“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,

and I will give you rest.

~Matthew 11:28~

Mrs. Dorothy White‘s surgery is considered a success. The medical staff is helping her with pain. She is expected to be in the hospital a few more days. Please, keep praying for her.

David and I enjoy working in the Operation Christmas Child room and around the table at home as we are in the early stages of preparing to pack the shoeboxes. Yesterday, we were working in the OCC room when we were blessed with two big boxes of items for our shoeboxes. Thank-you, Renewal Class, for the many wonderful items and your great choices in purchases. You blessed our hearts and will be a blessing to lots of little children.

Please continue to pray for all the folks who are more homebound than free to move around since Covid.

Baptist Message

http://www.baptistmessage.com/

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Read the Bible in 2021 – February 5

EXODUS 13:1-15:27

If you didn’t start on January 1, you can begin now. Get a hardcopy of the plan from FBC, Kentwood. I think with a few extra minutes each day, you’ll catch up shortly.

Prayer focus today: families who have problems with too much togetherness

It seems we have more cold weather ahead. Be prepared!

Anna Lee

Turn from evil and do good;

seek peace and pursue it.

~Psalm 34:14~

Many of you may remember the Edwards family who lived in the block just west of FBC, Kentwood. One of the twins, Lily and her husband of Hammond, lost a baby at birth last year. She is expecting again and again having some issues. Please pray for B.J. and Lily Ory and their unborn child.

You may remember I had a cousin who recently passed away because of Huntington’s Disease. Now, his widow, Brenda Tolleson, had covid. Pray for happier, healthier days for her.

David and I received our second covid vaccination Tuesday morning. Thankfully, we have had no issues. We are looking forward to being able to get out a little more. I hope others of you are at this point too. Hopefully, soon, our world. will be freer from this pandemic.

Kent Muse, Sr.

August 31, 1945 – February 03, 2021

A resident of Kentwood, LA, Kent passed away on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at Ochsner Medical Center in Jefferson, LA. He was born August 31, 1945 in Magnolia, MS and was 75 years of age. He was a retired directional driller for Halliburton Oil Field Services of Egypt. The former owner of many businesses, including Skinney’s Restaurant, Kent was also a cattleman and a U. S. Army Veteran of Vietnam. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Elloise Cheramie Muse; 2 sons, John Kent Muse, Jr. and wife, Marnie, and Brock Kennedy Muse and wife, Heather; daughters-in-law, Bridget Muse and Wendy Muse; grandchildren, Blythe Muse, Brice Muse, Blake Muse, Caleb Muse, Caitlyn Muse, Kent Muse III, and Brady Muse; 2 sisters, Parmys Weinberg and Abbie Hilburn. Preceded in death by son, Robert Cheramie Muse; infant daughter; parents, James Edward Muse Sr. and Vera Kennedy Muse; brother, James Edward Muse, Jr.; and sister, Helen Muse. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 9:00AM until Memorial Services at 11:00AM on Friday, February 5, 2021. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com

Please pray for the Muse family.

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Read the Bible in 2021 – February 4

EXODUS 10:1-12:51

Prayer Focus for Today – College and high school seniors

Pray for all the seniors as they complete one phase in their lives and make plans for the coming years. Jennie’s two daughters are completing high school and college and planning for where they will be going to school next year. Pray for all students facing this important decision.

Thank-you for praying today.

Anna Lee

“If you return to me,

I will restore you so you can continue to serve me.”

~Jeremiah 15:19 (NLT)~

There are many people sick during this wintry time of the year. Some have simple colds and sinus issues. Others have Covid. Many fall somewhere in the middle. Please pray for the sick folks you are aware of.

Charles Warren update: Listed as critically stable; showing small signs of improvement. Specifically, pray for his lungs.

Read the Bible chronologically in 2021 – February 3

EXODUS 7:14-9:35

Prayer meeting from FBC, Kentwood will be posted at 6 P.M. tonight. If you have any trouble watching on Facebook, try YouTube.

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Eva Juanita Graves Battles

May 22, 1934 – February 02, 2021

Eva Juanita Graves Battles went home to be with her Lord on February 2, 2021 at the age of 86. She was the eldest daughter of Carl Felix Graves, Sr. and Lila Bell Smith of Amite and was born on May 22,1934 in Bogalusa, Louisiana. She was a life-long resident of Amite until moving to Hammond in 2014 to be closer to her daughter. Juanita married her high school sweetheart, Jimmie Clayton Battles, and they lived happily together for 56 years in Amite until his passing in 2008. Juanita was a retired manager with South Central Bell and AT&T Operator Services in Hammond, and later Baton Rouge. After retirement Juanita and Jimmie enjoyed cross country trips, family gatherings, gardening, and spending time with their children and grandchildren. Juanita enjoyed volunteering at First Baptist Church of Amite and the Amite Council on Aging where she loved meeting friends daily for lunch. She is survived by daughters Caroline Sue Battles, Alexandria, La., Kathi Hesselgrave and husband Ron, Kenosha, Wisconsin, Robin Gray and husband Mark, Hammond, La. and four grandsons, John Mark Gray, Michael Gray, Daniel Moreland, and Clint Sharp. Juanita is preceded in death by her husband, Jimmie, her parents, Carl and Lila Bell Graves, two brothers, Carl F. Graves, Jr., and Alfred Ray Graves and an infant sister, Trudy. The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the entire staff of Summerfield Assisted Living in Hammond for their help in the last four years. A private service will be held with interment in Battles/Bennett Cemetery, Highway 1046, Amite. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Today’s Prayer Focus – People living in nursing homes/extended care facilities & people who work in these facilities

We got our second Covid vaccination yesterday. Pray for those who are administering the vaccine as they now are giving the first dose to some people and the second to others. The workload surely increased.

Have a great day!

Anna Lee

“[God] will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.

He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.

The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.”

~Psalm 103:9-10, 13 (NLT)~

Bill Morris continues to improve. Velta Morris had another “clear” report on her cancer. Thank you for your continued prayers for these sweet friends.

Betty Simpson asked for prayers for her friend who is having surgery today.

Please pray for my friend, Dot White. Colon surgery scheduled for tomorrow…had a bout of Covid and is very weak…pray for strength and successful surgery. Thanks!

Koltyn Gafford is making some improvement and may get to go to a regular room today.

Charles Warren’s Monday was filled with lots of positive reports. Thank God for Charles’ improvement.

We are getting our covid vaccination number two today. Pray for everything to go smoothly with no headaches or body soreness. Thank-you!.

Read the Bible chronologically in 2021 – February 2

EXODUS 4:18-7:13

Prayer Focus – Medical personal

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Add your own prayer requests and pray! Thank-you!

Anna Lee

.

Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” 

But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. 

I call out to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy mountain. 

I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.

 I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.

~Psalm 3:2-6~

Koltyn Gafford may be moved to a regular room at CHNO as doctors continue to treat him, monitor him, and do additional testing. Please continue to pray for Koltyn and his family.

Charles Warren had some good hours early in the days yesterday. Please continue to pray for him and his family.

Thank-you to the person who made purchase of school supplies for the shoeboxes. They are appreciated.

The Brown Bag Ministry spends about $4.00 each week per child. Your donation of $20.00 will supply five brown bags to local children. Donations can be given at the church office or through the regular offering.

Baptist Press – published Monday – Friday

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Read the Bible chronologically in 2021 – February 1

EXODUS 1:1-2:25
1 CHRONICLES 6:1-3
EXODUS 3:1-4:17

Prayer Focus for Today – First Responders

Thank-you for reading this post and then praying.

Anna Lee

What, then, shall we say in response to these things?

If God is for us, who can be against us?

~Romans 8:31~

Please continue to pray for Charles Warren. Today is day 52 of his hospitalization due to Covid-19. Day 51 was not a great day. Pray today will be better. Pray he will find encouragement in knowing he will get a new grand-baby Friday.

K0ltyn Gafford continues be be at Children’s Hospital of New Orleans. He seems to be doing okay in some ways, but has additional testing to undergo. Let’s keep him and his family in our prayers.

Leroy and Margaret Ann Wilson are a little better. They now have a niece there to help Margaret Ann so Leroy can focus on getting better. Pray they have light cases of Covid-19. Thank God for the niece who is available and willing to stay with them for a while.

Read the Bible chronologically in 2021 – January 31

JOB 40:6-42:17

Today’s Prayer Focus – Let’s pray for a successful rate of Covid-19 vaccinations to be given in our area, our state, our country, and throughout the world.

May you be blessed by church services today, whether they are in person or online.

Anna Lee

“The LORD is my strength and my defense ; he has become my salvation.

He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

~Exodus 15:2~

Koltyn Gafford had a seizure that led to other problems at home late yesterday afternoon. He is at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans. The family requests prayers.

Leroy and Margaret Ann Wilson, who grew up in Roseland and Amite, now live in West Monroe area. They are in their 80’s now. Leroy takes wonderful care of Margaret Ann daily because she has MS. Now, they both have covid and are at home. Please pray for these wonderful people.

Louisiana Baptist Message – published weekly

https://baptistmessage.com/

Read the Bible chronologically in 2021 – January 30

JOB 38:1-40:5

Today’s Prayer Focus – Members of the church staff

Pray for the D-Now event for area youth of several local churches. It will begin at 5:30 tonight at the Line Creek Baptist Church, rather than outside at Taylor Creek Baptist Church, due to weather conditions. Contact your local youth minister for details.

Have a wonderful Saturday.

Anna Lee

“‘My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the LORD. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.’”

~Isaiah 55:8 (NLT)~

Please continue to pray for Deborah Bales who has been having some heart procedures.

Johnny Garon Jones

Johnny Garon Jones, 79, of Kentwood, LA, went to be with the Lord and his late wife, Karen Reich Jones, on Sunday, January 24, 2021, at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA.

Mr. Johnny was born in Goree, TX on March 26, 1941 and was the son of Clarence Jones and Ruby Trimble Jones.  He was a loving, gentle man that never met a stranger and everyone loved him. He was very close to his daughters and cherished each moment with them. All though he resided in Louisiana for many years, he was also very proud of his Texas heritage. He was in the Trucking Industry. After retirement, he and his wife, Karen, opened Paris Flea Market in Kentwood, LA.  In the process of that time, he and his wife made many friends that will greatly miss him.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife of 13 wonderful years, Karen Reich Jones; one brother, Edward Jones; three sisters, Nell Jones McElroy, Jenny Jones and Wanda Jones and the mother of his three daughters, Jimmie Lou Faulkner Jones .

He is survived by three daughters, Stephanie Jones Ott and Jeff of Arlington, TX, Stacey Jones Bressman of Kentwood, LA, and Suzanne Jones Hancock and David of Aledo, TX; one brother-in-law, Billy McElroy of Grants, NM; six grandchildren, Parker Ott, Luke Ott, Karoline Ott Chapman and husband Kale, Madalyn Hancock, Berkeley Bressman and Garon Hancock; additional family members, nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

A memorial will be held at a later date.

Read the Bible chronologically in 2021 – January 29

JOB 35:1-37:24

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Operation Christmas Child

If you, or anyone you know, would like to learn more about packing shoeboxes, please let me know. You can contact me by using “Contact” at the upper right of this page.

Prayer Requests?

You can contact me by using “Contact” at the upper right of this page.

Today’s Prayer Focus: Local churches

Each church is unique, but God unites them as they all serve to tell others about Jesus. What an awesome mission for each church! Today, think about the geographical location of each church and “travel” around our community praying for each church, the pastors. the members. etc.

I thank you for your faithfulness in reading TPL each day. If you have suggestions, please contact me.

Anna Lee

Joshua said to them,

“Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the LORD will do to all the enemies you are going to fight.”

~Joshua 10:25~

Please pray for Mr. “Cete” Dillon as he works to regain strength following his recent hospitalization. As you pray for him, pray for others working to regain strength.

Read the Bible Chronologically in 2021 – January 28

JOB 32:1-34:37

Prayer Focus Today – Those who do not attend church

We all know the benefits of church attendance. Today, let’s pray for those around us who miss out on the rewards they are missing.

Missions come in many forms. The endpoint is Jesus! Be a part of sharing Jesus so that others may have the opportunity to meet Jesus.

Anna Lee

Joshua said to them,

“Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Be strong and courageous.

This is what the LORD will do to all the enemies you are going to fight.”

~Joshua 10:25~

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Read the Bible Chronologically in 2021 – January 27

JOB 30:1-31:40

Patricia Williams LaGroue

February 15, 1943 – January 25, 2021

Imogene Wascom

March 30, 1930 – January 25, 2021

Jimmy R. Williams, Sr.

November 13, 1948 – January 25, 2021

Jimmy R. Williams Sr., a resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Monday, January 25, 2021 at his home in Kentwood, LA. He was born November 13, 1948 in Baton Rouge, LA and was 72 years of age. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Linda Birch Williams; daughter, Lisa Buck; daughter-in-law, Tessa W. Williams;1 son, Ryan “Rufus “ Williams; special family friend, Shannon Pittman; 2 sisters, Claudette LeBlanc and John and Kathy Carpenter and Joe; brother, Martin Williams and Grace; grandchildren, Elaina” Baby Doll” Williams, Brody Williams, Reed Buck and Lily Buck. Preceded in death by his parents, Jewel M. Williams Sr. and Elaine R. Williams; 2 sons, Rusty Williams and Jonathan “Reddog” Williams. Visitation at Spring Creek Baptist Church from 9:00AM until religious services at 2:00PM on Friday, January 29, 2021. Services conducted by Dr. Danny Smith and Bro. Eric Latham. Interment Spring Creek Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Operation Christmas Child

During 2020, despite the pandemic, 9,113.853 “shoeboxes” were packed. The boxes from Kentwood have previously gone to countries such as Mexico, Haiti, Ecuador, and A Hard to Read Area, but in 2020 our boxes went to Cameroon, Mali, and Burkina Faso. Monday and Tuesday, David and I packed the first 75 of our pencil bags for our 2021 boxes. I wonder where God has chosen to send our boxes in 2021 . . . .

Today’s Prayer Focus – Students

No matter the age of our students, preschool through college, it seems many are having virtual classes. Pray for motivation of the students and for the parents as they monitor their children. Pray also for endurance in these difficult days. Lastly, pray for good results, knowledge that will be much needed in future days.

I hope you can recognize some of the blessings God has for you today.

Anna Lee