But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living.

But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

~Joshua 24:15~

I have three good reports to share this morning.

Brady Haynes had another surgery. He now has no more kidney stones or stents. Keep him in your prayers as he recovers,
Jane Blades was checked out by a cardiologist this week and passed. He gave the “all clear” report. Thank God for this good report.
Carol B. Sealey continues to slowly improve. Let’s be patient in expecting a fast recovery and faithful in remembering to pray for Carol, her family, and the medial staff.

Scripture Writing Plan – “Who I am in Christ” – Romans 8: 11-14

Shoeboxes Open Doors and Hearts for the Gospel in Liberia

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/shoeboxes-open-doors-and-hearts-for-the-gospel-in-liberia/

What have you purchased this week for Operation Christmas Child?

Small dolls?
$1.00 calculators?
Bars of soap?
Washcloths?
Bags of marbles?
Small cars?
Hair brushes?
48-piece puzzles
School supplies?
Small hammers and nails?
Fishing equipment?
Clotheslines and clothespins?
Stick deodorant?
School supplies?
Metal spoons?
Plastic drinking cups?
Pot holders?
Sewing supplies?
Supplies for bracelet kits?
Small balls?
Plastic animals?
Shirts?
Headbands?
Bandanas?
Yarn?
Etc.

You can leave your items in the office of FBC, Kentwood or in the classroom next to the choir room. Thank-you very much. We are off to a slow start, but want to finish well.

People who want to craft items need to talk to me for ideas or check out the OCC website.

If you have a plastic container, even medicine bottles with labels removed, please bring them. They are helpful in packaging items for the shoeboxes. Also small tins you purchase or recycle are good. Don’t forget plastic eggs also work well too.

Some of you may prefer to have someone else shop for you. If so, give them the money and any specifics on what you want them to purchase. Items can be turned in at the church as they are purchased.

Another option is to turn in money to the church for OCC expenses. Mark your check and/or envelope “OCC” or “Shoeboxes”.

Remember, literature is added to each box to introduce the children to Jesus in the language of the children. Each box impacts an average of seven people for Jesus! That’s a great ministry you can do.

Anna Lee

Saturday

Have I not commanded you?

Be strong and courageous.

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

~Joshua 1:9~

Jane Blades is back in the community. Additional testing did not show a heart problem. She has a new medication and an appointment with her cardiologist.

Mr. Frank Erwin had another procedure yesterday that will hopefully help him. He and “Miss” Barbara will appreciate your prayers.

Bryan Tate has completed another phase of treatment at MD Anderson. Pray for him and Rita as they get to spend more time at home and less time in the hospital.

The Hatchels who flew into the country Tuesday have now driven to Kentwood. Granddaddy and I were so thrilled to see them. Four years since seeing three of them is too long! We will be having a good time together.

Pine Ridge United Methodist Church will have their monthly breakfast Sunday morning at 8:00 A.M. You are invited to join them for a delicious buffet and donate to a worthy cause they have chosen to support this month.

Scripture Writing Plan – “Who I am in Christ” – Matthew 5:13=16.

Please continue to pray for the youth of FBC, Kentwood as they continue to be at camp at Ridgecrest in North Carolina.

Several churches has very successful Vacation Bible Schools this week. If you have children who are interested in one to the coming week, I’m sure there will be one or more to choose from.

I’m so thankful for all of you who pray for these and other needs. You make a difference!

Anna Lee

Thursday

You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’

But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

~Revelation 3:17~

Wesley Blades stopped by yesterday to say his wife, Jane Blades, has been hospitalized because of the results of wearing a heart monitor. She is in Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center. An angiogram will be done this morning. Pray for Jane, her family, and the medical staff caring for her.

The Hatchels got phone service and a vehicle for Boyd yesterday. Most importantly, they got to spend time with Boyd’s family.

Please pray for Aaron Hatchel who is having back issues. Tests have been done. They will get results today. Be in prayer, please.

Please continue to pray for Brady Haynes as he deals with pain and nausea related to kidney stones and surgery.

Scripture Writing Plan – “Who I am in Christ” – John 1 : 12-13

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

I haven’t been able to work on Operation Christmas Child as I usually do. I will need some of you to step up and help this year. Make some purchases. I think the best plan is to pict a couple of items and purchase multiples of that item. Need suggestions? Soap, washcloths, combs and brushes, toys, clothes pins, Play Dough, Lego blocks (large packs that can be divided), fishing needs, individual spoons, flash lights, batteries, flat glass marbles, colorful duct tape, sewing supplies, stick deodorant, small dolls, balls, etc. Get your family, class, co=workers, and school involved. Items can be dropped off at the office of FBC, Kentwood. Thanks! Remember, each shoebox we pact will impact an average of seven people with the knowledge of Jesus! What a great way for be a missionary!

We are not all alike, but each of us have unique ways to share Jesus. Share Jesus in your own style today.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“Everything you do or say, then, should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks through him to God the Father”

~Colossians 3:17 GNT~

Mr. John Phillips continues to be in rehab, which will be a long ordeal for him with both arms broken. Please continue to pray for him and for his family.

Carol B. Sealey Updates from her sister, Barbara Gaines

Update on this strong willed fighter. Carol is starting dialysis this morning for the next 4 hours. She opened her eyes for me this morning and blinked to let me know she understood me. Baby steps at this time, I will take any little improvement. Keep praying that we will continue to head in the right direction making these little baby steps.

Praise God Hallelujah prayers are working. Doctor was very upbeat and positive Dialysis is doing good. Going to start working on getting Vent off. Will continue dialysis waiting to see if we can get kidneys to working. Keep praying God is still performing a miracle in Carol!!!

Pray for Cheryl Hughes Green. She will have a heart cath tomorrow morning. The doctor suspects one or more blockages.

Larissa Sharkey Dean has a surgical procedure yesterday and did well. She will be back “on her feet” and going strong by the end of the week.

Micah Simpson is going through the process of joining the marines. Pray for him and his family.

Today, we will have a Tuesday morning drive in addition to the one yesterday. David will receive more blood today. Pray for the traveling and the infusion process.

Read and Write the Bible – “Who I Am in Christ” – I john 4: 4, 16

I don’t have any VBS reports, but know God was honored and children’s lives were touched by VBS, one of my favorite outreach activities.

Don’t forget your OCC purchases and projects. Without your help, ….

Anna Lee

Monday

Be very careful how you live.

Do not live like those who are not wise.

Live wisely.

I mean that you should use every chance you have for doing good, because these are evil times.

So do not be foolish with your lives.

But learn what the Lord wants you to do.”

~Ephesians 5:15-17 ICB~

Pray for Mrs. Mildred Birch as she has a back procedure at North Oaks this morning. Pray the surgery is successful in relieving her back pain.

Carol Bennett Sealey had another round of dialysis and a unit of blood. She tolerated these procedures and is back in ICU.

Pray for the family of Mr. Kent Davis who lived in our neighborhood. Pray for his wife as she makes decisions about her life without him.

Thankfulness

I’m thankful we were able to attend church yesterday and even to eat lunch with friends. Many friends made a special effort to speak with David. They will never know how much that means to us. We get to remember them in our conversations and prayers.

I’m so thankful for my sister, Julie, who has chosen to make many trips to the doctors with us. I’m also thankful for our son and his family who spent part of last week with us and for our Texas granddaughter who was also with us last week. Please pray for her as she begins a summer job as a medical assistant today. Our daughter-in-law and two Georgia grandchildren will spent this week at Centrifuge. I’m so thankful for these family members and the meaningful lives they have chosen to live.

Read and Write the Bible – “Who I Am in Christ” – I Corinthians 12: 27-31

Pray for all the students, teachers, and other workers as VBS begins this morning at FBC, Kentwood. Several other churches are also having VBS this week, mostly in the evenings. I know there will be a number of students who will get a “double dose” of VBS this week. I think that is good. We never heard of that when our children were of VBS age, but I see nothing wrong with getting the kids in church twice a day all week.

Operation Christmas Child item to purchase this month – TOYS! You can leave your purchases in the church office or in the classroom next to the choir room. Thanks!

God has given us this Monday! What will we give to Him though others this Monday?

Anna Lee

Sunday

“Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”

~Acts 5:20~

I find “shoeboxes” a way old and young alike can help share the Good News about Jesus!

I hope you are thinking about and making purchases to pack some OCC kits. Some examples of kits are:

Hair fixin’s (ribbons, pony tail holders, combs, brushes, etc.)
Handyman items (screw driver, screws, small hammers, nails, measuring tapes, etc.)
Jewelry (necklaces, bracelets, rings, etc.)
School supplies (pens, pencils, makers, erasers, 6 ” rulers, push pins, post it notes, etc.)
Fishing kits (hooks, floaters, sinkers, string, etc.)
Jewelry making items (beads, elastic string, crosses, etc.)
Kitchen kits (measuring spoons, dish cloths, stirring spoons, serving spoons, etc.)
Sewing kits (scissors, fabric, thread, buttons, lace, etc.)
Small toys for boys (cars, tractors, plastic animals, marbles, etc.)
Band aids of various sizes and designs
Puzzle with a photo copy of picture from box
Let your imagination be your guide,

Some packing ideas I shared with a neighbor are the tall rectangular cans that hold drink mixes, chip containers, small pencil cases, and medicine bottles. These can be used to hold any of the items listed above. Note: It is helpful if you remove the labels or cover them with contact paper or colorful duct tape. It is also helpful if you wash all you containers so there is no residue from the original contents.

I suppose you get the idea by now, that now is the time to make purchases for “shoeboxes”. If you need any additional information so you, your family, a class, a church, a school, etc. can get started, please contact me. I love to help get others started in this wonderful opportunity we have every year.

Read and Write the Bible – Psalm 62: 5-8 .

Copies of the May Scripture references will be available at FBC, Kentwood today or during the week (by going to the church office). You can also go to the following like to print your own copy. I’m using the one on the right.

http://www.wholemagazine.org/scripture-writing-plans/may-abiding-in-christ

Anna Lee

Saturday

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” ~Luke 19:10 (NIV)~

Operation Christmas Child is the program that sends “shoeboxes” filled with clothing, toiletries, school supplies, and toys to children around the world. By taking your gifts out of the bulky packaging, you can put more items in the “shoeboxes”. I have a tote on the organ at church that contains some suggestions for purchases. I hope you will check it out and have a great trip shopping. If you attend another church in our area, feel free to go to the office during office hours and ask someone to show you where to look. These are not the only items, but are good ideas of some of the things that can be purchased year-round.

You may want to craft some items: tote bags, jump ropes, bean bags with plastic pellets or small pebbles, pencil pouches, shirts, dresses, pillowcases, lap blankets, etc. You can check Pinterest for many ideas.

Boxes will need $9.00 for postage. Printed materials to introduce the children to Jesus will be added. The printed materials are in the language of the country where the children live. It is not a good idea to send printed materials written in English.

In early November, the boxes can be sent to a collection site. FBC, Kentwood is one of the more local sites for many of you. You can check the OCC site on the computer for more information about sites, packing, deadlines, etc.

Read & Write the Bible Today – Psalms 40: 1-3

Pray for the many people in Ruston and other areas who had tornado damage. Below is a partial list of items you may want to contribute.

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Meg is currently on site in Ruston. You can contact her in a few days or the missions office in Franklinton (Bro. Stan).

While I was reading about “No Clothing”, I thought of the Hope Center in Roseland. They accept donations of various kinds, including clothing, Tuesday through Friday 9 A.M. – 5 P.M.

I hope you have received some ideas of how you can minister here in Louisiana and around the world. Missions has many faces. Learn to look for opportunities.

Anna Lee

Friday

“The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds.

All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds!

But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.”

~Galatians 6:7-8 The Message~

Joanne Seymour has been battling cancer. Her recent scans were all clean. That’s a whole year of good reports. Please thank God for the good report.

Rick and Krystal Slaven Campbell are the proud parents of Abigail Olivia who was born yesterday morning at 8:55. She weighed 7 pounds 14 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long. Pray for them as they raise their precious daughter in a loving, Christian home.

Mary Criswell sent word that Hazel Allen passed away yesterday afternoon, but did not know any arrangements yet. I will post them when they become available.

Thursday, May 2, will be the annual National Day of Prayer. Keep your eyes and ears open for ways you can participate. The theme this year is “Love One Another”.

Read and Write the Bible Today – Psalm 37: 5-9

Trained Disaster Relief Workers are needed in Ruston. Also, items are being collected to distribute in Ruston. You may be able to help. Contact the BASELA office, Bro. Stan Statham, if you are able to help in any way. 985-515-4368

Thanks for reading and praying today.

Anna Lee

Monday

Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

~Psalm 103:2~

Read and Write the Bible Today – Lamentations 3: 22-26

I was blessed to attend an early worship service and later to watch the second service via computer with David! You can find links to both services on my facebook page.

Now that Easter egg hunts are over for this year, I will ask that if you are discarding plastic Easter eggs that you please leave them at FBC, Kentwood so we can use them in several different ways for Operation Christmas Child.

There is a tote on the organ at church with some ideas of items to purchase for Operation Christmas Child. Look through the tote and get some ideas. Then, happy shopping. Please leave your donations at the church office or in the classroom next to the choir room. May I suggest you make a decision to spend a certain amount each week (or month). Then shop frequently! If you cannot shop frequently, I suggest donating to OCC by putting your donation in an envelope marked OCC or to hand your donation to me when you see me. I love to shop of OCC. Packing day will be here before you know it!

There are many ways to share the message of salvation. Today, let’s pray for ministers who do that from a pulpit, in hospitals, and other places every week. Pray for Sunday School teachers and mission leaders who teach regularly the same message. Also, pray for missionaries and their families who live the same lifestyle, but who do it on mission fields around the world. Pray regularly for those who share the Good News. May it become who you are and what you do.

Anna Lee

Good Friday

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.

For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

~1 Corinthians 15:20-22 (NIV)~

This is the day we honor the death of Jesus on the cross because He gave His life for us. It truly is a Good Friday. I’m thankful I know the “end of the story” and the purpose of the resurrection.

Read and Write the Bible Today – James 5:7-9

Eggs are a sign of new life. Easter eggs represent the new life we have through Jesus. As your children tire of the plastic eggs this week, if you do not plan to keep them, please bring them to Kentwood First Baptist Church. We would like to give the plastic eggs new life as an item for Operation Christmas Child “shoeboxes“. I will have a large basket at church for the eggs or you can leave them in the church office during the week or in the classroom next to the choir room on a Sunday. Thanks for helping us.

Some of the local churches are having special services today. You may want to check around and attend one.

Sunday, you will have the opportunity to attend sunrise services at Inspiration Park or some of the local churches. I have fond memories of previous sunrise services. I trust you do too. Make a new memory this week.

Sunday, many of our churches will have extra services and special music to celebrate the resurrection. Find you place and join the celebration. Remember, “Up from the Grave He Arose”.

I know many of you plan to honor Debbie Miller‘s life and sweet friendship. I will post her obituary when one is available later today.

Anna Lee