Category: Praises, Requests, & Updates

Monday

Whoever accepts and trusts the Son gets in on everything,

life complete and forever!

~John 3:36a (Msg)~

Please pray for Howard Melancon who is married to David’s niece, Janet.  Howard is in North Oaks with an infection and has been found to be diabetic.

Please continue to pray for Mrs. Shirley Frazier as she continues to deal with a broken foot.

Mr. “Cete” Dillon is having an issue with his health.  Pray for Mr. “Cete” and “Miss” Ruby.

Continue to pray for Mrs. Katherine Sanders who is in North Oaks and Mr. Gordon Price who is at the Kentwood rehab.

Saturday, all females from 5 t0  105 are invited to FBC, Kentwood at 10 A.M. for Mug ‘n’ Muffin.  That means you bring your favorite mug to drink from and a dozen breakfast muffins to share.  We will have lots of fun including eating, a craft activity, a missions activity, and much more.  Come and be blessed.  You do not have to be a member of FBC, Kentwood to come.  Contact me if you need more information.

Thought For The Day: An Amazing Love by Alan Smith

Here is the entire text of a love letter intercepted by a second grade schoolteacher, passed on to a parent:

“Dear Billy, if you don’t say you love me and walk to the bus stop with me I will kill myself and beet you up. I love you and wan to marry you soon. Suzy”

The little girl was eight at the time. The parent showed the preacher the letter at the rehearsal dinner the day before Suzy married Billy. Suzy was twenty-four. During the wedding service, he shared the letter with the guests, and in her vows, had Suzy repeat these words: “I, Suzy, promise you, Billy, never to kill myself or beat you up.”

He later said, “If the marriage lasts as long as her love, and her love is as large as the laughter in the ceremony, the odds are good for a happy ever after.”

We’ll do some amazing things in the name of love, won’t we? And the deeper our love, the more extreme our willingness is. That’s why a mother is willing to stay up all night tending to a sick child. It’s why a godly husband will sacrifice all that he holds dear to care for his wife (Eph. 5:25-28). And, in the most extreme example, it’s why Jesus Christ was willing to give up his very life for us when we least deserved it.

“Look at it this way: At the right time, while we were still helpless, Christ died for ungodly people. Finding someone who would die for a godly person is rare. Maybe someone would have the courage to die for a good person. Christ died for us while we were still sinners. This demonstrates God’s love for us.” (Romans 5:6-8, GOD’S WORD)

May God’s example of love motivate us to have a stronger love in our marriages, our families, our churches and all of our other relationships.

–Alan

Have a great day and a wonderful week!  Mark your calendar for Saturday’s Mug ‘n’ Muffin event.

Anna Lee

Sunday Afternoon

Mary Alice Fox called to say Marilyn (Mrs. Lowery) Fox passed away yesterday. Graveside services will be held at a later time at the Lee Cemetery in Gillsburg.  I’ll post more when arrangements have been completed.  Please be in prayer for the family.

Dennis Mitchel “D.J.” Jackson, 18 years old of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, died January 1, 2011, in Ponchatoula

He was born on June 26, 1992, in Hammond,

Surviving are mother and step-father Lisa Simmons and Mitchel Simmons, father, Dennis Jackson, sisters, Jessica D. Jackson and Christa Champagne, brothers Jacob Simmons, and Jeremie Simmons and James H. Jackson nephews Cass Anthony and Maddox Graham, grandmother, Sylvia Jackson, grandfather, Boykin Jackson.

Friends will be received Monday, January 3, 2011 from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home in Hammond.

Services will be held at Funeral Home Chapel – Hammond, Tuesday, at 1:00 PM.

Interment will follow in the Parklawn Memorial Gardens Hammond, Louisiana.

1-1-11

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered,

“you are worried and upset about many things,

but only one thing is needed.

Mary has chosen what is better,

and it will not be taken away from her.”

~Luke 10:41-42 (NIV)~

From Mary Prescott

Please add a friend of ours to the Prayer Link.  His name is Austin Fath.  He was involved in an accident last night and he has a severe brain injury.  He is in University hospital in ICU.  Please lift him and his family up in prayer during this very difficult time.  Thank you so much.  Mary

Be careful in this bad weather!

Thought For The Day: What Do You Hear?

A Native American and his friend were in downtown New York City, walking near Times Square in Manhattan. It was during the noon lunch hour and the streets were filled with people. Cars were honking their horns, taxicabs were squealing around corners, sirens were wailing, and the sounds of the city were almost deafening. Suddenly, the Native American said, “I hear a cricket.”

His friend said, “What? You must be crazy. You couldn’t possibly hear a cricket in all of this noise!”

“No, I’m sure of it,” the Native American said, “I heard a cricket.”

“That’s crazy,” said the friend.

The Native American listened carefully for a moment, and then walked across the street to a big cement planter where some shrubs were growing. He looked into the bushes, beneath the branches, and sure enough, he located a small cricket. His friend was utterly amazed.

“That’s incredible,” said his friend. “You must have super-human ears!”

“No,” said the Native American. “My ears are no different from yours. It all depends on what you’re listening for.”

“But that can’t be!” said the friend. “I could never hear a cricket in this noise.”

“Yes, it’s true,” came the reply. “It depends on what is really important to you. Here, let me show you.”

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a few coins, and discreetly dropped them on the sidewalk. And then, with the noise of the crowded street still blaring in their ears, they noticed every head within twenty feet turn and look to see if the money that tinkled on the pavement was theirs.

“See what I mean?” asked the Native American. “It all depends on what’s important to you.”

What’s important to you? What do you listen for? Are there times that you fail to listen to God or see what God is doing in your life because you are focused on other things that are more important to you?

Jesus said, “For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear.” (Matt. 13:15-16)

Father, we pray at the beginning of this new year — amidst all the distractions of the world all around us, may our ears always be open to your voice, and our eyes open to your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.

–Alan Smith

Please feel free to share requests, updates, and praise reports.

Anna Lee

Thursday

“Where is the newborn king of the Jews?

We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

~Matthew 2:2 (NLT)~

Please continue to pray for Mr. Phillip and Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell.  They are both “under the weather” and would appreciate your prayers.

The last reports from Mrs. Katherine Sanders all include good reports of her progress.  Thank God for her improvement.  Keep praying for her.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Are We There Yet?

  • Has everyone in the world had an opportunity to hear about God?   No!
  • Have enough funds been collected to support our missionaries for the next year?  Not yet
  • Has your church met its goal for this year?  My church is still working to meet their goal.
  • Has God laid it on your heart to give or to give again?
Loving Someone You Can’t Stand

Doctor: “I see you’re over a month late for your appointment. Don’t you know that nervous disorders require prompt and regular attention? What’s your excuse?”

Patient: “I was just following your orders, Doc.”

Doctor: “Following my orders? What are you talking about? I gave you no such order.”

Patient: “You told me to avoid people who irritate me.”

Unfortunately, we don’t always have the option of avoiding people who irritate,

people who hurt us, people who offend us. In fact, sometimes those who irritate us

the most are found right in our home (or in our church building). So how should we

deal with them?

Milton Jones has written a wonderful book entitled “How to Love Someone You Can’t

Stand” which I highly recommend (you can find it at Amazon.com). In this book,

Jones lists six godly principles which are derived from Romans 12:


(1) Manage Your mouth — Bless and don’t curse (Rom. 12:14)

(2) Put yourself in the other person’s place and try to understand their feelings,

thoughts and position (Rom. 12:15)

(3) Never, never, never take revenge (Rom. 12:17)

(4) Plan ahead to do something beautiful (Rom. 12:17)

(5) Don’t just win the war, win the peace (Rom. 12:18)

(6) Make room for God (Rom. 12:19)

The bottom line is that we do not overcome evil with evil by retaliating and seeking

to “get even”. The only way to overcome evil is with good (Rom. 12:21). It is never

easy to respond to those who do us wrong in a way that is godly, but it is only by

following the example of Jesus Christ that we can truly have an influence on the

world around us.

“But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable

before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving

us an example, that you should follow His steps…” (I Peter 2:19-20)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Alan Smith’s thoughts might lead to a resolution for the new year. . . .

Have a terrific Thursday!

Anna Lee

Wednesday Afternoon

Pat Smith

She had a scope but down her to determine how big the tumor was and to biopsy it for cancer and other test. We got our miracle! Not only is it not connected to her liver but also it is not on her pancreas. In addition, the great news is it can be removed. The Dr’s said it was in the only place that it could be surgically removed. She will know next week where she will go to have the surgery.

Please keep her on the prayer list and I will keep you informed about her progress.

Betty June M. Cutrer

Charles Don Hart

(December 14, 1944 – December 29, 2010)

A resident of Amite, he died at 6:29 a.m. on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at his home in Amite. He was born December 14, 1944 in Brookhaven, MS and was 66 years of age. Mr. Charlie was a veteran local broadcaster for 50 years as the voice of WABL ,1570-AM in Amite. Hart will be remembered for his unique, fun-style of local radio that was guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of any listener, including small children who laughed out loud at his dry but wacky humor. His meticulous local weather reporting literally put Amite on the map; Because of his fascination with and devotion to meteorology, WABL served as a National Weather Service reporting station, with an official rain gauge, barometer, and thermometer outside the building that housed the studios on Bankston Road. In September of 1985, new owners acquired the station and Hart became deeply involved in local news reporting, an avocation he maintained for the rest of his life. The late Tom Gillen of Baton Rouge, who literally founded the public relations industry in Louisiana in 1945, and veteran political activist Henry Harrison of Pumpkin Center, bought WABL to turn it into the flagship of a local news operation. For the next three years Hart worked closely with perennial local journalist Ken Benitez, a relationship that lasted until Hart’s last day on Earth. He is survived by his 2 aunts, L’Na Cox, Amite and Cary Staton, Brandon, MS; numerous cousins and friends. Preceded in death by his mother and step-father, Leonora and Jesse Reynolds; father, Charles Hart; sister, Scarlett Reynolds. A graveside service will be held at a later date at Cold Springs Cemetery, Bogue Chitto, MS.

Monday

By entering through faith

into what God has always wanted to do for us—

set us right with him,

make us fit for him—

we have it all together with God

because of our Master Jesus.

~Romans 5:1 (MSG)~

Continue to pray for travelers.  Many are stuck in airports and hotels.  Some are driving in less than ideal conditions.

Mrs. Katherine Sanders is doing well – good enough to be out walking.  She stayed at home yesterday because of the cold.

Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell is home, but continues to not be doing her best.  Please remember her in your prayers.

Ashlyn Neal is much better.  Her family thanks you for the many prayers offered for them.  Keep praying,

Lottie Moon lead a life of significance, making a big difference in God’s kingdom.  What about you?

http://www.imb.org/main/downloads/flashvideos.asp?filename=/files/62/6294/6294-34373.flv

Seeking the Lost

A golfer, playing a round by himself, is about to tee off, and a greasy little salesman runs up to him, and yells, “Wait! Before you tee off, I have something really amazing to show you!”

The golfer, annoyed, says, “What is it?”

“It’s a special golf ball,” says the salesman. “You can never lose it!”

“Whattaya mean,” scoffs the golfer, “you can never lose it? What if you hit it into the water?”

“No problem,” says the salesman. “It floats, and it detects where the shore is, and spins towards it.”

“Well, what if you hit it into the woods?”

“Easy,” says the salesman. “It emits a beeping sound, and you can find it with your eyes closed.”

“Okay,” says the golfer, impressed. “But what if your round goes late and it gets dark?”

“No problem, sir, this golf ball glows in the dark! I’m telling you, you can never lose this golf ball!”

The golfer buys it at once. “Just one question,” he says to the salesman. “Where did you get it?”

“I found it!”

Maybe someday someone will invent a golf ball that can never be lost, but until then we will all have to deal with losing things — golf balls, car keys, glasses, etc. We also have to deal with a lost humanity. I find it interesting that the one term Jesus used most often to describe those who are outside of Christ is the word “lost”.

In Luke 15, Jesus elaborated on this idea by telling three parables — the parable of the lost sheep, the parable of the lost coin, and the parable of the lost (prodigal) son. The point has often been made that those three parables demonstrate three different ways of being lost — through unintentional wandering (the sheep), through the negligence of someone else (the coin), or through willful disobedience (the son).

However, the point of those three parables is not so much about our lostness as they are about the fact that our God is willing to search for us and bring us back into a relationship with Him. If we will truly see the world around us as “lost”, it will change our perspective as well. Think about the last time you knew of a child that was missing. When a child is lost, we don’t ask what race the child is. It doesn’t matter — the child is lost! We don’t ask the child’s economic status. It doesn’t matter — the child is lost! We don’t ask what the child may or may not have done wrong. It doesn’t matter — the child is lost! All that matters is that we find that child and bring him/her home safely.

Seeing a world around us as “lost” will change the way we see them. The scribes and Pharisees looked at the tax collectors and sinners and saw terrible, ugly people. Jesus saw people who were lost. All that mattered to him was that he bring them home safely.

“For the Son of man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)

Father, thank you for diligently searching for me and for bringing me home to you. Fill me with your love so that I may care enough to seek out those around me who are lost. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Have a great week!

Anna Lee

Sunday

Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace,

goodwill toward men!

~Luke 2:14 (NKJV)~


“It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from –

if you want God and are ready to do as he says,

the door is open.”

~Acts 10:35 MSG~

Mr. and Mrs. Albert (Mattie) Bishop are hospitalized in Hood Memorial. Please keep them and their daughter, Sally, in your prayers.

Madyson Grace Watts

http://www.actionnews17.com/News/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/5089/Loranger-family-gets-Christmas-wish-as-miracle-child-comes-home-following-accident-rehabilitation.aspx

Petey Harper

Graveside Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, December 26th at 2:30 p. m. at the Arcola – Roseland Cemetery with Rev. Brady Whitton officiating.

Friends and relatives are invited to the home of David and Keri Wickham immediately following the service for a memorial reception.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering: Children’s Videos

http://www.imb.org/main/downloads/page.asp?StoryID=8660&LanguageID=1709

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee