Tuesday Evening

Wayne Criswell is in Room 4113 B at North Oaks Hospital undergoing test. Please pray for the doctors as they determine what is wrong with him.

Thanks,

Chris Wales

John J. “Joe” Cutrer
(January 21, 1933 – December 28, 2009)

John J. “Joe” Cutrer a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather was born January 21, 1933 and passed away at 6:15 p.m., Monday, December 28, 2009 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Joe was 76, a native of Montpelier and a resident of Greensburg. He also served St. Helena Parish as a Constable for 30+ years and was the 2002 St. Helena Parish Forest Festival King.

Mr. Joe is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Lou Johnson Cutrer; daughter, Mary Jo Cutrer, Greensburg; 2 sons, Joey “Buck” Cutrer, Jr., Colyell and Richard “Ric” Cutrer and wife Donna, Greensburg; sister, Mary Rogers, Fort Worth, TX; brother, Ray Cutrer and wife Dorothy, Chicago, IL; 8 grandchildren, Joshua Freche’ and wife Mary Beth, Joey Cutrer, III, Drew Cutrer and wife Lauren, Brittany Cutrer, Carly Lou Cutrer, Baylor Cutrer, Ashley Woodward & Justin Cutrer; 2 step-grandchildren, Kayla & Kyle Hayden; 3 great-grandchildren, Reed Joseph Freche’, Rylee Hope Freche’ and Ava Cutrer.

Preceded in death by his parents, John Thomas and Hazel Redmond Cutrer; 2 sisters, Myrtle Ficklin Fiorello and Annie Mae Albritton; 3 brothers, Dewitt, Edward and Walter Cutrer.

Visitation will be at Greensburg First Baptist Church on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. until Religious Services at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Luther Stanford officiating. Interment in the Greensburg Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Joshua Freche’, Drew Cutrer, Baylor Cutrer, Justin Cutrer, Greg Carruth & Robert Albritton.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Don Carter, Freddy Carter & Fred Lynn Armstrong.

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

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

Tuesday

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another,

for love comes from God.

Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

~1 John 4:7 (NLT)~

John J. “Joe” Cutrer
(January 21, 1933 – December 28, 2009)

John J. “Joe” Cutrer a loving husband, father, brother, and grandfather was born January 21, 1933 and passed away at 6:15 p.m., Monday, December 28, 2009 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Joe was 76 and a resident of Greensburg.

Arrangements will be added on Tuesday, December 29, 2009.

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

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

Baptist Press

December 28, 2009

GEORGIA–GPS: An audacious vision to reach North America. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31944

GEORGIA–10 steps for implementing GPS. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31945

WASHINGTON—Adult stem cells continue advances. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31946

TEXAS–FamilyNet sold again. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31947

TEXAS–FIRST PERSON (Rob Phillips): Why some people miss the kingdom of heaven. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31948
PUT IT TO DEATH

“Mommy, my turtle is dead,” the little boy, Freddie, sorrowfully told his mother, holding the turtle out to her.

The mother kissed him on the head, then said, “That’s all right. We’ll wrap him in tissue paper, put him in a little box, then have a nice burial ceremony in the back yard. After that, we’ll go out for an ice cream soda, and then get you a new pet. I don’t want you….” Her voice trailed off as she noticed the turtle move.

“Freddie, your turtle is not dead after all.”

“Oh,” the disappointed boy said. “Can I kill it?”

Using the mind of a child, it’s easy to see why Freddie felt that way. In his immature mind, the “blessing” of an ice cream soda more than made up for any loss suffered through the death of a pet.

There is a sense, though, in which the benefits of death far outweigh any sadness we might feel. The apostle Paul frequently wrote of the need to “put to death” the sinful behavior that once characterized our lives. We’re well aware of what he’s talking about because we constantly struggle with temptation. Just when we think we’ve given our sins the death blow, they resurface with new life. Putting them to death is not an easy thing to do. It helps to be reminded of the benefits of doing so:

“For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (Rom. 8:13)

The thought of “living” with God far outweighs any sadness I might experience from putting to death those “deeds of the body.”

Father, as I look at my sinful behavior which resurfaces from time to time only to hurt and disappoint you so much — that behavior which you hate even more than I do, enough to sacrifice your only Son — I have only one question: Can I kill it?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

May you recognize the blessings of this day.

Anna Lee

Monday Evening

Melba Francine Jenkins
(November 30, 1943 – December 28, 2009)

Melba Francine Jenkins was born November 30, 1943 and passed away at 8:30 a.m., Monday, December 28, 2009 at her daughter’s residence in Kentwood surrounded by her family after a long battle of Lou Gehrig’s Disease. She was 66, a native and resident of Amite and she was a member of the First Baptist Church of Amite.

Francine is survived by her daughter, Brenda Addison Stevens and husband Terry, Kentwood; 2 sons, Mark Wayne Addison and Olen Wilkes Addison both of Amite; sister, Shirley Jenkins Primes, Amite; brother, George Perry Jenkins and wife Carolyn, Amite; 4 grandchildren, Shawnee, Joshua, Daniel and Alyssa Addison; 5 great-grandchildren, Caylee, Cameron, Cade and Cassi Addison and Carson Smith; 2 future great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by parents, George M. and Beatrice Hale Jenkins; brother, Gerald M. Jenkins;

Visitation will be at First Baptist Church of Amite on Thursday, December 31, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. until Religious Services at 12:00 Noon with Rev. Mike Foster and Rev. Tommy Hicks officiating. Interment in the Kedron Cemetery, Amite, LA.

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

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

Monday @ Noon

Dennis Walker passed on word that Francine Jenkins Addison passed away. Please be in prayer for the Addison and Jenkins families.

Monday

… That you may love the LORD your God,

listen to his voice,

and hold fast to him.

For the LORD is your life,

and he will give you many years in the land

he swore to give to your fathers,

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

~Deuteronomy 30:20, NIV~

Continue to pray for Mrs. Wanzie Williams. She was home briefly, but had to be taken back to the hospital. She is Baton Rouge now. Pray for her family as they help care for her.

Randy Meadows was released from the hospital and is now on his cruise. Pray he is well enough to enjoy this time.

CaringBridge

Time

EVERY MORNING GOD doles out a limited amount of time to every soul on the planet…

86,400 seconds, 1,440 minutes, or 24 hours–depending upon how you count time. We can do what we want with this daily allotment: spend it, use it, waste it, kill it, invest it, or just ignore it. Whatever we do it it, our time for that one day will be gone There is no way to save any of it.

“The day of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off and we fly away.” Psalm 90:10

Posted by Mike Benson

Make the most of today!

Anna Lee

Sunday

Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other;

let us really show it by our actions.

~1 John 3:18 (NLT)~

CaringBridge

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions

Fastest office on four wheels

Owensboro, Ky., is flat. Seemingly endless corn and soybean fields hug its outskirts. But Judy Miller’s hometown is nothing like West Africa, sporting some of the harshest living conditions on the planet. Courtesy of the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, Judy depends on her “office” — a four-wheel drive truck — to tame the roads. Its maintenance costs average $75 per month. She also depends on radio time at $200 to spread the Gospel where she can’t reach.

A big part of Judy’s time is spent checking on her team members. These 20-somethings are part of the Oral Peoples strategy team, making the Gospel accessible on tape to people who prefer to learn through the spoken word. That process takes two to three years and guarantees some unforgettable experiences.

“Things like mice falling out of the ceiling onto your bed while you’re sleeping in the middle of the night, and rats eating that special candy your family sent from home,” Judy said.

But her team members don’t dwell on those unwanted guests. Instead, they press on to make Gospel stories reproducible so one person can tell them to another. That’s how West Africa will be reached for Christ, but still, Judy would like more teams.

“We need young men to come. … Right now we have about a 10 to 1 ratio of young ladies [to men] responding to God’s call. And so we’re calling out for the obedient young men to stand and say, ‘I’m willing to give two to three years.’”

Go to the following link to see related pictures.

http://www.imb.org/main/give/lmw/Story.asp?StoryID=7972&LanguageID=1709

May you be blessed as you honor the Lord’s Day today!

Anna Lee

Saturday Night

John Henry McGehee, Jr.
(October 10, 1932 – December 26, 2009)

John Henry “Buggy” McGehee, Jr.

The town of Kentwood will be saddened by the death of John Henry “Buggy” McGehee, Jr. He was a lifetime resident of Kentwood for his 77 years, except for the short time he spent with his sister in Orange, Texas following the death of his father. He is survived by his two sisters and one brother-in-law, Carolyn McGehee McKinney, and A. W. & Sandy McGehee Reed. He is also survived by three nephews and two nieces, and their spouses: Ken & Kasey Roberts, Brent & Tara Reed, and Kyle & Amy McKinney, Cyndi Reed & Eddie Miller, and Mimi McKinney Rester. He is also survived by eight great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and step-mother, John Henry & Norma Toche McGehee, Sr., and by his mother, Vivian Porter Miller, as well as one nephew, Russell Roberts. He was also preceded in death by numerous McGehee Toche, and Porter aunts and uncles. A member of First Baptist Church, he was well known about town; if ever told a birthday, he never forgot it. In his younger days, he was often seen working in the Kentwood Pool Hall. He quite often frequented many local businesses and ran errands for them. He was a resident of Kentwood Manor Nursing Home for 21 years. He will be missed by family and friends. Visitation from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, December 28th, 2009 at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, LA. Funeral service followed immediately at 2 p.m. Monday. Interment at Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA, immediately following graveside rites. Pallbearers will be Ken Roberts, Brent Reed, Eddie Miller, Kyle McKinney, George Poole, Phil Connely, Preston Roberts, and Kohl Rester.

Saturday Afternoon

Virginia Levatino Rispone
(July 15, 1922 – December 26, 2009)

Died at 6:19 a.m. on Saturday, December 26, 2009 at Belle Maison Nursing Home in Hammond. She was a resident of Amite. Age 87 years. She was a member of St. Helena Catholic Church in Amite. She is survived by her 2 daughters, Frances Rispone Jones and husband, Johnny Jones, Amite and Theresa Rispone Forrest and husband, Ricky Forrest; 4 grandchildren, Jeff Jones and wife, Tammy Jones, Amite, Mark Jones, Amite, Kim Harper Parent and husband, David Parent, Hammond, and Gwen Harper Pedelahore and husband, Kenny Pedelahore, Livingston; 8 great-grandchildren, J.J. Jones, Christine and Mikki Jones, Kaden, Keegan and Kamden Pedelahore and Amanda and Rebecca Parent; 4 step-grandchildren, Casy, Jamie, Blake and Ryan Forrest; numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Rispone; parents, Tony and Theresa Levatino; 2 brothers, John and Sam Levatino; sister, Josephine Taylor; 2 nephews, James and Tommy Taylor. Visitation at St. Helena Catholic Church, Amite, from 9 a.m. until religious services at 12 Noon Monday. Services conducted by Fr. Joe Camilleri . Interment Mulberry Street Cemetery, Amite. Pallbearers will be Tony and Tommy Taylor, Samuel, Joseph and Jerry Rispone and Jack Liuzza.

Saturday Afternoon

Arthur Ronald “Ronnie” Hayden
(February 8, 1947 – December 26, 2009)

Arthur Ronald “Ronnie” Hayden was born February 8, 1947 and passed away at 12:14 p.m. on Saturday, December 26, 2009 at his residence. Ronnie was 62 a native and resident of Amite.

Ronnie is survived by his wife, Claudette Schiro Hayden, Amite; a son, Michael Hayden and wife Leigh, Kentwood; a daughter, Jacqueline Hayden Joiner and husband Travis, Amite. 2 sisters, Rose Hayden Fagan, Hammond and Nita Hayden Lea and husband Frank, Amite. 5 grandchildren, Taylor Joiner, Brent Joiner, Kayla Hayden, Kyle Hayden and Nicolas Hayden. 3 step-grandchildren, Michael Briggs, Stephen Briggs and Ashleigh Briggs.

Preceded in death by parents, Arthur and Orvil Stafford Hayden; 3 brothers, Billy N., Carl and Steve Hayden.

Visitation will be at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Monday, December 28, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. until Religious Services at 10:00 a.m. in the Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. John Fulda officiating. Interment in the Arcola-Roseland Cemetery, Roseland, LA.

Ronnie was a member of Amte Church of Christ.

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

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

Saturday

Birth Announcement

Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified.

The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”

At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:

Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

Luke 2:9-14 (MSG)

Thank God for taking care of Bro. Butch Reviere, his friend, and the other driver during an accident in Bogalusa. None of them were serious hurt. Bro. Butch will need to get a new vehicle though. It’s a little cool to ride his motorcycle every day.

Randy Meadows, husband of Sherry Alford Meadows, got to spend Christmas in the hospital thanks to an infection. Pray Randy gets to feeling better and can enjoy his vacation/holiday time with family.

A former student, Charlotte, spent her Chirstmas Eve and Christmas at her dad’s bedside. He’s better now. Pray for continued improvement.

Pray for all the other families that had members hospitalized during the holidays. I remember spending some holiday time visiting relatives on Christmas or even being at the funeral home with family. It’s a holiday memory that you don’t forget. It’s so assuring to know God walks with us on holidays like all the other days. He can provide the assurance and comfort we need each and every day.

Why?

WHILE APPEARING ON a panel with other bereaved parents, I was surprised at how much I learned by listening…

We were there to help a group of ministers help the grieving, but we ended up learning from one another.

One mom, who had lost her infant daughter to meningitis, shared a simple truth that touched me. She related that as she tried to work through the huge question of “Why?” she spoke to her dad about it. He told her that a better question to ask is “Who?” He explained that she may never know why her daughter was taken so early, but the help she needed most would come from pursuing who God is in this tragic situation.

Think of what this means to us in our difficulties. When we face unexpected grief and ask “Who?” we thus answer: “The Father of mercies and God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3). When we face a period of weakness, we discover that “the LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer” (Psm. 18:2). When the ungodliness of this world seems overwhelming, we can know that the “God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly” (Rom. 16:20). When “Why, God?” is on your heart, ask instead, “Who are You, God?” Then seek Him in His Word. (Dave Branon)

“Lord, all my desire is before You;

and my sighing is not hidden from You.”

~Psm. 38:9~

Posted by Mike Benson

May you have a blessed day today.

Anna Lee