“Through Christ, God made peace between us and himself, and God gave us the work of telling everyone about the peace we can have with him.”
~2 Corinthians 5:18 (NCV)~
Don Schneeweiss fell and tore his rotator cuff. Pray for Don and Firma Kay as they meet with a surgeon today to discuss plans for surgery.
I watched the associational service that was held last night at FBC, Kentwood. I hope you will take time to do the same if you were unable to be there in person.
I read several news articles this morning concerning the virus. They use us to continue to wear masks and to practice social distancing. This problem is not over with yet. Be sure to do your part.
Please pray for churches as they work to continue services and to stay aware of all they need to do to prevent the continued spread of the disease. Pray for familiesthat are currently experiencing having the virus.
This is the Lord’s Day. There are lots of options for church services today. Most churches are having live “regular” services. Many churches have an online service. Others are without power. Some have churches damaged by the recent hurricanes and have no facilities or alternate facilities for today. No matter where or how you worship today, God is still God and glad you are worshiping. Line Creek Baptist Church, in our area, will not have church due to a power outage. Those folks, and others like them, can visit another church in person or online or have their own worship at home. Just don’t leave God out of the day!
Check with your local church to see how they have progressed with Operation Christmas Child. You may be able to do something to meet a need for some of the shoeboxes. You may be able to provide shipping costs for some shoeboxes. Do whatever you can to help ship wonderfully filled “shoeboxes” to many children around the world. It’s not a competition. It is about the children and their opportunity to learn about God. We can all PRAY for the shoeboxes and their impact of homes around the world.
Thankfully, most of us in the Kentwood area did not have major damage because of Hurricane Delta. Many of us only had power outages which have already been cleared up. Be sure to thank God for taking good care of us.
As you are able and aware of needs, help others with their cleanup. Your pastor may be able to suggest people you can check with concerning cleaning up yards. Working as a group is a good idea. The task seems more like fun than work. (No, I am not asking for help. We will be able to do that ourselves, but there are others who would greatly appreciate your help.)
“‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’”
~Luke 10:41-42 (NIV)~
Today is a good day to spend talking to God and thanking Him for sparing us again as well as praying for those that were more affected by the storm than us.
We have hundreds of little branches down, but the roofs, walls, and trees are all in the same places. We lost power for about 12 hours, but the temperatures and breezes made for a good day inside and outside. Thank you, Lord! Be sure to thank Him too.
I received work that Pete Hughes of Roseland passed away. He has fought a long battle with cancer. Please be in prayer for his family. I’ll post an obituary when one is available.
Gavin Blake Graham
April 18, 1992 – October 07, 2020
Gavin Blake Graham, a native of Kentwood, was born April 18, 1992 in Slidell, LA. He left this earth on October 7, 2020 at dusk. Gavin was a person who would give you the shirt off of his back and a lot of times he would take some of his clothes and food to give away to someone in need. Gavin is survived by his mother, Kim Hayden (Daniel); father, Carey Graham (Carol); sister, Cara Graham(Abraham); brother, Kamdon Hayden; step-sister, April Rester (David);step-brother, Jeremy Jenkins (Lacie); step-brother, Hunter (Dralyn); step-sister, Kelsie Hayden; 3 nephews, Easton, Karson, and Haize; 1 niece, Linley; grandparents, Jimmy and Sherry Graham of Kentwood; uncle, Shane Graham (Missy); 3 aunts, Susan Patterson (Mike), Debbie Stewart (Dennis), and Tammy Shaffett; and numerous cousins. Preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Margaret and Morris Strickland; paternal great-grandparents, LC and Faye Graham; maternal great-grandparents, Charles and Nezalee McDaniel. Services will be held privately. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
It’s time to make plans to support the Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief effort though funding or bringing in items that are greatly needed. Contact Bro. Stan Statham at the missions office in Franklinton or work with a church in an area where there is a big need.
I plan to reschedule the packing of the shoeboxes for the end of the week. Please continue to pray. This week, pray for a successful packing with many items able to fit in each shoe box. May each child find items that seem to be packed in their boxes “just for them” as response to their wants and needs.
Please continue to pray for those who are grieving and those who are sick. May God provide for their needs at this time.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
Jeremy Greer‘s eye surgery went well. Pray for recovery and improvement.
Rachel Buckley‘s neck surgery also went well yesterday. Surgery went well. The doctor said the problem was greater than he expected. Pray for good recovery with a minimal amount of pain.
Pray for those in the path of Hurricane Delta. The people of southwest LA have already had a hurricane and a tropical storm this year. The thought of another hurricane now is disheartening. Pray the the people will now lose the spirit to recover again and to try to move on. Pray for others to unite and help those who have needs.
Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief has been busy. May they continue to find ways to minister to the people following the storm. May we all do our part in helping too.
I know several people who have already helped in the Lake Charles area this summer. Some have already served a second time in the last few weeks. Volunteers are a necessary part of this ministry, which is part of the Men’s Ministry of Louisiana Baptists. They use both men and women in the ministry. Pray about becoming a part of this team of volunteers.
God blesses those who bless others through time, effort, prayers, and donations.
You may enjoy and be inspired by reading about the work of disaster relief.
If all goes well here, the days of packing shoeboxes at FBC, Kentwood will be rescheduled for next week. We will be packing in a smaller area than usual, so work will be done in small groups in six different sessions. We will wear masks and socially distance. Those of you who are not working with us are urged to pray for the packing process. the traveling of the boxes, and the young recipients of the boxes. May God be glorified and the Good News spread around the world because of “shoeboxes”!
Thank-you for reading this blog and praying. The praying is the important part. Reading the blog only serves as a guide for your prayers. Of course, there are always others to pray for too, s0 please do not limit your prayers to those on this list.
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
~Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)~
Rosemary Sabella Graham
March 17, 1936 – October 04, 2020
To God our Creator, Jesus Christ our Savior, Holy Spirit our earthly inner strength and conscience, with the Virgin Mother of Jesus, receive into your heavenly realm Rosemary, showing her mercy and forgiveness for all of her earthly short comings. Rosemary, born on March 17, 1936, passed away on October 4, 2020 leaving in Christ her husband of 65 years, Nolan E. Graham; her four children, Keith (Mary Jo), Donna Campo (Matt), Kevin (Yvonne) and Dana Redmond (Joe); her 9 grandchildren, Jeffrey, Angela, Bryan, Matthew, Rachael, Sarah, Adam, Anthony, Emily and Zach; 13 great-grandchildren, Aivah, Joaquin, Sidney, Addison, Khloe, Preston, Sophia, Wyatt, Henry, Gabe, Barrett, Meritt and Rosemary; also survived by her sister, Jackie Sabella, and nieces, Kristi and Amber. Rosemary was the cornerstone of our family giving love, care, kindness and mercy to family and friends. Her occupation was caring for her husband and children, she took care of everyone, giving help to all that needed it. No one ever left her home hungry or empty handed, always helping others. A faithful Catholic her entire life, she graduated from Istrouma High and shortly afterwards married Nolan who was in the military at Fort Benning. Upon returning to Baton Rouge, they started a family and Rosemary was ever present in the lives of her family and church. Besides being a wonderful cook, she was known for holiday Italian Fig cookies and fruit cakes shared and enjoyed by so many, a tradition passed on to the next generation in her family. A true lover of her husband and family, but especially her Catholic faith. Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents, Ross an Tina Sabella; sister, Phyllis Jackson; in-laws, Ernest and Rezelda; brothers-in-law, Fred Moore, Ernest, Jr. and Edsel Graham; and sister-in-law, Maryann Graham. Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 7, 2020 from 5:00PM until 8:00PM at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite. Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, October 8, 2020 at 12:00PM at St. Helena Catholic Church in Amite. Interment at Day’s Cemetery, Liverpool, LA. As much as Rosemary loved her plants and flowers, in honor of her care for others and her faith, please if you desire make contributions to St. Helena Catholic Church, Amite, or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Change of Plans – The Operation Christmas Child packing parties will be postponed due to Hurricane Delta. Please contact those working on your team.
Hurricane Delta
Pray for people in our area to be safe.
Get prepared.
Help others get prepared.
Pay attention to the weather reports.
Operation Christmas Child
Yesterday, I had an OCC volunteer to ask what they could begin doing to prepare for “shoeboxes” in 2021. That’s never happened before, but it certainly “warmed my heart”. If you would like to volunteer to make something or collect something for 2021, please let me know.
It’s not too late to give to the Georgia Barnette Offering for Louisiana or to the Louisiana Disaster Relief Fund.
“Be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.”
~Ephesians 5:15-16 (NLT)~
This morning we are facing the possibility of Hurricane Delta hitting here in the next few days. I do not feel it is wise to organize for and pack shoeboxes Thursday – Saturday. We will postpone for now. I will make a decision about when to reschedule after the storm passes through.
Hurricane Delta could be very bad. Make plans using wise decisions. Be prepared. Stay safe.
Betty and Andy Taylor are working on plans for a memorial service for Ricky. It will not be this week. In the meantime, please pray for them and their family.
This is certainly a day for preparation and prayer. If you know someone who might need assistance in getting ready for Delta, please volunteer to help them.
With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.
We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Please continue to pray for Andy and Betty Taylor and their family.
Pray for all the many people in the path of the next hurricane. At this time, it is predicted to come right through here. Remember, to pray for the people who will be in it’s path when it comes ashore.
Thank God President Trump is better and able to be out of the hospital.
Packing of OCC “Shoeboxes” will take place this week at FBC, Kentwood. Today, let’s thank God for those who provided the items that will be shipped to boys and girls this year.
Today is a good day to contribute to the Georgia Barnette Offering for Missions in Louisiana. Contact the church office.
Speaking of the church office, a new one is now under construction directly across from our church. I look forward to riding by and seeing what God is doing. The plan is to convert the present office area to a nursery.
Have a great day. Today, let’s share a smile with others, even if it is behind a mask. Maybe, people will see the twinkle in your eyes. Try it and see if they share one of those hidden smiles with you.
it is he who made us capable of serving the new covenant.”
~2 Corinthians 3:5-6 (GNT)~
Pray for the Andy and Betty Taylor family.
Thanks to all the ladies who are scheduled to pack shoeboxes Thursday through Saturday. This is the earliest we have ever packed. Thanks to those of you who provided items for the shoeboxes. When the large cartons become available, we will pack the cartons.
Debbie Crawford of Line Creek shared this request:
Please add Jeremy Greer, Minister of Music at Line Creek Baptist Church, to your prayer list. He will have surgery this Thursday to try and save his eyeball. The doctor will have a cornea on standby in case he can do a transplant but it is not likely. Jeremy is one of the finest Christian men in the community.
Beverly Byrd Esteven
August 05, 1950 – October 01, 2020
A resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Thursday, October 1, 2020 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. She was born August 5, 1950 in Pascagoula, MS and was 70 years of age. She worked at Ardillo’s Grocery and Restaurant for over 40 years as a bookkeeper and greeted everyone with a smile. She was a devoted wife, mother, Maw-Maw, and sister and loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and extended family. She was a member of St. Helena Catholic Church and Catholic Daughters of America. After retirement, she also enjoyed spending time with her pets, Pup and Kittyman, and riding to Hammond on the “Old People Road” (Highway 51). She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Gregory Paul Esteven; daughter, Susan Esteven McGraw and husband, Brian; son, Gregory William Esteven; 3 grandchildren, Tristen Brian McGraw, Keaten David McGraw and Presley Susan McGraw; sister, Christina Byrd Richard; brother in law, Roy Esteven and wife, Pam; 2 nephews and 1 niece, Brady Hunter, Kaitlin Richard, and James Esteven; great-nephew, Dominic Steffek. She is preceded in death by her parents, Willie Moore “Bill” Byrd, Jr. and Johnnie Shotts Byrd; maternal grandparents, Talnethus Hood Shotts and Benjamin Franklin Shotts; paternal grandparents, Myrtle Lee Byrd and Willie M. Byrd, Sr. The family would like to thank Amite Fire and Rescue, Hood Memorial Hospital, and the staff of North Oaks Medical Center SICU for their excellent care during this difficult time. We would like to thank Fr. Mark Beard, Fr. Howard Adkins, Chaplain Keith Kincaid, and the entire community for all of their heartfelt prayers. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a funeral mass for Beverly will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Full of Grace at St. Helena Catholic Church or Richard Murphy Hospice Foundation. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Don’t forget theGeorgia Barnette Offering for mission work in Louisiana. It’s never to late too contribute at your local Southern Baptist Church.
It’s Sunday. You have options today – Regular church services or online services. FBC, Kentwood will post online services live at 10:30 A.M. and 6:00 P.M. Special thanks to those who do the behind-the-scenes work so those of us at home can be part of the service in real time or at any time we choose. Check out Facebook or YouTube to see for yourself.
“Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.”
~1 Peter 3:8 (NLT)~
Every day, I hear about school mates, teacher friends, etc., who have Covid-19. Today, it’s the president and first lady. If you have not already added them to your prayer list, please do so now.
William Earl Leonard
September 22, 1961 – September 23, 2020Share this obituary
William Earl Leonard, a resident of Osyka, MS, passed away on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at his home. He was born September 22, 1961 in Clinton, LA and was 59 years of age. He is survived by his wife, Sheila; 4 daughters, Brittany Smith, Stephanie Floyd, Angela Simmons, and Elizabeth Simmons; 1 son, William Blake Leonard; 7 grandchildren, Olivia and Abigail Smith, Alayna and Caleb Worley, Jana Floyd, Isabella Simmons and Eric Simpson. Preceded in death by his parents, F.L. and Thelma Murial Leonard; maternal grandparents, Neet “Son” Lee and Minnie Lee; paternal grandparents, Fred and Minnie Leonard. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 6:00PM until 9:00PM on Tuesday and from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Wednesday, September 30, 2020. Services conducted by Bro. Joe Day. Interment Red Bluff Cemetery, Greensburg, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Woodrow Henry Ford, Sr.
July 29, 1923 – October 02, 2020
A resident of Amite, LA and formerly of Roseland, LA, passed away on Friday, October 2, 2020 at his home. He was born July 29, 1923 in Roseland, LA and was 97 years of age. He was a retired Chief Petty Officer from the United States Navy and a Veteran of World War II and Korean Conflict. He also retired from Tangipahoa Parish School System where he served as a teacher and assistant principal. He is survived by 3 children, Shirley Sullivan (Mike), Bill Ford (Ann) and Carolyn Carona (Jack); grandchildren, Bridget Muse (Marshall Bailey), Brandi Taylor (Chris), Blair Catalanotto (Dyron Cerigny), Candice Sledge (Brady), Jack Brian Carona (Adrienne), Carrie Hamiter, Sean Ford (Elana), Dewayne Sullivan (Charlie) and Samantha Carey (Tyler); great-grandchildren, Blythe Muse, Caleb Muse, Caitlyn Muse, Blase Taylor, Bella Taylor, Blane Lee, Eli Perez, Ashtyn Sledge, Clay Sledge, Cian Hamiter, Marie Adele Carona, Jeanne Louise Carona, and Maddie Sullivan. Preceded in death by his wife, Magdalene Yepiz Ford; parents, William and Bessie Ford; son, Woodrow Henry Ford, Jr.; brother, William “Willie” Harrell; sister, Edna Ford Pitts; grandsons-in-law, Robert Muse and Brantley Taylor. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9:00AM until 11:30AM on Tuesday, October 6, 2020. Religious Services to follow at St. Helena Catholic Church, Amite, at 12:00 Noon on Tuesday. Services conducted by Father Mark Beard. Interment Arcola-Roseland Cemetery, Arcola, LA. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Helena Catholic Church. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
(Mr. Woodrow and Daddy grew up as neighbors and were the same age. I have a long memory of Mr. Woodrow. When he completed his military service, he attended SLU and graduated in education while I was in college. In recent years, to my amazement, he called David and me by our names every time we saw him.)
It’s not too late to contribute to the Georgia Barnette Offering for work in Louisiana. After the recent storms, lots of churches have special needs this help. Help fund them.
The Prayer Link 
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