Sunday

“If you want to know what God really wants you to do,

ask him . . . but if you don’t ask in faith,

don’t expect the Lord to give you any solid answer.”

~James 1:5-6 (LB)~

 

From Sharon Pierce

My dear friend, Mildred Jennings Graham is having back surgery again, Tuesday the 8th of Nov. so please keep her and the family in your prayers.

Continue to pray for Chloe Neyland and Lisa at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans.

 

Jason Dean’s back surgery is scheduled for Thursday, November 10th.

Heart to Heart with Holley: A little way to have a better day

Hello Friend!

The other day I wandered up to the check-out counter of a local store with a few items in hand. A sullen teenager scanned them, took my payment and then muttered, “Have a good day.” I looked up at him and smiled as I responded, “You too!” He shrugged his shoulders and said with a hint of cynicism in his voice, “I’ll try.”

As I walked away I thought about how his answer was more honest than most. It’s true–having a good day doesn’t come naturally to the majority of us. We tend to beat ourselves up about that fact but the reality is our brains simpler aren’t wired to pop into “Pollyanna” mode the moment the alarm goes off.

To help us survive, God made our brains with what researchers call a “negativity bias.” In other words, we pay more attention to negative things in our environment and remember them more clearly as well. Why in the world would that be helpful? Well, paying more attention to the bear charging out of the words than the lovely ice cream cone you’re holding is certainly helpful.

But what this means is that being a positive person requires being intentional and working at it. It also means we can let go of the guilt that comes with this being the case. Your tendency to go to the negative is not a moral or spiritual failure–it’s a part of being human.

Here’s the good news: Our minds are incredibly flexible. We can retrain them to respond differently. Imagine little paths going through your mind (neural pathways). In the moment, your brain will always go down the path that’s been used most often. But if you teach your brain a new path then over time it will become the most used and your brain will begin to naturally go that direction instead.

We’re made to literally, physically be transformed by the renewing of our minds. 

Isn’t that incredible?

That teenage check-out guy may not have been ready for positive thinking. But in his reply of “I’ll try” he was on to something. We all have the opportunity to bring more joy and happiness into our lives and it does require some effort on our part.

As I walked to my car I thought, “Yes, I think I’ll try too.”

How about you?

 

Remember this is the Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday

“My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord;

in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up.”

~Psalm 5:3~

 

Chloe Neyland

Please continue to pray for Chloe and Lisa . Chloe is still some difficult times, today was not a good day. Please pray Lisa, Mike and the boys. Also for the doctors that they might receive guidance from God (our ultimate healer ) on how treat Chloe.
Thanks
Laura
Mrs. Maybelle Z. “Diene” Forstall
(May 21, 1919 – November 4, 2011)

Mrs. Maybelle Z. “Diene” Forstall was born May 2, 1919 and passed away at 1:00 a.m., Friday, November 4, 2001 at her residence surrounded by her loving family. She was 92, a native of Ama, LA and a resident of Kentwood.

Mrs. Maybelle is survived by her 4 daughters, Maybelle F. Givens, Robelyn F. Pitre, Irma F. Wehner and Barbara F. Piediscalzi; 4 sons-in-law, Leon Givens, Tarro Pitre, Michael Marquez & Ted Piediscalzi; a sister, Josephine Z. Diemel; 14 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren & 8 great great-grandchildren;

She was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Josephine Roux Zeringue; husband, Elmer L. Forstall; daughter, Darlene F. Marquez; grandson, Daniel P. Pitre; granddaughter, Cassandra W. Parfait; 7 brothers & 2 sisters.

Visitation at McKneely and Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, Sunday, November 6, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Monday, November 7, 2011 from 8:00a.m.until 10:45 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Helena Catholic Church, Amite, at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Mark Beard officiating. Interment in Gardens of Memories, Metairie, LA at 2:00 p.m., Monday, November 7,, 2011.

An on-line Guestbook is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com

McKneely and Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N & Hwy16W next to Hood Automotive and behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash and Holiday Inn Express.

Thought for the Day: Let your light shine

I heard about a couple who received a set of two horrible bedside table lamps as a wedding present from a distant aunt. Since the lamps were so ugly, this couple didn’t want to actually use them, so they put them in storage and bought a nicer set themselves. That worked for a while, but a few years later, this particular relative came to a family celebration. Knowing she would be there, the couple quickly set up the aunt’s lamps on the tables and hid their usual ones under the bed.

When time came to show the aunt around the house, the wife said, “Come and see how nice your lamps look in our bedroom.”

She turned on the switch on the wall — and suddenly an intense luminosity emerged from under the bed…..

Oops! How embarrassing! I am reminded of the following statement made by Jesus:

“[Jesus] said to them, ‘Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.’ ” (Mark 4:21-22).

Jesus’ point here is not quite the same as in the more familiar passage in Matthew 5:16 (“Let your light so shine before men…”). Here in Mark, Jesus has apparently just begun to speak in parables. To the apostles, it may have seemed that Jesus was trying to hide the truth from people by speaking with such obscurity. But Jesus points out that wouldn’t make much sense; it would be like lighting a lamp (to bring light) and then placing it under a bed (to hide the light). His reason for using parables wasn’t to hide God’s truth, but to set it on a lampstand so that it could give forth as much light as possible.

Father, we thank you for sending One who not only came to show us the light, but who is Himself “the light of the world”. May our lives and conversation be such that we will never be embarrassed by an attempt to hide that light under our beds. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Boone Church of Christ
Boone, North Carolina

Don’t forget to change your clock back one hour.  Enjoy the extra hour doing something important to you!

Anna Lee

Friday

“Therefore I say to you,

whatever things you ask when you pray,

believe that you receive them,

and you will have them.”

~Mark 11:24~

My personal observation: I asked God for peace about the brain surgery.  He came through in a big way.  When I had my doctor appointments after diagnosis, my blood pressure was very high due to anxiety.  When I was going into gamma knife surgery without having any medication, my blood pressure was lower than it has been it a long time.  I felt confident that God was in control and had no anxiety at all.  This is another one of those “God winks”.

Chloe Neyland did better yesterday.  Lisa said she got to see the baby blue eyes several times throughout the day.  Keep praying for little Chloe, the medical staff, and the family.  Lisa requests prayers for all the other children in ICU in Children’s Hospital.

Andy Taylor received a good report yesterday.  His hand is doing better than the doctor hoped for.  God is showing himself in so many ways.

Please begin praying for Jason Dean and his family.  Jason has back surgery scheduled for Nov. 10th in Baton Rouge.

Thought for the Day: What can I do for you?

It had been a hard winter in the Appalachian area. The snow had piled up deeper and deeper, the mercury dropped, rivers froze, people suffered. The Red Cross used helicopters to fly in supplies. One crew had been working day after day — long hours. They were on their way home late in the afternoon when they saw a little cabin submerged in the snow. There was a thin whisper of smoke coming from the chimney. The rescue team figured they were probably about out of food, fuel, perhaps medicine.

Because of the trees, they had to put the helicopter down a mile away. They put on heavy packs with emergency supplies, trudged through heavy snow, waist deep, reached the cabin exhausted, panting, perspiring. They pounded on the door. A thin, gaunt mountain woman opened the door and the lead man gasped, “We’re from the Red Cross.”

She was silent for a moment and then she said, “It’s been a hard winter, Sonny, I just don’t think we can give anything this year.”

I don’t think the story is true, but it certainly could be. I am convinced that there are two kinds of people — givers and takers. And even in dire times, those who are givers are always thinking about “What can I do for you?” rather than “What can you do for me?” Statistically speaking, the group which gives the greatest percentage of their money to charity every year is the group of people with the lowest income.

There may be several different reasons for that, but truth of the matter is (and this is true among Christians as well), the more we have, the greater is our tendency to hold tight to it. What a great example the Macedonians are to us:

“…in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.” (2 Cor. 8:2).

Did you notice that? The group of Christians that Paul held up as an example of generous giving to those in need were themselves in “deep poverty”. Yet they gave so much that Paul was reluctant to receive the money, until they implored him “with much urgency” to take their gift.

I look at my own life and see that there are many times when I’m reluctant to give to others, not because it might affect providing for my needs, but because it might affect me having the things I want. Like everyone else, I’m tempted to look out for “number one” and I want to know what you can do for me. But, considering the example of Christ, Paul said:

“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Phil.2:4)

“Father, please forgive me. Help me to develop a heart of selflessness and love for others that constantly seeks to find ways to bless those around me. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

God, please help me be a giver every day of my life.  I want to be better able to give to those who don’t deserve it and don’t need it as well as those who really deserve and need it.  Help my life be a better reflection of God in my life.

Anna Lee

Thursday Afternoon

Warren Charles Doty, Sr.
(March 7, 1924 – November 2, 2011) 

 

A resident of Kentwood, he died at 7:40 p.m. on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at his residence. He was born March 7, 1924 in Patterson and was 87 years of age. He was a U. S. Army Veteran of World War II and a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Kentwood. He is survived by his daughter, Jessie Doty Hilbun, Kentwood; 3 sons, Patrick John Lambeth, Maryville, TN, Richard Paul Doty, Kentwood, and Thomas Joseph Doty, Kentwood; 2 sisters, Carolyn Doty Anderson, Patterson and Dolores Doty Hahn, Franklin; 1 brother, Clarence Henry Doty, Jr., Canton, TX; 14 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by, wife, Catherine Cambre Doty; son, Warren Charles Doty, Jr.; 2 granddaughters, Tessie Lynn Doty and Rebekah Leigh Doty; daughter-in-law, Betty Booty Doty; parents, Clarence and Jessie Doty; sister, Iris Doty. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 8 a.m. until religious services at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 5, 2011. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Arbor Day Foundation.

 

 

 

 


Thursday Addition

A few hours after having gamma knife surgery on my brain tumor Monday, I was sitting with Jennie at the from of the missionary home on the campus of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary giving out candy to the children of students and professors.  I had my head wrapped from surgery and wore my pajamas, but everyone thought I was in costume.  That was a night I will always remember and be thankful for.  Monday was a great day in my life!

Thursday

He said to another man, “Follow me.”

But that man said, “Sir, first let me go back and bury my father.”

Jesus answered, “Let the dead bury their own dead.

You go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.” 

~Luke 9:59-60 TEV~

Betty Simpson told me Melissa’s grandbaby who is named Lily Kate will go by Lily.

Boyd Hatchel got another good report yesterday.  The doctor said he did not have a seizure in Prague and does not have epilepsy.

Miles Hatchel woke up with a problem that seemed to be a broken collarbone according to his mother, the nurse, and the doctor.  A x-ray eliminated that, but led to blood-work that could have shown something much more serious.  The blood-work showed Miles had been too close to Granddaddy’s cats.  Miles has a virus – cat scratch fever.

My surgery is not giving me any problems, but I had a difficult day with facial pain which is brought on by stress.  Stress was good because it led to learning I had a brain tumor.  Stress now is not good.

Mr. Luther Ricks is doing a little better each day.  Thank God for Luther’s continued improvement.

Sherry Simpson is home from her recent surgery in Tennessee.  Pray that time shows the surgery improved her health issue.

From Lisa M. Neyland

Chloe had another rough day today. Hoping for tomorrow to be better.
There are 14 babies right now in the cicu unit with chloe. They all have their own special issues and some of the families have had to travel for hours to be here. Please remember them in your prayers that all their little bodies will be healed and they get to return to their homes and their normal lives

Don’t you love the sweet spirit in Lisa’s heart as she thinks about other families?  Virginia, Chloe’s grandmother, said Chloe had a difficult day again yesterday.  Pray for the family as they face another day at Children’s Hospital.

From Debbie Crawford

Please be in prayer for the family of Warren Doty. He just passed away.

Mrs. Catherine Yarborough’s sister passed away.  Please be in prayer for “Miss” Catherine and other family members.

Arrangements for Frances Fowler Allen

Visitation today from 10:00 – 2:00 at New Day Church in Liberty, MS.with burial in the Gillsburg cemetery.

Pray for the large extended family she leaves behind.

Pray for revival at FBC, Kentwood.  If you are interested in praying with others tonight, men will pray at the alter and ladies in the prayer room.  This time will begin at 7 P.M.  The revival will run Sunday – Wednesday.

 

I pray you have a special day of recognizing God’s presence in your life.

Anna Lee

 

 

Wednesday

“Do your own work well,

and then you will have something to be proud of.

But don’t compare yourself with others.”

~Galatians 6:4 (CEV)~

Tripp Roth

http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/

Thought for the Day: Should I forgive others?

The following story comes from Glenn E. Schaeffer via Christian Reader (“Kids of the Kingdom;” September/October 1997):

During a childrens sermon one Sunday morning, I held up an ugly-looking summer shirt that I wore occasionally around the house. I explained to the children that someone said the shirt was ugly and should be thrown away.

“This really hurt me,” I explained. “I’m having trouble forgiving the person who said those mean things. Do you think I should forgive that person?” I asked the children.

Immediately, my six-year-old daughter, Alicia, raised her hand. “Yes, you should,” she said without hesitation. “But why? The person hurt my feelings,” I responded.

To which Alicia wisely answered, “Because you’re married to her.”

We live in a society that doesn’t care much at all about forgiveness. Our culture exalts those TV and movie heroes who take vengeance on others. Those who are willing to forgive are portrayed as weak, and those who refuse to forgive are strong. The result is a society filled with bitterness, vengeance, anger, hate and hostility. Marriages suffer because grudges are held and nobody’s willing to forgive. Crimes of retaliation and ridiculously excessive lawsuits are rampantly common as people seek vengeance both inside or outside the law.

But Jesus emphasized the importance of forgiving others. In fact, he doesn’t give us any other option, if we are to be his disciples. He said, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15). That’s strong language!

Again in Mark 11:25-26, Jesus said, “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

When Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” (Matthew 18:21), Jesus responds by telling a parable about a master who forgave a servant’s huge debt, but that servant refused to forgive another servant who owed him a small amount. The story ends with an angry master turning over the unforgiving servant to the jailers for torture and torment. And then Jesus made the application in one of the harshest statements in all the gospels: “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” (Matthew 18:35).

Jesus makes it painfully clear that forgiving others is directly related to our being forgiven by God, and our unwillingness to forgive destroys the bridge over which God’s forgiveness comes to us. Before you ask for God to forgive you, is there someone who needs your forgiveness today?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Today is going to be a good day!

Anna Lee

Tuesday Afternoon

“The Good News shows how God makes people right with himself —

that it begins and ends with faith.”

~Romans 1:17a (NCV)~

 

Melissa S. Johnson is a grandmother for the second time.  Kate Speed and Booke are both doing well.

Firma Kay and Don Schneeweiss will soon become grandparents for the first time.  Tensley Elizabeth Schneeweiss should be born later this week.

Chloe Neyland had surgery for her pacemaker this week.  Hopefully, she will awaken from her sedation soon.  Please be in pray for this family.

Jadon’s Story: We have our surgery date

Well since I haven’t gotten to blog this week, let me go back. My case was presented to the surgery board on Monday. Dr. Chugani actually called me after the meeting to let me know what went on. I know I’ve said this before but this Dr. amazes me more and more every day. Not many doctors take the time for his patients as he does. Anyway he said that he spoke with my doctor in Boston.(Who also called me and said he agrees with Dr. Chugani and thinks this is the best option for me. He said that Dr. Chugani is a very bright doctor and any idea of his is a great one.) He also said that the surgery board had a really great conversation about me and that everyone was in agreement that surgery is the best option for me right now. You see we have tried everything possible to stop these seizures. On top of all the medications, we have tried keto diet and an herbologist. So we have truly done everything possible to try to give me some relief. It’s always the same story. It helps at first and then the seizures slowly pick back up. Last Monday when we increased my banzel, I only had 20 spasms and I went 5 hours without having one. I have never done this before. So yes we celebrated that day. You have to it was a good day. I wish I could say it continued but no I’m back up to 50 spasms a day. They are still better and less intense but they are slowly kicking back up. I can’t even begin to tell you how frustrating it is and how much of a roller coaster it is. Its awful. Which leads me to my surgery date. I will go back to Detroit on November the 21. At that time we will update my MRI and I will get to meet the neurosurgeon. This will give us time to ask him questions and process everything before my actually surgery. We will come home and get to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family. I will then leave January 3 to go back to Detroit. My surgery will be January 5. It will be a two stage surgery. This means I will have my first surgery on the 5th. They will go in and put electrodes on my brain. They will then halfway close me up and record data for 3 days. I will pretty much be sedated those three days while they get the information they need. The fourth day is the second phase of the surgery. They will go in and remove most of the left hemisphere of my brain. We don’t know exactly how much until we get the results from the electrodes. The surgery will take about 10 hours. I will then go to the PICU for 24 to 48 hours. Then I will get my own room for a few weeks. We will be gone a total of about 4 to 5 weeks. There are NO words that can explain how we are feeling right now so I’m not going to try. We have decided to take my brother with us. We can’t go that long without seeing him. He might not stay the entire time but he is coming at the beginning. I will keep you updated as we receive more information. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE pray for me and my family. If you want to read about two of my friends who have had this surgery you can click on the links below. My mommy has talk to both of their mommies and they have helped out alot. The little boy Trevy is a little more like me than Charli. Trevy had the left side of his brain removed too. Charli had a stoke at birth so her story is a little different but both of these kids are amazing little miracles.

Trevy    http://www.happybeingtrevy.com/

Charli   http://charlimonk.blogspot.com/

 

Caring Bridge: Callie Cole

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/calliecole

Tonight is the last opportunity to see Heaven’s Gates and Hell’s Flames at the Lord’s Church.  It will begin at 6:30.  There is no admission charge.

 

Frances Fowler Allen (From Judy Fowler)

Wanted to pass on information.  Please remember the family in prayer:

Services for Frances F. Allen will be at New Day Church, Old Greensburg Road, Liberty, MS, on Thursday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m. til service at 2 p.m..  Burial will be at Gilsburg Cemetery, Gilsburg, MS. 

I’m sorry to be late posting this.

Ann Weaver Connerly
(May 4, 1936 – October 25, 2011)

A resident of Osyka, MS, died at 10:42PM on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. She was born May 4, 1936 and was 75 years of age. Visitation at Greenlaw Baptist Church, Kentwood, from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m., Thursday, October 27, 2011, and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 28, 2011. Services conducted by Rev. E. J. Didone. Interment Roberts Cemetery, Osyka, MS. Survived by husband, Philip Connerly, Osyka, MS, daughter, Karen Gill Morgan, Kentwood, 4 sons, Ernie Gill, Greensburg, Mark Gill, Zachary, Wayne Gill, Greensburg, and Johnny Gill, Osyka, MS, step-children, Phil Connerly, Kentwood, James Connerly, Magnolia, MS, Jeff Connerly, Osyka, MS, Lori Stewart, Albany, and Fran Bauer, Baton Rouge, a number of grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and sister, Betty Lou West, NC. Preceded in death by brother, Bo Weaver. Pallbearers will be Jeff Connerly, James Connerly, Phil Connerly, Johnny Gill, Mark Gill, and Ernie Gill. Honorary pallbearers will be Cheyenne Morgan, and Cody Morgan McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

 

 

I’m feeling great.  The people who have seen me today are amazed and all talk about a miracle.  I know I found the right doctor and the right procedure.

I’ll try to be back on a more regular schedule tomorrow. 

Anna Lee