Category: Inspirational

Tuesday

”Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” 

~Ephesians 4:32 NIV~

This is one of the first verses I ever learned.  Thank-you to those who worked in VBS back in the 50’s in Roseland.

 

 

Pray for Shaun Alford as he has back surgery in Baton Rouge today.

 

 

Pray for Mrs. Mimi Sneed as she has out-patient surgery tomorrow at North Oaks.

 

 

Pray for Bryan Tate as he receives blood at St, Tammany hospital.

 

 

Sunday, I announced I would appreciate help to pack 42 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.  Yesterday, with lots of good help, we packed 79 shoeboxes.  You have all of this month, October, to pay postage of $9.00 per box and for the packing and expense to be taken care of for you.  That gives you 21 more days to allow us to help you pack shoeboxes.  Hand me your cash or check made out to Samaritan’s Purse.  I’ll try to get a good count of completed boxes by Sunday.

 

 

 

Read the Bible 

  1. Jeremiah 7-8
  2. Psalm 119: 57-64
  3. Jude

 

 

 

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

 

 

“It is Well with My Soul”

You are not likely to forget the story behind this song!

 

 

 

Don’t wait for someone to bless your life today.  God out with the purpose to bless someone else today!

Anna Lee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.

~Hosea 6:6~

 

 

 

 

We’ve been praying for Cheryl Wilson as she begins chemo Wednesday.  She celebrated by attending her home church in McComb and singing for the Lord.  Keep praying,

‘

 

 

I ask for prayers for David’s nephew, Shaun Alford, who lives in Baton Rouge and works for Exxon.  Shaun, who is about 40, will be having back surgery tomorrow, Tuesday, in Baton Rouge.

 

 

 

The quarterly Two Rivers WMU will meet a week from today at FBC, Kentwood to learn about mission opportunities.   There will be a leadership meeting at 9:00, the meeting at 10:00, and a covered dish meal to finish the morning.  I hope you will attend.

 

 

Read the Bible – Reflect on God’s patience and catch up on any readings you missed during the last week.

 

 

A number of “shoeboxes” will be filled at FBC, Kentwood this morning.  Come when you can.  We will be working in the basement.

 

 

As a part of class last night, the Youth on Mission class learned about storying.   They learned how to share their first passage from Luke 5, the story of the paralyzed man who was lowered through a roof by four friends to the feet of Jesus where he had his sins forgiven and left walking.  I’m sure he had a story to tell about his healing!

 

 

 

“We’ve a Story to Tell”

I read that many churches use this as a closing hymn.  I can see how that would work out well.

 

 

Tell that story in one form or another today.

Anna Lee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday

 For the word of God is alive and active. 

Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

~Hebrews 4:12  (NIV)~

(This is the Scripture my sister shared with me the day of David’s bone marrow surgery this week.)

 

 

 

Jimmy Tolar has made good improvement while in rehab.  The family is hoping he will be able to come home soon.  Please continue to pray for the Tolar family.

 

 

Every report I received about the senior adult revival was good.  I’m sorry we were not able to attend this year.  I hope many of you were able to attend.

 

 

The backpacks packed in Youth on Mission have arrived in Appalachia.  The class was able to study the area and the need for help too.  Thanks to those who are there making delivery of items for the people there.  I don’t know who receives the biggest blessing – the ones who donated items, the ones who delivered the items, or the ones who received the items.  I think it was a win, win, win situation!  Let’s all plan to help again next year in some way.

 

 

Friday, seventeen OCC shoeboxes were packed.  If you paid to ship two, three, or five boxes, you boxes are ready for shipment.  This week, those who paid shipping on ten or eleven boxes will have their boxes packed.  If you would like to help with the packing, please let me know this morning at church.  I get excited to see all the red and green boxes.  Some of you have recently turned in boxes.  I’ll try to get a new count of completed boxes this week.

 

 

Read the Bible

  • Jeremiah 5-6
  • Psalm 119:49-56
  • 3 John

 

 

 

Rock of Ages

 

 
God has a blessing for you this Lord’s Day.  Don’t miss it>

Anna Lee

 

 

 

 

Saturday

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands.

As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

~2 John 1:6~

 

 

This morning I would like to add the name of Toni Holland of Greensburg.  Toni has had surgery for a newly diagnosed problem.  Pray for this energetic, young lady with a lovely, caring personality.

 

 

 

Pray for an unnamed young man who is struggling with some health issues.

 

 

 

With the help of one of my young friends, seventeen shoeboxes were packed yesterday afternoon.  These are for some of you who paid shipping costs.    I have more to pack Monday.  I’m so thankful for those of you who helped make/purchase the items used in the boxes. Those mission project days are paying off in a big way!  What a blessing you are to lots of children around the world!

 

 

To the “Youth on Mission” who helped pack the backpacks last Sunday, the boxes are now in the Appalachians and will soon be in the hands of some young people who will really be able to use the items the backpacks.  Thanks for being a part of a great ministry.

 

 

 

Read the Bible

  • Jeremiah 3-4
  • Psalm 119: 41-48
  • 2 John

 

 

“The Nail-Scarred Hand” – Can you picture yourself placing you hand in the hand of the one who had his hands nailed to the cross?  It’s the best decision you can ever make!

 

 

 

Have a great weekend.  Don’t get too busy in the things that life throws at you to do something as simple as placing your hand in the hand of Jesus.  He will never lead you astray!

Anna Lee

Friday

Seek the LORD while he may be found;

call on him while he is near.

~Isaiah 55:6 (NIV)~

 

 

Please pray for Mrs. Mimi Sneed who will be having outpatient surgery at North Oaks Wednesday.  She will be appreciative of your prayers for her.

 

 

 

 

Pray for Adrian Phillips as he has another port, the third one, put in so the can have dialysis.  He and Lauree will be appreciative of your prayers.

 

 

 

 

Spephanie Grice’s mom, Cheryl Wilson, learned yesterday that she has a very treatable type of cancer.  Next week, she will begin treatment, one day a week every third  week for six months.  The family seeks your continued prayers.

 

 

 

 

The associational WMU will meet at FBC, Kentwood on Monday, October 15th.  Please be praying for the meeting and planning to be in attendance that day.  A potluck lunch will follow the meeting.

 

 

 

 

Read the Bible

  • Jeremiah 1-2
  • Psalm 119:33-40
  • I John 5

 

 

 

“The Old Rugged Cross”

 

 

 

Today, make a visit or phone call, write one card, cook one dish to share, etc.  Everyone can do something to invite others to church or ask God’s blessings on them.  They will be blessed, but you will receive a greater blessing!  

Anna Lee

Thursday

A friend loves at all times,

and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

~Proverbs 17:17~

 

 

 

Nick Lascaro – Shared by his daughter, Allison Russell

Just wanted to send an update on my dad. He is still in the hospital. As of this morning, It has been determined he has blood clots (substantial) in both lungs.

Josiah Huckaby – Shared by his mom, KK

This has been a very busy month. We saw urology and they said Josiah looks great! We then saw cardiology and his echo showed his pulmonary hypertension had increased to moderate. The cardiologist seemed very surprised because he said he looks so good. They decided to increase one of his meds he had outgrown to see if that makes a difference. We then saw pulmonary and they were also impressed with Josiah’s progress. The most recent appt was with the eye doctor...Josiah will be sporting the cutest little glasses hopefully by the end of the week. 🤓 Both of his eyes have a pretty bad astigmatism so his vision has most likely been distorted. We have been weaning his pressure support (it gives him a little extra support with every breath he takes on his own) since mid-July. We have gone from 10 down to 4.

As far as milestones, he has 8 teeth in & 4 molars that are getting pretty close to being completely in. He is so close to being able to sit up & he has started his own version of “crawling”. It’s definitely not a crawl but it is effective for moving close enough to grab things he shouldn’t. He has had such determination over the last couple of weeks & is really making progress in every area. He has started mimicking faces. He will reach out for us to pick him up if we say come here…but then he gets really tickled & starts belly laughing before we can actually get him out of the bed. He is learning how to brush his teeth. We have been learning some signs & he’s getting really good at signing “mom”. He has been making more talking sounds over his trach. He started chewing on teething toys this week and he is definitely enjoying traveling more this month too. We can’t praise God enough for His faithfulness through this journey He has called us to. It has not been easy but it has definitely been worth it. To God be the glory! 😊

 

 

 

 

David received a unit on blood Tuesday and had a bone marrow procedure yesterday.  Now, we are “WAITING & TRUSTING”.  Mayo Clinic will be working up the lab results which we expect to receive on the 15th.

 

 

 

John Wilson Vining

September 26, 1926 – October 02, 2018
John W. Vining, a resident of Amite passed away on Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at Hood Memorial Hospital in Amite. He was born September 26, 1926 in Welsh, LA and was 92 years of age. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Amite for over 60 years and retired from the U. S. Postal Service after 36 years of service where he was the U. S. Postmaster in Amite, LA from 1965 until 1980. He served in the U. S. Army from 1944 until 1946 where he served in the Military Police Platoon IX Corps. He is survived by his wife, Yvonne Hayden Vining; daughter, Linda V. Husser and husband, Kenneth; son, Ronald Vining and wife, Christina; 6 grandchildren, John A. Husser and wife, Ashley, Jennifer H. Reitz and husband, Joey, Daniel A. Vining and wife, Elizabeth, Blake E. Vining, Brock E. Vining, and Levi W. Vining; 8 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters, Gloria V. Hood, Edwina V. Ballard, and Virgie V. Morgan; brother, David D. Vining. Preceded in death by parents, Edwin J. and Estelle Starns Vining; brothers and sisters, James L. “Jimmie” Vining, Edwin J. Vining, Jr.; Abbie Vining Pasko, Dorothy Vining Vallance, and Juanita Vining Campbell. Pallbearers will be Kenneth D. Husser, Joseph B. Reitz, Jr., John A. Husser, Daniel A. Vining, Blake W. Vining, Joseph B. Reitz, III, and Jeremiah K. Reitz. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Thursday and at First Baptist Church, Amite, from 9 a.m. until Religious Services at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 5, 2018. Services conducted by Rev. Mike Foster and Rev. Trey Waldrop. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
The Arcola Presbyterian Church does not meet regularly at the Arcola location, but has been meeting once every fall and spring.  Their fall meeting will be Tuesday, October 14th at 4 P.M.  You may be interested in attending a worship service in this lovely, old church.
Read the Bible 
  • Isaiah 66
  • Psalm 119:25-32
  • I John 4

 

 

“Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”

 

 

Keep praying for our country!

Anna Lee

Tuesday

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.

Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

~Luke 6:35~

 

Read the Bible

  • Isaiah 64
  • Psalm 119:9-16
  • I John 3

 

 

Cheryl Wilson got a better than expected.  The family gives credit to God and to all their prayer warriors.

 

 

 

We saw Mr. Fernie Ray and “Miss” Carol Jean Gill yesterday at a doctor’s office.  I thank God for her recovery from an awful wreck!  I also thank God for her faithful and loving caregiver.

 

 

 

The senior adult revival went well according to the reports I heard.  Pray for the revival today as they meet at FBC, Greensburg.

 

 

“One Day at a Time”  – Thinking of the many people from our area who are sick and the spiritual sickness that is spreading across our country and world, I think this is appropriate for today.

 

 

 

In the midst of a busy time in my life, God has given me an opportunity to speak at an area church.  I pray I can fulfill that request in a way that honors God.

 

 

I think some things we do have to be intensional.  Sometimes, finding a way to be a blessing in one of those.  Let’s focus on others and what God wants us to do today.

Anna Lee

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday

Anxiety weighs down the heart,

but a kind word cheers it up.

~Proverbs 12:25~

 

Read the Bible

  • Isaiah 63
  • Psalm 119:1-8
  • I John 1

 

 

A few days ago, I shared a song, “God on a Mountain”, with you.  Last night, a heard her sing it on our television.  David put the TV on a Gaither Special that featured her.  It made my day!  Later, I heard her singing “Sheltered in the Arms of God”.

 

 

“Sheltered in the Arms of God”

 

 

 

I’m so thankful to be sheltered in the same arms as Lynda is sheltered!

Anna Lee

Monday

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;  

it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

~Lamentations 3:25-26~

 

 

Mrs. Bessie Broom Hayden has had her foot removed.  She’s got spunk and has already begun to plan on how she will be walking again soon.  Keep praying for her and watching for her return to church.

 

 

Wednesday is the day students are encouraged to “Bring your Bible to School”.  Let’s keep Christ in our schools!

 

 

We live in a troubled world.  Our Christians values are not seen in “the world”, but we should cling to them tightly.  We each need to cling to what we know to be right and the one who paid it all for us.

“In Times Like These”

 

 

Read the Bible

  • Reflect on God’s Kindness
  • Catch up on any reading you may have missed this week.

 

 

May this Monday be the beginning of a good week for you.

Anna Lee

 

 

 

 

 

Monday

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”

~Philippians 4:19 NLT~

 

 

Read the Bible

Sunday

Isaiah 9

Job 35

Philippians 3

Monday

Reflect on God as humble.

Catch up on any missed readings.

 

 

Clay Widas is doing better now as he recovers from the copperhead bike.  Thank you for praying for him.

 

Please continue to pray for Glenda Harrell and Yvonne Birch as they are are home making recoveries from recent procedures.

 

Buddy Morris was at church last night.  Pray for him as he has his second round of chemo Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

 

 

Pray for all the teachers, students, and support staff who are preparing for the start of school soon.  Pray it will be a good academic year for all of them.  Pray it will be a good year when students and teachers will “let their light shine” for Jesus each day.  Pray there will be a decrease in bullying and other actions that have no place in our schools.

 

 

Baptist Message – http://baptistmessage.com/

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

Waylon Bailey – http://waylonbailey.com/

Thom Rainer – https://thomrainer.com/

 

 

The new college and career class at FBC, Kentwood is off to a good start.  Their teachers will be Jeff and Deana Simmons.  All young adults who graduated from high school in recent years are encouraged to join them at 9:15 each week.

 

Saturday, Bro. Stan Statham was telling us a little about his recent mission trip to Haiti when there was an uprising there.  He, and all the others, are safely back at home.  Now, he is telling the story of their experiences and God’s great power and work during the week.  TheyTomorrow, he will be speaking at the monthly Young at Heart meeting at New Zion Baptist Church west of Kentwood on Highway 38 at 10 A.M.  New Zion will be thrilled to have you there to hear the story and to share lunch with them.  This is a community event.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  They will gladly share their covered dish lunch will all.

 

 

There was a segment recently recorded at FBC, Kentwood to tell about Louisiana missions as part of the Georgia Barnett Week of Prayer for 2018.  We will be watching the video at 6 P.M. Wednesday night.  Come view it with us!  May it inform and encourage the mission work being done in Louisiana.

 

 

The satellite problem has finally been solved.  I’ll spare you the long, difficult story.  I’m just thankful to be back.

Anna Lee