1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Josiah Huckaby had his first day of school yesterday. He smiled all day, as always, and wore himself out having a good time. Thank God for this blessing.
David learned at church last night that Mrs. Barbara Hutchinson fell and broke a couple of ribs. Pray for her as she heals at home.
I’m not sure about the results of my injection yet. Result times vary, so I will be “testing” the results periodically today
Reading and writing the Bible today – Day 6
Ephesians 4:22-24
Family Focus Conference at FBC, Kentwood
Contact the church office to sign up. No fees to pay! Only benefits!
JANUARY MISSION PROJECT
Gift cards for Kentucky tornado victims can turned in to the church office Monday-Friday, 8:00 – 5:00.
Operation Christmas Child
I’ve been unable to shop for OCC, but David has shopped some. If you get an opportunity to shop and see items for the pencil bags, please help us out. Items needed for the pencil bags are: mechanical pencils, pencils, pens, erasers of various sizes, small toys like plastic animals or balls, stickers, etc. You can place your bags on the table in the classroom next to the choir room. Also, anyone who would like to volunteer a few hour to do some easy work for OCC, please let me know.
I’m not able to attend church now and greatly appreciate the online services. I hope you have located the site for time when you are unable to attend Sunday services or prayer meeting on Wednesdays.
Good – The new virus is not bad for most people, especially for people who are fully vaccinated.
Bad – It is very contagious and spreading quickly here.
Please pray for all those who have the new virus.
We saw my pain management doctor yesterday. She is going to do another procedure early this morning. Hopefully, it will help. If you are up early, please pray for a successful procedure on my back.
Read and write Scripture in 2022
Today – Proverbs 4:23
I used it to start today’s Prayer Link.
January Mission Project at FBC, Kentwood
Purchase gift cards which will be given to tornado victims in Kentucky.
Yvonne Lott, born February 9, 1937, passed away on Saturday, January 1, 2022 at the age of 84. She was truly loved and an inspiration to all that came into contact with her, sharing the joy of the Lord with anyone that needed a hug, a prayer, or a hand to hold. She is survived by her sister, Beverly Stewart and husband Jerry, brother, Hamilton Miley and wife Katherine; children, Marilyn Passman and husband James, Stephanie and Brown Binder, and Jennifer Lott; grandchildren, Daniel Kennedy and wife Krystal, Cody Binder and Megan, Rachel Lockett, and Regan Kimball; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Florence and Roy Babington; husband, Harold Lott; son, Clifford Lott; sister, Barbara Woodard; and grandchildren, Bo Binder and Dana McCullough . A private ceremony will be held among family.
Please continue to pray for the many who are sick in our comminity.
My back is a little better. Pray for me as I see a doctor today.
January Mission Project – Gift Card for Tornado Victims
lift up a song to him . . . his name is the LORD.”
~Psalm 68:4 (ESV)~
I’ve got my special notebook started with the Scriptures for the last two days. It’s easy to write and meditate over. Today’s Scripture is 2 Corinthians 10:3-6. To complete your assignment for today, this is what you will write in your notebook.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
I hope you will join us if you have not already started. Think how proud of yourself you will be at the end of the year.
Think of all the special passages you can mark for memorization.
Think of all the passages you could categorize for future use.
Etc.
Please pray for Mr. Bobby Simpson’s daughter, Kay, who now has covid on top of her other jealth issues.
Please pray for others who, like Kay, have compromised health issues.
Write Scriptures today.
Instructions: Take 10 minutes each day to read each day’s Bible verse and the surrounding passages. Write it in your journal and pray over it. Ask God to reveal to you what He wants to show you through His Word.
Scriptures for the first week of 2022 1st Romans 12:2 2nd Philippians 4:8 3rd 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 4th 2 Timothy 1:7 5th Proverbs 4:23 6th Ephesians 4:22-24 7th Romans 7:23
It’s certainly not too late to begin!
January Mission Project at FBC, Kentwood
We’re collecting gift cards from various stores, such at Walmart, DollarGeneral, and Chic-Fil-A to send to people in Kentucky who recently had tornado damage. Bro. Stan Statham, who serves as the LA Baptist Disaster Relief leader will get them to those in greatest need. If you wish to donate you can purchase gift cards in your chosen amounts and turn them in through the Sunday morning offering or give them to the church secretary during the week. Thank you for helping those who have a great need at this time.
Operation Christmas Child – Keep your eyes open for after-Christmas sales of pencils, stuffed animals, coloring books, etc.
Thanks to all who helped with the Christmas gift-bags for our local ministry and our shoeboxes for our international ministry. May God blesses you for helping children.
A resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Thursday, December 30, 2021 at his home. He was born August 24, 1946 in Independence, LA and was 75 years of age. He was a retired T. C. Clerk after 42 years from Illinois Central Railroad which later merged with Canadian National Railroad. He surrendered to preach in October 1983. He pastored Old Mt. Zion in Uneedus for 5 years then later joined the membership of Bethel MBC of New Orleans and was sent as a missionary at which time he started Landmark M.B. Mission in the home of his mother Evelyn P. Wallace. Landmark Church was later organized in 1996. Marshall Wallace continued as Pastor until his death. Survived by his wife, Melissa Randall Wallace; children, Marshall Wallace, III and wife, Carol, Adlyn Renee “Sissy” Rioux and Carla Sonya Wallace; grandchildren, Laken B. Parker, Tristin C.J. Parker, Dalton T. Rioux, Tiffany D. Wallace, Paydon S. Wallace, Darian C. Peevy, Ayla P. Chambless, Lain G. Chambless; brothers, David M. Wallace and wife, Tanya, Ken M. Wallace, Mark Wallace and wife, Karen and Mack Wallace and wife, Raynell; sister, Joy Porter and husband, Nolan; brothers-in-law, Harold “Boo” Bonck and Glenn and Janelle Randall; sister-in-law, Mary Randall Morgan and husband, John Morgan. Preceded in death by his dad, Chester M. Wallace; mother, Evelyn P. Wallace; sister, JoAnn W. Gatlin and husband, Darrell Gatlin; sister, Janice W. Bonck; brother, Randall M. Wallace and wife Sherry P. Wallace; nephew, J.J. Drago; step-son, Jason D. Randall; step-granddaughter, Lacie M. Randall; and many nephews and nieces. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 5:00PM until 9:00PM on Friday and from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Saturday, January 8, 2022. Services conducted by Pastor Billy Joe Bennett of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Wichita, KS. Interment Landmark Cemetery, Amite, LA. Family and friends are invited to meet afterwards at Landmark Church Annex on S. Populis Rd. following services. Pallbearers are Laken Parker, Dalton Rioux, Lain G. Chambless, Peydon Wallce, K’Den Smith and K’Shine Smith. Honorary pallbearer will be Andrew Parker. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Please continue to pray for the many who are sick or experiencing various troubles. Also, pray for those who do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I encourage you to get a small notebook or just a few sheets of paper, for your prayer list to place in the front of your Bible so it is always easy to locate. It can also be a good location to copy some favorite verses, ot verses that especiially touch your heart as you read them this year.
Ernest Lynn Singleton
June 11, 1941 – December 29, 2021
Ernest Lynn Singleton passed away on December 29 in New Orleans. He was born on June 11, 1941, in Madisonville Louisiana to the late Ernest Singleton and Evelyn McCoy Singleton. A lifelong resident of Greensburg Louisiana, he graduated Amite High School, Louisiana State University, and Loyola School of Law.
After graduation, Lynn returned to operate his father’s business, Singleton Bulldozer, and begin his law practice in Greensburg. He had a successful law practice for many years and had several businesses including land development.
Lynn’s civic and professional activities included serving as a Greensburg City Council member, President of the 21st Judicial District Bar Association, and the First Assistant District Attorney in the 21st Judicial District. He founded and was a long-time board member of Southeast Legal Services. Lynn also served on the Board of Directors for the Central Progressive Bank in Amite, Louisiana.
Lynn was a talented musician and could play many instruments including the guitar, bass and harmonica. His true gift was his voice. He was part of professional bands in college and reconnected with his college bandmate, Rocky Saxon, to play music in the last few years. He brought joy to many people when he sang at the Greensburg First Baptist Church where he also served as part-time choir director and deacon. Lynn loved the Lord and was a lifelong member of the Greensburg First Baptist Church as well as being a Mason. Even in his last years, Lynn amused us with his quick wit and clever comments.
He is survived by his children Michael Lynn Singleton (Amanda) of Ponchatoula and Stacy Singleton Head (Jeremy) of New Orleans. He loved his four grandchildren, William Hawkins Head and Charlotte Hamberlin Head, Allison Hailey Singleton and Chloe Elizabeth Singleton with all his heart. They knew him as “Hoppy”.
Interment will be in a private service in the Greensburg Cemetery.
In leu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation (www.parkinson.org).
The family extends their sincere thanks and gratitude to the staff at Lambeth House and Guardian Angels Hospice for their care of Lynn.RR
Dallas “Doc” Marshal Alford, Ph.D.
Brown Magee Funeral Home
Dec 28, 2021
DALLAS “DOC” MARSHAL ALFORD PhD passed away Tuesday, December 28, 2021, in Baton Rouge. He was a loved father, grandfather, husband, and Master Mason. He was born and raised in the Mt. Nebo Community and Amite area. He was 90 years old.
Dallas graduated from Amite High School in 1951 and enlisted in the United States Navy soon after where he played football for the Navy and the Pensacola Goshawks and served aboard the USS Bennington. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Louisiana University and in 1966 earned his Doctorate in Horticulture from Louisiana State University. He worked as a Professor at McNeese State and Southeastern Louisiana University before spending the remainder of his career with the Louisiana State Department of Corrections at Angola and the Rayburn Correctional Center in Angie, Louisiana.
Dallas was a Master Mason, long time member and Past Master of the Spring Creek Lodge #184 and Bogalusa Center Lodge #244. He was a Shriner with the Acacia and Jerusalem Shrine Temples.
He was an avid hunter, fisherman and hobby farmer. Farming brought immense joy to providing his family’s food at his own hands.
A Memorial Service will be held Monday, January 3, 2022, at Brown Magee Funeral Home, 610 Avenue F, Bogalusa, Louisiana from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.
He is survived by two daughters Deann Landers and husband Doug; and Amanda Alford Dorsa and husband Matthew; son Houston “Louie” Alford and wife Katie; two stepsons Paul Nuelle and Chris Nuelle and wife Amy.
He is also survived by grandsons James Landers, Casey Alford-Weaver, Carson Dallas Weaver, and Ryan M. Alford; granddaughters Sarah Alford, Lauren Alford, Camryn Dorsa and Cayli Dorsa; step granddaughter Madalynne Hughes; step grandsons Hunter Meidahl and Connor Nuelle.
Dallas was preceded in death by infant son Marshal Daniel Alford, adult son Timothy Alford, his beloved wife of 31 years Deborah Alford, his parents Homer and Hazel Alford and his siblings, Lewis, Herbert, Vera, Velma, and Doris.
Always the engaging raconteur and conversationalist, Dallas will be missed deeply by his family and friends alike.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Shriners Children’s Hospitals at www.shrinerschildrens.org
Read the Bible Chronologically in 2021
I have posted all the Scriptures gor 2021. If you read them, I congratulate you for doing something that will greatly enrich your Bible knowledge and something many people never do. The Scriptures I will post in 2022 will not cover the whole Bible, but various topics I think will be helpful. We’ll begin tomorrow.
THANKFULNESS 2022 – Some of you may want to write a sentence or two as a reminder of something, sometimes big, but usually small, that you are thankful for on each day of the coming year. I haven’t done this in a few years, but am thinking of doing so in the coming year. I will put my jar in a prominent place and cut my colored paper and stack it close by so I will be ready. Mine will be next to my computer. If you join me, don’t expect to have earth-shattering things to happen in your life each day to write about, but look for all the little blessings that God sends your way. I seem to grow as a person when I do this. I hope you will choose to do so too. I kept the one I did before, in 2015, but have never gone back and read all those thoughts again. One day, when life gets difficult, I think I will read them again, but not today. You might choose to call this BLESSINGS 2022. I hope you join me this year.
Pray for my friend and former classmate, Carol Ann Cleveland, who will have surgery today to hopefully rid her of hip pain following a broken hip and corrective surgery.
Also, please pray for the family of Marshall Wallace who passed away yesterday evening.
Please continue to pray for me as I search for a solution to my back problem. My good news is I seem to NOT need surgery now. I have an appointment Tuesday.
“When these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads,
because your redemption draws near.”
~Luke 21:28~
Heavenly Father, thank You for the hope we have in Christ.
As we enter a new year,
give us opportunities to share this hope
and the Good News that Christ has paid for our sins.
In Jesus’ Name.
Amen.
Urilda “Willie” Taylor Lewis
February 12, 1936 – December 28, 2021
Willie Lewis, age 85, passed away December 28th at 11:00 pm in Amite, La. Born February 12, 1936 to Rock (Barney) and Winifred Taylor, she grew up in Metairie, Louisiana where she enjoyed fishing with her dad. She was married for 63 years to her college sweetheart Don Lewis. They owned Western Auto in Kentwood for 40 years and she currently worked at the Tangipahoa Water Works. She played the organ at Lewiston Baptist Church for 40+ years and served as the church’s secretary. She enjoyed reading, watching westerns with her beloved pet, Trixy , Louisiana history, and cross stitching. Survived by: Husband of 65 years, Don Lewis, 2 children: Vandy and Lyn Lewis and Cindy and JoJo Norris all of Kentwood. 6 grandchildren and spouses: Misty (Kelly) Alford, Ricky Lewis, Taylor (Jeremy) McKenzie, Cody Lewis, Cynthia Schilling, and Cassye Jo Norris. 7 great grand children, 1 sister in-law: Barbara Lewis. She was preceded in death by her parents Rock and Winifred Taylor, and her brother, Buddy. Visitation will be January 1st from 9-11 at Lewiston Baptist Church with funeral services beginning immediately after officiated by Brother Corey Morris. Burial will follow in the Lewiston Baptist Church Cemetery. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Pray for the families dealing with covid and covid deaths.
Pray for your family’s protection from covid and covid deaths.
Pray for your church’s protection from covid and covid deaths.
Pray for your local schools’ protection from covid and covid deaths.
pray for your local nursing home’s protection from covid and covid deaths.
A new year will be beginning in two days. Pray about how God would have you read your Bible next year. I will be including a plan that focuses on a different topic each month. I hope you will join me in reading each day. The reading will be easier and shorter. The emphasis on a topic will be a good change. Give it a try beginning on January 1.
Our church packed 454 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child in 2021. We also packed and additional 350 pencil bags with pencils, pens, erasers, markers, pencil sharpeners, stickers, glue sticks, small toys, etc. That means we impacted 804 children. With each box having an impact on 7 people, that means our church impacted 5628 people with the Gospel! Thank you for your support! Thank-you! Thank-you! Thank-you! You will be blessed for your support.
We were also able to supply items for two different local ministries, about 20 different children.
Thank-you for your support of the Lottie Moon Christmas offering. That’s another way you impacted the world for Jesus. Every penny of that money goes to support missionaries and projects they do to introduce people to children.
It’s great there is leadership for various mission projects and lots of you who join in and do your part. Thank-you so much.
As 2022 approaches, I hope God stirs your heart to do and to support mission projects for the coming year.
I know this verse is a helpful reminder to many people this morning. I’m certainly casting my cares on Him today.
Geraldine Baker Sanchez
October 05, 1941 – December 27, 2021
Geraldine Baker Sanchez, Granny, born October 5, 1941,age 80 went to Heaven on Monday, December 27, 2021. She was a resident of Harvest Manor Nursing Facilty & Rehab, Denham Springs, LA and native of Amite, LA. She is survived by her nieces that she loved like her own children, Elizabeth “Ann” Cheek and fiancé Melvin Roe, Sr., Margaret Rutland and husband Robert, Barbara “Boo” Rutland and husband Roger. Along with numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews as well as her aunts. Preceded in death by her husband Olan Sanchez; parents, J.D. Baker and Willie Mae Price Baker; sister, Georgia Mae Baker Cheek; and brother-in-law, Bobby Clyde Cheek; great nephew, Kristopher Robert Rutland. Special thanks to the Harvest Manor staff & Elsie Tuminaro of Amite, La. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Thursday, December 30, 2021. Interment will follow in Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite. In lieu of flowers, you may donate to your charity of choice or to Full of Grace at St. Helena Catholic Church, Amite, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Paul Joseph Laurent
February 03, 1962 – December 25, 2021
A resident of Independence, LA, Paul passed peacefully on Saturday, December 25, 2021. A loving father, brother and son, he was born February 3, 1962 in New Orleans, LA and was 59 years of age. He is survived by his loving daughter, Lakin E. Laurent; 2 of the best sisters, Barbara M. Laurent and Hilda M. Laurent; 1 adoring brother, Melvin J. Laurent, III; and his beloved daughter’s mother, Debbie Anthony Scott. Preceded in death by his parents, Melvin J. Laurent, Jr. and Joella Lewis Laurent; sister, Ruby Lorraine Laurent Seal; brother, Barney Larry Laurent. Graveside Services will be held at Arcola-Roseland Cemetery, Arcola, LA at 2:00PM Wednesday, December 29, 2021. Services conducted by Rev. John Chetta. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com mckneelys.com.
I know of another death, but am waiting for an obituary. Maybe it will be ready in the morning. Continue to pray for families as they struggle in various ways. Struggles during the holidays seem extra hard for many.
January will be here in a few days. It’s not too early to purchase some gift certificates that will be sent to victims of the tornadoes that hit in Kentucky recently. I think David and I will purchase some from Walmart since they can be used for clothing, food, household items, etc. You can turn them in at the church office of FBC. We will collect all during January. Other store that would be good choices would be the building supply stores, dollar stores, etc. Bro. Stan Statham will help us get them to the people who need them most. He is the new director of LA Baptist Disaster Relief.
OCC January Workshop
We will not meet Saturday. If this decisions changes, I will let you know.
Today, I am thankful to have met some wonderful people yesterday. God sends them to us just when we need them most and in places and ways we would have never expected. I hope He will send you to someone to bless you and them in the next few days. What a way to end 2021!
The Prayer Link 
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