you appreciated them.  May we have a thankful spirit all year long, whether we write out our thankfulness or not.  I’m sure God appreciates our thankfulness today and every day of the year.

Do some things today to make tomorrow flow smoothly.  I think Sunday is not to be a day of confusion.

Anna Lee

Friday

Let the little children come to Me,

and don’t stop them,

because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these,

Luke 18:16b

From Bill Frazier  (last night)

Please add Jerry Byrd to the prayer list, he needs a liver transplant
very soon.

Steve Bryan (from Smiley Conerly last night))

We just received a call from Kathy Bryan and she told us Dr Steve just
had a heart attack and died . Don’t know any arrangements yet

Larry Hendry

Larry Hendry continues to improve.  He was moved to a regular room at North Oaks yesterday.  The family has so much for which to be thankful.

Austin Rose (Grandson of Vince and Ann LaBarbera of Amite)

http://mdjonline.com/view/full_story/24125283/article-Harrison-student-fighting-cancer-makes-trip-to-Ind–leads-band-in-competition?instance=home_top_bullets

Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell

Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell has spent five weeks in the hospital in Greensburg, but will be going home today.  Pray for her and her family as she makes this adjustment.

Thankfulness – Day 29 – Sharing People

People share lots of things with others.  Giving of themselves is one of their greatest gifts to others.  If you are not actively sharing with others, let me give you a few examples of ways some people we know share with others:

    • Daily phone calls
    • Fresh flowers from the yard
    • Produce from gardens or orchards
    • Smiles
    • Visits
    • Babysitting
    • Scripture verses
    • Time
    • Transportation
    • Changing light bulbs
    • Firewood
    • Cutting grass
    • Painting
    • Changing a flat tire
    • Pot of soup, cake, etc.
    • Writing and sending cards

I hope you can get some ideas from this list.  These are only a few.  You share by doing what is needed at the moment.

Daily Devotional – Our Daily Bread – “First Impressions”

http://odb.org/

Moral Stories – “My Mom Only Had One Eye” – This story will really make you think!

http://academictips.org/blogs/my-mom-only-had-one-eye/

Hymn of the Day – “Open My Eyes, That I Might See”

http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/p/openeyes.htm

Coming soon – Lottie Moon Week of Prayer for International Missions

Anna Lee

Thanksgiving

“. . . the gospel is God’s power

for salvation to everyone who believes . . .”

~Romans 1:16~

 

Thanksfulness – Day 28 – Salvation

Today, I want to thank God for providing us an opportunity to have salvation just by believing.  I’m thankful I have each day to love and serve Him.  I’m also thankful He provides us with prayer so we can communicate with Him at any time.  I know He loves me and only wants to best for me.

I’m also blessed by neighbors/friends who realized when we were at their place last Thanksgiving Eve, Daddy was with all of us.  They shared happy thoughts of him as soon as we got there.  Today, other friends have included us in their Thanksgiving.  I’m so thankful for kindnesses shown to us.

Late last night, we had a small packaged delivered.  It was copies of For My Good written by Boyd Hatchel.  David and I both read the entire book before we went to bed and were so blessed by this powerful little book.

Today, I want to mention some of our older friends who are in their 90’s.  Mrs. Grace Chadwick of Roseland  has know us all of our lives.  She is faithful to God, her church, and her family, and friends.  Mrs. Irene Morris became our neighbor when we move to Kentwood almost thirty years ago.  She is special to us, just as she is to so many of you who will be reading this.  Another lady most of you seldom see is Mrs. Allie Dillon.  She has taught us to press on and to appreciate the little things that come to us.  These three represent many of our older friends.  We love each one and learn from the example each one has set for us.  We would not be the same without them because they have all contributed so much to who we are today.

Daily Devotional – Our Daily Bread – “How to Enjoy Things”

http://odb.org/

Moral Stories – “What Goes Around Comes Around”

http://academictips.org/blogs/what-goes-around-comes-around/ 

Hymn of the Day  – “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”

http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/i/tissweet.htm

Have a blessed Thanksgiving Day!  Be a blessing to someone today!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you,

with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another

with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,

singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

~Colossians 3:16, NASB~

Larry Hendry

Larry continues to improve.  At this rate he should be in a regular room soon.

Mrs. Evelyn Bridges

“Miss” Evelyn looks and sounds much better now.  She has her same sweet attitude that makes everyone love her so much.

Daily Devotional – Our Daily Bread – “Place of Water”

http://odb.org/

Moral Stories – “A Glass of Milk, Paid in Full”

http://academictips.org/blogs/a-glass-of-milk-paid-in-full/

Hymn of the Day – “Jesus Paid it All”

http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/j/p/jpaidall.htm

Thankfulness – Day 27 – Thanksgiving

Today, I’m thankful for the reason we have Thanksgiving.  Some nations were formed because of greed or other less desirable reasons.  Our nation was formed so we could have freedom to worship.  God, please bring our people back to that desire.  Make us realize the sacrifices that were needed to travel to and form a new government.  Make our leaders more aware of the desires of the people.  Guide them in making Godly laws!

Pray for those who will be traveling today so they can be with family.  Pray for those working in the kitchen for hours and hours to prepare the best meal of the year.  Pray for those who will be by themselves for this sweet holiday.  May others be aware of this situation and find a way to correct it.  Pray for those who will be working tomorrow and that their families would find a way to celebrate at a time that allows them to be included.

Anna Lee

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“Let the peoples praise you, God;

Let all the peoples praise you.”

~Psalm 67:5~

 

Jimmy Schwartz has been doing very well.  Today, he goes for a blood count.  Pray it continues to be good.  Jimmy will also see a dermatologist.  Pray for good results there.

Larry Hendry had done amazingly well.  He got off the vent yesterday evening and was eating ice.  His family thinks he is being spoiled by all the attention in the hospital.  I assume that says he is getting plenty of attention.  Keep him in your prayers.

Infant John Varnado (from Lawana Carter)

This is the last I have heard about Little John Varnado. His Maw Maw
posted this on Nov. 23. Little John is just now tonight getting
feeding tube to strength him up for a few days. Then they will stop it
for a few days, before they tried to stop the ventilater.

Macy Gueldner – Focus some of your prayer time on Macy and her family.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/macygueldner/journal

Holly Kliesch continues to be carefully watched.  Her unborn baby is about three weeks from his due date.  Pray for the baby, Holly, RC, and those anxious grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.  God is richly blessing this baby by placing him in this special family.

Thankfulness – Day 26 – Babies

Today, I’m thankful for babies.  No, we don’t have a new baby in our family or one on the way, but I enjoy all the news and photos of babies here on the computer and in person, especially at church.  Each baby represents a new life (new personalities, new dreams, new smiles and giggles, new relationships, a blessed family, etc.)  We can all enjoy the new life of each child.  Thank God for each and every one of them.

Daily Devotional – Our Daily Bread – “Real Love”

http://odb.org/

This devotional really touches my heart as it describes the new relationship between my aunt and my cousin in Texas.  Please pray for them.

Moral Stories – “Lean from Mistakes”

http://academictips.org/blogs/learn-from-mistakes/

Unless you are not human, you have and continue to make mistakes.  Unlike Edison’s mistakes here, we often need to repent and to ask forgiveness.  Then, we need to learn from our mistakes and not repeat them.

Hymn of the Day – “A New Name in Glory”

http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/n/e/newnamei.htm

“Where Camera Lights Don’t Shine”
This story is about IMB help that has been arriving in the Philippines since the typhoon.  You can help make more work like this continue.
“Faith Stirs Isaiah to Persevere toward Turnaround Season”

This true story is inspiring.  I hope you will take time to read it in its entirety.  As you look at the pictures, you will see that Isaiah’s great personality shines through his facial expressions.

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=41554

This morning at 11:00, we will be celebrating the “Young” Ladies’ birthdays.   Join us at Nyla’s for a special time.

Anna Lee