Friday

 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

~2 John 1:6~

Please pray for Mr. Woodrow “Dub” Ford, Sr. of Roseland. He is very ill.

Add Mose Guzzardo of Amite to your Covin-19 prayer lisst.

Beverly Esteven of Amite passed away. She always wore a big smile! Pray for peace and comfort for her family.

Baptist Press https://www.baptistpress.com/

Louisiana Baptist Messagehttps://baptistmessage.com/

Read the Bible in 2020

Isaiah 66:1-24
Philippians 3:4-21
Psalm 74:1-23
Proverbs 24:15-16

Thanks to “Miss” Thelma of Osyka, a friend and neighbor of Luther and Renee Terrell, who sewed a Covid mask for each child and a “scrunchie”, a hair accessory, for each of the older girls for outr”shoeboxes”. She and others were a blessing to this ministry.

Today, please pray for each person like “Miss” Thelma who took time to handcraft items for our shoeboxes.

Enjoy the fall weather change.

Anna Lee

Thursday

“Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights.

No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words.”

~Job 2:13 (NLT)~

 

Sometimes, the greatest comfort is simply sitting with a person.  No words are necessary!

 

 

 

Please pray for Beverly Estevan. This is a prayer request I received:

     Urgent prayer request from Greg for Beverly. He said she is very low, still in             ICU, family is there

 

 

 

Jan Hammons’ dad:

Harold Joseph Ard

  • May 7, 1930 – September 27, 2020
  • Loranger, Louisiana
Harold Joseph Ard

Harold Joseph Ard, age 90 of Loranger, passed away on Sunday, September 27, 2020 at Oak Park Village in Hammond. He was born on May 7, 1930, and lived a very active life until about four months ago when illness set in. He was a farmer and a truck driver who loved horses and loved being outdoors. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Independence. He loved reading his Bible and talking about the Lord.

He is survived by his children, Jonathan (Susan) Ard of Chico, California, Janet A. Hammons of Chesbrough, Randolph Ard of Loranger, Johanna A. Austin of Oakvale, Mississippi, and Jared Ard of Loranger. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Delores A. and Emmett Smith of Baton Rouge; his companion of 20 years, Shirley Hingle of Franklinton; his grandchildren, Amanda, Sarah, Patrick, David, Randy, Christina, Caitlin, Jacob, Jared, Troy, and Zack – as well as many great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby P. Ard; parents, Ivy and Iva Ard; brother, Alfred Ard; sister, Oneida Ard; sons-in-law, Pete Hammons and Kenny Austin; and niece and great nephew, Carolyn and Corey Saragusa.

Visitation will be Saturday, October 3, 2020 at First Baptist Church of Independence, 548 W 5th St, Independence, Louisiana 70443 from 10:30 am until 1:00 pm with services immediately following.

The Funeral Service will be conducted by Brother Mitch Williams. Immediately following the service, the family requests that everyone join them in the fellowship hall of the church for a Celebration of Life which will include a meal and time to honor Harold’s 90 years.

Burial will follow at Loranger Cemetery.

Pallbearers include Randy Ard II, Zack Fiscus-Ard, David Hammons, Jacob Austin, Brad Smith, Jim Kennedy, Delton Ard, Clayton Garza, and Dennis Schilling. The family would like to thank the attendants at Oak Park Village for their kind care during their dad’s illness.

Face masks are now mandatory to attend any visitation or service.

An on-line guest book is available at www.harrymckneely.com.

 

 

 

Read the Bible in 2020 – October 1

Isaiah 62:6-65:25
Philippians 2:19-3:3
Psalm 73:1-28
Proverbs 24:13-14

The link to the recorded version is: https://oneyearbibleonline.com/nltaudio/?nltdt=1001

 

 

 

Baptist Presshttps://www.baptistpress.com/

 

 

 

The prayer meeting service for FBC, Kentwood will be posted on FB and YouTube this morning. Last night, the live service was of the See You at the Pole youth service. The group seemed to be composed of youth and youth leaders from Spring Creek, Amite, and Kentwood. I enjoyed the message presented by Eric Latham of Spring Creek. If you missed it check our the page for Kentwood First Baptist Church.

 

 

It’s not too late to contribute to the offering for mission work in Louisiana, the Georgia Barnette Offering. Contact the church office to participate.

 

 

 

Today, our prayer focus for Operation Christmas child is on those who will travel overseas and personally hand out boxes to pastors and churches around the world. Pray for each person who goes and for each “shoebox” that is sent.

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”

~1 Corinthians 13:1 (NLT)~

 

 

 

Joe Easley is better and was allowed to return home yesterday. Thank God for Joe’s improvement.

 

 

 

The latest reports concerning Beverly Estevan are that she is “about the same”. Please keep praying for this sweet lady.

 

 

 

Read the Bible in 2020 – September 30

Isaiah 60:1-62:5
Philippians 1:27-2:18
Psalm 72:1-20
Proverbs 24:11-12

 

 

 

Baptist Presshttps://www.baptistpress.com/

 

 

 

Today, let’s pray for those who will deliver the “shoeboxes” to children around the world. May they help children to appreciated the gifts and to hunger for more knowledge and understanding of Jesus.

 

 

If you need to contact me, use the “contact” section at the top right of this screen.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

Anxiety weighs down the heart,

but a kind word cheers it up.

~Proverbs 12:25~

Gerald Simmons

November 05, 1942 – September 27, 2020

Gerald Simmons of Chesbrough, LA, passed away on Sunday, September 27, 2020 at Our Lady of the Lake with his loving children, Bodi and Charlee by his side. He was born November 5, 1942 in Chesbrough, LA and was 77 years of age. Gerald purchased his first dairy at the age of 15 and was in the dairy business for the next 40 years. His other business endeavors included owning a pole and piling company, feed and fertilizer store, farming crops and beef cattle. He also worked and retired from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture. Gerald’s hobbies included quail hunting and rodeoing in which he was a competitive steer wrestler. His pride and joy were his 2 children. He spent long hours in the practice pen with Bodi and traveling to rodeos. He enjoyed shooting basketball with Charlee and cheering her on at all of her sporting events. In recent years, his joy came from being Paw Paw and visiting with his 6 grandchildren. Gerald is survived by his son, Bodi Simmons (Vanessa); daughter, Charlee Simmons Wedgeworth (Lance); six grandchildren, McKenzie and Weston Simmons and Cooper, Lane, Justin, and Harper Wedgeworth; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by parents, Hulon Luther Simmons and Myrtis Moore Simmons; sister, Patricia Simmons Peterson; nephew, Dwain Peterson. Visitation at First United Methodist Church of Amite from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Wednesday, September 30, 2020. Services conducted by Brother Rick Ledoux. Interment Bankston Cemetery, Chesbrough, LA. Pallbearers will be Bodi Simmons, R. J. Robertson, Jerry Rispone, Justin Fitzgerald, Ken Raye, and Bimbo Relan. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Buddy Anderson, Buddy Steverson, J. C. Ricks, Roy Joiner, Ralph Morgan, and James Harper. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

William Earl Leonard of Osyka, Mississippi | 1961 – 2020

William Earl Leonard

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.

Read the Bible in 2020 – September 29

Isaiah 57:15-59:21
Philippians 1:1-26
Psalm 71:1-24
Proverbs 24:9-10

Baptist Press https://www.baptistpress.com/

Today, let’s pray for all the hands and hearts involved in packing “shoeboxes”.

If you woke up today, God still has plans for you!

Anna Lee

Monday

Above all, love each other deeply,

because love covers over a multitude of sins.

~1 Peter 4:8~

Toby Miller‘s surgery went well. The doctor said the cancer is all removed. Now is the time for waiting for the pathology report. Now, this outdoor man has to stay inside for two weeks. That may take a lot of praying.

Barbara Daniel Yerby is slowly improving. Please continue to pray for her.

Joe Easley is also improving. He was off the vent all day yesterday. Please pray for continued improvement.

Mr. Harold Ard, 90, passed away yesterday morning. He grew up and lived most of his life in Loranger. This is Jan Hammons’ dad. I’ll post an obituary when one becomes available.

Please continue to pray for the Operation Christmas Child project in many of our area churches, clubs, and schools. All the boxes need to be filled and ready for shipment in about six week. At FBC, we will be packing our boxes at the end of next week. I feel much excitement in the air about the “shoeboxes”.

The Georgia Barnette State Offering (Louisiana) continues to be collected. OCC is an international project. ( Both are very important.) Your donation can be made at any Southern Baptist Church.

Read the Bible in 2020 – September 28th

Isaiah 54:1-57:14
Ephesians 6:1-24
Psalm 70:1-5
Proverbs 24:8

Baptist Press https://www.baptistpress.com/

If you need to contact me concerning TPL, please send an email by using the “Contact Tab” at the top right of this page.

Thank-you for allowing me to come into your world each day. I do believe in prayer. Please pray for these requests and others that are not listed her. Thank-you for doing your part.

Anna Lee

Sunday

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

~Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)~

 

 

 

Please pray for the following friends with Covid-19 or recovering. Some are progressing better than others. These friends are asking for your prayers.

Diane Easley

Debbie Luce Clark

Wayne and Nona Jones

Harrell and Susie Sharkey

Please pray for Joe Easley who is hospitalized with pneumonia. Thankfully, he has again tested negative for Covid-19.

 

 

 

If you missed the Christian rally in Washington yesterday, you can find video footage online.

 

 

 

Read the Bible in 2020 – September 27

Isaiah 54:1-57:14
Ephesians 6:1-24
Psalm 70:1-5
Proverbs 24:8

 

 

 

If you are not attending church in person, you have many online services available as well as the old standby, televised services. I’ll post a facebook link to services at FBC, Kentwood just before 10:30 this morning and 6:00 this afternoon.

 

 

 

Pray for churches in our country and other countries that pack “shoeboxes”. May lots of love, prayer, and gifts be shipped in the coming months.

Today, lets pray for the churches around the world where the “shoeboxes”will be distributed. May they use the “shoeboxes” in such a way to influence the boys and girls to want to learn about Jesus.

Anna Lee

 

Saturday

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 

10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

People in our area continue to have Covid-19. Many have been or are currently under quarantine. Do your part to stop the spread of this problem.

Today is the celebration, “The Return” in Washington D.C. There will be a rally, march, prayers, music, prayers for out country, etc. You will find it on television beginning early this morning and ending early afternoon. Rev. Franklin Graham and others will be speaking. I hope you get to watch part, if not all, of it.

Read the Bible in 2020 – September 26

Isaiah 48:12-50:11
Ephesians 4:17-32
Psalm 69:1-18
Proverbs 24:5-6

Today is the day to plan and prepare for Sunday. Whether you attend church in person or worship online, be sure that time is set aside and nothing interferes.

We’ve enjoyed some good working weather. I hope you have too! Fall is my second most favorite season of the year.

Continue to pray for those who are helping in Louisiana and other states where there was hurricane damage though the Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief or other such teams.

Today, we will be praying for the 10-14 year old boys who will receive a “shoebox” that is sent as part of Operation Christmas Child.

Anna Lee

Friday

“For it is from God alone that you have your life through Christ Jesus. He showed us God’s plan of salvation; he was the one who made us acceptable to God; he made us pure and holy and gave himself to purchase our salvation.”

~1 Corinthians 1:30 (TLB)~

Rev. Leroy McElveen had a stent placed in his heart. He’s feeling much better now. Thank God for this pastor’s improvement.

Beverly Estevan, wife of Greg, my classmate, had two blood clots in her lungs. She needs lots of pray for the next couple of days.

Bill Pope was transferred from Hood Memorial to North Oaks for treatment. He seems to show some improvement. Please pray for him.

I have some requests concerning people from Chesbrough. These were shared by Gerald Hyde.

Sherry and Bruce Fortenberry have health concerns.

Jimmy Cannon has the virus. Jimmy’s relatives who are caring for him include his wife, Sadie, son Pete, and Pete’s wife.

Read the Bible in 2020 – September 25

Isaiah 45:11-48:11
Ephesians 4:1-16
Psalm 68:19-35
Proverbs 24:3-4

Baptist Presshttps://www.baptistpress.com/

Baptist Message https://baptistmessage.com/

Operation Christmas Child is looking good. I need volunteers to help get the boxes packed. Please contact me via this link or call me at home. Thanks to all who have made contributions this year.

Today, we will pray for the girls 10-14 who will receive shoeboxes. Pray for their families too

Anna Lee

Thursday

“It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for.”

~Ephesians 1:11 (The Message)~

 

 

 

 

Please pray for Bill Pope of Amite. He has been taken from Hood Memorial to North Oaks.

 

 

 

Please continue to pray for Buddy and Eleanor Morris. They are “handing in there” with lots of medical appointments for Buddy.

 

 

 

Mrs. Mickey Cade had another surgery on her ankle to remove a plate. Let’s pray that as she recovers. she will have an improved ankle.

 

 

 

 

Please continue to pray for Barbara Daniels Yerby. It will be 3-5 days before the success of her treatment can be determined. I know she and her family are most appreciative of your prayers.

 

 

 

 

Read the Bible in 2020 – September 24

  • Isaiah 43:14-45:10
  • Ephesians 3:1-21
  • Psalm 68:1-18
  • Proverbs 24:1-2

 

 

 

 

Baptist Press – https://www.baptistpress.com/

This is a good source of Christian news and is published five days a week.

 

 

 

Ronald Lewis Alford

photo

Ronald Lewis Alford, 85, passed away Saturday, September 19, 2020 at Our Lady of the Lake, Baton Rouge. He was a native of Tangipahoa Parish and longtime resident of Denham Springs, LA. He served his community and retired as Captain from Baton Rouge City Police Department. He then served his state through the Louisiana Circuit Court of Appeals and attended the Law Enforcement School of LSU, the University of Colorado and eventually graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA serving his country through as a Criminal Investigator. Over the years he received many honors including Lawman of the Year. He was a member of the Baptist faith, attending Lanier Baptist Church with his family for many years and also helped build several Baptist churches. Ronald was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He will be missed dearly by all who knew him. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Lillian Jo Ann Alford; sons and daughters-in-law, Ronald James “Jimmy” Alford (Cherryl), and Gary Glynn Alford (Jana); grandchildren, Kelli Alford (Bo), Amber Bermudez (Danel), Lindsey McClure (Thomas), Adam Alford (Brandy), and Chad Alford (Andrea); 8 great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, A.W. Alford and Mae Bennett Alford; and siblings, Wendell Alford, Alton “Bob” Alford, Carl Alford, and Carol Jean Bridges. Visitation will be held at Seale Funeral Home, Denham Springs, Friday, September 25, from 12 p.m. until service at 2 p.m. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Kentwood, LA.. Please share your condolences at www.sealefuneral.com.

 

 

 

 

Today, let’s pray for the 5-9 year old boys who will be receiving “shoeboxes” this year. What a good age in which to learn about Jesus and to make a decision to follow him for a lifetime! Remember to pray for the family too. Many family members are led to the Lord because of a child this age who has an opportunity to learn and then share the Good News!

 

 

 

 

There are many ways to be used by the Lord. Today might be a good take to cook or bake something to share.

Anna Lee