Today, as we move a day closer to Christmas, let’s pray that people know or learn the meaning of this special holiday. There is a fantasy about a man in a red suit, reindeer, lots of trees with colorful lights, and gifts that magically appear overnight, but the real meaning is a young couple receive a special child, a son. who is given the name Jesus, and a wonderful story of how important His life here on earth was and is today more than 2,000 years later and even all around the world. I trust you know, love, and share the story that can be found in Luke 5. That is the important and real story for us to teach others all around the world!
This is the brave, dedicated missionary our annual offering for international needs is named for. She made a big impact on world missions because of her dedication and determination. When the answer to her question about serving as a single missionary was “No”, she kept on. . . .
‘Praying for Daylight ‘
27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;
28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.
29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.
Acts 27:27-29 KJV
Daily Bible Reading for 2026
Please pray for me as I choose a plan for reading the Bible again in 2026.
There are no new obituaries for our area today.
Questions for today?
What can you do this week for a neighbor?
What can you do this week for a homebound person?
What can you do this week for a hospital patient?
What can you do for a family in need this week?
What can you do for someone who needs a friend?
What can you do for a family with small children?
What can you do for someone who is graduation this month?
What will you do?
It is not so much about “What can you do?” as it is about “What will you do!”
Good morning, friends. I’m glad you are checking in to pray and be encouraged this morning.
Today’s Bible Verse
Obituary
Bobby Don Prine
August 1, 1942 – December 13, 2025
A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born August 1, 1942 in Kentwood, LA and was 83 years of age. He is survived by his wife, Edith Kathleen Womack Prine; 2 daughters, Dondrea “Dondi” Prine Thompson and Bobbie Karol Prine McKean; 2 sons, Donald Kerry Prine (Mikki) and Daniel Keith Prine; 2 brothers, Robert Edward “Rob” Prine (Marsha) and Richard Keith “Rick” Prine (Kathy); brother-in-law, Orea Cooper; 5 grandchildren, Kelsie Morgan Graham (Caleb), Stephanie Prine Boyd (Zack), Kaleigh McKean Liotta (Brandon), Jacob McKean (Morgan), and Joey Prine; 5 great-grandchildren, Beau, Lawson, and Rhett Boyd, Chase and Caroline Graham. Preceded in death by his son-in-law, Jason McKean; parents, Jessie and Elizabeth Prine; brother and sister-in-law, Billy and Tinka Prine; sister and brother-in-law, Woody and Betty Booty; sister, Libby Cooper; niece, Karen Booty; and niece, Daphene Cooper. Special thanks to Modern Home Health and especially Jarod Webb and Modern Hospice especially Kylin Hutchinson, Lisa King, Lyndy Varnado, Ashley Tucker, Christy Beard and Zella Nicholes. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9:00AM until Religious Services at 11:00AM on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. Services conducted by Chaplain Chandler Veasey and Vince Estes. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. Pallbearers will be Jacob McKean, Joey Prine, Caleb Graham, Zack Boyd, Brandon Liotta, and Scott Prine. Honorary Pallbearers will be Nate Disher, David Bill, Mitchell Prine, Dustin Kerbow, Pat Cooper, and Mitchell Otillio. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Pray for IMB missionaries and your church’s offering during your worship services.
Collect
Collect your gifts. Send them to your state convention office or give directly to IMB.
Rejoice
Celebrate all God is doing around the world.
Read the Bible in 2025
December 16th
Daniel 4-6
Today’s Quote by J.R. Miller
“God does not give His grace as He gives His sunshine – pouring it out on all alike. He discriminates in spiritual blessings. He gives strength according to our need. His eye is ever on us in tender, watchful love, and what we need He supplies.”
— J. R. Miller
How do people show appreciation?
One way is through love. Many people have a sweet gift of passing on appreciation. That makes them a special blessing to others! They focus on the other person, not themself!
I have a special friend that is a special friend to many. She gives of herself every day in many ways. She checks on people, shares her cooking, visits, provides opportunities and even transportation. She has a big smile and eyes that shine for Jesus every day.
Has she had only blessings and no tragedies? No, but God uses her to help others in ways that mean so much. She’s not from Kentwood, but can be seen here regularly. That’s because she makes herself available to be used.
She is certainly a good role model to others who want to give of themselves as God calls them daily. If you know her, you surely love her too!
Good morning. Take care of your pipes this morning. It’s easier to take care of them than it is to repair them and the damage they have caused if you don’t take care of them. Look forward to some warmer temperatures in a few hours.
Yesterday was a very special Lord’s day: Sunday School and church at FBC, Kentwood, Living Christmas Tree at FBC, Amite which was extra special becaus of the Walker family, and the children’s Christmas program back in Kentwood. It was a hard day, but certainly worth all the special effort!
We are excited about another week in the Christmas season. Our focus will be others this week and trying not to have any days as full and busy as yesterday was. We want to be able to focus on the origin of this special holiday.
Penney Doss, 82, of Beaumont, died Friday, December 12, 2025. She was born on March 22, 1943, in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana to Rosa Alma Miller and Ernest Nelson Davis.
Penney loved traveling, Hawaii was a particular favorite. She also loved decorating and crafts and was always able to take a plain interior and make it sparkle. She loved her family deeply and always made a point of saying she loved you every time you called or were with her. She worked with children for many years, and they were her favorite. Her warmth and ability to connect always proved to be a hit with kids. She was a much-loved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.
Survivors include her children, David Doss and his wife, Anne Mary; Scott Doss and his wife, Tiffany; and Trisha Doss; grandchildren, Julie, Jennifer, Bailey, and Trevor; and siblings, Charles Davis and Anne Crain; wonderful in-laws; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Penney is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charles “Ed” Doss; and siblings, Paul Davis, James Davis, and Ryvers Davis.
Memorial contributions may be made to Julie Rogers Gift of Life, 2390 Dowlen Road, Beaumont, Texas 77706.
A gathering of Mrs. Doss’ family and friends will begin 9:30 a.m. with her funeral service at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.
(Penney was a wonderful Christian lady and the mother to three of my former students.)
Prayer Requests
Please pray for these people and others today.
Mrs. Ferrie Gene Blackmon – at home following a stay in St. Tammany Hospital & looking ahead to treatment
Sandy Lang – Friend undergoing treatment, but able to be at the Living Christmas Tree
Trey Harrison – Treatment in early stages
Homebound Friends
People who made decisions at churches yesterday.
Families – as plans are made to gather for special Christmas celebrations
Those who are unable to attend special events to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Those in the hospital at this holiday time
Friends who go out-of-their way to help others enjoy the holiday
Good morning, friends. I’m thankful you are visiting and praying with me this morning. It’s the Lord’s Day!
Today’s Verse
I think I will give you a photo and let you apply your own Scripture this morning. All I am going to say is that it looks like a great and glorious day!
Read the Bible Today
December 14th
Ezekiel 46-48
OBITUARIES
Bryan Thomas Reames
May 16, 1952 – December 12, 2025
Bryan Reames, age 73 of Kentwood, Louisiana died peacefully at North Oaks Medical Center on December 12, 2025 surrounded by family after recent declining health issues. He is a survived by his wife, Nelda Simmons Reames, daughters, Angela Ellis (Jeff) of Tennessee, Michelle Case (Jimmy) of Georgia, Kaila Magee (Kyle) of Louisiana, and Kacy Reames of Tennessee. Grandchildren include Jordan Howell, Dylan Ellis, Matthew Bell, Allison Bell, Marissa Reames, Zoe Simeon, and Braxton Simeon. Multiple great-grandchildren including the latest he was looking forward to meeting in January. Brothers, Richard Reames and Robert Reames. Sisters, Pamela Galtier, Judy Achord, and Mary Rushing. Preceded in death by his mother, Julia Dean Jones and father, Walter Alton Reames. Brothers, Patrick Reames and Kirk Reames, sister, Rebecca Reames Travis. Our family would like to acknowledge his special friends and staff at Landmark Nursing Home, whom he entertained daily with his stories and shenanigans and the exceptional care they provided to him for the past two years. There will be a memorial service held a later date for our one-of-a-kind daddy. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Christmas Programs Today
Most churches will have a Christmas program today. I hope you will be able to attend at least one.
Weather Advisory
Current Temperature – 53 degrees
Feels Like – 46 degrees
High – 62 degrees
Low – 26 degrees
That’s COLD! Be careful and protect your water pipes!
It’s the Christmas Season.
Do something special to share some Christmas joy today.
Once again, we are headed to some freezing temperatures. Let’s be prepared and help others too.
Read the Bible
We read the New Testament first and are now approaching the end of the Old Testament. Let’s keep going. We’ll complete the reading this month.
December 13th
Ezekiel 43-45
I haven’t chosen a plan for reading the Bible in 2026, but am considering using the same plan again next year. One of the best features of this plan is that you read complete chapters almost every day and only from one book of the Bible. What do you think? I’m open to suggestions….
Death
Mrs. Penny Doss passed away late yesterday afternoon. The family has not had time to make arrangements yet. I’ll post them when they become available.
Lottie Moon Offering for the World
It is the Lottie Moon offering that supports thousands of Southern Baptist missionaries so they can focus on their calling and not on paying bills. We can help many missionaries around the world when we give to this offering each year. The more you know about the offering, the more you will want to give so many can continue to serve where God has called them. Be sure to designate your gift “Lottie Moon”.
Have you studied your Sunday School lesson for tomorrow? I have heard comments about people enjoying the study of Matthew again.
Focus on Good Things and Find the God of Peace’
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me — everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Oh, what a wonderful day God has planned for us today!
Let’s not interfere with God’s great plans for today.
Obituary
Duane David “Bull” Lanier
May 1, 1962 – November 28, 2025
A resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Friday, November 28, 2025, at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas, after a two-year battle with cancer. He was born May 1, 1962, in Baton Rouge, LA, to the late David Lanier and Audrey Carrier Lanier; he was 63 years of age. He is survived by his wife of 3 years, Shirley Haralson Lanier; children, Hannah Lanier Fowler (Todd), Christy Davis McCullough (Herb), Bradley Davis (Amber), and Carley Price Gunnell (Will); grandchildren, Leslie Norris (Michael Chase), Chelie Moak, Brooklyn McCullough, Rayleigh McCullough, Ryker Davis, Havyn Davis, Alley Ray Gunnell; great-grandchild, Drew Parker Norris; mother, Audrey C. Lanier; brothers and sisters, Dona Grace Matherne (Steve), Mona Louise Lanier, Elizabeth Ann Rick (Danny), Andrew Dean Lanier (Cecilia), Jody Maris Lanier, and Eric Randal Lanier (Toni); and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his father, David Dean Lanier; sister-in-law, Marcine Lanier; nephew, Benjamin Robert Simpson.
Bull possessed an unwavering spirit and remarkable generosity, always placing the well-being of those around him above his own challenges. His selflessness was evident in every interaction, creating lasting impressions on everyone he met. His unique storytelling ability of true-life childhood stories captured the listeners’ attention and always provided lots of laughter.
Duane was a simple man who valued faith, family, and country life. He was an enthusiastic outdoorsman with a passion for deer hunting and kayaking. He enjoyed sitting around a fire pit, barbequing, and visiting with the people he loved. He was widely respected for his strong work ethic and expertise in aggregate mining, as well as his ability to share that knowledge with anyone eager and willing to learn. During his time off, he frequently volunteered to help neighbors with chores on the farm, especially those involving the use of farm equipment.
Bull was a vigilant and dependable individual, attentive to the needs of others. Even while undergoing cancer treatment himself, he consistently assisted other cancer patients with their mobility or comfort needs while often neglecting his own. His magnetic personality and mischievous smile enabled him to connect easily with others, blessing them with kindness and good humor.
He met the love of his life on July 3, 2019, and they were married exactly three years later on July 3, 2022, in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. He lovingly called her “Miss Shirley” and would introduce her as “The woman I love”. He adored all of his children, grandchildren, great grandchild, and cherished being referred to as Pawpaw Bull. At the time of his passing, he was excitedly awaiting the arrival of one more grandchild and one more great-grandchild.
Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 1:00 PM until Memorial Services at 3:00 PM on Saturday, December 20, 2025. Services conducted by Bro. Scott Russell. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to Berean Children’s Home, 1180 Berea Trail, Bogue Chitto, MS 39629. Click here for Berean Children’s Home Website.
Prayer List
Use your updated prayer list to guide your prayers. Be sure to update it daily.
Read the Bible Today
“Unstoppable”
‘An Officer and a Gentleman’
1 And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment.
2 So, entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us.
3 And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care.
What do you think the life of a missionary is like? A lot depends on the area of the world where they are working and the purpose the IMB has assigned to you. Spend some time today watching come IMB videos of ways the money given through Lottie Moon is put to use.
Pray asking God to reveal new information to you so you will be both informed and encouraged to provide funds for 2026.
Sunday School Lesson
If you have not already started working on the lesson for this week, today is a good day to do so.
Be an encourager today. May your greeting be an encouragement to others you see today.
Happy Thursday Morning. I hope you have a good day scheduled for today. I want to start the day with a list of people who need our prayers today. Our task is to pray for:
Mike Moss
Creig Conrad
Dona Williams
J.C. Miller
Andy and Betty Taylor
Tom and Gail Brister
Clint Smith – Lea Smith’s son in Ochsner
Trey Harrison – learning about treatment plan
Keith Allen – St. Helena Hospital
Ferrie Gene Blackmon
and others on your personal prayer list.
Lottie Moon Offering
The national goal for this year is $210 million dollars. What will you. your family, and your church contribute? Remember, unsaved people around the world are counting on us to give, tell, and go this year.
Tonight – Military Christmas Program at 7 P.M. at the Amite High School Auditorium. There is no charge. It’s always fantastic!
LIVING CHRISTMAS TREE
FBC, Amite
2:30 and 6:00 P.M. Sunday
Tickets required, but free. If you don’t have some by now, it is probably too late to get them. Pray for the choir and others working to make the program a success that will touch many lives.
Prayer Focus – Others at Christmas
Include people with material needs, who are alone, and those with health issues. those who don’t know Jesus, etc.
Yesterday’s Senior Adult Christmas Lunch
Well-attended
Wonderful food
Decorated well
Many Christian friends
Lots of love
Special Offerings
Lottie Moon – International Missions
Operation Christmas Child
No New Obituaries Listed Today
Sunday School – What a great place to be!
Addition Scripture Reading
‘God’s People Have Hope and a Great Future’
8 Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have.
9 They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord.
10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 1
1 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:8-11, NIV
Jesus did so much for us. Most of us are busy at this time of the year. What will we do for others during this holiday season?
IMB missionary couple devotes retirement years to kingdom work (IMB)
Walter and Mary Norvell, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in August, never imagined retirement would see them embarking on a new adventure in Africa to reach university students with the gospel. In fact, until a few years ago, they had never been on a mission trip outside the United States.
Even so, the International Mission Board missionary couple brings decades of experience to their new endeavor. Walter, a retired professor from Williams Baptist University in Arkansas, and Mary, a former college advisor at the same school, have spent almost 50 years working with students.
IMB missionaries Walter and Mary Norvell serve in Lesotho as part of the Masters program, a 2-3 year, fully funded missions opportunity for those who are 55 and older. “We realized maybe God’s not finished with us,” Walter said. IMB Photo
“I always thought of myself as being on mission because I was crossing a generational barrier,” Walter said.
International missions, though, came later.
In 2017, Walter invited a former student serving as an IMB missionary in Lesotho to come speak to his students. He had no idea how that invitation would shape the next season of his life.
When the class ended, the missionary and his wife approached Walter and Mary.
“As soon as the students left the room, they started putting the screws on us to come,” Walter chuckled. “And so, we decided we would go.”
Their first mission trip to Lesotho was for two weeks in 2018, and they were hooked. Although Walter’s former student was no longer there, they served alongside missionary partners sent out from a church in Texas and became fast friends.
Walter recalled a defining moment during that first trip. In one of the villages they visited, no one showed up for Bible study. Instead, they spent time prayer walking. Walter made his way alone up a hill where he stood looking out across a vast lake.
“There were six or eight villages I could see,” he remembered. “I could turn away in the other direction and look up at the mountains and there were still more villages. And I just began to weep. I was overwhelmed by the amount of lostness there.”
“I knew then that God was going to keep us connected to Lesotho. I just didn’t know how.”
COVID postponed plans to return in 2020, but they went for six weeks in 2022 and another two weeks in 2023. In 2024, they celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary on their fourth trip to Africa.
As their involvement deepened, they prayed continuously for the Lord to call someone to go and work full time among the university students in Lesotho.
Then last year, the Norvells’ missionary friends from Texas asked them an unexpected question.
“You’ve been praying for years for someone to go, but have you considered you might be the ones that need to go?”
IMB missionaries Walter and Mary Norvell take part in a commissioning service after completing seven weeks of field personnel orientation. IMB Photo
Within a couple weeks, the Norvells knew. God was leading them to continue their life’s work with college students, this time across the world. They would be the answer to many years of their own prayers.
But, as they began the process of serving overseas with the IMB, they were met with discouragement. Walter discovered he was in the early stages of cancer. Their journey was delayed by several months while they worked out plans for treatment.
Around the same time he was diagnosed with cancer, Walter came across a book title that resonated deeply with him.
“The title was something about a gun lap, or a bell lap,” Walter explained. “On the final lap of a race, they ring the bell so everybody knows when to kick it up and finish as strong as they can.
“That really began to speak to me,” he continued. “I don’t know if I’m in my bell lap yet or not, but I want to kick it up. What am I saving my energy and my resources for if I can’t use them for the kingdom?”
In October, the Norvells moved to Lesotho to begin their work reaching university students with the gospel.
Don’t forget the Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions!
Obituary
Joseph Dominic Lala
May 17, 1961 – December 8, 2025
A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Monday, December 8, 2025 in Kentwood, LA. He was born May 17, 1961 in New Orleans, LA and was 64 years of age. He is survived by his brother, Michael Anthony and wife, Bonita; sisters, Deborah White and Becky McGehee and husband, Gary; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his father, Joseph John Lala; mother, Constance L. Lala; brothers, Daniel Anthony and Ricky Lala; twin sister, Joell Lala Miller; and nephew, Tracey Doucet. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 9:00AM until Religious Services at 11:00AM on Saturday. Services conducted by Bro. Daryl Miller. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
If any of those are your first answer, you need to find the real answer – Jesus!
‘Don’t Fear: Believe that Jesus is Preparing a Place for You’
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me.
My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ” John 14:1-2 NIV
Check your calendar closely. It probably is as full as mine. Make sure you have the most important events on your schedule. Enjoy this holidays in all the important ways.
Today, let’s pray that those around us and throughout the world would know and celebrate Jesus this Christmas season. May many lives be focuseed this season on Jesus.
Obituary
Julius “Burlin” Gill
August 1, 1932 – December 6, 2025
A resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at his home. He was born August 1, 1932 in Amite, LA and was 93 years of age. He is survived by his wife, Audrey Gill; son, Bennie Gill; sister, Marie Childress; brother, Jerry Gill; grandchildren, Jennifer Laneri, Lacey Kararick, Kristi Clardy (Travis), Brady Gill (Victoria), Richie Marcum, and Alex Marcum; great-grandchildren, Olivia Kararick, Isabella Kararick, Gabriel Laneri, Cygnus Rutledge, Bryton Clardy, Brantley Clardy, Rowan Gill, and August Gill. Preceded in death by his father, Jack Gill, Sr.; mother, Nora Gill; brother, Jimmie Gill; brother, Jack Gill, Jr.; sister, Evelyn Sue Gill. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9:00AM until Religious Services at 11:00AM on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Interment Sharon Baptist Church Cemetery, Amite, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Holiday Music
The arts council of Amite presents a yearly Christmas program. It will be Thursday night at 7:00 at the Amite High auditorium. Veterans will also be recognized.
David and I have attended for several years and have always enjoyed it. This year the music is by a Marine band. Come see for yourself. There is no entrance fee.
More Christmas Programs
This week several churches will present their Christmas program. Be sure to attend at your church and/or another church, whatever you can work into your schedule. We plan on an afternoon program at another church and an evening program presented by the children of our church.
Christmas Cards for Prisoners
David and I delivered the box of Christmas cards to the Tangipahoa Parish jail yesterday. If all goes well, the cards should be written and mailed to family members soon, surely in time for Christmas. Another lady will deliver to the Sr. Helena jail.
Thank-you to all who paid for cards and stamps and them took time to prepare them for delivery. I think you have made a difference this seasson in some lives.
Today, I challenge you to read three articles listed here.
I also challenge you to put on and big smile and to have a happy heart as you get “out-and-about” in the next couple weeks. May people be able to look at you and “see” Jesus in your heart. Take the joy of Jesus with you every day!
The Prayer Link 
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