Read this First

https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/friendship-baptist-disabled-father-bedridden-son-perish-in-eaton-fire/

Prayer Focus

Let this church, Friendship Baptist, a Southern Baptist Church, and this family , the Mitchells, be a new items on your prayer list.

Read this Next – Another Article for You

https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/man-diagnosed-with-stage-4-cancer-surrenders-to-ministry-i-dont-worry-about-tomorrow/

What is holding us back from being a bold witness? Thank God for the impact of the Plumley family. Thank God for the impact you and your family can have in your portion of this world.

Today, let’s think of someone who has recently moved into your world. It could be your neighborhood, your church, your working team, your church, your local school, etc. Make them the another focus of some of your your prayer time today. Welcome them. Help them make the adjustment. Offer your assistance and friendship. Pray for them, beginning today.

Today’s Bible Reading Passage

• January 15
• Mark 11 & 12

Obituaries

John Joseph O’Hern, III

October 7, 1968 – January 10, 2025

A resident of Kentwood, LA, John Joseph O’Hern III, affectionately known as John John, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, January 10, 2025, at the age of 56. Born on October 7, 1968, in McComb, MS. He was a graduate of Sumner High School.

John was known for his avid passion for hunting, fishing, NASCAR, and guns, as well as the love he had for his loyal canine companion, Roxy, who meant the world to him.

He is survived by his daughter, Raven O’Hern, and her partner, Matthew Woody as well as her beloved dogs, Dos and Drake; his son, John O’Hern, and wife, Lacie; his cherished grandchildren, Mason and Zoe O’Hern; his father, Wilburn Dee Newcomb; his sisters, Meg Stephens and Alice McFarlain (husband, Adam); his brothers, John Bascom (wife, Paula) and Mark O’Hern (wife, April); as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Carolyn Sue Newcomb, with whom he will find his final resting place, at her feet.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Greenlaw Baptist Church. As a tribute to Roxy, the family asks that donations be made in his honor to a local animal shelter in lieu of flowers. 

Arrangements are being handled by McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Lance Paul Rohner

February 20, 1953 – January 13, 2025

A resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Monday, January 13, 2025 at his home. He was born February 20, 1953 in Independence, LA and was 71 years of age. He is survived by his 2 sons, Michael Rohner (Jennifer) and Cody Leleux (Karen); 1 sister, Diane Gill (Jerry); 7 grandchildren, Dante Leleux, Abby Higginbotham, Jake Higginbotham, Ethan Rohner, Argent Rohner, Waylon Higginbotham, Bethany Higginbotham. Preceded in death by his father, Edward Rohner; mother, Eleanor Henderson; sister, Carolyn Slaven; brothers, Alvie Rohner and G.M. Rohner. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 10:00AM until religious services at 12Noon on Friday, January 17, 2025.  For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Your Prayer List

Update your prayer list.

Prayer for those on your prayer list.

Be alert to those who need to be added or removed from your daily prayer list.

Touching Others

Today, be aware of those who God places in your life. As you interact, thank God for that person and their impact on your life. Pray for each of these people individually and by name.

Thank God for the opportunities God gives you to interact with so many people.

Anna Lee

Prayer Focus

Let’s focus our prayer today on stopping the raging fires in California and saving the lives of many people (and their homes and jobs). Pray for the safety of the people and a way to get our of the path of the fire. Also pray for people who are living in fear of what the fires will do in the various neighborhoods, the hope and fears after the fire has gone through a neighborhood and as people pray their home is okay, and as people face the reality of loss of their home and all the contents and possibly their job. I cannot imagine this happening to so many people all at one time. I can only pray for them.

Pray for the safety of all police, firefighters, pilots, and others as they work directly with the fire. It’s like going into the conflict of a military battle. The main difference would be the enemy is not other human beings.

Let’s pray the winds die down and the fires go out soon. Let’s also pray for those who are preparing to move into the areas as soon as the fire burns down to search for people who did not evacuate. I’m sure being first to be there after and others need out prayers today and every day for a while.

Read the Bible Today

• January 14
• Mark 9-10

Be thankful to live where we can freely carry and read our Bibles. What a waste of our freedom if we don’t read the Bible! How we disappoint God.

If you know of someone who might want to read with us, please share the Scriptures with them each day or show them how to locate this site or another site that suggests a plan to read the entire Bible in one year.

If you have the space, find a quiet area (even a prayer closet) to read and pray regularly.

Obituaries

This morning, I did not find any new obituaries for our area. There have been many deaths lately. Please pray for those touched by the death of loved ones or friends.

Women and Girls on Mission

These groups will meet in the New Hope classroom at 5:00 P.M. on the last Sunday of the month. It’s an opportunity to learn about and do missions. Make plans to be there.

Preparation for Wednesday night.

Some people miss the opportunity to study and worship on Wednesdays. Churches provide a nursery for the little ones, opportunities for children, a special group for the youth, and one or more opportunities for adults. There is a place for everyone. I hope you are not missing out.

Special Prayers

Please pray for Chace O’Hern. a young man from our area, who had multiple organ transplants yesterday and last night. Be sure to pray for family and his support system too. (I have not heard anything this morning, but all was going well as he was being readied for the second transplant last night.)

Others

What can we do today to help someone? Choose one or more and get into action.

• Introduce yourself to a new neighbor. You might take a “covered dish” and a card with your phone number. You might also check on their religious preference and suggest options for them.
• Check on someone who has been sick and see if you can pick up medicine or food for them.
• Check with a mother who has young children at home. Suggest library activities and/or church activities for them. You might want to take some fruit or other food for them.
• Take a few items of fruit to an senior adult and get to know them and their needs a little better. Get to know their preference for hot beverages at this time of year. Including that will open the door for a future visit, hopefully soon.
• Check with someone who might need an extra heater on these cold mornings. It is always a good church class opportunity to help others in need. You can get others to help and pray for needs.
• ALWAYS INCLUDE PRAYER IN YOUR CONTACTS WITH THOSE WHO HAVE NEEDS!

Thanks for “meeting with me” this morning and praying for those with needs. There are many who have has routine surgeries or common winter illnesses. This things become major when you are the one or the loved one

You can be “God’s hands and ears” for others!

Anna Lee

I greatly enjoyed being in church yesterday! It’s great to get to spend time with others who also love God and His Word! I suppose that is an example of being “Like-minded”.

Prayer Focus

Today, let’s focus our prayers on the people in California where home, jobs, and lives are threaten by fire. What a terrible situation they are living through! Pray for them to be rescued from the fires, even if their homes and businesses are lost. Pray for those making decisions about who and when people are evacuated. Pray for those who are fighting the fires and for police as they try to keep people from panicking. Pray for pastors and their church members. Many people are helping others even though their own homes are threatened or lost. Think of the elderly. Remember the children being impacted. Think of many groups of people and pray for them in those groups.

Read God’s Word Today

• January 13
• Mark 7-8

It’s a wonderful blessing to me when you tell me you are reading along with us each day. It’s a wonderful blessing to you when you read and learn more about God’s Word! It’s never too late to begin! It’s a wonderful way to spend part of each day for the rest of out lives!

Senior Adult Lunch

One of the church buses will be helping to carry people to Charlie’s at Springfield for lunch Wednesday. If you would like to go, even in your car, call the church office and leave your name so a place in the restaurant will be reserved for you.

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

One of the first things you will be able to read about is how Baptists are working to help the people of California. Other groups are too. That’s only one focus today.

Looking Ahead

It’s time to begin working on OCC 2025! This year, after learning more about the need, we have decided to prepare boxes only for the older boys because they are the group that has the least number packed. We will focus on boys 10-14. We will also focus on ordering more items this year and in large numbers.

We will be starting with supplying items for hygiene kits which we will pack and put aside for packing into shoeboxes later this year. Wanda Smith and Jackie Babin will coordinate ordering washcloths, toothbrushes, nail files, bandaids, q-tips, combs, etc. especially through Sunday School classes. When packed, these items will be set aside for packing in the early fall.

As for work, one of our first focuses will be painting the inside of the lids of each box. We will begin doing that next month. The boxes will have messages written and decorations added shortly after that, but the first step will be painting a background for a message the child sees every time they open their box, hopefully for many years.

No, I am not crazy! We will be counting, organizing, and preparing shopping lists real soon. The complete process will take months. Remember the word “process”. Be a part of the process from praying, giving, praying, ordering, praying, organizing, praying, preparing, praying etc. !!! Did you catch the key word?

Get ready for another great year of praying, giving, working, and shipping!!

All thee OOC volunteers and the children thank-you! It’s amazing what God does when we work together on a project of this magnitude!

Until tomorrow….

Anna Lee

Jim “Brother” Dyer, Jr.

October 16, 1950 – January 10, 2025

A resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Friday, January 10, 2025 at his home peacefully surrounded by his loving family. He was born October 16, 1950 in Baton Rouge, LA and was 74 years of age. He is survived by his daughter, Denise Dyer Stewart and husband, Blake; 2 grandchildren, Ashby Reeves Warren and husband, Steven and Aley Blake Stewart; 1 great-grandchild, Ella; brother, John Dyer and wife, Vicky; nieces, Jennifer Delvisco  and husband, Pete and Kaitlin Simpson and husband, Brian; dear friend and longtime companion, Marvee Coxen; and many old cowboys and fellow truckers whom he loved dearly. Preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Hurst Dyer; parents, James and Adele Dyer; sister, Vera Dyer Durr. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. Services conducted by Bro. Darryl Miller. Interment Sharkey Cemetery, Amite, LA. Pallbearers are Jacob Wood, Bo Coxen, Jay Coxen, Trea Coxen, Steven Warren, and Laiken Thomas.  Honorary Pallbearers are Jeff Rohner, EB Thompson, Tommy Stillwell, Brett Chambers, Pat Scarle, Jerry Rispone, Tommy Schwebel, and Chip Peroyea. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

‘None Righteous’ (Ro. 2:25-3:20)

“Dear Father, holy God, Allow me to bear the marks of your
covenant in my heart and my mind. May I be a spiritual descendant
of Abraham. Let my praise…”

Read the Bible Today

• January 12
• Mark 5-6

Prayer Focus

Today, let’s pray for people at services in our churches today. May decisions be made to follow Jesus in our daily lives. It is so important to ask Jesus into our hearts.

Pray also for Sunday School to be effective in teaching about Jesus and how He wants us to live for Him daily.

Thankful Today

I’m thankful it is a little warmer this morning as we prepare to attend church.

Continue to Pray

Let’s continue to pray for people in Los Angeles. Let’s pray for the fires to stop spreading. Let’s also pray for families as they make decision about today, tomorrow, next week, next year, etc. May Jesus be a guiding force in their life today and in the future.

Operation Christmas Child

We have been taking a break from OCC since our boxes were send on their next journey. You’ll be hearing about OCC ’25 before the end of the month.

Lottie Moon

Today is a good day to give to the Lottie Moon Offering if you have not already done so. Let’s support missionaries who serve around the world.

Thanks for reading, praying, and serving.

Anna Lee

“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise

His greatness no one can fathom.”

Psalm 145:3

Prayer Focus

Let’s continue to pray for the fire situation in Los Angeles. We spoke with a lady yesterday whose daughter’s family was on lockdown in Los Angeles. That is the third family that I personally know of in the midst of all the firse. Imagine how many families have lost their home, how many are losing their home right now, and how many might lose their homes today, tomorrow, the next day, etc. Pray for families in all stages of facing the loss of their homes, jobs, schools, friends. etc. Pray that those who lost their lives were Christians and those facing losing their lives are Christians or realizing their need for Christ if they are not already Christians.

Obituary

Sarah Frances Anderson

September 18, 1929 – January 9, 2025

Sarah Frances Anderson, 95, of Amite, departed this life peacefully on January 9 at her home after a brief illness. She was born to Sarah (nee’ Simmons) and Newton Snell in Jackson, Mississippi, on September 18, 1929, and grew up on the family farm near Mt. Hermon, Louisiana.  

After graduating valedictorian of her 1946 Mt. Hermon High School class, Frances studied at both SLU and LSU to obtain B.S. and M.Ed. degrees. In 1948, she was selected as SLU homecoming queen. While at SLU, Frances met Stanley, a fellow student, as she was playing the piano in the SLU social room. After three months, the couple married, resulting in a union that lasted over 60 years. After college, she taught Home Economics and Biology, but soon became an almost full-time homemaker, raising their four children and helping Stanley in the family business.  

After Stanley finished his Physics studies, he became a successful road and bridge contractor. Yet, his first job was building Hammond’s Zemurray Memorial Park in 1951. Stanley was a WWII Marine vet who flew in dive bombers as a gunner-navigator in the Asia-Pacific Theater, suffering injuries when his plane went down in the Pacific Ocean.  

Through the years, in addition to teaching, Frances worked part time for the News Digest Newspaper, as reference librarian and media person at the Amite Public Library, and co-owned and operated the Strawberry Tree Craft Shop in Hammond. Frances also served on the Rosenblum Mental Health Clinic Board of Directors for many years. Her social memberships reflected her hobbies—the Amite Art Club, Stem and Stamen Garden Club, and the Brown Bag Luncheon Group.  

With cherished roots in Methodism, Frances was a thoughtful person of deep ecumenical faith, admiring goodness and beauty, especially nature’s displays and designs. In midlife, she became a parishioner of St. Helena Catholic Church; she was also a professed member of the Dominican laity (O.P., Southern Province). Her faith involved much volunteer work and numerous ministries.  

She is preceded in death by her parents, Sarah and Newton Snell; husband, Edwin Stanley Anderson; daughter, Rebecca Ann Desmond; sister, Nancy Ann Lagarde; son-in-law, Buddy Bel; and daughter-in-law, Nadine Anderson.  

Survivors include her children, Claire Anderson Bel, Edwin Stanley “Andy” Anderson, Jr., and James Patrick Anderson; son-in-law, Tim Desmond, M.D.; granddaughters Angie Anderson Danielson (J.R.); Megan Bel Miller (Joel), Erin Anderson Newman (Craig), Hannah Anderson, and Molly Bel; great-grandchildren Abigail Holmes, Savannah Danielson, Luke Danielson, Amelia Danielson, Anderson Newman, Anna Newman, Parker Miller, and Caroline Miller; great-great-grandson, Roman Danielson; nieces and nephew, Janet Anderson, Ted Anderson, and Katie Lagarde; and numerous other family members and friends.  

A graveside service will be held at Mt. Hermon Cemetery on Tuesday, January 14 at noon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Full of Grace, P.O. Box 1647, Amite, LA 70422. Mass intentions appreciated through St. Helena Church, Amite, LA 70422.  

Read the Bible Today

Mark 3-4

I’m up-todate on reading these Scriptures, are you? If not, work on catching up before you get too far behind.

Sunday School

Spend some time today in studying your Sunday School lesson if you have not already done so. Check on members of your class who have not been in attendance lately. Check on those you know who have been absent.

Preparation for Sunday

Do what you can today to make tomorrow less stressful. Today is a good day to do some food preparations for tomorrow. Clothing too! How about a little work cleaning the house too?

Thankfulness

What are you thankful for today?

Health?

Loved ones?

Another birthday?

Groceries in the pantry?

Vehicle that gets you where you are going?

Etc.

Don’t tell me. Thank God!

Busy Schedule?

Check yesterday’s post for some possible events you want to be involved with.

Prayer Concerns

A number of people have been hospitalized due to illness or surgery. Pray for those you know of. Keep your personal prayer list updated.

Be a Blessing

Offer a ride

Pay for a lunch

Take a few minutes to talk with someone

Prepare and share a food that goes a long ways

Call or visit those in the hospital

Etc.

Do your part to make the weekend good for you or someone else.

Anna Lee

Prayer Focus

Today, let’s pray for those of us who are reading the Bible according to the plan that I have posted. Pray we will stay faithful to reading and also find something each day to apply to our lives. May we also remember something we had forgotten about as we read.

Also, let’s pray for the thousands of people who have lost homes and other possessions in the Los Angeles fires. Thank God that many lives have been saved. Moving on to a new home, new life, new shopping areas, etc. will be a challenge. Continue to pray for these people even when all the fires are out.

Read the Bible Each Day

• January 10
• Mark 1-2

I am thankful for those of you who are reading along with me.

Thankfulness

Today, I am also thankful for some warmer weather, even if it is wet. How about you? What are you thankful for today?

Senior Adult Lunch

This is a reminder to you to get your name added to the count of those who are going to Charlie’s for lunch with the senior adults of FBC, Kemtwood. We will be going Wednesday. You can ride the church van or take your own vehicle.

Sunday School

I hope you are attending Sunday School somewhere. If not, join us at 9:15 or attend at any other church you choose. Our adult lesson for Sunday is entitled “God’s Commands” and is based on Exodus 20:1-17. Ladies, you are always invited to the S.S. class I teach or any other one you choose. We also have several classes for men. Come try our some classes. Then, make your choice.

Prayer Guide

Pray for those who are sick at home or in the hospital. Our area has many with cold/flu symptoms and some who are in the hospital. Some have only needed to stay a few days. Some have broken bones from falls. Pray for them. Try not to be one of them!

Others

How long has it been since you shared something you cooked or bought from a local business? Today might be a good day to bake/cook and share.

Enjoy a little outside time today between the times of rain. Thank-you for reading, praying, and acting on your prayers today.

Anna Lee

Prayer Focus Today

Let’s pray for all the people in Los Angeles who have been dealing with fires, loss of life, and no water to fight the fires.

Baptist Disaster Relief and others are moving in to help the people of the Los Angeles area.

https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/california-arizona-disaster-relief-teams-preparing-to-join-l-a-county-wildfire-response/

Baptist Press Articles

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Read the Bible with Us Today

Matther 27-28

That completes the reading on Matthew. We will begin reading Mark tomorrow. See how quickly we moved to the second book of the Bible.

Obituary

Robin Annette Wheat

October 24, 1972 – January 6, 2025

A resident of Loranger, LA , passed away on Monday, January 6, 2025 at her home. She was born October 24, 1972 in Baton Rouge, LA and was 52 years of age. She is survived by her sister, Renee White (Robert); brother, Ricky Wheat (Melissa Wheat); sister, Veronica Foley (Lee); nieces and nephews, Samantha Hoffman (Ray), Katie Perry (Jared), Kalyn Pisciotta (Sabastian), Madison Scardina, and Lainey Scardina;great- nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Rita Wheat; grandparents, Vernell and Lexie Easley; nephew, Dustin Hoffman. Memorial Services will be scheduled at a later date. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Pine Ridge Ladies

We have a great gathering and lunch yesterday. Out next meeting will be the second Wednesday of February.

Senior Adult Lunch

The senior adults of FBC, Kentwood will be eating lunch at Charlie’s in Springfield next week. You can ride the church van or drive your own vehicle. Contact Judy Fowler to get your name of the list so she can request enough room for everyone.

Don’t wait until the last minute to prepare for your Sunday School lesson.

Weather

I hope you have done well with the weather conditions this week. Hang in there. We are close to having warmer temperatures. Continue to take good care of your pipes, water, plants, etc. today.

Keep checking on friends, relations, and neighbors. Check with these people to see what they need in this COLD weather.

Until tomorrow. . . .

Anna Lee

Today’s Prayer Focus

Today, let’s focus on the people all over the world. May they learn to love each other.

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Read the Bible With Us

• January 8, 2025
• Matthew 25-26

Sunday School Lesson for January 12th

Exodus 20:1-17

Obituary

Leonard Owens McMichael

March 13,1931-January 5, 2025

Leonard Owens McMichael, 93, of Roseland, Louisiana, passed away peacefully at his home on January 5, 2025. Born on March 13, 1931, in Roseland to Phillip Spiller McMichael and Beulah McMichael, Leonard lived a life dedicated to faith, family, and service. Leonard began preaching at the young age of 16 in 1947, answering a call to ministry that spanned over 70 years. He was a devoted pastor who never met a stranger, touching countless lives through his sermons, personal outreach, and genuine kindness. From running the church bus to bring children to services, preaching at the Tangipahoa Parish Jail, and hosting a weekly radio ministry, Leonard’s passion for spreading the Gospel knew no bounds.A proud veteran, Leonard served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1959, exemplifying the same dedication to his country as he did to his ministry.Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, Phillip Spiller McMichael and Beulah McMichael; his brother, Sidney McMichael; an infant sister; his beloved wife, Betty McMichael; sons Kenneth McMichael and David McMichael; and grandson Steven McMichael.He is survived by his children Rebecca Russell (Bryant), Phillip McMichael (Rhonda), Benjamin McMichael (Rachel), and Mark McMichael Sr.; as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family who cherished him deeply.A celebration of Leonard’s life and ministry will be held at First Baptist Church of Roseland on January 9, 2025. Visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00 AM, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 AM. He will be laid to rest at McMichael Cemetery in Roseland.Pallbearers will be Mark McMichael Jr., Kenneth McMichael Jr., Aaron McMichael, Josh McMichael, Tyler Costanza, Dewey McMichael, Mason McMichael, and Chance McMichael, with Kevin McMichael and Kaleb Carpenter serving as honorary pallbearers.Leonard leaves behind a legacy of unwavering faith and love, a reminder to all who knew him of the power of a life lived in service to God and others.

(The visitation and funeral will be at the Baptist Church in Roseland.)

(I haven’t seen him in years, but what a blessing it was to have known him! As a school teacher, I taught his son, David, in my early years of teaching.)

Pine Ridge Ladies’ Bible Study Group

Meet at Pine Ridge at noon for lunch today.

Stay warm. Check on someone who lives alone or who might have special needs during this time of cold weather.

Anna Lee

Good Morning! I’m glad you came to “visit” us this morning.

Today, let’s thank God for his faithful love. We can count on Him no matter who we are, where we are, or what our life situations are! He is faithful to be there for us because of His love for each of us! Consider Him your best friend.

Read the Bible With Us

Today, our reading is Matthew 22-23. Only two chapters so you have plenty of time to review where we have been and what you are learning.

Some people like to highlight the verses they have read. I like to pick out key words or names to write in the margins. I also underline key thoughts. Some people are content to read without a pen or highlighter in their hands. The focus is on reading and remembering, so choose the method that works for you.

Pine Ridge Bible Study Group

Our ladies will meet Wednesday at 12:00 for lunch and to “catch-up” on each other so we can pray for each other and for others. If you would like to be a part of the next Bible study, you might want to attend our lunch meetings to get to know everyone.

Prayer Focus

With the extremely cold weather here for the week, let’s pray about making the best of the time and conditions. Our homes, needs, and families are different, but it is COLD in every home here. When you pray, be sure to remember those who do not have sufficient heat, those who lose power, those whose pipes freeze, those who must work outside, etc. Say special prayer for older people who live alone causing them to be our in the cold weather taking care of their pipes, etc.

Neighboring Churches

I hope we all know that churches are not in competition with each other. They all work with the same purpose. Let’s pray for each other, both the routine schedule and in all the unique activities.

Pray for the pastor, leadership, teachers, nursery workers, etc. Pray for visitors to find the church that meets their needs. Pray for adults to attend where the classes continue to teach the truths they have studied and members continually invite and include others. Pray for young adults to find a place that has classes and opportunities for them and their children. Pray for teens to learn how important it is to attend regularly and begin to really learn the truths of the Bible. Pray for the children to be safe, have opportunities to learn and worship with others on their level. Pray for nursery workers to care for the children well and to love the children so they can learn to love attending church and hearing about Jesus and how He loves them.

You can choose a specific church to pray for or pray for all of them. The key in to pray for them as you pray for your own church. Remember, the Jesus we hear about in one church is the same Jesus that is taught in other churches.

Until tomorrow….

Anna Lee