Today, I am thankful for friends. David and I know and love many people because of many different connections – families, neighborhoods, schools, churches, jobs, children’s schools, friends, etc. You do too! You don’t have to be a neighbor to stay connected. We treasure our friends for many reasons. They have been influential to our lives.
Let’s turn that around. We have been friends to many people. We have impacted lives in many ways. Were we a good influence? Let’s hope we were.
Pray for for Trey Harrison. He is hospitalized in Baton Rouge. His family requests prayers.
Please for the the Danley Family in the sudden loss of Eddie.
Drop-Off Week for OCC
November 17-24
Several area churches have completed their packing.
There is still time to pack a few shoeboxes on your own.
Christmas Cards for Prisoners to Write & Send to Family
Please purchase some religious Christmas card and religious Christmas stamps that you apply to the envelopes. Place your cards in the green basket at church, give them to me any time OR take them to the association meeting of WMU at Spring Creek Baptist Church on December 6th.
Additional Bible Reading
‘Protectively Caring for His Faithful Friends’
He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor.
1 Samuel 2:8-9 NKJV
Have a great day! Help make today a great day for someone else!
Today, I am thankful for the ability to read. When I think of all the ways I read, I realize how different my life would be without reading.
Operation Christmas Child
Shoebox Collection Begins Next Week!
Your prayerfully packed Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes can be used by God to make an eternal difference in a child’s life! Start gathering gifts today for a child in need—National Collection Week, Nov. 17-24, is just one week away.
Shoeboxes Open Doors for the Gospel
Johan was given a shoebox stuffed with goodies when he was 12. His favorite gift was a soccer ball. As he learned that the gift was a tangible expression of Christ’s love for him, he was eager to discover more about the Savior. He then participated in The Greatest Journey—our discipleship course for shoebox recipients—and that’s when he gave his life to Jesus. Now 18, Johan volunteers with Samaritan’s Purse at Operation Christmas Child outreach events. “You can find happiness and joy through a simple box,” he said. “I want kids to know that they can trust God no matter what.”Read Johan’s Story
Many area churches have completed packing their boxes and are ready to deliver to the drop-off location. That’s fantastic!
All sites will be open Monday, the 17th through Monday, the 24th. Be sure you know the hours to deliver your boxes because the hours are not the same each day and at different sites. The set hours will be staffed and prepared for your arrival.
See you soon if you deliver to Kentwood.
Devotional
He Rekindles Burned-out Lives’
8 He raises poor people up from the trash pile.
He lifts needy people out of the ashes.
He lets them sit with princes.
He gives them places of honor.
“The foundations of the earth belong to the Lord.
On them he has set the world.
I Samuel 2:8 NIV
CHALLENGE
Do something to make today a special day for someone. You don’t have to give a report to anyone. God will know!
Good morning, November 10th. It’s cooler this morning and will be even cooler in the morning. I trust you had a wonderful Lord’s Day. We certainly did.
Verse of the Day
Read the Bible in 2025
November 10
Isaiah 64-66
Thankfulness
Today, I am thankful to be able to communicate with God and to know He listens for me and hears my prayers.
Prayer Requests
Please add Ricky Russell of Chesbrough to your prayer list. He has been in Lakeview hospital. Also, please pray for his wife, Brenda, and daughter, Jeana.
Continue to pray for Bobby and Betty Simpson, Andy and Betty Taylor, and others on your personal prayer list.
Today I am thankful for company. Company can be friends or family. We are experiencing a first, a grandchild and spouse staying for a few days “just because”. David and I are thrilled and so very thankful.
Mr. Bobby Simpson
My update on Mr. Bobby was shared by his older daughter, Melissa. With the heart beating more frequently and the pneumonia cleared up, the doctor is looking ahead and discussing possibilities for rehab. Isn’t that wonderful?
Today’s Bible Verse
Read the Bible in 2025
November 8
Isaiah 54-58
Sunday School Lesson
Obituary
Linda Susan Rispone Hulsey
September 17, 1953 – November 7, 2025
Linda Susan, a native of Baton Rouge, LA and a life-long resident of Amite, LA passed away peacefully at the age of 72 on Friday, November 7, 2025, at PAM Health Specialty Hospital in Hammond, LA at 12:10 A.M. Linda was born on September 17, 1953 to Evelyn Sharkey Rispone and Vincent L. Rispone. She attended Amite High School, where she was a member of the WaHoop dance team for 3 years. She graduated from Amite High School in 1971. She then attended Southeastern Louisiana University with a degree in Education, teaching 1st grade for many years before getting her masters and certification in Special Education, teaching Special Ed until her death. Linda was a life long member of the First Baptist Church of Amite. She was the sponsor of the Amite High WaHoop dance team for many, many years and truly had a hand in the lives and many young ladies which to this day loved her like she was their own mother.Linda’s love for her beloved Amite High Warriors, WaHoop Dance Team, LSU Tigers and The New Orleans Saints were like none other. She loved her teams and especially football.Every student that she ever taught was truly hers and she would let you know it at all times. Linda is survived by the 3 loves of her life, Hunter Hulsey Simmons and her husband David, of Magnolia, MS, Haley Hulsey White of Hammond, LA and Thomas Heath Hulsey of Amite, LA. Her 4 precious grandchildren were truly her heart and she lived her life daily for them. Thomlyn Brie White, Wyatt Lee Simmons, Madelyn (Maddie) Kate Simmons,and Bayleigh Jane Simmons. Her brother Vincent Jerry Rispone, Sr. and wife Kathy and a very special godson Joshua Ross Byars, and his wife Sarah and their son Briggs. She was preceded in death by her parents, her maternal grandparents Homer and Myrtle Sharkey and paternal grandparents, Joseph and Frances Rispone. Visitation will be Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 9:00 A.M. until religious services at 11:00 A.M. at the First Baptist Church in Amite. Services will be conducted by Rev. Matthew White. Interment will be at Amite Memorial Gardens. The family wishes to extend a special thanks for Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Baton Rouge General, North Oaks Medical Center and PAM. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be given to First Baptist Church of Amite, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and The American Cancer Society. McKneely Funeral Home of Amite is in charge of arrangements.
Today, I am thankful for my Bible, Christian books, Sunday School literature, etc. that help me have a better understanding of how God would have me live my life. I try, but often fail, just like all other humans.
Today’s Bible Verse
Update on Bobby Simpson
The procedure went well yesterday. Mr. Bobby’s heart rate is up to 70 now. Thank you for your continued prayers for him and his family.
Obituary
Jesse Louis Dean
December 7, 1940 – November 5, 2025
Jesse Louis Dean, a faithful servant of the Lord, devoted husband, loving father, and proud grandfather, peacefully entered his eternal home in Heaven on November 5, 2025, surrounded by his family.
He was born on December 7, 1940, in Osyka, Mississippi, to the late Samuel Emanuel (S.E.) and Mary Pope Dean.
A man of deep faith and quiet strength, Jesse lived his life as a true example of Christian love and service. He was a dedicated member of his church, where he served faithfully as a deacon for 50 years and was always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need. His kindness, humility, and steadfast devotion to God and family touched everyone who knew him.
Jesse loved his church and found great joy in serving others, especially the widows in his community. Each holiday season, he could be found working alongside his Sunday School class to deliver hams to those widows, a tradition he looked forward to every year. He believed in living his faith through action, and his generosity touched countless lives.
Jesse was the beloved husband of Majel Hunt Dean for 57 wonderful years. Together they built a home filled with love, laughter, and strong faith.
He was a devoted father to Jennifer Hayes (Steve) of Mandeville, LA and Jason Dean (Larissa), and a proud “Pawpaw” to his cherished grandchildren, Delanie Dean Fortenberry (Colby) and Dylan Dean (Claire). He was overjoyed to become a proud new “Great Pawpaw” to his great-grandson, Bentley Carroll Fortenberry and Audrey Kathryn Dean arriving in March 2026, all of Osyka, MS.
Family was at the center of Jesse’s life. He loved deeply and gave freely of his time, his energy, and his heart. He is also survived by his sister, Theresa Dean Cutrer, bonus granddaughters, Alyssa Hayes and Whitney Hayes Orndorff (Jonah), many nieces and nephews who will forever remember his devotion to family and his storytelling.
Jesse worked as a conductor for Canadian National Railroad for 42 years, where he was known for his reliability, dependability, and strong work ethic. His career took him across Louisiana, Mississippi, and beyond, and along the way, he became something of a restaurant expert.
Jesse could tell you the best places to eat in every little town along the railroad tracks and a few hidden gems far off them, too. He loved sharing those stories and making sure no one ever missed a good meal.
Before and alongside his railroad career, Jesse also worked as a dairyman, and in his prime years, he was often found helping other farmers on his days off. Hard work wasn’t just part of his routine; it was part of who he was.
Jesse also proudly served his country in the National Guard, carrying with him the values of honor, service, and dependability throughout his life.
In his retirement years, Jesse found great joy in cheering for his beloved LSU Tigers. Whether it was watching football, baseball, or the Lady Tigers basketball team, he rarely missed a game, and his enthusiasm for LSU sports was infectious.
Just as faithfully as he followed the Tigers, he was his grandson’s biggest fan, attending countless youth baseball games and cheering from the stands with pride. He never missed a chance to celebrate a good hit or offer a few words of advice after the game. Those afternoons at the ballpark brought him more joy than any LSU victory.
He was also incredibly proud of his granddaughter, admiring her academic accomplishments and her decision to follow in Nana’sfootsteps as a teacher. Her dedication, compassion, and love for learning reminded him so much of Majel, and he never missed an opportunity to brag about her achievements.
When he wasn’t watching LSU, you could often find him fishing in his pond and later frying up his famous catfish, a family favorite his grandson now tries to duplicate.
Jesse’s life was filled with love, laughter, and purpose. He was a storyteller, a hard worker, a man who loved good food and fellowship, and someone who found joy in the simple blessings of everyday life.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel Emanuel (S.E.)and Mary Pope Dean; his in-laws, Jack and Sadie Hunt; his sister, Patsy Benefield; his brothers-in-law, Walter Benefield and Sambo Cutrer; and his nephew, Sammy Cutrer.
Jesse’s life was a testament to faith, family, and integrity. His legacy will continue to live on through the many lives he touched and the love he shared so freely.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff and doctors at North Oaks for the exceptional care, kindness, and compassion they provided to Jesse and his family.
In honor of Jesse’s servant heart, the family asks friends and loved ones to honor his memory by providing a ham to a widow this holiday season, continuing the tradition he held so dearly.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to McKneely Funeral Home. Services will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Line Creek Baptist Church in Kentwood, Louisiana.
Visitation will take place from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., with funeral services beginning at 12:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Line Creek Cemetery.
Donations may be made to Line Creek Baptist Church Gym Floor Fund in Jesse’s memory, honoring his lifelong faith and love for his church family.
Read the Bible in 2025
November 7
Isaiah 49-53
Quote by G. K. Chesterton, a well-known British author of the last century:
“The issue now is clear. It is between light and darkness and everyone must choose his side.”
Have a wonderful day. Be a “light” and “let it shine”!
Good morning. God gave us another opportunity to love and serve Him, as well as to be a friend and helper to others.
Today’s Scripture
THANKFULNESS
Today, I am thankful for having a church where I can serve God and worship Him with many friends who also love Him. It’s like a second home in a familiar setting and with many familiar worshipers. There are also many new worshipers now. What a blessing!
OBITUARIES
There are no new obituaries posted today, but I would like to share that Jesse Dean of Line Creek passed away late yesterday morning in Hammond. His funeral will be Saturday at Line Creek Baptist Church. I’ll share an obituary tomorrow morning.
Also, Don Schneeweiss lost a brother.
Surgery this Afternoon
Pray for Bobby Simpson, the medical staff, and his family as he will get a pacemaker early this afternoon at North Oaks.
Reading the Bible in 2025
Thursday, November 6
Isaiah 45-48
Devotional by Rev. Charles Spurgeron
“I will pour water onto land that is thirsty. I will pour streams of water on the dry ground. I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and I will bless them“.
Isaiah 44:3
The verse is a promise from God to provide spiritual renewal and blessings to his people, using the metaphor of water bringing life to a dry land.
Today, I am thankful for friends. As we travel out of this area, we often realize we know nobody there. When out grandchildren visited here, they always noticed how many people know us and took time to “visit”. They would ask who was driving in the car where someone waved. They lived and still live in big cities where they seldom know anyone outside of their immediate neighborhood or church. I’m thankful for living among “friends”, many “friends”!
Many area churches will have prayer meeting and other options tonight such as youth and children’s activities, missions, music rehearsals, and as always nursery care will be provided.
Operation Christmas Child
This is the season for packing shoeboxes! I’ve been getting reports about various churches packing the boxes. Great work! May you be richly blessed for your desire to tell so many others about Jesus through a filled cardboard or plastic box.
Thanksgiving Meals
Various churches will minister to others at this time of the year. Thank-you for caring and doing lots of work to bless others.
Others
Will you make a call or visit today? Will you prepare a dish or a meal? Will you deliver a plant or a meal? Will you give a ride? Will you . . . . ?
Today, I am thankful to be an American. God placed me in our great, but imperfect country, but one that was founded of Christian principles. I hope we will always strive to be a Christian nation.
Today’s Verse
Read the Bible in 2025
11-4-25
Isaiah 36-41
Sunday School Lesson
November 9
“Undivided Worship”
Deuteronomy 12:1-11 and 29-32
OCC Shoeboxes
It is the season to pack shoeboxes for children around the world and for giving children (and their families) the opportunity to learn about Jesus and to become Christians. I know of one area churches that will be packing shoeboxes TODAY and under new leadership. I thank God for their efforts to provide many children with gifts and with knowledge about being saved. Say a special prayer for the packers at 2 P.M. Also, say a prayer for the children who will receive the shoeboxes. May they not only appreciate the gifts, but also grow to love Jesus and his message for their salvation. Remember, in 2025, each shoebox will share the message of the Bible with ten people and in their very own language.
Prayer Requests
Bobby Simpson
Robbie Lynn
Dorothy Wall
Andy Taylor
Others who are listed on your personal prayer list
Additional Bible Reading”
“Walking in the Light”
6 Do not let anyone have a chance to deceive you with a false message about those kinds of bad things. God will certainly punish people who do not obey him.
Ephesians 5:6
Same verse in an easier to read version:
“Don’t let anyone fool you with words that are not true. God gets very angry when people who don’t obey him talk like that.”
I am thankful formy heritage. It seems to have focused on faith, family, and friends(others). We learned to love God and each other and to help others along the way. I’m thankful I learned those lessons early in life. I don’t think that has really changed in my life over the years.
Today’s Scripture
Baptist Press
Today’s stories center around planting new churches, disaster relief, and leadership.
David Edwin Carter passed away on Thursday, October 30, 2025, in Tickfaw, Louisiana, at the age of 89. He was born on Monday, September 7, 1936 in Rolling Fork, Mississippi to the late Edith Carter and the late Luther Carter. He was a resident of Tickfaw, Louisiana.
David Carter worked for Wilson’s Sporting Goods in Chicago as one of the designers and as of today the NFL football that he & 2 other men designed is still in play. He also designed the first aluminum tennis rack. In 1981, David & Margaret opened David Carter Exterminating Co. in Kenner, La. that is still currently in operation. He loved fishing and hunting and feeding the deer on his property. He was a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and did mission work. He started a Special needs ministry in his home in Kenner with 5 children which grew to over 200. He loved going to Kentucky to do Missions work there and participating in Operation Christmas Child. David was also President of Kenner No. Kiwanis in 1988.
David is survived by his wife, Margaret Carter; daughters, Karen Ann Carter Denham (Wayne), Kathy Marie Carter Skaggs (Tom), Diane Jewel Carter Kimbro (John), and Sandra Joyce Clark Kuhn; son, Steven Lloyd McCullough (Fran); 13 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and brothers, John Carter and Alan Carter (Dorothy).
He was preceded in death by his father, Luther Carter; mother, Edith Carter; daughter, Charla Smith Russel; and granddaughter, Marie Denham LeCourt.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation at The River Fellowship Church, 45173 River Road, Hammond, Louisiana 70401, on Saturday, November 8, 2025 beginning at 11:00 AM with the memorial service starting at 1:00 PM.
(His wife, Margaret, heads-up the Operation Christmas Child in our area of Louisiana. He was her number one assistant and encourager.)
Read the Bible in 2025
November 3
Isaiah 31-35
Thank-You
A big thank-you to those who have contributed to OCC to help pay the $10.00 per box fee that covers literature, including a Bible, in the child’s language, transportation to the child, training local Christians to teach about Jesus, etc. When you think about all it covers, the fee is small. It only seems to be larger because of how many boxes are shipped.
Two Rivers WMU
Our next meeting will be at Spring Creek Baptist Church on December 6th. That’s when area churches need to turn in the Christmas cards they collect for the local inmates (Tangipahoa and St. Helena patishes).
Pine Ridge Bible Study
Wednesday, we will be on lesson 10.
OCC
The Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child drop-off schedule for First Baptist Church (FBC), Kentwood during the 2025 National Collection Week (November 17-24) is as follows:
The Prayer Link 
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