Friday

“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God

. . . . you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son,

and shall call His name JESUS.

He will be great,

and will be called the Son of the Highest;

and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.”

~Luke 1:30b-32, NKJV~

Mrs. Katherine Sanders is improving.  Please keep praying for her.

Please continue to pray for Pete Harper and his family as they take care of him in South Carolina.  Petey is from Roseland.

Jadon’s Story: Home

I made it home this afternoon. The main reason for my admission was to get the medicine in my system quickly. That way we didn’t have to wait a month to see if it works. So far we haven’t noticed a difference in seizures. I started the medicine orally tonight. I will be on it for a week and if we do not see any change we will stop it. This new medicine is called Vimpat (Lacosamide). They are also taking me off of keppra. I’m on too many medicines and they are not working, so we are slowly getting rid of the ones that are not working. Our neurologist is back and says we have other medicines we can try before we have to try Sabril. The bad news is with each medicine that doesn’t work there is a less chance that the next one will work. The other bad thing is we have tried the meds with few side effects. Out of the three she wants to try one can effect the liver, another bone marrow, and of course the sabril which can effect the vision. So how do you pick which one you want to try with those kinds of side effects. Basically we are all very sad that we are in this situation. This includes my neurologist. She is really trying to get these seizures under control. It’s very frustrating. My brother even says “Aww Jadon don’t do that”. It’s very sad that a 3 year old can recognize them. It makes my mom mad now. She use to say well we will try this or do this. We don’t know what else to do and it makes us mad. I’m sure this feeling will go away but I can tell you its very rough on my family right now. We are having to make decisions that no one should have to make. We know God has a plan but it is hard. We have been patient for almost a year and it’s horrible to watch me have hundreds of seizures a day. We will remain faithful, continue to trust him, and pray. He is the best medicine for me right now. We will also thank him for allowing me to be so alert, happy, and developing even if its at a slow rate. Thanks for all your prayers. My family appreciates them more than you know. We do leave Sunday for Boston. We will see the ketogenic diet team. So please pray for our trip. Love you all, JadonI

I copied this from an IMB email:

Put on your hats and coats and scarves and gloves–we’re heading to the Christmas Market! The carnival rides and outdoor ice-skating rink beckon with their bright lights and music. The laughter and shrieks of children are heard from far off. Vendors are displaying their merchandise in the wooden booths that now line the pedestrian zone. It appears that the whole town is here, jockeying for position, in order to view the wares that the merchants have for sale–clothing of all kinds, handmade pottery and hand-carved ornaments, candles, spices, toys and novelties–and the smell of sugar-coated almonds fills the air. Many adults are warming up with a glass or two of ‘Gluhwein’ (heated wine). Long lines are forming in front of the stands offering crepes, sausages, chocolate-coated fruit, and local specialties. Everyone is excited and looking forward to Christmas, but few are thinking about the birth of the Baby Jesus.

May each of us remember to keep Jesus “front and center” this Christmas!

Anna Lee

Thursday Afternoon

Mrs. Katherine Sanders is improving.  Please continue to pray for her.

Joan Marie Miller “Cookie” Buniff

(December 23, 1946 – December 8, 2010)

Joan Marie Miller “Cookie” Buniff, a devoted wife, mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother. Cookie passed away Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at her residence in Amite surrounded by her family. She was born December 23, 1946 in Tangipahoa Parish being just short of her 64 birthday. Cookie was 63 years young.

Cookie is survived by her husband of 46 years, Cleve Buniff,Amite; 2 daughters, Cindy Buniff Cook and husband Lee Alan, Amite; Libby Buniff Rush and husband Jesse, Amite; son, Josh Buniff, Amite; 3 grandchildren, Matthew Rush, Virginia Cook, and Jessica Rush; sister, Virginia Miller Bennett and husband Thomas, Amite; 2 brothers, Robert Miller and wife Judy, Amite, and Ray Miller and wife Mildred, Kentwood.

Numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Preceded in death by her parents, Wilson and Jeanette Simmons Miller and a great-niece Breanne Miller.

Visitation will be at Friendship Baptist Church, Amite on Saturday, December 11, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services at 2:00 p.m. with services conducted by Bro. Walter Mixon and Bro. Joe Baugh.

Interment in Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite.

Pallbearers will be Greg, Chuck, and Gary Bennett, Randy Miller, Matthew and Stanley Rush.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Lee Alan Cook, Jesse Rush, Ronnie and Ricky Miller.

Cookie was a lifelong member of Mt. Nebo Baptist Church.

Special Thanks to Dr. Derris W. Ray and staff, Life Source Services of Baton Rouge, Ruth Wilcox, Annette Hutchinson, and Deborah Strickland.

An online guestbook is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com.

McKneely and Vaughn Funeral Home is in charge of funeral services.

Thursday Addition

Continue to pray for Mr. Gordon Price and those taking care of him.

James Murray Pierce
(June 7, 1926 – December 9, 2010)

James Murray Pierce, 84 years of Lewiston, LA passed away, peacefully at his home for many years on the old James Morris Lewis place Thursday, December 9, 2010. A funeral service will be held Saturday, December 11, 2010 at 12 noon with the Reverend Russell Kirkland, Pastor of Lewiston Baptist Church officiating. Interment will follow at Lewiston Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will greet friends after 9 a.m. prior to the service in the church sanctuary. Jimmy was born June 7, 1926 in Flint, Michigan, the son of the late Basil H. Pierce and Myrtle Lewis Pierce, formerly of Kentwood, LA. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Fowler Pierce, whom he dearly loved and enjoyed 43 years of marriage before passing. He was retired from Exxon (formerly Humble Oil) where he worked for over 30 years. He was a veteran of both World War II and Korean War, where he proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War II on the Destroyer USS Willard S Keith (DD-775) and participated in many of the major battles in the Pacific, including Okinawa and the Occupation of Tokyo. His service to his country in both WWII and Korean Wars was one of his proudest achievements. He graduated from Kentwood High School and attended LSU and Southeastern in Hammond, LA. He was a dedicated member of Lewiston Baptist Church where he served as Deacon and Adult Sunday School Teacher for over 35 years. He also served as Treasurer of both Lewiston Church and Lewiston Cemetery. He was a major supporter of Camp Moore Museum in Tangipahoa, LA where he was an officer in SCV and voluntary worker. He contributed for many years to the Camp’s museum and cemetery. Above all, he was a loving father and husband, as well as a gentleman and kind man. He is survived by his children: James Michael Pierce and his wife, Teresa, of Natchitoches, LA. Brenda Falanga and her husband, Jimmy, of Kingwood, TX., Patti Pierce of Lewiston, LA, Sandy Shows and her husband, Mark of Brandon, MS, and John Murray Pierce of Lewiston, LA. Grandchildren include Tyler Pierce, Lisa Falanga Davis, Jeffrey Falanga, Joey Babin, Sarah Shows, and Cameron Shows. Great Grandchildren include Bellen and Piper Davis. Pallbearers will include: Don Lewis, Ted Lewis, Elton Shaw, Jimmy Falanga, Mark Shows, Tyler Pierce, Cameron Shows and Joey Babin. In lieu of flowers, family requests expressions of sympathy be made in the form of donations to: Lewiston Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 74576 N. Lewiston Rd. Kentwood, LA 70444. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements.

Thursday

When the wise men had gone,

an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.

“Get up,” he said,

“take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt.

Stay there until I tell you,

for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

So he got up,

took the child … and left for Egypt,

where he stayed until the death of Herod.

~Matthew 2:13-15 (NIV)~

Pray for the many people with colds and the flu.  Pray they are able to slow down and get well soon.
Baptist Press Stories for Nov. 30, 2010
—————————————
W.Va. church meets turkey drive goal in 10 minutes
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34171
Page announces Executive Committee staffing consolidation, reductions
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34170
Pakistan court blocks Asia Noreen pardon
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34172
Prop 8 court panel revealed — leans left
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34173
Groups pour over Pentagon DADT study
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34174
SBC regis. secretary Wells faces cancer
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34175
FIRST-PERSON: Why Lottie Moon matters
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34176

Lottie Moon was probably the most educated woman in the American South.  She chose to go to China and tell the people about Jesus for 39 years!  Below is a link to read a portion of a book about Lottie.  I hope you have time to read this and then to pray about how much money God would have you give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions.  Remember, 100% of the money you give will go to missions!

http://books.google.com/books?id=7gENGVjVgf0C&printsec=frontcover&dq=Lottie+moon&source=bl&ots=8KC7iSmQUy&sig=FC_eu8MeIXdkWnF8WZHU6KVrUKs&hl=en&ei=f9EATZTJCdCPnweb97XlDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=15&ved=0CHYQ6AEwDg#v=onepage&q&f=

Stay warm and be safe.

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor,

Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

~Isaiah 9:6, NKJV~

If you have children, grandchildren, or great grandchildren, hear is a link to a site that will explain who Lottie Moon was and her importance in telling the world about Jesus during her lifetime to the present time.

http://www.baptistheritage.org/StoriesforKids/TheStoryofLottieMoon/tabid/259/Default.aspx

Use some time during this month to be a blessing to others.  Many people are alone, grieving, suffering, out-of-work. etc.  Let God lead you in who to contact and what you should do.

Mug – n – Muffin

Saturday morning ladies who are 5 to 105 are invited to come to First Baptist Church, Amite for a special time.  Each one is asked to bring their favorite mug (or your favorite Christmas mug) and a dozen individually wrapped muffins.  After our refreshment time, the extra muffins will be packaged in gift bags.  At the end of the meeting, we will have outreach gifts for those in our communities.  While at the meeting there will be several activities including a craft time.  Even those who think they are not crafty will be able to complete this project and have something new for their home.  That’s all the hints you will get from me.  Come join us to get the total picture.  You’ll be blessed and be a blessing to others.  Also, this is a good time for ladies to do something special with their family members of different generations.  You may contact me if you have any questions.  You do not have to be a member of any particular church or group to come!  The next meeting will be the second Saturday in January at FBC, Kentwood.  Mark your calendar for 10 A.M. on December 11th.

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“I waited patiently for the LORD;

and He inclined to me,

and heard my cry.”

~Psalm 40:1~

Jadon’s Story

I’m updating from my phone so hopefully this works. I was admitted to
childrens hospital to start iv medicines to help lower my seizures. I
don’t know how long we will be here. The neurologist said probably a
couple of days. I’ll keep you updated. Please pray for me.

Please pray for Rev. Gray Wieborg who is recovering from colon surgery.  Pray for his family as they help nurse him back to good health.  Bro. Gary is a former pastor of Roseland Baptist Church who is now serving in Bratt, Florida.

Jon-Michael Williams has been moved to Children’s Hospital.  Please continue to pray for him, his family, and his friends.

At 11:00 A.M. today, the senior adults of FBC, Kentwood will be treated to their annual Christmas lunch at the church’s fellowship hall.

Lottie Moon
Lottie Moon
Click on image to enlarge

Lottie (Charlotte) Moon

(b. Viewmont, Albermarle County, Va., Dec. 12, 1840; d. Kobe, Japan, Dec. 24, 1912). Missionary in Tengchow and Pingtu, China, for nearly 40 years; instrumental in instigating first Christmas offering, 1888. She was educated at Female Seminary at Botetourt Springs (later known as Hollins) and at Albermarle Female Institute, Charlottesville. She was converted in the spring of 1859 in a meeting by John Albert Broadus, then pastor at Charlottesville. She taught at Danville, Ky., and Cartersville, Ga. She volunteered for missionary service in Feb., 1873, in response to a sermon on the text, “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest,” and she was appointed to China, July 7, 1873, by the Foreign Mission Board, Southern Baptist Convention. In 1888 she wrote to the Baptist women of the South, pleading for reinforcements. The first Christmas offering in 1888 provided three additional missionaries. She spent 14 years in China before taking her first regular furlough. Toward the end of her days, she suffered with her Chinese people in the terrible famine. She gave all she had. In the time of deepest trials she wrote, “I hope no missionary will be as lonely as I have been.” Literally starving, she grew steadily weaker. Before Christmas, 1912, Cynthia Miller, faithful nurse, started back to America with Lottie Moon; death came to the frail missionary, Christmas Eve, while the ship was at harbor in Kobe, Japan. The present Christmas offering for foreign missions, sponsored by the W.M.U., is named for Lottie Moon.

Biographical Sources:
Allen, Catherine. The New Lottie Moon Story, 1980.
Lawrence, Una Roberts. Lottie Moon, 1927.
“Lottie Moon.” Shapers of Southern Baptist Heritage pamphlet series. Southern Baptist Historical Society.
Archival sources in Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives.
Moon, Lottie. Missionary Correspondence. AR. 551-2.

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Anna Lee

Monday

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,

from whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the LORD,

which made heaven and earth.”

~Psalms 121:1-2 ~

Pray for Mrs. Kathrine Sanders and many others who have that winter cough.  It is very hard to get ride of.

Jadon’s Story

Well mommy and daddy got a new puppy for my brother and I. My brother loves to play with him and me, I love to snuggle. I know this sounds weird but its like he is protecting me. He sits at my feet if I’m in my chair, comes and plays with me in my play area, and sits in my lap. This is a picture of us snuggling. My mommy just loves this picture. She said they mainly got the puppy for my older brother to play with and I’m stealing all the loving..LOL My seizures are still the same. I’m having way to many. Even though I’m having so many, I’m very alert. In fact I’m more alert than I usually am when I’m having this many. Seizures, I will never understand them. We still don’t know what is making them so increased right now. I have to do blood work Monday, so maybe that will reveal something. I did get to have some fun last night. I went to my cousins wedding. Mommy did the hokie pokie with me, and I just laughed. This is so exciting because I used to not be able to handle loud noise at all. Well the music was definitely loud and there were lots of people there. I was very content and we got to stay until almost 9:00. Well I will let everyone know how my blood work goes Monday. Thanks for praying for me. I love you all!!! Jadon

Hunting Season

Pray for safety for all the hunters in our area.  Pray others don’t stumble into hunting areas unaware of the hunters.

Pray for teachers and for students as they have classes for the last couple of weeks before Christmas.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Vietnam – Not yet

In 1975 when communists took over, 16 years of Southern Baptist ministry suddenly stopped.

Or did it?

Thanks to Southern Baptist gifts, Grace Baptist Church, led by a national pastor, held its own deed to building and land. Years later, visiting personnel discovered the church alive and thriving, despite suffering leaders had endured.

“The Lottie Moon offering came through,” an emeritus missionary reflects. “Had we not had a location that we could say ‘This is Baptist, this is where our church is located,’ we might have ceased to exist as Baptists.”

Grace became the mother of many Baptist churches and was officially recognized in 2008. The churches organized into a Baptist convention with a bold vision to train leaders and start churches all over Vietnam.

Today we celebrate a greater opportunity for those in Vietnam to follow Christ.

Have all had the opportunity to hear about Christ? Not yet. Vietnam is still a communist country.  But there is movement, and Southern Baptists’ prayers, gifts, and presence have helped provide a solid base to complete that journey.

Thank you for praying and giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering®.

KneEmail


“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10

Mike Benson, Editor

IN 1958, A NEW York City father named Robert Lane decided to call his baby son “Winner…”

The Lanes, who lived in a housing project in Harlem, already had several children, each with a fairly typical name.  But, Robert Lane apparently had a special feeling about this boy.  Winner Lane: How could he fail with a name like that?

Three years later, the Lanes had another baby boy, their seventh and last child.  For reasons that no one can quite pin down today, Robert decided to name this boy “Loser.” Robert wasn’t unhappy about the new baby; he just seemed to get a kick out of the name. First aWinner, now a Loser. But if Winner Lane could hardly be expected to fail, could Loser Lane possibly succeed?

Loser Lane did in fact succeed.  He went to prep school on a scholarship, graduated from Lafayette College in Pennsylvania, and joined the New York Police Department, where he made detective and, eventually, sergeant.  Although he never hid his name, many people were uncomfortable using it.  To his police colleagues today, he is known as “Lou.”

As for his brother, the most noteworthy achievement of Winner Lane, now in his late 40s, is the sheer length of his criminal record:  more than 30 arrests for burglary, domestic violence, trespassing, resisting arrest, and other mayhem.

Names can reveal one’s character and even shape it.  Names can provide a goal for which a person may strive to achieve.  Or, one can fail to live up to a name that he has been given.

What’s in a name?   There is conviction in a name that we all wear due to our wrong choices: sinner. “For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

What’s in a name?   There is SALVATION in the Name of JESUS.  “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).  Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins (Matthew 1:21).  When we respond in trusting obedience believing in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turning from our sins in repentance (2 Corinthians 7:9,10), repentance His name before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized (immersed) in His name, Jesus gives us a new name: CHRISTIAN.  Wearing the name “Christian” indicates that we have been forgiven of our sins and it also gives us a goal for which to strive: Christ–likeness.  God has promised that as a Christian walks in the light of His Word, that He will continue to cleanse that one of his sins (1 John 1:7).

What’s YOUR name?  Labels can hurt; titles can reward.  But the name above every name is JESUS and He wants to be your Savior so that He can give you a NEW name, a name filled with glory and honor as well as responsibility, the name “Christian.”   Won’t YOU become a Christian today?  Connor McLean and David A. Sargent, Minister

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.”  Proverbs 22:1Do something special today to make the day better for someone!

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Anna Lee