Category: Missions

Friday

I tried to publish this just before 5:00 this morning, but the rain kept the satellite from working at that time.  I think the worst of the rain is past for now.

The Word became flesh and took up residence among us.

We observed His glory,

the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father,

full of grace and truth.

~John 1:14, HCSB~

 

Please continue to pray for Andy and Betty Taylor.  They are doing a little better, but still are not well.

Miss Fay Shoemaker is scheduled to return to Kentwood today.  Pray for continued improvement following surgery.

Mr. Bobby Lawson is still at home.  Keep him in your prayers.

Melissa Simpson has developed shingles.  Pray she will have a light case.

Mrs. Kathryn Kuss continues to improve following her fall a week ago.  Pray for her to be better soon.

Please continue to pray for Mr. Alan Ray Blackwell and his family.

The Hope Center in Roseland will be open Tuesday and Wednesday next week and reopen January 6th after the holidays.

We will have our last Friday Morning Bible Study for 2014 this morning.  What a blessing it has been to be involved with this group studying the Women of the Bible.  I look forward to picking up again in January.

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

“Tending the Fire” – http://www.commissionstories.com/asia/interactives/view/plenty-of-work-to-tend-the-fire-in-South-Asia?cid=imbel

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – FBC, Kentwood is working on filling in the fourth section of our candy cane poster.

Devotional, Scripture, Quote, and a Song

  • “The Heart of Christmas” – http://odb.org/
  • The grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant,                                                                             with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.                                                                                                                                                                ~1 Timothy 1:14~
  • “Tell Me the Story of Jesus” – http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Tell_Me_the_Story_of_Jesus/

I heard Mr. Harlon Toney tell about this song about three weeks ago, so I asked him to repeat it last night.  He told how the first verse tells of Jesus’ birth.  The second verse tells of Jesus’ life.  Verse three is about the death, while the fourth verse tells of the resurrection and heaven.  I had never had this pointed out to me exactly this way.  If you take time to go back and read or sing each verse, you will get a complete story about Jesus.

Be careful on this rainy day!   Even a rainy day is about Jesus!  Keep Him a part of your whole day.

Anna Lee

Thursday

In that day they will say,

“Surely this is our God;

we trusted in him, and he saved us.

This is the LORD, we trusted in him;

let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”

~Isaiah 25:9~

 

Mrs. Alice Faye Lee fell Tuesday night and broke her shoulder.  She saw a specialist in Baton Rouge yesterday.  Pray for her as she heals.
Clinton H. “Bud” Callihan, Sr.

Born: May 19, 1929
Died: December 16, 2014

http://www.mckneelys.com/home/index.cfm?action=public:obituaries.view&o_id=2865611&fh_id=10545

Shared by my friend, Carol Bennett Sealey, who worked processing “shoeboxes” in Atlanta last week:

Just learned that yesterday the Atlanta Processing Center finished processing 1,445,117 boxes for 2014. Wow!!! That’s a lot of souls that will be touched and witnessed to. I am so excited that I was able to be a part of a group from our church that went and participated in this awesome event.

Spring Creek Baptist Church Drama Team

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEoX9X46W0k&sns=fb

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

  •  Sunday, at FBC, Kentwood, we will have a missions march to show support for missionaries.  Gifts can be received at that time or later.
  • Quotes from Lottie’s time in China
    • “What we need in China is more workers. The harvest is very great, the laborers, oh! So few. Why does the Southern Baptist church lag behind in this great work?”
      Nov. 1, 1873, Tungchow
    •  “How many there are … who imagine that because Jesus paid it all, they need pay nothing, forgetting that the prime object of their salvation was that they should follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ in bringing back a lost world to God.”
      Sept. 15, 1887, Tungchow
    • “Why should we not … instead of the paltry offerings we make, do something that will prove that we are really in earnest in claiming to be followers of him who, though he was rich, for our sake became poor?”
      Sept. 15, 1887, Tungchow

Third Thursday (TONIGHT) – Tonight at 6:30 at the Alford cabin

Friday Morning Bible Study

  • Tomorrow at 10:00
  • Studying Lois and Eunice
  • Acts 16:1-3 &  2 Timothy 1:1-8

Pregnancy Testing, Questions Answered, Information Shared 

  • Friday (9:00-4:00)
  • The vehicle will be parked at Hope Center on Highway 51 in Roseland.

Baptist Press –  bpnews.net

Share the spirit of Christmas and the true reason for Christmas with someone today.

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“Nations will come to your light,

and kings to the brightness of your radiance.”

~Isaiah 60:3, HCSB~

 

I want to start off with “flu”, because many area people seem to be coming down with flu.  If you are sick, stay home and get well.  If you are well, try to stay that way.  I’m praying for those who have already come down with the flu and for those who are trying not to get sick.

Estelle Watson asked for prayer for her niece.  I forgot the first name, but the last name was Losson.  Estelle’s niece is in the final stages of cirrhosis of the liver.

Carol Ann Cleveland, a classmate from my school days in Amite, has a granddaughter with multiple health issues!  Check out the Facebook page, “Mattie’s Miracles”.  Then, pray.

Pray for those who will travel during the next few weeks.  Pray each home celebrates the true meaning of Christmas.  Pray for safety in all the travels.

Pray for those who will be alone during the Christmas season.  David and I were included in another family’s Christmas last week.  We felt so special!  We will have Jennie’s family after Christmas, but there are others who will not have family at all.

Pray for families who have lost members of their family during the past year.  The first year after a death is extra hard for most people.  Include these people or do something special to help them get through the Christmas season.

David and I will host the monthly Third Thursday meeting tomorrow at the cabin.  Join us at 6:30.  We fully expect another sweet spirit time with others.

Baptist Press –  bpnews.net

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for international missions

Jesus is the only reason for the season!

Anna Lee

Monday

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.

~Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)~

 

Thank God for the progress Cindy Carmadelle has made.  Her leg is much better.  Doctors are still keeping a careful watch.  She’s had such a beautiful attitude despite her injuries.

Kathy Jo Thompson had another brain surgery last week.  There were some complications, but this is what she has to say about her present situation, “God has his hands on everything!”  She is such an inspiring young lady.

Mrs. Mildred Birth got a good report from Dr. Liner yesterday.  The area they have been considering a mass seems to be scar tissue from three previous surgeries.  Thank-you, God for giving this friend a good report and making lots of family and friends have a happier holidays because of it.

Nancy Carruth continues to deal with kidney stones.  Pray for her to get past this problem so she can continue to pass on her happy attitude that overflows from her all the time.

There have been so many difficult situations lately, I thought we needed to focus on the good reports today!  I hope this gets your day started off “on the right foot” so that you can have a positive attitude all day long!

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

See if you can locate the following statements.

“While still working on his master of divinity degree, Rice was called to serve as senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Greensburg, La. He served the church for three years.”

Devotional, Scriptures, Quotes, and a Song

  • “A Ukrainian Christmas” – http://odb.org/2014/12/16/a-ukrainian-christmas/
  • Glory to God in the highest,                                                                                     and on earth peace,                                                                                             goodwill toward men!                                                                                                                              ~Luke 2:14~                                                                                        For there is born to you this day in the city of David                                     a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”                                                                                                                                                            ~Luke 2:11~
  • “Christ is born!”                                                                                                                                                     “Let us glorify Him!”                                                                                                                                                                            ~Our Daily Bread  (12-16-14)~

Lottie Moon – http://scottsvillemuseum.com/portraits/homeRS15acdRS04.html

Read this short article to gain more insight into the heart of someone whose greatest desire was for others to have Jesus in their hearts.  The more we understand her heart, the more our heart will be touched to share Jesus in the ways He has called us to share.

Mrs. Yvonne Curtis has a sweet, easy singing voice.  She will be singing Christmas music today at New Zion Baptist Church at 10:30.  Come get some Christmas joy today!

Anna Lee

Monday

“Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign:

The virgin will conceive,

have a son,

and name him Immanuel.”

~Isaiah 7:14, HCSB~

 

Thanks for praying for Mrs. Martha Traylor.  She is back at Kentwood Manor.

Please continue to pray for Mr. Bud Callihan and his family.

Mrs. Kathryn Kuss fell Friday, but thankfully did not break any bones.  Pray for her soreness to not last too long.

Miss Fay Shoemaker continues to do well at rehab and will be returning to Kentwood at the end of the week.  Pray for these last days of rehab to go smoothly.

Please continue to pray for Mrs. Donna Fay Miller who is still undergoing medical tests.

There will be no “Young” Ladies Birthday Party this week.  December and January birthdays will be celebrated in January.

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

Lottie Moon Biography

             http://www.bdcconline.net/en/stories/m/moon-charlotte-diggs.php        

Thursday night at 6:30 David and I will host the Third Thursday at the Cabin meeting.  We look forward to having you celebrate the holiday with us.  Everyone is welcome to come.

Pray that as people get busier with Christmas celebrations, they will continue to remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Anna Lee  

 

Sunday

“But as it is written:

‘Eye has not seen,

nor ear heard,

nor have entered into the heart of man

the things which God has prepared f

or those who love Him.'”

~1 Corinthians 2:9, NKJV~

Mrs. James (Pat) Frazier is doing very well following knee surgery.  Thanks for praying for her.

Mrs. Mildred Birch has an appointment to see Dr. Liner Monday.  Pray for her and her family as they prepare for this appointment.

Pine Ridge United Methodist Church will have their monthly breakfast early this month.  It will be at 8:00 this morning.  The breakfasts are a special time to donate to a worthy cause.

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

  • Video –  “A global-minded village”
  • “Our Obligation to the Lost” – by David Platt, President of the International Mission Board

Mrs. Yvonne Curtis will be singing Christmas carols at New Zion Baptist Church Tuesday at 10:30.  This will be followed with lunch.  You’ll be blessed if you hear this sweet lady with the gift of singing so sweetly.

Don’t forget your opportunities to hear/see a presentation of the birth of Jesus through music and/or drama in area churches today.

Anna Lee

Saturday

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign:

The virgin will be with child

and will give birth to a son,

and will call him Immanuel.  

~Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)~

 

Ora Lee Wilson said her sister and both nephews who were so sick last week are all home and hopefully continuing to improve.  She and her family are thankful of your prayers.  Please continue to pray for them.

Bobby Lawson was able to come home from North Oaks midday yesterday.  The family thanks you for praying.  Please continue to do so.

Martha Traylor seems to have had a reaction to medication and an infection.  More tests are being done.  Please pray for her and her family.

Porgie Scarle has completed the 4th round of chemo.  He’s weak, but hanging in there thanks.  His family is very supportive.  Please pray for Porgie and his family as they endure these difficult days.

Billy Hawkins

Born: December 22, 1934
Died: December 12, 2014                                                                 http://www.mckneelys.com/home/index.cfm/obituaries/view/fh_id/10545/id/2859953

Baptist Press –  bpnews.net

The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering helps to support the Lane family and many others around the world.  After watching the video and reading the story, consider supporting their missionary endeavor in Sudan.  You can do this through any Southern Baptist Church. 

http://www.commissionstories.com/africa/videos/view/its-risky-business-for-missionaries-serving-in-africa

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,                                       that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.                                                                                                                                                         ~John 3:16~

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

  • “Another Hero of Christmas” – http://odb.org/2014/12/13/another-hero-of-christmas/
  • Joseph her husband,                                                                                                   being a just man,                                                                                                       and not wanting to make her a public example,                                               was minded to put her away secretly.                                                                                                                                  ~Matthew 1:19~
  • “Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine” – http://www.oldielyrics.com/christmas/joseph_dearest_joseph_mine.html

I do not know the Christmas carol, but found it this morning after reading the devotional for today.  As you look and listen to it, notice the many stanzas, quite different from the current style of writing.  Joseph was surely a special man to have been chose to be the earthy father of Jesus.

Looking ahead to tomorrow.

  • Line Creek will have their Christmas musical tomorrow morning.
  • FBC, Kentwood will have their musical, “Joy, Joy, Joy”, at 6:00 P.M. tomorrow.
  • New Zion Baptist Church will do their musical tomorrow morning.
  • I’m sure there are others, but I don’t know of then.  Let me know this morning and I’ll post them later today.

May God by richly blessed by all the church musicals this year, especially those involving children because they teach the “only reason for the season” which children often miss or consider secondary to the jolly man in the red suit.

Anna Lee

Friday

“The shepherds returned,

glorifying and praising God

for all they had seen and heard,

just as they had been told.”

~Luke 2:20, HCSB~

Mrs. Martha Traylor has been taken to Southwest Hospital.  Please pray for her and her family.

Continue to pray for Randy Taylor and his family.

Christopher Joseph Binder

Born: October 05, 1984
Died: December 10, 2014

http://www.mckneelys.com/home/index.cfm?action=public:obituaries.view&o_id=2859003&fh_id=10545

Woodrow “Woody” Henry Ford, Jr.

Born: January 26, 1954
Died: December 09, 2014

http://www.mckneelys.com/home/index.cfm/obituaries/view/fh_id/10545/id/2859033

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

  • “Snug as a Bug in a Rug” –  http://odb.org/2009/12/03/finding-jesus/
  • He who did not spare His own Son,                                                                       but delivered Him up for us all,                                                                             how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?                                                                                                                ~Romans 8:32~
  • “Blessed Assurance” – http://www.hymnary.org/text/blessed_assurance_jesus_is_mine

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions

Who’s Lottie?

Lottie Moon – the namesake of the international missions offering – has become something of a legend to us. But in her time Lottie was anything but an untouchable hero. In fact, she was like today’s missionaries. She was a hard-working, deep-loving Southern Baptist who labored tirelessly so her people group could know Jesus.

Why was the offering named for this early missionary?

Throughout her career, Lottie Moon wrote numerous letters home, urging Southern Baptists to greater missions involvement and support. One of those letters triggered Southern Baptists’ first Christmas offering for international missions – enough to send three new missionaries to China.

There’s many events scheduled in the next few weeks.  Don’t let the business of the season take your focus from the reason we are celebrating.

Anna Lee

Thursday

The true light that gives light to every man

was coming into the world.

He was in the world,

and though the world was made through him,

the world did not recognize him.

~John 1:9-10 (NIV)~

Mr. Bobby Lawson is in North Oaks again.  Please continue to pray for him and his family.

Mrs. Fay Shoemaker is in rehab and doing well.  Keep her in your prayers.

Please continue to pray for Mr. Frankie Gehringer.  His medication is being adjusted to help him feel better.

Sherman Cutrer seems to go from one issue to another.  He is at Kentwood Rehab.  Pray for him to have some better days soon.

Please continue to pray for Randy Taylor.  He’s been fighting a long, hard battle.

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

Third Thursday at the Cabin –  We will meet one week from tonight.  I’m already looking forward to our sweet time together.

First Baptist Church, Kentwood will present the Christmas musical “Joy, Joy, Joy” Sunday evening at 6:00.  Bro. Jonathan Statham will be directing the choir and orchestra this year.  You are invited to attend.  Pray for all those participating in the musical.

This week, the Friday morning Bible Study will focus on Mary, mother of Jesus.  Our Scripture passages are Luke 1-2 and John 2:1-11.  Please feel free to join us at 10:00 in the fellowship hall of FBC, Kentwood.  Contact me if you have questions.

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

  • “Christingle”  –   http://odb.org/2013/12/25/christingle/
  • That was the true Light which gives light                                                  to every man coming into the world.                                                                                                                                      ~John 1:9~                                                            The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world….                                                                                                                     ~John 1:29~
  • “This Little Light of Mine” – http://www.negrospirituals.com/news-song/this_little_light_of_mine.htm

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – It takes $139/day to support a mission family and their work.  If we meet our goal at FBC,K. we will be able to support a missionary unit for five months.  I know it is early in the month, but it is interesting to know we have already collected money to cover 15 days.  I’ve never considered our goal that way before.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering from the Perspective of the past of FBC, Lafayette –http://stevehorn.org/2014_12_08/a-new-perspective-on-the-lottie-moon-christmas-offering-for-global-missions/

I think you will find this very interesting.

I like that word “shatter” that was used.  Let’s pray and give again this year with the purpose of supporting missionaries (and to “shatter” that goal to do so).

Anna Lee

Wednesday

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about:

His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph,

but before they came together,

she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.  

Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man

and did not want to expose her to public disgrace,

he had in mind to divorce her quietly.  

But after he had considered this,

an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,

“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife,

because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  

She will give birth to a son,

and you are to give him the name Jesus,

because he will save his people from their sins.”  

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  

“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son,

and they will call him Immanuel” –which means, “God with us.”  

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him

and took Mary home as his wife.  

But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son.

And he gave him the name Jesus.  

~Matthew 1:18-25~

Martha Pevey Drago had her first chemo yesterday and let her granddaughter take one link off the chain of steps in her treatment.  She thanks you for praying, but also asks for continued prayers.

Theresa Flores reports that Claire is doing well following her kidney transplant.  She is staying at Brent House at Ochsner so she can be close to the lab for frequent tests.  Theresa has been able to return to work some.  Thanks for your prayers for Claire and her family.

Friday Morning Bible Study 

  • FBC, Kentwood
  • 10:00 A.M. Fridays
  • Studying women of the Bible
  • This week – Mary, Mother of Jesus
  • Join us any Friday you are available.

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

  • Every penny of the Lottie Moon offering supports nearly 4,900 missionaries.
  • Meeting the $175 million goal would send more missionaries to the field.
  • More than half the world’s people groups are still unreached and people are dying every day without ever having heard the Gospel.
  • This requires sacrificial giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – gifts that truly honor the Lord.
Jesus is the ONLY reason for this holiday season!
Anna Lee