Saturday

The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.

~Proverbs 23:24 (NIV)~

Happy Father’s Day Weekend!

Update on Carol Bennett Sealey written by Austin, her son:

My mom has been having good days. Daddy said she was actually able to stand very briefly when the PT came in. She’s completely alert and responding to everything. She was able to FaceTime with Camille tonight for a little bit. It was good for them to get to talk. It’s been over two weeks. Things are looking great!

Pam Bankston has a long recovery ahead of her now that the neck and spine surgery has been done. Please keep Pam, and Sim, in your prayers.

Deanna “Bug” Reynolds continues her recovery at home. I think having a mom who is a nurse gives her an advantage over some others who have to recover from surgery to remove tonsils. Please continue to pray for “Bug”.

Scripture Writing Plan – “Who I am in Christ” – Ephesians 4: 4-7, 32

Kentwood area children and youth had lots of opportunities to participate in VBS and to attend church camps this week. I’m so thankful to live in an area where adults are so willing to give of themselves in order that children can learn about Jesus and how to live for Him.

I know some special people who will be leaving their home in a few days to travel to the States for the next six months. Pray for them as they complete preparations to travel, travel for hours and hours, and set up in a house that will be their home for the coming months.

Anna Lee

Friday

“The LORD’s kindness never fails!

If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed.

The LORD can always be trusted to show mercy each morning.

Deep in my heart I say, ‘The LORD is all I need; I can depend on him!”

~Lamentations 3:22-24 CEV~

Deanna “Bug” Reynolds‘ surgery went well yesterday. A friend who is a nurse was present during surgery. The doctor had prayer with the family. “Bug” did not require the night in the hospital, but was back at home. God was with the family all the way. You are thanked for praying yesterday.

I mentioned a child and a parent who were in a serious accident. The child has multiple breaks that will be a long time healing. The parent is not responsive at this time. Prayers are needed.

I have heard many good reports of VBS again this week. God is good. Adults and youth have worked hard, Songs have been learned. Pledges have been said. Crafts have been made. Missions has been taught. Bible stories have been learned. Children’s lives have been impacted! Decisions to follow Jesus have been made. Thanks to all of you who were involved at any church that had VBS this week.

It’s also the time of the year when many church camps impact our children and youth. I know lives are also impacted and changed at camp. If you have not signed your child or youth up, check into whether or not there are any more openings. Your young person may still get the opportunity to be blessed at camp.

Scripture Writing Plan – June 14th – Ephesians 2: 8-10, 18

Video – “The Example” – Matthew 19:14

https://hereforyou.org/videos/#merciful

Have you ever heard that children learn more by what adults do than what adults say?

What will you do today to set a good example? a Christian example?

Anna Lee

Sunday

“Enter through the narrow gate.

For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

~Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)~

Scripture Writing Plan – 2 Corinthians 5: 17, 20-21

“A Different Kind of Hope” – https://hereforyou.org/videos/#merciful

And this hope will never disappoint us …
-Romans 5:5

VBS – Some churches have ended their 2019 VBS. Others are starting. Even others will not start for a month or more. Make sure the children in your household get every opportunity to learn about Jesus! That’s a big part of our responsibility to children.

Waylon Bailey, “They’re Everywhere” – http://waylonbailey.com/2019/06/08/theyre-everywhere/

God expects us to seek those who are not in His house each week!

Just as people are everywhere, so are churches in our area. Find one to attend today if you do not have one.

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“‘Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing.

But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.’”

~Luke 5:5 NLT~

After their obedience, God gave them more fishing success than they ever imagined.

“You’ll Miss the Bus” – Matthew 5:3 – https://hereforyou.org/videos/#merciful

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

VBS – Day 3 – I am really missing VBS this year, but hope all the kids and workers will be ready today for a wonderful day!

Read and Write the Bible Today – I John 5: 4, 11-12, 18

Students learn Bible truths in retrofitted school bus – http://www.bpnews.net/53021/students-learn-bible-truths-in-retrofitted-school-bus

This is a “think outside the box” idea and a great one! The Bible tells us to go and to tell. I think that is what this article is about.

Where will we go? Who will me tell? God doesn’t expect all of us to cross oceans to other countries! He does expect us to go and to tell. The article surely describes going and telling. Let’s pray for the continued success of BREAK. Now, what can we do in our area and on our scale? Who will give? Who will tell?

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

Lord’s Day

So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many;

and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

~Hebrews 9:28 (NIV)~

Austin Sealey shared this update about his mom, Carol Bennett Sealey.

So my mom had a better day today. She is still critical, but she has made some improvements. Her kidneys are still not functioning, but today the doctor made the decision that she could be a candidate for dialysis. He advised it was still risky with her present state, but we made the decision to try it to continue to give her a fighting chance. She handled it great, and the doctor was definitely pleased. She’s still not really responding, but she did open her eyes slightly when I held her hand. Nowhere close to out of the woods yet, but she’s fighting. Thank you for the continued prayers and support.

Please add Mrs. Ruby Dillon to your prayer list again. The last couple days have not been her best.

Pray for the president today!

Franklin Graham Asks Christians Nationwide to Pray for President Trump June 2

https://endtimeheadlines.org/2019/05/franklin-graham-asks-christians-nationwide-to-pray-for-president-trump-june-2/?fbclid=IwAR2eveGBM0-1OeOf0mu7DX-bjEIPjmwZWTwTRD1b5YyBlnpntmwQDmMlwGk

How to Pray for Vacation Bible School

Written by Dr. Waylon Bailey, pastor of FBC, Covington

http://waylonbailey.com/2019/06/01/how-to-pray-for-vacation-bible-school/

Several churches in the Kentwood area will have VBS this week. FBC, Kentwood will host a registration party at 5 P.M. today and begin VBS at 8:30 in the morning. If you have not registered yet, you can do so this evening or in the morning before 8:30.

Read and Write Scripture Today – “Who I Am in Christ” – I Corinthians 6: 17, 19-20

I’m thankful we received a little rain yesterday afternoon.

Anna Lee

Sunday

“Each of us will give an account of himself to God.

So don’t criticize each other anymore.

Try instead to live in such a way that you will never make your brother stumble by letting him see you doing something that he thinks is wrong.”

~Romans 14:12-13 TLB~

Robin Hayden is now in rehab at Hood Memorial. Pray for his complete recovery.

Kathy Wales had hip repair surgery. With the surgery done, she is dealing with pain now. Next, later today, she will return home to six week of non-weight bearing healing time. Pray for Chris and Kathy during this recovery time.

Arthur Gates

January 29, 1932 – May 24, 2019

A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Friday, May 24, 2019 at Hood Memorial Hospital in Amite, LA. He was born January 29, 1932 in Spring Creek, LA and was 87 years of age. He was a dairy farmer for over 60 years and loved animals and gardening. He is survived by daughter, Susan Simpson and her husband, Wayne, grandchildren, Jason Simpson, Kerry Simpson and Amanda Durbin; great-grandchildren, Zac Simpson, Mason Simpson, nephew, Gene “Butch” White his wife, Maria, 2 nieces, Trudy Nelson and her husband, Mark, Candy Wallace and her husband, Rhett. Preceded in death by his wife, Helen Brooks Gates; parents, Harry and Genella Gates; sister, Willie Mae White. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Monday, May 27, 2019, and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 28, 2019. Services conducted by Dr. Danny Smith & Rev. Eric Catha. Interment Spring Creek Cemetery, Spring Creek, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Read and Write the Bible Today – “Abiding in Christ” – James 2:18

Here for You – Matthew 19:24 – “The Example”

This morning, at 8:00, Pine Ridge United Methodist will host their monthly breakfast as a fundraiser for a needy person, family, or cause. They always serve a delicious buffet.

Tuesday, the “young” ladies will celebrate their monthly birthday party to honor those with May birthdays. They will meet at the Burger Basket in Osyka at 11:00. Join them there.

FBC, Kentwood will host VBS in one week. Now is a good time to register your child.

I’m so thankful you took the time to read this humble post today. May it benefit you in some way.

Anna Lee

Saturday

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

~Acts 1:8~

This tells us to share our faith with others around the world, not just our friends and neighbors. That is our “mission”.

Mr. “Cete” did not get additional blood yesterday, but will get it Monday if the plans don’t change. Please keep Mr. “Cete” and “Miss” Ruby in your prayers.

Read and Write the Bible Today – “Abiding in Christ” – Ephesians 3:20

VBS, Vacation Bible School, signs are popping up all around. Please take note of the dates and locations so the little ones in your world don’t miss out. The children can’t make it to VBS if you don’t go out of your way to get them there!

Schools are ending for 2018-2019. That means lots of energetic and fast moving boys and girls are riding bikes and playing ball each day. Pay special attention when you drive!

Have a great Saturday. Don’t get too hot!

Anna Lee

Monday

“The LORD watches over all who love him.”

~Psalm 145:20 NIV~

I remember watching the Monday morning march with Buckskin Bill from Baton Rouge. David and I now have a Monday morning ride to Baton Rouge. Today, we meet my sister, Julie, in Ponchatoula so she can do some driving for us. God had certainly been watching over us as we have traveled many medical miles in the last couple of years. Thankfully, He has been with us all the way on this journey.

Read and Write the Bible – I John 1: 5-6

Yesterday, the local churches honored their graduates yesterday. Let’s join together to pray for and encourage each one of them. Their lives are all changing as they face the next steps of their future. Let’s pray they welcome God to travel these new steps with them.

Anna Lee