More and more, but not all, of of family, friends, and neighbors now have electrical power and telephone service. We are blessed! Thank-you to those who help get these conveniences restored. I grew up with a neighbor, Johnny Pritchett, who worked for the power company and a daddy, Grant Smith, who worked for the telephone company. Both of them were also volunteer firemen. I learned early in life that some are called to work to help everyone else. Thank people who serve OUR community in various ways.
Isn’t it good to wake up and each morning? Today has lots of blessing for us, phone calls, birds to watch, warm food, electrical power, water, a Bible waiting for us, etc. God is good!
David and I got out for a short trip to pick up a few groceries. As much as I appreciate my home and yard, it certainly was good to get out for a few minutes.
Curtis Kent Sims died at 9:55AM on Sunday, February 14, 2021 at St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington, LA. He was born March 26, 1955 in Brookhaven, MS. He was a life-long resident of Kentwood, LA. He was a truck driver and co-owner of a local trucking company, Simco Industries, Inc. from 1982 until closing to retire in 2016. He is survived by one son Jonathan Kent Sims; three granddaughters Logan Moneyhun, Jasie Sims, and Lanna Sims; one sister Judy S. Jones; one sister-in-law Ann Smith; four nieces Ashley Bridges, Amber Bridges, Angel Newman (Matthew), and Sherry Sassone (Chris). He is preceded in death by his parents Jimmy and Marie Sims; son Jason Wayne Sims; grandson Michael “Boc” Sims; brother LaRue Smith; brother-in-law, Jimmy Jones; and nephew Greg Smith. Graveside services will be held at 11:00AM on Friday, February 19, 2021 at Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://mckneelys.com.
Please continue to pray for all the people in the south who are without heat, water, and/or power. These conditions can be harder here because we, as a country, are not prepared for them. Pray for Mrs. Mildred Birch, 90, and other senior adults who seem to be having more issues than most people. Pray also for those who are working to restore services. It is certainly a blessing to hear of people helping others. Hang in there. We have a few more days before this is over.
Read the Bible chronologically in 2021 – February 18
Many churches cancelled services again last night. Pray services will be able to be held Sunday.
Prayer focus for today
Continue to say special prayers for power company workers, first responders, medical personnel, and others who are working to make our lives safer and more comfortable.
We certainly have time to say extra prayers and to contact people to check on them. Let’s not fail in this duty.
I hope many of you have electricity again. Even when we got electricity yesterday, my site, TPL, wouldn’t open. I’m thankful it is working this morning.
I’m also thankful to have electricity, Demco workers and others who are still out helping neighbors and friends, a husband who checked our house and other building and helped us make it through with no issues that we are aware of, highway department workers who cut tree limbs at 7:30 last night to prevent future problems, a gas stove, insulation, a greenhouse that seems to be full of living plants, warm food to keep us going, a cell phone that worked in a limited manner, a stash of water, etc. Most of all, I’m thankful to the good Lord above who watched over us all.
Check you your neighbors, friends, and family. You may be able to help them get through the present and future cold weather conditions. Just because we have power and are okay doesn’t mean everyone has progressed as we have.
Our highway has been almost empty. Today, say special prayers as more and more people attempt to get out. Pray for drivers to have wisdom if they must get out today. (Today’s Prayer Focus)
Pray for Mrs. Dora Magee, who has recently had cancer surgery and is now home and awaiting biopsy reports.
BothBill and Velta Morris are making improvement with their health conditions. Continue to pray for them.
Charles Warren and others continue their battle with Covid-19. Many prayers are needed.
Read the Bible chronologicallyin 2021 – February 17 and beyond, just in case I am unable to post due to the coming weather conditions
Read about how churches are responding to the current weather conditions and other timely news. Maybe, we can claim some of their ideas and apply them.
Keep praying and working. This weather dilemma is not over. Be sure to thank God for all the ways he has walked with us and guided us this this week.
People who lose necessities/conveniences because of the weather
People who must travel/work in the winter weather conditions
Today is the day David and I had chosen to get out and do some things we have not been able to do because of the covid restrictions. We have had both vaccines and have waited for them to be working well. I guess our homebound routine has been extended.
I don’t want to become a weatherman, but our current weather alerts and the massive wrecks yesterday in Texas and Georgia do concern me. Let’s pray for drivers in abnormal weather conditions. Please pray for safety for all who need to travel today and any time the weather conditions become headline news.
Today’s Prayer Focus: People traveling in extreme weather conditions.
Operation Christmas Child
There are two containers in which to place your OCC contributions at FBC, Kentwood. One is just inside the front door of the fellowship hall. The other is across from the elevator. Of course, you can always leave your contributions in the classroom next to the choir room. Thank-you for your support of this annual international mission project.
Returning to a more normal routine
Now that some people have had their two vaccines for Covid, people are beginning to think about returning to a more normal routine. Pray for those making these big decisions. I understand masks will still be required for a long time, but there will be more freedom of movement. Pray for wise choices.
Remember the saying to “Make lemonade from lemons?” Make the most of all situations!
I have some unspoken prayer requests today. As I pray for those on my unspoken list, you pray for those on your unspoken list.
Freddie Jacob Wood
July 24, 1944 – February 09, 2021
A life-long resident of Amite LA, passed away on Tuesday, February 9, 2021. He was 76 years of age.
Freddie was a professional rodeo announcer for over 40 years for the Tri-State, PCA, and CRA rodeo associations. He produced the first rodeo at the Tangipahoa Parish Fair and the Amite Oyster Festival. He served as president of the Tangipahoa Parish Fair Association for many years. Freddie had the honor of being Master of Ceremonies for over 40 years for the annual Old Farmer’s Day in Loranger, LA. He became a licensed and bonded auctioneer for the State of Louisiana and was auctioneer for the Southern University Livestock Show on a yearly basis. Freddie retired from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture as a meat inspector after over 35 years of service. He was a life-long member of St. Helena Catholic Church.
He is survived by his wife, Judy Easley Wood; daughter, Julie Ann Wood; son Freddie Jacob Wood Jr. and wife Holly, grandchildren Breanna Prevost Smith (Zack), Catherine Rose Richard, Lindy Wood, Hadley Wood and Dally Reese Rushing, and great-granddaughter Davey Sutton Smith; nephews, Ed Wood (Kim) , Robert Wayne Wood Jr., (Tammie); niece, Robin Wood; great-nephews, Jase Wood, Robert Wayne Wood III; great-nieces, Haylie Wood and Cheyanne Wood, and sister-in-law Rebecca Wood. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Edna Singleton Wood; brother, Robert Wayne Wood Sr.
Visitation will be held at McKneely Funeral Home in Amite, from 6:00PM until 9:00PM on Thursday, February 11, 2021 and Friday, February 12, 2021 8:00AM until 9:30AM, followed by a private Funeral Mass at St. Helena Catholic Church, Amite, at 10:00AM. Services conducted by Fr. Howard Adkins. Interment Amite Cemetery, Amite, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Read the Bible Chronologically Today – February 11
Today’s Prayer Focus – Louisiana and Stage Two Ruling
The governor has given the people of our state three more weeks of stage two rules to follow again. Pray our people will follow these guidelines and help to move our state to stage three. We all need a healthier environment.
FBC, Kentwood Prayer Meeting Tonight
Services available online
6:00 P.M. on Facebook and YouTube
Services available in person in the sanctuary too!
Rain Today
Be prepared for some rain today and in the next few days. If you need to get out safely, try to time your traveling between the rain bands. Pray for those who must travel and work in the rain.
And a resident of Mount Hermon died Sunday evening February 7, 2021 at Good Samaritan Living Center with her children by her side. She was born on July 23 1939 and graduated from Franklinton High School in 1957. Barbara began a long career as a secretary and office manager, working for several automobile dealerships in the area including Miller Ford and Magee Motors. Barbara also worked at Patterson & Yearny Steel Company and her most recent service was to Habitat For Humanity in Franklinton. She enjoyed spending time with children, grandchildren and young great-grandchildren. Going out to eat at different places, shopping and attending the school activities of all of them was definitely her most favorite pastime. Barbara always loved to cook and have her family together for Sunday dinner. She was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church.
Survived by:
2 Daughters and a Son in law: Kim Barber of Franklinton, Karen and Dr. Eric Payne of Mt. Hermon
Son and Daughter in law: Mark and Sherron Riley of Kentwood
Grandchildren and Spouses: Ashton and Cody Newman of Kentwood, Whitney and Jimmy Ray Jones of Wilmer, Trevor and Jessica Barber of Nashville, TN, Taylor Riley of Hammond, Richard and Lacey Inkinbrant of Kentwood
3 Sisters and a Brother in law: Myrna Goings of Franklinton, Sharon and Dewitt Perry of Enon, Delores Cornett of Greensburg
Brother and Sister in law: Bill and Evelyn Ratcliff of Franklinton
Sister in law: Carolyn Ratcliff of Picayune, MS
Also numerous nieces, nephews and other family members
She was preceded in death by the father of her children Donnie Riley, parents Fleet Ratcliff and Etta Gill Ratcliff, sisters Sheila Stafford, Mary Ratcliff, brother Talmadge Ratcliff, brothers in law Price Goings, Russell Cornett and a niece Janna Cornett.
Visitation will be at Crain Funeral Home Saturday February 13th from 9:00 am until 11:00 am. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel at 11:00 am Saturday with Rev. Joe Baugh officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Hermon Cemetery.
The family wishes to express a sincere thank you to the staff of Good Samaritan Living Center for their loving care and support through the years and to Community Care Hospice.
Pallbearers: Eric Payne, Tracy Barber, Trevor Barber, Richard Inkinbrant, Cody Newman, Jimmy Ray Jones
Prayer Focus for Today
We all know it is not any fun to be sick. Today, I request you join me in praying for those who as sick and who live alone. Enough said.
The Prayer Link 
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