Wednesday

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?

Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them.

~Luke 6:32 (NIV)~

Continue praying for Mrs. Wanzie Williams as she has surgery this morning.

Mrs. Della McDaniel is doing well following her heart procedure.  Keep her in your prayers.

Chuck Pittman made a trip to the emergency room last week.  He is a little better this week.  Continue to pray for Chuck and his family.

Mrs. Faye Price is in rehab across the road from North Oaks.  Keep praying for her and her family.

Learn what $.08 can do through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions.

http://www.imb.org/main/give/lmw/Story.asp?StoryID=8017&LanguageID=1709

Lottie Moon Enthusiast Upholds Missions Legacy

By Caroline Anderson
Baptist Press
EDITOR’S NOTE: See Frances Blair speak of her regard for legendary missionary Lottie Moon: http://media1.imbresources.org/files/103/10336/10336-55197.flv.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (BP)–She is a petite spitfire with a heart for missions. She teaches Sunday School at Hardware Baptist Church in Charlottesville, Va., where she encourages members to support missionaries who tell people about Jesus in other countries.

Those who know the life story of Lottie Moon may think this is a description of her from a bygone era, but it also describes Frances Blair.

For years, the 80-year-old Blair has been working to keep Moon’s legacy alive in the white wood-paneled church where Moon taught Sunday School before her legendary missionary work in China.

Blair and Moon are kindred spirits of sorts. Moon died on her way home from China in 1912 — 17 years before Blair was born — yet Blair talks about Moon as if she were a close friend.

“Somebody told me the other day, ‘You talk about her like you knew her personally.’ And I said, ‘No, but it just touched my heart, the things that I have read about this lady and the sacrifice she made for her God ‘”

“Come into God’s house!” said Blair, as she proudly opened the doors of Hardware Baptist.

The history of the 207-year-old church is evidenced in its slave balcony and spittoons from the days when slaves came to church with their masters and country church services were thought to be too long to go without chewing tobacco. A cabinet in the church foyer displays Lottie Moon memorabilia, including yellowed photographs.

Despite their upbringings in church, both Moon and Blair were indifferent to God until they reached adulthood. Moon rebelled against Christianity until she was in college. In December 1858, she dedicated her life to Christ. Blair was baptized at age 9 after a fire and brimstone message, but it wasn’t until she heard the truth presented to her in an unlikely place — a barstool in a tavern — that Jesus became more than just a name. After that she began to take an active role in the church.

Blair has been the cornerstone of the missions program at Hardware Baptist and served as its WMU (Woman’s Missionary Union) director for several years. But there’s been no WMU program at Hardware since Blair stepped down. Most of Hardware’s 25-30 members are elderly. About 14 attend services regularly.

Still, Blair has kept the work of their famous congregant at the forefront and championed giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions, in keeping with the mentoring Blair received from women in the church to be an advocate for missions.

Blair worries that busyness and distractions have caused some people to neglect nurturing the next generation to have a love for missions like Lottie Moon did.

“Jesus said go to all the world — all the world — not just here or next door but to the whole world,” Blair said.

Caroline Anderson is a writer for the International Mission Board. For more information about the missions offering named for Lottie Moon, visit imb.org/offering.

Tuesday Afternoon

From Esther Rodriguez

Please add Rufus”Butch”Cutrer and the family on the prayer link as they see the oncologist today. Thank you, Esther


Lanagene Nicolosi
(October 17, 1948 – December 21, 2009)


Lanagene Nicolosi

Passed away at 8 p.m. on Monday, December 21, 2009 at her residence in Amite. She was a native of Independence, LA. Age 61 years. She was a member of St. Helena Catholic Church and was a Radiology Tech, CT Tech and Mammographer for Lakeview Regional Medical Center. She is survived by her her husband, Sal A. Nicolosi, Amite; daughter, Charlotte L. Lee and husband, Tony, Amite and son, Charles D. Lebo, Loranger; step-daughter, Lisa Culbreath and husband, Wayne, Hammond; step-son, Peter J. Nicolosi, Baton Rouge; grandchildren, Kody A. Sticker and Rebecca Landry, Devin Lebo, Kristen Lebo, Jordan Lee, Casey Culbreath, Caitlyn Culbreath and Landon Nicolosi; sister, Penny Strong and husband, Mike, Amite; brother, Van Easley and wife, Melissa, Amite; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Peter J. Nicolosi and Beatrice Monistere Nicolosi. She was preceded in death by her parents, Luther Easley and Verlie Mixon Easley Davidson. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Wednesday and from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. on Thursday. Religious Services at St. Helena Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Thursday. Services conducted by Fr. Joe Camilleri and Deacon Michael Agnello. Interment Friendship Cemetery, Amite, LA.

Agnes Amanda Anderson McClendon
(October 8, 1923 – December 21, 2009)

Agnes Amanda Anderson McClendon

Died at 7:05 p.m. on Monday, December 21, 2009 at Hood Memorial Hospital in Amite, LA. She was a native and resident of Amite, LA. Age 86 years. She retired after 45 years with the Tangipahoa Parish School Board as a teacher and supervisor. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma. Visitation at St. Helena Catholic Church, Amite, from from 8 a.m. on Wednesday until religious services at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Services conducted by Fr. Joe Camilleri. Interment Amite Cemetery, Amite, LA. Survived by daughter, Elizabeth McClendon Cain and her husband, Clay, Amite, 2 sons, Robert Spec McClendon, II and his wife, Carmen Maria, Amite, and Eric Reiley McClendon, Amite, 9 grandchildren, Cory Bryan Blunk and his wife, Rachel, Ann Cain, Clay Cain, Jr. and his wife, Allison, Lauren Cain, Robert Cain and his wife, Amber, Camy Marie McClendon, Jessica Katherine McClendon, Eric Reiley McClendon, II, and Olivia Caroline McClendon, 3 great-grandchildren, Kaleigh Brianne Powell, Madison Claire Cain, and Cayden Randal Cain, sister, Pearl Fazekas and her husband, Dan, Baton Rouge. Preceded in death by husband, Robert Spec McClendon, daughter, Ann Carroll McClendon Blunk, granddaughter, Amy Caroline McClendon, parents, Eric and Fannie Anderson, sister, Hildur Hutchinson, and brother, Lenoir Porter. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

“Miss” Agnes was my teacher, my c0-worker, and later my supervisor.  She set high expectations for herself and other.

Tuesday

“For my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the sight of all people,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles

and for glory to your people Israel.”

~Luke 2:30-32~

Will you please add my brother Keith’s wife Donna on the prayer link. She will have foot surgery in Hammond tomorrow.
Thank you,
Lawana (Carter)

Pray for the shut-ins today.  Pray someone, maybe you, will remember them and take some time to visit this week.

Lottie Moon information that will inform you and others:

http://www.imb.org/main/give/lmw/Story.asp?StoryID=8016&LanguageID=1709

Carole Kemp Stevens
(July 2, 1943 – December 20, 2009)

Carole Kemp Stevens passed away on December 20, 2009 at Baton Rouge General Medical Center. Graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at Amite Memorial Gardens in Amite. She was born July 2, 1943 in Amite where she grew up. She graduated from Amite High School. She is survived by three sisters, Katherine Cockrell and Deanie Kemp of Baton Rouge and Nell Clement of Denham Springs, two brothers, Bill Kemp of Baton Rouge and Hillery Kemp of Many, eleven nieces and nephews, several great nieces and great nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Thelma Kemp of Hillsdale and Blairstown respectively and a brother, Roland Kemp. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

Sheep

NEAR THE VILLAGE of Gevas in eastern Turkey, while shepherds ate their breakfast, one of their sheep jumped off a 45-foot cliff to its death…

Then, as the stunned shepherds looked on, the rest of the flock followed. In all, 1,500 sheep mindlessly stumbled off the cliff. The only good news was that the last 1,000 were cushioned in their fall by the growing woolly pile of those who jumped first. According to The Washington Post, 450 sheep died.
The Bible often refers to human beings as sheep (Ps. 100:3; Isa. 53:6; Matt. 9:36). Easily distracted and susceptible to group influence, we would rather follow the crowd than the wisdom of the Shepherd.

Whom are we following? One another? Or the voice and direction of the Good Shepherd? Our challenge is to avoid the mistake of the sheep who blindly followed one another over a cliff. We must make it our daily purpose to ask ourselves: Am I listening for the voice of the Good Shepherd? Am I following Him? (Mart De Haan)

Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
Much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use Thy folds prepare. (Thrupp)

“I am the Good Shepherd . . . . My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” ( John 10:14,27).

Posted by Mike Benson

Jesus is the reason for the season!  Merry CHRISTmas!

Anna Lee

Monday

Sing to God a thanksgiving hymn,

play music on your instruments to God.

~ Psalm 147:7 (MSG) ~

CaringBridge

There a a number of hurting and or lonely people whom you could be a blessing to this holiday.  Help  in any way you can.

Hospitals don’t take two week breaks like schools do.  I know people who will spend their holidays in the hospital.  You do too!  Say a special prayer for them.  Do some deed to minister to the patient and/or the family.

If you have children or grandchildren around this week, why no fill some of their time with stories and projects about international missions?  You’ll be blessed as much as they will!

http://www.imb.org/main/downloads/page.asp?StoryID=6926&LanguageID=1709

Merry CHRISTmas!

Anna Lee

Sunday


“But the Lord stood at my side ….” 2 Timothy 4:17 (NIV)

CaringbBridge

Juanita Jenkins “Maw Jody” Martin
(June 28, 1923 – December 17, 2009)

Juanita Jenkins

Mrs. Juanita J. “Maw Jody” Martin was born June 28, 1923 and passed away at 12:15 p.m., Thursday, December 17, 2009 at her residence in Independence. She was 86 and a native of Hillsdale. “Maw Jody” was a retired nurse from East Feliciana State Hospital, Jackson, LA.

“Maw Jody” is survived by 4 sons, Royce Martin and wife Eunice, Holden, Dennis Martin and wife Pennie, Hebron, IN, Colonel James Martin and wife Sky, Vienna, VA, and Reggie Martin and wife Cindy, Independence; 15 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, 3 great- great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by parents, James Wesley and Isabell Kirby Jenkins; husband, Jessie Lee Martin, Sr.; 3 sisters, Lucille Bennett, Marie Morgan, and Annie Henry; 10 brothers, James, Edgar, Leon, Davis, Elmer, Wilford, Roger, Hulon, Roy Lee, and JD Jenkins.

Visitation will be at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Monday December 21, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. until Religious Services at 11:30 a.m. in the Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mitch Williams and Deacon Roger Navarra officiating. Interment in the Colonial Mausoleum, Independence.

In lieu of flowers the family request memorial donations be made to the Independence First Baptist Church,372 Pine Street, Independence, LA 70443.

An on-line Guestbook and to view a Video Tribute is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N & Hwy 16W behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash and Hood Automotive.

Poor

poverty3.jpgONE DAY, THE father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live…
They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family. On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, “How was the trip?”

“It was great, Dad.”

“Did you see how poor people live?” the father asked.

“Oh yeah,” said the son.

“So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?” asked the father.

The son answered: “I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.”

The boy’s father was speechless.

Then his son added, “Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are.”

“Yet He sets the poor on high, far from affliction, and makes their families like a flock.” Psalm 107:41

Posted by Mike Benson

Saturday

What Makes Christmas so Special?
By Kelly Boggs
Baptist Press

In Dr. Seuss’s classic tale “How The Grinch Stole Christmas,” the malevolent main character discovers that Christmas cannot be thwarted. Try as he might, the Grinch is unable to steal, stifle or subdue the Christmas celebration of the Whos who inhabit Whoville.

Even the Whos understand that the reason for Christmas is not to be found in gifts, feasts or decorations. Christmas is a celebration that takes place in the heart.

While the good doctor’s holiday tale is not inherently Christian, it does illustrate that Christmas is essentially a spiritual matter — a contemplation of the soul.

Those familiar with Seuss’s story know that the reason the Grinch could not comprehend the Whos’ zeal for Christmas is because his heart was “two sizes too small.”

Dr. Seuss demonstrated simply and profoundly that the reality of Christmas does not exist in external symbols. Much of what is associated with Christmas these days has little or nothing to do with why the holiday is so special.

Decorated trees, blinking lights, singing-dancing snowmen, Santa and his flying reindeer have no connection whatsoever with the essence and reality that is Christmas.

Many who celebrate Christmas believe the significance centers on the birth of Jesus Christ. However, the season’s significance transcends the mere fact that Jesus was born.

The only people who celebrate a birth, for the sake of the birth, are family and friends. In order for someone’s birth to be honored by a nation, much less the world, the person must achieve a great deal during his or her lifetime.

In America we remember the birth of certain presidents because of a unique or significant contribution to our country.

Columbus has long been honored because his voyage across the Atlantic opened the door for colonization of the new world. Martin Luther King Jr. is remembered for his courageous leadership in the cause of civil rights.

What did Jesus do that was so significant that the world should pause to remember His birth? In his relatively short life, he wrote no books, made no earth-shaking discovery and he led no political movement. So, why do people the world over celebrate the birth of Jesus?

Perhaps it is Jesus’ death that makes his birth worth commemorating?

The Bible details the nature of Jesus’ earthly demise. Each of the Gospel writers relates the horrific reality of Christ’s crucifixion. However, the fact that Jesus suffered a tortuous death is not, by itself, justification for the world to remember his death.

What is it that makes Christmas so special? It is not because Jesus lived a virtuous life or died a tragic death. What makes Christ’s birth so significant is the awesome reality that Jesus conquered death.

The Bible boldly proclaims that three days after Jesus was crucified He rose from the dead. The resurrection is the exclamation point on the life of Christ. The resurrection is why Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus.

The significance of the resurrection as it relates to Christmas cannot be stressed enough. When Jesus walked on earth He claimed to be God in the flesh. Had He died and remained in the grave, His claims would have been dismissed. However, an empty tomb and subsequent appearances to His followers validated his “outrageous” pronouncements.

What makes Christmas so very significant, so special, is Easter.

The Grinch learned that Christmas cannot be thwarted. It is not a celebration dependent on symbols or external motivation. It is a celebration of the heart.

While the masses may bury the Gospel truth under gifts, trees, tinsel and lights, the fact remains that the reason for the season is a crucified and risen Savior.

May our hearts be enlarged this Noel in order to accommodate the whole Christmas story — which includes the cross and the empty tomb.

(Kelly Boggs is a weekly columnist for Baptist Press and editor of the Baptist Message (www.baptistmessage.com), newsjournal of the Louisiana Baptist Convention.)

Merry CHRISTmas!

Anna Lee

Friday


“Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion!

Declare His deeds among the people.”

~Psalm 9:11~

That is exactly what Lottie Moon did.  As I look forward to the Lottie Moon Tea at First Baptist Church, Amite tomorrow at 2 P.M., I want to share her recipe for tea cake cookies.  She baked these cookies in China.  The aroma traveled through her windows to children.  The smell of the tea cake cookies “opened the door” for Lottie to begin her ministry to the children there.  She people there started calling her the “cookie lady”.
Lottie Moon’s plain tea cake recipe
From the Web site for Woman’s Missionary Union (www.wmu.com):

As a way to earn the trust of the people and show her goodwill, Lottie Moon made tea cakes for the children in her village in China. Once the children ate the cookies, they would take Lottie to their homes where she would share the gospel with their mothers. The children began calling Lottie “the cookie lady” instead of “foreign devil.”

Plain Tea Cake
(As made by Lottie Moon)
Three teacups of sugar
One teacup of butter
One teacup of sour milk
Four pints flour
Three eggs, well beaten
Half a teaspoon of soda
Flavor to taste, roll thin, bake in a quick oven.

Adapted recipe:
2 cups flour
½ cup butter
1 heaping cup of sugar
1 well-beaten egg
1 tablespoon cream

Cream the butter and sugar. Add the egg and mix well. Add the flour and cream. Dust a board with flour. Roll the dough very thin. Cut cookies with a round cookie cutter. Place on a buttered or nonstick cookie sheet. Bake at 475 degrees for about 5 minutes.

Lottie Moon knew that Jesus was the reason for the season.  She also know Jesus was the reason for living each day and being a constant witness.  As we celebrate the holidays, let’s be sure to make Jesus the center of our focus!

Pray for Holly K. as she travels home tomorrow.  Thank God her whole family will be together for the holidays.

Pray for others as they travel for the holidays.  Many will be making special short or long trips.  Pray for alertness and carefulness of all those in control of their vehicles.  Pray for the health of all so the precious time together will not be spent in bed with a virus going through the family.

Pray for those who will be alone for the holidays.  Maybe, you can invite them to be a part of your celebration

Merry CHRISTmas!

Anna Lee

Thursday Afternoon

Please pray for the Martin family.

Juanita Jenkins “Maw Jody” Martin
(June 28, 1923 – December 17, 2009)

Mrs. Juanita J. “Maw Jody” Martin was born June 28, 1923 and passed away on Thursday, December 17, 2009 at her residence in Independence. She was 86 and a native of Hillsdale. “Maw Jody” was a retired nurse from East Feliciana State Hospital, Jackson, LA.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N & Hwy 16W behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash and Hood Automotive.