Please continue to pray for Annie Bell Harrell. She has been fighting a health battle for a long while. One problem seems to lead to another. Please pray for this sweet, Christian lady who is a friend to many.
Nyla Price said her husband, Mike Price, has an appointment on the 28th in Jackson to check out some concerns. She would be thrilled if you would pray for him.
“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save;
nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.”
~Isaiah 59:1~
Lee (from Wisconsin)
I know that you have a lot of things to pray about, and I live in Montana so I do not go to your church, but would you please consider prayer for my father-in-law. His name is Lee, and he lives in Wisconsin. He has been losing alot of weight (without trying), and has extremely high glucose levels (diabetic). Now the doctors are saying he has lots of problems and are believing that he has pancreatic (or some other type of) cancer. They have not found it yet, but believe he has. Please pray for this wonderful man, if you will. Thank you, and may God continually bless you.
Melinda
Andy Taylor
Everything good with gall bladder. Still a little sore. Needs to let inside heal good. Shingles a little better.
Hearing test on the 15th, wrist dr on the 20th,cataract surgery on march 21st.then we go from there. Thank you for all your prayers.
Betty
Pray for Andy and Betty as they continue to see many doctors. The body has been weak, but the faith has been strong!
Carol Jean Gill
A few changes have been made, but basically she is the same. Pray for Mr. Fernie Ray as he stays long hours each day.
Thought for the Day: My least favorite parable
A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan, in which a man was beaten, robbed and left for dead. She described the situation in vivid detail so her students would catch the drama.
Then she asked the class, “If you saw a person lying on the roadside all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?”
A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence. “I think I’d throw up!”
I have to confess that the parable of the Good Samaritan is one of my least favorite parables. You may be thinking: “It’s a beautiful story that teaches a strong lesson. What’s there not to like?” But that’s the problem. It teaches a very strong lesson and one that I can’t escape. There’s no way to explain this parable away, no way to come up with any fanciful interpretations that soothe my conscience.
Every time I read this parable, I realize my shortcomings in the area of meeting the needs of those around me. And the fact that I can relate so well to the priest and the Levite in the story leaves me squirming in my seat. Perhaps you understand what I mean. Allow the words of Jesus to pierce your heart once again:
“But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’ Then Jesus answered and said: ‘A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, “Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.” So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?’ And he said, ‘He who showed mercy on him.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.'” (Luke 10:29-37)
“Father, in a world where I am surrounded by pain and suffering, it is so easy to turn my head and shut my eyes. Please forgive me of the times when I have done just that. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
That really makes us think. May we all “put feet” to our concerns today.
Anna Lee
Mug & Muffin
Ladies and girls, don’t forget to join us at FBC, Amite Saturday morning at 9:30. Bring a dozen muffins to share and a mug to use. Plan to have a good time and learning something while enjoying the company of other ladies and girls. Pass the word.
Wilkie Moak Blades
(March 7, 1942 – February 8, 2012)
A homemaker, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend passed away in Barling, AR on February 8, 2012 at the age of 60 years old. She was born March 7, 1942 in Mt. Hermon, LA, was a current resident of Barling AR and former resident of Kentwood, LA. Wilkie is survived by her 4 daughters and 1 son, Teresa Lovell and husband, Bob, McComb, MS, Elsie Stewart and husband, Robert, Greensburg, LA, Janet Sharp and friend, Kenneth Womack, Kentwood, LA, Clyde Travis, Jr. and wife, Tammy, Pearl River, LA and Trish Givens and husband, Jason, Lavaca AR; 3 sisters, Patricia “Annie” Allen and husband, Joe, Magnolia MS, Peggy Sue Tate and husband, Roger, Kentwood, LA and Linda Gail Riggle, Vacherie, LA; 4 brothers, Woody Moak, Franklin, LA, Kenneth “Scooter” Varnado, McComb, MS, Buford “Boonie” Blades, Jr. and wife, Rosie, GA, Herman Blades and wife, Donna, TN; 4 grandchildren, Amy Carver and husband, Richard, Brandon Sharp and wife, Chrystal, Tracie Marie Travis, Jessie Lovell, Dakota Blades, Colton Blades, Tyler Givens and Savannah Givens; 3 great-grandchildren Jacob Carver, Brandon Sharp, Jr. and Elizabeth Sharp. She was preceded in death by her husband, Nelson Eugene “Skeet” Blades; her parents, Mr. Colla “Collie” Moak and Mrs. Evie M. Moak; 2 brothers, Stanley Earl Varnado and Paul Moak; a daughter, Sherry Ann Travis; and 2 sons, Collie Columbus Travis and Clyde Columbus Travis. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., Sunday, February 12, 2012, and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 10 a.m., Monday, February 13, 2012. Services conducted by Rev. Greg Stewart. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
A God-Sized Accident
http://missionaryblogdigest.wordpress.com/2012/02/09/a-god-sized-accident/
“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
it shall not return to Me void,
but it shall accomplish what I please,
and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent.”
~Isaiah 55:11~
CaringBridge: LoganWatts
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/loganwatts
Logan is still continuing to improve at a very fast rate. He went back to Dr Karlin today for a follow up after his botox injections and his range of motion in his right leg is much better than before. He is still a little tight so he may repeat the injections in 3 months, depending on his next visit. Logan is using a walker now, pretty much as his means for transportation. Either the walker or crawling, the only time we have been using his wheel chair is for school purpose or for master’s club at church. We appreciate all the prayers for Logan but there is something specific we would like to request prayer for. Logan’s Dr suggested for us to bring him to Birmingham to participate in CI (constraint-induced) therapy. This is because that he tends to neglect his right hand. Since the injury his left side is stronger and he was left handed before so he does what he can with his left hand, he won’t use his right hand unless he’s forced too. At this point he is neglecting his right hand/arm which could cause it to retract and draw up to his body, be very weak, and not grow in size as the rest of his body does. His brain is still re-wireing itself so they say its a good time to do this right now because there can come a point where it will be to late. Once the muscles shorten they can not be fixed. The bad part is that this intensive therapy is for 3 weeks in Birmingham, Al and just the therapy part is 8k dollars. That’s not costing our stay or Jonathan missing 3 wks of work. Please pray that we make the right decision and for God’s will to be done. We are so grateful for the amazing progress he has made thus far.
Pray for Rafe Cutrer as he sees a neurologist today. Pray for Rafe to continue to make progress.
Ms. Frances Strickland is better and was able to be in prayer meeting last night.
Pray for Mrs. Catherine Yarborough as she has a MRI today to gather more information on a recent problem.
Stephanie McKenzie’s grandmother, Mrs. Rebecca Moak, is hospitalized and undergoing tests. Please pray for her.
Continue to pray for Mr. Raymond Anthony as he sees more doctors this week as he begins chemo and radiation for a lung problem. Pray for his family as they transport him back and forth to Hammond daily for the next six weeks.
Pray for Kenneth Birch who is having back problems. Pray for his sister, Mrs. Shirley Frazier, who continue to have back problems that have kept her home for months now.
New Beth Moore Bible Study – James: Mercy Triumphs
Coming soon to FBC, Kentwood
Two sessions to choose from – Sunday or Thursday Evenings
Please notify the church office or me if you are interested in attending.
Workbooks will be $15.00
Thought for the Day: Looking at things differently
A teenage boy lost a contact lens while playing basketball in his driveway. After a fruitless search, he told his mother the lens was no where to be found. Undaunted, she went outside and in a few minutes returned with the eyepiece in her hand.
“How did you manage to find it, Mom?” the teenager asked.
“We weren’t looking for the same thing,” she replied. “You were looking for a small piece of plastic. I was looking for $150.”
It is so true that our passion and persistence in doing something will be largely determined by its value in our eyes. For example, evangelism will never be a top priority as long as you see your next-door neighbor as simply a middle-aged guy with a pot belly. When you see him as an valuable soul whose eternal destiny will be determined by his relationship with God, suddenly things are different.
If you see your involvement at church as simply cleaning out a baptistry or corralling a herd of 4-year-olds for an hour, you will quickly lose heart. When you see your involvement as an essential element in the building up of the kingdom of God, you will not “grow weary while doing good” (Gal. 6:9).
“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Col. 3:2)
Looking at earthly things from a heavenly perspective will change the value of things in our mind. And that, in turn, will change how diligently we seek to do the things of God.
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
You will influence others today in either a positive or negative way. Make a choice to be a positive influence.
Anna Lee
Two reminders:
“Finally, brethren, pray for us,
that the word of the Lord may run swiftly
and be glorified, just as it is with you.”
~2 Thessalonians 3:1~
From Charlene Blades
Update on my mom (Dell Phillips) she is home now. However we are making lots of adjustments. We now have nurses etc… coming in and out. A room full of medical equipment. It is a big change for us.
She felt pretty good yesterday but is very weak and tired today.
Please keep her and her caregivers in your prayers.
Mrs. Avis Sullivan is back at home and doing well. She is an amazing lady!
Jadon Pailet is doing very well four weeks after surgery. He has had some ups and downs, but has been seizure free for four weeks! Yesterday, he added a new phrase to his vocabulary – “Go bye bye”. He’s a miracle in so many ways!
CaringBridge: AdriunnaCavanaugh
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/adriannacavanagh
Mildred Ann Bass Spence
(June 7, 1949 – February 7, 2012)
Mildred Ann Bass Spence, 62, passed away at 10:05 a.m., Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at her residence surrounded by her loving family. She was a native of New Orleans and a resident of Amite.
She was born June 7, 1949 to George and Vickie Baham Bass. She was a lover of learning and education where she attended Southern Mississippi University.
In 1980 Mildred “Millie” married Lowell Spence and together they raised their five children. Millie adored and loved her children and especially her 3 grandchildren. Millie was very committed and close to her husband and family. She enjoyed gardening and helping others with family plans.
Ms. Millie is survived by her husband of 31 years, Lowell R. Spence; children, Greg L. Spence, John S. Tucker and wife Beth, Darby W. Tucker and wife Gabby & Amy L. Tucker; brother, George Bass, Jr. and wife Pat; sister, Shirley Ellzey; 3 grandchildren, Devon Tucker, Jacob Spence Langford & Nicholas Spence Langford.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George & Vickie Baham Bass, Sr.; son, Lowell Spence, Jr.; sister, Victoria Wilkins and husband Charles.
Visitation at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Thursday, February 9, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services at 10:00 a.m.at Chappapeela Baptist Church with Rev. Joe Weaver officiating. Interment in the Spring Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers family request Memorial Donations be made to Chappapeela Baptist Church Building Fund, 61407 Vining Road, Amite, LA
An on-line Guestbook is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com
McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N (Exit 46) and Hwy 16W behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash, Bond Eye Clinic and the Holiday Inn Express.
Thought for the Day: Enjoy the grape
I read a parable recently that bothered me when I read it the first time. It is a story that was
reportedly told by Buddha: A traveler, fleeing a tiger who was chasing him, ran till he came to
the edge of a cliff. There he caught hold of a thick vine, and swung himself over the edge. Above him the tiger snarled. Below him he heard another snarl, and behold, there was another tiger,
peering up at him. The vine suspended him midway between two tigers. Two mice, a white mouse and a black mouse, began to gnaw at the vine. He could see they were
quickly eating it through. Then in front of him on the cliffside he saw a luscious bunch of
grapes. Holding onto the vine with one hand, he reached and picked a grape with the other. How
delicious! That's the end of the parable. That's it??? If you're like me, you want to know how the story
ends. Does the man get eaten by one of the tigers? Does he manage to find a way of escape? We
don't know. And how can a man possibly stop to enjoy eating a grape while in the midst of such
a crisis??? I can't tell you for sure what the parable was intended to teach, but after giving it considerable
thought, here's the lesson that I gained from it. We are sometimes so focussed on wanting to know
what's going to happen in the future that we fail to enjoy what we have right here, right now. What is the doctor going to find when I go in for these tests? How can I possibly meet the
deadline my boss has given me since I have more work to do than I can possibly get done? How will
my wife react when I talk to her about the need to go see a counselor to deal with the deep-rooted
problems we're having? How am I going to pay the bills that are due next week when there's not
enough money in the bank to cover them? How should I react to the racial prejudice that's causing
students to say ugly things to me at school? None of those things are unimportant (nor are the countless other trials and difficulties you
could add to that list from your own experience); some may even be life-threatening But today,
all day long, I am surrounded by countless blessings from God -- a beautiful sunrise, the changing
autumn leaves, a child's kiss, a bunch of grapes, a warm bed, hot water, and the list goes on and
on. Is it possible to focus on the blessings at hand even when we are surrounded by difficulties
and we don't know how the story will turn out? For a child of God, it is not only possible, it is
essential that we learn to do so. "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever
the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have
plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether
well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." (Philippians 4:11-12)
Are you surrounded by tigers today? Take a moment to enjoy the grape that God has placed right in
front of you. Have a great day! Alan Smith
It's easy to see the miracles in Jadon's life, but do we see them in our own lives?
Today is a great day to pay attention and see what God is doing in our own lives.
Anna Lee
Mrs. Carol Jean Gill‘s sister-in-law, Margaret Ann Creel, called to speak for the family and say the family appreciates your continued prayers for all of them. “Miss” Carol Jean is still about the same. The staff of ICU have been wonderful to the family and are working to keep her comfortable. Thanks for supporting the family with your prayers and other kind actions. That’s what Christian friends are for!
Continue to pray for Earlo LaBauve in room 2204B at North Oaks. Pray his kidneys improve so he can get off dialysis.
Tripp Roth
http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/
Check out the March issue of “Reader’s Digest”.
Ladies of this area, please let me know if you are interested in joining a Bible study on Sunday nights or one night during the week at FBC, Kentwood . A count would be helpful in ordering books. I’ll post more information in a day or two.
“Rejoice always,
pray without ceasing,
in everything give thanks;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18~
Continue to pray for Mrs. Carol Jean Gill and her family. Pray for improvement on her part and peace and comfort for the family as they wait.
Mrs. Gail Pittman-McDaniel is now back in Kentwood for some rehab. Continue to pray for her and her family.
Mr. Earlo LaBauve, Sharon Martin’s dad, is improving, but still being treated at North Oaks. Please continue to pray.
Andy Taylor is improving, but still has a ways to go to get past the gall bladder surgery. Keep him in your prayers.
Continue to pray for Mrs. Pauline Strickland and for her family as they help care for her.
The wake for Mr. William Ed. Hatcher will be from 6-9 this evening at McKneely-Vaughn Funeral Home in Amite. Please continue to pray for his family.
Thought for the Day: Does God know about this?
There's a couple in Arkansas who have given their six-year-old son
strict instructions to come home from playing every afternoon no later
than 5 p.m. He is allowed to play with his friends, but his parents are
quite serious about his curfew. If he is not home by 5 p.m., they begin
to worry and call around the neighborhood to find out where he is. The
boy knows this, though, and is careful to arrive every day on time. One
April Monday, however, the day after Daylight Saving Time went into
effect, the boy was late coming home. When he finally arrived, a few minutes
before 6 p.m., his mother scolded him for being late. "You know you are
to be home by five," she said, "and here it is nearly six." Puzzled,
the little boy pointed out the window. "But the light," he protested, "the
light; it's the light that tells me when to come home." Realizing what had
happened, his mother smiled and gently explained that the day before the
time had been changed, that everyone had reset their clocks and, now, the
daylight lasted longer. The boy's eyes narrowed. "Does God know about this?"
he asked suspiciously. It's easy to see why a young boy would ask such a
question, but no matter what the circumstance prompting the question, the
answer to "Does God know about this?" is always, "Yes, He knows." David
reflected on this quality of God in Psalm 139: "Lord, you have examined
me and know all about me. You know when I sit down and when I
get up. You know my thoughts before I think them. You know where
I go and where I lie down. You know thoroughly everything I do.
Lord, even before I say a word, you already know it. You are
all around me -- in front and in back -- and have put your hand
on me. Your knowledge is amazing to me; it is more than I can
understand." (Psalm 139:1-6)
At times, it is a bit frightening to realize that God knows so much about
me, but ultimately it is a comforting thought -- that someone knows so
much about me, yet still loves me. Because God knows me so well, He knows
my deepest needs. May you take comfort this day in the realization that
God knows everything about you there is to know.
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Update on Jadon Pailet
http://jadonsisstory.blogspot.com/2012/02/in-hospital-yet-again.html
The Prayer Link 
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