Thursday

“Where is the newborn king of the Jews?

We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

~Matthew 2:2 (NLT)~

Please continue to pray for Mr. Phillip and Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell.  They are both “under the weather” and would appreciate your prayers.

The last reports from Mrs. Katherine Sanders all include good reports of her progress.  Thank God for her improvement.  Keep praying for her.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Are We There Yet?

  • Has everyone in the world had an opportunity to hear about God?   No!
  • Have enough funds been collected to support our missionaries for the next year?  Not yet
  • Has your church met its goal for this year?  My church is still working to meet their goal.
  • Has God laid it on your heart to give or to give again?
Loving Someone You Can’t Stand

Doctor: “I see you’re over a month late for your appointment. Don’t you know that nervous disorders require prompt and regular attention? What’s your excuse?”

Patient: “I was just following your orders, Doc.”

Doctor: “Following my orders? What are you talking about? I gave you no such order.”

Patient: “You told me to avoid people who irritate me.”

Unfortunately, we don’t always have the option of avoiding people who irritate,

people who hurt us, people who offend us. In fact, sometimes those who irritate us

the most are found right in our home (or in our church building). So how should we

deal with them?

Milton Jones has written a wonderful book entitled “How to Love Someone You Can’t

Stand” which I highly recommend (you can find it at Amazon.com). In this book,

Jones lists six godly principles which are derived from Romans 12:


(1) Manage Your mouth — Bless and don’t curse (Rom. 12:14)

(2) Put yourself in the other person’s place and try to understand their feelings,

thoughts and position (Rom. 12:15)

(3) Never, never, never take revenge (Rom. 12:17)

(4) Plan ahead to do something beautiful (Rom. 12:17)

(5) Don’t just win the war, win the peace (Rom. 12:18)

(6) Make room for God (Rom. 12:19)

The bottom line is that we do not overcome evil with evil by retaliating and seeking

to “get even”. The only way to overcome evil is with good (Rom. 12:21). It is never

easy to respond to those who do us wrong in a way that is godly, but it is only by

following the example of Jesus Christ that we can truly have an influence on the

world around us.

“But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable

before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving

us an example, that you should follow His steps…” (I Peter 2:19-20)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Alan Smith’s thoughts might lead to a resolution for the new year. . . .

Have a terrific Thursday!

Anna Lee

Wednesday Afternoon

Pat Smith

She had a scope but down her to determine how big the tumor was and to biopsy it for cancer and other test. We got our miracle! Not only is it not connected to her liver but also it is not on her pancreas. In addition, the great news is it can be removed. The Dr’s said it was in the only place that it could be surgically removed. She will know next week where she will go to have the surgery.

Please keep her on the prayer list and I will keep you informed about her progress.

Betty June M. Cutrer

Charles Don Hart

(December 14, 1944 – December 29, 2010)

A resident of Amite, he died at 6:29 a.m. on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at his home in Amite. He was born December 14, 1944 in Brookhaven, MS and was 66 years of age. Mr. Charlie was a veteran local broadcaster for 50 years as the voice of WABL ,1570-AM in Amite. Hart will be remembered for his unique, fun-style of local radio that was guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of any listener, including small children who laughed out loud at his dry but wacky humor. His meticulous local weather reporting literally put Amite on the map; Because of his fascination with and devotion to meteorology, WABL served as a National Weather Service reporting station, with an official rain gauge, barometer, and thermometer outside the building that housed the studios on Bankston Road. In September of 1985, new owners acquired the station and Hart became deeply involved in local news reporting, an avocation he maintained for the rest of his life. The late Tom Gillen of Baton Rouge, who literally founded the public relations industry in Louisiana in 1945, and veteran political activist Henry Harrison of Pumpkin Center, bought WABL to turn it into the flagship of a local news operation. For the next three years Hart worked closely with perennial local journalist Ken Benitez, a relationship that lasted until Hart’s last day on Earth. He is survived by his 2 aunts, L’Na Cox, Amite and Cary Staton, Brandon, MS; numerous cousins and friends. Preceded in death by his mother and step-father, Leonora and Jesse Reynolds; father, Charles Hart; sister, Scarlett Reynolds. A graveside service will be held at a later date at Cold Springs Cemetery, Bogue Chitto, MS.

Wednesday

They entered the house

and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother.

Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him.

Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts:

gold, frankincense, myrrh.

~Matthew 2:11 (MSG)~

Baptist Press Stories
—————————————
  • NATIVITY SCENES: ‘A valuable witness to society’

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34319
  • CHRISTMAS: A stolen Christmas tree

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34320
  • In Vietnam, Lottie Moon gifts leave lasting legacy, transcending the ‘dark years’

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34321
  • Refugee ‘limbo’: White House urged to act

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34322
  • Protect Iraqi Christians from extinction, international group urges Obama

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34323
  • My Legacy of Faith: ‘whole life stewardship’

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34324
  • RESOURCE: Scriptural guide for confession of sin

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34324#mce_temp_url#

  • WORLDVIEW: What Christmas is all about

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34326
  • FIRST-PERSON: People still ask …

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34327
  • FIRST-PERSON: Fighting complacency in a Christmas-saturated world

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34328
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering
Henry L. Rodgers
(May 15, 1939 – December 27, 2010)

Henry L. Rodgers was born on May 15, 1939 and passed away at 9:17 p.m., Monday, December 27, 2010 at Specialty LTCH Hospital, Hammond. He was 71, a native of Fort Adams, MS and a resident of Amite.

He is survived by 2 daughters, Mary R. McNeese and husband Steve, Kentwood & Bobbie Nell R. Corkern and husband Terry Wayne, Kentwood; step-daughter, Penny Coon, Kentwood; son, Tommy Rodgers, Kentwood; 8 grandchildren, Ruby Ann Rodgers, Steve McNeese, Jr. and wife Danielle, Stephanie Michelle McNeese, Milton McNeese, Lisa Ann Corkern Blunt and husband Elvis, Keri Lynn Corkern Ricks and husband, Aron, Crystal Gayle Corkern 7 Teresa Michelle Corkern; 2 step-brothers, Joe Higgins & Richard Travis.

Preceded in death by his parents, wife, Shirley Jean Miller Rodgers; son, Larry Lee Rodgers; granddaughters, Destiney McNeese & Peggy Sue Corkern.

Visitation at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Thursday, December 30, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Worship Services at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral Home Chapel with Deacon Mike Agnello officiating. Interment in Thad Miller Cemetery, Mt. Hermon, LA.

An on-line Guestbook is available at ww.mckneelyvaughnfh.com

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home is located at I-55N (Exit 46) and Hwy 16W next to Hood Chevrolet and behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash, Bond Eye Clinic and Holiday Inn Express.

Mrs. Earline Holland Jones
(August 29, 1923 – December 27, 2010)

Mrs. Earline H. Jones a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great great-grandmother was born August 29, 1923 and passed away at 11:30 a.m., Monday, December 27, 2010 at her residence surrounded by her loving family. She was 87, a native of Waynesboro, Ms. and a resident of Amite.

Mrs. Earline is survived by daughter, Ruth J. Stokes and husband Harold, Amite; 3 grandchildren, DeRenda (Dee Dee) Gill and husband Harrison, Amite, DaWanna Schultz and husband Leonard, Amite, and Shelby Shane Stokes, Amite; 8 great grandchildren, Justin Bennett and wife Natalie, Amite, Cody Ellis and wife Monique, Collinsville, IL, Daniel Bennett and wife Ashley, Amite, David Ellis, Amite, Rebecca Rose Davis, Amite, and Molly Gill, Amite; 6 great great-grandchildren, Haley Liebert, Amite, Hannah Bennett, Amite, Myley Ellis, Collinsville, IL, Blake Bennett, Amite, Brinley Ellis, Collinsville, IL, Daniel “Danny” Blayne Bennett, Jr., Amite. Close Family Friends – David, Katie & Samantha Davis.

Preceded in death by parents, Arthur and Gladys Waller Holland; 2 sisters, Beatrice Holland and Mary Lea Davis; 3 brothers, Collin Holland, Willie Holland & Arthur Holland, Jr.

Visitation at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Worship Service at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Dennis Walker and Bro. Trey Fuller officiating. Interment in Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, LA.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home is located at I-55N (Exit 46) and Hwy 16W next to Hood Chevrolet and behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash, Bond Eye Clinic and Holiday Inn Express.

Have a great day!
Anna Lee

Monday

By entering through faith

into what God has always wanted to do for us—

set us right with him,

make us fit for him—

we have it all together with God

because of our Master Jesus.

~Romans 5:1 (MSG)~

Continue to pray for travelers.  Many are stuck in airports and hotels.  Some are driving in less than ideal conditions.

Mrs. Katherine Sanders is doing well – good enough to be out walking.  She stayed at home yesterday because of the cold.

Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell is home, but continues to not be doing her best.  Please remember her in your prayers.

Ashlyn Neal is much better.  Her family thanks you for the many prayers offered for them.  Keep praying,

Lottie Moon lead a life of significance, making a big difference in God’s kingdom.  What about you?

http://www.imb.org/main/downloads/flashvideos.asp?filename=/files/62/6294/6294-34373.flv

Seeking the Lost

A golfer, playing a round by himself, is about to tee off, and a greasy little salesman runs up to him, and yells, “Wait! Before you tee off, I have something really amazing to show you!”

The golfer, annoyed, says, “What is it?”

“It’s a special golf ball,” says the salesman. “You can never lose it!”

“Whattaya mean,” scoffs the golfer, “you can never lose it? What if you hit it into the water?”

“No problem,” says the salesman. “It floats, and it detects where the shore is, and spins towards it.”

“Well, what if you hit it into the woods?”

“Easy,” says the salesman. “It emits a beeping sound, and you can find it with your eyes closed.”

“Okay,” says the golfer, impressed. “But what if your round goes late and it gets dark?”

“No problem, sir, this golf ball glows in the dark! I’m telling you, you can never lose this golf ball!”

The golfer buys it at once. “Just one question,” he says to the salesman. “Where did you get it?”

“I found it!”

Maybe someday someone will invent a golf ball that can never be lost, but until then we will all have to deal with losing things — golf balls, car keys, glasses, etc. We also have to deal with a lost humanity. I find it interesting that the one term Jesus used most often to describe those who are outside of Christ is the word “lost”.

In Luke 15, Jesus elaborated on this idea by telling three parables — the parable of the lost sheep, the parable of the lost coin, and the parable of the lost (prodigal) son. The point has often been made that those three parables demonstrate three different ways of being lost — through unintentional wandering (the sheep), through the negligence of someone else (the coin), or through willful disobedience (the son).

However, the point of those three parables is not so much about our lostness as they are about the fact that our God is willing to search for us and bring us back into a relationship with Him. If we will truly see the world around us as “lost”, it will change our perspective as well. Think about the last time you knew of a child that was missing. When a child is lost, we don’t ask what race the child is. It doesn’t matter — the child is lost! We don’t ask the child’s economic status. It doesn’t matter — the child is lost! We don’t ask what the child may or may not have done wrong. It doesn’t matter — the child is lost! All that matters is that we find that child and bring him/her home safely.

Seeing a world around us as “lost” will change the way we see them. The scribes and Pharisees looked at the tax collectors and sinners and saw terrible, ugly people. Jesus saw people who were lost. All that mattered to him was that he bring them home safely.

“For the Son of man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)

Father, thank you for diligently searching for me and for bringing me home to you. Fill me with your love so that I may care enough to seek out those around me who are lost. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Have a great week!

Anna Lee

Sunday Afternoon Again

Janice Guy Raybourn

(March 3, 1941 – December 25, 2010)

A resident of Mt. Hermon, died at 11:15 p.m. on Saturday, December 25, 2010 at her home. She was born March 3, 1941 in East Fork and was 69 years of age. She was a member of Sunny Hill Baptist Church and was active at Line Creek Baptist Church. She is survived by her husband, Adren Raybourn; 2 sisters, Geneivia Buras and Dianne Wall, all of Mt. Hermon; She was like a mother and grandmother to numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Glen and Ruby Pierce Guy; 3 brothers, Donald, Wayne and Stanley Guy. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Monday and from 9 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 28, 2010. Services conducted by Rev. Ken Irvin. Interment Line Creek Cemetery, Line Creek.

Sunday Afternoon

Mrs. Una Mae Zachary

January 26, 1924 – December 26, 2010

Mrs. Una Mae Zachary was born January 26, 1924 and passed away at 6:08 a.m., Sunday, December 26, 2010 at Landmark Nursing Home, Hammond. She was 86, a native and resident of Montpelier, a lifelong member of Montpelier United Methodist Church & a member of National Horticultural Society.

Mrs. Una Mae is survived by 2 daughters, Patricia Z. Hutchinson and husband Hutch, Springfield & Fay Zachary, Hammond; son, Danny Zachary, South Carolina; 8 grandchildren, David D’Angelo, Bekah McAllister, Michael Varnado, Benton “Duke” McNabb, Mary Louise Duhon, Davelyn Zachary, Desiree Zachary & Cali Zachary; 8 great-grandchildren, Erika D’Angelo, Hannah McAllister, Madeleine McAllister, Benton “Coty” McNabb, Andrew Duhon, Cassie Duhon, Zachary Davis & Dane Davis; a great great-gandson, Dakotah Yates.

Preceded in death by parents, Daniel Joseph and Ella Wren Grantham; husband, Erwin Prentiss Zachary; son, Darrell Zachary.

Visitation at Montpelier United Methodist Church from 9:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Worship Service at 11:00 a.m. with Interment in Montpelier Cemetery.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

Sunday

Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace,

goodwill toward men!

~Luke 2:14 (NKJV)~


“It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from –

if you want God and are ready to do as he says,

the door is open.”

~Acts 10:35 MSG~

Mr. and Mrs. Albert (Mattie) Bishop are hospitalized in Hood Memorial. Please keep them and their daughter, Sally, in your prayers.

Madyson Grace Watts

http://www.actionnews17.com/News/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/5089/Loranger-family-gets-Christmas-wish-as-miracle-child-comes-home-following-accident-rehabilitation.aspx

Petey Harper

Graveside Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, December 26th at 2:30 p. m. at the Arcola – Roseland Cemetery with Rev. Brady Whitton officiating.

Friends and relatives are invited to the home of David and Keri Wickham immediately following the service for a memorial reception.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering: Children’s Videos

http://www.imb.org/main/downloads/page.asp?StoryID=8660&LanguageID=1709

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Christmas Eve

But the angel reassured them.

“Don’t be afraid!” he said.

“I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.

~Luke 2:10 (NLT)~

Jason’s Story: Boston Results

We are now home and finally get to relax and spend time with family. Our appointment went really well in Boston. We are making a few changes to my diet. We are going to spread my meals out so that I get to eat 5 times a day. Hopefully that will help me eat my food. We are also getting some meals planned that have baby food vegetables and fruits. By doing this we hope to get me to eat some more fruits and vegetables. Right now I’m only eating apple sauce. We still haven’t noticed any change in my seizures. The neurologist want to give it another 2-3 months. If we don’t see any change we will stop the diet. I have been on it for about 2 month already. They said the diet just doesn’t work on some people. We are not giving up yet though. We will continue to try and pray that we can get these seizures down. I did go a little over a week without seizures at night but they came back a couple of nights ago. We got some more test results that they did back in October. The genetic test that we did came back normal. Now we are just waiting on the CDKL 5 genetic test to come back. We got the official results of my 3T MRI. While we were there they said everything looked normal. Well when the neurologist got together and studied it they found a POSSIBLE malformation in the left post lobe of my brain. They are not sure what this is because I’m so little. They want to repeat the 3T MRI sometime in April once my brain has grown some more. They are hoping it will be clearer then and then they will be able to determine what the are seeing. They also want me to go see an orthopedic for my feet. My toes turn down a little and they want us to get it checked out. While I was in Boston they did more blood work. My blood work showed that my CO2 level is low so they started me on PolyCitra to help regulate my CO2. They said this is common when babies are on the ketogenic diet and take topamax. My blood sugar was also a little low but nothing to be concerned about. So, so far all this diet has done is cause more problems. All you keto fans don’t get mad at me. I know you have to give it time but its been horrible for us. We are working on making it better. I am still on the new medicine Vimpat. It has not helped yet but my neurologist still want to give it some more time. So it looks like we have another failed medication. Here is the list of failed medicines:
1. klonopin
2. prednisolone
3. ACTH (2 rounds)- didn’t help seizures but helped EEG
4. keppra
5. topamax
6. trileptal
7. clobazam
8. vimpat
9. banzel
All of these helped at first and then stopped. I’m still on keppra, topamax, banzel, and vimpat. We are slowly getting rid of the ones that aren’t working. So I think I have updated you on everything. Please continue to pray for me. I keep thinking that we didn’t get our miracle in 2010 but the more I thought about it, I think we really did. I went from not being able to hold my head up to sitting up and being just as alert as a normal 15 month old. So no we didn’t get our seizure miracle but we came farther than anyone expected. I still believe we will get our seizure miracle one day. I’m leaving you with a picture of me trying to catch the snow at the airport in Boston. It was absolutely beautiful. Everyone have a great Christmas.

Frances Gay is working to get the proper coumadin levels.  Pray for her.

Continue your prayers for Ashlyn Neal and her family as they try to rest her brain and overcome the concussion.

Pray for Mr. Earl Dees.  Is is in CCU at OLOL after having surgery yesterday.

Billi Jo Eyer
(May 2, 1982 – December 23, 2010)

Billi Jo Eyer was born May 2, 1982 and passed away at 9:13 a.m., Thursday, December 23, 2010 at her residence. She was 28, a native of Independence and a resident of Amite.

Billi Jo is survived by 3 sons, Gregory Rowell, Albany, Bryce and Gaige Eyer both of Amite; mother, Connie Bennett and husband “TJ”, Amite; father, Billy Eyer, Roseland; sister, Suzanna Calhoun and husband Matt, Kentwood; half sister, Dawn Eyer, Baltimore, Maryland; step-sister, Marilyn Gayle Wright and husband, Chris, Loranger; step-brother, Tommy Bennett and wife Angela, Franklinton; grandmothers, Francis Hughes, Roseland and Dorothy Eggers, Roseland; numerous aunts, uncles and extended family.

Preceded in death by a half sister, Danielle Eyer; step-brother, Jason Bennett and grandfather, Chester Hughes.

Visitation at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Sunday, December 26, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Monday, December 27, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services at 1:00 p.m. in the funeral home Chapel with Rev. David Cutrer officiating. Interment in Killian Chapel Cemetery, Amite, LA.

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

Bobby Clyde Cheek

(May 7, 1938 – December 23, 2010)

A resident of Pine Grove, he died on Thursday, December 23, 2010 at Hood Memorial Hospital in Amite. He was born May 7, 1938 in Midnight, MS and was 72 years of age. He worked for Rebel Sand and Gravel for 32 years. He is survived by, wife of 50 years, Georgia Mae Baker Cheek, Pine Grove; 3 daughters, Elizabeth “Ann” Cheek and her fiance’, Melvin Roe, Watson, Margaret Cheek Rutland and her husband, Robert W. Rutland, Pine Grove, and Barbara “Boo” Cheek Rutland and her husband, Roger Rutland, Pine Grove; 4 grandchildren, Kris Rutland, Watson, Samantha Ellzey Thompson, Fayetteville, NC, Blair Oliver Davis, Watson, Ashley Rutland, Baton Rouge; 3 great-grandchildren, Breeanna Thompson, Fayetteville, NC, Hannah Davis, Watson, and Konner Rutland, Watson; brother, Jimmy Cheeks and his wife, Cara Faye Cheeks, Denham Springs; numerous nieces and nephews including a special niece, Georgia Mae Papizan, Watson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Maudie Mae Sheffield Cheeks; sister, Marie Bankston; brother, Ernest Cheeks, Jr. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9 a.m. until religious services at 2 p.m. on Monday, December 27, 2010. Services conducted by Rev. Danny Carter. Interment Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Pine Grove.

Thinking inside the box

Lots of kids are homeschooled. Joseph Daniels is, too. But his schoolroom is a little different. Joseph goes to school in the very large box that his family used to ship their belongings to their new home in Kenya. With help from the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, Joseph has a $20 chalkboard, a $25 desk and chair and $30 worth of art supplies.

For three or four hours every weekday, Joseph is taught by his mom. Her name is Sandra. She teaches Joseph how to add and subtract, and how to write. Sandra also helps him learn about the world outside his schoolroom box. With her, Joseph has learned about several countries and she’s taken him on fun field trips.

At an animal orphanage, Joseph saw baby elephants and a baby rhinoceros. Not far from his home, Joseph can see giraffes, warthogs and zebras. At night, he can hear the “whop,” “whop” sound the zebras make.

“That is the beauty of homeschooling,” Sandra says. “Everything we do teaches him something new. Like watching a cow eat grass, Joseph knows how the stomach works to process the food.”

Joseph’s dad helps him learn, too. One night they went outside to see the stars that make up the “Big Dipper.” During a day trip, Joseph helped his dad share vitamins and Bible stories with the Samburu people who live in Kenya.

International Missiona Board

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Have a great day!

Anna Lee