All around us today will be people who are facing their problems and crying out to God. Hopefully, they know God can and will help them get through any situations they find themselves in. He’s real! He’s there for us! He wants to help us! We need to reach out to Him!
And a resident of Hammond passed away peacefully early Friday morning October 10, 2025 at his home, after a courageous battle with cancer. Chris was born in Donaldsonville, Louisiana on December 8, 1972, before moving with his family to Franklinton as a young boy. He played youth baseball for several years and later graduated from Franklinton High School Class of 1991. Chris was chosen for the Louisiana All-State Chorus and, throughout his life, had a love for different types of music. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Franklinton, and had participated in all youth group activities, including R.A. basketball, which he enjoyed very much. After graduation, he served his community and country in the Louisiana Army-National Guard for several years. Chris worked at the Tulane Biomedical Research Center in Covington for the last 20 years, serving in different departments, most recently as a bio-safety engineer traveling to facilities around the area. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed shooting pool with his friends. Chris loved grilling for his family and friends, considering himself a “Grill Master”. He also loved family vacations to the beach and any time they could spend together. Chris had a contagious laugh, which his countless friends could attest to, although he considered himself the funniest person he knew. Recently, he loved spending time with his young granddaughter and enjoying time with his friends at Franklinton Demons football games, watching his favorite LSU Tigers and just being together with all those he loved. He will be forever remembered by all that knew him.
Survived by:
Wife: Rebecca Bennett Smalley of Hammond
Daughters: Madison Smalley of Hammond. Morgan Bond
Son and Daughter in law: Samuel Christian Smalley, Jr. and Emily Curry Smalley of Hammond
Granddaughter: Rumi Nyx
Parents: Karen and Rev. Joey Miller of Franklinton, Sam Smalley of Mandeville
Siblings and Spouses: Chad and Allison Smalley of Florence AL, Carson Smalley of Mandeville, Chaplin and Leah Ann Smalley of the Stateline Community, Scott and Katie Miller of Mt. Hermon, Sally Ann and Cory Shaver of Montgomery, TX, Chase Miller of Atlanta, Michael and Stacey Rase, Lance and Erika Rase
Aunts and an Uncle: Janet and Doug Perrigin, Jan Perry Davis
Mother in law and Father in law: Charlotte and Andy Williams of Port Vincent
Father in law and Mother in law: Bruce and Linda Bennett of Denham Springs
Sister in law: Brittney Bennett,
Brothers in law and Sisters in law: Preston and April Bennett, Landon and Maggie Watts
Also numerous cousins and many dear friends that he loved as family
He was preceded in death by grandparents Nyra “Nell” and Rev. Wallace Perry, Harley and Toby Smalley, uncle Aubrey Perry, step-mother Marsha Smalley and other family members.
Visitation will be at Crain Funeral Home (1109 Bene Street, Franklinton) on Monday October 13th from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm and after 9:00 am on Tuesday. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel at 11:00 am Tuesday with Rev. Joey Miller officiating. Burial will follow in Ellis Cemetery.
Pallbearers: Chandler Smalley, Tony Fagan, Shane Willis, Landy Lott, Heath Bernard, Robert Kerne, Chris Wood
Honorary Pallbearers: Greg Holmes, Wesley Green, Graham Wolbrecht, Derald Cupp, Rob Crain
If you want to serve God in a completely good way, do things like this: Help children who have no parents and women who are widows. Help them in their troubles. If you serve God our Father like that, he will be pleased with you. Do not let the bad people in this world make you bad too.
James 1:27
I hope you will take these words to heart and let your actions and words show that you care! Try to contact one individual today. Today will also be the day to start a new section in your prayer list, a small notebook, or even a calendar . It can include “Personal Actions” such as visits, phone calls, meals, transportation, a baked treat, etc. It’s not a brag book, but a way to keep track of ministry to others, your personal encouragement to “do” and not just “talk”. Nobody needs to see or even know what you write there. It is for your personal accountability and encouragement! If you are uneasy or unsure, get a partner. I know a partner helped me to start reading my Bible when I was a teenager. Even if you are serving in this way, “step it up a notch”!
May the Lord richly bless you today! May we see Him working in our lives!
I hope these thoughts are encouragements to all of us.
Welcome to a new day God has provided for us. We don’t know what the days holds, but we know who holds the day!
Today’s Verse
Read the Bible in 2025
October 14
Provers 7-9
Obituary
Edwin L. Cooper
August 6, 1954 – October 9, 2025
Edwin L. Cooper, a resident of Amite, LA, born August 6, 1954 was called home on October 9, 2025. There to meet him was his daughter Cassandra Marie Cooper and parents Byron and Edith Cooper. Left to carry on his memory are his wife of 46 years Susan K Cooper, his daughter Nikki, son Jay, daughter in law Tabbie and son in law Kyle. His legacy will continue through his 5 grandchildren: Olivia Finley, Alexis Courville, Amelia Cobb, Jase Cooper and Corlea Cooper. As well as his great granddaughter Ezralynn Courville.
Edwin was a United States Air Force Veteran and later worked for an airline in Atlanta Georgia where he retired after over 30 years of employment.
It was Edwin’s desire to be cremated. His family is grieving privately but will hold a celebration of life at a later date. The family thanks everyone for their outpouring of love and support.
Edwin and Susan found a church home at First Baptist Church of Arcola where Edwin enjoyed helping with youth activities and talked about his church family with pride. As such, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to honor Edwin please do so by making a donation in his memory to The First Baptist Church of Arcola. All donations will be used to benefit the youth programs and allow him to bless them once more.
Sunday School – October 19
“Instructions Given”
Numbers 33:50-56 and Numbers 34:113-15
Prayer Focus
Pray for Israel and the changes that have been made to benefit the peoplle. May the focus be, not on changes, but benefits.
There are other articles you might be interessted in reading too.
‘Study God’s Word and Will Wholeheartedly’
‘Alive in Christ’
“I enjoy your laws. I will not forget your word. Be good to me, your servant, so that I may live to obey your word. Open my eyes wide! Then I will see great things in your Law.”
Psalm 119:16-18
Don’t be totally selfish today. Think, pray for, and do for others today.
I must admit I got busy last week and got behind on reading the assigned passages.
SO…TODAY, I set out to read the Scriptures I missed out on as well as today’s Scripture. Before long, I read Psalm 147:2.
The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel.
I paused, reread the verse, listened to the television a moment, and thought… “Did I just read a verse about the very issue that has been on the news and on our television all day?”
I read it again and almost jumped up and down! If I had read the chosen verses on Saturday, I may have made the connection today, BUT I read the verse after the news today was saturated information about 20 prisoners who had just been released hours before I the Bible verse about it. What an impact!
I read a book one time that called such experiences “GOD WINKS”! I didn’t feel like God winked at me, I felt like He grabbed me and shook me!
I’m thankful for the released hostages and their families. That has already brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart periodically all day. Then, God gives me this verse:
The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he brings back the captured Israelites.
I just had to share my joy for the hostages and their families as for how God made the Scripture so real to me. Why me? I don’t know, unless it is so I can share it. That I gladly do right now!
Today, let’s say prayers of thanksgiving for the 20 freed, living hostages that are in Israel this morning. Our president has just been greatly welcomed into the Israeli parliament. I will keep one eye on the television during this wonderful historic event as I try to post TPL this morning! Let’s also thank God for all those who worked so hard to get us to this moment in history. Pray for the hostages as they adjust to living among the free again.
Scripture Focus
Thoughts on Today’s Verse…
It is not enough to turn from evil. We can clean the putrid things out of our lives and hearts, but if we do not actively pursue what is good, then a worse evil can rush into the void, and our second condition becomes worse than the first (Matthew 12:43-45). So, let’s be people who turn from evil, become eager to do what is good, and with a passion choose to “wage peace.”
No New Obituaries Listed this Morning
Read the Bible Today
October 13
Proberbs 4-6
Update
Margie Williams’ doctors have decided on a treatment for the immediate future for her. She is at North Oaks. We can all prayer for her.
Two Rivers Baptist Association
The yearly report night for our association was held at Spring Creek Baptist Church last night and concluded with a message from Bro. Rusty Durand . We are thankful we were able to participate.
Additional Scripture
‘Be Thankful, Prayerful, Vocal, and Glad in Him.
8 Thank the Lord!
Make his name famous!
Tell people in all the nations what he has done.
9 Sing songs and make music
to praise him!
Tell people about the miracles that he has done.
10 Boast about his holy name.
Everybody who wants to worship the Lord should be very happy!
11 Ask the Lord to help you!
Ask him to give you strength.
Always try to be near him
and worship him.
I Chronicles 16:8-11
Pine Ridge Bible Study
This week we will be studying about the courage and faith of Rahab.
OCC Drop Off Schedule for FBC, Kentwood
Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to noon
Nov. 19 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Nov. 20 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to noon
Nov. 22 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon
Nov. 24 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Nov. 25 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Please plan to deliver your church or individually packed shoeboes to Kentwood during any of these time slots. We will be ready with volunteers and equipment to help make this step run smoothly.
Let’s do our best to make today a special day for our family and all the others around us. It’s the Lord’s Day!
Today’s Bible Verse
Today’s Bible Reading
October 12
Proverbs 1-3
We have completed Psalm and are beginning the next book of the Bible.
No New Local Obituaries Listed
Prayer Requests
Please pray for Margie Williams who fell from a ladder in her yard and is hospitalized at North Oaks waiting to learn the procedure/treatment to help her recover from her fractures. She had a hard fall. Please pray for her. Give her a call to let her know you have prayed.
Please continue to pray for Barbara Erwin who is getting rehabilitation services at North Oaks Rehab.
Also, please pray for Michael Anthony as he continues to improve at home.
Pray for those who are homebound in our communities.
Have you considered this quote by Martin Luther?
“God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars.”
I love to watch clouds as we ride along the highways. I see faces, animals, and various other objects in the sky. I also love to notice the many color combinations. The sunrise and the sunset are usually pretty every day. God “paints” pretty pictures for us regularly!
Join me in thanking God for a new day and a cooler morning. Let’s all accomplish some tasks that benefit others, not just ourselves, today. Include inviting others to Sunday School and church on that list.
Mrs. Barbara Erwin is doing well with rehabilitation which will continue until Tuesday when she will be re-evaluated.
Brock Bennett, a young man from Amite, is better. He is at home now and attended his team’s game last night. He didn’t “dress out”, but certainly did wear a big smile as he saw many friends last night who had prayed for him during his hospital stay. I don’t know the details of his future treatment, but please continue to pray for him as he heals. One more thing, when the “pressbox” acknowledged his improvement and presence last night, Brock pointed to God! My heart was touched when he gave credit to God!
Prayer Focus
Please pray for those I have listed and use your personal prayer guide to pray today. Pray for those on your list. If you do not have a personal prayer guide, please take time TODAY to begin one.
Additional Bible Reading
‘Stumbling over the Truth’
42Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:
‘The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
This was the Lord’s doing,
And it is marvelous in our eyes’?
43“Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.
44And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.”
Mt. 21:42-44, New King James Version
Final Thought
Today, let’s do some personal evaluation. Do we give God credit for our many blessings each day?
Good morning, Lord. Thank you for another day to share your Word and love for us. Good morning, friends. I’m glad you are checking in here today. I hope we will have a great day as we impact our world today.May we be dedicated to what God has called us to do.
Baptist Press
Here a an example for a role model we should admire.
Revolve in your mind that wondrous word, “faultless!” We are far off from it now; but as our Lord never stops short of perfection in his work of love, we shall reach it one day. The Saviour who will keep his people to the end, will also present them at last to himself, as “a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but holy and without blemish.” All the jewels in the Saviour’s crown are of the first water and without a single flaw. All the maids of honour who attend the Lamb’s wife are pure virgins without spot or stain. But how will Jesus make us faultless? He will wash us from our sins in his own blood until we are white and fair as God’s purest angel; and we shall be clothed in his righteousness, that righteousness which makes the saint who wears it positively faultless; yea, perfect in the sight of God. We shall be unblameable and unreproveable even in his eyes. His law will not only have no charge against us, but it will be magnified in us. Moreover, the work of the Holy Spirit within us will be altogether complete. He will make us so perfectly holy, that we shall have no lingering tendency to sin. Judgment, memory, will-every power and passion shall be emancipated from the thraldom of evil. We shall be holy even as God is holy, and in his presence we shall dwell for ever. Saints will not be out of place in heaven, their beauty will be as great as that of the place prepared for them. Oh the rapture of that hour when the everlasting doors shall be lifted up, and we, being made meet for the inheritance, shall dwell with the saints in light. Sin gone, Satan shut out, temptation past for ever, and ourselves “faultless” before God, this will be heaven indeed! Let us be joyful now as we rehearse the song of eternal praise so soon to roll forth in full chorus from all the blood-washed host; let us copy David’s exultings before the ark as a prelude to our ecstasies before the throne.
Prayer Focus
Today, let’s ask God to help us live a life today that is closer to what He desires of us.
Good morning, friends. Let’s be thankful for the rain we had yesterday. It was needed! Did you see red clay blowing last week as construction people worked and as vehicles traveled on unpathed roads or driveways? Did you see the dust flying as people cut grass or wind blew on unplanted fields? Let’s be thankful for rain this week!
Verse of the Day
Read the Bible Today
10-9-25
Psalm 133-139
Baptist Press
I learned something new this morning! There is a museum opening in Nashville to honor Gospel music.
From Fisk Jubilee Singers to megachurch hits, new museum celebrates Christian music.
The Prayer Link 
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